EX-10.3: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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Human Resources
- Employment Agreements
EX-10.3 4 y72489exv10w3.htm EX-10.3: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT EX-10.3
Exhibit 10.3
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of September 17, 2008, by and between Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), and Wenda Harris Millard (the Executive).
WHEREAS, the Executive has been serving as the President Media of the Company, and effective June 11, 2008 (the Effective Date) was elevated to Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO), and the Executive is willing to be so employed, in each case on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Employment Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 7 of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive hereunder, and the Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company hereunder, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing as of the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2011 (such period, as it may be extended in accordance with the terms of the following sentence, the Employment Term). Unless the Company or the Executive has theretofore provided notice in writing to the other party of its intention not to extend the Employment Term, on June 30, 2011 and on each succeeding June 30, this Agreement shall automatically be extended for an additional 12 months from the then scheduled expiration date.
2. Duties.
(a) During the Employment Term, the Executive shall serve as the President Media of the Company and as the Companys Co-CEO. The Executive shall continue to have the Pre-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities (as defined in Section 7), and shall also have the duties and responsibilities customarily exercised by an individual serving in such a position in a corporation of the size and nature of the Company; provided, however, that Executives Post-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities (as defined in Section 7) shall be those duties and responsibilities as the Companys Board of Directors (the Board), upon notice to Executive, may specify from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion (which specifications may increase, decrease or otherwise alter the scope or nature of such duties and responsibilities). In such capacities, the Executive shall use her best energies and abilities in the performance of her duties, services and responsibilities for the Company as further detailed by the Board. In performing such duties, services and responsibilities, the Executive will report directly to the Chairman of the Board (the Chairman) in his role as principal executive officer of the Company or, as the Board may direct, to a committee of the Board or to the full Board. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company may determine that (i) the Chairman (or his successor) is, the principal executive officer of the Company as such term is defined in any applicable laws, rules and regulations (collectively, Applicable Law); or (ii) Executive, alone or jointly with any other officer(s) of the Company, is the principal executive officer of the Company as such term is defined in any Applicable Law and/or is the chief executive officer . . . (or equivalent thereof) of the Company as such term is defined in any Applicable Law and/or serves in any similar role with respect to which a person may have duties under any Applicable Law.
(b) During the Employment Term, the Executive shall devote substantially all of her business time and attention to the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and shall not engage in any activity inconsistent with the foregoing, whether or not such activity shall be engaged in for pecuniary profit, unless approved by the Chairman or the Board; provided, however, that, to the extent such activities do not violate, or interfere with her performance of her duties, services and responsibilities under, this Agreement, the Executive shall be permitted to manage her personal, financial and legal affairs and serve on civic or charitable boards and committees of such boards. During the Employment Term, the Executives principal location of employment shall be at the Companys executive offices in New York City, New York, except for customary business travel on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
(c) Upon any termination of the Executives employment with the Company, the Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all other positions she then holds as an employee or director or other independent contractor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the Executive.
(d) The Company will recommend to the Board that the Executive be appointed to the Board as soon as practicable but in no event later than twelve (12) months following the Effective Date. The Executive acknowledges that appointment to the Board shall be determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion and agrees that, provided the Company has made the recommendation set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, any failure by the Board to appoint Executive to the Board shall not be deemed a breach of this Agreement. In no event will the other Co-CEO be appointed to the Board unless Executive is also appointed to the Board. Following the Effective Date, whether or not a Board member, Executive shall be invited to and entitled to attend all meetings of the Board; provided, however, that Executive shall be excluded from such portions of Board meetings as the Company deems appropriate, including discussions related to her or the other Co-CEO, or their respective performance, compensation or related issues.
3. Base Salary; Bonus.
(a) During the Employment Term, in consideration of the performance by the Executive of the Executives obligations during the Employment Term (including any service in any position with any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company), the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary (the Base Salary) at an annual rate of $650,000, subject to increase but not decrease in the discretion of the Board, payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company in effect from time to time.
(b) During the Employment Term, in addition to the payments of the Base Salary set forth above, the Executive shall be eligible to receive, in respect of each calendar year during which the Employment Term is in effect, a performance-based cash bonus of 100% of Base Salary at target (the Target Bonus) and 150% of Base Salary at maximum based on achievement of goals established each year by the Compensation Committee after reasonable consultation with Executive; provided that with respect to calendar year 2008, the Target Bonus shall be $557,000. Such bonus, if any, shall be paid concurrently with other bonuses paid to senior executives of the Company, provided you are continuously and actively employed through such date of payment.
(c) The Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable legal fees in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement in an amount not to exceed $15,000.
4. Benefits.
(a) During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in the employee benefit plans, policies, perquisites, programs and arrangements, as may be amended from time to time, that are provided generally to similarly situated employees of the Company (excluding for this purpose Martha Stewart) to the extent the Executive meets the eligibility requirements for any such plan, policy, program, perquisite or arrangement.
(b) The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive in carrying out the Executives duties, services and responsibilities under this Agreement during the Employment Term in accordance with Company policies relating to such expenses; it being understood that Executive shall be entitled to first-class air travel for long-haul international or transcontinental flights as necessary. The Executive shall comply with generally applicable policies, practices and procedures of the Company with respect to reimbursement for, and submission of expense reports, receipts or similar documentation of, such expenses.
5. Vacations. During each calendar year of the Employment Term (pro rata for partial calendar years), the Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation to be taken in accordance with the applicable policy of the Company.
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6. Equity Compensation.
(a) Promptly after the execution and delivery of this Agreement by both parties, the Company shall grant the Executive 50,000 shares of restricted Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Stock) of the Company pursuant to the Companys policy on equity issuances (the Stock Grant). The Stock Grant shall vest in three approximately equal tranches on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the Stock Grant pursuant to the Companys form of Restricted Stock Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Restricted Stock Agreement).
(b) Promptly after the execution and delivery of this Agreement by both parties, the Company shall grant the Executive a non-qualified option to acquire 100,000 shares of Stock pursuant to the Companys policy on equity issuances; provided, however that the Option Grant shall vest in three approximately equal tranches on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the Option Grant, with a seven (7) year term pursuant to the Companys form of Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B (the Option Agreement and together with the Restricted Stock Agreement, the Equity Agreements).
(c) The Executive will continue to participate in the Companys annual stock incentive program, receiving awards as determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time.
(d) Upon a Change in Control (as defined hereinafter), all unvested shares of restricted stock and option awards held by the Executive, other than the option granted to Executive on approximately March 3, 2008, (the March 2008 Option Grant) shall become fully vested and (in the case of Stock Options) exercisable, with outstanding stock options remaining exercisable for a period of not less than five years after such Change in Control (but in no event beyond the original term of the stock options). For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement does not alter, and a Change of Control shall not cause to vest the then-unvested portion of, the March 2008 Option Grant.
7. Termination of the Employment Term.
(a) The Executives employment with the Company and the Employment Term shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of:
(i) the death of the Executive;
(ii) the termination of the Executives employment by the Company by reason of the Executives Disability;
(iii) the termination of the Executives employment by the Company for Cause or without Cause;
(iv) the termination of the Executives employment by the Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason; and
(v) the expiration of the Employment Term.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(i) Cause shall mean that the Board has made a good faith determination, after providing the Executive with reasonably detailed written notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard on the issues at a Board meeting, that any of the following has occurred:
(1) the willful and continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform her material duties to the Company (other than due to mental or physical disability) after written notice specifying such failure and the manner in which the Executive may rectify such failure in the future;
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(2) the Executive has engaged in willful, intentional misconduct that has resulted in material damage to the Companys business or reputation;
(3) the Executive has been convicted of a felony; or
(4) the Executive has engaged in fraud against the Company or misappropriated Company property (other than incidental property).
For purposes of this Agreement, no act or failure by the Executive shall be considered willful if such act is done by the Executive in the good faith belief that such act is or was in the best interests of the Company or one or more of its businesses. Nothing in this Section 7(b)(i) shall be construed to prevent the Executive from contesting the Boards determination that Cause exists.
(ii) Change in Control of the Company shall mean:
(1) any person (as such term is used in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) or group (as such term is used in Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes a beneficial owner (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of the Voting Stock of the Company; provided that this clause (1) shall not apply with respect to a stockholder of the Company who beneficially owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company on the Effective Date;
(2) all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company are disposed of pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other transaction unless, immediately after such transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction own, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they owned the Voting Stock of the Company prior to such transaction more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the company surviving such transaction or succeeding to all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company or the ultimate parent company of such surviving or successor company if such surviving or successor company is a subsidiary of another entity (there being excluded from the number of shares held by such stockholders, but not from the Voting Stock of the combined company, any shares received by affiliates of such other company in exchange for stock of such other company);
(3) the Company adopts any plan of liquidation providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of its assets if such plan of liquidation will result in the winding-up of the business of the Company;
(4) the consummation of any merger, consolidation or other similar corporate transaction unless, immediately after such transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction own, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they owned the Voting Stock of the Company prior to such transaction more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the company surviving such transaction or its ultimate parent company if such surviving company is a subsidiary of another entity (there being excluded from the number of shares held by such stockholders, but not from the Voting Stock of the combined company, any shares received by affiliates of such other company in exchange for stock of such other company); or
(5) the failure of the Company to have any securities required to be registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
For purposes of this definition, the Company shall include any entity that succeeds to all or substantially all of the business of the Company; Voting Stock shall mean securities of any class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances, in the absence of contingencies, to elect the directors of a corporation; and references to ownership of more than 50% of the Voting Stock shall mean the ownership of shares of Voting Stock that represent the right to exercise more than 50% of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors of a corporation.
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(iii) Disability of the Executive shall have occurred if, as a result of the Executives incapacity due to physical or mental illness as determined by a physician selected by the Executive, and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the Executive shall have been substantially unable to perform her duties hereunder for six consecutive months, or for an aggregate of 180 days during any period of twelve consecutive months.
(iv) Good Reason shall mean the occurrence, without the Executives express prior written consent, of any one or more of the following:
(1) a material diminution of, or material reduction or material adverse alteration in, the Executives title (except as may occur in response to a comment from a regulatory or governmental agency), reporting status or authority to exercise Pre-Effective Date Duties, and Responsibilities (as defined below), or the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with those set forth in Section 2(a) (or as subsequently amended in accordance with Section 18 with the consent of the Executive) resulting in a materially adverse change to the Executives duties and responsibilities; provided, however, that the following shall not constitute Good Reason pursuant to this Section 7(b)(iv)(1): the assignment to, or exercise by, the Chairman, the Companys other Co-CEO and/or any other officer(s) appointed by the Chairman or the Board, as the case may be, of (and any related diminution, reduction, alteration or elimination of Executives authority to exercise) any Post-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities, regardless of whether Executive has exercised any such Post-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities; and provided further that any diminution, reduction or adverse alteration in Executives authority to exercise any Pre-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities (the Reduced Pre-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities) shall be disregarded for the purposes of this Section 7(b)(iv)(1) to the extent that Executive has authority to exercise any Post-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities that are of approximately comparable importance to the Company as the Reduced Pre-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities;
(2) a material dimunition, material reduction or materially adverse alteration to Executives Post-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities as exercised by the Executive in the ordinary course prior to the date of this Agreement;
(3) a material breach of the Agreement by the Company that continues after the reasonable notice and opportunity to cure;
(4) the Companys requiring the Executive to be based at a location in excess of 35 miles from the location of the Executives principal job location or office specified in Section 2(b), except for required travel on the Companys business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executives position; or
(5) a reduction by the Company of the Executives base salary as in effect on the Effective Date, or as the same shall be increased from time to time.
Pre-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities shall mean duties and responsibilities exercised by Executive in her capacity as President Media of the Company prior to the Effective Date with respect to assets owned by the Company prior to the Effective Date. Post-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities shall mean duties and responsibilities other than Pre-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary may include, without limitation, any duties and responsibilities related to any assets or operations that were or may be acquired by the Company on or after the Effective Date at the discretion of the Board.
The Executives right to terminate employment in a termination for Good Reason shall not be affected by the Executives incapacity due to physical or mental illness. Subject to the requirements set forth above, the Executives continued employment shall not constitute a consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting Good Reason hereunder.
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8. Termination Procedures.
(a) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executives employment by the Company or by the Executive during the Employment Term (other than pursuant to Sections 7(a)(i) and 7(a)(v)) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party. For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination shall mean a notice indicating the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executives employment under that provision.
(b) Date of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, Date of Termination shall mean (i) if the Executives employment is terminated by her death, the date of her death, (ii) if the Executives employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii), 30 days after the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination (provided that the Executive does not return to the substantial performance of her duties on a full-time basis during such 30-day period), (iii) if the Executives employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a)(v), the date of expiration of the Employment Term, and (iv) if the Executives employment is terminated for any other reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given or any later date (within 30 days after the giving of such notice) set forth in such Notice of Termination.
9. Termination Payments.
(a) Upon any termination of the Executives employment, she shall be entitled to payment of any earned but unpaid portion of the Base Salary, bonus, benefits and unreimbursed business expenses, in each case with respect to the period ending on the Date of Termination. In addition, upon termination of Executives employment without Cause or a termination by Executive with Good Reason, Executive will be entitled to a pro-rated bonus for the year of termination (calculated at the end of the fiscal year and then pro rated through the date of termination) provided that applicable performance targets have been met and bonuses are paid generally to similarly situated executives at the Company. Any payments due pursuant to this Section shall be paid in a lump sum at the time the Company pays other bonuses, subject to Section 18 hereof (if applicable).
(b) In addition to the payments and benefits provided in Section 9(a), if the Executives employment is terminated (x) by the Company without Cause or (y) by the Executive for Good Reason, (i) outstanding equity awards consisting of restricted stock and stock options held by the Executive other than the March 2008 Option Grant shall vest and/or become exercisable, (ii) the Company shall pay the Executive the Severance Payment and (iii) the Company shall provide the Executive with continued medical coverage at active-employee rates for eighteen months or, if earlier, until the Executive receives subsequent employer-provided coverage. For purposes of this Section 9(b), the Severance Payment shall be a lump-sum cash payment equal to 18 months salary. The Severance Payment shall be paid no later than 60 days following the Date of Termination; provided the Executive has executed the release referred to below and any waiting period with respect to such release has elapsed. Payment of the Severance Payment shall be conditioned upon the Executives execution of a general release in form satisfactory to the Company and the Executive within sixty (60) days of the date of termination; provided, however, that such release shall not contain post-termination restrictions that are more onerous for the Executive than those contained in this Agreement.
(c) Executive understands and agrees that she shall, effective upon the full execution of this Agreement, cease to be a participant in, or eligible for any benefits or claims under, the Companys 2008 Executive Severance Pay Plan.
10. Confidential Information; Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation; Nondisparagement.
(a) Confidential Information. Except as may be required or appropriate in connection with her carrying out her duties under this Agreement, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or any legal process, or as is necessary in connection with any adversarial proceeding against the Company (in which case the Executive shall cooperate with the Company in obtaining a protective order at the Companys expense against disclosure by a court of competent jurisdiction), communicate, to anyone other than the Company and those designated by the Company or on behalf of the Company in the furtherance of its business or to perform her duties hereunder, any trade secrets, confidential
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information, knowledge or data relating to the Company, its affiliates or any businesses or investments of the Company or its affiliates, obtained by the Executive during the Executives services to the Company that is not generally available public knowledge or known within the Companys industry (other than by acts by the Executive in violation of this Agreement).
(b) Noncompetition. The Executive hereby agrees that during her employment with the Company and (unless this Agreement expires pursuant to Clause (v) of Section 7(a) hereof) during any Tail Period (as defined below), if any, Executive shall not engage in or become associated with a Competitive Activity (as defined below). A Competitive Activity shall mean any business which develops or produces lifestyle-based content aimed primarily at adult female audiences (e.g., Oprah Magazine, iVillage, the WE Network). Executive shall be deemed to be engaged in or associated with a Competitive Activity if she is or becomes an owner, employee, officer, director, independent contractor, agent, partner, advisor, or renders personal services in any other capacity, with or for any individual, partnership, corporation or other organization (collectively, an Enterprise) that is engaged in a Competitive Activity, provided, however, that Executive shall not be prohibited from (a) owning less than five percent of the stock in any publicly traded Enterprise engaging in a Competitive Activity, or (b) being an employee, independent contractor or otherwise providing services to an Enterprise that is engaged in a Competitive Activity so long as Executives services relate to (x) an aspect or endeavor of such Enterprise that is distinct from, and unrelated to, and Executive has no influence or control over, such Enterprises pursuit of a Competitive Activity or (y) the overall operation or management of the Enterprise (or any portion thereof) provided that the Competitive Activity is not the primary component of such Enterprise (or portion thereof). Tail Period shall mean the period, if any, commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the 18-month anniversary of such date. If, at any time, the provisions of this paragraph shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable, by reason of being vague or unreasonable as to area, duration or scope of activity, this paragraph shall be considered divisible and shall become and be immediately amended to only such area, duration and scope of activity as shall be determined to be reasonable and enforceable by the court or other body having jurisdiction over the matter. The Executive agrees that this paragraph as so amended shall be valid and binding as though any invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included herein. The Executive further agrees that the remedies at law for any breach or threat of breach by her of this paragraph will be inadequate, and that, in addition to any other remedy to which the Company may be entitled at law or in equity, the Company will be entitled to seek a temporary or permanent injunction or injunctions or temporary restraining order or orders to prevent breaches thereof. The Executives agreement shall not be deemed to prohibit her from opposing such relief on the basis of a dispute of facts related to any such application.
(c) Nonsolicitation. During her employment with the Company, and for 18 months after the Date of Termination, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (1) solicit for employment by other than the Company any person (other than any personal secretary or assistant hired to work directly for the Executive) employed by the Company or its affiliated companies as of the Date of Termination, (2) solicit for employment by other than the Company any person known by the Executive (after reasonable inquiry) to be employed at the time by the Company or its affiliated companies as of the date of the solicitation or (3) solicit any employee, customer or other person with an employment or business relationship with the Company or any of its affiliated companies to terminate, curtail or otherwise limit such employment or business relationship.
(d) Non-disparagement. During her employment with the Company, and thereafter, (i) the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written or oral) regarding the Company or any of its affiliated companies or businesses, or the affiliates, directors, officers, agents, principal stockholders or customers of any of them and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its affiliated companies or businesses or their affiliates, directors, or officers shall directly or indirectly, make or publish any disparaging statements (whether written or oral) regarding the Executive. Executive shall not author, co-author, or assist in the production or authorship of any story, book, show, script or other work about the Company or Martha Stewart without the Companys prior review of such work and the Companys written consent as to the production and content thereof.
(e) Injunctive Relief. In the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Section 10, each party agrees that the non-breaching party shall be entitled to injunctive relief in a court of appropriate jurisdiction to remedy any such breach or threatened breach, the parties acknowledging that damages would be inadequate and insufficient.
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11. Reimbursement of Legal Fees. If any contest or dispute shall arise between the Company and the Executive regarding any provision of this Agreement, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for all legal fees and expenses reasonably incurred by the Executive in connection with such contest or dispute, but only if the Executive prevails to a substantial extent with respect to the Executives claims brought and pursued in connection with such contest or dispute. Such reimbursement shall be made as soon as practicable following the resolution of such contest or dispute (whether or not appealed) to the extent the Company receives written evidence of such fees and expenses.
12. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify the Executive as required pursuant to the indemnification provisions contained in the Companys By-laws.
13. Dispute Resolution. Except as set forth in Section 10(e), any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the making, interpretation or breach thereof shall be settled by arbitration in New York City, New York by three arbitrators in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof, and any party to the arbitration may institute proceedings in any court having jurisdiction for the specific performance of any such award. The powers of the arbitrator shall include, but not be limited to, the awarding of injunctive relief.
14. Representations.
(a) The Executive represents and warrants that (i) she is not subject to any contract, arrangement, policy or understanding, or to any statute, governmental rule or regulation, that in any way limits her ability to enter into and fully perform her obligations under this Agreement and (ii) she is not otherwise unable to enter into and fully perform her obligations under this Agreement.
(b) The Company represents and warrants to the Executive that (i) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company and (ii) subject to the accuracy of the Executives representation in Section 14(a), the employment of the Executive on the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of the terms of any contract or other obligation or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company.
15. Successors; Binding Agreement.
(a) Companys Successors. No rights or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred, except that the Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Company shall include any successor to its business and/or assets (by merger, purchase or otherwise) which executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Section 15 or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
(b) Executives Successors. No rights or obligations of the Executive under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Executive other than her rights to payments or benefits hereunder, which may be transferred only by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Upon the Executives death, this Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executives beneficiary or beneficiaries, personal or legal representatives, or estate, to the extent any such person succeeds to the Executives interests under this Agreement. If the Executive should die following her Date of Termination while any amounts would still be payable to her hereunder if she had continued to live, all such amounts unless otherwise provided herein shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to such person or persons so appointed in writing by the Executive, or otherwise to her legal representatives or estate.
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16. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered either personally or by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive, at her residence address most recently filed with the Company; and
With a copy to:
Gavin McElroy, Esq.
Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein & Selz PC
488 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212)  ###-###-####
Fax: (347)  ###-###-####
Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein & Selz PC
488 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212)  ###-###-####
Fax: (347)  ###-###-####
If to the Company:
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Attention: General Counsel
Tel: (212)  ###-###-####
Fax: (212)  ###-###-####
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Attention: General Counsel
Tel: (212)  ###-###-####
Fax: (212)  ###-###-####
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
17. Mitigation. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate damages with respect to the termination of her employment under this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, and there shall be no offset against amounts due the Executive under this Agreement on account of subsequent employment except as specifically provided in Section 9(b). Additionally, amounts owed to the Executive under this Agreement shall not be offset by any claims the Company may have against the Executive, and the Companys obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement, and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder, shall not be affected by any other circumstances, including, without limitation, any counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against the Executive or others.
18. Section 409A.
(a) The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code as amended, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively Section 409A) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A. You are hereby advised to seek independent advice from your tax advisor(s) with respect to any payments or benefits under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not guarantee the tax treatment of any payments or benefits provided under this Agreement, whether pursuant to the Code, federal, state, local or foreign tax laws and regulations.
(b) If the Executive is deemed on the date of termination of her separation from service with the Company to be a specified employee, each within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, then with regard to any payment or the providing of any benefit under this Agreement, and any other payment or the provision of any other benefit that is required to be
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delayed in compliance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, such payment or benefit shall not be made or provided prior to the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Executives separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of the Executives death) if and to the extent such six-month delay is required to comply with Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code. In such event, on or promptly after the first business day following the six-month delay period, all payments delayed pursuant to this Section 18)(ii) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to the Executive in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.
(c) If under this Agreement, an amount is to be paid in installments, each installment shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii).
19. Modification; Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified, or waived unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized officer of the Company, and such waiver is set forth in writing and signed by the party to be charged; provided, however, that the Board may in its sole and absolute discretion, upon written notice to Executive, increase, decrease or otherwise alter the scope or nature of the Post-Effective Date Duties and Responsibilities; provided however, that such alteration does not override the definition of Good Reason contained in Section 7(b)(iv) of this Agreement. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
20. Validity. 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.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Equity Agreements set forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersede all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations and warranties (including without limitation that agreement between the parties dated as of June 25, 2007), whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto in respect of such subject matter.
23. Withholding. All payments hereunder shall be subject to any required withholding of federal, state and local taxes pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
24. Section Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and they form no part of this Agreement and shall not affect its interpretation.
25. Governing Law; Survival. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of law principles. Each of the parties agrees that if any dispute is not resolved by the parties pursuant to Section 13, such dispute shall be resolved only in the courts of the State of New York sitting in the County of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts. In that context, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the parties irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submits for itself in any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the County of New York, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court; (b) consents that any such action or proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such action or
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proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same; (c) waives all right to trial by jury in any action or proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or its performance under or the enforcement of this Agreement; (d) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party at its address as provided in Section 16; and (e) agrees that nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of New York. The provisions of Section 10 that are intended to survive the Employment Term shall remain in full force and effect for their respective periods of duration; it being understood that the provisions of Section 10(d) shall be perpetual.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ Charles Koppleman | |||
Name: | Charles A. Koppelman | |||
Title: | Chairman of the Board of Directors | |||
EXECUTIVE: | ||||
/s/ Wenda Harris Millard | ||||
Name: | Wenda Harris Millard | |||
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