Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                  Exhibit 10.xxx

                             THE MEAD CORPORATION
                        SECTION 415 EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN
                        -------------------------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
SECTION 1 - GENERAL.............................................     1
     1.1    History and Purpose.................................     1
     1.2    Plan Funding and Administration.....................     1
     1.3    Applicable Law......................................     1
     1.4    Gender and Number...................................     2
     1.5    Assignment..........................................     2
     1.6    Plan Year...........................................     2

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

SECTION 3 - DETERMINATION OF SECTION 415 EXCESS BENEFIT AMOUNT..     2
     3.1    Section 415 Excess Benefit Amount...................     2
     3.2    Unlimited Accrued Benefit...........................     3
     3.3    Qualified Accrued Benefit...........................     3

SECTION 4 - DISTRIBUTION OF SECTION 415 EXCESS BENEFIT..........     3
     4.1    Distribution to a Participant.......................     3
     4.2    Distribution to a Surviving Spouse..................     4
     4.3    Distribution in Discretionary Form..................     4
     4.4    Distribution to a Beneficiary.......................     5
     4.5    ECAP Credit in Lieu of Distribution.................     5
     4.6    Distribution of Incapacitated Persons...............     6

SECTION 5 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION..................................     6
     5.1    Notice of Denial....................................     6
     5.2    Notice of Appeal....................................     6
     5.3    Decision on Appeal..................................     7
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>
SECTION 6 - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION...........................     7
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

             THE MEAD CORPORATION SECTION 415 EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN
             ----------------------------------------------------

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

     1.1  History and Purpose.  Effective January 1, 1976, THE MEAD CORPORATION,
          -------------------
an Ohio corporation ("Mead") established The Mead Excess Benefits Plan (the
"Prior Plan"). The Prior Plan was subsequently amended and restated, effective
May 1, 1979, amended, effective November 1, 1986, and again amended and
restated, effective October 27, 1988. The following provisions constitute an
amendment, restatement and continuation of the portion of the Prior Plan that is
intended to be an "excess plan" (as defined in Section 3(36) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA")) into a separate plan which
shall be effective January 1, 1996, and shall be known as THE MEAD CORPORATION
SECTION 415 EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN (the "Plan"). The sole purpose of the Plan is to
supplement the amount of the "Pension" (as defined in the Mead Retirement Plan)
payable to or on account of any employee or former employee of Mead or of any
"Affiliate" (as defined below) from The Mead Retirement Plan to the extent, if
any, that the amount of his Pension is limited by application of the provisions
of section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). Mead and such
Affiliates are sometimes referred to below individually, as an "Employer" and,
collectively, as the "Employers." 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 designate by the Secretary of the Treasury (as
described in sections 414(b), 414(c), 414(m), and 414(o), respectively, of the
Code.

     1.2  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 Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of Mead (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 January 9, 1987 by and between Mead and
Society Bank, National 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 (the "Administrator") who shall
have the rights, powers and duties with respect to the Plan that are hereinafter
set forth.

     1.3  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.

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

     1.5  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
<PAGE>

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 person.

     1.6  Plan Year.  The term "Plan Year" means the calendar year.
          ---------

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

     2.1  Eligibility for Participation. An employee shall become a Participant
          -----------------------------
in the Plan on the date on which he first has a "Section 415 Excess Benefit" (as
defined in subsection 3.1).

     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.

SECTION 3 - DETERMINATION OF SECTION 415 EXCESS BENEFIT AMOUNT
--------------------------------------------------------------

     3.1  Section 415 Excess Benefit Amount. A Participant's "Section 415 Excess
          ---------------------------------
Benefit" as at any date is an amount, if any, payable under this Plan commencing
on the Participant's "Normal Retirement Date" (as defined in The Mead Retirement
Plan), which, when expressed as an annual amount payable as a single life
annuity, is equal to the amount determined by reducing the amount of his
"Unlimited Accrued Benefit" (as defined in subsection 3.2) as of that date by
the amount of his "Qualified Accrued Benefit" (as defined in subsection 3.3) as
of that date. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, if a
Participant continues in the employ of the Employers and Affiliates after his
Required Beginning Date (as defined in The Mead Retirement Plan), the amount of
his Section 415 Excess Benefit shall be recomputed as of the last day of each
Plan Year, beginning with the Plan Year during which the Participant's Required
Beginning Date occurs, taking into account amounts previously distributed to him
under the Plan. If any such recomputation results in an additional Section 415
Excess Benefit amount, that amount shall be distributed to him in accordance
with paragraph 4.1(b).

     3.2  Unlimited Accrued Benefit. A Participant's "Unlimited Accrued Benefit"
          -------------------------
as at any date is an amount equal to the amount of his "Accrued Benefit" (as
determined in accordance with the provisions The Mead Retirement Plan as of that
date), but computed without regard to:

     (a)  the limitations of section 415 of the Code; or

     (b)  the amount of any otherwise applicable reduction in the amount of his
          Accrued Benefit on account of any amount paid or payable:

          (i)  to or on account of the Participant under any other "qualified"
               defined benefit pension plan maintained by any Employer; or
<PAGE>

          (ii) to an "alternate payee" (as defined in section 414(p) of the
               Code).

     3.3  Qualified Accrued Benefit. A Participant's "Qualified Accrued Benefit"
          -------------------------
as at any date is an amount equal to the amount of his Accrued Benefit (as
determined in accordance with the provisions of The Mead Retirement Plan as of
that date), but computed without regard to the amounts described in paragraphs
3.2(b)(i) and (ii) above, and limited in amount as required by the requirements
of section 415 of the Code, as set forth in The Mead Retirement Plan.

SECTION 4 - DISTRIBUTION OF SECTION 415 EXCESS BENEFIT
------------------------------------------------------

     4.1  Distribution to a Participant. Subject to the following provisions of
          -----------------------------
the Plan, the "Present Value" (as defined and determined under the provisions of
The Mead Retirement Plan) of the amount of a Participant's Section 415 Excess
Benefit shall be distributed to him, in a single lump sum, as soon as
administratively feasible (but not more than 6 months) after:

     (a)  the date as of which payment of his Pension is made or commenced under
          The Mead Retirement Plan in the case of a Section 415 Excess Benefit
          attributable to his period of participation ending prior to his
          Required Beginning Date; or

     (b)  the end of the Plan Year in which a right to an additional benefit
          arises in the case of a Section 415 Excess Benefit attributable to any
          period of participation beginning on his Required Beginning Date.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, for purposes of this Section if
a Participant's Section 415 Excess Benefit described in paragraph (a) above is
subject to distribution at any date prior to the Participant's Normal Retirement
Date, then the amount of that benefit, as otherwise determined in accordance
with the provisions of subsection 3.1, shall be reduced to reflect early
commencement by application of any reduction factors that are applicable in
determining the amount of the Pension payable to him under The Mead Retirement
Plan as of that date.

     4.2  Distribution to a Surviving Spouse.  The surviving "Spouse" (as
          ----------------------------------
defined in The Mead Retirement Plan) of a deceased Participant who is entitled
to receive a Pre-Retirement Survivor Pension (as defined in The Mead Retirement
Plan) shall be entitled to receive a Surviving Spouse Benefit from this Plan in
an amount, if any, equal to the Present Value of the monthly Pre-Retirement
Survivor Pension that she would have received under the provisions of The Mead
Retirement Plan had the Participant's Accrued Benefit under that Plan been an
amount equal to the amount of his Section 415 Excess Benefit.  Subject to the
following provisions of the Plan, a Spouse's Surviving Spouse Benefit shall be
distributed to her, in a single lump sum, as soon as administratively feasible
(but not more than 6 months) after the date as of which payment of her Pre-
Retirement Survivor Pension is commenced under The Mead Retirement Plan.

     4.3  Distribution in Discretionary Form. Notwithstanding the provisions of
          ----------------------------------
subsection 4.1 and 4.2, but subject to the following provisions of this
subsection, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may direct that the benefits
payable in a single lump sum under subsection 4.1 or 4.2 be paid, beginning when
otherwise distributed under either of those subsections, to the Participant or
Surviving Spouse, as the case may be, in such periodic form as the Committee
shall decide. If the
<PAGE>

Committee exercises the discretion vested in it by the provisions of the
foregoing sentence, it may, in its sole discretion, thereafter accelerate
payments to the recipient if it is determined (as provided below) that the
Participant or Spouse, as the case may be, has experienced an "Unforeseeable
Emergency" (as defined below), provided that the amount of any such accelerated
payment shall not exceed the amount reasonably needed to satisfy the recipient's
emergency need. The term "Unforeseeable Emergency" means severe financial
hardship to the Participant or Spouse resulting from a sudden and unexpected
illness or accident of the Participant or Spouse or of his or her "dependent"
(as defined in section 152(a) of the Code), loss of the Participant's or
Spouse's property due to a casualty, or other similar extraordinary and
unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of
the Participant or Spouse, as the case may be. In determining whether an
Emergency Distribution should be made consideration may be given to the extent
to which his or her Unforeseeable Emergency can be relieved through
reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the
Participant's or Spouse's assets, to the extent the liquidation of such assets
would not itself cause severe financial hardship. A determination with respect
to whether a Participant or Spouse has experienced an Unforeseeable Emergency
shall be made:

     (a)  in the case of a Participant employed, or last employed, by an
          Employer at a salary grade below salary grade 24 (exclusive of an
          elected officer of an Employer) and of his Spouse, by the Chairperson
          of the Committee; and

     (b)  in the case of a Participant employed, or last employed, by an
          Employer at salary grade 24 or above or as an elected officer of an
          Employer and his Spouse, by the Committee.

     4.4  Distribution to a Beneficiary.  If the Committee exercises the
          -----------------------------
discretion vested in it by the first sentence of subsection 4.3 with respect to
any distribution payable under subsection 4.1 or 4.2 and the Participant or
Spouse dies prior to receiving periodic payments in an aggregate amount equal to
the Present Value of his or her Section 415 Excess Benefit or Surviving Spouse
Benefit, as the case may be, determined as of the date as of which periodic
payments commenced, the undistributed portion of the Present Value shall be
distributed, in a single lump sum, to a "Beneficiary" (as defined below)
designated by him or her.  The term "Beneficiary" means, with respect to any
Participant or Spouse, such natural or legal person or persons as may be
designated by him (who may be designated contingently or successively).  A
Beneficiary designation will be effective only when a signed and dated
beneficiary designation form is filed with the Committee while the Participant
or Spouse is alive, which form will cancel any beneficiary designation form
signed and filed earlier.  If a Participant or Spouse is not survived by any
Beneficiary, the Committee shall make distribution to the legal representative
or representatives of the estate of the Participant or Spouse, as the case may
be.

     4.5  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 4.3, 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 subsection 4.1 and to have
the same amount credited for his benefit and subsequently distributed to him
under the terms of the ECAP.
<PAGE>

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 a
Participant's surviving Spouse pursuant to the provisions of subsection 4.2.

     4.6  Distribution to Incapacitated Persons.  Notwithstanding any other
          -------------------------------------
provision of the Plan, if a person entitled to a distribution 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.

SECTION 5 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION
------------------------------

     5.1  Notice of Denial. If any dispute arises with respect to a Participant,
          ----------------
Spouse or Beneficiary (a "Claimant") under the Plan, the 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 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 Administrator
fails to take any action on the Claimant's initial application within 90 days
after receipt, the application will be deemed denied, and the Claimant's appeal
rights under subsection 5.2 will be in effect as of the end of such period.

     5.2   Notice of Appeal. Within 60 days after the receipt of the
           ----------------
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 Claims Reviewer 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)  in the case of a Participant employed, or last employed, by an
               Employer at a salary grade below salary grade 24 (exclusive of an
               elected officer of an Employer) and of his Spouse or Beneficiary,
               the Benefit Appeals Committee, a committee appointed by the
               Corporate Benefits Committee of Mead; and
<PAGE>

          (b)  in the case of a Participant employed, or last employed, by an
               Employer at salary grade 24 or above or as an elected officer of
               an Employer and of his Spouse or Beneficiary, the Chairperson of
               the Committee.

     5.3   Decision on Appeal. The Benefit Appeals Committee or the Chairperson
           ------------------
of the Committee, as the case may be, 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.

SECTION 6 - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
-------------------------------------

     Mead, by action of the Committee, reserves the right to amend the Plan at
any time.  The Plan will terminate on the date on which it is terminated by
Mead's Board of Directors.  Neither an amendment or termination of the Plan
shall, of itself, reduce the amount of a Participant's Section 415 Excess
Benefit, which amount shall continue to be adjusted from time to time pursuant
to the provisions of Section 3 until distributed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 4.
<PAGE>

                               SECOND AMENDMENT
                                      TO
                             THE MEAD CORPORATION
                        SECTION 415 EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN

          WHEREAS The Mead Corporation ("Mead") heretofore established The Mead
Corporation Section 415 Excess Benefit Plan (the "Plan"); and

          WHEREAS Mead desires to amend the Plan pursuant to the power reserved
to Mead's Compensation Committee by Section 6 of the Plan;

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

          1. Subsection 1.1 is amended by the addition of the following sentence
at the end thereof:

     "The term 'Committee' means the Compensation Committee of the Board of
     Directors of Mead."

          2. Subsection 1.2 of the Plan is amended to read, in its entirety, as
follows:

          "1.2 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 (the "Administrator") who shall have the rights, powers
     and duties with respect to the Plan that are hereinafter set forth."

          3. Subsection 4.3 of the Plan is amended by the addition of the
following sentence at the end thereof:
<PAGE>

     "Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subsection 4.3, upon and after
     the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in Section 7 hereof), the
     discretionary power therein given the Committee to alter the form of
     payment of a Participant's benefits hereunder from lump sum payment to
     periodic payments shall be exercisable only following the Committee's
     receipt of a written request from the Participant for a change to periodic
     payments and shall be exercisable only to determine whether to grant the
     particular form of periodic payments so requested or to retain the lump sum
     payment form."

          4. The Plan is amended by the addition of the following new Section 7:

     "SECTION 7 - DEFINITION OF CHANGE IN CONTROL
      -------------------------------------------

          "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 (1) 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

<PAGE>

     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 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.

<PAGE>

     "'Affiliate' shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 1 2b-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 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."

<PAGE>

                                   AMENDMENT
                                      TO
                             THE MEAD CORPORATION
                        SECTION 415 EXCESS BENEFIT PLAN

     WHEREAS, The Mead Corporation ("Mead") heretofore established The Mead
Corporation Section 415 Excess Benefit 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 Compensation Committee by Section 6 of the Plan;

     NOW THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended, effective as of October 26,
2001, as follows:

     1.   Subsection 4.5 is revised to read as follows:

          4.5  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
          subsection 4.1 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 at any time prior to a Change
          in Control (as defined in Section 3.01 of Benefits Trust Agreement)
          with respect to distributions made on or after a Change in Control. An
          election made by a Participant pursuant to the foregoing sentence
          shall be revocable at any time that is at least three months prior to
          the date of termination of employment with the Employers and
          Affiliates or a Change in Control, as appropriate. In no event shall
          this subsection be applicable to any amount distributable to a
          Participant's surviving Spouse pursuant to the provisions of
          subsection 4.2.<PAGE>

                                                                Exhibit 10.xxxi

                             THE MEAD CORPORATION
                         EXCESS EARNINGS BENEFIT PLAN
                         ----------------------------

                                       1
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                    <C>
SECTION 1 - GENERAL..............................................................       1
     1.1     History and Purpose.................................................       1
     1.2     Plan Funding and Administration.....................................       1
     1.3     Applicable Law......................................................       2
     1.4     Gender and Number...................................................       2
     1.5     Assignment..........................................................       2
     1.6     Plan Year...........................................................       2

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

SECTION 3 - DETERMINATION OF EXCESS EARNINGS BENEFIT AMOUNT......................       2
     3.1     Excess Earnings Benefit Amount......................................       2
     3.2     Unlimited Accrued Benefit...........................................       3
     3.3     Qualified Accrued Benefit...........................................       3

SECTION 4 - DISTRIBUTION OF EXCESS EARNINGS BENEFIT..............................       4
     4.1     Distribution to a Participant.......................................       4
     4.2     Distribution to a Surviving Spouse..................................       4
     4.3     Distribution in Discretionary Form..................................       4
     4.4     Distribution to a Beneficiary.......................................       5
     4.5     ECAP Credit in Lieu of Distribution.................................       6
     4.6     Distribution to Incapacitated Persons...............................       6

SECTION 5 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION...................................................       6
     5.1     Notice of Denial....................................................       6
     5.2     Notice of Appeal....................................................       6
     5.3     Decision on Appeal..................................................       7

SECTION 6 - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION............................................       7
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>

               THE MEAD CORPORATION EXCESS EARNINGS BENEFIT PLAN
               -------------------------------------------------

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

     1.1  History and Purpose.  Effective January 1, 1976,  THE MEAD
          -------------------
CORPORATION, an Ohio corporation ("Mead") established The Mead Excess Benefits
Plan (the "Prior Plan").  The Prior Plan was subsequently amended and restated,
effective May 1, 1979, amended, effective November 1, 1986, and again amended
and restated, effective October 27, 1988.  The following provisions constitute
an amendment, restatement, and continuation of the portion of the Prior Plan
that is intended to be a "top hat plan" (within the meaning of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA")) into a separate plan which
shall be effective January 1, 1996, and shall be known as THE MEAD CORPORATION
EXCESS EARNINGS BENEFIT PLAN (the "Plan").  The sole purpose of the Plan is to
supplement the amount of the "Pension" (as defined in the Mead Retirement Plan)
payable to or on account of any employee or former employee of Mead or of any
"Affiliate" (as defined below) from The Mead Retirement Plan to the extent, if
any, that the amount of his Pension is limited by application of the provisions
of section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code").  Mead
and such Affiliates are sometimes referred to below individually, as an
"Employer" and, collectively, as the "Employers."  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 designate by the Secretary of
the Treasury as described in sections 414(b), 414(c), 414(m), and 414(o),
respectively, of the Code.

     1.2  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 Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of Mead (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 January 9, 1987 by and between Mead and
Society Bank, National 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 (the "Administrator") who shall
have the rights, powers and duties with respect to the Plan that are hereinafter
set forth.

     1.3  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.

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

                                       3
<PAGE>

     1.5  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 person.

     1.6  Plan Year.  The term "Plan Year" means the calendar year.
          ---------

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

     2.1  Eligibility for Participation.  An employee shall become a Participant
          -----------------------------
in the Plan on the date on which he first has an "Excess Earnings Benefit" (as
defined in subsection 3.1).

     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.

SECTION 3 - DETERMINATION OF EXCESS EARNINGS BENEFIT AMOUNT
-----------------------------------------------------------

     3.1  Excess Earnings Benefit Amount.  A Participant's "Excess Earnings
          ------------------------------
Benefit" as at any date is an amount, if any, payable under this Plan commencing
on the Participant's "Normal Retirement Date" (as defined in The Mead Retirement
Plan), which, when expressed as an annual amount payable as a single life
annuity, is equal to the amount determined by reducing the amount of his
"Unlimited Accrued Benefit" (as defined in subsection 3.2) as of that date by an
amount equal to the sum of:

     (a)  the amount of his "Qualified Accrued Benefit" (as defined in
          subsection 3.3) as of that date; and

     (b)  the amount of his "Section 415 Excess Benefit" (determined in
          accordance with the provisions of The Mead Corporation Section 415
          Excess Benefit Plan).

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, if a Participant
continues in the employ of the Employers and Affiliates after his Required
Beginning Date (as defined in The Mead Retirement Plan), the amount of his
Excess Earnings Benefit shall be recomputed as of the last day of each Plan
Year, beginning with the Plan Year during which the Participant's Required
Beginning Date occurs, taking into account amounts previously distributed to him
under the Plan.  If any such recomputation results in an additional Excess
Earnings Benefit amount, that amount shall be distributed to him in accordance
with paragraph 4.1(b).

     3.2  Unlimited Accrued Benefit.  A Participant's "Unlimited Accrued
          -------------------------
Benefit" as at any date is an amount equal to the amount of his "Accrued
Benefit" (as determined in accordance with the provisions of The Mead Retirement
Plan as of that date), computed without regard to:

                                       4
<PAGE>

     (a)      the limitations of section 415 of the Code;

     (b)      the amount of any otherwise applicable reduction in the amount of
              his Accrued Benefit on account of any amount paid or payable:

              (i)  to or on account of the Participant under any other
                   "qualified" defined benefit pension plan maintained by any
                   Employer; or

              (ii) to an "alternate payee" (as defined in section 414(p) of the
                   Code); or

     (c)      the limitation of section 401(a)(17) of the Code; but

     (d)      by taking into account the amount, if any, that:

              (i)  the Participant elects to defer under the terms of The Mead
                   Corporation Executive Capital Accumulation Plan ("EXCAP") for
                   any applicable Plan Year, exclusive of any portion of a
                   deferral that is attributable to long-term incentive
                   compensation paid to him;

              (ii) the fair market value of each share of common stock of Mead
                   issued, or deemed issued, to the Participant (whether or not
                   subject to a risk of forfeiture) in lieu of cash payment of
                   the Participant's base salary or short term incentive
                   compensation for any applicable Plan Year, which value shall
                   be determined as the closing price of a share of such stock
                   on the New York Stock Exchange on the date payment is
                   otherwise due or, if no Mead common stock is traded on that
                   Exchange on that date for any reason, the next preceding day
                   on which Mead common stock was traded on the New York Stock
                   Exchange; and

        (iii) any amount paid to the Participant paid to the Participant in lieu
                   of an annual incentive plan payment and not deferred by him
                   under EXCAP.

     3.3      Qualified Accrued Benefit.  A Participant's "Qualified Accrued
              -------------------------
Benefit" as at any date is an amount equal to the amount of his Accrued Benefit
(as determined in accordance with the provisions of The Mead Retirement Plan as
of that date), but computed without regard to the amounts described in
paragraphs 3.2(b)(i), 3.2(b)(ii) and 3.2(d) above, and limited in amount as
required by the requirements of sections 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code, as set
forth in The Mead Retirement Plan.

                                       5
<PAGE>

SECTION 4 - DISTRIBUTION OF EXCESS EARNINGS BENEFIT
---------------------------------------------------

     4.1  Distribution to a Participant.  Subject to the following provisions of
          -----------------------------
the Plan, the "Present Value" (as defined and determined under the provisions of
The Mead Retirement Plan) of the amount of a Participant's Excess Earnings
Benefit shall be distributed to him, in a single lump sum, as soon as
administratively feasible (but not more than 6 months) after:

     (a)  the date as of which payment of his Pension is made or commenced under
          The Mead Retirement Plan in the case of an Excess Earnings Benefit
          attributable to his period of participation ending prior to his
          Required Beginning Date; or

     (b)  the end of the Plan Year in which a right to an additional benefit
          arises in the case of an Excess Earnings Benefit attributable to any
          period of participation beginning on his Required Beginning Date.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, for purposes of this Section if
a Participant's Excess Earnings Benefit described in paragraph (a) above is
subject to distribution at any date prior to the Participant's Normal Retirement
Date, then the amount of that benefit, as otherwise determined in accordance
with the provisions of subsection 3.1, shall be reduced to reflect early
commencement by application of any reduction factors that are applicable in
determining the amount of the Pension payable to him under The Mead Retirement
Plan as of that date.

     4.2  Distribution to a Surviving Spouse.  The surviving "Spouse" (as
          ----------------------------------
defined in The Mead Retirement Plan) of a deceased Participant who is entitled
to receive a Pre-Retirement Survivor Pension (as defined in The Mead Retirement
Plan) shall be entitled to receive a Surviving Spouse Benefit from this Plan in
an amount, if any, equal to the Present Value of the monthly Pre-Retirement
Survivor Pension that she would have received under the provisions of The Mead
Retirement Plan had the Participant's Accrued Benefit under that Plan been an
amount equal to the amount of his Excess Earnings Benefit.  Subject to the
following provisions of the Plan, a Spouse's Surviving Spouse Benefit shall be
distributed to her, in a single lump sum, as soon as administratively feasible
(but not more than 6 months) after the date as of which payment of her Pre-
Retirement Survivor Pension is commenced under The Mead Retirement Plan.

     4.3  Distribution in Discretionary Form.  Notwithstanding the provisions of
          ----------------------------------
subsection 4.1 and 4.2, but subject to the following provisions of this
subsection, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may direct that the benefits
payable in a single lump sum under subsection 4.1 or 4.2 be paid, beginning when
otherwise distributable under either of those subsections, to the Participant or
Surviving Spouse, as the case may be, in such periodic form as the Committee
shall decide.  If the Committee exercises the discretion vested in it by the
provisions of the foregoing sentence, it may, in its sole discretion, thereafter
accelerate payments to the recipient if it is determined (as provided below)
that the Participant or Spouse, as the case may be, has experienced an
"Unforeseeable Emergency" (as defined below), provided that the amount of any
such accelerated payment shall not exceed the amount reasonably needed to
satisfy the recipient's emergency need.  The term "Unforeseeable Emergency"
means severe financial hardship to the Participant or Spouse resulting from a
sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the Participant or Spouse or of his
or her

                                       6
<PAGE>

"dependent" (as defined in section 152(a) of the Code), loss of the
Participant's or Spouse's property due to a casualty, or other similar
extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events
beyond the control of the Participant or Spouse, as the case may be. In
determining whether an Emergency Distribution should be made consideration may
be given to the extent to which his or her Unforeseeable Emergency can be
relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by
liquidation of the Participant's or Spouse's assets, to the extent the
liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship. A
determination with respect to whether a Participant or Spouse has experienced an
Unforeseeable Emergency shall be made:

     (a)  in the case of a Participant employed, or last employed, by an
          Employer at a salary grade below salary grade 24 (exclusive of an
          elected officer of an Employer) and of his Spouse, by the Chairperson
          of the Committee acting for the Committee; and

     (b)  in the case of a Participant employed, or last employed, by an
          Employer at salary grade 24 or above or as an elected officer of an
          Employer and of his Spouse, by the Committee.

     4.4  Distribution to a Beneficiary.  If the Committee exercises the
          -----------------------------
discretion vested in it by the first sentence of subsection 4.3 with respect to
any distribution payable under subsection 4.1 or 4.2 and the Participant or
Spouse dies prior to receiving periodic payments in an aggregate amount equal to
the Present Value of his Excess Earnings or Surviving Spouse Benefit, as the
case may be, determined as of the date as of which periodic payments commenced,
the undistributed portion of the Present Value shall be distributed, in a single
lump sum, to a "Beneficiary" (as defined below).  The term "Beneficiary" means,
with respect to any married Participant, his Spouse and,with respect to any
unmarried Participant or Spouse, such natural or legal person or persons as may
be designated by him (who may be designated contingently or successively).  A
Beneficiary designation will be effective only when a signed and dated
beneficiary designation form is filed with the Committee while the Participant
or Spouse is alive, which form will cancel any beneficiary designation form
signed and filed earlier.  If a Participant or Spouse is not survived by any
Beneficiary, the Committee shall make distribution to the legal representative
or representatives of the estate of the Participant or Spouse, as the case may
be.

     4.5  EXCAP 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 4.3, a Participant who is also a
Participant in the EXCAP may elect to waive his right to receive any amount
otherwise distributable to him pursuant to the provisions of subsection 4.1 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
EXCAP.  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.
An election made by a Participant pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this
subsection shall be revocable by him at any time that is at least one year prior
to the date of his termination of employment with the

                                       7
<PAGE>

Employers and Affiliates. In no event shall this subsection be applicable to any
amount distributable to a Participant's surviving Spouse pursuant to the
provisions of subsection 4.2.

     4.6  Distribution to Incapacitated Persons.  Notwithstanding any other
          -------------------------------------
provision of the Plan, if a person entitled to a distribution 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 distribution 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.

SECTION 5 - DISPUTE RESOLUTION
------------------------------

     5.1   Notice of Denial.  If any dispute arises with respect to a
           ----------------
Participant, Spouse or Beneficiary (a "Claimant") under the Plan, the
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 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 Administrator
fails to take any action on the Claimant's initial application within 90 days
after receipt, the application will be deemed denied, and the Claimant's appeal
rights under subsection 5.2 will be in effect as of the end of such period.

     5.2   Notice of Appeal.  Within 60 days after the receipt of the
           ----------------
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 Claims Reviewer 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)  in the case of a Participant employed, or last employed, by an
               Employer at a salary grade below salary grade 24 (exclusive of an
               elected officer of an Employer) and of his Spouse or Beneficiary,
               the Benefit Appeals Committee, a committee appointed by the
               Corporate Benefits Committee of Mead; and

          (b)  in the case of a Participant employed, or last employed, by an
               Employer at salary grade 24 or above or as an elected officer of
               an Employer and of his Spouse or Beneficiary, the Chairperson of
               the Committee.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     5.3   Decision on Appeal.  The Benefit Appeals Committee or the Chairperson
           ------------------
of the Committee, as the case may be, 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.

SECTION 6 - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
-------------------------------------

     Mead, by action of the Committee, reserves the right to amend the Plan at
any time. The Plan will terminate on the date on which it is terminated by
Mead's Board of Directors. Neither an amendment or termination of the Plan
shall, of itself, reduce the amount of a Participant's Excess Earnings Benefit,
which amount shall continue to be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the
provisions of Section 3 until distributed in accordance with the provisions of
Section 4.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                FIRST AMENDMENT
                                      TO
                             THE MEAD CORPORATION
                         EXCESS EARNINGS BENEFIT PLAN

          WHEREAS The Mead Corporation ("Mead") heretofore established The Mead
Corporation Excess Earnings Benefit Plan (the "Plan"); and

          WHEREAS Mead desires to amend the Plan pursuant to the power reserved
to Mead's Compensation Committee by Section 6 of the Plan;

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

          1. Subsection 1.1 is amended by the addition of the following sentence
at the end thereof:

     "The term 'Committee' means the Compensation Committee of the Board of
     Directors of Mead."

          2. Subsection 1.2 of the Plan is amended to read, in its entirety, as
follows:

          "1.2 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 (the "Administrator") who shall have the rights, powers
     and duties with respect to the Plan that are hereinafter set forth."

          3. Subsection 4.3 of the Plan is amended by the addition of the
following sentence at the end thereof:
<PAGE>

     "Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subsection 4.3, upon and after
     the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in Section 7 hereof), the
     discretionary power therein given the Committee to alter the form of
     payment of a Participant's benefits hereunder from lump sum payment to
     periodic payments shall be exercisable only following the Committee's
     receipt of a written request from the Participant for a change to periodic
     payments and shall be exercisable only to determine whether to grant the
     particular form of periodic payments so requested or to retain the lump sum
     payment form."

          4. The Plan is amended by the addition of the following new Section 7:

     "SECTION 7 - DEFINITION OF CHANGE IN CONTROL
      -------------------------------------------

          "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 (1) 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

                                       2
<PAGE>

     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 in clause (x)(1) 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.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     "'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 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>

                                   AMENDMENT
                                      TO
                             THE MEAD CORPORATION
                         EXCESS EARNINGS BENEFIT PLAN

     WHEREAS, The Mead Corporation ("Mead") heretofore established The Mead
Corporation Excess Earnings Benefit 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 Compensation Committee by Section 6 of the Plan;

     NOW THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended, effective as of October 26,
2001, as follows:

     1.   Subsection 4.5 is revised to read as follows:

          4.5  EXCAP Credit in Lieu of Distribution.  A Participant who is also
               ------------------------------------
          a Participant in the EXCAP may elect to waive his right to receive any
          amount otherwise distributable to him pursuant to the provisions of
          subsection 4.1 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 EXCAP. 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 at any time prior to a Change
          in Control (as defined in Section 3.01 of Benefits Trust Agreement)
          with respect to distributions made on or after a Change in Control. An
          election made by a Participant pursuant to the foregoing sentence
          shall be revocable at any time that is at least three months prior to
          the date of termination of employment with the Employers and
          Affiliates or a Change in Control, as appropriate. In no event shall
          this subsection be applicable to any amount distributable to a
          Participant's surviving Spouse pursuant to the provisions of
          subsection 4.2.

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