Document:

Exhibit 10.17

 

MILLENNIAL MEDIA, INC.

 

KEY EMPLOYEE AGREEMENT

 

This KEY EMPLOYEE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between MARY “MOLLIE” SPILMAN (the “Executive”)  and MILLENNIAL MEDIA, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),  and is effective as of September 11, 2012 (the “Effective Date”).

 

The Company desires to employ the Executive and, in connection therewith, to compensate the Executive for Executive’s personal services to the Company; and

 

The Executive wishes to be employed by the Company and provide personal services to the Company in return for certain compensation.

 

Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, the parties agree to the following:

 

1.                                        EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY.

 

1.1                      Position.  Subject to the terms set forth herein, the Company agrees to employ Executive in the position of Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, and Executive hereby accepts such employment, such employment to commence on October 2, 2012 (“Employment Commencement Date”). During the term of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will devote Executive’s best efforts and substantially all of Executive’s business time and attention to the business of the Company (except for vacation periods as set forth herein and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacities permitted by the Company’s general employment policies).

 

1.2                      Duties.  Executive shall serve in an executive capacity and shall perform such duties as are assigned to the Executive from time to time. Executive will report to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company.

 

1.3                      Other Employment Policies.  The employment relationship between the parties shall also be governed by the general employment policies and practices of the Company, including those relating to protection of confidential information and assignment of inventions, except that when the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with the Company’s general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control.

 

2.                                        COMPENSATION.

 

2.1                      Salary.  As of the Employment Commencement Date, Executive’s initial base salary for Executive’s services to be rendered hereunder is an annualized base salary of $240,000. Executive’s base salary is subject to standard federal and state payroll withholding requirements, payable in accordance with Company’s standard payroll practices. The Company expects that this amount will be reviewed from time to time during the term of Executive’s

 

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employment in accordance with the Company’s standard practices and will be subject to increase, if any, as may be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”)(or Compensation Committee thereof), but may not be decreased during the term of Executive’s employment without Executive’s prior written consent except under the circumstances described in Section 6.4(b)(ii) below (Executive’s salary, as may be increased or decreased in accordance with this Agreement from time to time is hereinafter referred to as “Base Salary”).

 

2.2                      Bonus.  Executive shall be eligible for an annual incentive bonus award opportunity in respect of each fiscal year during her term of employment (the “Annual Bonus”). As of the Employment Commencement Date, Executive shall have the opportunity to earn an annual incentive bonus award equal to a maximum amount of 60% of Base Salary. The Annual Bonus shall be payable based upon achievement of Company and/or individual performance objectives as may be mutually agreed to by the Board (or Compensation Committee thereof) and Executive from time to time in advance of each fiscal year. The Annual Bonus shall be paid to Executive at the same time as annual bonuses are generally payable to other senior executives of the Company, but in any event not later than the date which is two and one-half (2 1/2) months following the end of the calendar year in which such Annual Bonus is earned. For example, if the Compensation Committee determines on March 1, 2013 that Executive has earned a bonus related to fiscal year 2012, that bonus must be paid at the same time as annual bonuses are generally payable to other senior executives of the Company, but in any event not later than March 15, 2013.

 

2.3                      Special One-Time Cash Bonus.  Executive shall be paid a one-time special sign-on bonus of $500,000.00, which shall be payable on the 45th day after the Employment Commencement Date, but in all cases not later than March 15, 2013. If Executive resigns from the Company other than for Good Cause (as defined herein), or if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment with Cause, prior to the date six months after the Employment Commencement Date, Executive agrees to repay the Company the full $500,000 Special Bonus, less any federal, state and local taxes actually paid by and/or withheld on behalf of Executive, within 10 days after the date Executive leaves the Company. If Executive resigns from the Company other than for Good Cause, or if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment with Cause, on or after the date six months after the Employment Commencement Date, but prior to the date one year after the Employment Commencement Date, Executive agrees to repay the Company the portion of the $500,000 Special Bonus prorated for the amount of time less than one year from the Employment Commencement Date (e.g., if Executive resigns without Good Reason after nine months, she shall repay 3/12 of the Special Bonus), less any federal, state and local taxes actually paid by and/or withheld on behalf of Executive, within 10 days after the date Executive leaves the Company.

 

2.4                      Equity.

 

(a)                            Restricted Stock Unit Grant.  As soon as reasonably practicable after the Executive begins employment at the Company, the Company will recommend that the Executive shall be granted Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”s) pursuant to the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of

 

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the Company and/or the Compensation Committee thereof. The number of RSU’s to be granted shall be determined as follows (such number to be subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations, recapitalizations and the like after the Effective Date): Executive shall be granted two sets of RSU’s (“Set 1” and “Set 2,” respectively); each of the Set 1 RSUs and Set 2 RSUs shall cover a number of shares that have a fair market value of $400,000.00, calculated by using the share price of the Company’s common stock as of the close of trading on the Effective Date (or the first day of trading after the Effective Date, in the event the Effective Date does not fall on a trading day), for an aggregate grant value of $800,000.

 

(b)                            Vesting.  The RSUs granted to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement will vest, subject to the Executive’s Continuous Service (as defined in the Equity Plan) according to the following schedule:

 

(i)              Basic Vesting:  1) Set 1 RSUs: One third of the RSUs in Set 1 shall vest one year after the Employment Commencement Date, and the remaining RSUs in Set 1 shall vest quarterly thereafter over the next two years; 2) Set 2 RSUs: all of the RSUs in Set 2 shall vest on January 2, 2013.

 

(ii)          Acceleration of Vesting:  In addition, 50% of the then-unvested portion of these RSUs shall accelerate upon a “Single Trigger Event” (as defined below), subject to the Executive’s Continuous Service as of immediately prior to the closing of the Single Trigger Event. In addition, 100% of the then-unvested portion shall accelerate upon a “Double Trigger Event” (as defined below), subject to the Executive executing and allowing the Release (as defined below) to become effective in the manner described in Section 6.1 below (provided that this acceleration is in lieu of, and not in addition to, any acceleration provided in Section 6.1 below).

 

(1)                                 A “Single Trigger Event”  shall mean that a “Change in Control” (as such term is defined in the Equity Plan) has been consummated.

 

(2)                                 A “Double Trigger Event”  shall mean that (1) a “Change in Control” (as such term is defined in the Equity Plan) has been consummated and (2) the Executive has been terminated by the Company without “cause”, or the Executive has resigned from her employment with the Company for “good reason” (as “cause” and “good reason” are defined below), in either case, within one (1) month prior to, as of, or within twelve (12) months after, the date that such Change in Control has been consummated.

 

(c)                             Additional Agreement Required.  Executive agrees to execute the Company’s standard form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and related Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and any other agreements contemplated thereby to finalize the parties’ agreement as to the equity. Executive acknowledges that these RSUs will be subject to the terms of the Equity Plan.

 

2.5                      Standard Company Benefits.  Executive shall be entitled to all rights and benefits for which the Executive is eligible under the terms and conditions of the standard

 

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Company benefits and compensation practices which may be in effect from time to time and provided by the Company to its Executives generally. The Company may adopt, change or delete plans, policies and provisions in its sole discretion.

 

2.6                      Expense Reimbursement.  The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable business expenses in accordance with the Company’s standard expense reimbursement policy.

 

3.                                        PROPRIETARY INFORMATION, INVENTIONS, NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION OBLIGATIONS.

 

3.1                      Agreement.  The parties hereto have entered into the Employee Nondisclosure and Developments Agreement (the “Proprietary Information Agreement”), which may be amended by the parties from time to time without regard to this Agreement. The Proprietary Information Agreement contains provisions that are intended by the parties to survive and do survive termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

4.                                        OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES.

 

4.1                      Other Employment/Enterprise.  Except with the prior written consent of the CEO, Executive will not, while employed by the Company, undertake or engage in any other employment, occupation or business enterprise, other than those in which Executive is a passive investor.

 

4.2                      Conflicting Interests.  Except as permitted by Section 4.3, while employed by the Company, Executive agrees not to acquire, assume or participate in, directly or indirectly, any position, investment or interest known by Executive to be adverse or antagonistic to the Company, its business or prospects, financial or otherwise.

 

4.3                      Competing Enterprises.  While employed by the Company, except on behalf of the Company, Executive will not directly or indirectly, whether as an officer, director, stockholder, partner, proprietor, associate, representative, consultant, or in any capacity whatsoever engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by or have any business connection with any other person, corporation, firm, partnership or other entity whatsoever which were known by Executive to compete directly with the Company, throughout the world, in any line of business engaged in (or then currently planned to be engaged in) by the Company; provided, however, that anything above to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive may own, as a passive investor, securities of any public competitor corporation, so long as Executive’s direct holdings in any one such corporation shall not in the aggregate constitute more than 2% of the voting stock of such corporation.

 

5.                                        FORMER EMPLOYMENT.

 

5.1                      No Conflict With Existing Obligations.  Executive represents that Executive’s performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an Executive of the Company

 

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do not and will not materially breach any agreement or obligation of any kind made prior to Executive’s employment by the Company, including agreements or obligations Executive may have with prior employers or entities for which Executive has provided services. Executive has not entered into, and agrees Executive will not enter into, any agreement or obligation, either written or oral, in conflict herewith.

 

5.2                      No Disclosure of Confidential Information.  If, in spite of Section 5.1, Executive should find that confidential information belonging to any former employer might be usable in connection with the Company’s business, Executive will not intentionally disclose to the Company or use on behalf of the Company any confidential information belonging to any of Executive’s former employers (except in accordance with agreements between the Company and any such former employer); but during Executive’s employment by the Company Executive will use in the performance of Executive’s duties all information which is generally known and used by persons with training and experience comparable to Executive’s own and all information which is common knowledge in the industry or otherwise legally in the public domain.

 

6.                                        TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  The parties acknowledge that Executive’s employment relationship with the Company is at-will. Either Executive or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without Cause. The provisions of Sections 6.1 through 6.6 govern the amount of compensation, if any, to be provided to Executive upon termination of employment and do not alter this at-will status.

 

6.1                      Termination by the Company Without Cause.

 

(a)                            The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment with the Company at any time without Cause (as defined in Section 6.2(b) below) by giving notice as described in Section 6.6 of this Agreement.

 

(b)                            In the event Executive’s employment is terminated without Cause, then provided that the Executive executes a general release in favor of the Company, in form and substance acceptable to the Company (the “Release”), which Release is effective not later than 60 days following Executive’s separation from service (as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), and without regard to any alternate definition thereunder, a “Separation from Service”), and subject to Section 6.1(c), then:

 

(i)              the Company shall continue to pay Executive as severance Executive’s then-effective Base Salary for a period of the first six (6) months following Executive’s Separation from Service (the “Severance Period”), less applicable withholdings and deductions, on the Company’s regular payroll dates;

 

(ii)          the Company shall accelerate the vesting of 50% of the-then unvested RSUs granted pursuant to Section 2.4 (that is, 50% of the unvested shares subject to Set 1 RSUs and 50% of the unvested shares subject to Set 2 RSUs), effective as of the date of Separation from Service, provided that in no event will Executive receive acceleration of vesting

 

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under both this Section 6(b)(ii) and under the portion of Section 2.4(b)(ii) relating to a Double Trigger Event; and

 

(iii)      if Executive is participating in the Company’s group health insurance plans on the Separation from Service, and Executive timely elects and remains eligible for continued coverage under COBRA, or, if applicable, state insurance laws, the Company shall pay that portion of Executive’s COBRA premiums that the Company was paying prior to the Separation from Service for the Severance Period or for the continuation period for which Executive is eligible, whichever is shorter (such shorter period, the “COBRA Payment Period”). The Company’s COBRA premium payment obligation will end immediately if the Executive obtains health care insurance from any other source during the Severance Period. However, if at any time the Company determines, in its discretion, that the payment of the COBRA premiums would be reasonably likely to result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or any statute or regulation of similar effect (including, without limitation, the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then in lieu of providing the Company’s portion of the COBRA premiums, the Company will instead pay Executive, on the first day of each month of the remainder of the COBRA Payment Period, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the portion of the COBRA premiums that the Company was paying prior to the date of Executive’s Separation from Service for that month, subject to applicable tax withholdings and deductions.

 

(c)                             The Company will not make any payments to Executive with respect to any of the benefits pursuant to Section 6.1(b) prior to the 60th day following Executive’s Separation from Service. On the 60th day following Executive’s Separation from Service, and provided that Executive has delivered an effective Release, the Company will make the first payment of cash, shares and benefits under Section 6.1(b) in a lump sum equal to the aggregate amount of payments that the Company would have paid (as applicable) through such date had the payments commenced on the date of Executive’s Separation from Service through such 60th day, with the balance of the payments of cash, shares and benefits paid thereafter on the schedule described above, subject to any delay in payment required by Section 7.11 (including any 6 month delay of payment of cash or delivery of shares that become vested under the RSUs).

 

(d)                            The benefits provided to Executive pursuant to this Section 6.1 are in lieu of, and not in addition to, any benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled under any Company severance plan, policy or program.

 

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6.2                      Termination by the Company for Cause.

 

(a)                            Subject to Section 6.2(c) below, the Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment with the Company at any time for Cause by giving notice as described in Section 6.6 of this Agreement.

 

(b)                            “Cause” for termination shall mean: (i) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony involving fraud or moral turpitude; (ii) Executive’s willful act or omission which results in material harm to the Company; (iii) Executive’s willful violation of any material Company policy that has, prior to any alleged violation, been communicated in writing to the Executive, and which results in material harm to the Company; (iv) Executive’s material breach of any written agreement between the Executive and the Company which results in material harm to the Company; or (v) Executive’s continuing conduct that demonstrates gross unfitness to serve and which directly and immediately threatens the Company with material liability or to material disrepute. For purposes of Sections 6.2(b)(ii) and 6.2(b)(iii), it is agreed that a “willful” act is one done intentionally, knowingly and purposely, without justifiable excuse or otherwise intentionally in violation or disregard of a legal duty, as distinguished from an act done carelessly, thoughtlessly, heedlessly or inadvertently.

 

(c)                             Prior to any termination for Cause, the Board shall give the Executive a reasonable opportunity to be heard before the Board (it being understood that Executive must make himself available for such a hearing within ten (10) days of notification from the Board). In addition, prior to any termination for Cause pursuant to Sections 6.2(b)(ii), (iii), (iv) or (v), the Board shall first provide the Executive with reasonable written notice, setting forth the reasons that the Board believes exist that give rise to “Cause” for termination, stating that the Executive shall have fifteen (15) business days to cure, to the extent capable of being cured, such “Cause”, and the Board must thereafter determine in good faith that such “Cause” has not been cured by the Executive within fifteen (15) business days after such notice has been delivered.

 

(d)                            In the event Executive’s employment is terminated at any time for Cause, Executive will not be entitled to receive severance pay or any other such severance compensation, except that, pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive through the date of termination under any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement during such period.

 

6.3                      Resignation by the Executive.

 

(a)                            Executive may resign from Executive’s employment with the Company at any time by giving notice as described in Section 6.6.

 

(b)                            In the event Executive resigns from Executive’s employment with the Company (other than for Good Reason as set forth in Section 6.4), Executive will not receive

 

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severance pay or any other such severance compensation, except that, pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll policies, the Company shall pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of resignation, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive through the date of resignation under any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement during such period.

 

6.4                      Resignation by the Executive for Good Reason.

 

(a)                            Provided Executive has not previously been notified of the Company’s intention to terminate Executive’s employment, the Executive may resign from Executive’s employment for “Good Reason” within fifteen (15) business days after the occurrence of one of the events specified in Section 6.4(b) below, by giving notice as described in Section 6.6 of this Agreement.

 

(b)                            “Good Reason” for resignation shall mean the occurrence of any of the following without the Executive’s prior written consent: (i) a material diminution of Executive’s authority, responsibilities or duties; provided, however, that the acquisition of the Company and subsequent conversion of the Company to a division or unit of the acquiring company will not by itself result in a diminution of Executive’s responsibilities or duties; (ii) a reduction in the level of the Executive’s Base Salary, unless such reduction is part of a general reduction or other concessionary arrangement affecting at least a majority of all senior executives of the Company (as long as the reduction affecting the Executive is no greater, on a percentage basis, than the reduction affecting any other senior executive in such reduction or arrangement); (iii) the relocation of the Company’s principal offices to a location outside the Baltimore, MD metropolitan area, or the Company’s requiring Executive to be based anywhere other than the Company’s principal offices; or (iv) a material breach of this Agreement by the Company; provided, that prior to any termination for Good Reason pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of this Section 6.4(b), the Executive shall first provide the Board with reasonable written notice, setting forth the reasons that the Executive believes exist that give rise to “Good Reason” for resignation, stating that the Company shall have fifteen (15) business days to cure such “Good Reason”, and the “Good Reason” has not been cured by the Company within fifteen (15) business days after such notice has been delivered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any actions taken by the Company to accommodate a disability of the Executive or pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act shall not be a Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(c)                             In the event Executive resigns from Executive’s employment for Good Reason, and subject to Section 6.4(d), the Executive shall be entitled to receive the same payments and benefits as Executive would receive under Section 6.1 had Executive been terminated by the Company without Cause, provided that Executive executes a Release in favor of the Company that meets the criteria specified in Section 6.1(b) and that Executive’s receipt of the payments and benefits are subject to all the terms and conditions of Section 6.1(c) (including the application of Section 7.11).

 

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(d)                            Executive shall not receive any of the benefits pursuant to Section 6.4(c) unless and until the Release becomes effective and can no longer be revoked by Executive under its terms.

 

(e)                             The benefits provided to the Executive pursuant to this Section 6.4 are in lieu of, and not in addition to, any benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled under any Company severance plan, policy or program.

 

6.5                      Termination by Virtue of Death or Disability of the Executive.

 

(a)                            In the event of Executive’s death during the term of this Agreement, all obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate immediately, and the Company shall, pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll policies, pay to the Executive’s legal representatives Executive’s accrued but unpaid salary through the date of death together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive through the date of death under any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement during such period.

 

(b)                            Subject to applicable state and federal law, the Company shall at all times have the right, upon written notice to the Executive, to terminate this Agreement based on the Executive’s Disability (as defined below). Termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment based on “Disability”  shall mean termination because the Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of Executive’s position with or without accommodation due to a disability (as such term is defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act) for six months in the aggregate during any twelve month period. This definition shall be interpreted and applied consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and other applicable law. In the event Executive’s employment is terminated based on the Executive’s Disability, Executive will not receive severance pay or any other such compensation; provided, however, the Company shall, pursuant to the Company’s standard payroll policies, pay to Executive the accrued but unpaid salary of Executive through the date of termination, together with all compensation and benefits payable to Executive through the date of termination under any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement during such period.

 

6.6                      Notice; Effective Date of Termination.

 

(a)                            Termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement shall be effective on the earliest of:

 

(i)              immediately after the Company gives written notice to Executive of Executive’s termination without Cause, unless the Company specifies a later date, in which case, termination shall be effective as of such later date;

 

(ii)          after the Company gives written notice to Executive of Executive’s termination for Cause and otherwise fully complies with the procedures set forth in Section 6.2(c) above;

 

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(iii)      immediately upon the Executive’s death;

 

(iv)       thirty (30) days after the Company gives written notice to Executive of Executive’s termination on account of Executive’s disability, unless the Company specifies a later date, in which case, termination shall be effective as of such later date, provided, that Executive has not returned to the full time performance of Executive’s duties prior to such date; or

 

(v)           immediately after the conclusion of the fifteen (15) day cure period if the Executive gives written notice to the Company of Executive’s resignation and (in the case of a resignation for Good Reason) otherwise fully complies with the procedures set forth in Section 6.4(b) above, unless the Company agrees to a different date, in which case, resignation shall be effective as of such other date.

 

(b)                   Executive will receive compensation through any required notice period in the event of termination for any reason. However, subject to any right of Executive to cure during any cure period, the Company reserves the right to require that the Executive not perform any services or report to work during any required notice period.

 

7.                                        GENERAL PROVISIONS.

 

7.1                      Notices.  Any notices provided hereunder must be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by electronic mail, telex or confirmed facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the Company at its primary office location and to Executive at Executive’s address as listed on the Company payroll, or at such other address as the Company or the Executive may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice to the other.

 

7.2                      Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained herein.

 

7.3                      Waiver.  If either party should waive any breach of any provisions of this Agreement, Executive or it shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other provision of this Agreement.

 

7.4                      Complete Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Proprietary

 

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Information Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with regard to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is the complete, final, and exclusive embodiment of their agreement with regard to this subject matter and supersedes any prior oral discussions or written communications and agreements. This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation other than those expressly contained herein, and it cannot be modified or amended except in writing signed by Executive and an authorized officer of the Company.

 

7.5                      Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

7.6                      Headings.  The headings of the sections hereof are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof nor to affect the meaning thereof.

 

7.7                      Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, except that Executive may not assign any of Executive’s duties hereunder and Executive may not assign any of Executive’s rights hereunder without the written consent of the Company.

 

7.8                      Survival.  Executive’s obligations under the Proprietary Information Agreement shall survive termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, as provided therein.

 

7.9                      Choice of Law.  All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement will be governed by the law of the State of Maryland.

 

7.10               Resolution of Disputes.  Any controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach hereof shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (before a panel of arbitrators) and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The location for the arbitration shall be the Baltimore, MD metropolitan area. Any award made by such panel shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties for all purposes, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrators’ fees and expenses and all administrative fees and expenses associated with the filing of the arbitration shall be borne by the Company; provided, however, that at Executive’s option, Executive may voluntarily pay up to one-half the costs and fees. The parties acknowledge and agree that their obligations under this arbitration agreement survive the termination of this Agreement and continue after the termination of the employment relationship between Executive and the Company.

 

7.11               Application of Section 409A.  It is intended that all of the benefits provided under this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the

 

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application of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder and any state law of similar effect (collectively, “Section 409A”) provided under Treasury Regulations Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5), and 1.409A-1(b)(9), and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions. To the extent not so exempt, this Agreement (and any definitions in this Agreement) will be construed in a manner that complies with Section 409A, and incorporates by reference all required definitions and payment terms. For purposes of Section 409A (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Executive’s right to receive any installment payments under this Agreement will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment under this Agreement will at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any payments and benefits provided under this Agreement (or under any other arrangement with Executive) that constitute “deferred compensation” shall not commence in connection with Executive’s termination of employment unless and until Executive has also incurred a Separation from Service. If the Company determines that any of the payments or benefits upon a Separation from Service provided under this Agreement (or under any other arrangement with Executive) constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A and if Executive is a “specified employee” of the Company (as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) at the time of his Separation from Service, then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid the incurrence of the adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the payments (including delivery of any vested shares) upon a Separation from Service will be delayed as follows: on the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is six months and one day after the effective date of Executive’s Separation from Service, and (ii) the date of Executive’s death (the earlier date, the “Delayed Initial Payment Date”), the Company will (A) pay to Executive a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the payments upon Separation from Service that Executive would otherwise have received through the Delayed Initial Payment Date if the commencement of the payments had not been delayed pursuant to this Section 7.11, and (B) begin paying the balance of the payments in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth above. No interest will be due on any amounts so deferred.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Key Employee Agreement on the Effective Date.

 

	
 
    	
MILLENNIAL MEDIA, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
/s/   Paul Palmieri
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Paul   Palmieri
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
President &   Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Mary Spilman
    
	
 
    	
Mary   “Mollie” Spilman
    

 

13Exhibit 10.3

 

THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

 

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF

 

January 1, 2013

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

DESIGNATION OF PLAN AND DEFINITIONS

 

1.1                               TITLE AND PURPOSE

 

(a)                     Title.  This Plan shall be known as “The Allstate Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan.”

 

(b)                         Purpose.  This Plan was established by The Allstate Corporation for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for eligible employees.  The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan maintained for a select group of management or highly compensated employees within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).  With respect to amounts deferred on or after January 1, 2005, this Plan is intended to be a nonqualified deferred compensation plan maintained in conformity with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and shall be interpreted accordingly.

 

(c)                          Effective Date and Plan History.  The Plan was adopted by Allstate Insurance Company effective January 1, 1995.  The Plan was amended and restated by the Company, effective January 1, 1996, November 11, 1997, September 1, 1999, November 1, 2000, November 1, 2001, June 1, 2002, October 7, 2002, May 28, 2004, December 31, 2008, July 31, 2009, January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2013.  The terms of this Plan are effective for all benefits under the Plan that are not fully distributed as of January 1, 2005, except that actions taken on or after January 1, 2005 and prior to December 31, 2008, are subject to the terms of the then existing Plan and, as applicable, a reasonable and good faith interpretation of Code Section 409A and the transition guidance provided thereunder.

 

1.2                               GENERAL DEFINITIONS

 

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the following definitions will apply:

 

(a)                     “Account” shall mean nominal bookkeeping entries made to state the balance of a Participant’s benefit under the Plan.  A Participant’s benefit under the Plan shall be comprised of the total of all sub-accounts, which may include a Pre-2005 Sub-Account and Post-2004 Sub-Account.  “Account” shall also mean any amounts

 

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deferred by a Participant, as adjusted for earnings and debits, under The Allstate Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Employee Agents and The Allstate Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Contractor Exclusive Agents.

 

(b)                     “Beneficiary” or “Contingent Beneficiary” shall mean the person or persons last designated in writing by the Participant to the Committee, in accordance with Section 8.4 of this Plan.

 

(c)                      “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(d)                     “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations and guidance of general applicability issued thereunder.

 

(e)                      “Committee” shall mean the Committee appointed by the Board of Directors pursuant to Article VI of this Plan, and shall mean those persons to whom the Committee has delegated administrative duties pursuant to Section 6.1(g).

 

(f)                       “Company” shall mean The Allstate Corporation.

 

(g)                      “Compensation” shall mean all of the items included in the term “Annual Compensation” as that term is defined in the Allstate Retirement Plan without regard to the annual compensation limit imposed by Code Section 401(a)(17).

 

(h)                     “Compensation Floor” shall be the compensation limit in effect pursuant to Code Section 401(a)(17) for a Plan Year.

 

(i)                         “Controlled Group” shall mean any corporation or other business entity which is included in a controlled group of corporations, within the meaning of section 1563(a)(i) of the Code, within which the Company is also included.

 

(j)                        “Current Plan Year” shall mean the Plan Year in which amounts are deferred pursuant to a valid deferral election, in accordance with Section 2.2.

 

(k)                     “Eligible Compensation” shall mean the greater of (i) an Employee’s projected Compensation based on his or her Compensation for the month ending on December 31 of the Prior Plan Year, annualized in such manner as the Committee shall determine; (ii) an Employee’s projected annualized base salary based on his or her Compensation for the month ending on December 31 of the Prior Plan Year, annualized in such manner as the Committee shall determine; or (iii) an Employee’s

 

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Compensation for the calendar year two years before a Plan Year.  For purposes of this definition, “Compensation” shall not include any bonus amounts paid on a monthly, quarterly or other nonannual basis.

 

(l)                         “Eligible Employee” shall mean any Employee who the Committee determines shall be eligible to participate in the Plan and whose (i) Eligible Salary is expected to exceed the Compensation Floor, or (ii) Eligible Compensation is expected to exceed the Compensation Floor for the Plan Year and, therefore, is eligible to make a deferral under Article II of this Plan.

 

(m)                 “Eligible Salary” shall mean an Employee’s base salary during the Prior Plan Year annualized in such manner as the Committee shall determine, plus any bonus amounts paid on a monthly, quarterly or other nonannual basis included as Compensation during the Prior Plan Year up through the date the Employee’s eligibility is determined, as set forth by the Committee.

 

(n)                     “Employee” shall mean any regular, full-time employee of the Employer, but shall in no event include persons classified as agents.  If a person is not considered to be an “Employee” for purposes of Plan eligibility, a later change in the person’s status, even if the change in status is applicable to prior years, will not have a retroactive effect for Plan purposes.

 

(o)                     “Employer” shall mean the Company, Allstate Insurance Company, Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company, Esurance Insurance Services, Inc. and any other entity within the Controlled Group that adopts the terms of the Plan, as agreed to by the entity’s Board of Directors, with the approval of the Committee.

 

(p)                     “Hardship” shall apply only to a Participant’s Pre-2005 Sub-Account and shall mean a distribution that would satisfy the requirements of Code section 401(k)(2)(B)(i)(IV) from a tax-qualified plan maintained by an Employer, with the approval of the Committee.

 

(q)                     “Incentive” shall mean the amount actually payable to a Participant under an annual cash incentive program sponsored by the employer.  An Incentive earned during a Plan Year becomes payable in the calendar year next following the Plan Year.  Any bonus amounts earned for periods of less than 12 months or that are payable to a Participant on a monthly, quarterly or any other nonannual basis under any cash

 

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incentive or award program shall not be considered an Incentive under this Plan.

 

(r)                        “Investment” shall mean the elections made by Participants, as allowed for in Section 4.3 of the Plan, to allocate and reallocate deferrals and Account balances among the Investment Options described in Section 4.3(b), together with accruals and adjustments reflecting the hypothetical experience of the Investment Options.

 

(s)                       “Participant” shall mean an Eligible Employee who has an Account balance in the Plan.

 

(t)                        “Plan” shall mean The Allstate Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan as set forth herein, and as amended from time to time in accordance with Article VII hereof.

 

(u)                     “Plan Year” shall mean the fiscal year of the Company, which is a calendar year.

 

(v)                     “Post-2004 Sub-Account” shall mean a nominal bookkeeping sub-account of the Participant’s Account established to state the balance of (i) Compensation deferred by a Participant under the Plan on or after January 1, 2005, as adjusted pursuant to Article IV of the Plan, (ii) any cash amounts automatically directed to this Plan on or after January 1, 2005 by action of the Board of Directors of The Allstate Corporation or a committee thereof; and (iii) earnings and losses on amounts contributed pursuant to (i) and (ii) of this subsection, pursuant to Article IV.  “Post-2004 Sub-Account shall refer to the total of the Participant’s benefit under this Plan with respect to amounts deferred or otherwise credited on or after January 1, 2005, pursuant to Section 4.2.

 

(w)                   “Pre-2005 Sub-Account” shall mean a nominal bookkeeping sub-account of the Participant’s Account established to state the balance of (i) Compensation that was fully earned and vested prior to January 1, 2005, and deferred by a Participant under the terms of the Plan then in effect; (ii) any cash amounts automatically directed to this Plan and fully earned and vested prior to January 1, 2005 by action of the Board of Directors of The Allstate Corporation or a committee thereof; and (iii) subsequent earnings and losses on amounts contributed pursuant to (i) and (ii) of this subsection, pursuant to Article IV.

 

(x)                     “Prior Plan Year” shall mean the Plan Year immediately preceding the Current Plan

 

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Year.

 

(y)                     “Separation from Service” shall mean the termination of employment or cessation or reduction of services by a Participant that results in a distribution as specifically defined and determined under Article V of the Plan.  “Separation from Service” shall have distinct meanings with respect to the Pre-2005 Sub-Account and the Post-2004 Sub-Account, as set forth in Article V of the Plan.

 

(z)                      “Unforeseeable Financial Emergency” shall apply only to a Participant’s Post-2004 Sub-Account and shall mean a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, the Participant’s beneficiary, or the Participant’s dependent (as defined in Section 152 of the Code, without regard to Sections 152(b)(1), 152(b)(2) and 152(d)(1)(B) of the Code); loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty; or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant; but shall not include any of the foregoing to the extent such emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation from insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not cause severe financial hardship), or by cessation of deferrals under the Plan.  In making its determination, the Committee shall be guided by the prevailing authorities applicable under the Code so as to result in the Participant not being in constructive receipt or subject to penalties under Code Section 409A with respect to any distribution or cancellation of a deferral due to an Unforeseeable Financial Emergency.

 

ARTICLE II

 

PARTICIPATION

 

2.1                               PARTICIPATION AND DEFERRAL ELECTIONS

 

An Eligible Employee shall become a Participant upon the filing of an election to defer base salary or Incentive and shall continue as a Participant until his or her Account has been fully paid pursuant to the provisions of Article V.  An election to defer base salary or Incentives shall specify the percentage of compensation to be deferred under the Plan

 

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for a Plan Year.  An election to defer base salary or Incentive shall be filed in the manner and at the time that the Committee may specify in its discretion from time to time.

 

2.2                               TIMING OF DEFERRAL ELECTIONS

 

(a)                     In no event shall a Participant be permitted to make a deferral election with respect to his or her base salary after December 31 of the calendar year preceding the Plan Year in which such deferral election shall take effect.  All elections to defer base salary for a Plan Year shall be irrevocable as of December 31 of the preceding Plan Year (or such earlier date as may be determined by the Committee from time to time) and, therefore, may not be changed by either the Committee or the Participant after December 31 (or such earlier date, if applicable).

 

(b)                     An election to defer Incentive shall be filed no later than December 31 of the calendar year preceding the Plan Year in which services are first performed with respect to such Incentive, unless the Committee determines that a Participant’s Incentive constitutes “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.  In such case, the Committee may establish a later date for the filing of Incentive deferral elections; provided that, as of such date established by the Committee, Incentive is not readily ascertainable within the meaning of Code Section 409A, and further provided that such date shall in no event be later than 6 months prior to the end of the applicable performance period for such Incentive.  Such deferral election shall be irrevocable as of the filing date established by the Committee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant’s election made in 2008 to defer Incentive earned in 2008 shall apply to the Participant’s entire Incentive earned in 2008, including any amounts that may not constitute performance-based compensation.  To the extent a Participant’s election made in 2008 results in a deferral of any portion of the Participant’s Incentive that does not constitute performance-based compensation, such deferral election shall be deemed to be a transition relief election pursuant to Code Section 409A.

 

(c)                      “Evergreen” Deferral Elections.  The Committee may in its discretion establish rules from time to time under which deferral elections provided in this Section 2.2 shall remain in effect for all succeeding Plan Years in which the Participant is eligible to make a deferral election unless and until the Participant files a

 

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subsequent deferral election.

 

(d)                     Hardship and Unforeseeable Financial Emergency.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section 2.2, the Committee may in its sole discretion cancel all outstanding deferral elections of a Participant if the Participant experiences a Hardship or upon the Committee’s determination that the Participant has experienced an Unforeseeable Financial Emergency.  Any subsequent election to defer shall be subject to the terms of this Section 2.2(a), (b), and (c).

 

ARTICLE III

 

DEFERRALS

 

3.1                               AMOUNT OF DEFERRAL

 

(a)                     Elections made pursuant to Section 2.2(a) to defer base salary shall be made in whole number percentages up to eighty (80) percent and shall apply only to base salary payable on or after the Participant has earned Compensation in the Plan Year equal to the Compensation Floor for the Plan Year.

 

(b)                     Elections made pursuant to Section 2.2(b) to defer Incentive shall be made in whole number percentages up to one hundred (100) percent.  If a Participant’s Compensation (determined solely for this purpose on an annualized basis as of the date that such election becomes irrevocable pursuant to Section 2.2(b)) does not exceed the Compensation Floor, the election to defer Incentive shall be reduced dollar for dollar until the total of such Compensation and the Incentive that is not deferred and is payable to the Participant equals the Compensation Floor.

 

3.2                               EFFECTIVE DATE OF DEFERRAL

 

Compensation deferred shall be credited to a Participant’s Account by bookkeeping entry as set forth in Section 4.2.

 

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3.3                               USE OF AMOUNTS DEFERRED

 

Amounts credited to Accounts shall be a part of the general funds of the Company, shall be subject to all the risks of the Company’s business, and may be deposited, invested or expended in any manner whatsoever by the Company.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

ACCOUNTS AND VESTING

 

4.1                               ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNT

 

The Committee shall establish, by bookkeeping entry on the books of the Company, an Account for each Participant.  Accounts shall not be funded in any manner.

 

4.2                               CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACCOUNT

 

The Committee shall cause deferred Compensation to be credited by bookkeeping entry to each Participant’s Account as of the last day of the month in which the Compensation or any cash amounts automatically directed to this Plan otherwise would have been payable to the Participant, or as soon thereafter as is administratively practicable.

 

4.3                               MAINTENANCE OF ACCOUNT BALANCES - INVESTMENT

 

(a)                     A Participant may make an Investment with respect to amounts in his or her Account.  Each Investment shall be made in accordance with procedures established by the Committee and shall specify that portion of the Participant’s deferrals on the date of such election to be invested in each Investment Option (as defined in Section 4.3(b) below).  In its sole discretion, the Committee may withhold one or more of the Investment Options from Investment by Participants for a Plan Year or Years.  Investments of deferrals must be made in whole percentage increments.

 

Each Account shall be adjusted, as applicable, to apply contributions, dividend equivalents, investment gains and losses net of any Plan administration and investment expenses, and distributions.  All such adjustments shall be bookkeeping entries reflecting hypothetical experience for the Investment Options in which Investments are made.

 

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(b)                     The Investment Options in which Investments may be made are:

 

(1)                     Investment Option #1 — Stable Value Fund. The Stable Value Fund, managed by Invesco Advisors, Inc., (“Invesco”) includes a number of investment contracts issued by a diversified group of high quality insurance companies, banks, and other financial institutions (excluding Allstate companies), each backed by a diversified bond portfolio.

 

The investment contracts are supported by use of investment portfolios holding a diversified mix of high quality fixed-income securities. The average credit quality of all of the investments backing the Stable Value Fund contracts is AA/Aa or better as measured by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s credit rating services. The average credit quality of the issuers of investment contracts utilized in the fund is also AA/Aa. Derivative securities may be used for hedging and replication purposes only. U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures may be used to manage interest rate risk.

 

The credited rate of interest of the Stable Value Fund is the average return of all investments held in the fund.

 

(2)                             Investment Option #2 — Bond Fund.  The Bond Fund invests in the U.S. Bond Index Non-Lending Series Fund - Class A (formerly named the Passive Bond Market Index Non-Lending Series Fund — Class A), a collective fund managed by State Street Global Advisors (SSgA).  The fund’s objective is to approximate as closely as practicable, before expenses, the performance of the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index (the “Barclays Index”).  The Barclays Index is an index representative of well-diversified exposure to the overall U.S. bond market.  More specifically, it covers the dollar-denominated investment-grade fixed-rate taxable bond market, including U.S. Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgaged pass-through securities, asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities.  The portfolio is managed duration-neutral to the Barclays Index at all times.  Overall sector and quality weightings are also matched to the Barclays Index, with individual security selection based upon security availability and SSgA’s analysis of its impact on the portfolio’s weightings.

 

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The Bond Fund no longer invests in securities lending funds; it invests 100% in non-lending funds.

 

(3)                           Investment Option #3 — S&P 500 Fund(1).  The S&P 500 Fund invests in the S&P 500 Index Non-Lending Series Fund — Class A (formerly named the S&P 500 Flagship Non-Lending Series Fund - Class A), a collective fund managed by SSgA. The fund’s objective is to approximate as closely as practicable, before expenses, the performance of the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 (the “S&P 500 Index”) over the long term.  The S&P 500 Index consists of large capitalization stocks across over 24 industry groups and 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry group representation. The fund seeks to maintain the returns of the S&P 500 Index by investing in a portfolio that replicates the S&P 500 Index by owning securities in the same capitalization weights as they appear in the S&P 500 Index.

 

The S&P 500 Fund no longer invests in securities lending funds; it invests 100% in non-lending funds.

 

(4)                           Investment Option #4 — International Equity Fund.  The International Equity Fund invests in the Global Equity ex U.S. Index Non-Lending Series Fund - Class A, a collective fund managed by SSgA.  The fund’s objective is to approximate as closely as practicable, before expenses, the performance of the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ACWI ex-USA Index (the “ACWI ex-USA Index”) over the long term. The ACWI ex-USA Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets.  The ACWI ex-USA Index consists of approximately 1,800 stocks in selected markets with emerging markets representing approximately 20%.  MSCI attempts to capture approximately 85% of the total market capitalization in

 

(1)  Standard & Poor’s ®, S&P®, S&P 500 Index and Standard & Poor’s 500 Index are trademarks of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and have been licensed for use by State Street Bank and Trust Company.  The product is not sponsored, endorsed, listed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), and S&P makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in this product.

 

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each country. The fund seeks to maintain the returns of the ACWI ex-USA Index by investing in a portfolio that replicates the ACWI ex-USA Index.

 

The International Equity Fund no longer invests in securities lending funds; it invests 100% in non-lending funds.

 

Restrictions apply to reallocations of money into the International Equity Fund. This means that you are prohibited from using the reallocation feature to move money into the International Equity Fund within any 30-calendar day period following the date you moved money out of the International Equity Fund through reallocation. Any subsequent reallocation of money out of the International Equity Fund during a 30-calendar day restriction period will start a new 30-day restriction period. The 30-calendar day restriction does not apply to employee deferrals into the International Equity Fund or to hardship withdrawals from the International Equity Fund.

 

Reallocations or transfers of money out of the International Equity Fund are allowed at any time. The restriction applies only to reallocations into the International Equity Fund.

 

(5)                           Investment Option #5 — Russell 2000 Fund(2).  The Russell 2000 Fund invests in the Russell Small Cap Index Non-Lending Series Fund — Class A (formerly named the Russell 2000 Index Non-Lending Series Fund - Class A), a collective fund managed by SSgA. The fund’s objective is to approximate as closely as practicable, before expenses, the performance of the Russell 2000 Index, over the long term. The Russell 2000 Index is a subset of the Russell 3000 Index and includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market capitalization and current index memberships.  The fund seeks to match the return of the Russell 2000 Index by investing in a portfolio that holds the securities of the Russell 2000 Index. The Russell 2000 Fund no longer invests in securities lending funds; it invests 100% in non-lending funds

 

(2)  Russell Investment Group is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights relating to the Russell Indexes. Russell  2000®  Index is a trademark of the Russell Investment Group.

 

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(6)                       Investment Option #6 - The Mid-Cap Fund(3).  The Mid-Cap Fund invests in the S&P Mid-Cap Index Non-Lending Series Fund — Class A, a collective fund managed by  SSgA.  The fund’s objective is to approximate as closely as practicable, before expenses, the performance of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 (the “Mid-Cap Index”) over the long term.  The Mid-Cap Index is a cap-weighted index that measures the performance of the mid-range sector of the U.S. stock market.  The fund seeks to match the return of the Mid-Cap Index by investing in a portfolio that holds the securities of the Mid-Cap Index.

 

(c)                      A Participant may change his Investment elections at such time and in such manner, and with respect to such existing Account balances and future contributions, as the Committee shall determine; any such changes to be effective only in accordance with such procedures as established from time to time by the Committee.  Any reallocations of existing Account balances must be made in whole percentage increments.  A reallocation election will become effective as set forth in Plan procedures.  Any reallocations of existing Account balances made under this Plan will simultaneously apply to any amounts the Participant may have deferred under either The Allstate Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Employee Agents or The Allstate Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Contractor Exclusive Agents.

 

4.4                               VESTING

 

A Participant shall be fully vested in his or her Account at all times, subject to Sections 3.3, 8.2 and 8.3.

 

(3)  S&P MidCap 400®  Index is a trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC., and has been licensed for use by State Street Bank and Trust. The product is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), and S&P makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in this product.

 

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ARTICLE V

 

PAYMENTS

 

5.1                               EVENTS CAUSING ACCOUNTS TO BECOME DISTRIBUTABLE

 

(a)                                 Pre-2005 Sub-Account.  All references to “Account” in this Section 5.1(a) shall refer solely to the portion of a Participant’s Account, if any, that is the Pre-2005 Sub-Account.

 

(1)                         A Participant’s Account shall become distributable upon notification to the Plan of the Participant’s Separation from Service or, at the election of the Participant pursuant to Section 5.3(a), in one of the first through fifth years after Separation from Service.  In either event, the Participant may elect to receive payment in a lump sum or in annual installments as provided in Section 5.3(a).

 

For purposes of this Section 5.1(a), “Separation from Service” shall mean the termination of a Participant’s employment with any company in the Controlled Group for any reason whatsoever, including retirement, resignation, dismissal or death, but does not include a transfer of status to an employee agent or to an Exclusive Agent Independent Contractor or Exclusive Financial Specialist Independent Contractor for Allstate Insurance Company, Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company, Allstate Life Insurance Company or for any other member of the Controlled Group.  “Separation from Service” shall also mean the subsequent termination of any Exclusive Agent Independent Contractor or Exclusive Financial Specialist Independent Contractor agreement, unless such termination results from acceptance of employment with any member of the Controlled Group.

 

(2)                         That portion of a Participant’s Account determined to be necessary to alleviate a demonstrated Hardship shall become distributable upon the date of such determination, subject to Section 5.2.

 

(3)                         Special Distribution Rule for Participants Prior to September 1, 1999.  For those Participants who irrevocably elected to do so on or before September

 

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1, 1999, such Participants may receive a distribution as of the first day of any Plan Year prior to his or her Separation from Service. The portion of the Participant’s Account attributable to Compensation deferred, and accruals thereon, shall be distributed on the date elected.  Any balance in the Participant’s Account remaining after any payment under this paragraph and any balance in the Account attributable to participation in the Plan in any year subsequent to the year in which a payout on such date certain occurs, shall become distributable to the Participant as provided in paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) of this Section 5.1(a).

 

(4)                         Effective September 1, 1999, a Participant may at any time irrevocably elect to receive a distribution of his or her entire Account balance, subject to the forfeiture to the Company of 10% of such Account balance (a “100% In-Service Withdrawal”) provided that any deferral election for the current Plan Year will continue subject to Section 2.2(a) and the Participant may not elect to defer any base salary or Incentives earned during the next succeeding Plan Year (“Suspension Period”). If a Participant elects a 100% In-Service Withdrawal after the enrollment period for the next succeeding Plan Year and before the end of the current Plan Year, then any deferral election for base salary or Incentives earned during the next succeeding Plan Year will be cancelled.  The Participant’s Account balance shall become distributable subject to Section 5.2 following the date of such election.

 

(5)                     In the event of a Participant’s death prior to distribution of his or her entire Account balance, the remaining Account balance shall become distributable following the date on which all events have occurred which entitle the Beneficiary or Beneficiaries to payment.

 

(b)                                 Post-2004 Sub-Account. All references to “Account” in this Section 5.1(b) shall refer solely to the portion of a Participant’s Account, if any, that is the Post-2004 Sub-Account.

 

(1)                         Distributions of the Account shall be made (in the case of a lump sum) or commence (in the case of installments) on the first day of the first calendar month that commences after the six (6) month anniversary of the Participant’s Separation from Service.  Unless otherwise specified pursuant

 

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to Section 5.3, distributions shall be in the form of a single lump sum payment.  For purposes of this Section 5.1(b), “Separation from Service” shall mean a termination of employment upon which a Participant ceases performing services for all entities within the Controlled Group.  Notwithstanding, a Separation from Service shall also include a reduction in a Participant’s rate of services to any such entity that is reasonably anticipated to be a permanent reduction to a rate that is 20 percent or less of the average rate of services performed by the Participant in the 36 months prior to such reduction.  If a Participant ceases or reduces services under a bona fide leave of absence, a Separation from Service occurs after the close of the 6-month anniversary of such leave; provided, however, that if the Participant has a statutory or contractual right to reemployment, the Separation from Service shall be delayed until the date that the Participant’s right ceases or, if the Participant resumes services, until the Participant subsequently Separates from Service.  For purposes of determining whether a Participant has a Separation from Service, services taken into account shall include services performed for the Company as an independent contractor but not services performed as a non-employee member of the board of directors of any entity within the Controlled Group.  Determination of whether a Separation from Service occurs shall be made in a manner that is consistent with Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(h).

 

(2)                         In the event of a Participant’s death prior to the full distribution of his or her Account, the undistributed Account shall be distributed to the Participant’s Beneficiary within 90 days of the Participant’s death.

 

(3)                         The Committee retains sole discretion to determine whether and to what extent all or any portion of an Account may be payable on account of an Unforeseeable Financial Emergency.  If the Committee determines that such distribution shall be made, payment shall be made within 30 days of the determination of Unforeseeable Financial Emergency and the Committee may, in its discretion, determine how any partial distribution of the Account shall be allocated among the hypothetical Investment options applicable to such Account.

 

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(4)                         Payment Dates.  If a payment is due on a nonbusiness day or a federal or state holiday, such payment shall be due on the next succeeding business day.

 

5.2                               NOTICE OF ACCOUNT PAYMENT AND COMMENCEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION FOR PRE-2005 SUB-ACCOUNTS

 

The Committee or its appointed representative shall notify a Participant or Beneficiary, as the case may be, as soon as practicable after the first day of the month next following the date on which the Pre-2005 Sub-Account becomes distributable, that he or she is entitled to receive payment from the Pre-2005 Sub-Account, the balance of which shall be computed as of the close of business on the last day of the month in which the Pre-2005 Sub-Account becomes distributable.  Distribution of Pre-2005 Sub-Account balances shall commence as soon as practicable after the first day of the month next following the date on which the Pre-2005 Sub-Account becomes distributable.

 

5.3                               FORM OF PAYMENT

 

(a)                     Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Section 5.3 and Article VIII hereof, payments of Account balances to a Participant shall be in the form of one lump sum payment or annual cash installment payments over a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 years, at the election of the Participant.  The provisions of this Section 5.3 apply separately to the Pre-2005 Sub-Account and the Post-2004 Sub-Account and, accordingly, different forms of payments may be made from each such sub-account.

 

(b)                     The amount of each annual installment payable to a Participant who has elected to receive installment payments shall be as follows:  The first annual installment payment shall, for a Participant who has elected to receive installment payments commencing upon his or her Separation from Service, be computed as of the close of business on the last day of the month in which the Account becomes distributable, and the amount of such payment shall equal his or her Account balance as of such date, divided by the number of installments including the one being paid.  The first annual installment payment shall, for a Participant who has

 

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elected to receive installment payments commencing in one of the first through fifth years after Separation from Service, be computed as of the close of the first business day of the year preceding the year in which the Account balance becomes distributable, and the amount of such payment shall equal his or her Account balance as of such date, divided by the number of installments including the one being paid.  Each subsequent installment payment shall be computed as of the close of the last business day of the year thereafter, and the amount of each subsequent payment shall equal his or her remaining Account balance, divided by the number of remaining installments including the one being paid.  Investment gains or losses and other adjustments shall continue with respect to the entire unpaid Account balance, as provided in Section 4.3.

 

(c)                      In the event of a Participant’s death prior to distribution of his or her entire Account balance, the remaining Account balance shall be paid in a lump sum to the Participant’s Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, subject to Sections 5.1(a)(5) and 5.1(b)(2).

 

(d)                     Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) above, if the Account balance is $5,000 or less on any date a payment is to be made to a Participant, the payment shall be the remaining unpaid Account balance.

 

5.4                               DISTRIBUTION ELECTION

 

(a)                     Each Participant shall elect his or her desired form of payment, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, at the time of his or her initial participation election set forth in Section 2.1.

 

(b)                     This Section 5.4(b) shall apply solely with respect to Pre-2005 Sub-Accounts.  Except for distribution elections under Section 5.1(a)(3) and (4), each Participant may from time to time revise the terms of distribution of the Participants Accounts, in accordance with the procedures established by the Committee, provided that (i) the revised notice of the desired form of payment shall be made by the Participant no less than twelve months prior to the date on which payment is to commence, but in any event no later than the day before the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service and (ii) in any event, distribution of the Participant’s Account shall not

 

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commence earlier than twelve months after the Participant’s revised notice of the desired form of payment is made.

 

(c)                      This Section 5.4(c) shall apply solely with respect to Post-2004 Sub-Accounts.  Installments shall be paid only if a Participant filed an irrevocable election to receive installment payments in a manner acceptable to the Committee on or before the later of December 31, 2008, or the date of the Participant’s initial election to defer base salary or Incentive under the Plan.  Installment payments shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments for purposes of Code Section 409A.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

6.1                               GENERAL ADMINISTRATION; RIGHTS AND DUTIES

 

The Board shall appoint the Committee, which, subject to the express limitations of the Plan, shall be charged with the general administration of the Plan on behalf of the Participants.  The Committee shall also be responsible for carrying out its provisions, and shall have all powers necessary to accomplish those purposes, including, but not by way of limitation, the following:

 

(a)                 To construe and interpret the Plan;

 

(b)                 To compute the amount of benefits payable to Participants;

 

(c)                  To authorize all disbursements by the Company of Account balances pursuant to the Plan;

 

(d)                 To maintain all the necessary records for the administration of the Plan;

 

(e)                  To make and publish rules for administration and interpretation of the Plan and the transaction of its business;

 

(f)                   To make available to each Participant the current value of his or her Account;

 

(g)                  To delegate the administration of the Plan in accordance with its terms to officers or employees of the Company, of Allstate Insurance Company or of an independent consultant retained by the Committee who the Committee believes

 

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to be reliable and competent.  The Committee may authorize officers or employees of the Company or of Allstate Insurance Company to whom it has delegated duties under the Plan to appoint other persons to assist the delegate in administering the Plan; and

 

(h)                 To refuse to accept the deferral of amounts the Committee or its delegate considers too small to be administratively feasible.

 

The determination of the Committee as to any disputed question or controversy shall be conclusive.

 

6.2                               CLAIMS PROCEDURES

 

Each Participant or Beneficiary (for purposes of this Section 6.2. referred to as a “Claimant”) may submit a claim for benefits to the Committee (or other person designated by the Committee) in writing in such form as is permitted by the Committee.  A Claimant shall have no right to seek review of a denial of benefits, or to bring any action in any court to enforce a claim for benefits, prior to his filing a claim for benefits and exhausting his rights to review in accordance with this Section 6.2.

 

A properly filed claim for benefits shall be evaluated and the Claimant shall be notified in writing of the approval or the denial within ninety (90) days after the receipt of such claim unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim.  If such an extension of time is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the termination of the initial ninety (90) day period, and such notice shall specify the special circumstances requiring an extension and the date by which a final decision will be reached (which date shall not be later than one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date on which the claim was filed).  Written notice to a Claimant shall advise whether the claim is granted or denied, in whole or in part, and if denied, shall contain (1) the specific reasons for the denial, (2) references to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, (3) a description of any additional material or information necessary to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and (4) the Claimant’s rights to seek a review of the denial.

 

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If a claim is denied, in whole or in part, the Claimant shall have the right to request that the Committee (or person designated by the Committee) review the denial, provided that he files a written request for review with the Committee within sixty (60) days after the date on which he received written notice of the denial.  A Claimant (or his duly authorized representative) may review pertinent documents and submit issues and comments in writing to the Committee.  Within sixty (60) days after a request for review is received, the review shall be made and the Claimant shall be advised in writing of the decision on review, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the review, in which case the Claimant shall, within such initial sixty (60) day period, be given a written notice specifying the reasons for the extension and when such review shall be completed (provided that such review shall be completed within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the date on which the request for review was filed).  The decision on review shall be forwarded to the Claimant in writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision and references to Plan provisions upon which the decision is based.  A decision on review shall be final and binding on all persons for all purposes.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

PLAN AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

 

7.1                               AMENDMENTS

 

The Company shall have the right to amend this Plan from time to time by resolutions of the Board or by the Committee, and to amend or rescind any such amendments; provided, however, that no action under this Section 7.1 shall in any way reduce the amount of Compensation deferred or reduce the value of any Account.  All amendments shall be in writing and shall be effective as provided subject to the limitations in this Section 7.1.

 

7.2                               TERMINATION OF PLAN

 

The Company expects that the Plan will continue indefinitely but continuance of the Plan is not a contractual or other obligation of the Company.  The Company reserves its right to discontinue the Plan at any time by resolution of the Board; however, no such action shall reduce the value of an Account or result in a distribution that does not conform to the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

8.1                               NOTIFICATION TO COMMITTEE

 

Any election made or notification given by a Participant pursuant to this Plan shall be made in accordance with procedures established by the Committee or its designated representative, and shall be deemed to have been made or given on the date received by the Committee or such representative.

 

8.2                               PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT

 

Participation in this Plan shall not give any Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company, Allstate Insurance Company of any member of the Controlled Group, or any other right or interest other than as herein provided.  No Participant or Employee shall have any right to any payment or benefit except to the extent provided in this Plan.

 

8.3                               STATUS OF PARTICIPANTS

 

This Plan shall create only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company and shall not be construed as creating a trust or other fiduciary relationship with Participants.  Participants will have only the rights of general unsecured creditors of the Company with respect to Compensation deferred and investment gains and losses credited to their Accounts.

 

8.4                               BENEFICIARIES AND CONTINGENT BENEFICIARIES

 

(a)                                 Beneficiary Designation.  Each Participant shall, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, designate one or more persons or entities (including a trust or trusts or his or her estate) to receive distribution of his or her Account that are not distributed prior to the Participant’s death.  The Participant may also designate a person or persons as a Contingent Beneficiary who shall succeed to the rights of the person or persons originally designated as Beneficiary, in case the latter should die.  The Participant may from time to time change any

 

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designation of Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary so made, by submitting a new designation in accordance with procedures established by the Committee.  The last valid designation made by a Participant under the Plan, in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, shall be controlling.

 

(b)                                 Spousal Consent Required.  In the event a Participant designates a person other than his or her spouse as Beneficiary of any interests under this Plan, the Participant’s spouse shall sign a notarized statement specifically approving such designation and authorizing the Committee to make payment of such interests in the manner provided in such designation.  In the absence of such designation by the Participant, or in the absence of spousal approval and authorization as herein above provided, or in the event of the death, prior to or simultaneous with the death of the Participant, of all Beneficiaries or Contingent Beneficiaries, as the case may be, to whom payments were to be made pursuant to a designation by the Participant, such payments or any balance thereof shall be paid to the Participant’s spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, to the Participant’s estate, or, if there is no estate, according to the Illinois laws of descent and distribution.

 

(c)                                  Death of Beneficiary.  In the event of the death, subsequent to the death of the Participant, of a Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary, as the case may be, to whom such payments were to be made or were being made pursuant to a designation under this section, such payments or any balance thereof shall be paid to the estate of such Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary.

 

8.5                               TAXES AND OTHER CHARGES

 

To the extent permitted by law, if the whole or any part of a Participant’s Account shall become the subject of any federal, state or local tax which the Company shall legally be required to withhold or pay, the Company shall reduce an Account with respect to such tax paid.

 

8.6                               BENEFITS NOT ASSIGNABLE; OBLIGATIONS BINDING UPON SUCCESSORS

 

Before a Participant’s Account becomes distributable, benefits under this Plan and rights to receive the amounts credited to the Account of a Participant shall not be assignable or transferable and any purported transfer, assignment, pledge or other encumbrance or

 

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attachment of any payments or benefits under this Plan shall not be permitted or recognized.  Obligations of the Company under this Plan shall be binding upon successors of the Company.

 

8.7                               ILLINOIS LAW GOVERNS; SAVING CLAUSE

 

The validity of this Plan or any of its provisions shall be construed and governed in all respects under and by the laws of the State of Illinois.  If any provisions of this Plan shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be fully effective.

 

8.8                               HEADINGS NOT PART OF PLAN

 

Headings and subheadings in this Plan are inserted for reference only, and are not to be considered in the construction of the provisions hereof.

 

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