Exhibit 10.8
STORYFIRST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
SHARE APPRECIATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS SHARE APPRECIATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") made as of
this 16th day of September 2003, is entered into between StoryFirst
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, a citizen of Ukraine, residing at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇. ▇▇/▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇,
▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ passport no. CH 316475, issued by Pecherskiy District Department
of Ministry of Interior of Ukraine in Kiev, on 19 November 1996 ("Mr.
Rodnyansky").
Preliminary Statements:
A. Mr. Rodnyansky is an employee of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary,
Closed Joint Stock Company "CTC", a Russian closed joint stock company
("CTC").
B. CTC and Mr. Rodnyansky have entered into an employment contract dated
June 3, 2002 (the "Employment Contract").
C. The Company desires to retain Mr. Rodnyansky as a CTC employee by
providing him with a further incentive to contribute to the financial
success of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained
herein, any other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties agree as
follows:
1. Definitions.
For the purpose of this Agreement the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
1.1 "A-1 Units" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
1.2 "A-2 Units" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
1.3 "B-1 Units" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
1.4 "B-2 Units" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
1.5 "Board" means the board of directors of the Company
1.6 "C-1 Units" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
1.7 "C-2 Units" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
1.8 "Capital Adjustment" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
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1.9 "Cash Settlement" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.
1.10 "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $0.01 each,
of the Company.
1.11 "Company" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
1.12 "Company Transaction" means either of the following: (i) a
merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result
of which all of the Common Stock is converted into or exchanged for the right to
receive cash, securities or other property, or (ii) any exchange of all of the
Common Stock for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange
transaction.
1.13 "CTC" has the meaning set forth in the preliminary statements.
1.14 "Disability" means the inability of Mr. Rodnyansky, due
to a physical or mental disability, for either a period of 90 consecutive days,
or 120 days (whether or not consecutive) during any 360-day period, to perform
his duties to the Group under the Employment Contract, in each case, as
certified by a medial doctor chosen by the Company.
1.15 "Disposition Notice" has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.2.
1.16 "Election Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
1.17 "Employment Contract" has the meaning set forth in the
preliminary statements.
1.18 "Exercise Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
1.19 "Exercise Gain" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
1.20 "Exercise Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
1.21 "Exercise Price" means $953.33 per Unit for each of the ▇-▇,
▇-▇ and C-1 Units and $1,430.00 per Unit for each of the ▇-▇, ▇-▇ and C-2 Units.
1.22 "Expiration Date" means September 15, 2013.
1.23 "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to a share of
Common Stock, if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on an internationally
recognized stock exchange or quotation system, the average of the closing bid
price over the 30 trading days immediately prior to the date of receipt by the
Chairman of the Board of the Company of the Exercise Notice, and otherwise, the
value mutually agreed in good faith between the Company and Mr. Rodnyansky;
provided that if the Company and Mr. Rodnyansky cannot agree such a value within
30 calendar days following the date of any Election Notice, Fair Market Value
means the value as determined by an international investment bank, auditing or
consulting firm selected and engaged by the Company, at its cost, to make such
determination, which determination shall be binding upon both the Company and
Mr. Rodnyansky for the purposes of such Election Notice.
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1.24 "Final Achievement Date" has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.
1.25 "First Refusal Exercise Notice" has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.3.
1.26 "First Refusal Right" has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.1.
1.27 "Grant Date" means September 16, 2003.
1.28 "Group" means the Company, its direct and indirect
subsidiaries and any of its direct or indirect parent companies and their
subsidiaries.
1.29 "Market Stand-Off" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.
1.30 "Net Income Objective" means CTC's net income (after tax) for
any fiscal year is $20 million or greater determined in accordance with U.S.
GAAP applied consistently with past periods and as set forth in CTC's audited
financial statements; provided, however, that any amount included in such
financial statements as compensation expense related to the SAR shall be added
to CTC's net income (after tax) for purposes of determining the Net Income
Objective.
1.31 "Objectives" means, individually, any of the Ratings
Objective, the Technical Penetration Objective or the Net Income Objective, and,
collectively, all of them.
1.32 "Permitted Transfer" means (i) a gratuitous transfer of
Purchased Shares, provided, and only if, Mr. Rodnyansky obtains the Company's
prior written consent to such transfer or (ii) a transfer of title to Purchased
Shares effected pursuant to Mr. Rodnyansky's will or the laws of intestate
succession following his death.
1.33 "Purchased Shares" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.
1.34 "Ratings Objective" means CTC's Russia-wide network audience
share for the 4+ demographic on a sign-on/sign-off basis as determined by Gallup
(using final adjusted daily ratings) averages 10% or greater over any nine-month
consecutive period (which period must include a quarter ending December 31).
1.35 "Restricted Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 12.3.
1.36 "SAR" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
1.37 "Securities Act" means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.
1.38 "Target Shares" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.
1.39 "Technical Penetration Objective" means CTC's network
technical penetration within the then current Russian Gallup Panel, which as of
the date of this Agreement comprises 160 cities and includes metered cities,
establishment cities and other cities utilized in order to constitute a
measurement universe, averages 80% or greater over any twelve-month period.
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1.40 "Termination of Employment" occurs when Mr. Rodnyansky shall
for any reason, including, without limitation, through death, Disability or
resignation, cease to serve as an employee, or an independent contractor, of CTC
or of any member of the Group or as a director of any Group company.
1.41 "Termination Without Cause" means the involuntary dismissal or
discharge of Mr. Rodnyansky by the Group (including, without limitation, CTC's
failure to renew the Employment Contract after the expiry thereof) for reasons
other than (i) the breach by Mr. Rodnyansky of the terms of his Employment
Contract, (ii) the commission by Mr. Rodnyansky of an act of moral turpitude or
any acts involving dishonesty, fraud, gross negligence or wilful misconduct,
(iii) criminal indictment of Mr. Rodnyansky for the commission of a felony or
similar category of crime, punishable by imprisonment of one year or more or
(iv) reasons stated in Article 83.4 and Articles 81.5 through 81.12 of the Labor
Code of the Russian Federation.
1.42 "Unit" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.
2. Grant of SAR. The Company hereby grants to Mr. Rodnyansky, as of the
Grant Date, a stock appreciation right (the "SAR") for 11,658 units (the
"Units"), each Unit entitling Mr. Rodnyansky to receive from the Company, at the
Company's election in its sole discretion, either (i) a cash payment equal to
the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock, less the Exercise Price for
such Unit (the "Exercise Gain") or (ii) a share of Common Stock upon payment by
Mr. Rodnyansky of the Exercise Price for such Unit, or any combination thereof.
1,943 of the Units shall be hereinafter referred to as the "A-1 Units", 1,943 of
the Units shall hereinafter be referred to as the "A-2 Units", 1,943 of the
Units shall hereinafter be referred to as the "B-1 Units", 1,943 of the Units
shall hereinafter be referred to as the "B-2 Units", 1,943 of the Units shall
hereinafter be referred to as the "C-1 Units", and 1,943 of the Units shall
hereinafter be referred to as the "C-2 Units".
3. SAR Term. The SAR shall have a term of 10 years measured from the Grant
Date and shall accordingly expire at the close of business on the Expiration
Date, unless terminated earlier in accordance with Section 5.
4. Conditions to, and Date of, Exercise. The SAR shall only become
exercisable (i) for the A-1 and A-2 Units if the Ratings Objective is achieved,
(ii) for the B-1 and B-2 Units if the Technical Penetration Objective is
achieved and (iii) for the C-1 and C-2 Units if the Net Income Objective is
achieved, in each case, prior to: (x) in the event that Mr. Rodnyansky dies,
suffers a Disability or is subject to a Termination Without Cause prior to the
Expiration Date, the earlier of the Expiration Date or the date that is 180
calendar days following Mr. Rodnyansky's death or Termination of Employment, (y)
in the event that there is a Termination of Employment for any other reason
prior to the Expiration Date, the earlier of the Expiration Date or the
effective date of such Termination of Employment or (z) if no Termination of
Employment has occurred prior to the Expiration Date, the Expiration Date (such
date being hereinafter referred to as the "Final Achievement Date"). If the
applicable Objective is achieved prior to the Final Achievement Date, the SAR
shall become exercisable for the A-1 and A-2 Units, the B-1 and B-2 Units and
the C-1 and C-2 Units, as the case may be, in accordance with the schedule set
forth below, which schedule sets forth the aggregate number of such Units for
which the SAR is exercisable at any given time:
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Aggregate Number
of Each of the
A-1 and ▇-▇,
▇-▇ and B-2, or
C-1 and C-2
Units for
Which the SAR
is Exercisable
On and after June 30, 2003 486
On and after September 30, 2003 608
On and after December 31, 2003 730
On and after March 31, 2004 852
On and after June 30, 2004 974
On and after September 30, 2004 1,096
On and after December 31, 2004 1,218
On and after March 31, 2005 1,340
On and after June 30, 2005 1,462
On and after September 30, 2005 1,584
On and after December 31, 2005 1,706
On and after March 31, 2006 1,828
On and after May 31, 2006 1,943
provided, however, that if (A) Mr. Rodnyansky is subject to a Termination
Without Cause and (B) the Ratings Objective, the Technical Penetration Objective
and/or the Net Income Objective is achieved, in each case, prior to the Final
Achievement Date, the SAR shall immediately become exercisable for all of the
A-1 and A-2 Units, all of the B-1 and B-2 Units and/or all of the C-1 and C-2
Units, as the case may be. Whether or not any of the Objectives is achieved
shall be determined in good faith by the Board in its sole discretion. No
Objective shall be deemed to be achieved if the Board determines, in good faith,
that the Objective would not have been achieved but for Mr. Rodnyansky exceeding
limits on his spending authority set forth by the Board or the board of
directors of CTC or as set forth in his Employment Contract.
5. Termination of Employment.
5.1 In no event shall any Units become exercisable following
Mr. Rodnyansky's Termination of Employment; provided, however, that if
Mr. Rodnyansky dies, suffers a Disability or is subject to a Termination Without
Cause and any of the Objectives is achieved following the effective date of such
Termination of Employment but prior to the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date
and (y) 180 calendar days following such Termination of Employment, any Units
that would have been exercisable at the effective date of the Termination of
Employment if such Objective had been achieved prior to the effective date of
his Termination of Employment shall become exercisable within the periods
specified in this Section 5. Following his Termination of Employment, the SAR
term specified in Section 3 shall be adjusted as follows:
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(a) Should the reason for Mr. Rodnyansky's Termination of
Employment be (i) Termination Without Cause, (ii) a Disability or (iii)
his death, in each case, before the Expiration Date, then Mr.
Rodnyansky (or his estate or heirs in the case of his death) shall have
210 calendar days following the effective date of such termination to
exercise the SAR, but in no event shall the SAR be exercisable at any
time after the Expiration Date.
(b) Should the reason for Mr. Rodnyansky's Termination of
Employment be for any reason other than a reason specified in (a) above
before the Expiration Date, then Mr. Rodnyansky shall have a period of
30 calendar days (commencing with the effective date of such
termination) during which to exercise the SAR, but in no event shall
the SAR be exercisable at any time after the Expiration Date.
5.2 During the period of exercisability following Mr. Rodnyansky's
Termination of Employment, the SAR may not be exercised in the aggregate for
more than the number of Units for which the SAR is, at the effective date of his
Termination of Employment, exercisable pursuant to Section 4; provided, however,
that if Mr. Rodnyansky dies, suffers a Disability or is subject to a Termination
Without Cause and any of the Objectives is achieved following the effective date
of Termination of Employment but prior to the earlier of the Expiration Date and
180 calendar days following such Termination of Employment any Units that would
have been exercisable at the effective date of the Termination of Employment if
such Objective had been achieved prior to the Termination of Employment shall be
exercisable within the period specified in Section 5.1. Upon the expiration of
such limited exercise period or (if earlier) upon the Expiration Date, the SAR
shall terminate and cease to be outstanding for any Units which were exercisable
at the time of such termination but for which the SAR has not been exercised.
6. Manner of Exercising SAR.
6.1 The SAR shall not be exercised on more than two occasions;
provided, however, that during any period where the Common Stock is listed or
quoted on any internationally recognized exchange or quotation system, the SAR
may be exercised any number of times so long as the exercise is for no fewer
than the lesser of 1,000 Units or the number of Units for which the SAR is at
the time exercisable.
6.2 In order to exercise the SAR with respect to all or any part
of the Units for which the SAR is at the time exercisable, Mr. Rodnyansky (or
any other person or persons permitted to exercise the SAR hereunder) must
deliver to the Chairman of the Board of the Company a written notice of exercise
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (an "Exercise Notice") stating the
number of Units to be exercised. Such exercise shall be effective on the date of
receipt by the Chairman of the Board (the "Exercise Date").
6.3 Upon receipt by the Company of a proper written Exercise
Notice delivered by Mr. Rodnyansky in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, the Board shall elect, in its sole discretion, to satisfy such
Exercise Notice by:
(i) paying to Mr. Rodnyansky an amount of cash equal to the
aggregate Exercise Gain with respect to the number of Units
being exercised; or
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(ii) issuing to Mr. Rodnyansky that number of shares of Common
Stock that is equal to the number of Units to which the
Exercise Notice relates upon payment by him of the aggregate
Exercise Price in accordance with Section 6.4.; or
(iii) any combination of the above.
Within 60 calendar days of the Exercise Date, the Company shall provide Mr.
Rodnyansky written notice (an "Election Notice") of its elected method of
satisfying the Exercise Notice.
6.4 If the Board elects to satisfy an Exercise Notice, either in
part or in full, by the issuance of shares of Common Stock (that number of
shares of Common Stock being hereinafter referred to as the "Purchased Shares"),
then
(a) Mr. Rodnyansky (or any other person or persons permitted to
exercise the SAR hereunder) shall pay the aggregate Exercise
Price for the Purchased Shares in one or more of the following
forms, at the election of Mr. Rodnyansky:
(i) cash to the Company by wire transfer in U.S. dollars;
provided, however, that at the sole discretion of the
Board and in accordance with Section 6.6, he may be
permitted to pay by installments with the obligation
to pay such installments evidenced by a recourse
promissory note secured by the Purchased Shares, or
(ii) by Mr. Rodnyansky agreeing that the number of
Purchased Shares shall be reduced by a number of
shares of Common Stock whose aggregate Fair Market
Value is equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of all
the Purchased Shares; and
(b) If Mr. Rodnyansky elects to pay the aggregate Exercise Price
in accordance with Section 6.4(a)(ii) above, then
(i) the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be
agreed/determined; and
(ii) notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, Mr. Rodnyansky shall bear 50% of the
fees and expenses of the firm, if any, engaged by the
Company to determine Fair Market Value.
6.5 If the Board elects to satisfy an Exercise Notice, either in
part or in full, in cash, then the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock
shall be agreed/determined. Within 90 calendar days after the date of
determination of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, the Company shall
pay the portion of the Exercise Gain which it has elected to pay in cash (as
opposed to shares of Common Stock) (the "Cash Settlement") to Mr. Rodnyansky in
one lump sum via wire transfer, or by payment of 30% of the Cash Settlement and
delivery of a promissory note denominated in U.S. dollars payable to Mr.
Rodnyansky for the balance of the Cash Settlement. Any such promissory note
shall be payable in four equal annual installments of principal, together with
interest on the remaining unpaid balance at the rate per annum equal to the
prime interest rate charged by Citibank N.A. (the "Bank") announced or published
by the Bank on the Exercise Date; such annual installments shall be payable on
the anniversary dates of the first payment. The Cash Settlement shall be paid by
the Company to Mr. Rodnyansky subject to such conditions as are deemed advisable
by the Company's Chief Financial Officer to permit compliance by the Company
with withholding provisions applicable to employers. All cash payments made
hereunder shall be made in U.S. dollars.
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6.6 The Board may, in its absolute discretion and without any
obligation to do so, permit Mr. Rodnyansky to pay any Exercise Price for the
purchase of shares of Common Stock owing hereunder by instalments, with his
obligation to pay such installments evidenced by a recourse promissory note
secured by such Purchased Shares, and executing a share pledge agreement to such
effect. The payment schedule in effect for any such installment sale shall be
established by the Board in its sole discretion, but in no case to exceed the
maximum period established by applicable law.
7. Capital Adjustments.
7.1 If at any time prior to the earlier to occur of (i) the
Expiration Date or (ii) the lapsing of the SAR in accordance with Section 5,
there shall be any increase or decrease in the number of issued and outstanding
shares of Common Stock resulting from (1) the declaration or payment of a stock
dividend, (2) any recapitalization resulting in a stock split-up, combination,
or exchange of shares of Common Stock, or (3) other increase or decrease in such
shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company (each such
event, a "Capital Adjustment"), then and in such event, appropriate adjustments
shall be made to (x) the total number and/or class of securities subject to the
SAR and (y) the Exercise Price in order to reflect such change and thereby
preclude a dilution or enlargement of benefits hereunder.
7.2 Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the issuance by
the Company of shares of its capital stock of any class, or securities
convertible into shares of capital stock of any class, either in connection with
direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or
upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such
shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason
thereof shall be made with respect to the number of Units or the Exercise Price.
8. Recapitalization, Merger and Consolidation
8.1 The existence of this Agreement and the SAR granted hereunder
shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its
stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations,
reorganizations, or other changes in the Company's capital structure and its
business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issue of bonds,
debentures, preferred or preference stocks ranking prior to or otherwise
affecting the Common Stock or the rights thereof (or any rights, options, or
warrants to purchase same), or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or
any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other
corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
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8.2 Subject to any required action by the stockholders, if the
Company shall be the surviving or resulting company in any Company Transaction,
the SAR granted hereunder shall pertain to and apply to the securities or rights
(including cash, property, or assets) to which a holder of the number of shares
of Common Stock subject to the SAR would have been entitled.
8.3 In the event of any Company Transaction pursuant to which the
Company is not the surviving or resulting legal entity, there shall be
substituted for each share of Common Stock subject to the unexercised portions
of the outstanding SAR, that number of shares of each class of stock or other
securities or that amount of cash, property, or assets of the surviving or
consolidated company which were distributed or distributable to the stockholders
of the Company in respect to each share of Common Stock held by them, such
outstanding SAR to be thereafter exercisable for such stock, securities, cash,
or property in accordance with the terms hereof.
9. Securities Law Compliance.
9.1 Non-US Person. Mr. Rodnyansky hereby represents and warrants
to the Company that he is not a U.S. person (as such term is defined in
Regulation S of the Securities Act) and he is not acquiring and will not acquire
the Purchased Shares for the account or benefit of a U.S. person. Mr. Rodnyansky
agrees to resell the Purchased Shares only in accordance with the provisions of
Regulation S of the Securities Act, pursuant to registration under the
Securities Act or pursuant to an available exemption from registration and
agrees not to engage in hedging transactions with regard to the Purchased Shares
unless in compliance with the Securities Act.
9.2 Restricted Securities. The Purchased Shares have not been and
will not be registered under the Securities Act and will be issued to
Mr. Rodnyansky in reliance upon an exemption from such registration.
Mr. Rodnyansky hereby confirms that he has been informed that the Purchased
Shares are restricted securities under the Securities Act and may not be resold
or transferred unless the Purchased Shares are first registered under the U.S.
federal securities laws or unless an exemption from such registration is
available. Accordingly, Mr. Rodnyansky hereby acknowledges that he is prepared
to hold the Purchased Shares for an indefinite period.
9.3 Restrictions on Disposition of Shares. Mr. Rodnyansky shall
make no disposition of the Purchased Shares unless and until there is compliance
with all of the following requirements:
(a) Mr. Rodnyansky shall have provided the Company with a
written summary of the terms and conditions of the proposed
disposition.
(b) Mr. Rodnyansky shall have complied with all
requirements of this Agreement applicable to the disposition of the
Purchased Shares.
(c) Mr. Rodnyansky shall have provided the Company with
written assurances, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company,
that (a) the proposed disposition does not require registration of the
Purchased Shares under the Securities Act or (b) all appropriate action
necessary for compliance with the registration requirements of the
Securities Act or any exemption from registration available under the
Securities Act has been taken.
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The Company shall not be permitted or required (i) to transfer
on its books any Purchased Shares which have been sold or transferred in
violation of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as the owner of
the Company Shares, or otherwise to accord voting, dividend or liquidation
rights to, any transferee to whom the Company Shares have been transferred in
contravention of this Agreement.
9.4 Restrictive Legends. The stock certificates for the Purchased
Shares shall be endorsed with one or more of the following restrictive legends:
"The shares represented by this certificate have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The shares may not be sold
or offered for sale except in accordance with the provisions of
Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, pursuant to registration
under such act or pursuant to an available exemption from registration,
Hedging transactions involving the shares represented by this
certificate may not be conducted unless in compliance with such act."
"The shares represented by this certificate are subject to
certain rights of first refusal granted to the Company and accordingly
may not be sold, assigned, transferred, encumbered, or in any manner
disposed of except in conformity with the terms of a written agreement
dated September 16, 2003 between the Company and the registered holder
of the shares (or the predecessor in interest to the shares). A copy of
such agreement is maintained at the Company's principal corporate
offices."
10. Transfer Restrictions.
10.1 Restriction on Transfer. Except for any Permitted Transfer,
Mr. Rodnyansky shall not transfer, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of any
of the Purchased Shares in contravention of the First Refusal Right or the
Market Stand-Off.
10.2 Transferee Obligations. Each person (other than the Company)
to whom the Purchased Shares are transferred by means of a Permitted Transfer
must, as a condition precedent to the validity of such transfer, acknowledge in
writing to the Company that such person is bound by the provisions of this
Agreement and that the transferred shares are subject to (i) the First Refusal
Right and (ii) the Market Stand-Off, to the same extent such shares would be so
subject if retained by Mr. Rodnyansky.
10.3 Market Stand-Off.
(a) In connection with any underwritten public offering
by the Company of its equity securities, including the Company's
initial public offering, Mr. Rodnyansky shall not sell, make any short
sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option for the purchase
of, or otherwise dispose or transfer for value or otherwise agree to
engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to, any
Purchased Shares without the prior written consent of the Company or
its underwriters. Such restriction (the "Market Stand-Off") shall be in
effect for such period of time from and after the effective date of the
final prospectus for the offering as may be requested by the Company or
such underwriters. In no event, however, shall such period exceed one
hundred eighty (180) days and the Market Stand-Off shall in all events
terminate two (2) years after the effective date of the Company's
initial public offering.
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(b) Mr. Rodnyansky shall be subject to the Market
Stand-Off provided and only if the officers and directors of the
Company are also subject to similar restrictions.
(c) Any new, substituted or additional securities which
are by reason of any recapitalization or reorganization distributed
with respect to the Purchased Shares shall be immediately subject to
the Market Stand-Off, to the same extent the Purchased Shares are at
such time covered by such provisions.
(d) In order to enforce the Market Stand-Off, the Company
may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Purchased
Shares until the end of the applicable stand-off period.
11. Right of First Refusal
11.1 Grant. The Company is hereby granted the right of first
refusal (the "First Refusal Right"), exercisable in connection with any proposed
transfer of the Purchased Shares. For purposes of this Section 11, the term
"transfer" shall include any sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or other
disposition of the Purchased Shares intended to be made by Mr. Rodnyansky, but
shall not include any Permitted Transfer.
11.2 Notice of Intended Disposition. In the event Mr. Rodnyansky
desires to accept a bona fide third-party offer for the transfer of any or all
of such shares (the Purchased Shares subject to such offer to be hereinafter
referred to as the "Target Shares"), Mr. Rodnyansky shall promptly (i) deliver
to the Company written notice (the "Disposition Notice") of the terms of the
offer, including the purchase price and the identity of the third-party offeror,
and (ii) provide satisfactory proof that the disposition of the Target Shares to
such third-party offeror would not be in contravention of the provisions set
forth in Sections 9 and 10.
11.3 Exercise of the First Refusal Right. The Company shall, for a
period of 25 calendar days following receipt of the Disposition Notice, have the
right to repurchase any or all of the Target Shares subject to the Disposition
Notice upon the same terms as those specified therein or upon such other terms
(not materially different from those specified in the Disposition Notice) to
which Mr. Rodnyansky consents. Such right shall be exercisable by delivery of
written notice (the "First Refusal Exercise Notice") to Mr. Rodnyansky prior to
the expiration of the 25-day exercise period. If such right is exercised with
respect to all the Target Shares, then the Company shall effect the repurchase
of such shares, including payment of the purchase price, not more than five
business days after delivery of the First Refusal Exercise Notice; and at such
time the certificates representing the Target Shares shall be delivered to the
Company.
Should the purchase price specified in the Disposition Notice be
payable in property other than cash or evidences of indebtedness, the Company
shall have the right to pay the purchase price in the form of cash equal in
amount to the value of such property. If Mr. Rodnyansky and the Company cannot
agree on such cash value within ten calendar days after the Company's receipt of
the Disposition Notice, the valuation shall be made by an international
investment bank, auditing or consulting firm selected and engaged by the
Company. Such valuation shall be binding upon both the Company and Mr.
Rodnyansky. The cost of such appraisal shall be shared equally by Mr. Rodnyansky
and the Company. The closing shall then be held on the later of (i) the fifth
business day following delivery of the First Refusal Exercise Notice or (ii) the
fifth business day after such valuation shall have been made.
11
11.4 Non-Exercise of the First Refusal Right. In the event the
First Refusal Exercise Notice is not given to Mr. Rodnyansky prior to the
expiration of the 25-day exercise period, Mr. Rodnyansky shall have a period of
30 calendar days thereafter in which to sell or otherwise dispose of the Target
Shares to the third-party offeror identified in the Disposition Notice upon
terms (including the purchase price) no more favorable to such third-party
offeror than those specified in the Disposition Notice; provided, however, that
any such sale or disposition must not be effected in contravention of the
provisions of Sections 9 and 10. The third-party offeror shall acquire the
Target Shares free and clear of the First Refusal Right, but the acquired shares
shall remain subject to the provisions of Section 9 and 10. In the event Mr.
Rodnyansky does not effect such sale or disposition of the Target Shares within
the specified 30-day period, the First Refusal Right shall continue to be
applicable to any subsequent disposition of the Target Shares by Mr. Rodnyansky
until such right lapses.
11.5 Partial Exercise of the First Refusal Right. In the event the
Company makes a timely exercise of the First Refusal Right with respect to a
portion, but not all, of the Target Shares specified in the Disposition Notice,
Mr. Rodnyansky shall have the option, exercisable by written notice to the
Company delivered within five business days after Mr. Rodnyansky's receipt of
the First Refusal Exercise Notice, to effect the sale of the Target Shares
pursuant to either of the following alternatives:
(a) sale or other disposition of all the Target Shares to
the third-party offeror identified in the Disposition Notice, but in
full compliance with the requirements of Section 11.4, as if the
Company did not exercise the First Refusal Right; or
(b) sale to the Company of the portion of the Target
Shares which the Company has elected to purchase, such sale to be
effected in substantial conformity with the provisions of Section 11.3.
The First Refusal Right shall continue to be applicable to any
subsequent disposition of the remaining Target Shares until such right
lapses.
Mr. Rodnyansky's failure to deliver timely notification to the Company
shall be deemed to be an election by Mr. Rodnyansky to sell the Target Shares
pursuant to alternative (b) above.
11.6 Recapitalization/Reorganization.
(a) Any new, substituted or additional securities or
other property which is by reason of any Capital Adjustment distributed
with respect to the Purchased Shares shall be immediately subject to
the First Refusal Right, but only to the extent the Purchased Shares
are at the time covered by such right.
(b) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, the First
Refusal Right shall remain in full force and effect and shall apply to
the new capital stock or other property received in exchange for the
Purchased Shares in consummation of the Corporate Transaction, but only
to the extent the Purchased Shares are at the time covered by such
right.
12
11.7 Lapse. The First Refusal Right shall lapse upon a firm
commitment underwritten public offering, covering the offer and sale of the
Common Stock of the Company in the aggregate amount of at least twenty-five
million dollars ($25,000,000). However, the Market Stand-Off shall continue to
remain in full force and effect following the lapse of the First Refusal Right.
12. Confidentiality, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation
12.1 Mr. Rodnyansky shall undertake to maintain the confidentiality
of any and all information concerning the Group's business, its contacts and
clients, other business data, documents and records or any other commercial,
financial or technical information, which may have become known to him in the
course of employment by the Group, as well as all and any information regarding
the terms and conditions of this Agreement and to refrain from disclosing the
above to any third parties unless doing so is reasonably required in the course
of his employment hereunder, or required by applicable law, or court,
governmental or regulatory authority order. This obligation shall survive Mr.
Rodnyansky's Termination of Employment and shall be in effect for two years
thereafter.
12.2 Mr. Rodnyansky represents and warrants that he is not bound by
any other commitments that would be in conflict with his obligations hereunder
and undertakes that in the future he shall not become party to any
confidentiality commitment with third parties that may prevent him from
disclosing to the Group information necessary or desirable for the conduct of
the Group's business.
12.3 Mr. Rodnyansky hereby agrees that in the event of his
Termination of Employment, then for a period beginning on the date of such
termination and ending on the second anniversary of the date of such termination
("Restricted Period"), he shall not, directly or indirectly, whether acting
individually or through any person, firm, corporation, business or any other
entity:
(a) engage in, or have any interest in any person, firm,
corporation, business or other entity (as an officer, director,
employee, agent, stockholder or other security holder, creditor
consultant or otherwise) that engages in any business activity anywhere
within the Russian Federation at any time during the Restricted Period,
which business activity is the same as, similar to or directly or
indirectly competitive with the Group as the same may be conducted or
planned to be conducted from time to time; provided, however, that the
provisions of this clause shall not preclude Mr. Rodnyansky from (a)
being employed during the Restricted Period as an officer or employee
by any person, firm, corporation, business or other entity that engages
in any other business activity in the Russian Federation; or (b)
holding an equity investment which represents less than 5% ownership in
a publicly registered company as long as the investment is passive;
(b) interfere with any contractual relationship of any
member of the Group that may exist from time to time including, but not
limited to, any contractual relationship with any director, officer,
employee, agent, as well as any current or prospective advertising
clients, sponsors, investors, or lenders of any member of the Group;
13
(c) solicit, divert or take away, or attempt to divert or
to take away, the business or patronage of any of the Group's current
or prospective advertising clients, sponsors, or other persons with
whom the Group has, or from time to time may have a business
relationship;
(d) solicit, induce or influence, or seek to induce or
influence, directly or indirectly, any person who currently is, or from
time to time may be, engaged or employed by any member of the Group as
an officer, director, employee, agent or independent contractor, to
terminate his or her employment or engagement by such member of the
Group.
12.4 Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, in the event of any breach of this Section 12 by Mr. Rodnyansky, he
shall lose any right he may have to exercise the SAR until such time as the
breach has been cured and shall only thereafter be entitled to exercise the SAR
to the extent the SAR remains exercisable in accordance with Sections 4 and 5
hereof.
12.5 Mr. Rodnyansky acknowledges that the provisions contained in
this Section 12 are reasonable and necessary, in view of the nature of the Group
and his knowledge thereof, in order to protect the legitimate interests of the
Company.
13. Financial Reporting Matters. Mr. Rodnyansky agrees to negotiate in good
faith with the Company to amend the terms of this Agreement if, as a result of
existing or future rules and regulations governing the accounting for options
and/or stock appreciation rights under U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles, the manner in which the Company is required to account for the SAR
has a material adverse effect on the Company's income statement and/or balance
sheet for any financial year provided that this Agreement could be amended to
avoid such a material adverse effect without putting Mr. Rodnyansky in a
materially less favorable commercial position hereunder.
14. Miscellaneous Provisions
14.1 No Right to Continued Employment. This Agreement shall not
confer upon Mr. Rodnyansky any right with respect to continuance of employment
by the Group.
14.2 No Rights as a Shareholder. Mr. Rodnyansky shall not have any
rights as a shareholder with respect to any Unit or share of Common Stock unless
and until, and to the extent, that he has purchased shares of Common Stock
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
14.3 Tax Requirements. The Company shall have the right to deduct
from all amounts hereunder, paid in cash or other form, any applicable taxes
required by law to be paid by either the Company or CTC or withheld with respect
to such payments. If the Company elects to issue shares of Common Stock upon
exercise of the SAR, Mr. Rodnyansky shall be required to pay the Company the
amount of any taxes which the Company or CTC is required to pay or withhold with
respect to such shares. Such payments shall be required to be made prior to
issuance of such shares. Such payments shall be made in cash in U.S. dollars.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the
Company will pay or cause to be paid those taxes payable upon the exercise of
the SAR by the Company or CTC as Mr. Rodnyansky's employer so long as the rate
of taxation does not exceed 2.2%, it being understood that Mr. Rodnyansky will
pay to the Company or CTC, as the case may be, any such taxes beyond the rate of
2.2% and be responsible for any income taxes payable by Mr. Rodnyansky on the
exercise of the SAR and all other taxes which the Company or CTC is required to
withhold from all amounts payable, or shares issued, hereunder.
14
14.4 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a
written instrument executed by both the Company and Mr. Rodnyansky.
14.5 Notices. All notices, requests, consents, and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
delivered three business days after being sent via a reputable international
express courier service or one business day after being sent via confirmed
facsimile, in each case to the intended recipient as set forth below:
If to the Company, ▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Russian
Federation, Attention: Chairman of the Board, telephone ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇,
facsimile ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ or at such other address as may have been furnished in
writing by the Company to Mr. Rodnyansky, with a copy (which shall not be deemed
notice hereunder) to ▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ Castle, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, telephone ▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, facsimile ▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
2424; or
If to Mr. Rodnyansky, at 12, 3rd ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
Russian Federation, telephone ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, facsimile ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ or at
such other address as may have been furnished in writing by Mr. Rodnyansky to
the Company; or
Any party may give any notice, request, consent or other communication
under this Agreement using any other means (including, without limitation,
personal delivery, messenger service, telecopy, first class mail or electronic
mail), but no such notice, request, consent or other communication shall be
deemed to have been duly given unless and until it is actually received by the
party for whom it is intended. Any party may change the address to which
notices, requests, consents or other communications hereunder are to be
delivered by giving the other parties notice in the manner set forth in this
Section.
14.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Employment
Contract, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the
subject matter of this Agreement.
14.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the Company and its respective successors and
assigns, including any company with which or into which the Company may be
merged or which may succeed to its assets or business. The SAR may not be
transferred or assigned by Mr. Rodnyansky other than by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution. If Mr. Rodnyansky attempts to alienate, assign,
pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of his SAR or any right thereunder,
except as provided for in this Agreement, or in the event of any levy,
attachment, execution, or similar process upon the right or interest conferred
by this Agreement, the Board may terminate Mr. Rodnyansky's SAR by notice to
him, and it shall thereupon become null and void.
14.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which, when
taken together, shall constitute one agreement.
15
14.9 No Waiver. No delay or omission by the Company in exercising
any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other
right. A waiver or consent given by the Company on any one occasion shall be
effective only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar or waiver of
any right on any other occasion.
14.10 Captions. The captions of the sections of this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the
scope or substance of any section of this Agreement.
14.11 Severable Provisions. In case any provision of this Agreement
shall be invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall in no way be affected or
impaired thereby.
14.12 Governing Law. The interpretation, performance and enforcement
of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without
regard to that state's conflict of laws rules.
14.13 Jurisdiction. Disputes relating to the interpretation,
execution of enforcement of this Agreement shall be dealt with under the
exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal court in the Borough of
Manhattan in The City of New York, New York, and Mr. Rodnyansky waives any
objection which he may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue for any such
proceeding and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.
Mr. Rodnyansky further waives personal service of any summons, complaint or
other process and agrees that service thereof may be made by certified or
registered mail directed to such person at such person's address for purposes of
notice hereunder.
14.14 Governing Language. In case of any discrepancies between the
English and Russian language (if any) versions of this Agreement, the text in
English shall have priority and prevail.
16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date
just above written.
STORYFIRST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
17
EXHIBIT A
---------
EXERCISE NOTICE
STORYFIRST COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
-------------------------------
NOTICE OF SAR EXERCISE
----------------------
The undersigned, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or a person authorized under the
Share Appreciation Rights Agreement dated as of September 16, 2003 between
StoryFirst Communications, Inc. and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the "SAR Agreement")
to exercise the SAR, hereby exercise the SAR granted under the SAR Agreement as
described below:
Number and Type of Units as to which SAR is being exercised:
Type of Unit Number of Units
------------ ---------------
--------------------------
Signature of Mr. Rodnyansky
or other authorized person
---------------------------
Print Name
Date:
-------------------
1