UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                                      
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
                                                       ————————————
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
————————————
ACXIOM CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
————————————

DELAWARE
 
71-0581897
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

P.O. Box 8190
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-8190
(501) 342-1000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
————————————
PIPPIO, INC. 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ARBOR EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN OF ACXIOM CORPORATION
SOLVE MEDIA, INC. 2009 STOCK PLAN
CIRCULATE EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN OF ACXIOM CORPORATION
(Full title of the plans)
————————————
Jerry C. Jones
Chief Ethics and Legal Officer, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Acxiom Corporation
P.O. Box 8190
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-8190
(501) 342-1000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
————————————
Copies to:
Robert D. Sanchez, Esq.
Michael C. Labriola, Esq.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Professional Corporation
1700 K Street, NW, Fifth Floor
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 973-8800
 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer
 
 
Accelerated filer
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
 
Smaller Reporting Company
 


CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of securities to
be registered
 
Amount to be
registered ( 1)
   
Proposed maximum
offering price per
share
   
Proposed maximum
aggregate offering
price
   
Amount of
registration
fee (3)
 
Common Stock, $0.10 par value, to be issued pursuant to outstanding awards under the terms of the Pippio, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan ( 4)
   
285,339
   
$
1.44
(2)  
 
$
410,602
(2)  
 
$
48
 
Common Stock, $0.10 par value, to be issued pursuant to awards issuable under the terms of the Arbor Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation ( 4)
   
232,664
   
$
25.44
(6)  
 
$
5,918,972
(6)  
 
$
686
 
Common Stock, $0.10 par value, to be issued pursuant to outstanding awards under the terms of the Solve Media, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan ( 5)
   
73,951
   
$
2.29
(2)  
 
$
169,348
(2)  
 
$
20
 
Common Stock, $0.10 par value, to be issued pursuant to awards issuable under the terms of the Circulate Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation ( 5)
   
96,212
   
$
25.44
(6)  
 
$
2,447,633
(6)  
 
$
284
 
Total
   
688,166
     
--
   
$
8,946,555
   
$
1,038
  
       (1) Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), this registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of the registrant's common stock that become issuable under the Pippio, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the "Pippio Plan"), the Arbor Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation (the "Arbor Plan"), the Solve Media, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan (the"Circulate 2009 Plan") and the Circulate Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation (the "Circulate 2016 Plan"), each as described herein, by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the registrant's receipt of consideration that results in an increase in the number of the registrant's outstanding shares of common stock.
        
(      (2) Estimated in accordance with paragraph (h) of Rule 457 of the Securities Act, solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee based upon the weighted average exercise price per share .
 
(      (3)   The amount of the registration fee was calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Securities Act, which provides that the fee shall be $0.0001159 multiplied by the maximum aggregate price
       at which such securities are proposed to be offered.
 
       (4) Pursuant to the merger agreement, dated as of November 17, 2016 (the "Arbor Merger Agreement") by and among Acxiom Corporation ("Acxiom," or the "Registrant"), Dojo Merger Sub, Inc. and Arbor Technologies, Inc., upon the closing of the transaction contemplated by the Arbor Merger Agreement on November 21, 2016 (the "Arbor Merger"), the Registrant assumed the terms of outstanding stock options under the Pippio Plan, subject to appropriate adjustments to the number of shares and the exercise price of each such option, resulting in stock options to purchase 285,339 shares of the Registrant's common stock assumed under the Pippio Plan. In addition, in connection with the Arbor Merger, the Registrant assumed the outstanding share reserves under the Pippio Plan, and adopted the Arbor Plan for the purposes of issuing awards in respect of such assumed share reserves, resulting in 232,664 shares of the Registrant's common stock assumed under the Arbor Plan.
 
       (5) Pursuant to the merger agreement, dated as of November 17, 2016 (the "Circulate.com Merger Agreement") by and among the Registrant, Echo Acquisition Sub, Inc., Circulate.com, Inc. and Fortis Advisors LLC, as Stockholder Representative, upon the closing of the transaction contemplated by the Circulate.com Merger Agreement on November 29, 2016 (the "Circulate.com Merger"), the Registrant assumed the terms of outstanding stock options under the Circulate 2009 Plan, subject to appropriate adjustments to the number of shares and the exercise price of each such option, resulting in stock options to purchase 73,951 shares of the Registrant's common stock assumed under the Circulate 2009 Plan. In addition, in connection with the Circulate Merger, the Registrant assumed the outstanding share reserves under the Circulate 2009 Plan, and adopted the Circulate 2016 Plan for the purposes of issuing awards in respect of such assumed share reserves, resulting in 96,212 shares of the Registrant's common stock assumed under the Circulate 2016 Plan.  
 
       (6) Estimated in accordance with paragraph (c) of Rule 457 of the Securities Act, solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee based upon $25.44, the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock on December 2, 2016, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
 



PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents and information previously filed by Acxiom Corporation ("Acxiom," or the "Registrant") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") are hereby incorporated by reference in this registration statement. However, Acxiom does not incorporate by reference those items which were "filed" for purposes of Section 8 of the Exchange Act or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act.
 
·
Acxiom's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, filed with the Commission on May 27, 2016.
 
 
·
Acxiom's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2016, filed with the Commission on August 5, 2016, and the period ended September 30, 2016, filed with the Commission on November 8, 2016.
 
 
·
Acxiom's current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on August 4, 2016, August 15, 2016 and November 23, 2016.
 
 
·
The description of Acxiom's common stock contained in its registration statement on Form 8-A of CCX Network, Inc. (now known as Acxiom) dated February 4, 1985, and any amendment or report filed with the Commission for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents filed by Acxiom pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein, modified or supersedes such statement. Except as so modified or superseded, such statement shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this registration statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Company is a Delaware corporation. Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL" ) enables a corporation to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of the director ' s fiduciary duty, except:
 
·
for any breach of the director ' s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;
 
·
for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
 
·
pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions); or
 
·
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
 

In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, the Company ' s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision eliminating, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, the liability of the Company ' s directors to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
 
Section 145(a) of the DGCL empowers a corporation to indemnify any present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or any individual serving at the corporation ' s request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another organization, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), against expenses (including attorneys ' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding provided that such director, officer, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, provided further that such director, officer, employee or agent had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The DGCL provides that the indemnification described above shall not be deemed exclusive of any other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation pursuant to its by-laws, disinterested directors ' vote, stockholders ' vote, agreement or otherwise.
 
The DGCL also provides corporations with the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation in a similar capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability as described above.
 
In accordance with Section 145(a) of the DGCL, the Company ' s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for indemnification of directors and officers of the Company against liability they may incur in their capacities as such and to the extent authorized by Delaware corporate law.
 
Pursuant to the Company ' s Amended and Restated Bylaws, the Company may maintain directors ' and officers ' insurance on behalf of the directors and officers of the Company and those serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another enterprise, against liability asserted against such persons in such capacity whether or not such directors or officers have the right to indemnification pursuant to Delaware law. The Company currently has in effect directors ' and officers ' liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance.
 
In addition, the Company has entered into separate indemnification agreements with certain of its current and former directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements provide generally that the Company will indemnify and advance expenses to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Each director and executive officer party to an indemnification agreement is entitled to be indemnified against all expenses, judgments, penalties and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.


Item 8. Exhibits.
       
Incorporated by Reference
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
Form
 
Filing Date/
Period
End Date
 
Filed
Herewith
                 
4.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Acxiom Corporation
 
10-Q
 
6/30/1996
   
4.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Acxiom Corporation
 
8-K
 
8/20/2012
   
4.3
 
Specimen Common Stock Certificate
 
S-4
 
8/17/1998
   
5.1
 
Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
 
         
X
10.1
 
Pippio, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan
         
X
10.2
 
Arbor Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation
         
X
10.3
 
Solve Media, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan
         
X
10.4
 
Circulate Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation
         
X
23.1
 
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
         
X
23.2
 
Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
         
X
24.1
 
Power of attorney (contained on signature pages of this registration statement)
         
X

Item 9. Undertakings.

 
(a)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
 
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.


 
(b)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on the 6th day of December, 2016.
 

   
ACXIOM CORPORATION
   
By:    /s/ Jerry C. Jones   
Name:  Jerry C. Jones   
Title:    Chief Ethics and Legal Officer, Executive Vice President
and Assistant Secretary
 
                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                  

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
       
Incorporated by Reference
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
Form
 
Filing Date/
Period
End Date
 
Filed
Herewith
                 
4.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Acxiom Corporation
 
10-Q
 
6/30/1996
   
4.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Acxiom Corporation
 
8-K
 
8/20/2012
   
4.3
 
Specimen Common Stock Certificate
 
S-4
 
8/17/1998
   
5.1
 
Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
         
X
10.1
 
Pippio, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan
         
X
10.2
 
Arbor Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation
         
X
10.3
 
Solve Media, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan
         
X
10.4
 
Circulate Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation
         
X
23.1
 
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
         
X
23.2
 
Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
         
X
24.1
 
Power of attorney (contained on signature pages of this registration statement)
         
X



Exhibit 5.1


December 6, 2016

Acxiom Corporation
P.O. Box 8190
Little Rock, AR 72203-8190
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about December 6, 2016 (the "Registration Statement"), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of up to 285,339 shares of common stock, par value $0.10, of Acxiom Corporation ("Common Stock"), reserved for issuance pursuant to the Pippio, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Pippio Plan"), 232,664 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the Arbor Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation (the "Arbor Plan"), 73,951 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the Solve Media, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan (the "Circulate 2009 Plan") and 96,212 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the Circulate Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation (the "Circulate 2016 Plan").  As your legal counsel, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the actions proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale and issuance of the shares of Common Stock under the Pippio Plan, the Arbor Plan, the Circulate 2009 Plan and the Circulate 2016 Plan (collectively, the "Shares").
It is our opinion that the Shares will be, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in the Pippio Plan, the Arbor Plan, the Circulate 2009 Plan and the Circulate 2016 Plan, legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the Registration Statement and any subsequent amendment thereto. In giving such consent, we do not consider that we are "experts" within the meaning of such term as used in the Securities Act, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this opinion as an exhibit or otherwise.
Very truly yours,
/s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation

Exhibit 10.1
PIPPIO, INC.
2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. Purpose; Definitions .   The purposes of the Pippio, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the " Plan ") are to: (a) enable Pippio, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the " Company ") and its affiliated companies to recruit and retain highly qualified employees, directors and consultants; (b) provide those employees, directors and consultants with an incentive for productivity; and (c) provide those employees, directors and consultants with an opportunity to share in the growth and value of the Company.
For purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise provided by the Board with respect to a particular Award, the following initially capitalized words and phrases will be defined as set forth below, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:
(a)              " Affiliate " means, with respect to a Person, a Person that directly or indirectly Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with such Person.
(b)              " Award " means a grant of Options, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
(c)              " Award Agreement " means, with respect to any particular Award, the written document that sets forth the terms of that particular Award.
(d)              " Board " means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time; provided, however , that if the Board appoints a Committee to perform some or all of the Board's administrative functions hereunder pursuant to Section 2 , references in the Plan to the "Board" will be deemed to also refer to that Committee in connection with administrative matters to be performed by that Committee.
(e)              " Cause " means (i) conviction of, or the entry of a plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or any other crime that causes the Company or its Affiliates public disgrace or disrepute, or materially and adversely affects the Company's or its Affiliates' operations or financial performance or the relationship the Company has with its customers, (ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates, including, without limitation fraud, embezzlement, theft or proven dishonesty in the course of his or her employment; (iii) alcohol abuse or use of controlled drugs other than in accordance with a physician's prescription; (iv) refusal to perform any lawful, material obligation or fulfill any duty (other than any duty or obligation of the type described in clause (vi) below) to the Company or its Affiliates (other than due to a Disability), which refusal, if curable, is not cured within fifteen (15) days after delivery of written notice thereof; (v) material breach of any agreement with or duty owed to the Company or any of its Affiliates, which breach, if curable, is not cured within fifteen (15) days after the delivery of written notice thereof; or (vi) any breach of any obligation or duty to the Company or any of its Affiliates (whether arising by statute, common law or agreement) relating to confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation or proprietary rights.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant and the Company (or any of its Affiliates) have entered into an employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement that specifically defines "cause," then with respect to such Participant, "Cause" shall have the meaning defined in that employment agreement, consulting agreement or other agreement.

(f)              " Change in Control " means, with respect to any entity: (i) the sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition (including by merger or consolidation, but excluding any sales by stockholders made as part of an underwritten public offering of the common stock of the entity) by stockholders of the entity, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of more than 50% of the voting power represented by the then outstanding capital stock of the entity to one or more Persons, (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the entity (other than a transfer of financial assets made in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of securitization), or (iii) the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the entity.
(g)              " Code " means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
(h)              " Committee " means a committee appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 2 of the Plan.
(i)              " Common Stock " means the Company's common stock, $0.0001 par value, subject to substitution or adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) hereof.
(j)              " Control " means, as to any Person, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise (the terms " Controlled by " and " under common Control with " shall have correlative meanings).
(k)              " Director " means a member of the Board.
(l)              " Disability " means a condition rendering a Participant Disabled.
(m)              " Disabled " with respect to a particular Participant will have the same meaning as set forth in any long-term disability policy or program sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate covering such Participant, as in effect as of the date of such determination, or if no such policy or program shall be in effect, "Disabled" will have the meaning as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(n)              " Exchange Act " means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(o)              " Fair Market Value " of a Share, means, as of any date:  (i) the closing price of the Share as reported on the principal nationally recognized stock exchange on which the type of Shares are traded on such date, or if no prices are reported with respect to such Shares on such date, the closing price of the Share on the last preceding date on which there were reported prices of such Shares or (ii) if Shares of that type are not listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a nationally recognized stock exchange, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Board acting in its discretion based upon the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method taking into account the facts and circumstances existing on the valuation date, which determination will be conclusive.
2

(p)              " Incentive Stock Option " means any Option intended to be and designated as an "Incentive Stock Option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(q)              " Non-Employee Director " will have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b‑3(b)(3)(i) promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(r)              " Non-Qualified Stock Option " means any Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(s)              " Option " means any option to purchase Shares (including Restricted Stock, if the Board so determines) granted pursuant to Section 5 hereof.
(t)              " Parent " means a "parent corporation" of the Company (or, in the context of Section 15(c) of the Plan, of a successor corporation), whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(u)              " Participant " means an employee, leased employee, consultant, Director or other service provider of the Company or any of its Affiliates to whom an Award is granted.
(v)              " Person " means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated association, or other entity or association.
(w)              " Restricted Stock " means Shares that are subject to restrictions pursuant to Section 7 hereof.
(x)              " Restricted Stock Unit " means a right granted under and subject to restrictions pursuant to Section 8 hereof.
(y)               " Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(z)                 " Stockholders Agreement " means any stockholders agreement, by and between the Company and certain stockholders and/or one or more agreements among the Company, a Participant (or such Participant's estate, heirs or beneficiaries) and other parties thereto in such form determined from time to time by the Company in its sole discretion, that include terms and conditions that provide the Company and/or other stockholders with (i) a right of first refusal or impose other restrictions with respect to the transfer of Shares, (ii) a voting agreement with respect to Shares, (iii) "drag-along" rights in favor of the stockholders owning a specified threshold of Shares of the Company, (iv) "market standoff" or "lock-up" conditions or (v) such other reasonable terms and conditions as the Board may require, if any.
3

(aa)              " Shares " means shares of Common Stock, subject to substitution or adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) hereof.
(bb)              " Subsidiary " means, in respect of the Company, a subsidiary company, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
SECTION 2. Administration .
(a)              The Plan will be administered by the Board; provided, however , that the Board may at any time appoint a Committee to perform some or all of the Board's administrative functions hereunder; and provided further , that the authority of any Committee appointed pursuant to this Section 2 will be subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe.
(b)              Subject to the requirements of the Company's By-Laws (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time) and Certificate of Incorporation (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time), any Stockholders Agreement and any other agreement that governs the appointment of Board committees, any Committee established under this Section 2 will be composed of not fewer than one member, who shall serve for such period of time as the Board determines. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members thereto, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies however caused, or remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan.
(c)              Directors who are eligible for Awards or have received Awards may vote on any matters affecting the administration of the Plan or the grant of Awards, except that no such member will act upon the grant of an Award to himself or herself, but any such member may be counted in determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board during which action is taken with respect to the grant of Awards to himself or herself.
(d)              The Board will have full authority to grant Awards under this Plan.  In particular, subject to the terms of the Plan, the Board will have the authority:
(i)              to select the persons to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder (consistent with the eligibility conditions set forth in Section 4 );
(ii)              to determine the type of Award to be granted to any person hereunder;
(iii)              to determine the number and type of Shares, if any, to be covered by each Award;
(iv)              to establish the terms and conditions of each Award Agreement;
(v)              to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option may be exercised without a payment of cash under Section 5(b)(iv );
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(vi)              to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Shares and other amounts payable with respect to an Award may be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant; and
(vii)              to require that, upon exercise of any Award granted under the Plan, the Participant shall become party to (X) any Stockholder Agreement the Board may require and (Y) any other agreement the Board may require.
(e)              The Board will have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it, from time to time, deems advisable; to establish the terms of each Award Agreement; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any Award Agreement); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.  The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award in the manner and to the extent it deems necessary to carry out the intent of the Plan.
(f)              All decisions made by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Plan will be final and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Affiliates and Participants.  No Director or member of the Committee, nor any delegate thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and each of the foregoing shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under any directors' and officers' liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time.
SECTION 3. Shares Subject to the Plan .
(a)              Shares Subject to the Plan .  The Shares to be subject to or related to Awards under the Plan will be authorized and unissued Shares of the Company, whether or not previously issued and subsequently acquired by the Company.  The maximum number of Shares that may be subject to Awards under the Plan is 176,500 all of which may be issued in respect of Incentive Stock Options.  The Company will reserve for the purposes of the Plan, out of its authorized and unissued Shares, such number of Shares.
(b)              Effect of the Expiration or Termination of Awards .  If and to the extent that an Option expires, terminates or is canceled or forfeited for any reason without having been exercised in full, the Shares associated with that Option will again become available for grant under the Plan.  Similarly, if and to the extent any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit is canceled, forfeited or repurchased for any reason, or if any Share is withheld pursuant to Section 12(d) in settlement of a tax withholding obligation associated with an Award, that Share will again become available for grant under the Plan.  Finally, if any Share is received in satisfaction of the exercise price payable upon exercise of an Option, that Share will become available for grant under the Plan.
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(c)              Other Adjustment .  Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares of Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option and/or Restricted Stock Unit, and the number of Shares of Restricted Stock outstanding, and the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Award, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option and/or Restricted Stock Unit, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration."  Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.  Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares of Common Stock subject to an Award hereunder.  With respect to any Award subject to Section 409A of the Code or could be subject to 409A, no such adjustment shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment would cause the Plan or Award to fail to comply with Section 409A.
(d)              Change in Control .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan, upon or in anticipation of any Change in Control of the Company or any of its Affiliates, the Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the need for the consent of any Participant, take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of that Change in Control: (i) cause any or all outstanding Options held by Participants affected by the Change in Control to become vested and immediately exercisable, in whole or in part; (ii) cause any or all outstanding unvested Options held by Participants affected by the Change in Control to be cancelled without consideration therefor; (iii) cause any or all Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units   held by Participants affected by the Change in Control to become non-forfeitable, in whole or in part; (iv) cancel any Option in exchange for a substitute option in a manner consistent with the requirements of Treas. Reg. §1.424-1(a) (notwithstanding the fact that the original Option may never have been intended to satisfy the requirements for treatment as an Incentive Stock Option); (v) cancel any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units held by a Participant affected by the Change in Control in exchange for restricted stock of or restricted stock units in respect of the capital stock of any successor corporation; (vi) redeem any Restricted Stock held by a Participant affected by the Change in Control for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the Fair Market Value of an unrestricted Share on the date of the Change in Control; (vii) cancel any Option held by a Participant affected by the Change in Control in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to (A) the number of Shares subject to that Option, multiplied by (B) the difference, if any, between the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the Change in Control and the exercise price of that Option; provided, that if the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the Change in Control does not exceed the exercise price of any such Option, the Board may cancel that Option without any payment of consideration therefor; or (viii) cancel any Restricted Stock Unit held by a Participant affected by the Change in Control in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the Change in Control.
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(e)              Additional Requirements .  Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan or in an Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control , each Participant shall, except to the extent otherwise determined by the Board, be subject to substantially the same escrow, indemnification and similar obligations, contingencies and encumbrances contained in the definitive agreement relating to the Change in Control as other stockholders of the Company may be subject (including, without limitation, the requirement to contribute a proportionate number of Shares issued as a result of the exercise or vesting of an Award, or any cash or property that may be received upon exercise or exchange of an Award, to an escrow fund, or otherwise have a proportionate amount of such Shares, cash or other property encumbered by the indemnification, escrow and similar provisions of such definitive agreement).  By accepting an Award, a Participant agrees to execute such documents and instruments as the Board may reasonably require for the Participant to be bound by such obligations.  In the event that a Participant fails or refuses to execute such documents and instruments, such Participant's Award (to the extent outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control) shall, unless otherwise determined by the Board, be canceled and be of no further force and effect upon the consummation of a Change in Control .
SECTION 4. Eligibility .   Employees, Directors, consultants, and other individuals who provide services to the Company or its Affiliates are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan; provided, however , that only employees of the Company or a Subsidiary are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options.
SECTION 5. Options .
(a)              Options granted under the Plan may be of two types: (i) Incentive Stock Options or (ii) Non-Qualified Stock Options.  Any Option granted under the Plan will be in such form as the Board may at the time of such grant approve.
(b)              The Award Agreement evidencing any Option will incorporate the following terms and conditions and will contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Board deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion:
(i)              Option Price .  The exercise price per Share purchasable under an Option will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Share on the date of the grant.  However, any Incentive Stock Option granted to any Participant who, at the time the Option is granted, owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of a Subsidiary will have an exercise price per Share of not less than 110% of Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant.
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(ii)              Option Term .  The term of each Option will be fixed by the Board, but no Option will be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date the Option is granted.  However, any Incentive Stock Option granted to any Participant who, at the time such Option is granted, owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of a Subsidiary may not have a term of more than five years.  No Option may be exercised by any person after expiration of the term of the Option.
(iii)              Exercisability .  Options will vest and be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Board at the time of grant. If the Board provides, in its discretion, that any Option is exercisable only in installments, the Board may waive such installment exercise provisions at any time at or after grant, in whole or in part, based on such factors as the Board determines, in its sole and absolute discretion.
(iv)              Method of Exercise .  Subject to the exercisability provisions of Section 5(b)(iii) , the termination provisions set forth in Section 6 and the applicable Award Agreement, Options may be exercised in whole or in part (provided that the Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares) at any time and from time to time during the term of the Option, by the delivery of written notice of exercise by the Participant to the Company specifying the number of Shares to be purchased.  Such notice will be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price, either by certified or bank check, or such other means as the Board may accept.  As determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, at or after grant, payment in full or in part of the exercise price of an Option may be made in the form of previously acquired Shares based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is exercised.  Subject to the approval of the Board, Options may be exercised pursuant to such cashless exercise procedures as may be approved and implemented by the Board from time to time, including without limitation pursuant to broker-assisted exercise transactions and/or net exercise procedures.    No Shares will be issued upon exercise of an Option until full payment therefor has been made.  A Participant will not have the right to distributions or dividends or any other rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to the Option until the Participant has given written notice of exercise, has paid in full for such Shares, and, if requested, has given the representation described in Section 12(a) hereof.
(v)              Incentive Stock Option Limitations .  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any other plan of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary will not exceed $100,000.  For purposes of applying the foregoing limitation, Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order granted.  To the extent any Option does not meet such limitation, that Option will be treated for all purposes as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(vi)              Termination of Service .  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement, Options will be subject to the terms of Section 6 with respect to exercise upon or following termination of employment or other service.
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(vii)              Transferability of Options .  Except as may otherwise be specifically determined by the Board with respect to a particular Option: (i) no Option will be transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; and (ii) all Options will be exercisable during the Participant's lifetime only by the Participant or, in the event of his or her Disability, by his or her personal representative.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-Qualified Stock Option may be assigned in whole or in part during the Participant's lifetime to one or more members of the Participant's Immediate Family (as defined in the Company's Bylaws) or to a trust established exclusively for the Participant and/or one or more such family members or to Participant's former spouse (including, without limitation, any domestic partner or partner by virtue of same-sex marriage and/or civil union), to the extent such assignment is in connection with the Participant's estate plan or pursuant to a domestic relations order.  The assigned portion may only be exercised by the person or persons who acquire a proprietary interest in the Non-Qualified Option pursuant to the assignment. The terms applicable to the assigned portion shall be the same as those in effect for the Option immediately prior to such assignment and shall be set forth in such documents issued to the assignee as the Board may deem appropriate.
SECTION 6. Termination of Service Unless otherwise specified with respect to a particular Award, Options granted hereunder will remain exercisable after termination of employment or other service only to the extent specified in this Section 6 .
(a)              Termination by Reason of Death .  If a Participant's service with the Company or any of its Affiliates terminates by reason of death, any Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent then exercisable or on such accelerated basis as the Board may determine, at or after grant, by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the Participant under the will of the Participant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Board at or after the time of grant (which, in the event that the Participant resides in the state of California, shall be no less than six (6) months from the date of termination), or (ii) if not specified by the Board, then twelve (12) months from the date of death, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, then upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option.
(b)              Termination by Reason of Disability .  If a Participant's service with the Company or any of its Affiliates terminates by reason of Disability, any Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant or his or her personal representative, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Board may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Board at or after the time of grant (which, in the event that the Participant resides in the state of California, shall be no less than six (6) months from the date of termination), or (ii) if not specified by the Board, then twelve (12) months from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, then upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option.
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(c)              Cause .  If a Participant's service with the Company or any Affiliate is terminated for Cause: (i) any Option not already exercised will be immediately and automatically forfeited as of the date of such termination, and (ii) any Shares for which the Company has not yet delivered share certificates will be immediately and automatically forfeited and the Company will refund to the Participant the Option exercise price paid for such Shares, if any.
(d)              Other Termination .  If a Participant's service with the Company or any Affiliate terminates for any reason other than death, Disability or Cause, any Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Board may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Board at or after the time of grant (which, in the event that the Participant resides in the state of California, shall be no less than thirty (30) days from the date of termination), or (ii) if not specified by the Board, then ninety (90) days from the date of termination of service or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, then upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option.
SECTION 7. Restricted Stock .
(a)              Issuance .  Restricted Stock may be issued either alone or in conjunction with other Awards.  The Board will determine the time or times within which Restricted Stock may be subject to forfeiture, and all other conditions of such Awards.
(b)              Awards and Certificates .  The Award Agreement evidencing the grant of any Restricted Stock will contain such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Board deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion.  The prospective recipient of an Award of Restricted Stock will not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such recipient has executed an Award Agreement and has delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award.  The purchase price for Restricted Stock may, but need not, be zero.  A share certificate will be issued in connection with each Award of Restricted Stock.  Such certificate will be registered in the name of the Participant receiving the Award, and will bear the following legend and/or any other legend required by this Plan, the Award Agreement, Stockholders Agreement, if any, or by applicable law:
THE TRANSFERABILITY OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PIPPIO, INC. 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AND AN AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE PARTICIPANT AND PIPPIO, INC. (WHICH TERMS AND CONDITIONS MAY INCLUDE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CERTAIN TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS, REPURCHASE RIGHTS AND FORFEITURE CONDITIONS). COPIES OF THAT PLAN AND AGREEMENT ARE ON FILE IN THE PRINCIPAL OFFICES OF PIPPIO, INC. AND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
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Share certificates evidencing Restricted Stock will be held in custody by the Company or in escrow by an escrow agent until the restrictions thereon have lapsed.  As a condition to any Restricted Stock award, the Participant may be required to deliver to the Company a share power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Shares covered by such Award.
(c)              Restrictions and Conditions .  The Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to this Section 7 will be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:
(i)              During a period commencing with the date of an Award of Restricted Stock and ending at such time or times as specified by the Board (the " Restriction Period "), the Participant will not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise encumber Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan.  The Board may condition the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock upon the continued employment or service of the recipient, the attainment of specified individual or corporate performance goals, or such other factors as the Board may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion.
(ii)              Except as provided in this Paragraph (ii) or Section 7(c)(i) , once the Participant has been issued a certificate or certificates for Restricted Stock, the Participant will have, with respect to the Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including the right to vote the Shares, and the right to receive any cash distributions or dividends.  The Board, in its sole discretion, as determined at the time of award, may permit or require the payment of cash distributions or dividends to be deferred and, if the Board so determines, reinvested in additional Restricted Stock to the extent Shares are available under Section 3 of the Plan.  Any distributions or dividends paid in the form of securities with respect to Restricted Stock will be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid, including, without limitation, the same Restriction Period.
(iii)              Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement, if a Participant's service with the Company and its Affiliates terminates prior to the expiration of the Restriction Period, all of that Participant's Restricted Stock which then remain subject to forfeiture will then be forfeited automatically.
(iv)              If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Stock subject to such Restriction Period (or if and when the restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock lapse pursuant to Sections 3(d) ), the certificates for such Shares will be replaced with new certificates, without the restrictive legends described in Section 7(b) applicable to such lapsed restrictions, and such new certificates will be promptly delivered to the Participant, the Participant's representative (if the Participant has suffered a Disability), or the Participant's estate or heir (if the Participant has died).
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SECTION 8. Restricted Stock Units .   Subject to the other terms of the Plan, the Board may grant Restricted Stock Units to eligible individuals and may impose conditions on such units as it may deem appropriate.  Each granted Restricted Stock Unit shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in the form that is approved by the Board and that is not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan.  Each granted Restricted Stock Unit shall entitle the Participant to whom it is granted a distribution from the Company in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value (at the time of the distribution) of one Share.  Distributions may be made in cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares.  All other terms governing Restricted Stock Units, such as vesting, time and form of payment and termination of units shall be set forth in the Award Agreement.
SECTION 9. Amendments and Termination .   The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan at any time.  However, except as otherwise provided in Section 3(d) of the Plan, no amendment, alteration or discontinuation will be made which would adversely affect the rights of a Participant with respect to an Award, without that Participant's consent, or which, without the approval of such amendment within one year (365 days) of its adoption by the Board, by the Company's stockholders in a manner consistent with Section 1.422-5 of the Treasury Regulations, would: (i) increase the total number of Shares reserved for the purposes of the Plan (except as otherwise provided in Section 3(c) ), or (ii) change the persons or class of persons eligible to receive Awards.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of the Plan or an Award to the contrary, the Board may at any time (without the consent of a Participant) modify, amend or terminate any or all of the provisions of this Plan or an Award to the extent necessary to conform the provisions of the Plan or an Award with Section 409A of the Code other applicable law, the regulations issued thereunder or an exception thereto, regardless of whether such modification, amendment, or termination of the Plan and/or Award shall adversely affect the rights of a Participant.
SECTION 10. Unfunded Status of Plan The Plan is intended to be "unfunded."  With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein will give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.  In its sole discretion, the Board may authorize the creation of grantor trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver Shares or payments in lieu of Shares or with respect to Awards.
SECTION 11. Substitute Options.   In the event that the Company, directly or indirectly, acquires another entity, the Board may authorize the issuance of stock options (" Substitute Options ") to the individuals performing services for the acquired entity in substitution of stock options previously granted to those individuals in connection with their performance of services for such entity upon such terms and conditions as the Board shall determine, taking into account the conditions of Code Section 424(a), as from time to time amended or superceded, in the case of a Substitute Option that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.  Shares of capital stock underlying Substitute Stock Options shall not constitute Shares issued pursuant to the Plan for any purpose.
SECTION 12. General Provisions .
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(a)              The Board shall condition any Award upon compliance with applicable securities laws.  The Board may require each Participant to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring securities of the Company for investment purposes and without a view to distribution thereof and as to such other matters as the Board believes are appropriate.  The certificate evidencing any Award and any securities issued pursuant thereto may include any legend which the Board deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer and compliance with applicable securities laws.  All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan will be subject to such share-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any other applicable federal or state securities laws, and the Board may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(b)              Nothing contained in the Plan will prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
(c)              Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the execution of any document in connection with the Plan will (i) confer upon any person any right to continued employment or engagement with the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (ii) interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of any of its employees at any time.
(d)              No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant for federal income tax purposes with respect to any Award under the Plan, the Participant will pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Board regarding the payment of any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount.  Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the minimum required withholding obligations may be settled with Shares, including Shares that are part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement.  The obligations of the Company under the Plan will be conditioned on such payment or arrangements and the Company will, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant.
SECTION 13. Effective Date of Plan .   Subject to the approval of the Plan by the Company' stockholders within twelve (12) months of the Plan's adoption by the Board, the Plan will become effective on the date that it is adopted by the Board.  In the absence of such stockholder approval, any Incentive Stock Option granted prior to the expiration of such 12-month period shall be treated for all purposes as a Non-Qualified Option.
SECTION 14. Term of Plan . The Plan will continue in effect until terminated in accordance with Section 9 ; provided, however, that no Award will be granted hereunder on or after the 10th anniversary of the earlier of: (a) the date of the Plan's adoption by the Board; or (b) the date of stockholder approval of the Plan (or, if the stockholders approve an amendment that increases the number of shares subject to the Plan, the 10 th anniversary of the date of such approval); but provided further, that Awards granted prior to such 10 th anniversary may extend beyond that date.
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SECTION 15. Invalid Provisions .   In the event that any provision of this Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any applicable law, such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed as rendering any other provisions contained herein as invalid or unenforceable, and all such other provisions will be given full force and effect to the same extent as though the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained herein.
SECTION 16. Governing Law . The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws and judicial decisions of the state of Delaware, without regard to the application of the principles of conflicts of laws of the state of Delaware or any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 17. Board Action .   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan, any and all actions of the Board or Committee, as the case may be, taken under or in connection with the Plan and any agreements, instruments, documents, certificates or other writings entered into, executed, granted, issued and/or delivered pursuant to the terms hereof, will be subject to and limited by any and all votes, consents, approvals, waivers or other actions of all or certain stockholders of the Company or other persons required by:
(a)              the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time);
(b)              the Bylaws of the Company (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time); and
(c)              any other agreement, instrument, document or writing now or hereafter existing, between or among the Company and its stockholders or other persons (as the same may be amended from time to time).
SECTION 18. Notices .   Any notice to be given to the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan will be given by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, and, addressed, if to the Company to its Secretary (or such other person as the Company may designate in writing from time to time) at its principal executive office, and, if to a Participant, to the address given beneath his or her signature on his or her Award Agreement, or at such other address as such Participant may hereafter designate in writing to the Company.  Any such notice will be deemed duly given on the date and at the time delivered via personal, courier or recognized overnight delivery service or, if sent via telecopier, on the date and at the time telecopied with confirmation of delivery or, if mailed, on the date five (5) days after the date of the mailing (which will be by regular, registered or certified mail).  Delivery of a notice by telecopy (with confirmation) will be permitted and will be considered delivery of a notice notwithstanding that it is not an original that is received.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may give notice to any Participant by electronic transmission, which shall be deemed effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by such Person.
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SECTION 19. Section 409A .   Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or an Award to the contrary, if any Award or benefit provided under this Plan is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code (" Section 409A "), the provisions of the Plan and any applicable Award shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner necessary to comply with Section 409A or an exception thereto (or disregarded to the extent such provision cannot be so administered, interpreted or construed).  The following provisions shall apply, as applicable:
(a)              For purposes of Section 409A, and to the extent applicable to any Award or benefit under the Plan, it is intended that distribution events qualify as permissible distribution events for purposes of Section 409A and shall be interpreted and construed accordingly. With respect to payments subject to Section 409A, the Company reserves the right to accelerate and/or defer any payment to the extent permitted and consistent with Section 409A. Whether a Participant has separated from service or employment will be determined based on all of the facts and circumstances and, to the extent applicable to any Award or benefit, in accordance with the guidance issued under Section 409A.
(b)              The grant of Non-Qualified Stock Options and other stock rights shall be granted under terms and conditions consistent with Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(5) such that any such Award does not constitute a deferral of compensation under Section 409A.
(c)              In no event shall any member of the Board, the Committee or the Company (or its employees, officers or directors) have any liability to any Participant (or any other Person) due to the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A.




. . .

ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF PLAN
Date Plan adopted by Board: October  20, 2014
Date Plan approved by Stockholders:  November 20, 2014
Effective Date of Plan: October 20, 2014

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Exhibit 10.2


ARBOR EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
OF
ACXIOM CORPORATION
1.
Establishment and Purpose.  In connection with the Merger, the shares of common stock of Arbor are being assumed and converted into Shares that will be available for grant and issuance under the Plan, consistent with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c).  This Arbor Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation (the "Plan") was established on December 5, 2016 in connection with the Merger.  The purpose of the Plan is to further the growth and development of the Company and any of its present or future Subsidiaries and Affiliated Companies (as defined below) by allowing certain Associates (as defined below) to acquire or increase equity ownership in the Company, thereby offering such Associates a proprietary interest in the Company's business and a more direct stake in its continuing welfare, and aligning their interests with those of the Company's stockholders.  The Plan is also intended to assist the Company in attracting and retaining talented Associates, who are vital to the continued development and success of the Company.
2.
Definitions.  The following capitalized terms, when used in the Plan, have the following meanings:
(a)              "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect from time to time.
(b)              "Affiliated Company" means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture or other entity in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest.
(c)            "Arbor" means Arbor Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(d)              "Associate" means any employee, officer (whether or not also a director), director, affiliate, independent contractor or consultant of the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Company who renders those types of services which tend to contribute to the success of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliated Companies, or which may reasonably be anticipated to contribute to the future success of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliated Companies.
(e)              "Award" means the grant, pursuant to the Plan, of any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Awards, Performance Share, Performance Unit, or Other Stock Unit Award.  The terms and conditions applicable to an Award shall be set forth in applicable Grant Documents.
(f)              "Award Agreement" means any written or electronic agreement, contract, or other document or instrument evidencing any Award granted by the Committee or the Board hereunder, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by both the Company and the Participant.
(g)              "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(h)              "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.

(i)              "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Company or any security into which such common stock may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type described in Section 14 of the Plan.
(j)              "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board (as well as any successor to the Compensation Committee and any Company officers to whom authority has been lawfully delegated by the Compensation Committee).  All of the members of the Committee, which may not be less than two, are intended at all times to qualify as "Independent Directors" within the meaning of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and "Non-Employee Directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3, and each of whom is "independent" as set forth in the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or Nasdaq or any stock exchange upon which the Shares may be listed in the future; provided, however, that the failure of a member of such Committee to so qualify shall not be deemed to invalidate any Award granted by such Committee.
(k)              "Date of Grant" means the date specified by the Committee or the Board, as applicable, on which a grant of an Award will become effective.
(l)              "Exercise Period" means the period during which an Option shall vest and become exercisable by a Participant (or his or her representatives or transferees) as specified in Section 6(c) below.
(m)              "Exercise Price" means the purchase price per share payable upon exercise of an Option.
(n)              "Fair Market Value" means, as of any applicable determination date or for any applicable determination period, the closing price of the Company's Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq (or any other stock exchange upon which the Common Stock may be listed for trading).
(o)              "Grant Documents" means any written or electronic Award Agreement, memorandum, notice, and/or other document or instrument evidencing the terms and conditions of the grant of an Award by the Committee or the Board under the Plan, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by both the Company and the Participant.
(p)              "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to be and designated as an "Incentive Stock Option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(q)              "Legal Requirements" means any laws, or any rules or regulations issued or promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Nasdaq (or any other stock exchange upon which the Common Stock may be listed for trading), or any other governmental or quasi-governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Company, the Common Stock, or the Plan.
(r)              "Merger" means the consummation on November 21, 2016 of the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement by and between the Company, Arbor, and certain other parties executed on November 17, 2016, pursuant to which Arbor became a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company.
(s)              "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(t)              "Option" means an option granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan to acquire a certain number of Shares at such price(s) and during such period(s) and under such other terms and conditions as the Committee or Board shall determine from time to time, provided that all Options granted under the Plan will be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
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(u)              "Other Stock Unit Award" means any right granted to a Participant by the Committee or Board pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
(v)              "Participant" means an Associate who is selected by the Committee or the Board to receive an Award under the Plan.
(w)              "Performance Award" means any Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units pursuant to Section 9 hereof.
(x)              "Performance Goals" means the pre-established objective performance goals established by the Committee for each Performance Period.  The Performance Goals may be based upon the performance of the Company (or a division, organization or other business unit thereof), a Subsidiary, an Affiliated Company, or of an individual Participant, using one or more of the Performance Measures selected by the Committee in its discretion.  Performance Goals may be set at a specific level, or may be expressed as a relative percentage to the comparable measure at comparison companies or a defined index.  Performance Goals shall, to the extent applicable, be based upon generally accepted accounting principles, but shall be adjusted by the Committee to take into account the effect of the following: changes in accounting standards that may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board after the Performance Goal is established; realized investment gains and losses; extraordinary, unusual, non-recurring, or infrequent items; "non-gaap financial measures" that have been included in Acxiom's quarterly earnings releases and disclosed to investors in accordance with SEC regulations; and other items as the Committee determines to be required so that the operating results of the Company (or a division, organization or other business unit thereof), a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Company shall be computed on a comparative basis from Performance Period to Performance Period.  Determinations made by the Committee shall be based on relevant objective information and/or financial data, and shall be final and conclusive with respect to all affected parties.
(y)              "Performance Measures" means one or more of the following criteria, on which Performance Goals may be based: (a) earnings (either in the aggregate or on a per-Share basis, reflecting dilution of Shares as the Committee deems appropriate and, if the Committee so determines, net of or including dividends) before or after interest and taxes ("EBIT") or before or after interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA"); (b) gross or net revenue or changes in annual revenues; (c) cash flow(s) (including operating, free or net cash flows); (d) financial return ratios; (e) total stockholder return, stockholder return based on growth measures or the attainment by the Shares of a specified value for a specified period of time, (f) Share price, or Share price appreciation; (g) earnings growth or growth in earnings per Share; (h) return measures, including return or net return on assets, net assets, equity, capital, investment, or gross sales; (i) adjusted pre-tax margin; (j) pre-tax profits; (k) operating margins; (1) operating profits; (m) operating expenses; (n) dividends; (o) net income or net operating income; (p) growth in operating earnings or growth in earnings per Share; (q) value of assets; (r) market share or market penetration with respect to specific designated products or product groups and/or specific geographic areas; (s) aggregate product price and other product measures; (t) expense or cost levels, in each case, where applicable, determined either on a company-wide basis or in respect of any one or more specified divisions; (u) reduction of losses, loss ratios or expense ratios; (v) reduction in fixed costs; (w) operating cost management; (x) cost of capital; (y) debt reduction; (z) productivity improvements; (aa) satisfaction of specified business expansion goals or goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures; (bb) customer satisfaction based on specified objective goals or a Company-sponsored customer survey; or (cc) Associate diversity goals.
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Performance Measures may be applied on a pre-tax or post-tax basis, and may be based upon the performance of the Company (or a division, organization or other business unit thereof), a Subsidiary, an Affiliated Company, or of an individual Participant.  The Committee may, at any time, provide that the Performance Goals for an Award may include or exclude items to measure specific objectives, such as losses from discontinued operations, extraordinary gains or losses, the cumulative effect of accounting changes, acquisitions or divestitures, foreign exchange impacts, and any unusual nonrecurring gain or loss.
(z)                 "Performance Period" means that period established by the Committee or the Board at the time any Award is granted or at any time thereafter during which any performance goals specified by the Committee or the Board with respect to such Award are to be measured.
(aa)              "Performance Share" means any grant pursuant to Section 9 hereof of a right to receive the value of a Share, or a portion or multiple thereof, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee or Board shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such performance goals during the Performance Period as the Committee or the Board shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.
(bb)              "Performance Unit" means any grant pursuant to Section 9 hereof of a right to receive the value of property other than a Share, or a portion or multiple thereof, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee or Board shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such Performance Goals during the Performance Period as the Committee or the Board shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.
(cc)              "Restricted Stock" means any Share issued with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge, or assign such Share and with such other restrictions as the Committee or the Board, in their sole discretion, may impose (including, without limitation, any forfeiture condition or any restriction on the right to vote such Share, and the right to receive any cash dividends), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee or the Board may deem appropriate.
(dd)              "Restricted Stock Award" means an award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units under Section 8 hereof.
(ee)              "Restricted Stock Unit" means a right awarded to a Participant that, subject to Section 8(c), may result in the Participant's ownership of Shares upon, but not before, the lapse of restrictions related thereto.
(ff)              "Restriction Period" means the period of time specified by the Committee or Board pursuant to Sections 8 and 10 below.
(gg)              "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16 of the Act, as such Rule may be in effect from time to time.
(hh)              "Shares" means the shares of Common Stock of the Company, $0.10 par value.
(ii)              "Stock Appreciation Right" means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 7 of the Plan, to surrender to the Company all (or a portion) of such right and, if applicable, a related Option, and receive cash or shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.
(jj)              "Strike Price" shall have the meaning set forth for such term in Section 7(b) of the Plan.
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(kk)              "Subsidiary" means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture or other entity in which the Company owns or controls, directly or indirectly, not less than 50% of the total combined voting power or equity interests represented by all classes of stock, membership or other interests issued by such corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture or other entity.
(ll)              "Substitute Awards" shall mean Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, by a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.
3.
Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee and the Board.  Except as otherwise provided herein, each of the Committee or the Board has the full authority and discretion to administer the Plan, and to take any action that is necessary or advisable in connection with the administration of the Plan including, without limitation, the authority and discretion to:
(a)              select the Associates eligible to become Participants under the Plan;
(b)              determine whether and to what extent Awards are to be granted;
(c)              determine the number of Shares to be covered by each grant;
(d)              determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any grant hereunder (including, but not limited to, the term of the Award, the Exercise Price or Strike Price and any restriction, limitation, procedure, or deferral related thereto, provisions relating to the effect upon the Award of a Participant's cessation of employment, acceleration of vesting, forfeiture provisions regarding an Award and/or the profits received by any Participant from receiving an Award of exercising an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, and any other terms and conditions regarding any Award, based in each case upon such guidelines and factors as the Committee or Board shall determine from time to time in their sole discretion);
(e)              determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances grants under the Plan are to be made and operate, whether on a tandem basis or otherwise, with other grants or awards (whether equity or cash based) made by the Company under or outside of the Plan; and
(f)              delegate to one or more officers of the Company the right to grant Awards under the Plan, provided that such delegation is made in accordance with the provisions of applicable state and federal laws.
Each of the Committee and the Board shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award granted under thereunder (and any Grant Documents relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.
Each of the Committee and the Board shall also have the authority to provide, in their discretion, for the rescission, forfeiture, cancellation or other restriction of any Award granted under the Plan, or for the forfeiture, rescission or repayment to the Company by a Participant or former Participant of any profits or gains related to any Award granted hereunder, or other limitations, upon the occurrence of such prescribed events and under such circumstances as the Committee or the Board shall deem necessary and reasonable for the benefit of the Company; provided, however, that this provision shall have no application after a change in control transaction (as defined below in Section 11) has occurred.
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All decisions made by the Committee and the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be made in the Committee's or Board's sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons including the Company and any Participant.  No member of the Committee or Board will be liable for any such action or determination made in good faith.
4.
Shares Subject to the Plan.
(a)           The total number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed (i) 232,664 Shares, the number of Shares that were reserved but not issued or subject to outstanding equity awards under Arbor's 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Arbor Plan"), as of the effective date of the Plan and as adjusted to reflect the Merger, plus (ii) any Shares that otherwise would have returned to the Arbor Plan as a result of the termination of stock options granted under the Arbor Plan that were assumed by the Company in connection with the Merger. Such Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares, as determined in the discretion of the Committee or the Board.
(b)              If any Award made under the Plan is forfeited, any Option (and the related Stock Appreciation Right, if any), or any Stock Appreciation Right not related to an Option terminates, expires or lapses without being exercised, or any Stock Appreciation Right is exercised for cash, the Shares subject to such Awards that are, as a result, not delivered to the Participant shall again be available for delivery in connection with Awards.  If a Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, only the number of Shares issued will be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for delivery under the Plan.  If the Exercise Price of any Option is satisfied by delivering Shares to the Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation), only the number of Shares issued net of the Shares delivered or attested to shall be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for delivery pursuant to Awards under the Plan.  To the extent any Shares subject to an Award are not delivered to a Participant because such Shares are used to satisfy an applicable tax withholding obligation, such Shares shall again be available for delivery in connection with Awards.
(c)              Shares available for issuance or reissuance under the Plan will be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14 below.
5.
Eligible Participants.  Subject to compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c), all Associates who were not employed by the Company or its Affiliated Companies as of November 21, 2016 shall be eligible to receive Awards and thereby become Participants in the Plan, regardless of such Associate's prior participation in the Plan or any other benefit plan of the Company.
6.
Options.
(a)              Grant of Options.  The Committee, the Board or their lawful designees may from time to time authorize grants of Options to any Participant upon such terms and conditions as the Committee or Board may determine in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Plan.  Each grant will specify, among other things, the number of Shares to which it pertains; the Exercise Price, the form of payment to be made by the Participant for the shares purchased upon exercise of any Option; the required period or periods (if any) of continuous service by the Participant with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Company and/or any other conditions to be satisfied before the Options or installments thereof will vest and become exercisable.  Options granted under the Plan will be Non-Qualified Options.
 Each Option granted under this Plan will be evidenced by Grant Documents delivered to the Participant containing such further terms and provisions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Committee or Board may approve in their discretion.
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(b)              Exercise Price. The Exercise Price for each share of Common Stock purchasable under any Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant as the Committee or Board shall specify.  All such Exercise Prices shall be subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 14 hereof.
(c)              Exercise Period.  Subject to Section 11 hereof, the period during which an Option shall vest and become exercisable by a Participant (or his or her representative(s) or transferee(s)) whether during or after employment or following death, retirement or disability (the "Exercise Period") shall be such period of time as may be designated by the Committee or the Board as set forth in the Committee's or Board's applicable rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and/or in the Grant Documents executed in connection with such Option.  If the Committee or Board provides, in their sole discretion, that any Option is exercisable only in installments, the Committee or Board may waive or accelerate such installment exercise provisions at any time at or after grant in whole or in part, based upon such factors as the Committee or Board shall determine, in their sole discretion.
(d)              Exercise of Option.  Subject to Section 11 hereof, an Option may be exercised by a Participant at any time and from time to time during the Exercise Period by giving written notice of such exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased by the Participant.  Such notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price in accordance with subsection (e) below.
(e)              Payment for Shares.  Full payment of the Exercise Price for the Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option, together with the amount of any tax or excise due in respect of the sale and issue thereof, may be made in one of the following forms of payment:
(i)                Cash, by check or electronic funds transfer;
(ii)                 Pursuant to procedures approved by the Company, through the sale (or margin) of Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option through a broker-dealer to whom the Participant has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise and irrevocable instructions to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale (or if applicable margin loan) proceeds sufficient to pay for the Exercise Price, together with, if requested by the Company, the amount of federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes payable by reason of such exercise;
(iii)                    By delivering previously-owned shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant for a period of at least six months having a Fair Market Value on the date upon which the Participant exercises his or her Option equal to the Exercise Price, or by delivering a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate Exercise Price;
(iv)                    By authorizing the Company to withhold a number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon exercise of an Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date upon which the Participant exercises his or her Option equal to the aggregate Exercise Price; or
(v)                   By any combination of the foregoing.
Provided, however, that the payment methods described in clause (iv) immediately above shall not be available to a Participant without the prior consent of either the Committee or its authorized designee(s), or if at any time the Company is prohibited from purchasing or acquiring Shares under applicable law.  The Committee or the Board may permit a Participant to exercise an Option and defer the issuance of any Shares, subject to such rules and procedures as the Committee or Board may establish.
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The Company will issue no certificates for Shares until full payment of the Exercise Price has been made, and a Participant shall have none of the rights of a stockholder until certificates for the Shares purchased are issued; provided however, that for purposes of this Section 6, full payment shall be deemed to have been received by the Company upon evidence of delivery to a broker-dealer of the irrevocable instructions contemplated by clause (ii) immediately above.
(f)              Withholding Taxes.  The Company may require a Participant exercising a Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted hereunder to reimburse the Company (or the entity which employs the Participant) for taxes required by any government to be withheld or otherwise deducted and paid by such corporation in respect of the issuance of the Shares.  Such withholding requirements may be satisfied by any one of the following methods:
(i)                     A Participant may deliver cash in an amount which would satisfy the withholding requirement;
(ii)                     A Participant may deliver previously-owned Shares (based upon the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise) in an amount which would satisfy the withholding requirement; or
(iii)                    With the prior consent of either the Committee or the Board, or its authorized designees, a Participant may request that the Company (or the entity which employs the Participant) withhold from the number of Shares otherwise issuable to the Participant upon exercise of an Option such number of Shares (based upon the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise) as is necessary to satisfy the withholding requirement.
(g)              Conditions to Exercise of Options.  The Committee or the Board may, in their discretion, require as conditions to the exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and the issuance of shares thereunder either (a) that a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and the shares to be issued upon the exercise thereof, containing such current information as is required by the Rules and Regulations under said Act, shall have become, and continue to be, effective; or (b) that the Participant or his or her transferee(s) (i) shall have represented, warranted and agreed, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, both that he or she is acquiring the Option or Stock Appreciation Right and, at the time of exercising the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, that he or she is acquiring the shares for his/her own account, for investment and not with a view to or in connection with any distribution; (ii) shall have agreed to restrictions on transfer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company; and (iii) shall have agreed to an endorsement which makes appropriate reference to such representations, warranties, agreements and restrictions both on the option and on the certificate representing the shares.
(h)              Use of Proceeds.  Proceeds realized from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Options granted hereunder shall constitute general funds of the Company.
7.
Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a)              When granted, Stock Appreciation Rights may, but need not be, identified with a specific Option (including any Option granted on or before the Date of Grant of the Stock Appreciation Rights) in a number equal to or different from the number of Stock Appreciation Rights so granted.  If Stock Appreciation Rights are identified with Shares subject to an Option, then, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Grant Documents, the Participant's associated Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate upon the expiration, termination, forfeiture or cancellation of such Stock Option or the exercise of such Option.
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(b)              The Strike Price of any Stock Appreciation Right shall (i) for any Stock Appreciation Right that is identified with an Option, equal the Exercise Price of such Option, or (ii) for any other Stock Appreciation Right, be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant as the Committee or Board shall specify. The duration of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be for such period as determined by the Committee or Board in its sole discretion, not to exceed ten years.
(c)              Subject to Section 11 hereof, (i) each Stock Appreciation Right which is identified with any Option grant shall vest and become exercisable by a Participant as and to the extent that the related Option with respect to which such Stock Appreciation Right is identified may be exercised; and (ii) each other Stock Appreciation Right shall vest and become exercisable by a Participant, whether during or after employment or following death, retirement or disability, at such time or times as may be designated by the Committee or Board as set forth in the applicable rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and/or the Grant Documents executed in connection with such Stock Appreciation Right.
(d)              Subject to Section 11 hereof, Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by a Participant by delivery to the Company of written notice of intent to exercise a specific number of Stock Appreciation Rights.  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Grant Documents, the exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights which are identified with Shares of Common Stock subject to an Option shall result in the cancellation or forfeiture of such Option to the extent of the exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right.
(e)              The benefit to the Participant for each Stock Appreciation Right exercised shall be equal to (i) the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock on the date of exercise, minus (ii) the Strike Price of such Stock Appreciation Right.  Such benefit shall be payable in cash, except that the Committee or Board may provide in the applicable rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and/or the Grant Documents that benefits may be paid wholly or partly in Shares of Common Stock.
8.
Restricted Stock Awards.
(a)              Issuance.  A Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to restrictions imposed by the Committee or the Board during a period of time specified by the Committee or Board (the "Restriction Period").  Restricted Stock Awards may be issued hereunder to Participants for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  The provisions of Restricted Stock Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(b)              Restricted Stock.
(i)             The Company may grant Restricted Stock to those Associates the Committee or the Board may select in their sole discretion.  Each Award of Restricted Stock shall have those terms and conditions that are expressly set forth in or are required by the Plan and the Grant Documents as the Committee or the Board may determine in their discretion.
(ii)           While any restriction applies to any Participant's Restricted Stock, (a) unless the Committee or the Board provides otherwise, the Participant shall receive the dividends paid on the Restricted Stock and shall not be required to return those dividends to the Company in the event of the forfeiture of the Restricted Stock; (b) the Participant shall receive the proceeds of the Restricted Stock in any stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, or other change in the capital structure of the Company, which proceeds shall automatically and without need for any other action become Restricted Stock and be subject to all restrictions then existing as to the Participant's Restricted Stock; and (c) the Participant shall be entitled to vote the Restricted Stock during the Restriction Period.
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(iii)                    The Restricted Stock will be delivered to the Participant subject to the understanding that while any restriction applies to the Restricted Stock, the Participant shall not have the right to sell, transfer, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, grant any security interest in or mortgage on, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any shares of Restricted Stock or any interest therein.  As a result of the retention of rights in the Restricted Stock by the Company, except as required by any applicable law, neither any shares of the Restricted Stock nor any interest therein shall be subject in any manner to any forced or involuntary sale, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition or to any charge, liability, debt, or obligation of the Participant, whether as the direct or indirect result of any action of the Participant or any action taken in any proceeding, including any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other creditors' rights law.  Any action attempting to effect any transaction of that type shall be void.
(iv)                    Unless other provisions are specified in the Grant Documents or Plan guidelines which may be adopted by the Committee or the Board from time to time, any Restricted Stock held by the Participant at the time the Participant ceases to be an Associate for any reason shall be forfeited by the Participant to the Company and automatically re-conveyed to the Company.
(v)                The Committee or the Board may withhold, in accordance with Section 15(f) hereof, any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to Restricted Stock.
(vi)                    The making of an Award of Restricted Stock and delivery of any Restricted Stock is subject to compliance by the Company with all applicable laws.  The Company need not issue or transfer Restricted Stock pursuant to the Plan unless the Company's legal counsel has approved all legal matters in connection with the delivery of the Restricted Stock.
(vii)                    The Restricted Stock will be book-entry Shares only unless the Committee or the Board decides to issue certificates to evidence any shares of Restricted Stock.  The Company may place stop-transfer instructions with respect to all Restricted Stock on its stock transfer records.
(viii)                    At the time of grant of Restricted Stock (or at such earlier or later time as the Committee or the Board determines to be appropriate in light of the provisions of Code Section 409A), the Committee or the Board may permit a Participant of an Award of Restricted Stock to defer receipt of his or her Restricted Stock in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee or the Board.  Alternatively, the Committee or the Board may, in their discretion and at the times provided above, permit an individual who would have been a Participant with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock, to elect instead to receive an equivalent Award of Restricted Stock Units, and the Committee or the Board may permit the Participant to elect to defer receipt of Shares under the Restricted Stock Units in accordance with Section 8(c)(viii).
(ix)                    The minimum Restriction Period applicable to any Award of Restricted Stock that is not subject to performance conditions restricting the grant size, the transfer of the shares, or the vesting of the award shall be two (2) years from the date of grant; provided, however, that a Restriction Period of less than two (2) years may be approved under the Plan for such Awards with respect to up to a total of 100,000 Shares.
(c)              Restricted Stock Units.
(i)                The Company may grant Restricted Stock Units to those Associates as the Committee or the Board may select in its sole discretion.  Restricted Stock Units represent the right to receive Shares in the future, at such times, and subject to such conditions as the Committee or the Board shall determine.  The restrictions imposed shall take into account potential tax treatment under Code Section 409A.
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(ii)                Until the Restricted Stock Unit is released from restrictions and any Shares subject thereto are delivered to the Participant, the Participant shall not have any beneficial ownership in any Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Unit, nor shall the Participant have the right to sell, transfer, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, grant any security interest in or mortgage on, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any Restricted Stock Unit or any interest therein.  Except as required by any law, no Restricted Stock Unit nor any interest therein shall be subject in any manner to any forced or involuntary sale, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition or to any charge, liability, debt, or obligation of the Participant, whether as the direct or indirect result of any action of the Participant or any action taken in any proceeding, including any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other creditors' rights law.  Any action attempting to effect any transaction of that type shall be void.
(iii)                    Upon the lapse of the restrictions, the Participant holder of Restricted Stock Units shall, except as noted below, be entitled to receive, as soon as administratively practical, (a) that number of Shares subject to the Award that are no longer subject to restrictions, (b) cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the number of Shares subject to the Award that are no longer subject to restrictions, or (c) any combination of Shares and cash, as the Committee or the Board shall determine in their sole discretion, or shall have specified at the time the Award was granted.
(iv)                    Restricted Stock Units and the entitlement to Shares, cash, or any combination thereunder will be forfeited and all rights of a Participant to such Restricted Stock Units and the Shares thereunder will terminate if the applicable restrictions are not satisfied.
(v)                A Participant holder of Restricted Stock Units is not entitled to any rights of a holder of the Shares (e.g., voting rights and dividend rights), prior to the receipt of such Shares pursuant to the Plan.  The Committee or the Board may, however, provide in the Grant Documents that the Participant shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments on Restricted Stock Units, on such terms and conditions as the Grant Documents may specify.
(vi)                    The Committee or the Board may withhold, in accordance with Section 15(f) hereof, any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to any Restricted Stock Units.
(vii)                    The granting of Restricted Stock Units and the delivery of any Shares is subject to compliance by the Company with all applicable laws.
(viii)                    At the time of grant of Restricted Stock Units (or at such earlier or later time as the Committee or the Board determines to be appropriate in light of the provisions of Code Section 409A), the Committee or the Board may permit a Participant to elect to defer receipt of the Shares or cash to be delivered upon lapse of the restrictions applicable to the Restricted Stock Units in accordance with rules and procedures that may be established from time to time by the Committee or the Board.  Such rules and procedures shall take into account potential tax treatment under Code Section 409A, and may provide for payment in Shares or cash.
9.
Performance Awards.
(a)              Grant.  The Company or the Board may grant Performance Awards to Associates on any terms and conditions the Committee or the Board deem desirable.  Each Award of Performance Awards shall have those terms and conditions that are expressly set forth in, or are required by, the Plan and the Grant Documents.
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(b)              Performance Goals.  The Committee or the Board may set Performance Goals which, depending on the extent to which they are met during a Performance Period, will determine the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units that will be delivered to a Participant at the end of the Performance Period.  The Performance Goals may be set at threshold, target, and maximum performance levels, and the number of Performance Shares or Units to be delivered may be tied to the degree of attainment of the various performance levels specified under the various Performance Goals during the Performance Period.  No payment shall be made with respect to a Performance Share if any specified threshold performance level is not attained.
(c)              Beneficial Ownership.  A Participant receiving a Performance Award shall not have any beneficial ownership in any Shares subject to such Award until Shares are delivered in satisfaction of the Award, nor shall the Participant have the right to sell, transfer, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, grant any security interest in or mortgage on, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any Performance Award or any interest therein.  Except as required by any law, neither the Performance Award nor any interest therein shall be subject in any manner to any forced or involuntary sale, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition or to any charge, liability, debt, or obligation of the Participant, whether as the direct or indirect result of any action of the Participant or any action taken in any proceeding, including any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other creditors' rights law.  Any action attempting to effect any transaction of that type shall be void.
(d)              Determination of Achievement of Performance Awards.  The Committee or the Board shall, promptly after the date on which the necessary financial, individual or other information for a particular Performance Period becomes available, determine and certify the degree to which each of the Performance Goals have been attained.
(e)              Payment of Performance Awards.  After the applicable Performance Period has ended, a recipient of a Performance Award shall be entitled to payment based on the performance level attained with respect to the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Award.  Performance Awards shall be settled as soon as practicable after the Committee or Board determines and certifies the degree of attainment of Performance Goals for the Performance Period.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Grant Documents, payment to a Participant with respect to a Performance Award may be made (a) in Shares, (b) in cash, or (c) any combination of Shares and cash, as the Committee or the Board may determine at any time in their sole discretion.
(f)              Limitation on Rights /Withholding.  A recipient of a Performance Award is not entitled to any rights of a holder of the Shares (e.g. voting rights and dividend rights), prior to the receipt of such Shares pursuant to the Plan.  The Committee or the Board may, however, provide in the Grant Documents that the Participant shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments in an amount commensurate with earned Performance Awards, on such terms and conditions as the Grant Documents may specify.  The Committee or the Board may withhold, in accordance with Section 15(f) hereof, any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to Performance Awards.
10.
Other Stock Unit Awards.  Other Awards of Shares and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property ("Other Stock Unit Awards") may be granted hereunder to Participants, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  Other Stock Unit Awards may be paid in Shares, cash or any other form of property as the Committee or the Board may determine.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee or the Board shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Associates to whom such Awards shall be made, the times at which such Awards shall be made, the number of Shares to be granted pursuant to such Awards, and all other terms and conditions of such Awards.  The provisions of Other Stock Unit Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.  For any Award or Shares subject to any Award made under this Section, the vesting of which is conditioned only on the passage of time, such Restriction Period shall be a minimum of two (2) years for full vesting.  Shares (including securities convertible into Shares) subject to Awards granted under this Section may be issued for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law.
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11.
Change in Control.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee or Board may determine, in their discretion, that upon the occurrence of a transaction involving a merger or consolidation of the Company, a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, the acquisition of a significant percentage of the voting power of the Company, or such other form of transaction as the Committee or Board may determine from time to time to constitute a change in control of the Company, which shall not include preliminary transaction activities such as receipt of a letter of interest, receipt of a letter of intent or an agreement in principle, that (i) Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may become immediately exercisable; (ii) restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award may become free of all restrictions and limitations and become fully vested and transferable; (iii) all Performance Awards may be considered to be prorated, and any deferral or other restriction may lapse and such Performance Awards may be immediately settled or distributed; (iv) the restrictions and deferral limitations and other conditions applicable to any Other Stock Unit Awards or any other Awards granted under the Plan may lapse and such Other Stock Unit Awards or such other Awards may become free of all restrictions, limitations or conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the Award not previously forfeited or vested.
The Committee or the Board, in their discretion, may also determine that, upon the occurrence of such a change in control transaction, each Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right outstanding hereunder shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the holder, and such holder shall receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock subject to such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Shares immediately prior to the occurrence of such transaction (which shall be no less than the value being paid for such Shares pursuant to such transaction) over the Exercise Price or Strike Price, as applicable, of such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right; such amount shall be payable in cash, in one or more of the kinds of property payable in such transaction, or in a combination thereof, as the Committee or Board in their discretion shall determine.
12.
Transferability of Awards.
(a)              Awards (subject to the limitations in paragraph (b) below) granted under the Plan may be transferred by a Participant to: (i) the Participant's family members (whether related by blood, marriage, or adoption and including a former spouse); (ii) trust(s) in which the Participant's family members have a greater than 50% beneficial interest; (iii) trusts, including but not limited to charitable remainder trusts, or similar vehicles established for estate planning and/or charitable giving purposes; and (iv) family partnerships and/or family limited liability companies which are controlled by the Participant or the Participant's family members, such transfers being permitted to occur by gift or pursuant to a domestic relation order, or, only in the case of transfers to the entities described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) immediately above, for value.  The Committee or Board, or their authorized designees may, in their sole discretion, permit transfers of Awards to other persons or entities upon the request of a Participant.  Subsequent transfers of previously transferred Awards may only be made to one of the permitted transferees named above, unless the subsequent transfer has been approved by the Committee or the Board, or their authorized designee(s).  Otherwise, such transferred Awards may be transferred only by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
(b)              Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at the time any Option is transferred as permitted under this Section 12, a corresponding Stock Appreciation Right has been identified as being granted in tandem with such Option, then the transfer of such Option shall also constitute a transfer of the corresponding Stock Appreciation Right, and such Stock Appreciation Right shall not be transferable other than as part of the transfer of the Option to which it relates.
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(c)              Concurrently with any transfer, the transferor shall give written notice to the Plan's then current Plan administrator of the name and address of the transferee, the number of shares being transferred, the Date of Grant of the Awards being transferred, and such other information as may reasonably be required by the administrator.  Following a transfer, any such Awards shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer.  The provisions of the Plan and applicable Grant Documents shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Participant, and such Awards shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent that they could have been exercised by the Participant under the terms of the original Grant Documents.  The Company disclaims any obligation to provide notice to a transferee of any termination or expiration of a transferred Award.
13.
Alteration, Termination, Discontinuance, Suspension, and Amendment.
(a)              The Committee or the Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without (i) stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to qualify for or comply with any tax or regulatory requirement for which or with which the Committee or Board deems it necessary or desirable to qualify or comply; or (ii) the consent of the affected Participant, if such action would impair the rights of such Participant under any outstanding Award.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Committee or the Board may make technical amendments to the Plan as may be necessary so as to have the Plan conform to any laws or regulations in any jurisdiction within or outside the United States, so long as stockholder approval of such technical amendments is not required.
(b)              The Committee or Board may amend the terms of any outstanding Award, prospectively retroactively, except that no such amendment shall impair the rights of any Participant without his or her consent.  Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c) below, the Committee or Board may, without the consent of the Participant, amend any Grant Documents evidencing an Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan, or otherwise take action, to accelerate the time or times at which an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised; to extend the expiration date of an Award; to waive any other condition or restriction applicable to an Award or to the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right; to amend the definition of a change in control of the Company (if such a definition is contained in such Grant Documents) to expand the events that would result in a change in control and to add a change in control provision to such Grant Documents (if such provision is not contained in such Grant Documents); and may amend any such Grant Documents in any other respect with the consent of the Participant.
(c)              If an amendment would (i) materially increase the benefits to participants under the Plan, (ii) increase the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan, or (iii) materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan by materially increasing the class or number of persons eligible to participate in the Plan, then such amendment shall be subject to stockholder approval.
(d)              If required by any Legal Requirement, any amendment to the Plan or any Award will also be submitted to and approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Company.  If any Legal Requirement requires the Plan to be amended, or in the event any Legal Requirement is amended or supplemented (e.g., by addition of alternative rules) to permit the Company to remove or lessen any restrictions on or with respect to an Award, the Board and the Committee each reserve the right to amend the Plan or any Grant Documents evidencing an Award to the extent of any such requirement, amendment or supplement, and all Awards then outstanding will be subject to such amendment.
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(e)              Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee or the Board may not, without prior approval of the stockholders of the Company, reprice any outstanding Option by either lowering the Exercise Price thereof or canceling such outstanding Stock Option in consideration of a grant having a lower Exercise Price.  This paragraph 14(d) is intended to prohibit the repricing of "underwater" Options without prior stockholder approval and shall not be construed to prohibit the adjustments provided for in Section 14 hereof.
(f)              The Plan may be terminated at any time by action of the Board.  The termination of the Plan will not adversely affect the terms of any outstanding Award.  The Plan will continue in effect until October 20, 2024, unless terminated earlier pursuant to its terms.
14.
Adjustment of Shares; Effect of Certain Transactions.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event of any change in the shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan or to any Award (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, issuance of rights to subscribe, or change in capital structure), appropriate adjustments or substitutions shall be made by the Committee or the Board as to the (i) maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan, (ii) maximum number of Shares of Common Stock for which Awards may be granted to any one Associate, and (iii) the number of Shares of Common Stock and price per share subject to outstanding Awards as shall be equitable to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights under previously granted Awards.  The determination of the Committee or Board as to these matters shall be conclusive.
15.
General Provisions.
(a)              No Associate or Participant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Associates or Participants under the Plan.
(b)              The Committee or Board shall be authorized to make adjustments in performance award criteria or in the terms and conditions of other Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or its financial statements or changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles.  The Committee or Board may correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry it into effect.  In the event the Company shall assume outstanding employee benefit awards or the right or obligation to make future such awards in connection with the acquisition of or combination with another corporation or business entity, the Committee or Board may, in their discretion, make such adjustments in the terms of Awards under the Plan as it shall deem appropriate.
(c)              All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award shall be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee or Board may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any applicable state of Federal securities law, and the Committee or Board may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(d)              No Award granted hereunder shall be construed as an offer to sell securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until the Committee or the Board in their sole discretion has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in compliance with all applicable requirements of the U.S. federal securities laws and any other laws to which such offer, if made, would be subject.
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(e)              The Committee or the Board shall be authorized to establish procedures pursuant to which the payment of any Award may be deferred.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any Grant Documents, the recipient of an Award (including, without limitation, any deferred Award) may, if so determined by the Committee or the Board, be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash dividends, or cash payments in amounts equivalent to cash dividends on Shares ("dividend equivalents"), with respect to the number of Shares covered by the Award, as determined by the Committee or the Board, in their sole discretion, and the Committee or Board may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested.
(f)              The Company shall be authorized to withhold from any Award granted or payment due under the Plan the amount of withholding taxes due in respect of an Award or payment hereunder and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Plan administrator to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes, not to exceed the statutory minimum withholding obligation.  The Committee or Board shall be authorized to establish procedures for election by Participants to satisfy such obligations for the payment of such taxes (i) by delivery of or transfer of Shares to the Company, (ii) with the consent of the Committee or the Board, by directing the Company to retain Shares otherwise deliverable in connection with the Award, (iii) by payment in cash of the amount to be withheld, or (iv) by withholding from any cash compensation otherwise due to the Participant.
(g)              Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if required, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
(h)              The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware and applicable Federal law.
(i)              If any provision of this Plan is or becomes or is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee or the Board, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable law, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee or the Board, materially altering the intent of the Plan, it shall be stricken, and the remainder of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.
(j)              Awards may be granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Participants employed in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee or the Board, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law or tax policy.  The Committee or Board also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Company's obligations with respect to tax equalization for Associates on assignments outside their home country.
(k)              No Award shall be granted or exercised if the grant of the Award or the exercise and the issuance of shares or other consideration pursuant thereto would be contrary to law or the regulations of any duly constituted authority having jurisdiction.
(l)              The Plan will not confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliated Company, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliated Company would otherwise have to terminate a Participant's employment or other service at any time.
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Exhibit 10.3
Solve Media, Inc.
2009 Stock Plan
Adopted on October  20, 2009
Amended on May 10, 2010 and November 7, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS  
    Page  
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE      1
     
SECTION 2.   ADMINISTRATION    1
(a)  
 
Committees of the Board of Directors
 1
 (b)    Authority of the Board of Directors   1
           
SECTION 3.   ELIGIBILITY     1 
(a)    General Rule   1 
(b)    Ten‑Percent Stockholders   1 
       
SECTION 4.   STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN   2 
 (a)      Basic Limitation   2 
   (b)      Additional Shares   2 
       
SECTION 5.   TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AWARDS OR SALES  2 
(a)       Stock Grant or Purchase Agreement  2 
(b)    Duration of Offers and Nontransferability of Rights 2
(c)       Purchase Price 2
(d)       Withholding Taxes 2
(e)       Transfer Restrictions and Forfeiture Conditions 3
       
SECTION 6.   TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS  3 
 (a)      Stock Option Agreement 3
 (b)     Number of Shares
 (c)    Exercise Price
 (d)     Exercisability 
 (e)   Basic Term
 (f)     Termination of Service (Except by Death)
  (g)   Leaves of Absence
  (h)   Death of Optionee
 (i)     Post-Exercise Restrictions on Transfer of Shares
   (j)    Pre-Exercise Restrictions on Transfer of Options or Shares
 (k)    Withholding Taxes
   (l)   No Rights as a Stockholder
  (m)   Modification, Extension and Assumption of Options
  (n)   Company's Right to Cancel Certain Options
       
SECTION 7. PAYMENT FOR SHARES
 (a)   General Rule
 (b)     Services Rendered
 (c)   Promissory Note
 (d)   Surrender of Stock 6
(e)   Exercise/Sale
(f)   Other Forms of Payment
       
SECTION 8.   ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES
(a)   General
(b)   Mergers and Consolidations
(c)     Reservation of Rights
       
SECTION 9.   PRE-EXERCISE INFORMATION REQUIREMENT
(a)        Application of Requirement
(b)       Scope of Requirement
       
SECTION 10.   MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
(a)       Securities Law Requirements
(b)    No Retention Rights
(c)       Treatment as Compensation
(d)     Governing Law
       
SECTION 11.   DURATION AND AMENDMENTS
  (a)   Term of the Plan
 (b)    Right to Amend or Terminate the Plan 9
   (c)     Effect of Amendment or Termination
       
SECTION 12. DEFINITIONS 10 
               
                       
          


Solve Media, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE .
The purpose of the Plan is to offer selected persons an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the success of the Company, or to increase such interest, by acquiring Shares of the Company's Stock.  The Plan provides both for the direct award or sale of Shares and for the grant of Options to purchase Shares.  Options granted under the Plan may include Nonstatutory Options as well as ISOs intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code.
Capitalized terms are defined in Section 12.
SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION .
(a) Committees of the Board of Directors .  The Plan may be administered by one or more Committees.  Each Committee shall consist of one or more members of the Board of Directors who have been appointed by the Board of Directors.  Each Committee shall have such authority and be responsible for such functions as the Board of Directors has assigned to it.  If no Committee has been appointed, the entire Board of Directors shall administer the Plan.  Any reference to the Board of Directors in the Plan shall be construed as a reference to the Committee (if any) to whom the Board of Directors has assigned a particular function.
(b) Authority of the Board of Directors .   Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board of Directors shall have full authority and discretion to take any actions it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.  All decisions, interpretations and other actions of the Board of Directors shall be final and binding on all Purchasers, all Optionees and all persons deriving their rights from a Purchaser or Optionee.
SECTION 3. ELIGIBILITY .
(a) General Rule Only Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants shall be eligible for the grant of Nonstatutory Options or the direct award or sale of Shares.  Only Employees shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs.
(b) Ten‑Percent Stockholders .   A person who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company, its Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall not be eligible for the grant of an ISO unless (i) the Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant and (ii) such ISO by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Date of Grant.  For purposes of this Subsection (b), in determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall be applied.

SECTION 4. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN .
(a) Basic Limitation Not more than 2,945,395 Shares may be issued under the Plan, subject to Subsection (b) below and Section 8(a). 1   All of these Shares may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs.  The number of Shares that are subject to Options or other rights outstanding at any time under the Plan shall not exceed the number of Shares that then remain available for issuance under the Plan.  The Company, during the term of the Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available sufficient Shares to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.  Shares offered under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Shares or treasury Shares.
(b) Additional Shares .   In the event that Shares previously issued under the Plan are reacquired by the Company, such Shares shall be added to the number of Shares then available for issuance under the Plan.  In the event that Shares that otherwise would have been issuable under the Plan are withheld by the Company in payment of the Purchase Price, Exercise Price or withholding taxes, such Shares shall remain available for issuance under the Plan.  In the event that an outstanding Option or other right for any reason expires or is canceled, the Shares allocable to the unexercised portion of such Option or other right shall be added to the number of Shares then available for issuance under the Plan.
SECTION 5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AWARDS OR SALES .
(a) Stock Grant or Purchase Agreement Each award of Shares under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Grant Agreement between the Grantee and the Company.  Each sale of Shares under the Plan (other than upon exercise of an Option) shall be evidenced by a Stock Purchase Agreement between the Purchaser and the Company.  Such award or sale shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan and which the Board of Directors deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Grant Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement.  The provisions of the various Stock Grant Agreements and Stock Purchase Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
(b) Duration of Offers and Nontransferability of Rights .  Any right to purchase Shares under the Plan (other than an Option) shall automatically expire if not exercised by the Purchaser within 30 days after the grant of such right was communicated to the Purchaser by the Company.  Such right shall not be transferable and shall be exercisable only by the Purchaser to whom such right was granted.
(c) Purchase Price .   The Board of Directors shall determine the Purchase Price of Shares to be offered under the Plan at its sole discretion.  The Purchase Price shall be payable in a form described in Section 7.
(d) Withholding Taxes As a condition to the award, purchase, vesting or transfer of Shares, the Grantee or Purchaser shall make such arrangements as the Board of Directors may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such event.


1   Please refer to Exhibit A for a schedule of the initial share reserve and any subsequent increases in the reserve.
 
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(e) Transfer Restrictions and Forfeiture Conditions .   Any Shares awarded or sold under the Plan shall be subject to such special forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and other transfer restrictions as the Board of Directors may determine.  Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Stock Grant Agreement or Stock Purchase Agreement and shall apply in addition to any restrictions that may apply to holders of Shares generally.
SECTION 6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS .
(a) Stock Option Agreement .   Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement between the Optionee and the Company.  The Option shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan and which the Board of Directors deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Option Agreement.  The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
(b) Number of Shares Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of Shares that are subject to the Option and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Section 8.  The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify whether the Option is an ISO or a Nonstatutory Option.
(c) Exercise Price .   Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price.  The Exercise Price of an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant, and in the case of an ISO a higher percentage may be required by Section 3(b).  Subject to the preceding sentence, the Exercise Price shall be determined by the Board of Directors at its sole discretion.  The Exercise Price shall be payable in a form described in Section 7.  This Subsection (c) shall not apply to an Option granted pursuant to an assumption of, or substitution for, another option in a manner that complies with Section 424(a) of the Code (whether or not the Option is an ISO).
(d) Exercisability .   Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the Option is to become exercisable.  No Option shall be exercisable unless the Optionee (i) has delivered an executed copy of the Stock Option Agreement to the Company or (ii) otherwise agrees to be bound by the terms of the Stock Option Agreement.  The Board of Directors shall determine the exercisability provisions of the Stock Option Agreement at its sole discretion.
(e) Basic Term The Stock Option Agreement shall specify the term of the Option.  The term shall not exceed 10 years from the Date of Grant, and in the case of an ISO a shorter term may be required by Section 3(b).  Subject to the preceding sentence, the Board of Directors at its sole discretion shall determine when an Option is to expire.
(f) Termination of Service (Except by Death) If an Optionee's Service terminates for any reason other than the Optionee's death, then the Optionee's Options shall expire on the earliest of the following dates:
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(i)
The expiration date determined pursuant to Subsection (e) above;
(ii)
The date three months after the termination of the Optionee's Service for any reason other than Disability, or such earlier or later date as the Board of Directors may determine (but in no event earlier than 30 days after the termination of the Optionee's Service); or
(iii)
The date six months after the termination of the Optionee's Service by reason of Disability, or such later date as the Board of Directors may determine.
The Optionee may exercise all or part of the Optionee's Options at any time before the expiration of such Options under the preceding sentence, but only to the extent that such Options had become exercisable before the Optionee's Service terminated (or became exercisable as a result of the termination) and the underlying Shares had vested before the Optionee's Service terminated (or vested as a result of the termination).  The balance of such Options shall lapse when the Optionee's Service terminates.  In the event that the Optionee dies after the termination of the Optionee's Service but before the expiration of the Optionee's Options, all or part of such Options may be exercised (prior to expiration) by the executors or administrators of the Optionee's estate or by any person who has acquired such Options directly from the Optionee by beneficiary designation, bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that such Options had become exercisable before the Optionee's Service terminated (or became exercisable as a result of the termination) and the underlying Shares had vested before the Optionee's Service terminated (or vested as a result of the termination).
(g) Leaves of Absence .   For purposes of Subsection (f) above, Service shall be deemed to continue while the Optionee is on a bona fide leave of absence, if such leave was approved by the Company in writing and if continued crediting of Service for this purpose is expressly required by the terms of such leave or by applicable law (as determined by the Company).
(h) Death of Optionee If an Optionee dies while the Optionee is in Service, then the Optionee's Options shall expire on the earlier of the following dates:
(i)
The expiration date determined pursuant to Subsection (e) above; or
(ii)
The date 12 months after the Optionee's death, or such earlier or later date as the Board of Directors may determine (but in no event earlier than six months after the Optionee's death).
All or part of the Optionee's Options may be exercised at any time before the expiration of such Options under the preceding sentence by the executors or administrators of the Optionee's estate or by any person who has acquired such Options directly from the Optionee by beneficiary designation, bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that such Options had become exercisable before the Optionee's death (or became exercisable as a result of the death) and the underlying Shares had vested before the Optionee's death (or vested as a result of the Optionee's death).  The balance of such Options shall lapse when the Optionee dies.
4

(i) Post-Exercise Restrictions on Transfer of Shares Any Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be subject to such special forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and other transfer restrictions as the Board of Directors may determine.  Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Stock Option Agreement and shall apply in addition to any restrictions that may apply to holders of Shares generally.
(j) Pre-Exercise Restrictions on Transfer of Options or Shares .   An Option shall be transferable by the Optionee only by (i) a beneficiary designation, (ii) a will or (iii) the laws of descent and distribution, except as provided in the next sentence.  If the applicable Stock Option Agreement so provides, a Nonstatutory Option shall also be transferable by gift or domestic relations order to a Family Member of the Optionee.  An ISO may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or by the Optionee's guardian or legal representative.  In addition, an Option shall comply with all conditions of Rule 12h‑1(f)(1) under the Exchange Act until the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  Such conditions include, without limitation, the transferability restrictions set forth in Rule 12h‑1(f)(1)(iv) and (v) under the Exchange Act, which shall apply to an Option and, prior to exercise, to the Shares to be issued upon exercise of such Option during the period commencing on the Date of Grant and ending on the earlier of (i) the date when the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or (ii) the date when the Company makes a determination that it will cease to rely on the exemption afforded by Rule 12h‑1(f)(1) under the Exchange Act.  During such period, an Option and, prior to exercise, the Shares to be issued upon exercise of such Option shall be restricted as to any pledge, hypothecation or other transfer by the Optionee, including any short position, any "put equivalent position" (as defined in Rule 16a‑1(h) under the Exchange Act) or any "call equivalent position" (as defined in Rule 16a‑1(b) under the Exchange Act).
(k) Withholding Taxes As a condition to the grant or exercise of an Option, the Optionee shall make such arrangements as the Board of Directors may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such grant or exercise.  The Optionee shall also make such arrangements as the Board of Directors may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the vesting or transfer of Shares acquired by exercising an Option or any similar event.
(l) No Rights as a Stockholder An Optionee, or a transferee of an Optionee, shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares covered by the Optionee's Option until such person becomes entitled to receive such Shares by filing a notice of exercise and paying the Exercise Price pursuant to the terms of such Option.
(m) Modification, Extension and Assumption of Options .   Within the limitations of the Plan, the Board of Directors may modify, extend or assume outstanding Options or may accept the cancellation of outstanding Options (whether granted by the Company or another issuer) in return for the grant of new Options for the same or a different number of Shares and at the same or a different Exercise Price.  The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, impair the Optionee's rights or increase the Optionee's obligations under such Option.
5

(n) Company's Right to Cancel Certain Options Any other provision of the Plan or a Stock Option Agreement notwithstanding, the Company shall have the right at any time to cancel an Option that was not granted in compliance with Rule 701 under the Securities Act.  Prior to canceling such Option, the Company shall give the Optionee not less than 30 days' notice in writing.  If the Company elects to cancel such Option, it shall deliver to the Optionee consideration with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Option as of the time of the cancellation over (ii) the Exercise Price of such Option.  The consideration may be delivered in the form of cash or cash equivalents, in the form of Shares, or a combination of both.  If the consideration would be a negative amount, such Option may be cancelled without the delivery of any consideration.
SECTION 7. PAYMENT FOR SHARES .
(a) General Rule .   The entire Purchase Price or Exercise Price of Shares issued under the Plan shall be payable in cash or cash equivalents at the time when such Shares are purchased, except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.
(b) Services Rendered At the discretion of the Board of Directors, Shares may be awarded under the Plan in consideration of services rendered to the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary prior to the award.
(c) Promissory Note .   At the discretion of the Board of Directors, all or a portion of the Purchase Price or Exercise Price (as the case may be) of Shares issued under the Plan may be paid with a full-recourse promissory note.  The Shares shall be pledged as security for payment of the principal amount of the promissory note and interest thereon.  The interest rate payable under the terms of the promissory note shall not be less than the minimum rate (if any) required to avoid the imputation of additional interest under the Code.  Subject to the foregoing, the Board of Directors (at its sole discretion) shall specify the term, interest rate, amortization requirements (if any) and other provisions of such note.
(d) Surrender of Stock At the discretion of the Board of Directors, all or any part of the Exercise Price may be paid by surrendering, or attesting to the ownership of, Shares that are already owned by the Optionee.  Such Shares shall be surrendered to the Company in good form for transfer and shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the date when the Option is exercised.
(e) Exercise/Sale .   To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides, and if Stock is publicly traded, all or part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes may be paid by the delivery (on a form prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company.
6

(f) Other Forms of Payment .   To the extent that a Stock Purchase Agreement or Stock Option Agreement so provides, the Purchase Price or Exercise Price of Shares issued under the Plan may be paid in any other form permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended.
SECTION 8. ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES .
(a) General In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Stock into a lesser number of Shares, a reclassification, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, proportionate adjustments shall automatically be made in each of (i) the number of Shares available for future grants under Section 4, (ii) the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Option and (iii) the Exercise Price under each outstanding Option.  In the event of a declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a form other than Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of the Stock, a recapitalization, a spin-off, or a similar occurrence, the Board of Directors at its sole discretion may make appropriate adjustments in one or more of (i) the number of Shares available for future grants under Section 4, (ii) the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Option or (iii) the Exercise Price under each outstanding Option; provided, however, that the Board of Directors shall in any event make such adjustments as may be required by Section 25102(o) of the California Corporations Code.
(b) Mergers and Consolidations .  In the event that the Company is a party to a merger or consolidation, outstanding Options and Shares acquired under the Plan shall be subject to the agreement of merger or consolidation, which need not treat all outstanding Options in an identical manner.  Such agreement, without the Optionees' consent, may dispose of Options that are not exercisable as of the effective date of such merger or consolidation in any manner permitted by applicable law, including (without limitation) the cancellation of such Options without the payment of any consideration.  Such agreement, without the Optionees' consent, shall provide for one or more of the following with respect to Options that are exercisable as of the effective date of such merger or consolidation:
(i)
The continuation of such Options by the Company (if the Company is the surviving corporation).
(ii)
The assumption of such Options by the surviving corporation or its parent in a manner that complies with Section 424(a) of the Code (whether or not such Options are ISOs).
(iii)
The substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent of new options for such Options in a manner that complies with Section 424(a) of the Code (whether or not such Options are ISOs).
(iv)
The cancellation of such Options and a payment to the Optionees equal to the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Options as of the effective date of such merger or consolidation over (B) their Exercise Price.  Such payment shall be made in the form of cash, cash equivalents, or securities of the surviving corporation or its parent with a Fair Market Value equal to the required amount.
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(v)
The cancellation of such Options.  Any exercise of such Options prior to the closing date of such merger or consolidation may be contingent on the closing of such merger or consolidation.
(c) Reservation of Rights Except as provided in this Section 8, a Grantee, Purchaser or Optionee shall have no rights by reason of (i) any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, (ii) the payment of any dividend or (iii) any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class.  Any issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or Exercise Price of Shares subject to an Option.  The grant of an Option pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, to merge or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
SECTION 9. PRE-EXERCISE INFORMATION REQUIREMENT .
(a) Application of Requirement .  This Section 9 shall apply only during a period that (i) commences when the Company begins to rely on the exemption described in Rule 12h-1(f)(1) under the Exchange Act, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, and (ii) ends on the earlier of (A) the date when the Company ceases to rely on such exemption, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, or (B) the date when the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  In addition, this Section 9 shall in no event apply to an Optionee after he or she has fully exercised all of his or her Options.
(b) Scope of Requirement .  The Company shall provide to each Optionee the information described in Rule 701(e)(3), (4) and (5) under the Securities Act.  Such information shall be provided at six-month intervals, and the financial statements included in such information shall not be more than 180 days old.  The foregoing notwithstanding, the Company shall not be required to provide such information unless the Optionee has agreed in writing, on a form prescribed by the Company, to keep such information confidential.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS .
(a) Securities Law Requirements .  Shares shall not be issued under the Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such Shares comply with (or are exempt from) all applicable requirements of law, including (without limitation) the Securities Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, state securities laws and regulations, and the regulations of any stock exchange or other securities market on which the Company's securities may then be traded.  The Company shall not be liable for a failure to issue Shares that is attributable to such requirements.
8

(b) No Retention Rights .  Nothing in the Plan or in any right or Option granted under the Plan shall confer upon the Grantee, Purchaser or Optionee any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining the Grantee, Purchaser or Optionee) or of the Grantee, Purchaser or Optionee, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate his or her Service at any time and for any reason, with or without cause.
(c) Treatment as Compensation .  Any compensation that an individual earns or is deemed to earn under this Plan shall not be considered a part of his or her compensation for purposes of calculating contributions, accruals or benefits under any other plan or program that is maintained or funded by the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary.
(d) Governing Law The Plan and all awards, sales and grants under the Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and performed in such State.
SECTION 11. DURATION AND AMENDMENTS .
(a) Term of the Plan .   The Plan, as set forth herein, shall become effective on the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of the Company's stockholders.  If the stockholders fail to approve the Plan within 12 months after its adoption by the Board of Directors, then any grants, exercises or sales that have already occurred under the Plan shall be rescinded and no additional grants, exercises or sales shall thereafter be made under the Plan.  The Plan shall terminate automatically 10 years after the later of (i) the date when the Board of Directors adopted the Plan or (ii) the date when the Board of Directors approved the most recent increase in the number of Shares reserved under Section 4 that was also approved by the Company's stockholders.  The Plan may be terminated on any earlier date pursuant to Subsection (b) below.
(b) Right to Amend or Terminate the Plan .   The Board of Directors may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason; provided, however, that any amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company's stockholders if it (i) increases the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan (except as provided in Section 8) or (ii) materially changes the class of persons who are eligible for the grant of ISOs.  Stockholder approval shall not be required for any other amendment of the Plan.  If the stockholders fail to approve an increase in the number of Shares reserved under Section 4 within 12 months after its adoption by the Board of Directors, then any grants, exercises or sales that have already occurred in reliance on such increase shall be rescinded and no additional grants, exercises or sales shall thereafter be made in reliance on such increase.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination .   No Shares shall be issued or sold under the Plan after the termination thereof, except upon exercise of an Option (or any other right to purchase Shares) granted under the Plan prior to such termination.  The termination of the Plan, or any amendment thereof, shall not affect any Share previously issued or any Option previously granted under the Plan.
9

SECTION 12. DEFINITIONS .
(a)              " Board of Directors " shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.
(b)              " Code " shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(c)              " Committee " shall mean a committee of the Board of Directors, as described in Section 2(a).
(d)              " Company " shall mean Solve Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(e)              " Consultant " shall mean a person who performs bona fide services for the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary as a consultant or advisor, excluding Employees and Outside Directors.
(f)              " Date of Grant " shall mean the date of grant specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement, which date shall be the later of (i) the date on which the Board of Directors resolved to grant the Option or (ii) the first day of the Optionee's Service.
(g)              " Disability " shall mean that the Optionee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment.
(h)              " Employee " shall mean any individual who is a common‑law employee of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary.
(i)              " Exchange Act " shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(j)              " Exercise Price " shall mean the amount for which one Share may be purchased upon exercise of an Option, as specified by the Board of Directors in the applicable Stock Option Agreement.
(k)              " Fair Market Value " shall mean the fair market value of a Share, as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith.  Such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.
(l)              " Family Member " shall mean (i) any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, (ii) any person sharing the Optionee's household (other than a tenant or employee), (iii) a trust in which persons described in Clause (i) or (ii) have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, (iv) a foundation in which persons described in Clause (i) or (ii) or the Optionee control the management of assets and (v) any other entity in which persons described in Clause (i) or (ii) or the Optionee own more than 50% of the voting interests.
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(m)              " Grantee " shall mean a person to whom the Board of Directors has awarded Shares under the Plan.
(n)              " ISO " shall mean an employee incentive stock option described in Section 422(b) of the Code.
(o)              " Nonstatutory Option " shall mean a stock option not described in Sections 422(b) or 423(b) of the Code.
(p)              " Option " shall mean an ISO or Nonstatutory Option granted under the Plan and entitling the holder to purchase Shares.
(q)              " Optionee " shall mean a person who holds an Option.
(r)              " Outside Director " shall mean a member of the Board of Directors who is not an Employee.
(s)              " Parent " shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.  A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.
(t)              " Plan " shall mean this Solve Media, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan.
(u)              " Purchase Price " shall mean the consideration for which one Share may be acquired under the Plan (other than upon exercise of an Option), as specified by the Board of Directors.
(v)              " Purchaser " shall mean a person to whom the Board of Directors has offered the right to purchase Shares under the Plan (other than upon exercise of an Option).
(w)              " Securities Act " shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(x)              " Service " shall mean service as an Employee, Outside Director or Consultant.
(y)              " Share " shall mean one share of Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 8 (if applicable).
(z)              " Stock " shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.
(aa)              " Stock Grant Agreement " shall mean the agreement between the Company and a Grantee who is awarded Shares under the Plan that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to the award of such Shares.
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(bb)              " Stock Option Agreement " shall mean the agreement between the Company and an Optionee that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to the Optionee's Option.
(cc)              " Stock Purchase Agreement " shall mean the agreement between the Company and a Purchaser who purchases Shares under the Plan that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to the purchase of such Shares.
(dd)              " Subsidiary " shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.  A corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.


 
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Exhibit A
Schedule of Shares Reserved for Issuance under the Plan
 
Date of Board Approval
 
 
Date of Stockholder Approval
 
 
Number of
Shares Added
 
 
Cumulative Number of Shares
 
October 20, 2009
October 20, 2009
N/A
1,296,296
May 10, 2010
May 10, 2010
433,961
1,730,257
November 7, 2011
November 7, 2011
1,215,138
2,945,395
       

E-1



Exhibit 10.4
CIRCULATE EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
OF
ACXIOM CORPORATION
1.
Establishment and Purpose.  In connection with the Merger, the shares of common stock of Circulate are being assumed and converted into Shares that will be available for grant and issuance under the Plan, consistent with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c).  This Circulate Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation (the "Plan") was established on December 5, 2016 in connection with the Merger.  The purpose of the Plan is to further the growth and development of the Company and any of its present or future Subsidiaries and Affiliated Companies (as defined below) by allowing certain Associates (as defined below) to acquire or increase equity ownership in the Company, thereby offering such Associates a proprietary interest in the Company's business and a more direct stake in its continuing welfare, and aligning their interests with those of the Company's stockholders.  The Plan is also intended to assist the Company in attracting and retaining talented Associates, who are vital to the continued development and success of the Company.
2.
Definitions.  The following capitalized terms, when used in the Plan, have the following meanings:
(a)              "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect from time to time.
(b)              "Affiliated Company" means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture or other entity in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest.
(c)              "Associate" means any employee, officer (whether or not also a director), director, affiliate, independent contractor or consultant of the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Company who renders those types of services which tend to contribute to the success of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliated Companies, or which may reasonably be anticipated to contribute to the future success of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliated Companies.
(d)              "Award" means the grant, pursuant to the Plan, of any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Awards, Performance Share, Performance Unit, or Other Stock Unit Award.  The terms and conditions applicable to an Award shall be set forth in applicable Grant Documents.
(e)              "Award Agreement" means any written or electronic agreement, contract, or other document or instrument evidencing any Award granted by the Committee or the Board hereunder, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by both the Company and the Participant.
(f)              "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(g)              "Circulate" means Circulate.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(h)              "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.

(i)              "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Company or any security into which such common stock may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type described in Section 14 of the Plan.
(j)              "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board (as well as any successor to the Compensation Committee and any Company officers to whom authority has been lawfully delegated by the Compensation Committee).  All of the members of the Committee, which may not be less than two, are intended at all times to qualify as "Independent Directors" within the meaning of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and "Non-Employee Directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3, and each of whom is "independent" as set forth in the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or Nasdaq or any stock exchange upon which the Shares may be listed in the future; provided, however, that the failure of a member of such Committee to so qualify shall not be deemed to invalidate any Award granted by such Committee.
(k)              "Date of Grant" means the date specified by the Committee or the Board, as applicable, on which a grant of an Award will become effective.
(l)              "Exercise Period" means the period during which an Option shall vest and become exercisable by a Participant (or his or her representatives or transferees) as specified in Section 6(c) below.
(m)              "Exercise Price" means the purchase price per share payable upon exercise of an Option.
(n)              "Fair Market Value" means, as of any applicable determination date or for any applicable determination period, the closing price of the Company's Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq (or any other stock exchange upon which the Common Stock may be listed for trading).
(o)              "Grant Documents" means any written or electronic Award Agreement, memorandum, notice, and/or other document or instrument evidencing the terms and conditions of the grant of an Award by the Committee or the Board under the Plan, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by both the Company and the Participant.
(p)              "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to be and designated as an "Incentive Stock Option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(q)              "Legal Requirements" means any laws, or any rules or regulations issued or promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Nasdaq (or any other stock exchange upon which the Common Stock may be listed for trading), or any other governmental or quasi-governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Company, the Common Stock, or the Plan.
(r)              "Merger" means the consummation on November 29, 2016 of the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement by and between the Company, Circulate, and certain other parties executed on November 17, 2016, pursuant to which Circulate became a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company.
(s)              "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(t)              "Option" means an option granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan to acquire a certain number of Shares at such price(s) and during such period(s) and under such other terms and conditions as the Committee or Board shall determine from time to time, provided that all Options granted under the Plan will be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
2

(u)              "Other Stock Unit Award" means any right granted to a Participant by the Committee or Board pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
(v)              "Participant" means an Associate who is selected by the Committee or the Board to receive an Award under the Plan.
(w)              "Performance Award" means any Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units pursuant to Section 9 hereof.
(x)              "Performance Goals" means the pre-established objective performance goals established by the Committee for each Performance Period.  The Performance Goals may be based upon the performance of the Company (or a division, organization or other business unit thereof), a Subsidiary, an Affiliated Company, or of an individual Participant, using one or more of the Performance Measures selected by the Committee in its discretion.  Performance Goals may be set at a specific level, or may be expressed as a relative percentage to the comparable measure at comparison companies or a defined index.  Performance Goals shall, to the extent applicable, be based upon generally accepted accounting principles, but shall be adjusted by the Committee to take into account the effect of the following: changes in accounting standards that may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board after the Performance Goal is established; realized investment gains and losses; extraordinary, unusual, non-recurring, or infrequent items; "non-gaap financial measures" that have been included in Acxiom's quarterly earnings releases and disclosed to investors in accordance with SEC regulations; and other items as the Committee determines to be required so that the operating results of the Company (or a division, organization or other business unit thereof), a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Company shall be computed on a comparative basis from Performance Period to Performance Period.  Determinations made by the Committee shall be based on relevant objective information and/or financial data, and shall be final and conclusive with respect to all affected parties.
(y)              "Performance Measures" means one or more of the following criteria, on which Performance Goals may be based: (a) earnings (either in the aggregate or on a per-Share basis, reflecting dilution of Shares as the Committee deems appropriate and, if the Committee so determines, net of or including dividends) before or after interest and taxes ("EBIT") or before or after interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA"); (b) gross or net revenue or changes in annual revenues; (c) cash flow(s) (including operating, free or net cash flows); (d) financial return ratios; (e) total stockholder return, stockholder return based on growth measures or the attainment by the Shares of a specified value for a specified period of time, (f) Share price, or Share price appreciation; (g) earnings growth or growth in earnings per Share; (h) return measures, including return or net return on assets, net assets, equity, capital, investment, or gross sales; (i) adjusted pre-tax margin; (j) pre-tax profits; (k) operating margins; (1) operating profits; (m) operating expenses; (n) dividends; (o) net income or net operating income; (p) growth in operating earnings or growth in earnings per Share; (q) value of assets; (r) market share or market penetration with respect to specific designated products or product groups and/or specific geographic areas; (s) aggregate product price and other product measures; (t) expense or cost levels, in each case, where applicable, determined either on a company-wide basis or in respect of any one or more specified divisions; (u) reduction of losses, loss ratios or expense ratios; (v) reduction in fixed costs; (w) operating cost management; (x) cost of capital; (y) debt reduction; (z) productivity improvements; (aa) satisfaction of specified business expansion goals or goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures; (bb) customer satisfaction based on specified objective goals or a Company-sponsored customer survey; or (cc) Associate diversity goals.
3

Performance Measures may be applied on a pre-tax or post-tax basis, and may be based upon the performance of the Company (or a division, organization or other business unit thereof), a Subsidiary, an Affiliated Company, or of an individual Participant.  The Committee may, at any time, provide that the Performance Goals for an Award may include or exclude items to measure specific objectives, such as losses from discontinued operations, extraordinary gains or losses, the cumulative effect of accounting changes, acquisitions or divestitures, foreign exchange impacts, and any unusual nonrecurring gain or loss.
(z)              "Performance Period" means that period established by the Committee or the Board at the time any Award is granted or at any time thereafter during which any performance goals specified by the Committee or the Board with respect to such Award are to be measured.
(aa)              "Performance Share" means any grant pursuant to Section 9 hereof of a right to receive the value of a Share, or a portion or multiple thereof, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee or Board shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such performance goals during the Performance Period as the Committee or the Board shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.
(bb)              "Performance Unit" means any grant pursuant to Section 9 hereof of a right to receive the value of property other than a Share, or a portion or multiple thereof, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee or Board shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such Performance Goals during the Performance Period as the Committee or the Board shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.
(cc)              "Restricted Stock" means any Share issued with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge, or assign such Share and with such other restrictions as the Committee or the Board, in their sole discretion, may impose (including, without limitation, any forfeiture condition or any restriction on the right to vote such Share, and the right to receive any cash dividends), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee or the Board may deem appropriate.
(dd)              "Restricted Stock Award" means an award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units under Section 8 hereof.
(ee)              "Restricted Stock Unit" means a right awarded to a Participant that, subject to Section 8(c), may result in the Participant's ownership of Shares upon, but not before, the lapse of restrictions related thereto.
(ff)              "Restriction Period" means the period of time specified by the Committee or Board pursuant to Sections 8 and 10 below.
(gg)              "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16 of the Act, as such Rule may be in effect from time to time.
(hh)              "Shares" means the shares of Common Stock of the Company, $0.10 par value.
(ii)              "Stock Appreciation Right" means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 7 of the Plan, to surrender to the Company all (or a portion) of such right and, if applicable, a related Option, and receive cash or shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.
(jj)              "Strike Price" shall have the meaning set forth for such term in Section 7(b) of the Plan.
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(kk)              "Subsidiary" means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture or other entity in which the Company owns or controls, directly or indirectly, not less than 50% of the total combined voting power or equity interests represented by all classes of stock, membership or other interests issued by such corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture or other entity.
(ll)              "Substitute Awards" shall mean Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, by a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.
3.
Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee and the Board.  Except as otherwise provided herein, each of the Committee or the Board has the full authority and discretion to administer the Plan, and to take any action that is necessary or advisable in connection with the administration of the Plan including, without limitation, the authority and discretion to:
(a)              select the Associates eligible to become Participants under the Plan;
(b)              determine whether and to what extent Awards are to be granted;
(c)              determine the number of Shares to be covered by each grant;
(d)              determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any grant hereunder (including, but not limited to, the term of the Award, the Exercise Price or Strike Price and any restriction, limitation, procedure, or deferral related thereto, provisions relating to the effect upon the Award of a Participant's cessation of employment, acceleration of vesting, forfeiture provisions regarding an Award and/or the profits received by any Participant from receiving an Award of exercising an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, and any other terms and conditions regarding any Award, based in each case upon such guidelines and factors as the Committee or Board shall determine from time to time in their sole discretion);
(e)              determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances grants under the Plan are to be made and operate, whether on a tandem basis or otherwise, with other grants or awards (whether equity or cash based) made by the Company under or outside of the Plan; and
(f)              delegate to one or more officers of the Company the right to grant Awards under the Plan, provided that such delegation is made in accordance with the provisions of applicable state and federal laws.
Each of the Committee and the Board shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award granted under thereunder (and any Grant Documents relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.
Each of the Committee and the Board shall also have the authority to provide, in their discretion, for the rescission, forfeiture, cancellation or other restriction of any Award granted under the Plan, or for the forfeiture, rescission or repayment to the Company by a Participant or former Participant of any profits or gains related to any Award granted hereunder, or other limitations, upon the occurrence of such prescribed events and under such circumstances as the Committee or the Board shall deem necessary and reasonable for the benefit of the Company; provided, however, that this provision shall have no application after a change in control transaction (as defined below in Section 11) has occurred.
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All decisions made by the Committee and the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be made in the Committee's or Board's sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons including the Company and any Participant.  No member of the Committee or Board will be liable for any such action or determination made in good faith.
4.
Shares Subject to the Plan.
(a)      The total number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed (i) 96,212 Shares, the number of Shares that were reserved but not issued or subject to outstanding equity awards under Circulate's 2009 Stock Plan, as amended (the "Circulate Plan"), as of the effective date of the Plan and as adjusted to reflect the Merger, plus (ii) any Shares that otherwise would have returned to the Circulate Plan as a result of the termination of stock options granted under the Circulate Plan that were assumed by the Company in connection with the Merger. Such Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares, as determined in the discretion of the Committee or the Board.
(b)              If any Award made under the Plan is forfeited, any Option (and the related Stock Appreciation Right, if any), or any Stock Appreciation Right not related to an Option terminates, expires or lapses without being exercised, or any Stock Appreciation Right is exercised for cash, the Shares subject to such Awards that are, as a result, not delivered to the Participant shall again be available for delivery in connection with Awards.  If a Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, only the number of Shares issued will be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for delivery under the Plan.  If the Exercise Price of any Option is satisfied by delivering Shares to the Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation), only the number of Shares issued net of the Shares delivered or attested to shall be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for delivery pursuant to Awards under the Plan.  To the extent any Shares subject to an Award are not delivered to a Participant because such Shares are used to satisfy an applicable tax withholding obligation, such Shares shall again be available for delivery in connection with Awards.
(c)              Shares available for issuance or reissuance under the Plan will be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14 below.
5.
Eligible Participants.  Subject to compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c), all Associates who were not employed by the Company or its Affiliated Companies as of November 29, 2016 shall be eligible to receive Awards and thereby become Participants in the Plan, regardless of such Associate's prior participation in the Plan or any other benefit plan of the Company.
6.
Options.
(a)              Grant of Options.  The Committee, the Board or their lawful designees may from time to time authorize grants of Options to any Participant upon such terms and conditions as the Committee or Board may determine in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Plan.  Each grant will specify, among other things, the number of Shares to which it pertains; the Exercise Price, the form of payment to be made by the Participant for the shares purchased upon exercise of any Option; the required period or periods (if any) of continuous service by the Participant with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Company and/or any other conditions to be satisfied before the Options or installments thereof will vest and become exercisable.  Options granted under the Plan will be Non-Qualified Options.
 Each Option granted under this Plan will be evidenced by Grant Documents delivered to the Participant containing such further terms and provisions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Committee or Board may approve in their discretion.
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(b)              Exercise Price. The Exercise Price for each share of Common Stock purchasable under any Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant as the Committee or Board shall specify.  All such Exercise Prices shall be subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 14 hereof.
(c)              Exercise Period.  Subject to Section 11 hereof, the period during which an Option shall vest and become exercisable by a Participant (or his or her representative(s) or transferee(s)) whether during or after employment or following death, retirement or disability (the "Exercise Period") shall be such period of time as may be designated by the Committee or the Board as set forth in the Committee's or Board's applicable rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and/or in the Grant Documents executed in connection with such Option.  If the Committee or Board provides, in their sole discretion, that any Option is exercisable only in installments, the Committee or Board may waive or accelerate such installment exercise provisions at any time at or after grant in whole or in part, based upon such factors as the Committee or Board shall determine, in their sole discretion.
(d)              Exercise of Option.  Subject to Section 11 hereof, an Option may be exercised by a Participant at any time and from time to time during the Exercise Period by giving written notice of such exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased by the Participant.  Such notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price in accordance with subsection (e) below.
(e)              Payment for Shares.  Full payment of the Exercise Price for the Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option, together with the amount of any tax or excise due in respect of the sale and issue thereof, may be made in one of the following forms of payment:
(i)      Cash, by check or electronic funds transfer;
(ii)      Pursuant to procedures approved by the Company, through the sale (or margin) of Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option through a broker-dealer to whom the Participant has submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise and irrevocable instructions to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale (or if applicable margin loan) proceeds sufficient to pay for the Exercise Price, together with, if requested by the Company, the amount of federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes payable by reason of such exercise;
(iii)                    By delivering previously-owned shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant for a period of at least six months having a Fair Market Value on the date upon which the Participant exercises his or her Option equal to the Exercise Price, or by delivering a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate Exercise Price;
(iv)                    By authorizing the Company to withhold a number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon exercise of an Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date upon which the Participant exercises his or her Option equal to the aggregate Exercise Price; or
(v)      By any combination of the foregoing.
Provided, however, that the payment methods described in clause (iv) immediately above shall not be available to a Participant without the prior consent of either the Committee or its authorized designee(s), or if at any time the Company is prohibited from purchasing or acquiring Shares under applicable law.  The Committee or the Board may permit a Participant to exercise an Option and defer the issuance of any Shares, subject to such rules and procedures as the Committee or Board may establish.
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The Company will issue no certificates for Shares until full payment of the Exercise Price has been made, and a Participant shall have none of the rights of a stockholder until certificates for the Shares purchased are issued; provided however, that for purposes of this Section 6, full payment shall be deemed to have been received by the Company upon evidence of delivery to a broker-dealer of the irrevocable instructions contemplated by clause (ii) immediately above.
(f)              Withholding Taxes.  The Company may require a Participant exercising a Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted hereunder to reimburse the Company (or the entity which employs the Participant) for taxes required by any government to be withheld or otherwise deducted and paid by such corporation in respect of the issuance of the Shares.  Such withholding requirements may be satisfied by any one of the following methods:
(i)      A Participant may deliver cash in an amount which would satisfy the withholding requirement;
(ii)      A Participant may deliver previously-owned Shares (based upon the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise) in an amount which would satisfy the withholding requirement; or
(iii)                    With the prior consent of either the Committee or the Board, or its authorized designees, a Participant may request that the Company (or the entity which employs the Participant) withhold from the number of Shares otherwise issuable to the Participant upon exercise of an Option such number of Shares (based upon the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise) as is necessary to satisfy the withholding requirement.
(g)              Conditions to Exercise of Options.  The Committee or the Board may, in their discretion, require as conditions to the exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and the issuance of shares thereunder either (a) that a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and the shares to be issued upon the exercise thereof, containing such current information as is required by the Rules and Regulations under said Act, shall have become, and continue to be, effective; or (b) that the Participant or his or her transferee(s) (i) shall have represented, warranted and agreed, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, both that he or she is acquiring the Option or Stock Appreciation Right and, at the time of exercising the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, that he or she is acquiring the shares for his/her own account, for investment and not with a view to or in connection with any distribution; (ii) shall have agreed to restrictions on transfer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company; and (iii) shall have agreed to an endorsement which makes appropriate reference to such representations, warranties, agreements and restrictions both on the option and on the certificate representing the shares.
(h)              Use of Proceeds.  Proceeds realized from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Options granted hereunder shall constitute general funds of the Company.
7.
Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a)              When granted, Stock Appreciation Rights may, but need not be, identified with a specific Option (including any Option granted on or before the Date of Grant of the Stock Appreciation Rights) in a number equal to or different from the number of Stock Appreciation Rights so granted.  If Stock Appreciation Rights are identified with Shares subject to an Option, then, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Grant Documents, the Participant's associated Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate upon the expiration, termination, forfeiture or cancellation of such Stock Option or the exercise of such Option.
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(b)              The Strike Price of any Stock Appreciation Right shall (i) for any Stock Appreciation Right that is identified with an Option, equal the Exercise Price of such Option, or (ii) for any other Stock Appreciation Right, be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant as the Committee or Board shall specify. The duration of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be for such period as determined by the Committee or Board in its sole discretion, not to exceed ten years.
(c)              Subject to Section 11 hereof, (i) each Stock Appreciation Right which is identified with any Option grant shall vest and become exercisable by a Participant as and to the extent that the related Option with respect to which such Stock Appreciation Right is identified may be exercised; and (ii) each other Stock Appreciation Right shall vest and become exercisable by a Participant, whether during or after employment or following death, retirement or disability, at such time or times as may be designated by the Committee or Board as set forth in the applicable rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and/or the Grant Documents executed in connection with such Stock Appreciation Right.
(d)              Subject to Section 11 hereof, Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by a Participant by delivery to the Company of written notice of intent to exercise a specific number of Stock Appreciation Rights.  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Grant Documents, the exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights which are identified with Shares of Common Stock subject to an Option shall result in the cancellation or forfeiture of such Option to the extent of the exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right.
(e)              The benefit to the Participant for each Stock Appreciation Right exercised shall be equal to (i) the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock on the date of exercise, minus (ii) the Strike Price of such Stock Appreciation Right.  Such benefit shall be payable in cash, except that the Committee or Board may provide in the applicable rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and/or the Grant Documents that benefits may be paid wholly or partly in Shares of Common Stock.
8.
Restricted Stock Awards.
(a)              Issuance.  A Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to restrictions imposed by the Committee or the Board during a period of time specified by the Committee or Board (the "Restriction Period").  Restricted Stock Awards may be issued hereunder to Participants for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  The provisions of Restricted Stock Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(b)              Restricted Stock.
(i)      The Company may grant Restricted Stock to those Associates the Committee or the Board may select in their sole discretion.  Each Award of Restricted Stock shall have those terms and conditions that are expressly set forth in or are required by the Plan and the Grant Documents as the Committee or the Board may determine in their discretion.
(ii)      While any restriction applies to any Participant's Restricted Stock, (a) unless the Committee or the Board provides otherwise, the Participant shall receive the dividends paid on the Restricted Stock and shall not be required to return those dividends to the Company in the event of the forfeiture of the Restricted Stock; (b) the Participant shall receive the proceeds of the Restricted Stock in any stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, or other change in the capital structure of the Company, which proceeds shall automatically and without need for any other action become Restricted Stock and be subject to all restrictions then existing as to the Participant's Restricted Stock; and (c) the Participant shall be entitled to vote the Restricted Stock during the Restriction Period.
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(iii)                    The Restricted Stock will be delivered to the Participant subject to the understanding that while any restriction applies to the Restricted Stock, the Participant shall not have the right to sell, transfer, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, grant any security interest in or mortgage on, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any shares of Restricted Stock or any interest therein.  As a result of the retention of rights in the Restricted Stock by the Company, except as required by any applicable law, neither any shares of the Restricted Stock nor any interest therein shall be subject in any manner to any forced or involuntary sale, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition or to any charge, liability, debt, or obligation of the Participant, whether as the direct or indirect result of any action of the Participant or any action taken in any proceeding, including any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other creditors' rights law.  Any action attempting to effect any transaction of that type shall be void.
(iv)                    Unless other provisions are specified in the Grant Documents or Plan guidelines which may be adopted by the Committee or the Board from time to time, any Restricted Stock held by the Participant at the time the Participant ceases to be an Associate for any reason shall be forfeited by the Participant to the Company and automatically re-conveyed to the Company.
(v)      The Committee or the Board may withhold, in accordance with Section 15(f) hereof, any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to Restricted Stock.
(vi)                    The making of an Award of Restricted Stock and delivery of any Restricted Stock is subject to compliance by the Company with all applicable laws.  The Company need not issue or transfer Restricted Stock pursuant to the Plan unless the Company's legal counsel has approved all legal matters in connection with the delivery of the Restricted Stock.
(vii)                    The Restricted Stock will be book-entry Shares only unless the Committee or the Board decides to issue certificates to evidence any shares of Restricted Stock.  The Company may place stop-transfer instructions with respect to all Restricted Stock on its stock transfer records.
(viii)                    At the time of grant of Restricted Stock (or at such earlier or later time as the Committee or the Board determines to be appropriate in light of the provisions of Code Section 409A), the Committee or the Board may permit a Participant of an Award of Restricted Stock to defer receipt of his or her Restricted Stock in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee or the Board.  Alternatively, the Committee or the Board may, in their discretion and at the times provided above, permit an individual who would have been a Participant with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock, to elect instead to receive an equivalent Award of Restricted Stock Units, and the Committee or the Board may permit the Participant to elect to defer receipt of Shares under the Restricted Stock Units in accordance with Section 8(c)(viii).
(ix)                    The minimum Restriction Period applicable to any Award of Restricted Stock that is not subject to performance conditions restricting the grant size, the transfer of the shares, or the vesting of the award shall be two (2) years from the date of grant; provided, however, that a Restriction Period of less than two (2) years may be approved under the Plan for such Awards with respect to up to a total of 100,000 Shares.
(c)              Restricted Stock Units.
(i)      The Company may grant Restricted Stock Units to those Associates as the Committee or the Board may select in its sole discretion.  Restricted Stock Units represent the right to receive Shares in the future, at such times, and subject to such conditions as the Committee or the Board shall determine.  The restrictions imposed shall take into account potential tax treatment under Code Section 409A.
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(ii)      Until the Restricted Stock Unit is released from restrictions and any Shares subject thereto are delivered to the Participant, the Participant shall not have any beneficial ownership in any Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Unit, nor shall the Participant have the right to sell, transfer, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, grant any security interest in or mortgage on, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any Restricted Stock Unit or any interest therein.  Except as required by any law, no Restricted Stock Unit nor any interest therein shall be subject in any manner to any forced or involuntary sale, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition or to any charge, liability, debt, or obligation of the Participant, whether as the direct or indirect result of any action of the Participant or any action taken in any proceeding, including any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other creditors' rights law.  Any action attempting to effect any transaction of that type shall be void.
(iii)                    Upon the lapse of the restrictions, the Participant holder of Restricted Stock Units shall, except as noted below, be entitled to receive, as soon as administratively practical, (a) that number of Shares subject to the Award that are no longer subject to restrictions, (b) cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the number of Shares subject to the Award that are no longer subject to restrictions, or (c) any combination of Shares and cash, as the Committee or the Board shall determine in their sole discretion, or shall have specified at the time the Award was granted.
(iv)                    Restricted Stock Units and the entitlement to Shares, cash, or any combination thereunder will be forfeited and all rights of a Participant to such Restricted Stock Units and the Shares thereunder will terminate if the applicable restrictions are not satisfied.
(v)      A Participant holder of Restricted Stock Units is not entitled to any rights of a holder of the Shares (e.g., voting rights and dividend rights), prior to the receipt of such Shares pursuant to the Plan.  The Committee or the Board may, however, provide in the Grant Documents that the Participant shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments on Restricted Stock Units, on such terms and conditions as the Grant Documents may specify.
(vi)                    The Committee or the Board may withhold, in accordance with Section 15(f) hereof, any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to any Restricted Stock Units.
(vii)                    The granting of Restricted Stock Units and the delivery of any Shares is subject to compliance by the Company with all applicable laws.
(viii)                    At the time of grant of Restricted Stock Units (or at such earlier or later time as the Committee or the Board determines to be appropriate in light of the provisions of Code Section 409A), the Committee or the Board may permit a Participant to elect to defer receipt of the Shares or cash to be delivered upon lapse of the restrictions applicable to the Restricted Stock Units in accordance with rules and procedures that may be established from time to time by the Committee or the Board.  Such rules and procedures shall take into account potential tax treatment under Code Section 409A, and may provide for payment in Shares or cash.
9.
Performance Awards.
(a)              Grant.  The Company or the Board may grant Performance Awards to Associates on any terms and conditions the Committee or the Board deem desirable.  Each Award of Performance Awards shall have those terms and conditions that are expressly set forth in, or are required by, the Plan and the Grant Documents.
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(b)              Performance Goals.  The Committee or the Board may set Performance Goals which, depending on the extent to which they are met during a Performance Period, will determine the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units that will be delivered to a Participant at the end of the Performance Period.  The Performance Goals may be set at threshold, target, and maximum performance levels, and the number of Performance Shares or Units to be delivered may be tied to the degree of attainment of the various performance levels specified under the various Performance Goals during the Performance Period.  No payment shall be made with respect to a Performance Share if any specified threshold performance level is not attained.
(c)              Beneficial Ownership.  A Participant receiving a Performance Award shall not have any beneficial ownership in any Shares subject to such Award until Shares are delivered in satisfaction of the Award, nor shall the Participant have the right to sell, transfer, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, grant any security interest in or mortgage on, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any Performance Award or any interest therein.  Except as required by any law, neither the Performance Award nor any interest therein shall be subject in any manner to any forced or involuntary sale, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition or to any charge, liability, debt, or obligation of the Participant, whether as the direct or indirect result of any action of the Participant or any action taken in any proceeding, including any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other creditors' rights law.  Any action attempting to effect any transaction of that type shall be void.
(d)              Determination of Achievement of Performance Awards.  The Committee or the Board shall, promptly after the date on which the necessary financial, individual or other information for a particular Performance Period becomes available, determine and certify the degree to which each of the Performance Goals have been attained.
(e)              Payment of Performance Awards.  After the applicable Performance Period has ended, a recipient of a Performance Award shall be entitled to payment based on the performance level attained with respect to the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Award.  Performance Awards shall be settled as soon as practicable after the Committee or Board determines and certifies the degree of attainment of Performance Goals for the Performance Period.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Grant Documents, payment to a Participant with respect to a Performance Award may be made (a) in Shares, (b) in cash, or (c) any combination of Shares and cash, as the Committee or the Board may determine at any time in their sole discretion.
(f)              Limitation on Rights /Withholding.  A recipient of a Performance Award is not entitled to any rights of a holder of the Shares (e.g. voting rights and dividend rights), prior to the receipt of such Shares pursuant to the Plan.  The Committee or the Board may, however, provide in the Grant Documents that the Participant shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments in an amount commensurate with earned Performance Awards, on such terms and conditions as the Grant Documents may specify.  The Committee or the Board may withhold, in accordance with Section 15(f) hereof, any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to Performance Awards.
10.
Other Stock Unit Awards.  Other Awards of Shares and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property ("Other Stock Unit Awards") may be granted hereunder to Participants, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  Other Stock Unit Awards may be paid in Shares, cash or any other form of property as the Committee or the Board may determine.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee or the Board shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Associates to whom such Awards shall be made, the times at which such Awards shall be made, the number of Shares to be granted pursuant to such Awards, and all other terms and conditions of such Awards.  The provisions of Other Stock Unit Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.  For any Award or Shares subject to any Award made under this Section, the vesting of which is conditioned only on the passage of time, such Restriction Period shall be a minimum of two (2) years for full vesting.  Shares (including securities convertible into Shares) subject to Awards granted under this Section may be issued for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law.
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11.
Change in Control.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee or Board may determine, in their discretion, that upon the occurrence of a transaction involving a merger or consolidation of the Company, a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, the acquisition of a significant percentage of the voting power of the Company, or such other form of transaction as the Committee or Board may determine from time to time to constitute a change in control of the Company, which shall not include preliminary transaction activities such as receipt of a letter of interest, receipt of a letter of intent or an agreement in principle, that (i) Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may become immediately exercisable; (ii) restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award may become free of all restrictions and limitations and become fully vested and transferable; (iii) all Performance Awards may be considered to be prorated, and any deferral or other restriction may lapse and such Performance Awards may be immediately settled or distributed; (iv) the restrictions and deferral limitations and other conditions applicable to any Other Stock Unit Awards or any other Awards granted under the Plan may lapse and such Other Stock Unit Awards or such other Awards may become free of all restrictions, limitations or conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the Award not previously forfeited or vested.
The Committee or the Board, in their discretion, may also determine that, upon the occurrence of such a change in control transaction, each Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right outstanding hereunder shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the holder, and such holder shall receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock subject to such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Shares immediately prior to the occurrence of such transaction (which shall be no less than the value being paid for such Shares pursuant to such transaction) over the Exercise Price or Strike Price, as applicable, of such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right; such amount shall be payable in cash, in one or more of the kinds of property payable in such transaction, or in a combination thereof, as the Committee or Board in their discretion shall determine.
12.
Transferability of Awards.
(a)              Awards (subject to the limitations in paragraph (b) below) granted under the Plan may be transferred by a Participant to: (i) the Participant's family members (whether related by blood, marriage, or adoption and including a former spouse); (ii) trust(s) in which the Participant's family members have a greater than 50% beneficial interest; (iii) trusts, including but not limited to charitable remainder trusts, or similar vehicles established for estate planning and/or charitable giving purposes; and (iv) family partnerships and/or family limited liability companies which are controlled by the Participant or the Participant's family members, such transfers being permitted to occur by gift or pursuant to a domestic relation order, or, only in the case of transfers to the entities described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) immediately above, for value.  The Committee or Board, or their authorized designees may, in their sole discretion, permit transfers of Awards to other persons or entities upon the request of a Participant.  Subsequent transfers of previously transferred Awards may only be made to one of the permitted transferees named above, unless the subsequent transfer has been approved by the Committee or the Board, or their authorized designee(s).  Otherwise, such transferred Awards may be transferred only by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
(b)              Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at the time any Option is transferred as permitted under this Section 12, a corresponding Stock Appreciation Right has been identified as being granted in tandem with such Option, then the transfer of such Option shall also constitute a transfer of the corresponding Stock Appreciation Right, and such Stock Appreciation Right shall not be transferable other than as part of the transfer of the Option to which it relates.
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(c)              Concurrently with any transfer, the transferor shall give written notice to the Plan's then current Plan administrator of the name and address of the transferee, the number of shares being transferred, the Date of Grant of the Awards being transferred, and such other information as may reasonably be required by the administrator.  Following a transfer, any such Awards shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer.  The provisions of the Plan and applicable Grant Documents shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Participant, and such Awards shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent that they could have been exercised by the Participant under the terms of the original Grant Documents.  The Company disclaims any obligation to provide notice to a transferee of any termination or expiration of a transferred Award.
13.
Alteration, Termination, Discontinuance, Suspension, and Amendment.
(a)              The Committee or the Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without (i) stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to qualify for or comply with any tax or regulatory requirement for which or with which the Committee or Board deems it necessary or desirable to qualify or comply; or (ii) the consent of the affected Participant, if such action would impair the rights of such Participant under any outstanding Award.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Committee or the Board may make technical amendments to the Plan as may be necessary so as to have the Plan conform to any laws or regulations in any jurisdiction within or outside the United States, so long as stockholder approval of such technical amendments is not required.
(b)              The Committee or Board may amend the terms of any outstanding Award, prospectively retroactively, except that no such amendment shall impair the rights of any Participant without his or her consent.  Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c) below, the Committee or Board may, without the consent of the Participant, amend any Grant Documents evidencing an Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan, or otherwise take action, to accelerate the time or times at which an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised; to extend the expiration date of an Award; to waive any other condition or restriction applicable to an Award or to the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right; to amend the definition of a change in control of the Company (if such a definition is contained in such Grant Documents) to expand the events that would result in a change in control and to add a change in control provision to such Grant Documents (if such provision is not contained in such Grant Documents); and may amend any such Grant Documents in any other respect with the consent of the Participant.
(c)              If an amendment would (i) materially increase the benefits to participants under the Plan, (ii) increase the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan, or (iii) materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan by materially increasing the class or number of persons eligible to participate in the Plan, then such amendment shall be subject to stockholder approval.
(d)              If required by any Legal Requirement, any amendment to the Plan or any Award will also be submitted to and approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Company.  If any Legal Requirement requires the Plan to be amended, or in the event any Legal Requirement is amended or supplemented (e.g., by addition of alternative rules) to permit the Company to remove or lessen any restrictions on or with respect to an Award, the Board and the Committee each reserve the right to amend the Plan or any Grant Documents evidencing an Award to the extent of any such requirement, amendment or supplement, and all Awards then outstanding will be subject to such amendment.
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(e)              Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee or the Board may not, without prior approval of the stockholders of the Company, reprice any outstanding Option by either lowering the Exercise Price thereof or canceling such outstanding Stock Option in consideration of a grant having a lower Exercise Price.  This paragraph 14(d) is intended to prohibit the repricing of "underwater" Options without prior stockholder approval and shall not be construed to prohibit the adjustments provided for in Section 14 hereof.
(f)              The Plan may be terminated at any time by action of the Board.  The termination of the Plan will not adversely affect the terms of any outstanding Award.  The Plan will continue in effect until November 7, 2021, unless terminated earlier pursuant to its terms.
14.
Adjustment of Shares; Effect of Certain Transactions.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event of any change in the shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan or to any Award (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, issuance of rights to subscribe, or change in capital structure), appropriate adjustments or substitutions shall be made by the Committee or the Board as to the (i) maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan, (ii) maximum number of Shares of Common Stock for which Awards may be granted to any one Associate, and (iii) the number of Shares of Common Stock and price per share subject to outstanding Awards as shall be equitable to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights under previously granted Awards.  The determination of the Committee or Board as to these matters shall be conclusive.
15.
General Provisions.
(a)              No Associate or Participant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Associates or Participants under the Plan.
(b)              The Committee or Board shall be authorized to make adjustments in performance award criteria or in the terms and conditions of other Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or its financial statements or changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles.  The Committee or Board may correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry it into effect.  In the event the Company shall assume outstanding employee benefit awards or the right or obligation to make future such awards in connection with the acquisition of or combination with another corporation or business entity, the Committee or Board may, in their discretion, make such adjustments in the terms of Awards under the Plan as it shall deem appropriate.
(c)              All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award shall be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee or Board may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any applicable state of Federal securities law, and the Committee or Board may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(d)              No Award granted hereunder shall be construed as an offer to sell securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until the Committee or the Board in their sole discretion has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in compliance with all applicable requirements of the U.S. federal securities laws and any other laws to which such offer, if made, would be subject.
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(e)              The Committee or the Board shall be authorized to establish procedures pursuant to which the payment of any Award may be deferred.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any Grant Documents, the recipient of an Award (including, without limitation, any deferred Award) may, if so determined by the Committee or the Board, be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash dividends, or cash payments in amounts equivalent to cash dividends on Shares ("dividend equivalents"), with respect to the number of Shares covered by the Award, as determined by the Committee or the Board, in their sole discretion, and the Committee or Board may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested.
(f)              The Company shall be authorized to withhold from any Award granted or payment due under the Plan the amount of withholding taxes due in respect of an Award or payment hereunder and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Plan administrator to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes, not to exceed the statutory minimum withholding obligation.  The Committee or Board shall be authorized to establish procedures for election by Participants to satisfy such obligations for the payment of such taxes (i) by delivery of or transfer of Shares to the Company, (ii) with the consent of the Committee or the Board, by directing the Company to retain Shares otherwise deliverable in connection with the Award, (iii) by payment in cash of the amount to be withheld, or (iv) by withholding from any cash compensation otherwise due to the Participant.
(g)              Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if required, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
(h)              The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware and applicable Federal law.
(i)              If any provision of this Plan is or becomes or is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee or the Board, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable law, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee or the Board, materially altering the intent of the Plan, it shall be stricken, and the remainder of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.
(j)              Awards may be granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Participants employed in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee or the Board, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law or tax policy.  The Committee or Board also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Company's obligations with respect to tax equalization for Associates on assignments outside their home country.
(k)              No Award shall be granted or exercised if the grant of the Award or the exercise and the issuance of shares or other consideration pursuant thereto would be contrary to law or the regulations of any duly constituted authority having jurisdiction.
(l)              The Plan will not confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliated Company, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliated Company would otherwise have to terminate a Participant's employment or other service at any time.
                                                                                                                                                      16
 

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


The Board of Directors
Acxiom Corporation:
 
We consent to the use of our report with respect to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated by reference herein.
 

 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
Dallas, Texas
December 6, 2016


Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS:  That the undersigned, a director or officer, or both, of Acxiom Corporation ("Acxiom"), acting pursuant to authorization of the Board of Directors of Acxiom, hereby appoints Catherine L. Hughes and Jerry C. Jones, or any one of them, attorneys-in-fact and agents for me and in my name and on my behalf, individually and as a director or officer, or both, of Acxiom, to sign a Registration Statement on Form S-8, together with all necessary exhibits, and any amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements thereto, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the issuance and sale of 688,166 shares of Common Stock, $.10 par value per share, of Acxiom to be issued and delivered in accordance with the Pippio, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, the Arbor Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation, the Solve Media, Inc. 2009 Stock Plan and the Circulate Equity Compensation Plan of Acxiom Corporation, and generally to do and perform all things necessary to be done in connection with the foregoing as fully in all respects as I could do personally.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand as of the 5th day of December, 2016.
 
 
 
Signed:
  /s/ John L. Battelle
 
 
Name:             
JOHN L. BATTELLE, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signed:
 /s/ Timothy R. Cadogan 
 
 
 Name:             
TIMOTHY R. CADOGAN, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signed:
  /s/ William T. Dillard II
 
 
Name:             
WILLIAM T. DILLARD II, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signed:
  /s/ Richard P. Fox
 
 
Name:             
RICHARD P. FOX, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signed:
  /s/ Jerry D. Gramaglia
 
 
Name:             
JERRY D. GRAMAGLIA, Director
(Non-Executive Chairman of the Board)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signed:
  /s/ William J. Henderson
 
 
Name:             
WILLIAM J. HENDERSON, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signed:
  /s/ Scott E. Howe
 
 
Name:             
SCOTT E. HOWE, Director and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signed:
  /s/ Clark M. Kokich
 
 
Name:             
CLARK M. KOKICH, Director
 
 
 
 
 
  Signed:   /s/ Debora B. Tomlin  
  Name:   DEBORA B. TOMLIN, Director   
       
  Signed:    /s/ Warren C. Jenson  
  Name:   WARREN C. JENSON, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President & President-International Division (principal financial and accounting officer)