Document:

Exhibit 10.36

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

SFX ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

430 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10022

 

March 15, 2013

 

Nightlife Holdings LLC

 

Gentlemen:

 

Re:                             Amendment to Asset Contribution Agreement; Termination of Pledge and Security Agreement; Amended and Restated Promissory Note

 

Reference is made to that certain (a) Asset Contribution Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2012, by and among SFX Holding Corporation (n/k/a SFX Entertainment, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), SFX-Nightlife Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Nightlife Holdings LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Nightlife”), and the other parties thereto, as amended by letter agreement dated December 31, 2012 (the “Asset Contribution Agreement”), (b) Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2012, by and between Parent and Nightlife (the “Pledge Agreement”) and (c) Secured Promissory Note, dated December 31, 2012, executed by Parent and delivered to Nightlife pursuant to the Asset Contribution Agreement (the “Original Promissory Note”). All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Pledge Agreement.

 

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Parent and Nightlife hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Amendment to Asset Contribution Agreement. The Asset Contribution Agreement is hereby amended such that the first sentence of Section 2.8 thereof shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

“2.8 Earn-Out. Following the Closing Date, Parent agrees to make an additional payment to Nightlife (the “Earn-Out Payment”) upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Section 2.8, for the one-year period ending on December 31, 2014 (the “Earn-Out Period”), which Earn-Out Payment, if any, will be paid to Nightlife in accordance with Section 2.8(d) below.”

 

Except as set forth above, the Asset Contribution Agreement remains in full force and effect.

 

2.                                      Termination of Pledge Agreement. The Pledge Agreement is hereby (i) first, amended by deleting Section 13 thereof in its entirety and (ii) notwithstanding any language to the contrary therein, is hereby immediately terminated in its entirety and deemed null and void, and both Parent and Nightlife shall have no further rights or obligations thereunder.

 

 

3.                                      Release and Waiver of Default. Nightlife hereby releases, absolutely, unconditionally, irrevocably and forever, all security interests in, adverse claims, Liens on, right of set-off against and any other encumbrance and interest in the Collateral granted to Nightlife under the Pledge Agreement (the “Security Interests”) and agrees that all of the Security Interests will be, and hereby are, forever discharged and automatically released and terminated. Nightlife hereby (i) waives any Event of Default under the Pledge Agreement and any default under the Original Promissory Note, in each case, that may have existed prior to the date hereof and (ii) acknowledges and agrees that upon the delivery of the Cash Payment (as defined below), no Event of Default under the Pledge Agreement or default under the Original Promissory Note shall exist. Nightlife will promptly execute and deliver any instruments of release and discharge pertaining to the Security Interests in any of the property, real or personal, of Parent as Parent may reasonably request to effectuate, or reflect of public record, the release and discharge of all such Security Interests, including Uniform Commercial Code termination statements to the extent applicable and the return of the LLC Power and any certificates representing or purporting to represent Membership Interests of SFX-Nightlife Operating LLC in its possession. To the extent permitted under the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in any relevant jurisdiction, Parent (or its attorneys and other designees) is authorized, from and after the date hereof, to file such termination statements as may be necessary in connection with the release and discharge contemplated by this letter agreement.

 

4. Further Lien Releases. Nightlife agrees that if Parent at any time reasonably determines and notifies Nightlife in writing, upon reasonable notice, that the delivery of any additional instrument executed by Nightlife is required to release, discharge or terminate (a) any Security Interest or (b) any notice, filing or registration of any Security Interest, Nightlife will, at Parent’s sole cost and expense and as reasonably requested by Parent in such written notice, execute and deliver (and, if requested, acknowledge) such other instruments effecting or confirming the release, discharge or termination of any Security Interest or any notice, filing or registration of any Security Interest in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Nightlife.

 

5. Cash Payment. On March 15, 2013, Parent shall pay or cause to be paid to Nightlife $3,000,000 in cash by wire transfer to an account designated by Nightlife (the “Cash Payment”).

 

6. Amended and Restated Promissory Note. Parent and Nightlife shall execute an Amended and Restated Promissory Note, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Amended and Restated Note”), which shall amend and restate the Original Promissory Note in its entirety.

 

7. Tax Gross-Up.

 

(a)                                 The parties acknowledge and agree that Nightlife shall consult with Parent and its tax advisors regarding whether the Cash Payment and the principal amount due pursuant to the Amended and Restated Note (collectively, the “Payments”) should be reported as income for 2012 or 2013.

 

(b)                                 If following such consultation with Parent and its tax advisors set forth in subparagraph 7(a) above, and after taking into account such consultation, Nightlife determines that all or a portion of the Payments is properly reportable for 2012, Nightlife shall report all or

 

 

such portion of the Payments as income for 2012; provided, however, that if it is determined that all or any portion of the Payments is not properly reportable for 2012 pursuant to a final determination within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (as defined in the Asset Contribution Agreement) (and/or an equivalent provision applicable in a relevant jurisdiction), then:

 

i.                                          any portion of the Payments determined not to be properly reportable in 2012 shall be shall be treated as a “Future Payment” for purposes of Section 2.8(a)(iv) of the Asset Contribution Agreement, and

 

ii.                                       any penalty, interest or similar amount with respect thereto, together with reasonable expenses incurred by Nightlife with respect to such final determination, shall be paid by Parent to Nightlife on a grossed up basis utilizing a reasonable analogous application of the principles of Section 2.8(a)(iv) of the Asset Contribution Agreement.

 

(c)                                  If following such consultation with Parent and its tax advisors set forth in subparagraph 7(a) above, and after taking into account such consultation, Nightlife determines that all or a portion of the Payments are not properly reportable for 2012 and Nightlife reports all or such portion of the Payments as income for 2013, such Payments or portion thereof determined to be income for 2013 (i) shall be deemed a “Future Payment” for purposes of Section 2.8(a)(iv) of the Asset Contribution Agreement and shall be subject to the gross-up formula contained in the last sentence of Section 2.8(a)(iv) of the Asset Contribution Agreement (the “Formula”); and (ii) if so calculated in accordance with the Formula, shall constitute an obligation of Parent to make a payment as so determined to Nightlife (“2013 Future Payment”) rather than the amount of the Payments. Nevertheless, as a material inducement to the parties to enter into this letter agreement, in the event that the Payments are deemed a “Future Payment”, Nightlife shall receive the Payments in 2013 as set forth in this letter agreement and, on or before January 10, 2014, Parent shall pay or cause to be paid to Nightlife an amount equal to the excess of (A) the amount of the 2013 Future Payment over (B) the amount of the Payments in cash by wire transfer to an account designated by Nightlife.

 

8.                                      Confession of Judgment. Parent shall execute and deliver to Nightlife, an Affidavit of Confession of Judgment, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

 

9.                                      Governing Law. This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws (and not the law of conflicts) of the State of New York. Any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this letter agreement and any related agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be brought exclusively in any federal or state court located in the State of New York, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient form. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.

 

10.  Counterparts. This letter agreement may be signed in counterparts and delivered by facsimile or portable document format (pdf).

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

Please confirm by your signatures below that this letter agreement is acceptable to you.

 

 

	
 
    	
Sincerely yours,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SFX ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Sheldon Finkel
    
	
 
    	
Name: Sheldon Finkel
    
	
 
    	
Title: President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
AGREED AND ACCEPTED:
    
	
 
    	
NIGHTLIFE HOLDINGS LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By: David Grutman, Inc., Member-Manager
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ David Grutman
    
	
 
    	
Name: David Grutman
    
	
 
    	
Title: President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By: Sebu Corp., Member-Manager
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Brian Gordan
    
	
 
    	
Name: Brian Gordan
    
	
 
    	
Title: President
    

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Amended and Restated Promissory Note

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED
 PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$5,513,078.99

 

Original Issue Date: December 31, 2012
 As amended and restated as of March 15, 2013
 New York, New York

 

WHEREAS, Nightlife Holdings LLC, a Florida limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as “Nightlife”), is the holder of that certain Secured Promissory Note issued and delivered by SFX Holding Corporation (n/k/a SFX Entertainment, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Parent”) on December 31, 2012 (the “Original Note”); and

 

WHEREAS, Nightlife and Parent desire to amend and restate the Original Note in its entirety in the manner hereinafter set forth, and to replace the Original Note with this Amended and Restated Promissory Note (this “Note”).

 

NOW THEREFORE, by Parent’s execution and delivery of this Note and Nightlife’s acceptance of such delivery from Parent, this Note is deemed to replace the Original Note, and the Original Note is restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Parent hereby promises to pay to the order of Nightlife, the principal sum of FIVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THIRTEEN THOUSAND SEVENTY EIGHT DOLLARS AND NINETY NINE CENTS ($5,513,078.99).

 

Terms of Payment: Principal and accrued interest under this Note shall be due and payable in full on or before May 15, 2013 (the “Maturity Date”). Principal and/or accrued interest under this Note may be prepaid in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, by Parent to Nightlife prior to the Maturity Date.

 

Interest Rate: The interest rate applicable to the amounts payable by Parent to Nightlife under this Note shall be 0.22% per annum. All calculations of interest hereunder shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year.

 

Default: Upon the failure of Parent to pay any amount owing under this Note as and when due, Nightlife may, in addition to any other rights or remedies that Nightlife may have at law or in equity, declare the unpaid balance hereof to be immediately due and payable, whereupon such unpaid balance shall become immediately due and payable. Upon the filing of an involuntary petition against Parent under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, or upon the making by Parent of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or the filing by Parent of a voluntary petition seeking relief under any provision of any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, the unpaid balance hereof automatically and without any action on the part of Nightlife, shall be immediately due and 

 

 

payable. Amounts declared immediately due and payable pursuant to this paragraph shall bear interest thereafter at an amount equal to the applicable interest rate above, plus five percent (5.00%) until paid.

 

Waiver: Demand, presentment, notice, notice of demand, notice for payment, protest and notice of dishonor are hereby waived by Parent. Nightlife shall not be deemed to waive any of its rights hereunder unless such waiver be in writing and signed by Nightlife. Any failure on the part of Nightlife at any time to require the performance by Parent of any of the terms or provisions hereof, even if known, shall in no way affect the right thereafter to enforce the same, nor shall any failure of Nightlife to insist on strict compliance with the terms and conditions hereof be taken or held to be a waiver of any succeeding breach or of the right of Nightlife to insist on the strict compliance with the terms and conditions hereof.

 

Confession of Judgment: This Note is the “Amended Note” referred to in that certain Affidavit of Confession of Judgment (“Confession of Judgment”) of even date herewith executed by a duly authorized officer of Parent, and Nightlife is entitled to all of the rights and benefits contained therein.

 

Costs of Collection: In the event that Nightlife seeks to enforce the Confession of Judgment and/or institutes legal proceedings to enforce this Note or refers the same to an attorney-at-law for enforcement or collection after default or maturity, Parent agrees to pay to Nightlife, in addition to any indebtedness due and unpaid, all reasonable costs and expenses of such proceedings, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

Remedies Cumulative: All remedies conferred upon Nightlife by this Note or any other instrument or agreement connected herewith or related hereto shall be cumulative and none is exclusive, and such remedies may be exercised concurrently or consecutively at Nightlife’s option.

 

Terms: The term “Parent” as used herein shall include the successors and assigns of the Parent. The term “Nightlife” as used herein shall include the successors and assigns of Nightlife.

 

Assignment: Neither party may assign, transfer or convey its interest under this Note without the express written consent of the other party.

 

Severability: If any provision of this Note is, for any reason and to any extent, invalid or unenforceable, then the remaining provisions of this Note, and the application of the provision determined to be unenforceable to other circumstances, shall not, at the election of the party for whom the benefit of the unenforceable provision exists, be affected thereby, but instead shall be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

 

Amendment: This Note may be amended only in a writing signed by both Parent and Nightlife.

 

Miscellaneous: This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws that would cause the laws of another state to apply. Parent acknowledges and agrees that any action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection

 

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with this Note shall be brought in any federal or state court located in the State of New York, and Parent hereby consents to the jurisdiction of such courts in any such action, suit or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in any such court that such action, suit or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS NOTE.

 

*              *              *              *

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent has signed, sealed and delivered this Note on the date first hereinabove written.

 

	
 
    	
MAKER:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SFX   ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Sheldon   Finkel
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
President
    

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:

 

NIGHTLIFE HOLDINGS LLC

 

	
By:
    	
David   Grutman, Inc., Member-Manager
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
David   Grutman
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
President
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
Sebu   Corp., Member-Manager
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:   
    	
Brian   Gordon
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
President
    	
 
    

 

4

 

Exhibit B

 

Affidavit of Confession of Judgment

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

 

	
 

 

NIGHTLIFE   HOLDINGS LLC,

 

                                                Plaintiff,

                     - against —

 

SFX   ENTERTAINMENT, INC. f/k/a SFX HOLDING CORPORATION,

 

                                                Defendant.
    	
 
    	
x

:

 

:

 

:

 

:

 

:

x
    	
 
    	
Index   No.           

 

AFFIDAVIT OF
   CONFESSION OF
   JUDGMENT
    

 

	
STATE   OF NEW YORK
    	
)
    
	
 
    	
)    ss.:
    
	
COUNTY   OF NEW YORK
    	
)
    

 

Sheldon Finkel, being duly sworn, hereby deposes and says:

 

1.             I am the President of SFX Entertainment, Inc. f/k/a SFX Holding Corporation, the defendant in the above-captioned action (“SFX”). I have full authority on behalf of SFX to execute this Affidavit of Confession of Judgment and do so voluntarily after receiving advice of counsel.

 

2.             SFX is a Delaware corporation with an office for the transaction of business at 430 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

 

3.             This Confession of Judgment is for a debt justly due from SFX to plaintiff, Nightlife Holdings LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Nightlife”), arising from the facts and circumstances set forth below.

 

4.             On December 31, 2012, SFX acquired substantially all of the assets of Nightlife pursuant to the Asset Contribution Agreement, dated November 21, 2012, by and among SFX, Nightlife and the other parties thereto, as amended. In connection with said acquisition, SFX

 

 

executed and delivered to Nightlife (a) a promissory note in the original principal amount of $8,491,200 (the “Original Note”) and (b) a pledge and security agreement pledging certain assets of SFX as security for repayment of the Original Note (the “Pledge”).

 

5.             On or about March 15, 2013, SFX and Nightlife entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which the parties agreed to modify their respective rights and obligations under, inter alia, the terms of the Original Note and Pledge (the “Letter Agreement”). Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, SFX (a) made a payment to Nightlife in the amount of $3 million and (b) delivered to Nightlife an amended and restated promissory note dated March 15, 2013 in the original principal amount of $5,513,078.99 (the “Amended Note”). In exchange, Nightlife agreed to, among other things, terminate the Pledge and, thereby, release and discharge its security interests lien on all of the assets referred to therein.

 

6.             In consideration of the foregoing, SFX acknowledges liability to Nightlife and hereby confesses judgment to Nightlife in the amount of $5,513,078.99 as a sum justly due to Nightlife, or such portion thereof as shall remain due under the Amended Note (the “Judgment Amount”), upon any future event of default by SFX thereunder (an “Event of Default”).

 

7.             Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under the Amended Note which remains uncured for five (5) days following SFX’s receipt of written notice from Nightlife of such Event of Default, I hereby authorize Nightlife and its agents, representatives, attorneys, successors, assigns, transferees and insurers to enter judgment against SFX in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, for the entire Judgment Amount, plus any accrued interest due thereon from the date of default until the date judgment is entered.

 

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8.             I further consent to the jurisdiction of such Court to permit enforcement of such judgment and waive any objections to the same. All proceedings will be governed by New York law.

 

9.             SFX has consulted with its own attorney (not associated with Nightlife) before executing this Confession of Judgment. SFX’s attorney explained the contents of this Confession of Judgment, answered all questions regarding the agreement, its rights and obligations under this document as well as consequences of an uncured Event of Default.

 

10.          SFX hereby waives any and all requirements of notice, except as otherwise provided for herein and in the Amended Note, and, subject to paragraph 7 above, authorizes Nightlife to immediately enter this Confession of Judgment.

 

11.          SFX hereby agrees that should Nightlife require any additional documents to be executed for the enforcement of this Confession of Judgment, SFX will in good faith cooperate with Nightlife to complete and, if necessary, execute additional documents.

 

12.          This Confession of Judgment does not violate Section 3201 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules because it was not executed prior to the time a default in the payment of an installment occurs in connection with the purchase of fifteen hundred dollars or less of any commodities for any use other than a commercial or business use upon any plan of deferred payments whereby the price or cost is payable in two or more installments.

 

13.          This Confession of Judgment is not for the purpose of securing Plaintiff against a contingent liability.

 

[Signature Appears on Following Page]

 

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Sheldon   Finkel, President
    
	
 
    	
SFX   Entertainment, Inc.
    

 

 

Sworn to before me this
 13th day of March, 2013

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
Notary   Public
    	
 
    

 

 

ALYSON G. MULDOON

Notary Public - State of New York

Qualified in Nassau County

No. 01MU6086137

My commission expires 1/13/2015

 

4Exhibit 10.37

 

SFX HOLDING CORPORATION

430 Park Avenue

6th Floor

New York, NY  10022

646-561-6400 phone

646-561-6700 fax

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
November 13,   2012
    

 

Mr. Chris Stephenson

16550 Akron Street

Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

 

Dear Chris,

 

We are delighted to confirm to you that we are offering you the position of Chief Marketing Officer of SFX Holding Corporation (the “Company”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

Assuming you accept our offer, you will become an employee of the Company commencing with the start date stated in Section 1 hereof.  The terms and conditions of your employment with the Company are set forth in this letter agreement (this “Agreement”).

 

1.                                      Start Date and Term.

 

(a)                                 Your start date (“Start Date”) will be as of November 1, 2012.

 

(b)                                 The term of your employment shall continue for a period of five (5) years from your start date (the “Term”).

 

2.                                      Duties.

 

(a)                                 You will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or such person as he or she shall designate from time to time.  You shall devote your full time, attention, energy, knowledge, best professional efforts and skills to the duties assigned to you; provided, however, that with the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), you may pursue professional endeavors within your areas of expertise and experience to the extent that any such endeavors do not otherwise violate the terms of this Agreement or the Asset Contribution Agreement, including, without limitation, any non-competition or non-solicitation provisions contained herein or therein, or otherwise interfere with or impinge upon the performance of your duties as set forth in this Agreement.  The Board may, at any time and in its sole discretion, revoke such written consent, in which event you shall immediately cease engaging in any and all such professional endeavors as described in the preceding sentence.

 

(b)                                 To the extent that the Board requires you to serve in capacities other than as Chief Marketing Officer, but still relating to the responsibilities attendant to such position, you shall accept such responsibilities. Whether you serve in one capacity or several capacities, the compensation to which you will be entitled for doing so is set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

 

(c)                                  You will be required to perform your duties at the Company’s headquarters in New York City (or wherever else located hereafter) and be expected to travel from time to time.  In addition, you may perform your services from Los Angeles, California, provided that there is no additional cost to the Company beyond those that would otherwise be reimbursed pursuant to Section 4 hereof.

 

3.                                      Compensation.

 

(a)                                 Base Salary.  In consideration for the performance of your services hereunder, you will be paid a base salary at the annual rate of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) (“Base Salary”), payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and subject to applicable tax and payroll withholdings and deductions. Currently, the Company’s payroll is payable on the fifteenth and the last day of each month.  As an exempt employee, you will not be eligible for overtime pay.

 

(b)                                 Discretionary Bonuses.  During the Term, you will also be eligible to participate in any annual incentive compensation plan, program and/or arrangements as established by the Board, its Compensation Committee, or by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, from time to time.  During the Term, for each calendar year, you may have a target bonus opportunity under such plan, program and/or arrangement in an amount to be established by the Board, its Compensation Committee, or by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, whichever applicable, for such calendar year, which, in each case, will be based on the satisfaction of performance criteria to be established by the Board, its Compensation Committee, or by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, whichever applicable, within the first three (3) months of each calendar year during the Term.  Payment of any bonuses to you will be made by the Company on March 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which such bonus was earned and will be payable, in the Company’s discretion, in either cash, stock or both.  Unless expressly and specifically agreed to in writing, no bonus compensation will be deemed earned, paid or awarded unless you are in the continuous employment of the Company through the last day of the calendar year in which such bonus corresponds; however, any earned or accrued bonuses will be payable upon the date of early termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Option Grants:  Subject to timely approval by the Company’s Compensation Committee, which will occur no later than ninety (90) days after the Start Date, you shall receive an initial grant of Four Hundred Thousand (400,000) stock options at Two Dollars ($2.00) per share (“Sign-On Options”) and a minimum annual grant of One Hundred Thousand (100,000) stock options at fair market value, which will be granted at the beginning of each employment year of the Initial Term and vest on the last day of such employment year (so long as you are then employed by the Company).

 

(i)                                     This award is part of our Company-wide stock option plan.  Company-wide consideration of additional options will be done annually and you will be considered for additional awards as part of that process.  All additional awards, and the terms and conditions thereof, are made at the sole discretion of the Company and its Compensation Committee.

 

(ii)                                  The Sign-On Options grants will vest and become exercisable ratably annually in arrears over four (4) years, as long as you are employed by the Company.

 

(iii)                               Any additional discretionary stock options shall vest in accordance with the Compensation Committee determination.

 

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4.                                      Benefits.  Subject to the eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions of the respective plan documents, you may be entitled to participate in benefits offered by the Company for similarly situated employees of the Company, as may be in effect or modified from time to time.  Furthermore, you are currently entitled to three (3) weeks of paid vacation time per calendar year (such vacation days to be prorated based on the date you commence employment with the Company) in accordance with, and subject to, the Company’s vacation policy, as it may change from time to time, with the timing of any such vacation to be agreed upon.  You will be entitled to reimbursement of travel and other business expenses in accordance with the Company’s guidelines commensurate with your level of compensation and responsibility.

 

5.                                      Severance.

 

(a)                                 In the event your employment with the Company is completely terminated either (i) on account of your death or Disability (as defined in Section 5(e) below), (ii) by the Company without Cause (as defined in Section 5(c) below) or (iii) by you due to Constructive Termination without Cause (as defined in Section 5(d) below):

 

(i)                                     You shall receive the Termination Payments (as defined in Section 5(b) below);

 

(ii)                                  You shall also be paid a lump sum by the Company, which shall be paid as soon as practicable but not later than sixty (60) days following such termination date, equal to three (3) months of your Base Salary in effect on the date of termination plus an additional month for every full Employment Year ending prior to the date of termination; provided, however, that in no event shall the aggregate payment under this Section 5(a)(2) exceed six (6) months of your Base Salary in effect on the date of termination (the “Post Termination Salary Payment”);

 

(iii)                               You shall also be paid a pro-rated annual bonus, in a lump sum by the Company, which shall be paid as soon as practicable but not later than sixty (60) days following such termination date, in an amount based on the prior year’s bonus, if any; and

 

(iv)                              Any stock options previously granted under Section 3(c) of this Agreement shall vest as follows:

 

(1)                                 If termination is by the Company without Cause or by you for Constructive Termination without Cause or due to your Death or Disability, or the Company elects not to renew your employment at the end of the Term, (1) in the case of such a termination, all unvested stock options granted to you that are scheduled to vest during or at the end of the Employment Year of such termination shall vest and (2) in the case of an election by the Company not to renew your employment, all unvested stock options granted to you shall vest; or

 

(2)                                 If termination is due to Cause or by you not as a result of Constructive Termination without Cause, then you shall only be permitted to retain those stock options which have vested as of the date of termination.

 

(b)                                 In the event you voluntarily terminate your employment for any reason or your employment is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in Section 5(c) below), you shall be paid, as soon as practicable but no later than sixty (60) days following such termination, (i) all earned but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination; (ii) any

 

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previously awarded and unpaid bonus; and (iii) all unpaid reimbursable expenses incurred by you through the date of termination (the “Termination Payments”).  In the event your employment is terminated for Cause, you shall have no further obligation or liability to the Company in connection with the performance of this agreement (except the continuing obligations specified in Sections 7, 8 and 10 of this Agreement).

 

(c)                                  For the purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean that you have:

 

(i)                                     falsified or omitted information as required by Section 11 of this Agreement

 

(ii)                                  committed an act which, as set forth in any employment handbook promulgated by the Company and as in effect from time to time, may lead to termination of employment, subject to a five (5) day cure period following the Company’s written notice of such act to the extent such act is curable;

 

(iii)                               engaged in any intentional act of fraud against the Company;

 

(iv)                              engaged in willful malfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of this Agreement or in your capacity as an employee of the Company;

 

(v)                                 refused to perform the duties required or requested consistent with your obligations under this Agreement and under law;

 

(vi)                              been convicted of a felony or entering a plea of nolo contendre to a felony charge;

 

(vii)                           materially breached this Agreement, subject to a five (5) day cure period following the Company’s written notice of such breach to the extent such breach is curable;

 

(viii)                        materially breached any of your representations, warranties or covenants set forth in the Asset Contribution Agreement, subject to a five (5) day cure period following the Company’s written notice of such breach to the extent such breach is curable, or otherwise made any material misrepresentation to the Company;

 

(ix)                              engaged in any act which could reasonably be expected to (i) bring the Company into public disrepute, (ii) injure the Company’s customer or vendor relations or business prospects or (iii) cause a decline in the price of any publicly traded securities of the Company; or

 

(x)                                 engaged in an act which leads to a finding by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which, in the opinion of independent counsel selected by the Company, could reasonably be expected to impair or impede the Company’s ability to register, list, or otherwise offer its stock to the public, or to maintain itself as a publicly-traded company in good standing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(d)                                 For purposes of this Agreement, “Constructive Termination without Cause” means the termination of your employment at your initiative after, without your prior written consent, one or more of the following events:

 

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(i)                                     any material diminution in your authority, duties or responsibilities as Chief Marketing Officer;

 

(ii)                                  a material breach by the Company of this Agreement;

 

(iii)                               a material reduction in the Base Salary (unless such reduction is part of an overall and nondiscriminatory reduction by the Company to the base salaries of all similarly situated employees of the Company and such reduction is proportional in amount to the reductions suffered by all of such other employees), or the uncured failure by the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from you to the Company.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, Constructive Termination without Cause shall not be deemed to exist unless the termination of your employment for Constructive Termination without Cause occurs within ninety (90) days following the initial existence of one of the conditions specified in clauses (i) through (iv) above, you provide the Company with written notice of the existence of such condition within sixty (60) days after the initial existence of the condition, and the Company fails to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days after its receipt of such notice.

 

(e)                                  For the purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean your inability, or failure, to perform the essential functions of your position, with or without reasonable accommodation, for any period of six (6) consecutive months or more, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment.

 

(f)                                   The Company will provide the following post-termination health and dental benefits under the circumstances outlined below:

 

(i)                                     The Company agrees that in the event of the your death during the Term, the Company will pay to your estate the following, which shall be distributed in accordance with your will or testamentary plan, as directed by any court having jurisdiction over such estate, or as directed by any duly appointed administrator or executor of your estate, the full costs relating to the continuation of any group health and dental plan provided through the company in which you participated at the time of your death, and through which coverage was provided to any of your dependent(s) at the date of your death, for a period of two (2) months following your death, without regard to the availability or expiration of any continuation option or feature provided by the plan(s), or as otherwise provided to a lesser extent by applicable law at the time of your death.

 

(ii)                                  In the event the Company terminates your employment without Cause (other than due to Disability or death), or there is a Constructive Termination without Cause, a continuation of the health and dental benefits provided to you and your covered dependents under the Company’s health and dental plans as in effect from time to time (except that if providing any such benefit under the terms of a plan would cause an adverse tax effect, the Company may provide you with equivalent cash payments outside of the plan at the same time the benefits would otherwise have been taxable to you) for a period of two (2) months following such termination, with no additional cost or charge payable by you.

 

(g)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at the time of your Separation from Service (as defined in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(h)) you are a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), any amount or benefits that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A that becomes payable to you on account of your Separation from Service will not be paid until after the earlier

 

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of (i) first business day of the seventh month following your Separation from Service, or (ii) the date of your death (the “409A Suspension Period”). Within fourteen (14) calendar days after the end of the 409A Suspension Period, you shall be paid a cash lump sum payment equal to any payments (including interest on any such payments), and benefits that the Company would otherwise have been required to provide under this Section 5 but for the imposition of the 409A Suspension Period delayed because of the preceding sentence. Thereafter, you shall receive any remaining payments and benefits due under this agreement in accordance with the terms of this Section (as if there had not been any Suspension Period beforehand).

 

(h)                                 The Company may provide (in its sole discretion) that you may continue to participate in any benefits delayed, provided that you shall bear the full cost of such benefits during such delay period.  Upon the date such benefits would otherwise commence pursuant to this Section 5 hereof, the Company shall reimburse you the Company’s share of the cost of such benefits, to the extent that such costs otherwise would have been paid by the Company or to the extent that such benefits otherwise would have been provided by the Company at no cost to you, in each case had such benefits commenced immediately upon the termination of your employment.  Any remaining benefits shall be reimbursed or provided by the Company in accordance with the schedule and procedures specified herein.

 

(i)                                     General Release.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no benefits or amounts shall be payable under this Section 5 unless you execute and deliver a general release of claims in a form and manner reasonably satisfactory to the Company and to you including, but not limited to, a release of any and all claims arising out of this Agreement and your employment relationship with the Company, and such release has become irrevocable pursuant to its terms or applicable law (it being understood, however, that in no event will such release expand any of the post-termination restrictions and covenants referred to in Section 9).  A form of the Company release is attached hereto as Schedule A. You shall forfeit all rights to such payments and benefits unless such release is signed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days (or such longer period which is provided by law for review and revocation) following the date your employment with the Company is terminate.

 

6.                                      Compliance with Policies and Procedures.  You agree to be bound by and to comply fully with all of the Company’s policies and procedures for employees.

 

7.                                      Confidentiality.

 

(a)                                 You acknowledge that, as a result of your employment with the Company, you will be in possession of trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information (the “Confidential Information”) of the Company.  You agree to keep secret all Confidential Information and not to disclose Confidential Information to anyone outside of the Company (other than to the Company’s advisors, agents, consultants, financing sources and other representatives), except in connection with the performance of your duties under this Agreement, provided that: (i) you shall have no such obligation to the extent Confidential Information is or becomes publicly known, other than as a result of your breach of your obligations hereunder; and (ii) you may disclose such information if required by law, including pursuant to a court or similar order, but you agree to use reasonable efforts to provide the Company with prompt written notice of such court or similar order so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order.  You agree to deliver promptly to the Company at the termination of your employment, or at any other time the Company may so request, all memoranda, notes, records, reports, and other documents (including electronically stored information) relating to the Company’s business which you obtained while employed by, or

 

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otherwise serving or acting on behalf of, the Company and which you may then possess or have under your control. You acknowledge that the disclosure of Confidential Information would have a material adverse effect on the operations and development of the business of the Company. Therefore, you agree that in the event of your failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 7(a) the Company shall be entitled to the entry of an injunction or other equitable relief against you without posting a bond, proof of damages or proof of an inadequate remedy at law and you shall not object to such injunction or equitable relief for any reason. This remedy shall be in addition to any other remedies available to the Company.

 

(b)                                 You agree not to disclose the terms of this Agreement to anyone except your immediate family and your tax advisors or legal counsel, prospective employers (but with disclosure limited to terms relating to your post-employment restrictions under this letter), pursuant to a court or similar order, or in connection with any proceeding to enforce your rights under this letter or any other agreement between you and the Company, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

8.                                      Company Work Product. You acknowledge and agree that all of the ideas, concepts, inventions and work product rendered or provided by you in connection with your employment hereunder which directly or indirectly relate to the Company’s business, whether alone or in conjunction with others (collectively, and without limitation, the “Company Work Product”), whether created at home or at the office and whether or not created during normal business hours, shall (a) be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and you shall not have any right, title or interest therein and (b) constitute “works made for hire” under all applicable copyright, trademark, and similar or related statutes, regulations, or decisional law.  In furtherance of the foregoing, you hereby assign to the Company all of your rights, title, and interest, whether choate or inchoate or whole or partial, in any Company Work Product created, developed, or discovered by you in connection with your employment.  You further agree to cooperate fully and promptly with, and otherwise facilitate, any efforts by the Company to vest in the Company all rights, title and interest in and to the Company Work Product and to register, preserve, and protect the Company Work Product from use by others, or from dilution or diminution.  You agree to execute and deliver any and all documents, agreements and instruments to evidence the rights of the Company in the Company Work Product as provided in this Section 8. You hereby irrevocably name the Company as your attorney-in-fact, and irrevocably grant to the Company a limited power of attorney to execute and deliver any and all documents, agreements and instruments in your name as may be reasonably required to give effect to this Section 8; provided, that this power of attorney shall be exercised only with respect to any document, agreement or instrument that you fail to execute and deliver after five days written request by the Company.  The rights granted to the Company in this Section 8 shall continue in effect after the termination or expiration of your employment Term to the extent necessary for the Company’s full enjoyment of such rights.

 

9.                                      Section 409A.

 

(a)                                 It is the intention of both the Company and you that the benefits and rights to which you could be entitled pursuant to this Agreement comply with Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated or issued thereunder (“Section 409A”), to the extent that the requirements of Section 409A are applicable thereto, and the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with that intention.  If you or the Company believes, at any time, that any such benefit or right that is subject to Section 409A does not so comply, each of us shall promptly advise the other and shall negotiate reasonably and in good faith to amend the terms of such benefits and rights such that they

 

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comply with Section 409A (with the most limited possible economic effect on you and on the Company).

 

(b)                                 If and to the extent required to comply with Section 409A, no payment or benefit required to be paid under this Agreement on account of termination of your employment shall be made unless and until you incur a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

(c)                                  Neither the Company nor you, individually or in combination, may accelerate any payment or benefit that is subject to Section 409A, except in compliance with Section 409A and the provisions of this Agreement, and no amount that is subject to Section 409A shall be paid prior to the earliest date on which it may be paid without violating Section 409A.

 

(d)                                 For purposes of applying the provisions of Section 409A to this Agreement, each separately identified amount to which you are entitled under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment.  In addition, to the extent permissible under Section 409A, any series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.  Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

(e)                                  Any reimbursements by the Company to you of any eligible expenses under this Agreement that are not excludable from your income for Federal income tax purposes (the “Taxable Reimbursements”) shall be made by no later than the earlier of the date on which they would be paid under the Company’s normal policies and the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense was incurred.  The amount of any Taxable Reimbursements during any calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year.  The right to Taxable Reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

10.                               Restrictive Covenants.

 

(a)                                 During the Term and for a period of two (2) years after termination of your employment hereunder you shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, induce or cause any individual or entity with whom the Company had a business relationship to reduce or terminate such Person’s business relationship with the Company or any of its affiliates or its successors or assigns; and you shall not, directly or indirectly, approach any such individual or entity for any such purpose, or authorize or assist in the taking of any of such actions for any such purpose or authorize or assist in the taking of any such actions by any individual or entity, (ii) engage in any Restricted Activity, (iii) acquire, or own in any manner, any interest in any entity that engages in any Restricted Activity, or that engages in any business, activity or enterprise that competes with any aspect of any of Restricted Activity, or (iv) be interested in (whether as an owner, director, officer, partner, member, manager, joint venturer, lender, shareholder, vendor, consultant, employee, advisor, agent, independent contractor or otherwise), or otherwise participate in the management or operation of, any entity that engages in any Restricted Activity or in any business, activity or enterprise that competes with any Restricted Activity; provided, however, that this Section 10(a) shall not apply to the ownership of less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of any Person who has a class of securities that is publicly traded.

 

(b)                                 During the Term and for a period of two (2) years after termination of your employment hereunder you shall not, directly or indirectly (i) hire or offer employment to or seek

 

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to hire any employee of the Company or any successor or affiliate thereof, unless the Company first terminates the employment of such employee or gives its written consent to such employment or offer of employment, (ii) induce, solicit, persuade or encourage (or in any manner attempt to induce, solicit, persuade or encourage), or cause or authorize any other individual or entity to induce, solicit, persuade or encourage, any such employee or any other such employee of the Company or any successor or affiliate thereof, to leave the employ of his or her employer, (iii) induce, solicit, persuade or encourage (or in any manner attempt to induce, solicit, persuade or encourage), or cause or authorize any other individual or entity to induce, solicit, persuade or encourage, any individual or entity to cease, diminish or not commence doing business with the Company or any successor or affiliate thereof or (iv) disparage the Company or any successor or affiliate thereof or the business in which the Company is engaged to any individual or entity.

 

(c)                                  For purposes of this Section 10, the term “Restricted Activity” means any activity that is, or would reasonably be deemed to be, competitive with (i) any aspect of the business in which the Company is engaged (1) as operated prior to the date of this Agreement or (2) as contemplated by the Company to be operated in the future as of the date of this Agreement, in each case, anywhere in the world where the Company’s business may be conducted from time to time, or (ii) any business in which the Company and/or any of its affiliates are engaged or likely to engage as of the date hereof or as of the date of termination of your employment hereunder.

 

11.                               Background Information.  As more fully described on the following pages, the Company may conduct a background check, which may include a “consumer report” and/or an “investigative consumer report” prepared by the Company or by a third party, in all cases commensurate with background checks conducted for similarly situated employees of the Company.  These reports may be obtained at any time after receipt of your authorization and, if you are hired, throughout your employment.  Falsification or omission of any information previously provided to the Company or provided to the Company on the attached release may disqualify you for employment or result in your immediate dismissal, if hired.  Your rights relating to this background check are more fully set forth on the attached release.

 

12.                               Representations.  You represent, warrant and covenant to the Company that you are free to execute this Agreement and provide the services contemplated hereunder and the engagement hereunder does not conflict with or violate, and will not be restricted by any pre-existing business relationship or agreement to which you are a party or are otherwise bound.  Without limiting the foregoing, you further represent, warrant and covenant to the Company that you are under no contractual commitments, including without limitation, any confidentiality, proprietary rights, non-solicitation, non-competition agreement or similar type of restrictive covenant agreement, inconsistent with your obligations to the Company and that you will not at any time during the course of your employment by the Company or any of its affiliates violate and/or breach, subject to any applicable cure periods, any obligation or contractual/common law commitment that you may have to a third party or prior employer.

 

13.                               Superseding of Prior Understandings or Agreements; No Employment or Compensation Guarantees or Other Modifications Except as Provided Herein.  You acknowledge that you have not relied on any oral or written representations or understandings not explicitly contained herein in executing this Agreement.  This Agreement supersedes any and all oral or written understandings or agreements regarding your employment with the Company or any of its affiliates.  No employee or representative of the Company, other than in a writing signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, may enter into any agreement or

 

9

 

understanding (a) guaranteeing you employment with the Company for any specific duration, (b) providing you with a guaranteed level of compensation with the Company, whether incentive compensation, severance pay or otherwise, or (c) otherwise modifying the terms of this Agreement.

 

14.                               Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                                 This offer is subject to the satisfactory completion of the Company’s standard drug, background and reference screening used for similarly situated employees of the Company, authorization of your right to work in the United States, and the absence of any non-competition agreement or other restrictions that would prohibit or interfere with your working for the Company

 

(b)                                 If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under the law, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired.  This Agreement contains section headings for reference only. The headings in no way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                  You acknowledge that you have consulted counsel of your choosing with regard to the provisions of this Agreement.  You and the Company acknowledge that each has participated fully and equally in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and both have assumed the risk of any misrepresentation or mistaken understanding or belief relied upon by entering into this Agreement.

 

(d)                                 This Agreement and the Company’s rights and obligations hereunder are assignable and delegable, in whole or in part, by the Company to any affiliate of the Company upon written notice to you, whereupon such affiliate shall succeed to the rights and assume the obligations of the Company hereunder to the full extent of such assignment and/or delegation; provided, however, that no assignment shall relieve the Company of any of its obligations hereunder.

 

(e)                                  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving reference to the principles of conflicts of laws or where the parties are located at the time a dispute arises.  Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by arbitration in New York City before a single arbitrator. The arbitration shall be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures.  Judgment on the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. This clause shall not preclude parties from seeking provisional remedies in aid of arbitration from a court of appropriate jurisdiction.  The arbitrator shall award to the prevailing party, if any, the costs and attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred by the prevailing party in connection with the arbitration.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action or proceeding initiated by the Company seeking any form of injunctive relief for a breach by you of any of Sections 7, 8 or 10 of this Agreement, including, without limitation, specific performance, shall be brought against you in the courts of the State of New York or, if the Company has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (collectively, the “Courts”), and each party consents to the jurisdiction of the Courts in any such action or proceeding, and each party waives any objection to venue laid therein.

 

Signatures on following page

 

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We look forward to you joining the Company.  If the terms of this Agreement are acceptable to you and you are ready, willing and able to abide by all the conditions enumerated herein, please sign and date this Agreement below.

 

 

	
 
    	
Sincerely,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
SFX   HOLDING CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Robert F.X. Sillerman
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
Acknowledged   and Agreed to:
    
	
 
    
	
 
    
	
/s/ Christoper Stephenson
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
Christopher   Stephenson
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
Nov. 13,   2012
    	
 
    
					

 

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