UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 20549
Schedule
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed
by
the registrant x
Filed
by
a party other than the registrant ¨
Check
the
appropriate box:
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¨
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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¨
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Confidential,
For Use of the Commission
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Only
(as
permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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x
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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¨
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Definitive Additional
Materials |
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¨
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Soliciting Material Under Section
240.14a-12 |
Iconix
Brand Group, Inc.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Name
of
Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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¨
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules
14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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(1)
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies: |
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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(2)
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
applies: |
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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(3)
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Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is
calculated and state how it was
determined):
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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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(4) |
Proposed
maximum aggregate value of
transaction:
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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Fee paid previously with preliminary
materials. |
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided
by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and
identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.
Identify the previous |
filing
by
registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its
filing.
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(1)
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Amount
previously paid:
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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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(2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ICONIX
BRAND GROUP, INC.
1450
Broadway
New
York, New York 10018
April
4,
2008
Dear
Fellow Stockholders:
You
are
cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders which will be
held on Thursday, May 15, 2008, at 10:00 A.M., at the offices of Iconix Brand
Group, Inc., 1450 Broadway, New York, New York 10018.
The
Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, which follow, describe the
business to be conducted at the meeting.
Whether
or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, it is important that your
shares be represented and voted. After reading the enclosed Notice of Annual
Meeting and Proxy Statement, please complete, sign, date and return your proxy
card in the envelope provided. If the address on the accompanying material
is
incorrect, please advise our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, in writing, at 17 Battery Place, New York, New York
10004.
Your
vote
is very important, and we will appreciate a prompt return of your signed proxy
card. We hope to see you at the meeting.
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Cordially, |
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Neil
Cole
Chairman
of the Board,
President
and
Chief
Executive Officer
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ICONIX
BRAND GROUP, INC.
1450
Broadway
New
York, New York 10018
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON MAY 15, 2008
To
the
Stockholders of ICONIX BRAND GROUP, INC.:
NOTICE
IS
HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Iconix Brand Group,
Inc.
(the “Company” or “Iconix”) will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2008, at 10:00
A.M. at the Company’s offices at 1450 Broadway, New York, New York 10018, for
the following purposes:
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1.
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To
elect seven directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting
of
Stockholders and until their respective successors have been duly
elected
and qualified;
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2.
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To
consider and vote upon a proposal to approve an amendment to the
Company’s
2006 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common
stock that the Company has authority to issue under the plan by 1.5
million shares;
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3.
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To
consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Company’s Executive
Incentive Bonus Plan;
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4.
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To
ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December
31,
2008; and
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5.
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To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or
any adjournment or adjournments
thereof.
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Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on March 26, 2008 are entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders or any
adjournments thereof.
Important
Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders
Meeting to be held on May 15, 2008: Iconix’s 2008 Proxy Statement and Annual
Report to Stockholders, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2007, are available at www.
iconixbrand.com/proxymaterials.html.
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By Order of the Board of
Directors, |
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Neil
Cole
Chairman
of the Board, President
and
Chief Executive Officer
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April
4,
2008
IF
YOU DO NOT
EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING:
PLEASE
FILL IN, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED
FOR THAT PURPOSE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE
PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO EXERCISE, AND IF YOU ARE PRESENT
AT
THE MEETING YOU MAY, IF YOU WISH, REVOKE YOUR PROXY AT THAT TIME AND EXERCISE
THE RIGHT TO VOTE YOUR SHARES PERSONALLY.
PROXY
STATEMENT
ICONIX
BRAND GROUP, INC.
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON MAY 15, 2008
This
proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
by
the Board of Directors of ICONIX BRAND GROUP, INC. (the “Company”, “Iconix”,
“we”, “us” or “our”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual
Meeting”) to be held on May 15, 2008, including any adjournment or adjournments
thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of
Meeting.
Management
intends to mail this proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy to
stockholders on or about April 7, 2008.
Proxies
in the accompanying form, duly executed and returned to the management of the
Company and not revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting. Any proxy given
pursuant to such solicitation may be revoked by the stockholder at any time
prior to the voting of the proxy by a subsequently dated proxy, by written
notification to the Secretary of the Company, or by personally withdrawing
the
proxy at the meeting and voting in person.
The
address and telephone number of the principal executive offices of the Company
are:
1450
Broadway
New
York,
New York 10018
Telephone
No.: (212) 730-0030
OUTSTANDING
STOCK AND VOTING RIGHTS
Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on March 26, 2008 (the “Record
Date”) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the
Record Date, there were issued and outstanding 57,643,175 shares of the
Company’s common stock, $.001 par value per share (the “common stock”), the
Company’s only class of voting securities. Each share of common stock entitles
the holder to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at the Annual
Meeting.
VOTING
PROCEDURES
The
directors will be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality
of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at
the
Annual Meeting, provided a quorum is present. Therefore, the seven nominees
receiving the greatest number of votes cast at the meeting will be elected
as
directors of the Company. All other matters to be voted upon at the Annual
Meeting will be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of
the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the
Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, provided a quorum is present.
A quorum is present if at least a majority of the shares of common stock
outstanding as of the Record Date are present in person or represented by proxy
at the Annual Meeting. Votes will be counted and certified by one or more
Inspectors of Election who are expected to be one or more employees of the
Company’s transfer agent. In accordance with Delaware law, abstentions and
“broker non-votes” (i.e.,
proxies
from brokers or nominees indicating that such persons have not received
instructions from the beneficial owner or other person entitled to vote shares
as to a matter with respect to which the brokers or nominees do not have
discretionary power to vote) will be treated as present for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum. For purposes of determining approval
of a
matter presented at the meeting, abstentions will be deemed present and entitled
to vote and will, therefore, have the same legal effect as a vote “against” a
matter presented at the meeting. Broker non-votes will be deemed not entitled
to
vote on the subject matter as to which the non-vote is indicated and will,
therefore, have no legal effect on the vote on that particular matter.
Proxies
will be voted in accordance with the instructions thereon. Unless otherwise
stated, all shares represented by a proxy will be voted as instructed. Proxies
may be revoked as noted above.
PROPOSAL
I
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
At
the
Annual Meeting, seven directors will be elected to hold office for a term
expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2009. Each director
will be elected to serve until a successor is elected and qualified or until
the
director’s earlier resignation or removal.
At
the
Annual Meeting, proxies granted by stockholders will be voted individually
for
the election, as directors of the Company, of the persons listed below, unless
a
proxy specifies that it is not to be voted in favor of a nominee for director.
This is the first opportunity for the stockholders to elect Mr. Marcum since
his
appointment to our Board of Directors in October 2007. Mr. Marcum was originally
recommended to the nominating/governance committee of our Board by Mr. F. Peter
Cuneo, a director of the Company. In the event any of the nominees listed below
is unable to serve, it is intended that the proxy will be voted for such other
nominees as are designated by the Board of Directors. Each of the persons named
below is presently a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and has
indicated to the Board that he will be available to serve.
Name
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Age
|
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Position
with the Company
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Neil
Cole
|
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51
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Chairman
of the Board,
President
and Chief Executive Officer
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Barry
Emanuel
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66
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Director
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Steven
Mendelow
|
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65
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Director
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Drew
Cohen
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39
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Director
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F.
Peter Cuneo
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64
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Director
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Mark
Friedman
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44
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Director
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James
A. Marcum
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48
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Director
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Neil
Cole has
served as Chairman of our Board of Directors and as our Chief Executive Officer
and President since our public offering in February 1993. In addition, from
February through April 1992, Mr. Cole served as our Acting President and as
a
member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Cole also served as Chairman of the Board,
President, Treasurer and a Director of New Retail Concepts, Inc., the company
from which we acquired the Candie’s® trademark in 1993, from its inception in
April 1986 until it was merged with and into us in August 1998. In 2001, Mr.
Cole founded The Candie’s Foundation for the purpose of educating teenagers as
to the risks and consequences of teen pregnancy. In April 2003, Mr. Cole,
without admitting or denying the allegations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”), consented to the entry by the SEC of an administrative order
in which he agreed to cease and desist from violating or causing any violations
or future violation of certain books and records and periodic reporting
provisions and the anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
(the “Exchange Act”). Mr. Cole also paid a $75,000 civil monetary fine. Mr. Cole
received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University
of Florida in 1978 and his Juris Doctor degree from Hofstra Law School in
1982.
Barry
Emanuel
has
served on our Board of Directors since May 1993. For more than the past five
years, Mr. Emanuel has served as president of Copen Associates, Inc., a textile
manufacturer located in New York, New York. Mr. Emanuel was a director of New
Retail Concepts, Inc. from 1992 until its merger with us in 1998. He received
his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rhode Island in
1962.
Steven
Mendelow
has
served on our Board of Directors since December 1999. He has been a principal
with the accounting firm of Konigsberg Wolf & Co. and its predecessor, which
is located in New York, New York, since 1972. Mr. Mendelow was a director of
New
Retail Concepts, Inc. from 1992 until its merger with us in 1998. He also serves
as a director of several privately-held companies. He is a trustee of The
Washington Institute for Near East Studies and actively involved with the
Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation and the Foundation for Fighting
Blindness. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration
from Bucknell University in 1964 where he was elected to Delta Mu Delta, the
national Business Administration Honor Society.
Drew
Cohen
has
served on our Board of Directors since April 2004. He is the President of Music
Theatre International, which represents the dramatic performing rights of
classic properties, such as “West Side Story” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” and
licenses over 50,000 performances a year around the world. Before joining Music
Theatre International in September 2002, Mr. Cohen was, from July 2001, the
Director of Investments for Big Wave NV, an investment management company,
and,
prior to that, General Manager for GlassNote Records, an independent record
company. Mr. Cohen received a Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts University
in 1990, his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham Law School in 1993, and a Masters
degree in business administration from Harvard Business School in
2001.
F.
Peter Cuneo
has
served on our Board of Directors since October 2006. He has served as the Vice
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., a publicly
traded entertainment company active in motion pictures, television, publishing,
licensing and toys, since June 2003, and prior thereto, he served as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Marvel Entertainment from July 1999
to
December 2002. Mr. Cuneo has also served as the Chairman of
Cuneo & Co., L.L.C., a private investment firm, since July 1997 and
previously served on the Board of Directors of WaterPik Technologies, Inc.,
a
New York Stock Exchange company engaged in designing, manufacturing and
marketing health care products, swimming pool products and water-heating
systems, prior to its sale in 2006. Mr. Cuneo currently serves as the
Chairman of the Alfred University Board of Trustees, and he received a Bachelor
of Science degree from Alfred University in 1967 and a Masters degree in
business administration from Harvard Business School in 1973.
Mark
Friedman
has
served on our Board of Directors since October 2006. He has been the Managing
Partner of Trilea Partners LLC, an investment and consulting firm, since May
2006. From July 1996 to May 2006, he was with Merrill Lynch, where he served
in
various capacities including, most recently, as group head of its U.S. equity
research retail team where he specialized in analyzing and evaluating specialty
retailers in the apparel, accessory and home goods segments. From June 1995
to
July 1996, he specialized in similar services for Lehman Brothers Inc. and
from
August 1990 to June 1995 in a similar capacity with Goldman, Sachs &
Co. Mr. Friedman has been ranked on the Institutional Investor All-American
Research Team as one of the top-rated sector analysts. He received a Bachelor
of
Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan in 1986 and
a
Masters degree in business administration from The Wharton School, University
of
Pennsylvania in 1990.
James
A. Marcum
has
served on our Board of Directors since October 2007. He is an Operating Partner
and has served as an Operating Executive of Tri-Artisan Capital Partners, LLC,
a
merchant banking firm, since January 2004. In addition, since April 2007, Mr.
Marcum has been a principal shareholder and has served as the Chairman and
Chief
Strategic Officer of Enabl-u Technologies Corp., an early stage interactive
training and data management solutions provider. From January 2005 to January
2006, he served in various capacities, including Chief Executive Officer and
Director of Ultimate Electronics, Inc., a consumer electronics retailer
specializing in home and car entertainment. From May 2001 to July 2003, he
served as an Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Executive
Vice President of Operations of Hollywood Entertainment Corporation, a video
home entertainment specialty retailer. Prior thereto, Mr. Marcum was recruited
by private equity investors to serve in such roles as Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer of Lids, Inc., a specialty retailer of hats, and
Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of State Stores, Inc., a specialty
retailer bringing branded apparel to small town America. Mr. Marcum has also
served in senior executive capacities at Melville Corporation, a conglomerate
of
specialty retail chains in the apparel, footwear, drug, health and beauty aids
and furniture and accessories sectors. He received a Bachelors degree from
Southern Connecticut State University in accounting and economics in
1980.
Board
Independence
Our
Board
of Directors has determined that Messrs. Cohen, Cuneo, Emanuel, Friedman, Marcum
and Mendelow are each an “independent director” under the Marketplace Rules of
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”).
Board
Attendance at Stockholder Meetings
Members
of the Board are encouraged to attend Annual Meetings of Stockholders. All
six
of our then Board members attended last year’s Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
Communications
with the Board of Directors
Our
Board
of Directors, through its nominating/governance committee, has established
a
process for stockholders to send communications to the Board of Directors.
Stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors individually or as
a
group by writing to: The Board of Directors of Iconix Brand Group, Inc. c/o
Corporate Secretary, 1450 Broadway, New York, NY 10018. Stockholders should
identify their communication as being from a stockholder of the Company. The
Corporate Secretary may require reasonable evidence that the communication
or
other submission is made by a stockholder of the Company before transmitting
the
communication to the Board of Directors.
Consideration
of Director Nominees by the Board
Stockholders
of the Company wishing to recommend director candidates to the
nominating/governance committee for election to our Board of Directors at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2009 must submit their
recommendations in writing to the nominating/governance committee, c/o Corporate
Secretary, Iconix Brand Group, Inc., 1450 Broadway, New York, NY
10018.
The
nominating/governance committee will consider nominees recommended by the
Company’s stockholders provided that the recommendation contains sufficient
information for the nominating/governance committee to assess the suitability
of
the candidate, including the candidate’s qualifications, name, age, business and
residence addresses. Candidates recommended by stockholders that comply with
these procedures will receive the same consideration that candidates recommended
by the committee receive. The recommendations must also state the name and
record address of the stockholder who is submitting the recommendation and
the
class and number of shares of the Company’s common stock beneficially owned by
the stockholder. In addition, it must include information regarding the
recommended candidate relevant to a determination of whether the recommended
candidate would be barred from being considered independent under NASDAQ
Marketplace Rule 4200, or, alternatively, a statement that the recommended
candidate would not be so barred. Each nomination is also required to set forth
a representation that the stockholder making the nomination is a holder of
record of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and
intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to vote for the person
or
persons nominated; a description of all arrangements and understandings between
the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such
person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination was made by the stockholder;
such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder
as
would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the
proxy rules of the SEC had the nominee been nominated by the Board of Directors;
and the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so
elected. A nomination which does not comply with the above requirements or
that
is not received by the deadline referred to below in “Deadline and Procedures
for Submitting Director Nominations” will not be considered.
The
qualities and skills sought in prospective members of the Board are determined
by the nominating/governance committee. The nominating/governance committee
generally requires that director candidates be qualified individuals who, if
added to the Board, would provide the mix of director characteristics,
experience, perspectives and skills appropriate for the Company. Criteria for
selection of candidates will include, but not be limited to: (i) business and
financial acumen, as determined by the committee in its discretion, (ii)
qualities reflecting a proven record of accomplishment and ability to work
with
others, (iii) knowledge of our industry, (iv) relevant experience and knowledge
of corporate governance practices, and (v) expertise in an area relevant to
the
Company. Such persons should not have commitments that would conflict with
the
time commitments of a director of the Company.
Deadline
and Procedures for Submitting Director Nominations
A
stockholder wishing to nominate a candidate for election to our Board of
Directors at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2009 is required
to give written notice containing the required information specified above
addressed to the nominating/governance committee, c/o Secretary of the Company,
Iconix Brand Group, Inc., 1450 Broadway, New York, NY 10018 of his or her
intention to make such a nomination. The notice of nomination and other required
information must be received by our corporate Secretary not less than 50 nor
more than 75 days prior to the meeting unless less than 65 days notice or prior
public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders,
in which case the notice and other required information must be received not
later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which
the notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or other public disclosure
of
the date of the meeting was made.
Corporate
Governance Policies
We
have
adopted a written code of business conduct that applies to our officers,
directors and employees, responsive to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of
2002 and the rules of the SEC. In addition, we have established an ethics web
site at www.ethicspoint.com.
To
assist individuals in upholding the code of conduct and to facilitate reporting,
we have established an on-line anonymous and confidential reporting mechanism
that is hosted at www.ethicspoint.com,
and an
anonymous and confidential telephone hotline at 800-963-5864. Copies of our
code
of business conduct are available, without charge, upon written request directed
to our corporate Secretary at Iconix Brand Group, Inc., 1450 Broadway, New
York,
NY 10018.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
Our bylaws
authorize the Board of Directors to appoint one or more committees, each
consisting of one or more directors. Our Board of Directors currently has
three standing committees: an audit committee, nominating/governance committee
and a compensation committee, each of which has adopted written charters and
which are currently available on our website. We are not incorporating any
of the information on our web site into this proxy statement. Each member of
the
audit committee, nominating/corporate governance committee and compensation
committee is, and is required to be, an “independent director” under the
Marketplace Rules of NASDAQ.
Audit
Committee
Our
audit
committee’s responsibilities include:
|
·
|
appointing,
replacing, overseeing and compensating the work of a firm to serve
as the
registered independent public accounting firm to audit our financial
statements;
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·
|
discussing
the scope and results of the audit with the independent registered
public
accounting firm and reviewing with management and the independent
registered public accounting firm our interim and year-end operating
results;
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·
|
considering
the adequacy of our internal accounting controls and audit procedures;
and
|
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·
|
approving
(or, as permitted, pre-approving) all audit and non-audit services
to be
performed by the independent registered public accounting
firm.
|
The
members of our audit committee are Messrs. Mendelow, Cuneo, Cohen and Marcum,
and Mr. Mendelow currently serves as its chairperson. In addition to being
an
“independent director” under the Marketplace Rules of NASDAQ, each member of the
audit committee is an independent director under applicable SEC rules under
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our Board of Directors has also determined
that
Mr. Mendelow is the “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined
under applicable SEC rules and NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, serving on the audit
committee.
Nominating/governance
committee
Our
nominating/governance committee's responsibilities include:
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·
|
identifying,
evaluating and recommending nominees to serve on the Board and committees
of the Board;
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|
·
|
conducting
searches for appropriate directors and evaluating the performance
of the
Board and of individual directors;
and
|
|
·
|
reviewing
developments in corporate governance practices, evaluating the adequacy
of
our corporate governance practices and reporting and making
recommendations to the Board concerning corporate governance
matters.
|
The
members of our nominating/governance committee are Messrs. Cohen, Emanuel,
Friedman and Marcum, and Mr. Cohen currently serves as its
chairperson.
Compensation
Committee
Our
compensation committee's responsibilities include:
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·
|
setting
the compensation and negotiating the employment arrangements for
the chief
executive officer;
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·
|
reviewing
and recommending approval of the compensation of our other executive
officers;
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·
|
administering
our stock option and stock incentive
plans;
|
|
·
|
reviewing
and making recommendations to the Board with respect to our overall
compensation objectives, policies and practices, including with respect
to
incentive compensation and equity plans;
and
|
|
·
|
evaluating
the chief executive officer's performance in light of corporate
objectives.
|
The
members of our compensation committee are Messrs. Mendelow, Cuneo, Emanuel
and
Friedman, and Mr. Friedman currently serves as its chairperson.
From
time
to time, management
provides to the compensation committee proposals concerning total compensation
for officers. The committee considers recommendations from our president and
chief executive officer regarding total compensation for such officers. The
committee also approves grants of equity awards to employees.
Under
its
charter, the compensation committee may form and delegate authority to
subcommittees or individuals, including, but not limited to, a subcommittee
composed of one or more members of the Board or an executive to grant and
administer stock, option and other equity awards under the Company’s equity
incentive plans.
The
compensation committee has not historically engaged consultants with respect
to
executive compensation matters. However, in 2007, the compensation committee
engaged an outside consulting firm, James F. Reda & Associates, LLC (“Reda
& Associates”), for advice in 2007 in connection with the negotiation of the
new employment agreement for our chief executive officer, which agreement was
entered into in January 2008. See Executive Compensation-Compensation Discussion
and Analysis- “2008 Compensation Changes - New Employment Agreement with our
Chief Executive Officer.”
Meetings
of the Board of Directors and its Committees during the Year Ended December
31,
2007
The
Board
of Directors held eight meetings (including eight executive sessions of the
independent Board members) during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007,
and
it also took action by unanimous written consent in lieu of meetings. In
addition, during fiscal 2007, the audit committee held five meetings, the
nominating/governance committee held four meetings and the compensation
committee held fifteen meetings. During the fiscal year ended December 31,
2007,
each of the Company’s directors attended at least seventy-five percent of the
aggregate of: (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors; and
(ii) the total number of meetings of all committees of the Board on which they
served.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our officers and
directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class
of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than 10% owners are
required by certain SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section
16(a) forms they file.
Based
solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, we believe
that during fiscal 2007, there was compliance with the filing requirements
applicable to our officers, directors and 10% common stockholders
Director
Compensation
Effective
May 1, 2007, the compensation committee determined that for each full year
of
service as a director of our company, each non-employee member of the Board
would receive a cash payment of $40,000, payable 50% on or about each January
1
and 50% on or about each July 1, and 4,000 restricted shares of common stock
vesting 100% on July 1 of each year. In addition, the compensation
committee determined that the audit committee chair would receive an annual
stipend of $15,000, and the chairs of the compensation committee and
nominating/governance committee would receive an annual stipend of $10,000,
each
payable each July 1. Since these resolutions went into effect on May 1, 2007,
for the year ended December 31, 2007, the compensation committee determined
that
the cash payments and number of restricted shares issued be pro-rated and be
paid upon and vest, respectively, on November 1, 2007.
The
following table sets forth compensation information for 2007 for each member
of
our Board of Directors who is not also an executive officer. An executive
officer who serves on our Board does not receive additional compensation for
serving on the Board. See Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based
Awards Table for disclosures related to our chairman of the board, president
and
chief executive officer, Neil Cole.
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash
($)
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)(1)(2)
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(2)
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
|
|
Change
in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Earnings
|
|
All
Other Compensation
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Barry
Emanuel
|
|
|
38,133
|
|
|
51,885
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
90,018
|
|
Steven
Mendelow
|
|
|
54,633
|
|
|
51,885
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
106,548
|
|
Drew
Cohen
|
|
|
49,633
|
|
|
51,885
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
101,518
|
|
F.
Peter Cuneo
|
|
|
39,633
|
|
|
197,722
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
237,355
|
|
Mark
Friedman
|
|
|
48,133
|
|
|
197,722
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
245,855
|
|
James
A. Marcum
|
|
|
9,205
|
|
|
13,889
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
23,094
|
|
|
(1)
|
Represents
the dollar amount recognized by us for financial statement purposes
for
fiscal 2007 in accordance with Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004),
Share-Based Payment
(“SFAS 123(R)”).
|
|
(2)
|
At
December 31, 2007 Messrs. Cuneo and Friedman each had 6,842 shares
of
restricted stock that had not vested. In addition, at December 31,
2007
our non-employee directors owned the following unexercised options
- Drew
Cohen 95,000; Barry Emanuel - 241,173: and Steven Mendelow -
200,250.
|
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
All
officers serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors. The Board elects
our
officers on an annual basis and our officers serve until their successors are
duly elected and qualified.
In
addition to Mr. Cole, our other executive officers their positions with us
and
certain other information with respect to these officers, as of the Record
Date,
are set forth below:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
David
Conn
|
|
40
|
|
Executive
Vice President
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
43
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
|
42
|
|
Senior
Vice President and General Counsel
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
45
|
|
Senior
Vice President, Business Affairs and Licensing
|
David
Conn
has
served as our Executive Vice President since rejoining us in May 2004. Prior
thereto, from June 2000 until May 2004, Mr. Conn was employed at Columbia House,
one of the world's largest licensees of content for music and film, where he
oversaw its internet business and was responsible for online advertising, sales
promotion and customer retention on the internet. During his tenure at Columbia
House, it grew to become one of the ten largest e-commerce sites on the
internet. Prior to that, Mr. Conn served as Vice President of Marketing for
us
from 1995 to 2000. Mr. Conn has also been active in the Direct Marketing
Association, serving on its ethics policy committee and, prior to joining us
in
1995, he held marketing positions with The Discovery Channel and CCM, a New
York
based marketing and promotion agency. Mr. Conn received his Bachelor of Arts
degree from Boston University in 1990.
Warren
Clamen
has
served as our Chief Financial Officer since joining us in March 2005. From
June
2000 until March 2005, Mr. Clamen served as Vice President of Finance for
Columbia House, and from December 1998 to June 2000, he was Vice President
of
Finance of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. Prior to that time, Mr. Clamen served
as
the Director, International Management for Biochem Pharma Inc., a company
located in Montreal, Canada that was acquired by Shire Pharmaceuticals Group
plc, and as a Senior Manager at Richter, Usher and Vineberg, an accounting
firm
also located in Montreal, Canada. Mr. Clamen is a certified public accountant
and a chartered accountant. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1986
and a Graduate Diploma in public accounting in 1988, each from McGill University
in Montreal.
Andrew
Tarshis
has
served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel since September 2006.
From July 2005, when he joined us in connection with our acquisition of the
Joe
Boxer brand, until September 2006, he served as our Senior Vice President,
Business Affairs and Associate Counsel. Prior to joining us, from May 2001
to
July 2005, Mr. Tarshis served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel
of
Windsong Allegiance Group, LLC, an apparel manufacturing, brand management
and
licensing company that owned the Joe Boxer, Hathaway, New Frontier and Como
Sport brands. From December 1998 to May 2001, he served as a general attorney
for Toys R Us, Inc. Mr. Tarshis received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the
University of Michigan in 1988 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University
of
Connecticut School of Law in 1992.
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
has
served as our Senior Vice President—Business Affairs and Licensing since
September 2006. Since joining us in December 1998, she served as Vice President
and General Counsel from December 1998 until November 1999, and then served
as
Senior Vice President and General Counsel until September 2006. Ms. Sorell
Stehr
has also been the Secretary since 1999 and on the Board of Directors of numerous
of our subsidiaries. From September 1996 to December 1998, Ms. Sorell Stehr
was Associate General Counsel with Nine West Group Inc., a women’s footwear
company, where Ms. Sorell Stehr was primarily responsible for overseeing legal
affairs relating to domestic and international contracts, intellectual property,
licensing, general corporate matters, litigation and claims. Prior to joining
Nine West Group, Ms. Sorell Stehr practiced law for nine years at private
law firms in New York City and Chicago in the areas of corporate law and
commercial litigation. Ms. Sorell Stehr received her A.B. in politics from
Princeton University in 1984 and her Juris Doctor degree from the Northwestern
University School of Law in 1987.
Executive
Compensation
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
Philosophy
and Objectives
Our
compensation philosophy is to offer our executive officers, including our named
executive officers, compensation that is fair, reasonable and competitive,
and
that meets our goals of attracting, retaining and motivating highly skilled
management personnel so that we can be in a position to achieve our financial,
operational and strategic objectives to create long-term value for our
stockholders. We seek to deliver fair, reasonable and competitive
compensation for our employees and executives, including our named
executive officers, by structuring compensation around one fundamental goal:
incentivizing our executives to build stockholder value over the long term.
Our
ability to attract, motivate and retain employees and executives with the
requisite skills and experience to develop, expand and execute business
opportunities for us is essential to our growth and success. We believe that
we
offer attractive career opportunities and challenges for our employees, but
remain mindful that the best talent will always have a choice as to where they
wish to pursue their careers, and fair and competitive compensation is an
important element of job satisfaction.
Our
compensation program includes short-term elements, such as annual base salary,
and in some cases, an annual incentive cash bonus, and long term elements such
as equity-based awards through grants of restricted stock, restricted stock
units and stock options. We believe that our compensation program contributes
to
our employees’ and named executive officers’ incentive to execute on our goals
and perform their job functions with excellence and integrity. We also take
into
account the roles played by each of our named executive officers and endeavor
to
individually customize their compensation packages to align the amount and
mix
of their compensation to their contributions to, and roles within, our
organization. The compensation package for our chief executive officer, Mr.
Neil Cole, differs from those of our other named executive officers in light
of
his distinct role and responsibilities within Iconix. As Mr. Cole makes
executive decisions that influence our direction and growth initiatives, his
total compensation is intended to be strongly aligned with objective financial
measures, including a bonus driven by a formula set forth in his employment
agreement based upon our performance.
We enter
into employment agreements with senior officers, including our named executive
officers, when the compensation committee determines that an employment
agreement is in order for us to obtain a degree of certainty as to an
executive’s continued employment in light of prevailing market conditions and
competition for the particular position held by the officer, or where the
compensation committee determines that an employment agreement is appropriate
to
attract an executive in light of market conditions, the prior experience of
the
executive or practices at our company with respect to other similarly situated
executives. Based on these and any other factors then deemed relevant, we have
entered into written employment agreements with Messrs. Neil Cole, David Conn,
Warren Clamen and Andrew Tarshis and Ms. Deborah Sorell Stehr. See “-
Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Plan-Based Awards Table - Employment
Agreements” for a description of these employment agreements and related
information. See also “2008 Compensation Changes—New Employment Agreement with
our Chief Executive Officer” for a description of a new employment agreement we
entered into in January 2008.
Forms
of Compensation Paid to Named Executive Officers During
2007
During
the last fiscal year, we provided our named executive officers with the
following forms of compensation:
Base
salary.
Base
salary represents amounts paid during the fiscal year to named executive
officers as direct guaranteed compensation under their employment agreements
for
their services to us.
Equity-based
awards.
Awards
of restricted stock units, shares of restricted stock and stock options are
made
under our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by our stockholders
in
August 2006, or under other our other option plans depending upon the
amount of equity to be granted under the respective plans. Shares of restricted
stock were issued subject to a vesting schedule and cannot be sold until and
to
the extent the shares have vested. In 2007, we awarded shares of restricted
stock to four of the named executive officers in connection with performance
based incentive awards. While we have not formally adopted any policies
with respect to cash versus equity components in the mix of executive
compensation, we feel that it is important to provide for a compensation mix
that allows for acquisition of a meaningful level of equity ownership by our
named executive officers in order to help align their interests with those
of
our stockholders.
Cash
bonuses.
Two of
our named executive officers in 2007 have a contractual right to receive a
cash
bonus, one based upon our performance, and the other a guaranteed
amount.
Perquisites
and other personal benefits.
During
2007, our named executive officers received, to varying degrees, a limited
amount of perquisites and other personal benefits that we paid on their behalf.
These included, among other things:
|
·
|
payments
of life insurance premiums; and
|
Objectives
of Our Compensation Program
The
compensation paid to our named executive officers is primarily structured into
two broad categories:
|
·
|
incentive
compensation, primarily in the form of equity-based awards under
our
various equity incentive and stock option plans; to a lesser degree,
certain of our named executive officers also have received cash
bonuses.
|
Our
overall compensation program with respect to our named executive officers is
designed to achieve the following objectives:
|
·
|
to
attract, retain and motivate highly qualified executives through
both
short-term and long-term incentives that reward company and individual
performance;
|
|
·
|
to
emphasize equity-based compensation to more closely align the interests
of
executives with those of our
stockholders;
|
|
·
|
to
support and encourage our financial growth and
development;
|
|
·
|
to
motivate our named executive officers to continually provide excellent
performance throughout the year;
|
|
·
|
to
ensure continuity of services of named executive officers so that
they
will contribute to, and be a part of, our long-term success;
and
|
|
·
|
to
manage fixed compensation costs through the use of performance and
equity-based compensation.
|
Determination
of Compensation for Named Executive Officers
Compensation
of chief executive officer.
During
2007, the compensation of Mr. Cole, our chairman, president and chief executive
officer was based on Mr. Cole’s employment agreement which expired on December
31, 2007 (the “prior employment agreement”) and the general principles of our
executive compensation program. In determining the salary and other forms of
compensation for Mr. Cole, the compensation committee took into consideration
Mr. Cole’s contribution to our growth over the past several years under his
leadership, and his substantial experience and performance in the industry
in general and with us in particular. The compensation committee also considered
the increased responsibilities of Mr. Cole as a result of our diversification
and substantial growth experienced by our company during his tenure. The
compensation committee believes that Mr. Cole’s compensation for 2007 as our
principal executive officer reflects our performance during 2007 and his
significant contributions to that performance.
On
January 28, 2008, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Cole,
effective as of January 1, 2008. See “2008 Compensation Changes - New Employment
Agreement with our Chief Executive Officer”.
Overall
compensation program.
Compensation of our executive officers, including the named executive officers,
has been determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to recommendations made
by the chief executive officer and the compensation committee, and in accordance
with the terms of the respective employment agreements of certain executive
officers in effect prior to the re-formation of the nominating/governance
committee on December 13, 2006. The compensation committee is responsible for,
among other things, reviewing and recommending approval of the compensation
of
our executive officers; administering our equity incentive and stock option
plans; reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with
respect to incentive compensation and equity incentive and stock option plans,
evaluating our chief executive officer’s performance in light of corporate
objectives, and setting our chief executive officer’s compensation based on the
achievement of corporate objectives.
With
respect to the named executive officers, their compensation is based upon what
we believe is a competitive base salary in view of our recent change of business
strategy and accelerated growth goals. In conjunction with our compensation
committee, we have assessed our total compensation program, and its components,
and believe that it operates well to serve both our goals and the current,
short-term and long-term compensation needs of the executive officers. It is
our
intention to implement, subject to stockholder approval, a more structured
bonus
program for all our employees in conformance with Section 162(m), including
our named executive officers based, in part, upon the achievement of
performance goals.
Compensation
amounts for named executive officers are determined according to the level
of
seniority and position of the named executive officer. Relatively greater
emphasis is typically placed on the equity-based components of compensation
so
as to put a greater portion of total pay based on company and individual
performance. We believe the combination of a competitive base compensation,
coupled with an opportunity to significantly enhance overall individual
compensation if individual and company performance warrant such enhancement,
yields an attractive compensation program that facilitates our recruitment
and
retention of talented executive personnel.
The
total
compensation amount for our named executive officers is also established
relative to officers at levels above and below them, which we believe rewards
them for increased levels of knowledge, experience and
responsibility.
Base
salary.
The base
salary of each of our named executive officers is fixed pursuant to the terms
of
their respective employment agreements with us and, when a contract is up for,
or otherwise considered for, renewal, upon a review of the executive’s
abilities, experience and performance, as well as a review of salaries for
executives in the marketplace for comparable positions at corporations which
either compete with us in its business or of comparable size and scope of
operations. The recommendations to the Board of Directors by the compensation
committee (or, prior to its re-formation, the nominating/governance committee)
with respect to base salary are based primarily on informal judgments reasonably
believed to be in our best interests. In determining the base salaries of
certain of our executives whose employment agreements were up for, or otherwise
considered for, renewal, the nominating/governance considered our performance
and growth plans. Base salaries are used to reward superior individual
performance of each named executive officer on a day-to-day basis during the
year, and to encourage them to perform at their highest levels. We also use
our
base salary as an incentive to attract top quality executives and other
management employees from other companies. Moreover, base salary (and increases
to base salary) are intended to recognize the overall experience, position
within our company, and expected contributions of each named executive officer
to us.
The
following were contractual increases in the base salaries of our named executive
officers from 2006 to 2007 as set forth on the table below:
Named
Executive Officer
|
|
2006
Base Salary
|
|
2007
Base Salary
|
|
Change
in Base Salary
|
|
Percentage
of 2006 Base Salary
|
|
Neil
Cole
|
|
$
|
550,000
|
|
$
|
600,000
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
David
Conn
|
|
|
275,000
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
|
275,000
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
|
|
275,000
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
|
220,000
|
|
|
230,000
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
Equity-based
awards.
We
currently make equity awards to our named executive officers pursuant to our
2006 Equity Incentive Plan, which provides for awards in the form of stock
options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, stock
units including restricted stock units, and performance awards to eligible
persons. The mix of cash and equity-based awards, as well as the types of
equity-based awards, granted to our named executive officers varies from year
to
year. Consideration has been given to various factors, such as the relative
merits of cash and equity as a device for retaining and motivating the named
executive officers, the practices of other companies, individual performance,
an
individual’s pay relative to others, contractual commitments pursuant to
employment or other agreements, and the value of already-outstanding grants
of
equity in determining the size and type of equity-based awards to each named
executive officer.
All
equity-based compensation we issued to our named executive officers in 2006
took
the form of restricted stock and stock option grants. In prior years, we
typically placed particular emphasis on the grant of stock options. In 2007,
we
continued to utilize restricted stock as a form of equity
compensation primarily because of the increased stock-based compensation
expense associated with stock options and similar instruments under SFAS 123(R).
This accounting standard, which we adopted as of January 1, 2006, requires
us to
record as compensation expense the grant date fair value of a stock option
over
the life of the option.
As
described above, we provide a substantial portion of named executive officer
compensation in the form of equity awards because the compensation committee
(and its predecessor, the nominating/governance committee) has determined that
such awards serve to encourage our executives to create value for our company
over the long-term, which aligns the interests of named executive officers
with
those of our stockholders.
Generally,
we make three types of equity-based grants to our named executive
officers:
·
|
initial
grants when a named executive officer is
hired;
|
·
|
annual
performance based grants; and
|
·
|
retention
grants, which are typically made in connection with employment agreement
renewals.
|
An
initial grant when an executive officer is hired or otherwise becomes a named
executive officer serves to help us to recruit new executives and to reward
existing officers upon promotion to higher levels of management. Because these
initial grants are structured as an incentive for employment, the amount of
these grants may vary from executive to executive depending on the particular
circumstances of the named executive officer and are usually recommended by
the
chief executive officer and approved by the appropriate committee. While initial
grants of equity awards have been made in prior years, no initial grants were
awarded to any of our named executive officers in 2006. Annual, time-vested
grants of equity awards, as well as retention grants made in connection with
renewals of employment agreements are designed so as to compensate our named
executive officers for their contributions to our long-term
performance.
Generally,
restricted stock and stock option awards granted to named executive officers
as
either initial or annual performance grants or in connection with employment
agreement renewals vest in equal installments over the term of the agreement,
or a period determined by the nominating/governance committee or
compensation committee, typically beginning on the first anniversary of the
date
of grant. Restricted stock grants for 2007 were as follows: David Conn 4,967,
Warren Clamen - 4,967, Andrew Tarshis 4,967, and Deborah Sorell Stehr 3,725
shares vesting over an 18-month period. The vesting date of a portion for each
of Mr. Conn’s, Mr. Clamen’s, Mr. Tarshis’s, and Ms. Sorell Stehr’s
shares was changed to vest simultaneously on January 1,
2008.
Cash
bonuses.
To the
extent not covered by employment agreements with our executive officers,
the compensation committee determines bonuses for our executive officers
based on our overall performance, profitability, and other qualitative and
quantitative measurements, including individual performance goals relating
to
our budget and financial objectives. In determining the amount of bonuses
awarded, the compensation committee considers our revenues and profitability
for
the applicable period and each executive’s contribution to our success. Our
chairman, president and chief executive officer has received a bonus for 2007
of
$649,000, and one named executive officer received a $25,000 bonus,
pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with
us.
Post-termination
compensation.
We have
entered into employment agreements with each of the named executive officers.
Each of these agreements provides for certain payments and other benefits if
the
executive’s employment terminates under certain circumstances, including, in the
event of a “change in control”. See “Executive Compensation - Narrative to
Summary Compensation Table and Plan-Based Awards Table - Employment Agreements"
and “Executive Compensation - Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change
in Control” for a description of the severance and change in control
benefits.
Perquisites.
The
perquisites provided to some or all of our executive officers are described
below. Perquisites are generally provided, as applicable, in accordance with
the
executives’ employment agreements. Below is a list of material perquisites,
personal benefits and other items of compensation we provided to our named
executive officers in 2007, the total amount of each such item paid to all
named
executive officers and an explanation as to why we chose to pay the
item.
Perquisite,
Other Benefit or Other Item of Compensation (1)
|
|
Aggregate
Amount of This Perquisite Paid to All Named Executive Officers in
2007
|
|
Additional
Explanation for
Offering
Certain Perquisites
|
|
Car
allowances
|
|
$
|
98,279
|
|
|
Serves
to defray the cost of owning and operating an automobile predominantly
used for business purposes; prevents us from having to own and maintain
a
fleet of automobiles and is a taxable benefit for the named executive
officer.
|
|
Life
insurance premiums
|
|
$
|
21,420
|
|
|
Reduces
risk to the beneficiaries of executives in the event of the death
of the
executive.
|
|
(1) Perquisites
are generally granted as part of our executive recruitment and retention
efforts.
Other
matters.
The
compensation committee has not historically engaged consultants with respect
to
executive compensation matters. However, in 2007, the compensation committee
engaged an outside consulting firm, Reda & Associates for advice in 2007 in
connection with the negotiation of the new employment agreement for our chief
executive officer, which agreement was entered into in January 2008. See “2008
Compensation Changes - New Employment Agreement with our Chief Executive
Officer”. Reda & Associates has provided no other services to Iconix and has
no other relationship or engagement with Iconix. The Board of Directors has
not
established a policy for the adjustment of any compensation award or payment
if
the relevant performance measures on which they are based are restated or
adjusted. The Board has not established any security ownership guidelines for
executive officers.
Tax
Deductibility and Accounting Ramifications
The
compensation committee generally takes into account the various tax and
accounting ramifications of compensation paid to our executives. When
determining amounts of equity-based grants to executives the compensation
committee also considers the accounting expense associated with the
grants.
Our
2006
Equity Incentive Plan and our other plans are intended to allow us to make
awards to executive officers that are deductible under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Internal Revenue Code”), which otherwise sets
limits on the tax deductibility of compensation paid to a company’s most highly
compensated executive officers. The compensation committee will continue to
seek
ways to limit the impact of Section 162(m). However, the compensation committee
also believes that the tax deduction limitation should not compromise our
ability to maintain incentive programs that support the compensation objectives
discussed above. Achieving these objectives and maintaining flexibility in
this
regard may therefore result in compensation that is not deductible by Iconix
for
federal income tax purposes.
Summary
In
summary, we believe that our mix of salary, cash incentives for short-term
and long-term performance and the potential for additional equity ownership
in
Iconix motivates our management to produce significant returns for our
stockholders. Moreover, we also believe that our compensation program strikes
an
appropriate balance between the interests and needs of Iconix in operating
and
further developing our business and suitable compensation levels that can lead
to the enhancement of stockholder value.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, none of our named executive officers served
on
the board of directors or the compensation committee of any other entity that
has officers that serve on our Board of Directors or on our compensation
committee. In addition, none of the members of our compensation committee were
formerly, or during the year ended December 31, 2007, employed by us in the
capacity as an officer.
Compensation
Committee Report
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed
with
management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December
31, 2007. Based on such reviews and discussions, the committee recommended
to
the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in this proxy statement.
|
|
|
|
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Mark
Friedman, Chairperson
Steven
Mendelow
Barry
Emanuel
F.
Peter Cuneo
|
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
The
following table includes information for 2006 and 2007 with respect to our
named
executive officers.
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)(a)
|
|
Bonus
($)(b)
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)(c)
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(d)
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
($)(e)
|
|
Change
in Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation
Earnings
($)(f)
|
|
All
Other Compensation
($)(g)
|
|
Total
($)(h)
|
|
Neil
Cole
|
|
|
FY
2007
|
|
|
600,000
|
|
|
649,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
118,574
|
(1)
|
|
1,367,574
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
FY
2006
|
|
|
550,000
|
|
|
-
|
(2)
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
65,745
|
|
|
615,745
|
|
David
Conn
|
|
|
FY
2007
|
|
|
290,625
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
66,667
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
400,292
|
|
Executive
Vice President
|
|
|
FY
2006
|
|
|
265,486
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
333,486
|
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
|
FY
2007
|
|
|
279,167
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
166,667
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
463,834
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
FY
2006
|
|
|
243,250
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
16,667
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
302,917
|
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
|
|
FY
2007
|
|
|
281,250
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
166,664
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
465,914
|
|
Senior
Vice President and General Counsel
|
|
|
FY
2006
|
|
|
239,819
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
24,999
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
282,818
|
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
|
FY
2007
|
|
|
230,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
116,661
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
364,661
|
|
Senior
Vice President - Business Affairs and Licensing
|
|
|
FY
2006
|
|
|
220,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
16,665
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
12,612
|
|
|
249,277
|
|
(a)
|
Salary
includes, as applicable, base salary, pro-rated salaries for changes
made
to base salary during the year, as defined in the employment
agreements.
|
(b)
|
Bonuses
are discretionary, fixed incentive, and/or percentage incentive,
as
provided for in the applicable employment agreements. For the year
ended
December 31, 2007, Mr. Cole earned a bonus for reaching certain EBITDA
targets which were determined pursuant to the terms of his prior
employment agreement, and Mr. Conn received a bonus which was determined
by his employment agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2006,
Mr.
Conn and Mr. Clamen each received bonuses, which were determined
by their
employment agreements.
|
(c)
|
The
amounts shown in this column represent the dollar amounts recognized
as an
expense by us for financial statement reporting purposes in the years
ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 with respect to shares of restricted
stock as determined pursuant to SFAS 123(R). See Note 11 to Notes
to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007 for a discussion of the relevant
assumptions used in calculating grant date fair value pursuant to
SFAS
123(R).
|
(d)
|
Option
awards include, as applicable, Iconix options and equity-based
compensation instruments that have option-like features. There were
no
such awards for the years ended December 31, 2007 and
2006.
|
(e)
|
Non-equity
incentive plan compensation represents the dollar value of all amounts
earned during the fiscal year pursuant to non-equity incentive plans.
There was no such compensation for the years ended December 31, 2007
and
2006.
|
(f)
|
Change
in pension value and non-qualified deferred compensation earnings
represents the aggregate increase in actuarial value to the named
executive officer of all defined benefit and actuarial plans accrued
during the year and earnings on non-qualified deferred compensation.
There
are no defined benefit plans, actuarial plans, or non-qualified deferred
compensation for the years ended December 31, 2007 and
2006.
|
(g)
|
All
other compensation includes, as applicable, car allowances and life
insurance premiums (see the list of perquisites
above).
|
(h)
|
Total
compensation represents all compensation from us earned by the named
executive officer for the year.
|
(1)
|
Represents
Company paid premiums on a life insurance policy for the benefit
of the
beneficiaries of Mr. Cole, as well as a car
allowance.
|
(2)
|
Mr.
Cole waived receipt of the bonus for 2006 he would have been entitled
to
under his prior employment
agreement.
|
GRANTS
OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The
following table sets forth information for 2007 with respect to grants of awards
to the named executive officers under our equity incentive and stock option
plans.
|
|
|
|
Estimated
Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
|
|
Estimated
Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Grant
Date
|
|
Threshold
($)
|
|
Target
($)
|
|
Maximum
($)
|
|
Threshold
(#)
|
|
Target
(#)
|
|
Maximum
(#)
|
|
All
Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or
Units
(#)
|
|
All
Other Option
Awards:
Number of Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
|
|
Exercise
or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)
($)
|
|
Closing
Price of Common Stock Units on Date of Grant($)
|
|
Grant
Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
|
|
Neil
Cole
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
David
Conn
|
|
|
4/30/07
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
4,967
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
20.13
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
|
4/30/07
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
4,967
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
20.13
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
|
|
4/30/07
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
4,967
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
20.13
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
|
4/30/07
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
3,725
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
20.13
|
|
|
75,000
|
|
NARRATIVE
TO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
Employment
Agreements
The
compensation committee determines the compensation, including related terms
of
employment agreements with us for those who have them, for each of the named
executive officers.
Pursuant
to his prior employment agreement (which expired on December 31, 2007 and has
since been replaced by a new employment agreement - see “2008 Compensation
Changes- New Employment Agreement with our Chief Executive Officer” and Note 20
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of our Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2007) with us, Neil Cole, served as our President and
Chief Executive Officer at an annualized base salary of $500,000 in 2005,
$550,000 in 2006 and $600,000 in 2007. In addition, Mr. Cole's prior employment
agreement provided for us to pay him additional salary of $250,000 in four
equal
installments during 2005, all of which was paid. Under the prior employment
agreement, for each year in which we met at least 100% of targeted earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and
intangible assets, or EBITDA, as determined by its Board of Directors, Mr.
Cole
was also entitled to a bonus as follows: $100,000 for 2005, $150,000 for 2006
and $200,000 for 2007. Mr. Cole received the bonus for 2005 and 2007. In
addition, Mr. Cole was entitled to receive a bonus equal to 5% of the amount,
if
any, by which our actual EBITDA for a fiscal year exceeded the greater of (a)
the targeted EBITDA for that year, and (b) the highest amount of actual EBITDA
previously achieved for a fiscal year during the term of his employment
agreement, provided that prior negative EBITDA amounts would have reduced the
actual EBITDA in the year for which the determination was made in determining
whether and by how much the amounts set forth in (a) and (b) were exceeded.
Mr.
Cole was also entitled to customary benefits, including participation in
management incentive and benefit plans, reimbursement for automobile expenses,
reasonable travel and entertainment expenses and a life insurance policy
benefiting his designated beneficiaries in the amount of $5,000,000. In
addition, his employment agreement with us provided that, if, within twelve
months of a “change in control,” Mr. Cole’s employment was terminated by us
without “cause,” as such terms are defined in his employment agreement, we were
obligated to make a lump-sum severance payment to him equal to $100 less than
“three times his annualized includable compensation for the base period” (as
defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code) reduced to the extent
that
this payment together with any other payment or benefit payable under the
agreement constitutes an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G
of the Internal Revenue Code). Pursuant to that agreement, Mr. Cole was also
granted immediately exercisable ten-year stock options to purchase 800,000
shares of our common stock at $4.62 per share. We had also agreed with Mr.
Cole that, if we were sold and immediately thereafter Mr. Cole was no longer
employed by us or our successor in the capacity in which he was employed prior
to the sale, he would have been entitled to a payment equal to 5% of the sale
price in the event that sale price was at least $5.00 per share or the
equivalent thereof with respect to an asset sale, and Mr. Cole had agreed not
to
compete with us for a period of twelve months after any sale that would have
resulted in such payment to him.
On
April
17, 2004, we entered into an employment agreement, subsequently amended on
December 29, 2005, with David Conn, which, as amended, provides for him to
serve
as our Executive Vice President of until May 18, 2008, subject to earlier
termination as provided in the agreement. The amended agreement provides for
Mr.
Conn to receive an annualized base salary of: (i) $250,000 during the period
December 29, 2005 until May 17, 2006; (ii) $275,000 during the period May 18,
2006 through May 17, 2007 and (iii) $300,000 during the period May 18, 2007
through May 17, 2008, as well as a guaranteed bonus of $25,000 per year, and
a
car allowance. He was also granted immediately exercisable ten-year stock
options to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock at $10.19 per share.
In
addition, his employment agreement with us provides that, if, within twelve
months of a “change in control,” Mr. Conn's employment is terminated by us
without “cause,” as such terms are defined in his employment agreement, we are
obligated to make a lump-sum severance payment to him equal to $100 less than
“three times his annualized includable compensation for the base period” (as
defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code), reduced to the extent
that this payment together with any other payment or benefit payable under
the
agreement constitutes an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G
of the Internal Revenue Code). One such benefit is the change
in vesting of certain of the 4,967 shares of restricted stock awarded to
him. His agreement with us also contains certain non-compete and non
solicitation provisions.
Effective
March 9, 2005, we entered into an employment agreement, subsequently amended
on
October 27, 2006, with Warren Clamen, which, as amended, provides for him to
serve as our Chief Financial Officer until October 27, 2008, subject to earlier
termination as specified in the agreement. The employment agreement provides
for
Mr. Clamen to receive a base salary of $275,000 per year for the year ending
October 27, 2007 and no less than $300,000 for the year ending October 27,
2008,
plus certain fringe benefits. In addition, he is eligible to participate in
any
executive bonus program that we have in effect during the term of his employment
agreement. Pursuant to his employment agreement, in March 2005, we granted
Mr.
Clamen ten-year stock options to purchase 200,000 shares of our common stock
at
$5.06 per share, subject to earlier termination under certain conditions if
Mr. Clamen ceases to be employed by us, half of which options vested
immediately and the other half vested as of June 1, 2005. Pursuant to the
amendment in October 2006, we also issued to Mr. Clamen 10,971 shares of our
restricted common stock, which vest in two equal annual installments commencing
on October 27, 2007. The amended agreement provides that if, within twelve
months of a “change in control,” Mr. Clamen’s employment is terminated by us
without “cause,” as such terms are defined in his employment agreement, we are
obligated to make a lump-sum severance payment to him equal to $100 less than
“three times his annualized includable compensation for the base period” (as
defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code) reduced to the extent
that
this payment together with any other payment or benefit payable under the
agreement constitutes an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G
of the Internal Revenue Code). One such benefit is the change
in vesting of certain of the 15,938 shares of restricted stock awarded
to him. His employment agreement also provides for Mr. Clamen to receive certain
severance payments if we terminate the agreement other than for “cause” as
defined in the agreement.
On
September 22, 2006, we entered into a new employment agreement with Andrew
Tarshis, which provides for him to serve as our Senior Vice President and
General Counsel until September 22, 2009 and provides for him to receive an
annual base salary of no less than $275,000 during the first year of the term
and $300,000 during the second and third years of the term. Pursuant to his
employment agreement, we also issued to Mr. Tarshis 18,461 shares of our
restricted common stock, which vest in three equal annual installments
commencing on the first year anniversary of the agreement. Under the agreement,
Mr. Tarshis is also eligible for a bonus consistent with other executive
officers, as well as customary benefits, including participation in management
incentive and benefit plans, a monthly car allowance of $1,500 and reasonable
business related travel and entertainment expenses. In addition, his employment
agreement with us provides that, if, within twelve months of a “change in
control,” Mr. Tarshis’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” or
Mr. Tarshis terminates his employment with us for “good reason,” as all
such terms are defined in his employment agreement, we are obligated to make
a
lump-sum severance payment to him equal to $100 less than three times his
“annualized includable compensation for the base period” (as defined in
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code), reduced to the extent that this
payment together with any other payment or benefit payable under the agreement
constitutes an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code). One such benefit is the change in vesting of
certain of the 17,274 shares of restricted stock awarded to him. His
agreement with us also contains certain non-compete and non-solicitation
provisions.
On
October 28, 2005, we entered into an employment agreement, subsequently
amended on September 22, 2006, with Deborah Sorell Stehr, which, as
amended, provides for her to serve as our Senior Vice President—Business Affairs
and Licensing until December 31, 2008 and provides for her to receive a
base salary for performance based upon a four-day work week, as follows:
(a) during the period from January 1, 2006 through December 31,
2006, at the annual rate of not less than $220,000, (b) during the period
from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007, at an annual rate of
not less than $230,000, and (c) during the period from January 1, 2008
through December 31, 2008 at the annual rate of not less than $250,000.
Pursuant to her employment agreement, in October 2005, we granted Ms. Stehr
immediately exercisable ten-year stock options to purchase 60,000 shares of
our
common stock at $8.03 per share, and, pursuant to its amendment, in September
2006 we also issued to Ms. Stehr 9,230 shares of our restricted common
stock, which vest in two equal annual installments commencing on
December 31, 2007. Under the amended agreement, Ms. Stehr remains
eligible for a bonus consistent with other executive officers, as well as
customary benefits, including participation in management incentive and benefit
plans, a monthly car allowance of $1,500 and reasonable travel and entertainment
expenses. Her employment agreement with us provides that, if, within twelve
months of a “change in control,” Ms. Stehr’s employment is terminated by us
without “cause” or Ms. Stehr terminates her employment with us for “good
reason,” as all such terms are defined in her employment agreement, we are
obligated to make a lump-sum severance payment to her equal to $100 less than
three times her “annualized includable compensation for the base period” (as
defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code) reduced to the extent
that this payment together with any other payment or benefit payable under
the
agreement constitutes an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G
of the Internal Revenue Code). One such benefit is the change in vesting
of certain of the 12,955 shares of restricted stock awarded to
her.
OUTSTANDING
EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The
following table sets forth information with respect to outstanding equity-based
awards at December 31, 2007 for our named executive officers.
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Exercisable
(a)
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Unexercisable
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Unearned Options
(#)
|
|
Option
Exercise Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration Date
|
|
Number
of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
|
Vesting
Date of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested
|
|
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested
($)
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other
Rights
That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares,
Units or
Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
|
|
Neil
Cole
|
|
|
10,000
650,000
84,583
84,583
84,583
25,000
321,625
260,500
76,500
273,500
600,000
15,000
800,000
200,000
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
|
|
3.50
3.50
3.50
3.50
3.50
0.97
1.13
1.25
2.30
2.30
2.75
4.41
4.62
10.00
|
|
|
12/11/08
10/14/08
03/09/08
03/09/08
03/09/08
02/01/10
07/18/10
08/18/10
10/26/11
10/26/11
04/23/12
05/22/12
03/29/15
12/28/15
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David
Conn
|
|
|
50,000
50,000
25,000
100,000
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
|
|
|
4.82
6.40
10.00
10.19
|
|
|
05/24/15
06/14/15
12/28/15
12/28/15
|
|
|
4,967
-
-
-
|
|
|
1/1/08
|
|
|
97,651
-
-
-
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
|
60,000
50,000
|
|
|
-
-
|
|
|
-
-
|
|
|
5.06
10.00
|
|
|
03/09/15
12/28/15
|
|
|
5,486
5,485
4,967
|
|
|
1/1/08
10/27/08
1/1/08
|
|
|
107,855
107,835
97,651
|
|
|
-
-
|
|
|
-
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
8.81
|
|
|
07/22/15
|
|
|
6,154
6,153
4,967
|
|
|
9/22/08
9/22/09
1/1/08
|
|
|
120,988
120,968
97,651
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
|
15,000
60,000
50,000
|
|
|
-
-
-
|
|
|
-
-
-
|
|
|
4.82
8.03
10.00
|
|
|
05/24/15
10/28/15
12/28/15
|
|
|
4,615
4,615
3,725
|
|
|
1/1/08
12/31/08
1/1/08
|
|
|
90,731
90,731
73,234
|
|
|
-
-
-
|
|
|
-
-
-
|
|
Grant
dates and vesting dates for all outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2007
are as follows:
Name
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Exercisable
|
|
Grant
Date
|
|
Vesting
Date
|
|
Neil
Cole
|
|
|
10,000
650,000
84,583
84,583
84,583
25,000
321,625
260,500
76,500
273,500
600,000
15,000
800,000
200,000
|
|
|
12/11/98
12/11/98
12/11/98
12/11/98
12/11/98
02/01/00
07/18/00
08/18/00
10/26/01
10/26/01
04/23/02
05/22/02
03/29/05
12/28/05
|
|
|
12/11/98
12/11/98
12/11/98
12/11/98
12/11/98
02/01/00
07/18/00
08/18/00
10/26/01
10/26/01
04/23/02
05/22/02
03/29/05
12/28/05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David
Conn
|
|
|
50,000
50,000
25,000
100,000
|
|
|
05/24/05
06/14/05
12/28/05
12/29/05
|
|
|
05/24/05
12/19/05
12/28/05
12/29/05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
|
60,000
50,000
|
|
|
03/09/05
12/28/05
|
|
|
06/01/05
12/28/05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
07/22/05
|
|
|
07/22/05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
|
15,000
60,000
50,000
|
|
|
05/24/05
10/28/05
12/28/05
|
|
|
05/24/05
10/28/05
12/28/05
|
|
OPTION
EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding exercise of options
and
vesting of restricted stock held by the named executive officers during the
year
ended December 31, 2007.
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Number
of Shares Acquired on Exercise
(#)
|
|
Value
Realized on Exercise
($)
(a)
|
|
Number
of Shares Acquired on Vesting
(#)
|
|
Value
Realized on Vesting
($)
|
|
Neil
Cole
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David
Conn
|
|
|
50,000
50,000
|
|
|
1,020,280
1,014,895
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
1,427,617
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
|
|
50,000
40,000
|
|
|
559,604
544,092
|
|
|
6,154
-
|
|
|
140,927
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
1,677,154
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
(a) Included
in this column is the aggregate dollar amount realized by the named executive
officer upon exercise of the options.
POTENTIAL
PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
As
noted
under “- Narrative to Summary Compensation Table-and Plan-Based Awards Table -
Employment Agreements”, we have entered into employment agreements with each of
our named executive officers. These agreements provide for certain payments
and
other benefits if a named executive officer’s employment with us is terminated
under circumstances specified in his or her respective agreement, including
a
“change in control” of the Company. A named executive officer’s rights upon the
termination of his or her employment will depend upon the circumstances of
the
termination.
The
receipt of the payments and benefits to the named executive officers under
their
employment agreements are generally conditioned upon their complying with
customary non-solicitation, non-competition, confidentiality, non-interference
and non-disparagement provisions. By the terms of such agreements, the
executives acknowledge that a breach of some or all of the covenants described
herein will entitle us to injunctive relief restraining the commission or
continuance of any such breach, in addition to any other available
remedies.
The
following table provides the term of such covenants following the termination
of
employment as it relates to each named executive officer:
Covenant
|
|
Neil
Cole
|
|
David
Conn
|
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
Confidentiality
|
|
Infinite
duration
|
|
Infinite
duration for trade secrets and two years otherwise
|
|
Infinite
duration
|
|
None
|
|
Infinite
duration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-solicitation
|
|
Two
Years
|
|
Two
Years
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
One
Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-competition
|
|
One
Year
|
|
Two
Years
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
One
Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-interference
|
|
Two
Years
|
|
Two
Years
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
One
Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-disparagement
|
|
Five
years
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
Termination
Payments (without a change in control)
The
table
below includes a description and the amount of estimated payments and benefits
that would be provided by us (or our successor) to each of the named executive
officers under each employment agreement, assuming that a termination
circumstance occurred as of December 31, 2007 and a “change in control” had not
occurred:
|
|
|
|
Estimated
Amount of Termination Payment To:
|
|
Type
of Payment
|
|
Termination
Event
|
|
Neil
Cole(1)
|
|
David
Conn
|
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
|
Payment
of accrued but unused vacation time
(2)
|
|
Termination
for Cause, death or disability
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
Lump
Sum Severance Payment
|
|
|
Termination
without Cause or by executive for Good Reason
|
|
$
|
600,000
|
(3)
|
$
|
114,167
|
|
$
|
300,000
|
(4)
|
|
None
|
|
$
|
517,500
|
|
Pro
rata portion of Bonuses
|
|
|
Varies
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
Continued
coverage under medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance
plans
|
|
|
Death,
termination without Cause, or termination by executive for Good
Reason
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
3
months
|
(5)
|
|
None
|
|
(1) |
Upon
Mr. Cole's termination without “cause” by us or for “good reason” by Mr.
Cole, we are obligated to pay Mr. Cole's indemnity payments and legal
fees
incurred by him as a result of his termination. Our possible range
of
payments is not determinable at this
time.
|
(2) |
Vacation
time accrued but not taken for each executive was assumed to have
been
fully used up at year-end 2007.
|
(3) |
Payable
in monthly installments, not in a lump
sum.
|
(4) |
Only
payable upon termination by us without
cause.
|
(5) |
Three
months of continued health and medical benefits upon termination
for cause
or upon death or disability.
|
Change
in Control Payments
The
prior
employment agreement with Mr. Cole provided that, if, within twelve months
of a “change in control,” his employment was terminated by us without “cause” or
he terminated his employment with us for “good reason,” as all such terms are
defined in his employment agreement, we were obligated to make a lump-sum
severance payment to Mr. Cole equal to $100 less than three times his
“annualized includable compensation for the base period” (as defined in
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code).
The
employment agreements with Ms. Sorell Stehr and Mr. Tarshis also provide
that, if, within twelve months of a “change in control,” their employment is
terminated by us without “cause” or they terminate their employment with us for
“good reason,” as all such terms are defined in each employment agreement, we
are obligated to make a lump-sum severance payment to each such named executive
officer equal to $100 less than three times the named executive officer’s
“annualized includable compensation for the base period” (as defined in
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code).
The
employment agreements (as amended) with Mr. Clamen and Mr. Conn also provide
that, if, within twelve months of a “change in control,” their employment is
terminated by us without “cause” as all such terms are defined in each
employment agreement, we are obligated to make a lump-sum severance payment
to
each such named executive officer equal to $100 less than three times the named
executive officer’s “annualized includable compensation for the base period” (as
defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code).
Under
the
circumstances described above, all of the named executive officers are entitled
to an accelerated vesting and payment of stock options and restricted stock
awards granted to that named executive officer. However, the sum of any lump
sum
payments, the value of any accelerated vesting of stock options and restricted
stock awards, and the value of any other benefits payable to the named executive
officer may not equal or exceed an amount that would constitute an “excess
parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code).
The
following table quantifies the estimated maximum amount of payments and benefits
under our employment agreements and agreements relating to awards granted under
our equity incentive and stock option plans to which the named executive
officers would be entitled upon termination of employment if we terminated
their
employment without cause within twelve (12) months following a “change in
control” of our Company that (by assumption) occurred on December 31,
2007.
Name
|
|
Cash
Severance Payment
($)(1)
|
|
Continuation
of Medical/Welfare Benefits
(Present
Value)
($)
|
|
Value
of Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards
($) (2)
|
|
Total
Termination Benefits
($)
|
|
Neil
Cole
|
|
|
5,134,829
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
5,134,829
|
|
David
Conn
|
|
|
2,258,626
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
2,258,638
|
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
|
1,895,102
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
13,711
|
|
|
1,908,812
|
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
|
|
1,711,749
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
14,951
|
|
|
1,726,700
|
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
|
1,170,877
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
46,993
|
|
|
1,217,869
|
|
(1)
|
Mr.
Clamen, Mr. Tarshis and Ms. Sorell Stehr may be entitled to additional
payments of $13,612, $14,852 and $46,894, respectively, to the extent
that
values of at least those amounts are ascribed to any post-termination
obligations set forth in their respective employment
agreements.
|
(2)
|
This
amount represents the unrealized value of the unvested portion of
the
respective named executive officer’s restricted stock based upon the
closing price of our common stock on December 31,
2007.
|
(3)
|
Under
a prior non-competition and non-solicitation agreement, which terminated
in January 2008, Mr. Cole would have been entitled, under certain
circumstances, to a payment upon the sale of our Company equal to
5% of
the sale price (in the event that sale price was at least $5.00 per
share
or the equivalent thereof with respect to an asset sale). Assuming
that
all of the common stock of our Company had been purchased for the
closing
price as of December 31, 2007 ($19.66 per share), Mr. Cole would
have been
entitled to a payment of $56,278,716 based upon our Company having
approximately 57,252,000 shares outstanding as of December 31,
2007.
|
2008
Compensation Changes- New Employment Agreement with our Chief Executive
Officer
On
January 28, 2008, we entered into a new, five-year (subject to a one-year
extension) employment agreement (the “new employment agreement”), effective as
of January 1, 2008, with Neil Cole, chairman of the board, president and chief
executive officer, which replaced his prior employment agreement that expired
on
December 31, 2007. The new employment agreement also superseded and terminated
the prior non-competition and non-solicitation agreement between us and Mr.
Cole, which, among other things, provided for him to receive 5% of the sale
price upon a sale of our Company under certain circumstances.
Consistent
with our philosophy on executive compensation, Mr. Cole’s new employment
agreement reflects a substantial portion of his compensation in the form of
long-term equity incentives, including performance stock incentives that vest
upon the achievement of specific metrics defined in the agreement, particularly,
growth in EBITDA, market capitalization and stock price as measured by targets
to be established and certified by the compensation committee.
As
described above, in connection with the negotiation of the new employment
agreement with Mr. Cole, the compensation committee retained Reda &
Associates, as its outside compensation consulting firm to provide advice.
In
assisting the compensation committee, Reda & Associates performed market
research as to compensation levels in similarly capitalized companies in the
industry, as well as companies that had achieved similar growth. Reda &
Associates also familiarized itself with the circumstances surrounding Mr.
Cole’s expiring contract and separate non-competition and non-solicitation
agreement, which provided Mr. Cole with 5% of the proceeds upon a sale
of the Company under certain circumstances. As various aspects of our
business, operations and management are unique, the compensation committee
utilized the Reda & Associates research as one resource, rather than a
stand-alone tool, in assessing the appropriate level of compensation and other
terms under Mr. Cole’s new employment agreement.
Under
his
new employment agreement, Mr. Cole is entitled to an annual base salary of
$1,000,000 and received a signing bonus of $500,000, which is repayable in
full
or on a pro rata basis under certain circumstances.
Pursuant
to the terms of the new employment agreement, on February 19, 2008, Mr. Cole
also was granted time-vested restricted common stock units with a fair market
value (as defined in the new employment agreement) of $24,000,000 (1,181,684
units) and 571,150 performance-based restricted common stock units with a fair
market value (as defined in the new employment agreement) on that date of
approximately $11,600,000. The restricted stock units will vest in five
substantially equal annual installments commencing on December 31, 2008, subject
to Mr. Cole’s continuous employment with us on the applicable vesting date, and
the performance stock units will be subject to vesting based on our achievement
of certain designated performance goals. Both grants are subject to forfeiture
upon the termination of Mr. Cole’s employment under certain circumstances. In
addition, Mr. Cole’s ability to sell or otherwise transfer the common stock
underlying the restricted stock units and the performance stock units while
he
is employed by us is subject to certain restrictions. The grant of 216,639
additional performance stock units and the common stock issuable thereunder
is
subject to stockholder approval of either an increase in the number of shares
of
common stock available for issuance under our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (See
Proposal II) or another incentive plan that would cover such grants. Mr. Cole
will also be entitled to various benefits, including benefits available to
our
other senior executives and certain automobile, air travel and life insurance
benefits.
In
addition to his salary and benefits, Mr. Cole is eligible to receive an annual
cash bonus for each completed calendar year provided we establish (subject
to
shareholder approval) an incentive bonus plan intended to satisfy the
requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (See Proposal III),
including as a performance goal thereunder the targets specified in the
employment agreement. The bonus shall be a percentage of the base salary
determined based on the level of our consolidated earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and intangible assets
achieved for such year against a target level established for such year by
the
compensation committee of the Board, in its sole discretion, but with prior
consultation with Mr. Cole, as follows:
Annual
Level of Targeted EBITDA Achieved
|
|
%
of Base Salary
|
|
less
than 80%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
80%
(threshold)
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
90%
|
|
|
75
|
%
|
100%
(target)
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
105%
|
|
|
110
|
%
|
110%
|
|
|
122.50
|
%
|
115%
|
|
|
135
|
%
|
120%
or more (maximum)
|
|
|
150
|
%
|
Mr.
Cole’s annual bonus, if earned, will be paid in a lump sum cash payment in the
calendar year following the calendar year for which it is earned.
Under
Mr.
Cole’s new employment agreement, if we terminate Mr. Cole’s employment for
“cause” or by Mr. Cole without “good reason”, he will receive his earned and/or
accrued and unpaid compensation, other than any bonus compensation, then due
to
him and shares of common stock in respect of any of his already vested
restricted stock. If we terminate Mr. Cole’s employment without cause or by
him for good reason, he will receive, in addition to the foregoing, an amount
equal to two times his base salary then in effect plus any previously earned
but
unpaid annual bonus for a prior fiscal year and a pro-rata annual bonus for
the
year of termination, and, if such termination or resignation occurs prior to
January 1, 2011, two times the average of the annual bonus amounts he received
for the two prior completed fiscal years. In addition, that portion of his
performance stock units subject to vesting in the year of termination based
on
performance goals achieved as of the date of termination, and 75% of his
unvested restricted stock units, will vest. If his employment is terminated
by
us without cause or by him for good reason within 12 months of a change in
control, the amount of his base salary-related payment will increase to three
times, instead of two times, his base salary then in effect and that portion
of
his performance stock units that would vest in the year of termination or in
the
future based on performance goals achieved as of the date of the change of
control, and all of his unvested restricted stock units, will vest, and if
such
change in control occurs prior to January 1, 2011, he will also receive three
times the average of the annual bonus amounts he received for the three prior
completed fiscal years.
If
Mr. Cole’s employment terminates as a result of his disability or death, he
or his estate will be entitled to any previously earned and unpaid compensation
then due to him. In addition, certain of his restricted stock will
vest.
The
new
employment agreement with Mr. Cole also contains certain non-competition and
non-solicitation covenants restricting such activities for periods equal to
the
term of the agreement and any renewal period plus one and two years,
respectively, after the agreement is terminated for any reason.
VOTING
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table presents information regarding beneficial ownership of our
common stock as of the Record Date by each of our directors and our named
executive officers, all of our executive officers and directors, as a group,
and
each person known by us to beneficially hold five percent or more of our common
stock, based on information obtained from such persons.
Unless
indicated below, to our knowledge, the persons and entities named in the table
have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all securities
beneficially owned, subject to community property laws where applicable. The
shares “beneficially owned” by a person are determined in accordance with the
definition of “beneficial ownership” set forth in the regulations of the SEC
and, accordingly, shares of our common stock underlying options, warrants,
restricted stock units and other convertible securities that are exercisable
or
convertible within 60 days of the Record Date and shares of our common stock
underlying restricted stock awards that vest within 60 days of the Record Date
are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person holding such securities and
to
be outstanding for purposes of determining such holder’s percentage ownership.
Shares of common stock subject to options, warrants, restricted stock units
or
other convertible securities that are not exercisable or convertible and
restricted stock awards that do not vest within 60 days from the Record Date
are
not included in the table below as “beneficially owned”. The same securities may
be beneficially owned by more than one person.
Percentage
ownership is based on 57,643,175 shares of our common stock outstanding as
of
the Record Date. The
address for each beneficial owner, unless otherwise noted, is c/o Iconix Brand
Group, Inc. at 1450 Broadway, New York, New York 10018.
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Number
of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned
|
|
Percentage
of Company’s Outstanding Common stock Beneficially
Owned
|
|
Neil
Cole
|
|
|
3,291,581
|
(1)
|
|
5.4
|
%
|
David
Conn
|
|
|
227,401
|
(2)
|
|
*
|
|
Warren
Clamen
|
|
|
115,354
|
(3)
|
|
*
|
|
Andrew
Tarshis
|
|
|
12,699
|
(4)
|
|
*
|
|
Deborah
Sorell Stehr
|
|
|
129,717
|
(5)
|
|
*
|
|
Barry
Emanuel
|
|
|
247,853
|
(6)
|
|
*
|
|
Steven
Mendelow
|
|
|
292,688
|
(7)
|
|
*
|
|
Drew
Cohen
|
|
|
63,382
|
(8)
|
|
*
|
|
F.
Peter Cuneo
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
*
|
|
Mark
Friedman
|
|
|
22,364
|
|
|
*
|
|
James
A. Marcum
|
|
|
14,544
|
|
|
*
|
|
Fred
Alger Management, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fred
M. Alger III
Alger
Associates
111
Fifth Avenue
New
York, New York 10003
|
|
|
5,247,000
|
(9)
|
|
9.1
|
%
|
Baron
Capital Group, LP
Luxor
Management, LLC
Christian
Leone
767
Fifth Avenue
New
York, NY 10153
|
|
|
3,250,000
|
(10)
|
|
5.6
|
%
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)
|
|
|
4,477,583
|
(11)
|
|
7.2
|
%
|
*Less
than 1%
(1) |
Includes
3,232,126 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options
and
20,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Cole’s children. Does not
include shares held in Mr. Cole’s account under our 401(k) savings plan
over which he has no current voting or investment
power.
|
(2) |
Includes
225,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options.
|
(3) |
Includes
110,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options.
|
(4) |
Includes
10,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options.
|
(5) |
Includes
125,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options.
Does not
include shares held in Ms. Sorell Stehr’s account under our 401(k) savings
plan over which she has no current voting or investment
power.
|
(6) |
Includes
241,173 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options.
|
(7) |
Includes
200,250 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options
and
60,750 shares of common stock owned by C&P Associates, with which Mr.
Mendelow and his wife are affiliated and over whose securities they
exercise shared voting and investment
control.
|
(8) |
Includes
50,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options.
|
(9) |
Based
on a Schedule 13G filed by Fred Alger Management, Inc. and Alger
Associates, Incorporated on January 15,
2008.
|
(10) |
Baron
Capital Group, Inc. (“BCG”) is deemed to have beneficial ownership of
these shares, which are held by BCG or entities that it controls.
BCG
disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by its controlled
entities (or the investment advisory clients thereof) to the extent
that
persons other than BCG hold such shares. The information provided
is based
upon a Schedule 13G filed February 14, 2008, by BCG and its
affiliates: Bamco, Inc.; Baron Small Cap Fund; and Ronald
Baron.
|
(11) |
Includes
4,193,549 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
options.
|
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant
to its charter, our audit committee must review and approve, where appropriate,
all related party transactions.
On
May 1, 2003, we granted Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. the exclusive
worldwide license to design, manufacture, sell, distribute and market footwear
under its Bongo brand. The chief executive officer and chairman of Kenneth
Cole
Productions is Kenneth Cole, who is the brother of Neil Cole, our Chief
Executive Officer and President. During the fiscal years ended December 31,
2007
and 2006, we received $0.7 million and $1.4 million in royalties from Kenneth
Cole Productions, respectively
The
Candie's Foundation, a charitable foundation founded by Neil Cole for the
purpose of raising national awareness about the consequences of teenage
pregnancy, owed us $434,000 at December 31, 2007. The Candie's Foundation will
pay-off the entire borrowing from us in 2008 although additional advances will
be made as and when necessary. Mr. Cole's wife, Elizabeth Cole, performs
services for the foundation but without compensation.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
In
2008,
the audit committee met with management and representatives of our independent
auditors, BDO Seidman, LLP to review and discuss the audit procedures and timing
of the audit and discussed the 2007 audited financial statements. In addition,
the audit committee meets with management and representatives of BDO Seidman,
LLP on a quarterly basis. The audit committee also conducted discussions with
BDO Seidman, LLP, regarding the matters required by the Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61, as amended. As required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussion with Audit Committees,” the audit
committee has discussed with and received the required written disclosures
and
confirming letter from BDO Seidman, LLP regarding its independence and has
discussed with BDO Seidman, LLP its independence. Based upon the review and
discussions referred to above, the audit committee recommended to the Board
of
Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
|
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE |
|
Steven
Mendelow, Chairperson
|
|
Drew
Cohen
|
|
F.
Peter Cuneo
|
|
James
A. Marcum
|
PROPOSAL
II
APPROVAL
OF AMENDMENT TO OUR 2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Proposed
Amendment
Subject
to stockholder approval, our Board of Directors has approved an amendment to
our
2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) to increase the number of shares of
our common stock authorized to be issued under the 2006 Plan by 1.5 million
shares. The 2006 Plan was originally approved by our stockholders in August
2006.
The
Company currently provides stock based compensation in the form of restricted
stock awards and other stock-based awards under the 2006 Plan and option grants
under the Company’s 2006 Plan and its stock option plans (collectively, the
“Plans”) to employees, non-employee directors and consultants. As of the Record
Date, there were 2,560,579 shares of common stock remaining available for future
grants of stock options under the Plans and no shares of common stock available
for restricted stock and other stock-based awards under the Plans and an
aggregate of 6,670,121 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options
and
unvested restricted stock and other unvested stock-based awards under the Plans.
Reason
for the Proposed Amendment
The
Board
of Directors believes that options and other awards granted under the 2006
Plan
have contributed significantly to the success of the Company by enabling the
Company to attract and retain the services of employees, including executive
officers, directors, consultants and advisors of exceptional ability. Because
the success of the Company is largely dependent upon the judgment, interest
and
special efforts of these employees, directors, consultants and advisors, the
Company endeavors to continue to provide stock based incentive awards to
recruit, motivate and retain these individuals. In this regard, pursuant to
the
terms of the new employment agreement the Company entered into on January 28,
2008 with its chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer,
Neil
Cole, on February 19, 2008, Mr. Cole was granted 1,181,684 time-vested
restricted common stock units (the “RSUs”) under the 2006 Plan and 571,150
performance-based restricted common stock units (the “PSUs”) under the 2006
Plan. Under the employment agreement Mr. Cole will be granted an additional
216,639 PSUs under the 2006 Plan if this proposal to increase the number of
shares of common stock under the 2006 Plan is approved. The RSUs will vest
in
five substantially equal annual installments commencing on December 31, 2008,
subject to Mr. Cole’s continuous employment with the Company on the applicable
vesting date, and the PSUs will be subject to vesting based on the Company’s
achievement of certain designated performance goals. Both the RSUs and PSUs
are
subject to forfeiture upon the termination of Mr. Cole’s employment under
certain circumstances.
If
the
proposal to amend the 2006 Plan is approved, it would also allow the Company
to
make awards to employees, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company
and
any entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of
the
outstanding capital stock as determined by aggregate voting rights or other
voting interests (“Affiliates”) and others who are in a position to make
contributions to the Company and its Affiliates of up to an additional 1.5
million shares of common stock. As of the date of this proxy statement there
were 94 employees of the Company and its Affiliates eligible to participate
in
the 2006 Plan.
The
summary description set forth below of the principal features of the 2006 Plan
is qualified in its entirety by the language in the 2006 Plan, which, as
proposed to be amended, is attached as Annex A to this Proxy Statement.
Stockholders should read the 2006 Plan, as proposed to be amended, in its
entirety.
Description
of the 2006 Plan
The
2006
Plan is intended to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders
by
providing for the grant of stock-based and other incentive awards to enhance
the
Company’s ability to attract and retain employees, including executive officers,
directors, consultants, advisors and others who are in a position to make
contributions to the success of the Company and encourage such persons to take
into account the long-term interests of the Company and its stockholders through
ownership of common stock or securities with value tied to common stock. To
achieve this purpose, the 2006 Plan allows the flexibility to grant or award
stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock,
unrestricted stock, stock units including restricted stock units and performance
awards to eligible persons.
Administration
The
2006
Plan provides that it is administered by a committee of the Board of Directors
appointed by the Board and that the committee must be comprised of two or more
members of the Board, each of whom satisfies independence criteria of the
applicable listing standards of the securities exchange or quotation system
on
which its common equity securities are listed for trading and is a “non-employee
director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Currently, the compensation committee
administers the 2006 Plan. Each member of the committee is a director, but
not
an employee, of the Company.
The
compensation committee has discretionary authority to operate, manage and
administer the 2006 Plan in accordance with its terms. The committee determines
participants who will be granted awards under the 2006 Plan, the size and types
of awards, the terms and conditions of awards and the form and content of the
award agreements representing awards. The committee is authorized to establish,
administer and waive terms, conditions and performance goals of outstanding
awards and to accelerate the vesting or exercisability of awards, in each case,
subject to limitations contained in the 2006 Plan. In the case of any award
intended to be eligible for the performance-based compensation exception under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the committee will exercise
its discretion consistent with qualifying the award for that exception. The
compensation committee interprets the 2006 Plan and award agreements and has
the
authority to correct any defects, supply any omissions and reconcile any
inconsistencies in the 2006 Plan and/or any award agreements. The committee’s
decisions and actions concerning the 2006 Plan are final and conclusive. Within
the limitations of the 2006 Plan and applicable law, the compensation committee
may delegate (i) to one or more of its members such of its duties, powers
and responsibilities as it may determine; (ii) to one or more officers of
the Company the power to grant rights or options to the extent permitted by
Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (other than to
officers or directors of the Company); (iii) to one or more officers of the
Company the authority to allocate other awards among such persons (other than
officers or directors of the Company) eligible to receive awards under the
2006
Plan as such delegated officer or officers determine consistent with such
delegation; provided,
that
with respect to any delegation described in (iii) the compensation committee
(or
a properly delegated member or members of such committee ) will have authorized
the issuance of a specified number of shares of common stock under such awards
and will have specified the consideration, if any, to be paid therefor; and
(iv) to such employees or other persons as it determines such ministerial
tasks as it deems appropriate. References to Administrator in this summary
of
the principal features of the 2006 Plan mean the compensation committee and
persons delegated responsibilities under the 2006 Plan.
Limits
on Awards
The
maximum number of shares of common stock that currently may be issued under
the
2006 Plan may not exceed, in the aggregate 2,000,000 shares and would increase
to 3,500,000 shares if this proposal to amend the 2006 Plan is approved. Of
the
aggregate number of shares eligible for issuance under the 2006 Plan, the number
of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to incentive stock options
(“ISOs”) is 500,000. The shares of common stock that may be issued under the
2006 Plan will be either authorized and unissued shares or previously issued
shares that have been reacquired and are held as treasury stock. The 2006 Plan
provides that for purposes of determining the number of shares of common stock
available for delivery under the 2006 Plan, (a) when a SAR is exercised, the
full number of shares covered by the exercised portion of the SAR will be
deducted from the shares available for delivery under the 2006 Plan, if the
SAR
is settled in shares and (b) any shares subject to an award or portion of an
award that is terminated, surrendered or cancelled will be available for future
awards under the 2006 Plan; however, shares used to pay the exercise price
or
required tax withholding for an award under the 2006 Plan will not be available
for future awards under the 2006 Plan. To the extent consistent with Section
422
of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company or a subsidiary acquires or combines
with another company, any awards that may be granted under the 2006 Plan in
substitution or exchange for outstanding stock options or other awards of the
other company will not reduce the shares available for issuance under the 2006
Plan. Common stock delivered by the Company under the 2006 Plan may be
authorized but unissued common stock or previously issued common stock acquired
by the Company. No fractional shares of common stock will be delivered under
the
2006 Plan.
Participation
The
Administrator may grant awards under the 2006 Plan to employees, directors,
consultants and advisors of the Company and its Affiliates (“Participants”).
However, only employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to
receive ISOs under the 2006 Plan.
Rules
Applicable
to Awards Granted Under the 2006 Plan
The
Administrator determines the terms of all awards, subject to the limitations
provided under the 2006 Plan. All awards are evidenced by an agreement approved
by the Administrator. By accepting any award granted under the 2006 Plan, the
Participant agrees to the terms of the award and the 2006 Plan. Notwithstanding
any provision of the 2006 Plan to the contrary, awards of an acquired company
that are converted, replaced or adjusted in connection with the acquisition
may
contain terms and conditions that are inconsistent with the terms and conditions
specified under the 2006 Plan, as determined by the Administrator.
|
·
|
Term
of the 2006 Plan.
The 2006 Plan will continue in effect until all shares of the common
stock
available under the 2006 Plan are delivered and all restrictions
on those
shares have lapsed, unless the 2006 Plan is terminated earlier by
the
Administrator. No awards may be made after July 17, 2016, but previously
granted awards may continue beyond that date in accordance with their
terms.
|
|
·
|
Transferability.
ISOs and other awards under the 2006 Plan generally may not be sold
or
otherwise transferred except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution or the designated beneficiary of a deceased Participant.
During the Participant’s lifetime the Administrator may permit awards
other than ISOs and any related SARs to be transferred. In no event
may
awards be transferred for
consideration.
|
|
·
|
Dividend
Equivalents.
The Administrator may provide for the payment of amounts in lieu
of cash
dividends or other cash distributions with respect to common stock
subject
to an award.
|
|
·
|
Section
409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Awards under the 2006 Plan are intended either to be exempt from
the rules
of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code or to satisfy those
rules and
shall be construed accordingly. If any provision of the 2006 Plan
or an
award agreement contravenes any regulations or Treasury guidance
promulgated under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code or could
cause
an award to be subject to the interest and penalties under Section
409A of
the Internal Revenue Code, such provision of the 2006 Plan or award
will
be modified to maintain, to the maximum extent possible, the original
intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions
of
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. Notwithstanding any provisions
of the 2006 Plan or any award granted there under to the contrary,
no
acceleration may occur with respect to any award to the extent such
acceleration would cause the 2006 Plan or an award granted there
under to
fail to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Additionally, notwithstanding any provisions of the 2006 Plan or
an
applicable award agreement to the contrary, no payment shall be made
with
respect to any award granted under the 2006 Plan to a “specified employee”
(as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code) prior to the six-month anniversary of the employee’s
separation of service to the extent such six-month delay in payment
is
required to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue
Code.
|
Stock
Options
and SARs
A
stock
option is the right to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock
in
the future at a specified exercise price and subject to the other terms and
conditions specified in the option agreement and the 2006 Plan. SARs may be
granted under the 2006 Plan alone or together with specific stock options
granted under the 2006 Plan. SARs are awards that, upon their exercise, give
a
Participant the right to receive from the Company an amount equal to (1) the
number of shares for which the SAR is exercised, multiplied by (2) the excess
of
the fair market value of a share of the common stock on the exercise date over
the grant price of the SAR.
|
·
|
Duration
of Options and SARs.
The latest date on which an option or a SAR may be exercised will
be the
tenth anniversary of the date the option (fifth anniversary in the
case of
an ISO granted to a ten percent stockholder within the meaning of
Section
422(b)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code) or SAR was granted, or such
earlier date as may have been specified by the Administrator at the
time
the option or SAR was granted.
|
|
·
|
Vesting.
The Administrator shall fix the term during which each stock option
or SAR
may be exercised, but no stock option or SAR shall be exercisable
after
the tenth anniversary of its date of grant. Except as otherwise provided
in the 2006 Plan or as expressly provided in an award agreement or
an
employment agreement that provides for a grant to the employee of
options
under the 2006 Plan, one-fifth of each award of stock options or
SARs will
become exercisable upon one-year from the date of grant with the
remaining
portion of the award becoming exercisable in equal installments commencing
on the second, third, fourth and fifth one year anniversaries of
the date
of grant. The Administrator may accelerate vesting of stock options
and
SARs.
|
|
·
|
Time
and Manner of Exercise.
Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, an award requiring
exercise by the holder will not be deemed to have been exercised
until the
Administrator receives a notice of exercise (in form acceptable to
the
Administrator) signed by the appropriate person and accompanied by
a
payment required under the award.
|
|
·
|
Exercise
Price.
The exercise price (or in the case of a SAR, the base price above
which
appreciation is to be measured) of each award requiring exercise
shall be
100% (in the case of an ISO granted to a ten percent stockholder
within
the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code, 110%) of the fair market
value of the common stock subject to the award, determined as of
the date
of grant, or such higher amount as the Administrator may determine
in
connection with the grant.
|
|
·
|
Payment
of Exercise Price.
The exercise price of any award granted under the 2006 Plan may be
paid in
cash, shares of our common stock that have been outstanding for at
least
six months and that have a fair market value equal to the exercise
price
or any other method that may be approved by the Administrator, such
as a
cashless broker-assisted exercise that complies with law.
|
Restricted
Stock
and Other Awards Not Requiring Exercise
Restricted
stock awards are shares of common stock that are awarded to a Participant
subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions established by the
Administrator. A recipient of restricted stock will have the rights of a
stockholder during the restriction period, including the right to receive any
dividends, which may be subject to the same restrictions as the restricted
stock, unless the Administrator provides otherwise in the grant.
|
·
|
Consideration.
In general, awards that do not require exercise may be made in exchange
for such lawful consideration, including services, as the Administrator
determines.
|
|
·
|
Vesting.
Restricted stock will be granted subject to such restrictions on
the full
enjoyment of the shares as the Administrator specifies; which restrictions
may be based on the passage of time, satisfaction of performance
criteria,
or the occurrence of one or more events; and will lapse separately
or in
combination upon such conditions and at such time or times, in
installments or otherwise, as the Administrator specifies. The
Administrator will fix the term during which each restricted stock
award
vests. Except as otherwise provided in the 2006 Plan or as expressly
provided in an award agreement or an employment agreement that provides
for an award of restricted stock or other stock-based award to an
employee
under the 2006 Plan, each award of restricted stock that vests over
time
will generally vest in five equal installments on the first, second,
third, fourth and fifth one-year anniversaries of the date of grant
and
each award of restricted stock that vests based on the satisfaction
of
certain performance criteria established by the Administrator will
begin
vesting after the first anniversary of the date of
grant.
|
Events
Affecting Outstanding Awards
Events
affecting outstanding awards include termination of employment, change in
control, termination of awards and change in and distributions with respect
to
common stock.
|
·
|
Termination
of Employment.
In general, the treatment of an award upon termination of a Participant’s
employment will be determined by the Administrator at the time of
grant
and specified in the document by which the award is granted, subject
to
the authority of the Administrator under the 2006 Plan to modify
or waive
terms and conditions of the award. It is currently anticipated that
awards
will generally provide that if the termination of employment is by
reason
of disability (as determined by the Administrator) or death subject
to
certain limitations of the 2006 Plan and/or the award agreement:
(A) stock
options and SARs held by the Participant or any permitted transferees
of
the Participant will remain exercisable (to the extent they vested
and
were exercisable at the time of disability or death) until the earlier
of
(x) the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant’s
employment ceased as a result of disability or death, and (y) the
date on which the award would have terminated had the Participant
remained
an employee and (B) the Participant’s unvested restricted stock and
restricted stock units will be forfeited. If vesting or exercisability
of
an award is conditioned upon satisfaction of performance criteria
that
have not been satisfied at the time the Participant’s employment
terminates by reason of disability or death, it is also currently
anticipated that the award will generally provide that it will terminate
unless the Administrator exercises its authority under the 2006 Plan
to
waive or modify the conditions of the award. If the termination of
employment is for Cause or as a result of the resignation of the
employee
then it is currently anticipated that the award will generally provide
that (A) all stock options and SARs held by the Participant or the
Participant’s permitted transferees will terminate immediately and (B) all
unvested restricted stock and all vested or unvested restricted stock
units will be forfeited and if the termination of employment is for
any
reason other than for Cause or as result of the resignation of the
employee or due to disability or death of the Participant: (A) stock
options and SARs held by the Participant or the Participant’s permitted
transferees that were not exercisable immediately prior to cessation
of
employment will terminate immediately. It is also currently anticipated
that each such stock option and SAR that was so exercisable will
remain
exercisable until the earlier of (x) the date which is three months
after the date on which the Participant’s employment ceased and
(y) the date on which the award would have terminated had the
Participant remained an employee. The award may contain a provision
providing the Company with the right to reacquire the Participant’s
unvested restricted stock at the lower of the Participant’s original
purchase price, if any, for such common stock, and the fair market
value
of the common stock on the date of termination. If there was no purchase
price, then the restricted stock may be forfeited. Restricted stock
units
may be forfeited.
|
|
·
|
Change
in Control. If
vesting or exercisability of an award, or delivery of stock under
an
award, is conditioned upon satisfaction of performance criteria (as
defined in the 2006 Plan) that have not been satisfied at the time
of the
change in control, except as otherwise provided upon grant of the
award,
vesting, exercisability and delivery of common stock will not be
accelerated by the change in control unless the Administrator exercises
its authority under the 2006 Plan to modify or waive terms and conditions
of the award. The Administrator may also provide that any options
or other
awards cannot be exercised after or will be terminated after a change
in
control transaction. However, depending on the nature of the change
in
control transaction, payment of certain awards may be delayed to
comply
with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. If the change in
control
is one in which holders of common stock will receive upon consummation
a
payment (whether cash, non-cash or a combination of the foregoing),
the
Administrator may provide for payment (a “cash-out”), with respect to some
or all awards, equal in the case of each affected award to the excess,
if
any, of (i) the fair market value of one share of common stock (as
determined by the Administrator in its reasonable discretion) times
the
number of shares of common stock subject to the award, over (ii) the
aggregate exercise price, if any, under the award (or in the case
of an
SAR, the aggregate base price above which appreciation is measured),
in
each case on such payment terms (which need not be the same as the
terms
of payment to holders of common stock) and other terms, and subject
to
such conditions, as the Administrator
determines.
|
|
·
|
Termination
of Awards.
Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, each outstanding
award
other than restricted stock will terminate upon consummation of a
covered
transaction (as defined in the 2006
Plan).
|
|
·
|
Change
in and Distributions with Respect to Stock.
In the event of any corporate event or transaction, such as a stock
dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other change in the Company’s
capital structure, the Administrator will adjust the number and kind
of
securities that can be delivered under the 2006 Plan. In the event
of
distributions other than those described above, the Administrator,
in its
discretion may make adjustments under the 2006 Plan to avoid distortion
in
the operation of the 2006 Plan and preserve the value of
awards.
|
Amendment
and Termination
The
Administrator at any time or times may amend the 2006 Plan or any outstanding
award for any purpose which may at the time be permitted by law, and may at
any
time terminate the 2006 Plan as to any future grants of awards; provided, that
except as otherwise expressly provided in the 2006 Plan the Administrator may
not, without the Participant’s consent, alter the terms of an award so as to
affect adversely the Participant’s right under the award, unless the
Administrator expressly reserved the right to do so at the time of the award.
Any amendment to the 2006 Plan is conditioned upon stockholder approval only
if,
and to the extent, such approval is required by law or the applicable listing
requirements of the principal securities exchange or quotation medium on which
the Company’s common equity is listed for trading, as determined by the
Administrator.
On
April
2, 2008, the last sale price of the common stock was $ 18.14 per share as
reported on the Nasdaq Global Market.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the 2006 Plan
THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE DISCUSSION OF THE U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE 2006 PLAN AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, AND THE
REGULATIONS ADOPTED PURSUANT THERETO. THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION INCLUDE CURRENT TAX LAW ONLY AND DO NOT REFLECT
ANY PROPOSALS TO REVISE CURRENT TAX LAW. A PARTICIPANT WHO ACQUIRES SHARES
OF
THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK UNDER THE 2006 PLAN SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX
ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO HIS OR HER INDIVIDUAL TAX POSITION AND THE EFFECT OF
ANY
LEGISLATIVE REVISIONS ON SUCH POSITION.
PARTICIPANTS
SUBJECT TO TAXES IMPOSED BY STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAXING AUTHORITIES, INCLUDING
FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS OR TAX ADVISERS
REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES THEREUNDER.
THE
U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES APPLICABLE TO PERSONS SUBJECT TO POTENTIAL
LIABILITY UNDER SECTION 16(b) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND THE
RULES THEREUNDER MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
APPLICABLE TO PERSONS WHO ARE NOT SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(b) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. PERSONS SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(b) SHOULD CONSULT THEIR
OWN
TAX ADVISORS FOR MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION.
General
Generally,
under existing federal tax law, the Company will be entitled to federal income
tax deductions with respect to non-qualified stock options, SARs, deferred
stock
units, and restricted stock awarded under the 2006 Plan, at or following the
time that taxable income is realized by a participant with respect to such
Awards. Generally, income will be realized by a participant upon the exercise
of
non-qualified stock options and at the time cash or stock is delivered to a
participant in the 2006 Plan in respect of the other types of Awards, except
that, in the case of restricted stock, ordinary income will be realized at
the
time the stock is no longer subject to substantial risk of forfeiture.
Generally,
a participant that is granted an incentive stock option will not realize taxable
income by reason of the grant or the exercise of an incentive stock option,
although the exercise of an incentive stock option may subject the optionee
to
the alternative minimum tax. If an optionee exercises an incentive stock option
and does not dispose of the shares until the later of (i) two years from the
date the option was granted and (ii) one year from the date of exercise, the
entire gain, if any, realized upon disposition of such shares will be taxable
to
the optionee as long-term capital gain, and the Company will not be entitled
to
any deduction. If an optionee disposes of the shares within the period of two
years from the date of grant or one year from the date of exercise (a
“disqualifying disposition”), the optionee generally will realize ordinary
income in the year of disposition and the Company will receive a corresponding
deduction, in an amount equal to the excess of (1) the lesser of (a) the amount,
if any, realized on the disposition and (b) the fair market value of the shares
on the date the option was exercised over (2) the option price. Any additional
gain realized on the disposition will be long-term or short-term capital gain
and any loss will be long-term or short-term capital loss. It is possible,
however, for the Company to receive a deduction with respect to an incentive
stock option if the participant disposes of the stock before satisfying the
applicable holding period rules. As described in greater detail below, no
deduction is allowed to the Company for nonperformance-based compensation Awards
in excess of Section 162(m) limits that is paid to certain executive
officers named in the Company’s proxy statement for the fiscal year the
deduction would otherwise have been available.
Limitation
on the Company’s Deduction
Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code will generally limit the Company’s federal
income tax deduction for compensation paid in any year to its Chief Executive
Officer and its four highest paid executive officers to $1,000,000, to the
extent that such compensation is not “performance based.” Under Treasury
regulations, a stock option will, in general, qualify as “performance based”
compensation if it (i) has an exercise price of not less than the fair market
value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, (ii) is granted under a
plan
that limits the number of shares for which stock options may be granted to
an
employee during a specified period, which plan is approved by a majority of
the
stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and (iii) is granted and administered
by
a compensation committee consisting solely of at least two outside directors
(as
defined in Section 162(m)). If a stock option to an executive referred to above
is not “performance based”, the amount that would otherwise be deductible by the
Company in respect of such stock option will be disallowed to the extent that
the executive’s aggregate non-performance based compensation paid in the
relevant year exceeds $1,000,000. The foregoing provisions will be construed
in
a manner consistent with Section 162(m). Performance awards that are
intended to qualify as performance-based for purposes of Section 162(m) of
the
Internal Revenue Code other than a stock option or SAR, will be construed to
the
maximum extent permitted by law in a manner consistent with qualifying the
award
for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Awards
to
be made under the 2006 Plan
The
Summary Compensation Table above contains information on shares of common stock
awarded to our named executive officers in 2007, all of which were awarded
under
the 2006 Plan. No other awards were granted to our named executive officers
in
2007. As noted above, certain RSUs and PSUs were awarded in February 2008 to
our
chief executive officer, Neil Cole, under the terms of his new employment
agreement. Mr. Cole is also entitled to an award of 216,639 additional PSUs
under that agreement, subject to stockholder approval of this proposal to amend
the 2006 Plan. The following table sets forth information regarding the
stock-based awards that we currently expect to grant in 2008 under the 2006
Plan, subject to stockholder approval of the proposed amendment to the 2006
Plan.
New
Plan Benefits
Name
and Position
|
|
Dollar
Value ($)
|
|
Number
of Units (1)
|
|
Neil
Cole, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
216,639
|
(3)
|
Non-Executive
Director Group (6 persons)
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,000
|
(5)
|
(1)
|
The
amount of any other individual grants that will be made if the proposed
amendment to the 2006 Plan is approved has not been determined although
we
currently anticipate that additional awards of our common stock or
other-stock based-awards will be made in 2008 and thereafter under
the
2006 Plan to certain employees and other persons eligible to receive
awards under the 2006 Plan.
|
(2)
|
The
dollar value of the PSU award depends on the value of a share of
common
stock of the Company on the date of grant. The number of PSUs to
be
awarded under Mr. Cole’s new employment agreement was based upon a 10-day
average price of $20.31 per share determined in accordance with the
terms
of his new employment agreement.
|
(3)
|
The
grant of 216,639 PSUs and the common stock issuable thereunder is
subject
to stockholder approval of either an increase in the number of shares
of
common stock available for issuance under the 2006 Plan (pursuant
to this
Proposal II) or another incentive plan that would cover such grants.
|
(4)
|
The
dollar value of the restricted shares of common stock awards to be
granted
to non-employee members of the Board depends on the value of a share
of
common stock of the Company on the date of
grant.
|
(5)
|
Represents
grant of 4,000 restricted shares of common stock anticipated to be
awarded
by the Company to each of the non-employee members of the Board on
or
about July 1, 2008.
|
There
are
two reasons for seeking stockholder approval of Proposal II. One is to satisfy
a
Nasdaq Stock Market requirement that requires companies whose shares are
reported on the Nasdaq Global Market to obtain stockholder approval of
amendments to stock plans for directors, officers or key employees. The second
reason is to satisfy requirements of the Internal Revenue Code which require
stockholder approval of the amendment in order for options granted for the
additional shares issuable under the 2006 Plan to qualify as incentive stock
options to the extent so designated and for the 2006 Plan to satisfy one of
the
conditions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
performance-based compensation.
If
the
stockholders do not approve Proposal II, then the maximum number of shares
issuable under the 2006 Plan will remain at 2,000,000 shares and the awards
referred to above may not be effected.
EQUITY
COMPENSATION PLAN
INFORMATION
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to all of the
Company’s equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2007, without
giving effect to the proposed increase in shares available under the 2006 Plan
or shares subject to awards granted to our chief executive officer and others
in
2008.
Plan
Category
|
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
warrants
and rights
(a)
|
|
Weighted-average
exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and
rights
(b)
|
|
Number
of securities remaining available for issuance under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
(c)
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders:
|
|
|
4,037,343
|
|
|
4.55
|
|
|
6,469,052
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders (1)
:
|
|
|
1,336,100
|
|
|
5.92
|
|
|
25,000
|
(2)
|
Total
|
|
|
5,373,443
|
|
|
4.34
|
|
|
6,494,052
|
|
(1)
|
Represents
the aggregate number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise
of
individual arrangements with option and warrant holders, including
640,500
options issued under the terms of our 2001 Stock Option Plan. These
options and warrants are up to three years in duration, expire at
various
dates through December 28, 2015, contain anti-dilution provisions
providing for adjustments of the exercise price under certain
circumstances and have termination provisions similar to options
granted
under stockholder approved plans. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements in our Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2007
for a description of our stock option
plans.
|
(2)
|
Represents
shares eligible for issuance upon the exercise of options that may
be
granted under our 2001 Stock Option
Plan.
|
Recommendation
The
Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of Proposal II and
the amendment to our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.
PROPOSAL
III
APPROVAL
OF THE EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE BONUS PLAN
The
compensation committee has determined that the adoption of an executive
incentive bonus plan will assist the Company in providing competitive incentive
opportunities to executives who can significantly influence the Company’s
performance and improve its ability to attract and motivate its management
team.
In this regard, under the terms of Mr. Cole’s new employment agreement, subject
to stockholder approval of this proposal, Mr. Cole will be eligible to receive
an annual cash bonus, not to exceed 150% of his base salary, based on the
Company’s achievement of certain annual performance-based goals.
In
addition to allowing the Company to fulfill its obligations to Mr. Cole under
the terms of his new employment agreement, which terms were material to Mr.
Cole’s decision to enter into the new employment agreement, the Board of
Directors proposes that stockholders approve the Executive Incentive Bonus
Plan,
so that if established goals and targets are met, certain payments that would
be
made under this plan to the Company’s most highly compensated executive officers
may be deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes.
Generally,
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code does not permit publicly held
companies like the Company to deduct compensation paid to certain executive
officers to the extent it exceeds $1 million per officer in any year. However,
a
performance-based compensation plan that is approved by stockholders at least
once every five years generally will not be subject to this deduction limit.
So
long as the Company complies with these and other requirements set forth in
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), all amounts paid to executive
officers under the plan will qualify for a federal tax deduction by the Company.
The
material features of the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan are described below:
Summary
Plan Description: The following is only a brief summary of the material terms
of
the plan, and does not describe all the terms of the plan. We urge you to read
the complete text of the plan included as Annex B to this proxy statement.
|
·
|
The
purpose of the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan is to promote the
achievement of the Company’s short-term, targeted business objectives by
providing competitive incentive reward opportunities to those executive
officers who can significantly impact the Company’s performance towards
those objectives. Further, the plan enhances the Company’s ability to
attract, develop and motivate individuals as members of a talented
management team. As described herein, the awards made under the plan
may
recognize Company, business unit, team and/or individual performance.
The
number of individuals who are eligible to participate in this plan
is
currently five.
|
|
·
|
If
the plan is approved, the compensation committee will administer
the plan,
and may amend the plan. This committee is composed entirely of independent
directors of the Company, as defined under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
|
|
·
|
Awards
made under the plan will be subject to a participant achieving one
or more
performance goals established by the compensation committee. The
performance goals may be based on the overall performance of the
Company,
and also may recognize business unit, team and/or individual performance.
No payment will be made under the plan, unless the committee certifies
that at least the minimum objective performance measures have been
met.
Such performance measures may include specific or relative targeted
amounts of, or changes in: earnings before interest, depreciation,
taxes
and amortization (“EBIDTA”); revenues; expenses; net income; operating
income; equity; return on equity, assets or capital employed; working
capital; shareholder return; production or sales volumes; or certain
other
objective criteria.
|
|
·
|
The
compensation committee would have the discretion to reduce the amount
payable to, or to determine that no amount will be paid to, a participant.
Awards are paid in cash.
|
|
·
|
The
amount of any award will vary based on the level of actual performance.
The amount of any award for a given year is determined for each
participant by multiplying the individual participant’s actual base salary
in effect at the end of that year by a target percentage (from 0%
to
200%), related to the attainment of one or more performance goals,
determined by the compensation committee. In the event that an award
contains more than one performance goal, participants in the plan
will be
entitled to receive the portion of the target percentage allocated
to the
performance goal achieved. In the event that the Company does not
achieve
at least the minimum performance goals established, no award payment
will
be made.
|
|
·
|
The
actual amount of future payments under the Executive Incentive Bonus
Plan
cannot be determined at this time, since they will be based on the
Company’s future financial and operating performance, and applicable
future performance goals and target percentages to be established
by the
compensation committee.
|
Recommendation
The
Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of Proposal III and
the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan.
PROPOSAL
IV
RATIFICATION
OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
BDO
Seidman, LLP has audited and reported upon our financial statements for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The audit committee of the Board of
Directors has re-appointed BDO Seidman, LLP as our independent registered public
accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. Although stockholder
approval of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP is not required by law, the
audit committee and the Board of Directors believe that it is advisable to
give
stockholders an opportunity to ratify this appointment. Furthermore, although
the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP is being submitted for stockholder
ratification, the audit committee reserves the right, even after ratification
by
stockholders, to change the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP our independent
registered public accountants, at any time during the 2008 fiscal year, if
it
deems such change to be in our best interest. A representative of BDO Seidman,
LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to
make
a statement if he or she desires to do so and is expected to be available to
respond to appropriate questions.
In
addition to retaining BDO Seidman, LLP to audit our financial statements, we
engage BDO Seidman, LLP from time to time to perform other
services.
Audit
Fees.
The
aggregate fees billed by BDO Seidman, LLP for professional services rendered
for
the audit of our annual financial statements for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006,
internal control over financial reporting and reviews of the financial
statements included in our Forms 10-Q, comfort letters and consents related
to
SEC registration statements and other capital raising activities for fiscal
2007
and fiscal 2006 totaled approximately $1,023,000, and $990,000,
respectively.
Audit-Related
Fees.
There
were approximately $189,000 and $105,000 aggregate fees billed by BDO Seidman,
LLP for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the
performance of the audit or review of our financial statements for fiscal 2007
and fiscal 2006, respectively, and that are not disclosed in the paragraph
caption "Audit Fees" above. The majority of the audit-related fees in fiscal
2007 were related to the audits of the financial statements for fiscal 2007
acquisitions, whereas the majority of the audit-related fees in fiscal 2006
were
related to the audit of the financial statements of our subsidiary, IP Holdings,
LLC and of The Candie's Foundation.
Tax
Fees.
The
aggregate fees billed by BDO Seidman, LLP for professional services rendered
for
tax compliance, for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, were approximately $55,000,
and
$35,000, respectively. The aggregate fees billed by BDO Seidman, LLP for
professional services rendered for tax advice and tax planning for fiscal 2007
and fiscal 2006, were $0 and $0, respectively.
All
Other Fees.
There
were no fees billed by BDO Seidman, LLP for products and services, other than
the services described in the paragraphs captions "Audit Fees", "Audit-Related
Fees", and "Tax Fees" above for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006.
The
audit
committee has established its pre-approval policies and procedures, pursuant
to
which the audit committee approved the foregoing audit services provided by
BDO
Seidman, LLP in fiscal 2007. Consistent with the audit committee’s
responsibility for engaging our independent auditors, all audit and permitted
non-audit services require pre-approval by the audit committee. The full audit
committee approves proposed services and fee estimates for these services.
The
audit committee chairperson or their designee has been designated by the audit
committee to approve any services arising during the year that were not
pre-approved by the audit committee. Services approved by the audit committee
chairperson are communicated to the full audit committee at its next regular
meeting and the audit committee reviews services and fees for the fiscal year
at
each such meeting. Pursuant to these procedures, the audit committee approved
all the foregoing audit services and permissible non-audit services provided
by
BDO Seidman, LLP.
Recommendation
The
Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR approval of Proposal IV and
the
ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as our independent
registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS FOR 2009 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders
who wish to present proposals appropriate for consideration at our annual
meeting of stockholders to be held in the year 2009 must submit the proposal
in
proper form consistent with our By-Laws to us at our address set forth on the
first page of this proxy statement and in accordance with applicable regulations
under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act not later than December 5, 2008 in order
for the proposition to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and
form of proxy relating to such annual meeting. Any such proposals, should
contain the name and record address of the stockholder, the class and number
of
shares of our common stock beneficially owned as of the record date established
for the meeting, a description of, and reasons for, the proposal and all
information that would be require to be included in the proxy statement file
with the SEC if such stockholder was a participant in the solicitation subject
to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The proposal and as well
as any questions related thereto, should be directed to the Company’s
Secretary.
If
a
stockholder submits a proposal after the December 5, 2008 deadline required
under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act but still wishes to present the proposal
at
our Annual Meeting of Stockholders (but not in our proxy statement) for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 to be held in 2009, the proposal, which
must be presented in a manner consistent with our By-Laws and applicable law,
must be submitted to the Secretary of the Company in proper form at the address
set forth above so that it is received by the Company’s Secretary not less than
50 nor more than 75 days prior to the meeting unless less than 65 days notice
or
prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
stockholders, in which case, no less than the close of business on the tenth
day
following the date on which the notice of the date of the meeting was mailed
or
other public disclosure was made.
We
did
not receive notice of any proposed matter to be submitted by stockholders for
a
vote at this Annual Meeting and, therefore, in accordance with Exchange Act
Rule
14a-4(c) any proxies held by persons designated as proxies by our Board of
Directors and received in respect of this Annual Meeting will be voted in the
discretion of our management on such other matter which may properly come before
the Annual Meeting.
OTHER
INFORMATION
Proxies
for the Annual Meeting will be solicited by mail and through brokerage
institutions and all expenses involved, including printing and postage, will
be
paid by us. We have retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated, a proxy
solicitation firm, for assistance in connection with the solicitation of proxies
for the Annual Meeting at a cost of $20,000 plus reimbursement of its reasonable
out of pocket expenses. In addition, arrangements will be made with brokerage
houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy
materials to the beneficial owners of stock, and we may reimburse such persons
for their expenses.
A
copy of our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders (which includes a copy of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with
the SEC) is being mailed with this Proxy Statement to each stockholder of record
as of the close of business on March 26, 2008.
A
stockholder may also request an additional copy of our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, without charge except for exhibits
to
the report, by writing to Iconix Brand Group, Inc., 1450 Broadway, New York,
New
York 10018, Attention: Deborah Sorell Stehr.
Exhibits
will be provided upon written request and payment of a reasonable
fee.
The
Board
of Directors is aware of no other matters, except for those incident to the
conduct of the Annual Meeting, that are to be presented to stockholders for
formal action at the Annual Meeting. If, however, any other matters properly
come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof, it is the intention
of the persons named in the proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their
judgment.
|
By order of the Board of
Directors, |
|
Neil Cole, |
|
Chairman of the Board, |
April 4, 2008 |
President and Chief Executive
Officer |
ANNEX
A
ICONIX
BRAND GROUP, INC.
2006
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1.
PURPOSE
The
Plan
has been established to advance the interests of the Company and its
stockholders by providing for the grant to Participants of Stock-based and
other
incentive Awards to (i) enhance the Company’s ability to attract and retain
current or prospective Employees, directors and consultants who are in a
position to make contributions to the success of the Company and its Affiliates
and (ii) encourage Participants to take into account the long-term interests
of
the Company and its stockholders through ownership of shares of
Stock.
2.
DEFINED
TERMS
Exhibit
A, which is incorporated by reference, defines the terms used in the Plan and
sets forth certain operational rules related to those terms.
3.
ADMINISTRATION
The
Administrator shall have the right to construe the Plan and the Awards issued
pursuant to it, to correct defects and omissions and to reconcile
inconsistencies to the extent that the Administrator deems it to be necessary
or
desirable to effectuate the purposes of the Plan and the Awards issued pursuant
to it, and such action shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all parties
concerned. The Administrator has discretionary authority, subject only to the
express provisions of the Plan, to determine eligibility for and grant Awards;
determine, modify or waive the terms and conditions of any Award; prescribe
forms, rules and procedures; and otherwise do all things necessary to carry
out
the purposes of the Plan. In the case of any Award intended to be eligible
for
the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m), the
Administrator will exercise its discretion consistent with qualifying the Award
for that exception. No Administrator shall be liable for any act or omission
(whether or not negligent) taken or omitted in good faith, or for the exercise
of an authority or discretion granted in connection with the Plan, or for the
acts or omission of other members of the Committee or other individuals or
entities comprising the Administrator.
4.
LIMITS
ON AWARDS UNDER THE PLAN
(a) Number
of Shares.
The
maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan and under
ISOs issued pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 3,500,000
shares of Stock and 500,000 shares of Stock, respectively. If any Award expires
or is terminated, surrendered, forfeited or canceled without having been fully
exercised or results in any Common Stock not being issued, the shares of Common
Stock covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards
under the Plan. With respect to the issuance of SARs that may be settled in
Stock, the number of shares available for Awards under the Plan will be reduced
by the total number of SARs granted. SARs that may be settled in cash only
will
not reduce the number of shares available for award under the Plan. The limit
set forth in this Section 4(a) shall be construed to comply with Section 422
of
the Code and regulations thereunder. To the extent consistent with the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code and regulations thereunder, and with
other applicable legal requirements (including applicable stock exchange
requirements), Stock issued under awards of an acquired company that are
converted, replaced, or adjusted in connection with the acquisition will not
reduce the number of shares available for Awards under the Plan.
(b) Type
of Shares.
Stock
delivered by the Company under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Stock
or
previously issued Stock acquired by the Company. Except as determined by the
Administrator, no fractional shares of Stock will be delivered under the
Plan.
(c) Section
162(m) Limits.).
The
maximum number of shares subject to any “performance-based compensation“ Awards
(as defined for purposes of Section 162(m) and the applicable Treasury
Regulations thereunder) granted to any person in any fiscal year shall be
1,500,000 shares of Stock.
(d) Stock
Dividends, Stock Splits, etc.
In the
event of any change in the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company
by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets, reorganization,
conversion or what the Administrator deems in its sole discretion to be similar
circumstances, the aggregate number and kind of shares which may be issued
under
this Plan (including, but not limited to, the provisions of Section 4(a) and
Section 4(c) hereof) shall be appropriately adjusted in a manner determined
in
the sole discretion of the Administrator.
(e) Par
Value.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if a Participant is required
by
applicable law to pay the par value of the Common Stock subject to an Award,
such payment may be made in any form permitted by applicable law, including
services performed or contracted to be performed, in the sole discretion of
the
Administrator.
5.
ELIGIBILITY
AND PARTICIPATION
The
Administrator will select Participants from among those current and prospective
Employees, directors and consultants to the Company or its Affiliates and others
who, in the opinion of the Administrator, are in a position to make a
significant contribution to the success of the Company and its Affiliates.
Eligibility for ISOs is limited to Employees of the Company or of a “Parent
Corporation” or “Subsidiary Corporation” of the Company on the date of grant of
the ISO.
6.
RULES APPLICABLE
TO AWARDS
(a) All
Awards
(1) Award
Provisions.
The
Administrator will determine the terms of all Awards, subject to the limitations
provided herein. By accepting any Award granted hereunder, the Participant
agrees to the terms of the Award and the Plan. Notwithstanding any provision
of
this Plan to the contrary, awards of an acquired company that are converted,
replaced or adjusted in connection with the acquisition may contain terms and
conditions that are inconsistent with the terms and conditions specified herein,
as determined by the Administrator. No Award shall be legally effective unless
it is in writing and the document is signed by the Administrator. The
Administrator shall have the power to accelerate the vesting of any Award
granted
under the Plan at any time following the grant of the Award.
(2) Term
of Plan. No
Awards
may be made under this Plan ten (10) years after date of its adoption by the
Board, but previously granted Awards may continue beyond that date in accordance
with their terms.
(3) Transferability. An
ISO
may not be transferred except to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the
Code. An Award other than an ISO may not be transferred except to the extent
set
forth in the Award.
(4) Dividend
Equivalents, Etc. The
Administrator may provide for the payment of amounts in lieu of cash dividends
or other cash distributions with respect to an Award; however, no dividends
or
other distributions may be paid in connection with an Award of a Stock Option
or
SAR except to the extent such Stock Option or SAR has been properly
exercised.
(5) Rights
Limited. Nothing
in the Plan will be construed as giving any person the right to continued
employment or service with the Company or its Affiliates, or any rights as
a
stockholder except as to shares of Stock actually issued under the Plan. The
loss of existing or potential profit in Awards will not constitute an element
of
damages in the event of termination of Employment for any reason, even if the
termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or Affiliate to
the
Participant.
(6) Section 162(m).
This
Section 6(a)(6) applies to any Performance Award intended to qualify as
performance-based for the purposes of Section 162(m) other than a Stock
Option or SAR. In the case of any Performance Award to which this
Section 6(a)(6) applies, the Plan and such Award will be construed to the
maximum extent permitted by law in a manner consistent with qualifying the
Award
for the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m). With
respect to such Performance Awards, the Administrator will preestablish, in
writing, one or more specific Performance Criteria no later than 90 days
after the commencement of the period of service to which the performance relates
(or at such earlier time as is required to qualify the Award as
performance-based under Section 162(m)). Prior to grant, vesting or payment
of the Performance Award, as the case may be, the Administrator will certify
whether the applicable Performance Criteria have been attained and such
determination will be final and conclusive. No Performance Award to which this
Section 6(a)(6) applies may be granted after the first meeting of the
stockholders of the Company held five (5) or more years after the date of
approval of this Plan by the Stockholders of the Company until the listed
performance measures set forth in the definition of “Performance Criteria” (as
originally approved or as subsequently amended) have been resubmitted to and
reapproved by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the
requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, unless such grant is made
contingent upon such approval.
(7) Section 409A
of the Code.
(i) Awards
under the Plan are intended either to be exempt from the rules of
Section 409A of the Code or to satisfy those rules and shall be construed
accordingly. However, the Company shall not be liable to any Participant or
other holder of an Award with respect to any Award-related adverse tax
consequences arising under Section 409A or other provision of the Code.
(ii) If
any
provision of the Plan or an Award agreement contravenes any regulations or
Treasury guidance promulgated under Code Section 409A or could cause an Award
to
be subject to the interest and penalties under Code Section 409A, such provision
of the Plan or Award shall be deemed automatically modified to maintain, to
the
maximum extent practicable, the original intent of the applicable provision
without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A. Moreover, any
discretionary authority that the Administrator may have pursuant to the Plan
shall not be applicable to an Award that is subject to Code Section 409A to
the
extent such discretionary authority will contravene Section 409A or the
regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.
(iii) Notwithstanding
any provisions of this Plan or any Award granted hereunder to the contrary,
no
acceleration shall occur with respect to any Award to the extent such
acceleration would cause the Plan or an Award granted hereunder to fail to
comply with Code Section 409A.
(iv) Notwithstanding
any provisions of this Plan or any applicable Award agreement to the contrary,
no payment shall be made with respect to any Award granted under this Plan
to a
“specified employee” (as such term is defined for purposes of Code Section 409A)
prior to the six-month anniversary of the employee’s separation of service to
the extent such six-month delay in payment is required to comply with Code
Section 409A.
(v) In
the case of an Award providing for the payment of deferred compensation subject
to Section 409A of the Code, any payment of such deferred compensation by reason
of a Change in Control shall be made only if the Change in Control is one
described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(v) of Section 409A and the guidance thereunder
and shall be paid consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. If any
deferred compensation that would otherwise be payable by reason of a Change
in
Control cannot be paid by reason of the immediately preceding sentence, it
shall
be paid as soon as practicable thereafter consistent with the requirements
of
Section 409A, as determined by the Administrator.
(8) For
Cause Terminations.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan or in any Award,
all Awards held by a Participant whose employment, directorship, consulting,
service or other relationship with the Company or any Affiliate was terminated
for “Cause” shall, subject to the discretion of the Administrator to provide
otherwise, terminate immediately as of the date of such termination for “Cause.
A termination of a Participant’s employment, directorship, consulting, service
or other relationship with the Company or any Affiliate shall be for “Cause” if
the Administrator determines that the Participant: (i) was guilty of fraud,
gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his or her duties
for the Company or any Affiliate, (ii) willfully and continually failed to
perform substantially the Participant’s duties with the Company or any Affiliate
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to Disability) after
delivery of written demand for substantial performance to the Participant by
the
Board, the Administrator or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company that
specifically identified the manner in which the Board, the Administrator or
the
Chief Executive Officer believed the Participant did not substantially perform
his or her duties, (iii) breached or violated, in a material respect, any
agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate or any of
the
Company’s or its Affiliates’ codes of conduct or corporate policies, including
policy statements regarding conflicts-of-interest, insider trading or
confidentiality, (iv) committed a material act of dishonesty or breach of trust,
(v) acted in a manner that was inimical or injurious, in a material respect,
to
the business or interests of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (vi)
was
convicted of, or plead guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or any other
crime
involving moral turpitude which subjects, or if generally known, would subject,
the Company or any of its Affiliates to public ridicule or
embarrassment.
(b) Stock
Options and SARs
(1) Duration
of Stock Options and SARs. The
latest date on which a Stock Option or a SAR may be exercised will be the tenth
anniversary of the date the Stock Option (fifth anniversary in the case of
an
ISO granted to a ten percent shareholder within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6)
of the Code) or SAR was granted, or such earlier date as may have been specified
by the Administrator at the time the Stock Option or SAR was
granted.
(2) Vesting. The
Administrator shall fix the term during which each Stock Option or SAR may
be
exercised, but no Stock Option or SAR shall be exercisable after the tenth
anniversary of its date of grant. A Stock Option and an SAR shall become
exercisable as provided in the Award. Notwithstanding any other provision of
the
Plan, the Administrator may determine with respect to an Award that the date
on
which any outstanding Stock Option or SAR or any portion thereof is exercisable
shall be advanced to an earlier date or dates designated by the Administrator
in
accordance with such terms and subject to such conditions, if any, as the
Administrator shall specify.
(3) Time
and Manner of Exercise.
Unless
the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, an Award requiring exercise
by
the holder will not be deemed to have been exercised until the Administrator
receives a notice of exercise (in form acceptable to the Administrator) signed
by the appropriate person and accompanied by any payment required under the
Award. If the Award is exercised by any person other than the Participant,
the
Administrator may require satisfactory evidence that the person exercising
the
Award has the right to do so.
(4) Exercise
Price. The
exercise price (or in the case of a SAR, the base price above which appreciation
is to be measured) of each Award requiring exercise shall be 100% (in the case
of an ISO granted to a ten-percent shareholder within the meaning of
Section 422(b)(6) of the Code, 110%) of the fair market value of the Stock
subject to the Award, determined as of the date of grant, or such higher amount
as the Administrator may determine in connection with the grant. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a Stock Option (whether or not an ISO) may be issued or assumed
with an exercise price determined according to the provisions of Section 424(a)
of the Code, if such issuance or assumption of such Option is pursuant to a
transaction described in Section 424(a) of the Code. If and to the extent
required by the corporation law of the state of incorporation of the Company,
the exercise price paid for each share of Stock shall not be less than the
par
value per share of the Stock.
(5) Payment
Of Exercise Price.
Where
the
exercise of an Award is to be accompanied by payment, the Administrator shall
state in the Award the required or permitted forms of payment.
(6) Stock
Option Forms.
Unless
otherwise determined by the Administrator and subject to the authority of the
Administrator set forth in Section 3 hereof, an ISO granted pursuant to this
Plan to an Employee shall be issued substantially in the form set forth in
Appendix I hereof, which form is hereby incorporated by reference and made
a
part hereof, and shall contain substantially the terms and conditions set forth
therein. Subject to the authority of the Administrator set forth in Section
3
hereof, a Stock Option which is not an ISO granted pursuant to this Plan to
an
Employee shall be issued substantially in the form set forth in Appendix II
hereof, which form is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof,
and shall contain substantially the terms and conditions set forth therein.
Subject to the authority of the Administrator set forth in Section 3 hereof,
a
Stock Option granted pursuant to this Plan to an individual or entity which
is
not an Employee shall be issued substantially in the form set forth in Appendix
III hereof, which form is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part
hereof, and shall contain substantially the terms and conditions set forth
therein. At the time of the grant of a Stock Option, the Administrator may,
in
the Administrator’s sole discretion, amend or supplement any of the option terms
contained in Appendix I, II or III hereof for any particular optionee, provided
that with respect to an ISO, the Stock Option satisfies the requirements for
an
ISO set forth in the Code.
(7) Notification
by Employees.
Any
Employee who disposes of shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO either
(i)
within two years from the date of grant of such ISO or (ii) within one year
after the transfer of such shares to the Employee shall notify the Company
of
such disposition and of the amount realized upon such disposition.
(c) Restricted
Stock and Other Awards Not Requiring Exercise
(1) Consideration
in General.
In
general, Awards that do not require exercise may be made in exchange for such
lawful consideration, including services, as the Administrator determines.
Any
purchase price payable by a Participant to the Company for Stock under an Award
not requiring exercise shall be paid in cash or check acceptable to the
Administrator, through the delivery of shares of Stock that have been
outstanding for at least six months (unless the Administrator approves a shorter
period) and that have a fair market value equal to the purchase price, if and
to
the extent permitted by the Administrator, by delivery to the Company of a
promissory note of the Participant, payable on such terms as are specified
by
the Administrator, or by any combination of the foregoing permissible forms
of
payment.
(2) Vesting.
Restricted Stock shall be granted subject to such restrictions on the full
enjoyment of the shares as the Administrator shall specify; which restrictions
may be based on the passage of time, satisfaction of Performance Criteria,
or
the occurrence of one or more events; and shall lapse separately or in
combination upon such conditions and at such time or times, in installments
or
otherwise, as the Administrator shall specify.
(3) Restricted
Stock Agreement Forms.
Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to this Plan to an Employee which is intended
to be time vested and Restricted Stock awarded to an individual or entity who
or
which is not an Employee which is intended to be time vested shall contain
such
terms as determined by the Administrator and shall be subject to the terms
of an
agreement executed by the Company and the Participant receiving the Restricted
Stock award containing such terms as the Administrator shall
determine.
7.
AMENDMENT,
SUPPLEMENT, WAIVER AND TERMINATION
The
Board
may at any time or times amend, supplement or waive the Plan (or any of the
provisions thereof) or any outstanding Award (or any of the provisions thereof)
for any purpose which may at the time be permitted by law, and may at any time
terminate the Plan as to any future grants of Awards; provided,
that
except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan the Board may not, without
the Participant’s consent, alter the terms of an Award so as to affect adversely
the Participant’s rights under the Award, unless the Administrator expressly
reserved the right to do so at the time of the Award. Any amendments,
supplement, waiver or termination to the Plan shall be conditioned upon
stockholder approval only to the extent, if any, such approval is required
by
law (including the Code and applicable stock exchange or trading market
requirements), as determined by the Administrator.
8.
OTHER
COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS
The
existence of the Plan or the grant of any Award will not in any way affect
the
Company’s right to award a Participant bonuses or other compensation in addition
to Awards under the Plan.
9.
WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL
By
accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant waives
any right to a trial by jury
in any
action, proceeding or counterclaim concerning any rights under the Plan and
any
Award, or under any amendment, waiver, consent, instrument, document or other
agreement delivered or which in the future may be delivered in connection
therewith. By accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant certifies
that
no officer, representative, or attorney of the Company has represented,
expressly or otherwise, that the Company would not, in the event of any action,
proceeding or counterclaim, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) No
Shareholder Rights.
The
holder of an Award shall have no rights as a Company shareholder with respect
thereto unless, and until the date as of which, shares of Stock are in fact
issued upon exercise or in payment with respect to such Award.
(b) Securities
Restrictions.
No
shares of Stock shall be issued, delivered or transferred upon exercise or
in
payment of any Award granted hereunder unless and until all legal requirements
applicable to the issuance, delivery or transfer of such shares have been
complied with to the satisfaction of the Administrator, and the Company,
including, without limitation, compliance with the provisions of the Securities
Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the applicable requirements
of the exchanges or trading markets on which the Company’s Stock may, at the
time, be listed. The Administrator and the Company shall have the right to
condition any issuance of shares of Stock made to any Participant hereunder
on
such Participant’s undertaking in writing to comply with such restrictions on
his or her subsequent disposition of such shares as the Administrator and/or
the
Company shall deem necessary or advisable as a result of any applicable law,
regulation or official interpretation thereof, and certificates representing
such shares may be legended to reflect any such restrictions.
(c) Taxes.
The
Company shall have the right to deduct from all Awards hereunder paid in cash
any federal, state, local or foreign taxes required by law to be withheld with
respect to such cash Awards. In the case of Awards to be distributed in Stock,
the Company shall have the right to require, as a condition of such
distribution, that the Participant or other person receiving such Stock either
(i) pay to the Company at the time of distribution thereof the amount of any
such taxes which the Company is required to withhold with respect to such Stock
or (ii) make such other arrangements as the Company may authorize from time
to
time to provide for such withholding including without limitation having the
number of the units of the Award cancelled or the number of the shares of Stock
to be distributed reduced by an amount with a value equal to the value of such
taxes required to be withheld.
(d) No
Employment Right.
No
Employee, director or consultant of the Company, or of any Affiliate of the
Company, shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under this Plan.
Neither this Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving
any Employee any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any
Affiliate or any director or consultant any right to continue as a director
or
consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.
(e) Stock
to be Used.
Distributions of shares of Stock upon exercise, in payment or in respect of
Awards made under this Plan may be made either from shares of authorized but
unissued Stock reserved for such purpose by the Board or from shares of
authorized and issued Stock reacquired by the Company and held in its treasury,
as from time to time determined by the Administrator. The obligation of the
Company to make delivery of Awards in cash or Stock shall be subject to currency
or other restrictions imposed by any government.
(f) Expenses
of the Plan.
The
costs and expenses of administering this Plan shall be borne by the Company
or
its Affiliates and not charged to any Award or to any Participant.
(g) Plan
Unfunded.
This
Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any
special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure
the payment of any Award under this Plan and payment of awards shall be
subordinate to the claims of the Company’s general creditors.
(h) Corporate
Action.
Corporate action with respect to an Award to a Participant shall be deemed
completed as of the date when the Administrator authorizes the Award, regardless
of when the written documentation for the Award is actually delivered to, or
acknowledged or agreed to by, the Participant.
(i) Governing
Law.
This
Plan shall be governed by the laws of the state of incorporation of the Company
and shall be construed for all purposes in accordance with the laws of such
state.
EXHIBIT
A
Definition
of Terms
The
following terms, when used in the Plan, will have the meanings and be subject
to
the provisions set forth below:
“Administrator”:
The
Committee, provided that so long as any class of the Company’s common equity
securities is required to be registered under Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), the Committee shall consist of two or
more directors, all of whom shall be “non-employee directors” within the meaning
of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act, and further provided that all
of the Committee members shall be “independent directors” as defined in the
applicable rules of the principal exchange or quotation system on which the
Company’s common equity is listed for trading. In addition, if practicable the
Committee members shall be “outside directors” within the meaning of
Section 162(m); and provided further, that subject to any prohibition under
applicable law, including any applicable exchange or trading market
requirements, the Committee may delegate (i) to one or more of its members
such of its duties, powers and responsibilities as it may determine (other
than
the allocation of Awards to the executive officers of the Company, persons
who
are officers of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules promulgated thereunder (“Section 16
officers”), or the directors of the Company); (ii) to one or more officers
of the Company the authority to allocate Awards among such persons (other than
to the executive officers of the Company or Section 16 officers or the directors
of the Company) eligible to receive Awards under the Plan as such delegated
officer or officers determine consistent with such delegation; provided,
that
with respect to any delegation described in this clause (ii) the Committee
(or a properly delegated member or members of such Committee) shall (x) have
authorized the issuance of a specified number of shares of Stock under such
Awards and (y) shall have specified the consideration, if any, to be paid
therefor; and (iii) to such Employees or other persons as it determines
such ministerial tasks as it deems appropriate. In the event of any delegation
described in the preceding sentence, the term “Administrator” shall include the
person or persons so delegated to the extent of such delegation.
“Affiliate”:
Any
corporation or other entity owning, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of
the
outstanding Stock of the Company, or in which the Company or any such
corporation or other entity owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the
outstanding capital stock (determined by aggregate voting rights) or other
voting interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to an ISO, the
term “Affiliate”, as used herein, shall refer only to the Company or a Parent
Corporation or a Subsidiary Corporation.
“Award”:
The
agreement or other document evidencing any or a combination of the following:
(iii)
|
Restricted
Stock (also called “Restricted
Shares”).
|
(v)
|
Stock
Units, including Restricted Stock
Units.
|
“Board”:
The
Board of Directors of the Company.
“Change
in Control”:
An event
or events, in which:
(A) any
“person” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
1934 Act (other than (i) the Company, (ii) any subsidiary of the
Company, (iii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an
employee benefit plan of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company,
(iv) any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the
Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of
the
Company, or (v) any individual or entity which on the date of adoption of this
Plan by the Board beneficially owned securities of the Company representing
10%
or more of the Company’s then outstanding securities), is or becomes the
“beneficial owner” (as defined in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act),
together with all affiliates and Associates (as such terms are used in
Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the 1934 Act) of
such person, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
more than 15% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding
securities (other than pursuant to a bona fide underwriting agreement relating
to a public distribution of the securities of the Company) or such person
commences a tender or exchange offer for more than 15% of the combined voting
power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;
(B) the
stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company
with any other company, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which
would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately
prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), in combination
with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under
an
employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, more
than
50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or
such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation
or
(ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of
the Company (or similar transaction) after which no “person” (with the method of
determining “beneficial ownership” used in clause (A) of this
definition) owns more than 50% of the combined voting power of the securities
of
the Company or the surviving entity of such merger or
consolidation;
(C) during
any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the
execution of the Plan), individuals who at the beginning of such period
constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated
by
a person who has conducted or threatened a proxy contest, or has entered into
an
agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (A),
(B)
or (D) of this definition) whose election by the Board or nomination for
election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a
majority of the directors then still in office, who either were directors at
the
beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was
previously so approved cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
thereof;
(D) the
sale
or other disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets; or
(E) the
dissolution or complete liquidation of the Company.
“Code”:
The
U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as from time to time amended and in
effect, or any successor statute as from time to time in effect.
“Committee”:
The
Committee appointed by the Board to administer this Plan.
“Common
Stock”: See
definition of “Stock”.
“Company”:
Iconix
Brand Group, Inc.
“Disability”
shall
mean permanent and total disability of an employee or director participating
in
the Plan as determined by the Administrator in accordance with uniform
principles consistently applied, upon the basis of such evidence as the
Administrator deems necessary and desirable. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
with
respect to an Award that is subject to Code Section 409A, no condition shall
constitute a “Disability” for purposes of the Plan unless such condition also
constitutes a disability as defined under Code Section 409A and, in the case
of
an ISO, Code Section 22(e)(3).
“Employee”:
Any
person (including an officer) who is employed by the Company or an
Affiliate.
“Employment”:
A
Participant’s employment with the Company or its Affiliates. Employment will be
deemed to continue, unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise,
so
long as the Participant is employed by, or otherwise is providing services
in a
capacity described in Section 5 to the Company or its Affiliates. If a
Participant’s employment or other service relationship is with an Affiliate and
that entity ceases to be an Affiliate, the Participant’s Employment will be
deemed to have terminated when the entity ceases to be an Affiliate unless
the
Participant transfers Employment to the Company or its remaining Affiliates
or
the Administrator expressly determines otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
with respect to an ISO, the term “Affiliate”, as used herein, shall refer only
to the Company or a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary Corporation.
“ISO”:
A Stock
Option intended to be an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section
422 of the Code. Each option granted pursuant to the Plan will be treated as
providing by its terms that it is to be a non-incentive stock option unless,
as
of the date of grant, it is expressly designated as an ISO.
“Parent
Corporation”: The
term
“parent corporation” as used in any Stock Option granted pursuant to this Plan,
shall (except as otherwise provided in the Award) have the meaning that is
ascribed to that term when contained in Section 422(b) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder, and the Company shall be deemed to be the grantor
corporation for purposes of applying such meaning.
“Participant”:
A person
who is granted an Award under the Plan.
“Performance
Award”:
An Award
subject to Performance Criteria. The Administrator in its discretion may grant
Performance Awards that are intended to qualify for the performance-based
compensation exception under Section 162(m) and Performance Awards that are
not
intended so to qualify.
“Performance
Criteria”:
Specified criteria, other than the mere continuation of Employment or the mere
passage of time, the satisfaction of which is a condition for the grant,
exercisability, vesting or full enjoyment of an Award. For purposes of Awards
that are intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation exception
under Section 162(m), a Performance Criterion will mean an objectively
determinable measure of performance relating to any or any combination of the
following (measured either absolutely or by reference to an index or indices
and
determined either on a consolidated basis or, as the context permits, on a
divisional, subsidiary, line of business, project or geographical basis or
in
combinations thereof): sales; revenues; assets; costs; earnings before or after
deduction for all or any portion of interest, taxes, depreciation, or
amortization, whether or not on a continuing operations or an aggregate or
per
share basis; return on equity, investment, capital or assets; one or more
operating ratios; borrowing levels, leverage ratios or credit rating; market
share; capital expenditures; cash flow; stock price; stockholder return or
stockholder value; sales of particular products or services; customer
acquisition or retention; safety, health or environmental affairs performance;
compliance; acquisitions and divestitures (in whole or in part); joint ventures
and strategic alliances; spin-offs, split-ups and the like; reorganizations;
or
recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (issuance of debt or equity)
or
refinancings. A Performance Criterion and any targets with respect thereto
determined by the Administrator need not be based upon an increase, a positive
or improved result or avoidance of loss. To the extent consistent with the
requirements for satisfying the performance-based compensation exception under
Section 162(m), the Administrator may provide in the case of any Award intended
to qualify for such exception that one or more of the Performance Criteria
applicable to such Award will be adjusted in an objectively determinable manner
to reflect events (for example, but without limitation, acquisitions or
dispositions) occurring during the performance period that affect the applicable
Performance Criterion or Criteria.
“Plan”:
Iconix
Brand Group, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan as from time to time amended and
in
effect.
“Restricted
Stock”:
Stock
subject to restrictions requiring that it be redelivered or offered for sale
to
the Company if specified conditions are not satisfied.
“Restricted
Stock Unit”:
A Stock
Unit that is, or as to which the delivery of Stock or cash in lieu of Stock
is,
subject to the satisfaction of specified performance or other vesting
conditions.
“Section
162(m)”:
Section
162(m) of the Code.
“SAR”:
A right
entitling the holder upon exercise to receive an amount (payable in shares
of
Stock of equivalent value or cash) equal to the excess of the fair market value
of the shares of Stock subject to the right over the fair market value of such
shares at the date of grant.
“Stock”:
Common
Stock of the Company, par value $.001 per share.
“Stock
Option”:
An
option entitling the holder to acquire shares of Stock upon payment of the
exercise price.
“Stock
Unit”:
An
unfunded and unsecured promise, denominated in shares of Stock, to deliver
Stock
or cash measured by the value of Stock in the future.
“Subsidiary
Corporation”: The
term
"subsidiary corporation" as used in any Stock Option granted pursuant to this
Plan, shall (except as otherwise provided in the Award) have the meaning that
is
ascribed to that term when contained in Section 422(b) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder, and the Company shall be deemed to be the grantor
corporation for purposes of applying such meaning.
“Unrestricted
Stock”:
Stock
that is not subject to any restrictions under the terms of the
Award.
APPENDIX
I
INCENTIVE
STOCK OPTION
To: |
___________________________
|
Name
____________________________
Address
Date
of
Grant: _____________________
You
are
hereby granted an option, effective as of the date hereof, to purchase
__________ shares of common stock, $.001 par value ("Common Stock"), of Iconix
Brand Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), at a price of $
per
share pursuant to the Company's 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the
"Plan").
This
option shall terminate and is not exercisable after ten years from the date
of
its grant (the "Scheduled Termination Date"), except if terminated earlier
as
hereafter provided.
Your
option may first be exercised on and after one year from the date of grant,
but
not before that time. On and after one year and prior to two years from the
date
of grant, your option may be exercised for up to 20% of the total number of
shares subject to the option minus the number of shares previously purchased
by
exercise of the option (as adjusted for any change in the outstanding shares
of
the Common Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split,
combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of
assets, reorganization, conversion or what the Administrator deems in its sole
discretion to be similar circumstances). Each succeeding year thereafter your
option may be exercised for up to an additional 20% of the total number of
shares subject to the option minus the number of shares previously purchased
by
exercise of the option (as adjusted for any change in the outstanding shares
of
the Common Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split,
combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of
assets, reorganization, conversion or what the Administrator deems in its sole
discretion to be similar circumstances). Thus, this option is fully exercisable
on and after five years after the date of grant, except if terminated earlier
as
provided herein.
You
may
exercise your option by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company
on
forms supplied by the Company at its then principal executive office,
accompanied by payment of the option price for the total number of shares you
specify that you wish to purchase. The payment may be in any of the following
forms: (a) cash, which may be evidenced by a check and includes cash
received from a stock brokerage firm in a so-called "cashless exercise";
(b) (unless prohibited by the Administrator) certificates representing
shares of Common Stock of the Company, which will be valued by the Secretary
of
the Company at the fair market value per share of the Company's Common Stock
(as
determined in accordance with the Plan) on the date of delivery of such
certificates to the Company, accompanied by an assignment of the stock to the
Company; or (c) (unless prohibited by the Administrator) any combination of
cash and Common Stock of the Company valued as provided in clause (b). The
use of the so-called "attestation procedure") to exercise a stock option may
be
permitted by the Administrator. Any assignment of stock shall be in a form
and
substance satisfactory to the Secretary of the Company, including guarantees
of
signature(s) and payment of all transfer taxes if the Secretary deems such
guarantees necessary or desirable.
Your
option will, to the extent not previously exercised by you, terminate three
months after the date on which your employment by the Company or a Company
subsidiary corporation is terminated other than: (i) by reason of Disability
(as
defined in the Plan) or death, in which case your option will terminate one
year
from the date of termination of employment due to Disability or death (but
in no
event later than the Scheduled Termination Date) or (ii) for cause (as defined
in the Plan) or your resignation, in which case your option will terminate
immediately and you will forfeit any right to exercise the option. After the
date your employment is terminated, as aforesaid (other than for the reasons
stated in clause ii), you may exercise this option only for the number of shares
which you had a right to purchase and did not purchase on the date your
employment terminated. If you are employed by a Company subsidiary corporation,
your employment shall be deemed to have terminated on the date your employer
ceases to be a Company subsidiary corporation, unless you are on that date
transferred to the Company or another Company subsidiary corporation. Your
employment shall not be deemed to have terminated if you are transferred from
the Company to a Company subsidiary corporation, or vice versa, or from one
Company subsidiary corporation to another Company subsidiary
corporation.
If
you
die while employed by the Company or a Company subsidiary corporation, your
executor or administrator, as the case may be, may, at any time within one
year
after the date of your death (but in no event later than the Scheduled
Termination Date), exercise the option as to any shares which you had a right
to
purchase and did not purchase during your lifetime. If your employment with
the
Company or a Company parent or subsidiary corporation is terminated by reason
of
your Disability, you or your legal guardian or custodian may at any time within
one year after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the
Scheduled Termination Date), exercise the option as to any shares which you
had
a right to purchase and did not purchase prior to such termination. Your
executor, administrator, guardian or custodian must present proof of his
authority satisfactory to the Company prior to being allowed to exercise this
option.
In
the
event of any change in the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company
by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets, reorganization,
conversion or what the Administrator deems in its sole discretion to be similar
circumstances, the number and kind of shares subject to this option and the
option price of such shares shall be appropriately adjusted in a manner to
be
determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, whose decision shall
be
final, binding and conclusive in the absence of clear and convincing evidence
of
bad faith.
In
the event of a liquidation or proposed liquidation of the Company, including
(but not limited to) a transfer of assets followed by a liquidation of the
Company, or in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) or
proposed Change in Control, the Administrator shall have the right to accelerate
this option and/or require you to exercise this option upon thirty (30) days
prior written notice to you. If at the time such written notice is given this
option is not otherwise exercisable, the written notice will set forth your
right to exercise this option to the extent accelerated by the Administrator.
In
the event this option is not exercised by you within the thirty (30) day period
set forth in such written notice, this option shall terminate on the last day
of
such thirty (30) day period, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this option.
This
option is not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and is exercisable during your lifetime only by you, including,
for this purpose, your legal guardian or custodian in the event of Disability.
Until the option price has been paid in full pursuant to due exercise of this
option and the purchased shares are delivered to you, you do not have any rights
as a shareholder of the Company. The Company reserves the right not to deliver
to you the shares purchased by virtue of the exercise of this option during
any
period of time in which the Company deems, in its sole discretion, that such
delivery would violate a federal, state, local or securities exchange rule,
regulation or law.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, this option is not exercisable until
all the following events occur and during the following periods of
time:
(a) Until
the
Plan pursuant to which this option is granted is approved by the shareholders
of
the Company in the manner required by any applicable provision of the Code
(as
defined in the Plan) and the regulations thereunder and any applicable
securities exchange or listing rule or agreement;
(b) Until
this option and the optioned shares are approved, registered and listed with
such federal, state, local and foreign regulatory bodies or agencies and
securities exchanges as the Company may deem necessary or desirable, or the
Company deems such option or optioned shares to be exempted therefrom;
(c) During
any period of time in which the Company deems that the exercisability of this
option, the offer to sell the shares optioned hereunder, or the sale thereof,
may violate a federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation, or
any
applicable securities exchange or listing rule or agreement, or may cause the
Company to be legally obligated to issue or sell more shares than the Company
is
legally entitled to issue or sell; or
(d) Until
you
have paid or made suitable arrangements to pay (which may include payment
through the surrender of Common Stock, unless prohibited by the Administrator)
(i) all federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding required by the
Company in connection with the option exercise and (ii) the employee's portion
of other federal, state, local and foreign payroll and other taxes due in
connection with the option exercise.
The
following two paragraphs shall be applicable if, on the date of exercise of
this
option, no registration statement and current prospectus under the Securities
Act of 1933 covers the Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such exercise,
and shall continue to be applicable for so long as such registration has not
occurred and such current prospectus is not available:
(a) You
hereby agree, warrant and represent that you will acquire the Common Stock
to be
issued hereunder for your own account for investment purposes only, and not
with
a view to, or in connection with, any resale or other distribution of any of
such shares, except as hereafter permitted. You further agree that you will
not
at any time make any offer, sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of
such
Common Stock to be issued hereunder without an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state
securities laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company to the effect
that the proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration. You agree
to execute such instruments, representations, acknowledgments and agreements
as
the Company may, in its sole discretion, deem advisable to avoid any violation
of federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation, or any securities
exchange rule or listing agreement.
(b) The
certificates for the Common Stock to be issued to you hereunder shall bear
the
following legend:
"The
shares represented by this certificate have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under applicable state securities laws.
The shares have been acquired for investment and may not be offered, sold,
transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of without an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable
state securities laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that
the proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration."
The
foregoing legend shall be removed upon registration of the legended shares
under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state laws,
and
the availability of a current prospectus, or upon receipt of any opinion of
counsel acceptable to the Company that such registration and current prospectus
are no longer required.
The
sole
purpose of the agreements, warranties, representations and legend set forth
in
the two immediately preceding paragraphs is to prevent violations of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state securities
laws.
It
is the
intention of the Company and you that this option shall, if possible, be an
"Incentive Stock Option" as that term is used in Section 422(b) of the Code
and the regulations thereunder. In the event this option is in any way
inconsistent with the legal requirements of the Code or the regulations
thereunder for an "Incentive Stock Option," this option shall be deemed
automatically amended as of the date hereof to conform to such legal
requirements, if such conformity may be achieved by amendment. To the extent
that the number of shares subject to this option which are exercisable for
the
first time exceed the $100,000 limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the
Code, this option will not be considered an Incentive Stock Option.
If
shares
of Common Stock acquired by exercise of this option are disposed of within
two
(2) years following the date of grant or one (1) year following the issuance
of
the shares to you (or any situation in which the option will be taxed as a
non-qualified option), you shall, immediately prior to such disposition, notify
the Company in writing of the date and terms of such disposition and provide
such other information regarding the disposition as the Company may reasonably
require.
Nothing
herein shall modify your status as an at-will employee of the Company or any
of
its Affiliates (as defined in the Plan). Further, nothing herein guarantees
you
employment for any specified period of time. This means that either you or
the
Company or any of its Affiliates may terminate your employment at any time
for
any reason, with or without cause, or for no reason. You recognize that, for
instance, you may terminate your employment or the Company or any of its
Affiliates may terminate your employment prior to the date on which your option
becomes vested or exercisable.
You
understand and agree that the existence of this option will not affect in any
way the right or power of the Company or its shareholders to make or authorize
any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes
in
the Company’s capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation
of the Company, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or other stocks
with preference ahead of or convertible into, or otherwise affecting the common
shares or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company,
or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any
other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or
otherwise.
Any
notice you give to the Company must be in writing and either hand-delivered
or
mailed to the office of the General Counsel of the Company. If mailed, it should
be addressed to the General Counsel of the Company at its then main
headquarters. Any notice given to you will be addressed to you at your address
as reflected on the personnel records of the Company. You and the Company may
change the address for notice by like notice to the other. Notice will be deemed
to have been duly delivered when hand-delivered or, if mailed, on the day such
notice is postmarked.
Any
dispute or disagreement between you and the Company with respect to any portion
of this option (excluding Attachment A hereto) or its validity, construction,
meaning, performance or your rights hereunder shall, unless the Company in
its
sole discretion determines otherwise, be settled by arbitration, at a location
designated by the Company, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules
of the American Arbitration Association or its successor, as amended from time
to time. However, prior to submission to arbitration you will attempt to resolve
any disputes or disagreements with the Company over this option amicably and
informally, in good faith, for a period not to exceed two weeks. Thereafter,
the
dispute or disagreement will be submitted to arbitration. At any time prior
to a
decision from the arbitrator(s) being rendered, you and the Company may resolve
the dispute by settlement. You and the Company shall equally share the costs
charged by the American Arbitration Association or its successor, but you and
the Company shall otherwise be solely responsible for your own respective
counsel fees and expenses. The decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be made
in
writing, setting forth the award, the reasons for the decision and award and
shall be binding and conclusive on you and the Company. Further, neither you
nor
the Company shall appeal any such award. Judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction may be entered upon the award and may be enforced as such in
accordance with the provisions of the award.
This
option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan in effect on the date this
option is granted, which terms are hereby incorporated herein by reference
and
made a part hereof. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this
option and the terms of the Plan in effect on the date of this option, the
terms
of the Plan shall govern. This option constitutes the entire understanding
between the Company and you with respect to the subject matter hereof and no
amendment, supplement or waiver of this option, in whole or in part, shall
be
binding upon the Company unless in writing and signed by the President of the
Company. This option and the performances of the parties hereunder shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware.
In
consideration of the grant to you of this option, you hereby agree to the
confidentiality and non-interference provisions set forth in Attachment A
hereto.
Please
sign the copy of this option and return it to the Company's Secretary, thereby
indicating your understanding of and agreement with its terms and conditions,
including
Attachment A hereto.
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ICONIX
BRAND GROUP, INC.
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By: |
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I
hereby
acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Plan. I hereby represent that I have read
and understood the terms and conditions of the Plan and of this option,
including
Attachment A, hereto.
I
hereby signify my understanding of, and my agreement with, the terms and
conditions of the Plan and of this option, including
Attachment A, hereto.
I agree
to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations
of
the Administrator concerning any questions arising under the Plan with respect
to this option. I accept this option in full satisfaction of any previous
written or verbal promise made to me by the Company or any of its Affiliates
with respect to option or stock grants.
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Date: _____________________
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Signature
of Optionee
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Print Name |
Attachment
A to Stock Option
Confidentiality
and Non-Interference.
(a) You
covenant and agree that, in consideration of the grant to you of this stock
option, you will not, during your employment with the Company or at any time
thereafter, except with the express prior written consent of the Company or
pursuant to the lawful order of any judicial or administrative agency of
government, directly or indirectly, disclose, communicate or divulge to any
individual or entity, or use for the benefit of any individual or entity, any
knowledge or information with respect to the conduct or details of the Company's
business which you, acting reasonably, believe or should believe to be of a
confidential nature and the disclosure of which not to be in the Company's
interest.
(b) You
covenant and agree that, in consideration of the grant to you of this stock
option, you will not, during your employment with the Company, except with
the
express prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, whether
as
employee, owner, partner, member, consultant, agent, director, officer,
shareholder or in any other capacity, engage in or assist any individual or
entity to engage in any act or action which you, acting reasonably, believe
or
should believe would be harmful or inimical to the interests of the
Company.
(c) You
covenant and agree that, in consideration of the grant to you of this stock
option, you will not, for a period of two years after your employment with
the
Company ceases for any reason whatsoever (whether voluntary or not), except
with
the express prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly,
whether as employee, owner, partner, member, consultant, agent, director,
officer, shareholder or in any other capacity, for your own account or for
the
benefit of any individual or entity, (i) solicit any customer of the Company
for
business which would result in such customer terminating their relationship
with
the Company; or (ii) solicit or induce any individual or entity which is an
employee of the Company to leave the Company or to otherwise terminate their
relationship with the Company.
(d) The
parties agree that any breach by you of any of the covenants or agreements
contained in this Attachment A will result in irreparable injury to the Company
for which money damages could not adequately compensate the Company and
therefore, in the event of any such breach, the Company shall be entitled (in
addition to any other rights and remedies which it may have at law or in equity)
to have an injunction issued by any competent court enjoining and restraining
you and/or any other individual or entity involved therein from continuing
such
breach. The existence of any claim or cause of action which you may have against
the Company or any other individual or entity shall not constitute a defense
or
bar to the enforcement of such covenants. If the Company is obliged to resort
to
the courts for the enforcement of any of the covenants or agreements contained
in this Attachment A, or if such covenants or agreements are otherwise the
subject of litigation between the parties, and the Company prevails in such
enforcement or litigation, then the term of such covenants and agreements shall
be extended for a period of time equal to the period of such breach, which
extension shall commence on the later of (a) the date on which the original
(unextended) term of such covenants and agreements is scheduled to terminate
or
(b) the date of the final court order (without further right of appeal)
enforcing such covenant or agreement.
(e) If
any
portion of the covenants or agreements contained in this Attachment A, or the
application hereof, is construed to be invalid or unenforceable, the other
portions of such covenant(s) or agreement(s) or the application thereof shall
not be affected and shall be given full force and effect without regard to
the
invalid or enforceable portions to the fullest extent possible. If any covenant
or agreement in this Attachment A is held unenforceable because of the area
covered, the duration thereof, or the scope thereof, then the court making
such
determination shall have the power to reduce the area and/or duration and/or
limit the scope thereof, and the covenant or agreement shall then be enforceable
in its reduced form.
(f) For
purposes of this Attachment A, the term "the Company" shall include the Company,
any successor to the Company and all present and future direct and indirect
subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company.
APPENDIX
II
NON-QUALIFIED
STOCK OPTION FOR OFFICERS AND OTHER
EMPLOYEES
To: |
____________________________
|
Name
____________________________
Address
Date
of
Grant: _____________________
You
are
hereby granted an option, effective as of the date hereof, to purchase
__________ shares of common stock, $.001 par value ("Common Stock"), of
Iconix
Brand Group, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), at a price
of $
per
share pursuant to the Company's 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the
"Plan").
This
option shall terminate and is not exercisable after ten years from the
date of
its grant (the "Scheduled Termination Date"), except if terminated earlier
as
hereafter provided.
Your
option may first be exercised on and after one year from the date of grant,
but
not before that time. On and after one year and prior to two years from
the date
of grant, your option may be exercised for up to 20% of the total number
of
shares subject to the option minus the number of shares previously purchased
by
exercise of the option (as adjusted for any change in the outstanding shares
of
the Common Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split,
combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer
of
assets, reorganization, conversion or what the Administrator deems in its
sole
discretion to be similar circumstances). Each succeeding year thereafter
your
option may be exercised for up to an additional 20% of the total number
of
shares subject to the option minus the number of shares previously purchased
by
exercise of the option (as adjusted for any change in the outstanding shares
of
the Common Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split,
combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer
of
assets, reorganization, conversion or what the Administrator deems in its
sole
discretion to be similar circumstances). Thus, this option is fully exercisable
on and after five years after the date of grant, except if terminated earlier
as
provided herein.
You
may
exercise your option by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company
on
forms supplied by the Company at its then principal executive office,
accompanied by payment of the option price for the total number of shares
you
specify that you wish to purchase. The payment may be in any of the following
forms: (a) cash, which may be evidenced by a check and includes cash
received from a stock brokerage firm in a so-called "cashless exercise";
(b) (unless prohibited by the Administrator) certificates representing
shares of Common Stock of the Company, which will be valued by the Secretary
of
the Company at the fair market value per share of the Company's Common
Stock (as
determined in accordance with the Plan) on the date of delivery of such
certificates to the Company, accompanied by an assignment of the stock
to the
Company; or (c) (unless prohibited by the Administrator) any combination of
cash and Common Stock of the Company valued as provided in clause (b). The
use of the so-called "attestation procedure" to exercise a stock option
may be
permitted by the Administrator. Any assignment of stock shall be in a form
and
substance satisfactory to the Secretary of the Company, including guarantees
of
signature(s) and payment of all transfer taxes if the Secretary deems such
guarantees necessary or desirable.
Your
option will, to the extent not previously exercised by you, terminate three
months after the date on which your employment by the Company or a Company
subsidiary corporation is terminated other than: (i) by reason of Disability
(as
defined in the Plan) or death, in which case your option will terminate
one year
from the date of termination of employment due to Disability or death (but
in no
event later than the Scheduled Termination Date) or (ii) for cause (as
defined
in the Plan) or your resignation, in which case your option will terminate
immediately and you will forfeit any right to exercise the option. After
the
date your employment is terminated, as aforesaid (other than for the reasons
stated in clause ii), you may exercise this option only for the number
of shares
which you had a right to purchase and did not purchase on the date your
employment terminated. If you are employed by a Company subsidiary corporation,
your employment shall be deemed to have terminated on the date your employer
ceases to be a Company subsidiary corporation, unless you are on that date
transferred to the Company or another Company subsidiary corporation. Your
employment shall not be deemed to have terminated if you are transferred
from
the Company to a Company subsidiary corporation, or vice versa, or from
one
Company subsidiary corporation to another Company subsidiary
corporation.
If
you
die while employed by the Company or a Company subsidiary corporation,
your
executor or administrator, as the case may be, may, at any time within
one year
after the date of your death (but in no event later than the Scheduled
Termination Date), exercise the option as to any shares which you had a
right to
purchase and did not purchase during your lifetime. If your employment
with the
Company or a Company parent or subsidiary corporation is terminated by
reason of
your Disability, you or your legal guardian or custodian may at any time
within
one year after the date of such termination (but in no event later than
the
Scheduled Termination Date), exercise the option as to any shares which
you had
a right to purchase and did not purchase prior to such termination. Your
executor, administrator, guardian or custodian must present proof of his
authority satisfactory to the Company prior to being allowed to exercise
this
option.
In
the
event of any change in the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the
Company
by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets, reorganization,
conversion or what the Administrator deems in its sole discretion to be
similar
circumstances, the number and kind of shares subject to this option and
the
option price of such shares shall be appropriately adjusted in a manner
to be
determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, whose decision
shall be
final, binding and conclusive in the absence of clear and convincing evidence
of
bad faith.
In
the event of a liquidation or proposed liquidation of the Company, including
(but not limited to) a transfer of assets followed by a liquidation of
the
Company, or in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan)
or
proposed Change in Control, the Administrator shall have the right to accelerate
this option and/or require you to exercise this option upon thirty (30)
days
prior written notice to you. If at the time such written notice is given
this
option is not otherwise exercisable, the written notice will set forth
your
right to exercise this option to the extent accelerated by the Administrator.
In
the event this option is not exercised by you within the thirty (30) day
period
set forth in such written notice, this option shall terminate on the last
day of
such thirty (30) day period, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this option.
This
option is not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent
and
distribution, and is exercisable during your lifetime only by you, including,
for this purpose, your legal guardian or custodian in the event of Disability.
Until the option price has been paid in full pursuant to due exercise of
this
option and the purchased shares are delivered to you, you do not have any
rights
as a shareholder of the Company. The Company reserves the right not to
deliver
to you the shares purchased by virtue of the exercise of this option during
any
period of time in which the Company deems, in its sole discretion, that
such
delivery would violate a federal, state, local or securities exchange rule,
regulation or law.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, this option is not exercisable
until
all the following events occur and during the following periods of
time:
(a) Until
the
Plan pursuant to which this option is granted is approved by the shareholders
of
the Company in the manner required by any applicable provision of the Code
(as
defined in the Plan) and the regulations thereunder and any applicable
securities exchange or listing rule or agreement;
(b) Until
this option and the optioned shares are approved, registered and listed
with
such federal, state, local and foreign regulatory bodies or agencies and
securities exchanges as the Company may deem necessary or desirable, or
the
Company deems such option or optioned shares to be exempted therefrom;
(c) During
any period of time in which the Company deems that the exercisability of
this
option, the offer to sell the shares optioned hereunder, or the sale thereof,
may violate a federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation,
or any
applicable securities exchange or listing rule or agreement, or may cause
the
Company to be legally obligated to issue or sell more shares than the Company
is
legally entitled to issue or sell; or
(d) Until
you
have paid or made suitable arrangements to pay (which may include payment
through the surrender of Common Stock, unless prohibited by the Administrator)
(i) all federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding required by the
Company in connection with the option exercise and (ii) the employee's
portion
of other federal, state, local and foreign payroll and other taxes due
in
connection with the option exercise.
The
following two paragraphs shall be applicable if, on the date of exercise
of this
option, no registration statement and current prospectus under the Securities
Act of 1933 covers the Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such exercise,
and shall continue to be applicable for so long as such registration has
not
occurred and such current prospectus is not available:
(a) You
hereby agree, warrant and represent that you will acquire the Common Stock
to be
issued hereunder for your own account for investment purposes only, and
not with
a view to, or in connection with, any resale or other distribution of any
of
such shares, except as hereafter permitted. You further agree that you
will not
at any time make any offer, sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition
of such
Common Stock to be issued hereunder without an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable
state
securities laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company to the
effect
that the proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration. You
agree
to execute such instruments, representations, acknowledgments and agreements
as
the Company may, in its sole discretion, deem advisable to avoid any violation
of federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation, or any securities
exchange rule or listing agreement.
(b) The
certificates for the Common Stock to be issued to you hereunder shall bear
the
following legend:
"The
shares represented by this certificate have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under applicable state securities
laws.
The shares have been acquired for investment and may not be offered, sold,
transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of without an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable
state securities laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company
that
the proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration."
The
foregoing legend shall be removed upon registration of the legended shares
under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state
laws or
upon receipt of any opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that said
registration is no longer required.
The
sole
purpose of the agreements, warranties, representations and legend set forth
in
the two immediately preceding paragraphs is to prevent violations of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state securities
laws.
It
is the
intention of the Company and you that this option shall not be an “Incentive
Stock Option” as that term is used in Section 422(b) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder.
Nothing
herein shall modify your status as an at-will employee of the Company or
any of
its Affiliates (as defined in the Plan). Further, nothing herein guarantees
you
employment for any specified period of time. This means that either you
or the
Company or any of its Affiliates may terminate your employment at any time
for
any reason, with or without cause, or for no reason. You recognize that,
for
instance, you may terminate your employment or the Company or any of its
Affiliates may terminate your employment prior to the date on which your
option
becomes vested or exercisable.
You
understand and agree that the existence of this option will not affect
in any
way the right or power of the Company or its shareholders to make or authorize
any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes
in
the Company’s capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation
of the Company, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or other
stocks
with preference ahead of or convertible into, or otherwise affecting the
common
shares or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the
Company,
or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or
any
other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or
otherwise.
Any
notice you give to the Company must be in writing and either hand-delivered
or
mailed to the office of the General Counsel of the Company. If mailed,
it should
be addressed to the General Counsel of the Company at its then main
headquarters. Any notice given to you will be addressed to you at your
address
as reflected on the personnel records of the Company. You and the Company
may
change the address for notice by like notice to the other. Notice will
be deemed
to have been duly delivered when hand-delivered or, if mailed, on the day
such
notice is postmarked.
Any
dispute or disagreement between you and the Company with respect to any
portion
of this option (excluding Attachment A hereto) or its validity, construction,
meaning, performance or your rights hereunder shall, unless the Company
in its
sole discretion determines otherwise, be settled by arbitration, at a location
designated by the Company, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration
Rules
of the American Arbitration Association or its successor, as amended from
time
to time. However, prior to submission to arbitration you will attempt to
resolve
any disputes or disagreements with the Company over this option amicably
and
informally, in good faith, for a period not to exceed two weeks. Thereafter,
the
dispute or disagreement will be submitted to arbitration. At any time prior
to a
decision from the arbitrator(s) being rendered, you and the Company may
resolve
the dispute by settlement. You and the Company shall equally share the
costs
charged by the American Arbitration Association or its successor, but you
and
the Company shall otherwise be solely responsible for your own respective
counsel fees and expenses. The decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be made
in
writing, setting forth the award, the reasons for the decision and award
and
shall be binding and conclusive on you and the Company. Further, neither
you nor
the Company shall appeal any such award. Judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction may be entered upon the award and may be enforced as such
in
accordance with the provisions of the award.
This
option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan in effect on the date
this
option is granted, which terms are hereby incorporated herein by reference
and
made a part hereof. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this
option and the terms of the Plan in effect on the date of this option,
the terms
of the Plan shall govern. This option constitutes the entire understanding
between the Company and you with respect to the subject matter hereof and
no
amendment, supplement or waiver of this option, in whole or in part, shall
be
binding upon the Company unless in writing and signed by the President
of the
Company. This option and the performances of the parties hereunder shall
be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware.
In
consideration of the grant to you of this option, you hereby agree to the
confidentiality and non-interference provisions set forth in Attachment
A
hereto.
Please
sign the copy of this option and return it to the Company's Secretary,
thereby
indicating your understanding of and agreement with its terms and conditions,
including
Attachment A hereto.
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ICONIX
BRAND GROUP INC.
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By:
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I
hereby
acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Plan. I hereby represent that I have
read
and understood the terms and conditions of the Plan and of this option,
including
Attachment A, hereto.
I
hereby signify my understanding of, and my agreement with, the terms and
conditions of the Plan and of this option, including
Attachment A, hereto.
I agree
to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations
of
the Administrator concerning any questions arising under the Plan with
respect
to this option. I accept this option in full satisfaction of any previous
written or verbal promise made to me by the Company or any of its Affiliates
with respect to option or stock grants.
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Date: _____________________
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Signature
of Optionee
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Print
Name
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Attachment
A to Stock Option
Confidentiality
and Non-Interference.
(a) You
covenant and agree that, in consideration of the grant to you of this stock
option, you will not, during your employment with the Company or at any
time
thereafter, except with the express prior written consent of the Company
or
pursuant to the lawful order of any judicial or administrative agency of
government, directly or indirectly, disclose, communicate or divulge to
any
individual or entity, or use for the benefit of any individual or entity,
any
knowledge or information with respect to the conduct or details of the
Company's
business which you, acting reasonably, believe or should believe to be
of a
confidential nature and the disclosure of which not to be in the Company's
interest.
(b) You
covenant and agree that, in consideration of the grant to you of this stock
option, you will not, during your employment with the Company, except with
the
express prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, whether
as
employee, owner, partner, member, consultant, agent, director, officer,
shareholder or in any other capacity, engage in or assist any individual
or
entity to engage in any act or action which you, acting reasonably, believe
or
should believe would be harmful or inimical to the interests of the
Company.
(c) You
covenant and agree that, in consideration of the grant to you of this stock
option, you will not, for a period of two years after your employment with
the
Company ceases for any reason whatsoever (whether voluntary or not), except
with
the express prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly,
whether as employee, owner, partner, member, consultant, agent, director,
officer, shareholder or in any other capacity, for your own account or
for the
benefit of any individual or entity, (i) solicit any customer of the Company
for
business which would result in such customer terminating their relationship
with
the Company; or (ii) solicit or induce any individual or entity which is
an
employee of the Company to leave the Company or to otherwise terminate
their
relationship with the Company.
(d) The
parties agree that any breach by you of any of the covenants or agreements
contained in this Attachment A will result in irreparable injury to the
Company
for which money damages could not adequately compensate the Company and
therefore, in the event of any such breach, the Company shall be entitled
(in
addition to any other rights and remedies which it may have at law or in
equity)
to have an injunction issued by any competent court enjoining and restraining
you and/or any other individual or entity involved therein from continuing
such
breach. The existence of any claim or cause of action which you may have
against
the Company or any other individual or entity shall not constitute a defense
or
bar to the enforcement of such covenants. If the Company is obliged to
resort to
the courts for the enforcement of any of the covenants or agreements contained
in this Attachment A, or if such covenants or agreements are otherwise
the
subject of litigation between the parties, and the Company prevails in
such
enforcement or litigation, then the term of such covenants and agreements
shall
be extended for a period of time equal to the period of such breach, which
extension shall commence on the later of (a) the date on which the original
(unextended) term of such covenants and agreements is scheduled to terminate
or
(b) the date of the final court order (without further right of appeal)
enforcing such covenant or agreement.
(e) If
any
portion of the covenants or agreements contained in this Attachment A,
or the
application hereof, is construed to be invalid or unenforceable, the other
portions of such covenant(s) or agreement(s) or the application thereof
shall
not be affected and shall be given full force and effect without regard
to the
invalid or enforceable portions to the fullest extent possible. If any
covenant
or agreement in this Attachment A is held unenforceable because of the
area
covered, the duration thereof, or the scope thereof, then the court making
such
determination shall have the power to reduce the area and/or duration and/or
limit the scope thereof, and the covenant or agreement shall then be enforceable
in its reduced form.
(f) For
purposes of this Attachment A, the term "the Company" shall include the
Company,
any successor to the Company and all present and future direct and indirect
subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company.
APPENDIX
III
NON-QUALIFIED
STOCK OPTION FOR DIRECTORS
AND
CONSULTANTS
To: |
____________________________
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Name
____________________________
Address
Date
of
Grant: _____________________
You
are
hereby granted an option, effective as of the date hereof, to purchase
__________ shares of common stock, $.001 par value ("Common Stock"), of
Iconix
Brand Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), at a price of
$
per
share pursuant to the Company's 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the
"Plan").
This
option shall terminate and is not exercisable after ten years from the
date of
its grant (the "Scheduled Termination Date"), except if terminated earlier
as
hereafter provided.
Your
option may first be exercised on and after one year from the date of grant,
but
not before that time. On and after one year and prior to two years from
the date
of grant, your option may be exercised for up to 20% of the total number
of
shares subject to the option minus the number of shares previously purchased
by
exercise of the option (as adjusted for any change in the outstanding shares
of
the Common Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split,
combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer
of
assets, reorganization, conversion or what the Administrator deems in its
sole
discretion to be similar circumstances). Each succeeding year thereafter
your
option may be exercised for up to an additional 20% of the total number
of
shares subject to the option minus the number of shares previously purchased
by
exercise of the option (as adjusted for any change in the outstanding shares
of
the Common Stock of the Company by reason of a stock dividend, stock split,
combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer
of
assets, reorganization, conversion or what the Administrator deems in its
sole
discretion to be similar circumstances). Thus, this option is fully exercisable
on and after five years after the date of grant, except if terminated earlier
as
provided herein.
You
may
exercise your option by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company
on
forms supplied by the Company at its then principal executive office,
accompanied by payment of the option price for the total number of shares
you
specify that you wish to purchase. The payment may be in any of the following
forms: (a) cash, which may be evidenced by a check and includes cash
received from a stock brokerage firm in a so-called "cashless exercise";
(b) (unless prohibited by the Administrator) certificates representing
shares of Common Stock of the Company, which will be valued by the Secretary
of
the Company at the fair market value per share of the Company's Common
Stock (as
determined in accordance with the Plan) on the date of delivery of such
certificates to the Company, accompanied by an assignment of the stock
to the
Company; or (c) (unless prohibited by the Administrator) any combination of
cash and Common Stock of the Company valued as provided in clause (b). The
use of the so-called "attestation procedure" to exercise a stock option
may be
permitted by the Administrator. Any assignment of stock shall be in a form
and
substance satisfactory to the Secretary of the Company, including guarantees
of
signature(s) and payment of all transfer taxes if the Secretary deems such
guarantees necessary or desirable.
Your
option will, to the extent not previously exercised by you, terminate three
months after the date on which your directorship or consultancy by the
Company
or a Company subsidiary corporation is terminated other than by reason
of (i)
Disability (as defined in the Plan) or death, in which case your option
will
terminate one year from the date of termination of directorship or consultancy
due to Disability or death (but in no event later than the Scheduled Termination
Date) or (ii) for cause (as defined in the Plan) or your resignation, in
which
case your option will terminate immediately and you will forfeit any right
to
exercise the option. After the date your directorship or consultancy is
terminated, as aforesaid (other than for the reasons stated in clause (ii),
you
may exercise this option only for the number of shares which you had a
right to
purchase and did not purchase on the date your directorship or consultancy
terminated. Provided you are willing to continue your directorship or
consultancy for the Company or a successor after a Change in Control at
the same
compensation you enjoyed immediately prior to such Change in Control, if
your
directorship or consultancy is involuntarily terminated without cause after
a
Change in Control, you may exercise this option for the number of shares
you
would have had a right to purchase on the date of an Acceleration Event.
If you
are employed by a Company subsidiary corporation, your directorship or
consultancy shall be deemed to have terminated on the date your employer
ceases
to be a Company subsidiary corporation, unless you are on that date transferred
to the Company or another Company subsidiary corporation. Your directorship
or
consultancy shall not be deemed to have terminated if you are transferred
from
the Company to a Company subsidiary corporation, or vice versa, or from
one
Company subsidiary corporation to another Company subsidiary
corporation.
If
you
die while employed by the Company or a Company subsidiary corporation,
your
executor or administrator, as the case may be, may, at any time within
one year
after the date of your death (but in no event later than the Scheduled
Termination Date), exercise the option as to any shares which you had a
right to
purchase and did not purchase during your lifetime. If your directorship
or
consultancy with the Company or a Company parent or subsidiary corporation
is
terminated by reason of your Disability, you or your legal guardian or
custodian
may at any time within one year after the date of such termination (but
in no
event later than the Scheduled Termination Date), exercise the option as
to any
shares which you had a right to purchase and did not purchase prior to
such
termination. Your executor, administrator, guardian or custodian must present
proof of his authority satisfactory to the Company prior to being allowed
to
exercise this option.
In
the
event of any change in the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the
Company
by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets, reorganization,
conversion or what the Administrator deems in its sole discretion to be
similar
circumstances, the number and kind of shares subject to this option and
the
option price of such shares shall be appropriately adjusted in a manner
to be
determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, whose decision
shall be
final, binding and conclusive in the absence of clear and convincing evidence
of
bad faith.
In
the event of a liquidation or proposed liquidation of the Company, including
(but not limited to) a transfer of assets followed by a liquidation of
the
Company, or in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan)
or
proposed Change in Control, the Administrator shall have the right to accelerate
this option and/or require you to exercise this option upon thirty (30)
days
prior written notice to you. If at the time such written notice is given
this
option is not otherwise exercisable, the written notice will set forth
your
right to exercise this option to the extent accelerated by the Administrator.
In
the event this option is not exercised by you within the thirty (30) day
period
set forth in such written notice, this option shall terminate on the last
day of
such thirty (30) day period, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this option.
This
option is not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent
and
distribution, and is exercisable during your lifetime only by you, including,
for this purpose, your legal guardian or custodian in the event of Disability.
Until the option price has been paid in full pursuant to due exercise of
this
option and the purchased shares are delivered to you, you do not have any
rights
as a shareholder of the Company. The Company reserves the right not to
deliver
to you the shares purchased by virtue of the exercise of this option during
any
period of time in which the Company deems, in its sole discretion, that
such
delivery would violate a federal, state, local or securities exchange rule,
regulation or law.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, this option is not exercisable
until
all the following events occur and during the following periods of
time:
(a) Until
the
Plan pursuant to which this option is granted is approved by the shareholders
of
the Company in the manner required by any applicable provision of the Code
(as
defined in the Plan) and the regulations thereunder and any applicable
securities exchange or listing rule or agreement;
(b) Until
this option and the optioned shares are approved, registered and listed
with
such federal, state, local and foreign regulatory bodies or agencies and
securities exchanges as the Company may deem necessary or desirable, or
the
Company deems such option or optioned shares to be exempted therefrom;
(c) During
any period of time in which the Company deems that the exercisability of
this
option, the offer to sell the shares optioned hereunder, or the sale thereof,
may violate a federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation,
or any
applicable securities exchange or listing rule or agreement, or may cause
the
Company to be legally obligated to issue or sell more shares than the Company
is
legally entitled to issue or sell; or
(d) Until
you
have paid or made suitable arrangements to pay (which may include payment
through the surrender of Common Stock, unless prohibited by the Administrator)
(i) all federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding required by the
Company in connection with the option exercise and (ii) the employee's
portion
of other federal, state, local and foreign payroll and other taxes due
in
connection with the option exercise.
The
following two paragraphs shall be applicable if, on the date of exercise
of this
option, no registration statement and current prospectus under the Securities
Act of 1933 covers the Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such exercise,
and shall continue to be applicable for so long as such registration has
not
occurred and such current prospectus is not available:
(a) You
hereby agree, warrant and represent that you will acquire the Common Stock
to be
issued hereunder for your own account for investment purposes only, and
not with
a view to, or in connection with, any resale or other distribution of any
of
such shares, except as hereafter permitted. You further agree that you
will not
at any time make any offer, sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition
of such
Common Stock to be issued hereunder without an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable
state
securities laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company to the
effect
that the proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration. You
agree
to execute such instruments, representations, acknowledgments and agreements
as
the Company may, in its sole discretion, deem advisable to avoid any violation
of federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation, or any securities
exchange rule or listing agreement.
(b) The
certificates for the Common Stock to be issued to you hereunder shall bear
the
following legend:
"The
shares represented by this certificate have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under applicable state securities
laws.
The shares have been acquired for investment and may not be offered, sold,
transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of without an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable
state securities laws or an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company
that
the proposed transaction will be exempt from such registration."
The
foregoing legend shall be removed upon registration of the legended shares
under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under any applicable state
laws or
upon receipt of any opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that said
registration is no longer required.
The
sole
purpose of the agreements, warranties, representations and legend set forth
in
the two immediately preceding paragraphs is to prevent violations of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state securities
laws.
It
is the
intention of the Company and you that this option shall not be an "Incentive
Stock Option" as that term is used in Section 422(b) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder.
Nothing
herein guarantees your term as a director of, or consultant to, the Company
or
any of its Affiliates (as defined in the Plan) for any specified period
of time.
This means that either you or the Company or any of its Affiliates may
terminate
your directorship or consultancy at any time for any reason, with or without
cause, or for no reason. You recognize that, for instance, the Company
or any of
its Affiliates may terminate your directorship or consultancy with the
Company
or any of its Affiliates prior to the date on which your option becomes
vested
or exercisable.
You
understand and agree that the existence of this option will not affect
in any
way the right or power of the Company or its shareholders to make or authorize
any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes
in
the Company’s capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation
of the Company, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or other
stocks
with preference ahead of or convertible into, or otherwise affecting the
common
shares or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the
Company,
or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or
any
other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or
otherwise.
Any
notice you give to the Company must be in writing and either hand-delivered
or
mailed to the office of the General Counsel of the Company. If mailed,
it should
be addressed to the General Counsel of the Company at its then main
headquarters. Any notice given to you will be addressed to you at your
address
as reflected on the records of the Company. You and the Company may change
the
address for notice by like notice to the other. Notice will be deemed to
have
been duly delivered when hand-delivered or, if mailed, on the day such
notice is
postmarked.
Any
dispute or disagreement between you and the Company with respect to any
portion
of this option (excluding Attachment A hereto) or its validity, construction,
meaning, performance or your rights hereunder shall, unless the Company
in its
sole discretion determines otherwise, be settled by arbitration, at a location
designated by the Company, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration
Rules
of the American Arbitration Association or its successor, as amended from
time
to time. However, prior to submission to arbitration you will attempt to
resolve
any disputes or disagreements with the Company over this option amicably
and
informally, in good faith, for a period not to exceed two weeks. Thereafter,
the
dispute or disagreement will be submitted to arbitration. At any time prior
to a
decision from the arbitrator(s) being rendered, you and the Company may
resolve
the dispute by settlement. You and the Company shall equally share the
costs
charged by the American Arbitration Association or its successor, but you
and
the Company shall otherwise be solely responsible for your own respective
counsel fees and expenses. The decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be made
in
writing, setting forth the award, the reasons for the decision and award
and
shall be binding and conclusive on you and the Company. Further, neither
you nor
the Company shall appeal any such award. Judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction may be entered upon the award and may be enforced as such
in
accordance with the provisions of the award.
This
option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan in effect on the date
this
option is granted, which terms are hereby incorporated herein by reference
and
made a part hereof. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this
option and the terms of the Plan in effect on the date of this option,
the terms
of the Plan shall govern. This option constitutes the entire understanding
between the Company and you with respect to the subject matter hereof and
no
amendment, supplement or waiver of this option, in whole or in part, shall
be
binding upon the Company unless in writing and signed by the President
of the
Company. This option and the performances of the parties hereunder shall
be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware.
In
consideration of the grant to you of this option, you hereby agree to the
confidentiality and non-interference provisions set forth in Attachment
A
hereto.
Please
sign the copy of this option and return it to the Company's Secretary,
thereby
indicating your understanding of and agreement with its terms and conditions,
including
Attachment A hereto.
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ICONIX
BRAND GROUP, INC.
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By:
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I
hereby
acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Plan. I hereby represent that I have
read
and understood the terms and conditions of the Plan and of this option,
including
Attachment A, hereto.
I
hereby signify my understanding of, and my agreement with, the terms and
conditions of the Plan and of this option, including
Attachment A, hereto.
I agree
to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations
of
the Administrator concerning any questions arising under the Plan with
respect
to this option. I accept this option in full satisfaction of any previous
written or verbal promise made to me by the Company or any of its Affiliates
with respect to option or Stock grants.
Date:
________________
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___________________________________
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Signature
of Optionee
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___________________________________
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Print
Name
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Attachment
A to Stock Option
Confidentiality
and Non-Interference.
(a) You
covenant and agree that, in consideration of the grant to you of this stock
option, you will not, during your term as a director of, or a consultant
to, the
Company or at any time thereafter, except with the express prior written
consent
of the Company or pursuant to the lawful order of any judicial or administrative
agency of government, directly or indirectly, disclose, communicate or
divulge
to any individual or entity, or use for the benefit of any individual or
entity,
any knowledge or information with respect to the conduct or details of
the
Company's business which you, acting reasonably, believe or should believe
to be
of a confidential nature and the disclosure of which not to be in the Company's
interest.
(b You
covenant and agree that, in consideration of the grant to you of this stock
option, you will not, during your term as a director of, or a consultant
to, the
Company, except with the express prior written consent of the Company,
directly
or indirectly, whether as employee, owner, partner, member, consultant,
agent,
director, officer, shareholder or in any other capacity, engage in or assist
any
individual or entity to engage in any act or action which you, acting
reasonably, believe or should believe would be harmful or inimical to the
interests of the Company.
(c) You
covenant and agree that, in consideration of the grant to you of this stock
option, you will not, for a period of two years after your term as a director
of, or a consultant to, the Company ceases for any reason whatsoever (whether
voluntary or not), except with the express prior written consent of the
Company,
directly or indirectly, whether as employee, owner, partner, member, consultant,
agent, director, officer, shareholder or in any other capacity, for your
own
account or for the benefit of any individual or entity, (i) solicit any
customer
of the Company for business which would result in such customer terminating
their relationship with the Company; or (ii) solicit or induce any individual
or
entity which is an employee of the Company to leave the Company or to otherwise
terminate their relationship with the Company.
(d) The
parties agree that any breach by you of any of the covenants or agreements
contained in this Attachment A will result in irreparable injury to the
Company
for which money damages could not adequately compensate the Company and
therefore, in the event of any such breach, the Company shall be entitled
(in
addition to any other rights and remedies which it may have at law or in
equity)
to have an injunction issued by any competent court enjoining and restraining
you and/or any other individual or entity involved therein from continuing
such
breach. The existence of any claim or cause of action which you may have
against
the Company or any other individual or entity shall not constitute a defense
or
bar to the enforcement of such covenants. If the Company is obliged to
resort to
the courts for the enforcement of any of the covenants or agreements contained
in this Attachment A, or if such covenants or agreements are otherwise
the
subject of litigation between the parties, and the Company prevails in
such
enforcement or litigation, then the term of such covenants and agreements
shall
be extended for a period of time equal to the period of such breach, which
extension shall commence on the later of (a) the date on which the original
(unextended) term of such covenants and agreements is scheduled to terminate
or
(b) the date of the final court order (without further right of appeal)
enforcing such covenant or agreement.
(e) If
any
portion of the covenants or agreements contained in this Attachment A,
or the
application hereof, is construed to be invalid or unenforceable, the other
portions of such covenant(s) or agreement(s) or the application thereof
shall
not be affected and shall be given full force and effect without regard
to the
invalid or enforceable portions to the fullest extent possible. If any
covenant
or agreement in this Attachment A is held unenforceable because of the
area
covered, the duration thereof, or the scope thereof, then the court making
such
determination shall have the power to reduce the area and/or duration and/or
limit the scope thereof, and the covenant or agreement shall then be enforceable
in its reduced form.
(f) For
purposes of this Attachment A, the term "the Company" shall include the
Company,
any successor to the Company and all present and future direct and indirect
subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company.
ANNEX
B
ICONIX
BRAND GROUP, INC.
EXECUTIVE
INCENTIVE BONUS PLAN
(Effective
[Date])
ARTICLE
I
Background
and Purpose
1.1 Purpose.
The
purpose of the Iconix Brand Group, Inc. Executive Incentive Bonus Plan is to
promote the achievement of the Company’s short-term, targeted business
objectives by providing competitive incentive reward opportunities to those
employees who can significantly impact the Company’s performance towards those
objectives. Further, the Plan enhances the Company’s ability to attract, develop
and motivate individuals as members of a talented management team. As described
herein, the awards made under the Plan may recognize Company, business unit,
team and/or individual performance.
1.2 Effective
Date.
The
Plan to be presented at Iconix Brand Group, Inc.’s 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, will be effective
upon requisite shareholder approval at such meeting.
1.3 Administration.
The
Compensation Committee shall have full power and authority to construe,
interpret and administer the Plan and to make rules and regulations subject
to
the provisions of the Plan. All decisions, actions, determinations or
interpretations of the Compensation Committee shall be made in its sole
discretion and shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties.
1.4 Eligibility
and Participation.
Participation in the Plan is limited to Executive Officers of the Company as
determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time.
ARTICLE
II
Definitions
As
used
in this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings herein specified:
Board
of Directors
- shall
mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
CEO
- shall
mean the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Code
- shall
mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company
- shall
mean Iconix Brand Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation. The term “Company” shall
include any successor to Iconix Brand Group, Inc., any subsidiary or affiliate
which has adopted the Plan, or a corporation succeeding to the business of
Iconix Brand Group, Inc., or any subsidiary or affiliate, by merger,
consolidation or liquidation or purchase of assets or stock or similar
transaction.
Compensation
Committee
- shall
mean the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
Executive
Officer
- shall
mean the senior executives who have significant operating and/or strategic
responsibilities for the Company as designated by the Compensation Committee.
Incentive
Bonus Award
- shall
mean the award granted to a Participant for a Plan Year under this
Plan.
Participant
- shall
mean a person participating or eligible to participate in the Plan, as
determined under Section 1.4.
Performance
Factor
- shall
mean, with respect to an Incentive Bonus Award, the payout percentage (from
0%
to 200%) related to the attainment of one or more Performance Goals, as
determined by the Compensation Committee.
Performance
Goals
- shall
mean the objective financial or operating goals established by the Compensation
Committee in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. Such Performance Goals
may include specific targeted amounts of, or changes in, earnings before
interest, depreciation, taxes and amortization (“EBIDTA”); revenues; expenses;
net income; operating income; equity; return on equity, assets or capital
employed; working capital; shareholder return; production or sales volumes;
or
other objective criteria.
Such
goals may be applicable to the Company as a whole, to one or more of the
Company’s business units or teams, or to an individual Participant in the Plan.
Performance Goals may be applied in total or on a per share or percentage basis
and on an absolute basis or relative to other companies, industries or indices
or any combination thereof, as determined by the Compensation Committee.
Plan
- shall
mean the Iconix Brand Group, Inc. Incentive Bonus Plan, as set forth herein
and
as may be amended from time to time.
Plan
Year
- shall
mean the calendar year.
Pro-rated
Incentive Bonus Award
- shall
mean an amount equal to the Incentive Bonus Award otherwise payable to a
Participant for the Plan Year, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which
is the number of days during the Plan Year that the Participant is employed
by
the Company, and the denominator of which is 365. Pro-rated Bonus Awards shall
be determined in accordance with and subject to the provisions of Article III.
ARTICLE
III
Determination
of Incentive Bonus Award
3.1 General.
The
Compensation Committee may award an Incentive Bonus Award to any Participant.
Such Incentive Bonus Award shall be contingent upon the attainment of
Performance Goals established by the Compensation Committee in accordance with
Section 162(m) of the Code. Within the time prescribed by Section 162(m) of
the
Code, the Compensation Committee will establish, in writing, the weighted
Performance Goals and related Performance Factors for various Performance Goal
achievement levels for the applicable Plan Year, and will determine the
appropriate methodology for including Company, business unit, team and/or
individual performance in the Incentive Bonus Award computations for such year.
In establishing the weighted Performance Goals, the Compensation Committee
shall
take the necessary steps to insure that the ability to achieve the
pre-established goals is uncertain at the time the goals are set. The
established written Performance Goals, assigned weights, and Performance Factors
shall be written in terms of an objective formula, whereby any third party
having knowledge of the relevant Company, business unit, team and/or individual
performance results could calculate the amount to be paid. Such Performance
Goals may vary by Participant and by award.
3.2 Adjustment
or Modification of Performance Goals. The
Compensation Committee in its discretion (and within the time prescribed by
Section 162(m) of the Code), may adjust or modify Performance Goals with respect
to an Incentive Bonus Award to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights
of
Participants:
(i) in
the
event of, in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any unanticipated, unusual
nonrecurring or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event, or
development; or
(ii) in
response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations,
accounting principles, or business conditions.
Unless
otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, if any provision of the
Plan
or any Incentive Bonus Award granted to an individual who is a Covered Employee
with respect to the Incentive Bonus Award would not comply with Section 162(m)
of the Code, such provision or Incentive Bonus Award shall be construed or
deemed amended to conform to Section 162(m) of the Code.
3.3 Determination
of Performance Factor.
After
the end of each Plan Year, the Compensation Committee will determine:
(i) the
extent to which the Company, business unit and/or team Performance Goals have
been met; and
(ii) the
Company, business unit and/or team Performance Factor appropriate to the level
of performance achieved with respect to each Performance Goal.
3.4 Calculation
of Incentive Bonus Awards.
An
Incentive Bonus Award for a Participant for a Plan Year is calculated by
multiplying the Participant’s salary in effect on the last day of such Plan Year
by the applicable Performance Factor.
3.5 Negative
Discretion.
The
Compensation Committee will have the discretion, by Participant and by grant,
to
reduce (but not to increase) some or all of the amount of any Incentive Bonus
Award that would otherwise be payable by reason of the satisfaction of the
Performance Goals. In making any such determination, the Compensation Committee
is authorized to take into account any such factor or factors it determines
are
appropriate, including but not limited to Company, business unit and individual
performance; provided,
however,
the
exercise of such negative discretion with respect to one Participant may not
be
used to increase the amount of any award otherwise payable to another executive.
ARTICLE
IV
Forfeiture
of Incentive Bonus Award
Except
as
determined by the Compensation Committee, a Participant will forfeit any
Incentive Bonus Award that is to be paid after the Participant’s termination of
employment with the Company.
ARTICLE
V
Timing
and Form of Payment
Prior
to
the payment of any Incentive Bonus Award for a Plan Year, the Compensation
Committee will certify in writing that the applicable Performance Goals, and
any
other material terms or conditions of such award, have been satisfied. In making
this certification, the Compensation Committee will be entitled to rely upon
an
appropriate officer’s certificate from the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.
Upon approval by the Compensation Committee of the individual Incentive Bonus
Awards, payment of all of the individual Incentive Bonus Awards for such Plan
Year will be made in cash less the withholding of applicable taxes. Payment
of
an Incentive Bonus Award is contingent upon the Participant’s continued
employment with the Company through the date payment is made; provided, however,
such payment shall be made no later than 90 days after the Compensation
Committee has provided the written certification required under this Article
and
no later than the end of the Plan Year following the Plan Year to which the
Incentive Bonus Awards relate.
ARTICLE
VI
Miscellaneous
6.1 Construction.
Nothing
in this Plan or in any agreement or other instrument executed pursuant thereto
shall be construed as conferring upon any Participant the right to receive
an
Incentive Bonus Award or to be continued in the employ of the Company and any
rights conferred by this Plan may not be transferred, sold, assigned, pledged,
anticipated or otherwise disposed of other than by will or intestate laws.
6.2 Amendment.
This
Plan may be amended at any time by the Compensation Committee and may be
terminated in whole or in part at any time by the Board of Directors.
ICONIX
BRAND GROUP, INC.
1450
BROADWAY
NEW
YORK, NEW YORK 10018
PROXY
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 15,
2008.
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
undersigned hereby appoints NEIL COLE and WARREN CLAMEN, and each of them,
Proxies, with full power of substitution in each of them, in the name, place
and
stead of the undersigned, to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Thursday, May 15, 2008, at the
offices of the Company, 1450 Broadway, New York, NY 10018 or at any adjournment
or adjournments thereof, according to the number of votes that the undersigned
would be entitled to vote if personally present, upon the following
matters:
(Continued
and to be dated and signed on reverse side)
THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN. IF
NO
INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THOSE NOMINEES
IN
PROPOSAL 1 AND THE OTHER PROPOSALS LISTED BELOW. THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
ALL THE NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR
PROPOSALS 2, 3 and 4. YOU CAN VIEW OR PRINT A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL
MEETING
MATERIALS AT
www.Iconixbrand.com/proxymaterials.html.
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Please
mark your votes like this
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x
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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1.
FOR
all nominees listed below (except as indicated to the
contrary)
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WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
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2.
To
approve an amendment to the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan
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Neil
Cole, Barry Emanuel, Steven Mendelow, Drew Cohen, F. Peter Cuneo,
Mark
Friedman and James A. Marcum
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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3.
To
approve the Company’s Executive Incentive Bonus Plan
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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4.
Ratification
of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December
31,
2008
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(INSTRUCTION:
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that
nominee’s name in the space below)
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5.
In
their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting
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COMPANY
ID:
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PROXY
NUMBER:
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ACCOUNT
NUMBER:
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Signature
_________________________Signature, if held jointly ______________________Dated
________2008
Please
sign exactly as name appears hereon When shares are held by joint tenants,
both
should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in
full
corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership,
please sign in partnership name by authorized person.