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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 29, 2021

 

 

MDC STAGWELL HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   001-13718   98-0364441
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
  (Commission
File Number)  
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 

 

One World Trade Center, Floor 65, New York, NY 10007

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)  

 

(646) 429-1800
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

 

MDC Partners Inc.
(Former name or form address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Trading symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, par value $0.001 per share MDCA NASDAQ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introductory Note

 

Completion of Reorganization

 

On July 29, 2021, MDC Partners Inc. (“MDC Delaware”) completed its previously announced reorganization transaction, in which MDC Delaware merged with one of its indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “MDC Merger”), with MDC Delaware (from and after the merger, “OpCo”) surviving as a direct subsidiary of a newly-formed, Nasdaq-listed Delaware corporation MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. (“MDC Stagwell Holdings”). Following the MDC Merger, OpCo converted into a limited liability company (together with the MDC Merger, the “MDC Reorganization”) that holds the operating assets of MDC Stagwell Holdings. The MDC Reorganization is described in more detail as follows. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the proxy statement/prospectus filed on Form 424B3 on May 10, 2021 (File No. 333-252829) (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”), as supplemented by the supplement to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed on Form 8-K on July 13, 2021 (“Supplement No. 1”) and the supplement to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed on Form 8-K on July 19, 2021 (“Supplement No. 2”) .

 

MDC Stagwell Holdings Corporate Conversion and MDC Merger

 

MDC Stagwell Holdings, while it was a wholly-owned subsidiary of MDC Delaware, converted into a Delaware corporation (the “MDC Stagwell Holdings Corporate Conversion”) pursuant to a certificate of conversion. In connection with the MDC Stagwell Holdings Corporate Conversion, MDC Stagwell Holdings adopted the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation and Combined Company Bylaws. The Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation was subsequently amended and restated.

 

Immediately following the MDC Stagwell Holdings Corporate Conversion, MDC Merger Sub 1 LLC (“Merger Sub”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MDC Stagwell Holdings with no assets or operations, merged with and into MDC Delaware, with MDC Delaware continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”), which then immediately converted into a Delaware limited liability company. The Surviving Corporation is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of MDC Stagwell Holdings. Following the MDC Merger, MDC Stagwell Holdings succeeded MDC Delaware as the publicly-traded company in which MDC Canada Shareholders own their interests.

 

Following the MDC Stagwell Holdings Corporate Conversion and MDC Merger, each MDC Delaware Class A Common Share, each MDC Delaware Class B Common Share, each MDC Delaware Series 4 Share and each MDC Delaware Series 6 Share, in each case held by a non-dissenting holder, was converted into the right to receive a MDC Stagwell Holdings Class A Common Share, a MDC Stagwell Holdings Class B Common Share, a MDC Stagwell Holdings Series 4 Share or MDC Stagwell Holdings Series 6 Share, respectively.

 

The issuance of MDC Stagwell Holdings Class A Common Stock and MDC Stagwell Holdings Class B Common Stock in exchange for the MDC Delaware Class A Common Stock and MDC Delaware Class B Common Stock pursuant to the MDC Reorganization was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-252829), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2021. For additional information regarding the MDC Reorganization, please refer to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as supplemented by Supplement No. 1 and Supplement No. 2.

 

Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), MDC Stagwell Holdings is the successor issuer to MDC Delaware, MDC Stagwell Holdings’s common stock is deemed to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and MDC Stagwell Holdings is subject to the periodic and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. MDC Stagwell Holdings hereby reports this succession in accordance with Rule 12g-3(f) under the Exchange Act.

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

 

 

 

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to the Rights of Security Holders.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03

 

As a result of the differences between Delaware law and the CBCA, there are differences between the rights of a stockholder of MDC Delaware and MDC Stagwell Holdings under Delaware law and the rights of a former holder of MDC Canada common stock under the CBCA. In addition, there are differences between the organizational documents of MDC Delaware and MDC Stagwell Holdings compared to those of MDC Canada. Information regarding these differences is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the heading “Comparison of Stockholder Rights” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.

 

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

In connection with the completion of the Reorganization, the same persons serving as directors and officers of MDC Delaware immediately prior to the completion of the Reorganization became the directors and officers of MDC Stagwell Holdings. In addition, MDC Stagwell Holdings replicated the committees of MDC Delaware’s board of directors and the membership thereof as of immediately prior to the completion of the Reorganization. Information regarding MDC Stagwell Holdings’s directors and officers is included in Item 10 in the Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K/A on April 27, 2021 (File No. 333-252829) and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.

 

In connection with the MDC Reorganization, MDC Stagwell Holdings filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on July 29, 2021 with the office of the Secretary of the State of Delaware, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and incorporated herein by reference. In addition, MDC Stagwell Holdings adopted by-laws on July 29, 2021, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 (the “Bylaws”) and incorporated by reference herein. Exhibit 99.1 contains a description of MDC Stagwell Holdings’s capital stock, which description is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03. Such description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MDC Stagwell Holdings, dated July 29, 2021
3.2 By-Laws of MDC Stagwell Holdings, dated July 29, 2021
99.1 Description of Capital Stock
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: July 29, 2021

 

 

MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc.

     
  By: /s/ Frank Lanuto
    Frank Lanuto
    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

MDC STAGWELL HOLDINGS INC.

 

July 29, 2021

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the corporation (hereinafter called the “Corporation”) is MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc.

 

ARTICLE II

 

SECTION 1. The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is c/o Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

SECTION 2. The name and address of the incorporator is as follows Frank Lanuto: One World Trade Center, Floor 65, New York, NY 10007.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

SECTION 1. The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,450,005,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of:

 

(1) 200,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”), including (i) 95,000 shares designated as the “Series 4 Convertible Preferred Stock”, par value $0.001 per share, (ii) 30,000,000 shares designated as the “Series 5 Convertible Preferred Stock”, par value $0.001 per share (iii) 50,000 shares designated as the “Series 6 Convertible Preferred Stock”, par value $0.001 per share, and (iv) 20,000,000 shares designated as the “Series 7 Convertible Preferred Stock”, par value $0.001 per share, and

 

(2) 1,000,000,000 shares of class A common stock, par value $0.001 (the “Class A Common Stock”), 5,000 shares of class B common stock, par value $0.001 (the “Class B Common Stock”), and 250,000,000 shares of class C common stock, par value $0.00001 (the “Class C Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, the “Common Stock”).

 

Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of either the Preferred Stock or the Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), voting as a single class, and no vote of the holders of either the Preferred Stock or the Common Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions and without stockholder approval, to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of such series, and the preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

 

SECTION 3. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or required by law, voting as a single class, each holder of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each share of Class A Common Stock, each holder of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to twenty votes in respect of each share of Class B Common Stock and each holder of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each share of Class C Common Stock held as of the applicable date on any matter that is submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any amendment to the Designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit A, B, C or D) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit A, B, C or D) or pursuant to the DGCL. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of a series of Preferred Stock are entitled to amend the Designation related to such series of Preferred Stock without the vote of the holders of Common Stock or any other series of Preferred Stock.

 

(b)       Except as otherwise required by law, holders of a series of Preferred Stock, as such, shall be entitled only to such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted to such holders by this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Designation relating to such series attached hereto as Exhibit A, B, C or D).

 

(c)       Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock:

 

  1) All dividends which are declared in any year in the discretion of the Board of Directors on all shares of the Class A Common Stock shall be declared and paid at the same time in an equal or, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, a greater amount per share than those dividends declared in respect of the Class B Common Stock at the time outstanding. All dividends which are declared in any year, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, on all shares of the Class B Common Stock shall be declared and paid at the same time in an equal or, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, a lesser amount per share than those declared in respect of shares of Class A Common Stock.

 

  2) If any stock dividend is declared on shares of Class A Common Stock, such dividend may be paid in shares of Class A Common Stock or in shares of Class B Common Stock, or partly in one class and partly in the other, if stock dividends in equal or, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, lesser amounts per share are declared at the same time on shares of the Class B Common Stock and are payable in either shares of Class A Common Stock or in shares of Class B Common Stock, or partly in one class and partly in the other, regardless of which class the stock dividend was paid on shares of Class A Common Stock. If any stock dividend is declared on shares of Class B Common Stock, such dividend may be paid in shares of Class A Common Stock or in shares of Class B Common Stock, or partly in one class and partly in the other, if stock dividends in equal or, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, greater amounts per share are paid at the same time on shares of the Class A Common Stock and are payable in either shares of Class A Common Stock or in shares of Class B Common Stock, or partly in one class and partly in the other, regardless of which class the stock dividend was paid on shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

 

 

 

  3) All distributions other than dividends (including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any distribution of rights, warrants or options to purchase securities of the Corporation), and all such distributions which may at any time or from time to time be authorized or made:

 

  i) in respect of shares of the Class A Common Stock, shall be authorized and made at the same time in equal, or in the discretion of the Board of Directors, greater quantities or amounts per share than on shares of Class B Common Stock without preference or distinction; and

 

  ii) in respect of shares of the Class B Common Stock, shall be authorized and made at the same time in equal, or in the discretion of the directors, lesser quantities or amounts per share than on shares of Class A Common Stock without preference or distinction.

 

(d)      Except as contemplated by Section 8 of this Article IV, dividends or other distributions shall not be declared or paid on the Class C Common Stock.

 

(e)      Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to receive the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them. For the avoidance of doubt, a dissolution, liquidation or winding up shall not be deemed to be occasioned by or to include, without limitation, any voluntary consolidation, reorganization, conversion or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or entity or other corporation or entities or a sale, lease, transfer, exchange or conveyance of all or a part of the Corporation’s assets. The holders of the Class C Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to receive any assets of the Corporation upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 4. Each share of Class B Common Stock shall be convertible at any time, at the option of the holder thereof, into a share of Class A Common Stock, on the basis of one share of Class A Common Stock for each share of Class B Common Stock so converted.

 

SECTION 5. (a) For the purposes of this Section 5:

 

  1) affiliate” has the meaning ascribed thereto under the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

 

  2) Conversion Period” means the period of time commencing on the eighth day after the Offer Date and terminating on the Expiry Date;

 

  3) Converted Shares” means the shares of Class B Common Stock resulting from the conversion of shares of Class A Common Stock into shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to Section 5(b) of this Article IV;

 

  4) Exclusionary Offer” means an offer to purchase shares of Class B Common Stock that:

 

i)          must, by reason of applicable securities legislation or the requirements of a stock exchange on which the shares of Class B Common Stock are listed, be made to all or substantially all holders of shares of Class B Common Stock; and

 

ii)         is not made concurrently with an offer to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock that is identical to the offer to purchase shares of Class B Common Stock in terms of price per share and percentage of outstanding shares to be taken up exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the offer by the Offeror, and in all other material respects, and that has no condition attached other than the right not to take up and pay for shares tendered if no shares are tendered pursuant to the offer for shares of Class B Common Stock,

 

 

 

 

  and for the purposes of this definition, if an offer to purchase shares of Class B Common Stock is not an Exclusionary Offer as defined above but would be an Exclusionary Offer if it were not for sub-clause (ii), the varying of any term of such offer shall be deemed to constitute the making of a new offer unless an identical variation concurrently is made to the corresponding offer to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock;

 

  5) Expiry Date” means the last date upon which holders of shares of Class B Common Stock may accept an Exclusionary Offer;

 

  6) Offer Date” means the date on which an Exclusionary Offer is made;

 

  7) Offeror” means a person or company that makes an offer to purchase shares of Class B Common Stock (the “bidder”), and includes any associate or affiliate of the bidder or any person or company that is disclosed in the offering document to be acting jointly or in concert with the bidder; and

 

  8) transfer agent” means the transfer agent for the time being of the Corporation’s shares of Common Stock.

 

(b) Subject to paragraphs (e) and (j) of this Section 5, if an Exclusionary Offer is made, each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock shall be convertible into one share of Class B Common Stock at the option of the holder during the Conversion Period. The conversion right may be exercised by notice in writing given to the transfer agent accompanied by, if applicable, the share certificate or certificates representing the shares of Class A Common Stock which the holder desires to convert, and such notice shall be executed by such holder, or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and shall specify the number of shares of Class A Common Stock which the holder desires to have converted. The holder shall pay any governmental or other tax imposed on or in respect of such conversion. Upon receipt by the transfer agent of such notice and, if applicable, share certificate or certificates, the Corporation shall issue shares of Class B Common Stock as above prescribed and in accordance with paragraph of this Section 5.

 

(c) An election by a holder of shares of Class A Common Stock to exercise the conversion right provided for in paragraph (b) of this Section 5 shall be deemed to also constitute an irrevocable election by such holder to deposit the Converted Shares pursuant to the Exclusionary Offer (subject to such holder's right to subsequently withdraw the shares from the offer) and to exercise the right to convert into shares of Class A Common Stock all Converted Shares in respect of which such holder exercises his right of withdrawal from the Exclusionary Offer or which are not otherwise ultimately taken up under the Exclusionary Offer. Any conversion into shares of Class A Common Stock, pursuant to such deemed election, of Converted Shares in respect of which the holder exercises his or her right of withdrawal from the Exclusionary Offer shall become effective at the time such right of withdrawal is exercised. If the right of withdrawal is not exercised, any conversion into shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to such deemed election shall become effective,

 

  1) in respect of an Exclusionary Offer which is completed, immediately following the time by which the Offeror is required by applicable securities legislation to take up and pay for all shares to be acquired by the Offeror under the Exclusionary Offer; and

 

  2) in respect of an Exclusionary Offer which is abandoned or withdrawn, at the time at which the Exclusionary Offer is abandoned or withdrawn.

 

(d) Upon completion of the offer, the transfer agent shall deliver to the holders entitled thereto all consideration paid by the Offeror pursuant to the offer. The Corporation shall make all arrangements with the transfer agent necessary or desirable to give effect to this subparagraph.

 

 

 

 

(e) Subject to paragraph (f) of this Section 5, the conversion right provided for in paragraph (b) of this Section 5 shall not come into effect if:

 

  1) prior to the time at which the Exclusionary Offer is made there is delivered to the transfer agent and to the Secretary of the Corporation certificate or certificates signed by or on behalf of one or more stockholders of the Corporation owning in the aggregate, as at the time the Exclusionary Offer is made, more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the Exclusionary Offer by the Offeror, which certificate or certificates shall confirm, in the case of each such stockholder, that such stockholder shall not:

 

  i) accept any Exclusionary Offer without giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation written notice of such acceptance or intended acceptance at least seven days prior to the Expiry Date;

 

  ii) make any Exclusionary Offer;

 

  iii) act jointly or in concert with any person or company that makes any Exclusionary Offer; or

 

  iv) transfer any shares of Class B Common Stock, directly or indirectly, during the time at which any Exclusionary Offer is outstanding without giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation written notice of such transfer or intended transfer at least seven days prior to the Expiry Date, which notice shall state, if known to the transferor, the names of the transferees and the number of shares of Class B Common Stock transferred or to be transferred to each transferee;

 

  2) within seven days after the Offer Date there is delivered to the transfer agent and to the Secretary of the Corporation a certificate or certificates signed by or on behalf of one or more stockholders of the Corporation owning in the aggregate more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the Exclusionary Offer by the Offeror, which certificate or certificates shall confirm, in the case of each such stockholder:

 

  i) the number of shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the stockholder;

 

  ii) that such stockholder is not making the offer and is not an affiliate of, or acting jointly or in concert with, the person or company making the offer;

 

  iii) that such stockholder shall not accept the offer, including any varied form of the offer, without giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation written notice of such acceptance or intended acceptance at least seven days prior to the Expiry Date; and

 

  iv) that such stockholder shall not transfer any shares of Class B Common Stock, directly or indirectly, prior to the Expiry Date without giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation written notice of such transfer or intended transfer at least seven days prior to the Expiry Date, which notice shall state, if known to the transferor, the names of the transferees and the number of shares of Class B Common Stock transferred or to be transferred to each transferee if this information is known to the transferor; or

 

3) any shares of Class C Common Stock are outstanding.

 

 

 

 

(f) If a notice referred to in sub-clause (e)(1)(i), (e)(1)(iv), (e)(2)(iii) or (e)(2)(iv) of this Section 5 is given and the conversion right provided for in paragraph (b) of this Section 5 has not come into effect, the transfer agent shall either forthwith upon receipt of the notice or forthwith after the seventh day following the Offer Date, whichever is later, make a determination as to whether there are subsisting certifications that comply with either sub-clause (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this Section 5 from stockholders of the Corporation who own in the aggregate more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the offer by the Offeror. For the purposes of this determination the transaction that is the subject of such notice shall be deemed to have taken place at the time of the determination, and the shares that are the subject of such notice shall be deemed to have been transferred to a person or company from whom the transfer agent had not received such a certification unless the transfer agent is otherwise advised either by such notice or by the transferee in writing. If the transfer agent determines that there are not such subsisting certifications, paragraph (e) of this Section 5 shall cease to apply and the conversion right provided for in paragraph (b) of this Section 5 shall be in effect for the remainder of the Conversion Period.

 

(g) As soon as reasonably possible after the seventh day after the Offer Date, the Corporation shall send to each holder of shares of Class A Common Stock a notice advising the holders as to whether they are entitled to convert their shares of Class A Common Stock into shares of Class B Common Stock and the reasons therefor. If such notice disclosed that they are not so entitled but if subsequently determined that they are so entitled by virtue of paragraph (f) of this Section 5 or otherwise, the Corporation shall forthwith send another notice to them advising them of that fact and the reasons therefor.

 

(h) If a notice referred to in paragraph (g) of this Section 5 discloses that the conversion right has come into effect, the notice shall:

 

  1) include a description of the procedure to be followed to effect the conversion and to have the Converted Shares tendered under the offer;

 

  2) include the information set out in paragraph (c) of this Section 5; and

 

  3) be accompanied by a copy of the offer and all other material sent to holders of shares of Class B Common Stock in respect of the offer, and as soon as reasonably possible after any additional material, including a notice of variation, is sent to the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock in respect of the offer, the Corporation shall send a copy of such additional material to each holder of shares of Class A Common Stock.

 

(i) Prior to or forthwith after sending any notice referred to in paragraph (g) of this Section 5, the Corporation shall cause a press release describing the contents of the notice.

 

(j) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Certificate of Incorporation, for the avoidance of doubt, no holder of Class A Common Stock shall have any conversion rights under this Section 5 of Article IV for so long as any shares of Class C Common Stock are outstanding.

 

SECTION 6. (a) For the purposes of this Section 6:

 

  1) Midas OpCo” means Midas OpCo Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability and any successor entity thereto;

 

  2) LLC Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Midas OpCo, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Midas OpCo and its Members (as defined therein), as such agreement may be further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time; and

 

  3) Common Unit” means a unit representing limited liability company interests in Midas OpCo and constituting a “Common Unit” as defined in the LLC Agreement as in effect on the effective date of this Certificate of Incorporation.

 

 

 

 

(b) Permitted Owners. Shares of Class C Common Stock (1) may be issued only in connection with (A) the issuance by Midas OpCo of a corresponding number of Common Units and only to the person or entity to whom such Common Units are issued, or (B) Section 8 of this Article IV and (2) may be registered only in the name of (A) a person or entity to whom shares of Class C Common Stock are issued in accordance with clause (1), (B) its successors and assigns, (C) their respective transferees permitted in accordance with Section 6(d) or (D) any subsequent successors, assigns and permitted transferees (collectively, “Permitted Class C Owners”).

 

(c) Voting. Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Designation), for so long as any shares of Class C Common Stock shall remain outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the prior vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Class C Common Stock then outstanding, voting separately as a single class, amend, alter or repeal any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, if such amendment, alteration or repeal would alter or change the powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the Class C Common Stock.

 

(d) Transfer of Class C Common Stock.

 

i)                   A holder of Class C Common Stock may transfer shares of Class C Common Stock to any transferee (other than the Corporation) only if, and only to the extent permitted by the LLC Agreement, such holder also simultaneously transfers an equal number of such holder’s Common Units to such transferee in compliance with the LLC Agreement. Upon a transfer of Common Units in accordance with the LLC Agreement, a corresponding number of shares of Class C Common Stock held by the holder of such Common Units will automatically and simultaneously be transferred to the same transferee of such Common Units. The transfer restrictions described in this Section 6(d)(i)) are referred to as the “Restrictions.”

 

ii)                 Any purported transfer of shares of Class C Common Stock in violation of the Restrictions shall be null and void. If, notwithstanding the Restrictions, a person shall, voluntarily or involuntarily, purportedly become or attempt to become the purported owner (“Purported Owner”) of shares of Class C Common Stock in violation of the Restrictions, then the Purported Owner shall not obtain any rights in and to such shares of Class C Common Stock (the “Restricted Shares”), and the purported transfer of the Restricted Shares to the Purported Owner shall not be recognized by the Corporation or its transfer agent.

 

iii)               Upon a determination by the Board of Directors that a person has attempted or may attempt to transfer or to acquire Restricted Shares in violation of the Restrictions, the Board of Directors may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to such transfer or acquisition on the books and records of the Corporation, including without limitation, to cause the transfer agent to record the Purported Owner’s transferor as the record owner of the Restricted Shares and to institute proceedings to enjoin or rescind any such transfer or acquisition.

 

iv)               The Board of Directors may, to the extent permitted by law, from time to time establish, modify, amend or rescind, by bylaw or otherwise, regulations and procedures that are consistent with the provisions of this Section 6(d) for determining whether any transfer or acquisition of shares of Class C Common Stock would violate the Restrictions and for the orderly application, administration and implementation of the provisions of this Section 6(d). Any such procedures and regulations shall be kept on file with the Secretary of the Corporation and with the transfer agent and shall be made available for inspection by any prospective transferee and, upon written request, shall be mailed to holders of shares of Class C Common Stock.

 

 

 

 

v)                  The Board of Directors shall have all powers necessary to implement the Restrictions, including without limitation, the power to prohibit the transfer of any shares of Class C Common Stock in violation thereof.

 

(e) Reservation of Class A Common Stock. The Corporation will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon exchange of shares of Class C Common Stock and Common Units for shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the LLC Agreement, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issuable upon any such exchange pursuant to the LLC Agreement. All shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issued upon any such exchange of shares of Class C Common Stock and Common Units pursuant to the LLC Agreement will, upon issuance in accordance with the LLC Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

SECTION 7. Shares of Common Stock shall not entitle any holder thereof to any pre-emptive, subscription or redemption rights.

 

SECTION 8. If the Corporation at any time effects any subdivision (by any stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Class A Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares, the shares of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision or combination shall be proportionately similarly subdivided or combined such that the ratio of shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock to shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock immediately prior to such subdivision or combination shall be maintained immediately after such subdivision or combination and the ratio of shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock to shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock immediately prior to such subdivision or combination shall be maintained immediately after such subdivision or combination. If the Corporation at any time effects any subdivision (by any stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Class B Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares, the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision or combination shall be proportionately similarly subdivided or combined such that the ratio of shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock to shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock immediately prior to such subdivision or combination shall be maintained immediately after such subdivision or combination and the ratio of shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock to shares of outstanding Class C Common Stock immediately prior to such subdivision or combination shall be maintained immediately after such subdivision or combination. If the Corporation at any time effects any subdivision (by any stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Class C Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares, the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision or combination shall be proportionately similarly subdivided or combined such that the ratio of shares of outstanding Class C Common Stock to shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock immediately prior to such subdivision or combination shall be maintained immediately after such subdivision or combination and the ratio of shares of outstanding Class C Common Stock to shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock immediately prior to such subdivision or combination shall be maintained immediately after such subdivision or combination.

 

SECTION 9. As of the date of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors has provided for the issuance of Series 4 Convertible Preferred Stock with the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, option or other special rights, and qualifications as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

SECTION 10. As of the date of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors has provided for the issuance of Series 5 Convertible Preferred Stock with the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, option or other special rights, and qualifications as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto.

 

SECTION 11. As of the date of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors has provided for the issuance of Series 6 Convertible Preferred Stock with the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, option or other special rights, and qualifications as set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 12. As of the date of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors has provided for the issuance of Series 7 Convertible Preferred Stock with the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, option or other special rights, and qualifications as set forth in Exhibit D attached hereto.

 

ARTICLE V

 

SECTION 1. (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to the terms of (i) any outstanding series of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit A, B, C or D) or (ii) the Transaction Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2020, by and among Stagwell Media LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Stagwell”), New MDC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Midas Merger Sub 1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and MDC Partners Inc., a Canadian corporation which domesticated as a Delaware corporation prior to the date hereof and converted into MDC OpCo, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. In no event shall a decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

(b) The directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock voting separately pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit A, B, C or D), shall be elected by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon at each annual meeting of stockholders. Each director shall be elected annually and shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her respective successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. The election of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

SECTION 2. Advance notice of nominations for the election of directors shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in the By-laws of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 3. (a) Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock (including any Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit A, B, C or D), newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or other cause shall only be filled by the Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, or if not so filled, by the stockholders at the next annual meeting thereof. Any director elected in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 3 shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term such director is elected to and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

 

(b) Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed with or without cause, and, in either case, such removal shall require the affirmative vote of holders of shares representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the then outstanding shares of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled generally to vote on the election of directors of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever holders of outstanding shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock voting separately are entitled to elect directors of the Corporation pursuant to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit A, B, C or D), any such director of the Corporation so elected may be removed in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation (including any such Designation).

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

SECTION 1. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, until the first date on which Stagwell and its Permitted Transferees (as defined in the LLC Agreement), directly or indirectly, cease to beneficially own, in the aggregate, shares of Common Stock representing at least thirty percent (30%) of the votes entitled to be cast by the then outstanding shares of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled generally to vote on the election of directors of the Corporation (such date, the “Trigger Date”), any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing (or deemed to be in writing under applicable law), setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by stockholders (or deemed to be signed by stockholders under applicable law) representing not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such actions at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered and dated as required by law. Prompt notice of the taking of such action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. The Secretary of the Corporation shall file such consents with the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders. From and after the Trigger Date, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken only upon the vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly called and may not be taken by written consent of the stockholders.

 

SECTION 2. Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may only be called by (a) the Chairman of the Board of Directors or (b) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors (the entire Board of Directors being the total number of authorized directors, whether or not there exist any vacancies or unfilled previously authorized directorships); provided, however, that until the Trigger Date, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation shall also be called by the Secretary of the Corporation at the request of the holders of at least thirty percent (30%) of the votes entitled to be cast by the then outstanding shares of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled generally to vote on the election of directors of the Corporation or as otherwise provided in the By-laws of the Corporation. From and after the Trigger Date, the stockholders of the Corporation shall not have the power to call a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation or to request the Secretary of the Corporation to call a special meeting of the stockholders.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, repeal, alter or amend the By-laws of the Corporation by the vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. In addition to any requirements of law and any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled generally to vote in the election of directors of the Corporation, voting together as a single class, shall be required for stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal any provision of the By-laws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are subject to this reservation.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

SECTION 1. To the fullest extent that the DGCL or any other law of the State of Delaware as it exists or as it may hereafter be amended permits the limitation or elimination of the liability of directors, no director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

 

SECTION 2. To the fullest extent that the DGCL or any other law of the State of Delaware as it exists or as it may hereafter be amended permits, including to the extent that such law or amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior to such law or amendment, the Corporation may provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) its current and former directors, officers and agents (and any other persons to which the DGCL permits the Corporation to provide indemnification) through By-law provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, votes of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3. No amendment to or repeal of any Section of this Article IX, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article IX, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article IX in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

 

ARTICLE X

 

SECTION 1. In recognition and anticipation that Exempted Persons (as defined below) (i) currently or may in the future serve as directors, officers or agents of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries (as defined below), (ii) currently or may in the future have access to information about the Corporation and its Subsidiaries that may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, enhance each such Exempted Person’s knowledge and understanding of (A) the industries in which the Corporation and its Subsidiaries operate (collectively, “Acquired Knowledge”), (B) the activities in which the Corporation and its Subsidiaries now engage, may continue to engage or may in the future engage (which shall include, without limitation, other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation and its Affiliates (as defined below) and Subsidiaries may engage directly or indirectly) or (C) related lines of business in which the Corporation or its Subsidiaries may engage directly or indirectly and (iii) currently or may in the future have an interest in the same or similar areas of corporate opportunity as the Corporation or its Subsidiaries may have an interest directly or indirectly, the provisions of this Article X are set forth to regulate and define, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law, the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve an Exempted Person, and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and their respective direct or indirect partners, members, and stockholders in connection therewith.

 

SECTION 2. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law, if any Exempted Person acquires knowledge of a potential Corporate Opportunity (as defined below) or otherwise is then exploiting any Corporate Opportunity, the Corporation and its Affiliates and Subsidiaries shall have no interest or expectancy in such Corporate Opportunity, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in such Corporate Opportunity, and any interest or expectancy in any Corporate Opportunity or any expectation in being offered the opportunity to participate in any Corporate Opportunity is hereby renounced and waived so that, such Exempted Person, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law, (i) shall have no duty (fiduciary, contractual or otherwise) to communicate or present such Corporate Opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries or any stockholder; (ii) shall have the right to hold or pursue, directly or indirectly, any such Corporate Opportunity for such Exempted Person’s own account and benefit or such Exempted Person may direct such Corporate Opportunity to another Person (as defined below); and (iii) shall not be liable to the Corporation, any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries, their respective Affiliates or their respective direct or indirect partners, members or stockholders, for breach of any duty (fiduciary, contractual or otherwise) as a stockholder, director or officer of the Corporation or otherwise by reason of the fact that it pursues or acquires such Corporate Opportunity, directs such Corporate Opportunity to another Person or does not communicate information regarding such Corporate Opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

 

(b) The Corporation hereby expressly acknowledges and agrees that the Exempted Persons have the right to, and shall have no duty (contractual or otherwise) not to, (i) directly or indirectly engage in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries engages or proposes to engage, on such Exempted Person’s own behalf, or in partnership with, or as an employee, officer, director, member or stockholder of any other Person, including those lines of business deemed to be competing with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) do business with any potential or actual customer or supplier of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries; and (iii) employ or otherwise engage any officer or employee of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries. The Corporation hereby expressly acknowledges and agrees that neither the Corporation nor any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries nor any stockholder shall have any rights in and to the business ventures of any Exempted Person, or the income or profits derived therefrom. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law, none of the Exempted Persons shall be liable to the Corporation, any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries, their respective Affiliates or their respective direct or indirect partners, members, or stockholders, for breach of any duty (fiduciary, contractual or otherwise) as a stockholder, director or officer of the Corporation or otherwise by reason that such Exempted Person is engaging in any activities or lines of business or competing with the Corporation or its Subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

(c) The Corporation hereby acknowledges and agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law, (i) in the event of any conflict of interest between the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Exempted Person, on the other hand, such Exempted Person may act in its best interest or in the best interest of any other Exempted Person and (ii) no Exempted Person shall be obligated to (A) reveal to the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries confidential information belonging to or relating to the business of any Exempted Person or (B) recommend or take any action in its capacity as stockholder, director or officer, as the case may be, that prefers the interest of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries over the interest of any Exempted Person.

 

(d) The Corporation hereby acknowledges and agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law, each Exempted Person is not restricted from using Acquired Knowledge in making investment, voting, monitoring, governance or other decisions relating to other entities or securities.

 

SECTION 3. Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article X.

 

SECTION 4. For purposes of this Article X, a director who is Chairman of the Board of Directors or chairman of a committee of the Board of Directors is not deemed an officer of the Corporation by reason of holding that position unless that person is a full-time employee of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 5. If this Article X or any portion hereof shall be invalidated or held to be unenforceable on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of which shall not have been reversed on appeal, this Article X shall be deemed to be modified to the minimum extent necessary to avoid a violation of law and, as so modified, this Article X and the remaining provisions hereof shall remain valid and enforceable in accordance with their terms to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 6. For the purposes of this Article X,

 

(a) “Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another Person.

 

(b) “Corporate Opportunity” means (i) an investment or business opportunity or activity, including without limitation those that might be considered the same as or similar to the Corporation’s business or the business of any Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Corporation, including those deemed to be competing with the Corporation or any Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Corporation, or (ii) a prospective economic or competitive advantage in which the Corporation or any Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Corporation could have an interest or expectancy. In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing, a Corporate Opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential opportunity for the Corporation or any Affiliates or Subsidiary if it is a business opportunity that (i) the Corporation, Affiliate or Subsidiary, as applicable, is not financially able or contractually permitted or legally able to undertake, (ii) from its nature, is not in the line of the Corporation’s, Affiliate’s or Subsidiary’s, as applicable, business or is of no practical advantage to it or (iii) is one in which the Corporation, Affiliate or Subsidiary, as applicable, has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

 

(c) “Exempted Person” means each Person that is a director of the Corporation who is not an employee of the Corporation of any of its subsidiaries.

 

(d) “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.

 

 

 

 

(e) “Subsidiary” with respect to any Person means: (i) a corporation, a majority of whose capital stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors is at the time, directly or indirectly owned by such Person, by a Subsidiary of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, without regard to whether the voting of such capital stock is subject to a voting agreement or similar restriction, (ii) a partnership or limited liability company in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, (A) in the case of a partnership, a general partner of such partnership with the power affirmatively to direct the policies and management of such partnership or (B) in the case of a limited liability company, the managing member or, in the absence of a managing member, a member with the power affirmatively to direct the policies and management of such limited liability company or (iii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, a Subsidiary of such Person or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has (A) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the members of the governing body of such Person (whether or not such power is subject to a voting agreement or similar restriction) or (B) in the absence of such a governing body, a majority ownership interest.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

The Corporation expressly opts out of, and elects not to be governed by the “Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders” provisions contained in Section 203 of the DGCL (“Section 203”), as permitted under Subsection 203(b) of the DGCL, until the first date on which Stagwell and its Permitted Transferees, directly or indirectly, cease to beneficially own, in the aggregate, shares of Common Stock representing at least five percent (5%) of the votes entitled to be cast by the then outstanding shares of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled generally to vote on the election of directors of the Corporation. From and after such date, the Corporation shall be governed by Section 203 so long as Section 203 by its terms would apply to the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto) or as to which the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto) confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, (d) any action or proceeding asserting a claim against the corporation or any current or former directors, officer or other employee of the corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (as each may be amended form time to time), (e) any action or proceeding asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine or (f) any other action or proceeding asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law, or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware does not have jurisdiction, any other state or federal court located within the State of Delaware.

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

If any provision (or any part thereof) of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any section containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Designation of Series 4 Convertible Preferred Stock

 

 

 

DESIGNATION
OF
SERIES 4 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
OF
MDC STAGWELL HOLDINGS INC.

 

SECTION 1.       Designation and Amount. The designation of this series of Preferred Stock is “Series 4 Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series 4 Preferred Shares”), par value $0.001 per share, and the number of shares constituting such series is Ninety-Five Thousand (95,000). Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series 4 Preferred Shares to less than the number of shares then issued and outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding securities issued by the Corporation.

 

SECTION 2.       Dividends.

 

(a)        Participating Dividends.

 

(i)          Each holder of issued and outstanding Series 4 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends for each Series 4 Preferred Share, dividends of the same type as any dividends or other distribution, whether in cash, in kind or in other property, payable or to be made on outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares of the Corporation (the “Class A Shares”), in an amount equal to the amount of such dividends or other distribution as would be made on the number of Class A Shares into which such Series 4 Preferred Shares could be converted on the applicable record date for such dividends or other distribution on the Class A Shares, without giving effect to the limitations set forth in SECTION 6(b) after aggregating all shares held by the same holder (the “Participating Dividends”) and disregarding any rounding for fractional amounts; provided, however, that notwithstanding the above, the holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or distributions for which an adjustment to the Conversion Price (as defined below) shall be made pursuant to SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) or SECTION 6(f)(ii) (and such dividends or distributions that are not payable to the holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares as a result of this proviso shall not be deemed to be Participating Dividends).

 

(ii)         Participating Dividends are payable at the same time as and when such dividends or other distributions on the Class A Shares are paid to the holders of Class A Shares and are payable to holders of record of Series 4 Preferred Shares on the record date for the corresponding dividend or distribution on the Class A Shares.

 

(b)       Additional Dividends.

 

(i)          Following the occurrence of a Specified Event, each holder of issued and outstanding Series 4 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends for each Series 4 Preferred Share, with respect to each Dividend Period, dividends at a rate per annum equal to the Additional Rate multiplied by the Base Liquidation Preference per Series 4 Preferred Share (the “Additional Dividends” and, together with Participating Dividends, the “Dividends”). Any Additional Dividends payable pursuant to this SECTION 2(b) shall be in addition to any Participating Dividends, as applicable, payable pursuant to SECTION 2(a) hereof.

 

(ii)        Additional Dividends will accrue on a daily basis and be cumulative from the date on which a Specified Event occurs and are payable in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date.

 

(iii)       Additional Dividends in respect of any Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of Additional Dividends payable for any Dividend Period shorter or longer than a full quarterly Dividend Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

 

 

(iv)      Additional Dividends that are declared and payable on a Dividend Payment Date will be paid to the holders of record of Series 4 Preferred Shares as they appear in the records of the Corporation at the close of business on the 15th day of the calendar month prior to the month in which the applicable Dividend Payment Date falls, provided that Additional Dividends payable upon redemption or conversion of Series 4 Preferred Shares will be payable to the holder of record on the Redemption Date or the Conversion Date, as applicable. Any payment of an Additional Dividend will first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid Additional Dividend due with respect to each share that remains payable.

 

(v)        Additional Dividends are payable only in cash. Additional Dividends will accrue and cumulate whether or not the Corporation has earnings or profits, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of Additional Dividends and whether or not Additional Dividends are declared.

 

(vi)      After a Specified Event has occurred and while any Series 4 Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless all Additional Dividends accrued to the end of all completed Dividend Periods have been paid in full, neither the Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries may (A) declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividends or distributions on any Junior Securities or (B) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Junior Securities.

 

(vii)      The provisions of SECTION 2(b)(vi) shall not prohibit:

 

(A) the repurchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of vested or unvested Common Shares held by any future, present or former officer, director, employee, manager or consultant (or their respective permitted transferees) of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation pursuant to any equity incentive grant, plan, program or arrangement, any severance agreement or any stock subscription or equityholder agreement, in each case solely to the extent required by the terms thereof;

 

(B) payments made or expected to be made by the Corporation in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable in connection with the exercise or vesting of Common Shares or Class A Equivalents (as defined below) by any future, present or former officer, director, employee, manager or consultant (or their respective permitted transferees) of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation and repurchases or withholdings of Common Shares or Class A Equivalents in connection with any exercise or vesting of Common Shares or Class A Equivalents if such Common Shares or Class A Equivalents represent all or a portion of the exercise price of, or withholding obligation with respect to, such Common Shares or Class A Equivalents;

 

(C) cash payments made in lieu of issuing fractional Common Shares in connection with the exercise or vesting of Common Shares or Class A Equivalents;

 

(D) payments arising from agreements of the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation providing for adjustment of purchase price, deferred consideration, earn outs or similar obligations, in each case incurred in connection with the purchase or investment by the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation of or in assets or capital stock of a third party; or

 

(E) payments or distributions made pursuant to any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or pursuant to any decree or order for relief or made by any custodian of the Corporation in connection with any voluntary case or proceeding under Title 11 of the U.S. Code or any similar federal, state or non-U.S. law for the relief of debtors.

 

(c)       The Corporation shall pay Dividends (less any tax required to be deducted and withheld by the Corporation), except in case of redemption or conversion in which case payment of Dividends shall be made on surrender of the certificate, if any, representing the Series 4 Preferred Shares to be redeemed or converted, by electronic funds transfer or by sending to each holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares a check for such Dividends payable to the order of such holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of all such holders failing written instructions from them to the contrary or in such other manner, not contrary to applicable law, as the Corporation shall reasonably determine. The making of such payment or the posting or delivery of such check on or before the date on which such Dividend is to be paid to a holder shall be deemed to be payment and shall satisfy and discharge all liabilities for the payment of such Dividends to the extent of the sum represented thereby (plus the amount of any tax required to be and in fact deducted and withheld by the Corporation from the related Dividends as aforesaid and remitted to the proper taxing authority) unless such check is not honored when presented for payment. Subject to applicable law, Dividends which are represented by a check which has not been presented to the Corporation’s bankers for payment or that otherwise remain unclaimed for a period of six years from the date on which they were declared to be payable shall be forfeited to the Corporation.

 

 

 

(d)        Holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares are not entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, in kind or other property, in excess of the Participating Dividends and, if applicable, the Additional Dividends, as provided in this SECTION 2.

 

SECTION 3.       Liquidation Preference.

 

(a)        Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, each Series 4 Preferred Share entitles the holder thereof to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution, before any distribution or payment may be made to a holder of any Class A Shares, any Class B Shares of the Corporation (the “Class B Shares”), any Class C Shares of the Corporation (the “Class C Shares”) or any other shares ranking junior as to capital to the Series 4 Preferred Shares, an amount per Series 4 Preferred Share equal to the greater of (i) the Base Liquidation Preference (as defined below), as increased by the Accretion Rate (as defined below) from the most recent Quarterly Compounding Date to the date of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up (without duplication of changes to the Base Liquidation Preference as provided for in SECTION 3(b)) plus any accrued but unpaid Dividends with respect thereto, and (ii) an amount equal to the amount the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares would have received per Series 4 Preferred Share upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation had such holders converted their Series 4 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares immediately prior thereto, without giving effect to the limitations set forth in SECTION 6(b) and disregarding any rounding for fractional amounts (the greater of the amount in clause (i) and clause (ii), the “Liquidation Preference”). Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Designation to the contrary, immediately prior to and conditioned upon the consummation of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, if the amount set forth in clause (i) above is greater than the amount set forth in clause (ii) above, any holder of outstanding Series 4 Preferred Shares shall have the right to convert its Series 4 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares by substituting the Fair Market Value of a Class A Share for the then-applicable Conversion Price (as defined below) and without giving effect to the limitations set forth in SECTION 6(b) and disregarding any rounding for fractional amounts.

 

(b)       The “Base Liquidation Preference” per Series 4 Preferred Share shall initially be equal to the Original Purchase Price. From and after the Series 4 Original Issuance Date, the Base Liquidation Preference of each Series 4 Preferred Share shall increase on a daily basis, on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at a rate of 8.0% per annum (the “Accretion Rate”) of the then-applicable Base Liquidation Preference, the amount of which increase shall compound quarterly on each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 (each, a “Quarterly Compounding Date”) from the Series 4 Original Issuance Date through February 14, 2022, following which the Accretion Rate will decrease to 0% per annum and the Base Liquidation Preference per Series 4 Preferred Share will not increase during any period subsequent to February 14, 2022. The Base Liquidation Preference shall be proportionally adjusted for any stock dividends, splits, combinations and similar events on the Series 4 Preferred Shares.

 

(c)       After payment to the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares of the full Liquidation Preference to which they are entitled, the Series 4 Preferred Shares as such will have no right or claim to any of the assets of the Corporation.

 

(d)       The value of any property not consisting of cash that is distributed by the Corporation to the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares will equal the Fair Market Value thereof on the date of distribution.

 

(e)        For the purposes of this SECTION 3, a Fundamental Change (in and of itself) shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation subject to this SECTION 3 (it being understood that an actual liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation in connection with a Fundamental Change will be subject to this SECTION 3).

 

 

 

SECTION 4.       Voting Rights. The holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares shall not be entitled as such, except as required by law, to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting but shall be entitled to receive notice of meetings of shareholders of the Corporation called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the sale of its undertaking or a substantial part thereof. The approval of the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares with respect to any and all matters referred to in this Designation may be given in writing by all of the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares outstanding or by resolution duly passed and carried as may then be required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at a meeting of the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares duly called and held for the purpose of considering the subject matter of such resolution and at which holders of not less than a majority of all Series 4 Preferred Shares then outstanding are present in person or represented by proxy in accordance with the by-laws of the Corporation; provided, however, that if at any such meeting, when originally held, the holders of at least a majority of all Series 4 Preferred Shares then outstanding are not present in person or so represented by proxy within 30 minutes after the time fixed for the meeting, then the meeting shall be adjourned to such date, being not less than fifteen (15) days later, and to such time and place as may be fixed by the chairman of such meeting. Notice of any such original meeting of the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares shall be given not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date fixed for such meeting and shall specify in general terms the purpose for which the meeting is called, and notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days prior to the date fixed for such adjourned meeting, but it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the purpose for which the adjourned meeting is called. The formalities to be observed with respect to the giving of notice of any such original meeting or adjourned meeting and the conduct of it shall be those from time to time prescribed in the by-laws of the Corporation with respect to meetings of shareholders. On every poll taken at any such original meeting or adjourned meeting, each holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares present in person or represented by proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each of the Series 4 Preferred Shares held by such holder.

 

SECTION 5.       Purchase for Cancellation. Subject to such provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as may be applicable, the Corporation may at any time or times purchase (if obtainable) for cancellation all or any part of the Series 4 Preferred Shares outstanding from time to time: (a) through the facilities of any Exchange or market on which the Series 4 Preferred Shares are listed, (b) by invitation for tenders addressed to all the holders of record of the Series 4 Preferred Shares outstanding, or (c) in any other manner, in each case at the lowest price or prices at which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, such shares are obtainable.

 

SECTION 6.       Conversion.

 

Each Series 4 Preferred Share is convertible into Class A Shares as provided in this SECTION 6.

 

(a)       Conversion at the Option of Holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares. Subject to SECTION 6(b), each holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares is entitled to convert, in whole at any time and from time to time, and in part at any time and from time to time after the ninetieth day following the Series 4 Original Issuance Date, at the option and election of such holder upon receipt of all antitrust approvals required in connection with such conversion (or the lapse of any applicable waiting period relating to such required antitrust approvals), any or all outstanding Series 4 Preferred Shares held by such holder into a number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Class A Shares equal to the number (the “Conversion Amount”) determined by dividing (i) the Base Liquidation Preference (as adjusted pursuant to SECTION 3(b) to the date immediately preceding the Conversion Date (as defined below)) for each Series 4 Preferred Share to be converted by (ii) the Conversion Price in effect at the time of conversion. The “Conversion Price” initially is $10.00 per share, as adjusted from time to time as provided in SECTION 6(f). In order to convert the Series 4 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares, the holder must surrender the certificates representing such Series 4 Preferred Shares, accompanied by transfer instruments satisfactory to the Corporation, free of any adverse interest or liens at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent for the Series 4 Preferred Shares, together with written notice that such holder elects to convert all or such number of shares represented by such certificates as specified therein. With respect to a conversion pursuant to this SECTION 6(a), the date of receipt of such certificates, together with such notice and such other information or documents as may be required by the Corporation (including any certificates delivered pursuant to SECTION 6(b)), by the transfer agent or the Corporation will be the date of conversion (the “Conversion Date”) and the Conversion Date with respect to a conversion pursuant to SECTION 6(c) will be as provided in such section.

 

 

 

(b)        Limitations on Conversion. Notwithstanding SECTION 6(a) or SECTION 6(c) but subject to SECTION 8, the Corporation shall not effect any conversion of the Series 4 Preferred Shares or otherwise issue Class A Shares pursuant to SECTION 6(a) or SECTION 6(c), and no holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares will be permitted to convert Series 4 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares if, and to the extent that, following such conversion, either (i) such holder’s aggregate voting power on a matter being voted on by holders of Class A Shares would exceed 19.9% of the Maximum Voting Power (as defined below) or (ii) such holder would Beneficially Own more than 19.9% of the then outstanding Common Shares; provided, however, that such conversion restriction shall not apply to any conversion in connection with and subject to completion of (A) a public sale of the Class A Shares to be issued upon such conversion, if following consummation of such public sale such holder will not Beneficially Own in excess of 19.9% of the then outstanding Class A Shares or (B) a bona fide third party tender offer for the Class A Shares issuable thereupon. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of Class A Shares Beneficially Owned by a holder shall include the number of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 4 Preferred Shares with respect to which a conversion notice has been given, but shall exclude the number of Class A Shares which would be issuable upon conversion or exercise of the remaining, unconverted portion of the Series 4 Preferred Shares and any Alternative Preference Shares Beneficially Owned by such holder. Upon the written request of the holder, the Corporation shall within two (2) Business Days confirm in writing (which may be by email) to any holder the number of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares then outstanding. In connection with any conversion and as a condition to the Corporation effecting such conversion, upon request of the Corporation, a holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares shall deliver to the Corporation a certificate, signed by a duly authorized officer of such holder, no less than twelve (12) Business Days prior to the applicable conversion, certifying that, after giving effect to such conversion, (i) such holder’s aggregate voting power on a matter being voted on by holders of Class A Shares will not exceed 19.9% of the Maximum Voting Power or (ii) such holder will not Beneficially Own more than 19.9% of the then outstanding Common Shares. For purposes hereof, “Maximum Voting Power” means, at the time of determination of the Maximum Voting Power, the total number of votes which may be cast by all shares of the Corporation’s capital on a matter subject to the vote of the Common Shares and any other securities that constitute Voting Stock voting together as a single class and after giving effect to any limitation on voting power set forth herein and the Certificate of Incorporation, certificate of designation or other similar document governing other Voting Stock.

 

(c)        Conversion at the Option of the Corporation. Subject to SECTION 6(b) and SECTION 8, at the Corporation’s option and election and upon its compliance with this SECTION 6(c), and in the case of the Investor and any Permitted Transferee upon receipt of all antitrust approvals required in connection with such conversion (or the lapse of any applicable waiting period relating to such required antitrust approvals), all outstanding Series 4 Preferred Shares shall be converted automatically into a number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Class A Shares equal to the Conversion Amount following written notice by the Corporation to the holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares notifying such holders of the conversion contemplated by this SECTION 6(c), which conversion shall occur on the date specified in such notice, which shall not be less than ten (10) Business Days following the date of such notice (or in the case of the Investor and any Permitted Transferee the later of (A) the date of receipt of all antitrust approvals required in connection with such conversion (or the lapse of any applicable waiting period relating to such required antitrust approvals)) and (B) ten (10) Business Days following the date of such notice), provided, that (i) prior to February 14, 2022, such notice may be delivered by the Corporation (and such Series 4 Preferred Shares may be converted into Class A Shares pursuant to this SECTION 6(c)) only if the Closing Price per Class A Share for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to delivery of a notice of conversion pursuant to this SECTION 6(c) was at or above 125% of the then-applicable Conversion Price and (ii) following February 14, 2022, such notice may be delivered by the Corporation (and such Series 4 Preferred Shares may be converted into Class A Shares pursuant to this SECTION 6(c)) only if the Closing Price per Class A Share for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to delivery of a notice of conversion pursuant to this SECTION 6(c) was at or above 100% of the then-applicable Conversion Price; provided further, that following a Specified Event, the Corporation shall not be entitled to convert the Series 4 Preferred Shares.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares shall continue to have the right to convert their Series 4 Preferred Shares pursuant to SECTION 6(a) until and through the Conversion Date contemplated in this SECTION 6(c) and if such Series 4 Preferred Shares are converted pursuant to SECTION 6(a) such shares shall no longer be converted pursuant to this SECTION 6(c) and the Corporation’s notice delivered to the holders pursuant to this SECTION 6(c) shall be of no effect with respect to such shares converted pursuant to SECTION 6(a).

 

 

 

(d)        Fractional Shares. No fractional Class A Shares will be issued upon conversion of the Series 4 Preferred Shares. In lieu of fractional shares, the Corporation shall round, to the nearest whole number, the number of Class A Shares to be issued upon conversion of the Series 4 Preferred Shares. If more than one Series 4 Preferred Share is being converted at one time by or for the benefit of the same holder, then the number of full shares issuable upon conversion will be calculated on the basis of the aggregate number of Series 4 Preferred Shares converted by or for the benefit of such holder at such time.

 

(e)       Mechanics of Conversion.

 

(i)         Promptly after the Conversion Date (and in any event within three (3) Business Days), the Corporation shall (A) issue and deliver to such holder the number of Class A Shares to which such holder is entitled in exchange for the certificates formerly representing Series 4 Preferred Shares and (B) pay to such holder, to the extent of funds legally available therefor, all declared and unpaid Dividends on the Series 4 Preferred Shares that are being converted into Class A Shares; provided, that any accrued and unpaid Dividends not paid to such holder pursuant to the foregoing clause (B) shall, subject to SECTION 6(b), be converted into a number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Class A Shares equal to the number determined by dividing (x) the aggregate amount of such accrued and unpaid Dividends on the Series 4 Preferred Shares that are being converted by (y) the then current Conversion Price. Such conversion will be deemed to have been made on the Conversion Date, and the person entitled to receive the Class A Shares issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such Class A Shares on such Conversion Date. In case fewer than all the shares represented by any such certificate are to be converted, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unconverted shares without cost to the holder thereof, except for any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due because any certificates for Class A Shares or Series 4 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder. The Corporation shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of Class A Shares upon conversion or due upon the issuance of a new certificate for any Series 4 Preferred Shares not converted other than any such tax due because Class A Shares or a certificate for Series 4 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder.

 

(ii)         From and after the Conversion Date, the Series 4 Preferred Shares to be converted on such Conversion Date will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holder thereof as a holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares (except the right to receive from the Corporation the Class A Shares upon conversion, together with the right to receive any accrued and unpaid Dividends thereon) shall cease and terminate with respect to such shares; provided, that in the event that a Series 4 Preferred Share is not converted, such Series 4 Preferred Share will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the rights as provided herein.

 

(iii)        If the conversion is in connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 4 Preferred Shares, the conversion may, at the option of any holder tendering any Series 4 Preferred Share for conversion, be conditioned upon the closing of the sale, transfer or the disposition of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Series 4 Preferred Shares with the underwriter, transferee or other acquirer in such sale, transfer or disposition, in which event such conversion of such Series 4 Preferred Shares shall not be deemed to have occurred until immediately prior to the closing of such sale, transfer or other disposition.

 

(iv)       All Class A Shares issued upon conversion of the Series 4 Preferred Shares will, upon issuance by the Corporation, be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

 

 

(f)        Adjustments to Conversion Price.

 

(i)         Adjustment for Change In Share Capital.

 

(A) If the Corporation shall, at any time and from time to time while any Series 4 Preferred Shares are outstanding, issue a dividend or make a distribution on its Class A Shares payable in its Class A Shares to all or substantially all holders of its Class A Shares, then the Conversion Price at the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution will be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction:

 

(1)    the numerator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such Ex-Dividend Date; and

 

(2)    the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of Class A Shares outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, plus the total number of Class A Shares constituting such dividend or other distribution.

 

If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to the Conversion Price which would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, in no event shall the Conversion Price be increased pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(i)(A).

 

(B) If the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the Series 4 Preferred Shares are outstanding, subdivide or reclassify its outstanding Class A Shares into a greater number of Class A Shares, then the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately decreased, and conversely, if the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the Series 4 Preferred Shares are outstanding, combine or reclassify its outstanding Class A Shares into a smaller number of Class A Shares, then the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day upon which such combination or reclassification becomes effective shall be proportionately increased. In each such case, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision or combination and the denominator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such subdivision, combination or reclassification. Such increase or reduction, as the case may be, shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day upon which such subdivision, combination or reclassification becomes effective.

 

(ii)        Adjustment for Rights Issue. If the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time, while any Series 4 Preferred Shares are outstanding, distribute rights, options or warrants to all or substantially all holders of its Class A Shares entitling them, for a period expiring within sixty (60) days after the record date for such distribution, to purchase Class A Shares, or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Class A Shares, in either case, at less than the average of the Closing Prices for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the first public announcement of the distribution, then the Conversion Price shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution by a fraction:

 

(A) the numerator of which shall be the sum of (1) the number of Class A Shares Outstanding on the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution, plus (2) the number of Class A Shares that the aggregate offering price of the total number of Class A Shares issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants would purchase at the Current Market Price of the Class A Shares on the declaration date for such distribution (determined by multiplying such total number of Class A Shares so offered by the exercise price of such rights, options or warrants and dividing the product so obtained by such Current Market Price); and

 

(B) the denominator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares Outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution, plus the total number of additional Class A Shares issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants.

 

 

 

The term “Class A Shares Outstanding” shall mean, without duplication, and include the following, and the following shall be included whether vested or unvested, whether contingent or non-contingent and whether exercisable or not yet exercisable, and without regard to any other limitations or restrictions on conversion or exercise:

 

(1)   the number of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares then outstanding;

 

(2)   all Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding Series 4 Preferred Shares; and

 

(3)   all Class A Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and any other Convertible Security.

 

Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

 

To the extent that Class A Shares are not delivered pursuant to such rights, options or warrants or upon the expiration or termination of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted to the Conversion Price that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of Class A Shares actually delivered. In the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Price which would then be in effect if the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution had not occurred. In determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to purchase Class A Shares at less than the average of the Closing Prices for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the first public announcement of the relevant distribution, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such Class A Shares, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, options or warrants and the value of such consideration if other than cash, to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. Except as set forth in this paragraph, in no event shall the Conversion Price be increased pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(ii).

 

(iii)       Adjustment for Certain Tender Offers or Exchange Offers. In case the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries shall, at any time or from time to time, while any Series 4 Preferred Shares are outstanding, distribute cash or other consideration in respect of a tender offer or an exchange offer (that is treated as a “tender offer” under U.S. federal securities laws) made by the Corporation or any Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Class A Shares, where the sum of the aggregate amount of such cash distributed and the aggregate Fair Market Value, as of the Expiration Date (as defined below), of such other consideration distributed (such sum, the “Aggregate Amount”) expressed as an amount per Class A Share validly tendered or exchanged, and not withdrawn, pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer as of the Expiration Time (as defined below) (such tendered or exchanged Class A Shares, the “Purchased Shares”) exceeds the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the last date (such last date, the “Expiration Date”) on which tenders or exchanges could have been made pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer (as the same may be amended through the Expiration Date), then, and in each case, immediately after the close of business on such date, the Conversion Price shall be decreased so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date by a fraction:

 

(A) the numerator of which shall be equal to the product of (1) the number of Class A Shares outstanding as of the last time (the “Expiration Time”) at which tenders or exchanges could have been made pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer (including all Purchased Shares) and (2) the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date; and

 

(B) the denominator of which is equal to the sum of (x) the Aggregate Amount and (y) the product of (I) an amount equal to (1) the number of Class A Shares outstanding as of the Expiration Time, less (2) the Purchased Shares and (II) the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date.

 

An adjustment, if any, to the Conversion Price pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(iii) shall become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the second Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date. In the event that the Corporation or a Subsidiary is obligated to purchase Class A Shares pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Corporation or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Price which would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, if the application of this SECTION 6(f)(iii) to any tender offer or exchange offer would result in an increase in the Conversion Price, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer or exchange offer under this SECTION 6(f)(iii).

 

 

 

(iv)      Disposition Events.

 

(A) If any of the following events (any such event, a “Disposition Event”) occurs:

 

(1)   any reclassification or exchange of the Class A Shares (other than as a result of a subdivision or combination);

 

(2)   any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other combination to which the Corporation is a constituent party; or

 

(3)   any sale, conveyance, lease, or other disposal of all or substantially all the properties and assets of the Corporation to any other person;

 

in each case, as a result of which all of the holders of Class A Shares shall be entitled to receive cash, securities or other property for their Class A Shares, the Series 4 Preferred Shares converted following the effective date of any Disposition Event shall be converted, in lieu of the Class A Shares otherwise deliverable, into the same amount and type (in the same proportion) of cash, securities or other property received by holders of Class A Shares in the relevant event (collectively, “Reference Property”) received upon the occurrence of such Disposition Event by a holder of Class A Shares holding, immediately prior to the transaction, a number of Class A Shares equal to the Conversion Amount (without giving effect to any limitations on conversion set forth in SECTION 6(b)) immediately prior to such Disposition Event; provided that if the Disposition Event provides the holders of Class A Shares with the right to receive more than a single type of consideration determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election, the Reference Property shall be comprised of the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of the Class A Shares.

 

(B) The above provisions of this SECTION 6(f)(iv) shall similarly apply to successive Disposition Events. If this SECTION 6(f)(iv) applies to any event or occurrence, neither SECTION 6(f)(i) nor SECTION 6(f)(iii) shall apply; provided, however, that this SECTION 6(f)(iv) shall not apply to any share split or combination to which SECTION 6(f)(i) is applicable or to a liquidation, dissolution or winding up to which SECTION 3 applies. To the extent that equity securities of a company are received by the holders of Class A Shares in connection with a Disposition Event, the portion of the Series 4 Preferred Shares which will be convertible into such equity securities will continue to be subject to the anti-dilution adjustments set forth in this SECTION 6(f).

 

(v)        Adjustment for Certain Issuances of Additional Class A Shares.

 

(A) Other than in respect of an issuance or distribution in respect of which SECTION 6(f)(ii) applies, in the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Series 4 Original Issuance Date while the Series 4 Preferred Shares are outstanding issue Additional Class A Shares, without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the applicable Conversion Price immediately prior to such issuance in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issue, then and in such event, such Conversion Price shall be reduced, concurrently with such issuance, to a price determined by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction:

 

(1)         the numerator of which shall be (a) the number of Class A Shares Outstanding (as defined below) immediately prior to such issuance plus (b) the number of Class A Shares which the aggregate consideration received or to be received by the Corporation for the total number of Class A Shares so issued would purchase at such Conversion Price; and

 

 

 

(2)         the denominator of which shall be (a) the number of Class A Shares Outstanding immediately prior to such issue plus (b) the number of such Additional Class A Shares so issued.

 

(B) For purposes of this SECTION 6(f)(v), the term “Additional Class A Shares” means any Class A Shares or Convertible Security (collectively, “Class A Equivalents”) issued by the Corporation after the Series 4 Original Issuance Date, provided that Additional Class A Shares will not include any of the following:

 

(1)   Class A Equivalents issued in a transaction for which an adjustment to the Conversion Price is made pursuant to SECTION 6(f)(i), SECTION 6(f)(iii) or SECTION 6(f)(iv);

 

(2)   Class A Equivalents issued or issuable upon conversion of Series 4 Preferred Shares or Alternative Preference Shares or pursuant to the terms of any other Convertible Security issued and outstanding on the Series 4 Original Issuance Date;

 

(3)   All Class A Shares, as adjusted for share dividends, splits, combinations and similar events, validly reserved on the Series 4 Original Issuance Date and issued or issuable upon the exercise of options or rights issued to employees, officers or directors of, or consultants, advisors or service providers to, the Corporation or any of its majority- or wholly-owned subsidiaries pursuant to any current equity incentive plans, programs or arrangements of or adopted by the Corporation, including the Corporation’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, the Corporation’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, the Corporation’s 2016 Stock Incentive Plan and the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Stock Appreciation Rights Plan;

 

(4)  An unlimited number of Class A Equivalents issued pursuant to future equity incentive grants, plans, programs or arrangements adopted by the Corporation to the extent that any Class A Equivalents issued pursuant to this clause (4) shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the Corporation’s diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (as calculated for the Corporation’s financial reporting purposes) in any fiscal year, with any unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to succeeding fiscal years;

 

(5)   Class A Equivalents issued in connection with bona fide acquisitions of any entities, businesses and/or related assets or other business combinations by the Corporation, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets, sale or exchange of stock or otherwise, or settlement of deferred liabilities in connection therewith; or

 

(6)   Class A Equivalents issued in a transaction with respect to which holders of a majority of the Series 4 Preferred Shares purchased securities pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Securities Purchase Agreement or otherwise.

 

In the case of the issuance of Additional Class A Shares for cash, the consideration shall be deemed to be the amount of cash paid therefor before deducting any reasonable discounts, commissions or other expenses allowed, paid or incurred by the Corporation for any underwriting or otherwise in connection with the issuance and sale thereof. In the case of the issuance of Additional Class A Shares for consideration in whole or in part other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value thereof. In the case of the issuance of Convertible Securities, the aggregate maximum number of Class A Shares deliverable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities shall be deemed to have been issued at the time such Convertible Securities were issued and for a consideration equal to the consideration (determined in the manner provided in this paragraph) if any, received by the Corporation upon the issuance of such Convertible Securities plus the minimum additional consideration payable pursuant to the terms of such Convertible Securities for the Class A Shares covered thereby, but no further adjustment shall be made for the actual issuance of Class A Shares upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any such Convertible Securities. In the event of any change in the number of Class A Shares deliverable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities subject to this SECTION 6(f)(v), including, but not limited to, a change resulting from the anti-dilution provisions thereof, the Conversion Price shall forthwith be readjusted to such Conversion Price as would have been obtained had the adjustment that was made upon the issuance of such Convertible Securities not exercised, converted or exchanged prior to such change been made upon the basis of such change. Upon the expiration or forfeiture of any Additional Class A Shares consisting of options, warrants or other rights to acquire Class A Shares or Convertible Securities, the termination of any such rights to convert or exchange or the expiration or forfeiture of any options or rights related to such convertible or exchangeable securities, the Conversion Price, to the extent in any way affected by or computed using such options, rights or securities or options or rights related to such securities, shall be recomputed to reflect the issuance of only the number of Class A Shares (and Convertible Securities that remain in effect) actually issued upon the exercise of such options, warrants or rights, upon the conversion or exchange of such securities or upon the exercise of the options or rights related to such securities.

 

 

 

(vi)      Minimum Adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Conversion Price will not be reduced if the amount of such reduction would be an amount less than $0.01, but any such amount will be carried forward and reduction with respect thereto will be made at the time that such amount, together with any subsequent amounts so carried forward, aggregates to $0.01 or more.

 

(vii)      When No Adjustment Required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment to the Conversion Price need be made:

 

(A) for a transaction referred to in SECTION 6(f)(i) or SECTION 6(f)(ii) if the Series 4 Preferred Shares participate, without conversion, in the transaction or event that would otherwise give rise to an adjustment pursuant to such Section at the same time as holders of the Class A Shares participate with respect to such transaction or event and on the same terms as holders of the Class A Shares participate with respect to such transaction or event as if the holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares, at such time, held a number of Class A Shares equal to the Conversion Amount at such time;

 

(B) for rights to purchase Class A Shares pursuant to any present or future plan by the Corporation for reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Corporation’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in Class A Shares under any plan; or

 

(C) for any event otherwise requiring an adjustment under this SECTION 6 if such event is not consummated.

 

(viii)     Rules of Calculation; Treasury Shares. All calculations will be made to the nearest one-hundredth of a cent or to the nearest one-ten thousandth of a share. Except as explicitly provided herein, the number of Class A Shares outstanding will be calculated on the basis of the number of issued and outstanding Class A Shares.

 

(ix)       Waiver. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Conversion Price will not be reduced if the Corporation receives, prior to the effective time of the adjustment to the Conversion Price, written notice from the holders representing at least a majority of the then outstanding Series 4 Preferred Shares, voting together as a separate class, that no adjustment is to be made as the result of a particular issuance of Class A Shares or other dividend or other distribution on Class A Shares. This waiver will be limited in scope and will not be valid for any issuance of Class A Shares or other dividend or other distribution on Class A Shares not specifically provided for in such notice.

 

(x)         Tax Adjustment. Anything in this SECTION 6 notwithstanding, the Corporation shall be entitled to make such downward adjustments in the Conversion Price, in addition to those required by this SECTION 6, as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any event treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a dividend or share split will not be taxable to the holders of Class A Shares.

 

(xi)        No Duplication. If any action would require adjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to more than one of the provisions described in this SECTION 6 in a manner such that such adjustments are duplicative, only one adjustment shall be made.

 

 

 

(xii)       Provisions Governing Adjustment to Conversion Price.  Rights, options or warrants distributed by the Corporation to all or substantially all holders of Class A Shares entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Corporation’s capital (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Rights Trigger”): (A) are deemed to be transferred with such Class A Shares; (B) are not exercisable; and (C) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Class A Shares, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Price under SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Rights Trigger, whereupon such rights, options and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed, and (x) if and to the extent such rights, options and warrants are exercisable for Class A Shares or the equivalents thereof, an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Price shall be made under SECTION 6(f)(ii) (without giving effect to the sixty (60) day limit on the exercisability of rights, options and warrants ordinarily subject to such SECTION 6(f)(ii)), and/or (y) if and to the extent such rights, options and warrants are exercisable for cash and/or any shares of the Corporation’s capital other than Class A Shares or Class A Share equivalents, shall be subject to the provisions of SECTION 2(a) applicable to Participating Dividends and shall be distributed to the holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares.  If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the Series 4 Original Issuance Date, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (and a termination or expiration of the existing rights, options or warrants without exercise by any of the holders thereof).  In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Rights Trigger or other event (of the type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Price under SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted at the opening of business of the Corporation immediately following such final redemption or repurchase by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price per Class A Share on such date, less the amount equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or holders of Class A Shares with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all or substantially all holders of Class A Shares as of the date of such redemption or repurchase and (y) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) to the extent any such rights, options or warrants are redeemed by the Corporation prior to a Rights Trigger or are exchanged by the Corporation, in either case for Class A Shares, the Conversion Price shall be appropriately readjusted (if and to the extent previously adjusted pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(xii)) as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued, and instead the Conversion Price will be adjusted as if the Corporation had issued the Class A Shares issued upon such redemption or exchange as a dividend or distribution of Class A Shares subject to SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) and (B) to the extent any such rights, options or warrants are redeemed by the Corporation prior to a Rights Trigger or are exchanged by the Corporation, in either case for any shares of the Corporation’s capital (other than Class A Shares) or any other assets of the Corporation, such redemption or exchange shall be deemed to be a distribution and shall be subject to, and paid to the holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares pursuant to, the provisions of SECTION 2(a) applicable to Participating Dividends.

 

(xiii)      Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any adjustment of the Conversion Price or entitlement to acquire Class A Shares pursuant to this Designation shall be subject to the rules of the Exchange to the extent required to comply with such rules. If after the Series 4 Original Issuance Date there is a change in the applicable rules of the Exchange on which the Class A Shares are listed at the time such change becomes effective or in the interpretation of such applicable rules that would cause the Class A Shares to be delisted by such Exchange as a result of the terms of this Designation, the rights of the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares set forth in this Designation shall thereafter be limited to the extent required by such changed rules in order for the Class A Shares to continue to be listed on such Exchange.

 

(xiv)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Designation, if an adjustment to the Conversion Price becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date as described herein, and a holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares that have been converted on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or prior to the related record date would be treated as the record holder of Class A Shares as of the related Conversion Date based on an adjusted Conversion Price for such Ex-Dividend Date, then, notwithstanding such Conversion Price adjustment provisions, the Conversion Price adjustment relating to such Ex-Dividend Date will not be made for such converted Series 4 Preferred Shares. Instead, the holder of such converted Series 4 Preferred Shares will be treated as if such holder were the record owner of the Class A Shares on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.

 

 

 

(g)       Notice of Record Date. In the event of:

 

(i)          any share split or combination of the outstanding Class A Shares;

 

(ii)         any declaration or making of a dividend or other distribution to holders of Class A Shares in additional Class A Shares, any other share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness);

 

(iii)        any reclassification or change to which SECTION 6(f)(i)(B) applies;

 

(iv)        the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation; or

 

(v)         any other event constituting a Disposition Event;

 

then the Corporation shall file with its corporate records and mail to the holders of the Series 4 Preferred Shares at their last addresses as shown on the records of the Corporation, at least ten (10) days prior to the record date specified in (A) below or ten (10) days prior to the date specified in (B) below, a notice stating:

 

(A) the record date of such share split, combination, dividend or other distribution, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Class A Shares of record to be entitled to such share split, combination, dividend or other distribution are to be determined, or

 

(B) the date on which such reclassification, change, dissolution, liquidation, winding up or other event constituting a Disposition Event, is estimated to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Class A Shares of record will be entitled to exchange their Class A Shares for the share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness) deliverable upon such reclassification, change, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or other Disposition Event.

 

Disclosures made by the Corporation in any public filings made under the Exchange Act shall be deemed to satisfy the notice requirements set forth in this SECTION 6(g).

 

(h)        Certificate of Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to this SECTION 6, the Corporation shall compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares a certificate, signed by an officer of the Corporation, setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, upon the reasonable written request of any holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares, furnish to such holder a similar certificate setting forth (i) the calculation of such adjustments and readjustments in reasonable detail, (ii) the Conversion Price then in effect, and (iii) the number of Class A Shares and the amount, if any, of share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness) which then would be received upon the conversion of Series 4 Preferred Shares.

 

 

 

SECTION 7.       Redemption.

 

(a)        Redemption at the Option of the Corporation.

 

(i)          In connection with or following any Specified Event, the Corporation, at its option and (if applicable) subject to consummation of such Specified Event, may redeem (out of funds legally available therefor) for cash all of the Series 4 Preferred Shares then outstanding at a price (the “Redemption Price”) per Series 4 Preferred Share equal to the greater of (i) the Base Liquidation Preference per such Series 4 Preferred Share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon and (ii) an amount equal to the amount the holder of such Series 4 Preferred Shares would have received in respect of such Series 4 Preferred Share had such holder converted such Series 4 Preferred Share into Class A Shares immediately prior to such redemption based on the Current Market Price, in each case on the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”).

 

(ii)         If the Corporation elects to redeem the Series 4 Preferred Shares pursuant to this SECTION 7, on or prior to the fifteenth (15th) Business Day prior to the applicable Redemption Date, the Corporation shall mail a written notice of redemption (the “Redemption Notice”) by first-class mail addressed to the holders of record of the Series 4 Preferred Shares as they appear in the records of the Corporation; provided, however, that accidental failure to give any such notice to one or more of such holders shall not affect the validity of such redemption. The Redemption Notice must state: (A) the expected Redemption Price as of the expected Redemption Date, and specify the individual components thereof (it being understood that the actual Redemption Price will be determined as of the actual Redemption Date); (B) the name of the redemption agent to whom, and the address of the place to where, the Series 4 Preferred Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; (C) if applicable, that the consummation of the Redemption and the payment of the Redemption Price shall be subject to the consummation of the Specified Event, and (D) the anticipated Redemption Date.

 

(b)       Mechanics of Redemption.

 

(i)          On the Redemption Date, the Corporation shall pay the applicable Redemption Price, upon surrender of the certificates representing the Series 4 Preferred Shares to be redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Corporation shall so require, and letters of transmittal and instructions therefor on reasonable terms are included in the notice sent by the Corporation); provided that payment of the Redemption Price for certificates (and accompanying documentation, if required) surrendered to the Corporation after 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date may, at the Corporation’s option, be made on the Business Day immediately following the Redemption Date.

 

(ii)         Series 4 Preferred Shares to be redeemed on the Redemption Date will from and after such date, no longer be deemed to be outstanding; and all powers, designations, preferences and other rights of the holder thereof as a holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares (except the right to receive from the Corporation the applicable Redemption Price) shall cease and terminate with respect to such shares; provided, that in the event that a Series 4 Preferred Share is not redeemed due to a default in payment by the Corporation or because the Corporation is otherwise unable to pay the applicable Redemption Price in cash in full, such Series 4 Preferred Share will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the powers, designations, preferences and other rights as provided herein.

 

(iii)       Notwithstanding anything in this SECTION 7 to the contrary, each holder shall retain the right to convert Series 4 Preferred Shares to be redeemed at any time on or prior to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that any Series 4 Preferred Shares for which a holder delivers a conversion notice to the Corporation prior to the Redemption Date shall not be redeemed pursuant to this SECTION 7.

 

SECTION 8.      Antitrust and Conversion Into Alternative Preference Shares.

 

(a)          If (i) the Corporation validly delivers a notice of conversion pursuant to SECTION 6(c) to the Investor or any Permitted Transferee at any time on and after the date hereof and (ii) the Investor or such Permitted Transferee would not be permitted to convert one or more of its Beneficially Owned Series 4 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares because any applicable waiting period has not lapsed, or approval has not been obtained, under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, or other applicable law, the Accretion Rate will decrease to 0% per annum following, and the Base Liquidation Preference per Series 4 Preferred Share will not increase during any period subsequent to, ten (10) Business Days following the date of such validly delivered notice.

 

 

 

 

(b)          With respect to any holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares other than the Investor or any Permitted Transferee, after receiving a notice of conversion pursuant to SECTION 6(c), any such holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares as to whom the relevant provisions of the following sentence are applicable may, at such holder’s option, convert Series 4 Preferred Shares subject to such conversion at any time on or prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Conversion Date, as the case may be, specified in such notice into Alternative Preference Shares to the extent necessary to address the conditions described in SECTION 8(c).

 

(c)          (i) If any holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares would not be permitted to convert one or more of its Beneficially Owned Series 4 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares due to the restrictions contained in SECTION 6(b) or (ii) if any holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares other than the Investor or any Permitted Transferee would not be permitted to convert one more of its Beneficially Owned Series 4 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares (the shares described in clause (i) and (ii), the “Special Conversion Shares”) because any applicable waiting period has not lapsed, or approval has not been obtained, under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, or other applicable law, then in each case each Special Conversion Share of such holder shall be converted into a number of Alternative Preference Shares equal to the number of Class A Shares such holder would have received if such holder would have been permitted to convert such Special Conversion Shares into Class A Shares on the Conversion Date.

 

(d)          As soon as practicable (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) after receipt of notice of either of the events described in SECTION 8(c), which notice shall include the amount of Alternative Preference Shares to which such holder is entitled and the basis for such conversion into Alternative Preference Shares, the Corporation shall (i) issue and deliver to such holder a certificate for the number of Alternative Preference Shares, if any, to which such holder is entitled in exchange for the certificates formerly representing the Series 4 Preferred Shares and (ii) pay to such holder, to the extent of funds legally available therefor, all declared and unpaid Dividends on the Series 4 Preferred Shares that are being converted into Alternative Preference Shares. Such conversion will be deemed to have been made on the Conversion Date, and the person entitled to receive the Alternative Preference Shares issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such Alternative Preference Shares on such Conversion Date. In case fewer than all of the Series 4 Preferred Shares represented by any such certificate are to be converted into Alternative Preference Shares, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unconverted shares without cost to the holder thereof, except for any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due because any certificates for Alternative Preference Shares or Series 4 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder. The Corporation shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of Alternative Preference Shares upon conversion or due upon the issuance of a new certificate for any Series 4 Preferred Shares not converted other than any such tax due because Alternative Preference Shares or a certificate for Series 4 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder.

 

SECTION 9.        Additional Definitions. For purposes of this Designation, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)          “Additional Rate” means an annual rate initially equal to 7.0% per annum, increasing by 1.0% on every anniversary of the occurrence of the Specified Event.

 

(b)          “Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation, its subsidiaries and its other controlled Affiliates shall not be considered Affiliates of the Investor.

 

(c)         “Alternative Preference Shares” means the Series 5 Series 4 Preferred Shares so denominated and authorized by the Corporation concurrently with the Series 4 Preferred Shares.

 

(d)         “Beneficially Own,” “Beneficially Owned” or “Beneficial Ownership” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes hereof the words “within sixty days” in Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) shall not apply, to the effect that a person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security at any time. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes hereof, except where otherwise expressly provided herein, the Investor (or any other person) shall at all times be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 4 Preferred Shares directly or indirectly held by them, irrespective of any applicable restrictions on transfer, conversion or voting.

 

 

 

 

(e)          “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

(f)         “Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in New York City, New York.

 

(g)       “Closing Price” of the Class A Shares on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the Exchange or, if the Class A Shares are not listed or admitted for trading on an Exchange, as reported on the quotation system on which such security is quoted. If the Class A Shares are not listed or admitted for trading on an Exchange and not reported on a quotation system on the relevant date, the “closing price” will be the last quoted bid price for the Class A Shares in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or similar organization. If the Class A Shares are not so quoted, the last reported sale price will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Class A Shares on the relevant date from each of at least three (3) nationally recognized investment banking firms selected by the Corporation for this purpose.

 

(h)          “Common Shares” means the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares, the Class C Shares and any other common shares in the capital of the Corporation.

 

(i)          “control,” “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” with respect to any person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or otherwise.

 

(j)         “Convertible Security” means any debt or other evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Shares.

 

(k)         “Corporation” means MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(l)            “Current Market Price” of Class A Shares on any day means the average of the Closing Prices per Class A Share for each of the five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on the earlier of the day in question and the day before the Ex-Dividend Date with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computation.

 

(m)        “Designation” mean this Designation of the Series 4 Preferred Shares.

 

(n)        “Dividend Payment Date” means (i) each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year, or (ii) with respect to any Series 4 Preferred Share that is to be converted or redeemed, the Conversion Date or the Redemption Date, as applicable; provided that if any such Dividend Payment Date would otherwise occur on a day that is not a Business Day, such Dividend Payment Date shall instead be (and any dividend payable on Series 4 Preferred Shares on such Dividend Date shall instead be payable on) the immediately succeeding Business Day.

 

(o)         “Dividend Period” means the period which commences on and includes a Dividend Payment Date (other than the initial Dividend Period which shall commence on and include the date on which the Specified Event occurs) pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of the definition of “Dividend Payment Date” and ends on and includes the calendar day next preceding the next Dividend Payment Date.

 

(p)         “Ex-Dividend Date” means, with respect to any issuance or distribution, the first date on which the Class A Shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.

 

(q)         “Exchange” means Nasdaq and, if the Class A Shares are not then listed on Nasdaq, the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Class A Shares are then listed.

 

 

 

 

(r)          “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(s)         “Fair Market Value” of the Class A Shares or any other security or property means the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, which determination must be set forth in a written resolution of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the following rules:

 

(i)          for Class A Shares or other security traded or quoted on an Exchange, the Fair Market Value will be the average of the Closing Prices of such security on such Exchange over a ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period, ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination; and

 

(ii)         for any other property, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board of Directors assuming a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction.

 

(t)          “Fundamental Change” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as any of the following events shall occur:

 

(i)          any “person” or “group”, other than the Corporation, its Subsidiaries or any employee benefits plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, files, or is required by applicable law to file, a Schedule 13D or Schedule TO (or any successor schedule, form or report) pursuant to the Exchange Act, disclosing that such person has become the direct or indirect beneficial owner of shares with a majority of the total voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding Voting Stock; unless such beneficial ownership arises solely as a result of a revocable proxy delivered in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act; or

 

(ii)         the Corporation amalgamates, consolidates with or merges with or into another person (other than a Subsidiary of the Corporation), or sells, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (excluding for purposes of the calculation non-controlling interests and third party minority interests) to any person (other than a Subsidiary of the Corporation) or any person (other than a Subsidiary of the Corporation) consolidates with, amalgamates or merges with or into the Corporation, provided that none of the circumstances set forth in this clause (ii) shall be a Fundamental Change if persons that beneficially own the Voting Securities of the Corporation immediately prior to the transaction own, directly or indirectly, shares with a majority of the total voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee person immediately after the transaction in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Corporation’s Voting Stock immediately prior to the transaction.

 

(u)         “group” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

(v)         “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Designation as a whole and not merely to any particular clause, provision, section or subsection.

 

(w)        “Investor” means Broad Street Principal Investments, L.L.C.

 

(x)         “Junior Securities” means the Common Shares and each other class or series of shares in the capital of the Corporation the terms of which do not expressly provide that they rank senior in preference or priority to or on parity, without preference or priority, with the Series 4 Preferred Shares with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

(y)         “Market Disruption Event” means, with respect to the Class A Shares, (i) a failure by the Exchange to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence for more than one half hour period in the aggregate on any scheduled Trading Day for the Class A Shares of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Exchange, or otherwise) in the Class A Shares or in any options, contracts or future contracts relating to the Class A Shares, and such suspension or limitation occurs or exists at any time before 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such day.

 

 

 

 

(z)         “Nasdaq” means The NASDAQ Global Market.

 

(aa)       “Original Purchase Price” means $1,416.78 per Series 4 Preferred Share.

 

(bb)       “Parity Securities” means any shares in the capital of the Corporation the terms of which expressly provide that they will rank on parity, without preference or priority, with the Series 4 Preferred Shares with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

(cc)       “Permitted Transferee” means any holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares who received such Series 4 Preferred Shares in a Permitted Transfer (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), provided that such holder agrees, for the benefit of the Corporation, to comply with Section 4.05 of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(dd)       “person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited or general partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government, any agency or political subdivisions thereof or other “person” as contemplated by Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(ee)       “Qualifying Transaction” means a Fundamental Change (i) with regard to which the holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares is entitled to receive, directly or indirectly, in respect of its Series 4 Preferred Shares, in connection with the consummation of such transaction (including pursuant to the conversion of the Series 4 Preferred Shares (without regard to limitations or restrictions on conversion) or the purchase or exchange of such Series 4 Preferred Shares in a tender or exchange offer), consideration consisting solely of cash, equity securities that are immediately tradable on a national securities exchange and that have (or the equity securities of the predecessor of the issuer of such equity securities have) an average trading volume per trading day over the thirty (30) trading days preceding public announcement of such transaction at least equal to that of the Class A Shares over the thirty (30) trading days preceding public announcement of such transaction, or a combination of cash and such equity consideration (collectively, “qualifying consideration”), which qualifying consideration is in an amount per outstanding Series 4 Preferred Share that is at least equal to the Base Liquidation Preference of such Series 4 Preferred Share plus all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon (with the value of any non-cash consideration being the Fair Market Value of such non-cash consideration at the time of signing of the definitive transaction agreement for the applicable transaction) or (ii) that is otherwise consented to by the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding Series 4 Preferred Shares.

 

(ff)         “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(gg)       “Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2017, between the Corporation and the Investor.

 

(hh)       “Senior Securities” means any shares in the capital of the Corporation the terms of which expressly provide that they will rank senior in preference or priority to the Series 4 Preferred Shares with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

(ii)         “Series 4 Original Issuance Date” means July 29, 2021.

 

(jj)         “share capital” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of capital, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or equivalent ownership interests in or issued by such person, and with respect to the Corporation includes, without limitation, any and all Common Shares and the Preference Shares.

 

(kk)       “Specified Event” means the tenth (10th) Business Day after the consummation of a Fundamental Change that does not constitute a Qualifying Transaction.

 

(ll)         “Subsidiary” means with respect to any person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by, or, in the case of a partnership, the sole general partner or the managing partner or the only general partners of which are, such person and one or more Subsidiaries of such person (or a combination thereof). Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

(mm)     “Trading Day” means any day on which (i) there is no Market Disruption Event and (ii) the Exchange is open for trading or, if the Class A Shares are not so listed, admitted for trading or quoted, any Business Day. A Trading Day only includes those days that have a scheduled closing time of 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) or the then standard closing time for regular trading on the relevant Exchange.

 

(nn)      “Voting Stock” means the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares, the Class C Shares and securities of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote generally for the election of directors of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or its successor.

 

(oo)       Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:

 

Term   Section
Accretion Rate   SECTION 3(b)
Additional Class A Shares   SECTION 6(f)(v)(B)
Additional Dividends   SECTION 2(b)(i)
Aggregate Amount   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
Base Liquidation Preference   SECTION 3(b)
Class A Equivalents   SECTION 6(f)(v)(B)
Class A Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Class A Shares Outstanding   SECTION 6(f)(ii)
Class B Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Class C Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Conversion Amount   SECTION 6(a)
Conversion Date   SECTION 6(a)
Conversion Price   SECTION 6(a)
Disposition Event   SECTION 6(f)(iv)
Dividends   SECTION 2(b)(i)
Expiration Date   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
Expiration Time   SECTION 6(f)(iii)(A)
Liquidation Preference   SECTION 3(a)
Maximum Voting Power   SECTION 6(b)
Participating Dividends   SECTION 2(a)
Purchased Shares   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
qualifying consideration   SECTION 9(ee)
Quarterly Compounding Date   SECTION 3(b)
Redemption Date   SECTION 7(a)(i)
Redemption Notice   SECTION 7(a)(ii)
Redemption Price   SECTION 7(a)(i)
Reference Property   SECTION 6(f)(iv)
Rights Trigger   SECTION 6(f)(xii)
Series 4 Preferred Shares   SECTION 1
Special Conversion Shares   SECTION 8(c)

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.        Miscellaneous. For purposes of this Designation, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)          Withholding Tax. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Designation, the Corporation may deduct or withhold from any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery (whether in cash or in shares) to be made pursuant to this Designation any amounts required or permitted by law to be deducted or withheld from any such payment, distribution, issuance or delivery and shall remit any such amounts to the relevant tax authority as required. If the cash component of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery to be made pursuant to this Designation is less than the amount that the Corporation is so required or permitted to deduct or withhold, the Corporation shall be permitted to deduct and withhold from any noncash payment, distribution, issuance or delivery to be made pursuant to this Designation any amounts required or permitted by law to be deducted or withheld from any such payment, distribution, issuance or delivery and to dispose of such property in order to remit any amount required to be remitted to any relevant tax authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made to a holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares pursuant to this Designation shall be considered to be the amount of the payment, distribution, issuance or delivery received by such holder plus any amount deducted or withheld pursuant to this SECTION 10. In the absence of any such deduction or withholding by the Corporation, and unless agreed otherwise by the Corporation in writing, holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares shall be responsible for all withholding taxes in respect of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made or credited to them pursuant to this Designation and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation on an after-tax basis (for this purpose, having regard only to taxes for which the Corporation is liable) for any such taxes imposed on any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made or credited to them pursuant to this Designation.

 

(b)          Wire or Electronic Transfer of Funds. Notwithstanding any other right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Series 4 Preferred Shares, the Corporation may, at its option, make any payment due to registered holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds to such holders. If a payment is made by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds, the Corporation shall be responsible for any applicable charges or fees relating to the making of such transfer. As soon as practicable following the determination by the Corporation that a payment is to be made by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds, the Corporation shall provide a notice to the applicable registered holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares at their respective addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation. Such notice shall request that each applicable registered holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares provide the particulars of an account of such holder with a chartered bank in the United States to which the wire or electronic transfer of funds shall be directed. If the Corporation does not receive account particulars from a registered holder of Series 4 Preferred Shares prior to the date such payment is to be made, the Corporation shall deposit the funds otherwise payable to such holder in a special account or accounts in trust for such holder. The making of a payment by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds or the deposit by the Corporation of funds otherwise payable to a holder in a special account or accounts in trust for such holder shall be deemed to constitute payment by the Corporation on the date thereof and shall satisfy and discharge all liabilities of the Corporation for such payment to the extent of the amount represented by such transfer or deposit.

 

(c)          Amendments. The provisions attaching to the Series 4 Preferred Shares may be deleted, varied, modified, amended or amplified by amendment with such approval as may then be required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

(d)          U.S. Currency. Unless otherwise stated, all references herein to sums of money are expressed in lawful money of the United States.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Designation of Series 5 Convertible Preferred Stock

 

 

 

 

DESIGNATION
OF
SERIES 5 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
OF
MDC STAGWELL HOLDINGS INC.

 

SECTION 1.       Designation and Amount. The designation of this series of Preferred Stock is “Series 5 Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series 5 Preferred Shares”), par value $0.001 per share, and the number of shares constituting such series is Thirty Million (30,000,000). Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of the Series 5 Preferred Shares to less than the number of shares then issued and outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding securities issued by the Corporation.

 

SECTION 2.        Dividends.

 

(a)          (i)          Each holder of issued and outstanding Series 5 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends for each Series 5 Preferred Share, dividends of the same type as any dividends or other distribution, whether in cash, in kind or in other property, payable or to be made on outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares of the Corporation (the “Class A Shares”), in an amount equal to the amount of such dividends or other distribution as would be made on the number of Class A Shares into which such Series 5 Preferred Shares could be converted on the applicable record date for such dividends or other distribution on the Class A Shares, without giving effect to the limitations set forth in SECTION 6(b) after aggregating all shares held by the same holder (the “Participating Dividends”) and disregarding any rounding for fractional amounts; provided, however, that notwithstanding the above, the holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or distributions for which an adjustment to the Conversion Amount (as defined below) shall be made pursuant to SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) or SECTION 6(f)(ii) (and such dividends or distributions that are not payable to the holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares as a result of this proviso shall not be deemed to be Participating Dividends).

 

(ii)         Participating Dividends are payable at the same time as and when such dividends or other distributions on the Class A Shares are paid to the holders of Class A Shares and are payable to holders of record of Series 5 Preferred Shares on the record date for the corresponding dividend or distribution on the Class A Shares.

 

(b)         Holders of the Series 5 Preferred Shares are not entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, in kind or other property, in excess of the Participating Dividends as provided in this SECTION 2.

 

(c)         The Corporation shall pay Participating Dividends (less any tax required to be deducted and withheld by the Corporation), except in case of redemption or conversion in which case payment of Participating Dividends shall be made on surrender of the certificate, if any, representing the Series 5 Preferred Shares to be redeemed or converted, by electronic funds transfer or by sending to each holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares a check for such Participating Dividends payable to the order of such holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of all such holders failing written instructions from them to the contrary or in such other manner, not contrary to applicable law, as the Corporation shall reasonably determine. The making of such payment or the posting or delivery of such check on or before the date on which such Dividend is to be paid to a holder shall be deemed to be payment and shall satisfy and discharge all liabilities for the payment of such Dividends to the extent of the sum represented thereby (plus the amount of any tax required to be and in fact deducted and withheld by the Corporation from the related Dividends as aforesaid and remitted to the proper taxing authority) unless such check is not honored when presented for payment. Subject to applicable law, Dividends which are represented by a check which has not been presented to the Corporation’s bankers for payment or that otherwise remain unclaimed for a period of six years from the date on which they were declared to be payable shall be forfeited to the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.        Liquidation Entitlement.

 

(a)          Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, each Series 5 Preferred Share entitles the holder thereof to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution, before any distribution or payment may be made to a holder of any Class A Shares, any Class B Shares of the Corporation (the “Class B Shares”), any Class C Shares of the Corporation (the “Class C Shares”) or any other shares ranking junior as to capital to the Series 5 Preferred Shares, an amount per Series 5 Preferred Share equal to the amount the holder of the Series 5 Preferred Share would have received if such holder had converted such Series 5 Preferred Share into a Class A Share immediately prior thereto, without giving effect to the limitations set forth in SECTION 6(b) and disregarding any rounding for fractional amounts (the “Liquidation Entitlement”).

 

(b)          After payment to the holders of the Series 5 Preferred Shares of the full Liquidation Entitlement to which they are entitled, the Series 5 Preferred Shares as such will have no right or claim to any of the assets of the Corporation.

 

(c)          The value of any property not consisting of cash that is distributed by the Corporation to the holders of the Series 5 Preferred Shares will equal the Fair Market Value thereof on the date of distribution.

 

SECTION 4.        Voting Rights. The holders of the Series 5 Preferred Shares shall not be entitled as such, except as required by law, to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting but shall be entitled to receive notice of meetings of shareholders of the Corporation called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the sale of its undertaking or a substantial part thereof. The approval of the holders of the Series 5 Preferred Shares with respect to any and all matters referred to in this Designation may be given in writing by all of the holders of the Series 5 Preferred Shares outstanding or by resolution duly passed and carried as may then be required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at a meeting of the holders of the Series 5 Preferred Shares duly called and held for the purpose of considering the subject matter of such resolution and at which holders of not less than a majority of all Series 5 Preferred Shares then outstanding are present in person or represented by proxy in accordance with the by-laws of the Corporation; provided, however, that if at any such meeting, when originally held, the holders of at least a majority of all Series 5 Preferred Shares then outstanding are not present in person or so represented by proxy within 30 minutes after the time fixed for the meeting, then the meeting shall be adjourned to such date, being not less than fifteen (15) days later. Notice of any such original meeting of the holders of the Series 5 Preferred Shares shall be given not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date fixed for such meeting and shall specify in general terms the purpose for which the meeting is called, and notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days prior to the date fixed for such adjourned meeting, but it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the purpose for which the adjourned meeting is called. The formalities to be observed with respect to the giving of notice of any such original meeting or adjourned meeting and the conduct of it shall be those from time to time prescribed in the by-laws of the Corporation with respect to meetings of shareholders. On every poll taken at any such original meeting or adjourned meeting, each holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares present in person or represented by proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each of the Series 5 Preferred Shares held by such holder.

 

SECTION 5.       Purchase for Cancellation. Subject to such provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as may be applicable, the Corporation may at any time or times purchase (if obtainable) for cancellation all or any part of the Series 5 Preferred Shares outstanding from time to time: (a) through the facilities of any Exchange or market on which the Series 5 Preferred Shares are listed, (b) by invitation for tenders addressed to all the holders of record of the Series 5 Preferred Shares outstanding, or (c) in any other manner, in each case at the lowest price or prices at which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, such shares are obtainable.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6.        Conversion.

 

Each Series 5 Preferred Share is convertible into Class A Shares as provided in this SECTION 6.

 

(a)          Conversion at the Option of Holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares. Subject to SECTION 6(b), each holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares is entitled to convert, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at the option and election of such holder, each outstanding Series 5 Preferred Share held by such holder into a number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Class A Shares equal to the number determined by dividing (i) one (1) by (ii) the Conversion Amount in effect at the time of conversion. The “Conversion Amount” initially is one (1), as adjusted from time to time as provided in SECTION 6(f). In order to convert the Series 5 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares, the holder must surrender the certificates representing such Series 5 Preferred Shares, accompanied by transfer instruments satisfactory to the Corporation, free of any adverse interest or liens at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent for the Series 5 Preferred Shares, together with written notice that such holder elects to convert all or such number of shares represented by such certificates as specified therein. With respect to a conversion pursuant to this SECTION 6(a), the date of receipt of such certificates, together with such notice and such other information or documents as may be required by the Corporation (including any certificates delivered pursuant to SECTION 6(b)), by the transfer agent or the Corporation will be the date of conversion (the “Conversion Date”).

 

(b)          Limitations on Conversion. Notwithstanding SECTION 6(a), the Corporation shall not effect any conversion of the Series 5 Preferred Shares or otherwise issue Class A Shares pursuant to SECTION 6(a), and no holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares will be permitted to convert Series 5 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares if, and to the extent that, following such conversion, either (i) such holder’s aggregate voting power on a matter being voted on by holders of Class A Shares would exceed 19.9% of the Maximum Voting Power (as defined below) or (ii) such holder would Beneficially Own more than 19.9% of the then outstanding Common Shares; provided, however, that such conversion restriction shall not apply to any conversion in connection with and subject to completion of (A) a public sale of the Class A Shares to be issued upon such conversion, if following consummation of such public sale such holder will not Beneficially Own in excess of 19.9% of the then outstanding Class A Shares or (B) a bona fide third party tender offer for the Class A Shares issuable thereupon. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of Class A Shares Beneficially Owned by a holder shall include the number of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 5 Preferred Shares with respect to which a conversion notice has been given, but shall exclude the number of Class A Shares which would be issuable upon conversion or exercise of the remaining, unconverted portion of the Series 5 Preferred Shares Beneficially Owned by such holder. Upon the written request of the holder, the Corporation shall within two (2) Business Days confirm in writing (which may be by email) to any holder the number of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares then outstanding. In connection with any conversion and as a condition to the Corporation effecting such conversion, upon request of the Corporation, a holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares shall deliver to the Corporation a certificate, signed by a duly authorized officer of such holder, no less than twelve (12) Business Days prior to the applicable conversion, certifying that, after giving effect to such conversion, (i) such holder’s aggregate voting power on a matter being voted on by holders of Class A Shares will not exceed 19.9% of the Maximum Voting Power or (ii) such holder will not Beneficially Own more than 19.9% of the then outstanding Common Shares. For purposes hereof, “Maximum Voting Power” means, at the time of determination of the Maximum Voting Power, the total number of votes which may be cast by all shares of the Corporation’s capital on a matter subject to the vote of the Common Shares and any other securities that constitute Voting Stock voting together as a single class and after giving effect to any limitation on voting power set forth herein and the certificate of designation or other similar document governing other Voting Stock.

 

(c)          Automatic Conversion.

 

(i)          If at any time the limitations in SECTION 6(b) would not prevent the conversion of one or more Series 5 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares then, subject to any lapse or expiration of the applicable waiting period, or approval, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, or other applicable antitrust law, the maximum number of Series 5 Preferred Shares held by a holder and its Affiliates that can convert into Class A Shares without violating the limitations in SECTION 6(b) will automatically convert into Class A Shares, provided that such automatic conversion shall only occur if the number of Series 5 Preferred Shares that would be converted on the Conversion Date is equal to or greater than the lesser of (x) 1,000 and (y) all shares then held by such holder and its Affiliates; provided, further, that if the number of Series 5 Preferred Shares that may be converted pursuant to this SECTION 6(c)(i) is less than all shares of the Series 5 Preferred Shares Beneficially Owned by a holder and its Affiliates, the Corporation shall select the Series 5 Preferred Shares to be converted by lot or in such other equitable manner as the Corporation may determine.

 

 

 

 

(d)          Fractional Shares. No fractional Class A Shares will be issued upon conversion of the Series 5 Preferred Shares. In lieu of fractional shares, the Corporation shall round, to the nearest whole number, the number of Class A Shares to be issued upon conversion of the Series 5 Preferred Shares. If more than one Series 5 Preferred Share is being converted at one time by or for the benefit of the same holder, then the number of full shares issuable upon conversion will be calculated on the basis of the aggregate number of Series 5 Preferred Shares converted by or for the benefit of such holder at such time.

 

(e)          Mechanics of Conversion.

 

(i)          Promptly after the Conversion Date (and in any event within three (3) Business Days), the Corporation shall (A) issue and deliver to such holder the number of Class A Shares to which such holder is entitled in exchange for the certificates formerly representing Series 5 Preferred Shares and (B) pay to such holder, to the extent of funds legally available therefor, all declared and unpaid Participating Dividends on the Series 5 Preferred Shares that are being converted into Class A Shares. Such conversion will be deemed to have been made on the Conversion Date, and the person entitled to receive the Class A Shares issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such Class A Shares on such Conversion Date. In case fewer than all the shares represented by any such certificate are to be converted, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unconverted shares without cost to the holder thereof, except for any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due because any certificates for Class A Shares or Series 5 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder. The Corporation shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of Class A Shares upon conversion or due upon the issuance of a new certificate for any Series 5 Preferred Shares not converted other than any such tax due because Class A Shares or a certificate for Series 5 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder.

 

(ii)         From and after the Conversion Date, the Series 5 Preferred Shares to be converted on such Conversion Date will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holder thereof as a holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares (except the right to receive from the Corporation the Class A Shares upon conversion, together with the right to receive any declared and unpaid Participating Dividends thereon) shall cease and terminate with respect to such shares; provided, that in the event that a Series 5 Preferred Share is not converted, such Series 5 Preferred Share will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the rights as provided herein.

 

(iii)        If the conversion is in connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 5 Preferred Shares, the conversion may, at the option of any holder tendering any Series 5 Preferred Share for conversion, be conditioned upon the closing of the sale, transfer or the disposition of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Series 5 Preferred Shares with the underwriter, transferee or other acquirer in such sale, transfer or disposition, in which event such conversion of such Series 5 Preferred Shares shall not be deemed to have occurred until immediately prior to the closing of such sale, transfer or other disposition.

 

(iv)        All Class A Shares issued upon conversion of the Series 5 Preferred Shares will, upon issuance by the Corporation, be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

(f)          Adjustments to Conversion Amount.

 

(i)          Adjustment for Change In Share Capital.

 

(A)   If the Corporation shall, at any time and from time to time while any Series 5 Preferred Shares are outstanding, issue a dividend or make a distribution on its Class A Shares payable in its Class A Shares to all or substantially all holders of its Class A Shares, then the Conversion Amount at the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution will be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Amount by a fraction:

 

(1)    the numerator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such Ex-Dividend Date; and

 

 

 

 

(2)    the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of Class A Shares outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, plus the total number of Class A Shares constituting such dividend or other distribution.

 

If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Amount shall again be adjusted to the Conversion Amount which would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, in no event shall the Conversion Amount be increased pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(i)(A).

 

(B) If the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the Series 5 Preferred Shares are outstanding, subdivide or reclassify its outstanding Class A Shares into a greater number of Class A Shares, then the Conversion Amount in effect at the opening of business on the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately decreased, and conversely, if the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the Series 5 Preferred Shares are outstanding, combine or reclassify its outstanding Class A Shares into a smaller number of Class A Shares, then the Conversion Amount in effect at the opening of business on the day upon which such combination or reclassification becomes effective shall be proportionately increased. In each such case, the Conversion Amount shall be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Amount by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision or combination and the denominator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such subdivision, combination or reclassification. Such increase or reduction, as the case may be, shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day upon which such subdivision, combination or reclassification becomes effective.

 

(ii)         Adjustment for Rights Issue. If the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time, while any Series 5 Preferred Shares are outstanding, distribute rights, options or warrants to all or substantially all holders of its Class A Shares entitling them, for a period expiring within sixty (60) days after the record date for such distribution, to purchase Class A Shares, or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Class A Shares, in either case, at less than the average of the Closing Prices for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the first public announcement of the distribution, then the Conversion Amount shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Amount in effect at the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution by a fraction:

 

(A)   the numerator of which shall be the sum of (1) the number of Class A Shares Outstanding on the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution, plus (2) the number of Class A Shares that the aggregate offering price of the total number of Class A Shares issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants would purchase at the Current Market Price of the Class A Shares on the declaration date for such distribution (determined by multiplying such total number of Class A Shares so offered by the exercise price of such rights, options or warrants and dividing the product so obtained by such Current Market Price); and

 

(B)   the denominator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares Outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution, plus the total number of additional Class A Shares issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants.

 

The term “Class A Shares Outstanding” shall mean, without duplication, and include the following, and the following shall be included whether vested or unvested, whether contingent or non-contingent and whether exercisable or not yet exercisable, and without regard to any other limitations or restrictions on conversion or exercise:

 

(1)         the number of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares then outstanding;

 

(2)         all Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding Series 5 Preferred Shares; and

 

(3)         all Class A Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and any other Convertible Security.

 

 

 

 

Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

 

To the extent that Class A Shares are not delivered pursuant to such rights, options or warrants or upon the expiration or termination of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Amount shall be readjusted to the Conversion Amount that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of Class A Shares actually delivered. In the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the Conversion Amount shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Amount which would then be in effect if the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution had not occurred. In determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to purchase Class A Shares at less than the average of the Closing Prices for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the first public announcement of the relevant distribution, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such Class A Shares, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, options or warrants and the value of such consideration if other than cash, to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. Except as set forth in this paragraph, in no event shall the Conversion Amount be increased pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(ii).

 

(iii)        Adjustment for Certain Tender Offers or Exchange Offers. In case the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries shall, at any time or from time to time, while any Series 5 Preferred Shares are outstanding, distribute cash or other consideration in respect of a tender offer or an exchange offer (that is treated as a “tender offer” under U.S. federal securities laws) made by the Corporation or any Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Class A Shares, where the sum of the aggregate amount of such cash distributed and the aggregate Fair Market Value, as of the Expiration Date (as defined below), of such other consideration distributed (such sum, the “Aggregate Amount”) expressed as an amount per Class A Share validly tendered or exchanged, and not withdrawn, pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer as of the Expiration Time (as defined below) (such tendered or exchanged Class A Shares, the “Purchased Shares”) exceeds the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the last date (such last date, the “Expiration Date”) on which tenders or exchanges could have been made pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer (as the same may be amended through the Expiration Date), then, and in each case, immediately after the close of business on such date, the Conversion Amount shall be decreased so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Amount in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date by a fraction:

 

(A)  the numerator of which shall be equal to the product of (1) the number of Class A Shares outstanding as of the last time (the “Expiration Time”) at which tenders or exchanges could have been made pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer (including all Purchased Shares) and (2) the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date; and

 

(B)  the denominator of which is equal to the sum of (x) the Aggregate Amount and (y) the product of (I) an amount equal to (1) the number of Class A Shares outstanding as of the Expiration Time, less (2) the Purchased Shares and (II) the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date.

 

An adjustment, if any, to the Conversion Amount pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(iii) shall become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the second Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date. In the event that the Corporation or a Subsidiary is obligated to purchase Class A Shares pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Corporation or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Amount shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Amount which would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, if the application of this SECTION 6(f)(iii) to any tender offer or exchange offer would result in an increase in the Conversion Amount, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer or exchange offer under this SECTION 6(f)(iii).

 

 

 

 

(iv)        Disposition Events.

 

(A)        If any of the following events (any such event, a “Disposition Event”) occurs:

 

(1)         any reclassification or exchange of the Class A Shares (other than as a result of a subdivision or combination);

 

(2)         any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other combination to which the Corporation is a constituent party; or

 

(3)         any sale, conveyance, lease, or other disposal of all or substantially all the properties and assets of the Corporation to any other person;

 

in each case, as a result of which all of the holders of Class A Shares shall be entitled to receive cash, securities or other property for their Class A Shares, the Series 5 Preferred Shares converted following the effective date of any Disposition Event shall be converted, in lieu of the Class A Shares otherwise deliverable, into the same amount and type (in the same proportion) of cash, securities or other property received by holders of Class A Shares in the relevant event (collectively, “Reference Property”) received upon the occurrence of such Disposition Event by a holder of Class A Shares holding, immediately prior to the transaction, the number of Class A Shares into which such Series 5 Preferred Shares would have been converted pursuant to SECTION 6(a) without giving effect to any limitations on conversion set forth in SECTION 6(b) immediately prior to such Disposition Event; provided that if the Disposition Event provides the holders of Class A Shares with the right to receive more than a single type of consideration determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election, the Reference Property shall be comprised of the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of the Class A Shares.

 

(B)    The above provisions of this SECTION 6(f)(iv) shall similarly apply to successive Disposition Events. If this SECTION 6(f)(iv) applies to any event or occurrence, neither SECTION 6(f)(i) nor SECTION 6(f)(iii) shall apply; provided, however, that this SECTION 6(f)(iv) shall not apply to any share split or combination to which SECTION 6(f)(i) is applicable or to a liquidation, dissolution or winding up to which SECTION 3 applies. To the extent that equity securities of a company are received by the holders of Class A Shares in connection with a Disposition Event, the portion of the Series 5 Preferred Shares which will be convertible into such equity securities will continue to be subject to the anti-dilution adjustments set forth in this SECTION 6(f).

 

(v)         Minimum Adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Conversion Amount will not be reduced if the amount of such reduction would be an amount less than one percent (1%) of such Conversion Amount, but any such amount will be carried forward and reduction with respect thereto will be made at the time that such amount, together with any subsequent amounts so carried forward, aggregates to one percent (1%) or more.

 

(vi)        When No Adjustment Required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment to the Conversion Amount need be made:

 

(A) for a transaction referred to in SECTION 6(f)(i) or SECTION 6(f)(ii) if the Series 5 Preferred Shares participate, without conversion, in the transaction or event that would otherwise give rise to an adjustment pursuant to such Section at the same time as holders of the Class A Shares participate with respect to such transaction or event and on the same terms as holders of the Class A Shares participate with respect to such transaction or event as if the holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares, at such time, held a number of Class A Shares equal to the number of Class A Shares into which the Series 5 Preferred Shares were convertible at such time;

 

(B) for rights to purchase Class A Shares pursuant to any present or future plan by the Corporation for reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Corporation’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in Class A Shares under any plan; or

 

(C) for any event otherwise requiring an adjustment under this SECTION 6 if such event is not consummated.

 

 

 

 

(vii)       Rules of Calculation; Treasury Shares. All calculations will be made to the nearest one-hundredth of a cent or to the nearest one-ten thousandth of a share. Except as explicitly provided herein, the number of Class A Shares outstanding will be calculated on the basis of the number of issued and outstanding Class A Shares.

 

(viii)      Waiver. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Conversion Amount will not be reduced if the Corporation receives, prior to the effective time of the adjustment to the Conversion Amount, written notice from the holders representing at least a majority of the then outstanding Series 5 Preferred Shares, voting together as a separate class, that no adjustment is to be made as the result of a particular issuance of Class A Shares or other dividend or other distribution on Class A Shares. This waiver will be limited in scope and will not be valid for any issuance of Class A Shares or other dividend or other distribution on Class A Shares not specifically provided for in such notice.

 

(ix)         Tax Adjustment. Anything in this SECTION 6 notwithstanding, the Corporation shall be entitled to make such downward adjustments in the Conversion Amount, in addition to those required by this SECTION 6, as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any event treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a dividend or share split will not be taxable to the holders of Class A Shares.

 

(x)          No Duplication. If any action would require adjustment of the Conversion Amount pursuant to more than one of the provisions described in this SECTION 6 in a manner such that such adjustments are duplicative, only one adjustment shall be made.

 

(xi)         Provisions Governing Adjustment to Conversion Amount.  Rights, options or warrants distributed by the Corporation to all or substantially all holders of Class A Shares entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Corporation’s capital (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Rights Trigger”): (A) are deemed to be transferred with such Class A Shares; (B) are not exercisable; and (C) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Class A Shares, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Amount under SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Rights Trigger, whereupon such rights, options and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed, and (x) if and to the extent such rights, options and warrants are exercisable for Class A Shares or the equivalents thereof, an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Amount shall be made under SECTION 6(f)(ii) (without giving effect to the sixty (60) day limit on the exercisability of rights, options and warrants ordinarily subject to such SECTION 6(f)(ii)), and/or (y) if and to the extent such rights, options and warrants are exercisable for cash and/or any shares of the Corporation’s capital other than Class A Shares or Class A Share equivalents, shall be subject to the provisions of SECTION 2(a) applicable to Participating Dividends and shall be distributed to the holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares.  If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the Series 5 Original Issuance Date, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (and a termination or expiration of the existing rights, options or warrants without exercise by any of the holders thereof).  In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Rights Trigger or other event (of the type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Amount under SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Amount shall be readjusted at the opening of business of the Corporation immediately following such final redemption or repurchase by multiplying such Conversion Amount by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price per Class A Share on such date, less the amount equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or holders of Class A Shares with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all or substantially all holders of Class A Shares as of the date of such redemption or repurchase and (y) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Amount shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) to the extent any such rights, options or warrants are redeemed by the Corporation prior to a Rights Trigger or are exchanged by the Corporation, in either case for Class A Shares, the Conversion Amount shall be appropriately readjusted (if and to the extent previously adjusted pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(xi)) as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued, and instead the Conversion Amount will be adjusted as if the Corporation had issued the Class A Shares issued upon such redemption or exchange as a dividend or distribution of Class A Shares subject to SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) and (B) to the extent any such rights, options or warrants are redeemed by the Corporation prior to a Rights Trigger or are exchanged by the Corporation, in either case for any shares of the Corporation’s capital (other than Class A Shares) or any other assets of the Corporation, such redemption or exchange shall be deemed to be a distribution and shall be subject to, and paid to the holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares pursuant to, the provisions of SECTION 2(a) applicable to Participating Dividends.

 

 

 

 

 

(xii)        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any adjustment of the Conversion Amount or entitlement to acquire Class A Shares pursuant to this Designation shall be subject to the rules of the Exchange to the extent required to comply with such rules. If after the date of effectiveness of this Designation there is a change in the applicable rules of the Exchange on which the Class A Shares are listed at the time such change becomes effective or in the interpretation of such applicable rules that would cause the Class A Shares to be delisted by such Exchange as a result of the terms of this Designation, the rights of the holders of the Series 5 Preferred Shares set forth in this Designation shall thereafter be limited to the extent required by such changed rules in order for the Class A Shares to continue to be listed on such Exchange.

 

(xiii)       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Designation, if an adjustment to the Conversion Amount becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date as described herein, and a holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares that have been converted on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or prior to the related record date would be treated as the record holder of Class A Shares as of the related Conversion Date based on an adjusted Conversion Amount for such Ex-Dividend Date, then, notwithstanding such Conversion Amount adjustment provisions, the Conversion Amount adjustment relating to such Ex-Dividend Date will not be made for such converted Series 5 Preferred Shares. Instead, the holder of such converted Series 5 Preferred Shares will be treated as if such holder were the record owner of the Class A Shares on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.

 

(g)         Notice of Record Date. In the event of:

 

(i)          any share split or combination of the outstanding Class A Shares;

 

(ii)         any declaration or making of a dividend or other distribution to holders of Class A Shares in additional Class A Shares, any other share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness);

 

(iii)        any reclassification or change to which SECTION 6(f)(i)(B) applies;

 

(iv)        the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation; or

 

(v)         any other event constituting a Disposition Event;

 

then the Corporation shall file with its corporate records and mail to the holders of the Series 5 Preferred Shares at their last addresses as shown on the records of the Corporation, at least ten (10) days prior to the record date specified in (A) below or ten (10) days prior to the date specified in (B) below, a notice stating:

 

(A) the record date of such share split, combination, dividend or other distribution, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Class A Shares of record to be entitled to such share split, combination, dividend or other distribution are to be determined, or

 

 

 

 

(B) the date on which such reclassification, change, dissolution, liquidation, winding up or other event constituting a Disposition Event, is estimated to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Class A Shares of record will be entitled to exchange their Class A Shares for the share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness) deliverable upon such reclassification, change, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or other Disposition Event.

 

Disclosures made by the Corporation in any public filings made under the Exchange Act shall be deemed to satisfy the notice requirements set forth in this SECTION 6(g).

 

(h)         Certificate of Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Amount pursuant to this SECTION 6, the Corporation shall compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares a certificate, signed by an officer of the Corporation, setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, upon the reasonable written request of any holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares, furnish to such holder a similar certificate setting forth (i) the calculation of such adjustments and readjustments in reasonable detail, (ii) the Conversion Amount then in effect, and (iii) the number of Class A Shares and the amount, if any, of share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness) which then would be received upon the conversion of Series 5 Preferred Shares.

 

SECTION 7.        Additional Definitions. For purposes of this Designation, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)         “Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation, its subsidiaries and its other controlled Affiliates shall not be considered Affiliates of the Investor.

 

(b)         “Beneficially Own,” “Beneficially Owned” or “Beneficial Ownership” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes hereof the words “within sixty days” in Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) shall not apply, to the effect that a person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security at any time. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes hereof, except where otherwise expressly provided herein, the Investor (or any other person) shall at all times be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 5 Preferred Shares directly or indirectly held by them, irrespective of any applicable restrictions on transfer, conversion or voting.

 

(c)         “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

(d)         “Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in New York City, New York.

 

(e)         “Closing Price” of the Class A Shares on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the Exchange or, if the Class A Shares are not listed or admitted for trading on an Exchange, as reported on the quotation system on which such security is quoted. If the Class A Shares are not listed or admitted for trading on an Exchange and not reported on a quotation system on the relevant date, the “closing price” will be the last quoted bid price for the Class A Shares in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or similar organization. If the Class A Shares are not so quoted, the last reported sale price will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Class A Shares on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized investment banking firms selected by the Corporation for this purpose.

 

(f)          “Common Shares” means the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares, the Class C Shares and any other common shares in the capital of the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

(g)         “control,” “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” with respect to any person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or otherwise.

 

(h)         “Convertible Security” means any debt or other evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Shares.

 

(i)          “Corporation” means MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(j)           “Current Market Price” of Class A Shares on any day means the average of the Closing Prices per Class A Share for each of the five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on the earlier of the day in question and the day before the Ex-Dividend Date with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computation.

 

(k)         “Designation” mean this Designation of the Series 5 Preferred Stock.

 

(l)          “Ex-Dividend Date” means, with respect to any issuance or distribution, the first date on which the Class A Shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.

 

(m)         “Exchange” means Nasdaq and, if the Class A Shares are not then listed on Nasdaq, the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Class A Shares are then listed.

 

(n)         “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(o)         “Fair Market Value” of the Class A Shares or any other security or property means the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, which determination must be set forth in a written resolution of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the following rules:

 

(i)          for Class A Shares or other security traded or quoted on an Exchange, the Fair Market Value will be the average of the Closing Prices of such security on such Exchange over a ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period, ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination; and

 

(ii)         for any other property, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board of Directors assuming a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction.

 

(p)         “group” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

(q)         “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Designation as a whole and not merely to any particular clause, provision, section or subsection.

 

(r)          “Investor” shall mean Broad Street Principal Investments, L.L.C.

 

(s)         “Market Disruption Event” means, with respect to the Class A Shares, (i) a failure by the Exchange to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence for more than one half hour period in the aggregate on any scheduled Trading Day for the Class A Shares of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Exchange, or otherwise) in the Class A Shares or in any options, contracts or future contracts relating to the Class A Shares, and such suspension or limitation occurs or exists at any time before 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such day.

 

(t)          “Nasdaq” means The NASDAQ Global Market.

 

 

 

 

(u)         “person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited or general partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government, any agency or political subdivisions thereof or other “person” as contemplated by Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(v)         “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(w)        “Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2017, between the Corporation and the Investor.

 

(x)          “Series 5 Original Issuance Date” means, with respect to any Series 5 Preferred Share, the original issue date of such Series 5 Preferred Share.

 

(y)         “share capital” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of capital, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or equivalent ownership interests in or issued by such person, and with respect to the Corporation includes, without limitation, any and all Common Shares and the Series 5 Preferred Shares.

 

(z)         “Subsidiary” means with respect to any person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by, or, in the case of a partnership, the sole general partner or the managing partner or the only general partners of which are, such person and one or more Subsidiaries of such person (or a combination thereof). Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Corporation.

 

(aa)       “Trading Day” means any day on which (i) there is no Market Disruption Event and (ii) the Exchange is open for trading or, if the Class A Shares are not so listed, admitted for trading or quoted, any Business Day. A Trading Day only includes those days that have a scheduled closing time of 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) or the then standard closing time for regular trading on the relevant Exchange.

 

(bb)       “Voting Stock” shall mean the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares and the Class C Shares and securities of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote generally for the election of directors of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or its successor.

 

(cc)        Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:

 

Term   Section
Aggregate Amount   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
Class A Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Class A Shares Outstanding   SECTION 6(f)
Class B Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Class C Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Conversion Amount   SECTION 6(a)
Conversion Date   SECTION 6(a)
Disposition Event   SECTION 6(f)(iv)
Expiration Date   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
Expiration Time   SECTION 6(f)(iii)(A)
Liquidation Entitlement   SECTION 3(a)
Maximum Voting Power   SECTION 6(b)
Participating Dividends   SECTION 2(a)
Purchased Shares   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
Reference Property   SECTION 6(f)(iv)
Rights Trigger   SECTION 6(f)(xi)
Series 5 Preferred Shares   SECTION 1

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8.        Miscellaneous. For purposes of this Designation, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)         Withholding Tax. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Designation, the Corporation may deduct or withhold from any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery (whether in cash or in shares) to be made pursuant to this Designation any amounts required or permitted by law to be deducted or withheld from any such payment, distribution, issuance or delivery and shall remit any such amounts to the relevant tax authority as required. If the cash component of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery to be made pursuant to this Designation is less than the amount that the Corporation is so required or permitted to deduct or withhold, the Corporation shall be permitted to deduct and withhold from any noncash payment, distribution, issuance or delivery to be made pursuant to this Designation any amounts required or permitted by law to be deducted or withheld from any such payment, distribution, issuance or delivery and to dispose of such property in order to remit any amount required to be remitted to any relevant tax authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made to a holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares pursuant to this Designation shall be considered to be the amount of the payment, distribution, issuance or delivery received by such holder plus any amount deducted or withheld pursuant to this SECTION 8. In the absence of any such deduction or withholding by the Corporation, and unless agreed otherwise by the Corporation in writing, holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares shall be responsible for all withholding taxes in respect of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made or credited to them pursuant to this Designation and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation on an after-tax basis (for this purpose, having regard only to taxes for which the Corporation is liable for any such taxes imposed on any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made or credited to them pursuant to this Designation.

 

(b)         Wire or Electronic Transfer of Funds. Notwithstanding any other right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Series 5 Preferred Shares, the Corporation may, at its option, make any payment due to registered holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds to such holders. If a payment is made by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds, the Corporation shall be responsible for any applicable charges or fees relating to the making of such transfer. As soon as practicable following the determination by the Corporation that a payment is to be made by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds, the Corporation shall provide a notice to the applicable registered holders of Series 5 Preferred Shares at their respective addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation. Such notice shall request that each applicable registered holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares provide the particulars of an account of such holder with a chartered bank in the United States to which the wire or electronic transfer of funds shall be directed. If the Corporation does not receive account particulars from a registered holder of Series 5 Preferred Shares prior to the date such payment is to be made, the Corporation shall deposit the funds otherwise payable to such holder in a special account or accounts in trust for such holder. The making of a payment by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds or the deposit by the Corporation of funds otherwise payable to a holder in a special account or accounts in trust for such holder shall be deemed to constitute payment by the Corporation on the date thereof and shall satisfy and discharge all liabilities of the Corporation for such payment to the extent of the amount represented by such transfer or deposit.

 

(c)         Amendments. The provisions attaching to the Series 5 Preferred Shares may be deleted, varied, modified, amended or amplified by amendment with such approval as may then be required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

(d)         U.S. Currency. Unless otherwise stated, all references herein to sums of money are expressed in lawful money of the United States.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

Designation of Series 6 Convertible Preferred Stock

 

 

 

 

DESIGNATION
OF
SERIES 6 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
OF
MDC STAGWELL HOLDINGS INC.

 

SECTION 1.        Designation and Amount. The designation of this series of Preferred Stock is “Series 6 Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series 6 Preferred Shares”), par value $0.001 per share, and the number of shares constituting such series is Fifty Thousand (50,000). Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series 6 Preferred Shares to less than the number of shares then issued and outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding securities issued by the Corporation.

 

SECTION 2.        Dividends.

 

(a)          Participating Dividends.

 

(i)          Each holder of issued and outstanding Series 6 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends for each Series 6 Preferred Share, dividends of the same type as any dividends or other distribution, whether in cash, in kind or in other property, payable or to be made on outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares of the Corporation (the “Class A Shares”), in an amount equal to the amount of such dividends or other distribution as would be made on the number of Class A Shares into which such Series 6 Preferred Shares could be converted on the applicable record date for such dividends or other distribution on the Class A Shares, without giving effect to the limitations set forth in SECTION 6(b) after aggregating all shares held by the same holder (the “Participating Dividends”) and disregarding any rounding for fractional amounts; provided, however, that notwithstanding the above, the holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or distributions for which an adjustment to the Conversion Price (as defined below) shall be made pursuant to SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) or SECTION 6(f)(ii) (and such dividends or distributions that are not payable to the holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares as a result of this proviso shall not be deemed to be Participating Dividends).

 

(ii)         Participating Dividends are payable at the same time as and when such dividends or other distributions on the Class A Shares are paid to the holders of Class A Shares and are payable to holders of record of Series 6 Preferred Shares on the record date for the corresponding dividend or distribution on the Class A Shares.

 

(b)         Additional Dividends.

 

(i)          Following the occurrence of a Specified Event, each holder of issued and outstanding Series 6 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends for each Series 6 Preferred Share, with respect to each Dividend Period, dividends at a rate per annum equal to the Additional Rate multiplied by the Base Liquidation Preference per Series 6 Preferred Share (the “Additional Dividends” and, together with Participating Dividends, the “Dividends”). Any Additional Dividends payable pursuant to this SECTION 2(b) shall be in addition to any Participating Dividends, as applicable, payable pursuant to SECTION 2(a) hereof.

 

(ii)         Additional Dividends will accrue on a daily basis and be cumulative from the date on which a Specified Event occurs and are payable in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date.

 

(iii)        Additional Dividends in respect of any Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of Additional Dividends payable for any Dividend Period shorter or longer than a full quarterly Dividend Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

 

 

(iv)        Additional Dividends that are declared and payable on a Dividend Payment Date will be paid to the holders of record of Series 6 Preferred Shares as they appear in the records of the Corporation at the close of business on the 15th day of the calendar month prior to the month in which the applicable Dividend Payment Date falls, provided that Additional Dividends payable upon redemption or conversion of Series 6 Preferred Shares will be payable to the holder of record on the Redemption Date or the Conversion Date, as applicable. Any payment of an Additional Dividend will first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid Additional Dividend due with respect to each share that remains payable.

 

(v)        Additional Dividends are payable only in cash. Additional Dividends will accrue and cumulate whether or not the Corporation has earnings or profits, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of Additional Dividends and whether or not Additional Dividends are declared.

 

(vi)        After a Specified Event has occurred and while any Series 6 Preferred Shares remain outstanding, unless all Additional Dividends accrued to the end of all completed Dividend Periods have been paid in full, neither the Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries may (A) declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividends or distributions on any Junior Securities or (B) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Junior Securities.

 

(vii)       The provisions of SECTION 2(b)(vi) shall not prohibit:

 

(A) the repurchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of vested or unvested Common Shares held by any future, present or former officer, director, employee, manager or consultant (or their respective permitted transferees) of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation pursuant to any equity incentive grant, plan, program or arrangement, any severance agreement or any stock subscription or equityholder agreement, in each case solely to the extent required by the terms thereof;

 

(B) payments made or expected to be made by the Corporation in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable in connection with the exercise or vesting of Common Shares or Class A Equivalents (as defined below) by any future, present or former officer, director, employee, manager or consultant (or their respective permitted transferees) of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation and repurchases or withholdings of Common Shares or Class A Equivalents in connection with any exercise or vesting of Common Shares or Class A Equivalents if such Common Shares or Class A Equivalents represent all or a portion of the exercise price of, or withholding obligation with respect to, such Common Shares or Class A Equivalents;

 

(C) cash payments made in lieu of issuing fractional Common Shares in connection with the exercise or vesting of Common Shares or Class A Equivalents;

 

(D) payments arising from agreements of the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation providing for adjustment of purchase price, deferred consideration, earn outs or similar obligations, in each case incurred in connection with the purchase or investment by the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation of or in assets or capital stock of a third party; or

 

(E) payments or distributions made pursuant to any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or pursuant to any decree or order for relief or made by any custodian of the Corporation in connection with any voluntary case or proceeding under Title 11 of the U.S. Code or any similar federal, state or non-U.S. law for the relief of debtors.

 

(c)          The Corporation shall pay Dividends (less any tax required to be deducted and withheld by the Corporation), except in case of redemption or conversion in which case payment of Dividends shall be made on surrender of the certificate, if any, representing the Series 6 Preferred Shares to be redeemed or converted, by electronic funds transfer or by sending to each holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares a check for such Dividends payable to the order of such holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of all such holders failing written instructions from them to the contrary or in such other manner, not contrary to applicable law, as the Corporation shall reasonably determine. The making of such payment or the posting or delivery of such check on or before the date on which such Dividend is to be paid to a holder shall be deemed to be payment and shall satisfy and discharge all liabilities for the payment of such Dividends to the extent of the sum represented thereby (plus the amount of any tax required to be and in fact deducted and withheld by the Corporation from the related Dividends as aforesaid and remitted to the proper taxing authority) unless such check is not honored when presented for payment. Subject to applicable law, Dividends which are represented by a check which has not been presented to the Corporation’s bankers for payment or that otherwise remain unclaimed for a period of six years from the date on which they were declared to be payable shall be forfeited to the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

(d)        Holders of the Series 6 Preferred Shares are not entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, in kind or other property, in excess of the Participating Dividends and, if applicable, the Additional Dividends, as provided in this SECTION 2.

 

SECTION 3.         Liquidation Preference.

 

(a)         Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, each Series 6 Preferred Share entitles the holder thereof to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution, before any distribution or payment may be made to a holder of any Class A Shares, any Class B Shares of the Corporation (the “Class B Shares”), any Class C Shares of the Corporation (“Class C Shares”) or any other shares ranking junior as to capital to the Series 6 Preferred Shares, an amount per Series 6 Preferred Share equal to the greater of (i) the Base Liquidation Preference (as defined below), as increased by the Accretion Rate (as defined below) from the most recent Quarterly Compounding Date to the date of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up (without duplication of changes to the Base Liquidation Preference as provided for in SECTION 3(b)) plus any accrued but unpaid Dividends with respect thereto, and (ii) an amount equal to the amount the holders of the Series 6 Preferred Shares would have received per Series 6 Preferred Share upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation had such holders converted their Series 6 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares immediately prior thereto, without giving effect to the limitations set forth in SECTION 6(b) and disregarding any rounding for fractional amounts (the greater of the amount in clause (i) and clause (ii), the “Liquidation Preference”). Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Designation to the contrary, immediately prior to and conditioned upon the consummation of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, if the amount set forth in clause (i) above is greater than the amount set forth in clause (ii) above, any holder of outstanding Series 6 Preferred Shares shall have the right to convert its Series 6 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares by substituting the Fair Market Value of a Class A Share for the then-applicable Conversion Price (as defined below) and without giving effect to the limitations set forth in SECTION 6(b) and disregarding any rounding for fractional amounts.

 

(b)         The “Base Liquidation Preference” per Series 6 Preferred Share shall initially be equal to the Original Purchase Price. From and after the Series 6 Original Issuance Date, the Base Liquidation Preference of each Series 6 Preferred Share shall increase on a daily basis, on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at a rate of 8.0% per annum (the “Accretion Rate”) of the then-applicable Base Liquidation Preference, the amount of which increase shall compound quarterly on each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 (each, a “Quarterly Compounding Date”) from the Series 6 Original Issuance Date through March 14, 2024, following which the Accretion Rate will decrease to 0% per annum and the Base Liquidation Preference per Series 6 Preferred Share will not increase during any period subsequent to March 14, 2024. The Base Liquidation Preference shall be proportionally adjusted for any stock dividends, splits, combinations and similar events on the Series 6 Preferred Shares.

 

(c)         After payment to the holders of the Series 6 Preferred Shares of the full Liquidation Preference to which they are entitled, the Series 6 Preferred Shares as such will have no right or claim to any of the assets of the Corporation.

 

(d)        The value of any property not consisting of cash that is distributed by the Corporation to the holders of the Series 6 Preferred Shares will equal the Fair Market Value thereof on the date of distribution.

 

(e)        For the purposes of this SECTION 3, a Fundamental Change (in and of itself) shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation subject to this SECTION 3 (it being understood that an actual liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation in connection with a Fundamental Change will be subject to this SECTION 3).

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.          Voting Rights.

 

(a)          Holders of the Series 6 Preferred Shares shall not be entitled as such, except as required by law or as expressly set forth in this Certificate of Designation, to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting but shall be entitled to receive notice of meetings of stockholders of the Corporation called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets.

 

(b) For so long as any Series 6 Preferred Shares are outstanding, in addition to any vote or consent of stockholders required by applicable law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation shall not, and shall cause its subsidiaries not to, without the affirmative approval of the holders of a majority of the Series 6 Preferred Shares (by vote or consent):

 

(i) effect, permit, approve, ratify or validate (including, but not limited to, by merger or consolidation or otherwise by operation of law):

 

(A) an increase or decrease of the maximum number of authorized Series 6 Preferred Shares, or an increase of the maximum number of authorized shares of a class or series having rights or privileges equal or superior to the Series 6 Preferred Shares;

 

(B) an exchange, replacement, reclassification or cancellation of all or part of the Series 6 Preferred Shares;

 

(C) an amendment, alteration, change or repeal of any of the rights, privileges, preferences, powers, restrictions or conditions of the Series 6 Preferred Shares and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) a repeal or change of the rights to accrued dividends or the rights to cumulative dividends of the Series 6 Preferred Shares that is adverse, (ii) an amendment, alteration, repeal or change of redemption rights of the Series 6 Preferred Shares that is adverse, (iii) a reduction or repeal of a dividend preference or a liquidation preference of the Series 6 Preferred Shares, or (iv) an amendment, alteration, repeal or change of conversion privileges, options, voting, transfer or pre-emptive rights, or rights to acquire securities of a corporation, or sinking fund provisions of the Series 6 Preferred Shares that is adverse;

 

(D) an amendment, alteration or change of the rights or privileges of any class or series of shares having rights or privileges equal or superior to the Series 6 Preferred Shares;

 

(E) the creation or authorization of a new class or series of shares having rights or privileges equal or superior to the Series 6 Preferred Shares;

 

(F) an exchange or the creation of a right of exchange of all or part of the shares of another class or series into the Series 6 Preferred Shares;

 

(G) any constraint on the issuance, transferability or ownership of the Series 6 Preferred Shares or the change or removal of such constraint; or

 

(ii) effect, permit, approve, ratify or validate any of the foregoing with respect to the Series 6 Preferred Units (as defined in the A&R OpCo LLC Agreement) (including, but not limited to by merger or consolidation or otherwise by operation of law) by voting any of the limited liability company interests of Midas OpCo LLC issued to the Corporation or otherwise.

 

(c) The approval of the holders of the Series 6 Preferred Shares with respect to any and all matters referred to in this Designation may be given by the affirmative vote, given in person or by proxy at any meeting called for such purpose, or by written consent, of the holders of at least a majority of the Series 6 Preferred Shares issued and outstanding, voting as a separate class.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.         Purchase for Cancellation. Subject to such provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as may be applicable, the Corporation may at any time or times purchase (if obtainable) for cancellation all or any part of the Series 6 Preferred Shares outstanding from time to time: (a) through the facilities of any Exchange or market on which the Series 6 Preferred Shares are listed, (b) by invitation for tenders addressed to all the holders of record of the Series 6 Preferred Shares outstanding, or (c) in any other manner, in each case at the lowest price or prices at which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, such shares are obtainable.

 

SECTION 6.          Conversion.

 

Each Series 6 Preferred Share is convertible into Class A Shares as provided in this SECTION 6.

 

(a)          Conversion at the Option of Holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares. Subject to SECTION 6(b), each holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares is entitled to convert, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, at the option and election of such holder upon receipt of all antitrust approvals required in connection with such conversion (or the lapse of any applicable waiting period relating to such required antitrust approvals), any or all outstanding Series 6 Preferred Shares held by such holder into a number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Class A Shares equal to the number (the “Conversion Amount”) determined by dividing (i) the Base Liquidation Preference (as adjusted pursuant to SECTION 3(b) to the date immediately preceding the Conversion Date (as defined below)) for each Series 6 Preferred Share to be converted by (ii) the Conversion Price in effect at the time of conversion. The “Conversion Price” initially is $5.00 per share, as adjusted from time to time as provided in SECTION 6(f). In order to convert the Series 6 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares, the holder must surrender the certificates representing such Series 6 Preferred Shares, accompanied by transfer instruments satisfactory to the Corporation, free of any adverse interest or liens at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent for the Series 6 Preferred Shares, together with written notice that such holder elects to convert all or such number of shares represented by such certificates as specified therein. With respect to a conversion pursuant to this SECTION 6(a), the date of receipt of such certificates, together with such notice and such other information or documents as may be required by the Corporation (including any certificates delivered pursuant to SECTION 6(b)), by the transfer agent or the Corporation will be the date of conversion (the “Conversion Date”) and the Conversion Date with respect to a conversion pursuant to SECTION 6(c) will be as provided in such section.

 

(b)          Limitations on Conversion. Notwithstanding SECTION 6(a) or SECTION 6(c) but subject to SECTION 8, the Corporation shall not effect any conversion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares or otherwise issue Class A Shares pursuant to SECTION 6(a) or SECTION 6(c), and no holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares will be permitted to convert Series 6 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares if, and to the extent that, following such conversion, either (i) such holder’s aggregate voting power on a matter being voted on by holders of Class A Shares would exceed 19.9% of the Maximum Voting Power (as defined below) or (ii) such holder would Beneficially Own more than 19.9% of the then outstanding Common Shares; provided, however, that such conversion restriction shall not apply to any conversion in connection with and subject to completion of (A) a public sale of the Class A Shares to be issued upon such conversion, if following consummation of such public sale such holder will not Beneficially Own in excess of 19.9% of the then outstanding Class A Shares or (B) a bona fide third party tender offer for the Class A Shares issuable thereupon. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of Class A Shares Beneficially Owned by a holder shall include the number of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares with respect to which a conversion notice has been given, but shall exclude the number of Class A Shares which would be issuable upon conversion or exercise of the remaining, unconverted portion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares and any Alternative Preference Shares Beneficially Owned by such holder. Upon the written request of the holder, the Corporation shall within two (2) Business Days confirm in writing (which may be by email) to any holder the number of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares then outstanding. In connection with any conversion and as a condition to the Corporation effecting such conversion, upon request of the Corporation, a holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares shall deliver to the Corporation a certificate, signed by a duly authorized officer of such holder, no less than twelve (12) Business Days prior to the applicable conversion, certifying that, after giving effect to such conversion, (i) such holder’s aggregate voting power on a matter being voted on by holders of Class A Shares will not exceed 19.9% of the Maximum Voting Power or (ii) such holder will not Beneficially Own more than 19.9% of the then outstanding Common Shares. For purposes hereof, “Maximum Voting Power” means, at the time of determination of the Maximum Voting Power, the total number of votes which may be cast by all shares of the Corporation’s capital on a matter subject to the vote of the Common Shares and any other securities that constitute Voting Stock voting together as a single class and after giving effect to any limitation on voting power set forth herein and the Certificate of Incorporation, the certificate of designation or other similar document governing other Voting Stock. For purposes of this SECTION 6(b), the aggregate voting power and Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares held by the Affiliates of a holder shall be attributed to such holder.

 

 

 

 

(c)          Conversion at the Option of the Corporation. Subject to SECTION 6(b) and SECTION 8, at the Corporation’s option and election and upon its compliance with this SECTION 6(c), and in the case of the Investor and any Permitted Transferee upon receipt of all antitrust approvals required in connection with such conversion (or the lapse of any applicable waiting period relating to such required antitrust approvals), all outstanding Series 6 Preferred Shares shall be converted automatically into a number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Class A Shares equal to the Conversion Amount following written notice by the Corporation to the holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares notifying such holders of the conversion contemplated by this SECTION 6(c), which conversion shall occur on the date specified in such notice, which shall not be less than ten (10) Business Days following the date of such notice (or in the case of the Investor and any Permitted Transferee the later of (A) the date of receipt of all antitrust approvals required in connection with such conversion (or the lapse of any applicable waiting period relating to such required antitrust approvals)) and (B) ten (10) Business Days following the date of such notice), provided, that (i) prior to March 14, 2024, such notice may be delivered by the Corporation (and such Series 6 Preferred Shares may be converted into Class A Shares pursuant to this SECTION 6(c)) only if the Closing Price per Class A Share for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to delivery of a notice of conversion pursuant to this SECTION 6(c) was at or above 125% of the then-applicable Conversion Price and (ii) following March 14, 2024, such notice may be delivered by the Corporation (and such Series 6 Preferred Shares may be converted into Class A Shares pursuant to this SECTION 6(c)) only if the Closing Price per Class A Share for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to delivery of a notice of conversion pursuant to this SECTION 6(c) was at or above 100% of the then-applicable Conversion Price; provided further, that following a Specified Event, the Corporation shall not be entitled to convert the Series 6 Preferred Shares.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares shall continue to have the right to convert their Series 6 Preferred Shares pursuant to SECTION 6(a) until and through the Conversion Date contemplated in this SECTION 6(c) and if such Series 6 Preferred Shares are converted pursuant to SECTION 6(a) such shares shall no longer be converted pursuant to this SECTION 6(c) and the Corporation’s notice delivered to the holders pursuant to this SECTION 6(c) shall be of no effect with respect to such shares converted pursuant to SECTION 6(a).

 

(d)          Fractional Shares. No fractional Class A Shares will be issued upon conversion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares. In lieu of fractional shares, the Corporation shall round, to the nearest whole number, the number of Class A Shares to be issued upon conversion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares. If more than one Series 6 Preferred Share is being converted at one time by or for the benefit of the same holder, then the number of full shares issuable upon conversion will be calculated on the basis of the aggregate number of Series 6 Preferred Shares converted by or for the benefit of such holder at such time.

 

(e)          Mechanics of Conversion.

 

(i)          Promptly after the Conversion Date (and in any event within three (3) Business Days), the Corporation shall (A) issue and deliver to such holder the number of Class A Shares to which such holder is entitled in exchange for the certificates formerly representing Series 6 Preferred Shares and (B) pay to such holder, to the extent of funds legally available therefor, all declared and unpaid Dividends on the Series 6 Preferred Shares that are being converted into Class A Shares; provided, that any accrued and unpaid Dividends not paid to such holder pursuant to the foregoing clause (B) shall, subject to SECTION 6(b), be converted into a number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Class A Shares equal to the number determined by dividing (x) the aggregate amount of such accrued and unpaid Dividends on the Series 6 Preferred Shares that are being converted by (y) the then current Conversion Price. Such conversion will be deemed to have been made on the Conversion Date, and the person entitled to receive the Class A Shares issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such Class A Shares on such Conversion Date. In case fewer than all the shares represented by any such certificate are to be converted, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unconverted shares without cost to the holder thereof, except for any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due because any certificates for Class A Shares or Series 6 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder. The Corporation shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of Class A Shares upon conversion or due upon the issuance of a new certificate for any Series 6 Preferred Shares not converted other than any such tax due because Class A Shares or a certificate for Series 6 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder.

 

 

 

 

(ii)         From and after the Conversion Date, the Series 6 Preferred Shares to be converted on such Conversion Date will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holder thereof as a holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares (except the right to receive from the Corporation the Class A Shares upon conversion, together with the right to receive any accrued and unpaid Dividends thereon) shall cease and terminate with respect to such shares; provided, that in the event that a Series 6 Preferred Share is not converted, such Series 6 Preferred Share will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the rights as provided herein.

 

(iii)        If the conversion is in connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares, the conversion may, at the option of any holder tendering any Series 6 Preferred Share for conversion, be conditioned upon the closing of the sale, transfer or the disposition of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Series 6 Preferred Shares with the underwriter, transferee or other acquirer in such sale, transfer or disposition, in which event such conversion of such Series 6 Preferred Shares shall not be deemed to have occurred until immediately prior to the closing of such sale, transfer or other disposition.

 

(iv)        All Class A Shares issued upon conversion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares will, upon issuance by the Corporation, be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

(f)          Adjustments to Conversion Price.

 

(i)          Adjustment for Change In Share Capital.

 

(A) If the Corporation shall, at any time and from time to time while any Series 6 Preferred Shares are outstanding, issue a dividend or make a distribution on its Class A Shares payable in its Class A Shares to all or substantially all holders of its Class A Shares, then the Conversion Price at the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution will be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction:

 

(1)    the numerator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such Ex-Dividend Date; and

 

(2)    the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of Class A Shares outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, plus the total number of Class A Shares constituting such dividend or other distribution.

 

If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to the Conversion Price which would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, in no event shall the Conversion Price be increased pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(i)(A).

 

(B) If the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the Series 6 Preferred Shares are outstanding, subdivide or reclassify its outstanding Class A Shares into a greater number of Class A Shares, then the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately decreased, and conversely, if the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the Series 6 Preferred Shares are outstanding, combine or reclassify its outstanding Class A Shares into a smaller number of Class A Shares, then the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the day upon which such combination or reclassification becomes effective shall be proportionately increased. In each such case, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision or combination and the denominator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such subdivision, combination or reclassification. Such increase or reduction, as the case may be, shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day upon which such subdivision, combination or reclassification becomes effective.

 

 

 

 

(ii)         Adjustment for Rights Issue. If the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time, while any Series 6 Preferred Shares are outstanding, distribute rights, options or warrants to all or substantially all holders of its Class A Shares entitling them, for a period expiring within sixty (60) days after the record date for such distribution, to purchase Class A Shares, or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Class A Shares, in either case, at less than the average of the Closing Prices for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the first public announcement of the distribution, then the Conversion Price shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution by a fraction:

 

(A) the numerator of which shall be the sum of (1) the number of Class A Shares Outstanding on the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution, plus (2) the number of Class A Shares that the aggregate offering price of the total number of Class A Shares issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants would purchase at the Current Market Price of the Class A Shares on the declaration date for such distribution (determined by multiplying such total number of Class A Shares so offered by the exercise price of such rights, options or warrants and dividing the product so obtained by such Current Market Price); and

 

(B) the denominator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares Outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution, plus the total number of additional Class A Shares issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants.

 

The term “Class A Shares Outstanding” shall mean, without duplication, and include the following, and the following shall be included whether vested or unvested, whether contingent or non-contingent and whether exercisable or not yet exercisable, and without regard to any other limitations or restrictions on conversion or exercise:

 

(1)   the number of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares then outstanding;

 

(2)   all Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding Series 6 Preferred Shares; and

 

(3)   all Class A Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and any other Convertible Security.

 

Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

 

To the extent that Class A Shares are not delivered pursuant to such rights, options or warrants or upon the expiration or termination of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted to the Conversion Price that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of Class A Shares actually delivered. In the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Price which would then be in effect if the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution had not occurred. In determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to purchase Class A Shares at less than the average of the Closing Prices for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the first public announcement of the relevant distribution, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such Class A Shares, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, options or warrants and the value of such consideration if other than cash, to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. Except as set forth in this paragraph, in no event shall the Conversion Price be increased pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(ii).

 

 

 

 

(iii)        Adjustment for Certain Tender Offers or Exchange Offers. In case the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries shall, at any time or from time to time, while any Series 6 Preferred Shares are outstanding, distribute cash or other consideration in respect of a tender offer or an exchange offer (that is treated as a “tender offer” under U.S. federal securities laws) made by the Corporation or any Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Class A Shares, where the sum of the aggregate amount of such cash distributed and the aggregate Fair Market Value, as of the Expiration Date (as defined below), of such other consideration distributed (such sum, the “Aggregate Amount”) expressed as an amount per Class A Share validly tendered or exchanged, and not withdrawn, pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer as of the Expiration Time (as defined below) (such tendered or exchanged Class A Shares, the “Purchased Shares”) exceeds the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the last date (such last date, the “Expiration Date”) on which tenders or exchanges could have been made pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer (as the same may be amended through the Expiration Date), then, and in each case, immediately after the close of business on such date, the Conversion Price shall be decreased so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date by a fraction:

 

(A) the numerator of which shall be equal to the product of (1) the number of Class A Shares outstanding as of the last time (the “Expiration Time”) at which tenders or exchanges could have been made pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer (including all Purchased Shares) and (2) the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date; and

 

(B) the denominator of which is equal to the sum of (x) the Aggregate Amount and (y) the product of (I) an amount equal to (1) the number of Class A Shares outstanding as of the Expiration Time, less (2) the Purchased Shares and (II) the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date.

 

An adjustment, if any, to the Conversion Price pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(iii) shall become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the second Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date. In the event that the Corporation or a Subsidiary is obligated to purchase Class A Shares pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Corporation or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Price shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Price which would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, if the application of this SECTION 6(f)(iii) to any tender offer or exchange offer would result in an increase in the Conversion Price, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer or exchange offer under this SECTION 6(f)(iii).

 

(iv)        Disposition Events.

 

(A) If any of the following events (any such event, a “Disposition Event”) occurs:

 

(1)   any reclassification or exchange of the Class A Shares (other than as a result of a subdivision or combination);

 

(2)   any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other combination to which the Corporation is a constituent party; or

 

(3)   any sale, conveyance, lease, or other disposal of all or substantially all the properties and assets of the Corporation to any other person;

 

in each case, as a result of which all of the holders of Class A Shares shall be entitled to receive cash, securities or other property for their Class A Shares, the Series 6 Preferred Shares converted following the effective date of any Disposition Event shall be converted, in lieu of the Class A Shares otherwise deliverable, into the same amount and type (in the same proportion) of cash, securities or other property received by holders of Class A Shares in the relevant event (collectively, “Reference Property”) received upon the occurrence of such Disposition Event by a holder of Class A Shares holding, immediately prior to the transaction, a number of Class A Shares equal to the Conversion Amount (without giving effect to any limitations on conversion set forth in SECTION 6(b)) immediately prior to such Disposition Event; provided that if the Disposition Event provides the holders of Class A Shares with the right to receive more than a single type of consideration determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election, the Reference Property shall be comprised of the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of the Class A Shares.

 

 

 

 

 

(B) The above provisions of this SECTION 6(f)(iv) shall similarly apply to successive Disposition Events. If this SECTION 6(f)(iv) applies to any event or occurrence, neither SECTION 6(f)(i) nor SECTION 6(f)(iii) shall apply; provided, however, that this SECTION 6(f)(iv) shall not apply to any share split or combination to which SECTION 6(f)(i) is applicable or to a liquidation, dissolution or winding up to which SECTION 3 applies. To the extent that equity securities of a company are received by the holders of Class A Shares in connection with a Disposition Event, the portion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares which will be convertible into such equity securities will continue to be subject to the anti-dilution adjustments set forth in this SECTION 6(f).

 

(v)          Adjustment for Certain Issuances of Additional Class A Shares.

 

(A) Other than in respect of an issuance or distribution in respect of which SECTION 6(f)(ii) applies, in the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Series 6 Original Issuance Date while the Series 6 Preferred Shares are outstanding issue Additional Class A Shares, without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the applicable Conversion Price immediately prior to such issuance in effect on the date of and immediately prior to such issue, then and in such event, such Conversion Price shall be reduced, concurrently with such issuance, to a price determined by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction:

 

(1)   the numerator of which shall be (a) the number of Class A Shares Outstanding (as defined below) immediately prior to such issuance plus (b) the number of Class A Shares which the aggregate consideration received or to be received by the Corporation for the total number of Class A Shares so issued would purchase at such Conversion Price; and

 

(2)   the denominator of which shall be (a) the number of Class A Shares Outstanding immediately prior to such issue plus (b) the number of such Additional Class A Shares so issued.

 

(B) For purposes of this SECTION 6(f)(v), the term “Additional Class A Shares” means any Class A Shares or Convertible Security (collectively, “Class A Equivalents”) issued by the Corporation after the Series 6 Original Issuance Date, provided that Additional Class A Shares will not include any of the following:

 

(1)   Class A Equivalents issued in a transaction for which an adjustment to the Conversion Price is made pursuant to SECTION 6(f)(i), SECTION 6(f)(iii) or SECTION 6(f)(iv);

 

(2)   Class A Equivalents issued or issuable upon conversion of Series 6 Preferred Shares or Alternative Preference Shares or pursuant to the terms of any other Convertible Security issued and outstanding on the Series 6 Original Issuance Date;

 

(3)   All Class A Shares, as adjusted for share dividends, splits, combinations and similar events, validly reserved on the Series 6 Original Issuance Date and issued or issuable upon the exercise of options or rights issued to employees, officers or directors of, or consultants, advisors or service providers to, the Corporation or any of its majority- or wholly-owned subsidiaries pursuant to any current equity incentive plans, programs or arrangements of or adopted by the Corporation, including the Corporation’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, the Corporation’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, the Corporation’s 2016 Stock Incentive Plan and the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Stock Appreciation Rights Plan;

 

(4)   An unlimited number of Class A Equivalents issued pursuant to future equity incentive grants, plans, programs or arrangements adopted by the Corporation to the extent that any Class A Equivalents issued pursuant to this clause (4) shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the Corporation’s diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (as calculated for the Corporation’s financial reporting purposes) in any fiscal year, with any unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to succeeding fiscal years;

 

 

 

 

(5)   Class A Equivalents issued in connection with bona fide acquisitions of any entities, businesses and/or related assets or other business combinations by the Corporation, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets, sale or exchange of stock or otherwise, or settlement of deferred liabilities in connection therewith; or

 

(6)   Class A Equivalents issued in a transaction with respect to which holders of a majority of the Series 6 Preferred Shares purchased securities pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Securities Purchase Agreement or otherwise; or

 

(7)   Class A Equivalents issued in exchange for the redemption of Series 4 Preferred Shares of the Corporation or Series 5 Preferred Shares of the Corporation as contemplated by that certain letter agreement by and among Broad Street Principal Investments L.L.C., an affiliate of Goldman Sachs, Stonebridge 2017, L.P., Stonebridge 2017 Offshore L.P. and MDC Partners Inc., dated as of April 21, 2021, as it may be amended, modified or restated from time to time in accordance with its terms (the “Letter Agreement”).

 

In the case of the issuance of Additional Class A Shares for cash, the consideration shall be deemed to be the amount of cash paid therefor before deducting any reasonable discounts, commissions or other expenses allowed, paid or incurred by the Corporation for any underwriting or otherwise in connection with the issuance and sale thereof. In the case of the issuance of Additional Class A Shares for consideration in whole or in part other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value thereof. In the case of the issuance of Convertible Securities, the aggregate maximum number of Class A Shares deliverable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities shall be deemed to have been issued at the time such Convertible Securities were issued and for a consideration equal to the consideration (determined in the manner provided in this paragraph) if any, received by the Corporation upon the issuance of such Convertible Securities plus the minimum additional consideration payable pursuant to the terms of such Convertible Securities for the Class A Shares covered thereby, but no further adjustment shall be made for the actual issuance of Class A Shares upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any such Convertible Securities. In the event of any change in the number of Class A Shares deliverable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities subject to this SECTION 6(f)(v), including, but not limited to, a change resulting from the anti-dilution provisions thereof, the Conversion Price shall forthwith be readjusted to such Conversion Price as would have been obtained had the adjustment that was made upon the issuance of such Convertible Securities not exercised, converted or exchanged prior to such change been made upon the basis of such change. Upon the expiration or forfeiture of any Additional Class A Shares consisting of options, warrants or other rights to acquire Class A Shares or Convertible Securities, the termination of any such rights to convert or exchange or the expiration or forfeiture of any options or rights related to such convertible or exchangeable securities, the Conversion Price, to the extent in any way affected by or computed using such options, rights or securities or options or rights related to such securities, shall be recomputed to reflect the issuance of only the number of Class A Shares (and Convertible Securities that remain in effect) actually issued upon the exercise of such options, warrants or rights, upon the conversion or exchange of such securities or upon the exercise of the options or rights related to such securities.

 

(vi)        Minimum Adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Conversion Price will not be reduced if the amount of such reduction would be an amount less than $0.01, but any such amount will be carried forward and reduction with respect thereto will be made at the time that such amount, together with any subsequent amounts so carried forward, aggregates to $0.01 or more.

 

(vii)       When No Adjustment Required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment to the Conversion Price need be made:

 

(A) for a transaction referred to in SECTION 6(f)(i) or SECTION 6(f)(ii) if the Series 6 Preferred Shares participate, without conversion, in the transaction or event that would otherwise give rise to an adjustment pursuant to such Section at the same time as holders of the Class A Shares participate with respect to such transaction or event and on the same terms as holders of the Class A Shares participate with respect to such transaction or event as if the holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares, at such time, held a number of Class A Shares equal to the Conversion Amount at such time;

 

 

 

 

(B) for rights to purchase Class A Shares pursuant to any present or future plan by the Corporation for reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Corporation’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in Class A Shares under any plan; or

 

(C) for any event otherwise requiring an adjustment under this SECTION 6 if such event is not consummated.

 

(viii)      Rules of Calculation; Treasury Shares. All calculations will be made to the nearest one-hundredth of a cent or to the nearest one-ten thousandth of a share. Except as explicitly provided herein, the number of Class A Shares outstanding will be calculated on the basis of the number of issued and outstanding Class A Shares.

 

(ix)         Waiver. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Conversion Price will not be reduced if the Corporation receives, prior to the effective time of the adjustment to the Conversion Price, written notice from the holders representing at least a majority of the then outstanding Series 6 Preferred Shares, voting together as a separate class, that no adjustment is to be made as the result of a particular issuance of Class A Shares or other dividend or other distribution on Class A Shares. This waiver will be limited in scope and will not be valid for any issuance of Class A Shares or other dividend or other distribution on Class A Shares not specifically provided for in such notice.

 

(x)          Tax Adjustment. Anything in this SECTION 6 notwithstanding, the Corporation shall be entitled to make such downward adjustments in the Conversion Price, in addition to those required by this SECTION 6, as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any event treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a dividend or share split will not be taxable to the holders of Class A Shares.

 

(xi)         No Duplication. If any action would require adjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to more than one of the provisions described in this SECTION 6 in a manner such that such adjustments are duplicative, only one adjustment shall be made.

 

(xii)        Provisions Governing Adjustment to Conversion Price.  Rights, options or warrants distributed by the Corporation to all or substantially all holders of Class A Shares entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Corporation’s capital (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Rights Trigger”): (A) are deemed to be transferred with such Class A Shares; (B) are not exercisable; and (C) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Class A Shares, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Price under SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Rights Trigger, whereupon such rights, options and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed, and (x) if and to the extent such rights, options and warrants are exercisable for Class A Shares or the equivalents thereof, an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Price shall be made under SECTION 6(f)(ii) (without giving effect to the sixty (60) day limit on the exercisability of rights, options and warrants ordinarily subject to such SECTION 6(f)(ii)), and/or (y) if and to the extent such rights, options and warrants are exercisable for cash and/or any shares of the Corporation’s capital other than Class A Shares or Class A Share equivalents, shall be subject to the provisions of SECTION 2(a) applicable to Participating Dividends and shall be distributed to the holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares.  If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the Series 6 Original Issuance Date, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (and a termination or expiration of the existing rights, options or warrants without exercise by any of the holders thereof).  In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Rights Trigger or other event (of the type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Price under SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted at the opening of business of the Corporation immediately following such final redemption or repurchase by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price per Class A Share on such date, less the amount equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or holders of Class A Shares with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all or substantially all holders of Class A Shares as of the date of such redemption or repurchase and (y) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Price shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) to the extent any such rights, options or warrants are redeemed by the Corporation prior to a Rights Trigger or are exchanged by the Corporation, in either case for Class A Shares, the Conversion Price shall be appropriately readjusted (if and to the extent previously adjusted pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(xii)) as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued, and instead the Conversion Price will be adjusted as if the Corporation had issued the Class A Shares issued upon such redemption or exchange as a dividend or distribution of Class A Shares subject to SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) and (B) to the extent any such rights, options or warrants are redeemed by the Corporation prior to a Rights Trigger or are exchanged by the Corporation, in either case for any shares of the Corporation’s capital (other than Class A Shares) or any other assets of the Corporation, such redemption or exchange shall be deemed to be a distribution and shall be subject to, and paid to the holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares pursuant to, the provisions of SECTION 2(a) applicable to Participating Dividends.

 

 

 

 

(xiii)        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any adjustment of the Conversion Price or entitlement to acquire Class A Shares pursuant to this Designation shall be subject to the rules of the Exchange to the extent required to comply with such rules. If after the Series 6 Original Issuance Date there is a change in the applicable rules of the Exchange on which the Class A Shares are listed at the time such change becomes effective or in the interpretation of such applicable rules that would cause the Class A Shares to be delisted by such Exchange as a result of the terms of this Designation, the rights of the holders of the Series 6 Preferred Shares set forth in this Designation shall thereafter be limited to the extent required by such changed rules in order for the Class A Shares to continue to be listed on such Exchange. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Designation, in no event shall the Conversion Price be adjusted pursuant to SECTION 6(f)(v) to a price that is less than the lower of: (i) the closing price of the Class A Shares (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) immediately preceding the signing of the Securities Purchase Agreement; or (ii) the average closing price of the Class A Shares (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(xiv)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Designation, if an adjustment to the Conversion Price becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date as described herein, and a holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares that have been converted on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or prior to the related record date would be treated as the record holder of Class A Shares as of the related Conversion Date based on an adjusted Conversion Price for such Ex-Dividend Date, then, notwithstanding such Conversion Price adjustment provisions, the Conversion Price adjustment relating to such Ex-Dividend Date will not be made for such converted Series 6 Preferred Shares. Instead, the holder of such converted Series 6 Preferred Shares will be treated as if such holder were the record owner of the Class A Shares on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.

 

(g)          Notice of Record Date. In the event of:

 

(i)           any share split or combination of the outstanding Class A Shares;

 

(ii)          any declaration or making of a dividend or other distribution to holders of Class A Shares in additional Class A Shares, any other share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness);

 

(iii)         any reclassification or change to which SECTION 6(f)(i)(B) applies;

 

(iv)         the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation; or

 

(v)          any other event constituting a Disposition Event;

 

 

 

 

then the Corporation shall file with its corporate records and mail to the holders of the Series 6 Preferred Shares at their last addresses as shown on the records of the Corporation, at least ten (10) days prior to the record date specified in (A) below or ten (10) days prior to the date specified in (B) below, a notice stating:

 

(A) the record date of such share split, combination, dividend or other distribution, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Class A Shares of record to be entitled to such share split, combination, dividend or other distribution are to be determined, or

 

(B) the date on which such reclassification, change, dissolution, liquidation, winding up or other event constituting a Disposition Event, is estimated to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Class A Shares of record will be entitled to exchange their Class A Shares for the share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness) deliverable upon such reclassification, change, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or other Disposition Event.

 

Disclosures made by the Corporation in any public filings made under the Exchange Act shall be deemed to satisfy the notice requirements set forth in this SECTION 6(g).

 

(h)          Certificate of Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price pursuant to this SECTION 6, the Corporation shall compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares a certificate, signed by an officer of the Corporation, setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, upon the reasonable written request of any holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares, furnish to such holder a similar certificate setting forth (i) the calculation of such adjustments and readjustments in reasonable detail, (ii) the Conversion Price then in effect, and (iii) the number of Class A Shares and the amount, if any, of share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness) which then would be received upon the conversion of Series 6 Preferred Shares.

 

SECTION 7.        Redemption.

 

(a)          Redemption at the Option of the Corporation.

 

(i)           In connection with or following any Specified Event, the Corporation, at its option and (if applicable) subject to consummation of such Specified Event, may redeem (out of funds legally available therefor) for cash all of the Series 6 Preferred Shares then outstanding at a price (the “Redemption Price”) per Series 6 Preferred Share equal to the greater of (i) the Base Liquidation Preference per such Series 6 Preferred Share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon and (ii) an amount equal to the amount the holder of such Series 6 Preferred Shares would have received in respect of such Series 6 Preferred Share had such holder converted such Series 6 Preferred Share into Class A Shares immediately prior to such redemption based on the Current Market Price, in each case on the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”).

 

(ii)          If the Corporation elects to redeem the Series 6 Preferred Shares pursuant to this SECTION 7, on or prior to the fifteenth (15th) Business Day prior to the applicable Redemption Date, the Corporation shall mail a written notice of redemption (the “Redemption Notice”) by first-class mail addressed to the holders of record of the Series 6 Preferred Shares as they appear in the records of the Corporation; provided, however, that accidental failure to give any such notice to one or more of such holders shall not affect the validity of such redemption. The Redemption Notice must state: (A) the expected Redemption Price as of the expected Redemption Date, and specify the individual components thereof (it being understood that the actual Redemption Price will be determined as of the actual Redemption Date); (B) the name of the redemption agent to whom, and the address of the place to where, the Series 6 Preferred Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; (C) if applicable, that the consummation of the Redemption and the payment of the Redemption Price shall be subject to the consummation of the Specified Event, and (D) the anticipated Redemption Date.

 

 

 

 

(b)          Mechanics of Redemption.

 

(i)            On the Redemption Date, the Corporation shall pay the applicable Redemption Price, upon surrender of the certificates representing the Series 6 Preferred Shares to be redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Corporation shall so require, and letters of transmittal and instructions therefor on reasonable terms are included in the notice sent by the Corporation); provided that payment of the Redemption Price for certificates (and accompanying documentation, if required) surrendered to the Corporation after 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date may, at the Corporation’s option, be made on the Business Day immediately following the Redemption Date.

 

(ii)           Series 6 Preferred Shares to be redeemed on the Redemption Date will from and after such date, no longer be deemed to be outstanding; and all powers, designations, preferences and other rights of the holder thereof as a holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares (except the right to receive from the Corporation the applicable Redemption Price) shall cease and terminate with respect to such shares; provided, that in the event that a Series 6 Preferred Share is not redeemed due to a default in payment by the Corporation or because the Corporation is otherwise unable to pay the applicable Redemption Price in cash in full, such Series 6 Preferred Share will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the powers, designations, preferences and other rights as provided herein.

 

(iii)          Notwithstanding anything in this SECTION 7 to the contrary, each holder shall retain the right to convert Series 6 Preferred Shares to be redeemed at any time on or prior to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that any Series 6 Preferred Shares for which a holder delivers a conversion notice to the Corporation prior to the Redemption Date shall not be redeemed pursuant to this SECTION 7.

 

SECTION 8.        Antitrust and Conversion Into Alternative Preference Shares.

 

(a)          If (i) the Corporation validly delivers a notice of conversion pursuant to SECTION 6(c) to the Investor or any Permitted Transferee at any time on and after the date hereof and (ii) the Investor or such Permitted Transferee would not be permitted to convert one or more of its Beneficially Owned Series 6 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares because any applicable waiting period has not lapsed, or approval has not been obtained, under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, or other applicable law, the Accretion Rate will decrease to 0% per annum following, and the Base Liquidation Preference per Series 6 Preferred Share will not increase during any period subsequent to, ten (10) Business Days following the date of such validly delivered notice.

 

(b)          With respect to any holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares other than the Investor or any Permitted Transferee, after receiving a notice of conversion pursuant to SECTION 6(c), any such holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares as to whom the relevant provisions of the following sentence are applicable may, at such holder’s option, convert Series 6 Preferred Shares subject to such conversion at any time on or prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Conversion Date, as the case may be, specified in such notice into Alternative Preference Shares to the extent necessary to address the conditions described in SECTION 8(c).

 

(c)          (i) If any holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares would not be permitted to convert one or more of its Beneficially Owned Series 6 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares due to the restrictions contained in SECTION 6(b) or (ii) if any holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares other than the Investor or any Permitted Transferee would not be permitted to convert one more of its Beneficially Owned Series 6 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares (the shares described in clause (i) and (ii), the “Special Conversion Shares”) because any applicable waiting period has not lapsed, or approval has not been obtained, under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, or other applicable law, then in each case each Special Conversion Share of such holder shall be converted into a number of Alternative Preference Shares equal to the number of Class A Shares such holder would have received if such holder would have been permitted to convert such Special Conversion Shares into Class A Shares on the Conversion Date.

 

 

 

 

(d)          As soon as practicable (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) after receipt of notice of either of the events described in SECTION 8(c), which notice shall include the amount of Alternative Preference Shares to which such holder is entitled and the basis for such conversion into Alternative Preference Shares, the Corporation shall (i) issue and deliver to such holder a certificate for the number of Alternative Preference Shares, if any, to which such holder is entitled in exchange for the certificates formerly representing the Series 6 Preferred Shares and (ii) pay to such holder, to the extent of funds legally available therefor, all declared and unpaid Dividends on the Series 6 Preferred Shares that are being converted into Alternative Preference Shares. Such conversion will be deemed to have been made on the Conversion Date, and the person entitled to receive the Alternative Preference Shares issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such Alternative Preference Shares on such Conversion Date. In case fewer than all of the Series 6 Preferred Shares represented by any such certificate are to be converted into Alternative Preference Shares, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unconverted shares without cost to the holder thereof, except for any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due because any certificates for Alternative Preference Shares or Series 6 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder. The Corporation shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of Alternative Preference Shares upon conversion or due upon the issuance of a new certificate for any Series 6 Preferred Shares not converted other than any such tax due because Alternative Preference Shares or a certificate for Series 6 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder.

 

SECTION 9.         Additional Definitions. For purposes of this Designation, the following terms shall have the following meanings

 

(a)          “A&R OpCo LLC Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Midas OpCo LLC, dated as of July 29, by and among Midas OpCo LLC (“OpCo”) and its Members (as defined therein), as such agreement may be further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

(b)          “Additional Rate” means an annual rate initially equal to 7.0% per annum, increasing by 1.0% on every anniversary of the occurrence of the Specified Event.

 

(c)          “Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation, its subsidiaries and its other controlled Affiliates shall not be considered Affiliates of the Investor.

 

(d)         “Alternative Preference Shares” means the Series 7 Preferred Shares so denominated and authorized by the Corporation concurrently with the Series 6 Preferred Shares.

 

(e)         “Beneficially Own,” “Beneficially Owned” or “Beneficial Ownership” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes hereof the words “within sixty days” in Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) shall not apply, to the effect that a person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security at any time. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes hereof, except where otherwise expressly provided herein, the Investor (or any other person) shall at all times be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares directly or indirectly held by them, irrespective of any applicable restrictions on transfer, conversion or voting.

 

(f)           “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

(g)          “Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in New York City, New York.

 

 

 

 

(h)          “Closing Price” of the Class A Shares on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the Exchange or, if the Class A Shares are not listed or admitted for trading on an Exchange, as reported on the quotation system on which such security is quoted. If the Class A Shares are not listed or admitted for trading on an Exchange and not reported on a quotation system on the relevant date, the “closing price” will be the last quoted bid price for the Class A Shares in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or similar organization. If the Class A Shares are not so quoted, the last reported sale price will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Class A Shares on the relevant date from each of at least three (3) nationally recognized investment banking firms selected by the Corporation for this purpose.

 

(i)           “Common Shares” means the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares and any other common shares in the capital of the Corporation.

 

(j)           “Common Unit” means a unit representing limited liability company interests in OpCo and constituting a “Common Unit” as defined in the A&R OpCo Operating Agreement.

 

(k)           “control,” “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” with respect to any person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or otherwise.

 

(l)           “Convertible Security” means any debt or other evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Shares, including for the avoidance of doubt, but not limited to, the Common Units and the Class C Shares which are exchangeable for Class A Shares subject to the terms and conditions of the A&R OpCo LLC Agreement.

 

(m)          “Corporation” means MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation .

 

(n)          “Current Market Price” of Class A Shares on any day means the average of the Closing Prices per Class A Share for each of the five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on the earlier of the day in question and the day before the Ex-Dividend Date with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computation.

 

(o)          “Designation” mean this Designation of the Series 6 Preferred Shares.

 

(p)          “Dividend Payment Date” means (i) each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year, or (ii) with respect to any Series 6 Preferred Share that is to be converted or redeemed, the Conversion Date or the Redemption Date, as applicable; provided that if any such Dividend Payment Date would otherwise occur on a day that is not a Business Day, such Dividend Payment Date shall instead be (and any dividend payable on Series 6 Preferred Shares on such Dividend Date shall instead be payable on) the immediately succeeding Business Day.

 

(q)          “Dividend Period” means the period which commences on and includes a Dividend Payment Date (other than the initial Dividend Period which shall commence on and include the date on which the Specified Event occurs) pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of the definition of “Dividend Payment Date” and ends on and includes the calendar day next preceding the next Dividend Payment Date.

 

(r)           “Ex-Dividend Date” means, with respect to any issuance or distribution, the first date on which the Class A Shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.

 

(s)          “Exchange” means Nasdaq and, if the Class A Shares are not then listed on Nasdaq, the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Class A Shares are then listed.

 

(t)          “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(u)          “Fair Market Value” of the Class A Shares or any other security or property means the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, which determination must be set forth in a written resolution of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the following rules:

 

 

 

 

(i)          for Class A Shares or other security traded or quoted on an Exchange, the Fair Market Value will be the average of the Closing Prices of such security on such Exchange over a ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period, ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination; and

 

(ii)         for any other property, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board of Directors assuming a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction.

 

(v)          “Fundamental Change” shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as any of the following events shall occur:

 

(i)          any “person” or “group”, other than the Corporation, its Subsidiaries or any employee benefits plan of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries or Stagwell and its Permitted Transferees (as such term is defined in the A&R OpCo LLC Agreement), files, or is required by applicable law to file, a Schedule 13D or Schedule TO (or any successor schedule, form or report) pursuant to the Exchange Act, disclosing that such person has become the direct or indirect beneficial owner of shares with a majority of the total voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding Voting Stock; unless such beneficial ownership arises solely as a result of a revocable proxy delivered in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act; or

 

(ii)         the Corporation or OpCo amalgamates, consolidates with or merges with or into another person (other than through a Permitted Transaction), or sells, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries (excluding for purposes of the calculation non-controlling interests and third party minority interests) to any person (other than a Subsidiary of the Corporation or, with respect to OpCo, the Corporation) or any person (other than a Subsidiary of the Corporation or, with respect to OpCo, the Corporation) consolidates with, amalgamates or merges with or into the Corporation or OpCo (other than through a Permitted Transaction).

 

(w)         “group” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

(x)           “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Designation as a whole and not merely to any particular clause, provision, section or subsection.

 

(y)          “Investor” means Stagwell Agency Holdings LLC.

 

(z)           “Junior Securities” means the Common Shares and each other class or series of shares in the capital of the Corporation the terms of which do not expressly provide that they rank senior in preference or priority to or on parity, without preference or priority, with the Series 6 Preferred Shares with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

(aa)        “Market Disruption Event” means, with respect to the Class A Shares, (i) a failure by the Exchange to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence for more than one half hour period in the aggregate on any scheduled Trading Day for the Class A Shares of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Exchange, or otherwise) in the Class A Shares or in any options, contracts or future contracts relating to the Class A Shares, and such suspension or limitation occurs or exists at any time before 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such day.

 

(bb)        “Nasdaq” means The NASDAQ Global Market.

 

(cc)        “Original Purchase Price” means $1,207.34 per Series 6 Preferred Share.

 

(dd)        “Parity Securities” means any shares in the capital of the Corporation the terms of which expressly provide that they will rank on parity, without preference or priority, with the Series 6 Preferred Shares with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, the Series 4 Preferred Shares of the Corporation, the Series 5 Preferred Shares of the Corporation, the Alternative Shares and, upon and subject to their issuance as contemplated by the Letter Agreement, the Series 8 Preferred Shares and Series 9 Preferred Shares of the Corporation are Parity Securities.

 

 

 

 

(ee)         “Permitted Transactions” means an amalgamation, consolidation or merger (1) of the Corporation with or into a Subsidiary of the Corporation (including OpCo), (2) of a Subsidiary of the Corporation (including OpCo) with or into the Corporation, (3) of the Corporation with or into a person of which the Corporation is a Subsidiary, or of such person with or into the Corporation, or (4) in which (A) all of the persons that beneficially own the Voting Stock of the Corporation immediately prior to the transaction and Permitted Transferees (as such term is defined in the A&R OpCo LLC Agreement) own, directly or indirectly, shares with a majority of the total voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee person immediately after the transaction in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Corporation’s Voting Stock immediately prior to the transaction or (B) with respect to OpCo, if persons that beneficially own the equity interests of OpCo immediately prior to the transaction and Permitted Transferees (as defined in the A&R OpCo LLC Agreement) own, directly or indirectly, a majority of the equity interests of OpCo immediately after the transaction in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of OpCo’s equity interests immediately prior to the transaction, in each case of the foregoing items (1) through (4) which does not result in any of the following:

 

(i)         any of the items set forth in SECTION 3(b) with respect to which the approval of the holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares is required;

 

(ii)        the conversion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares into cash, stock or other property, or the right to receive cash, stock or property, or some combination thereof; other than conversion, in a transaction as described in clause (dd)(4) above, of the Series 6 Preferred

 

Shares into a series of preferred shares having the same rights, preferences and privileges as the Series 6 Preferred Shares; or

 

(iii)       the cancellation of such Series 6 Preferred Shares.

 

(ee)         “Permitted Transferee” means any holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares who received such Series 6 Preferred Shares in a Permitted Transfer (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), provided that such holder agrees, for the benefit of the Corporation, to comply with Section 4.05 of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(ff)           “person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited or general partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government, any agency or political subdivisions thereof or other “person” as contemplated by Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(gg)         “Qualifying Transaction” means a Fundamental Change: (i) with regard to which the holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares is entitled to receive, directly or indirectly, in respect of its Series 6 Preferred Shares, in connection with the consummation of such transaction (including pursuant to the conversion of the Series 6 Preferred Shares (without regard to limitations or restrictions on conversion) or the purchase or exchange of such Series 6 Preferred Shares in a tender or exchange offer), consideration consisting solely of cash, equity securities that are immediately tradable on a national securities exchange and that have (or the equity securities of the predecessor of the issuer of such equity securities have) an average trading volume per trading day over the thirty (30) trading days preceding public announcement of such transaction at least equal to that of the Class A Shares over the thirty (30) trading days preceding public announcement of such transaction, or a combination of cash and such equity consideration (collectively, “qualifying consideration”), which qualifying consideration is in an amount per outstanding Series 6 Preferred Share that is at least equal to the Base Liquidation Preference of such Series 6 Preferred Share plus all accrued but unpaid dividends thereon (with the value of any non-cash consideration being the Fair Market Value of such non-cash consideration at the time of signing of the definitive transaction agreement for the applicable transaction) or (ii) that is otherwise consented to by the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding Series 6 Preferred Shares.

 

(hh)         “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

 

 

(ii)          “Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2019, between MDC Partners Inc. and the Investor.

 

(jj)          “Senior Securities” means any shares in the capital of the Corporation the terms of which expressly provide that they will rank senior in preference or priority to the Series 6 Preferred Shares with respect to dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

 

(kk)        “Series 6 Original Issuance Date” means July 29, 2021.

 

(ll)          “share capital” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of capital, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or equivalent ownership interests in or issued by such person, and with respect to the Corporation includes, without limitation, any and all Common Shares and the Preference Shares.

 

(mm)      “Specified Event” means the tenth (10th) Business Day after the consummation of a Fundamental Change that does not constitute a Qualifying Transaction.

 

(nn)        “Stagwell” means Stagwell Media LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

 

(nn)        “Subsidiary” means with respect to any person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by, or, in the case of a partnership, the sole general partner or the managing partner or the only general partners of which are, such person and one or more Subsidiaries of such person (or a combination thereof). Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Corporation.

 

(oo)        “Trading Day” means any day on which (i) there is no Market Disruption Event and (ii) the Exchange is open for trading or, if the Class A Shares are not so listed, admitted for trading or quoted, any Business Day. A Trading Day only includes those days that have a scheduled closing time of 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) or the then standard closing time for regular trading on the relevant Exchange.

 

(pp)        “Voting Stock” means the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares and the Class C Shares and securities of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote generally for the election of directors of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or its successor.

 

(qq)        Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:

 

Term   Section
Accretion Rate   SECTION 3(b)
Additional Class A Shares   SECTION 6(f)(v)(B)
Additional Dividends   SECTION 2(b)(i)
Aggregate Amount   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
Base Liquidation Preference   SECTION 3(b)
Class A Equivalents   SECTION 6(f)(v)(B)
Class A Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Class A Shares Outstanding   SECTION 6(f)(ii)
Class B Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Class C Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Conversion Amount   SECTION 6(a)
Conversion Date   SECTION 6(a)
Conversion Price   SECTION 6(a)
Disposition Event   SECTION 6(f)(iv)
Dividends   SECTION 2(b)(i)
Expiration Date   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
Expiration Time   SECTION 6(f)(iii)(A)
Letter Agreement   SECTION 6(f)(v)(B)(7)

 

 

 

 

Liquidation Preference   SECTION 3(a)
Maximum Voting Power   SECTION 6(b)
Participating Dividends   SECTION 2(a)
Purchased Shares   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
qualifying consideration   SECTION 9(ee)
Quarterly Compounding Date   SECTION 3(b)
Redemption Date   SECTION 7(a)(i)
Redemption Notice   SECTION 7(a)(ii)
Redemption Price   SECTION 7(a)(i)
Reference Property   SECTION 6(f)(iv)
Rights Trigger   SECTION 6(f)(xii)
Series 6 Preferred Shares   SECTION 1
Special Conversion Shares   SECTION 8(c)

 

SECTION 10.      Miscellaneous. For purposes of this Designation, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)          Withholding Tax. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Designation, the Corporation may deduct or withhold from any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery (whether in cash or in shares) to be made pursuant to this Designation any amounts required or permitted by law to be deducted or withheld from any such payment, distribution, issuance or delivery and shall remit any such amounts to the relevant tax authority as required. If the cash component of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery to be made pursuant to this Designation is less than the amount that the Corporation is so required or permitted to deduct or withhold, the Corporation shall be permitted to deduct and withhold from any noncash payment, distribution, issuance or delivery to be made pursuant to this Designation any amounts required or permitted by law to be deducted or withheld from any such payment, distribution, issuance or delivery and to dispose of such property in order to remit any amount required to be remitted to any relevant tax authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made to a holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares pursuant to this Designation shall be considered to be the amount of the payment, distribution, issuance or delivery received by such holder plus any amount deducted or withheld pursuant to this SECTION 10. In the absence of any such deduction or withholding by the Corporation, and unless agreed otherwise by the Corporation in writing, holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares shall be responsible for all withholding taxes in respect of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made or credited to them pursuant to this Designation and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation on an after-tax basis (for this purpose, having regard only to taxes for which the Corporation is liable for any such taxes imposed on any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made or credited to them pursuant to this Designation.

 

(b)          Wire or Electronic Transfer of Funds. Notwithstanding any other right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Series 6 Preferred Shares, the Corporation may, at its option, make any payment due to registered holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds to such holders. If a payment is made by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds, the Corporation shall be responsible for any applicable charges or fees relating to the making of such transfer. As soon as practicable following the determination by the Corporation that a payment is to be made by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds, the Corporation shall provide a notice to the applicable registered holders of Series 6 Preferred Shares at their respective addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation. Such notice shall request that each applicable registered holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares provide the particulars of an account of such holder with a chartered bank in the United States to which the wire or electronic transfer of funds shall be directed. If the Corporation does not receive account particulars from a registered holder of Series 6 Preferred Shares prior to the date such payment is to be made, the Corporation shall deposit the funds otherwise payable to such holder in a special account or accounts in trust for such holder. The making of a payment by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds or the deposit by the Corporation of funds otherwise payable to a holder in a special account or accounts in trust for such holder shall be deemed to constitute payment by the Corporation on the date thereof and shall satisfy and discharge all liabilities of the Corporation for such payment to the extent of the amount represented by such transfer or deposit.

 

(c)          Amendments. The provisions attaching to the Series 6 Preferred Shares may be deleted, varied, modified, amended or amplified by amendment with such approval as may then be required by this Designation and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

(d)          U.S. Currency. Unless otherwise stated, all references herein to sums of money are expressed in lawful money of the United States.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

Designation of Series 7 Convertible Preferred Stock

 

 

 

 

DESIGNATION
OF
SERIES 7 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
OF
MDC STAGWELL HOLDINGS INC.

 

SECTION 1.       Designation and Amount. The designation of this series of Preferred Stock is “Series 7 Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series 7 Preferred Shares”), par value $0.001 per share, and the number of shares constituting such series is Twenty Million (20,000,000). Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Convertible Preferred Shares to less than the number of shares then issued and outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding securities issued by the Corporation.

 

SECTION 2.       Dividends.

 

(a)          (i)         Each holder of issued and outstanding Series 7 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends for each Series 7 Preferred Share, dividends of the same type as any dividends or other distribution, whether in cash, in kind or in other property, payable or to be made on outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares of the Corporation (the “Class A Shares”), in an amount equal to the amount of such dividends or other distribution as would be made on the number of Class A Shares into which such Series 7 Preferred Shares could be converted on the applicable record date for such dividends or other distribution on the Class A Shares, without giving effect to the limitations set forth in SECTION 6(b) after aggregating all shares held by the same holder (the “Participating Dividends”) and disregarding any rounding for fractional amounts; provided, however, that notwithstanding the above, the holders of Series 7 Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or distributions for which an adjustment to the Conversion Amount (as defined below) shall be made pursuant to SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) or SECTION 6(f)(ii) (and such dividends or distributions that are not payable to the holders of Series 7 Preferred Shares as a result of this proviso shall not be deemed to be Participating Dividends).

 

(ii)         Participating Dividends are payable at the same time as and when such dividends or other distributions on the Class A Shares are paid to the holders of Class A Shares and are payable to holders of record of Series 7 Preferred Shares on the record date for the corresponding dividend or distribution on the Class A Shares.

 

(b)         Holders of the Series 7 Preferred Shares are not entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, in kind or other property, in excess of the Participating Dividends as provided in this SECTION 2.

 

(c)         The Corporation shall pay Participating Dividends (less any tax required to be deducted and withheld by the Corporation), except in case of redemption or conversion in which case payment of Participating Dividends shall be made on surrender of the certificate, if any, representing the Series 7 Preferred Shares to be redeemed or converted, by electronic funds transfer or by sending to each holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares a check for such Participating Dividends payable to the order of such holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of all such holders failing written instructions from them to the contrary or in such other manner, not contrary to applicable law, as the Corporation shall reasonably determine. The making of such payment or the posting or delivery of such check on or before the date on which such Dividend is to be paid to a holder shall be deemed to be payment and shall satisfy and discharge all liabilities for the payment of such Dividends to the extent of the sum represented thereby (plus the amount of any tax required to be and in fact deducted and withheld by the Corporation from the related Dividends as aforesaid and remitted to the proper taxing authority) unless such check is not honored when presented for payment. Subject to applicable law, Dividends which are represented by a check which has not been presented to the Corporation’s bankers for payment or that otherwise remain unclaimed for a period of six years from the date on which they were declared to be payable shall be forfeited to the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.        Liquidation Entitlement.

 

(a)          Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, each Series 7 Preferred Share entitles the holder thereof to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution, before any distribution or payment may be made to a holder of any Class A Shares, any Class B Shares of the Corporation (the “Class B Shares”) any Class C Shares of the Corporation (the “Class C Shares”) or any other shares ranking junior as to capital to the Series 7 Preferred Shares, an amount per Series 7 Preferred Share equal to the amount the holder of the Series 7 Preferred Share would have received if such holder had converted such Series 7 Preferred Share into a Class A Share immediately prior thereto, without giving effect to the limitations set forth in SECTION 6(b) and disregarding any rounding for fractional amounts (the “Liquidation Entitlement”).

 

(b)          After payment to the holders of the Series 7 Preferred Shares of the full Liquidation Entitlement to which they are entitled, the Series 7 Preferred Shares as such will have no right or claim to any of the assets of the Corporation.

 

(c)          The value of any property not consisting of cash that is distributed by the Corporation to the holders of the Series 7 Preferred Shares will equal the Fair Market Value thereof on the date of distribution.

 

SECTION 4.       Voting Rights. The holders of the Series 7 Preferred Shares shall not be entitled as such, except as required by law, to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting but shall be entitled to receive notice of meetings of shareholders of the Corporation called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the sale of its undertaking or a substantial part thereof. The approval of the holders of the Series 7 Preferred Shares with respect to any and all matters referred to in this Designation may be given in writing by all of the holders of the Series 7 Preferred Shares outstanding or by resolution duly passed and carried as may then be required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at a meeting of the holders of the Series 7 Preferred Shares duly called and held for the purpose of considering the subject matter of such resolution and at which holders of not less than a majority of all Series 7 Preferred Shares then outstanding are present in person or represented by proxy in accordance with the by-laws of the Corporation; provided, however, that if at any such meeting, when originally held, the holders of at least a majority of all Series 7 Preferred Shares then outstanding are not present in person or so represented by proxy within 30 minutes after the time fixed for the meeting, then the meeting shall be adjourned to such date, being not less than fifteen (15) days later. Notice of any such original meeting of the holders of the Series 7 Preferred Shares shall be given not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date fixed for such meeting and shall specify in general terms the purpose for which the meeting is called, and notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days prior to the date fixed for such adjourned meeting, but it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the purpose for which the adjourned meeting is called. The formalities to be observed with respect to the giving of notice of any such original meeting or adjourned meeting and the conduct of it shall be those from time to time prescribed in the by-laws of the Corporation with respect to meetings of shareholders. On every poll taken at any such original meeting or adjourned meeting, each holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares present in person or represented by proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each of the Series 7 Preferred Shares held by such holder.

 

SECTION 5.        Purchase for Cancellation. Subject to such provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as may be applicable, the Corporation may at any time or times purchase (if obtainable) for cancellation all or any part of the Series 7 Preferred Shares outstanding from time to time: (a) through the facilities of any Exchange or market on which the Series 7 Preferred Shares are listed, (b) by invitation for tenders addressed to all the holders of record of the Series 7 Preferred Shares outstanding, or (c) in any other manner, in each case at the lowest price or prices at which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, such shares are obtainable.

 

SECTION 6.       Conversion.

 

Each Series 7 Preferred Share is convertible into Class A Shares as provided in this SECTION 6.

 

     

 

 

(a)          Conversion at the Option of Holders of Series 7 Preferred Shares. Subject to SECTION 6(b), each holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares is entitled to convert, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at the option and election of such holder, each outstanding Series 7 Preferred Share held by such holder into a number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Class A Shares equal to the number determined by dividing (i) one (1) by (ii) the Conversion Amount in effect at the time of conversion. The “Conversion Amount” initially is one (1), as adjusted from time to time as provided in SECTION 6(f). In order to convert the Series 7 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares, the holder must surrender the certificates representing such Series 7 Preferred Shares, accompanied by transfer instruments satisfactory to the Corporation, free of any adverse interest or liens at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent for the Series 7 Preferred Shares, together with written notice that such holder elects to convert all or such number of shares represented by such certificates as specified therein. With respect to a conversion pursuant to this SECTION 6(a), the date of receipt of such certificates, together with such notice and such other information or documents as may be required by the Corporation (including any certificates delivered pursuant to SECTION 6(b)), by the transfer agent or the Corporation will be the date of conversion (the “Conversion Date”).

 

(b)          Limitations on Conversion. Notwithstanding SECTION 6(a), the Corporation shall not effect any conversion of the Series 7 Preferred Shares or otherwise issue Class A Shares pursuant to SECTION 6(a), and no holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares will be permitted to convert Series 7 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares if, and to the extent that, following such conversion, either (i) such holder’s aggregate voting power on a matter being voted on by holders of Class A Shares would exceed 19.9% of the Maximum Voting Power (as defined below) or (ii) such holder would Beneficially Own more than 19.9% of the then outstanding Common Shares; provided, however, that such conversion restriction shall not apply to any conversion in connection with and subject to completion of (A) a public sale of the Class A Shares to be issued upon such conversion, if following consummation of such public sale such holder will not Beneficially Own in excess of 19.9% of the then outstanding Class A Shares or (B) a bona fide third party tender offer for the Class A Shares issuable thereupon. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of Class A Shares Beneficially Owned by a holder shall include the number of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 7 Preferred Shares with respect to which a conversion notice has been given, but shall exclude the number of Class A Shares which would be issuable upon conversion or exercise of the remaining, unconverted portion of the Series 7 Preferred Shares Beneficially Owned by such holder. Upon the written request of the holder, the Corporation shall within two (2) Business Days confirm in writing (which may be by email) to any holder the number of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares then outstanding. In connection with any conversion and as a condition to the Corporation effecting such conversion, upon request of the Corporation, a holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares shall deliver to the Corporation a certificate, signed by a duly authorized officer of such holder, no less than twelve (12) Business Days prior to the applicable conversion, certifying that, after giving effect to such conversion, (i) such holder’s aggregate voting power on a matter being voted on by holders of Class A Shares will not exceed 19.9% of the Maximum Voting Power or (ii) such holder will not Beneficially Own more than 19.9% of the then outstanding Common Shares. For purposes hereof, “Maximum Voting Power” means, at the time of determination of the Maximum Voting Power, the total number of votes which may be cast by all shares of the Corporation’s capital on a matter subject to the vote of the Common Shares and any other securities that constitute Voting Stock voting together as a single class and after giving effect to any limitation on voting power set forth herein and the certificate of designation or other similar document governing other Voting Stock. For purposes of this SECTION 6(b), the aggregate voting power and Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares held b the Affiliates of a holder shall be attributed to such holder.

 

(c)          Automatic Conversion.

 

(i)           If at any time the limitations in SECTION 6(b) would not prevent the conversion of one or more Series 7 Preferred Shares into Class A Shares then, subject to any lapse or expiration of the applicable waiting period, or approval, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, or other applicable antitrust law, the maximum number of Series 7 Preferred Shares held by a holder and its Affiliates that can convert into Class A Shares without violating the limitations in SECTION 6(b) will automatically convert into Class A Shares, provided that such automatic conversion shall only occur if the number of Series 7 Preferred Shares that would be converted on the Conversion Date is equal to or greater than the lesser of (x) 1,000 and (y) all shares then held by such holder and its Affiliates; provided, further, that if the number of Series 7 Preferred Shares that may be converted pursuant to this SECTION 6(c)(i) is less than all shares of the Series 7 Preferred Shares Beneficially Owned by a holder and its Affiliates, the Corporation shall select the Series 7 Preferred Shares to be converted by lot or in such other equitable manner as the Corporation may determine.

 

     

 

 

(d)          Fractional Shares. No fractional Class A Shares will be issued upon conversion of the Series 7 Preferred Shares. In lieu of fractional shares, the Corporation shall round, to the nearest whole number, the number of Class A Shares to be issued upon conversion of the Series 7 Preferred Shares. If more than one Series 7 Preferred Share is being converted at one time by or for the benefit of the same holder, then the number of full shares issuable upon conversion will be calculated on the basis of the aggregate number of Series 7 Preferred Shares converted by or for the benefit of such holder at such time.

 

(e)          Mechanics of Conversion.

 

(i)           Promptly after the Conversion Date (and in any event within three (3) Business Days), the Corporation shall (A) issue and deliver to such holder the number of Class A Shares to which such holder is entitled in exchange for the certificates formerly representing Series 7 Preferred Shares and (B) pay to such holder, to the extent of funds legally available therefor, all declared and unpaid Participating Dividends on the Series 7 Preferred Shares that are being converted into Class A Shares. Such conversion will be deemed to have been made on the Conversion Date, and the person entitled to receive the Class A Shares issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such Class A Shares on such Conversion Date. In case fewer than all the shares represented by any such certificate are to be converted, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unconverted shares without cost to the holder thereof, except for any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due because any certificates for Class A Shares or Series 7 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder. The Corporation shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of Class A Shares upon conversion or due upon the issuance of a new certificate for any Series 7 Preferred Shares not converted other than any such tax due because Class A Shares or a certificate for Series 7 Preferred Shares are issued in a name other than the name of the converting holder.

 

(ii)          From and after the Conversion Date, the Series 7 Preferred Shares to be converted on such Conversion Date will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holder thereof as a holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares (except the right to receive from the Corporation the Class A Shares upon conversion, together with the right to receive any declared and unpaid Participating Dividends thereon) shall cease and terminate with respect to such shares; provided, that in the event that a Series 7 Preferred Share is not converted, such Series 7 Preferred Share will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the rights as provided herein.

 

(iii)         If the conversion is in connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 7 Preferred Shares, the conversion may, at the option of any holder tendering any Series 7 Preferred Share for conversion, be conditioned upon the closing of the sale, transfer or the disposition of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of Series 7 Preferred Shares with the underwriter, transferee or other acquirer in such sale, transfer or disposition, in which event such conversion of such Series 7 Preferred Shares shall not be deemed to have occurred until immediately prior to the closing of such sale, transfer or other disposition.

 

(iv)         All Class A Shares issued upon conversion of the Series 7 Preferred Shares will, upon issuance by the Corporation, be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

(f)           Adjustments to Conversion Amount.

 

(i)           Adjustment for Change In Share Capital.

 

(A) If the Corporation shall, at any time and from time to time while any Series 7 Preferred Shares are outstanding, issue a dividend or make a distribution on its Class A Shares payable in its Class A Shares to all or substantially all holders of its Class A Shares, then the Conversion Amount at the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution will be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Amount by a fraction:

 

(1)          the numerator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such Ex-Dividend Date; and

 

     

 

 

(2)          the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of Class A Shares outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, plus the total number of Class A Shares constituting such dividend or other distribution.

 

If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Amount shall again be adjusted to the Conversion Amount which would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, in no event shall the Conversion Amount be increased pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(i)(A).

 

(B) If the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the Series 7 Preferred Shares are outstanding, subdivide or reclassify its outstanding Class A Shares into a greater number of Class A Shares, then the Conversion Amount in effect at the opening of business on the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately decreased, and conversely, if the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time while any of the Series 7 Preferred Shares are outstanding, combine or reclassify its outstanding Class A Shares into a smaller number of Class A Shares, then the Conversion Amount in effect at the opening of business on the day upon which such combination or reclassification becomes effective shall be proportionately increased. In each such case, the Conversion Amount shall be adjusted by multiplying such Conversion Amount by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision or combination and the denominator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such subdivision, combination or reclassification. Such increase or reduction, as the case may be, shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day upon which such subdivision, combination or reclassification becomes effective.

 

(ii)          Adjustment for Rights Issue. If the Corporation shall, at any time or from time to time, while any Series 7 Preferred Shares are outstanding, distribute rights, options or warrants to all or substantially all holders of its Class A Shares entitling them, for a period expiring within sixty (60) days after the record date for such distribution, to purchase Class A Shares, or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Class A Shares, in either case, at less than the average of the Closing Prices for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the first public announcement of the distribution, then the Conversion Amount shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Amount in effect at the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution by a fraction:

 

(A) the numerator of which shall be the sum of (1) the number of Class A Shares Outstanding on the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution, plus (2) the number of Class A Shares that the aggregate offering price of the total number of Class A Shares issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants would purchase at the Current Market Price of the Class A Shares on the declaration date for such distribution (determined by multiplying such total number of Class A Shares so offered by the exercise price of such rights, options or warrants and dividing the product so obtained by such Current Market Price); and

 

(B) the denominator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares Outstanding at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution, plus the total number of additional Class A Shares issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants.

 

The term “Class A Shares Outstanding” shall mean, without duplication, and include the following, and the following shall be included whether vested or unvested, whether contingent or non-contingent and whether exercisable or not yet exercisable, and without regard to any other limitations or restrictions on conversion or exercise:

 

(1)          the number of Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares then outstanding;

 

(2)          all Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding Series 7 Preferred Shares; and

 

(3)          all Class A Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and any other Convertible Security.

 

     

 

 

Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

 

To the extent that Class A Shares are not delivered pursuant to such rights, options or warrants or upon the expiration or termination of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Amount shall be readjusted to the Conversion Amount that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of Class A Shares actually delivered. In the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the Conversion Amount shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Amount which would then be in effect if the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution had not occurred. In determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to purchase Class A Shares at less than the average of the Closing Prices for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the first public announcement of the relevant distribution, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such Class A Shares, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, options or warrants and the value of such consideration if other than cash, to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. Except as set forth in this paragraph, in no event shall the Conversion Amount be increased pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(ii).

 

(iii)         Adjustment for Certain Tender Offers or Exchange Offers. In case the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries shall, at any time or from time to time, while any Series 7 Preferred Shares are outstanding, distribute cash or other consideration in respect of a tender offer or an exchange offer (that is treated as a “tender offer” under U.S. federal securities laws) made by the Corporation or any Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Class A Shares, where the sum of the aggregate amount of such cash distributed and the aggregate Fair Market Value, as of the Expiration Date (as defined below), of such other consideration distributed (such sum, the “Aggregate Amount”) expressed as an amount per Class A Share validly tendered or exchanged, and not withdrawn, pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer as of the Expiration Time (as defined below) (such tendered or exchanged Class A Shares, the “Purchased Shares”) exceeds the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the last date (such last date, the “Expiration Date”) on which tenders or exchanges could have been made pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer (as the same may be amended through the Expiration Date), then, and in each case, immediately after the close of business on such date, the Conversion Amount shall be decreased so that the same shall equal the rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Amount in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date by a fraction:

 

(A) the numerator of which shall be equal to the product of (1) the number of Class A Shares outstanding as of the last time (the “Expiration Time”) at which tenders or exchanges could have been made pursuant to such tender offer or exchange offer (including all Purchased Shares) and (2) the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date; and

 

(B) the denominator of which is equal to the sum of (x) the Aggregate Amount and (y) the product of (I) an amount equal to (1) the number of Class A Shares outstanding as of the Expiration Time, less (2) the Purchased Shares and (II) the Closing Price per share of the Class A Shares on the Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date.

 

An adjustment, if any, to the Conversion Amount pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(iii) shall become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the second Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date. In the event that the Corporation or a Subsidiary is obligated to purchase Class A Shares pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Corporation or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Amount shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Amount which would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, if the application of this SECTION 6(f)(iii) to any tender offer or exchange offer would result in an increase in the Conversion Amount, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer or exchange offer under this SECTION 6(f)(iii).

 

(iv)         Disposition Events.

 

     

 

 

(A) If any of the following events (any such event, a “Disposition Event”) occurs:

 

(1)          any reclassification or exchange of the Class A Shares (other than as a result of a subdivision or combination);

 

(2)          any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other combination to which the Corporation is a constituent party; or

 

(3)          any sale, conveyance, lease, or other disposal of all or substantially all the properties and assets of the Corporation to any other person;

 

in each case, as a result of which all of the holders of Class A Shares shall be entitled to receive cash, securities or other property for their Class A Shares, the Series 7 Preferred Shares converted following the effective date of any Disposition Event shall be converted, in lieu of the Class A Shares otherwise deliverable, into the same amount and type (in the same proportion) of cash, securities or other property received by holders of Class A Shares in the relevant event (collectively, “Reference Property”) received upon the occurrence of such Disposition Event by a holder of Class A Shares holding, immediately prior to the transaction, the number of Class A Shares into which such Series 7 Preferred Shares would have been converted pursuant to SECTION 6(a) without giving effect to any limitations on conversion set forth in SECTION 6(b) immediately prior to such Disposition Event; provided that if the Disposition Event provides the holders of Class A Shares with the right to receive more than a single type of consideration determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election, the Reference Property shall be comprised of the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of the Class A Shares.

 

(B) The above provisions of this SECTION 6(f)(iv) shall similarly apply to successive Disposition Events. If this SECTION 6(f)(iv) applies to any event or occurrence, neither SECTION 6(f)(i) nor SECTION 6(f)(iii) shall apply; provided, however, that this SECTION 6(f)(iv) shall not apply to any share split or combination to which SECTION 6(f)(i) is applicable or to a liquidation, dissolution or winding up to which SECTION 3 applies. To the extent that equity securities of a company are received by the holders of Class A Shares in connection with a Disposition Event, the portion of the Series 7 Preferred Shares which will be convertible into such equity securities will continue to be subject to the anti-dilution adjustments set forth in this SECTION 6(f).

 

(v)          Minimum Adjustment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Conversion Amount will not be reduced if the amount of such reduction would be an amount less than one percent (1%) of such Conversion Amount, but any such amount will be carried forward and reduction with respect thereto will be made at the time that such amount, together with any subsequent amounts so carried forward, aggregates to one percent (1%) or more.

 

(vi)         When No Adjustment Required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment to the Conversion Amount need be made:

 

(A) for a transaction referred to in SECTION 6(f)(i) or SECTION 6(f)(ii) if the Series 7 Preferred Shares participate, without conversion, in the transaction or event that would otherwise give rise to an adjustment pursuant to such Section at the same time as holders of the Class A Shares participate with respect to such transaction or event and on the same terms as holders of the Class A Shares participate with respect to such transaction or event as if the holders of Series 7 Preferred Shares, at such time, held a number of Class A Shares equal to the number of Class A Shares into which the Series 7 Preferred Shares were convertible at such time;

 

(B) for rights to purchase Class A Shares pursuant to any present or future plan by the Corporation for reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Corporation’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in Class A Shares under any plan; or

 

(C) for any event otherwise requiring an adjustment under this SECTION 6 if such event is not consummated.

 

     

 

 

(vii)        Rules of Calculation; Treasury Shares. All calculations will be made to the nearest one-hundredth of a cent or to the nearest one-ten thousandth of a share. Except as explicitly provided herein, the number of Class A Shares outstanding will be calculated on the basis of the number of issued and outstanding Class A Shares.

 

(viii)       Waiver. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Conversion Amount will not be reduced if the Corporation receives, prior to the effective time of the adjustment to the Conversion Amount, written notice from the holders representing at least a majority of the then outstanding Series 7 Preferred Shares, voting together as a separate class, that no adjustment is to be made as the result of a particular issuance of Class A Shares or other dividend or other distribution on Class A Shares. This waiver will be limited in scope and will not be valid for any issuance of Class A Shares or other dividend or other distribution on Class A Shares not specifically provided for in such notice.

 

(ix)          Tax Adjustment. Anything in this SECTION 6 notwithstanding, the Corporation shall be entitled to make such downward adjustments in the Conversion Amount, in addition to those required by this SECTION 6, as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any event treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a dividend or share split will not be taxable to the holders of Class A Shares.

 

(x)           No Duplication. If any action would require adjustment of the Conversion Amount pursuant to more than one of the provisions described in this SECTION 6 in a manner such that such adjustments are duplicative, only one adjustment shall be made.

 

(xi)          Provisions Governing Adjustment to Conversion Amount.  Rights, options or warrants distributed by the Corporation to all or substantially all holders of Class A Shares entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Corporation’s capital (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Rights Trigger”): (A) are deemed to be transferred with such Class A Shares; (B) are not exercisable; and (C) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Class A Shares, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Amount under SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Rights Trigger, whereupon such rights, options and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed, and (x) if and to the extent such rights, options and warrants are exercisable for Class A Shares or the equivalents thereof, an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Amount shall be made under SECTION 6(f)(ii) (without giving effect to the sixty (60) day limit on the exercisability of rights, options and warrants ordinarily subject to such SECTION 6(f)(ii)), and/or (y) if and to the extent such rights, options and warrants are exercisable for cash and/or any shares of the Corporation’s capital other than Class A Shares or Class A Share equivalents, shall be subject to the provisions of SECTION 2(a) applicable to Participating Dividends and shall be distributed to the holders of Series 7 Preferred Shares.  If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the Series 7 Original Issuance Date, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (and a termination or expiration of the existing rights, options or warrants without exercise by any of the holders thereof).  In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Rights Trigger or other event (of the type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Amount under SECTION 6(f)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Amount shall be readjusted at the opening of business of the Corporation immediately following such final redemption or repurchase by multiplying such Conversion Amount by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price per Class A Share on such date, less the amount equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or holders of Class A Shares with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all or substantially all holders of Class A Shares as of the date of such redemption or repurchase and (y) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Amount shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) to the extent any such rights, options or warrants are redeemed by the Corporation prior to a Rights Trigger or are exchanged by the Corporation, in either case for Class A Shares, the Conversion Amount shall be appropriately readjusted (if and to the extent previously adjusted pursuant to this SECTION 6(f)(xi)) as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued, and instead the Conversion Amount will be adjusted as if the Corporation had issued the Class A Shares issued upon such redemption or exchange as a dividend or distribution of Class A Shares subject to SECTION 6(f)(i)(A) and (B) to the extent any such rights, options or warrants are redeemed by the Corporation prior to a Rights Trigger or are exchanged by the Corporation, in either case for any shares of the Corporation’s capital (other than Class A Shares) or any other assets of the Corporation, such redemption or exchange shall be deemed to be a distribution and shall be subject to, and paid to the holders of Series 7 Preferred Shares pursuant to, the provisions of SECTION 2(a) applicable to Participating Dividends.

 

     

 

 

(xii)         Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any adjustment of the Conversion Amount or entitlement to acquire Class A Shares pursuant to this Designation shall be subject to the rules of the Exchange to the extent required to comply with such rules. If after the date of effectiveness of this Designation there is a change in the applicable rules of the Exchange on which the Class A Shares are listed at the time such change becomes effective or in the interpretation of such applicable rules that would cause the Class A Shares to be delisted by such Exchange as a result of the terms of this Designation, the rights of the holders of the Series 7 Preferred Shares set forth in this Designation shall thereafter be limited to the extent required by such changed rules in order for the Class A Shares to continue to be listed on such Exchange.

 

(xiii)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Designation, if an adjustment to the Conversion Amount becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date as described herein, and a holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares that have been converted on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or prior to the related record date would be treated as the record holder of Class A Shares as of the related Conversion Date based on an adjusted Conversion Amount for such Ex-Dividend Date, then, notwithstanding such Conversion Amount adjustment provisions, the Conversion Amount adjustment relating to such Ex-Dividend Date will not be made for such converted Series 7 Preferred Shares. Instead, the holder of such converted Series 7 Preferred Shares will be treated as if such holder were the record owner of the Class A Shares on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.

 

(g)          Notice of Record Date. In the event of:

 

(i)           any share split or combination of the outstanding Class A Shares;

 

(ii)          any declaration or making of a dividend or other distribution to holders of Class A Shares in additional Class A Shares, any other share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness);

 

(iii)         any reclassification or change to which SECTION 6(f)(i)(B) applies;

 

(iv)         the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation; or

 

(v)          any other event constituting a Disposition Event;

 

then the Corporation shall file with its corporate records and mail to the holders of the Series 7 Preferred Shares at their last addresses as shown on the records of the Corporation, at least ten (10) days prior to the record date specified in (A) below or ten (10) days prior to the date specified in (B) below, a notice stating:

 

(A) the record date of such share split, combination, dividend or other distribution, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Class A Shares of record to be entitled to such share split, combination, dividend or other distribution are to be determined, or

 

(B) the date on which such reclassification, change, dissolution, liquidation, winding up or other event constituting a Disposition Event, is estimated to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Class A Shares of record will be entitled to exchange their Class A Shares for the share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness) deliverable upon such reclassification, change, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or other Disposition Event.

 

     

 

 

Disclosures made by the Corporation in any public filings made under the Exchange Act shall be deemed to satisfy the notice requirements set forth in this SECTION 6(g).

 

(h)          Certificate of Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Amount pursuant to this SECTION 6, the Corporation shall compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares a certificate, signed by an officer of the Corporation, setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, upon the reasonable written request of any holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares, furnish to such holder a similar certificate setting forth (i) the calculation of such adjustments and readjustments in reasonable detail, (ii) the Conversion Amount then in effect, and (iii) the number of Class A Shares and the amount, if any, of share capital, other securities or other property (including, but not limited to, cash and evidences of indebtedness) which then would be received upon the conversion of Series 7 Preferred Shares.

 

SECTION 7.        Additional Definitions. For purposes of this Designation, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)          “Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation, its subsidiaries and its other controlled Affiliates shall not be considered Affiliates of the Investor.

 

(b)          “Beneficially Own,” “Beneficially Owned” or “Beneficial Ownership” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes hereof the words “within sixty days” in Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) shall not apply, to the effect that a person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security at any time. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes hereof, except where otherwise expressly provided herein, the Investor (or any other person) shall at all times be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 7 Preferred Shares directly or indirectly held by them, irrespective of any applicable restrictions on transfer, conversion or voting.

 

(c)          “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

(d)          “Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in New York City, New York.

 

(e)          “Closing Price” of the Class A Shares on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the Exchange or, if the Class A Shares are not listed or admitted for trading on an Exchange, as reported on the quotation system on which such security is quoted. If the Class A Shares are not listed or admitted for trading on an Exchange and not reported on a quotation system on the relevant date, the “closing price” will be the last quoted bid price for the Class A Shares in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by the National Quotation Bureau or similar organization. If the Class A Shares are not so quoted, the last reported sale price will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Class A Shares on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized investment banking firms selected by the Corporation for this purpose.

 

(f)           “Common Shares” means the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares, the Class C Shares and any other common shares in the capital of the Corporation.

 

(g)          “control,” “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” with respect to any person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or otherwise.

 

     

 

 

(h)          “Convertible Security” means any debt or other evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Shares.

 

(i)           “Corporation” means MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

(j)           “Current Market Price” of Class A Shares on any day means the average of the Closing Prices per Class A Share for each of the five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on the earlier of the day in question and the day before the Ex-Dividend Date with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computation.

 

(k)          “Designation” mean this Designation of the Series 7 Preferred Shares.

 

(l)           “Ex-Dividend Date” means, with respect to any issuance or distribution, the first date on which the Class A Shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.

 

(m)         “Exchange” means Nasdaq and, if the Class A Shares are not then listed on Nasdaq, the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Class A Shares are then listed.

 

(n)          “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(o)          “Fair Market Value” of the Class A Shares or any other security or property means the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, which determination must be set forth in a written resolution of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the following rules:

 

(i)           for Class A Shares or other security traded or quoted on an Exchange, the Fair Market Value will be the average of the Closing Prices of such security on such Exchange over a ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period, ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination; and

 

(ii)          for any other property, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board of Directors assuming a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction.

 

(p)          “group” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

 

(q)          “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Designation as a whole and not merely to any particular clause, provision, section or subsection.

 

(r)           “Investor” shall mean Stagwell Agency Holdings LLC.

 

(s)          “Market Disruption Event” means, with respect to the Class A Shares, (i) a failure by the Exchange to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence for more than one half hour period in the aggregate on any scheduled Trading Day for the Class A Shares of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Exchange, or otherwise) in the Class A Shares or in any options, contracts or future contracts relating to the Class A Shares, and such suspension or limitation occurs or exists at any time before 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such day.

 

(t)           “Nasdaq” means The NASDAQ Global Market.

 

(u)          “person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited or general partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government, any agency or political subdivisions thereof or other “person” as contemplated by Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(v)          “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

     

 

 

(w)         “Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2019, between the Corporation and the Investor.

 

(x)           “Series 7 Original Issuance Date” means, with respect to any Series 7 Preferred Share, the original issue date of such Series 7 Preferred Share.

 

(y)          “share capital” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of capital, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or equivalent ownership interests in or issued by such person, and with respect to the Corporation includes, without limitation, any and all Common Shares and the Series 7 Preferred Shares.

 

(z)           “Subsidiary” means with respect to any person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by, or, in the case of a partnership, the sole general partner or the managing partner or the only general partners of which are, such person and one or more Subsidiaries of such person (or a combination thereof). Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Corporation.

 

(aa)        “Trading Day” means any day on which (i) there is no Market Disruption Event and (ii) the Exchange is open for trading or, if the Class A Shares are not so listed, admitted for trading or quoted, any Business Day. A Trading Day only includes those days that have a scheduled closing time of 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) or the then standard closing time for regular trading on the relevant Exchange.

 

(bb)        “Voting Stock” shall mean the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares and the Class C Shares and securities of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote generally for the election of directors of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or its successor.

 

(cc)        Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:

 

Term   Section
Aggregate Amount   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
Class A Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Class A Shares Outstanding   SECTION 6(f)
Class B Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Class C Shares   SECTION 3(a)
Conversion Amount   SECTION 6(a)
Conversion Date   SECTION 6(a)
Disposition Event   SECTION 6(f)(iv)
Expiration Date   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
Expiration Time   SECTION 6(f)(iii)(A)
Liquidation Entitlement   SECTION 3(a)
Maximum Voting Power   SECTION 6(b)
Participating Dividends   SECTION 2(a)
Purchased Shares   SECTION 6(f)(iii)
Reference Property   SECTION 6(f)(iv)
Rights Trigger   SECTION 6(f)(xi)
Series 7 Preferred Shares   SECTION 1

 

     

 

 

SECTION 8.        Miscellaneous. For purposes of this Designation, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a) Withholding Tax. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Designation, the Corporation may deduct or withhold from any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery (whether in cash or in shares) to be made pursuant to this Designation any amounts required or permitted by law to be deducted or withheld from any such payment, distribution, issuance or delivery and shall remit any such amounts to the relevant tax authority as required. If the cash component of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery to be made pursuant to this Designation is less than the amount that the Corporation is so required or permitted to deduct or withhold, the Corporation shall be permitted to deduct and withhold from any noncash payment, distribution, issuance or delivery to be made pursuant to this Designation any amounts required or permitted by law to be deducted or withheld from any such payment, distribution, issuance or delivery and to dispose of such property in order to remit any amount required to be remitted to any relevant tax authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made to a holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares pursuant to this Designation shall be considered to be the amount of the payment, distribution, issuance or delivery received by such holder plus any amount deducted or withheld pursuant to this SECTION 8. In the absence of any such deduction or withholding by the Corporation, and unless agreed otherwise by the Corporation in writing, holders of Series 7 Preferred Shares shall be responsible for all withholding taxes in respect of any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made or credited to them pursuant to this Designation and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation on an after-tax basis (for this purpose, having regard only to taxes for which the Corporation is liable for any such taxes imposed on any payment, distribution, issuance or delivery made or credited to them pursuant to this Designation.

 

(b)          Wire or Electronic Transfer of Funds. Notwithstanding any other right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Series 7 Preferred Shares, the Corporation may, at its option, make any payment due to registered holders of Series 7 Preferred Shares by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds to such holders. If a payment is made by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds, the Corporation shall be responsible for any applicable charges or fees relating to the making of such transfer. As soon as practicable following the determination by the Corporation that a payment is to be made by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds, the Corporation shall provide a notice to the applicable registered holders of Series 7 Preferred Shares at their respective addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation. Such notice shall request that each applicable registered holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares provide the particulars of an account of such holder with a chartered bank in the United States to which the wire or electronic transfer of funds shall be directed. If the Corporation does not receive account particulars from a registered holder of Series 7 Preferred Shares prior to the date such payment is to be made, the Corporation shall deposit the funds otherwise payable to such holder in a special account or accounts in trust for such holder. The making of a payment by way of a wire or electronic transfer of funds or the deposit by the Corporation of funds otherwise payable to a holder in a special account or accounts in trust for such holder shall be deemed to constitute payment by the Corporation on the date thereof and shall satisfy and discharge all liabilities of the Corporation for such payment to the extent of the amount represented by such transfer or deposit.

 

(c)          Amendments. The provisions attaching to the Series 7 Preferred Shares may be deleted, varied, modified, amended or amplified by amendment with such approval as may then be required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

(d)          U.S. Currency. Unless otherwise stated, all references herein to sums of money are expressed in lawful money of the United States.

 

     

Exhibit 3.2

 

MDC STAGWELL HOLDINGS INC.

 

BY-LAWS

 

Effective as of July 29, 2021

 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

SECTION 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. (hereinafter, the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be at 1209 N Orange St, Wilmington, DE 19801, and the registered agent shall be The Corporation Trust Company, or such other office or agent as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) shall from time to time select.

 

SECTION 1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have an office or offices, and keep the books and records of the Corporation, except as may otherwise be required by law, at such other place or places, either within or outside of the State of Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

 

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

SECTION 2.1 Place of Meeting. All meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation (the “stockholders”) shall be at a place either within or outside of the State of Delaware, or by means of remote communication, to be determined by the Board and as specified in the notice of meeting. In the absence of such a determination, a meeting of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 2.2 Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held on such date and at such hour as shall from time to time be fixed by the Board. Any previously scheduled annual meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, rescheduled or cancelled by action of the Board taken prior to the time previously scheduled for such annual meeting of the stockholders.

 

SECTION 2.3 Special Meetings. Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate”), and subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”), special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called only by (a) the Chairman of the Board or (b) the Board pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board; provided, however, that until the first date on which Stagwell (as defined below) and its Permitted Transferees (as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of MDC OpCo, dated as of the date hereof, by and among MDC OpCo and its Members (as defined therein), as such agreement may be further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), directly or indirectly, cease to beneficially own, in the aggregate, shares of Common Stock representing at least thirty percent (30%) of the votes entitled to be cast by the then outstanding shares of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled generally to vote on the election of directors of the Corporation (such date, the “Trigger Date”), special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation shall also be called by the Secretary of the Corporation at the request of the holders of at least thirty percent (30%) of the votes entitled to be cast by the then outstanding shares of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled generally to vote on the election of directors of the Corporation. From and after the Trigger Date, the stockholders of the Corporation shall not have the power to call a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation or to request the Secretary of the Corporation to call a special meeting of the stockholders. Only such business as is specified in the Corporation’s notice of any special meeting of stockholders shall come before such meeting. A special meeting shall be held at such place (or remotely), on such date and at such time as shall be fixed by the Board or as the Secretary of the Corporation shall designate and state in the notice of the meeting. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any such meeting; provided, however, that with respect to any special meeting of stockholders previously scheduled at the request of the holders of at least thirty percent (30%) of the votes entitled to be cast by the then outstanding shares of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled generally to vote on the election of directors of the Corporation, the Board shall not postpone, reschedule or cancel such special meeting without the prior written consent of such stockholders.

 

 

 

SECTION 2.4 Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, notice, including by electronic transmission in the manner provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), of each meeting of the stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given by the Corporation not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to notice of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed given when deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Each such notice shall state the place (or, if applicable, that the meeting will be held remotely), the date and the hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Notice of any meeting of the stockholders shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy without protesting, prior to or at the commencement of the meeting, the lack of proper notice to such stockholder, or who shall waive notice thereof as provided in Article X of these By-laws. Notice of adjournment of a meeting of the stockholders need not be given if the time and place, if any, to which it is adjourned are announced at such meeting, unless the adjournment is for more than 30 days or, after adjournment, a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting.

 

SECTION 2.5 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the stockholders; provided, however, that in the case of any vote to be taken by classes or series, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of any such class or series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum of such class or series. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.

 

SECTION 2.6 Adjournments. The chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote and who are present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting from time to time whether or not a quorum is present. In the event that a quorum does not exist with respect to any vote to be taken by a particular class or series, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of such class or series who are present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting with respect to the vote(s) to be taken by such class or series. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum may be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

 

SECTION 2.7 Order of Business.

 

(a) At each meeting of the stockholders, the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, such person as shall be selected by the Board, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The order of business at each such meeting shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, the establishment of procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments on the affairs of the Corporation, restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof and the opening and closing of the voting polls.

 

(b) At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the annual meeting (i) by or at the direction of the chairman of the meeting, (ii) by any stockholder who is a holder of record at the time of the giving of the notice provided for in Section 2.7(b), who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7 (such business, “Stockholder Business”), or (iii) by any stockholder or stockholders that, pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, has the power to take such action by written consent. This Section 2.7 is the exclusive means by which a stockholder may bring business before a meeting of stockholders.

 

 

 

(c) Subject to Section 2.7(b)(iii), for business (other than nominations for election of directors, which are governed by Section 3.3) properly to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof (a “Notice of Business”) in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”). To be timely, a Notice of Business must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting as first specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (without regard to any postponements or adjournments of such meeting after such notice was first sent); provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days earlier or more than 60 days later than such anniversary date, a Notice of Business to be timely must be so delivered or received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made; provided, further, that for the purpose of calculating the timeliness of a Notice of Business for the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting shall be deemed to be June 25, 2020. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement, or an adjournment or postponement, of a meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. To be in proper written form, the Notice of Business must set forth:

 

(i) the name and record address of each stockholder proposing to bring business before the annual meeting (each, a “Proponent”), as they appear on the Corporation’s books;

 

(ii) the name and address of each Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below in this Section 2.7);

 

(iii) as to each Proponent and each Stockholder Associated Person, (A) the class or series and number of shares of stock directly or indirectly held of record and beneficially by such Proponent and Stockholder Associated Person, (B) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, direct or indirect, with respect to the business to be brought before the annual meeting, between or among any Proponent and any Stockholder Associated Person, (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into, directly or indirectly, as of the date of the notice by, or on behalf of, any Proponent and any Stockholder Associated Person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, any Proponent and any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation (a “Derivative”), (D) a description in reasonable detail of any proxy (including revocable proxies), contract, arrangement, understanding or other relationship pursuant to which any Proponent and any Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any shares of stock of the Corporation and (E) any profit-sharing or any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that any Proponent or any Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to, based on any increase or decrease in the value of stock of the Corporation or Derivatives thereof, if any, as of the date of such notice. The information specified in Section 2.7(c)(i) to (iii) is referred to herein as “Stockholder Information”;

 

(iv) a representation that each Proponent is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the annual meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to propose such proposed business;

 

(v) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, if such business includes a proposal to amend the By-laws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting;

 

(vi) any material interest of any Proponent and any Stockholder Associated Person in such proposed business;

 

 

 

(vii) a representation as to whether the Proponent(s) intend (A) to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt such Stockholder Business or (B) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such Stockholder Business;

 

(viii) all other information that would be required to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) if the Proponent(s) or Stockholder Associated Persons were participants in a solicitation subject to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (or any successor of such Section); and

 

(ix) a representation that each Proponent shall provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation.

 

(d) In addition, each Proponent shall affirm as true and correct the information provided to the Corporation in the Notice of Business or at the Corporation’s request pursuant to Section 2.7(c)(ix) (and shall update or supplement such information as needed so that such information shall be true and correct) as of (i) the record date for the meeting and (ii) the date that is 10 business days prior to the announced date of the annual meeting to which the Notice of Business relates. Such affirmation, update and/or supplement must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, addressed to the Secretary, by no later than five business days after the applicable date specified in clause (i) and (ii) of the foregoing sentence.

 

(e) The person presiding over the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting, that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7, and, if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

 

(f) If the Proponent (or a qualified representative of the Proponent) does not appear at the meeting of stockholders to present the Stockholder Business such business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. A “qualified representative” of the Proponent or any stockholder means a person who is a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or has been authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy with respect to the specific matter to be considered at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction (to the reasonable satisfaction of the person presiding over the meeting) of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders prior to the taking of action by such person on behalf of the stockholder.

 

(g) “Stockholder Associated Person” means with respect to any Proponent or Nominating Stockholder (as defined below), (i) any other beneficial owner of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such Proponent or Nominating Stockholder and (ii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, is under common control with such Proponent or Nominating Stockholder.

 

(h) “Control” (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

(i) The notice requirements of this Section 2.7 shall be deemed satisfied with respect to stockholder proposals that have been properly brought under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act (or any such successor rule) and that are included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. Further, nothing in this Section 2.7 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to any applicable provision of the Certificate.

 

SECTION 2.8 List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the Secretary or other officer who has charge of the stock ledger to prepare and make, at least 10 days before each meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in such stockholder’s name. Such list shall be produced and kept available at the times and places required by law.

 

 

 

SECTION 2.9 Voting.

 

(a) Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate, each stockholder of record of any series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled at each meeting of the stockholders to such number of votes, if any, for each share of such stock as may be fixed in the Certificate (or relevant Certificate of Designation) or in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such stock, and each stockholder of record of (i) Class A Common Stock shall be entitled at each meeting of the stockholders to one vote for each share of such stock, (ii) Class B Common Stock shall be entitled at each meeting of the stockholders to twenty votes for each share of such stock and (iii) Class C Common Stock shall be entitled at each meeting of the stockholders to one vote for each share of such stock, in each case, registered in such stockholder’s name on the books of the Corporation:

 

(i) on the date fixed pursuant to Section 7.6 of these By-laws as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting; or

 

(ii) if no such record date shall have been so fixed, then at the close of business on the day before the day on which notice of such meeting is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the day on which the meeting is held.

 

(b) Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy. Any such proxy shall be delivered to the secretary of such meeting at or prior to the time designated for holding such meeting, but in any event not later than the time designated in the order of business for so delivering such proxies. No such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

(c) Except as otherwise required by law and except as otherwise provided in the Certificate or these By-laws, at each meeting of the stockholders, all corporate actions to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be authorized by holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon and who are present in person or represented by proxy, and where a separate vote by class or series is required, by holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of such class or series who are entitled to vote thereon and are present in person or represented by proxy shall be the act of such class or series.

 

(d) Unless required by law or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable, the vote on any matter, including, without limitation, the election of directors, need not be by written ballot.

 

SECTION 2.10 Action by Written Consent. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, until the Trigger Date, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing (or deemed to be in writing under applicable law), setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by stockholders (or deemed to be signed by stockholders under applicable law) representing not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such actions at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered and dated as required by law. Prompt notice of the taking of such action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. The Secretary shall file such consents with the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders. From and after the Trigger Date, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken only upon the vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly called and may not be taken by written consent of the stockholders.

 

SECTION 2.11 Inspectors. The chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at any meeting of the stockholders. Such inspectors shall perform such duties as shall be required by law or specified by the chairman of the meeting. Inspectors need not be stockholders. No director or nominee for the office of director shall be appointed such inspector.

 

SECTION 2.12 Public Announcements. For the purpose of Section 2.7, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure (i) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones Newswire, Business Wire, Reuters Information Service or any similar or successor news wire service or (ii) in a communication distributed generally to stockholders and in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 3.1 General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation (or grant authority to exercise such powers) and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Certificate directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

SECTION 3.2 Number, Qualification and Election.

 

(a) The number of directors constituting the Board shall be determined in accordance with the Certificate. The terms of office of directors shall be governed by the Certificate.

 

(b) Each director shall be at least 21 years of age. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation. No person shall qualify for service as a director of the Corporation if he or she is a party to any compensatory, payment, indemnification or other financial agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation, or has received any such compensation or other payment from any person or entity other than the Corporation, in each case in connection with candidacy or service as a director of the Corporation, unless he or she discloses such compensatory, payment or other financial agreement, arrangement or understanding, or receipt of any such compensation or other payment, to the Corporation pursuant to the requirements and procedures set forth in Section 3.3(a)(iv) as if such person were a Stockholder Nominee (as defined below in Section 3.3(a)(iii)) thereunder.

 

(c) A nominee for director shall be elected to the Board by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting and entitled to vote for nominees in the election of directors or in any action by written consent in lieu of such a meeting.

 

SECTION 3.3 Notification of Nominations.

 

(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock and the terms of the Transaction Agreement (as defined below), nominations for the election of directors may be made (i) by the Board or by any stockholder pursuant to this Section 3.3 who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice of nomination provided for in this Section 3.3 and who is entitled to vote for the election of directors; or (ii) by any stockholder or stockholders that, pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, have a sufficient number of votes to remove directors by written consent. This Section 3.3 is the exclusive means by which a stockholder may nominate a person for election to the Board. Subject to clause (ii) of the first sentence of this Section 3.3(a), any stockholder of record entitled to vote for the election of directors at a meeting may nominate persons for election as directors only if timely written notice (a “Notice of Nomination”) of such stockholder’s intent to make such nomination is given in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a Notice of Nomination must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of the stockholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting as first specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (without regard to any postponements or adjournments of such meeting after such notice was first sent); provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days earlier or more than 60 days later than such anniversary date, a Notice of Nomination to be timely must be so delivered or received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made; provided, further, that for the purpose of calculating the timeliness of stockholder notices for the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting shall be deemed to be June 25, 2020 and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors, not earlier than the 90th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement, or an adjournment or postponement, of a meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. To be in proper written form, the Notice of Nomination shall set forth:

 

 

 

(i) the Stockholder Information with respect to each stockholder nominating persons for election to the Board (each, a “Nominating Stockholder”) and each Stockholder Associated Person;

 

(ii) a representation that each Nominating Stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination;

 

(iii) all information regarding each Nominating Stockholder, each nominee (each, a “Stockholder Nominee”) and each Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a solicitation of proxies subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act;

 

(iv) (A) each Stockholder Nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; (B) a completed and duly executed written questionnaire completed and signed by each Stockholder Nominee with respect to the background, qualifications and independence of such Stockholder Nominee (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request); (C) a completed and duly executed written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification with respect to such Nominating Stockholder and any other person or entity on whose behalf, directly or indirectly, the nomination is being made (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request), and (D) each Stockholder Nominee’s written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request), (i) that if elected as a director of the Corporation, such person will submit an irrevocable resignation effective upon (x) such person’s failure to receive a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election and (y) the acceptance of such resignation by the Board, (ii) that such person currently intends to serve as a director for the full term for which such person is standing for election, (iii) that such person is not and will not become party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (iv) that such person is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement, or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, and (v) that in the person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation, and any other Corporation policies and guidelines applicable to Corporation directors;

 

(v) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among a Nominating Stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person or others acting in concert therewith, including all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K (or any such successor rule) if the Nominating Stockholder, Stockholder Associated Person or any person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the Stockholder Nominee were a director or executive of such registrant;

 

(vi) a duly executed representation as to whether the Nominating Stockholder(s) intend (A) to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve the nomination or (B) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such nomination;

 

 

 

(vii) all other information that would be required to be filed with the SEC if the Nominating Stockholder(s) and Stockholder Associated Person were participants in a solicitation subject to Section 14 of the Exchange Act (or any such successor section); and

 

(viii) a duly executed representation that each Nominating Stockholder shall provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation.

 

(b) In addition, each Proponent shall affirm as true and correct the information provided to the Corporation in the Notice of Nomination or, at the Corporation’s request, such information provided pursuant to Section 3.3(a)(vii) (and shall update or supplement such information as needed so that such information shall be true and correct) as of (i) the record date for the meeting and (ii) the date that is 10 business days prior to the announced date of the meeting to which the Notice of Nomination relates. Such affirmation, update and/or supplement must be delivered personally or mailed to, and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, addressed to the Secretary, by no later than five business days after the applicable date specified in clause (i) and (ii) of the foregoing sentence.

 

(c) The person presiding over the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting, that the nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.3, and, if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

(d) If the Nominating Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the applicable stockholder meeting to nominate the Stockholder Nominees, such nomination shall be disregarded and such business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(e) Nothing in this Section 3.3 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to any applicable provision of the Certificate or any Certificate of Designation.

 

SECTION 3.4 Quorum and Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate or these By-laws, a majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and, except as so provided, the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. The chairman of the meeting or a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting to another time and place, if any, whether or not a quorum is present. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

 

SECTION 3.5 Place of Meeting. Subject to Sections 3.6 and 3.7, the Board may hold its meetings at such place or places, if any, either within or outside of the State of Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine, or as shall be specified or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.

 

SECTION 3.6 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times as the Board shall from time to time determine, at such locations as the Board may determine. No fewer than four meetings of the Board shall be held per year.

 

SECTION 3.7 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or by a majority of the non-employee directors, and shall be held at such place, if any, on such date and at such time as he, she or they, as applicable, shall fix.

 

SECTION 3.8 Notice of Meetings. Notice of regular meetings of the Board or of any adjourned meeting thereof need not be given. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given by overnight delivery service or mailed to each director, in either case addressed to such director at such director’s residence or usual place of business, at least 48 hours before the day on which the meeting is to be held or shall be sent to such director at such place by telecopy or by electronic transmission or shall be given personally or by telephone, not later than 24 hours before the meeting is to be held, but notice need not be given to any director who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a waiver of such notice or who shall attend such meeting without protesting, prior to or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such director. Unless otherwise required by these By-laws, every such notice shall state the time and place, if any, but need not state the purpose of the meeting.

 

 

 

SECTION 3.9 Rules and Regulations. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of law, the Certificate or these By-laws for the conduct of its meetings and management of the affairs of the Corporation as the Board may deem proper.

 

SECTION 3.10 Participation in Meeting by Means of Communications Equipment. Any one or more members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in any meeting of the Board or of any such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other or as otherwise permitted by law, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

SECTION 3.11 Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board or of any such committee consent thereto in writing or as otherwise permitted by law and, if required by law, the writing or writings are filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board or of such committee.

 

SECTION 3.12 Chairman. The Board of Directors shall annually select one of its members to be Chairman and shall fill any vacancy in the position of Chairman at such time and in such manner as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

SECTION 3.13 Resignations.

 

(a) Any director of the Corporation may at any time resign by giving written notice to the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time be not specified therein, upon receipt thereof; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

SECTION 3.14 Compensation. Each director, in consideration of such person serving as a director, shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation such amount per annum and such fees (payable in cash or stock-based compensation) for attendance at meetings of the Board or of committees of the Board, or both, and for acting as a chair of a committee of the Board, and/or any other compensation in each case as the Board or a committee thereof shall from time to time determine. In addition, each director shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation reimbursement for the reasonable expenses incurred by such person in connection with the performance of such person’s duties as a director. Nothing contained in this Section 3.14 shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

SECTION 3.15 Consistency with Transaction Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein:

 

(a) Until such time as Stagwell and/or its Affiliates collectively Beneficially Own 10% or less of the Corporation’s then-issued and outstanding voting securities (the “Post-Closing Governance Period”), at least seven of the nine members of the Board shall be Stagwell-Independent (as defined below).

 

(b) Subject to the fiduciary duties of the Board, during the Post-Closing Governance Period, the Corporation shall cause all of the members of the Corporation’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nom/Gov Committee”) to be independent in accordance with the SEC and NASDAQ independence rules applicable to such committee of non-Controlled Companies, and at all times during the Post-Closing Governance Period, the Corporation shall cause the Nom/Gov Committee to be comprised solely of (i) two of Irwin Simon, Wade Oosterman and Desiree Rogers (or their respective successors or replacements determined in accordance herewith (the “Continuing Independent Directors”) to serve until their respective successors are duly appointed and qualified or until each such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal, and any successor or replacement thereof shall be determined by the remaining Continuing Independent Directors that are members of the Nom/Gov Committee or, if there are no Continuing Independent Directors at such time, the remaining members of the Nom/Gov Committee at such time), and (ii) one member of the Board other than a Continuing Independent Director, as determined by the members of the Nom/Gov Committee, which member shall be Stagwell-Independent.

 

 

 

(c) Subject to the fiduciary duties of the Board, the Corporation shall cause the Continuing Independent Directors and Rodney Slater, Brandt Vaughan, Charlene Barshefsky and one additional individual nominated in accordance with Section 7.15(c) of the Transaction Agreement (such persons, together with their respective successors or replacements determined in accordance with this Agreement, the “Stagwell-Nominated Directors”) to be nominated as part of the Corporation’s proposed slate of directors at the next two annual meetings of the Corporation’s stockholders for the election of directors following the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement (the “Closing”); provided that, in the event that any such Continuing Independent Director or Stagwell-Nominated Director (i) is unwilling or unable to continue serving as a director of the Corporation for any reason, (ii) ceases to be Stagwell-Independent, or (iii) resigns, dies, becomes disabled or is otherwise removed, the Nom/Gov Committee shall consult with Stagwell in advance and select a replacement nominee or director who satisfies Section 3.15(a) hereof; provided that, solely with respect to any Stagwell-Nominated Director, any replacement nominee or director selected by the Nom/Gov Committee shall be approved by Stagwell (in its sole discretion).

 

(d) During the Post-Closing Governance Period, no Continuing MDC Director nor any Stagwell-Nominated Director may be removed from the Board by Stagwell without the approval of the Nom/Gov Committee;

 

(e) For so long as Stagwell and its Affiliates collectively Beneficially Own 30% or more of the then-issued and outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, Stagwell and the Corporation shall, as a condition to being nominated to the Board, cause each member of the Board to enter into an agreement setting forth that if (1) such member of the Board is a nominee to the Board (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any such nominee serving as CEO of the Corporation at such time) and such nominee receives, in an uncontested election (an “Election”), a number of votes “withheld” from his or her election that is greater than the number of votes cast “for” the election of such nominee, excluding for this purpose any votes cast “for” or “withheld” in the election of such nominee by Stagwell or its Affiliates, and (2) as of the applicable record date for such Election, Stagwell and its Affiliates collectively Beneficially Owned 30% or more of the Corporation’s then-issued and outstanding voting securities, then such Person shall tender his or her resignation from his or her position as a director of the Board (a “Resignation”), and in such event, the Board shall evaluate such director’s Resignation and determine its response in accordance with its fiduciary duties; unless the Board decides to reject such Resignation or to postpone the effective date of such Resignation, such Resignation shall become effective sixty (60) days after the date of the applicable Election. In making a determination whether to reject the Resignation or postpone the effective date of the Resignation, the Board shall consider all factors it considers relevant to the best interests of the Corporation. In the event a director tenders a Resignation pursuant to Section 7.15(d) of the Transaction Agreement, the Corporation shall not permit such director to participate in the portion of any meeting of the Board during which the vote on his or her Resignation occurs. The Corporation agrees that it shall issue a news release reasonably promptly following the Board's decision with respect to any such Resignation. In the event a director’s Resignation is accepted in accordance with Section 7.15(d) of the Transaction Agreement (x) if such director was a Continuing Independent Director or a Stagwell Nominated-Director or a successor of any of the foregoing, subject to Section 3.15(a) hereof, the resulting vacancy shall be filled by the Nom/Gov Committee; provided that, in the event that the director submitting such Resignation is a Stagwell-Nominated Director or a successor thereof, the Nom/Gov Committee shall consult in advance with Stagwell and submit any replacement nominee to Stagwell for approval prior to filling such vacancy (such approval to be exercised in Stagwell’s sole discretion), and (y) if such director was nominated or appointed by Goldman Sachs (the “Goldman Nominee”) pursuant to any rights Goldman Sachs may have pursuant to the terms of any shares of preferred stock of the Corporation, the resulting vacancy shall be filled by Goldman Sachs; and

 

(f) During the Post-Closing Governance Period, unless otherwise approved by the Non/Gov Committee, the Board shall consist of nine members with each member entitled to one vote; and

 

(g) For so long as (x) Stagwell and its Affiliates collectively Beneficially Own more than 10% of the Corporation’s then-issued and outstanding voting securities, (y) Stagwell has nominated directors constituting a majority of the Board, or (z) Stagwell has the contractual right to appoint a majority of the Board:

 

 

 

(i) any related-party transaction by and between the Corporation or any of the Corporation’s subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Stagwell or its Affiliates (other than the Corporation and the Corporation’s subsidiaries), on the other hand, will require the approval of a majority of the independent and disinterested directors then-serving on the Board; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, any amendment or modification of (A) solely to the extent they relate to any right, power or preference unique to Stagwell or its Affiliates (other than the Corporation and the Corporation’s subsidiaries), the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws; (B) any Ancillary Agreement (as defined in the Transaction Agreement); or (C) the Transaction Agreement, shall each be considered such a related-party transaction; and

 

(ii) any proposed business combination following the Closing by and between the Corporation, on the one hand, and Stagwell or any of its Affiliates (other than the Corporation or any of the Corporation’s subsidiaries), on the other hand, shall require (A) approval from a “majority of the minority” of the Corporation’s stockholders, and (B) the creation of a special committee of the Board comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors with authority similar to that of the Special Committee formed for the purpose of evaluating Stagwell’s proposal to combine with MDC (as defined below). For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing requirement shall not apply to any business combination solely among direct or indirect subsidiaries (other than Midas OpCo Holdings LLC) of the Corporation,

 

(b) In furtherance of the foregoing, the Board shall take no action that is inconsistent with the terms of Section 7.15 and Section 7.16 of the Transaction Agreement including by causing or permitting any (i) amendment to any charter of a committee of the Board, (ii) change to or alteration of any policy of the Board or the Corporation or (iii) change to or alteration of the Corporation’s governance guidelines, in each case solely to the extent such amendment, change or alteration is so inconsistent.

 

(c) As used herein:

 

Affiliate” means, as to any person or entity, any other person or entity which, directly or indirectly, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person or entity. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Beneficially Owns” means beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), but, with respect to Stagwell, shall expressly exclude any shares held directly by any of its limited partners that are not Affiliates of Stagwell.

 

Stagwell-Independent” means (A) independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with SEC and NASDAQ independence rules applicable to a NASDAQ-listed company that is not a controlled company pursuant to NASDAQ rules (‘SEC/NASDAQ Independence Rules’); and (B) independent pursuant to the SEC/NASDAQ Independence Rules with respect to Stagwell, as if Stagwell had equity securities that were traded on NASDAQ and was subject to such SEC/NASDAQ Independence Rules. For greater certainty, a director nominated or appointed by Goldman Sachs pursuant to any rights Goldman Sachs may have pursuant to the terms of any shares of preferred stock of the Corporation (currently Bradley Gross) shall be considered to be Stagwell-Independent. In the event that the Corporation is listed on a securities exchange other than NASDAQ, such exchange’s applicable rules regarding independent of directors for non-controlled companies will replace the rules of the NASDAQ to the extent reflected in the foregoing

 

Transaction Agreement” means the Transaction Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2020 and as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 4, 2021 and that certain Amendment No. 2, dated as of July 8, 2021, by and among Stagwell Media LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Stagwell”), MDC Partners Inc., a Canadian corporation (“MDC”) which domesticated as a Delaware corporation prior to the date hereof and converted into Midas OpCo Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, New MDC LLC, a Delaware limited liability company which converted into the Corporation prior to the date hereof, and Midas Merger Sub 1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company which merged with and into MDC prior to the date hereof with MDC as the surviving corporation.

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 4.1 Committees of the Board. Subject to the terms of the Transaction Agreement and Section 3.15(a), including with respect to the Nom/Gov Committee, the Board shall designate such committees as may be required by the listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the shares of the Corporation are listed and may from time to time designate other committees of the Board (including, without limitation, an executive committee), with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall, for those committees and any others provided for herein, elect a director or directors to serve as the member or members, designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.

  

SECTION 4.2 Conduct of Business. Any committee, to the extent allowed by law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee or the charter of such committee, shall have and may exercise all the duly delegated powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. The Board shall have the power to prescribe the manner in which proceedings of any such committee shall be conducted. In the absence of any such prescription, any such committee shall have the power to prescribe the manner in which its proceedings shall be conducted. Unless the Board or such committee shall otherwise provide, regular and special meetings and other actions of any such committee shall be governed by the provisions of Article III applicable to meetings and actions of the Board. Each committee shall keep regular minutes and report on its actions to the Board.

 

ARTICLE V

 

OFFICERS

 

SECTION 5.1 Number; Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board and may consist of: a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a General Counsel, a Chief Marketing Officer, one or more Vice Presidents (including, without limitation, Executive Vice Presidents or Senior Vice Presidents), a Chief Accounting Officer and Secretary and such other officers and agents with such titles and such duties as the Board may from time to time determine, each to have such authority, functions or duties as in these By-laws provided or as the Board may from time to time determine, and each to hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board and until such person’s successor shall have been chosen and shall qualify, or until such person’s death or resignation, or until such person’s removal in the manner hereinafter provided. One person may hold the offices and perform the duties of any two or more of said officers; provided, however, that no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law, the Certificate or these By-laws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers.

 

SECTION 5.2 Removal. Subject to Section 5.13, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board at any meeting thereof called for the purpose, by the Chief Executive Officer, or by any other superior officer upon whom such power may be conferred by the Board.

 

SECTION 5.3 Resignation. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later date specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

SECTION 5.4 Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject to the control of the Board, and shall report directly to the Board.

 

SECTION 5.5 Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all the powers and duties of the office of the chief financial officer and in general have overall supervision of the financial operations of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as he or she may agree with the Chief Executive Officer or as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

 

 

SECTION 5.6 General Counsel. The General Counsel shall perform all the powers and duties of the office of the general counsel and in general have overall supervision of the legal operations of the Corporation. The General Counsel shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as he or she may agree with the Chief Executive Officer or as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

SECTION 5.7 Chief Marketing Officer. The Chief Marketing Officer shall perform such senior duties in connection with the marketing of the Corporation as he or she may agree with the Chief Executive Officer or as the Board shall from time to time determine. The Chief Marketing Officer shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as he or she may agree with the Chief Executive Officer or as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

SECTION 5.8 Vice Presidents. Any Vice President shall have such powers and duties as shall be prescribed by his or her superior officer or the Board. A Vice President shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as he or she may agree with the Chief Executive Officer or as the Board may from time to time determine. A Vice President need not be an officer of the Corporation and shall not be deemed an officer of the Corporation unless elected by the Board.

 

SECTION 5.9 Chief Accounting Officer. The Chief Accounting Officer shall be the chief accounting officer of the Corporation. The Chief Accounting Officer shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as he or she may agree with the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer or as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

SECTION 5.10 Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to act as secretary at all meetings of the Board, of the committees of the Board and of the stockholders and to record the proceedings of such meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; the Secretary shall see that all notices required to be given by the Corporation are duly given and served; the Secretary shall be custodian of the seal of the Corporation and when deemed necessary shall affix the seal or cause it to be affixed to all certificates of stock, if any, of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these By-laws; the Secretary shall have charge of the books, records and papers of the Corporation and shall see that the reports, statements and other documents required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general shall perform all of the duties incident to the office of Secretary. The Secretary shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as he or she may agree with the Chief Executive Officer or as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

SECTION 5.11 Controllers and Assistant Secretaries. Any Assistant Controllers and Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Board or by the Chief Accounting Officer or Secretary, respectively, or by the Chief Executive Officer. A Controller or Assistant Secretary need not be an officer of the Corporation and shall not be deemed an officer of the Corporation unless elected by the Board.

 

SECTION 5.12 Additional Matters. The Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Marketing Officer of the Corporation shall have the authority to designate employees of the Corporation to have the title of Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Controller or Assistant Secretary. Any employee so designated shall have the powers and duties determined by the officer making such designation. The persons upon whom such titles are conferred shall not be deemed officers of the Corporation unless elected by the Board or appointed by any duly elected officer or assistant officer authorized by the Board to appoint such person.

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 6.1 Right to Indemnification. The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted or required by the DGCL or other applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment and unless applicable law otherwise requires, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), shall indemnify and hold harmless any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any threatened, pending or completed investigation, claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including, without limitation, any action, suit or proceedings by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) (a “Proceeding”) by reason of the fact that such person, or another person of whom such person is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including, without limitation, any employee benefit plan) (a “Covered Entity”), whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or agent, against all expenses, liabilities and losses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer or agent of the Corporation or a Covered Entity; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 6.4(d) with respect to an adjudication of entitlement to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless any such person entitled to indemnification as provided in this Section 6.1 (an “Indemnitee”) in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Indemnitee only if such Proceeding was authorized by the Board. Any right of an Indemnitee to indemnification shall be a contract right and shall include the right to receive, prior to the conclusion of any Proceeding, payment of any expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of the DGCL or other applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment and unless applicable law otherwise requires, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader rights to payment of expenses than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), and the other provisions of this Article VI; provided that payment of expenses incurred by a person other than a director or officer of the Corporation prior to the conclusion of any Proceeding shall be made, unless otherwise determined by the Board, only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to the same effect as any undertaking required to be delivered to the Corporation by any director or officer of the Corporation pursuant to the DGCL or other applicable law.

 

SECTION 6.2 Insurance, Contracts and Funding. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or of any Covered Entity against any expenses, liabilities or losses as specified in Section 6.1 or incurred by any such director, officer, employee or agent in connection with any Proceeding referred to in Section 6.1, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL. The Corporation may enter into contracts with any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or of any Covered Entity in furtherance of the provisions of this Article VI and may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided or authorized in this Article VI.

 

SECTION 6.3 Indemnification Not Exclusive Right. The right of indemnification provided in this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnitee may otherwise be entitled, and the provisions of this Article VI shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of any Indemnitee under this Article VI and shall be applicable to Proceedings commenced or continuing after the adoption of this Article VI, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring before or after such adoption.

 

SECTION 6.4 Advancement of Expenses; Procedures; Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings; Remedies. In furtherance, but not in limitation, of the foregoing provisions, the following procedures, presumptions and remedies shall apply with respect to advancement of expenses and the right to indemnification under this Article VI:

 

(a) Advancement of Expenses. All reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding shall be advanced to the Indemnitee by the Corporation within 20 days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the expenses incurred by the Indemnitee and, if required by law or the provisions of this Article VI at the time of such advance, shall include or be accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amounts advanced if ultimately it should be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such expenses pursuant to this Article VI.

 

 

 

(b) Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.

 

(i) To obtain indemnification under this Article VI, an Indemnitee shall submit to the Secretary a written request including such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification (the “Supporting Documentation”). The determination of the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made not later than 60 days after receipt by the Corporation of the written request for indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation. The Secretary shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that the Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

(ii) The Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this Article VI shall be determined in one of the following ways: (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as defined below in Section 6.4(e)), whether or not they constitute a quorum of the Board, or by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors; (B) by a written opinion of Independent Counsel (as defined below in Section 6.4(e)) if there are no Disinterested Directors or a majority of such Disinterested Directors so directs; (C) by the stockholders of the Corporation; or (D) as provided in Section 6.4(c).

 

(iii) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(ii), a majority of the Disinterested Directors shall select the Independent Counsel, but only an Independent Counsel to which the Indemnitee does not reasonably object.

 

(c) Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings. If the person or persons empowered under Section 6.4(b) to determine entitlement to indemnification shall not have been appointed or shall not have made a determination within 60 days after receipt by the Corporation of the request therefor, together with the Supporting Documentation, the Indemnitee shall be deemed to be, and shall be, entitled to indemnification unless (A) the Indemnitee misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact in making the request for indemnification or in the Supporting Documentation or (B) such indemnification is prohibited by law. The termination of any Proceeding described in Section 6.1, or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, adversely affect the right of the Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that such conduct was unlawful.

 

(d) Remedies of Indemnitee.

 

(i) In the event that a determination is made pursuant to Section 6.4(b) that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Article VI, (A) the Indemnitee shall be entitled to seek an adjudication of entitlement to such indemnification either, at the Indemnitee’s sole option, in (x) an appropriate court of the State of Delaware or any other court of competent jurisdiction or (y) an arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association and (B) any such judicial proceeding or arbitration shall be de novo and the Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of such adverse determination.

 

(ii) If a determination shall have been made or deemed to have been made, pursuant to Section 6.4(b) or 6.4(c), that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be obligated to pay the amounts constituting such indemnification within 45 days after such determination has been made or deemed to have been made and shall be conclusively bound by such determination unless (A) the Indemnitee misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact in making the request for indemnification or in the Supporting Documentation or (B) such indemnification is prohibited by law. In the event that (X) advancement of expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 6.4(a) or (Y) payment of indemnification is not made within 45 days after a determination of entitlement to indemnification has been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6.4(b) or 6.4(c), the Indemnitee shall be entitled to seek judicial enforcement of the Corporation’s obligation to pay to the Indemnitee such advancement of expenses or indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may bring an action, in an appropriate court in the State of Delaware or any other court of competent jurisdiction, contesting the right of the Indemnitee to receive indemnification hereunder due to the occurrence of an event described in sub-clause (A) or (B) of this clause (ii) (a “Disqualifying Event”); provided, however, that in any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving the occurrence of such Disqualifying Event.

 

 

 

(iii) The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 6.4(d) that the procedures and presumptions of this Article VI are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Article VI.

 

(iv) In the event that the Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 6.4(d), seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Article VI, or in the event of a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Corporation, and shall be indemnified by the Corporation against, any expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee if the Indemnitee prevails in such judicial adjudication, arbitration or suit. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication, arbitration or suit that the Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication, arbitration or action shall be prorated accordingly.

 

(e) Definitions. For purposes of this Article VI:

 

(i) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not or was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by the Indemnitee.

 

(ii) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm or a member of a law firm that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (x) the Corporation or the Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party or (y) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Article VI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing under the law of the State of Delaware, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee’s rights under this Article VI.

 

SECTION 6.5 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or enforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

SECTION 6.6 Indemnification of Agents. Notwithstanding any other provision or provisions of this Article VI, the Corporation, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the indemnification of Indemnitees, may indemnify any person other than an Indemnitee, who is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or a Covered Entity and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by reason of the fact that such person, or another person of whom such person is the legal representative, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or of a Covered Entity, whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all expenses, liabilities and losses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding. The Corporation may also advance expenses incurred by such employee or agent in connection with any such Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the advancement of expenses of Indemnitees.

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

CAPITAL STOCK

 

SECTION 7.1 Certificates for Shares and Uncertificated Shares.

 

(a) The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated shares that may be evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock, or shall be represented by certificates, or a combination of both. To the extent that shares are represented by certificates, such certificates whenever authorized by the Board shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board. The certificates representing shares of stock of each class shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by any two authorized officers of the Corporation, and sealed with the seal of the Corporation, which may be a facsimile thereof. Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles if countersigned by a transfer agent or registrar. Although any officer, transfer agent or registrar whose manual or facsimile signature is affixed to such a certificate ceases to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate has been issued, it may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still such at the date of its issue. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, written notice in accordance with Section 151(f) of the DGCL shall be sent to the registered owner thereof.

 

(b) The stock ledger and blank share certificates, if any, shall be kept by the Secretary or by a transfer agent or by a registrar or by any other officer or agent designated by the Board.

 

SECTION 7.2 Transfer of Shares. Transfers of shares of stock of each class of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation upon authorization by the registered holder thereof, or by such holder’s attorney thereunto authorized by a power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary or a transfer agent for such stock, if any, and if such shares are represented by a certificate, upon surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power (or by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer) and the payment of any taxes thereon; provided, however, that the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize and enforce any lawful restriction on transfer. The person in whose name shares are registered on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Corporation; provided, however, that whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, and written notice thereof shall be given to the Secretary or to such transfer agent, such fact shall be stated in the entry of the transfer. No transfer of shares shall be valid as against the Corporation, its stockholders and creditors for any purpose, except to render the transferee liable for the debts of the Corporation to the extent provided by law, until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

 

SECTION 7.3 Registered Stockholders and Addresses of Stockholders.

 

(a) The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its records as the owner of shares of stock to receive dividends and to vote as such owner, shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its records as the owner of shares of stock, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares of stock on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

(b) Each stockholder shall designate to the Secretary or transfer agent of the Corporation an address at which notices of meetings and all other corporate notices may be given to such person, and, if any stockholder shall fail to designate such address, corporate notices may be given to such person by mail directed to such person at such person’s post office address, if any, as the same appears on the stock record books of the Corporation or at such person’s last known post office address.

 

 

 

SECTION 7.4 Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates. The holder of any certificate representing any shares of stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of such certificate; the Corporation may issue to such holder a new certificate or certificates for shares, upon the surrender of the mutilated certificate or, in the case of loss, theft or destruction of the certificate, upon satisfactory proof of such loss, theft or destruction; the Board, or a committee designated thereby or the transfer agents and registrars for the stock, may, in their discretion, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such person’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as they may direct to indemnify the Corporation and said transfer agents and registrars against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

 

SECTION 7.5 Regulations. The Board may make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificated or uncertificated shares of stock of each class and series of the Corporation and may make such rules and take such action as it may deem expedient concerning the issue of certificates in lieu of certificates claimed to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated.

 

SECTION 7.6 Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of the stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

SECTION 7.7 Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Board may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

SEAL

 

The Board shall approve a suitable corporate seal. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

ARTICLE IX

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board from time to time. If the Board makes no determination to the contrary, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the 31st day of December in each year.

 

ARTICLE X

 

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

Whenever any notice whatsoever is required to be given by these By-laws, by the Certificate or by law, the person entitled thereto may, either before or after the meeting or other matter in respect of which such notice is to be given, waive such notice in writing or as otherwise permitted by law, which shall be filed with or entered upon the records of the meeting or the records kept with respect to such other matter, as the case may be, and in such event such notice need not be given to such person and such waiver shall be deemed equivalent to such notice.

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

 

AMENDMENTS

 

These By-laws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new By-laws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board at any meeting thereof; provided, however, that notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new By-laws is contained in the notice of such meeting of the stockholders or in the notice of such meeting of the Board and, in the latter case, such notice is given not less than 24 hours prior to the meeting. Unless a higher percentage is required by the Certificate, all such amendments must be approved by either the holders of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation entitled generally to vote in the election of directors of the Corporation, voting as a single class, or by a majority of the directors present at any meeting of the Board; provided, that for so long as (i) Stagwell and its Affiliates collectively Beneficially Own 10% or more than 10% of the then-issued and outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, (ii) Stagwell has nominated directors constituting a majority of the Board, or (iii) Stagwell has the contractual right to appoint a majority of the Board, any amendment to Section 3.13(b) and Section 3.15 shall require the unanimous approval of the independent directors then serving on the Board (other than the directors nominated by Stagwell).

 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 12.1 Execution of Documents. The Board or any committee thereof shall designate the officers, employees and agents of the Corporation who shall have power to execute and deliver deeds, contracts, mortgages, bonds, debentures, indentures, notes, checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of money and other documents for and in the name of the Corporation and may authorize (including, without limitation, authority to redelegate) by written instrument to other officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Such delegation may be by resolution or otherwise and the authority granted shall be general or confined to specific matters, all as the Board or any such committee may determine. In the absence of such designation referred to in the first sentence of this Section, the officers of the Corporation shall have such power so referred to, to the extent incident to the normal performance of their duties.

 

SECTION 12.2 Deposits. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation or otherwise as the Board or any committee thereof or any officer of the Corporation to whom power in respect of financial operations shall have been delegated by the Board or any such committee or in these By-laws shall select.

 

SECTION 12.3 Checks. All checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of money out of the funds of the Corporation, and all notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, shall be signed on behalf of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board or of any committee thereof or by any officer of the Corporation to whom power in respect of financial operations shall have been delegated by the Board or any such committee thereof or as set forth in these By-laws.

 

SECTION 12.4 Proxies in Respect of Stock or Other Securities of Other Corporations. The Board or any committee thereof shall designate the officers of the Corporation who shall have authority from time to time to appoint an agent or agents of the Corporation to exercise in the name and on behalf of the Corporation the powers and rights which the Corporation may have as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation or other entity, and to vote or consent in respect of such stock or securities; such designated officers may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of exercising such powers and rights; and such designated officers may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal, or otherwise, such written proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as they may deem necessary or proper in order that the Corporation may exercise its said powers and rights.

 

SECTION 12.5 Subject to Law and Certificate of Incorporation. All powers, duties and responsibilities provided for in these By-laws, whether or not explicitly so qualified, are qualified by the provisions of the Certificate and applicable laws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

DESCRIPTION OF MDC DELAWARE, MDC STAGWELL HOLDINGS INC. AND STAGWELL INC. CAPITAL STOCK

 

The rights of shareholders in MDC Delaware after the Redomiciliation but before the Business Combination will be the same as the rights of shareholders in MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. after the MDC Merger and the shareholders in Stagwell Inc. after completion of the Proposed Transactions, except that the MDC Delaware Series 6 Shares shall carry a voting right with respect to the MDC Merger. Except as otherwise noted, references below to the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation, Combined Company Bylaws, Combined Company Shares, the Combined Company Shareholders and Combined Company Board apply equally to each of the MDC Delaware Certificates of Incorporation and the certificate of incorporation of MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. (the “MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. Certificate of Incorporation”), each of the MDC Delaware Bylaws and the by-laws of MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. (the “MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. Bylaws”), each of the MDC Delaware Shares and the shares of MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. common stock and preferred stock, each of the MDC Delaware Shareholders and the holders of shares of MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. common stock and preferred stock, and each of the MDC Delaware Board and the board of directors of MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc., respectively.

 

The following description of MDC Delaware’s, MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc.’s and Stagwell Inc.’s capital stock is a summary. This summary is qualified by the complete text of the MDC Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and MDC Delaware Bylaws to be in effect upon completion of the Redomiciliation, the complete text of the MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. Certificate of Incorporation and MDC Stagwell Holdings Inc. Bylaws to be in effect upon completion of the Reorganization, and the complete text of the certificate of incorporation of Stagwell Inc. and the by-laws of Stagwell Inc. to be in effect upon completion of the Proposed Transactions, which will be substantially in the forms attached as Annexes Q, R, A, and B, respectively, to the proxy statement/prospectus filed on Form 424B3 on May 10, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”), as supplemented by the supplement to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed on Form 8-K on July 13, 2021 and the supplement to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed on Form 8-K on July 19, 2021. We encourage you to read those documents carefully. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

There are differences between MDC Canada’s articles of amalgamation and by-laws and the MDC Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and MDC Delaware Bylaws as they are expected to be in effect upon completion of the Redomiciliation and the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation and Combined Company Bylaws as they will be in effect upon the completion of the Business Combination, especially relating to changes that are required by Delaware law. The MDC Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and MDC Delaware Bylaws and the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation and Combined Company Bylaws provide for certain provisions customarily provided with respect to publicly-traded Delaware corporations.

 

General

 

The Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation will authorize 1,000,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, 5,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, 250,000,000 shares of Class C Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share, and 200,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, of which (i) 95,000 shares will be designated as “Series 4 Convertible Preferred Stock”, (ii) 30,000,000 shares will be designated as “Series 5 Convertible Preferred Stock”, (iii) 50,000 shares will be designated as “Series 6 Convertible Preferred Stock” and (iv) 20,000,000 shares will be designated as “Series 7 Convertible Preferred Stock”.

 

Common Stock

 

Voting Rights

 

Each holder of (i) Combined Company Class A Common Shares will be entitled to one vote, (ii) Combined Company Class B Common Shares will be entitled to twenty votes and (iii) Combined Company Class C Common Shares will be entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. In any uncontested election of directors, each person receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be elected. In any contested election of directors, the persons receiving a plurality of the votes cast shall be elected. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the voting power will be able to elect all of the directors of the Combined Company, subject to the rights, if any, of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specific circumstances. Unless otherwise required by law, other actions by the stockholders will be authorized by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the capital shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting such action is taken.

 

In addition, the MDC Delaware Series 6 Shares shall each carry 2,000 votes with respect to the MDC Merger.

 

 

 

Dividends

 

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding shares of any series of Combined Company Preferred Shares, holders of Combined Company Class A Common Shares and Combined Company Class B Common Shares will be entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Combined Company Board out of legally available funds. Holders of Combined Company Class C Common Shares shall not be entitled to receive dividends. Declaration and payment of any dividend will be subject to the discretion of the Combined Company Board and may be paid in cash, in property or in Combined Company Common Shares. If the Combined Company Board declares a dividend on the Combined Company Class A Common Shares, it shall declare a dividend on the Combined Company Class B Common Shares in an amount equal to or, in its discretion, lesser per share than on the Combined Company Class A Common Shares, and if the Combined Company Board declares a dividend on the Combined Company Class B Common Shares, it shall declare a dividend on the Combined Company Class A Common Shares in an amount equal to or, in its discretion, greater per share than on the Combined Company Class B Common Shares.

 

Further, after the Proposed Transactions, the Combined Company will be a holding company and its principal asset will be its ownership of OpCo Common Units and OpCo Preferred Units. The Combined Company will have no independent means of generating revenue or cash flow, and the Combined Company’s ability to make dividends will be dependent upon the financial results and cash flows of OpCo and its subsidiaries and distributions the Combined Company receive from OpCo.

 

Liquidation

 

In the event of or the Combined Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of Combined Company Common Shares will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of the Combined Company’s debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference or other similar rights granted to the holders of any then outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Stock.

 

Rights and Preferences

 

Holders of Combined Company Common Shares will have no preemptive, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to Combined Company Common Shares (other than, with respect to Combined Company Class C Common Shares, as set forth in the A&R OpCo LLC Agreement). Holders of Combined Company Class B Common Shares will have the right, at their election, to convert such shares into Combined Company Class A Common Shares on a one-to-one basis, and holders of Combined Company Class A Common Shares shall have the right to convert such shares to Combined Company Class B Common Shares on a one-to-one basis in connection with the occurrence of certain events related to an offer to purchase all Combined Company Class B Common Shares. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of Combined Company Common Shares will be subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock that the Combined Company may designate in the future.

 

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable

 

The Combined Company Shares will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

2

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

Following the Proposed Transactions, there will be two issued and outstanding series of Preferred Stock of the Combined Company, the Combined Company Series 4 Shares and the Combined Company Series 6 Shares, and two authorized but unissued series of Preferred Stock of the Combined Company, the Series 5 Convertible Preferred Stock of the Combined Company (the “Combined Company Series 5 Shares”) and the Series 7 Convertible Preferred Stock of the Combined Company (the “Combined Company Series 7 Shares”). The powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Combined Company Series 4 Shares, as set forth in the Designation of the Combined Company Series 4 Shares, will be substantially similar in all respects to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the MDC Canada Series 4 Shares, as set forth in the Articles of Amendment of MDC Canada, dated as of March 7, 2017, to the MDC Canada Series 4 Shares. The Designation for the Combined Company Series 4 Shares is set forth in Exhibit A to the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation, attached as Annex A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Combined Company Series 5 Shares, as set forth in the Designation of the Combined Company Series 5 Shares, will be substantially similar in all respects to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Series 5 Preference Shares of MDC Canada (the “MDC Canada Series 5 Shares”), as set forth in the Articles of Amendment of MDC Canada, dated as of March 7, 2017, to the MDC Canada Series 5 Shares. The Designation for the Combined Company Series 5 Shares is set forth in Exhibit B to the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation, attached as Annex A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Combined Company Series 6 Shares, as set forth in the Designation of the Combined Company Series 6 Shares, will be substantially similar in all respects to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Combined Company Series 6 Shares, as set forth in the Articles of Amendment of MDC Canada, dated as of March 14, 2019, to the MDC Canada Series 6 Shares. The Designation for the Combined Company Series 6 Shares is set forth in Exhibit C to the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation, attached as Annex A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the MDC Delaware Series 6 Shares, as set forth in the Designation of the MDC Delaware Series 6 Shares, will be substantially similar in all respects to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Combined Company Series 6 Shares, as set forth in the Articles of Amendment of MDC Canada, dated as of March 14, 2019, to the MDC Canada Series 6 Shares, except that the MDC Delaware Series 6 Shares shall have a voting right with respect to the MDC Merger. The Designation for the MDC Delaware Series 6 Shares is attached as Annex S to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Combined Company Series 7 Shares, as set forth in the Designation of the Combined Company Series 7 Shares, will be substantially similar in all respects to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the MDC Canada Series 7 Convertible Preference Shares (the “MDC Canada Series 7 Shares”), as set forth in the Articles of Amendment of MDC Canada, dated as of March 14, 2019, to the MDC Canada Series 7 Shares. The Designation for the Combined Company Series 7 Shares is set forth in Exhibit D to the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation, attached as Annex A to the Proxy/Statement Prospectus.

 

Following the Closing, it is anticipated that the Combined Company Series 4 Shares and the Combined Company Series 5 Shares shall be cancelled and replaced on a one-to-one basis with Combined Company Series 8 Shares and Combined Company Series 9 Shares, respectively. The terms of the Combined Company Series 8 Shares are expected to be the same as those of the Combined Company Series 4 Shares, except that (i) the conversion price shall be reduced to $5.00 and (ii) the accretion rate shall be 8.00% and from and after March 7, 2022 through March 14, 2024, the accretion rate shall be 6.00%, and from and after March 15, 2024, the accretion rate shall be 0% per annum and the base liquidation preference per convertible preference share will not increase during any period subsequent to March 14, 2024.

 

The Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation will not authorize any shares of Series 1, Series 2 or Series 3 preferred stock of the Company.

 

The Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation that will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware will include (i) the Designation of the Combined Company Series 4 Shares, which will designate 95,000 shares of Preferred Stock as Combined Company Series 4 Shares, (ii) the Designation of the Combined Company Series 5 Shares, which will designate 30,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock as Combined Company Series 5 Shares, (iii) the Designation of the Combined Company Series 6 Shares, which will designate 50,000 shares of Preferred Stock as Combined Company Series 6 Shares, and (iv) the Designation of the Combined Company Series 7 Shares, which will designate 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock as Combined Company Series 7 Shares.

 

3

 

 

Except as required by law, holders of Combined Company Preferred Shares will not be entitled to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Company or to vote at any such meeting but shall be entitled to receive notice of meetings of shareholders of the Company called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Company or the sale of its undertaking or a substantial part thereof. The terms of the Combined Company Preferred Shares will provide that such shares can convert into Combined Company Class A Common Shares; the conversion price may be reduced, which would result in the Combined Company Preferred Shares being convertible into additional Combined Company Class A Common Shares upon certain events, including distributions on the Combined Company Class A Common Shares or issuances of additional Combined Company Class A Common Shares or equity-linked securities, at a price less than the then-applicable conversion price. Further, the Combined Company Preferred Shares will rank senior to the Combined Company Class A Common Shares, which could affect the value of the Combined Company Class A Common Shares on liquidation or, as a result of contractual provisions, on a change in control transaction. For example, pursuant to the related purchase agreements, the Company has agreed, with certain exceptions, not to become party to certain change in control transactions that are approved by the MDC Board other than a qualifying transaction in which holders of MDC Canada Preferred Shares are entitled to receive cash or qualifying listed securities with a value equal to the then-applicable liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends. If dividends are declared by the Company, holders of Combined Company Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive dividends in cash or in kind in an amount equal to the dividends that would be made on a number of Combined Company Class A Common Shares that such Combined Company Preferred Shares could be converted into on the applicable record date for such dividends. Holders of Combined Company Preferred Shares will additionally be entitled to receive dividends upon the consummation of certain extraordinary transactions, in an amount that accumulates interest at a rate of 7% per annum, which rate shall increase 1% on each anniversary of certain extraordinary transactions.

 

In addition, the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation will authorize the Combined Company Board from time to time to create one or more additional series of Preferred Stock by resolution and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions in respect of the shares of such series, without vote or action by the Combined Company stockholders.

 

Annual Stockholder Meetings

 

The Combined Company Bylaws will provide that annual stockholder meetings will be held at a date, place (if any) and time, as exclusively selected by the Combined Company Board. To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Combined Company may, but is not obligated to, conduct annual stockholder meetings by remote communications, including by webcast.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation and Combined Company Bylaws and Delaware Law

 

Some provisions of Delaware law and the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation and Combined Company Bylaws could make the following transactions difficult: acquisition of the Combined Company by means of a tender offer, merger or otherwise, or removal of incumbent officers and directors of the Combined Company by means of a proxy contest or otherwise. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in the best interests of the Combined Company, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for Combined Company Class A Common Shares. These provisions will replace and substitute applicable provisions of the CBCA and the Company cannot predict whether they will make an acquisition more or less likely compared to those provisions.

 

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These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Combined Company to first negotiate with the Combined Company Board. We believe that the benefits of the Combined Company’s potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure the Combined Company outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

 

Undesignated Preferred Stock

 

The ability to authorize undesignated Preferred Stock will make it possible for the Combined Company Board to issue shares of preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of the Combined Company. Such provision may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of the Combined Company.

 

Special Stockholder Meetings

 

The Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation and the Combined Company Bylaws will provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Combined Company Board or the majority of the whole Combined Company Board. This may limit the ability of the Combined Company stockholders to take action between annual meetings without the prior approval of the Combined Company Board.

 

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

 

Until the first date on which Stagwell and its Permitted Transferees (as defined in the A&R OpCo LLC Agreement), directly or indirectly, cease to beneficially own, in the aggregate, Combined Company Common Shares representing at least thirty percent (30%) of the Combined Company’s voting power, the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation will permit stockholders to take action by written consent.

 

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals and Proxy Access

 

The Combined Company Bylaws will establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the Combined Company Board or a committee of the Combined Company Board.

 

Composition of the Combined Company Board; Election and Removal of Directors

 

The Combined Company Board will consist of one or more members, the number thereof to be determined from time to time by the Combined Company Board. Upon the consummation of the Proposed Transactions, it is expected that the Combined Company Board will consist of nine members. The directors of the Combined Company are elected until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. At each annual meeting of the Combined Company, directors will be elected to one-year terms.

 

Subject to the rights, if any, of holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to removal without cause of directors elected by such holders, the directors of the Combined Company may be removed with or without cause at any time by the holders of a majority of the Combined Company Shares entitled to vote at a meeting of the shareholders of the Combined Company.

 

Directors on the Combined Company Board will be elected by the vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to the director at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, except if, as of the date that is 14 days before the Combined Company files its definitive proxy statement (regardless of whether or not thereafter revised or supplemented) with the SEC, the number of director nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, in which case directors on the Combined Company Board will be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast. Unless plurality voting shall have applied to the election, any director who receives a greater number of “against” votes than votes “for” election, the Combined Company Board will decide whether to accept or reject the resignation that was submitted upon his or her election, or whether other action should be taken. The Combined Company Board will act on such recommendation within 90 days following certification of the election results.

 

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Exclusive Forum

 

The Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation will provide that, unless the Combined Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, and subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum (or if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks jurisdiction, then another court of the State of Delaware or, if no court of the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, then the United States District Court for the District of Delaware) for: (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Combined Company, (b) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee or stockholder of the Combined Company to the Combined Company or the Combined Company’s stockholders, (c) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto) or as to which the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto) confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, (d) any action or proceeding asserting a claim against the Company or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company (as each may be amended form time to time), (e) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine or (f) any other action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL. The exclusive forum provision does not purport to apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the U.S. Exchange Act, or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or any other claim for which the United States federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

 

The Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation will further provide that the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the U.S. Securities Act.

 

These choice of forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the Combined Company or its directors, officers or other matters pertaining to the Combined Company’s internal affairs, and may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find these provisions of the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, the Combined Company may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect its business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Business Combinations Involving Interested Stockholders

 

In general, Section 203 of the DGCL (“Section 203”) prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that such person became an interested stockholder, unless (i) the board of directors of the corporation has approved, prior to the time the person became an interested stockholder, either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested stockholder, (ii) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested stockholder, the person owns at least 85% of the corporation’s voting stock (excluding shares owned by directors who are also officers and shares owned by employee stock plans in which participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer) or (iii) after the person or entity becomes an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder. Generally, a “business combination” is defined to include a merger, consolidation, a sale of assets and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person that owns (or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and within the prior three years did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock, and the affiliates and associates of any such person.

 

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Section 203 provides that these restrictions do not apply if, among other things, the corporation’s certificate of incorporation contains a provision expressly electing not to be governed by Section 203. The Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation will opt out of Section 203 until the first date on which Stagwell and its permitted transferees, directly or indirectly, cease to beneficially own, in the aggregate, Combined Company Common Shares representing at least five percent (5%) of the Combined Company voting power. From and after such date, the Combined Company shall be governed by Section 203 so long as Section 203 by its terms would apply to the Combined Company.

 

Corporate Opportunities Waiver

 

Directors of the Combined Company (the “Exempted Persons”) will not have any duty to refrain from (i) engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business that the Company does, (ii) doing business with any potential or actual customer or supplier of the Combined Company, or (iii) employing or otherwise engaging any officer or employee of the Combined Company. In the event that any Exempted Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for him or herself or another person and us, the Company will not have any expectancy in the corporate opportunity, and no Exempted Person will have any duty to communicate or offer the corporate opportunity to us and may pursue or acquire such corporate opportunity for him or herself or direct such opportunity to another person. In addition, Exempted Persons will be expressly permitted to act in their own best interest, and will be under no obligation to take any action in their capacity as a director of the Combined Company that prefers the interest of the Combined Company over their own self-interest. Exempted Persons will further be expressly permitted to use information they acquired as a director of the Combined Company that enhanced their knowledge and understanding of the industries in which the Combined Company operates in making investment or voting decisions relating to non-MDC entities or securities.

 

By becoming a stockholder in the Combined Company by virtue of the Proposed Transactions, you will be deemed to have received notice of these provisions of the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

 

The Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation will contain provisions that limit the liability of the directors of the Combined Company for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, Combined Company directors will not be personally liable to the Combined Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for:

 

· any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Combined Company or its stockholders;

 

· any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

· willful or negligent declaration and payment of unlawful dividends, or unlawful share purchases or redemptions; or

 

· any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

The Combined Company Bylaws will provide that the Combined Company is required to indemnify its directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The Combined Company Bylaws will also obligate the Combined Company to advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding. In addition, the Combined Company will enter into agreements with Combined Company directors and officers to indemnify such directors and officers. With specified exceptions, these agreements will provide for indemnification against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement by any of these individuals in any action, suit or proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. We believe that these provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers. Also, the Combined Company will maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

 

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The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in the Combined Company Certificate of Incorporation and Combined Company Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against Combined Company directors and officers for breach of their fiduciary duty. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against Combined Company directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit the Combined Company and its stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that the Combined Company pays the costs of settlement or damages.

 

Uncertificated Shares

 

The Combined Company Common Shares will be uncertificated, and holders of Combined Company Common Shares will not have the right to require the Combined Company to issue certificates for their shares.

 

Stock Exchange Listing

 

The Combined Company Class A Common Shares will be listed on NASDAQ. See “The Proposed Transactions — Listing of the Combined Company Class A Common Shares; Reporting Requirements” “ The Redomiciliation — Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters — Stock Exchange Listing” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

Registrar and Transfer Agent

 

The transfer agent and registrar for Combined Company Shares following completion of the Proposed Transactions will be American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219. AST US, and its Canadian office, at AST Trust Company (Canada), P.O. Box 700, Station B, Montreal, QC H3B 3K3, will act as co-transfer agent.

 

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