def14a
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant
to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12
PLANETOUT 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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statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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PLANETOUT INC.
1355 SANSOME STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94111
(415) 834-6500
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On JUNE 15, 2005
To The Stockholders Of
PlanetOut Inc.:
Notice Is Hereby Given
that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
PlanetOut Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the
Company), will be held on Wednesday,
June 15, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. local time at 1355 Sansome
Street, San Francisco, California 94111 for the following
purposes:
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(1) To elect two (2) directors to hold office
until the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; |
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(2) To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee
of the Board of Directors of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
independent auditors of the Company for its fiscal year ending
December 31, 2005; and |
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(3) To transact such other business as may properly
come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the
Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
April 18, 2005 as the record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at this Annual
Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ JEFFREY T. SOUKUP
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Jeffrey T.
Soukup |
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Secretary |
San Francisco, California
April 28, 2005
ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING
IN PERSON. WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING,
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS
PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT
THE MEETING. A RETURN ENVELOPE (WHICH IS POSTAGE PREPAID IF
MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES) IS ENCLOSED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF
YOU DO NOT RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY, YOU MAY VOTE YOUR SHARES
ON THE INTERNET BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON YOUR PROXY.
EVEN IF YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY STILL VOTE IN PERSON
IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR
SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND
YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN FROM THE RECORD
HOLDER A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME.
PLANETOUT INC.
1355 SANSOME STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94111
(415) 834-6500
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JUNE 15, 2005
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
General
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of
Directors of PlanetOut Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
Company), for use at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 15, 2005, at
10:00 a.m. local time (the Annual
Meeting), or at any adjournment or postponement
thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will
be held at 1355 Sansome Street, San Francisco, California
94111. The Company intends to mail this proxy statement and
accompanying proxy card on or about April 28, 2005 to all
stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Solicitation
The Company will bear the entire cost of solicitation of
proxies, including preparation, assembly, printing and mailing
of this proxy statement, the proxy card and any additional
information furnished to stockholders. Copies of solicitation
materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses,
fiduciaries and custodians holding in their names shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned by others to forward to such
beneficial owners. The Company may reimburse persons
representing beneficial owners of Common Stock for their costs
of forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners.
Original solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by
telephone, telegram or personal solicitation by directors,
officers or other regular employees of the Company. No
additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or
other regular employees for such services.
Only holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business
on April 18, 2005 will be entitled to notice of and to vote
at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on
April 18, 2005, the Company had outstanding and entitled to
vote 17,046,967 shares of Common Stock.
Each holder of record of Common Stock on such date will be
entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be
voted upon at the Annual Meeting.
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A
quorum will be present if at least a majority of the outstanding
shares are represented by votes at the meeting or by proxy. A
plurality of the votes cast at the meeting (in person or by
proxy) is required to approve the election of directors, and a
majority of the votes cast at the meeting (in person or by
proxy) is required to approve any other items of business at the
meeting. Abstentions will be counted towards the vote total on
proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same
effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a
quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining
whether a matter has been approved. Broker non-votes
occur when a nominee (such as a bank or broker) returns a proxy,
but does not have the authority to vote on a particular
non-routine proposal because it has not received voting
instructions from the beneficial owner. All votes will be
tabulated by the inspector(s) of election appointed for the
meeting.
Voting Via the Internet
or by Telephone
Stockholders may grant a proxy to vote their shares by means of
the telephone or on the Internet. The law of Delaware, under
which the Company is incorporated, specifically permits
electronically transmitted proxies,
provided that each such proxy contains or is submitted with
information from which the inspectors of election can determine
that such proxy was authorized by the stockholder.
The telephone and Internet voting procedures below are designed
to authenticate stockholders identities, to allow
stockholders to grant a proxy to vote their shares and to
confirm that stockholders instructions have been recorded
properly. Stockholders granting a proxy to vote via the Internet
should understand that there may be costs associated with
electronic access, such as usage charges from Internet access
providers and telephone companies, that must be borne by the
stockholder.
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For Shares Registered in the Name of the
Stockholder |
Stockholders of record may grant a proxy to vote shares of
Company Common Stock by using a touch-tone telephone to call
1-800-560-1965 or via the Internet by accessing the
website www.eproxyvote.com/lgbt. You will be
required to enter a series of numbers that are located on your
proxy card and the last four digits of your social security
number or tax identification number. If voting via the Internet,
you will then be asked to complete an electronic proxy card. The
votes represented by such proxy will be generated on the
computer screen and you will be prompted to submit or revise
them as desired. Votes submitted by telephone or via the
Internet must be received before 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time,
on June 14, 2005. Submitting your proxy by telephone or via
the Internet will not affect your right to vote in person should
you decide to attend the Annual Meeting.
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For Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or
Bank |
Most beneficial owners whose stock is held in street
name receive instructions for granting proxies from their
banks, brokers or other agents, rather than the Companys
proxy card. A number of brokers and banks are participating in a
program provided through ADP Investor Communication Services
that offers the means to grant proxies to vote shares by means
of the Internet. If your shares are held in an account with a
broker or bank participating in the ADP Investor Communications
Services program, you may go to www.proxyvote.com to
grant a proxy to vote your shares by means of the Internet.
Votes submitted via the Internet must be received before
10:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on June 14, 2005. Submitting
your proxy via the Internet will not affect your right to vote
in person should you decide to attend the Annual Meeting. A
beneficial owner who wishes to vote at the meeting must have an
appropriate proxy from his or her broker or bank appointing that
beneficial owner as attorney in fact for purposes of voting the
beneficially held shares at the meeting.
Revocability of
Proxies
Any person giving a proxy pursuant to this solicitation has the
power to revoke it at any time before it is voted. It may be
revoked by filing with the Corporate Secretary of the Company at
the Companys principal executive office, 1355 Sansome
Street, San Francisco, California 94111, a written notice
of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or
it may be revoked by attending the meeting and voting in person.
Attendance at the meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
Stockholder
Proposals
The deadline for submitting a stockholder proposal for inclusion
in the Companys proxy statement and form of proxy for the
Companys 2006 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to
Rule 14a-8 of the Securities and Exchange Commission is
December 30, 2005. Stockholders wishing to submit proposals
or director nominations that are not to be included in such
proxy statement and proxy, must deliver written notice to the
Corporate Secretary of the Company at 1355 Sansome Street,
San Francisco, California 94111 not earlier than the close
of business on February 15, 2006 and not later than the
close of business on March 17, 2006. Stockholders are also
advised to review the Companys bylaws and the federal
proxy rules, which contain additional requirements with respect
to advance notice of stockholder proposals and director
nominations.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Companys restated certificate of incorporation and
bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall be divided into
three classes, with each class having a three-year term.
Vacancies on the Board may be filled only by persons elected by
a majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the
Board to fill a vacancy in a class (including a vacancy created
by an increase in the number of directors) shall serve until the
next election of the class for which such director has been
elected and until his or her successor has been duly elected and
qualified.
The Board of Directors presently has six members and no
vacancies. There are two (2) directors in the class whose
term of office expires in 2005 (Robert W. King and Allen
Morgan). The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of
the Board has nominated Mr. King and Mr. Morgan to
stand for reelection at the upcoming Annual Meeting. These
nominees are currently directors of the Company who were
previously elected by the Companys stockholders. If
elected at the Annual Meeting, each of these nominees would
serve until the 2008 annual meeting and until his successor is
elected and has qualified, or until the directors death,
resignation or removal.
Each of the Companys directors, other than
Mr. Selvin, qualify as independent in
accordance with the published listing requirements of the Nasdaq
Stock Market. The Nasdaq independence definition includes a
series of objective tests, such as that the director is not an
employee of the Company and has not engaged in various types of
business dealings with the Company. In addition, as further
required by the Nasdaq rules, the Board has made a subjective
determination as to each independent director that no
relationships exist which, in the opinion of the Board, would
interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying
out the responsibilities of a director. In making these
determinations, the directors reviewed and discussed information
provided by the directors and the Company with regard to each
directors business and personal activities as they may
relate to the Company and the management of the Company.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the
meeting. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted,
if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of each
of the nominees. In the event that either of the nominees should
be unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected
occurrence, such shares will be voted for the election of such
substitute nominee as the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee may propose. Each of the nominees has agreed to serve
if elected, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee and management have no reason to believe that either
of the nominees will be unable to serve.
Nominees For Election
For A Three-Year Term Expiring At The 2008 Annual
Meeting:
Robert W.
King
Robert W. King, 38, has served on the Board from April 2001 to
August 2003 and from February 2004 to the present. Mr. King
has been president of King Pacific Capital Corporation, a
private venture capital firm that specializes in early stage
equity and debt investments, since 1995. In addition, since 1996
he has also been a principle of Westbridge Capital Group, a full
service commercial mortgage brokerage firm. Mr. King sits
on the board of directors of Prescient NeuroPharma Inc., Well
Financial Corporation, a TSE listed company, and several private
companies. He holds a B.A. from the University of British
Columbia and an M.B.A. from Dalhousie University.
Allen Morgan
Allen Morgan, 52, has served on the Board since April 2001.
Since January 1999, Mr. Morgan has been a Managing Director
of Mayfield, a venture capital fund. From April 1997 until
December 1998, Mr. Morgan was a partner in the corporate
department of the law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP.
From November 1982 until April 1997, Mr. Morgan was an
associate and a partner in the corporate department of the law
firm of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati P.C.
Mr. Morgan sits on the board of directors of The Varsity
Group,
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Value Vision Media, Inc. and a number of private companies.
Mr. Morgan received an A.B. degree from Dartmouth College,
a B.A. and an M.A. from Oxford University and a J.D. from the
University of Virginia.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE
Directors Continuing In
Office Until The 2006 Annual Meeting:
H. William Jesse, Jr., 53, has served on the Board
since April 2001. Mr. Jesse is Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Jesse Capital Management, Inc., an investment firm he
founded in 1998, and is also Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Modern Yachts, Inc., a design firm he founded in
2000. In 1986, Mr. Jesse founded Jesse.Hansen&Co, a
strategic and financial advisory firm. He served as its Chairman
from 1986 until 2004 and as President from 1986 until 1998.
Mr. Jesse served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Vineyard Properties Corporation, a developer of wine grape
vineyards, from 1988 until 2002. Mr. Jesse sits on the
board of directors of Peets Coffee and Tea, Inc., and a number
of private companies. Mr. Jesse holds a B.S. in Economic
Statistics and Finance and a M.S. in Operations Research from
Lehigh University and a M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School.
Karen Magee
Karen Magee, 44, has served on the Board since September 2003.
Ms. Magee has been Senior Vice President of Strategic
Planning for Time Warner since April 2004. She served as Vice
President of Strategic Planning for Time Inc. from February 2001
until April 2004. From February 1996 until February 2001, she
was with TIME magazine where she served as General Manager for
four years and more recently as Vice President of Consumer
Marketing. Ms. Magee sits on the Princeton University Board
of Trustees and the GLAAD board of directors. Ms. Magee
holds a B.S.E. from Princeton University and a M.B.A. from the
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Directors Continuing In
Office Until The 2007 Annual Meeting:
Lowell R.
Selvin
Lowell R. Selvin, 46, has served as the Chairman of the Board
since August 2003 and as the Companys Chief Executive
Officer since July 1999, when he joined a predecessor company,
Online Partners.com, Inc. (parent company of Gay.com), as CEO.
He subsequently became CEO of PlanetOut Inc. following the
acquisition of PlanetOut Corporation by Online Partners.
Immediately prior to joining PlanetOut, Mr. Selvin was an
independent consultant. Previously, Mr. Selvin was Chief
Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of
Arbonne International, a direct sales company. Before that,
Mr. Selvin was a Practice Director and firm-wide leader for
Arthur Andersen Business Consulting in Strategic Planning, a
co-founder, Executive Vice President and Director for Degree
Baby Products, a consumer products company that was acquired by
Johnson & Johnson, and Director of Operations and
Customer Service for a high technology business serving the
Fortune 500 that was acquired by Telecredit/ Equifax. Among
other civic involvements, Mr. Selvin is a founding member
and Chairman of the Gay and Lesbian Focus Forum of the Young
Presidents Organization, serves on the advisory boards of
the Gay & Lesbian Athletics Foundation, MOSAIC: The
National Jewish Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity and the
Hebrew Union Colleges Institute for Judaism and Sexual
Orientation and has served on the boards of directors of the Los
Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, West Hollywoods
Congregation Kol Ami and the Child Guidance Centers of Orange
County California. Mr. Selvin holds an interdisciplinary
B.S. combining studies in Physiological Psychology and
Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University
of Illinois.
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Jerry Colonna
Jerry Colonna, 41, has served on the Board since April 2001.
From January 2002 until December 2002, Mr. Colonna was a
partner with J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC, the private equity
arm of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Since August 1996
Mr. Colonna has been a partner with Flatiron Partners, an
investment company which he co-founded. Mr. Colonna sits on
the boards of directors of a number of private companies as well
as a number of non-profit organizations including PENCIL -
Public Education Needs Civic Involvement in Learning, NYPower NY
and NYC2012. Mr. Colonna holds a B.A. in English Literature
from Queens College at the City University of New York.
Board Committees and
Meetings
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, the Board
of Directors held 21 meetings and acted by unanimous written
consent once. The Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation
Committee and a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, all
directors attended at least 75% of the total meetings of the
Board and of the committees on which each such director served
and which were held during the period such director was a
director or committee member.
It is the Companys policy that all directors are
encouraged to attend the Companys Annual Meetings of
Stockholders in person.
The Audit Committee is composed of Mr. Jesse,
Ms. Magee and Mr. King, each of whom is a non-employee
member of the Board. The Board has determined that each member
of the Audit Committee meets the requirements for independence
under the current requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
and SEC rules and regulations. Mr. Jesse is the Chair of
the Audit Committee and the Board has determined that he is the
audit committee financial expert, as that term is
defined under the SEC rules. The Audit Committee met five times
during the last fiscal year and did not act by unanimous written
consent. The Audit Committee has a written charter, a copy of
which is attached as Appendix A to these proxy
materials, and which can be viewed on the Companys
corporate governance web page at www.planetoutinc.com
under the Investor Center Corporate
Governance section.
The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the
preparation of reports, statements or charters as may be
required by the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or federal securities
laws, as well as, among other things: (i) overseeing and
monitoring (a) the integrity of the Companys
financial statements, (b) the Companys compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to
financial statements or accounting matters, (c) the
Companys independent auditors engagement,
qualifications, independence, compensation and performance, and
(d) the Companys internal accounting and financial
controls; (ii) preparing the report that SEC rules require
be included in the Companys annual proxy statement;
(iii) providing the Board with the results of its
monitoring and recommendations; and (iv) providing to the
Board additional information and materials as it deems necessary
to make the Board aware of significant financial matters that
require the attention of the Board.
The Compensation Committee is composed of Mr. Colonna and
Mr. Morgan, each of whom is a non-employee member of the
Board. The Board has determined that each member of the
Compensation Committee meets the requirements for independence
under the current requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
and SEC rules and regulations. Each member of the Compensation
Committee is an outside director as that term is
defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 and is a non-employee director within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the rules promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Compensation Committee met
six times during the last fiscal year and did not act by
unanimous written consent. The Compensation Committee has a
written charter, which can be viewed on the
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Companys corporate governance web page at
www.planetoutinc.com under the Investor
Center Corporate Governance section.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other
things: (i) reviewing and approving for the Companys
Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers
(a) the annual base salary, (b) the annual incentive
bonus, including the specific goals and amount, (c) equity
compensation and (d) any other benefits, compensations,
compensation policies or arrangements; (ii) reviewing and
making recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation
policy for such other officers as directed by the Board;
(iii) preparing a report to be included in the
Companys annual proxy statement; and (iv) acting as
administrator of the Companys current benefit plans and
making recommendations to the Board with respect to amendments
to the plans, changes in the number of shares reserved for
issuance thereunder and regarding other benefit plans proposed
for adoption.
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Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of
Ms. Magee, Mr. Morgan and Mr. Jesse, each of whom
is a non-employee member of the Board. The Board has determined
that each member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee meets the requirements for independence under the
current requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and SEC
rules and regulations. The Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee met once during the last fiscal year and did not act
by unanimous written consent. The Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee has a written charter, which can be viewed
on the Companys corporate governance web page at
www.planetoutinc.com under the Investor
Center Corporate Governance section.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible
for, among other things: (i) reviewing board structure,
composition and practices, and making recommendations on these
matters to the Board; (ii) reviewing, soliciting and making
recommendations to the Board and stockholders with respect to
candidates for election to the Board; (iii) overseeing
compliance with the Companys Code of Conduct and Ethics;
and (iv) overseeing compliance with corporate governance
requirements.
The Companys bylaws contain provisions that address the
process by which a stockholder may nominate an individual to
stand for election to the Board at the Companys annual
meeting of stockholders. To date, the Company has not received
any suggestions from stockholders that the Corporate Governance
and Nominating Committee consider a candidate for inclusion
among the slate of nominees presented at the Companys
annual meeting of stockholders. The Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee will consider qualified candidates for
director suggested by stockholders. Stockholders can suggest
candidates by writing to the attention of the Companys
Corporate Secretary at 1355 Sansome Street, San Francisco,
CA 94111. The Company will forward suggestions that it receives
to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee for further
review and consideration. Stockholder suggestions should be
submitted to the Companys Corporate Secretary at least six
months prior to the one-year anniversary of the Annual Meeting,
to ensure time for meaningful consideration.
Although the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has
not formally adopted minimum criteria for director nominees, the
Committee does seek to ensure that the members of the
Companys Board possess both exemplary professional and
personal ethics and values and an in-depth understanding of the
Companys business and industry. The Corporate Governance
and Nominating Committee also believes in the value of
professional diversity among members of the Board, and it feels
that it is appropriate for members of the Companys senior
management to participate as members of the Board. The Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee requires that at least one
member of the Board qualify as an audit committee
financial expert as defined by SEC rules, and that a
majority of the members of the Board meet the definition of
independence under rules promulgated by the NASD.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee identifies
nominees for the class of directors being elected at each annual
meeting of stockholders by first evaluating the current members
of such class of directors willing to continue in service.
Current members of the Board with skills and experience that are
relevant to the Companys business and who are willing to
continue to serve on the Companys Board are
6
considered for re-nomination, balancing the value of continuity
of service by existing members of the Board with the benefits of
bringing on members with new perspectives. If any member of such
class of directors does not wish to continue in service or if
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee decides not to
re-nominate a member of such class of directors for reelection,
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee identifies the
desired skills and experience of a new nominee in light of the
criteria above.
Code of Conduct and
Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
that applies to the Companys Chief Executive Officer and
senior financial officers, including the Companys Chief
Financial Officer and controller, as well as all employees and
directors. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be viewed
on the Companys corporate governance web page at
www.planetoutinc.com under the Investor
Center Corporate Governance section. To the
extent permitted by the rules promulgated by the NASD, the
Company intends to disclose any amendments to, or waivers from,
the Code provisions applicable to the Companys Chief
Executive Officer and senior financial officers, including the
Companys Chief Financial Officer and controller, or with
respect to the required elements of the Code, on the
Companys corporate governance web page at
www.planetoutinc.com under the Investor
Center Corporate Governance section.
Communications with the
Board of Directors
If you wish to communicate with the Board of Directors or with
the independent directors as a group, you may send your
communication in writing to the Companys Corporate
Secretary at 1355 Sansome Street, San Francisco, California
94111. You must include your name and address and indicate
whether you are a stockholder of the Company. The Corporate
Secretary will compile all communications, summarize all
lengthy, repetitive or duplicative communications and forward
them to the appropriate director or directors. For example, the
Corporate Secretary will forward stockholder communications
recommending potential director nominees to the chairman of the
Nominating Committee. The Corporate Secretary will not forward
non-substantive communications or communications that pertain to
personal grievances, but instead will forward them to the
appropriate department within the Company for resolution. In
this case, the Corporate Secretary will retain a copy of such
communication for review by any director upon his request. This
procedure does not apply to stockholder proposals submitted
pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
7
Report of the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors(1)
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors provides
assistance to the Board in fulfilling its obligations with
respect to matters involving the accounting, auditing, financial
reporting and internal control functions of the Company. Among
other things, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses with
management and with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, PlanetOuts
independent auditors, the results of the year-end audit of the
Company, including the audit report and audited financial
statements.
In connection with its review of the Companys audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2004, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited
financial statements with management, and discussed with
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the matters required to be discussed
by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Codification of
Statements on Auditing Standards, AU §380). The Audit
Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by Independence Standards
Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees) and discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP its
independence from the Company. The Audit Committee has
determined that the provision of non-audit services rendered by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to the Company is compatible with
maintaining the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from
the Company.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited
financial statements be included in the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004 for filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee has a written charter, a copy of which is
attached as Appendix A to these proxy materials, and
which can be viewed on the Companys corporate governance
web page at www.planetoutinc.com under the Investor
Center Corporate Governance section. A copy of
the Audit Committee charter is also available upon request
addressed to the Corporate Secretary at the Companys
corporate address.
During the 2004 fiscal year, the Audit Committee met with
management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and received the
results of audit examination, evaluations of the Companys
internal controls and the overall quality of the Companys
financial organization and financial reporting. The Committee
believes that a candid, substantive and focused dialogue with
the independent auditors is fundamental to the Committees
responsibilities. To support this belief, the Committee
periodically meets separately with the independent auditors
without the members of management present.
|
|
|
Audit
Committee |
|
|
H. William Jesse, Jr., Chair |
|
Karen Magee |
|
Robert W. King |
(1) This Section is not soliciting material, is
not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be
incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the
1933 Act or the 1934 Exchange Act whether made before or
after the date hereof and irrespective of any general
incorporation language in any such filing.
8
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Companys independent
auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005 and
has further directed that management submit the selection of
independent auditors for ratification by the stockholders at the
Annual Meeting. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has been engaged to
audit the Companys financial statements since 1997.
Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be
present at the Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to
make a statement if they so desire and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions.
Neither the Companys bylaws nor other governing documents
nor law requires stockholder ratification of the selection of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Companys independent
auditors. However, the Board is submitting the selection of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to the stockholders for ratification
as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail
to ratify the selection, the Board will reconsider whether or
not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the
Board in its discretion may direct the appointment of different
independent auditors at any time during the year if they
determine that such a change would be in the best interests of
the Company and its stockholders.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Audit Fees
During the last two fiscal years ended December 31, 2003
and December 31, 2004, respectively, the aggregate fees
paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the professional services
rendered for the audit of the Companys annual financial
statement and for the reviews of the financial statements
included in the Companys Form 10-Q quarterly report
or registration statement, and services that are normally
provided by the independent auditors in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal
years were approximately $138,000 and $296,035, respectively.
Audit-Related
Fees
Audit-related fees include fees for assurance and
related services reasonably related to the performance of the
audit or review of the Companys financial statements, such
as the review of SEC filings. The aggregate fees paid to
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for services related to the
performance of their audit and review of financial statements
that are not included in audit fees above were
approximately $37,145 and $546,000 for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004, respectively.
Tax Fees
Tax fees include fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax
planning services. These services include assistance with tax
returns preparation, review of federal, state and international
tax compliance and strategic tax-planning services. The
aggregate fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for these
services were approximately $28,050 and $28,745 for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004,
respectively.
9
All Other
Fees
Other than those described above, during the last two fiscal
years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004,
approximately $4,456 and $0, respectively, were paid to
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for advisory services.
Pre-Approval Policies
And Procedures
The Audit Committee meets with the Companys independent
auditors to approve the annual scope of accounting services to
be performed, including all audit and non-audit services, and
the related fee estimates. The Audit Committee also meets with
the Companys independent auditors, on a quarterly basis,
following completion of their quarterly reviews and annual audit
and prior to the Companys earnings announcements, to
review the results of their work. As appropriate, management and
the Companys independent auditors update the Audit
Committee with material changes to any service engagement and
related fee estimates as compared to amounts previously approved.
Under its charter, the Audit Committee has the authority and
responsibility to review and approve the retention of the
Companys outside auditors to perform any proposed
permissible non-audit services. To date, all audit and non-audit
services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have been
pre-approved by the Audit Committee in advance.
Auditors
Independence
The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of all the
aforementioned services by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was
compatible with maintaining the auditors independence.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, all of the
hours expended on the Companys financial audit by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were provided by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPs full-time permanent employees.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The table below sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of Common Stock as of March 1, 2005 by:
(i) each person or entity known by the Company to own
beneficially more than 5% of its outstanding shares of Common
Stock; (ii) each executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table; (iii) each director and nominee for
director; and (iv) all executive officers and directors of
the Company as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules
of the SEC. The number of shares of Common Stock used to
calculate the percentage ownership of each listed person
includes the shares of Common Stock underlying options, warrants
or other convertible securities held by such person that are
exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2005. The
percentage of beneficial ownership is based on
17,011,063 shares outstanding as of March 1, 2005.
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Ownership(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Percent of | |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Shares | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Greater than 5% Stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JP Morgan Partners, LLC(2)
|
|
|
1,247,856 |
|
|
|
7.33 |
% |
|
1221 Avenue of the Americas
39th Floor
New York, NY 10020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mayfield(3)
|
|
|
1,140,685 |
|
|
|
6.70 |
% |
|
2800 Sand Hill Road, Suite 250
Menlo Park, CA 94025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Ownership(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Percent of | |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Shares | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Peter Allard(4)
|
|
|
872,649 |
|
|
|
5.13 |
% |
|
Petunia Resources, Ltd.
1040 West Georgia St.
Suite 1120
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6E4H1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard W. Weiland
|
|
|
1,029,806 |
|
|
|
6.05 |
% |
|
1415 McGilvra Blvd. E.
Seattle, WA 98112-3815 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officers and Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lowell R. Selvin(5)
|
|
|
971,627 |
|
|
|
5.44 |
% |
Mark D. Elderkin(6)
|
|
|
1,108,278 |
|
|
|
6.47 |
% |
Jeffrey T. Soukup(7)
|
|
|
324,570 |
|
|
|
1.89 |
% |
Jeffrey J. Titterton(8)
|
|
|
130,658 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Donna Gibbs(9)
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jerry Colonna(10)
|
|
|
284,396 |
|
|
|
1.67 |
% |
H. William Jesse, Jr.(11)
|
|
|
791,704 |
|
|
|
4.64 |
% |
Robert W. King(12)
|
|
|
875,337 |
|
|
|
5.15 |
% |
Karen Magee(13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allen Morgan(14)
|
|
|
1,140,685 |
|
|
|
6.70 |
% |
All executive officers and directors as a group (10 persons)(15)
|
|
|
5,647,255 |
|
|
|
32.76 |
% |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
This table is based upon information supplied by officers,
directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13D and 13G
filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes
to this table and subject to community property laws where
applicable, the Company believes that each of the stockholders
named in this table has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. Unless
otherwise indicated, the principal address of each of the
stockholders named in this table is: c/o PlanetOut Inc.,
1355 Sansome Street, San Francisco, California 94111. |
|
|
(2) |
Includes 1,100,132 shares and 8,234 shares issuable
upon exercise of the warrants held by J.P. Morgan Partners
(23A SBIC), L.P. (JPMP (23A SBIC)) and
137,592 shares and 1,898 shares issuable upon exercise
of the warrants held by J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), L.P.
(JPMP (BHCA)). The general partner of JPMP (23A
SBIC) is J.P. Morgan Partners (23A SBIC Manager), Inc.
JPMP (23A SBIC Manager)), a wholly owned subsidiary
of J.P. Morgan Chase Bank (JPM Chase Bank), a
wholly owned subsidiary of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
(JPM Chase), a publicly traded company. Each of JPMP
(23A SBIC Manager), JPM Chase Bank and JPM Chase may be deemed
the beneficial owners of the shares held by JPMP (23A SBIC),
however, the foregoing shall not be construed as an admission
that any of JPMP (23A SBIC Manager), JPM Chase Bank or JPM Chase
is the beneficial owner of the shares held by JPMP (23A SBIC).
The general partner of JPMP (BHCA) is JPMP Master Funder
Manager, L.P. (MF Manager), whose general partner is
JPMP Capital Corp. (JPMP Capital), a wholly owned
subsidiary of JPM Chase. Each of MF Manager, JPMP Capital and
JPM Chase may be deemed the beneficial owners of the shares held
by JPMP (BHCA), however, the foregoing shall not be construed as
an admission that any of MF Manager, JPMP Capital or JPM Chase
is the beneficial owner of the shares held by JPMP (BHCA). |
|
|
(3) |
Includes 914,847 shares held by Mayfield X, a Delaware
limited partnership, 53,439 shares held by Mayfield X
Annex, a Delaware limited partnership, 35,230 shares held
by Mayfield Associates Fund V, a Delaware limited
partnership and 109,452 shares held by Mayfield Principals
Fund, a Delaware limited liability company. Also includes
9,880 shares, 340 shares and 1,135 shares of our
common stock |
11
|
|
|
|
|
held by Mayfield X, Mayfield Associates Fund V, and
Mayfield Principals Fund, respectively, and 16,362 shares
of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants and options,
all of which are fully vested, beneficially held by Mayfield X
Management, LLC. Mayfield X Management, LLC is the general
partner of Mayfield X, Mayfield Associates Fund V and
Mayfield Principals Fund. Mayfield X Annex Management, LLC
is the general partner of Mayfield X Annex. Mr. Morgan, one
of the Companys directors, is a managing director of
Mayfield X Management, LLC and Mayfield X Annex Management,
LLC, and disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held directly
by Mayfield X, Mayfield X Annex, Mayfield Associates Fund V
and Mayfield Principals Fund except to the extent of his
pecuniary interest. |
|
|
(4) |
Includes 763,888 shares and 63,267 shares issuable
upon exercise of a warrant held by Petunia Resources, Ltd.
Mr. Allard has voting and investment control over the
shares held by Petunia Resources, Ltd. Mr. King, one of the
Companys directors, is an advisor of Petunia Resources
Ltd. and Peter Allard, and is Mr. Allards nephew.
Mr. King disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by
Petunia Resources Ltd. and its affiliates, except to the extent
of his pecuniary interest. |
|
|
(5) |
Includes 83,080 shares held by the Gilbert Cyril
Winebar III Living Trust of which Mr. Selvins
life partner is the Trustee, 52,880 shares held by the
Lowell Reed Selvin Living Trust of which Mr. Selvin is the
Trustee, and 835,667 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
the exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days
of March 1, 2005, 611,656 of which are fully vested and
224,011 of which are unvested. |
|
|
(6) |
Includes 71,326 shares held by the Elderkin-Bennett Family
Trust of which Mr. Elderkin and his life partner are
co-trustees and 48,609 shares held by
Mr. Elderkins life partner. Also includes
130,168 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
of options that are exercisable within 60 days of
March 1, 2005, 85,477 of which are fully vested and 44,691
of which are unvested. |
|
|
(7) |
Includes 18,403 shares held jointly with
Mr. Soukups life partner. Also includes
188,747 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
of options that are exercisable within 60 days of
March 1, 2005, 138,683 of which are fully vested and 50,064
of which are unvested. |
|
|
(8) |
Includes 58,090 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of
March 1, 2005, all of which are fully vested. Also includes
16,244 shares of Common Stock held by
Mr. Tittertons life partner. Mr. Titterton left
the Company in February 2005. |
|
|
(9) |
Includes 20,000 shares that are exercisable within
60 days of March 1, 2005, all of which are unvested. |
|
|
(10) |
All shares held by entities affiliated with Flatiron Partners.
Also includes 9,372 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of
March 1, 2005, all of which are fully vested, and
2,520 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
warrants held by entities affiliated with Flatiron Partners.
Mr. Colonna is a partner of Flatiron Partners, and he
disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by Flatiron
Partners and its affiliates, except to the extent of his
pecuniary interest. |
|
(11) |
Includes 54,274 shares held in a retirement account for
Mr. Jesses benefit and an aggregate of
627,160 shares held by entities affiliated with
Jesse.Hansen&Co. Also includes 33,332 shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable
within 60 days of March 1, 2005, all of which are
fully vested, an aggregate of 35,375 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by entities
affiliated with Jesse.Hansen&Co. Mr. Jesse was chairman
of Jesse.Hansen&Co. until 2004, and he disclaims beneficial
ownership of the shares held by Jesse.Hansen&Co. and its
affiliates except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. |
|
(12) |
In addition to the shares referenced in footnote 4,
includes 2,727 shares issuable upon exercise of options
that are exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2005.
Mr. King is an advisor of Petunia Resources Ltd. and Peter
Allard, and is Mr. Allards nephew. Mr. King
disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by Petunia
Resources, Ltd. and its affiliates and by Peter Allard, except
to the extent of his pecuniary interest. |
|
(13) |
Ms. Magee is a senior vice president of Time Warner, the
parent company of America Online. Ms. Magee does not
exercise any voting or investment power over the shares held by
America Online. |
12
|
|
(14) |
Includes the shares referenced in footnote 3.
Mr. Morgan disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by
the Mayfield entities, except to the extent of his pecuniary
interest. |
|
(15) |
Includes all of the shares referenced in notes (5) through
(14) above. |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Described below are certain transactions between the Company and
its executive officers, directors and the beneficial owners of
5% or more of its voting securities and certain persons
affiliated with or related to these persons, including family
members. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with
the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment
power with respect to such securities.
|
|
|
Loans to Executive Officers |
In May 2001, the Company issued a secured promissory note to
Mark D. Elderkin, its President, for approximately $603,000 to
fund his purchase of the Companys Series D Preferred
Stock. The principal and interest are due and payable in May
2006. Interest accrues at a rate of 8.5% per annum or the
maximum rate permissible by law, whichever is less. The note is
full recourse as to all accrued interest and as to $24,000 in
principal amount, and the remainder is non-recourse. The loan is
secured by the shares of Common Stock and options owned by
Mr. Elderkin. As of December 31, 2004, the total
principal and interest due under the note was $782,088. The loan
has not been modified since July 30, 2002, the effective
date of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
In June 2001, Online Partners entered into an indemnity
agreement with Mark D. Elderkin, the Companys President,
pursuant to which the Company agreed to indemnify
Mr. Elderkin for certain costs of defense and damages that
might be awarded against him in a lawsuit brought against the
Company and him, among others, by a former employee of Online
Partners. Specifically, the indemnity agreement provides that
the Company will indemnify Mr. Elderkin for his reasonable
costs of defense, generally limited to no more than
$3,500 per month, and for that portion of any damages
awarded against him, if any, in an amount to be determined at
arbitration, that the trier of fact finds resulted from actions
he took within the scope of his employment with Online Partners.
The lawsuit subject to this indemnity agreement was settled in
January 2005, and no further material payments are expected
under this agreement.
|
|
|
Indemnification Insurance |
The Companys bylaws require it to indemnify its directors
and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by
Delaware law. The Company has entered into indemnification
agreements with all of its directors and executive officers and
holds directors and officers liability insurance. In
addition, the Companys certificate of incorporation limits
the personal liability of its Board members for breaches by the
directors of their fiduciary duties.
|
|
|
America Online, Inc. Agreements |
In September 1999, PlanetOut Corporation entered into an Anchor
Tenant Agreement with America Online, Inc., a holder of more
than 5% of our Common Stock in 2004. Pursuant to the agreement,
the Company built and maintained a co-branded website and paid
America Online, Inc. a fee in exchange for key words and other
promotions. In December 2000 and February 2002, the Company
amended the agreement to reduce the fee that it was to pay and
the number of promotions America Online, Inc. was to provide to
it. This agreement terminated in August 2003. In July 2004, the
Company entered into a standard insertion order advertising
agreement with America Online, Inc. for the placement of
PlanetOut advertisements on the AOL network. The Company has
agreed to pay America Online up to $550,000 over the 18-month
term of the agreement, payable in 17 equal monthly installments
of $31,000 and a final installment of $23,000.
13
|
|
|
Senior Subordinated Promissory Note |
In May 2004, the Company issued a senior subordinated promissory
note in the principal amount of $5.0 million to Peter
Allard. The note bore interest at a rate of 11% per year
with interest payable monthly. The principal plus accrued, but
unpaid, interest was due on the earlier of 30 days
following the completion of the Companys initial public
offering or January 2007. The Company paid off the note in full
in October 2004. In connection with the issuance of the note,
the Company issued to Mr. Allard a warrant to purchase up
to 45,454 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$0.011 per share. Mr. Allard exercised this warrant in
May 2004. Mr. Allard has voting and investment control over
Petunia Resources, Ltd., one of the Companys greater than
5% stockholders, and is also an uncle of Mr. King, one of
the Companys directors. Mr. King also acts as an
adviser to, and has a pecuniary interest in, Petunia and has a
pecuniary interest in the shares underlying the warrant.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the
Companys directors and executive officers, and persons who
own more than 10% of a registered class of the Companys
equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of
ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock
and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors
and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulation
to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a)
forms they file.
To the Companys knowledge, based solely on a review of the
copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written
representations that no other reports were required, during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, all Section 16(a)
filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and
greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with, except
that Mr. Selvin and Mr. King each filed one late
report on Form 4 due to technical difficulties, covering
one transaction resulting from the conversion of Preferred Stock
into Common Stock at the time of the Companys initial
public offering.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Currently, the Company does not pay any cash compensation to the
members of the Board of Directors, except for reimbursing its
non-employee directors for reasonable travel expenses incurred
in connection with attendance at Board and committee meetings.
In addition, in April 2004, the Company granted its directors,
except for Ms. Magee, options to purchase an aggregate of
10,908 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$9.02 per share.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER
PARTICIPATION
No member of the Compensation Committee and none of the
Companys executive officers has a relationship that would
constitute an interlocking relationship with executive officers
and directors of another entity.
14
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation
Table
The following table provides the total compensation paid to the
Companys Chief Executive Officer and its next four most
highly compensated executive officers for the year ended
December 31, 2004. These executives are referred to as the
Companys named executive officers elsewhere in
this proxy statement. The Company did not have any other
executive officers in 2004.
|
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|
|
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|
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|
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|
|
Long Term Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Restricted | |
|
Underlying | |
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus | |
|
Compensation(1) | |
|
Stock ($)(2) | |
|
Options | |
|
Compensation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Lowell R. Selvin
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
273,250 |
|
|
$ |
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,261,386 |
|
|
|
92,749 |
|
|
$ |
12,688 |
(3)(4) |
|
Chairman and Chief |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
254,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
42,971 |
|
|
$ |
39,396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
136,070 |
(5) |
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark D. Elderkin
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
200,750 |
|
|
$ |
56,808 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,743 |
(3) |
|
President |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
191,144 |
|
|
$ |
60,608 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,599 |
(7) |
Jeffrey T. Soukup
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
228,301 |
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
946,030 |
|
|
|
69,561 |
|
|
$ |
4,926 |
(3) |
|
Executive Vice President, |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
216,008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
26,219 |
|
|
$ |
29,547 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
76,561 |
(7)(8) |
|
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey J. Titterton(9)
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
180,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
585,643 |
|
|
|
43,062 |
|
|
$ |
5,199 |
(3) |
|
Senior Vice President, |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
170,608 |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
(6) |
|
$ |
14,585 |
|
|
$ |
18,291 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
41,727 |
(7)(10) |
|
Member Sales and Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donna L. Gibbs(11)
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
73,269 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,031 |
(3) |
|
Senior Vice President, |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Marketing and Communications |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Consists of tax gross-up payments made in connection with the
forgiveness of the exercise price of certain options to purchase
Common and Series D Preferred Stock and the restricted
stock award of Series B Preferred Stock. Tax payments for
Messrs. Selvin and Soukup were made in January 2004. |
|
(2) |
The shares subject to these awards were subject to a right of
repurchase in favor of PlanetOut that lapsed in 24 equal monthly
installments beginning in February 2003. As of December 31,
2004, 3,865, 2,899 and 1,795 shares held by
Mr. Selvin, Mr. Soukup and Mr. Titterton,
respectively, were subject to this repurchase right. At
December 31, 2004, there were an aggregate of
205,372 shares of restricted stock held by the named
executive officers, with a value of $2,793,059 based on the
Companys closing market price of $13.60 on that date. |
|
(3) |
Consists of matching contributions for 2004 under the
Companys 401(k) plan, directors and officers insurance and
parking contributions. |
|
(4) |
Includes disability insurance. |
|
(5) |
Includes $131,561 paid as a non-cash bonus in 2003 in connection
with the exercise of stock options whose aggregate exercise
price the Company agreed to forgive in August 2003 in
consideration of Mr. Selvins prior services to
PlanetOut. |
|
(6) |
Consists of sales commissions. |
|
(7) |
Consists of matching contributions for 2003 under the
Companys 401(k) plan, directors and officers insurance and
parking contributions. |
|
(8) |
Includes $74,699 paid as a non-cash bonus in 2003 in connection
with the exercise of stock options whose aggregate exercise
price the Company agreed to forgive in August 2003 in
consideration of Mr. Soukups prior services to
PlanetOut. |
|
(9) |
Mr. Titterton left the Company in February 2005. |
15
|
|
(10) |
Includes $39,461 paid as a non-cash bonus in connection with the
exercise of stock options whose aggregate exercise price the
Company agreed to forgive in August 2003 in consideration of
Mr. Tittertons prior services to PlanetOut. |
|
(11) |
Ms. Gibbs joined the Company in July 2004. |
Option Grants in Fiscal
Year 2004
The following table presents certain information with respect to
options granted to the named executive officers during the year
ended December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
at Assumed Annual Rates of | |
|
|
|
|
Stock Price Appreciation for | |
|
|
Individual Grants | |
|
Option Term(4) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Percentage of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
Total Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
|
Name |
|
Granted(1) | |
|
Fiscal Year(2) | |
|
($/sh.)(3) | |
|
Date | |
|
5% ($) | |
|
10% ($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Lowell R. Selvin
|
|
|
222,977 |
|
|
|
25.25 |
% |
|
$ |
9.02 |
|
|
|
4/26/2014 |
|
|
$ |
1,264,865 |
|
|
$ |
3,205,418 |
|
Mark D. Elderkin
|
|
|
40,909 |
|
|
|
4.63 |
% |
|
$ |
9.02 |
|
|
|
4/26/2014 |
|
|
$ |
232,061 |
|
|
$ |
588,089 |
|
Jeffrey T. Soukup
|
|
|
39,597 |
|
|
|
4.48 |
% |
|
$ |
9.02 |
|
|
|
4/26/2014 |
|
|
$ |
224,619 |
|
|
$ |
569,228 |
|
Jeffrey J. Titterton(5)
|
|
|
23,078 |
|
|
|
2.61 |
% |
|
$ |
9.02 |
|
|
|
4/26/2014 |
|
|
$ |
130,912 |
|
|
$ |
331,759 |
|
Donna L. Gibbs(6)
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
% |
|
$ |
13.42 |
|
|
|
7/6/2014 |
|
|
$ |
84,397 |
|
|
$ |
213,880 |
|
Donna L. Gibbs(6)
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
% |
|
$ |
10.05 |
|
|
|
11/3/2014 |
|
|
$ |
63,203 |
|
|
$ |
160,171 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Stock options granted to executive officers in 2004 generally
become exercisable at a rate of
1/48 per
month, and expire 10 years from the date of grant, or
earlier upon termination of employment. |
|
(2) |
Based on options to purchase 883,234 shares of the
Companys Common Stock granted in the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004. |
|
(3) |
All options were granted at the fair market value of the
Companys Common Stock on the date of grant. |
|
(4) |
The potential realizable value is calculated based on the term
of the option at its time of grant. It is calculated by assuming
that the stock price on the date of grant appreciates at the
indicated annual rate, compounded annually for the entire term
of the option, and that the option is exercised and sold on the
last day of its term for the appreciated stock price. No gain to
the option holder is possible unless the stock price increases
over the option term. The 5% and 10% assumed rates of
appreciation are derived from the rules of the SEC and do not
represent the Companys estimate or projection of the
future Common Stock price. |
|
(5) |
Mr. Titterton left the Company in February 2005. |
|
(6) |
Ms. Gibbs joined the Company in July 2004. |
16
Aggregated Option
Exercises in 2004 and Option Values at December 31,
2004
The following table presents for the named executive officers
the number of shares and value recognized upon the exercise of
stock options during the year ended December 31, 2004 and
the number and value of securities underlying unexercised
options that were held by the officers as of December 31,
2004. Each of the options listed in the table is immediately
exercisable. The numbers in the column entitled Value of
Unexercised In-The-Money Options are based on the closing
price of the Companys Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
Market on December 31, 2004, which was $13.60, less the
exercise price payable for these shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. of Securities Underlying | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Unexercised Options (#) | |
|
In-the-Money Options ($) | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
Value | |
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) | |
|
Realized ($) | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Lowell R. Selvin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
835,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,999,721 |
|
|
|
|
|
Mark D. Elderkin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
130,168 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,023,327 |
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey T. Soukup
|
|
|
45,042 |
|
|
$ |
597,490 |
|
|
|
188,747 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,097,940 |
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey J. Titterton(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,090 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
687,098 |
|
|
|
|
|
Donna L. Gibbs(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
37,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Mr. Titterton left the Company in February 2005. |
|
(2) |
Ms. Gibbs joined the Company in July 2004. |
All of the outstanding options held by the named executive
officers are immediately exercisable. Of the options outstanding
at December 31, 2004, 288,481, 56,475, 58,455, 4,295 and
20,000 shares, held by Messrs. Selvin, Elderkin,
Soukup and Titterton and Ms. Gibbs, respectively, would
have been subject to a right of repurchase in favor of PlanetOut
in the event the options were exercised.
Equity Compensation
Plan Information
The following table provides certain information with respect to
all of the Companys equity compensation plans and
individual compensation arrangements in effect as of the end of
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) | |
|
(B) | |
|
(C) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
Number of Securities to | |
|
|
|
Remaining Available for | |
|
|
be Issued Upon | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
Issuance Under Equity | |
|
|
Exercise of Outstanding | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
Compensation Plans | |
|
|
Options, Warrants and | |
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
(Excluding Securities Reflected | |
Plan Category |
|
Rights | |
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
in Column (A))(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
|
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
2,198 |
|
|
$ |
4.19 |
|
|
|
1,070 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2,198 |
|
|
$ |
4.19 |
|
|
|
1,070 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The Companys 2004 Equity Incentive Plan provides that the
Common Stock issuable under the plan shall not exceed in the
aggregate 545,454 shares, plus an annual increase on the
first day of the Companys fiscal year for a period of ten
years beginning January 1, 2005 equal to the lesser of
(i) 4% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on each
such date (rounded down to the nearest whole share);
(ii) 545,454 shares of Common Stock; or (iii) the
number of shares determined by the Board prior to the first day
of any fiscal year of the Company, which number shall be less
than each of (i) and (ii). |
17
Employment and Change
of Control Agreements
Mr. Selvins employment agreement provides that he
will receive a base salary of $298,000 per year, effective
October 1, 2004, plus a one-time bonus of at least $50,000
for work performed in 2004. This bonus was paid in December 2004
in the amount of $60,000. Subject to approval by the Board of
Directors, Mr. Selvin will be eligible for an annual
incentive bonus with a target amount equal to 50% of his base
salary and for stock options on terms to be determined by the
Board. If Mr. Selvins employment is terminated for
any reason other than cause or permanent disability, subject to
signing a release of any claims he may have against the Company,
he will be entitled to continued payment of his then current
base salary for twelve months, twelve months of accelerated
vesting of his then unvested stock options, and continuation of
his health insurance coverage for up to twelve months. If
Mr. Selvin is terminated for any reason other than cause or
disability within 16 months after a change of control of
PlanetOut, subject to signing a release, he will be entitled to
continued payment of his then current base salary for
24 months, the greater of accelerated vesting of 50% of his
then unvested stock options or twelve months of accelerated
vesting of those options and continuation of his health
insurance coverage for up to 24 months. The Company has
also agreed to reimburse Mr. Selvin for life and disability
insurance premiums, subject to approval of the Compensation
Committee. Mr. Selvins employment agreement has no
stated term.
Mr. Elderkins employment agreement initially provided
that he would receive a base salary of $203,000 per year
and would be paid sales commissions. Effective January 1,
2005, Mr. Elderkins base salary was increased to
$245,000 and the payment of commissions was eliminated. Subject
to approval by the Board of Directors, Mr. Elderkin will be
eligible for an annual incentive bonus with a target amount
equal to 40% of his base salary and for stock options on terms
to be determined by the Board. If Mr. Elderkins
employment is terminated for any reason other than cause or
permanent disability, subject to signing a release of any claims
he may have against the Company, he will be entitled to
continued payment of his then current base salary for twelve
months, nine months of accelerated vesting of his then unvested
stock options and continuation of his health insurance coverage
for up to twelve months. If Mr. Elderkin is terminated for
any reason other than cause or disability within 16 months
after a change of control of PlanetOut, subject to signing a
release, he will be entitled to continued payment of his then
current base salary for 18 months, the greater of
accelerated vesting of 50% of his then unvested options or nine
months of accelerated vesting of those options and continuation
of his health insurance coverage for up to 18 months. The
Company has also agreed to reimburse Mr. Elderkin for
disability insurance premiums of up to $150 per month and
life insurance premiums of up to $100 per month.
Mr. Elderkins employment agreement has no stated term.
Mr. Soukups employment agreement initially provided
that he would receive a base salary of $225,000 per year,
plus a one-time bonus of at least $25,000 for work performed in
2004. This bonus was paid in November 2004 in the amount of
$30,000. Effective October 1, 2004, Mr. Soukups
base salary was increased to $238,203. Subject to approval by
the Board of Directors, Mr. Soukup will be eligible for an
annual incentive bonus with a target amount equal to 30% of his
base salary and for stock options on terms to be determined by
the Board. If Mr. Soukups employment is terminated
for any reason other than cause or permanent disability, subject
to signing a release of any claims he may have against the
Company, he will be entitled to continued payment of his then
current base salary for twelve months, nine months of
accelerated vesting of his then unvested stock options and
continuation of his health insurance coverage for up to twelve
months. If Mr. Soukup is terminated within 16 months
after a change of control of PlanetOut for any reason other than
cause or permanent disability, subject to signing a release, he
will be entitled to receive continued payment of his then
current base salary for a period of 18 months, the greater
of accelerated vesting of 50% of his then unvested options or
nine months of accelerated vesting of those options and
continuation of his health insurance coverage for up to
18 months. The Company has also agreed to reimburse
Mr. Soukup for disability insurance premiums of up to
$150 per month and life insurance premiums of up to
$100 per month. Mr. Soukups employment agreement
has no stated term.
Mr. Tittertons employment agreement initially
provided that he would receive a base salary of
$180,000 per year. Effective January 1, 2005,
Mr. Tittertons base salary was increased to $192,000.
Subject to approval by the Board of Directors,
Mr. Titterton was eligible for an annual incentive bonus
and for stock options on terms to be determined by the Board.
Mr. Titterton was paid a bonus in the amount of $7,500 in
18
December 2004. If Mr. Tittertons employment had been
terminated for any reason other than for cause or permanent
disability, subject to signing a release of any claims he may
have had against the Company, he would have been entitled to
continued payment of his then current base salary for nine
months, six months of accelerated vesting of his then unvested
stock options and continuation of his health insurance coverage
for nine months. If Mr. Titterton had been terminated
within 16 months after a change of control of PlanetOut
other than for cause or permanent disability, subject to signing
a release, he would have been entitled to continued payment of
his then current base salary for twelve months, the greater of
accelerated vesting of 50% of his then unvested options or six
months of accelerated vesting of those options and continuation
of his health insurance coverage for twelve months. The Company
had also agreed to reimburse Mr. Titterton for disability
insurance premiums of up to $150 per month and life
insurance premiums of up to $100 per month.
Mr. Tittertons employment agreement had no stated
term. Mr. Titterton left the Company in February 2005.
Ms. Gibbs employment agreement provides that she will
receive a base salary of $180,000 per year. Ms. Gibbs
will be eligible for a performance bonus with a target amount of
$25,000 payable based upon the criteria set forth in the
agreement on the first anniversary of Ms. Gibbs
commencement of employment with the Company. If Ms. Gibbs
is terminated for any reason between April and June 2005, she
will be entitled to a pro-rated portion of the full bonus. In
addition, Ms. Gibbs is eligible for a discretionary annual
incentive bonus based upon criteria approved by the Board of
Directors and may also receive stock options or other equity
incentive awards under the Companys equity incentive
plans. If Ms. Gibbs employment is terminated for any
reason other than for cause or permanent disability, subject to
signing a release of any claims she may have against the
Company, she will be entitled to continued payment of her then
current base salary for nine months, six months of accelerated
vesting of her then unvested stock options (or other equity
instruments) and continuation of her health insurance coverage
for nine months. If Ms. Gibbs is terminated within
16 months after a change of control of PlanetOut other than
for cause or permanent disability, subject to signing a release,
she will be entitled to continued payment of her then current
base salary for twelve months, the greater of accelerated
vesting of 50% of her then unvested options (or other equity
instruments) or six months of accelerated vesting of those
options (or other equity instruments), and continuation of her
health insurance coverage for twelve months.
Ms. Gibbs employment agreement has no stated term.
19
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION(2)
INTRODUCTION
The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing
PlanetOuts overall compensation strategy and policies and
for determining the compensation of the Companys Chief
Executive Officer and other executive officers. The Compensation
Committee consists of two independent, non-employee directors,
neither of whom has ever been an employee of the Company. The
Committee meets at scheduled times during the year and takes
action by written consent, and periodically reports to the Board
concerning its activities and recommendations.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND POLICIES
The goals of PlanetOuts compensation programs are to
attract and retain superior executive talent by offering a
competitive compensation package, to incent future performance
by linking executive compensation to individual and corporate
performance, and to enhance stockholder value by aligning the
long-term interests of the Companys executive officers
with those of its investors.
The Companys compensation philosophy is to link closely
executive compensation with the attainment of corporate
performance goals and objectives and the individuals
actual performance against plan. The Company includes a
significant equity component in total executive compensation
because it believes that equity-based compensation best aligns
the long-term interests of executive officers and stockholders
and motivates executive officers to continue to perform at the
highest levels in the future.
The Company believes that the quality, skills and dedication of
its executive officers are critical factors affecting its
long-term value. The Company seeks to maintain its ability to
effectively compete with other high-growth companies for the
entrepreneurial, highly-motivated and innovative employees
considered essential to its growth strategy. To that end, the
Company tailors its executive compensation programs to be
competitive with those of comparable companies in the
Companys industry, taking into account regional and
industry-wide compensation practices and trends as well as the
Companys stage of growth, competitive environment and
business complexity.
The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of
its executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer.
These agreements set forth each executive officers
compensation package as well as other terms of the executive
officers employment, such as severance and change of
control arrangements. The Compensation Committee reviews and
approves each of these employment agreements as well as any
amendments or modifications thereto.
ELEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The key elements of PlanetOuts executive compensation
program are base salary, incentive bonuses and equity
incentives, each of which is discussed in further detail below.
Base Salary
Base salary is the fixed portion of executive pay and
compensates individuals for expected day-to-day performance. The
Compensation Committee meets at least annually to review and
approve each executive officers salary for the ensuing
year. The Committees decisions regarding executive officer
compensation are primarily based upon its assessment of each
executive officers leadership performance and potential to
enhance long-term stockholder value.
(2) This Section is not soliciting material, is
not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be
incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the
1933 Act or the 1934 Exchange Act whether made before or
after the date hereof and irrespective of any general
incorporation language in any such filing.
20
When reviewing base salaries, the key factors considered by the
Committee are: the nature, scope and level of the
individuals responsibilities, the compensation paid by
comparable companies for similar positions, the
individuals actual performance against plan, the
executives contribution to the Companys financial
results and the individuals prior experience and tenure
with the Company. The Committee also takes into account each
executives current salary and prior-year compensation, the
appropriate balance between incentives for long-term and
short-term performance, and the executives commitment to
leadership and diversity within the Company and the community.
Incentive
Bonuses
Annual incentive bonuses are granted to executive officers to
incent and reward superior performance. Bonuses are based upon
the Compensation Committees assessment of each
executives individual performance during the year as well
as the Companys overall performance in meeting financial
and other goals. This assessment also includes an evaluation of
how each executive performed compared to the financial,
operational and strategic goals and objectives established for
the executive at the beginning of the year.
In 2004, one-time bonuses were paid to three of the
Companys executive officers, and sales commissions were
paid to a fourth. In 2005, bonuses will be paid based on target
amounts ranging from 14% to 50% of the executives base
salary, and no sales commissions are expected to be paid.
Equity
Incentives
PlanetOut uses equity incentives, including stock options, as a
key incentive vehicle to reward and retain executive officers.
The Companys philosophy in granting equity incentives is
to encourage ownership in the Company as a means to align the
interests of executive officers and stockholders. The Committee
believes that stock-based equity grants reinforce a long-term
interest in the Companys overall performance and incent
executive officers to manage with a view toward maximizing
long-term stockholder value.
Stock options are granted at 100% of the market price of Company
stock on the date of grant, and thus provide compensation to the
optionee only to the extent that the market price of the stock
increases between the date of grant and the date the option is
exercised. Stock options are granted to executive officers
pursuant to the Companys equity incentive plan, which
generally provides for four-year vesting and expiration of the
option ten years from the date of grant.
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves all option
grants to executive officers. The Committee considers a number
of factors in determining the size of option grants, including
the relationship between job responsibilities and stockholder
value, individual and Company performance, competitive external
levels, and the amount of equity already held by the officer.
The Committees assessment of individual contributions is
based in part on the recommendation of the Chief Executive
Officer, for other executive officers.
In addition to the above-mentioned forms of compensation, the
Company provides modest perquisites to its executive officers,
including payment of life and disability insurance premiums and
payment for parking. Executive officers may also participate in
benefit programs that are generally available to all employees,
such as health insurance and 401(k) programs.
COMPENSATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves, in its sole
discretion and, if necessary in an executive session, the
compensation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer. The
Committee evaluates the Chief Executive Officers
performance in light of relevant corporate performance goals and
objectives. In determining the long-term incentive component of
the Chief Executive Officers compensation, the Committee
considers the Companys performance and relative
stockholder return, the value of similar incentive awards given
to chief executive officers of comparable companies, the awards
given to the Companys Chief Executive Officer in past
years, and such other criteria as the Committee deems advisable.
21
During the course of 2004, the Compensation Committee reviewed
all forms of Mr. Selvins compensation, including base
salary, bonuses and stock option grants, as well as the
aggregate values of restricted stock and stock options held by
Mr. Selvin. In April 2004, the Committee approved an
increase in Mr. Selvins base salary from $265,000 to
$298,000 per year, effective October 1, 2004, plus a
one-time bonus of at least $50,000 for work performed in 2004.
This bonus was paid in December 2004 in the amount of $60,000.
The Committee also approved the grant of 222,977 stock options
to Mr. Selvin.
The Committee considered Mr. Selvins overall
compensation and the increase therein appropriate in light of
his leadership in growing the Company and driving improved
operating performance, his actions to ensure that the Company
has a strong capital structure and cash flow, his effective
management of the Companys growth, his leadership in the
Companys successful initial public offering, his increased
responsibilities and burdens associated with management of a
public company, his actions in strengthening the Companys
corporate governance and transparency, and his contributions to
the Companys culture and diversity.
SECTION 162(M) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a
public company may deduct for compensation paid to the
Companys chief executive officer or any of the
Companys four other most highly compensated executive
officers who are employed as of the end of the fiscal year.
Compensation above $1 million may, however, be deducted if
it is deemed qualifying performance-based
compensation, which generally requires that the
compensation be paid only if the individuals performance
meets pre-established objective goals based on performance
criteria approved by stockholders.
The Compensation Committee seeks to maximize the tax
deductibility of compensation payments to executive officers
under Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder.
However, deductibility is not the sole factor that the Committee
considers in assessing the appropriate levels and types of
executive compensation, and the Committee may in the future
elect to forego deductibility when the Committee believes it to
be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The Committee believes that all compensation paid for 2004 to
PlanetOuts executive officers, including the Chief
Executive Officer, is properly deductible under
Section 162(m).
CONCLUSION
The Committee has reviewed all components of the compensation of
the Companys Chief Executive Officer and other executive
officers, including base salary, incentive bonuses and equity
incentives. Based on this review, the Committee believes that
the total compensation of these executive officers in the
aggregate is reasonable and not excessive. Attracting and
retaining talented management and offering a competitive,
performance-based compensation program is essential to creating
long-term stockholder value. The Compensation Committee will
continue to review and modify the Companys executive
compensation programs as appropriate to ensure that the best
interests of stockholders continue to be served.
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Compensation
Committee |
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Jerry Colonna |
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Allen Morgan |
22
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT COMPARISON(3)
The following graph shows a total stockholder return of an
investment of $100 (and the reinvestment of any dividends
thereafter) made in cash on October 14, 2004 (the date on
which the Companys Common Stock began trading on the
Nasdaq National Market) and held until December 31, 2004
for: (i) the Companys Common Stock; (ii) the
Nasdaq National Market Index; and (iii) the RDG Internet
Composite Index. The RDG Internet Composite Index is composed of
38 companies in the Internet, e-commerce, media and related
technology industries. The Companys stock price
performance shown in the graph below is not indicative of future
stock performance.
Comparison of
Cumulative Total Return*
among PlanetOut Inc.,
the Nasdaq National Market Index,
and the RDG Internet
Composite Index
* $100 invested on 10/14/04 in stock or on 9/30/04 in
index-including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.
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CUMULATIVE TOTAL | |
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RETURN | |
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10/14/04 |
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12/31/04 |
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PLANETOUT, INC.
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100.00 |
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130.77 |
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NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.)
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100.00 |
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107.22 |
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RDG INTERNET COMPOSITE
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100.00 |
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113.68 |
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(3) This Section is not soliciting material, is
not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be
incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the
1933 Act or the 1934 Exchange Act whether made before or
after the date hereof and irrespective of any general
incorporation language in any such filing.
23
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and
intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery
requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with
respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by
delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those
stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as
householding, potentially means extra convenience
for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are
Company stockholders will be householding the
Companys proxy materials. A single proxy statement will be
delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless
contrary instructions have been received from the affected
stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker
that they will be householding communications to
your address, householding will continue until you
are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at
any time, you no longer wish to participate in
householding and would prefer to receive a separate
proxy statement and annual report, please notify your broker or
direct your written request to: Investor Relations, PlanetOut
Inc., 1355 Sansome Street, San Francisco, California 94111,
or contact the Companys Investor Relations department at
(415) 834-6340. The Company will promptly deliver upon
written or oral request a separate copy of the annual report or
proxy statement to a security holder at a shared address to
which a single copy of the document was delivered. Stockholders
who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at
their address and would like to request householding
of their communications should contact their broker.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be
presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other
matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the
intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote
on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ JEFFREY T. SOUKUP |
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Jeffrey T.
Soukup |
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Secretary |
San Francisco, California
April 28, 2005
The Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC,
is available at no charge to stockholders upon written request
to the Company at Investor Relations, PlanetOut Inc., 1355
Sansome Street, San Francisco, California 94111. Copies may
also be obtained without charge through the Companys
website at www.planetoutinc.com, as well as the
SECs website at www.sec.gov.
24
Appendix A
PLANETOUT INC.
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Audit Committee (the
Committee) of the Board of Directors
(the Board) of PlanetOut Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the Company),
shall be to assist the Companys Board of Directors in its
oversight of: (i) the Companys corporate accounting
and financial reporting practices and audits of the financial
statements; (ii) the Companys compliance with legal
and regulatory requirements; (iii) the quality and
integrity of the Companys financial statements;
(iv) the independent auditors engagement;
qualifications, independence and performance; and (v) the
performance of the Companys internal audit function. The
Committee shall prepare a report to be included in the
Companys annual proxy statement as required by the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC).
The policy of the Committee, in discharging these obligations,
shall be to maintain and foster an open avenue of communication
between the Committee, the independent auditors and the
Companys financial management.
COMPOSITION
The Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members
of the Board of Directors. Each member of the Committee shall
satisfy the independence and financial literacy requirements of
the applicable laws, the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
(Nasdaq). At least one member shall be
a financial expert as mandated by the applicable
laws, the SEC and the Nasdaq financial experience requirements.
The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board of
Directors and serve at the Boards discretion. Vacancies
occurring on the Committee shall be filled by the Board. The
Committees chairperson shall be designated by the Board
or, if it does not do so, the Committee members shall elect a
chairperson by vote of a majority of the full Committee.
MEETINGS AND MINUTES
The Committee shall hold such regular or special meetings as its
members shall deem necessary, but shall meet at least four
(4) times a year. The Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of
the Board and Chief Financial Officer may attend any meeting of
the Committee, except for portions of the meetings where his or
their presence would be inappropriate, as determined by the
Committee. Minutes of each meeting will be prepared and
distributed to each member of the Committee, members of the
Board who are not members of the Committee and the Corporate
Secretary of the Company. The chairperson of the Committee will
report to the Board from time to time, or whenever so requested
by the Board.
AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The operation of the Committee shall be subject to the bylaws of
the Company as in effect from time to time and Section 141
of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
The Committee shall have full access to all books, records,
facilities and personnel of the Company as deemed necessary by
any member of the Committee in fulfilling his or her
responsibilities. The Committee shall have authority to retain,
at the Companys expense, special legal, accounting or
other advisors or consultants as it deems necessary or
appropriate in the performance of its duties. The Committee
shall have authority to require the Companys personnel,
counsel, independent auditors, investment bankers or advisors
attend any meeting of the Committee or meet with any member of
or advisor to the Committee.
A-1
In furtherance of the Committees purpose, it shall have
the following duties and responsibilities:
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Oversight of Financial Disclosure Matters |
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Financial Statements Review and Discussion To
discuss with management and the independent auditor the annual
audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements
of the Company, including the Companys disclosures under
the Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations in its periodic reports to
be filed with the SEC and other matters required to be reviewed
by applicable laws, regulations, the SEC or the Nasdaq. |
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Annual Financial Statements To review, upon
completion of the audit, the financial statements proposed to be
included in the Companys Annual Report to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and to recommend whether
or not such financial statements should be so included. |
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Earnings Releases; Non-GAAP Financial
Information To discuss with management and the
independent auditor, as appropriate, the types of information
and presentation to be made in the Companys earnings press
releases, including the use of pro forma and
adjusted non-GAAP information, as well as the
financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts
and to rating agencies. |
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Annual Report and Proxy Statement To review
and approve disclosures required by the rules of the SEC to be
included in the Companys annual report and to prepare a
report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the
Companys annual proxy statement. |
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Risk Management To review and discuss the
Companys risk assessment and risk management policies,
including Companys major financial risk exposures and
steps taken by management to monitor and mitigate such exposures. |
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Oversight of the Relationship with the Independent
Auditors |
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Retention of Auditors To retain sole
authority to appoint, retain, compensate, evaluate and terminate
the Companys independent auditors, including sole
authority to approve all audit engagements fees and terms, as
well as all non-audit engagements with independent auditors. |
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Scope of Audit To review and discuss with the
independent auditor audit plans, and procedures, including
scope, fees and timing. |
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Auditors Report To obtain and review at
least annually a report by the independent auditors describing:
(i) the firms internal quality control procedures;
(ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal
quality-control review, peer review or inspection of the firm,
or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or
professional authorities, within the preceding five years,
respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the
firm, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues;
(iii) the relationship between the independent auditor and
the Company, including whether any non-audit services comply
with the applicable law and regulations and are also compatible
with maintaining the auditors independence;
(iv) procedures adopted to ensure that permitted non-audit
services will not be provided to the Company unless pre-approved
by the Committee; and (v) procedures adopted to ensure that
independent audit partner rotation and conflicts of interest
practices (with respect to the audit of the Companys
financial statements), as well as the content and timeliness of
communications to the Committee, comply with applicable laws and
regulations. |
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Critical Accounting Policies To review and
discuss with the independent auditors (i) all critical
accounting policies used by the Company and
(ii) alternative accounting treatment within generally
accepted accounting principals related material items that have
been discussed with management, including the ramifications of
the use of the alternative treatments and the treatment
preferred by the independent auditor. |
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Audit Difficulties To review with independent
auditors (i) any accounting adjustments that were noted or
proposed by auditor, but where no action was taken;
(ii) any communications between the |
A-2
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audit team and the audit firms national office regarding
the audit; (iii) any management or internal control letter
issued or proposed by the audit firm to the company; and
(iv) and any significant disagreements with management
(including any restriction on the scope of the independent
auditors activities or access to information). |
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Auditor Qualifications To evaluate the
qualifications, performance and independence of the independent
auditors, including an evaluation of the auditing firms
lead partner. In furtherance of this responsibility, to adopt,
as necessary, policies regarding the rotation of the independent
auditing firms lead partner and regarding hiring employees
or former employees of the independent auditors and, when
appropriate, the rotation of the independent auditing firm and
to present its conclusions to the full Board of Directors. |
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Oversight of the Internal Audit Function |
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Annual Audit To review the annual audit plans
of the finance department. |
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Oversight of Finance Department To review the
activities, organizational structure, budget and qualifications
of the finance department. |
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Review with Auditors To review with the
independent auditors the finance department responsibilities,
budget and staffing, and any changes required in the planned
scope of the audit. |
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Other Governance Responsibilities |
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Outside Experts To retain such outside
counsel, experts and other advisors as the Committee may deem
appropriate, in its sole discretion, including the sole
authority to approve related fees and retention terms. |
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Complaints Procedures To establish procedures
for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received
by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls or auditing matters and the confidential and anonymous
submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable
accounting or auditing matters. |
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Meetings with Auditors and Management
Periodically, to meet separately with the independent auditors
and management. |
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Reports To report regularly to the Board of
Directors and to prepare a report for inclusion in the
Companys annual proxy statement. |
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Charter and Committee Review and Self-Assessment
To review annually the performance of the Committee and
review and assess the adequacy of this Charter annually and
recommend any proposed changes to the Board of Directors for
approval. |
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Investigations To investigate any matter
brought to the attention of the Committee within the scope of
its duties if, in the judgment of the Committee, such
investigation is necessary or appropriate. |
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Miscellaneous To perform such other functions
and to have such powers as may be necessary or appropriate in
the efficient and lawful discharge of the foregoing. |
It shall be the responsibility of management to prepare the
Companys financial statements and the responsibility of
the independent auditors to audit those financial statements.
These functions shall not be the responsibility of the
Committee, nor shall it be the Committees responsibility
to ensure that the financial statements or periodic reports are
complete, accurate, conform to generally accepted accounting
principals or comply with applicable laws.
* * *
A-3
PlanetOut Inc.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
10:00 a.m. (Local Time)
1355 Sansome Street
San Francisco, California 94111
PlanetOut Inc.
1355 Sansome Street
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San Francisco, California 94111
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PROXY |
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting on June 15, 2005.
The undersigned stockholder of PlanetOut Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), revokes all
previous proxies, acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held June 15, 2005, and the Proxy Statement, and appoints Lowell R. Selvin and Jeffrey T. Soukup,
the Proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of Common Stock
of the Company that the undersigned in entitled to vote, either on his or her own behalf or on
behalf of any entity or entities, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held
at 1355 Sansome Street, San Francisco, California 94111 on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.
local time (the Annual Meeting), and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, with the same
force and effect as the undersigned might or could do if personally present thereat. The shares
represented by this Proxy shall be voted in the manner set forth on the reverse side.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the listed proposals. This Proxy, when
properly executed, will be voted as specified on the reverse side. If no specification is made,
this Proxy will be voted FOR the listed proposals.
PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY ON THE REVERSE SIDE
AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
See reverse for voting instructions.
There are three ways to vote your Proxy.
Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the Named Proxies to vote your shares in the same manner
as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
VOTE BY PHONE TOLL FREE 1-800-560-1965 QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE
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Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until
12:00 p.m. (CT) on June 14, 2005. |
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Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or
Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions the voice provides you. |
VOTE BY INTERNET http://www.eproxy.com/lgbt/ QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE
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Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m.
(CT) on June 14, 2005. |
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Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or
Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions to obtain your records
and create an electronic ballot. |
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope weve provided or
return it to PlanetOut Inc., c/o Shareowner Services SM, P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN
55164-0873.
If you vote by Phone or Internet, please do not mail your Proxy Card
Please detach here
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1 and 2.
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1. |
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Election of two Class 1
directors to serve a three-year term
expiring in 2008: |
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¨ Vote FOR both nominees (except as marked) |
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¨ Vote WITHHELD from both nominees |
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01
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Robert W. King |
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02
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Allen Morgan |
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(Instructions: To withhold authority to
vote for any indicated nominee, write
the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the
box provided to the right.) |
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2. A proposal to ratify the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as PlanetOuts independent public
auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005.
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¨
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For
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¨
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Against
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¨
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Abstain |
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL.
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Address Change? Mark Box
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Indicate changes below: |
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I plan to attend the meeting
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¨ |
Date
Signature(s) in Box
Please date and sign exactly as your name or names appear herein. For joint accounts, each owner should sign. Corporate
or partnership proxies should be signed in full corporate or partnership name by an authorized person. Persons signing in
a fiduciary capacity should indicate their full title in such capacity.