Document:

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                                                               Exhibit 10.xxxii

                             THE MEAD CORPORATION
                    SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
                    --------------------------------------
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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
SECTION 1 - GENERAL...................................................................    1
     1.1    History and Effective Date................................................    1
     1.2    Purpose of Plan...........................................................    1
     1.3    Purpose of Restatement....................................................    1
     1.4    Plan Funding and Administration...........................................    2
     1.5    Applicable Law............................................................    2
     1.6    Gender and Number.........................................................    2
     1.7    Assignment................................................................    2
     1.8    Notices...................................................................    2

SECTION 2 - PARTICIPATION.............................................................    3
     2.1    Eligibility for Participation.............................................    3
     2.2    Participation Not Contract of Employment..................................    3

SECTION 3 - BASIC BENEFIT.............................................................    3
     3.1    Eligibility for Basic Benefit.............................................    3
     3.2    Amount of Basic Benefit...................................................    3
     3.3    Form and Time of Payment of Basic Benefit.................................    4
     3.4    Final Average Earnings....................................................    4
     3.5    Earnings..................................................................    4
     3.6    Other Benefits............................................................    5

SECTION 4 - EARLY BENEFIT.............................................................    5
     4.1    Eligibility for Early Benefit.............................................    5
     4.2    Amount of Early Benefit...................................................    6
     4.3    Form and Time of Payment of Early Benefit.................................    6

SECTION 5 - PRE-AGE 55 BENEFIT........................................................    6
     5.1    Eligibility for Pre-Age 55 Benefit........................................    6
     5.2    Amount of Pre-Age 55 Benefit..............................................    6
     5.3    Form and Time of Payment of Pre-Age 55 Benefit............................    7
     5.4    Involuntary Termination...................................................    7
     5.5    Termination for Cause.....................................................    8

SECTION 6 - DISABILITY BENEFIT........................................................    8
     6.1    Eligibility for Disability Benefit........................................    8
     6.2    Amount of Disability Benefit..............................................    9
     6.3    Form and Time of Payment of Disability Benefit............................    9

SECTION 7 - OPTIONAL FORMS OF BENEFIT PAYMENT.........................................    9
     7.1    Request for Optional Payment Form.........................................    9
     7.2    Optional Forms of Benefit Payment.........................................    9
     7.3    Limitations on Optional Forms of Payment..................................   10

SECTION 8 - DEATH BENEFIT.............................................................   10
     8.1    Eligibility for Death Benefit.............................................   10
     8.2    Amount of Death Benefit...................................................   10
     8.3    Beneficiary...............................................................   10

SECTION 9 - SPOUSAL SURVIVOR BENEFIT..................................................   11
     9.1    Eligibility for Spousal Survivor Benefit..................................   11
     9.2    Amount of Spousal Survivor Benefit........................................   11
     9.3    Form and Time of Payment of Spousal Survivor Benefit......................   11
     9.4    Reduction for Spousal Survivor Benefit....................................   12
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                            <C>
SECTION 10 - SPECIAL PROVISIONS AFFECTING PAYMENT OF BENEFITS................................. 12
     10.1    Competition...................................................................... 12
     10.2    Termination for Cause............................................................ 13
     10.3    Payments After a Change in Control............................................... 13
     10.4    Emergency Payments............................................................... 14
     10.5    ECAP Credit in Lieu of Distribution.............................................. 15
     10.6    Payment to Incapacitated Persons................................................. 15
     10.7    Withholding...................................................................... 15

SECTION 11 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION............................................................... 15
     11.1    Notice of Denial................................................................. 15
     11.2    Notice of Appeal................................................................. 16
     11.3    Decision on Appeal............................................................... 16
     11.4    Records, Data and Information.................................................... 16

SECTION 12 - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION........................................................ 17
     12.1    Amendment and Termination........................................................ 17
     12.2    Contingencies Affecting the Employers............................................ 17
     12.3    Protected Benefits............................................................... 17
</TABLE>
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          THE MEAD CORPORATION SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
          -----------------------------------------------------------

SECTION 1 - GENERAL
-------------------

            1.1  History and Effective Date. Effective January 1, 1982, THE MEAD
                 --------------------------
CORPORATION, an Ohio corporation ("Mead") established THE MEAD CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN, then known as "The Mead Management
Income Parity Plan," (the "Plan"). The Plan was subsequently amended and
restated, effective January 1, 1985, amended, effective November 1, 1986,
October 1, 1987, October 28, 1989 and February 28, 1991 and again amended and
restated, effective July 1, 1992. The following provisions constitute a further
amendment and restatement of the Plan, effective January 1, 1997. The Plan is
intended to be a "top hat plan" (within the meaning of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974).

            1.2  Purpose of Plan.  The purpose of the Plan is to supplement the
                 ---------------
amount of the "Pension" (as defined in The Mead Retirement Plan) payable from
The Mead Retirement Plan to or on account of any executive of Mead or of certain
"Affiliates" (as defined below) of Mead and, thereby, enhance Mead's ability to:

                 (a)  recruit mid-career executives;

                 (b)  retain and motivate employed executives; and

                 (c)  permit earlier than normal retirement of
            executives when it is found to be desirable.

The term "Affiliate" means any entity during the period that it is, along with
Mead, a member of a controlled group of corporations, a controlled group of
trades and businesses, an affiliated service group or any other entity
designated by the Secretary of the Treasury as described in sections 414(b),
414(c), 414(m), and 414(o), respectively, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(the "Code").  Mead and any Affiliate designated by the  Compensation Committee
of Mead's Board of Directors (the "Committee") and employing a "Participant" (as
described in subsection 2.1) hereunder are sometimes referred to below,
individually, as an "Employer" and, collectively, as the "Employers."

            1.3  Purpose of Restatement.  The purpose of this amendment and
                 ----------------------
restatement is to clarify certain Plan provisions, to incorporate previously
applicable Plan interpretations and to reflect the restructuring of The Mead
Excess Benefit Plan.  The amendment and restatement is not intended to, and does
not, reduce the benefits of any person accrued as of June 30, 1996.  It is
specifically intended that the rights and benefits of any Participant who had
attained age 55 on or before June 30, 1992 shall be determined in accordance
with the provisions of the Plan as in effect on that date.

            1.4  Plan Funding and Administration.  The benefits payable under
                 -------------------------------
the Plan are unfunded and are payable, when due, from the general assets of the
Employers or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, from the assets of a
benefit trust the assets of which shall be subject to the claims of the
unsecured general creditors of the Employers.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
the event of a "Potential Change in Control" (as defined in Section 3.02 of
Benefit Trust Agreement, a trust agreement established August 27, 1996 by and
between Mead and Key Trust Company of Ohio, N.A., a national banking
association,) the provisions of Benefit Trust Agreement shall become operative
with respect to the Plan.  The Plan shall be administered by the Vice-President-
Human Resources of Mead or such other person as is  hereafter named by the
Committee (the "Administrator") who shall have the rights, powers and duties
with respect to the Plan that are hereinafter set forth and the authority to
establish such rules, regulations and interpretations with respect to the Plan
as are reasonably necessary to administer the Plan.  Any such
<PAGE>

rules, regulations and interpretations shall be uniformly applied to all persons
similarly situated.

            1.5  Applicable Law.  The Plan will be construed and administered in
                 --------------
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio to the extent that those laws are
not preempted by the laws of the United States of America.

            1.6  Gender and Number. Where the context admits, words in any
                 -----------------
gender include any other gender, words in the singular will include the plural
and words in the plural include the singular.

            1.7  Assignment.  No Plan right or interest of any person under the
                 ----------
Plan shall be assignable or transferable, in whole or in part, either directly
or otherwise, including without limitation thereto, by execution, levy,
attachment, garnishment, pledge or in any other manner, but excluding transfers
by reason of death or mental incompetency; no attempted assignment or transfer
thereof shall be effective; and no such right or interest shall be liable for,
or subject to, any obligation or liability of any Participant or Beneficiary;
except that a Participant may direct that payments be made during his lifetime,
when due, to a trust established by him and evidenced to the Administrator to be
a trust created as a grantor trust within the meaning of section 671 of the
Code.

            1.8  Notices.  Any notice required or permitted to be given to any
                 -------
person under the Plan will be properly given if delivered or mailed, postage
prepaid, to that person at his last post office address as shown on his
Employer's records.  Any notice to the Committee or the Plan Administrator shall
be properly given if delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the Corporate
Secretary of The Mead Corporation at its principal place of business.  Any
notice required under the Plan may be waived by the person entitled to notice.

SECTION 2 - PARTICIPATION
-------------------------

            2.1  Eligibility for Participation.  Each individual who was a
                 -----------------------------
participant in the Plan on December 31, 1995 shall continue as a Participant,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.  Each other full-time,
domestic, executive employee of the Employers will become a Participant in the
Plan on the first day of the month next following the date on which he:

                 (a)  is a Participant in The Mead Retirement Plan;

                 (b)  is employed in a job classification
            designated by the Committee;

                 (c)  has been employed in such a job
            classification for 36 consecutive months; and

                 (d)  has executed such forms and supplied the Plan
            Administrator with such documents, evidence, data and information as
            the Committee may require.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, an individual who has once
become a Participant in the Plan shall continue as such, notwithstanding his
transfer to employment with an Employer in a non-designated job classification
or with an Affiliate.

            2.2  Participation Not Contract of Employment.  The Plan does not
                 ----------------------------------------
constitute a contract of employment and participation in the Plan will not give
any employee the right to be retained in the employ of the Employers or
Affiliates nor give any person any right or claim to any benefit under the terms
of the Plan unless such right or claim has specifically accrued under the terms
of the Plan.
<PAGE>

SECTION 3 - BASIC BENEFIT
-------------------------

            3.1  Eligibility for Basic Benefit.  If a Participant's employment
                 -----------------------------
with the Employers and the Affiliates is terminated (for a reason other than his
death) at or after he has attained age 62 years, he shall be entitled to receive
a "Basic Benefit" in an amount determined pursuant to the provisions of
subsection 3.2 and paid in the form and at the time provided in subsection 3.3.

            3.2  Amount of Basic Benefit.  A Participant's Basic Benefit is an
                 -----------------------
amount that, when expressed as an annual amount payable as a single life annuity
commencing on the first day of the calendar month coincident with or next
following the date of his termination of employment, is equal to:

                 (a)  55 percent of his "Final Average Earnings" (as defined in
            subsection 3.4);

                                  REDUCED BY
                                  ----------

                 (b)  the amount of the Participant's "Other Benefits" (as
            defined in subsection 3.6); and

                              FURTHER REDUCED BY
                              ------------------

                 (c)  the reduction, if any, required by subsection 9.4 which
            relates to "Spousal Survivor Benefits" (as described in subsection
            9.1).

            3.3  Form and Time of Payment of Basic Benefit.  Except as otherwise
                 -----------------------------------------
specifically provided by Section 7, relating to optional forms of payment, the
"Actuarial Present Value" (as defined in The Mead Retirement Plan) of the amount
of a Participant's Basic Benefit will be distributed to him in the form of a
single, lump sum payment, on or as soon as practicable after the date on which
the Participant's employment with the Employers and the Affiliates is
terminated.

            3.4  Final Average Earnings.  The term "Final Average Earnings"
                 ----------------------
means, with respect to any Participant, the average of his annual "Earnings" (as
defined in subsection 3.5) for the highest 3 calendar years of his employment
with the Employers (or his average monthly Earnings if less than 3 calendar
years of such employment) selected from the 11 calendar years during which he
received Earnings commencing with the earlier of the calendar year in which the
Participant attains age 62 years or terminates his employment with the Employers
and the 10 preceding calendar years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes
of determining the amount of a Spousal Survivor Benefit payable pursuant to
Section 9 on account of a Participant who has not attained age 55 years on the
date of his death, it shall be assumed that the amount of his Final Average
Earnings is equal to the amount of his "Earnings" (as defined in The Mead
Retirement Plan) during the calendar year next preceding the year of his death.

            3.5  Earnings.  For any calendar year, the term "Earnings" means,
                 --------
with respect to any Participant, the cash remuneration and the value of property
given to him in lieu of cash (without regard to any restriction or risk of
forfeiture), payable to him in that year by the Employers in the form of base
pay, bonuses, short term incentive compensation and amounts payable in lieu of
short term incentive compensation in that year (and any portion of any such
amounts deferred by the Participant pursuant to the terms of any deferred
compensation arrangement maintained by the Employers). In no event shall a
Participant's Earnings:

                 (a)  include payments from long term incentive
<PAGE>

            compensation plans, stock option plans, stock appreciation rights,
            severance payments, special agreements, contracts or payments,
            expense reimbursements or relocation allowances; or

                 (b)  exceed 2 times his base pay.

            3.6  Other Benefits.  The term "Other Benefits" means, with respect
                 --------------
to any Participant, the sum of:

                 (a)  50 percent of the annual primary Social Security benefit
payable (or, in the case of a Participant whose Benefit is being determined
prior to the date he attains age 62 years, estimated by the Plan Administrator,
in his absolute discretion, to be payable) to the Participant at age 62;

                 (b)  disregarding any reduction on account of a "qualified
domestic relations order" (as defined in section 414(p) of the Code), the annual
amounts (expressed as single life annuities) determined to be payable to the
Participant under The Mead Retirement Plan, The Mead Section 415 Excess Plan and
The Mead Excess Compensation Plan (the "Mead Plans") as of his termination date,
or such other determination date as is specifically provided with respect to a
particular Plan Benefit; and

                 (c)  disregarding any reduction on account of a qualified
            domestic relations order, the annual amount (expressed as a single
            life annuity) payable to the Participant from the employer funded
            portion of any deferred, vested or lump sum benefit earned under a
            "Prior Retirement Plan" (that is any defined benefit plan or other
            similar primary retirement plan intended to meet the requirements of
            section 401(a) of the Code (including any governmental plan)
            maintained by any previous employer of the Participant) prior to age
            55 and payable no earlier than 10 years prior to the date on which
            the Participant was employed by the Employers and Affiliates.

SECTION 4 - EARLY BENEFIT
-------------------------

            4.1  Eligibility for Early Benefit.  If a Participant's employment
                 -----------------------------
with the Employers and the Affiliates is terminated (for a reason other than his
death) at or after he has attained age 55 years, but prior to the date on which
he attains age 62 years, he shall be entitled to receive an "Early Benefit" in
an amount determined pursuant to the provisions of subsection 4.2 and paid in
the form and at the time provided in subsection 4.3.

            4.2  Amount of Early Benefit.  A Participant's Early Benefit is an
                 -----------------------
amount determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection 3.2, but
computed by reducing the percentage "55 percent" found in paragraph 3.2(a) by
1/4 of one percent for each full month by which the commencement of payment of
the Participant's Early Benefit precedes the first day of the calendar month
coincident with, or next following, the date on which he attains age 62 years.

            4.3  Form and Time of Payment of Early Benefit.  Except as otherwise
                 -----------------------------------------
specifically provided by Section 7, relating to optional forms of payment, the
amount of a Participant's Early Benefit shall be payable monthly, in the form of
a single life annuity, from the first day of the calendar month next following
his termination of employment through the calendar month during which the
Participant attains age 62 years.  As of the first day of the calendar month
next following the date on which the Participant attains age 62 years, an amount
equal to the Actuarial Present Value of his Early Benefit, (which Actuarial
Present Value shall be reduced by the aggregate amount of the monthly payments
previously made to him and increased by interest on the  undistributed portion
of his Early Benefit calculated from his termination date to the payment date),
determined as of his termination date, will be distributed to the Participant in
the form of a single, lump sum payment.
<PAGE>

SECTION 5 - PRE-AGE 55 BENEFIT
------------------------------

            5.1  Eligibility for Pre-Age 55 Benefit.  If a Participant's
                 ----------------------------------
employment with the Employers and the Affiliates is "Involuntarily Terminated"
(as described in subsection 5.4) prior to the date on which he attains age 55
years, or if his employment is terminated prior to that date for any other
reason approved for purposes of the Plan by Mead's Chief Executive Officer, he
shall be entitled to receive a "Pre-Age 55 Benefit" in an amount determined
pursuant to the provisions of subsection 5.2 and paid in the form and at the
time provided in subsection 5.3.

            5.2  Amount of Pre-Age 55 Benefit.  A Participant's Pre-Age 55
                 ----------------------------
Benefit is an amount determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection
3.2 as of the date he attains age 62, but computed by:

                 (a)  reducing the percentage "55 percent" found in paragraph
3.2(a) by 1/4 of one percent for each full month by which the date of the
Participant's termination of employment with the Employers and the Affiliates
precedes the first day of the calendar month coincident with, or next following,
the date on which he will attain age 62 years; and

                 (b)  by assuming, for purposes of determining the amount of his
Other Benefits attributable to the Mead Plans, that he will continue as a
Participant under  those Plans until the date on which he will attain age 55
years and that his benefits under The Mead Plans will be payable on that date.

            5.3  Form and Time of Payment of Pre-Age 55 Benefit.  Except as
                 ----------------------------------------------
otherwise specifically provided by Section 7, an amount equal to the Actuarial
Present Value of a Participant's Pre-Age 55 Benefit will be distributed to the
Participant, in a single, lump sum payment as of the first day of the calendar
month coincident with or next following the date on which the Participant
attains age 62 years.

            5.4  Involuntary Termination.  The term "Involuntary Termination"
                 -----------------------
means, with respect to any Participant, the termination of the Participant's
employment with the Employers and the Affiliates, either:

                 (a)  at the option of his employer, for a reason other than
"Cause" (as defined in subsection 5.5); or

                 (b)  at the Participant's option, exercised within the 24-month
period following the occurrence, without the express consent of the Participant,
of any one or more of the following events:

                      (i)    the assignment of duties to the Participant which
are substantially inconsistent with the Participant's duties, responsibilities
and status at the time of the assignment, or that constitute a substantial
reduction or alteration in the nature or status of such duties and
responsibilities;

                      (ii)   a reduction in the amount of the Participant's base
                 pay;

                      (iii)  the transfer of the work location of the
                 Participant to a place that is in excess of 25 miles from his
                 work location at the time the transfer is made;

                      (iv)   the failure of the Participant's Employer or
                 Affiliate employer to continue in effect any of its employee
                 benefit plans, policies, practices or arrangements, including,
                 but not limited to, those plans, policies and arrangements
                 maintained solely for the benefit of key
<PAGE>

                 management personnel in which the Participant participates, or
                 the failure of it to continue the Participant's participation
                 therein on substantially the same basis, both in terms of the
                 amount of benefits provided and the level of participation
                 relative to other participants, unless such benefits, policies
                 and arrangements are replaced by one or more alternative or
                 substitute plans, policies or arrangements providing
                 substantially equivalent benefits in the aggregate.

The determination of whether an event described in paragraph (b) above has
occurred shall be made by the Committee, based on its comparison of
circumstances existing after the alleged occurrence with the circumstances
prevailing immediately prior thereto.

            5.5  Termination for Cause.  For purposes of the Plan, a termination
                 ---------------------
of a Participant's employment for "Cause" shall mean termination as a result of
the Participant's:

                 (a)  willful and continued failure to perform duties with the
Employers and Affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from an
Involuntary Termination) after a written demand for substantial performance has
been delivered to the Participant specifically identifying the manner in which
the Employer or Affiliate, as the case may be, believes the Participant has not
substantially performed such duties and the Participant has failed to resume
substantial performance on a continuous basis within 14 days of receiving such
demand;

                 (b)  willfully engaging in conduct which the Committee
     determines is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Employers or
     Affiliates, monetarily or otherwise; or

                 (c)  conviction of a felony, or conviction of a misdemeanor
     which impairs the Participant's ability to perform his duties with the
     Employer or Affiliate employing him.

SECTION 6 - DISABILITY BENEFIT
------------------------------

            6.1  Eligibility for Disability Benefit.  If a Participant's
                 ----------------------------------
employment with the Employers and the Affiliates is terminated by reason of his
becoming "Disabled" (as defined in The Mead Retirement Plan) prior to the date
on which he attains age 62 years and he continues to be Disabled until age 62,
he shall be eligible to receive a "Disability Benefit" in an amount determined
pursuant to the provisions of subsection 6.2 and paid in the form and at the
time provided in subsection 6.3.

            6.2  Amount of Disability Benefit.  A Participant's Disability
                 ----------------------------
Benefit is an amount determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection
3.2, but expressed as a single life annuity commencing as of the later of the
date the Participant attains age 62 or the date as of which Pension payments to
him commence under The Mead Retirement Plan.

            6.3  Form and Time of Payment of Disability Benefit.  Except as
                 ----------------------------------------------
otherwise specifically provided by Section 7, relating to optional forms of
payment, the Actuarial Present Value of the amount of a Participant's Disability
Benefit will be distributed to him in the form of a single, lump sum payment as
soon as practicable after the later of the date on which the Participant attains
age 62 years or the date as of which Pension payments to him commence under The
Mead Retirement Plan.
<PAGE>

SECTION 7 - OPTIONAL FORMS OF BENEFIT PAYMENT
---------------------------------------------

            7.1  Request for Optional Payment Form.  A Participant, by writing
                 ---------------------------------
filed with the Plan Administrator at least one year prior to his termination
date (or within 60 days after becoming Disabled) in such form as the Plan
Administrator may require, may request to have his Plan Benefit paid in an
optional form permitted by subsection 7.2.  Any such request shall be deemed to
be approved by the Plan Administrator unless disapproved within 15 days of its
receipt.  Any such approved request shall be void and of no force or effect if
the Participant dies before payment in the optional form requested begins.

            7.2  Optional Forms of Benefit Payment.  Subject to the provisions
                 ---------------------------------
of subsection 7.3, the optional forms of payment under the Plan are:

                 (a)  a single life annuity in the amount calculated under
            subsection 3.2, 4.2, 5.2 or 6.2, whichever is applicable, payable
            commencing at the time permitted under subsection 3.3, 4.3, 5.3 or
            6.3, whichever is applicable;

                 (b)  any optional form of benefit permitted (assuming, for this
            purpose, that election of an optional form of Disability Pension is
            permitted) under the provisions of The Mead Retirement Plan at the
            time the request is made, the amount of which shall be determined by
            applying the actuarial assumptions utilized under that plan; and

                 (c)  in the case of an Early Benefit payable monthly pursuant
            to subsection 4.3, by foregoing those monthly amounts and instead
            receiving the Actuarial Present Value of the Early Benefit computed
            as of age 62, but without regard to the percentage reduction
            otherwise required by subsection 4.2, payable in a single, lump sum
            distribution as of the first day of the month coincident with, or
            next following, the date on which the Participant attains age 62
            years.

            7.3  Limitations on Optional Forms of Payment.  No optional form of
                 ----------------------------------------
payment shall permit:

                 (a)  payment of any single, lump sum amount to a Participant
            prior to the first day of the month coincident with, or next
            following, the date on which the Participant attains age 62 years;
            or

                 (b)  payment of a Disability Benefit prior to the time
            specified in subsection 6.3.

SECTION 8 - DEATH BENEFIT
-------------------------

            8.1  Eligibility for Death Benefit.  If a Participant dies after
                 -----------------------------
payment of monthly amounts of his Early Benefit begins under subsection 4.3 and
prior to receiving his entire Early Benefit, a Death Benefit, in an amount
determined under subsection 8.2, shall be paid, as soon as practicable, in a
single, lump sum, to his "Beneficiary" (as defined in subsection 8.3).  Except
as specifically provided by an optional form of payment permitted by subsection
7.2 and by Section 9, relating to "Spousal Survivor Benefits," no other amount
shall be payable to any person from the Plan on account of the death of a
Participant.

            8.2  Amount of Death Benefit.  The Death Benefit payable on account
                 -----------------------
of a deceased Participant shall be an amount equal to the Actuarial Present
Value of his Early Benefit (which Actuarial Present Value shall reduced
<PAGE>

by the aggregate amount of the monthly payments previously made to him and
increased by interest on the undistributed portion of his Early Benefit
calculated from his termination date to the payment date), determined as of his
termination date.

            8.3  Beneficiary.  The term "Beneficiary" means, with respect to any
                 -----------
Participant, such natural or legal person or persons as may be designated by him
(who may be designated contingently or successively) to receive the Death
Benefit payable if he dies before a total payment of his Early Benefit is made
to him.  A Beneficiary designation will be effective with respect to a
Participant only when a signed and dated beneficiary designation form is filed
with the Committee while the Participant is alive, which form will cancel any
beneficiary designation form signed and filed earlier.  If a Participant is not
survived by a Beneficiary the Committee shall pay the Death Benefit to his
"Spouse" (as defined in The Mead Retirement Plan) or, if he is not survived by a
Spouse, to the legal representative or representatives of the estate of the
Participant.

SECTION 9 - SPOUSAL SURVIVOR BENEFIT
------------------------------------

            9.1  Eligibility for Spousal Survivor Benefit.  Subject to the
                 ----------------------------------------
reduction required by subsection 9.4, if a Participant dies while employed by
the Employers or after his termination of employment with the Employers, but,
prior to the date on which he is first receives payment of a Benefit to which he
is entitled under Section 3, 4 or 5, his Spouse, if any, shall be eligible to
receive a Spousal Survivor Benefit, in an amount determined under subsection
9.2, if she has a right to receive a Pre-Retirement Survivor Pension under The
Mead Retirement Plan and has not waived that right.

            9.2  Amount of Spousal Survivor Benefit.  The Spousal Survivor
                 ----------------------------------
Benefit payable to a Spouse on account of a deceased Participant is an amount
determined by:

                 (a) calculating the amount, expressed as a joint and survivor
            annuity of 50, 66 2/3 or 75 percent (whichever is payable to the
            Spouse as a Pre-Retirement Survivor Pension under The Mead
            Retirement Plan), which is of Actuarial Equivalent Value to a single
            life annuity computed with respect to the deceased Participant
            pursuant to subsection 3.1, 4.1 or 5.1, whichever is applicable; and

                 (b) then determining the annual amount that would be payable to
            the surviving Spouse on the basis of the joint and survivor annuity
            computed under paragraph (a) above.

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 3.2(b) to the contrary, in computing
the amount of a "Spousal Survivor Benefit" with respect to the surviving Spouse
of a deceased Participant who had not attained age 55 years on the date of his
death, the Other Benefit attributable to The Mead Retirement Plan shall be an
amount equal to the Participant's "Accrued Benefit" (as defined under that plan)
as of the date of his death, assuming that the amount of his Final Average
Earnings used in computing his Accrued Benefit equalled the "Earnings" (as
defined in The Mead Retirement Plan) payable to him by the Employers during his
last full calendar year of employment by them and that his "Pension" under The
Mead Retirement Plan would be payable at the date the deceased Participant would
have attained age 55 years.

            9.3  Form and Time of Payment of Spousal Survivor Benefit.  The
                 ----------------------------------------------------
Actuarial Present Value (determined taking into account the date on which a
Benefit would have commenced under Section 3, 4 or 5, whichever would have been
applicable, and the surviving Spouse's age on that date) of the amount
determined under paragraph 9.2(b) will be distributed to the surviving Spouse,
<PAGE>

in the form of a single, lump sum payment, as soon as practicable after the date
of the Participant's death.

            9.4  Reduction for Spousal Survivor Benefit.  As provided by
                 --------------------------------------
paragraph 3.2(c), the amount of a Participant's Plan Benefit will be reduced by
a percentage thereof, determined in accordance with the following table, for the
portion of the calendar period beginning on the date on which the Participant
attains age 55 years and ending on the earlier of the date payment of his
Benefit begins or the date on which he attains age 62 years, during which his
Spouse is eligible to receive a Pre-Retirement Survivor Pension under The Mead
Retirement Plan. The percentage reduction will be computed on a pro rata basis
for completed months of coverage which are less than a whole year.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Percentage Reduction
      Percentage of Benefit          for Each Full Year
        Payable to Spouse                of Coverage
      ---------------------         --------------------
      <S>                           <C>
          50 percent                1/2 of one percent
          66 2/3 percent            2/3 of one percent
          75 percent                3/4 of one percent
</TABLE>

Notwithstanding the foregoing table, in no event will a percentage reduction
under this Plan be greater than the percentage reduction for a Pre-Retirement
Survivor Pension of a like amount under The Mead Retirement Plan.

SECTION 10 - SPECIAL PROVISIONS AFFECTING PAYMENT OF BENEFITS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

            10.1 Competition.  Subject to his right of appeal under Section 11,
                 -----------
if the Committee determines that a Participant, without the express prior
written consent of Mead, directly or indirectly, individually or as an agent,
officer, director, employee, shareholder (other than being the holder of any
stock which represents a less than one percent interest in a corporation),
partner or in any other capacity whatsoever, after termination of employment and
prior to attainment of age 62, has engaged, or is engaging, in any activity
competitive with or adverse to the Employer's and Affiliate's businesses or in
the sale, distribution, production, or attempted sale, distribution or
production, of any goods, products or services then sold or being developed by
any Employer or Affiliate, all Benefits otherwise payable at any time under the
Plan shall be permanently forfeited and payment of Benefits, if commenced, shall
cease. This subsection 10.1 shall not apply to a Participant whose employment
with the Employers and Affiliates terminates on or after a "Change in Control"
(as defined in subsection 10.3) of Mead.

            10.2 Termination for Cause.  Subject to his right of appeal under
                 ---------------------
Section 11, if the employment of a Participant with the Employers and Affiliates
is terminated for Cause, all Benefits otherwise payable to any person, at any
time, under the Plan shall be automatically and permanently forfeited.

            10.3 Payments After a Change in Control.  If the employment of an
                 ----------------------------------
employee who is a Participant on the date of a Change in Control of Mead (or of
any other employee who, but for the requirement of paragraph 2.1(c), would have
been a Participant on that date) is terminated within 24 months after that date
for a reason other than death or Cause, he shall be entitled to receive a
"Termination Benefit," payable within 30 days after his termination date.  A
Participant's "Termination Benefit" is a single lump sum amount equal to the
Actuarial Present Value (determined for purposes of this Section by applying the
actuarial assumptions utilized for that purpose on the day prior to the date of
the Change in Control under The Mead Retirement Plan) of the amount that would
have been his Plan Benefit if determined as of the day preceding the date of the
Change in Control.  For purposes of computing the amount of that Plan Benefit:
<PAGE>

            (a)  a Participant who has not attained age 55 years on the day
     preceding the date of a Change in Control will be deemed to have had his
     employment with the Employers and Affiliates Involuntarily Terminated on
     that day; and

            (b)  in the case of a Participant terminated on account of becoming
     Disabled, it shall be assumed that he will continue to be Disabled until he
     attains age 62 years.

If a Participant, surviving Spouse or Beneficiary is receiving payment of
periodic Plan Benefits on the date of a Change in Control, the Actuarial Present
Value of any remaining payments (determined as of the day immediately preceding
that date) shall be payable to him, in a single, lump sum, within 30 days of the
date of the Change in Control.  For purposes of the Plan, the term "Change in
Control" of Mead means a change in control of a nature that would be required to
be reported in response to Item 6(e) (or any successor thereto) of Schedule 14A
of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), whether or not Mead is then subject to such
reporting requirement; provided, that, without limitation, such a Change in
Control shall be deemed to have occurred if:

                 (i)    any "person" (as defined in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Mead
representing 25 percent or more of the combined voting power of Mead's then
outstanding securities;

                 (ii)   during any period of 2 consecutive years (not including
            any period prior to the date of adoption of this restated Plan)
            there shall cease to be a majority of the Board of Directors of Mead
            ("the Board") comprised as follows: individuals who at the beginning
            of such period constitute the Board and any new director or
            directors whose election by the Board or nomination for election by
            Mead's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of
            the directors then still in office who either were directors at the
            beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election
            was previously so approved; or

            (c)  either:

                 (i)    the shareholders of Mead approve a merger or
            consolidation of Mead with any other corporation, other than a
            merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities
            of Mead outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
            represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
            into voting securities of the surviving or parent entity) at least
            80 percent of the combined voting power of the voting securities of
            Mead or such surviving or parent entity outstanding immediately
            after such merger or consolidation; or

                 (ii)   the shareholders of Mead approve a plan of complete
liquidation of Mead or an agreement for the sale or disposition by Mead of all
or substantially all of Mead's assets.

            10.4 Emergency Payments.  If it is determined (as provided below)
                 ------------------
that a Participant or Beneficiary has experienced an "Unforeseeable Emergency"
(as defined below), the terms and manner of payment of Benefits provided in the
Plan or selected by a Participant may be changed to the extent appropriate to
satisfy the Participant's or Beneficiary's emergency need. The term
"Unforeseeable Emergency" means severe financial hardship to the Participant or
Beneficiary resulting from a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the
Participant or Beneficiary or of a "dependent" (as defined in section 152(a) of
the Code) of the Participant or Beneficiary, loss of the Participant's or
Beneficiary's property due to a casualty, or other similar extra-ordinary and
unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of
the Participant or Beneficiary. A determination with respect to whether a
<PAGE>

Participant or Beneficiary has experienced an Unforeseeable Emergency shall be
made:

                 (a)  in the case of a Participant employed, or last employed,
          by an Employer as other than an elected officer of the Employer and
          his Beneficiary, the Chairperson of the Committee; and

                 (b)  in the case of a Participant employed, or last employed,
          by an Employer as an elected officer of the Employer and his
          Beneficiary, the Committee.

The provisions of Section 11 of the Plan shall not be applicable with respect to
any determination made pursuant to this subsection 10.4.

          10.5   ECAP Credit in Lieu of Distribution.  With the approval of the
                 -----------------------------------
Committee, which approval shall automatically be revoked by the Committee's
exercise of its discretion under subsection 10.4, a Participant who is also a
Participant in The Mead Corporation Executive Capital Accumulation Plan ("ECAP")
may irrevocably elect to waive his right to receive any amount otherwise
distributable to him pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and to have the same
amount credited for his benefit and subsequently distributed to him under the
terms of the ECAP. An election made by a Participant in accordance with the
provisions of this subsection must be in such written form as the Committee
shall decide and filed with the Plan Administrator at least one year in advance
of the date of the Participant's termination of employment with the Employers
and Affiliates. In no event shall this subsection be applicable to any amount
distributable to any person other than a Participant.

          10.6   Payment to Incapacitated Persons.  Notwithstanding any other
                 --------------------------------
provision of the Plan, if a Participant or other person entitled to a Benefit
payment under the Plan is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
physically, mentally or legally incapacitated and unable to manage his financial
affairs and claim is made by a conservator or other person legally charged by
such court with the care of his person, the Committee shall make distributions
to such conservator or other person.  Any distribution made in accordance with
this subsection shall fully acquit and discharge all persons from all further
liability on account thereof.

          10.7   Withholding.  The Plan Administrator shall cause to be withheld
                 -----------
from the amount of any Benefit paid to a Participant or Beneficiary pursuant to
the terms of the Plan any amount required to be withheld by federal, state or
local law.

SECTION 11 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION
-------------------------------

          11.1   Notice of Denial.  If any dispute arises with respect to a
                 ----------------
Participant, Spouse or Beneficiary (a "Claimant") under the Plan, the Plan
Administrator will provide the Claimant with a written notice of its resolution
of the dispute setting forth:

                 (a)  the provisions of the Plan upon which the resolution was
          based; and

                 (b)  an explanation of this claims procedure.

If the Plan Administrator rejects a Claimant's application for failure to
furnish certain necessary materials or information, the written notice to the
Claimant will explain what additional material is needed and why, and advise the
Claimant that he may refile a proper application.  In the event that the Plan
Administrator fails to take any action on the Claimant's initial application
within 90 days after receipt, the application will be deemed
<PAGE>

denied, and the Claimant's appeal rights under subsection 11.2 will be in effect
as of the end of such period.

          11.2  Notice of Appeal.  Within 60 days after the receipt of the Plan
                ----------------
Administrator's notice of resolution, the Claimant may file a written notice of
appeal of the resolution with the "Claims Reviewer" (as defined below). In
addition, within such appeal period, the Claimant may review pertinent documents
at such reasonable times and places as the Committee may specify and may submit
any additional written material pertinent to the appeal not set forth in the
notice of appeal. The appeal shall be determined by the Claims Reviewer, and the
Claimant shall be entitled to appear before the Claims Reviewer to present his
claim. The term "Claims Reviewer" means a 3 member panel appointed by the
Committee.

          11.3  Decision on Appeal.  The panel will make a written decision on
                ------------------
the appeal not later than 60 days after its receipt of the notice of appeal
unless special circumstances require an extension of time, in which case a
decision will be given as soon as possible, but not later that 120 days after
receipt of the notice of appeal.  The decision on the appeal will be in writing
and shall include specific reasons for the decision, making specific reference
to the provision of the Plan upon which the decision was based.

          11.4  Records, Data and Information.  Unless proven to the
                -----------------------------
satisfaction of the Plan Administrator to be in error, the records, data and
information of the Employers, Affiliates and Administrators of the Mead Plans
shall be conclusive on all Participants, surviving Spouses and Beneficiaries
with respect to all matters relating to the Plan.

SECTION 12 - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
--------------------------------------

          12.1  Amendment and Termination.  Mead expects the Plan to be
                -------------------------
permanent, but since future conditions affecting Mead cannot be anticipated or
foreseen, Mead must necessarily and does hereby reserve the right to amend,
modify or terminate the Plan at any time by action of its Board of Directors.

          12.2  Contingencies Affecting the Employers.  In the event of a merger
                -------------------------------------
or consolidation of the Employer, or the transfer of substantially all of the
assets of the Employer to another corporation, such successor corporation shall
be substituted for the Employer under the terms and provisions of the Plan.

          12.3  Protected Benefits.  If the Plan is terminated, revoked, or
                ------------------
amended so as to decrease benefits provided under the Plan, the full benefits
earned by each terminated Participant and Beneficiary shall not be reduced.  A
Participant who is in active service at the time of a Plan termination,
revocation or amendment shall be entitled to full Benefits under the prior
provisions of the Plan; provided, however, that his Earnings for periods
subsequent to such termination, revocation or amendment shall not be used in
determining the amount of benefits based on Final Average Earnings that are
protected by this subsection.  Any employee who would be a Participant but for
the 36 month requirement of paragraph 2.1(c) shall be treated as a Participant
for purposes of this subsection if the employee satisfies such requirement after
the termination, revocation, or amendment of the Plan.  The time and manner of
payment of Benefits protected by this subsection shall remain subject to the
prior terms and conditions of the Plan.
<PAGE>

                                FIRST AMENDMENT
                                      TO
                             THE MEAD CORPORATION
                    SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

          WHEREAS The Mead Corporation ("Mead") heretofore established The Mead
Corporation Executive Capital Accumulation Plan (the "Plan") and subsequently
amended the Plan; and

          WHEREAS Mead desires to further amend the Plan pursuant to the power
reserved to Mead's Board of Directors by subsection 12.1 of the Plan;

          NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended, effective as of June 24,
1998, as follows:

          1.  Subsection 1.4 of the Plan is amended to read, in its entirety, as
follows:

          "1.4 Plan Funding and Administration. The benefits payable under the
               --------------------------------
     Plan are unfunded and are payable, when due, from the general assets of
     Mead; provided, however, that Mead, in its discretion, may establish or
     maintain a trust to pay such amounts, which trust shall be subject to the
     claims of Mead's unsecured general creditors in the event of Mead's
     bankruptcy or insolvency; and provided, further, that Mead shall remain
     responsible for the payment of any such amounts which are not so paid by
     any such trust. The Plan shall be administered by the Vice-President-Human
     Resources of Mead or such other person as is hereafter named by the
     Committee (the "Administrator") who shall have the rights, powers and
     duties with respect to the Plan that are hereinafter set forth and the
     authority to establish such rules, regulations and interpretations with
     respect to the Plan as are reasonably necessary to administer the Plan. Any
     such rules, regulations and interpretations shall be uniformly applied to
     all persons similarly situated."

          2. The last sentence of subsection 10.3 shall be replaced, in its
     entirety, by the following:

<PAGE>

     "For purposes of the Plan, a 'Change in Control' shall be deemed to have
     occurred if an event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall
     have occurred:

               "(i) date of expiration of a Tender Offer (other than an offer by
     Mead), if the offeror acquires Shares pursuant to such Tender Offer;

               "(ii) the date of approval by the shareholders of Mead of a
     definitive agreement: (x) for the merger or consolidation of Mead or any
     direct or indirect subsidiary of Mead into or with another corporation,
     other than (l) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
     securities of Mead outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
     represent ((i) in the case of a merger or consolidation of Mead, either by
     remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
     surviving entity or any parent thereof, or (ii) in the case of a merger or
     consolidation of any direct or indirect subsidiary of Mead, either by
     remaining outstanding if Mead continues as a parent of the merged or
     consolidated subsidiary or by being converted into voting securities of the
     surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 51% of the combined voting
     power of the voting securities of Mead or such surviving or parent entity
     outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (2) a merger
     or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of Mead (or
     similar transaction) in which no Person (as defined below) is or becomes
     the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of
     securities of Mead (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by
     such Person any securities acquired directly from Mead or its Affiliates)
     representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of Mead's then
     outstanding securities, or (y) for the sale or disposition of all or
     substantially all of the assets of Mead, other than a sale or disposition
     by Mead of all or substantially all of Mead's assets to an entity, at least
     51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are
     owned (directly or indirectly) by shareholders of Mead in substantially the
     same proportions as their ownership of Mead immediately prior to such sale
     or disposition;

               "(iii) (x) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 25%
     or more of the voting power of the then outstanding securities of Mead (not
     including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any
     securities acquired directly from Mead or its affiliates), excluding any
     Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction
     described

                                       2
<PAGE>

     in clause (x)(l) of paragraph (ii) above or (y) the date of authorization,
     by both a majority of the voting power of Mead and a majority of the
     portion of such voting power excluding the voting power of interested
     Shares, of a control share acquisition (as such term is defined in Chapter
     1701 of the Ohio Revised Code); and

          "(iv) a change in the composition of the Board of Directors such that
     individuals who were members of the Board of Directors on the date two
     years prior to such change (and any new directors (other than a director
     whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or
     threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent
     solicitation, relating to the election of directors of Mead) who were
     elected, or were nominated for election, by Mead's shareholders with the
     affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in
     office who either were directors at the beginning of such two year period
     or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) no
     longer constitute a majority of the Board of Directors.

     "Notwithstanding the foregoing, a 'Change in Control' shall not be deemed
     to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series
     of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders
     of the common stock of Mead immediately prior to such transaction or series
     of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate
     ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of
     Mead immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.

     "'Affiliate' shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated
     under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

     "'Beneficial Owner' shall have the meaning defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
     Exchange Act.

     "'Exchange Act' shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
     from time to time.

     "'Person' shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange
     Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that
     such term shall not include (i) Mead or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a
     trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit
     plan of Mead or

                                       3
<PAGE>

     any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities
     pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned,
     directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of Mead in substantially the
     same proportions as their ownership of stock of Mead.

     "'Shares' shall mean shares of common stock, without par value, of The Mead
     Corporation.

     "'Tender Offer' shall mean a tender offer or a request or invitation for
     tenders or an exchange offer subject to regulation under Section 14(d) of
     the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, as the same may
     be amended, modified or superseded from time to time."

                                       4
<PAGE>

                              Second Amendment to
                              THE MEAD CORPORATION
                     SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

     WHEREAS, The Mead Corporation maintains The Mead Corporation Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan (the "Plan") and has previously amended the Plan;

     WHEREAS, further amendment of the Plan is now deemed to be desirable;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan be, and it hereby is, amended, effective August
28, 2001, as follows:

1.   Subsection 10.3 of the Plan is amended by replacing the first three
sentences thereof with the following:

     "Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of Mead, the accrued benefit of
     an employee who is a Participant on the date of the Change in Control (and
     the benefit which would have been accrued by any other employee who, but
     for the requirement of paragraph 2.1(c), would have been a Participant on
     that date, such an employee being treated as a Participant for all purposes
     of this subsection 10.3 and the last sentence of subsection 10.1 hereof)
     shall immediately and fully vest; provided, however, that such benefit
     shall be forfeited pursuant to paragraph 10.2 hereof if the employment of
     the employee shall be terminated for "Cause" as that term is defined in
     this Plan immediately prior to the Change in Control.  If the employment of
     a Participant whose benefit has vested in accordance with the immediately
     preceding sentence is terminated within 24 months after the date of a
     Change in Control for a reason other than death or Cause (as that term is
     defined in this Plan immediately prior to the Change in Control), he shall
     be entitled to receive a 'Termination Benefit,' payable within 30 days
     after his termination date.  A Participant's Termination Benefit is a
     single lump sum amount equal to the 'Actuarial Present Value' of the
     amounts that would have been his Plan Benefit if determined as of the date
     of his termination of employment pursuant to the provisions of the Plan in
     effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.  The Actuarial Present
     Value of those amounts shall be determined for purposes of this Section by
     applying the actuarial assumptions and methods being utilized for that
     purpose under The Mead Retirement Plan on the day prior to the date of the
     Change in Control.  For purposes of computing the amount of the Plan
     Benefit:

               (a)  a Participant who has not attained age 55 years on the date
          of his actual termination of employment will be deemed to have had his
          employment with the Employers and Affiliates Involuntarily
<PAGE>

          Terminated on the date of his termination and his Pre-Age 55 Benefit
          shall be computed pursuant to subsection 5.2 hereof without applying
          the assumption contained in subsection 5.2(b) but, instead,
          determining the Other Benefits attributable to Mead Plans based on the
          Vested Deferred Pension on a Participant's employment termination with
          the Employers and Affiliates; and

               (b) in the case of a Participant terminated on account of
          becoming Disabled, it shall be assumed that he will continue to be
          Disabled until he attains age 62 years."

2.   Subsection 10.5 of the Plan is amended to read, in its entirety, as
follows:

     "10.5   ECAP Credit in Lieu of Distribution.  A Participant who is also a
             -----------------------------------
     Participant in The Mead Corporation Executive Capital Accumulation Plan
     ("ECAP") may elect to waive his right to receive any amount otherwise
     distributable to him pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and to have the
     same amount credited for his benefit (as of the date distribution would
     have been made) and subsequently distributed to him under the terms of the
     ECAP.  An election made by a Participant in accordance with the provisions
     of this subsection must be in such written form as the Committee shall
     decide and filed with the Plan Administrator at least three months prior to
     the Participant's employment termination with the Employers and Affiliates
     with respect to distributions made on or after employment termination or,
     as an additional alternative, filed prior to a Change in Control with
     respect to distributions made on or after a Change in Control.  An election
     made by a Participant pursuant to the foregoing sentence is revocable at
     any time that is at least three months prior to the date of employment
     termination with the Employer and Affiliates or a Change in Control, as
     appropriate.  In no event shall this subsection be applicable to any amount
     distributable to any person other than a Participant."

     EXECUTED at Dayton, Ohio this 22nd day of January, 2002.

                                        THE MEAD CORPORATION

                                        By:/s/ A. ROBERT ROSENBERGER
                                           -------------------------
                                           Its:

ATTEST:

/s/ PATRICIA C. NORRIS
----------------------
Assistant Secretary

                                       2<PAGE>

                                                               Exhibit 10.xxxiii

                                                                 January 1, 2000

Name
Title
The Mead Corporation
Courthouse Plaza N.E.
Dayton, Ohio 45463

Dear Name:

The Mead Corporation (the "Corporation") recognizes that your contribution to
the growth and success of the Corporation has been substantial and desires to
assure the Corporation of your continued employment. In this connection the
Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board") recognizes that, as is the
case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a change in
control may exist and that such possibility, the uncertainty and questions which
it may raise among management may result in the departure or distraction of
management personnel to the detriment of the Corporation and its stockholders.

The Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and
encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the Corporation's
management, including yourself, to their assigned duties without distraction in
the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of
a change in control of the Corporation.

In order to induce you to remain in the employ of the Corporation, the
Corporation agrees that you shall receive the severance benefits set forth in
Section 4 hereof in the event your employment with the Corporation is terminated
subsequent to a "Change in Control of the Corporation" (as defined in Section 2
hereof) under the circumstances described below.

     1.   Term of Agreement. This Agreement will commence on the date hereof and
          -----------------
shall continue in effect until December 31, 2000; provided, however, that
commencing on January 1, 2001 and each January 1 thereafter, the term of this
Agreement shall automatically be extended for one additional year unless, not
later than November 1 of the preceding year, the Corporation shall have given
notice that it does not wish to extend this Agreement; provided, further, if a
Change in Control of the Corporation shall have occurred during the original or
extended term of this Agreement, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a
period of twenty-four (24) months beyond the month in which such Change in
Control of the Corporation occurred.

     2.   Change in Control of the Corporation.
          ------------------------------------

            (a)  No benefits shall be payable hereunder unless there shall have
been a Change in Control of the Corporation, as set forth below. For purposes of
this Agreement, a "Change in Control of the Corporation" shall be deemed to have
occurred if an event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have
occurred:

                 (i)   date of expiration of a Tender Offer (other than an offer
by the Corporation), if the offeror acquires Shares pursuant to such Tender
Offer;

                 (ii)  the date of approval by the shareholders of the
Corporation of a definitive agreement: (x) for the merger or consolidation of
the Corporation or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Corporation into or
with another corporation, other than (1) a merger or consolidation which would
result in the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent ((i) in the case of a merger or consolidation of
the Corporation, either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into
voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof, or (ii) in the
case of a merger or consolidation of any direct or indirect subsidiary of the
Corporation,
<PAGE>

either by remaining outstanding if the Corporation continues as a parent of the
merged or consolidated subsidiary or by being converted into voting securities
of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 51% of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of the Corporation or such surviving or
parent entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (2)
a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the
Corporation (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the
Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation (not
including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities
acquired directly from the Corporation or its Affiliates) representing 20% or
more of the combined voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding
securities, or (y) for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Corporation, other than a sale or disposition by the
Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets to an
entity, at least 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of
which are owned (directly or indirectly) by shareholders of the Corporation in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporation
immediately prior to such sale or disposition;

                 (iii) (x) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20%
or more of the voting power of the then outstanding securities of the
Corporation (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person
any securities acquired directly from the Corporation or its affiliates),
excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a
transaction described in clause (x) (1) of paragraph (ii) above or (y) the date
of authorization, by both a majority of the voting power of the Corporation and
a majority of the portion of such voting power excluding the voting power of
interested Shares, of a control share acquisition (as such term in defined in
Chapter 1701 of the Ohio Revised Code); and

                 (iv)  a change in the composition of the Board of Directors
such that individuals who were members of the Board of Directors on the date two
years prior to such change (and any new directors (other than a director whose
initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened
election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating
to the election of directors of the Corporation) who were elected, or were
nominated for election, by the Corporation's shareholders with the affirmative
vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either
were directors at the beginning of such two year period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved) no longer constitute a
majority of the Board of Directors.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a "Change in Control" shall not be deemed to have
occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of
integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the
common stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series
of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership
in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the
Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.

     Terms used in this Section 2 have the following meanings:

     "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated
under Section 12 of the 1934 Act.

     "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
1934 Act.

     "Person" shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the 1934 Act,
as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term
shall not include (i) the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee
or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Corporation or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding
securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation
owned, directly or
<PAGE>

indirectly, by the shareholders of the Corporation in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporation.

     "Tender Offer" means a tender offer or a request or invitation for tenders
or an exchange offer subject to regulation under Section 14(d) of the 1934 Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder, as the same may be amended, modified
or superseded from time to time.

          (b)  For purposes of this Agreement, a "Potential Change in Control of
the Corporation" shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) the Corporation enters
into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a
Change in Control of the Corporation, (ii) any person (including the
Corporation) publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking
actions which if consummated would constitute a Change in Control of the
Corporation, (iii) any person is declared to be an "Adverse Person" by the Board
under the Rights Agreement dated November 9, 1996; or (iv) the Board adopts a
resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Potential
Change in Control of the Corporation has occurred. You agree that, subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the event of a Potential Change
in Control of the Corporation, you will remain in the employ of the Corporation
until the earliest of (i) a date which is six (6) months from the occurrence of
such Potential Change in Control of the Corporation, (ii) the termination by you
of your employment by reason of Disability or Retirement (at your normal
retirement date), as defined in Section 3(a), or (iii) the occurrence of a
Change in Control of the Corporation.

     3.   Termination Following a Change in Control of the Corporation. If any
          ------------------------------------------------------------
of the events described in Section 2 hereof constituting a Change in Control of
the Corporation shall have occurred, subject to the limitations of Section 4(e)
hereof, you shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Section 4(d) hereof
upon the termination of your employment during the term of this Agreement unless
such termination is (i) because of your death, Disability or Retirement, (ii) by
the Corporation for Cause or (iii) by you other than for Good Reason.

          (a)  Disability; Retirement. If, as a result of your incapacity due to
               ----------------------
physical or mental illness, you shall have been absent from the full-time
performance of your duties with the Corporation for six (6) consecutive months,
and within thirty (30) days after written notice of termination is given you
shall not have returned to the full-time performance of your duties, the
Corporation may terminate your employment for "Disability." Termination for
Disability, in accordance with, and for the purposes of, this Agreement shall
not necessarily mean that you are "terminated" for purposes of determining your
participation in the Corporation's retirement, insurance and other applicable
programs and plans. Your status as a terminated or inactive employee and your
benefits under the Corporation's applicable programs and plans then in effect
shall be determined in accordance with such programs and plans. Termination by
the Corporation or you of your employment by reason of "Retirement" shall mean
termination on or after your "normal retirement date," as defined in The Mead
Retirement Plan for Salaried and Certain Non-Bargaining Hourly Employees as of
the date hereof, or in accordance with any retirement arrangement established
with your consent with respect to you.

          (b)  Cause. Termination by the Corporation of your employment for
               -----
"Cause" shall mean termination upon (i) the willful and continued failure by you
to substantially perform your duties with the Corporation (other than any such
failure resulting from termination by you for Good Reason), after a demand for
substantial performance is delivered to you that specifically identifies the
manner in which the Corporation believes that you have not substantially
performed your duties, and you have failed to resume substantial performance of
your duties on a continuous basis within fourteen (14) days of receiving such
demand, (ii) the willful engaging by you in conduct which is demonstrably and
materially injurious to the Corporation, monetarily or otherwise or (iii) your
conviction of a felony or conviction of a misdemeanor which impairs your ability
substantially to perform your duties with the Corporation. For purposes of this
Subsection, no act, or failure to act, on your
<PAGE>

part shall be deemed "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by you not in
good faith and without reasonable belief that your action or omission was in the
best interest of the Corporation.

          (c)  Good Reason. You shall be entitled to terminate your employment
               -----------
for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean,
without your express written consent, the occurrence after a Change in Control
of the Corporation of any one or more of the following:

               (i)   the assignment to you of duties which are substantially
inconsistent with your present duties, responsibilities and status as the Title
of the Corporation or a substantial reduction or alteration in the nature or
status of your responsibilities from those in effect as of the date hereof;

               (ii)  a reduction by the Corporation in your base salary as in
effect on the date hereof or as the same shall be increased from time to time
("Base Salary");

               (iii) the Corporation's requiring you to be based at a location
in excess of twenty-five (25) miles from the location where you are currently
based;

               (iv)  the failure by the Corporation to continue in effect any of
the Corporation's employee benefit plans, policies, practices or arrangements,
including, but not limited to, those plans, policies and arrangements maintained
solely for the benefit of key management personnel, in which you participate, or
the failure by the Corporation to continue your participation therein on
substantially the same basis, both in terms of the amount of benefits provided
and the level of your participation relative to other participants, as existed
as of the date hereof; provided, however, that such plans, policies or
arrangements are not replaced by one or more alternative or substitute plans,
policies, or arrangements providing substantially equivalent benefits in the
aggregate;

               (v)   the failure of the Corporation to obtain a satisfactory
agreement from any successor to the Corporation to assume and agree to perform
this Agreement, as contemplated in Section 5 hereof; and

               (vi)  any purported termination by the Corporation of your
employment that is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination satisfying
the requirements of Subsection (d) below, and for purposes of this Agreement, no
such purported termination shall be effective.

Your right to terminate your employment pursuant to this Subsection (c) shall
not be affected by your incapacity due to physical or mental illness. Your
continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with
respect to, any circumstance constituting Good Reason hereunder.

          (d)  Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Corporation for
               ---------------------
Cause or by you for Good Reason shall be communicated by Notice of Termination
to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" shall mean a written notice which shall indicate the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of your employment under the provision so indicated.

          (e)  Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" shall mean the date
               -------------------
specified in the Notice of Termination where required or in any other case upon
ceasing to perform services to the Corporation; provided that if within thirty
(30) days after any Notice of Termination one party notifies the other party
that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the Date of Termination shall
be the date finally determined to be the Date of Termination, either by mutual
written agreement of the parties or by a binding and final arbitration award.
<PAGE>

      4.  Compensation Upon Termination or During Disability. Except as provided
          --------------------------------------------------
in Section 4(e) hereof, following a Change in Control of the Corporation, as
defined in Section 2 hereof, upon termination of your employment or during a
period of disability, you shall be entitled to the following benefits:

          (a)  During any period that you fail to perform your full-time duties
with the Corporation as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental
illness, you shall continue to receive your Base Salary at the rate in effect at
the commencement of any such period, until your employment is terminated
pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof. Thereafter, your benefits shall be determined
in accordance with the Corporation's retirement, insurance and other applicable
programs and plans then in effect.

          (b)  If your employment shall be terminated by the Corporation for
Cause or by you other than for Good Reason, the Corporation shall pay you your
full Base Salary through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect at the
time Notice of Termination is given or on the Date of Termination if no Notice
of Termination is required hereunder, plus all other amounts to which you are
entitled under any compensation plan of the Corporation at the time such
payments are due, and the Corporation shall have no further obligations to you
under this Agreement.

          (c)  If your employment terminates by reason of your Retirement, or by
reason of your death, your benefits shall be determined in accordance with the
Corporation's retirement, survivor's benefits, insurance and other applicable
programs and plans, then in effect.

          (d)  If your employment by the Corporation shall be terminated (i) by
the Corporation other than for Cause, Retirement or Disability or (ii) by you
for Good Reason, you shall be entitled to the benefits (the "Severance
Payments") provided below, in lieu of the benefits provided by the Corporation's
general severance program:

               (i)   the Corporation shall pay you your full Base Salary through
the Date of Termination at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination
is given, or the Date of Termination where no Notice of Termination is required
hereunder;

               (ii)  the Corporation will pay as severance benefits to you, not
later than the fifth day following the Date of Termination, a lump sum severance
payment equal to two times the sum of your (A) annual Base Salary in effect
immediately prior to the occurrence of the circumstances giving rise to such
termination, and (B) the greater of (1) your most recent annual award under the
Corporation's long-term and short-term incentive plans as in effect from time to
time or (2) the target payout under such plan in respect of the year in which
such termination occurs;

               (iii) in lieu of shares of common stock of the Corporation
("Option Shares") issuable upon exercise of outstanding options ("Options"), if
any, granted to you under the Corporation's stock option plans, together with
any additional, substitute or successor option program or plan as may be in
effect from time to time (which Options shall be cancelled upon the making of
the payment referred to below), you shall receive an amount in cash equal to the
product of (A) the higher of the closing price of Option Shares reported on the
New York Stock Exchange on the Date of Termination or the highest per share
price for Option Shares actually paid in connection with any Change in Control
of the Corporation, over the per share exercise price of each Option held by
you, times (B) the number of Option Shares covered by each such Option (the
"Product Amount"); provided, however, that, if payment of the Product Amount in
cash would cause a transaction of the Corporation intended by the Corporation to
qualify for "pooling-of-interests" accounting not to qualify for such
accounting, payment of the Product Amount shall be made in shares of the stock
of the company which is the resulting or surviving
<PAGE>

company in such transaction which are at the time of closing of such transaction
of equal value to the Product Amount.

               (iv)  for a twenty-four (24) month period after the Date of
Termination, the Corporation will arrange to provide you at the Corporation's
expense with benefits under the Corporation's life insurance, medical and dental
plans, or benefits substantially similar to the benefits you were receiving
immediately prior to the Notice of Termination under such plans and to provide
you, at your expense, with benefits under the Corporation's accident and
disability plans, if the respective insurance carrier agrees to do so; but
benefits otherwise receivable by you pursuant to this Paragraph (iv) shall be
reduced to the extent comparable benefits are actually received by you during
the twenty-four (24) month period following your termination, and any such
benefits actually received by you shall be reported to the Corporation; and

               (v)   for a twelve (12) month period after the Date of
Termination, the Corporation will provide you with outplacement counseling with
an independent professional at the Corporation's expense.

          (e)  Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (d) hereof, if, in
the opinion of tax counsel selected by the Corporation's independent auditors,

               (i)   any payments or benefits which would otherwise be received
by you, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement with the Corporation, any person whose actions result
in a change in control of the Corporation or any person affiliated with the
Corporation or such person, constitute "parachute payments" (such payments,
including the Severance Payments, being hereinafter called "Total Payments")
within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), and

               (ii)  the aggregate present value of the Total Payments would
exceed 2.99 times your "base amount," as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the
Code, then, in lieu of the Severance Payments, the Corporation shall pay to you
under this Subsection, no later than the fifth day following the Date of
Termination, a lump sum amount such that the aggregate present value of the
Total Payments is equal to 2.99 times your base amount.

For purposes of the preceding paragraph, your base amount and the value of the
Total Payments shall be determined by the Corporation's independent auditors in
accordance with the principles of Section 280G of the Code and based upon the
advice of the tax counsel referred to herein.

          (f)  The payments provided for in Subsections (d) and (e) above shall
be made not later than the fifth day following the Date of Termination;
provided, however, that if the amounts of such payments cannot be finally
determined on or before such day, the Corporation shall pay to you on such day
an estimate as determined in good faith by the Corporation of the minimum amount
of such payments and shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with
interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) as soon as
the amount thereof can be determined but in no event later than the thirtieth
day after the Date of Termination. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding
sentence, in the event that payment of the amount described in Section 4(d)(iii)
is required by the proviso in such Section to be made in shares of stock, the
calculation of the number of such shares and the payment of such shares may be
delayed by the Corporation beyond the thirty-day payment deadline, if such delay
is determined in good faith by the Corporation to be necessary and payment is
made as soon as the number of such shares can be determined. In the event that
the amount of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined
to have been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Corporation to you
payable on the fifth day after demand by the Corporation (together with interest
at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code).
<PAGE>

          (g)  The Corporation shall also pay to you all legal fees and expenses
incurred by you as a result of such termination of employment (including all
such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting or disputing any such
termination or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by
this Agreement or in connection with any tax audit or proceeding to the extent
attributable to the application of Section 4999 of the Code to any payment or
benefit provided hereunder).

          (h)  You shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment
provided for in this Section 4 by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor
shall the amount of any payment provided for in this Section 4 be reduced by any
compensation earned by you as the result of employment by another employer after
the Date of Termination, or otherwise.

     5.   Successors; Binding Agreement.
          -----------------------------

          (a)  The Corporation will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Corporation or of any
division or subsidiary thereof employing you to expressly assume and agree to
perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
Corporation would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken
place. Failure of the Corporation to obtain such assumption and agreement prior
to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement
and shall entitle you to compensation from the Corporation in the same amount
and on the same terms as you would be entitled hereunder if you terminated your
employment for Good Reason, except that for purposes of implementing the
foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be
deemed the Date of Termination.

          (b)  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by your personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If you should die while
any amount would still be payable to you hereunder if you had continued to live,
all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, to your devisee, legatee or other designee or,
if there is not such designee, to your estate.

      6.  Notice. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other
          ------
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
respective addresses set forth on the first page of this Agreement.

      7.  Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived
          -------------
or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in
writing and signed by you and such officer as may be specifically designated by
the Board. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.

      8.  Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
          --------
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

      9.  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
          ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.

      10. Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in
          -----------
connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in
accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in
effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having
jurisdiction; provided, however, that you shall be entitled to seek specific
performance of your
<PAGE>

right to be paid until the Date of Termination during the pendency of any
dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

      11. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date
          --------------
set forth above.

If this letter sets forth our agreement on the subject matter hereof, kindly
sign and return to the Corporation the enclosed copy of this letter which will
then constitute our agreement on this subject.

                                        Sincerely,

                                        THE MEAD CORPORATION

                                        By _______________________________
                                             Name
                                             Title

Agreed to this _____ day
of _______, ____.

By ___________________________
   Name
   Title
<PAGE>

                                AMENDMENT TO THE
                                LETTER AGREEMENT

This Amendment to the Letter Agreement dated as of January 1, 2000 (the
"Agreement") between The Mead Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the
"Corporation"), and ____________________is made as of June 22, 2000.

     1.   Section 4(d)(ii) of the Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety,
          to read as follows:

          (ii) the Corporation will pay as severance benefits to you, not later
          than the fifth day following the Date of Termination, a lump sum
          severance payment equal to two and one-half (2.5) times the sum of
          your (A) highest rate of annualized Base Salary in effect at any time
          up to and including the Date of Termination, and (B) the greater of
          (x) the highest amount of the actual annual incentive and long-term
          incentive you received under the Mead Annual Incentive Plan and the
          Mead Long-Term Incentive Plan for the three plan years immediately
          preceding the year in which your Date of Termination occurred, and (y)
          the highest amount of your target annual incentive and your target
          long-term incentive established for the Mead Annual Incentive Plan and
          the Mead Long-Term Incentive Plan for the three plan years immediately
          preceding the year in which your Date of Termination occurred (or, if
          higher, your target annual incentive and your target long-term
          incentive established for the Mead Annual Incentive Plan and the Mead
          Long-Term Incentive Plan for the plan year in which your Date of
          Termination occurred);

     2.   Section 4(d) of the Agreement is hereby amended by re-designating
          Subsection (v) as Subsection (vi) and by adding the following new
          Subsection (v) to read as follows:

          (v) In addition to the retirement benefits to which you are entitled
          under each Pension Plan or any successor plan thereto, the Corporation
          shall pay you a lump sum amount in cash, calculated under the
          assumption that at such Date of Termination you had an additional
          three (3) years of age and service credits, provided that your age and
          service will not be treated as extending beyond your 65th birthday,
          with Compensation (as defined in such Pension Plan) for each of such
          three (3) additional years to be treated at (A) your highest rate of
          annualized Base Salary in effect at any time up to and including the
          Date of Termination, and (B) the greater of (x) the highest amount of
          the actual annual incentive you received under the Mead Annual
          Incentive Plan for the three plan years immediately preceding the year
          in which your Date of Termination occurred, and (y) the highest amount
          of your target annual incentive established for the Mead Annual
          Incentive Plan for the three plan years immediately preceding the year
          in which your Date of Termination occurred (or, if higher, the target
          annual incentive

<PAGE>

          established for the Mead Annual Incentive Plan for the plan year in
          which your Date of Termination occurred). For purposes of this Section
          4(d)(v), "Pension Plan" shall mean any tax-qualified pension or non-
          qualified supplemental pension or excess benefit pension plan
          maintained by the Corporation and any other plan or agreement entered
          into between you and the Corporation which is designed to provide you
          with retirement benefits. The three (3) additional years of age and
          service shall be used for purposes of all calculations under this
          section, including but not limited to the early retirement reduction
          calculation so as to offset such reduction. All calculations under
          this Agreement with respect to your benefits shall be made without
          regard to any amendments to any Pension Plan made subsequent to a
          Change in Control which adversely affect in any manner the computation
          of retirement benefits hereunder.

     3.   Section 4 of the Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following
          new subsection at the end thereof:

          (i) Except as provided in Section 4(e), the Corporation's obligation
          to make the payments and the arrangements provided for herein shall be
          absolute and unconditional, and shall not be affected by any
          circumstances, including, without limitation, any offset,
          counterclaim, recoupment, defense, or other right which the
          Corporation may have against you or anyone else.  All amounts payable
          by the Corporation hereunder shall be paid without notice or demand.

     4.   Section 4(e) of the Agreement is hereby amended, in its entirety, to
          read as follows:

          (i) Whether or not you become entitled to the Severance Payments, if
          any of the payments or benefits received or to be received by you in
          connection with a Change in Control or termination of your employment
          (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
          arrangement or agreement with the Corporation, any Person whose
          actions result in a Change in Control or any Person affiliated with
          the Corporation or such Person) (all such payments and benefits,
          excluding the Gross-Up Payment (as hereinafter defined), being
          hereinafter referred to as the "Total Payments") will be subject to
          the excise tax (the "Excise Tax") referred to in Section 4999 of the
          Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), or any similar tax that may
          hereafter be imposed, the Corporation shall pay you in cash an
          additional amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount
          retained by you, after deduction of any Excise Tax upon the Total
          Payments and any federal, state and local income taxes, employment
          taxes, and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment provided for by this
          Section 4(e) (including FICA), shall be equal to the Total Payments;

          (ii) For purposes of determining the potential impact of the Excise
          Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax, (A) all of the Total Payments
          shall be treated as "parachute payments" (within the meaning of
          Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code)

<PAGE>

          unless, in the opinion of tax counsel ("Tax Counsel") reasonably
          acceptable to you and selected by the accounting firm which was,
          immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Corporation's
          independent auditor (the "Auditor"), such payments or benefits (in
          whole or in part, and whether received or to be received in the
          future) do not constitute parachute payments, including by reason of
          Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (B) all "excess parachute payments"
          within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code shall be treated
          as subject to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion of Tax Counsel,
          such excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent
          reasonable compensation for services actually rendered (within the
          meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code) in excess of the Base
          Amount (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code)
          allocable to such reasonable compensation, or are otherwise not
          subject to the Excise Tax, and (C) the value of any noncash benefits
          or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Auditor
          in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of
          the Code. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up
          Payment, you shall be deemed to pay federal income tax at the highest
          marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which
          the Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at
          the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state or locality of your
          residence on the Date of Termination (or if there is no Date of
          Termination, then the date on which the Gross-Up Payment is calculated
          for purposes of this Section (e)), net of the maximum reduction in
          federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such
          state and local taxes;

          (iii)  In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently determined to
          exceed the amount taken into account hereunder in calculating the
          Gross-Up Payment (including by reason of any payment the existence or
          amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the Gross-Up
          Payment), the Corporation shall make an additional Gross-Up Payment in
          respect to such excess (plus any interest, penalties or additions
          payable by you with respect to such excess) within five (5) business
          days following your payment of such excess.  If, after receipt of the
          Gross-Up Payment, you become entitled to receive any refund with
          respect to a determination that there was an overpayment of any Excise
          Tax or income tax with respect to the Gross-Up Payment, including
          interest and penalties with respect thereto, you shall, within five
          (5) business days following receipt of such refund, promptly pay to
          the Corporation the amount of such refund (together with any interest
          paid or credited thereon (after taxes applicable thereto)).

          (iv) You shall notify the Corporation in writing of any claim by the
          Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
          payment by the Corporation of an additional Gross-Up Payment.  Such
          notification shall be given no later than ten (10) business days after
          the Internal Revenue Service issues to you either a written notice
          proposing imposition of the Excise Tax or a statutory notice of
          deficiency with respect thereto, and you shall apprise the Corporation
          of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is
          requested to be paid. You shall

<PAGE>

          not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day
          period following the date on which you give such notice to the
          Corporation (or such shorter period ending on the date that any
          payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the
          Corporation notifies you in writing prior to the expiration of such
          period that it desires to contest such claim, you shall: (w) give the
          Corporation any information reasonably requested by the Corporation
          relating to such claim; (x) take such action in connection with
          contesting such claim as the Corporation shall reasonably request in
          writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting
          legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
          reasonably selected by the Corporation; (y) cooperate with the
          Corporation in good faith in order to effectively contest such claim;
          and (z) permit the Corporation to participate in any proceedings
          relating to such claim. Provided, however, that the Corporation shall
          directly bear and pay all costs and expenses (including additional
          interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and
          shall indemnify and hold you harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any
          Excise Tax, income and employment tax, including interest and
          penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such
          representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation
          of the foregoing, the Corporation shall control all proceedings taken
          in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or
          forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings, and
          conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim.

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