Form of Employment Agreement

Exhibit 10.1 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Executive Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of August 11, 2022 and effective as of July 17, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Vinco Ventures, Inc. (the “Company”) and John Colucci (“Executive”).

RECITALS

In consideration of the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Term of Employment

1.01 Term. Subject to the provisions of Article V, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company will continue to employ Executive for the period beginning on July 17, 2022 (the “Commencement Date”) and ending on the earlier of the (i) three month period after such date and (ii) the date on which the Company secures employment of a successor Chief Executive Officer and President (the “Initial Term”). The Initial Term shall be automatically renewed for successive consecutive three month periods (each, a “Renewal Term” and the Initial Term and Renewal Term are collectively referred to as the “term of employment”) thereafter unless either party sends written notice to the other party, not less than 15 days before the end of the then-existing term of employment, of such party’s desire to terminate the Agreement at the end of the then-existing term, in which case this Agreement will terminate at the end of the then-existing term. Executive will serve the Company during the term of employment.

ARTICLE II

Duties

2.01 (a). During the term of employment, Executive will:

(b). Notwithstanding anything contained in clause 2.01(a)(i) above to the contrary, nothing contained herein or under law shall be construed as preventing Executive from: (i) investing Executive’s personal assets in such form or manner as will not require any services on the part of Executive in the operation or the affairs of the companies in which such investments are made and in which his participation is solely that of an investor; (ii) engaging (whether or not during normal business hours) in any other professional, civic or philanthropic activities provided that Executive’s engagement does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof; or (iii) accepting appointments to the boards of directors of other companies provided that the executive has provided the Board with advance written notice of such appointments and Executive’s performance of his duties on such boards does not result in a violation of his covenants under this Section or Article VI hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the parties acknowledge that Executive is being employed by the Company on an interim basis, has significant business interests outside Executives interim roles with the Company, and Executive indicated he is able to perform both internal Company business and his other businesses adequately and in full compliance with the Company’s internal policies, procedures and controls.

ARTICLE III

Base Compensation

3.01 Base Salary. The Company will compensate Executive for the duties performed by him hereunder by payment of a base salary at the rate of Three Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars ($250,000) per annum (the “Base”), payable in equal semi-monthly installments, subject to customary withholding taxes and other normal and customary withholding items.

3.02 Cash Bonus. In the event the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) determines, in its sole discretion, that Executive has satisfactorily performed his duties as set forth herein, the Company shall pay to the Executive, in addition to the Base, an annual cash bonus equal to an amount as may be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. The Cash Bonus, if any, shall be paid to Executive by December 31^st of each year during the term of this Agreement.

3.03 Stock Bonus. The Executive shall be entitled to equity awards if, and when, approved by the Board in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE IV

Reimbursement and Employment Benefits

4.01 Health and Other Medical. Executive waives health and other medical benefits.

4.02 Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to two (2) weeks of vacation per year, to be taken in such amounts and at such times as shall be mutually convenient for Executive and the Company. Any time not taken by Executive in one year shall be carried forward to subsequent years. If all such vacation and personal time to which Executive is entitled is not taken by Executive before the termination of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to be reimbursed upon termination (for any reason) for such lost time in accordance with the Base then in effect.

4.03 Reserved.

4.04 Reimbursable Expenses. The Company shall, in accordance with its standard policies in effect from time to time, reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by him in the conduct of the business of the Company including, but not limited to, business class air travel, hotels and rental cars, entertainment and similar executive expenditures, provided that Executive submits all substantiation of such expenses to the Company on a timely basis in accordance with such standard policies.

4.05 Reserved.

4.06 Reserved.

4.07 Directors and Officers Liability Insurance. The Company provide liability insurance coverage protecting Executive and his estate, to the extent permitted by law against suits by fellow employees, shareholders and third parties and criminal and regulatory investigations arising out of any alleged act or omission occurring with the course and scope of Executive’s employment with the Company. Such insurance will be in an amount not less than the amount of the Company’s current policy.

ARTICLE V

Termination

5.01 Automatic. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the first to occur of the following: (a) the Company’s successful retention of a replacement Chief Executive Officer; (b) termination pursuant to section 5.02: (c) the Executive’s termination pursuant to section 5.03: or (d) the Executive’s death.

5.02 By the Company. This Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon written notice to the Executive upon the first to occur of the following:

(a) Disability. Upon the Executive’s Disability (as defined herein). The term “Disability” shall mean the Executive cannot physically or mentally perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

(b) Cause. Upon the Executive’s commission of Cause (as defined herein). The term “Cause” shall mean the following:

Upon a termination for Cause, the Company shall pay Executive his Base through the last day of employment and Executive shall receive no severance under this Agreement.

5.03 By the Executive. This Agreement may be terminated by Executive, and Executive may voluntarily resign, upon written notice to the Company for Good Reason. “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following actions by the Company, or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries:

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Executive shall not have the ability to terminate this Agreement for Good Reason unless Executive has: (i) notified the Company in writing describing the event or events that constitute Good Reason; and (ii) the Company fails to cure such event within 30 days after the Company’s receipt of such written notice.

5.04 Reserved.

ARTICLE VI

Covenants

6.01 Confidentiality. Executive shall treat as confidential and keep secret the affairs of the Company and shall not at any time during the term of employment or for a period of five (5) years thereafter, without the prior written consent of the Company, divulge, furnish, or make known or accessible to, or use for the benefit of, anyone other than the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates any information of a confidential nature relating in any way to the business of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates or their clients and obtained by him in the course of his employment hereunder, provided, however, that confidential information of the Company shall not include any information known or available generally to the public (other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by Executive).

6.02 Records. All records, papers, and documents kept or made by Executive relating to the business of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates or their clients shall be and remain the property of the Company.

6.03 Non-Solicitation. Following the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason except for those set forth in section 5.03 in which event this section is inapplicable, Executive shall not for a period of twelve (12) months from such termination, solicit any employee of the Company to leave such employ to enter the employ of Executive or of any person, firm, or Company with which Executive is then associated (except solicitation by general means such as newspapers). During Executive’s employment with the Company and for a period of twelve (12) months after termination of Executive’s employment at any time and for any reason, except for those set forth in Section 5.03 in which event this section is inapplicable, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit any person who during any portion of the time of Executive’s employment or at the time of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, was a client, customer, policyholder, vendor, consultant or agent of the Company to discontinue business, in whole or in part, with the Company. Executive further agrees that, during such time, if such a client, customer, policyholder, vendor, or consultant or agent contacts Executive about discontinuing business with the Company or moving that business elsewhere, Executive will inform such client, customer, policyholder, vendor, consultant or agent that he or she cannot discuss the matter further without the consent of the Company

6.04. Non-Competition. Executive agrees as follows, except in the event of a termination pursuant to Section 5.03, in which event this section is inapplicable:

(a) Executive agrees that during the term of his employment with the Company, neither he nor any of his Affiliates (Executive’s Affiliates is defined as any legal entity in which Executive directly or indirectly owns at least a 50% interest or any entity or person which is under the control of the Executive) will directly or indirectly compete with the Company in any way in any business in which the Company or its Affiliates is engaged in, and that he will not act as an officer, director, employee, consultant, shareholder, lender, or agent of any entity which is engaged in any business of the same nature as, or in competition with the businesses in which the Company is now engaged or in which the Company becomes engaged during the term of employment; provided, however, that this Section shall not prohibit Executive or any of his Affiliates from purchasing or holding an aggregate equity interest of up to 10% in any publicly traded business in competition with the Company, so long as Executive and his Affiliates combined do not purchase or hold an aggregate equity interest of more than 10%. Furthermore, Executive agrees that during the term of employment, he will not accept any board of director seat or officer role or undertake any planning for the organization of any business activity competitive with the Company (without the approval of the Board of Directors) and Executive will not combine or conspire with any other Executives of the Company for the purpose of the organization of any such competitive business activity.

(b) In order to protect the Company against the unauthorized use or disclosure of any confidential information of the Company presently known or hereinafter obtained by Executive during his employment under this Agreement, Executive agrees that for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of this Agreement for any reason, neither Executive nor any of his Affiliates, shall, directly or indirectly, for itself or himself or on behalf of any other corporation, person, firm, partnership, association, or any other entity (whether as an individual, agent, servant, employee, employer, officer, director, shareholder, investor, principal, consultant or in any other capacity):

(i) engage or participate in any business, regardless of where situated, which engages in direct market competition with such businesses being conducted by the Company during the term of employment; or

(ii) assist or finance any person or entity in any manner or in any way inconsistent with the intents and purposes of this Agreement.

6.05. Non-Disparagement. Executive agrees that at no time during his employment by the Company or thereafter, shall he make, or cause or assist any other person to make, any statement or other communication to any third party which impugns or attacks, or is otherwise critical of, the reputation, business or character of the Company or any of its respective directors, officers or executives. In addition, the Company agrees that its Board and executives will not disparage the Executive so long as the Executive separates from the Company in good standing and abides by all terms of this agreement and signed non-disclosure and non-compete agreements.

6.06 ..Scope and Duration. If at the time of enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, or area restriction of any provision hereof is unreasonable under circumstances now or then existing, the parties hereto agree that the maximum duration, scope, or area reasonable under the circumstances shall be substituted by the court for the stated duration, scope, or area.

6.07. Equitable Relief. Executive acknowledges that any breach by him of the provisions of this Article VI of this Agreement shall cause irreparable harm to the Company and that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of Article VI of this Agreement will be inadequate, and agrees that, notwithstanding Article VIII hereof, the Company shall be entitled to exercise all remedies available to it, including specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, in the case of any such breach or attempted breach.

6.08. Authorization. The Company represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered on behalf of the Company and that this Agreement represents the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company and does not conflict with any other agreement binding on the Company.

ARTICLE VII

Assignment

7.01. Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company without relieving the Company of its obligations hereunder. Neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Executive and any such purported assignment by him shall be void.

ARTICLE VIII

Entire Agreement

8.01. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Company and Executive concerning his employment by the Company and supersedes any and all previous agreements between Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries concerning such employment. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses (including legal fees) except as otherwise expressly provided herein incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.

ARTICLE IX

Applicable Law. Miscellaneous

9.01. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. All actions brought to interpret or enforce this Agreement shall be brought in courts located in Rochester, New York.

9.02. Mutual Indemnification. In addition to all other rights and benefits under this Agreement, each party agrees to reimburse the other for, and indemnify and hold harmless such party against, all costs and expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by such party (whether or not during the term of this Agreement or otherwise), if and to the extent that such party prevails on or is otherwise successful on the merits with respect to any action, claim, or dispute relating in any manner to this Agreement or to any termination of this Agreement or in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by or claimed under this Agreement, taking into account the relative fault of each of the parties and any other relevant considerations.

9.03. Indemnification of Officers. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the full extent authorized or permitted by law with respect to any claim, liability, action, or proceeding instituted or threatened against or incurred by Executive or his legal representatives and arising in connection with Executive’s conduct or position at any time as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. The Company shall not change, modify, alter, or in any way limit the existing indemnification and reimbursement provisions relating to and for the benefit of its directors and officers without the prior written consent of the Executive, including any modification or limitation of any directors and officers liability insurance policy.

9.04. Waiver. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a continuing waiver or a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party hereto which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.

9.05. Enforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

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

9.07. Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

Signature Page to Executive Employment Agreement