Document:

Exhibit 10.34

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(“Agreement”) dated as of April 17, 2006 between NewPage Corporation (the
“Company”) and Richard D. Willett, Jr. (the “Executive”) (together, the
“Parties”).

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to
establish the terms of Executive’s future employment.

Accordingly, the Parties
agree as follows:

1.             Employment and Acceptance.  The Company shall employ the Executive, and
Executive shall accept employment, subject to the terms of this Agreement,
effective as of April 13, 2006 (the “Effective Date”).

2.             Term. 
Subject to Section 5 of this Agreement, this Agreement and the
employment relationship hereunder will continue from the Effective Date until
the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”).  There shall be no extension of this Agreement
other than by written agreement executed by both Parties hereto.  In the event of the Executive’s termination
of employment during the Term, the Company’s obligation to continue to pay all
base salary, as adjusted, bonus and other benefits then accrued shall terminate
except as may be provided for in Section 5 of this Agreement.

3.             Duties and Title.

3.1           Title.  The
Company shall employ the Executive to render exclusive and full-time services
to the Company and certain designated subsidiaries and affiliates.  The Executive will serve in the capacity of
Chief Operating Officer and President of NewPage Holding Corporation
(“Holding”) and the Company.  The
Executive shall also serve during the Term in executive positions for one or
more of the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates for no additional
consideration.

3.2           Duties.  The
Executive will have such authority and responsibilities and will perform such
executive duties as are customarily performed by the chief operating officer
and president of businesses similar to those of the Company or assigned to
Executive by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”) or the
Board of Directors of Holding (the “Holding Board”).  The Executive shall report to the CEO.  The Executive will devote all his full
working-time and attention to the performance of such duties and to the
promotion of the business and interests of the Company and its subsidiaries and
affiliates.  This provision, however,
will not prevent the Executive from acting as an advisor to or a member of, the
board of directors of any civic or charitable organization, so long as such
actions do not violate the provisions of Section 7 of this Agreement or
interfere with the Executive’s performance of his duties hereunder.

4.             Compensation by the Company.

4.1           Base Salary. 
As compensation for all services rendered pursuant to this Agreement,
the Company will pay to the Executive, an annual base salary of four hundred
fifty thousand dollars ($450,000), payable in accordance with the payroll
practices of the Company (“Base Salary”). 
Each year during the Term, the Holding Board will conduct a review of
Executive’s Base Salary and, in its sole discretion, may increase Executive’s
Base Salary.  Once increased, Base Salary
shall not be decreased.  For the purposes
of this Agreement, “Base Salary” shall mean the Executive’s base salary as
increased pursuant to this Section 4.1.

4.2           Annual Bonus.  For performance periods during the Term, the
Executive will be entitled to participate in the NewPage Corporation Annual
Management Incentive Plan approved annually by the Board of Directors of the
Company (the “Annual Incentive Plan”). 
Executive’s target bonus will be 100% of Base Salary for achieving
targets set annually by the Board of Directors of the Company in the Annual
Incentive Plan.  Each annual bonus
(“Annual Bonus”) shall be paid on or before March 15th of the year following the tax year in
which the relevant services required for payment have been performed.  There shall be no cap on the amount of such
Annual Bonuses.  The Executive’s bonus
for 2006 will be prorated.

4.3           Participation in Employee Benefit Plans.  The Executive shall be entitled during the
Term, if and to the extent eligible, to participate in all of the applicable
benefit plans of the Company that may be available to other senior executives
of the Company, on the same terms as such other executives. The Company may at
any time or from time to time amend, modify, suspend or terminate any employee
benefit plan, program or arrangement for any reason in its sole discretion.

4.4           Vacation. 
The Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation with
respect to each calendar year during the Term. 
Vacation days will be prorated for any partial year based on the number
of days elapsed in such year.  Executive
shall not be entitled to payment for unused vacation days upon the termination
of his employment except as set forth in Section 5 below.  The accrual and carry-over of vacation days
shall be in accordance with Company policy from time to time in effect.

4.5           Expense Reimbursement.  During the Term, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive reimbursement for all appropriate business expenses
incurred by him in connection with his duties under this Agreement in
accordance with the policies of the Company as in effect from time to time.

4.6           Moving and Relocation.  Executive shall be eligible to receive moving
and relocation benefits in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
NewPage Moving & Relocation Plan.

5.             Termination of Employment.

5.1           Upon Expiration of the Term or By
the Company for Cause or By the Executive Without Good Reason.  Upon expiration of the Term, or if during the
Term, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause (as defined
below) or Executive 

 

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terminates his employment
without Good Reason (as defined below), the Executive shall be entitled to
receive the following:

(a)           any unpaid Base Salary through the
date of termination; and any accrued but unused vacation pay through the date
of termination; and

(b)           accrued benefits pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the Company’s benefit plans and programs.

Upon
any such termination, as applicable, the payment set forth in Section 5.1(a)
shall be paid in a lump sum within 10 business days after termination (unless
an earlier date is prescribed by law).

For
the purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means (i) commission of a felony by the
Executive; (ii) acts of dishonesty by the Executive resulting or intending to
result in personal gain or enrichment at the expense of the Company or its
subsidiaries or affiliates; (iii) the Executive’s material breach of any
provision of any policy of the Company, Holding or Maple Timber Acquisition LLC
(Paper Series); (iv) the Executive’s failure to follow the lawful written
directions of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Holding Board or the
Board of Directors of Maple Timber Acquisition LLC (Paper Series); (v) conduct
by the Executive in connection with his duties that is fraudulent, willful and
materially injurious to the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; or (vi)
conduct by the Executive in connection with his duties that is unlawful and
materially injurious to the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates; provided
that the Executive shall have ten (10) business days following the Company’s
written notice of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment to cure
such Cause, if curable, as determined by the Holding Board, in its sole
discretion.

For
the purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means, without the consent of the
Executive, (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in
any material adverse respect with the Executive’s position (including without
limitation, any reduction in offices, titles and reporting requirements),
authority, duties or responsibilities immediately following the Effective Date,
or any other action by Holding or the Company which results in a material
diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a
reduction by Holding or the Company in the Executive’s Base Salary or in the
percentage of Base Salary on which the Executive’s bonus is based; (iii)
Holding or the Company’s requiring the Executive to be based in any office or
location outside of fifty (50) miles from the Executive’s principal place of
employment, which shall be Dayton, Ohio; (iv) a material reduction in the
aggregate benefits provided to the Executive, except for any across-the-board
reduction(s) affecting all similarly situated employees on substantially the
same proportional basis; or (v) any failure by the Company to obtain the
express written assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Executive as
described herein by any successor or assign of the Company.

5.2           By the Company Without Cause or By
the Executive for Good Reason. 
Subject to the Executive’s compliance with Section 7 hereof and subject
to the execution by the Executive, without revocation, of a general release in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Release”), if during the Term the
Executive’s employment terminates without 

 

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Cause or Executive
terminates his employment for Good Reason, the Executive shall receive the
severance payments set forth in this Section 5.2 at such times and subject to
the provisions of paragraphs (I) and (II) below (which shall be in lieu of any
payments or benefits to which the Executive may be entitled under any Company
severance plan (the “Severance Plan”)):

(a)           any unpaid Base Salary through the
date of termination;

(b)           a pro rata bonus for the year of
termination, calculated as the product of (x) “Severance Bonus Amount” (as
defined below) and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days
in the current fiscal year through the date of termination and the denominator
of which is 365, payable at the time that bonuses are paid after the
Executive’s termination date to similarly situated employees;

(c)           any accrued but unused vacation pay;

(d)           an amount equal to two (2) times Base
Salary;

(e)           continued receipt of welfare benefits
for 24 months after the Executive’s date of termination; provided, however, if
the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to
receive welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the welfare
benefits described in this clause 5.2(e) shall be secondary to those provided
under such other plan;

(f)            outplacement services substantially
similar to those provided pursuant to the terms of the Severance Plan; and

(g)           accrued benefits pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the Company’s benefit plans and programs.

(I)  The payment set forth in Section 5.2(a) shall
be paid within 10 business days after the date of termination (unless an
earlier date is prescribed by law).

(II)  The payments set forth in Sections 5.2(b)-(d)
shall be paid in a lump sum after the later of (i) the expiration of the
applicable revocation period contained in the Release and (ii) with respect to
the bonus, the annual bonus payment date for similarly situated employees after
the Executive’s termination of employment.

The Company shall have no
obligation to provide the payments and benefits set forth above in the event
that Executive breaches the provisions of Section 7.

“Severance Bonus Amount”
shall mean, in the event of a termination (i) prior to June 1st of any calendar
year, the Annual Bonus paid to the Executive for the calendar year prior to the
termination or (ii) on or after June 1st of any calendar year, the Annual Bonus
that would have been payable to the Executive for the calendar year of the
termination (determined as of the end of such calendar year and payable when
the Company pays annual bonuses to similarly situated employees).

 

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5.3           Due to Death or Disability.  If during the Term the Executive dies or the
Company terminates the Executive’s employment on account of the Executive’s
Disability (as defined below), the Executive, or the Executive’s legal
representatives (as appropriate), shall be entitled to receive the following:

(a)           any unpaid Base Salary through the
date of termination;

(b)           a pro rata bonus for the year of
termination, calculated as the product of (x) “Severance Bonus Amount” and (y)
a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal
year through the date of termination and the denominator of which is 365,
payable at the time that bonuses are paid after the Executive’s termination
date, to similarly situated employees; and

(c)           any accrued but unused vacation pay;
and

(d)           accrued benefits pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the Company’s benefit plans and programs.

The payments set forth in
Section 5.3(a) and (c) shall be paid in a lump sum within ten (10) business
days after the date of termination (unless an earlier date is prescribed by
law) and with respect to 5.3(b), at such time that annual bonuses are paid
after the Executive’s termination date to similarly situated employees.

For the purposes of this
Agreement, “Disability” means a determination by the Company, in accordance
with applicable law, based on information provided by a physician selected by
the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to the Executive that, as
a result of a physical or mental injury or illness, the Executive has been
unable to perform the essential functions of his job with or without reasonable
accommodation for a period of (i) ninety (90) consecutive days or (ii) one
hundred and eighty (180) days in any one-year period.

5.4           No Mitigation. 
The obligations of the Company to Executive which arise upon the
termination of his employment pursuant to this Section 5 shall not be subject
to mitigation or offset.

5.5           Removal from any Boards and Positions.  If the Executive’s employment terminates for
any reason under this Agreement, he shall be deemed to resign (i) if a member,
from the Board of Directors of the Company, the Holding Board and the Board of
Directors of the Paper Series of Maple Timber Acquisition LLC or any other
board of directors of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or any other
board to which he has been appointed or nominated by or on behalf of the
Company and (ii) from any position with the Company or any subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company, including, but not limited to, as an officer of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

6.             Nondisparagement. 
Except as required by law or order of a court or governmental agency
having jurisdiction or to report, in good faith, an impropriety or financial
wrongdoing affecting the business of the Company, Executive agrees that
Executive will not at any time publish or communicate to any person or entity
any Disparaging (as defined below) remarks, comments or statements concerning the
Company, Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.,

 

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 their
parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, and their respective present and former
members, partners, directors, officers, shareholders, employees, agents, attorneys,
successors and assigns.  “Disparaging”
remarks, comments or statements are those that impugn the character, honesty,
integrity or morality or business acumen or abilities in connection with any
aspect of the operation of the business of the individual or entity being
disparaged.

7.             Restrictions and Obligations of the Executive.

7.1           Confidentiality.

(a)           During the course of the Executive’s
employment under this Agreement, the Executive will have
access to, certain trade secrets and confidential information relating to the
Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (the “Protected Parties”) which is
not readily available from sources outside the Company.  The confidential and proprietary information
and, in any material respect, trade secrets of the Protected Parties are among
their most valuable assets, including but not limited to, their customer,
supplier and vendor lists, contract terms, databases, competitive strategies,
computer programs, frameworks, or models, their marketing programs, their sales,
financial, marketing, training and technical information, their product
development (and proprietary product data), business plans and strategies
(including, but not limited to, acquisition and divestiture plans),
environmental matters and other regulatory matters and any other information,
whether communicated orally, electronically, in writing or in other tangible
forms concerning how the Protected Parties create, develop, acquire or maintain
their products and marketing plans, target their potential customers and
operate their businesses.  The Protected
Parties invested, and continue to invest, considerable amounts of time and
money in their process, technology, know-how, obtaining and developing the
goodwill of their customers, their other external relationships, their data
systems and data bases, and all the information described above (hereinafter
collectively referred to as “Confidential Information”), and any
misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information in any
form would irreparably harm the Protected Parties.  The Executive acknowledges that such
Confidential Information constitutes valuable, highly confidential, special and
unique property of the Protected Parties. 
The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the
Protected Parties all Confidential Information relating to the Protected
Parties and their businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive
during the Executive’s employment by the Company or its subsidiaries and
affiliates and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by
acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this
Agreement).  Except as required by law or
an order of a court or governmental agency with jurisdiction, the Executive
shall not, during the period the Executive is employed by the Company or its
subsidiaries and affiliates or at any time thereafter, disclose any
Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, to any person or entity for
any reason or purpose whatsoever, nor shall the Executive use it in any way,
except in the course of the Executive’s employment with, and for the benefit
of, the Protected Parties or to enforce any rights or defend any claims
hereunder or under any other agreement to which the Executive is a party,
provided that such disclosure is relevant to the enforcement of such rights or
defense of such claims and is only disclosed in the formal proceedings related
thereto.  The Executive shall take all reasonable
steps to safeguard the Confidential Information and to protect it against
disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. 
The Executive understands and agrees that the Executive shall acquire no
rights to any such Confidential Information.

 

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(b)           All files, records, documents, drawings, specifications,
data, computer programs, evaluation mechanisms and analytics and similar items
relating thereto or to the Business (for the purposes of this Agreement,
“Business” shall be as defined in Section 7.3 hereof), as well as all customer
lists, specific customer information, compilations of product research and
marketing techniques of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates,
whether prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into the Executive’s
possession, shall remain the exclusive property of the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates, and the Executive shall not remove any such items
from the premises of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, except in
furtherance of the Executive’s duties under this Agreement.

(c)           It is understood that while employed by the Company, the
Executive will promptly disclose to it, and assign to it the Executive’s
interest in any invention, improvement or discovery made or conceived by the
Executive, either alone or jointly with others, which arises out of the
Executive’s employment.  At the Company’s
request and expense, the Executive will assist the Company and its subsidiaries
and affiliates during the period of the Executive’s employment under this
Agreement and thereafter in connection with any controversy or legal proceeding
relating to such invention, improvement or discovery and in obtaining domestic
and foreign patent or other protection covering the same.

(d)           As requested by the Company and at the Company’s expense,
from time to time and upon the termination of the Executive’s employment for
any reason, the Executive will promptly deliver to the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates, as applicable, all copies and embodiments, in whatever
form, of all Confidential Information in the Executive’s possession or within
his control (including, but not limited to, memoranda, records, notes, plans,
photographs, manuals, notebooks, documentation, program listings, flow charts,
magnetic media, disks, diskettes, tapes and all other materials containing any
Confidential Information) irrespective of the location or form of such
material.  If requested by the Company,
the Executive will provide the Company with written confirmation that all such
materials have been delivered to the Company as provided herein.

7.2           Non-Solicitation or Hire.  During the Term and for a period of two (2)
years following the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason
(including the expiration of the Term), the Executive shall not directly or
indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit or induce, directly or indirectly, (a)
any party who is a customer of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates,
or who was a customer of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates at any
time during the relevant period immediately prior to the relevant date, for the
purpose of marketing, selling or providing to any such party any services or
products offered by or available from the Company or its subsidiaries or
affiliates and relating to the Business (as defined in Section 7.3) or (b) any
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any person
who was an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates
during the twelve (12) month period immediately prior to the date of the
Executive’s termination of employment to terminate such employee’s employment
relationship with the Protected Parties in order, in either case, to enter into
a similar relationship with the Executive, or any other person or any entity in
competition with the Business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates.

 

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7.3           Non-Competition. 
During the Term and for a period of two (2) years following the
termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason (including the
expiration of the Term), the Executive shall not, whether individually, as a
director, manager, member, stockholder, partner, owner, employee, consultant or
agent of any business, or in any other capacity, other than on behalf of the
Company or a subsidiary or affiliate, organize, establish, own, operate,
manage, control, engage in, participate in, invest in, permit his name to be
used by, act as a consultant or advisor to, render services for (alone or in
association with any person, firm, corporation or business organization), or
otherwise assist any person or entity that engages in or owns, invests in,
operates, manages or controls any venture or enterprise, which engages or
proposes to engage in the coated paper business anywhere in the world (the
“Business”).  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Executive from owning
for passive investment purposes not intended to circumvent this Agreement, less
than five percent (5%) of the publicly traded common equity securities of any
company engaged in the Business (so long as the Executive has no power to
manage, operate, advise, consult with or control the competing enterprise and
no power, alone or in conjunction with other affiliated parties, to select a
director, manager, general partner, or similar governing official of the
competing enterprise other than in connection with the normal and customary
voting powers afforded the Executive in connection with any permissible equity
ownership).

7.4           Property. 
The Executive acknowledges that all originals and copies of materials,
records and documents generated by him or coming into his possession during his
employment by the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates are the sole
property of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Company
Property”).  During the Term, and at all
times thereafter, the Executive shall not remove, or cause to be removed, from
the premises of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, copies of any
record, file, memorandum, document, computer related information or equipment,
or any other item relating to the business of the Company or its subsidiaries
or affiliates, except in furtherance of his duties under the Agreement.  When the Executive’s employment terminates,
or upon request of the Company at any time, the Executive shall promptly
deliver to the Company all copies of Company Property in his possession or
control.

8.             Remedies; Specific Performance.  The Parties acknowledge and agree that the
Executive’s breach or threatened breach of any of the restrictions set forth in
Section 7 will result in irreparable and continuing damage to the Protected
Parties for which there may be no adequate remedy at law and that the Protected
Parties shall be entitled to equitable relief, including specific performance
and injunctive relief as remedies for any such breach or threatened or
attempted breach.  The Executive hereby
consents to the grant of an injunction (temporary or otherwise) against the
Executive or the entry of any other court order against the Executive
prohibiting and enjoining him from violating, or directing him to comply with
any provision of Section 7.  The
Executive also agrees that such remedies shall be in addition to any and all
remedies, including damages, available to the Protected Parties against him for
such breaches or threatened or attempted breaches.  In addition, without limiting the Protected
Parties’ remedies for any breach of any restriction on the Executive set forth
in Section 7, except as required by law, the Executive shall not be entitled to
any payments set forth in Section 5.2 hereof if the Executive breaches the
covenants applicable to the Executive contained in Section 7.

 

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9.             Location. 
The principal place of the Executive’s employment shall be at the
Company’s headquarters.

10.           Other Provisions.

10.1         Notices.  Any
notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be delivered personally, telegraphed, telexed, sent by
facsimile transmission or sent by certified, registered or express mail,
postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally,
telegraphed, telexed, or sent by facsimile transmission or, if mailed, four (4)
days after the date of mailing, as follows:

(a)  If the Company, to:

NewPage
Corporation

Courthouse Plaza N.E.

Dayton,
Ohio

 

Attention:  Board of Directors

 

With
copies to:

Schulte
Roth & Zabel LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, NY  10022

Attention:              Stuart
D. Freedman, Esq.

Telephone:            212-756-2000

Fax:                         (212)
593-5955

(b)         If the
Executive, to the Executive’s home address reflected in the Company’s records.

10.2         Entire Agreement. 
This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements,
written or oral, with respect thereto.

10.3         Representations and Warranties by Executive.  The Executive represents and warrants that he
is not a party to or subject to any restrictive covenants, legal restrictions
or other agreements in favor of any entity or person which would in any way
preclude, inhibit, impair or limit the Executive’s ability to perform his
obligations under this Agreement, including, but not limited to,
non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements or confidentiality
agreements.

10.4         Waiver and Amendments.  This Agreement may be amended, modified,
superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof
may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by the Parties or, in the
case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance.  No delay on the part of any party in
exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any right, power or privilege
hereunder, nor any single or partial exercise of any right, power or 

 

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privilege hereunder, preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege
hereunder.  This Agreement and all
compensation derived therefrom are intended not to constitute compensation
deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan as contemplated in
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”).  Accordingly, notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement will be
interpreted consistent with the preceding sentence, and the Agreement may be
modified to the minimum extent necessary, as agreed upon by the Company and the
Executive, to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.

10.5 Governing Law and Venue.

(a)           This Agreement shall be governed and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to
agreements made and not to be performed entirely within such state, without
regard to conflicts of laws principles.

(b)           The
parties agree irrevocably to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
federal courts or, if no federal jurisdiction exists, the state courts, located
in Dayton, Ohio, for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding
brought by any party arising out of any breach of any of the provisions of this
Agreement and hereby waive, and agree not to assert by way of motion, as a
defense or otherwise, in any such suit, action, or proceeding, any claim that
it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts,
that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that
the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper, or that the provisions
of this Agreement may not be enforced in or by such courts.  In addition, the parties agree to the waiver
of a jury trial.

10.6         Assignability by the Company and the Executive.  This Agreement, and the rights and
obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by the Parties without written
consent signed by the Parties; provided, however, that the Company may assign
its rights and/or obligations described herein to the successor of the business
of the Company.

10.7         Counterparts. 
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

10.8         Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning of terms contained herein.

10.9         Severability. 
If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement, or
any part thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction of any foreign,
federal, state, county or local government or any other governmental,
regulatory or administrative agency or authority to be invalid, void,
unenforceable or against public policy for any reason, the remainder of the
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected or impaired or
invalidated. 

 

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The Executive acknowledges that
the restrictive covenants contained in Section 7 are a condition of this
Agreement and are reasonable and valid in temporal scope and in all other
respects.

10.10       Judicial Modification. 
If any court determines that any of the covenants in Section 7, or any
part of any of them, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of such
covenants and parts thereof shall not thereby be affected and shall be given
full effect, without regard to the invalid portion.  If any court determines that any of such
covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable because of the
geographic or temporal scope of such provision, such court shall reduce such
scope to the minimum extent necessary to make such covenants valid and
enforceable.

10.11       Tax Withholding. 
The Company or other payor is authorized to withhold from any benefit
provided or payment due hereunder, the amount of withholding taxes due any
federal, state or local authority in respect of such benefit or payment and to
take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Holding Board
to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
Parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, have executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above mentioned.

	
   

  	
  EXECUTIVE

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  /s/ Richard D. Willett,
  Jr.

  
	
   

  	
  Richard D. Willett, Jr.

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  NEWPAGE CORPORATION

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
  /s/ Mark A. Suwyn

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Name:

  	
  Mark A. Suwyn

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Title:

  	
  Chief Executive Officer
  and Chairman of the Board

  

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

FORM EMPLOYMENT GENERAL RELEASE

 

For good and valuable
consideration, receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, Richard D. Willett, Jr.
(“Executive”), individually and on behalf of his respective heirs, executors,
administrators, representatives, agents, attorneys and assigns (the “Executive
Releasor”), hereby irrevocably, fully and unconditionally releases and forever
discharges NewPage Corporation, (the “Company”) and its affiliated companies,
parents, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, assigns, divisions, related
entities and all of their present employees, officers, directors, trustees,
shareholders, members, partners (as applicable), agents, investors, attorneys
and representatives (the “Company Released Parties”), from any and all manner
of actions and causes of action, suits, debts, dues, accounts, bonds,
covenants, contracts, agreements, judgments, charges, claims, and demands
whatsoever which the Executive Releasor, has, or may hereafter have against the
Company Released Parties or any of them arising out of or by reason of any
cause, matter or thing whatsoever from the beginning of the world to the date
hereof, including without limitation any and all matters relating to employment
with the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates, and the cessation thereof,
and all matters arising under any federal, state or local statute, rule or
regulation or principle of contract law or common law, including but not
limited to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, 29 U.S.C.
§ 621, et  seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
42 U.S.C. § 2000 et  seq., the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et  seq., the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et  seq.,
the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et  seq., the
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et  seq.
and applicable labor and employment laws of the states of New York and
Ohio.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Executive’s release described herein shall be subject to the Company’s
compliance with its obligations under Section 5.2 of the Employment Agreement
between the Company and the Executive, dated as of April     ,
2006 (the “Employment Agreement) and nothing contained herein shall release the
Company Released Parties from any obligations under any agreement relating to
the grant, holding or disposition of equity, including, without limitation any
equity purchase and/or any equityholders agreements.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Executive does not release and shall retain any claim (i) for
indemnification and defense pursuant to the charter documents and bylaws of the
Company or any Company Released Party, and (ii) under any insurance coverage
available to Executive under any director’s and officer’s insurance policy or
similar policy maintained by the Company or any Company Released Party.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING.  THIS DOCUMENT

INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

 

Executive acknowledges that
he has been given the opportunity to review and consider this General Release
for twenty-one (21) days from the date he received a copy.  If he elects to sign before the expiration of
the twenty-one (21) days, Executive acknowledges that he will have chosen, of
his own free will without any duress, to waive his right to the full twenty-one
(21) day period.

 

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Executive may revoke this
General Release after signing it by giving written notice to
                         ,
within seven (7) days after signing it. 
This General Release, provided it is not revoked, will be effective on
the eighth (8th) day after execution.

Executive acknowledges that
he has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to signing this General
Release.

Executive is signing this
General Release knowingly, voluntarily and with full understanding of its terms
and effects.  Executive is signing this
General Release of his own free will without any duress, being fully informed
and after due deliberation.  Executive
voluntarily accepts the consideration provided to him for the purpose of making
full and final settlement of all claims referred to above.

Executive acknowledges that
he has not relied on any representations or statements not set forth in this
General Release.  Executive will not
disclose the contents or substance of this General Release to any third
parties, other than his attorneys, accountants, or as required by law, and
Executive will instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same.

This General Release will be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.  If any provision in this General
Release is held invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining
provisions shall be construed as if the invalid or unenforceable provision had
not been included.

IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive, intending to be legally bound hereby, has
executed this General Release as of
                       ,
200    .

 

	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
  EXECUTIVE

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
  Name:

  

 

 

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Exhibit 10.1  

 
 

STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT    
    

        STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of December 15, 2005 (this "Agreement"), by and among FAST CHANNEL NETWORK, INC., a Delaware corporation
(together with any indirect or direct parent or subsidiary, "FCN") and Scott K. Ginsburg ("Mr. Ginsburg). 

        WHEREAS,
simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, Digital Generation Systems, Inc. ("DG") and FCN are entering into a Merger Agreement (the "Merger Agreement"); 

        WHEREAS,
FCN's willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement is in part based on Mr. Ginsburg's entry into this Agreement; 

        WHEREAS,
Mr. Ginsburg is the record or Beneficial Owner of the number of Owned Shares (as defined herein) set forth opposite his name on  Schedule I hereto; 

        WHEREAS,
FCN and Mr. Ginsburg (in his capacity as a stockholder of DG) will benefit from the Merger Agreement. 

        NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of FCN's entry into the Merger Agreement, Mr. Ginsburg agrees with FCN as follows: 

        1.    Certain Definitions.    Capitalized terms not expressly defined in this Agreement will
have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement: 

        (a)   "Beneficially
Own," "Beneficial Owner" or "Beneficial Ownership" with respect to any securities means having voting power or investment power with respect to such
securities (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), except for those shares of DG Common Stock which
Mr. Ginsburg has the right to acquire within 60 days. 

        (b)   "Family
Group" means, with respect to Mr. Ginsburg, his spouse, descendants (whether natural or adopted), or siblings. 

        (c)   "Transaction"
means the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. 

        (d)   "Parent
Stockholder Action" means the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement, the Transactions and any other actions to be taken under the Merger Agreement in
connection with the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement. 

        (c)   "Permitted
Transferee" means, with respect to Mr. Ginsburg, (i) any member of Mr. Ginsburg's Family Group; (ii) the estate or any of the
heirs or legatees of Mr. Ginsburg upon Mr. Ginsburg's death; and (iii) any trust established and maintained for the benefit of (A) Mr. Ginsburg that is a natural
Person or (B) any member of Mr. Ginsburg's Family Group. 

        (d)   "DG
Common Stock" means the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of DG and any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such Common Stock. 

        2.    Representations and Warranties of Mr. Ginsburg.    Mr. Ginsburg represents
and warrants as follows: 

        (a)   Except
to the extent set forth on Schedule I, he Beneficially Owns the number of shares of DG Common Stock set
forth on Schedule I attached hereto (the "Owned Shares") and Mr. Ginsburg has the full and sole power to vote the Owned Shares without the
consent or approval of any other person or entity; 

        (b)   Except
for the Owned Shares and as otherwise set forth on Schedule I, he does not Beneficially Own any other DG
Common Stock or hold any securities convertible into or exchangeable for DG Common Stock; 

 

        (c)   Except
as set forth on Schedule I hereto, he is the record holder of the Owned Shares; 

        (d)   This
Agreement has been duly executed by Mr. Ginsburg and constitutes his valid and legally binding obligation, enforceable against him in accordance with its
terms, except to the extent that (x) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditor's rights generally and (y) the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability; 

        (e)   The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Mr. Ginsburg and the proxy contained herein does not violate or breach, and will not give rise to any
violation or breach of any law, contract, instrument, arrangement or agreement by which Mr. Ginsburg is bound; 

        (f)    The
execution, delivery and performance of this agreement and the proxy contained herein do not, and performance of this Agreement will not, require any consent,
approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any governmental or regulatory authority (other than any necessary filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), domestic
or foreign; 

        (g)   The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Mr. Ginsburg and the proxy contained herein does not create or give rise to any right in any person
with respect to the Owned Shares or any other security of DG (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to purchase or sell any shares of DG Common Stock or other securities of DG)
pursuant to any stockholders' agreement or similar agreement or commitment, other than any such right as is duly and validly waived pursuant to such agreement; and 

        (h)   The
representations and warranties by Mr. Ginsburg in Section 2(a) made herein are qualified in their entirety by the effects of applicable community
property laws and the laws affecting the rights of marital partners generally. 

        For
all purposes of this Agreement, Owned Shares shall include any shares of DG as to which Beneficial Ownership is acquired by Mr. Ginsburg after the execution hereof. 

        3.    Covenants to Vote:    

        (a)   Mr. Ginsburg
irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, during the period commencing on the date hereof and continuing until the termination of this Agreement
in accordance with Section 11 hereof: 

        (i)    at
any meeting (whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting) of the holders of DG Common Stock held during the term of this Agreement
called in order to obtain the Parent Stockholder Action, however called, he will, provided that he has received written notice from FCN within a reasonable period of time prior to any such meeting
that FCN is unable to vote the Owned Shares subject to the irrevocable proxy set forth in Section 4 herein (the "Proxy") at the meeting, appear at the meeting or otherwise cause the Owned
Shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of establishing a quorum and vote or consent (or cause to be voted or consented) the Owned Shares in favor of the Parent Stockholder Action; 

        (ii)   he
will execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) any written consent in favor of the Parent Stockholder Action with respect to all of the Owned
Shares; and 

        (iii)  he
will not vote, or cause to be voted, any Owned Shares (or otherwise provide a proxy or consent or enter into another voting agreement with respect thereto) at a
meeting of the holders of DG Common Stock nor execute any written consent in lieu of a meeting of 

2

 

holders
of DG Common Stock (A) in favor of any other Acquisition Proposal or (B) if such vote or consent would be inconsistent with or frustrate the purposes of the Transaction or the
Parent Stockholder Action. 

        (b)   For
purposes of clarity, Mr. Ginsburg acknowledges that the covenant set forth in Section 3(a) applies even if the Board of Directors of DG withdraws,
modifies or qualifies in a manner adverse to DG its recommendation regarding the Transaction or the Parent Stockholder Action. 

        (c)   Mr. Ginsburg
hereby revokes any and all previous proxies with respect to his Owned Shares except any proxies granted in connection with any meeting of DG's
stockholders held for a purpose that is or would not be inconsistent with or frustrate the purposes of the Transaction or the Parent Stockholder Action (any such meeting an "Unrelated Stockholder
Meeting"). 

        (d)   Mr. Ginsburg
agrees that any action or omission by any assign, affiliate, associate or representative of his which, if committed by him, would constitute a breach
hereof by him shall also constitute a breach
hereof by him for which he and such assign, affiliate, associate or representative, as the case may be, shall be jointly and severally responsible. 

        4.    Irrevocable Proxy.    Mr. Ginsburg hereby appoints Joseph E.
Mullaney III and any designee of Joseph E. Mullaney III, each of them individually, his proxy and attorney-in-fact during the term of this agreement and
pursuant to the provisions of Section 212 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote and act on Mr. Ginsburg's
behalf and in his name, place and stead with respect to his Owned Shares, at any meeting (whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting) of the holders of DG Common
Stock held during the term of this Agreement and called in order to obtain the Parent Stockholder Action, and to act by written consent with respect to Owned Shares with respect to the Parent
Stockholder Action, and in accordance with, Section 3(a) hereof. Mr. Ginsburg affirms that this proxy is coupled with an interest and shall during the term of this Agreement be
irrevocable. Mr. Ginsburg shall take further action or execute such other instruments as may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this proxy. Except in order to vote the Owned Shares in
accordance with Section 3(a), Mr. Ginsburg covenants and agrees not to grant any subsequent proxy with respect to his Owned Shares except any proxies granted in connection with an
Unrelated Stockholder Meeting, and further covenants and agrees that any such proxy, if granted, shall not be valid or effective. 

        5.    Limitations on Transfer.    

        (a)   Mr. Ginsburg
agrees that until the earlier of (i) the Closing Date and (ii) the date of termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its
terms, he will not, without the prior written consent of FCN prior to the Closing Date (a) directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of any of the Owned Shares
or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for DG Common Stock, or enter into any contract, option, commitment or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, pledge,
assignment or other disposition of any of the Owned Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for DG Common Stock (except to the extent relating to a sale, transfer, pledge, assignment
or other disposition of the Owned Shares after the Closing Date), or (b) take any action that would prohibit, prevent or preclude him from performing its obligations under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the granting of a power of attorney with respect to the Owned Shares, depositing the Owned Shares in a voting trust or entering into any other stockholder voting
agreements with respect to the Owned Shares, provided, however, that he may freely transfer any of his
Owned Shares to a Permitted Transferee if such Permitted Transferee executes a counterpart of this Agreement agreeing to be bound by this Agreement and agrees in writing to hold such Owned Shares (or
interest in such Owned Shares) subject to all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, provided that Mr. Ginsburg shall remain liable under this Agreement in all respects. 

3

 

Mr. Ginsburg
further agrees that this Agreement and his obligations hereunder shall attach to his Owned Shares and shall be binding upon any person or entity to which legal or beneficial
ownership of such Owned Shares may pass, whether by operation of law or otherwise, including without limitation Mr. Ginsburg's heirs, guardians, administrators or successors.
Mr. Ginsburg further covenants and agrees not to request that DG register the transfer (book-entry or otherwise) of any certificate or uncertificated interest representing any of
Mr. Ginsburg's Owned Shares, unless such transfer is made in compliance with this Agreement and acknowledges that DG may notify DG's transfer agent of the terms hereof. 

        6.    Specific Performance.    Mr. Ginsburg agrees that irreparable damage to FCN would
occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by it in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that FCN shall be
entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement by him and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state having
jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which it is entitled at law or in equity. 

        7.    Counterparts.    This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to constitute an original. This Agreement shall not be effective as to any party hereto until such time as this Agreement or a counterpart hereof has been executed and delivered
by each party hereto (which delivery may be by facsimile). 

        8.    Remedies Cumulative.    All rights, powers and remedies provided under this Agreement or
otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity shall be cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise of any thereof by any party hereto shall not preclude
the simultaneous or later exercise of any other such right, power or remedy by such party. 

        9.    No Waiver.    The failure of FCN to exercise any right, power or remedy provided under
this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity, or to insist upon compliance by Mr. Ginsburg with its obligations hereunder, and any custom or practice of the
parties at variance with the terms hereof, shall not constitute a waiver by FCN of its right to exercise any such or other right, power or remedy or to demand such compliance. 

        10.    Stockholder Capacity.    Mr. Ginsburg is executing this Agreement solely in his
or its capacity as beneficial owner of the Owned Shares and not in its fiduciary capacity as a director or officer of DG. Nothing herein shall prohibit, prevent or preclude Mr. Ginsburg from
taking or not taking any action in his capacity as an officer or director of the Company. 

        11.    Termination.    This Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the
termination of the Merger Agreement other than as a result of the consummation of the Merger and (ii) the Closing Date. Nothing in this Section 11 shall relieve or otherwise limit the
liability of any party for breach of this Agreement prior to termination. 

        12.    Governing Law.    This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by
the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the
application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. 

        13.    Severability.    If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
materially adverse to DG. Upon such a determination, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible
in an acceptable 

4

 

manner
so that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible. 

        14.    Successors and Assigns.    The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided that Mr. Ginsburg may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of his rights or obligations
under this Agreement without consent. 

        15.    Entire Agreement.    This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding
among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter. 

        16.    Amendments.    This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented
except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto. 

  

[Signature page follows]

5

 

        IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Mr. Ginsburg and FCN have duly executed this Stockholder Voting Agreement as of the date first above written. 

	 	 	FASTCHANNEL NETWORK, INC.
	

 	
 	

By:	

    

	 	 	Name:	    

	 	 	Title:	    

	

    	
 	

 	

 
	

 	
 	

SCOTT K. GINSBURG
	

 	
 	

    

6

 
 

Schedule I    
    

Owned
Shares: 23,861,331 (includes 2,920,134 shares held in the name of Moon Doggie Family Partnership, L.P.) 

  

Securities
convertible into or exchangeable for DG Common Stock: 7,026,557 (includes options exercisable into 508,300 shares of common stock; warrants exercisable into 3,509,730 shares of common
stock, and warrants issued to Moon Doggie Family Partnership, L.P. exercisable into 3,008,527 shares of common stock) 

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STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT

Schedule I

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