UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007.
OR
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to .
Commission file number: 333-133895
AFFINION GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 16-1732152 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. employer Identification number) |
100 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)
(203) 956-1000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
The number of shares outstanding of the registrants common stock, $0.01 par value, as of November 13, 2007 was 100.
i
Item 1. | Financial Statements |
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND DECEMBER 31, 2006
(In millions, except share amounts)
September 30,
2007 |
December 31,
2006 |
|||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 22.5 | $ | 84.3 | ||||
Restricted cash |
30.1 | 28.8 | ||||||
Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1.7 and $2.4, respectively) |
69.5 | 70.7 | ||||||
Receivables from related parties |
12.5 | 15.5 | ||||||
Profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers |
72.0 | 59.5 | ||||||
Prepaid commissions |
59.1 | 72.5 | ||||||
Income taxes receivable |
| 3.2 | ||||||
Other current assets |
36.9 | 39.4 | ||||||
Total current assets |
302.6 | 373.9 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
89.7 | 100.0 | ||||||
Contract rights and list fees, net |
66.7 | 62.0 | ||||||
Goodwill |
301.7 | 300.0 | ||||||
Other intangibles, net |
811.9 | 1,005.5 | ||||||
Other non-current assets |
48.2 | 48.1 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,620.8 | $ | 1,889.5 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity (Deficit) |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 25.2 | $ | 50.2 | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
275.9 | 279.3 | ||||||
Payables to related parties |
9.1 | 11.9 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
253.6 | 272.3 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
9.6 | 11.5 | ||||||
Income taxes payable |
3.6 | | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
577.0 | 625.2 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
1,308.7 | 1,358.2 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
6.0 | 20.2 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
42.0 | 27.7 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
58.8 | 44.5 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
1,992.5 | 2,075.8 | ||||||
Minority interests |
0.5 | 0.6 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) |
||||||||
Stockholders Equity (Deficit): |
||||||||
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, and 100 shares issued and outstanding |
348.8 | 380.9 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(732.0 | ) | (574.5 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
11.0 | 6.7 | ||||||
Total stockholders equity (deficit) |
(372.2 | ) | (186.9 | ) | ||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity (deficit) |
$ | 1,620.8 | $ | 1,889.5 | ||||
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006
(In millions)
For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, 2007 |
September 30,
2006 |
September 30, 2007 |
September 30,
2006 |
|||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 330.6 | $ | 291.4 | $ | 984.4 | $ | 801.6 | ||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Marketing and commissions |
149.3 | 138.6 | 452.9 | 412.2 | ||||||||||||
Operating costs |
79.6 | 81.4 | 251.2 | 238.6 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative |
25.9 | 26.4 | 89.5 | 81.8 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
82.9 | 106.7 | 242.1 | 314.9 | ||||||||||||
Total expenses |
337.7 | 353.1 | 1,035.7 | 1,047.5 | ||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(7.1 | ) | (61.7 | ) | (51.3 | ) | (245.9 | ) | ||||||||
Interest income |
0.9 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 4.3 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(38.7 | ) | (39.3 | ) | (107.7 | ) | (113.7 | ) | ||||||||
Other expense |
| (0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss before income taxes and minority interests |
(44.9 | ) | (99.7 | ) | (155.4 | ) | (355.4 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
1.7 | 1.1 | (1.0 | ) | 0.7 | |||||||||||
Minority interests, net of tax |
(0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (43.3 | ) | $ | (98.7 | ) | $ | (156.6 | ) | $ | (355.0 | ) | ||||
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006
(In millions)
For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
September 30, 2007 |
September 30, 2006 |
|||||||
Operating Activities |
||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (156.6 | ) | $ | (355.0 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
242.1 | 314.9 | ||||||
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts |
(2.2 | ) | 2.6 | |||||
Amortization of debt discount and financing costs |
5.0 | 14.4 | ||||||
Unrealized loss (gain) on interest rate swap |
2.2 | (1.5 | ) | |||||
Stock-based compensation |
1.8 | 7.8 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(10.3 | ) | (7.5 | ) | ||||
Net change in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Restricted cash |
(1.1 | ) | (3.4 | ) | ||||
Receivables |
3.0 | (9.0 | ) | |||||
Receivables from related parties |
3.1 | (2.2 | ) | |||||
Profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers |
(12.5 | ) | 8.6 | |||||
Prepaid commissions |
13.7 | (41.5 | ) | |||||
Other current assets |
3.0 | 5.5 | ||||||
Contract rights and list fees |
(0.9 | ) | (6.9 | ) | ||||
Other non-current assets |
(5.3 | ) | (4.2 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
(10.7 | ) | (3.9 | ) | ||||
Payables to related parties |
(4.9 | ) | 1.9 | |||||
Deferred revenue |
(4.6 | ) | 165.2 | |||||
Income taxes receivable and payable |
7.4 | (1.0 | ) | |||||
Other long-term liabilities |
(6.9 | ) | (4.3 | ) | ||||
Minority interests and other, net |
(0.2 | ) | 0.5 | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
65.1 | 81.0 | ||||||
Investing Activities |
||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(18.6 | ) | (18.4 | ) | ||||
Acquisition-related payment, net of cash acquired |
(0.8 | ) | | |||||
Restricted cash |
| 2.1 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(19.4 | ) | (16.3 | ) | ||||
Financing Activities |
||||||||
Principal payments on borrowings |
(75.1 | ) | (444.0 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from borrowings |
| 385.7 | ||||||
Deferred financing costs |
| (10.9 | ) | |||||
Dividends paid to parent company |
(32.1 | ) | | |||||
Distribution to minority shareholder of a subsidiary |
(0.4 | ) | | |||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(107.6 | ) | (69.2 | ) | ||||
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents |
0.1 | 2.4 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(61.8 | ) | (2.1 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
84.3 | 113.4 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 22.5 | $ | 111.3 | ||||
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: |
||||||||
Interest payments |
$ | 80.5 | $ | 83.4 | ||||
Income tax payments |
$ | 4.9 | $ | 6.3 | ||||
See notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts are in millions, except per share amounts)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
Basis of Presentation On October 17, 2005, Cendant Corporation (Cendant) completed the sale of the Cendant Marketing Services Division (the Predecessor) to Affinion Group, Inc. (the Company or Affinion), an affiliate of Apollo Management V, L.P. (Apollo), pursuant to a purchase agreement dated July 26, 2005 for approximately $1.8 billion (the Apollo Transactions). The purchase price consisted of approximately $1.7 billion of cash, net of estimated closing adjustments, plus $125.0 million face value of newly issued preferred stock (fair value of $80.4 million) of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (Affinion Holdings), the Companys parent company, and a warrant (fair value of $16.7 million) that is exercisable into 4,437,170 shares of common stock of Affinion Holdings upon the earlier of four years or the achievement by Apollo of certain investment return hurdles, and $38.1 million of transaction-related costs. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, Affinion acquired all of the outstanding capital stock and membership interests of the Predecessor, as well as substantially all of the Predecessors assets and liabilities. On September 21, 2007, the Board of Directors of Affinion Holdings approved a 2.1-for-1 stock split of its common stock. Accordingly, all Affinion Holdings share and Affinion Holdings per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the September 2007 stock split.
All references to Cendant refer to Cendant Corporation, which changed its name to Avis Budget Group in August 2006, and its consolidated subsidiaries, particularly in context of its business and operations prior to, and in connection with, the Companys separation from Cendant.
The Predecessor was a combined reporting entity that was comprised of the assets and liabilities used in managing and operating the marketing services businesses of Cendant. The entities that comprise the Predecessor included Affinion Group, LLC (formerly known as Cendant Marketing Group, LLC) (AGLLC), Affinion Membership Services Holdings Subsidiary LLC (formerly known as Cendant Membership Services Holdings Subsidiary LLC), Trilegiant Corporation (Trilegiant), TRL Group, Inc. (TRL Group), Affinion Benefits Group, Inc. (formerly known as Progeny Marketing Innovations Inc.), Affinion Loyalty Group, Inc. (formerly known as Trilegiant Loyalty Solutions, Inc.) (TLS), Cendant Travel, Inc. (CTI), Affinion International Holdings Limited (formerly known as Cendant International Holdings Limited) (Affinion International) and related companies. All of the entities that comprised the Predecessor were acquired by Affinion, an affiliate of Apollo, on October 17, 2005.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and transactions of the Company. In presenting these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgments and available information at the time. As such, actual results could differ from those estimates. In managements opinion, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of interim results reported. The results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year or any subsequent interim period.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and following the guidance of Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements required to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). As permitted under such rules, certain notes and other financial information normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted; however, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do include such notes and financial information sufficient so as to make the interim information presented not misleading. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Company as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the period from October 17, 2005 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2005, and the combined financial statements of the Predecessor for the period from January 1, 2005 to October 16, 2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2004, included in the Companys Form 10-K.
Business Description The Company is a leading global provider of comprehensive marketing services and loyalty programs to many of the largest and most respected companies in the world. The Company partners with these leading companies to develop customized marketing programs that provide valuable products and services to their end customers using its creative design and product development capabilities. These products and services enable the Companys marketing partners to strengthen their customer relationships, as well as generate significant incremental revenue, generally in the form
4
of commission payments. The Company has substantial expertise in deploying various types of media, such as direct mail and the Internet, and bundling unique benefits to offer valuable products and services to the end customers of its marketing partners on a highly targeted basis. The Company provides credit monitoring and identity-theft resolution, accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D), discount travel services, loyalty programs, various checking account and credit card enhancement services and other products and services.
|
Affinion North America. Affinion North America comprises the Companys Membership, Insurance and Package, and Loyalty product operations in North America. |
|
Membership Products . The Company designs, implements and markets membership programs that provide members with access to a variety of discounts and shop-at-home conveniences in such areas as retail merchandise, travel, automotive and home improvement as well as personal protection benefits and value-added services including credit monitoring and identity-theft resolution services. |
|
Insurance and Package Products . The Company markets AD&D and other insurance programs and designs and provides checking account enhancement programs to financial institutions. |
|
Loyalty Products . The Company designs, implements and administers points-based loyalty programs for financial, travel, auto and other companies. The Company also provides enhancement benefits to major financial institutions in connection with their credit and debit card programs. |
|
Affinion International. Affinion International comprises the Companys Membership, Package and Loyalty product operations outside North America. The Company expects to leverage its current Western European operational platform to expand its range of products and services, develop new affinity partner relationships in various industries and grow its geographical footprint. |
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the FASB issued Statement of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007 and increased its tax reserves for uncertain tax positions included in other long-term liabilities by $9.4 million, decreased its long-term deferred income taxes by $7.9 million, decreased its income tax payable by $0.6 million and increased its January 1, 2007 accumulated deficit by $0.9 million. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. There was no recognition of additional penalties and interest required as a result of the adoption of FIN 48.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with earlier application encouraged. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and other items at fair value. The fair value option permits entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected would be recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. Generally, the fair value option may be applied instrument by instrument and is irrevocable unless a new election date occurs. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007, with earlier adoption permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007, provided that the entity also elects to apply the provisions of SFAS 157. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
5
2. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets consisted of:
September 30, 2007 | ||||||||||
Gross
Carrying Amount |
Accumulated
Amortization |
Net Carrying
Amount |
||||||||
Amortizable intangible assets: |
||||||||||
Member relationships |
$ | 761.4 | $ | (357.7 | ) | $ | 403.7 | |||
Affinity relationships |
581.4 | (232.1 | ) | 349.3 | ||||||
Proprietary databases and systems |
54.2 | (34.2 | ) | 20.0 | ||||||
Trademarks and tradenames |
25.8 | (3.4 | ) | 22.4 | ||||||
Patents and technology |
25.0 | (8.5 | ) | 16.5 | ||||||
$ | 1,447.8 | $ | (635.9 | ) | $ | 811.9 | ||||
December 31, 2006 | ||||||||||
Gross
Carrying Amount |
Accumulated
Amortization |
Net Carrying
Amount |
||||||||
Amortizable intangible assets: |
||||||||||
Member relationships |
$ | 761.1 | $ | (242.9 | ) | $ | 518.2 | |||
Affinity relationships |
576.0 | (161.7 | ) | 414.3 | ||||||
Proprietary databases and systems |
52.0 | (20.9 | ) | 31.1 | ||||||
Trademarks and tradenames |
25.5 | (2.1 | ) | 23.4 | ||||||
Patents and technology |
25.0 | (6.5 | ) | 18.5 | ||||||
$ | 1,439.6 | $ | (434.1 | ) | $ | 1,005.5 | ||||
Amortization expense relating to intangible assets was as follows:
For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2007 |
September 30,
2006 |
September 30, 2007 |
September 30,
2006 |
||||||||||
Member relationships |
$ | 38.2 | $ | 52.5 | $ | 114.7 | $ | 158.1 | |||||
Affinity relationships |
23.0 | 39.7 | 68.6 | 107.3 | |||||||||
Proprietary databases and systems |
4.5 | 4.4 | 13.3 | 13.0 | |||||||||
Trademarks and tradenames |
0.5 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.3 | |||||||||
Patents and technology |
0.6 | (0.7 | ) | 1.9 | 4.8 | ||||||||
$ | 66.8 | $ | 96.4 | $ | 199.8 | $ | 284.5 | ||||||
Based on the Companys amortizable intangible assets as of September 30, 2007, the Company expects the related amortization expense for 2007 and the four succeeding fiscal years to be $254.1 million in 2007, $195.2 million in 2008, $144.8 million in 2009, $120.2 million in 2010 and $103.8 million in 2011.
Goodwill attributed to each of the Companys reporting segments is as follows:
September 30, 2007 |
December 31,
2006 |
|||||
Membership products |
$ | 231.1 | $ | 231.1 | ||
Insurance and package products |
58.3 | 58.3 | ||||
International products |
12.3 | 10.6 | ||||
$ | 301.7 | $ | 300.0 | |||
The changes in the Companys carrying amount of goodwill in 2007 are due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
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3. CONTRACT RENEWAL RIGHTS AND LIST FEES
Contract rights and list fees consisted of:
September 30, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gross
Carrying Amount |
Accumulated
Amortization |
Net
Carrying Amount |
Gross
Carrying Amount |
Accumulated
Amortization |
Net
Carrying Amount |
|||||||||||||||
Contract rights |
$ | 72.0 | $ | (15.3 | ) | $ | 56.7 | $ | 54.7 | $ | (1.8 | ) | $ | 52.9 | ||||||
List fees |
12.8 | (2.8 | ) | 10.0 | 10.3 | (1.2 | ) | 9.1 | ||||||||||||
$ | 84.8 | $ | (18.1 | ) | $ | 66.7 | $ | 65.0 | $ | (3.0 | ) | $ | 62.0 | |||||||
Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $6.1 million
and $14.9 million, respectively, of which $0.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, is included in marketing expense and $5.6 million and $13.3 million, respectively, is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the unaudited condensed
consolidated statement of operations. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $0.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of which $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, is included in marketing
expense and $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. Based on the Companys contract rights and list fees as of
September 30, 2007, the Company expects the related amortization expense for 2007 and the four succeeding years to be approximately $20.1 million in 2007, $20.3 million in 2008, $16.4 million in 2009, $12.0 million in 2010 and $9.4 million in
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consisted of:
September 30,
2007 |
December 31,
2006 |
|||||||
Term loan due 2012 |
$ | 680.0 | $ | 755.0 | ||||
10 1 / 8 % senior notes due 2013, net of unamortized discount of $1.7 and $2.0, respectively, with an effective interest rate of 10.285% |
302.3 | 302.0 | ||||||
11 1 / 2 % senior subordinated notes due 2015, net of unamortized discount of $4.3 and $4.7, respectively, with an effective interest rate of 11.75% |
351.2 | 350.8 | ||||||
Capital lease obligations |
0.4 | 0.6 | ||||||
Total debt |
1,333.9 | 1,408.4 | ||||||
Less: current portion of long-term debt |
(25.2 | ) | (50.2 | ) | ||||
Long-term debt |
$ | 1,308.7 | $ | 1,358.2 | ||||
On October 17, 2005, the Company entered into a senior secured credit facility (Affinion Credit Facility). The Affinion Credit Facility is comprised of a term loan that initially totaled $860.0 million due in 2012 and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility terminating in 2011. The revolving credit facility includes letter of credit and swingline sub-facilities.
The Affinion Credit Facility is secured by all of the outstanding stock of the Company held by Affinion Holdings and substantially all of the assets of the Company, subject to certain exceptions. Through September 30, 2007, the Company made eight voluntary principal prepayments of the term loan aggregating $180.0 million and, therefore, all of the Companys mandatory quarterly repayment obligations have been satisfied. The Affinion Credit Facility permits the Company to obtain additional borrowing capacity up to the greater of $175.0 million and an amount equal to Adjusted EBITDA, as set forth in the agreement governing the Affinion Credit Facility, for the most recent four-quarter period. Effective January 4, 2007, the Affinion Credit Facility was amended to decrease the interest rate on the term loan facility by 25 basis points, initially, and to provide for an additional 25 basis point decrease if the corporate family rating of Affinion Group reached B1 or higher by Moodys and B+ or higher by S&P. The amendment also modified the definition of change of control. The revolving credit facility carries a commitment fee of 0.5% on the unused amount. As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, no borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2007, the Company has $98.5 million available for borrowing under the Affinion Credit Facility.
On October 17, 2005, the Company issued senior notes (Senior Notes), with a face value of $270.0 million, for net proceeds of $266.4 million. The Senior Notes bear interest at 10 1 /8% per annum, payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The Senior Notes mature on October 15, 2013. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with the Companys existing and future senior obligations and senior to the Companys
7
existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness. As discussed in Note 10Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Supplemental Financial Information, the Senior Notes are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company. The Senior Notes contain restrictive covenants related primarily to the Companys ability to distribute dividends, redeem or repurchase capital stock, sell assets, issue additional debt or merge with or acquire other companies.
On May 3, 2006, the Company issued an additional $34.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10 1 /8% senior notes due 2013 (the Senior Notes). These Senior Notes were issued as additional notes under the Senior Notes indenture dated October 17, 2005 and, together with the $270.0 million of Senior Notes originally issued under such indenture, are treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
On April 26, 2006, the Company issued $355.5 million aggregate principal amount of 11 1 /2% senior subordinated notes due October 15, 2015 (the Senior Subordinated Notes). The interest on the Senior Subordinated Notes is payable semi-annually. The Senior Subordinated Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and rank junior in right of payment to the Companys existing and future senior obligations and senior to the Companys future subordinated obligations. The Senior Subordinated Notes are guaranteed by the same subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee the Affinion Credit Facility and the Senior Notes as discussed in Note 10Guarantor/Non-Guarantor Supplemental Financial Information. The Senior Subordinated Notes contain restrictive covenants related primarily to the Companys ability to distribute dividends, redeem or repurchase capital stock, sell assets, issue additional debt or merge with or acquire other companies.
On September 13, 2006, the Company completed a registered exchange offer and exchanged all of the then outstanding 10 1 /8% Senior Notes due 2013 and all of the then outstanding 11 1 /2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 into a like amount of 10 1 /8% Senior Notes due 2013 and 11 1 /2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, respectively, that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Through September 30, 2007, the Company had made eight voluntary principal prepayments of the term loan under the Affinion Credit Facility aggregating $180.0 million. Additionally, we made a $25.0 million principal prepayment on November 13, 2007 and we may elect to make additional prepayments if it is beneficial to do so.
As of September 30, 2007, the Company is in compliance with various covenants contained in the Affinion Credit Facility and the indentures that govern the Senior Notes and the Senior Subordinated Notes. Based on managements expectations of the Companys ability to voluntarily prepay principal during the next twelve months under its term loan, $25.0 million of the term loan has been classified as current portion of long-term debt on the September 30, 2007 unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
5. INCOME TAXES
The Companys effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 were 4.1% and (0.6)%, respectively. These rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the effects of certain state income taxes, foreign taxes and valuation allowances required with respect to the increase in certain net deferred tax assets.
The Companys effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 were 1.1% and 0.2%, respectively. These rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the effects of certain state income taxes, foreign taxes and valuation allowances required with respect to the increase in certain net deferred tax assets. Additionally, with respect to the nine months ended September 30, 2006, valuation allowances relating to certain state net deferred tax assets of approximately $1.5 million were reversed in the first quarter of 2006.
The Company adopted FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007 and increased its tax reserves for uncertain tax positions included in other long-term liabilities by $9.4 million, decreased its long-term deferred income taxes by $7.9 million, decreased its income taxes payable by $0.6 million and increased its January 1, 2007 accumulated deficit by $0.9 million. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. There was no recognition of additional penalties and interest required as a result of the adoption of FIN 48.
The Companys income tax returns are periodically examined by various tax authorities. In connection with these examinations, certain tax authorities, including the Internal Revenue Service, may raise issues and impose additional assessments. The Company regularly evaluates the likelihood of additional assessments resulting from these examinations and establishes liabilities, through the provision for income taxes, for potential amounts that may result therefrom. The recognition of uncertain tax benefits are not expected to have a material impact on the Companys effective tax rate or results of operations. Tax years which are open to domestic examination include Federal, state and local. For significant foreign jurisdictions, tax years in Germany and the United Kingdom remain open. The period for which both domestic and foreign tax years are open is based on local laws for each jurisdiction which have not been extended beyond applicable statutes. The Company does not believe that it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly within the next 12 months. Any income tax liabilities or refunds relating to periods prior to October 17, 2005 are the responsibility of Cendant.
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6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
The Company is involved in claims, legal proceedings and governmental inquiries related to employment matters, contract disputes, business practices, trademark and copyright infringement claims and other commercial matters.
The Company is also a party to a number of lawsuits which were brought against it or its affiliates, each of which alleges to be a class action in nature and each of which alleges that the Company violated certain federal or state consumer protection statutes (certain of which are described below). The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against these lawsuits.
On August 9, 2005, a class action suit (the August 2005 Suit) was filed against Trilegiant in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division. The claim asserts violations of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and various California consumer protection statutes. The suit seeks unspecified actual damages, statutory damages, attorneys fees, costs and injunctive relief.
On January 28, 2005, a class action complaint (the January 2005 Suit) was filed against The Bon, Inc., FACS Group, Inc., and Trilegiant in the Superior Court of Washington, Spokane County. The claim asserts violations of various consumer protection statutes. The Company filed a motion to compel arbitration, which was denied by the court. The Company appealed the courts decision, and the case has been stayed until the appellate court has ruled on the motion to compel arbitration.
On November 12, 2002, a class action complaint (the November 2002 Class Action) was filed against Sears, Roebuck & Co., Sears National Bank, Cendant Membership Services, Inc., and Allstate Insurance Company in the Circuit Court of Alabama for Greene County alleging, among other things, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing and violations of the Illinois consumer fraud and deceptive practices act. The case was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama but was remanded to the Circuit Court of Alabama for Greene County. The Company has filed a motion to compel arbitration, which is still pending.
On November 15, 2001, a class action complaint (the 2001 Class Action) was filed in Madison County, Illinois against Trilegiant alleging violations of state consumer protection statutes in connection with the sale of certain membership programs. Motions to dismiss were denied and certification of a class of consumers has been granted; the exact size of the certified class is not known at this time.
The Company believes that the amount accrued for the above matters is adequate, and the reasonably possible loss beyond the amounts accrued, while not estimatable, will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows based on information currently available. However, litigation is inherently unpredictable and, although the Company believes that accruals are adequate and it intends to vigorously defend itself against such matters, unfavorable resolution could occur, which could have a material adverse effect on financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Subject to certain limitations, Cendant has agreed to indemnify the Company for actual losses, damages, liabilities, claims, costs and expenses and taxes incurred in connection with certain of the matters described above. Cendants indemnification obligations have been assumed by Wyndham and Realogy as successors to various segments of Cendants business. See Note 8 Related Party Transactions for a summary of the terms of the indemnification agreements.
Surety Bonds and Letters of Credit
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is required to provide surety bonds to various state authorities in order to operate its membership, insurance and travel agency programs. Cendant had previously guaranteed the surety bonds issued on behalf of the Predecessor. As of September 30, 2007, the Company provided guarantees for surety bonds totaling approximately $10.9 million and issued letters of credit totaling $1.8 million.
7. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
In connection with the closing of the Apollo Transactions on October 17, 2005, Affinion Holdings adopted the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan). The Plan authorizes the Board of Directors (the Board) to grant non-qualified, non-assignable stock options and rights to purchase shares of Affinion Holdings common stock to directors and employees of, and
9
consultants to, Affinion Holdings and its subsidiaries. Options granted under the Plan have an exercise price no less than the fair market value of a share of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Stock awards have a purchase price determined by the Board. The Board was authorized to grant up to 4.3 million shares of its common stock under the Plan over a ten year period. In January 2007, the Board adopted an amendment to the Plan increasing the number of shares issuable under the Plan to 4.9 million shares. As of September 30, 2007, there were 0.2 million shares available for future grants.
Stock Options
Stock options granted to employees during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 are comprised of three tranches with the following terms:
Tranche A | Tranche B | Tranche C | |||||||
Exercise Price |
$ | 4.80 | $ | 4.80 | $ | 4.80 | |||
Vesting |
Ratably over 5 years* | Ratably after 8 years** | 100% after 8 years** | ||||||
Term of option |
10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
* | In the event of a sale of the Company, vesting for tranche A occurs 18 months after the date of sale. |
** | Tranche B and C vesting would be accelerated upon specified realized returns to Apollo. |
The fair value of each option award during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of comparable companies. The expected term of the options granted represents the period of time that options are expected to be outstanding.
Tranche A | Tranche B | Tranche C | |||||||
Expected volatility |
43 | % | 47 | % | 48 | % | |||
Expected life (in years) |
6.50 | 8.43 | 8.72 | ||||||
Risk-free interest rate |
4.40 | % | 4.46 | % | 4.46 | % | |||
Dividend yield |
| % | | % | | % |
A summary of option activity relating to options granted to employees is presented below (number of options in thousands):
Tranche A | Tranche B | Tranche C |
Board of
Directors |
||||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2007 |
2,059 | 1,029 | 1,029 | 276 | |||||||||||
Granted |
29 | 15 | 15 | | |||||||||||
Exercised |
| | | | |||||||||||
Forfeited or expired |
(42 | ) | (21 | ) | (21 | ) | | ||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2007 |
2,046 | 1,023 | 1,023 | 276 | |||||||||||
Granted |
103 | 51 | 51 | | |||||||||||
Exercised |
| | | | |||||||||||
Forfeited or expired |
(7 | ) | (3 | ) | (3 | ) | | ||||||||
Outstanding at June 30, 2007 |
2,142 | 1,071 | 1,071 | 276 | |||||||||||
Granted |
| | | | |||||||||||
Exercised |
| | | | |||||||||||
Forfeited or expired |
(7 | ) | (5 | ) | (5 | ) | | ||||||||
Outstanding at September 30, 2007 |
2,135 | 1,066 | 1,066 | 276 | |||||||||||
Vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2007 |
2,135 | 1,066 | 1,066 | 276 | |||||||||||
Exercisable at September 30, 2007 |
347 | | | 276 | |||||||||||
Weighted average remaining contractual term (years) |
8.3 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.9 | |||||||||||
Weighted average grant date fair value per option |
$ | 2.38 | $ | 2.84 | $ | 2.91 | $ | 2.63 |
Based on the estimated fair values of options granted, stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 totaled $0.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Based on the estimated fair value of options
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granted, stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 totaled $0.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2007, there was $8.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the remaining vesting period of options granted under the Plan. This cost will be recorded in future periods as stock-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of approximately 2.3 years.
In January 2007, Affinion Holdings declared a special dividend on its common stock. As a result of the special dividend, in accordance with the Affinion Group Holdings Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, Affinion Holdings modified the outstanding stock options to make the option holders whole. The modifications were effected through a distribution to option holders of $5.2 million and an adjustment of the exercise price of the then outstanding options to $1.43. The distribution to option holders was recognized by the Company as compensation expense in the first quarter of 2007.
Restricted Stock
In connection with the Apollo Transactions, the Chief Executive Officer was granted 105,000 shares of restricted stock of Affinion Holdings at a purchase price of $0.01 per share. This award was scheduled to vest 100% after five years of service or earlier upon a change of control of Affinion Holdings. In March 2007, the Board accelerated the vesting date to April 2, 2007. The fair value of this award was estimated to be $0.5 million, based upon the grant date fair value per common share of Affinion Holdings of $4.76 and the remaining unamortized compensation expense was recognized in general and administrative expense as stock-based compensation expense in the first quarter of 2007.
In January 2007, the Board granted 21,000 shares of restricted stock of Affinion Holdings with a purchase price of $0.01 per share to the Companys Chief Financial Officer. This award vests 100% upon the earlier of three years of service or a change in control of Affinion Holdings. The fair value of the award is estimated to be $0.2 million, based upon the estimated fair value per share of common stock of Affinion Holdings, and is being amortized on a straight-line basis to general and administrative expense over the service period.
In May 2007, the Board granted 42,000 shares of restricted stock of Affinion Holdings with a purchase price of $0.01 per share to Affinion Internationals Chief Financial Officer. This award vests 100% upon the earlier of three years of service or a change in control of Affinion Holdings. The fair value of the award is estimated to be $0.4 million, based upon the estimated fair value per share of common stock of Affinion Holdings, and is being amortized on a straight-line basis to general and administrative expense over the service period.
A summary of restricted stock activity is presented below (number of shares of restricted stock in thousands):
Number of
Restricted Shares |
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value |
|||||
Outstanding restricted unvested awards at January 1, 2007 |
105 | $ | 4.76 | |||
Granted |
21 | 9.52 | ||||
Vested |
(105 | ) | 4.76 | |||
Forfeited |
| | ||||
Outstanding restricted unvested awards at March 31, 2007 |
21 | 9.52 | ||||
Granted |
42 | 9.52 | ||||
Vested |
| | ||||
Forfeited |
| | ||||
Outstanding restricted unvested awards at June 30, 2007 |
63 | 9.52 | ||||
Granted |
| | ||||
Vested |
| | ||||
Forfeited |
| | ||||
Outstanding restricted unvested awards at September 30, 2007 |
63 | $ | 9.52 | |||
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years) |
2.5 |
Based on the estimated fair values of restricted stock granted, stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 totaled $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Based on the estimated fair values of restricted stock granted, stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 totaled less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2007, there was $0.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the remaining vesting period of restricted stock granted under the Plan. This cost will be recorded in future periods as stock-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of approximately 1.3 years.
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8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Post-Closing Relationships with Cendant
Cendant has agreed to indemnify the Company, Affinion Holdings and the Companys affiliates (collectively the indemnified parties) for breaches of representations, warranties and covenants made by Cendant, as well as for other specified matters, certain of which are described below. Affinion Holdings and the Company have agreed to indemnify Cendant for breaches of representations, warranties and covenants made in the purchase agreement, as well as for certain other specified matters. Generally, all parties indemnification obligations with respect to breaches of representations and warranties (except with respect to the matters described below) (i) are subject to a $0.1 million occurrence threshold, (ii) are not effective until the aggregate amount of losses suffered by the indemnified party exceeds $15.0 million (and then only for the amount of losses exceeding $15.0 million) and (iii) are limited to $275.1 million of recovery. Generally, subject to certain exceptions of greater duration, the parties indemnification obligations with respect to representations and warranties survived until April 15, 2007 with indemnification obligations related to covenants surviving until the applicable covenant has been fully performed.
In connection with the purchase agreement, Cendant agreed to specific indemnification obligations with respect to the matters described below.
Excluded Litigation. Cendant has agreed to fully indemnify the indemnified parties with respect to any pending or future litigation, arbitration, or other proceeding relating to accounting irregularities in the former CUC International, Inc. announced on April 15, 1998.
Certain Litigation and Compliance with Law Matters. Cendant has agreed to indemnify the indemnified parties up to specified amounts for: (a) breaches of its representations and warranties with respect to legal proceedings that (1) occur after the date of the purchase agreement, (2) relate to facts and circumstances related to the business of AGLLC or Affinion International and (3) constitute a breach or violation of its compliance with law representations and warranties, (b) breaches of its representations and warranties with respect to compliance with laws to the extent related to the business of AGLLC or Affinion International and (c) the August 2005 Suit and the January 2002 Class Action (as defined in the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).
Cendant, Affinion Holdings and the Company have agreed that losses up to $15.0 million incurred with respect to these matters will be borne solely by the Company and losses in excess of $15.0 million will be shared by the parties in accordance with agreed upon allocations. The Company has the right at all times to control litigation related to shared losses and Cendant has consultation rights with respect to such litigation.
Other Litigation. Cendant has agreed to indemnify the Company for specified amounts with respect to losses incurred in connection with the 2001 Class Action. Until September 30, 2006, Cendant had the right to control and settle this litigation, subject to certain consultation and other specified limitations. Subsequent to September 30, 2006, the Company has the right to control and settle this litigation, subject to certain consultation and other specified limitations.
The Company will retain all liability with respect to the November 2002 Class Action and will not be indemnified by Cendant for losses related thereto.
As publicly announced, as part of a plan to split into four independent companies, Cendant has (i) distributed the equity interests it previously held in its hospitality services business (Wyndham) and its real estate services business (Realogy) to Cendant stockholders and (ii) sold its travel services business (Travelport) to a third party. Cendant continues as a publicly traded company which owns the vehicle rental business (Avis/Budget, together with Wyndham and Realogy, the Cendant Entities). Subject to certain exceptions, Wyndham and Realogy have agreed to share Cendants contingent and other liabilities (including its indemnity obligations to the Company described above and other liabilities to the Company in connection with the Apollo Transactions) in specified percentages. If any Cendant Entity defaults in its payment, when due, of any such liabilities, the remaining Cendant Entities are required to pay an equal portion of the amounts in default.
In connection with the Apollo Transactions, the Company entered into a master transition services agreement with certain subsidiaries of Cendant, pursuant to which the Cendant subsidiaries will provide certain services to the Company at cost for different periods of time generally not exceeding two years from the closing of the Apollo Transactions. These services include financial systems support, treasury function services, information technology and telecommunications services, including help desk services. The expense for such services was $0.3 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $0.8 million and $2.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in operating costs in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
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The Company also entered into agreements pursuant to which the Company will continue to have cost-sharing arrangements with Cendant and/or its subsidiaries relating to office space and customer contact centers. These agreements have expiration dates and financial terms that are generally consistent with the terms of the related intercompany arrangements prior to the Apollo Transactions. The expense incurred for such services was $0.3 million and $0.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in operating costs in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. There was no expense incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007. The revenue earned for such services was $0.4 million and $0.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $0.7 million and $1.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in net revenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
In connection with the Apollo Transactions, the Company granted to Cendant a non-exclusive license to its portfolio of patents relating to online award redemption programs through December 31, 2006. The license included the exclusive right to enforce patents against third parties within the field of i) online sales, marketing and distribution of travel services and products and ii) servicing certain airlines. Cendant paid royalty fees for the exclusive right totaling $11.25 million, payable in five quarterly installments of $2.25 million that began in November 2005 and ended in November 2006. The total amount included in net revenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for such services, net of purchase accounting related to the Apollo Transactions, reflects a revenue reduction of $2.5 million and revenue of $2.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. There were no such revenues earned in 2007.
Historically, the Company had arrangements with Cendant and its subsidiaries relating to, among other things, the marketing of certain membership programs and related data management, administration of loyalty and rewards programs, operations support (travel agency support and software licensing) and profit sharing arrangements related to the marketing of certain insurance programs. In connection with the Apollo Transactions, these agreements were terminated and the Company entered into new agreements with Cendant and its subsidiaries that require the parties to provide services similar to those provided prior to the Apollo Transactions. The revenue earned for such services was less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in net revenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. There were no revenues earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007. The expense incurred for such services was $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in operating costs in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The new marketing agreements permit the Company to continue to solicit customers of certain Cendant subsidiaries for the Companys membership programs through various direct marketing methods. The marketing agreements generally provide for a minimum amount of marketing volume or a specified quantity of customer data to be allotted to the relevant party. The payment terms of the marketing agreements provide for either (1) a fee for each call transferred, (2) a bounty payment for each user that enrolls in one of the Companys membership programs, or (3) a percentage of net membership revenues. These agreements generally expire in December 2010 and are generally terminable by the applicable Cendant party following December 31, 2007, upon six months written notice to the Company. In the event that a Cendant subsidiary terminates an agreement prior to December 31, 2010, then the Cendant subsidiary is required to pay a termination fee based on the projected marketing revenues that would have been generated from such agreement had the marketing agreement been in place through December 31, 2010. The expense incurred for such services was $3.8 million and $8.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $3.8 million and $8.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in marketing and commissions in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Under the loyalty and rewards program administration agreements, the Company will continue to administer loyalty programs for certain Cendant subsidiaries. The agreements provide for the Company to earn fees for the following services: an initial fee to implement a new loyalty program, a program administration fee, a redemption fee related to redeemed rewards and a booking fee related to travel bookings by loyalty program members. The loyalty and reward program agreements expire on December 31, 2009. The total amounts included in net revenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for such services was $2.9 million and $8.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $2.9 million and $8.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. In connection with these agreements, the Company formed Affinion Loyalty, LLC (Loyalty), a special-purpose, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TLS. Pursuant to the loyalty agreements, TLS has provided a copy of the object code, source code and related documentation of certain of its intellectual property to Loyalty under a non-exclusive limited license. Loyalty entered into an escrow agreement relating to such intellectual property with Cendant and its affiliates in connection with the parties entering into the loyalty and reward
13
agreements. Loyalty sub-licenses such intellectual property to Cendant on a non-exclusive basis but will only provide access to such intellectual property either directly or indirectly through the escrow agent in the event that TLS (1) becomes bankrupt or insolvent, (2) commits a material, uncured breach of a loyalty and reward agreement, or (3) transfers or assigns its intellectual property in such a way as to prevent it from performing its obligations under any agreement relating to Cendants loyalty and rewards programs. Upon access to the escrowed materials, Cendant will be able to use the escrowed materials for a limited term and for only those purposes for which TLS was using it to provide the services under the loyalty and reward agreements prior to the release of the escrowed materials to Cendant.
The Company entered into a platform services agreement with Travel Distribution Services Group, Inc. (TDS), a subsidiary of Cendant, under which, through June 30, 2007, TDS reimbursed the Company for each travel booking fee placed utilizing a third partys travel service platform in excess of a specified threshold plus reimbursed the Company for platform license fees paid to the third party in excess of a specified threshold. In addition, the Company has the option to use the to-be-developed Orbitz travel membership club platform, if and when developed by TDS, to obtain services related to such platform for the Companys travel membership clubs by paying TDS a fee per itinerary. The agreement will expire on December 31, 2010 if the Company elects to use such platform by December 31, 2007. However, it will expire on December 31, 2007 if TDS has not developed such platform or the Company has elected not to use such platform by such date. There was no expense reimbursement for such services for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and the expense reimbursement was $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and was $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in operating costs in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company entered into a fulfillment and supplier relations services agreement with TDS to use the TDS travel agent tool for booking multiple packages such as airfare and hotel. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company pays TDS a flat fee each year during the term of the agreement and the Company earns referral fees based on the number of travel-related segments booked. The agreement will expire on December 31, 2010. The revenue earned for such services was $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in net revenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for such services. The expense incurred for such services was $0.6 million and $1.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $0.5 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in operating costs in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company entered into an agreement pursuant to which it agreed to exclusively use the global distribution system (GDS), an on-line booking system, of Galileo, then a subsidiary of Cendant, to make air, hotel or car rental bookings. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company will pay Galileo a flat fee that decreases each year during the term of the agreement and Galileo will pay the Company a fee per travel booking. The agreement will expire on December 31, 2011, subject to automatic one year renewal periods, unless either party elects upon six months prior written notice not to renew the agreement. The revenue earned for such services was $0.5 million and $1.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $0.6 million and $2.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in net revenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The expense incurred for such services was $0.8 million and $2.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $0.8 million and $2.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in operating costs in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company entered into an agreement which identifies Avis and Budget (each a former subsidiary of Cendant) as the primary preferred providers of car rental services to its customers (subject to certain exceptions). The Company will receive commissions and royalty fees on certain qualifying rentals. The agreement will expire on December 31, 2007, subject to automatic one year renewal periods, unless either party elects upon thirty days prior written notice not to renew the agreement. The total amount included in net revenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for such services was $0.4 million and $1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $0.5 million and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.
Affinion International entered into an agreement pursuant to which it agreed to continue to use RCI Europe as its exclusive provider of travel services for the benefit of Affinion International members in the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland and the Netherlands. Pursuant to this agreement, RCI will have a right of first refusal to offer travel services in other countries where Affinion International members are located. Affinion International will indemnify RCI in the event its profit margin under this arrangement falls below 1.31%. The agreement will expire ten years from its effective date of October 17, 2005, subject to either partys right to terminate the agreement on or after the third anniversary of its effective date, upon one years prior written notice or at any time in certain other specified
14
circumstances (either in whole or in part). The expense for such services was $1.7 million and $4.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $1.5 million and $4.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and is included in operating costs in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company entered into agreements pursuant to which it had profit-sharing arrangements with Fairtide Insurance Limited (Fairtide), a subsidiary of Cendant. AIH and certain of the Companys subsidiaries market certain insurance programs and Fairtide provided reinsurance for the related insurance policies provided by a third-party insurer. Those agreements have been terminated effective November 1, 2007 and Fairtide will have no further liability for any claims made under those insurance policies on or after November 1, 2007. The total amount included in net revenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for such services was less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.
The Company earns referral fees for hotel stays and travel packages. The amount included in net revenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for such services was $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.
Apollo Agreements
On October 17, 2005, Apollo entered into a consulting agreement with the Company for the provision of certain structuring and advisory services. The consulting agreement will also allow Apollo and its affiliates to provide certain advisory services for a period of twelve years or until Apollo owns less than 5% of the beneficial economic interests of the Company, whichever is earlier. The agreement may be terminated earlier by mutual consent. The Company is required to pay Apollo an annual fee of $2.0 million for these services commencing in 2006. The amounts expensed related to this consulting agreement were $0.5 million and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and $0.5 million and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. If a transaction is consummated involving a change of control or an initial public offering, then, in lieu of the annual consulting fee and subject to certain qualifications, Apollo may elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to the present value of all consulting fees payable through the end of the term of the consulting agreement.
In addition, the Company will be required to pay Apollo a transaction fee if it engages in any merger, acquisition or similar transaction. The Company will also indemnify Apollo and its affiliates and their directors, officers and representatives for potential losses relating to the services to be provided under the consulting agreement.
In July 2006, Apollo acquired one of the Companys vendors, SOURCECORP Incorporated, that provides document and information services to the Company. The fees incurred for these services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and are included in operating expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
15
9. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Management evaluates the operating results of each of its reportable segments based upon revenue and Segment EBITDA, which is defined as income from operations before depreciation and amortization. The presentation of Segment EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
The Segment EBITDA of the Companys four operating segments does not include general corporate expenses. General corporate expenses include costs and expenses that are of a general corporate nature or managed on a corporate basis, including primarily stock-based compensation expense and consulting fees paid to Apollo. In accordance with SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, general corporate expenses have been excluded from the presentation of the Segment EBITDA for the Companys four operating segments because they are not reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of allocating resources among operating segments or assessing operating segment performance. The accounting policies of the reporting segments are the same as those described in Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Net Revenues
For the Three Months Ended |
For the Nine Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
September 30,
2007 |
September 30,
2006 |
September 30,
2007 |
September 30,
2006 |
|||||||||||||
Affinion North America |
||||||||||||||||
Membership products |
$ | 172.6 | $ | 145.7 | $ | 515.1 | $ | 371.6 | ||||||||
Insurance and package products |
89.3 | 89.4 | 275.9 | 269.3 | ||||||||||||
Loyalty products |
14.4 | 16.1 | 40.6 | 51.4 | ||||||||||||
Eliminations |
(1.3 | ) | (1.8 | ) | (3.7 | ) | (5.1 | ) | ||||||||
Total North America |
275.0 | 249.4 | 827.9 | 687.2 | ||||||||||||
Affinion International products |
55.6 | 42.0 | 156.5 | 114.4 | ||||||||||||
$ | 330.6 | $ | 291.4 | $ | 984.4 | $ | 801.6 | |||||||||
Segment EBITDA | ||||||||||||||||
For the Three Months Ended |
For the Nine Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
September 30, 2007 |
September 30, 2006 |
September 30, 2007 |
September 30, 2006 |
|||||||||||||
Affinion North America |
||||||||||||||||
Membership products |
$ | 30.2 | $ | 11.3 | $ | 68.2 | $ | (25.0 | ) | |||||||
Insurance and package products |
34.5 | 31.0 | 105.4 | 83.9 | ||||||||||||
Loyalty products |
5.0 | 2.5 | 11.3 | 12.9 | ||||||||||||
Total North America |
69.7 | 44.8 | 184.9 | 71.8 | ||||||||||||
Affinion International products |
6.7 | 1.4 | 14.8 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Total products |
76.4 | 46.2 | 199.7 | 72.1 | ||||||||||||
Corporate |
(0.6 | ) | (1.2 | ) | (8.9 | ) | (3.1 | ) | ||||||||
$ | 75.8 | $ | 45.0 | $ | 190.8 | $ | 69.0 | |||||||||
Provided below is a reconciliation of Segment EBITDA to loss from operations: |
||||||||||||||||
For the Three Months Ended |
For the Nine Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
September 30, 2007 |
September 30, 2006 |
September 30, 2007 |
September 30, 2006 |
|||||||||||||
Segment EBITDA |
$ | 75.8 | $ | 45.0 | $ | 190.8 | $ | 69.0 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(82.9 | ) | (106.7 | ) | (242.1 | ) | (314.9 | ) | ||||||||
Loss from operations |
$ | (7.1 | ) | $ | (61.7 | ) | $ | (51.3 | ) | $ | (245.9 | ) | ||||
16
10. GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following supplemental condensed consolidating financial information presents the results of the Company, on an unconsolidated basis, under the column Parent Company, and the results of the combined guarantor subsidiaries and the combined non-guarantor subsidiaries as defined in the indentures governing the Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes. The guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several obligations of each of the guarantor subsidiaries, all of which are 100% owned by the Company. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company to obtain funds from any of its guarantor subsidiaries by dividends or loan. The supplemental financial information has been presented in lieu of separate financial statements of the guarantors as such separate financial statements are not considered meaningful.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
(In millions)
Parent
Company |
Guarantor
Subsidiaries |
Non-
Guarantor
|
Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
Assets |
|||||||||||||||||||
Current assets: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | | $ | 7.5 | $ | 15.0 | $ | | $ | 22.5 | |||||||||
Restricted cash |
| 25.8 | 4.3 | | 30.1 | ||||||||||||||
Receivables, net |
| 37.3 | 32.2 | | 69.5 | ||||||||||||||
Receivables from related parties |
0.1 | 12.1 | 0.3 | | 12.5 | ||||||||||||||
Profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers |
| 72.0 | | | 72.0 | ||||||||||||||
Prepaid commissions |
| 49.3 | 9.8 | | 59.1 | ||||||||||||||
Other current assets |
3.5 | 16.3 | 17.1 | | 36.9 | ||||||||||||||
Total current assets |
3.6 | 220.3 | 78.7 | | 302.6 | ||||||||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
0.4 | 80.2 | 9.1 | | 89.7 | ||||||||||||||
Contract rights and list fees, net |
| 11.1 | 55.6 | | 66.7 | ||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
| 289.5 | 12.2 | | 301.7 | ||||||||||||||
Other intangibles, net |
| 741.7 | 70.2 | | 811.9 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
8.2 | (8.2 | ) | | | | |||||||||||||
Investment in subsidiaries |
1,341.1 | | | (1,341.1 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Intercompany receivables |
| 358.7 | | (358.7 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Intercompany loan |
6.3 | | | (6.3 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Other non-current assets |
30.6 | 12.2 | 5.4 | | 48.2 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,390.2 | $ | 1,705.5 | $ | 231.2 | $ | (1,706.1 | ) | $ | 1,620.8 | ||||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity (Deficit) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 25.0 | $ | 0.2 | $ | | $ | | $ | 25.2 | |||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
67.6 | 143.4 | 64.9 | | 275.9 | ||||||||||||||
Payables to related parties |
3.6 | 5.5 | | | 9.1 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
| 222.1 | 31.5 | | 253.6 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
| 8.8 | 0.8 | | 9.6 | ||||||||||||||
Income taxes payable |
| 2.3 | 1.3 | | 3.6 | ||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
96.2 | 382.3 | 98.5 | | 577.0 | ||||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
1,308.5 | 0.2 | | | 1,308.7 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
| (9.5 | ) | 15.5 | | 6.0 | |||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
| 30.5 | 11.5 | | 42.0 | ||||||||||||||
Intercompany payables |
357.2 | | 1.5 | (358.7 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Intercompany loan |
| | 6.3 | (6.3 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
11.0 | 13.0 | 34.8 | | 58.8 | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
1,772.9 | 416.5 | 168.1 | (365.0 | ) | 1,992.5 | |||||||||||||
Minority interests |
| | 0.5 | | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity (deficit) |
(382.7 | ) | 1,289.0 | 62.6 | (1,341.1 | ) | (372.2 | ) | |||||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity (deficit) |
$ | 1,390.2 | $ | 1,705.5 | $ | 231.2 | $ | (1,706.1 | ) | $ | 1,620.8 | ||||||||
17
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006
(In millions)
Parent
Company |
Guarantor
Subsidiaries |
Non-
Guarantor
|
Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
Assets |
|||||||||||||||||||
Current assets: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | | $ | 59.6 | $ | 24.7 | $ | | $ | 84.3 | |||||||||
Restricted cash |
| 24.7 | 4.1 | | 28.8 | ||||||||||||||
Receivables, net |
| 40.1 | 30.6 | | 70.7 | ||||||||||||||
Receivables from related parties |
0.1 | 15.1 | 0.4 | (0.1 | ) | 15.5 | |||||||||||||
Profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers |
| 59.5 | | | 59.5 | ||||||||||||||
Prepaid commissions |
| 64.6 | 7.9 | | 72.5 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax receivable |
| 0.7 | 2.5 | | 3.2 | ||||||||||||||
Other current assets |
0.1 | 24.4 | 14.9 | | 39.4 | ||||||||||||||
Total current assets |
0.2 | 288.7 | 85.1 | (0.1 | ) | 373.9 | |||||||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
| 88.6 | 11.4 | | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||
Contract rights and list fees, net |
| 10.6 | 51.4 | | 62.0 | ||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
| 289.4 | 10.6 | | 300.0 | ||||||||||||||
Other intangibles, net |
| 925.6 | 79.9 | | 1,005.5 | ||||||||||||||
Investment in subsidiaries |
1,385.3 | | | (1,385.3 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Intercompany receivables |
| 202.4 | | (202.4 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Intercompany loan |
16.0 | | | (16.0 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Other non-current assets |
35.1 | 7.9 | 5.1 | | 48.1 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,436.6 | $ | 1,813.2 | $ | 243.5 | $ | (1,603.8 | ) | $ | 1,889.5 | ||||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity (Deficit) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 50.0 | $ | 0.2 | $ | | $ | | $ | 50.2 | |||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
22.6 | 201.5 | 55.3 | (0.1 | ) | 279.3 | |||||||||||||
Payables to related parties |
2.0 | 4.3 | 5.6 | | 11.9 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
| 250.8 | 21.5 | | 272.3 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
| 9.7 | 1.8 | | 11.5 | ||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
74.6 | 466.5 | 84.2 | (0.1 | ) | 625.2 | |||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
1,357.8 | 0.4 | | | 1,358.2 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
| (2.0 | ) | 22.2 | | 20.2 | |||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
| 20.6 | 7.1 | | 27.7 | ||||||||||||||
Intercompany payables |
197.4 | | 5.0 | (202.4 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Intercompany loans |
| | 16.0 | (16.0 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
| 12.8 | 31.7 | | 44.5 | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
1,629.8 | 498.3 | 166.2 | (218.5 | ) | 2,075.8 | |||||||||||||
Minority in t erests |
| | 0.6 | | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity (deficit) |
(193.2 | ) | 1,314.9 | 76.7 | (1,385.3 | ) | (186.9 | ) | |||||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity (deficit) |
$ | 1,436.6 | $ | 1,813.2 | $ | 243.5 | $ | (1,603.8 | ) | $ | 1,889.5 | ||||||||
18
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
(In millions)
Parent
Company |
Guarantor
Subsidiaries |
Non-
Guarantor
|
Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | | $ | 275.1 | $ | 55.5 | $ | | $ | 330.6 | ||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Marketing and commissions |
| 130.3 | 19.0 | | 149.3 | |||||||||||||||
Operating costs |
| 53.5 | 26.1 | | 79.6 | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative |
0.6 | 21.5 | 3.8 | | 25.9 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 70.6 | 12.3 | | 82.9 | |||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
0.6 | 275.9 | 61.2 | | 337.7 | |||||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(0.6 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (5.7 | ) | | (7.1 | ) | |||||||||||
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries |
(5.7 | ) | | | 5.7 | | ||||||||||||||
Interest income |
| 0.6 | 0.3 | | 0.9 | |||||||||||||||
Interest income intercompany |
0.3 | | | (0.3 | ) | | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(37.2 | ) | | (1.5 | ) | | (38.7 | ) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense intercompany |
| | (0.3 | ) | 0.3 | | ||||||||||||||
Corporate allocations |
| 0.9 | (0.9 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interests |
(43.2 | ) | 0.7 | (8.1 | ) | 5.7 | (44.9 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(0.1 | ) | (1.0 | ) | 2.8 | | 1.7 | |||||||||||||
Minority interests, net of tax |
| | (0.1 | ) | | (0.1 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (43.3 | ) | $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | (5.4 | ) | $ | 5.7 | $ | (43.3 | ) | ||||||
19
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
(In millions)
20
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
(In millions)
Parent
Company |
Guarantor
Subsidiaries |
Non-
Guarantor
|
Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | | $ | 687.2 | $ | 114.4 | $ | | $ | 801.6 | |||||||||
Expenses: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Marketing and commissions |
| 377.3 | 34.9 | | 412.2 | ||||||||||||||
Operating costs |
| 170.9 | 67.7 | | 238.6 | ||||||||||||||
General and administrative |
3.1 | 67.2 | 11.5 | | 81.8 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 293.4 | 21.5 | | 314.9 | ||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
3.1 | 908.8 | 135.6 | | 1,047.5 | ||||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(3.1 | ) | (221.6 | ) | (21.2 | ) | | (245.9 | ) | ||||||||||
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries |
(256.3 | ) | | | 256.3 | | |||||||||||||
Interest income |
0.3 | 3.1 | 0.9 | | 4.3 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(113.1 | ) | | (0.6 | ) | | (113.7 | ) | |||||||||||
Other expense |
| (0.1 | ) | | | (0.1 | ) | ||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes and minority interests |
(372.2 | ) | (218.6 | ) | (20.9 | ) | 256.3 | (355.4 | ) | ||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
17.2 | (22.5 | ) | 6.0 | | 0.7 | |||||||||||||
Minority interests, net of tax |
| | (0.3 | ) | | (0.3 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (355.0 | ) | $ | (241.1 | ) | $ | (15.2 | ) | $ | 256.3 | $ | (355.0 | ) | |||||
21
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
(In millions)
Parent
Company |
Guarantor
Subsidiaries |
Non-
Guarantor
|
Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Activities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (156.6 | ) | $ | (26.3 | ) | $ | (18.1 | ) | $ | 44.4 | $ | (156.6 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 210.7 | 31.4 | | 242.1 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts |
| (1.7 | ) | (0.5 | ) | | (2.2 | ) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of debt discount and financing costs |
5.0 | | | | 5.0 | |||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap |
2.2 | | | | 2.2 | |||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
1.8 | | | | 1.8 | |||||||||||||||
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries |
44.4 | | | (44.4 | ) | | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(0.3 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (9.8 | ) | | (10.3 | ) | |||||||||||
Net change in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
| (1.1 | ) | | | (1.1 | ) | |||||||||||||
Receivables |
| 2.8 | 0.2 | | 3.0 | |||||||||||||||
Receivables from related parties |
| 3.0 | 0.1 | | 3.1 | |||||||||||||||
Profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers |
| (12.5 | ) | | | (12.5 | ) | |||||||||||||
Prepaid commissions |
| 15.3 | (1.6 | ) | | 13.7 | ||||||||||||||
Other current assets |
(3.4 | ) | 7.8 | (1.4 | ) | | 3.0 | |||||||||||||
Contract rights and list fees |
| (0.9 | ) | | | (0.9 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other non-current assets |
(0.9 | ) | (4.3 | ) | (0.1 | ) | | (5.3 | ) | |||||||||||
Intercompany receivables and payables |
159.8 | (156.3 | ) | (3.5 | ) | | | |||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
44.9 | (58.2 | ) | 2.6 | | (10.7 | ) | |||||||||||||
Payables to related parties |
(0.1 | ) | 1.1 | (5.9 | ) | | (4.9 | ) | ||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
| (18.7 | ) | 14.1 | | (4.6 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income taxes receivable and payable |
0.6 | 3.0 | 3.8 | | 7.4 | |||||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
0.3 | 1.1 | (8.3 | ) | | (6.9 | ) | |||||||||||||
Minority interests and other, net |
(0.4 | ) | 0.5 | (0.3 | ) | | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
97.3 | (34.9 | ) | 2.7 | | 65.1 | ||||||||||||||
Investing Activities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(0.2 | ) | (16.3 | ) | (2.1 | ) | | (18.6 | ) | |||||||||||
Acquisition-related payments, net of cash |
| (0.8 | ) | | | (0.8 | ) | |||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(0.2 | ) | (17.1 | ) | (2.1 | ) | | (19.4 | ) | |||||||||||
Financing Activities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Principal payments on borrowings |
(75.0 | ) | (0.1 | ) | | | (75.1 | ) | ||||||||||||
Intercompany loan |
10.0 | | (10.0 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||
Dividends paid to parent company |
(32.1 | ) | | | | (32.1 | ) | |||||||||||||
Distribution to minority shareholder of a subsidiary |
| | (0.4 | ) | | (0.4 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(97.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (10.4 | ) | | (107.6 | ) | |||||||||||
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents |
| | 0.1 | | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
| (52.1 | ) | (9.7 | ) | | (61.8 | ) | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
| 59.6 | 24.7 | | 84.3 | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | | $ | 7.5 | $ | 15.0 | $ | | $ | 22.5 | ||||||||||
22
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
(In millions)
Parent
Company |
Guarantor
Subsidiaries |
Non-
Guarantor
|
Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Activities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (355.0 | ) | $ | (241.1 | ) | $ | (15.2 | ) | $ | 256.3 | $ | (355.0 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 293.4 | 21.5 | | 314.9 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts |
| 3.1 | (0.5 | ) | | 2.6 | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of debt discount and financing costs |
14.4 | | | | 14.4 | |||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap |
(1.5 | ) | | | | (1.5 | ) | |||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
7.8 | | | | 7.8 | |||||||||||||||
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries |
256.3 | | | (256.3 | ) | | ||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(0.2 | ) | 3.6 | (10.9 | ) | | (7.5 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net change in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
| (3.3 | ) | (0.1 | ) | | (3.4 | ) | ||||||||||||
Receivables |
| (4.9 | ) | (4.1 | ) | | (9.0 | ) | ||||||||||||
Receivables from related parties |
| (2.2 | ) | | | (2.2 | ) | |||||||||||||
Profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers |
| 8.6 | | | 8.6 | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid commissions |
| (38.1 | ) | (3.4 | ) | | (41.5 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other current assets |
(0.5 | ) | 3.9 | 2.1 | | 5.5 | ||||||||||||||
Contract rights and list fees |
| (6.9 | ) | | | (6.9 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other non-current assets |
| (2.8 | ) | (1.4 | ) | | (4.2 | ) | ||||||||||||
Intercompany receivables and payables |
110.3 | (111.7 | ) | 1.4 | | | ||||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
10.7 | (17.9 | ) | 3.3 | | (3.9 | ) | |||||||||||||
Payables to related parties |
| 1.8 | 0.1 | | 1.9 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
| 151.9 | 13.3 | | 165.2 | |||||||||||||||
Income taxes receivable and payable |
| 0.4 | (1.4 | ) | | (1.0 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
| (3.5 | ) | (0.8 | ) | | (4.3 | ) | ||||||||||||
Minority interests and other, net |
| 0.4 | 0.1 | | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
42.3 | 34.7 | 4.0 | | 81.0 | |||||||||||||||
Investing Activities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
| (17.4 | ) | (1.0 | ) | | (18.4 | ) | ||||||||||||
Restricted cash |
| | 2.1 | | 2.1 | |||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
| (17.4 | ) | 1.1 | | (16.3 | ) | |||||||||||||
Financing Activities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Principal payments on borrowings |
(443.6 | ) | (0.4 | ) | | | (444.0 | ) | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from borrowings |
385.7 | | | | 385.7 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred financing costs |
(10.9 | ) | | | | (10.9 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(68.8 | ) | (0.4 | ) | | | (69.2 | ) | ||||||||||||
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents |
| | 2.4 | | 2.4 | |||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
(26.5 | ) | 16.9 | 7.5 | | (2.1 | ) | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
27.3 | 66.1 | 20.0 | | 113.4 | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 0.8 | $ | 83.0 | $ | 27.5 | $ | | $ | 111.3 | ||||||||||
23
Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
This Report is prepared by Affinion Group, Inc. Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, in this Report all references to Affinion, the Company, we, our and us refer to Affinion Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions (as discussed under The Transactions below), but for periods prior to the consummation of the transactions, refer to the historical operations of the Predecessor.
The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the period from October 17, 2005 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2005 and the Predecessors combined financial statements for the period from January 1, 2005 to October 16, 2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2004 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Our disclosure and analysis in this Form 10-Q may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as anticipate, estimate, expect, project, intend, plan, believe and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Form 10-Q that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are largely based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control.
Although we believe our estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition, managements assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. Management cautions all readers that the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure any reader that those statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to the factors listed under Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Form 10-K and the Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.
Introduction
Managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (MD&A) is provided as a supplement to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere herein to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, results of our operations and changes in our financial condition. The MD&A is organized as follows:
|
Overview . This section provides a general description of our business and operating segments, as well as recent developments that we believe are important in understanding our results of operations and financial condition and in anticipating future trends. |
|
Results of operations . This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. This analysis is presented on both a consolidated basis and on an operating segment basis. |
|
Financial condition, liquidity and capital resources . This section provides an analysis of our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 and our financial condition as of September 30, 2007, as well as a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources. |
24
|
Critical accounting policies . This section discusses certain significant accounting policies considered to be important to our financial condition and results of operations and which require significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in their application. In addition, we refer you to our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the period from October 17, 2005 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2005, and the Predecessors combined financial statements for the periods from January 1, 2005 to October 16, 2005, and for the year ended December 31, 2004 included in our Form 10-K for a summary of our significant accounting policies. |
Overview
Description of Business
We are a leading global provider of comprehensive marketing services and loyalty programs to many of the largest and most respected companies in the world. We partner with these leading companies to develop customized marketing programs that provide valuable products and services to their end customers using our creative design and product development capabilities. These products and services enable our marketing partners to strengthen their customer relationships, as well as generate significant incremental revenue, generally in the form of commission payments paid by us. We have substantial expertise in deploying various types of media, such as direct mail and the Internet, and bundling unique benefits to offer valuable products and services to the end customers of our marketing partners on a highly targeted basis. We provide credit monitoring and identity-theft resolution, accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D), discount travel services, loyalty programs, various checking account and credit card enhancement services and other products and services. We believe we are a market leader in each of our product areas and that our portfolio of products and services is the broadest in the industry. Our scale, combined with our nearly 35 years of experience, unique proprietary database, proven marketing techniques and strong marketing partner relationships, position us to perform well and grow in a variety of market conditions.
As of September 30, 2007 we had approximately 70 million members and end customers worldwide.
We organize our business into two operating units:
|
Affinion North America . Affinion North America comprises our Membership, Insurance and Package, and Loyalty product operations in North America |
|
Membership Products . We design, implement and market membership programs that provide members with access to a variety of discounts and shop-at-home conveniences in such areas as retail merchandise, travel, automotive and home improvement as well as personal protection benefits and value-added services including credit monitoring and identity-theft resolution services. |
|
Insurance and Package Products . We market AD&D and other insurance programs and design and provide checking account enhancement programs to financial institutions. |
|
Loyalty Products . We design, implement and administer points-based loyalty programs and manage loyalty points for financial, travel, auto and other companies. We also provide enhancement benefits to major financial institutions in connection with their credit and debit card programs. |
|
Affinion International . Affinion International comprises our Membership, Package and Loyalty product operations outside North America. We expect to leverage our current Western European operational platform to expand our range of products and services, develop new affinity partner relationships in various industries and grow our geographical footprint. |
We offer all of our products and services through both retail and wholesale arrangements, although on a wholesale basis, currently we primarily provide services and benefits derived from our credit card registration, credit monitoring and identity theft resolution products. In our retail arrangements, we incur marketing expenses to acquire new customers for our subscription-based membership, insurance and package enhancement products with the objective of building highly profitable and predictable recurring future revenue streams and cash flows. More recently, the Company has entered into other retail relationships with new and existing affinity partners, including arrangements where the affinity partner offers the Companys membership programs at point of sale locations to their customers and the Company receives a membership fee and generally pays the affinity partner related commission expense. For our membership and package enhancement products, these marketing costs are expensed when the campaign is launched, while in our insurance products these costs were capitalized and amortized over 12 years in proportion to the revenue expected to be earned from those campaigns through the date of the Transactions. For periods following the closing of the Transactions, we have changed our accounting policy so that these insurance marketing costs are expensed when the costs are incurred as the campaign is launched, similar to our accounting for the marketing costs associated with our membership and package products. This change will eliminate the historical differences between our actual cash marketing spend and the marketing costs expensed in a period.
Our membership programs are offered under a variety of terms and conditions. Members are usually offered incentives (e.g. free credit reports or other premiums) and one to three month risk-free trial periods to encourage them to use the benefits of membership before they are billed. We do not recognize any revenue during the trial period and expense the cost of all incentives and program benefits and servicing costs as incurred.
25
Customers of our membership programs typically pay their membership fees either annually or monthly. Our membership products may have significant timing differences between the receipt of membership fees for annual members and revenue recognition. Historically, memberships were offered primarily under full money back terms whereby a member could receive a full refund upon cancellation at any time during the current membership term. These revenues are recognized upon completion of the membership term when they are no longer refundable. Depending on the length of the trial period, this revenue may not be recognized for up to 16 months after the related marketing spend is incurred and expensed. Currently, annual memberships are primarily offered under pro-rata arrangements in which the member is entitled to a prorated refund for the unused portion of their membership term. This allows us to recognize revenue ratably over the annual membership term. In late 2003, we began to expand the types of memberships that we offer to include memberships under monthly payment programs. In the first nine months of 2007, approximately 61% of our new member enrollments were in monthly payment programs. Revenue is recognized monthly under both annual pro rata and monthly memberships, allowing for a better matching of revenues and related servicing and benefit costs when compared to annual full money back memberships. Memberships remain under the billing terms in which they were originated. As we replace annual memberships with monthly memberships we receive less cash at the beginning of the membership term and, therefore, have lower deferred revenue resulting in temporarily higher Segment EBITDA (as discussed under Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital ResourcesReconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures below) than cash flows from operations. We believe that once monthly memberships, as a percentage of all members within the membership base, reach a constant level, Segment EBITDA and cash flows from operations will be more closely aligned.
We generally utilize the brand names, customer contacts and billing vehicles (credit or debit card, checking account, mortgage or other type of billing arrangement) of our affinity partners in our marketing campaigns. We usually compensate our affinity partners either through commissions based on revenues we receive from members (which we expense in proportion to the revenue we recognize) or up-front marketing payments, commonly referred to as bounties (which we expense when incurred). The commission rates which we pay to our affinity partners differ depending on the arrangement we have with the particular affinity partner and the type of media we utilize for a given marketing campaign. For example, marketing campaigns utilizing direct mail and online channels generally have lower commission rates than other marketing channels which we use. As a result of recent changes in affinity partner arrangements and a higher percentage of our new customers being acquired through the direct mail and online media, our membership commission rates for the past five years have consistently decreased as a percentage of revenue.
We serve as an agent and third-party administrator for the marketing of AD&D and our other insurance products. Free trial periods and incentives are generally not offered with our insurance programs. Insurance program participants typically pay their insurance premiums either monthly or quarterly. Insurance revenues are recognized ratably over the insurance period and there are no significant differences between cash flows and related revenue recognition. We earn revenue in the form of commissions collected on behalf of the insurance carriers and participate in profit-sharing relationships with the carriers that underwrite the insurance policies that we market. Our estimated share of profits from these arrangements is reflected as profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and any changes in estimated profit sharing are periodically recorded as an adjustment to net revenue. Revenue from insurance programs is reported net of insurance costs in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
In our wholesale arrangements, we provide products and services as well as customer service and fulfillment related to such products and services supporting our affinity partners programs that they offer to their customers. Our affinity partners are typically responsible for customer acquisition, retention, and collection and generally pay us one-time implementation fees and on-going monthly service fees based on the number of members enrolled in their programs. Implementation fees are recognized ratably over the contract period while service fees are recognized in the month earned. Wholesale revenues also include revenues from transactional activities associated with our programs such as the sales of additional credit reports and discount shopping and travel purchases by members. The revenues from such transactional activities are recognized in the month earned.
We have made significant progress in increasing the flexibility of our business model by transitioning our operations from a highly fixed-cost structure to a more variable-cost structure by combining similar functions and processes, consolidating facilities and outsourcing a significant portion of our call center and other back-office processing. This added flexibility should better enable us to redeploy our marketing expenditures globally across our operations to maximize returns.
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Factors Affecting Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Competitive Environment
As a leader in the affinity direct marketing industry, we compete with many other organizations, including certain of our affinity partners, to obtain a share of the customers business. As affinity direct marketers, we derive our leads from customer contacts, which our competitors seek access to, and we must generate sufficient earnings per lead for our affinity partners to compete effectively for access to their customer contacts.
We compete with companies of varying size, financial strength and availability of resources. Our competitors include marketing solutions providers, financial institutions, insurance companies, consumer goods companies, internet companies and others, as well as direct marketers offering similar programs. Some of our competitors are larger than we are, with more resources, financial and otherwise.
We expect this competitive environment to continue in the foreseeable future.
Financial Industry Trends
Historically, financial institutions have represented a significant majority of our affinity partner base. In the past few years, a number of our existing financial institution affinity partners have been acquired by, or merged with, other financial institutions. Several recent examples include Bank of America Corporation and MBNA Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank One Corporation, and Washington Mutual, Inc. and Providian Financial. As we generally have relationships with either the acquirer, the target or, as in most cases, both the acquirer and the target, this industry consolidation has not, to date, had a material long-term impact on either our marketing opportunities or our margins, but has created delays in new program launches while the merging institutions focus on consolidating their internal operations.
In certain circumstances, our financial affinity partners have sought to source and market their own in-house programs, most notably programs that are analogous to our credit card registration, credit monitoring and identity-theft resolution services. As we have sought to maintain our market share and to continue these programs with our partners, in some circumstances, we have shifted from a retail marketing arrangement to a wholesale arrangement, which has lower net revenue, but unlike our retail arrangement, has no related commission expense. As a result, we have experienced a revenue reduction in our membership business. This trend has also caused some reductions in our profit margins, most notably in the in-bound telemarketing channel.
Internationally, our package products have been primarily offered by some of the largest financial institutions in Europe. As these banks attempt to increase their own net revenues and margins, we have experienced significant price reductions when our agreements come up for renewal from what we had previously been able to charge these institutions for our programs. We expect this pricing pressure on our international package offerings to continue in the future.
Regulatory Environment
We are subject to federal and state regulation as well as regulation by foreign authorities in other jurisdictions. Certain regulations that govern our operations include: federal, state and foreign marketing laws; federal, state and foreign privacy laws; and federal, state and foreign insurance and consumer protection regulations. Federal regulations are primarily enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission. State regulations are primarily enforced by individual state attorneys general. Foreign regulations are enforced by a number of regulatory bodies in the relevant jurisdictions.
These regulations primarily impact the means we use to market our programs, which can reduce the acceptance rates of our solicitation efforts, and impact our ability to obtain updated information from our members and end-customers. In our insurance products, these regulations limit our ability to implement pricing changes.
We incur significant costs to ensure compliance with these regulations; however, we are party to lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, and state attorney general investigations involving our business practices which also increase our costs of doing business.
Seasonality
Historically, seasonality has not had a significant impact on our business. Our revenues are more affected by the timing of marketing programs which can change from year to year depending on the opportunities available and pursued.
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Business History
General . Our business started with our North American membership products in 1973. Over a decade later we expanded our business to include North American insurance and package products. In 1988, we acquired a loyalty and enhancement programs business and in the early 1990s, we expanded our membership and package products internationally. During these periods, the various products within the combined financial statements operated independently and were subject to certain non-compete agreements between them which limited their access to new channels, affinity partners, products and markets.
In 2004, we terminated the non-compete agreements described above and streamlined our organizational structure to integrate these historically separately managed product lines. Accordingly, our North American membership, insurance, package and loyalty products came under common management beginning in the first quarter of 2004 and the North American management team assumed responsibility for our international products in late 2004 and oversight of the travel agency in the first quarter of 2005.
Integration and the 2005 Reorganization . In February 2004, we began integrating the North American membership, insurance and package product operations. The organizational structures supporting these product lines were realigned to combine departments and eliminate redundant functions. We reorganized the sales forces to be more aligned with the needs of our affinity partners and have a unified and comprehensive approach to the North American market. We also combined our marketing and procurement functions to take advantage of the larger scale of the combined businesses. During 2004 and continuing in 2005, as part of this initial integration effort, we incurred approximately $7.4 million of severance and other restructuring costs recorded primarily in general and administrative expense on the combined statements of operations. These severance and other restructuring costs have resulted in approximately $9.7 million of annual ongoing cost savings, a portion of which was realized in 2004, with the majority realized in 2005.
In 2005, we developed reorganization plans for our international and North American travel agency operations based on our successful earlier integration efforts, including facility consolidation, outsourcing of our call centers and other back office functions, as well as eliminating redundant functions and centralizing oversight for common processes (the 2005 Reorganization). During 2005, we incurred $8.1 million of costs as part of the 2005 Reorganization and, during 2006, we incurred an additional $2.1 million of costs as part of the 2005 Reorganization recorded primarily in general and administrative expense on the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. As a result, we have generated approximately $11.0 million of annual cost savings, a portion of which was realized in 2005 with the majority realized in 2006. We anticipate no offsetting increases in expenses or decreases in revenues at this time as a result of these initiatives.
The Transactions
On October 17, 2005, Cendant Corporation (Cendant) completed the sale of the Cendant Marketing Services Division (the Predecessor) to Affinion Group, Inc. (the Company or Affinion), an affiliate of Apollo Management V, L.P. (Apollo), pursuant to a purchase agreement dated July 26, 2005 for approximately $1.8 billion (together with the related financings, the Transactions). The purchase price consisted of approximately $1.7 billion of cash, net of estimated closing adjustments, plus $125.0 million face value of 125,000 shares of newly issued preferred stock (then fair value of $80.4 million) of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (Affinion Holdings), our parent company, and a warrant (then fair value of $16.7 million) that is exercisable for 4,437,170 shares of common stock of Affinion Holdings, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and $38.1 million of transaction-related costs.
The warrant was exercisable on or after October 17, 2009 (or earlier, if Apollo achieved certain returns on its investment or if a dividend or distribution was paid on Affinion Holdings common stock). As a result of a special dividend on its common stock distributed by Affinion Holdings in January 2007, the warrant became exercisable at an exercise price of $10.38 per share. The warrant will expire 30 days after notice is received by the warrant holders from Affinion Holdings that Apollo and its affiliates have received certain specified investment returns.
The preferred stock entitles its holder to receive dividends of 8.5% per annum (payable, at Affinion Holdings option, either in cash or in kind) and ranks senior to shares of all other classes or series of stock with respect to rights upon a liquidation or sale of Affinion Holdings at a price of the then-current face amount, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. The preferred stock is redeemable at Affinion Holdings option at any time, subject to the applicable terms of our debt instruments and applicable laws. In conjunction with a special dividend on its common stock distributed by Affinion Holdings in January 2007, Affinion Holdings also redeemed 95,107 shares of its preferred stock at its initial face amount plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Immediately following the redemption, 29,893 shares of preferred stock with a face amount of $33.3 million, representing an initial face amount of $29.9 million plus accrued and unpaid dividends of $3.4 million, were outstanding.
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On October 14, 2005, the Predecessor acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of TRL Group, Inc. (TRL Group) not owned by the Predecessor for approximately $15.7 million and the credit agreement provided by Cendant to TRL Group was terminated. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock and membership interests of the Predecessor, as well as substantially all of the Predecessors assets and liabilities. Certain assets and liabilities of the Predecessor were retained by Cendant pursuant to the purchase agreement.
As part of the Transactions, we made a special tax election referred to as a 338(h)(10) election with respect to the Predecessor. Under the 338(h)(10) election, the companies constituting the Predecessor were deemed to have sold and repurchased their assets at fair market value. By adjusting the tax basis in such assets to fair market value for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the aggregate amount of our tax deductions for depreciation and amortization will increase, which will reduce our cash taxes in the future and thus further enhance our free cash flow generation.
Results of Operations
Supplemental Data
The following table provides data for selected business segments.
Three Months Ended
September 30, |
Nine Months Ended
September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | |||||||||||||
Affinion North America |
||||||||||||||||
Membership Products: |
||||||||||||||||
Retail |
||||||||||||||||
Average Members (1) (000s) |
8,011 | 9,023 | 8,262 | 9,248 | ||||||||||||
% Monthly Members |
34.8 | % | 36.1 | % | 36.2 | % | 34.3 | % | ||||||||
% Annual Members |
65.2 | % | 63.9 | % | 63.8 | % | 65.7 | % | ||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Average Member (2) |
$ | 74.39 | $ | 69.44 | $ | 71.31 | $ | 66.83 | ||||||||
Wholesale |
||||||||||||||||
Average Members (1) (000s) |
3,543 | 3,969 | 3,652 | 3,948 | ||||||||||||
Portion for service formerly retail and other (000s) (3) |
2,307 | 2,109 | 2,228 | 2,018 | ||||||||||||
Retail including wholesale formerly retail and other (000s) |
10,318 | 11,132 | 10,490 | 11,266 | ||||||||||||
Global Membership Products: |
||||||||||||||||
Retail |
||||||||||||||||
Average Members (1)(4) (000s) |
8,236 | 9,138 | 8,472 | 9,324 | ||||||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Average Member (2) |
$ | 75.42 | $ | 69.73 | $ | 72.32 | $ | 66.98 | ||||||||
Average Retail Members including wholesale formerly retail and other (4) (000s) |
10,543 | 11,247 | 10,700 | 11,342 | ||||||||||||
Insurance and Package Products: |
||||||||||||||||
Insurance |
||||||||||||||||
Average Basic Insured (1) (000s) |
25,535 | 27,523 | 26,078 | 27,916 | ||||||||||||
Average Supplemental Insured (000s) |
5,053 | 5,337 | 5,134 | 5,332 | ||||||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Supplemental Insured (2) |
$ | 51.49 | $ | 48.29 | $ | 52.27 | $ | 47.58 | ||||||||
Package |
||||||||||||||||
Average Members (1) (000s) |
6,020 | 6,763 | 6,226 | 6,943 | ||||||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Average Member (2) |
$ | 13.53 | $ | 13.28 | $ | 13.56 | $ | 13.53 | ||||||||
Affinion International |
||||||||||||||||
International Products: |
||||||||||||||||
Package |
||||||||||||||||
Average Members (1) (000s) |
16,365 | 15,874 | 16,433 | 16,900 | ||||||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Average Package Member (2) |
$ | 8.52 | $ | 7.23 | $ | 8.07 | $ | 6.79 | ||||||||
Other Retail Membership |
||||||||||||||||
Average Members (1) (000s) |
1,900 | 2,338 | 2,221 | 2,336 | ||||||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Average Member (2) |
$ | 31.79 | $ | 21.12 | $ | 25.25 | $ | 20.98 | ||||||||
New Retail Membership |
||||||||||||||||
Average Members (1) (000s) |
225 | 115 | 210 | 76 | ||||||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Average Member (2) |
$ | 111.95 | $ | 91.94 | $ | 112.15 | $ | 84.78 |
(1) |
Average Members and Average Basic Insured for the period are each calculated by determining the average members or insureds, as applicable, for each month (adding the number of members or insureds, as applicable, at the beginning |
29
of the month with the number of members or insureds, as applicable, at the end of the month and dividing that total by two) for each of the months in the period and then averaging that result for the period (i.e. quarter or year-to-date). A members or insureds, as applicable, count is removed in the period in which the member or insured, as applicable, has cancelled. |
(2) |
Annualized Net Revenue Per Average Member and Annualized Net Revenue Per Supplemental Insured are each calculated by taking the revenues as reported for the period (i.e. quarter or year-to-date) and dividing it by the average members or insureds, as applicable, for the period. Quarterly periods are then multiplied by four to annualize this amount for comparative purposes. Upon cancellation of a member or an insured, as applicable, the members or insureds, as applicable, revenues are no longer recognized in the calculation. |
(3) |
Certain programs historically offered as retail arrangements are currently offered as wholesale arrangements where the Company receives lower annualized price points and pays no related commission expense. Additionally, more recently, the Company has entered into other relationships with new and existing affinity partners, including arrangements where the affinity partner offers the Companys membership programs at point of sale retail locations to their customers and the Company receives lower annualized price points and pays no related commission expense. |
(4) |
Includes International Operations New Retail Average Members. |
In late 2002, our membership operations changed its strategic focus to overall profitability and generating higher revenue from each member rather than the size of our member base. This has resulted in lower average members, partially offset by higher average revenues per member at lower commission rates and lower variable cost and higher contribution per member. Following a competitive analysis of the marketplace, we recognized that our products were priced below similar products offered in the marketplace. Additionally, we recognized that there were opportunities to further optimize marketing campaigns that had the effect of acquiring less members but nonetheless such members were more profitable in the aggregate. By raising prices and marketing more efficiently, we were able to increase our revenues even though less aggregate members joined our programs. For example, 100 consumers joining a product with a $100 annual fee is likely to generate more revenue than 120 consumers joining a product with a $75 annual fee. Accordingly, by increasing the prices for our products and engaging in marketing campaigns that were designed to achieve a greater return on marketing investment, we may be able to increase our revenues even though the aggregate number of members in our base declined.
Wholesale members include members where we typically receive a monthly service fee to support programs offered by our affinity partners. Certain programs historically offered as retail arrangements are currently offered as wholesale arrangements where the Company receives lower annualized price points and pays no related commission expense. Additionally, more recently, the Company has entered into other relationships with new and existing affinity partners, including arrangements where the affinity partner offers the Companys membership programs at point of sale retail locations to their customers and the Company receives lower annualized price points and pays no related commission expense.
Basic insureds typically receive $1,000 of AD&D coverage at no cost to the consumer since the affinity partner pays the cost of this coverage. Supplemental insureds are customers who have elected to pay premiums for higher levels of coverage. Average supplemental members have decreased primarily due to reductions in new marketing spend. Average annualized net revenue per insured has increased primarily due to the introduction of higher priced programs and higher levels of AD&D insurance coverage.
Domestic package members have declined primarily due to certain client terminations, some of which were at lower prices than the net revenue per average member.
Segment EBITDA
Segment EBITDA consists of income from operations before depreciation and amortization. Segment EBITDA is the measure management uses to evaluate segment performance and we present Segment EBITDA to enhance your understanding of our operating performance. We use Segment EBITDA as one criterion for evaluating our performance relative to that of our peers. We believe that Segment EBITDA is an operating performance measure, and not a liquidity measure, that provides investors and analysts with a measure of operating results unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles and ages of related assets among otherwise comparable companies. However, Segment EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and Segment EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. You should not consider Segment EBITDA as an alternative to operating or net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of operating performance or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, or as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity.
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Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006
The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:
Three Months
Ended September 30, 2007 |
Three Months
Ended September 30, 2006 |
Increase
(Decrease) Related to the Transaction |
Increase
(Decrease) Other |
|||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 330.6 | $ | 291.4 | $ | 41.7 | $ | (2.5 | ) | |||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Marketing and commissions |
149.3 | 138.6 | 10.4 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Operating costs |
79.6 | 81.4 | 6.8 | (8.6 | ) | |||||||||||
General and administrative |
25.9 | 26.4 | (2.4 | ) | 1.9 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
82.9 | 106.7 | (29.6 | ) | 5.8 | |||||||||||
Total expenses |
337.7 | 353.1 | (14.8 | ) | (0.6 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(7.1 | ) | (61.7 | ) | 56.5 | (1.9 | ) | |||||||||
Interest income |
0.9 | 1.4 | | (0.5 | ) | |||||||||||
Interest expense |
(38.7 | ) | (39.3 | ) | | 0.6 | ||||||||||
Other expense |
| (0.1 | ) | | 0.1 | |||||||||||
Loss before income taxes and minority interests |
(44.9 | ) | (99.7 | ) | 56.5 | (1.7 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
1.7 | 1.1 | (1.2 | ) | 1.8 | |||||||||||
Minority interests, net of tax |
(0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (43.3 | ) | $ | (98.7 | ) | $ | 55.3 | $ | 0.1 | ||||||
Overview of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
The following is an overview of major changes affecting our operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2007.
Purchase accounting adjustments made in the Transactions had a significant impact on our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to September 30, 2006. These entries, which are non-cash in nature, increased net revenues by $41.7 million and reduced loss from operations by $56.5 million. The effect of purchase accounting adjustments related to deferred revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to September 30, 2006 increased net revenues by $37.0 million, marketing and commissions expense by $10.4 million and operating costs by $5.3 million. In addition, the absence in 2007 of amortization of an asset from a favorable contract recorded in September 2006 increased net revenues by $4.7 million, while lower amortization of unfavorable contracts increased operating costs by $1.5 million. We recorded $29.6 million less depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 which positively affected results of operations.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006
The following section provides an overview of our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. Calculated percentages are based on amounts as reported which, for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, reflect the impact of purchase accounting.
Net Revenues . During the three months ended September 30, 2007, we reported net revenues of $330.6 million, an increase of $39.2 million, or 13.5%, as compared to net revenues of $291.4 million in the comparable 2006 period. Approximately $37.0 million of the increase was due to an adjustment to deferred revenue related to the Transactions in 2005. Deferred revenue was originally written down as part of purchase accounting. The majority of the negative impact of this adjustment has been recognized in 2005 and 2006, and such impact will decline in future periods. In addition, net revenues increased by $4.7 million from the absence in 2007 of amortization related to an asset recorded in purchase accounting for a favorable contract. Net revenues excluding the impact of the Transactions decreased $2.5 million primarily due to decreases in Membership products of $7.4 million and Loyalty products of $6.7 million partially offset by increases in International products of $11.3 million. Membership products decreased due to lower retail member volumes which were partially offset by higher average revenues per retail member and higher wholesale revenues from programs that were formerly retail. Loyalty products net revenues decreased due to the absence in 2007 of royalty revenue from a patent license agreement which expired in December 2006 and contract terminations.
31
International products net revenues increased primarily due to new program introductions for our new retail offerings, growth in the package business and a favorable impact due to the weaker U.S dollar.
Marketing and Commissions Expense . Marketing and commissions expense increased by $10.7 million, or 7.7%, to $149.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 from $138.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. Approximately $10.4 million of the increase was the result of higher commission expense related to the recording of non-cash purchase accounting adjustments to prepaid commissions related to deferred revenues. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, marketing and commissions expense was $0.3 million higher primarily due to higher global marketing spend substantially offset by lower commissions.
Operating Costs . Operating costs decreased by $1.8 million, or 2.2%, to $79.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 from $81.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. Operating costs increased as a result of the Transactions by $6.8 million, primarily related to an adjustment for a liability recorded in purchase accounting to service our members (for which no revenue will be recognized in the future) as a result of the Transactions of $5.3 million and lower amortization related to a non-cash purchase accounting adjustment of unfavorable contracts which increased operating costs by $1.5 million. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, operating costs were $8.6 million lower than 2006, primarily due to lower product and servicing costs due to a lower member and client base, and improvements in contact center operations.
General and Administrative Expense . General and administrative expense decreased by $0.5 million, or 1.9%, to $25.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 from $26.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 primarily due to the absence in 2007 of a $2.4 million charge for accrued management retention bonuses in 2006 related to the Transactions, partially offset by higher general and administrative costs not related to the Transactions of $1.9 million primarily due to increases in other general expenses.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense . Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $23.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 to $82.9 million from $106.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, primarily from recording higher amortization expense in 2006 on the fair value of intangible assets resulting from the Transactions as the majority of the intangibles are amortized on an accelerated basis. This amortization expense is based upon an allocation of values to intangible assets and is being amortized over lives ranging from 3 years to 15 years. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in the amortization of contract rights acquired subsequent to the date of the Transactions.
Interest Expense . Interest expense decreased by $0.6 million to $38.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 from $39.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, primarily due to lower net cash interest expense of $2.0 million, principally the result of prepayments made on our term loan throughout 2006 and 2007, along with a more favorable impact of approximately $0.5 million on the interest rate swap in 2007 as compared to 2006. These benefits were partially offset by higher deferred financing costs of $0.5 million and interest accretion of $1.4 million from contract rights purchased in December 2006.
Income Tax Benefit . Income tax benefit increased by $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006 primarily due to the movement in foreign deferred tax assets partially offset by an increase in current state tax liabilities.
32
Operating Segment Results
Net revenues and Segment EBITDA by operating segment are as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Revenues | Segment EBITDA (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 |
Increase
(Decrease) Related to the Transactions |
Other
Increase (Decrease) |
2007 | 2006 |
Increase
(Decrease) Related to the Transactions |
Other
Increase (Decrease) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Affinion North America |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Membership products |
$ | 172.6 | $ | 145.7 | $ | 34.3 | $ | (7.4 | ) | $ | 30.2 | $ | 11.3 | $ | 21.1 | $ | (2.2 | ) | ||||||||||||
Insurance and package products |
89.3 | 89.4 | 0.1 | (0.2 | ) | 34.5 | 31.0 | 0.1 | 3.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Loyalty products |
14.4 | 16.1 | 5.0 | (6.7 | ) | 5.0 | 2.5 | 5.0 | (2.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Eliminations |
(1.3 | ) | (1.8 | ) | | 0.5 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total North America |
275.0 | 249.4 | 39.4 | (13.8 | ) | 69.7 | 44.8 | 26.2 | (1.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Affinion International products |
55.6 | 42.0 | 2.3 | 11.3 | 6.7 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 4.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total products |
330.6 | 291.4 | 41.7 | (2.5 | ) | 76.4 | 46.2 | 26.9 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate |
| | | | (0.6 | ) | (1.2 | ) | | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 330.6 | $ | 291.4 | $ | 41.7 | $ | (2.5 | ) | 75.8 | 45.0 | 26.9 | 3.9 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(82.9 | ) | (106.7 | ) | 29.6 | (5.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
$ | (7.1 | ) | $ | (61.7 | ) | $ | 56.5 | $ | (1.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
See Segment EBITDA above and Note 9 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of Segment EBITDA and a reconciliation of Segment EBITDA to loss from operations. |
Affinion North America
Membership Products . Membership products net revenues increased by $26.9 million, or 18.5%, to $172.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $145.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. The increase was primarily attributable to a $34.3 million adjustment related to deferred revenue recorded in purchase accounting from the Transactions. Excluding the effects of the Transactions, net revenues decreased $7.4 million primarily due to lower retail member volumes, partially offset by higher average revenues per retail member and higher wholesale revenues from programs that were formerly retail.
Segment EBITDA increased by $18.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. Segment EBITDA related to the Transactions for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was positively affected by a $19.9 million deferred revenue adjustment recorded in purchase accounting, net of increased prepaid commissions and the amortization of the liability to service our members (for which no revenue will be recognized in the future) recorded in purchase accounting. Segment EBITDA for 2007 increased by $2.4 million from the absence in 2007 of management retention bonuses recorded in 2006 while decreasing $1.2 million from the effect of a non-cash purchase accounting adjustment for unfavorable contracts. Excluding the effects of the Transactions, Segment EBITDA decreased by $2.2 million primarily due to lower net revenues of $7.4 million and higher marketing spend, substantially offset by lower commissions, product benefit and servicing costs of $7.2 million, including approximately $3.4 million due to lower product and servicing costs associated with a lower membership base and improvements in contact center operations. Segment EBITDA declined due to increased general and administrative costs of approximately $2.1 million primarily as a result of centralizing certain overhead functions and increases in other general expenses.
Insurance and Package Products . Insurance and package products reported net revenues of $89.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, relatively unchanged as compared to $89.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. Package revenue declined approximately $0.6 million, principally due to lower Package members and was substantially offset by an increase in Insurance revenue of approximately $0.3 million, principally due to the continued increase in net revenue per supplemental insured. In addition, net revenues as a result of the Transactions increased $0.1 million due to a non-cash deferred revenue adjustment recorded in purchase accounting.
33
Excluding the effects of the Transactions, Segment EBITDA increased by $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. The increase in Segment EBITDA was primarily due to the timing of marketing spend as compared to the prior period along with an increase of $0.1 million from a deferred revenue adjustment as mentioned above.
Loyalty Products . Revenues from Loyalty products decreased by $1.7 million, or 10.6%, for the three months ended September 30, 2007 to $14.4 million as compared to $16.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. Excluding the effects of the Transactions, net revenues decreased $6.7 million, primarily due to the absence in 2007 of royalty revenue of $2.3 million received from the licensing of patents to Cendant in 2006 and $6.9 million due to contract terminations, including a one-time termination fee of $3.8 million, partially offset by increased revenue of $2.5 million, primarily from new programs and growth from existing programs. Net revenues related to the Transactions increased $5.0 million due to the absence in 2007 of a non-cash $4.7 million purchase accounting adjustment for a favorable contract recorded in 2006, and a deferred revenue adjustment recorded in purchase accounting.
Segment EBITDA increased by $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. Excluding the effects of the Transactions, Segment EBITDA decreased by $2.5 million primarily from the absence in 2007 of $2.3 million of royalties received from the licensing of patents to Cendant in 2006. Growth from new and existing programs combined with lower operating and general and administrative costs effectively offset the impact of contract terminations noted above. Segment EBITDA related to the Transactions increased $5.0 million from the effect of the absence of the favorable contract and deferred revenue adjustments described above.
Affinion International
International Products . International products net revenues increased by $13.6 million, or 32.4%, to $55.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $42.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006. Net revenues excluding the results of the Transactions increased $11.3 million, primarily due to higher revenues of $3.1 million from new program introductions for our new retail offerings, $3.7 million from growth in our package business, and a $4.0 million impact from the weakening of the U.S. dollar. Net revenues also increased $2.3 million from a non-cash deferred revenue adjustment recorded in purchase accounting as a result of the Transactions.
Segment EBITDA increased by $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. Excluding the effect of the Transactions, Segment EBITDA increased $4.6 million, primarily as a result of growth in our package programs, and the effect of new retail program introductions net of higher marketing spend. In addition, Segment EBITDA increased $0.7 million as a result of purchase accounting adjustments primarily related to a deferred revenue adjustment, net of commissions, and the amortization of the service liability to service our members (for which no revenue will be recognized in the future) as a result of the Transactions.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:
Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2007 |
Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2006 |
Increase
(Decrease) Related to the Transactions |
Increase
(Decrease) Other |
|||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 984.4 | $ | 801.6 | $ | 179.2 | $ | 3.6 | ||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Marketing and commissions |
452.9 | 412.2 | 43.5 | (2.8 | ) | |||||||||||
Operating costs |
251.2 | 238.6 | 29.9 | (17.3 | ) | |||||||||||
General and administrative |
89.5 | 81.8 | (10.1 | ) | 17.8 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
242.1 | 314.9 | (84.4 | ) | 11.6 | |||||||||||
Total expenses |
1,035.7 | 1,047.5 | (21.1 | ) | 9.3 | |||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(51.3 | ) | (245.9 | ) | 200.3 | (5.7 | ) | |||||||||
Interest income |
3.6 | 4.3 | | (0.7 | ) | |||||||||||
Interest expense |
(107.7 | ) | (113.7 | ) | | 6.0 | ||||||||||
Other expense |
| (0.1 | ) | | 0.1 | |||||||||||
Loss before income taxes and minority interests |
(155.4 | ) | (355.4 | ) | 200.3 | (0.3 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(1.0 | ) | 0.7 | (3.4 | ) | 1.7 | ||||||||||
Minority interests, net of tax |
(0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | | 0.1 | ||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (156.6 | ) | $ | (355.0 | ) | $ | 196.9 | $ | 1.5 | ||||||
34
Overview of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
The following is an overview of major changes affecting our operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Purchase accounting adjustments made in the Transactions had a significant impact on our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to September 30, 2006. These entries, which are non-cash in nature, increased net revenues by $179.2 million and reduced loss from operations by $200.3 million. The effect of purchase accounting adjustments related to deferred revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to September 30, 2006 increased net revenues by $174.5 million, marketing and commissions expense by $43.5 million and operating costs by $30.0 million. In addition, the absence in 2007 of amortization of an asset from a favorable contract recorded in September 2006 increased net revenues by $4.7 million, while lower amortization of unfavorable contracts decreased operating costs by $0.1 million. We recorded $84.4 million less depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 which positively affected results of operations.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
The following section provides an overview of our consolidated results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
Net Revenues . During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we reported net revenues of $984.4 million, an increase of $182.8 million, or 22.8%, as compared to net revenues of $801.6 million in the comparable 2006 period. Approximately $174.5 million of the increase was due to an adjustment in deferred revenue related to the Transactions in 2005. Deferred revenue was originally written down as part of purchase accounting. The majority of the negative impact of this adjustment has been recognized in 2005 and 2006, and such impact will decline in future periods. In addition, net revenues increased by $4.7 million from the absence in 2007 of amortization related to an asset recorded in purchase accounting for a favorable contract. Net revenues excluding the impact of the Transactions increased $3.6 million, primarily due to increased International products net revenue of $29.7 million and Insurance and package products net revenue of $6.1 million, partially offset by lower Loyalty products and Membership products net revenues of $16.7 million and $16.9 million, respectively. International products net revenues increased primarily due to new retail and other retail program introductions, growth in the package business and a favorable impact due to the weaker U.S. dollar. Insurance and package products net revenues increased due to the continued increase in net revenue per supplemental insured and lower cost of insurance, partially offset by lower Package revenues primarily due to lower Package members. Loyalty products net revenues decreased primarily due to the absence in 2007 of royalty revenue from the licensing of a patent agreement which expired in December 2006 and contract terminations. Membership products net revenues decreased from lower member volumes which were partially offset by higher average revenues per retail member and higher wholesale revenues from programs that were formerly retail.
Marketing and Commissions Expense . Marketing and commissions expense increased by $40.7 million, or 9.9%, to $452.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from $412.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Marketing and commissions expense increased approximately $43.5 million as a result of higher commission expense from recording non-cash purchase accounting adjustments to prepaid commissions related to deferred revenue. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, marketing and commissions expense was $2.8 million lower, primarily due to lower commissions, offset by an increase in costs from the effect of the weaker U.S. dollar.
Operating Costs . Operating costs increased by $12.6 million, or 5.3%, to $251.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from $238.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Operating costs increased as a result of the Transactions by $29.9 million, related to an adjustment for a liability recorded in purchase accounting to service our members (for which no revenue will be recognized in the future) as a result of the Transactions of $30.0 million and amortization related to a non-cash purchase accounting adjustment of unfavorable contracts which reduced operating costs by $0.1 million. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, operating costs were $17.3 million lower than 2006, primarily due to lower product and servicing costs due to a lower member and client base and improvements in contact center operations, partially offset by an increase in costs from the effect of the weaker U.S. dollar.
35
General and Administrative Expense . General and administrative expense increased by $7.7 million, or 9.4%, to $89.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from $81.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, general and administrative costs were $17.8 million higher in 2007 primarily due to a dividend payment to option holders in the first quarter of 2007 and increases in other general expenses. Partially offsetting these increases was the absence of a $10.1 million charge in 2007 related to accrued management retention bonuses in 2006 related to the Transactions.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense . Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $72.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $242.1 million from $314.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, primarily from recording higher amortization expense in 2006 on the fair value of intangible assets resulting from the Transactions as the majority of the intangibles are amortized on an accelerated basis. This amortization expense is based upon an allocation of values to intangible assets and is being amortized over lives ranging from 3 years to 15 years. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in the amortization of contract rights acquired subsequent to the date of the Transactions.
Interest Expense . Interest expense decreased by $6.0 million to $107.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from $113.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, primarily due to lower deferred financing costs of approximately $9.5 million in 2007 primarily as a result of accelerated expense in 2006 from the bridge loan refinancing along with lower net cash interest expense of approximately $3.9 million, primarily the result of prepayments made on our term loan throughout 2006 and 2007. These benefits were partially offset by a less favorable impact of approximately $3.2 million on the interest rate swap in 2007 as compared to 2006 and interest accretion of $3.4 million in 2007 from contract rights purchased in December 2006.
Income Tax Expense
. Income tax expense increased by $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006 primarily due to the movement in valuation allowances
Operating Segment Results
Net revenues and Segment EBITDA by operating segment are as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Revenues | Segment EBITDA (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 |
Increase
(Decrease) Related to the Transactions |
Other
Increase (Decrease) |
2007 | 2006 |
Increase
(Decrease) Related to the Transactions |
Other
Increase (Decrease) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Affinion North America |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Membership products |
$ | 515.1 | $ | 371.6 | $ | 160.4 | $ | (16.9 | ) | $ | 68.2 | $ | (25.0 | ) | $ | 103.5 | $ | (10.3 | ) | |||||||||||
Insurance and package products |
275.9 | 269.3 | 0.5 | 6.1 | 105.4 | 83.9 | 0.5 | 21.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Loyalty products |
40.6 | 51.4 | 5.9 | (16.7 | ) | 11.3 | 12.9 | 5.9 | (7.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Eliminations |
(3.7 | ) | (5.1 | ) | | 1.4 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total North America |
827.9 | 687.2 | 166.8 | (26.1 | ) | 184.9 | 71.8 | 109.9 | 3.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Affinion International products |
156.5 | 114.4 | 12.4 | 29.7 | 14.8 | 0.3 | 6.0 | 8.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total products |
984.4 | 801.6 | 179.2 | 3.6 | 199.7 | 72.1 | 115.9 | 11.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate |
| | | | (8.9 | ) | (3.1 | ) | | (5.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 984.4 | $ | 801.6 | $ | 179.2 | $ | 3.6 | 190.8 | 69.0 | 115.9 | 5.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(242.1 | ) | (314.9 | ) | 84.4 | (11.6 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
$ | (51.3 | ) | $ | (245.9 | ) | $ | 200.3 | $ | (5.7 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
See Segment EBITDA above and Note 9 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of Segment EBITDA and a reconciliation of Segment EBITDA to loss from operations. |
36
Affinion North America
Membership Products . Membership products net revenues increased by $143.5 million, or 38.6%, to $515.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $371.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase was primarily attributable to a $160.4 million adjustment related to deferred revenue recorded in purchase accounting from the Transactions. Excluding the effects of the Transactions, net revenues decreased $16.9 million primarily due to lower retail member volumes, partially offset by higher average revenues per retail member and higher wholesale revenues from programs that were formerly retail.
Segment EBITDA increased by $93.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Segment EBITDA related to the Transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was positively affected by a $93.4 million deferred revenue adjustment recorded in purchase accounting, net of increased prepaid commissions and the amortization of the liability to service our members (for which no revenue will be recognized in the future) recorded in purchase accounting. Segment EBITDA for 2007 also increased by $10.1 million from the absence in 2007 of management retention bonuses recorded in 2006. Excluding the effects of the Transactions, Segment EBITDA decreased by $10.3 million primarily due to the impact of lower net revenues of $16.9 million, which was more than offset by lower commissions and product benefit and servicing costs of $17.4 million, including approximately $8.8 million due to lower product and servicing costs associated with a lower membership base and improvements in contact center operations. Segment EBITDA declined due to increased general and administrative costs of $10.9 million, primarily as a result of centralizing certain overhead functions and increases in other general expenses.
Insurance and Package Products . Insurance and package products net revenues increased $6.6 million, or 2.5%, to $275.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $269.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, primarily due to an increase in Insurance revenue of $10.5 million, as a result of the lower cost of insurance and the continued increase in net revenue per supplemental insured, partially offset by a reduction in Package revenue of $4.6 million, primarily due to lower Package members. In addition, net revenues as a result of the Transactions increased $0.5 million due to a non-cash deferred revenue adjustment recorded in purchase accounting.
Excluding the effects of the Transactions, Segment EBITDA increased by $21.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The impact of the increase in net revenues, net of higher commissions and lower marketing costs and the benefit of centralizing certain overhead functions, increased Segment EBITDA by $18.2 million. Additionally, Segment EBITDA increased by $2.8 million due to lower product, servicing and employee expenses. Segment EBITDA related to the Transactions increased $0.5 million from a deferred revenue adjustment described above.
Loyalty Products . Revenues from Loyalty products decreased by $10.8 million, or 21.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $40.6 million as compared to $51.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Excluding the effects of the Transactions, net revenues decreased $16.7 million, primarily due to the absence in 2007 of royalty revenue of $7.0 million received from the licensing of patents in 2006 and $15.8 million due to contract terminations, including a one-time termination fee of $3.8 million, partially offset by $6.1 million of new programs and growth from existing programs. Net revenues related to the Transactions also increased $5.9 million due to the absence in 2007 of a purchase accounting adjustment recorded for a favorable contract in 2006 for $4.7 million and a $1.2 million deferred revenue adjustment recorded in purchase accounting.
Segment EBITDA decreased by $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Excluding the effects of the Transactions, Segment EBITDA decreased by $7.5 million primarily from the absence in 2007 of $7.0 million of royalties received from the licensing of patents in 2006. Growth from new and existing programs, combined with lower operating and general and administrative costs, primarily offset the impact of contract terminations noted above. Segment EBITDA related to the Transactions increased $5.9 million from the effect of the favorable contract adjustment and the deferred revenue adjustment described above.
Affinion International
International Products . International products net revenues increased by $42.1 million, or 36.8%, to $156.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $114.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Net revenues excluding the results of the Transactions increased $29.7 million, primarily due to higher revenues of $11.2 million from new program introductions for our new retail offerings, $6.7 million from growth in our package business, and $11.9 million from the weakening of the U.S. dollar. Net revenues also increased $12.4 million from a non-cash deferred revenue adjustment recorded in purchase accounting as a result of the Transactions.
37
Segment EBITDA increased by $14.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Excluding the effect of the Transactions, Segment EBITDA increased $8.5 million primarily as a result of new retail program introductions and growth in our package business. In addition, Segment EBITDA increased $6.0 million as a result of purchase accounting adjustments primarily related to a deferred revenue adjustment, net of commissions, and the amortization of the service liability to service our members (for which no revenue will be recognized in the future) as a result of the Transactions.
Corporate.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, corporate costs increased by $5.8 million as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006 primarily due to a dividend payment to option holders in the
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Financial Condition September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
September 30,
2007 |
December 31,
2006 |
Increase
(Decrease) |
||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,620.8 | $ | 1,889.5 | $ | (268.7 | ) | |||||
Total liabilities |
1,992.5 | 2,075.8 | (83.3 | ) | ||||||||
Total stockholders equity (deficit) |
(372.2 | ) | (186.9 | ) | (185.3 | ) |
Total assets decreased $268.7 million due to (i) a net decrease in intangible assets of $193.6 million, principally due to amortization expense of $199.8 million (substantially all of the intangible assets were acquired as a result of the Transactions see Notes 1 and 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements), (ii) a decrease of $61.8 million in cash and cash equivalents (see Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCash Flows) , (iii) a decrease of $13.4 million in prepaid commissions resulting from a decrease in deferred revenue, and (iv) a net decrease in property and equipment of $10.3 million due to depreciation expense for the period in excess of capital expenditures. These decreases were partially offset by (i) an increase in profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers of $12.5 million due to the timing of receipts from the insurance carriers, and (ii) an increase in contract rights and list fees of $4.7 million due to an increase in the cost of acquired contract rights in excess of amortization expense of $14.5 million for the period.
Total liabilities decreased $83.3 million primarily due to (i) a decrease in debt of $74.5 million primarily as a result of $75.0 million of voluntary prepayments on our term loan, (ii) a decrease in non-current deferred income taxes of $14.2 million principally due to the January 1, 2007 implementation of FIN 48 and (iii) a decrease in payables to related parties of $2.8 million due to the timing of certain payments. These decreases were partially offset by a $14.3 million increase in other long-term liabilities principally due to an increase in the cost of acquired contract rights.
Total stockholders equity (deficit) decreased by $185.3 million primarily due to a net loss of $156.6 million, dividend payments to the Companys parent of $32.1 million and an increase in the January 1, 2007 accumulated deficit of $0.9 million related to the adoption of FIN 48, partially offset by a favorable currency effect of $4.3 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity on both a short-term and long-term basis are cash on hand and cash generated through operating and financing activities. Our primary cash needs are for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, and to service the indebtedness incurred in connection with the Transactions. We believe that, based on our current operations and anticipated growth, our cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities and borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months and in the foreseeable future.
Cash Flows Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
At September 30, 2007, we had $22.5 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand, a decrease of $88.8 million from $111.3 million at September 30, 2006. The following table summarizes our cash flows and compares changes in our cash and cash equivalents on hand to the same period in the prior year.
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Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2007 | September 30, 2006 | Change | ||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in): |
||||||||||||
Operating activities |
$ | 65.1 | $ | 81.0 | $ | (15.9 | ) | |||||
Investing activities |
(19.4 | ) | (16.3 | ) | (3.1 | ) | ||||||
Financing activities |
(107.6 | ) | (69.2 | ) | (38.4 | ) | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes |
0.1 | 2.4 | (2.3 | ) | ||||||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
$ | (61.8 | ) | $ | (2.1 | ) | $ | (59.7 | ) | |||
Operating Activities
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we generated $15.9 million less cash in operating activities than during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Segment EBITDA, excluding the non-cash impacts of purchase accounting, increased by $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006 (see Results of Operations). As monthly memberships begin to reach a stable level as a percentage of all active members within the membership base, the change in deferred revenue net of prepaid commissions (before purchase accounting impacts) has significantly decreased resulting in increased cash flow from operations of approximately $32.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This increase in cash flow was more than offset by the receipt of profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers of $21.6 million and a $3.8 million contract termination payment during the first nine months of 2006 that did not recur in 2007, the payment of costs associated with the dividend paid to equity holders in the first quarter of 2007, payments of $5.6 million in 2007 relating to settlement of the AG matter and $4.8 million of payments to state taxing authorities in 2007 relating to unclaimed property.
Investing Activities
We used $3.1 million more cash in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. Our restricted cash requirements were $2.1 million more in 2007 as compared to 2006 and we also expended $0.8 million for acquisition-related payments in 2007. Capital expenditures were $18.6 million and $18.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Financing Activities
We used $38.4 million more cash in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we made $75.0 million of voluntary prepayments of the term loan and paid dividends to our parent of $32.1 million. In addition, during 2007, one of our majority-owned consolidated subsidiaries made a distribution to its minority shareholder of $0.4 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we made $60.0 million of voluntary prepayments of the term loan. In addition, we issued $355.5 million of our 11 1 / 2 % Senior Subordinated Notes and an additional $34.0 million of our 10 1 / 8 % Senior Notes. Substantially all of the proceeds from the two debt offerings, net of $10.9 million of financing costs, was used to repay our bridge loan plus accrued interest. At September 30, 2007, we have $98.5 million available under the revolving credit facility (after giving effect to the issuance of $1.5 million of letters of credit). See Note 4 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt
Following the completion of the Transactions we became a highly leveraged company, having incurred substantial debt. As of September 30, 2007, we had $1,333.9 million in indebtedness. Payments required to service this indebtedness have substantially increased our liquidity requirements as compared to prior years.
As part of the Transactions, we (a) issued $270.0 million principal amount of 10 1 / 8 % senior notes due October 15, 2013 (the senior notes) ($266.4 million net of discount), (b) entered into our new senior secured credit facilities consisting of a term loan facility in the principal amount of $860.0 million (which amount does not reflect the $180.0 million in principal prepayments that we made through September 30, 2007) and a revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount of up to $100.0 million and (c) entered into a senior subordinated bridge loan facility in the principal amount of $383.6 million. At September 30, 2007, we had $302.3 million outstanding under the senior notes (net of premiums and discounts), $680.0 million outstanding under the term loan facility, $351.2 million outstanding under the senior subordinated notes (net of discounts) and $98.5 million available under the revolving credit facility (after giving effect to the issuance of $1.5 million of letters of credit).
39
Any borrowings under the revolving credit facility are available to fund our working capital requirements, capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes. The senior secured credit facility also generally requires us to prepay borrowings under the term loan with proceeds from asset dispositions, excess cash flow beginning in July 2006 and the net cash proceeds from certain debt issued in the future. The remaining balance of the term loan is due and payable in full in 2012. The revolving credit facility is available until 2011. The term loan provides, at our option, for interest rates of a) adjusted LIBOR plus 2.50% or b) the higher of i) Credit Suisse, Cayman Island Branchs prime rate and ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.5% (ABR), in each case plus 1.50%. The revolving credit facility provides, at our option, for interest rates of adjusted LIBOR plus 2.75% or ABR, plus 1.75% subject to downward adjustment based on our senior secured bank leverage ratio, as set forth in the agreement governing the revolving credit facility. Effective January 4, 2007, the senior secured credit facility was amended to decrease the interest rate on the term loan facility by 25 basis points, initially, and to provide for an additional 25 basis point decrease if the corporate family rating of Affinion Group reached B1 or higher by Moodys and B+ or higher by S&P. The amendment also modified the definition of change of control.
Our senior subordinated bridge loan facility has since been refinanced with the proceeds from the offering of senior subordinated notes (as defined below) and additional senior notes. On April 26, 2006 we issued $355.5 million aggregate principal amount of 11 1 / 2 % senior subordinated notes due October 15, 2015 (the senior subordinated notes) and applied the gross proceeds of $350.5 million to repay $349.5 million of outstanding borrowings under our senior subordinated loan facility, plus accrued interest, and used cash on hand to pay fees and expenses associated with such issuance. The interest on our senior subordinated notes is payable semi-annually. We may redeem some or all of the senior subordinated notes at any time on or after October 15, 2010 at the redemption prices (generally at a premium) set forth in the agreement governing the senior subordinated notes. In addition, on or before October 15, 2008, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of our senior subordinated notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of our senior subordinated notes initially issued remain outstanding immediately after such redemption. The senior subordinated notes are unsecured obligations. The senior subordinated notes are guaranteed by the same subsidiaries that guarantee our $960.0 million senior secured credit facility and senior notes. The senior subordinated notes contain restrictive covenants related primarily to our ability to distribute dividends, redeem or repurchase capital stock, sell assets, issue additional debt or merge with or acquire other companies. As of September 30, 2007, the aggregate amount principal amount outstanding of our senior subordinated notes was $355.5 million.
On October 17, 2005, we issued $270.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10 1 / 8 % senior notes and applied the gross proceeds of $266.4 million to finance a portion of the Transactions. On May 3, 2006, we issued an additional $34.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10 1 / 8 % senior notes and applied the gross proceeds, together with cash on hand, to repay the then remaining outstanding borrowings under our bridge loan facility. The interest on our 10 1 / 8 % senior notes is payable semi-annually. We may redeem some or all of the 10 1 / 8 % senior notes at any time on or after October 15, 2009 at the redemption prices (generally at a premium) set forth in the indenture governing the 10 1 / 8 % senior notes. In addition, on or before October 15, 2008, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of our 10 1 / 8 % senior notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of our 10 1 / 8 % senior notes initially issued remain outstanding immediately after such redemption. The 10 1 / 8 % senior notes are unsecured obligations. The 10 1 / 8 % senior notes are guaranteed by the same subsidiaries that guarantee our $960.0 million senior secured credit facility and our 11 1 / 2 % senior subordinated notes. The 10 1 / 8 % senior notes contain restrictive covenants related primarily to our ability to distribute dividends, redeem or repurchase capital stock, sell assets, issue additional debt or merge with or acquire other companies.
On May 3, 2006, we issued an additional $34.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes at a premium and applied the proceeds, together with cash on hand, to repay the remaining $34.1 million of outstanding borrowings under our senior subordinated bridge loan facility, plus accrued interest, and to pay fees and expenses associated with such issuance. These senior notes were issued as additional notes under the senior notes indenture dated October 17, 2005, and, together with the $270.0 million of senior notes originally issued under such indenture, are treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. As of September 30, 2007, the aggregate principal amount outstanding of our senior notes was $304.0 million.
Covenant Compliance
Our credit facility and the indentures that govern our senior notes and our senior subordinated notes contain various restrictive covenants. They prohibit us from prepaying indebtedness that is junior to such debt (subject to certain exceptions). Our credit facility requires us to maintain a specified minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum consolidated leverage ratio. The interest coverage ratio as defined in the credit facility (Adjusted EBITDA, as defined, to interest expense, as defined) must be greater than 1.55 to 1.0 at September 30, 2007. The consolidated leverage ratio as defined in the credit facility (total debt, as defined, to Adjusted EBITDA, as defined) must be less than 6.50 to 1.0 at September 30, 2007. In addition, our credit facility, among other things, restricts our ability to incur indebtedness or liens, make investments or declare or pay any dividends. The indenture governing the senior notes and the indenture governing the senior subordinated notes, among other things: (a) limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, incur liens,
40
pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments and enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (b) place restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make certain payments to us; and (c) place restrictions on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to merge or consolidate with any other person or sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, all of these covenants are subject to significant exceptions.
We have the ability to incur additional debt, subject to limitations imposed by our credit facility, senior notes indenture, and senior subordinated notes indenture. Under our indentures governing the senior notes and the senior subordinated notes, in addition to specified permitted indebtedness, we will be able to incur additional indebtedness as long as on a pro forma basis our fixed charge coverage ratio (the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated fixed charges) is at least 2.0 to 1.0. As discussed above, since the Transactions, our cash flow has allowed us to make eight voluntary principal prepayments of the term loan through September 30, 2007 aggregating $180.0 million. Additionally, we made a $25.0 million principal prepayment on November 13, 2007 and we may elect to make additional prepayments if it is beneficial to do so.
Based on managements expectations of our ability to voluntarily prepay principal during the next twelve months under its term loan, $25.0 million of the term loan has been classified as current portion of long-term debt on the September 30, 2007 unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA consists of income from operations before depreciation and amortization further adjusted to exclude non-cash and unusual items and other adjustments permitted in our debt agreements to test the permissibility of certain types of transactions, including debt incurrence. We believe that the inclusion of Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate as a liquidity measure. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of liquidity or financial performance under U.S. GAAP and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. You should not consider Adjusted EBITDA as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as an indicator of cash flows, as a measure of liquidity, as an alternative to operating or net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as an indicator of operating performance.
Set forth below is a reconciliation of our consolidated net cash provided by operating activities for the twelve months ended September 30, 2007 to Adjusted EBITDA.
Twelve Months
Ended September 30, 2007 (a) |
||||
(in millions) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 82.4 | ||
Interest expense, net |
137.8 | |||
Income tax expense |
8.0 | |||
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts |
1.7 | |||
Amortization of debt discount and financing costs |
(6.5 | ) | ||
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap |
(2.0 | ) | ||
Deferred income taxes |
(0.6 | ) | ||
Changes in assets and liabilities |
27.5 | |||
Effect of the Transactions, reorganizations, certain legal costs and net cost savings (b) |
11.7 | |||
Other, net (c) |
9.7 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 269.7 | ||
(a) |
Represents consolidated financial data for the year ended December 31, 2006, minus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, plus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. |
(b) |
Eliminates the effect of the Transactions, prior business reorganizations, non-recurring revenue and gains, legal expenses for certain legal matters and certain severance costs. |
(c) |
Eliminates the stock-based compensation incurred in connection with the January 2007 special dividend declared by Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., non-recurring Sarbanes-Oxley implementation costs, a $2 million annual consulting fee paid to Apollo and certain other costs. |
41
Set forth below is a reconciliation of our consolidated net loss for the twelve months ended September 30, 2007 to Adjusted EBITDA as required by our senior secured credit facility agreement, the indenture governing our senior notes and the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes.
Twelve Months
Ended September 30, 2007 |
||||
(in millions) | ||||
Net loss |
$ | (239.8 | ) | |
Interest expense, net |
137.8 | |||
Income tax expense |
8.0 | |||
Minority interests, net of tax |
0.2 | |||
Other (income) expense, net |
(0.1 | ) | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
324.0 | |||
Effect of the Transactions, reorganizations and non-recurring revenues and gains (a) |
7.1 | |||
Certain legal costs (b) |
2.0 | |||
Net cost savings (c) |
2.9 | |||
Goodwill impairment (d) |
15.5 | |||
Other, net (e) |
12.1 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 269.7 | ||
Interest coverage ratio (f) |
2.03 | |||
Consolidated leverage ratio (g) |
4.88 | |||
Fixed charge coverage ratio (h) |
2.04 |
(a) |
Effect of the Transactions, reorganizations and non-recurring revenues and gainseliminates the effects of the Transactions, prior business reorganizations and non-recurring revenues and gains. |
(b) |
Certain legal costsrepresents legal costs for certain litigation matters. |
(c) |
Net cost savingsrepresents the elimination of costs associated with severance incurred. |
(d) |
Goodwill impairmentrepresents the 2006 goodwill impairment charge recorded to goodwill ascribed to the loyalty products business. |
(e) |
Other, netrepresents: (i) net changes in other reserves, (ii) the elimination of stock-based compensation expense, and (iii) consulting fees paid to Apollo. |
(f) |
The interest coverage ratio is defined in our senior secured credit facility (Adjusted EBITDA, as defined, to interest expense, as defined). The interest coverage ratio must be greater than 1.55 to 1.0 at September 30, 2007. |
(g) |
The consolidated leverage ratio is defined in our senior secured credit facility (total debt, as defined, to Adjusted EBITDA, as defined). The consolidated leverage ratio must be less than 6.50 to 1.0 at September 30, 2007. |
(h) |
The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined in the indentures governing the senior notes and the senior subordinated notes (Consolidated Cash Flows, as defined, which is equivalent to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Affinion Credit Facility), to fixed charges, as defined). |
Critical Accounting Policies
In presenting our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported therein. We believe that the estimates, assumptions and judgments involved in the accounting policies related to revenue recognition, accounting for marketing costs, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, and valuation of tax assets and liabilities could potentially affect our reported results and as such, we consider these to be our critical accounting policies. Several of the estimates and assumptions we are required to make relate to matters that are inherently uncertain, as they pertain to future events. However, certain events outside our control cannot be predicted and, as such, they cannot be contemplated in evaluating such estimates and assumptions. We believe that the estimates and assumptions used when preparing our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were the most appropriate at the time. In addition, we refer you to our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the period from October 17, 2005 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2005, and the Predecessors combined financial statements for the periods from January 1, 2005 to October 16, 2005, and for the year ended December 31, 2004 included in our Form 10-K for a summary of our significant accounting policies.
42
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk. |
Following is a description of our risk management policies.
Interest Rate Swap
We entered into an interest swap as of December 14, 2005. This swap converts a notional amount of our floating rate credit facility into a fixed rate obligation. The notional amount of the swap was $250.0 million at September 30, 2007 and reduces in accordance with a contractual amortization schedule through December 31, 2010 when the swap terminates. The purpose of the swap is to maintain our fixed/variable ratio within policy guidelines. The interest rate swap is recorded at fair value either as a non-current asset or a non-current liability. The swap is not designated as a hedging instrument and therefore changes in the fair value are recognized currently in earnings in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The following table provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table presents principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity for our long-term debt as of September 30, 2007.
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
2012 and
Thereafter |
Total |
Fair Value At
September 30, 2007 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed rate debt |
$ | 0.1 | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0.1 | | | $ | 659.5 | $ | 659.9 | $ | 694.4 | ||||||||||||||
Average interest rate |
11.08 | % | 11.08 | % | 11.08 | % | 11.08 | % | 11.08 | % | 11.08 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Variable rate debt |
$ | 25.0 | | | | | $ | 655.0 | $ | 680.0 | $ | 680.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Average interest rate (a) |
8.00 | % | 8.00 | % | 8.00 | % | 8.00 | % | 8.00 | % | 8.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Variable to fixed-interest rate swap (b) |
$ | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average pay rate |
4.83 | % | 4.86 | % | 4.93 | % | 4.97 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Average receive rate |
5.20 | % | 4.48 | % | 4.45 | % | 4.79 | % |
(a) |
Average interest rate is based on rates in effect at September 30, 2007. |
(b) |
The fair value of the interest rate swap is included in other non-current liabilities at September 30, 2007. |
We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
Credit Risk and Exposure
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of receivables, profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers and prepaid commissions. We manage such risk by evaluating the financial position and creditworthiness of such counterparties. As of September 30, 2007, there were no significant concentrations of credit risk. Receivables and profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers are from various marketing, insurance and business partners and we maintain an allowance for losses, based upon expected collectibility. Commission advances are periodically evaluated as to recovery.
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures. |
Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures . We, under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, have established disclosure controls and procedures (Disclosure Controls) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms. The Disclosure Controls are also intended to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls or our internal controls over financial reporting (Internal Controls) will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance
43
that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives.
As of September 30, 2007, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of September 30, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting . There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings. |
There have been no material changes from the legal proceedings previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Item 1a. | Risk Factors |
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity in Securities and Use of Proceeds. |
None.
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities. |
None.
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
None.
Item 5. | Other Information. |
Employment Agreements
Effective November 9, 2007, we and Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (Holdings) entered into amended and restated employment agreements with each of the following officers: Messrs. Nathaniel J. Lipman, Thomas A. Williams, Robert G. Rooney, Thomas J. Rusin and Todd H. Siegel. The amended and restated employment agreements supersede each such officers current employment agreement and are intended to comply with the requirements of the final regulations promulgated under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In this section, all references to we, our and us refer collectively to Affinion Group, Inc. and Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. The material terms of the amended and restated employment agreements are described below.
Nathaniel J. Lipman . Under his amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Lipman continues to serve as our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. The initial term of the new employment agreement is from November 9, 2007 through October 17, 2010. After the initial term, the agreement is subject to automatic one-year renewals
44
unless either party provides at least 90 days prior written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew the agreement. Effective October 1, 2007, Mr. Lipmans annual base salary is $585,000, subject to annual review and increases. Mr. Lipman is also eligible for an annual target bonus of 125% of his base salary, subject to the attainment of performance goals established by our compensation committee under our annual incentive plan. For fiscal year 2008, his annual target bonus will be 150% of his annual base salary.
If Mr. Lipmans employment is terminated by us without cause (including, for purposes of his entitlements under the amended and restated employment agreement only, the termination of his employment upon the expiration of the employment term due to our timely nonrenewal of the agreement) or he terminates his employment with us for good reason (each as defined in the agreement), we will pay Mr. Lipman, as severance pay, an amount equal to 200% of the aggregate amount of his annual base salary and target bonus, payable in eight quarterly installments commencing on the date of termination. If Mr. Lipmans employment is terminated due to his death or disability, he will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to 100% of his base salary. Under his prior employment, Mr. Lipman was not entitled to a severance payment if we timely exercised our right not to renew the employment term.
Thomas A. Williams . Under his amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Williams continues to serve as an Executive Vice President and our Chief Financial Officer. The initial term of the new agreement is from November 9, 2007 through January 1, 2010. After the initial term, the new agreement is subject to automatic one-year renewals unless either party provides at least 90 days prior written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew the agreement. Mr. Williams annual base salary is $350,000, subject to annual review and increases. Mr. Williams is also eligible for an annual target bonus of 100% of his base salary, subject to the attainment of performance goals established by our compensation committee under our annual incentive plan.
If Mr. Williams employment is terminated by us without cause (including, for purposes of his entitlements under the amended and restated employment agreement only, the termination of his employment upon the expiration of the employment term due to our timely nonrenewal of the agreement) or he terminates his employment with us for good reason (each as defined in the agreement), we will pay Mr. Williams, as severance pay, the sum of 100% of his annual base salary and his target bonus, payable in six quarterly installments commencing on the date of termination. If Mr. Williams employment is terminated due to his death or disability, he will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to 100% of his base salary. Under his prior employment, Mr. Williams was not entitled to a severance payment if we timely exercised our right not to renew the employment term. Mr. Williams remains obligated to repay his sign-on bonus if his employment terminates under certain circumstances prior to December 31, 2007.
Robert G. Rooney . Under his amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Rooney continues to serve as an Executive Vice President and our Chief Operating Officer. The initial term of the agreement is from November 9, 2007 through June 15, 2010. After the initial term, the employment agreement is subject to automatic one-year renewals unless either party provides at least 90 days prior written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew the agreement. Mr. Rooneys annual base salary is $334,750, subject to annual review and increases. Mr. Rooney is eligible to receive an annual target bonus of 100% of his base salary for 2007, subject to the attainment of performance goals established by our compensation committee under our annual incentive plan.
If Mr. Rooneys employment is terminated by us without cause (including, for purposes of his entitlements under the amended and restated employment agreement only, the termination of his employment upon the expiration of the employment term due to our timely nonrenewal of the agreement) or he terminates his employment with us for good reason (each as defined in the agreement), we will pay Mr. Rooney, as severance pay, the sum of 100% of his annual base salary and his target bonus, payable in six quarterly installments commencing on the date of termination (payment was in a lump sum under the prior agreement). If Mr. Rooneys employment is terminated due to his death or disability, he will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to 100% of his base salary. Under his prior employment agreement, Mr. Rooney was not entitled to any severance payment if we timely exercised our right not to renew the employment term or if his employment was terminated due to his death or disability.
Thomas J. Rusin . Under his amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Rusin continues to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer, North America. The initial term of the agreement is November 9, 2007 through June 1, 2010. After the initial term, the agreement is subject to automatic one-year renewals unless either party provides at least 90 days prior written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew the agreement. Mr. Rusins annual base salary is $290,000, subject to annual review and increases. Mr. Rusin is also eligible for an annual target bonus of 100% of his base salary, subject to the attainment of performance goals established by our compensation committee under our annual incentive plan.
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If Mr. Rusins employment is terminated by us without cause (including, for purposes of his entitlements under the amended and restated employment agreement only, the termination of his employment upon the expiration of the employment term due to our timely nonrenewal of the agreement) or he terminates his employment with us for good reason (each as defined in the agreement), we will pay Mr. Rusin, as severance pay, the sum of 100% of his annual base salary and his target bonus, payable in six quarterly installments commencing on the date of termination (payment was in a lump sum under the prior agreement). If Mr. Rusins employment is terminated due to his death or disability, he will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to 100% of his base salary. Under his prior employment agreement, Mr. Rusin was not entitled to any severance payment if we timely exercised our right not to renew the employment term.
Todd H. Siegel . Under his amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Siegel continues to serve as an Executive Vice President and our General Counsel. The initial term of the new agreement is November 9 through June 1, 2010. After the initial term, the agreement is subject to automatic one-year renewals unless either party provides at least 90 days prior written notice to the other party of its intent not to renew the agreement. Mr. Siegels annual base salary is $275,000, subject to annual review and increases. Mr. Siegel is also eligible for an annual target bonus of 100% of his base salary, subject to the attainment of performance goals established by our compensation committee under our annual incentive plan.
If Mr. Siegels employment is terminated by us without cause (including, for purposes of his entitlements under the amended and restated employment agreement only, the termination of his employment upon the expiration of the employment term due to our timely nonrenewal of the agreement) or he terminates his employment with us for good reason (each as defined in the agreement), we will pay Mr. Siegel, as severance pay, the sum of 100% of his annual base salary and his target bonus, payable in six quarterly installments commencing on the date of termination (payment was in a lump sum under the prior agreement). If Mr. Siegels employment is terminated due to his death or disability, he will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to 100% of his base salary. Under his prior employment agreement, Mr. Siegel was not entitled to any severance payment if we timely exercised our right not to renew the employment term.
Restrictive Covenants . Each of the officers is subject to restrictive covenants contained in their amended and restated employment agreements, which are identical to covenants to which they are subject in their capacity as shareholders under the Management Investor Rights Agreement. Each officer is prohibited from soliciting our employees, customers, suppliers, and licensees for three (3) years following his or her termination of employment and prohibited from competing with us and our affiliates for two (2) years following termination of employment. Each officer is also subject to post-termination nondisclosure obligations relating to confidential company information. The officers are only entitled to receive the above described severance payments so long as they comply with these restrictive covenants.
The amended and restated employment agreements described above have been filed as exhibits to this Form 10-Q.
2007 Stock Award Plan
Effective November 9, 2007, the board of directors of Holdings adopted the 2007 Stock Award Plan. Below is a description of the material features and provisions of the plan.
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Administration . The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors administers the 2007 Stock Award Plan. The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors has full discretion to administer and interpret the 2007 Stock Award Plan and to adopt such rules, regulations and procedures as it deems necessary or advisable. The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors has the authority to determine the terms and conditions of any agreements evidencing any awards granted under the 2007 Stock Award Plan, including, among other things, the time or times at which the awards may be exercised and whether and under what circumstances an award may be exercised.
Eligibility . Employees, directors, officers, advisors or consultants of Holdings and those of its affiliates are eligible to participate in the 2007 Stock Award Plan. The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors has the sole and complete authority to determine who will be granted an award under the 2007 Stock Award Plan, however it may delegate such authority to one or more officers.
Number of Shares Authorized . The 2007 Stock Award Plan provides for an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of Holdings common stock to be available for awards. No participant may be granted awards of options and stock appreciation rights with respect to more than 2,500,000 shares of Holdings common stock in any one year. No more than 2,500,000 shares of Holdings common stock may be awarded under the 2007 Stock Award Plan to any participant during any single year with respect to performance compensation awards in any one performance period or to the extent such performance compensation awards are paid in other than in shares of Holdings common stock, an amount no greater than the fair market value of 2,500,000 shares of such Holdings common stock. The maximum amount payable pursuant to a cash bonus for an individual employee or officer under the 2007 Stock Award Plan for any single year during a performance period is $15,000,000. If any award is forfeited or if any option terminates, expires or lapses without being exercised, shares of Holdings common stock subject to such award will again be made available for future grant. Shares that are used to pay the exercise price of an option or that are withheld to satisfy the participants tax withholding obligation will not be available for re-grant under the 2007 Stock Award Plan. If there is any change in Holdings corporate capitalization, the compensation committee, in its sole discretion, may make substitutions or adjustments to the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2007 Stock Award Plan, the number of shares covered by awards then outstanding under the 2007 Stock Award Plan, the limitations on awards under the 2007 Stock Award Plan, the exercise price of outstanding options and such other equitable substitution or adjustments as it may determine appropriate.
The 2007 Stock Award Plan has a term of ten years and no further awards may be granted under the 2007 Stock Award Plan after that date.
Awards Available for Grant. The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors may grant awards of non-qualified stock options, incentive (qualified) stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock bonus awards, performance compensation awards (including cash bonus awards) or any combination of the foregoing.
Options. The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors is authorized to grant options to purchase shares of Holdings common stock that are either qualified, meaning they are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code for incentive stock options, or non-qualified, meaning they are not intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. Options granted under the 2007 Stock Award Plan will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the compensation committee. Under the terms of the 2007 Stock Award Plan, unless the compensation committee of Holdings board of directors determines otherwise in the case of an option substituted for another option in connection with a corporate transaction, the exercise price of the options will not be less than the fair market value of Holdings common stock at the time of grant. Options granted under the 2007 Stock Award Plan will be subject to such terms, including the exercise price and the conditions and timing of exercise, as may be determined by the compensation committee of Holdings board of directors and specified in the applicable award agreement. The maximum term of an option granted under the 2007 Stock Award Plan will be ten years from the date of grant (or five years in the case of a qualified option granted to a 10% stockholder). Payment in respect of the exercise of an option may be made in cash or by check, by surrender of unrestricted shares (at their fair market value on the date of exercise) that have been held by the participant for any period deemed necessary by Holdings accountants to avoid an additional compensation charge or have been purchased on the open market, or the compensation committee may, in its discretion and to the extent permitted by law, allow such payment to be made through a broker-assisted cashless exercise mechanism, a net exercise method, or by such other method as the compensation committee may determine to be appropriate.
Stock Appreciation Rights . The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors is authorized to award stock appreciation rights (or SARs) under the 2007 Stock Award Plan. SARs will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the compensation committee. An SAR is a contractual right that allows a participant to receive, either in the form of cash, shares or any combination of cash and shares, the appreciation, if any, in the value of a share over a certain period of time. An option granted under the 2007 Stock Award Plan may include SARs and SARs may also be awarded to a participant
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independent of the grant of an option. SARs granted in connection with an option shall be subject to terms similar to the option corresponding to such SARs. The terms of the SARs shall be subject to terms established by the compensation committee of Holdings board of directors and reflected in the award agreement.
Restricted Stock . The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors is authorized to award restricted stock under the 2007 Stock Award Plan. Awards of restricted stock will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the compensation committee of Holdings board of directors. Restricted stock is common stock that generally is non-transferable and is subject to other restrictions determined by the compensation committee of Holdings board of directors for a specified period. Unless the compensation committee of Holdings board of directors determines otherwise or specifies otherwise in an award agreement, if a participant terminates employment or services during the restricted period, then the participant will forfeit any unvested restricted stock.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards . The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors is authorized to award restricted stock unit awards. Awards of restricted stock units will be subject to the terms and conditions established by the compensation committee. Unless the compensation committee of Holdings board of directors determines otherwise or specifies otherwise in an award agreement, if the participant terminates employment or services during the period of time over which all or a portion of the units are to be earned, then the participant will forfeit any unvested units. At the election of the compensation committee of Holdings board of directors, the participant will receive a number of shares of common stock equal to the number of units earned or an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of that number of shares at the expiration of the period over which the units are to be earned or at a later date selected by the compensation committee.
Stock Bonus Awards . The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors is authorized to grant awards of unrestricted shares of Holdings common stock or other awards denominated in common stock, either alone or in tandem with other awards, under such terms and conditions as the compensation committee of Holdings board of directors may determine.
Performance Compensation Awards . The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors may grant any award under the 2007 Stock Award Plan in the form of a performance compensation award by conditioning the vesting of the award on the satisfaction of certain performance goals. The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors may establish these performance goals with reference to one or more of the following:
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net earnings or net income (before or after taxes); |
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basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); |
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net revenue or net revenue growth; |
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gross profit or gross profit growth; |
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operating profit (before or after taxes); |
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return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity or sales); |
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cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow and cash flow return on capital); |
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earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and amortization; |
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gross or operating margins; |
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productivity ratios; |
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share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return); |
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expense targets; |
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margins; |
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operating efficiency; |
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objective measures of customer satisfaction; |
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working capital targets; |
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measures of economic value added; |
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inventory control; |
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enterprise value; |
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sales; |
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debt levels and net debt; |
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client retention; |
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employee retention; |
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timely completion of new product rollouts; |
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timely launch of new facilities; |
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objective measures of personal targets, goals or completion of projects; or |
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any combination of the foregoing. |
Transferability . Each award may be exercised during the participants lifetime only by the participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by the participants guardian or legal representative and may not be otherwise transferred or encumbered by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors, however, may permit awards to be transferred to family members, a trust for the benefit of such family members, a partnership or limited liability company whose partners or stockholders are the participant and his or her family members, or any other transferee approved by it.
Amendment . The 2007 Stock Award Plan has a term of ten years. Holdings board of directors may amend, suspend or terminate the 2007 Stock Award Plan at any time; however, stockholder approval to amend the 2007 Stock Award Plan may be necessary if the 2007 Stock Award Plan document or law so requires. No amendment, suspension or termination will impair the rights of any participant or recipient of any award without the consent of the participant or recipient.
Change in Control . In the event of a change in control (as defined in the 2007 Stock Award Plan), the compensation committee of Holdings board of directors may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, that outstanding options and equity awards (other than performance compensation awards) issued under the 2007 Stock Award Plan become fully vested and may vest performance compensation awards based on the level of attainment of the specified performance goals. The compensation committee of Holdings board of directors may cancel
The 2007 Stock Award Plan has been filed as Exhibit 10.6 to this Form 10-Q.
Item 6. | Exhibits. |
Exhibit
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Description |
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10.1* |
Employment agreement, dated as of November 9, 2007, by and among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., Affinion Group Inc. and Nathaniel J. Lipman. | |
10.2* |
Employment agreement, dated as of November 9, 2007, by and among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., Affinion Group Inc. and Thomas A. Williams. | |
10.3* |
Employment agreement, dated as of November 9, 2007, by and among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., Affinion Group Inc. and Robert Rooney. | |
10.4* |
Employment agreement, dated as of November 9, 2007, by and among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., Affinion Group Inc. and Thomas Rusin. | |
10.5* |
Employment agreement, dated as of November 9, 2007, by and among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., Affinion Group Inc. and Todd Siegel. | |
10.6* |
Form of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2007 Stock Award Plan. | |
10.7* |
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement pursuant to Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.s 2007 Stock Award Plan. | |
31.1* |
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a). |
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Exhibit
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Description |
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31.2* |
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a). | |
32.1* |
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. | |
32.2* |
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
* | Filed herewith. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||||
Date: November 13, 2007 | By: |
/s/ Thomas A. Williams |
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Thomas A. Williams | ||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION COPY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT by and among AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), AFFINION GROUP, INC. , a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ( Affinion ) and NATHANIEL J. LIPMAN ( Executive ) (collectively the Parties ) is made as of November 9, 2007 (the Effective Date ).
WHEREAS , on October 17, 2005, Executive entered into an employment agreement with Affinion (the Prior Employment Agreement );
WHEREAS , the Parties desire to continue to employ Executive pursuant to the terms, provisions and conditions set forth in this employment agreement (the Agreement ), which Agreement shall supersede the Prior Employment Agreement effective as of the Effective Date;
WHEREAS , Executive desires to accept and continue his employment on the terms hereinafter set forth in this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants, understandings, representations, warranties, undertakings and promises hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound thereby, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Employment Period .
Subject to earlier termination in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed by the Company and Affinion (collectively, the Companies ) for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on October 17, 2010 (the Employment Period ); provided , however , that the Employment Period shall automatically be renewed for successive one (1) year periods thereafter unless either the Company or Executive gives at least ninety (90) days written notice of its intention not to renew the Employment Period. Upon Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall immediately resign all positions with the Companies or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, including any position as a member of the Companys Board of Directors (the Board ) and as a member of the Board of Directors of Affinion (the Affinion Board ).
Section 2. Terms of Employment .
(a) Position . During the term of Executives employment, Executive shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In addition, as of the Effective Date, Executive is a member and Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Affinion Board. During the Employment Period, the Company will nominate Executive for election by stockholders as a member of the Board and will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Executive to be so elected. In performing his duties hereunder, Executive shall report directly to the Board. If reasonably requested by the Board, Executive hereby agrees to serve (without additional compensation) as an officer and director of any member of the Affinion Group (as defined in Section 5(a) below).
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(b) Duties . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be primarily responsible for the Companys management and affairs as directed by the Board, and have such other, responsibilities, duties and authority that are customary for his position, subject at all times to the control of the Board, and shall perform such services as customarily are provided by an executive of a corporation with his position and such other services consistent with his position, as shall be assigned to him from time to time by the Board. Executive agrees to devote all of his business time to the business and affairs of the Company and to use Executives commercially reasonable efforts to perform faithfully, effectively and efficiently his responsibilities and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from (i) serving on civic or charitable boards or committees and (ii) managing personal investments, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Executives responsibilities hereunder.
(c) Compensation .
(i) Base Salary . During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive an initial annual base salary in an amount equal to $585,000.00, less all applicable withholdings, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company (as in effect from time to time, the Annual Base Salary ). The Annual Base Salary shall be subject to annual review and increases, and the Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced without Executives consent, unless the reduction is related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive and does not exceed 10% of his Annual Base Salary.
(ii) Bonuses . During the Employment Period, the Company shall establish a bonus plan for each fiscal year of the Company (each, the Plan ) pursuant to which Executive will be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the Bonus ). The Compensation Committee of the Board will administer the Plan and at such time as the Company becomes subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ) establish in advance performance objectives for each year in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. In the event that the Company achieves the target established in the Plan based on actual performance, Executive shall be eligible to receive a Bonus in an amount equal to 125% (which amount shall increase to 150% as of the beginning of the fiscal year 2008) of Executives Annual Base Salary ( Target Bonus ). Subject to Section 4, Executive will be entitled to receive the Bonus only upon the Companys achievement of the specified performance objectives and if Executive is employed on the last day of the applicable fiscal year. The Bonus shall become payable in the following fiscal year on or before March 15 provided that the Compensation Committee certifies that the Company has achieved the applicable performance objectives and determines the amount of the bonus that shall be paid to each executive entitled to receive a bonus for the applicable fiscal year.
(iii) Benefits . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in all retirement, compensation and employee benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Companies to the extent applicable generally to other senior executives of the Companies (except severance plans, policies, practices, or programs) subject to the eligibility criteria set forth therein, as such may be amended or terminated from time to time.
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(iv) Expenses . During the term of Executives employment, Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in performance of his duties hereunder provided that Executive provides all necessary documentation in accordance with the Companies policies.
Section 3. Termination of Employment .
(a) Death or Disability . Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon Executives death. If Executive becomes subject to a Disability (as defined below) during the Employment Period, the Company may give Executive written notice in accordance with Sections 3(f) and 10(h) of its intention to terminate Executives employment. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability means (i) Executives inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) Executive is, by reason of any medically determinable physical of mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident or health plan covering employees of the Companies.
(b) Cause . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for Cause (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean Executives (i) conviction of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude; (ii) conduct that constitutes fraud or embezzlement; (iii) willful misconduct or willful gross neglect; (iv) continued willful failure to substantially perform his duties as President and Chief Executive Officer; or (v) a material breach by Executive of this Agreement; provided that in the event of a termination pursuant to clause (iv) or (v), to the extent such failure to perform duties or material breach is subject to cure, the Company shall have notified Executive in writing describing such failure to perform duties or material breach and Executive shall have failed to cure such failure to perform or breach within 30 days after his receipt of such written notice.
(c) Termination Without Cause . The Company may terminate Executives employment hereunder without Cause at any time.
(d) Good Reason . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by Executive for Good Reason upon 60 days prior written notice following the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason means voluntary resignation after any of the following actions taken by the Companies without Executives consent: (i) failure of the Company to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause Executive to continue to be elected as a member of the Board; (ii) any material failure of the Companies to fulfill their obligations under this Agreement, (iii) a material and adverse change to, or a material reduction of, Executives duties and responsibilities to the Companies, (iv) a reduction in Executives Annual Base Salary or Target Bonus (excluding any diminution related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive specifically and that is not more than 10% in the aggregate or any diminution to which Executive consented) or
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(v) the relocation of Executives primary office to a location more than 35 miles from the prior location; provided that any such event shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until Executive shall have provided the Companies with notice thereof no later than 60 days following the occurrence of such event and the Companies shall have failed to remedy such event within 30 days of receipt of such notice.
(e) Voluntary Termination . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by Executive without Good Reason upon 90 days prior written notice.
(f) Termination as a Result of Non-Renewal of the Employment Period by the Company . The expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executives employment upon the date of such expiration, on account of the Company giving notice to Executive of its desire not to extend the Employment Period in accordance with Section 1, shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a termination without Cause pursuant to Section 4(a).
(g) Notice of Termination . Any termination by the Company for Cause or without Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 10(h). For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executives employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by Executive, or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive, or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive, or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executives, or the Companys rights hereunder.
(h) Date of Termination . Date of Termination means (i) if Executives employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination (in the case of a termination with or without Good Reason, provided such Date of Termination is in accordance with Section 3(d) or Section 3(e)) or any later date specified therein pursuant to Section 3(g), as the case may be, (ii) if Executives employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death, and (iii) the expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executives employment upon the date of such expiration, on account of the Company giving notice to Executive of its desire not to extend the Employment Period in accordance with Section 3(f).
Section 4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination .
(a) With Good Reason; Without Cause . If during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executives employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the following payments and/or benefits:
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(i) The Company shall pay to Executive as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than the 15 th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year that contains the Date of Termination in a lump sum to the extent not previously paid, (A) the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, and (B) the Bonus earned for any fiscal year ended prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, provided that Executive was employed on the last day of such fiscal year ( Accrued Obligations ); and
(ii) After the Date of Termination, the Company will pay Executive, in eight quarterly installments commencing as of the Date of Termination, an amount equal to two times the sum of Executives Annual Base Salary and Target Bonus, such installment to be paid ratably on the last day of the quarter (the Severance Payments ).
(b) Death or Disability . If Executives employment shall be terminated by reason of the Executives death or Disability, then the Company will provide Executive with the following severance payments and/or benefits: the Company shall pay Executive or his legal representatives (i) the Accrued Obligations; (ii) a lump sum equal to one times Executives Annual Base Salary; and (iii) the continuation of death or Disability benefits thereafter in accordance with the terms of such plans of the Companies then in effect.
Thereafter, the Companies shall have no further obligation to Executive or his legal representatives.
(c) Cause; Other than for Good Reason . If Executives employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, then the Companies shall have no further obligations to Executive other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations and any indemnification rights he may have pursuant to Section 9.
(d) Separation Agreement and General Release . The Companys obligations to make payments under Sections 4(a) and 4(b) are conditioned on Executives or his legal representatives executing a separation agreement and general release of claims against the Companies and their respective affiliates (and their respective officers and directors) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A , subject to changes as maybe warranted to be made to such release to preserve the intent thereof for changes in applicable laws; provided , that, if Executive should fail to execute (or revokes) such release within 60 days following the Date of Termination, the Company shall not have any obligation to provide the payments contemplated under this Section 4.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all or any portion of the payments and/or benefits due under Section 4(a) or Section 4(b) are determined to be nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, and the Company determines that Executive is a specified employee as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the final regulations promulgated thereunder (the Treasury Regulations ) and other guidance issued thereunder, then such payments and/or benefits (or portion thereof) shall commence no earlier than the first day of the seventh month following Executives termination of employment (with the first such payment being a lump sum equal to the aggregate payments and/or benefits Executive would have received during such six-month period if no such payment delay had been imposed). For purposes of this Section 4(e), termination of employment shall mean Executives separation from service, as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations, including the default presumptions thereunder.
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Section 5. Restrictive Covenants .
(a) Non-Solicitation . During the Employment Period and ending on the third anniversary of the Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Companies and their respective affiliates (collectively, the Affinion Group ) to leave the employ of the Affinion Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Affinion Group, on the one hand, and any employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Affinion Group or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Affinion Group to cease doing business with the Affinion Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Affinion Group, on the other hand.
(b) Non-Competition . Executive acknowledges that, in the course of his employment with the Affinion Group, Executive has become familiar, or will become familiar, with the Affinion Groups Confidential Information and that such Executives services have been and will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Affinion Group. Therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Employment Period and ending on the second anniversary of Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason (the Non-Compete Period ), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any business that markets, provides, administers or makes available affinity-based membership programs, affinity-based insurance programs, benefit packages as an enhancement to financial institutions or other customer accounts or loyalty-based programs (whether as of the date hereof or during the Non-Compete Period), anywhere in the world in which the Affinion Group is doing business. For purposes of this Section 5(b), the phrase directly or indirectly, engage in shall include any direct or indirect ownership or profit participation interest in such enterprise, whether as an owner, stockholder, partner, joint venturer or otherwise, and shall include any direct or indirect participation in such enterprise as an employee, consultant, licensor of technology or otherwise; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 5(b) shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 5% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation.
(c) Non-Disclosure; Non-Use of Confidential Information . Executive shall not disclose or use at any time, either during his employment with the Companies or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information of which Executive is or becomes aware, whether or not such information is developed by him, except to the extent that such disclosure or use is directly related to and required by Executives performance in good faith of duties assigned to Executive by the Company. Executive will take all appropriate steps to safeguard Confidential Information in his possession and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination of his employment with the Company, or at any time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential Information or the Work Product (as defined in Section 5(e)(ii)) of the business of the Affinion Group that Executive may then possess or have under his control.
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(d) Proprietary Rights . Executive recognizes that the Affinion Group possesses a proprietary interest in all Confidential Information and Work Product and has the exclusive right and privilege to use, protect by copyright, patent or trademark, or otherwise exploit the processes, ideas and concepts described therein to the exclusion of Executive, except as otherwise agreed between the Affinion Group and Executive in writing. Executive expressly agrees that any Work Product made or developed by Executive or his agents during the course of Executives employment, including any Work Product which is based on or arises out of Work Product, shall be the property of and inure to the exclusive benefit of the Affinion Group. Executive further agrees that all Work Product developed by Executive (whether or not able to be protected by copyright, patent or trademark) during the course of his employment with the Companies, or involving the use of the time, materials or other resources of the Affinion Group, shall be promptly disclosed to the Affinion Group and shall become the exclusive property of the Affinion Group, and Executive shall execute and deliver any and all documents necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing.
(e) Certain Definitions .
(i) As used herein, the term Confidential Information means information that is not generally known to the public (but for purposes of clarity, Confidential Information shall never exclude any such information that become known to the public because of Executives unauthorized disclosure) and that is used, developed or obtained by the Affinion Group in connection with its business, including, but not limited to, information, observations and data obtained by Executive while employed by the Affinion Group or any predecessors thereof (including those obtained prior to the date of the Prior Employment Agreement) concerning (A) the business or affairs of the Affinion Group (or such predecessors), (B) products or services, (C) fees, costs and pricing structures, (D) designs, (E) analyses, (F) drawings, photographs and reports, (G) computer software, including operating systems, applications and program listings, (H) flow charts, manuals and documentation, (I) databases, (J) accounting and business methods, (K) inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice, (L) customers and clients and customer or client lists, (M) other copyrightable works, (N) all production methods, processes, technology and trade secrets, and (O) all similar and related information in whatever form. Confidential Information will not include any information that has been published in a form generally available to the public (except as a result of Executives unauthorized disclosure) prior to the date Executive proposes to disclose or use such information. Confidential Information will not be deemed to have been published or otherwise disclosed merely because individual portions of the information have been separately published, but only if all material features comprising such information have been published in combination.
(ii) As used herein, the term Work Product means all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names,
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logos and all similar or related information (whether patentable or unpatentable) that relates to the Affinion Groups actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed by the Companies (including those conceived, developed or made prior to the date of the Prior Employment Agreement) together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, trade name and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing.
Section 6. Non-Disparagement .
During the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing until the third anniversary of the Executives termination of employment for any reason, neither Executive nor his agents, on the one hand, nor the Companies formally, or their respective senior executives or board of directors, on the other hand, shall directly or indirectly issue or communicate any public statement, or statement likely to become public, that maligns, denigrates or disparages the other (including, in the case of communications by Executive or his agents, any of the Companies officers, directors or employees). The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to legal process or governmental inquiry or by private statements to any of the Companies officers, directors or employees; provided , that in the case of Executive, such statements are made in the course of carrying out his duties pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 7. Severance Payments .
In addition to the foregoing, and not in any way in limitation of any right or remedy otherwise available to the Affinion Group, if Executive violates Section 5 or Section 6 hereof, any Severance Payments then or thereafter due from the Company to Executive shall be terminated immediately and the Companys obligation to pay and Executives right to receive such Severance Payments shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.
Section 8. Executives Representations, Warranties and Covenants .
(a) Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Companies that:
(i) Executive has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by Executive;
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Executive is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Executive is subject;
(iii) Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, consulting agreement, non-compete agreement, fee for services agreement, confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with any other person;
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(iv) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(v) Executive understands that the Companies will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of Executive set forth herein and Executive consents to such reliance; and
(vi) as of the date of execution of this Agreement, Executive is not in breach of any of its terms, including having committed any acts that would form the basis for a Cause termination if such act had occurred after the Effective Date.
(b) The Companies hereby represent and warrant to Executive that:
(i) the Companies have all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by the Companies;
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Companies does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Companies are a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Companies are subject;
(iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Companies, enforceable in accordance with its terms; and
(iv) the Companies understand that Executive will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of the Companies set forth herein and the Companies consent to such reliance.
Section 9. Indemnification .
The Company shall secure directors and officers liability insurance for the benefit of Executive on terms at least equal to those applicable to the other directors and officers of the Company (which insurance, for Executive, shall provide for advancement of defense costs) and shall indemnify Executive to the maximum extent permitted under the General Corporate Law of Delaware.
Section 10. General Provisions .
(a) Severability . It is the desire and intent of the Parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights and obligations of any party under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected
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thereby, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction; furthermore, in lieu of such invalid or unenforceable provision there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement, a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
(b) Entire Agreement and Effectiveness . Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Prior Employment Agreement shall terminate as of immediately prior to the Effective Date, Executive shall have no further rights thereunder and the Companies shall have no further obligations thereunder. Effective as of the Effective Date, this Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way (including, without limitation, any other employment, severance or change-in-control agreement or understanding but excluding the Management Investor Rights Agreement dated October 17, 2005 and any stock options or equity awards granted under any equity compensation plans maintained by the Company).
(c) Successors and Assigns .
(i) This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Companies shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executives legal representatives.
(ii) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Companies and their respective successors and assigns. The Companies will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Companies to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Companies would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Companies shall mean the Companies as hereinbefore defined and any successor to their business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
(d) Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTIONS CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.
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(e) Enforcement .
(i) Arbitration . Except for disputes arising under Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claim for injunctive relief), any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or its interpretation, application, implementation, breach or enforcement which the Parties are unable to resolve by mutual agreement, shall be settled by submission by either Executive or the Companies of the controversy, claim or dispute to binding arbitration in New York (unless the Parties agree in writing to a different location), before a single arbitrator in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. In any such arbitration proceeding the Parties agree to provide all discovery deemed necessary by the arbitrator. The decision and award made by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Parties hereto for all purposes, and judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Each party shall bear its or his costs and expenses in any such arbitration and one-half of the arbitrators fees and costs; provided , however , that the arbitrator shall have the discretion to award the prevailing party reimbursement of its or his reasonable attorneys fees and costs.
(ii) Remedies . All remedies hereunder are cumulative, are in addition to any other remedies provided for by law and may, to the extent permitted by law, be exercised concurrently or separately, and the exercise of any one remedy shall not be deemed to be an election of such remedy or to preclude the exercise of any other remedy.
(iii) Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(f) Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Companies and Executive and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
(g) Notices . Any notice provided for in this Agreement must be in writing and must be either personally delivered, transmitted via telecopier, mailed by first class mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the recipient at the address below indicated or at such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder and received when delivered personally, when received if transmitted via telecopier, five days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit for overnight delivery with a reputable overnight courier service.
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If to the Companies, to:
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
100 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Facsimile: (203) 956-1206
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
590 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Facsimile: (212) 872-1002
Attention: Adam Weinstein, Esq.
If to Executive, to:
Executives home address most recently on file with the Company.
(h) Withholdings Taxes . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(i) Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements . All representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby indefinitely.
(j) Descriptive Headings . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. All references to a Section in this Agreement are to a section of the Agreement unless otherwise noted.
(k) Construction . Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
(l) Code Section 409A . If any payments of compensation or benefits due to Executive hereunder could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such payments or other benefits shall be deferred if deferral will make such payment or other benefits compliant with Section 409A of the Code; otherwise, such payment or other benefits shall be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner, determined by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Executive, that does not cause such an accelerated or additional tax.
(m) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.
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[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Todd H. Siegel |
|
Name: | Todd H. Siegel | |
Title: | Executive Vice President and General Counsel | |
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Todd H. Siegel |
|
Name: | Todd H. Siegel | |
Title: | Executive Vice President and General Counsel | |
NATHANIEL J. LIPMAN | ||
Signature: |
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
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EXHIBIT A
GENERAL RELEASE
1. Termination of Employment . Nathaniel J. Lipman ( Executive ) acknowledges that his last day of employment with Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (together with Affinion Group, Inc., the Company ) is (the Termination Date ).
2. Full Release . For the consideration set forth in the Employment Agreement, by and between the Company and Executive, dated as of September 28, 2007 (the Employment Agreement ) and for other fair and valuable consideration therefore, Executive, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Releasors ), hereby fully releases and discharges the Company, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, insurers, successors, and assigns, and their respective officers, directors, officers, employees, and agents (all such persons, firms, corporations and entities being deemed beneficiaries hereof and are referred to herein as the Company Entities ) from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, obligations, costs, losses, liabilities, damages and demands of whatsoever character, whether or not known, suspected or claimed, which the Releasors have, from the beginning of time through the date of this General Release, against the Company Entities arising out of or in any way related to Executives employment or termination of his employment; provided , however , that this shall not be a release with respect to any amounts and benefits owed to Executive pursuant to the Employment Agreement upon termination of employment, employee benefit plans of the Company, or Executives right to indemnification and directors and officers insurance as provided in Section 9 of the Employment Agreement.
3. Waiver of Rights Under Other Statutes . Executive understands that this General Release waives all claims and rights Executive may have under certain federal, state and local statutory and regulatory laws, as each may be amended from time to time, including but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act) ( ADEA ), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Equal Pay Act; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act; and all other statutes, regulations, common law, and other laws in any and all jurisdictions (including, but not limited to, Connecticut) that in any way relate to Executives employment or the termination of his employment.
4. Informed and Voluntary Signature . No promise or inducement has been made other than those set forth in this General Release. This General Release is executed by Executive without reliance on any representation by Company or any of its agents. Executive states that that he is fully competent to manage his business affairs and understands that he may be waiving legal rights by signing this General Release. Executive hereby acknowledges that he has carefully read this General Release and has had the opportunity to thoroughly discuss the terms of this General Release with legal counsel of his choosing. Executive hereby acknowledges that he fully understands the terms of this General Release and its final and binding effect and that he affixes his signature hereto voluntarily and of his own free will.
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5. Waiver of Rights Under the Age Discrimination Act . Executive understands that this General Release, and the release contained herein, waives all of his claims and rights under the ADEA. The waiver of Executives rights under the ADEA does not extend to claims or rights that might arise after the date this General Release is executed. The monies to be paid to Executive are in addition to any sums to which Executive would be entitled without signing this General Release. For a period of seven (7) days following execution of this General Release, Executive may revoke the terms of this General Release by a written document received by the General Counsel of the Company no later than 11:59 p.m. of the seventh day following Executives execution of this General Release. This General Release will not be effective until said revocation period has expired. Executive acknowledges that he has been given up to [21/45] 1 days to decide whether to sign this General Release. Executive has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this General Release and has been given a full and fair opportunity to do so.
6. Miscellaneous .
(a) This General Release shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Connecticut without regard to the principles of conflict of law.
(b) In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Moreover, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this General Release is held to be excessively broad as to duration, scope, activity or subject, such provisions will be construed by limiting and reducing them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with applicable law.
(c) This General Release may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(d) The paragraph headings used in this General Release are included solely for convenience and shall not affect or be used in connection with the interpretation of this General Release.
(e) This General Release and the Employment Agreement represent the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereto and may not be amended except in a writing signed by the Company and Executive. If any dispute should arise under this General Release, it shall be settled in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement.
(f) This General Release shall be binding on the executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of Executive and the successors and assigns of Company and shall inure to the benefit of the respective executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of the Company Entities and the Releasors.
1 | Insert 45 days in the event of a layoff of two or more employees. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this General Release on this day of .
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: |
||
Title: |
||
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: |
||
Title: |
||
NATHANIEL J. LIPMAN | ||
Signature: |
|
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Exhibit 10.2
EXECUTION COPY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT by and among AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the Company ), AFFINION GROUP, INC ., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ( Affinion ) and THOMAS A. WILLIAMS ( Executive ) (collectively the Parties ) is made as of November 9, 2007 (the Effective Date ).
WHEREAS , on November 8, 2006, Executive entered into an employment agreement with Affinion, which employment agreement was subsequently amended as of February 21, 2007 and June 1, 2007 (the Prior Employment Agreement );
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to continue to employ Executive pursuant to the terms, provisions and conditions set forth in this employment agreement (the Agreement ), which Agreement shall supersede the Prior Employment Agreement effective as of the Effective Date; and
WHEREAS , Executive desires to accept and continue his employment on the terms hereinafter set forth in this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants, understandings, representations, warranties, undertakings and promises hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound thereby, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Employment Period .
Subject to earlier termination in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed by the Company and Affinion (collectively, the Companies ) for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on January 1, 2010 (the Employment Period ); provided , however , that the Employment Period shall automatically be renewed for successive one (1) year periods thereafter unless either the Company or Executive gives at least ninety (90) days written notice of its intention not to renew the Employment Period. Upon Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall immediately resign all positions with the Companies or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, including any position as a member of any of the Companies Board of Directors.
Section 2. Terms of Employment .
(a) Position . During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and shall be responsible for the general financial matters of the Company as directed by the Chief Executive Officer. Executives duties shall include formulating the Companys financial policy and plans, directing activities associated with the investment of the Companys assets and funds, and the general management of accounting, tax, insurance, budget, credit and treasury functions. Executive shall perform such additional duties and have the responsibilities and powers as delegated to him from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer. Executive shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. If reasonably requested by the Board of Directors of the
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Company (the Board ), Executive hereby agrees to serve (without additional compensation) as an officer and director of any member of the Affinion Group (as defined in Section 5(a) below).
(b) Duties . During the Employment Period, Executive shall have such responsibilities, duties, and authority that are customary for his position, subject at all times to the control of the Board, and shall perform such services as customarily are provided by an executive of a corporation with his position and such other services consistent with his position, as shall be assigned to him from time to time by the Board. Executive agrees to devote all of his business time to the business and affairs of the Company and to use Executives commercially reasonable efforts to perform faithfully, effectively and efficiently his responsibilities and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from (i) serving on civic or charitable boards or committees and (ii) managing personal investments, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Executives responsibilities hereunder.
(c) Compensation .
(i) Base Salary . During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive an initial annual base salary in an amount equal to Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00), less all applicable withholdings, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company (as in effect from time to time, the Annual Base Salary ). The Annual Base Salary shall be subject to annual review and increases, and the Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced without Executives consent, unless the reduction is related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive and does not exceed 10% of his Annual Base Salary.
(ii) Bonuses . During the Employment Period, the Company shall establish a bonus plan for each fiscal year of the Company (each, the Plan ) pursuant to which Executive will be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the Bonus ). The Compensation Committee of the Board will administer the Plan and at such time as the Company becomes subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ) establish in advance performance objectives for each year in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. In the event that the Company achieves the target established in the Plan based on actual performance, Executive shall be eligible to receive a Bonus in an amount equal to 100% of Executives Annual Base Salary ( Target Bonus ). Subject to Section 4, Executive will be entitled to receive the Bonus only upon the Companys achievement of the specified performance objectives and if Executive is employed on the last day of the applicable fiscal year. The Bonus shall become payable in the following fiscal year on or before March 15 provided that the Compensation Committee certifies that the Company has achieved the applicable performance objectives and determines the amount of the bonus that shall be paid to each executive entitled to receive a bonus for the applicable fiscal year.
(iii) Benefits . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in all retirement, compensation and employee benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Companies to the extent applicable generally to other senior executives of the Companies (except severance plans, policies, practices, or programs) subject to the eligibility criteria set forth therein, as such may be amended or terminated from time to time.
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(iv) Expenses . During the term of Executives employment, Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in performance of his duties hereunder provided that Executive provides all necessary documentation in accordance with the Companies policies.
Section 3. Termination of Employment .
(a) Death or Disability . Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon Executives death. If Executive becomes subject to a Disability (as defined below) during the Employment Period, the Company may give Executive written notice in accordance with Sections 3(f) and 10(h) of its intention to terminate Executives employment. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability means (i) Executives inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) Executive is, by reason of any medically determinable physical of mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident or health plan covering employees of the Companies.
(b) Cause . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for Cause (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean Executives (i) conviction of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude; (ii) conduct that constitutes fraud or embezzlement; (iii) willful misconduct or willful gross neglect; (iv) continued willful failure to substantially perform his duties as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; or (v) a material breach by Executive of this Agreement; provided that in the event of a termination pursuant to clause (iv) or (v), to the extent such failure to perform duties or material breach is subject to cure, the Company shall have notified Executive in writing describing such failure to perform duties or material breach and Executive shall have failed to cure such failure to perform or breach within 30 days after his receipt of such written notice.
(c) Termination Without Cause . The Company may terminate Executives employment hereunder without Cause at any time.
(d) Good Reason . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by Executive for Good Reason upon 60 days prior written notice following the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason means voluntary resignation after any of the following actions taken by the Companies without Executives consent: (i) any material failure of the Companies to fulfill their obligations under this Agreement, (ii) a material and adverse change to, or a material reduction of, Executives duties and responsibilities to the Companies, (iii) a reduction in Executives Annual Base Salary or Target Bonus (excluding any diminution related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive specifically and that is not more than 10% in the aggregate or any diminution to which Executive consented) or (iv) the relocation of Executives primary office to a location more than 35 miles from the prior location; provided that any such
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event shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until Executive shall have provided the Companies with notice thereof no later than 60 days following the occurrence of such event and the Companies shall have failed to remedy such event within 30 days of receipt of such notice.
(e) Voluntary Termination . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by Executive without Good Reason upon 90 days prior written notice.
(f) Termination as a Result of Non-Renewal of the Employment Period by the Company . The expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executives employment upon the date of such expiration, on account of the Company giving notice to Executive of its desire not to extend the Employment Period in accordance with Section 1, shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a termination without Cause pursuant to Section 4(a).
(g) Notice of Termination . Any termination by the Company for Cause or without Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 10(h). For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executives employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by Executive, or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive, or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive, or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executives, or the Companys rights hereunder.
(h) Date of Termination . Date of Termination means (i) if Executives employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination (in the case of a termination with or without Good Reason, provided such Date of Termination is in accordance with Section 3(d) or Section 3(e)) or any later date specified therein pursuant to Section 3(g), as the case may be, (ii) if Executives employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death, and (iii) the expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executives employment upon the date of such expiration, on account of the Company giving notice to Executive of its desire not to extend the Employment Period in accordance with Section 3(f).
Section 4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination .
(a) With Good Reason; Without Cause . If during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executives employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the following payments and/or benefits:
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(i) The Company shall pay to Executive as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than the 15 th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year that contains the Date of Termination in a lump sum to the extent not previously paid, (A) the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, and (B) the Bonus earned for any fiscal year ended prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, provided that Executive was employed on the last day of such fiscal year ( Accrued Obligations ); and
(ii) After the Date of Termination, the Company will pay Executive, in six quarterly installments commencing as of the Date of Termination, an amount equal to 100% of the sum of (A) Executives Annual Base Salary and (B) Executives Target Bonus, such installment to be paid ratably on the last day of the quarter (the Severance Payments ).
(b) Death or Disability . If Executives employment shall be terminated by reason of the Executives death or Disability, then the Company will provide Executive with the following severance payments and/or benefits: the Company shall pay Executive or his legal representatives (i) the Accrued Obligations; (ii) a lump sum equal to 100% of Executives Annual Base Salary; and (iii) the continuation of death or Disability benefits thereafter in accordance with the terms of such plans of the Companies then in effect.
Thereafter, the Companies shall have no further obligation to Executive or his legal representatives.
(c) Cause; Other than for Good Reason . If Executives employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, then the Companies shall have no further obligations to Executive other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations and any indemnification rights he may have pursuant to Section 9.
(d) Separation Agreement and General Release . The Companys obligations to make payments under Sections 4(a) and 4(b) are conditioned on Executives or his legal representatives executing a separation agreement and general release of claims against the Companies and their respective affiliates (and their respective officers and directors) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A , subject to changes as maybe warranted to be made to such release to preserve the intent thereof for changes in applicable laws; provided , that, if Executive should fail to execute (or revokes) such release within 60 days following the Date of Termination, the Company shall not have any obligation to provide the payments contemplated under this Section 4.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all or any portion of the payments and/or benefits due under Section 4(a) or Section 4(b) are determined to be nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, and the Company determines that Executive is a specified employee as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the final regulations promulgated thereunder (the Treasury Regulations ) and other guidance issued thereunder, then such payments and/or benefits (or portion thereof) shall commence no earlier than the first day of the seventh month following Executives termination of employment (with the first such payment being a lump sum equal to the aggregate payments and/or benefits Executive would have received during such six-month period if no such payment delay had been imposed). For purposes of this Section 4(e), termination of employment shall mean Executives separation from service, as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations, including the default presumptions thereunder.
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Section 5. Restrictive Covenants .
(a) Non-Solicitation . During the Employment Period and ending on the third anniversary of the Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Companies and their respective affiliates (collectively, the Affinion Group ) to leave the employ of the Affinion Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Affinion Group, on the one hand, and any employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Affinion Group or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Affinion Group to cease doing business with the Affinion Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Affinion Group, on the other hand.
(b) Non-Competition . Executive acknowledges that, in the course of his employment with the Affinion Group, Executive has become familiar, or will become familiar, with the Affinion Groups Confidential Information and that such Executives services have been and will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Affinion Group. Therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Employment Period and ending on the second anniversary of Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason (the Non-Compete Period ), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any business that markets, provides, administers or makes available affinity-based membership programs, affinity-based insurance programs, benefit packages as an enhancement to financial institutions or other customer accounts or loyalty-based programs (whether as of the date hereof or during the Non-Compete Period), anywhere in the world in which the Affinion Group is doing business. For purposes of this Section 5(b), the phrase directly or indirectly, engage in shall include any direct or indirect ownership or profit participation interest in such enterprise, whether as an owner, stockholder, partner, joint venturer or otherwise, and shall include any direct or indirect participation in such enterprise as an employee, consultant, licensor of technology or otherwise; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 5(b) shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 5% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation.
(c) Non-Disclosure; Non-Use of Confidential Information . Executive shall not disclose or use at any time, either during his employment with the Companies or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information of which Executive is or becomes aware, whether or not such information is developed by him, except to the extent that such disclosure or use is directly related to and required by Executives performance in good faith of duties assigned to Executive by the Company. Executive will take all appropriate steps to safeguard Confidential Information in his possession and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination of his employment with the Company, or at any time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential Information or the Work Product (as defined in Section 5(e)(ii)) of the business of the Affinion Group that Executive may then possess or have under his control.
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(d) Proprietary Rights . Executive recognizes that the Affinion Group possesses a proprietary interest in all Confidential Information and Work Product and has the exclusive right and privilege to use, protect by copyright, patent or trademark, or otherwise exploit the processes, ideas and concepts described therein to the exclusion of Executive, except as otherwise agreed between the Affinion Group and Executive in writing. Executive expressly agrees that any Work Product made or developed by Executive or his agents during the course of Executives employment, including any Work Product which is based on or arises out of Work Product, shall be the property of and inure to the exclusive benefit of the Affinion Group. Executive further agrees that all Work Product developed by Executive (whether or not able to be protected by copyright, patent or trademark) during the course of his employment with the Companies, or involving the use of the time, materials or other resources of the Affinion Group, shall be promptly disclosed to the Affinion Group and shall become the exclusive property of the Affinion Group, and Executive shall execute and deliver any and all documents necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing.
(e) Certain Definitions .
(i) As used herein, the term Confidential Information means information that is not generally known to the public (but for purposes of clarity, Confidential Information shall never exclude any such information that become known to the public because of Executives unauthorized disclosure) and that is used, developed or obtained by the Affinion Group in connection with its business, including, but not limited to, information, observations and data obtained by Executive while employed by the Affinion Group or any predecessors thereof (including those obtained prior to the date of the Prior Employment Agreement) concerning (A) the business or affairs of the Affinion Group (or such predecessors), (B) products or services, (C) fees, costs and pricing structures, (D) designs, (E) analyses, (F) drawings, photographs and reports, (G) computer software, including operating systems, applications and program listings, (H) flow charts, manuals and documentation, (I) databases, (J) accounting and business methods, (K) inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice, (L) customers and clients and customer or client lists, (M) other copyrightable works, (N) all production methods, processes, technology and trade secrets, and (O) all similar and related information in whatever form. Confidential Information will not include any information that has been published in a form generally available to the public (except as a result of Executives unauthorized disclosure) prior to the date Executive proposes to disclose or use such information. Confidential Information will not be deemed to have been published or otherwise disclosed merely because individual portions of the information have been separately published, but only if all material features comprising such information have been published in combination.
(ii) As used herein, the term Work Product means all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos and all similar or related information (whether patentable or unpatentable) that relates to the Affinion Groups actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products
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or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed by the Companies (including those conceived, developed or made prior to the date of the Prior Employment Agreement) together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, trade name and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing.
Section 6. Non-Disparagement .
During the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing until the third anniversary of the Executives termination of employment for any reason, neither Executive nor his agents, on the one hand, nor the Companies formally, or their respective senior executives or board of directors, on the other hand, shall directly or indirectly issue or communicate any public statement, or statement likely to become public, that maligns, denigrates or disparages the other (including, in the case of communications by Executive or his agents, any of the Companies officers, directors or employees). The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to legal process or governmental inquiry or by private statements to any of the Companies officers, directors or employees; provided , that in the case of Executive, such statements are made in the course of carrying out his duties pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 7. Severance Payments .
In addition to the foregoing, and not in any way in limitation of any right or remedy otherwise available to the Affinion Group, if Executive violates Section 5 or Section 6 hereof, any Severance Payments then or thereafter due from the Company to Executive shall be terminated immediately and the Companys obligation to pay and Executives right to receive such Severance Payments shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.
Section 8. Executives Representations, Warranties and Covenants .
(a) Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Companies that:
(i) Executive has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by Executive;
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Executive is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Executive is subject;
(iii) Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, consulting agreement, non-compete agreement, fee for services agreement, confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with any other person;
(iv) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
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(v) Executive understands that the Companies will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of Executive set forth herein and Executive consents to such reliance; and
(vi) as of the date of execution of this Agreement, Executive is not in breach of any of its terms, including having committed any acts that would form the basis for a Cause termination if such act had occurred after the Effective Date.
(b) The Companies hereby represent and warrant to Executive that:
(i) the Companies have all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by the Companies;
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Companies does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Companies are a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Companies are subject;
(iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Companies, enforceable in accordance with its terms; and
(iv) the Companies understand that Executive will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of the Companies set forth herein and the Companies consent to such reliance.
Section 9. Indemnification .
The Company shall secure directors and officers liability insurance for the benefit of Executive on terms at least equal to those applicable to the other directors and officers of the Company (which insurance, for Executive, shall provide for advancement of defense costs) and shall indemnify Executive to the maximum extent permitted under the General Corporate Law of Delaware.
Section 10. General Provisions .
(a) Severability . It is the desire and intent of the Parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights and obligations of any party under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction; furthermore, in lieu of such invalid or unenforceable provision there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement, a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be
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possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
(b) Entire Agreement and Effectiveness . Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Prior Employment Agreement shall terminate as of immediately prior to the Effective Date, Executive shall have no further rights thereunder and the Companies shall have no further obligations thereunder. Effective as of the Effective Date, this Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way (including, without limitation, any other employment, severance or change-in-control agreement or understanding but excluding the Management Investor Rights Agreement dated October 17, 2005 and any stock options or equity awards granted under any equity compensation plans maintained by the Company).
(c) Successors and Assigns .
(i) This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Companies shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executives legal representatives.
(ii) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Companies and their respective successors and assigns. The Companies will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Companies to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Companies would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Companies shall mean the Companies as hereinbefore defined and any successor to their business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
(d) Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTIONS CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.
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(e) Enforcement .
(i) Arbitration . Except for disputes arising under Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claim for injunctive relief), any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or its interpretation, application, implementation, breach or enforcement which the Parties are unable to resolve by mutual agreement, shall be settled by submission by either Executive or the Companies of the controversy, claim or dispute to binding arbitration in New York (unless the Parties agree in writing to a different location), before a single arbitrator in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. In any such arbitration proceeding the Parties agree to provide all discovery deemed necessary by the arbitrator. The decision and award made by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Parties hereto for all purposes, and judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Each party shall bear its or his costs and expenses in any such arbitration and one-half of the arbitrators fees and costs; provided , however , that the arbitrator shall have the discretion to award the prevailing party reimbursement of its or his reasonable attorneys fees and costs.
(ii) Remedies . All remedies hereunder are cumulative, are in addition to any other remedies provided for by law and may, to the extent permitted by law, be exercised concurrently or separately, and the exercise of any one remedy shall not be deemed to be an election of such remedy or to preclude the exercise of any other remedy.
(iii) Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(f) Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Companies and Executive and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
(g) Notices . Any notice provided for in this Agreement must be in writing and must be either personally delivered, transmitted via telecopier, mailed by first class mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the recipient at the address below indicated or at such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder and received when delivered personally, when received if transmitted via telecopier, five days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit for overnight delivery with a reputable overnight courier service.
If to the Companies, to:
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
100 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Facsimile: (203) 956-1206
Attention: General Counsel
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
590 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Facsimile: (212) 872-1002
Attention: Adam Weinstein, Esq.
If to Executive, to:
Executives home address most recently on file with the Company.
(h) Withholdings Taxes . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(i) Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements . All representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby indefinitely.
(j) Descriptive Headings . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. All references to a Section in this Agreement are to a section of the Agreement unless otherwise noted.
(k) Construction . Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
(l) Code Section 409A . If any payments of compensation or benefits due to Executive hereunder could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such payments or other benefits shall be deferred if deferral will make such payment or other benefits compliant with Section 409A of the Code; otherwise, such payment or other benefits shall be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner, determined by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Executive, that does not cause such an accelerated or additional tax.
(m) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
|
Name: | Nathaniel J. Lipman | |
Title: | President and CEO | |
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
|
Name: | Nathaniel J. Lipman | |
Title: | President and CEO | |
THOMAS A. WILLIAMS | ||
Signature: |
/s/ Thomas A. Williams |
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EXHIBIT A
GENERAL RELEASE
1. Termination of Employment . Thomas A. Williams ( Executive ) acknowledges that his last day of employment with Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (together with Affinion Group, Inc., the Company ) is (the Termination Date ).
2. Full Release . For the consideration set forth in the Employment Agreement, by and between the Company and Executive, dated as of September 28, 2007 (the Employment Agreement ) and for other fair and valuable consideration therefore, Executive, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Releasors ), hereby fully releases and discharges the Company, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, insurers, successors, and assigns, and their respective officers, directors, officers, employees, and agents (all such persons, firms, corporations and entities being deemed beneficiaries hereof and are referred to herein as the Company Entities ) from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, obligations, costs, losses, liabilities, damages and demands of whatsoever character, whether or not known, suspected or claimed, which the Releasors have, from the beginning of time through the date of this General Release, against the Company Entities arising out of or in any way related to Executives employment or termination of his employment; provided , however , that this shall not be a release with respect to any amounts and benefits owed to Executive pursuant to the Employment Agreement upon termination of employment, employee benefit plans of the Company, or Executives right to indemnification and directors and officers insurance as provided in Section 9 of the Employment Agreement.
3. Waiver of Rights Under Other Statutes . Executive understands that this General Release waives all claims and rights Executive may have under certain federal, state and local statutory and regulatory laws, as each may be amended from time to time, including but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act) ( ADEA ), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Equal Pay Act; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act; and all other statutes, regulations, common law, and other laws in any and all jurisdictions (including, but not limited to, Connecticut) that in any way relate to Executives employment or the termination of his employment.
4. Informed and Voluntary Signature . No promise or inducement has been made other than those set forth in this General Release. This General Release is executed by Executive without reliance on any representation by Company or any of its agents. Executive states that that he is fully competent to manage his business affairs and understands that he may be waiving legal rights by signing this General Release. Executive hereby acknowledges that he has carefully read this General Release and has had the opportunity to thoroughly discuss the terms of this General Release with legal counsel of his choosing. Executive hereby acknowledges that he fully understands the terms of this General Release and its final and binding effect and that he affixes his signature hereto voluntarily and of his own free will.
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5. Waiver of Rights Under the Age Discrimination Act . Executive understands that this General Release, and the release contained herein, waives all of his claims and rights under the ADEA. The waiver of Executives rights under the ADEA does not extend to claims or rights that might arise after the date this General Release is executed. The monies to be paid to Executive are in addition to any sums to which Executive would be entitled without signing this General Release. For a period of seven (7) days following execution of this General Release, Executive may revoke the terms of this General Release by a written document received by the General Counsel of the Company no later than 11:59 p.m. of the seventh day following Executives execution of this General Release. This General Release will not be effective until said revocation period has expired. Executive acknowledges that he has been given up to [21/45] 1 days to decide whether to sign this General Release. Executive has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this General Release and has been given a full and fair opportunity to do so.
6. Miscellaneous .
(a) This General Release shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Connecticut without regard to the principles of conflict of law.
(b) In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Moreover, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this General Release is held to be excessively broad as to duration, scope, activity or subject, such provisions will be construed by limiting and reducing them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with applicable law.
(c) This General Release may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(d) The paragraph headings used in this General Release are included solely for convenience and shall not affect or be used in connection with the interpretation of this General Release.
(e) This General Release and the Employment Agreement represent the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereto and may not be amended except in a writing signed by the Company and Executive. If any dispute should arise under this General Release, it shall be settled in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement.
(f) This General Release shall be binding on the executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of Executive and the successors and assigns of Company and shall inure to the benefit of the respective executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of the Company Entities and the Releasors.
1 | Insert 45 days in the event of a layoff of two or more employees. |
2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this General Release on this day of .
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
THOMAS A. WILLIAMS | ||
Signature: |
|
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Exhibit 10.3
EXECUTION COPY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT by and among AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the Company ), AFFINION GROUP, INC ., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ( Affinion ) and ROBERT ROONEY ( Executive ) (collectively the Parties ) is made as of November 9, 2007 (the Effective Date ).
WHEREAS , on June 15, 2005, Executive entered into an employment agreement with Affinion Group, LLC and Affinion International Holdings Limited which employment agreement was subsequently amended as of August 28, 2006 and June 1, 2007 (the Prior Employment Agreement );
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to continue to employ Executive pursuant to the terms, provisions and conditions set forth in this employment agreement (the Agreement ), which Agreement shall supersede the Prior Employment Agreement effective as of the Effective Date;
WHEREAS , Executive desires to accept and continue his employment on the terms hereinafter set forth in this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants, understandings, representations, warranties, undertakings and promises hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound thereby, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Employment Period .
Subject to earlier termination in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed by the Company and Affinion (collectively, the Companies ) for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on June 15, 2010 (the Employment Period ); provided, however, that the Employment Period shall automatically be renewed for successive one (1) year periods thereafter unless either the Company or Executive gives at least ninety (90) days written notice of its intention not to renew the Employment Period. Upon Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall immediately resign all positions with the Companies or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, including any position as a member of any of the Companies Board of Directors.
Section 2. Terms of Employment .
(a) During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and will perform such duties and exercise such supervision with regard to the business of the Companies as are associated with such position, including global operations, information technology, human resources and facilities and such additional duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of Affinion Group, Inc. Executive shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. If reasonably requested by the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board ), Executive hereby agrees to serve (without additional compensation) as an officer and director of any member of the Affinion Group (as defined in Section 5(a) below).
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(b) Duties . During the Employment Period, Executive shall have such responsibilities, duties, and authority that are customary for his position, subject at all times to the control of the Board, and shall perform such services as customarily are provided by an executive of a corporation with his position and such other services consistent with his position, as shall be assigned to him from time to time by the Board. Executive will maintain a primary office and conduct Executives business in Fairfield County, Connecticut (or in such other location where the Company maintains its principal corporate offices, subject to the provisions of Section 3(d) below, except for normal and reasonable business travel in connection with Executives duties hereunder. Executive agrees to devote all of his business time to the business and affairs of the Company and to use Executives commercially reasonable efforts to perform faithfully, effectively and efficiently his responsibilities and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from (i) serving on civic or charitable boards or committees and (ii) managing personal investments, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Executives responsibilities hereunder.
(c) Compensation .
(i) Base Salary . During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive an initial annual base salary of $334,750, less all applicable withholdings, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company (as in effect from time to time, the Annual Base Salary ). The Annual Base Salary shall be subject to annual review and increases, and the Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced without Executives consent, unless the reduction is related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive and does not exceed 10% of his Annual Base Salary.
(ii) Bonuses . During the Employment Period, the Company shall establish a bonus plan for each fiscal year of the Company (each, the Plan ) pursuant to which Executive will be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the Bonus ). The Compensation Committee of the Board will administer the Plan and at such time as the Company becomes subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ) establish in advance performance objectives for each year in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. In the event that the Company achieves the target established in the Plan based on actual performance, Executive shall be eligible to receive a Bonus in an amount equal to 100% of Executives Annual Base Salary ( Target Bonus ). Subject to Section 4, Executive will be entitled to receive the Bonus only upon the Companys achievement of the specified performance objectives and if Executive is employed on the last day of the applicable fiscal year. The Bonus shall become payable in the following fiscal year on or before March 15 provided that the Compensation Committee certifies that the Company has achieved the applicable performance objectives and determines the amount of the bonus that shall be paid to each executive entitled to receive a bonus for the applicable fiscal year.
(iii) Benefits . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in all retirement, compensation and employee benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Companies to the extent applicable generally to other senior executives of the Companies (except severance plans, policies, practices, or programs) subject to the eligibility criteria set forth therein, as such may be amended or terminated from time to time.
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(iv) Expenses . During the term of Executives employment, Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in performance of his duties hereunder provided that Executive provides all necessary documentation in accordance with the Companies policies.
Section 3. Termination of Employment .
(a) Death or Disability . Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon Executives death. If Executive becomes subject to a Disability (as defined below) during the Employment Period, the Company may give Executive written notice in accordance with Sections 3(f) and 10(h) of its intention to terminate Executives employment. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability means (i) Executives inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) Executive is, by reason of any medically determinable physical of mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident or health plan covering employees of the Companies.
(b) Cause . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for Cause (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean Executives (i) conviction of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude; (ii) conduct that constitutes fraud or embezzlement; (iii) willful misconduct or willful gross neglect; (iv) continued willful failure to substantially perform his duties as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; or (v) a material breach by Executive of this Agreement; provided that in the event of a termination pursuant to clause (iv) or (v), to the extent such failure to perform duties or material breach is subject to cure, the Company shall have notified Executive in writing describing such failure to perform duties or material breach and Executive shall have failed to cure such failure to perform or breach within 30 days after his receipt of such written notice.
(c) Termination Without Cause . The Company may terminate Executives employment hereunder without Cause at any time.
(d) Good Reason . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by Executive for Good Reason upon 60 days prior written notice following the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason means voluntary resignation after any of the following actions taken by the Companies without Executives consent: (i) any reduction of Executives Base Salary or Target Bonus (excluding any diminution related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive specifically and that is not more than 10% in the aggregate or any diminution to which Executive consented ), (ii) a material and adverse change to, or a material reduction of, Executives duties and responsibilities to the Companies, (iii) the relocation of Executives primary office to any location other than Fairfield County, Connecticut, or (iv) any material failure of the Companies to fulfill their obligations under this Agreement; provided that any such
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event shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until Executive shall have provided the Companies with notice thereof no later than 60 days following the occurrence of such event and the Companies shall have failed to remedy such event within 30 days of receipt of such notice.
(e) Voluntary Termination . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by Executive without Good Reason upon 90 days prior written notice.
(f) Termination as a Result of Non-Renewal of the Employment Period by the Company . The expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executives employment upon the date of such expiration, on account of the Company giving notice to Executive of its desire not to extend the Employment Period in accordance with Section 1, shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a termination without Cause pursuant to Section 4(a).
(g) Notice of Termination . Any termination by the Company for Cause or without Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 10(h). For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executives employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by Executive, or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive, or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive, or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executives, or the Companys rights hereunder.
(h) Date of Termination . Date of Termination means (i) if Executives employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination (in the case of a termination with or without Good Reason, provided such Date of Termination is in accordance with Section 3(d) or Section 3(e)) or any later date specified therein pursuant to Section 3(g), as the case may be, (ii) if Executives employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death, and (iii) the expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executives employment upon the date of such expiration, on account of the Company giving notice to Executive of its desire not to extend the Employment Period in accordance with Section 3(f).
Section 4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination .
(a) With Good Reason; Without Cause . If during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executives employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the following payments and/or benefits:
(i) The Company shall pay to Executive as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than the 15 th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year that contains the Date of Termination in a lump sum to the extent not previously paid, (A) the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, and (B) the Bonus earned for any fiscal year ended prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, provided that Executive was employed on the last day of such fiscal year ( Accrued Obligations ); and
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(ii) After the Date of Termination, the Company will pay Executive, in six equal quarterly installments commencing as of the Date of Termination, an amount equal to one times the sum of (A) Executives Annual Base Salary and (B) Executives Target Bonus, such installment to be paid ratably on the last day of the quarter (the Severance Payments ).
(b) Death or Disability . If Executives employment shall be terminated by reason of the Executives death or Disability, then the Company will provide Executive with the following severance payments and/or benefits: the Company shall provide Executive or his legal representatives (i) the Accrued Obligations; (ii) a lump sum payment equal to 100% of Executives Annual Base Salary; and (iii) the continuation of death or Disability benefits thereafter in accordance with the terms of such plans of the Companies then in effect.
Thereafter, the Companies shall have no further obligation to Executive or his legal representatives.
(c) Cause; Other than for Good Reason . If Executives employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, then the Companies shall have no further obligations to Executive other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations and any indemnification rights he may have pursuant to Section 9.
(d) Separation Agreement and General Release . The Companys obligations to make payments under Sections 4(a) and 4(b) are conditioned on Executives or his legal representatives executing a separation agreement and general release of claims against the Companies and their respective affiliates (and their respective officers and directors) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A , subject to changes as maybe warranted to be made to such release to preserve the intent thereof for changes in applicable laws; provided , that, if Executive should fail to execute (or revokes) such release within 60 days following the Date of Termination, the Company shall not have any obligation to provide the payments contemplated under this Section 4.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all or any portion of the payments and/or benefits due under Section 4(a) or Section 4(b) are determined to be nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, and the Company determines that Executive is a specified employee as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the final
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regulations promulgated thereunder (the Treasury Regulations ) and other guidance issued thereunder, then such payments and/or benefits (or portion thereof) shall commence no earlier than the first day of the seventh month following Executives termination of employment (with the first such payment being a lump sum equal to the aggregate payments and/or benefits Executive would have received during such six-month period if no such payment delay had been imposed). For purposes of this Section 4(e), termination of employment shall mean Executives separation from service, as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations, including the default presumptions thereunder.
Section 5. Restrictive Covenants .
(a) Non-Solicitation . During the Employment Period and ending on the third anniversary of the Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Companies and their respective affiliates (collectively, the Affinion Group ) to leave the employ of the Affinion Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Affinion Group, on the one hand, and any employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Affinion Group or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Affinion Group to cease doing business with the Affinion Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Affinion Group, on the other hand.
(b) Non-Competition . Executive acknowledges that, in the course of his employment with the Affinion Group, Executive has become familiar, or will become familiar, with the Affinion Groups Confidential Information and that such Executives services have been and will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Affinion Group. Therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Employment Period and ending on the second anniversary of Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason (the Non-Compete Period ), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any business that markets, provides, administers or makes available affinity-based membership programs, affinity-based insurance programs, benefit packages as an enhancement to financial institutions or other customer accounts or loyalty-based programs (whether as of the date hereof or during the Non-Compete Period), anywhere in the world in which the Affinion Group is doing business. For purposes of this Section 5(b), the phrase directly or indirectly, engage in shall include any direct or indirect ownership or profit participation interest in such enterprise, whether as an owner, stockholder, partner, joint venturer or otherwise, and shall include any direct or indirect participation in such enterprise as an employee, consultant, licensor of technology or otherwise; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 5(b) shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 5% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation.
(c) Non-Disclosure; Non-Use of Confidential Information . Executive shall not disclose or use at any time, either during his employment with the Companies or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information of which Executive is or becomes aware, whether or not such information is developed by him, except to the extent that such disclosure or use is directly related to and required by Executives performance in good faith of duties assigned to Executive
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by the Company. Executive will take all appropriate steps to safeguard Confidential Information in his possession and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination of his employment with the Company, or at any time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential Information or the Work Product (as defined in Section 5(e)(ii)) of the business of the Affinion Group that Executive may then possess or have under his control.
(d) Proprietary Rights . Executive recognizes that the Affinion Group possesses a proprietary interest in all Confidential Information and Work Product and has the exclusive right and privilege to use, protect by copyright, patent or trademark, or otherwise exploit the processes, ideas and concepts described therein to the exclusion of Executive, except as otherwise agreed between the Affinion Group and Executive in writing. Executive expressly agrees that any Work Product made or developed by Executive or his agents during the course of Executives employment, including any Work Product which is based on or arises out of Work Product, shall be the property of and inure to the exclusive benefit of the Affinion Group. Executive further agrees that all Work Product developed by Executive (whether or not able to be protected by copyright, patent or trademark) during the course of his employment with the Companies, or involving the use of the time, materials or other resources of the Affinion Group, shall be promptly disclosed to the Affinion Group and shall become the exclusive property of the Affinion Group, and Executive shall execute and deliver any and all documents necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing.
(e) Certain Definitions .
(i) As used herein, the term Confidential Information means information that is not generally known to the public (but for purposes of clarity, Confidential Information shall never exclude any such information that become known to the public because of Executives unauthorized disclosure) and that is used, developed or obtained by the Affinion Group in connection with its business, including, but not limited to, information, observations and data obtained by Executive while employed by the Affinion Group or any predecessors thereof (including those obtained prior to the date of the Prior Employment Agreement) concerning (A) the business or affairs of the Affinion Group (or such predecessors), (B) products or services, (C) fees, costs and pricing structures, (D) designs, (E) analyses, (F) drawings, photographs and reports, (G) computer software, including operating systems, applications and program listings, (H) flow charts, manuals and documentation, (I) databases, (J) accounting and business methods, (K) inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice, (L) customers and clients and customer or client lists, (M) other copyrightable works, (N) all production methods, processes, technology and trade secrets, and (O) all similar and related information in whatever form. Confidential Information will not include any information that has been published in a form generally available to the public (except as a result of Executives unauthorized disclosure) prior to the date Executive proposes to disclose or use such information. Confidential Information will not be deemed to have been published or otherwise disclosed merely because individual portions of the information have been separately published, but only if all material features comprising such information have been published in combination.
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(ii) As used herein, the term Work Product means all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos and all similar or related information (whether patentable or unpatentable) that relates to the Affinion Groups actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed by the Companies (including those conceived, developed or made prior to the date of the Prior Employment Agreement) together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, trade name and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing.
Section 6. Non-Disparagement .
During the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing until the third anniversary of the Executives termination of employment for any reason, neither Executive nor his agents, on the one hand, nor the Companies formally, or their respective senior executives or board of directors, on the other hand, shall directly or indirectly issue or communicate any public statement, or statement likely to become public, that maligns, denigrates or disparages the other (including, in the case of communications by Executive or his agents, any of the Companies officers, directors or employees). The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to legal process or governmental inquiry or by private statements to any of the Companies officers, directors or employees; provided , that in the case of Executive, such statements are made in the course of carrying out his duties pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 7. Severance Payments .
In addition to the foregoing, and not in any way in limitation of any right or remedy otherwise available to the Affinion Group, if Executive violates Section 5 or Section 6 hereof, any Severance Payments then or thereafter due from the Company to Executive shall be terminated immediately and the Companys obligation to pay and Executives right to receive such Severance Payments shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.
Section 8. Executives Representations, Warranties and Covenants .
(a) Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Companies that:
(i) Executive has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by Executive;
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Executive is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Executive is subject;
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(iii) Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, consulting agreement, non-compete agreement, fee for services agreement, confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with any other person;
(iv) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(v) Executive understands that the Companies will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of Executive set forth herein and Executive consents to such reliance; and
(vi) as of the date of execution of this Agreement, Executive is not in breach of any of its terms, including having committed any acts that would form the basis for a Cause termination if such act had occurred after the Effective Date.
(b) | The Companies hereby represent and warrant to Executive that: |
(i) the Companies have all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by the Companies;
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Companies does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Companies are a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Companies are subject;
(iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Companies, enforceable in accordance with its terms; and
(iv) the Companies understand that Executive will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of the Companies set forth herein and the Companies consent to such reliance.
Section 9. Indemnification .
The Company shall secure directors and officers liability insurance for the benefit of Executive on terms at least equal to those applicable to the other directors and officers of the Company (which insurance, for Executive, shall provide for advancement of defense costs) and shall indemnify Executive to the maximum extent permitted under the General Corporate Law of Delaware.
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Section 10. General Provisions .
(a) Severability . It is the desire and intent of the Parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights and obligations of any party under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction; furthermore, in lieu of such invalid or unenforceable provision there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement, a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
(b) Entire Agreement and Effectiveness . Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Prior Employment Agreement shall terminate as of immediately prior to the Effective Date, Executive shall have no further rights thereunder and the Companies shall have no further obligations thereunder. Effective as of the Effective Date, this Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way (including, without limitation, any other employment, severance or change-in-control agreement or understanding but excluding the Management Investor Rights Agreement dated October 17, 2005 and any stock options or equity awards granted under any equity compensation plans maintained by the Company).
(c) Successors and Assigns .
(i) This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Companies shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executives legal representatives.
(ii) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Companies and their respective successors and assigns. The Companies will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Companies to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Companies would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Companies shall mean the Companies as hereinbefore defined and any successor to their business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
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(d) Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTIONS CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.
(e) Enforcement .
(i) Arbitration . Except for disputes arising under Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claim for injunctive relief), any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or its interpretation, application, implementation, breach or enforcement which the Parties are unable to resolve by mutual agreement, shall be settled by submission by either Executive or the Companies of the controversy, claim or dispute to binding arbitration in New York (unless the Parties agree in writing to a different location), before a single arbitrator in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. In any such arbitration proceeding the Parties agree to provide all discovery deemed necessary by the arbitrator. The decision and award made by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Parties hereto for all purposes, and judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Each party shall bear its or his costs and expenses in any such arbitration and one-half of the arbitrators fees and costs; provided , however , that the arbitrator shall have the discretion to award the prevailing party reimbursement of its or his reasonable attorneys fees and costs.
(ii) Remedies . All remedies hereunder are cumulative, are in addition to any other remedies provided for by law and may, to the extent permitted by law, be exercised concurrently or separately, and the exercise of any one remedy shall not be deemed to be an election of such remedy or to preclude the exercise of any other remedy.
(iii) Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(f) Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Companies and Executive and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
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(g) Notices . Any notice provided for in this Agreement must be in writing and must be either personally delivered, transmitted via telecopier, mailed by first class mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the recipient at the address below indicated or at such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder and received when delivered personally, when received if transmitted via telecopier, five days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit for overnight delivery with a reputable overnight courier service.
If to the Companies, to:
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
100 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Facsimile: (203) 956-1206
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
590 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Facsimile: (212) 872-1002
Attention: Adam Weinstein, Esq.
If to Executive, to:
Executives home address most recently on file with the Company.
(h) Withholdings Taxes . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(i) Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements . All representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby indefinitely.
(j) Descriptive Headings . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. All references to a Section in this Agreement are to a section of the Agreement unless otherwise noted.
(k) Construction . Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
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(l) Code Section 409A . If any payments of compensation or benefits due to Executive hereunder could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such payments or other benefits shall be deferred if deferral will make such payment or other benefits compliant with Section 409A of the Code; otherwise, such payment or other benefits shall be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner, determined by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Executive, that does not cause such an accelerated or additional tax.
(m) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
||
By: | Nathaniel J. Lipman | |
Title: | President and CEO | |
AFFINION GROUP, LLC | ||
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
||
By: | Nathaniel J. Lipman | |
Title: | President and CEO | |
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||
/s/ Steve Upshaw |
||
By: | Steve Upshaw | |
Title: | President and CEO Affinion International | |
ROBERT ROONEY | ||
/s/ Robert Rooney |
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EXHIBIT A
GENERAL RELEASE
1. Termination of Employment . Robert Rooney ( Executive ) acknowledges that his last day of employment with Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (together with Affinion Group, Inc., the Company ) is (the Termination Date ).
2. Full Release . For the consideration set forth in the Employment Agreement, by and between the Company and Executive, dated as of September 28, 2007 (the Employment Agreement ) and for other fair and valuable consideration therefore, Executive, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Releasors ), hereby fully releases and discharges the Company, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, insurers, successors, and assigns, and their respective officers, directors, officers, employees, and agents (all such persons, firms, corporations and entities being deemed beneficiaries hereof and are referred to herein as the Company Entities ) from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, obligations, costs, losses, liabilities, damages and demands of whatsoever character, whether or not known, suspected or claimed, which the Releasors have, from the beginning of time through the date of this General Release, against the Company Entities arising out of or in any way related to Executives employment or termination of his employment; provided , however , that this shall not be a release with respect to any amounts and benefits owed to Executive pursuant to the Employment Agreement upon termination of employment, employee benefit plans of the Company, or Executives right to indemnification and directors and officers insurance as provided in Section 9 of the Employment Agreement.
3. Waiver of Rights Under Other Statutes . Executive understands that this General Release waives all claims and rights Executive may have under certain federal, state and local statutory and regulatory laws, as each may be amended from time to time, including but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act) ( ADEA ), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Equal Pay Act; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act; and all other statutes, regulations, common law, and other laws in any and all jurisdictions (including, but not limited to, Connecticut) that in any way relate to Executives employment or the termination of his employment.
4. Informed and Voluntary Signature . No promise or inducement has been made other than those set forth in this General Release. This General Release is executed by Executive without reliance on any representation by Company or any of its agents. Executive states that that he is fully competent to manage his business affairs and understands that he may be waiving legal rights by signing this General Release. Executive hereby acknowledges that he has carefully read this General Release and has had the opportunity to thoroughly discuss the terms of this General Release with legal counsel of his choosing. Executive hereby acknowledges that he fully understands the terms of this General Release and its final and binding effect and that he affixes his signature hereto voluntarily and of his own free will.
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5. Waiver of Rights Under the Age Discrimination Act . Executive understands that this General Release, and the release contained herein, waives all of his claims and rights under the ADEA. The waiver of Executives rights under the ADEA does not extend to claims or rights that might arise after the date this General Release is executed. The monies to be paid to Executive are in addition to any sums to which Executive would be entitled without signing this General Release. For a period of seven (7) days following execution of this General Release, Executive may revoke the terms of this General Release by a written document received by the General Counsel of the Company no later than 11:59 p.m. of the seventh day following Executives execution of this General Release. This General Release will not be effective until said revocation period has expired. Executive acknowledges that he has been given up to [21/45] 1 days to decide whether to sign this General Release. Executive has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this General Release and has been given a full and fair opportunity to do so.
6. Miscellaneous .
(a) This General Release shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Connecticut without regard to the principles of conflict of law.
(b) In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Moreover, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this General Release is held to be excessively broad as to duration, scope, activity or subject, such provisions will be construed by limiting and reducing them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with applicable law.
(c) This General Release may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(d) The paragraph headings used in this General Release are included solely for convenience and shall not affect or be used in connection with the interpretation of this General Release.
(e) This General Release and the Employment Agreement represent the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereto and may not be amended except in a writing signed by the Company and Executive. If any dispute should arise under this General Release, it shall be settled in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement.
(f) This General Release shall be binding on the executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of Executive and the successors and assigns of Company and shall inure to the benefit of the respective executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of the Company Entities and the Releasors.
1 | Insert 45 days in the event of a layoff of two or more employees. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this General Release on this day of .
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
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By: | ||
Title: | ||
AFFINION GROUP, LLC | ||
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By: | ||
Title: | ||
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||
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By: | ||
Title: | ||
ROBERT ROONEY | ||
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Exhibit 10.4
EXECUTION COPY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT by and among AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the Company ), AFFINION GROUP, INC. , a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ( Affinion ) and THOMAS RUSIN ( Executive ) (collectively the Parties ) is made as of November 9, 2007 (the Effective Date ).
WHEREAS , on June 1, 2007, Executive entered into an employment agreement with Affinion (the Prior Employment Agreement );
WHEREAS , the Parties desire to continue to employ Executive pursuant to the terms, provisions and conditions set forth in this employment agreement (the Agreement ), which Agreement shall supersede the Prior Employment Agreement effective as of the Effective Date;
WHEREAS , Executive desires to accept and continue his employment on the terms hereinafter set forth in this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants, understandings, representations, warranties, undertakings and promises hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound thereby, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Employment Period .
Subject to earlier termination in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed by the Company and Affinion (collectively, the Companies ) for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on June 1, 2010 (the Employment Period ); provided, however, that the Employment Period shall automatically be renewed for successive one (1) year periods thereafter unless either the Company or Executive gives at least ninety (90) days written notice of its intention not to renew the Employment Period. Upon Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall immediately resign all positions with the Companies or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, including any position as a member of any of the Companies Board of Directors.
Section 2. Terms of Employment .
(a) Position . During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Companys North American businesses and will perform such duties and exercise such supervision with regard to the business of the Company as are associated with such position, and perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Executive shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. If reasonably requested by the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board ), Executive hereby agrees to serve (without additional compensation) as an officer and director of any member of the Affinion Group (as defined in Section 5(a) below).
(b) Duties . During the Employment Period, Executive shall have such responsibilities, duties, and authority that are customary for his position, subject at all
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times to the control of the Board, and shall perform such services as customarily are provided by an executive of a corporation with his position and such other services consistent with his position, as shall be assigned to him from time to time by the Board. Executive agrees to devote all of his business time to the business and affairs of the Company and to use Executives commercially reasonable efforts to perform faithfully, effectively and efficiently his responsibilities and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from (i) serving on civic or charitable boards or committees and (ii) managing personal investments, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Executives responsibilities hereunder.
(c) Compensation .
(i) Base Salary . During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive an initial annual base salary in an amount equal to Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand Dollars ($290,000), less all applicable withholdings, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company (as in effect from time to time, the Annual Base Salary ). The Annual Base Salary shall be subject to annual review and increases, and the Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced without Executives consent, unless the reduction is related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive and does not exceed 10% of his Annual Base Salary.
(ii) Bonuses . During the Employment Period, the Company shall establish a bonus plan for each fiscal year of the Company (each, the Plan ) pursuant to which Executive will be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the Bonus ). The Compensation Committee of the Board will administer the Plan and at such time as the Company becomes subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ) establish in advance performance objectives for each year in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. In the event that the Company achieves the target established in the Plan based on actual performance, Executive shall be eligible to receive a Bonus in an amount equal to 100% of Executives Annual Base Salary ( Target Bonus ). Subject to Section 4, Executive will be entitled to receive the Bonus only upon the Companys achievement of the specified performance objectives and if Executive is employed on the last day of the applicable fiscal year. The Bonus shall become payable in the following fiscal year on or before March 15 provided that the Compensation Committee certifies that the Company has achieved the applicable performance objectives and determines the amount of the bonus that shall be paid to each executive entitled to receive a bonus for the applicable fiscal year.
(iii) Benefits . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in all retirement, compensation and employee benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Companies to the extent applicable generally to other senior executives of the Companies (except severance plans, policies, practices, or programs) subject to the eligibility criteria set forth therein, as such may be amended or terminated from time to time.
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(iv) Expenses . During the term of Executives employment, Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in performance of his duties hereunder provided that Executive provides all necessary documentation in accordance with the Companies policies.
Section 3. Termination of Employment .
(a) Death or Disability . Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon Executives death. If Executive becomes subject to a Disability (as defined below) during the Employment Period, the Company may give Executive written notice in accordance with Sections 3(f) and 10(h) of its intention to terminate Executives employment. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability means (i) Executives inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) Executive is, by reason of any medically determinable physical of mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident or health plan covering employees of the Companies.
(b) Cause . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for Cause (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean Executives (i) conviction of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude; (ii) conduct that constitutes fraud or embezzlement; (iii) willful misconduct or willful gross neglect; (iv) continued willful failure to substantially perform his duties as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Companys North American businesses; or (v) a material breach by Executive of this Agreement; provided that in the event of a termination pursuant to clause (iv) or (v), to the extent such failure to perform duties or material breach is subject to cure, the Company shall have notified Executive in writing describing such failure to perform duties or material breach and Executive shall have failed to cure such failure to perform or breach within 30 days after his receipt of such written notice.
(c) Termination Without Cause . The Company may terminate Executives employment hereunder without Cause at any time.
(d) Good Reason . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by Executive for Good Reason upon 60 days prior written notice following the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason means voluntary resignation after any of the following actions taken by the Companies without Executives consent: (i) any material failure of the Companies to fulfill their obligations under this Agreement, (ii) a material and adverse change to, or a material reduction of, Executives duties and responsibilities to the Companies, (iii) a reduction in Executives Annual Base Salary or Target Bonus (excluding any diminution related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive specifically and that is not more than 10% in the aggregate or any diminution to which Executive consented) or (iv) the relocation of Executives primary
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office to a location more than 35 miles from the prior location; provided that any such event shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until Executive shall have provided the Companies with notice thereof no later than 60 days following the occurrence of such event and the Companies shall have failed to remedy such event within 30 days of receipt of such notice.
(e) Voluntary Termination . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by Executive without Good Reason upon 90 days prior written notice.
(f) Termination as a Result of Non-Renewal of the Employment Period by the Company . The expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executives employment upon the date of such expiration, on account of the Company giving notice to Executive of its desire not to extend the Employment Period in accordance with Section 1, shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a termination without Cause pursuant to Section 4(a).
(g) Notice of Termination . Any termination by the Company for Cause or without Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 10(h). For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executives employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by Executive, or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive, or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive, or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executives, or the Companys rights hereunder.
(h) Date of Termination . Date of Termination means (i) if Executives employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination (in the case of a termination with or without Good Reason, provided such Date of Termination is in accordance with Section 3(d) or Section 3(e)) or any later date specified therein pursuant to Section 3(g), as the case may be, (ii) if Executives employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death and (iii) the expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executives employment upon the date of such expiration, on account of the Company giving notice to Executive of its desire not to extend the Employment Period in accordance with Section 3(f).
Section 4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination .
(a) With Good Reason; Without Cause . If during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executives employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the following payments and/or benefits:
(i) The Company shall pay to Executive as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than the 15 th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year that contains the Date of Termination in a lump sum to the extent not previously paid, (A) the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, and (B) the Bonus earned for any fiscal year ended prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, provided that Executive was employed on the last day of such fiscal year ( Accrued Obligations ); and
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(ii) After the Date of Termination, the Company will pay Executive, in six quarterly installments commencing as of the Date of Termination, an amount equal to 100% of the sum of (A) Executives Annual Base Salary and (B) Executives Target Bonus, such installment to be paid ratably on the last day of the quarter (the Severance Payments ).
(b) Death or Disability . If Executives employment shall be terminated by reason of the Executives death or Disability, then the Company will provide Executive with the following severance payments and/or benefits: the Company shall pay Executive or his legal representatives (i) the Accrued Obligations; (ii) a lump sum equal to 100% of Executives Annual Base Salary; and (iii) the continuation of death or Disability benefits thereafter in accordance with the terms of such plans of the Companies then in effect.
Thereafter, the Companies shall have no further obligation to Executive or his legal representatives.
(c) Cause; Other than for Good Reason . If Executives employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, then the Companies shall have no further obligations to Executive other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations and any indemnification rights he may have pursuant to Section 9.
(d) Separation Agreement and General Release . The Companys obligations to make payments under Sections 4(a) and 4(b) are conditioned on Executives or his legal representatives executing a separation agreement and general release of claims against the Companies and their respective affiliates (and their respective officers and directors) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A , subject to changes as maybe warranted to be made to such release to preserve the intent thereof for changes in applicable laws; provided , that, if Executive should fail to execute (or revokes) such release within 60 days following the Date of Termination, the Company shall not have any obligation to provide the payments contemplated under this Section 4.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all or any portion of the payments and/or benefits due under Section 4(a) or Section 4(b) are determined to be nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, and the Company determines that Executive is a specified employee as defined in Section
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409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the final regulations promulgated thereunder (the Treasury Regulations ) and other guidance issued thereunder, then such payments and/or benefits (or portion thereof) shall commence no earlier than the first day of the seventh month following Executives termination of employment (with the first such payment being a lump sum equal to the aggregate payments and/or benefits Executive would have received during such six-month period if no such payment delay had been imposed). For purposes of this Section 4(e), termination of employment shall mean Executives separation from service, as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations, including the default presumptions thereunder.
Section 5. Restrictive Covenants .
(a) Non-Solicitation . During the Employment Period and ending on the third anniversary of the Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Companies and their respective affiliates (collectively, the Affinion Group ) to leave the employ of the Affinion Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Affinion Group, on the one hand, and any employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Affinion Group or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Affinion Group to cease doing business with the Affinion Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Affinion Group, on the other hand.
(b) Non-Competition . Executive acknowledges that, in the course of his employment with the Affinion Group, Executive has become familiar, or will become familiar, with the Affinion Groups Confidential Information and that such Executives services have been and will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Affinion Group. Therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Employment Period and ending on the second anniversary of Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason (the Non-Compete Period ), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any business that markets, provides, administers or makes available affinity-based membership programs, affinity-based insurance programs, benefit packages as an enhancement to financial institutions or other customer accounts or loyalty-based programs (whether as of the date hereof or during the Non-Compete Period), anywhere in the world in which the Affinion Group is doing business. For purposes of this Section 5(b), the phrase directly or indirectly, engage in shall include any direct or indirect ownership or profit participation interest in such enterprise, whether as an owner, stockholder, partner, joint venturer or otherwise, and shall include any direct or indirect participation in such enterprise as an employee, consultant, licensor of technology or otherwise; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 5(b) shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 5% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation.
(c) Non-Disclosure; Non-Use of Confidential Information . Executive shall not disclose or use at any time, either during his employment with the Companies or at
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any time thereafter, any Confidential Information of which Executive is or becomes aware, whether or not such information is developed by him, except to the extent that such disclosure or use is directly related to and required by Executives performance in good faith of duties assigned to Executive by the Company. Executive will take all appropriate steps to safeguard Confidential Information in his possession and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination of his employment with the Company, or at any time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential Information or the Work Product (as defined in Section 5(e)(ii)) of the business of the Affinion Group that Executive may then possess or have under his control.
(d) Proprietary Rights . Executive recognizes that the Affinion Group possesses a proprietary interest in all Confidential Information and Work Product and has the exclusive right and privilege to use, protect by copyright, patent or trademark, or otherwise exploit the processes, ideas and concepts described therein to the exclusion of Executive, except as otherwise agreed between the Affinion Group and Executive in writing. Executive expressly agrees that any Work Product made or developed by Executive or his agents during the course of Executives employment, including any Work Product which is based on or arises out of Work Product, shall be the property of and inure to the exclusive benefit of the Affinion Group. Executive further agrees that all Work Product developed by Executive (whether or not able to be protected by copyright, patent or trademark) during the course of his employment with the Companies, or involving the use of the time, materials or other resources of the Affinion Group, shall be promptly disclosed to the Affinion Group and shall become the exclusive property of the Affinion Group, and Executive shall execute and deliver any and all documents necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing.
(e) Certain Definitions .
(i) As used herein, the term Confidential Information means information that is not generally known to the public (but for purposes of clarity, Confidential Information shall never exclude any such information that become known to the public because of Executives unauthorized disclosure) and that is used, developed or obtained by the Affinion Group in connection with its business, including, but not limited to, information, observations and data obtained by Executive while employed by the Affinion Group or any predecessors thereof (including those obtained prior to the date of the Prior Employment Agreement) concerning (A) the business or affairs of the Affinion Group (or such predecessors), (B) products or services, (C) fees, costs and pricing structures, (D) designs, (E) analyses, (F) drawings, photographs and reports, (G) computer software, including operating systems, applications and program listings, (H) flow charts, manuals and documentation, (I) databases, (J) accounting and business methods, (K) inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice, (L) customers and clients and customer or client lists, (M) other copyrightable works, (N) all production methods, processes, technology and trade secrets, and
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(O) all similar and related information in whatever form. Confidential Information will not include any information that has been published in a form generally available to the public (except as a result of Executives unauthorized disclosure) prior to the date Executive proposes to disclose or use such information. Confidential Information will not be deemed to have been published or otherwise disclosed merely because individual portions of the information have been separately published, but only if all material features comprising such information have been published in combination.
(ii) As used herein, the term Work Product means all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos and all similar or related information (whether patentable or unpatentable) that relates to the Affinion Groups actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed by the Companies (including those conceived, developed or made prior to the date of the Prior Employment Agreement) together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, trade name and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing.
Section 6. Non-Disparagement .
During the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing until the third anniversary of the Executives termination of employment for any reason, neither Executive nor his agents, on the one hand, nor the Companies formally, or their respective senior executives or board of directors, on the other hand, shall directly or indirectly issue or communicate any public statement, or statement likely to become public, that maligns, denigrates or disparages the other (including, in the case of communications by Executive or his agents, any of the Companies officers, directors or employees). The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to legal process or governmental inquiry or by private statements to any of the Companies officers, directors or employees; provided , that in the case of Executive, such statements are made in the course of carrying out his duties pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 7. Severance Payments .
In addition to the foregoing, and not in any way in limitation of any right or remedy otherwise available to the Affinion Group, if Executive violates Section 5 or Section 6 hereof, any Severance Payments then or thereafter due from the Company to Executive shall be terminated immediately and the Companys obligation to pay and Executives right to receive such Severance Payments shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.
Section 8. Executives Representations, Warranties and Covenants .
(a) Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Companies that:
(i) Executive has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by Executive;
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(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Executive is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Executive is subject;
(iii) Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, consulting agreement, non-compete agreement, fee for services agreement, confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with any other person;
(iv) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(v) Executive understands that the Companies will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of Executive set forth herein and Executive consents to such reliance; and
(vi) as of the date of execution of this Agreement, Executive is not in breach of any of its terms, including having committed any acts that would form the basis for a Cause termination if such act had occurred after the Effective Date.
(b) The Companies hereby represent and warrant to Executive that:
(i) the Companies have all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by the Companies;
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Companies does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Companies are a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Companies are subject;
(iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Companies, enforceable in accordance with its terms; and
(iv) the Companies understand that Executive will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of the Companies set forth herein and the Companies consent to such reliance.
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Section 9. Indemnification .
The Company shall secure directors and officers liability insurance for the benefit of Executive on terms at least equal to those applicable to the other directors and officers of the Company (which insurance, for Executive, shall provide for advancement of defense costs) and shall indemnify Executive to the maximum extent permitted under the General Corporate Law of Delaware.
Section 10. General Provisions .
(a) Severability . It is the desire and intent of the Parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights and obligations of any party under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction; furthermore, in lieu of such invalid or unenforceable provision there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement, a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
(b) Entire Agreement and Effectiveness . Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Prior Employment Agreement shall terminate as of immediately prior to the Effective Date, Executive shall have no further rights thereunder and the Companies shall have no further obligations thereunder. Effective as of the Effective Date, this Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way (including, without limitation, any other employment, severance or change-in-control agreement or understanding but excluding the Management Investor Rights Agreement dated October 17, 2005 and any stock options or equity awards granted under any equity compensation plans maintained by the Company).
(c) Successors and Assigns .
(i) This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Companies shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executives legal representatives.
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(ii) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Companies and their respective successors and assigns. The Companies will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Companies to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Companies would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Companies shall mean the Companies as hereinbefore defined and any successor to their business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
(d) Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTIONS CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.
(e) Enforcement .
(i) Arbitration . Except for disputes arising under Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claim for injunctive relief), any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or its interpretation, application, implementation, breach or enforcement which the Parties are unable to resolve by mutual agreement, shall be settled by submission by either Executive or the Companies of the controversy, claim or dispute to binding arbitration in New York (unless the Parties agree in writing to a different location), before a single arbitrator in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. In any such arbitration proceeding the Parties agree to provide all discovery deemed necessary by the arbitrator. The decision and award made by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Parties hereto for all purposes, and judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Each party shall bear its or his costs and expenses in any such arbitration and one-half of the arbitrators fees and costs; provided , however , that the arbitrator shall have the discretion to award the prevailing party reimbursement of its or his reasonable attorneys fees and costs.
(ii) Remedies . All remedies hereunder are cumulative, are in addition to any other remedies provided for by law and may, to the extent permitted by law, be exercised concurrently or separately, and the exercise of any one remedy shall not be deemed to be an election of such remedy or to preclude the exercise of any other remedy.
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(iii) Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(f) Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Companies and Executive and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
(g) Notices . Any notice provided for in this Agreement must be in writing and must be either personally delivered, transmitted via telecopier, mailed by first class mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the recipient at the address below indicated or at such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder and received when delivered personally, when received if transmitted via telecopier, five days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit for overnight delivery with a reputable overnight courier service.
If to the Companies, to:
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
100 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Facsimile: (203) 956-1206
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
590 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Facsimile: (212) 872-1002
Attention: Adam Weinstein, Esq.
If to Executive, to:
Executives home address most recently on file with the Company.
(h) Withholdings Taxes . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
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(i) Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements . All representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby indefinitely.
(j) Descriptive Headings . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. All references to a Section in this Agreement are to a section of the Agreement unless otherwise noted.
(k) Construction . Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
(l) Code Section 409A . If any payments of compensation or benefits due to Executive hereunder could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such payments or other benefits shall be deferred if deferral will make such payment or other benefits compliant with Section 409A of the Code; otherwise, such payment or other benefits shall be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner, determined by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Executive, that does not cause such an accelerated or additional tax.
(m) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
|
Name: | Nathaniel J. Lipman | |
Title: | President and CEO | |
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
|
Name: | Nathaniel J. Lipman | |
Title: | President and CEO | |
THOMAS RUSIN | ||
Signature: |
/s/ Thomas Rusin |
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EXHIBIT A
GENERAL RELEASE
1. Termination of Employment . Thomas Rusin ( Executive ) acknowledges that his last day of employment with Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (together with Affinion Group, Inc., the Company ) is (the Termination Date ).
2. Full Release . For the consideration set forth in the Employment Agreement, by and between the Company and Executive, dated as of September 28, 2007 (the Employment Agreement ) and for other fair and valuable consideration therefore, Executive, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Releasors ), hereby fully releases and discharges the Company, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, insurers, successors, and assigns, and their respective officers, directors, officers, employees, and agents (all such persons, firms, corporations and entities being deemed beneficiaries hereof and are referred to herein as the Company Entities ) from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, obligations, costs, losses, liabilities, damages and demands of whatsoever character, whether or not known, suspected or claimed, which the Releasors have, from the beginning of time through the date of this General Release, against the Company Entities arising out of or in any way related to Executives employment or termination of his employment; provided , however , that this shall not be a release with respect to any amounts and benefits owed to Executive pursuant to the Employment Agreement upon termination of employment, employee benefit plans of the Company, or Executives right to indemnification and directors and officers insurance as provided in Section 9 of the Employment Agreement.
3. Waiver of Rights Under Other Statutes . Executive understands that this General Release waives all claims and rights Executive may have under certain federal, state and local statutory and regulatory laws, as each may be amended from time to time, including but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act) ( ADEA ), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Equal Pay Act; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act; and all other statutes, regulations, common law, and other laws in any and all jurisdictions (including, but not limited to, Connecticut) that in any way relate to Executives employment or the termination of his employment.
4. Informed and Voluntary Signature . No promise or inducement has been made other than those set forth in this General Release. This General Release is executed by Executive without reliance on any representation by Company or any of its agents. Executive states that that he is fully competent to manage his business affairs and understands that he may be waiving legal rights by signing this General Release. Executive hereby acknowledges that he has carefully read this General Release and has had the opportunity to thoroughly discuss the terms of this General Release with legal counsel of his choosing. Executive hereby acknowledges that he fully understands the terms of this General Release and its final and binding effect and that he affixes his signature hereto voluntarily and of his own free will.
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5. Waiver of Rights Under the Age Discrimination Act . Executive understands that this General Release, and the release contained herein, waives all of his claims and rights under the ADEA. The waiver of Executives rights under the ADEA does not extend to claims or rights that might arise after the date this General Release is executed. The monies to be paid to Executive are in addition to any sums to which Executive would be entitled without signing this General Release. For a period of seven (7) days following execution of this General Release, Executive may revoke the terms of this General Release by a written document received by the General Counsel of the Company no later than 11:59 p.m. of the seventh day following Executives execution of this General Release. This General Release will not be effective until said revocation period has expired. Executive acknowledges that he has been given up to [21/45] 1 days to decide whether to sign this General Release. Executive has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this General Release and has been given a full and fair opportunity to do so.
6. Miscellaneous .
(a) This General Release shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Connecticut without regard to the principles of conflict of law.
(b) In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Moreover, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this General Release is held to be excessively broad as to duration, scope, activity or subject, such provisions will be construed by limiting and reducing them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with applicable law.
(c) This General Release may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(d) The paragraph headings used in this General Release are included solely for convenience and shall not affect or be used in connection with the interpretation of this General Release.
(e) This General Release and the Employment Agreement represent the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereto and may not be amended except in a writing signed by the Company and Executive. If any dispute should arise under this General Release, it shall be settled in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement.
(f) This General Release shall be binding on the executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of Executive and the successors and assigns of Company and shall inure to the benefit of the respective executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of the Company Entities and the Releasors.
1 | Insert 45 days in the event of a layoff of two or more employees. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed this General Release on this day of .
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
THOMAS RUSIN | ||
Signature: |
|
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Exhibit 10.5
EXECUTION COPY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT by and among AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the Company ), AFFINION GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ( Affinion ) and TODD SIEGEL ( Executive ) (collectively the Parties ) is made as of November 9, 2007 (the Effective Date ).
WHEREAS, on June 1, 2007, Executive entered into an employment agreement with Affinion (the Prior Employment Agreement );
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to continue to employ Executive pursuant to the terms, provisions and conditions set forth in this employment agreement (the Agreement ), which Agreement shall supersede the Prior Employment Agreement effective as of the Effective Date;
WHEREAS , Executive desires to accept and continue his employment on the terms hereinafter set forth in this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants, understandings, representations, warranties, undertakings and promises hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound thereby, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Employment Period .
Subject to earlier termination in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement, Executive shall be employed by the Company and Affinion (collectively, the Companies ) for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on June 1, 2010 (the Employment Period ); provided, however, that the Employment Period shall automatically be renewed for successive one (1) year periods thereafter unless either the Company or Executive gives at least ninety (90) days written notice of its intention not to renew the Employment Period. Upon Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall immediately resign all positions with the Companies or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, including any position as a member of any of the Companies Board of Directors.
Section 2. Terms of Employment .
(a) Position . During the Employment Period, Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company and will perform such duties and exercise such supervision with regard to the business of the Company as are associated with such position, including being responsible for the general legal and regulatory matters of the Company and such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Executive shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. If reasonably requested by the Board, Executive hereby agrees to serve (without additional compensation) as an officer and director of any member of the Affinion Group (as defined in Section 5(a) below).
(b) Duties . During the Employment Period, Executive shall have such responsibilities, duties, and authority that are customary for his position, subject at all
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times to the control of the Board, and shall perform such services as customarily are provided by an executive of a corporation with his position and such other services consistent with his position, as shall be assigned to him from time to time by the Board. Executive agrees to devote all of his business time to the business and affairs of the Company and to use Executives commercially reasonable efforts to perform faithfully, effectively and efficiently his responsibilities and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from (i) serving on civic or charitable boards or committees and (ii) managing personal investments, so long as such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of Executives responsibilities hereunder.
(c) Compensation .
(i) Base Salary . During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive an initial annual base salary in an amount equal to Two Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($275,000), less all applicable withholdings, which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company (as in effect from time to time, the Annual Base Salary ). The Annual Base Salary shall be subject to annual review and increases, and the Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced without Executives consent, unless the reduction is related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive and does not exceed 10% of his Annual Base Salary.
(ii) Bonuses . During the Employment Period, the Company shall establish a bonus plan for each fiscal year of the Company (each, the Plan ) pursuant to which Executive will be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the Bonus ). The Compensation Committee of the Board will administer the Plan and at such time as the Company becomes subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ) establish in advance performance objectives for each year in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. In the event that the Company achieves the target established in the Plan based on actual performance, Executive shall be eligible to receive a Bonus in an amount equal to 100% of Executives Annual Base Salary ( Target Bonus ). Subject to Section 4, Executive will be entitled to receive the Bonus only upon the Companys achievement of the specified performance objectives and if Executive is employed on the last day of the applicable fiscal year. The Bonus shall become payable in the following fiscal year on or before March 15 provided that the Compensation Committee certifies that the Company has achieved the applicable performance objectives and determines the amount of the bonus that shall be paid to each executive entitled to receive a bonus for the applicable fiscal year.
(iii) Benefits . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in all retirement, compensation and employee benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Companies to the extent applicable generally to other senior executives of the Companies (except severance plans, policies, practices, or programs) subject to the eligibility criteria set forth therein, as such may be amended or terminated from time to time.
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(iv) Expenses . During the term of Executives employment, Executive shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in performance of his duties hereunder provided that Executive provides all necessary documentation in accordance with the Companies policies.
Section 3. Termination of Employment .
(a) Death or Disability . Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon Executives death. If Executive becomes subject to a Disability (as defined below) during the Employment Period, the Company may give Executive written notice in accordance with Sections 3(f) and 10(h) of its intention to terminate Executives employment. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability means (i) Executives inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) Executive is, by reason of any medically determinable physical of mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident or health plan covering employees of the Companies.
(b) Cause . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by the Company for Cause (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean Executives (i) conviction of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude; (ii) conduct that constitutes fraud or embezzlement; (iii) willful misconduct or willful gross neglect; (iv) continued willful failure to substantially perform his duties as Executive Vice President and General Counsel; or (v) a material breach by Executive of this Agreement; provided that in the event of a termination pursuant to clause (iv) or (v), to the extent such failure to perform duties or material breach is subject to cure, the Company shall have notified Executive in writing describing such failure to perform duties or material breach and Executive shall have failed to cure such failure to perform or breach within 30 days after his receipt of such written notice.
(c) Termination Without Cause . The Company may terminate Executives employment hereunder without Cause at any time.
(d) Good Reason . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by Executive for Good Reason upon 60 days prior written notice following the occurrence of the event giving rise to the termination for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason means voluntary resignation after any of the following actions taken by the Companies without Executives consent: (i) any material failure of the Companies to fulfill their obligations under this Agreement, (ii) a material and adverse change to, or a material reduction of, Executives duties and responsibilities to the Companies, (iii) a reduction in Executives Annual Base Salary or Target Bonus (excluding any diminution related to a broader compensation reduction that is not limited to Executive specifically and that is not more than 10% in the aggregate or any diminution to which Executive consented) or (iv) the relocation of Executives primary
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office to a location more than 35 miles from the prior location; provided that any such event shall not constitute Good Reason unless and until Executive shall have provided the Companies with notice thereof no later than 60 days following the occurrence of such event and the Companies shall have failed to remedy such event within 30 days of receipt of such notice.
(e) Voluntary Termination . Executives employment may be terminated at any time by Executive without Good Reason upon 90 days prior written notice.
(f) Termination as a Result of Non-Renewal of the Employment Period by the Company . The expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executives employment upon the date of such expiration, on account of the Company giving notice to Executive of its desire not to extend the Employment Period in accordance with Section 1, shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a termination without Cause pursuant to Section 4(a).
(g) Notice of Termination . Any termination by the Company for Cause or without Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 10(h). For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination means a written notice that (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executives employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by Executive, or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive, or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive, or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executives, or the Companys rights hereunder.
(h) Date of Termination . Date of Termination means (i) if Executives employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, without Cause or by reason of Disability, or by Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination (in the case of a termination with or without Good Reason, provided such Date of Termination is in accordance with Section 3(d) or Section 3(e)) or any later date specified therein pursuant to Section 3(g), as the case may be, (ii) if Executives employment is terminated by reason of death, the date of death, and (iii) the expiration of the Employment Period, and the termination of Executives employment upon the date of such expiration, on account of the Company giving notice to Executive of its desire not to extend the Employment Period in accordance with Section 3(f).
Section 4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination .
(a) With Good Reason; Without Cause . If during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate Executives employment without Cause or Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason, then the Company will provide Executive with the following payments and/or benefits:
(i) The Company shall pay to Executive as soon as reasonably practicable but no later than the 15 th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year that contains the Date of Termination in a lump sum to the extent not previously paid, (A) the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, and (B) the Bonus earned for any fiscal year ended prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs, provided that Executive was employed on the last day of such fiscal year ( Accrued Obligations ); and
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(ii) After the Date of Termination, the Company will pay Executive, in six quarterly installments commencing as of the Date of Termination, an amount equal to 100% of the sum of (A) Executives Annual Base Salary and (B) Executives Target Bonus, such installment to be paid ratably on the last day of the quarter (the Severance Payments ).
(b) Death or Disability . If Executives employment shall be terminated by reason of the Executives death or Disability, then the Company will provide Executive with the following severance payments and/or benefits: the Company shall pay Executive or his legal representatives (i) the Accrued Obligations; (ii) a lump sum equal to 100% of Executives Annual Base Salary; and (iii) the continuation of death or Disability benefits thereafter in accordance with the terms of such plans of the Companies then in effect.
Thereafter, the Companies shall have no further obligation to Executive or his legal representatives.
(c) Cause; Other than for Good Reason . If Executives employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, then the Companies shall have no further obligations to Executive other than for payment of the Accrued Obligations and any indemnification rights he may have pursuant to Section 9.
(d) Separation Agreement and General Release . The Companys obligations to make payments under Sections 4(a) and 4(b) are conditioned on Executives or his legal representatives executing a separation agreement and general release of claims against the Companies and their respective affiliates (and their respective officers and directors) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A , subject to changes as maybe warranted to be made to such release to preserve the intent thereof for changes in applicable laws; provided , that, if Executive should fail to execute (or revokes) such release within 60 days following the Date of Termination, the Company shall not have any obligation to provide the payments contemplated under this Section 4.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all or any portion of the payments and/or benefits due under Section 4(a) or Section 4(b) are determined to be nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, and the Company determines that Executive is a specified employee as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the final regulations promulgated thereunder (the
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Treasury Regulations ) and other guidance issued thereunder, then such payments and/or benefits (or portion thereof) shall commence no earlier than the first day of the seventh month following Executives termination of employment (with the first such payment being a lump sum equal to the aggregate payments and/or benefits Executive would have received during such six-month period if no such payment delay had been imposed). For purposes of this Section 4(e), termination of employment shall mean Executives separation from service, as defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations, including the default presumptions thereunder.
Section 5. Restrictive Covenants .
(a) Non-Solicitation . During the Employment Period and ending on the third anniversary of the Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Companies and their respective affiliates (collectively, the Affinion Group ) to leave the employ of the Affinion Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Affinion Group, on the one hand, and any employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Affinion Group or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Affinion Group to cease doing business with the Affinion Group, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Affinion Group, on the other hand.
(b) Non-Competition . Executive acknowledges that, in the course of his employment with the Affinion Group, Executive has become familiar, or will become familiar, with the Affinion Groups Confidential Information and that such Executives services have been and will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Affinion Group. Therefore, Executive agrees that, during the Employment Period and ending on the second anniversary of Executives termination of employment with the Company for any reason (the Non-Compete Period ), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any business that markets, provides, administers or makes available affinity-based membership programs, affinity-based insurance programs, benefit packages as an enhancement to financial institutions or other customer accounts or loyalty-based programs (whether as of the date hereof or during the Non-Compete Period), anywhere in the world in which the Affinion Group is doing business. For purposes of this Section 5(b), the phrase directly or indirectly, engage in shall include any direct or indirect ownership or profit participation interest in such enterprise, whether as an owner, stockholder, partner, joint venturer or otherwise, and shall include any direct or indirect participation in such enterprise as an employee, consultant, licensor of technology or otherwise; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 5(b) shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 5% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation.
(c) Non-Disclosure; Non-Use of Confidential Information . Executive shall not disclose or use at any time, either during his employment with the Companies or at any time thereafter, any Confidential Information of which Executive is or becomes
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aware, whether or not such information is developed by him, except to the extent that such disclosure or use is directly related to and required by Executives performance in good faith of duties assigned to Executive by the Company. Executive will take all appropriate steps to safeguard Confidential Information in his possession and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. Executive shall deliver to the Company at the termination of his employment with the Company, or at any time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and other documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential Information or the Work Product (as defined in Section 5(e)(ii)) of the business of the Affinion Group that Executive may then possess or have under his control.
(d) Proprietary Rights . Executive recognizes that the Affinion Group possesses a proprietary interest in all Confidential Information and Work Product and has the exclusive right and privilege to use, protect by copyright, patent or trademark, or otherwise exploit the processes, ideas and concepts described therein to the exclusion of Executive, except as otherwise agreed between the Affinion Group and Executive in writing. Executive expressly agrees that any Work Product made or developed by Executive or his agents during the course of Executives employment, including any Work Product which is based on or arises out of Work Product, shall be the property of and inure to the exclusive benefit of the Affinion Group. Executive further agrees that all Work Product developed by Executive (whether or not able to be protected by copyright, patent or trademark) during the course of his employment with the Companies, or involving the use of the time, materials or other resources of the Affinion Group, shall be promptly disclosed to the Affinion Group and shall become the exclusive property of the Affinion Group, and Executive shall execute and deliver any and all documents necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing.
(e) Certain Definitions .
(i) As used herein, the term Confidential Information means information that is not generally known to the public (but for purposes of clarity, Confidential Information shall never exclude any such information that become known to the public because of Executives unauthorized disclosure) and that is used, developed or obtained by the Affinion Group in connection with its business, including, but not limited to, information, observations and data obtained by Executive while employed by the Affinion Group or any predecessors thereof (including those obtained prior to the date of the Prior Employment Agreement) concerning (A) the business or affairs of the Affinion Group (or such predecessors), (B) products or services, (C) fees, costs and pricing structures, (D) designs, (E) analyses, (F) drawings, photographs and reports, (G) computer software, including operating systems, applications and program listings, (H) flow charts, manuals and documentation, (I) databases, (J) accounting and business methods, (K) inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice, (L) customers and clients and customer or client lists, (M) other copyrightable works, (N) all production methods, processes, technology and trade secrets, and (O) all similar and related information in whatever form. Confidential
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Information will not include any information that has been published in a form generally available to the public (except as a result of Executives unauthorized disclosure) prior to the date Executive proposes to disclose or use such information. Confidential Information will not be deemed to have been published or otherwise disclosed merely because individual portions of the information have been separately published, but only if all material features comprising such information have been published in combination.
(ii) As used herein, the term Work Product means all inventions, innovations, improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos and all similar or related information (whether patentable or unpatentable) that relates to the Affinion Groups actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by Executive (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed by the Companies (including those conceived, developed or made prior to the date of the Prior Employment Agreement) together with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, trade name and service mark applications or registrations, copyrights and reissues thereof that may be granted for or upon any of the foregoing.
Section 6. Non-Disparagement .
During the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing until the third anniversary of the Executives termination of employment for any reason, neither Executive nor his agents, on the one hand, nor the Companies formally, or their respective senior executives or board of directors, on the other hand, shall directly or indirectly issue or communicate any public statement, or statement likely to become public, that maligns, denigrates or disparages the other (including, in the case of communications by Executive or his agents, any of the Companies officers, directors or employees). The foregoing shall not be violated by truthful responses to legal process or governmental inquiry or by private statements to any of the Companies officers, directors or employees; provided , that in the case of Executive, such statements are made in the course of carrying out his duties pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 7. Severance Payments .
In addition to the foregoing, and not in any way in limitation of any right or remedy otherwise available to the Affinion Group, if Executive violates Section 5 or Section 6 hereof, any Severance Payments then or thereafter due from the Company to Executive shall be terminated immediately and the Companys obligation to pay and Executives right to receive such Severance Payments shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.
Section 8. Executives Representations, Warranties and Covenants .
(a) | Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Companies that: |
(i) Executive has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by Executive;
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(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Executive does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which Executive is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which Executive is subject;
(iii) Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, consulting agreement, non-compete agreement, fee for services agreement, confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with any other person;
(iv) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(v) Executive understands that the Companies will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of Executive set forth herein and Executive consents to such reliance; and
(vi) as of the date of execution of this Agreement, Executive is not in breach of any of its terms, including having committed any acts that would form the basis for a Cause termination if such act had occurred after the Effective Date.
(b) | The Companies hereby represent and warrant to Executive that: |
(i) the Companies have all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement has been duly executed by the Companies;
(ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Companies does not and will not, with or without notice or the passage of time, conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement, contract or instrument to which the Companies are a party or any judgment, order or decree to which the Companies are subject;
(iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Companies and Executive, this Agreement will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Companies, enforceable in accordance with its terms; and
(iv) the Companies understand that Executive will rely upon the accuracy and truth of the representations and warranties of the Companies set forth herein and the Companies consent to such reliance.
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Section 9. Indemnification .
The Company shall secure directors and officers liability insurance for the benefit of Executive on terms at least equal to those applicable to the other directors and officers of the Company (which insurance, for Executive, shall provide for advancement of defense costs) and shall indemnify Executive to the maximum extent permitted under the General Corporate Law of Delaware.
Section 10. General Provisions .
(a) Severability . It is the desire and intent of the Parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights and obligations of any party under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction; furthermore, in lieu of such invalid or unenforceable provision there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement, a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
(b) Entire Agreement and Effectiveness . Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Prior Employment Agreement shall terminate as of immediately prior to the Effective Date, Executive shall have no further rights thereunder and the Companies shall have no further obligations thereunder. Effective as of the Effective Date, this Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way (including, without limitation, any other employment, severance or change-in-control agreement or understanding but excluding the Management Investor Rights Agreement dated October 17, 2005 and any stock options or equity awards granted under any equity compensation plans maintained by the Company).
(c) Successors and Assigns .
(i) This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Companies shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executives legal representatives.
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(ii) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Companies and their respective successors and assigns. The Companies will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Companies to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Companies would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Companies shall mean the Companies as hereinbefore defined and any successor to their business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
(d) Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO BE APPLIED. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE FOREGOING, THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WILL CONTROL THE INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, EVEN IF UNDER SUCH JURISDICTIONS CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW ANALYSIS, THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF SOME OTHER JURISDICTION WOULD ORDINARILY APPLY.
(e) Enforcement .
(i) Arbitration . Except for disputes arising under Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any claim for injunctive relief), any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or its interpretation, application, implementation, breach or enforcement which the Parties are unable to resolve by mutual agreement, shall be settled by submission by either Executive or the Companies of the controversy, claim or dispute to binding arbitration in New York (unless the Parties agree in writing to a different location), before a single arbitrator in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. In any such arbitration proceeding the Parties agree to provide all discovery deemed necessary by the arbitrator. The decision and award made by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive on all Parties hereto for all purposes, and judgment may be entered thereon in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Each party shall bear its or his costs and expenses in any such arbitration and one-half of the arbitrators fees and costs; provided , however , that the arbitrator shall have the discretion to award the prevailing party reimbursement of its or his reasonable attorneys fees and costs.
(ii) Remedies . All remedies hereunder are cumulative, are in addition to any other remedies provided for by law and may, to the extent permitted by law, be exercised concurrently or separately, and the exercise of any one remedy shall not be deemed to be an election of such remedy or to preclude the exercise of any other remedy.
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(iii) Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(f) Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Companies and Executive and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
(g) Notices . Any notice provided for in this Agreement must be in writing and must be either personally delivered, transmitted via telecopier, mailed by first class mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) or sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the recipient at the address below indicated or at such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder and received when delivered personally, when received if transmitted via telecopier, five days after deposit in the U.S. mail and one day after deposit for overnight delivery with a reputable overnight courier service.
If to the Companies, to:
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
100 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Facsimile: (203) 956-1206
Attention: President
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
590 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Facsimile: (212) 872-1002
Attention: Adam Weinstein, Esq.
If to Executive, to:
Executives home address most recently on file with the Company.
(h) Withholdings Taxes . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
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(i) Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements . All representations, warranties and agreements contained herein shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby indefinitely.
(j) Descriptive Headings . The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. All references to a Section in this Agreement are to a section of the Agreement unless otherwise noted.
(k) Construction . Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.
(l) Code Section 409A . If any payments of compensation or benefits due to Executive hereunder could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such payments or other benefits shall be deferred if deferral will make such payment or other benefits compliant with Section 409A of the Code; otherwise, such payment or other benefits shall be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner, determined by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Executive, that does not cause such an accelerated or additional tax.
(m) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
|
Name: | Nathaniel J. Lipman | |
Title: | President and CEO | |
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
|
Name: | Nathaniel J. Lipman | |
Title: | President and CEO | |
TODD SIEGEL | ||
Signature: |
/s/ Todd Siegel |
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EXHIBIT A
GENERAL RELEASE
1. Termination of Employment . Todd Siegel ( Executive ) acknowledges that his last day of employment with Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (together with Affinion Group, Inc., the Company ) is (the Termination Date ).
2. Full Release . For the consideration set forth in the Employment Agreement, by and between the Company and Executive, dated as of September 28, 2007 (the Employment Agreement ) and for other fair and valuable consideration therefore, Executive, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Releasors ), hereby fully releases and discharges the Company, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, insurers, successors, and assigns, and their respective officers, directors, officers, employees, and agents (all such persons, firms, corporations and entities being deemed beneficiaries hereof and are referred to herein as the Company Entities ) from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, obligations, costs, losses, liabilities, damages and demands of whatsoever character, whether or not known, suspected or claimed, which the Releasors have, from the beginning of time through the date of this General Release, against the Company Entities arising out of or in any way related to Executives employment or termination of his employment; provided , however , that this shall not be a release with respect to any amounts and benefits owed to Executive pursuant to the Employment Agreement upon termination of employment, employee benefit plans of the Company, or Executives right to indemnification and directors and officers insurance as provided in Section 9 of the Employment Agreement.
3. Waiver of Rights Under Other Statutes . Executive understands that this General Release waives all claims and rights Executive may have under certain federal, state and local statutory and regulatory laws, as each may be amended from time to time, including but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act) ( ADEA ), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Equal Pay Act; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act; and all other statutes, regulations, common law, and other laws in any and all jurisdictions (including, but not limited to, Connecticut) that in any way relate to Executives employment or the termination of his employment.
4. Informed and Voluntary Signature . No promise or inducement has been made other than those set forth in this General Release. This General Release is executed by Executive without reliance on any representation by Company or any of its agents. Executive states that that he is fully competent to manage his business affairs and understands that he may be waiving legal rights by signing this General Release. Executive hereby acknowledges that he has carefully read this General Release and has had the opportunity to thoroughly discuss the terms of this General Release with legal counsel of his choosing. Executive hereby acknowledges that he fully understands the terms of this General Release and its final and binding effect and that he affixes his signature hereto voluntarily and of his own free will.
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5. Waiver of Rights Under the Age Discrimination Act . Executive understands that this General Release, and the release contained herein, waives all of his claims and rights under the ADEA. The waiver of Executives rights under the ADEA does not extend to claims or rights that might arise after the date this General Release is executed. The monies to be paid to Executive are in addition to any sums to which Executive would be entitled without signing this General Release. For a period of seven (7) days following execution of this General Release, Executive may revoke the terms of this General Release by a written document received by the General Counsel of the Company no later than 11:59 p.m. of the seventh day following Executives execution of this General Release. This General Release will not be effective until said revocation period has expired. Executive acknowledges that he has been given up to [21/45] 1 days to decide whether to sign this General Release. Executive has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this General Release and has been given a full and fair opportunity to do so.
6. Miscellaneous .
(a) This General Release shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Connecticut without regard to the principles of conflict of law.
(b) In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Moreover, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this General Release is held to be excessively broad as to duration, scope, activity or subject, such provisions will be construed by limiting and reducing them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with applicable law.
(c) This General Release may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(d) The paragraph headings used in this General Release are included solely for convenience and shall not affect or be used in connection with the interpretation of this General Release.
(e) This General Release and the Employment Agreement represent the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereto and may not be amended except in a writing signed by the Company and Executive. If any dispute should arise under this General Release, it shall be settled in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement.
(f) This General Release shall be binding on the executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of Executive and the successors and assigns of Company and shall inure to the benefit of the respective executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of the Company Entities and the Releasors.
1 | Insert 45 days in the event of a layoff of two or more employees. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this General Release on this day of .
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
TODD SIEGEL | ||
Signature: |
|
17
Exhibit 10.6
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
2007 STOCK AWARD PLAN
1. Purpose . The purpose of the Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2007 Stock Award Plan is to provide a means through which the Company and its Affiliates may attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means whereby directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors (and prospective directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors) of the Company and its Affiliates can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation, which may (but need not) be measured by reference to the value of Common Stock, thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company and its Affiliates and aligning their interests with those of the Companys stockholders.
2. Definitions . The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan:
(a) Affiliat e means (i) any person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company and/or (ii) to the extent provided by the Committee, any person or entity in which the Company has a significant interest. The term control (including, with correlative meaning, the terms controlled by and under common control with), as applied to any person or entity, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.
(b) Award means, individually or collectively, any Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Bonus Award, and Performance Compensation Award granted under the Plan.
(c) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) Business Combination has the meaning given such term in the definition of Change in Control.
(e) Cause means, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award agreement states otherwise, (i) the Company or an Affiliate having cause to terminate a Participants employment or service, as defined in any employment or consulting agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate in effect at the time of such termination or (ii) in the absence of any such employment or consulting agreement (or the absence of any definition of Cause contained therein), (A) the Participants commission of, conviction for, plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, or other material act or omission involving dishonesty or fraud, (B) the Participants conduct that brings or is reasonably likely to bring the Company or any of its Affiliates into public disgrace or disrepute and that affects the Companys or any Affiliates business in any material way, (C) the Participants failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the Company or the Participants material violation of any rule, regulation, policy or plan for the conduct of any service provider to the Company or its Affiliates or its or their business (which, if curable, is not cured within 10 days after notice thereof is provided to the Participant) or (D) the Participants gross negligence, willful malfeasance or material act of disloyalty with respect to the Company or its Affiliates (which, if curable, is not cured within 10 days after notice thereof is provided to the Participant). Any determination of whether Cause exists shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion.
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(f) Change in Control shall, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award agreement states otherwise or contains a different definition of Change in Control, be deemed to occur upon:
(i) Any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act )) (a Person ) becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company (the Outstanding Company Common Stock ) or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the Outstanding Company Voting Securities ); provided , however , that, for purposes of this Section 2(f), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (I) any acquisition directly from the Company, (II) any acquisition by the Company, (III) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, (IV) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with Sections 2(f)(iii)(A), 2(f)(iii)(B) and 2(f)(iii)(C), (V) any acquisition by Apollo Management, L.P., any affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P. or any group of which Apollo Management, L.P. is a member (a Designated Holder ), (VI) any acquisition involving beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that is determined by the Board, based on review of public disclosure by the acquiring Person with respect to its passive investment intent, not to have a purpose or effect of changing or influencing the control of the Company, provided , however , that for purposes of this clause (VI), any such acquisition in connection with (x) an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents or (y) any Business Combination shall be presumed to be for the purpose or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the Company;
(ii) During any period of five (5) consecutive years, individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the Incumbent Board ) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided , however , that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;
(iii) Consummation of a reorganization (excluding a reorganization under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code), merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
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(each, a Business Combination ), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Companys assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or
(iv) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(g) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.
(h) Committee means a committee of at least two people as the Board may appoint to administer the Plan or, if no such committee has been appointed by the Board, the Board.
(i) Common Stock means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (and any stock or other securities into which such common stock may be converted or into which it may be exchanged).
(j) Company means Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.
(k) Date of Grant means the date on which the granting of an Award is authorized, or such other date as may be specified in such authorization.
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(l) Designated Holder has the meaning given such term in the definition of Change in Control.
(m) Effective Date means November 7, 2007.
(n) Eligible Director means a person who is (i) a non-employee director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and (ii) an outside director within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(o) Eligible Person means any (i) individual employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided , however , that no such employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be an Eligible Person unless and to the extent that such eligibility is set forth in such collective bargaining agreement or in an agreement or instrument relating thereto; (ii) director of the Company or an Affiliate; (iii) consultant or advisor to the Company or an Affiliate who may be offered securities registrable on Form S-8 under the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 701 of the Securities Act, or any other available exemption, as applicable; or (iv) prospective employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who have accepted offers of employment or consultancy from the Company or its Affiliates (and would satisfy the provisions of clauses (i) through (iii) above once he or she begins employment with or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates).
(p) Exchange Act has the meaning given such term in the definition of Change in Control, and any reference in the Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.
(q) Exercise Price has the meaning given such term in Section 7(b) of the Plan.
(r) Fair Market Value means, on a given date, (i) if the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, the closing sales price of the Common Stock reported on such national securities exchange, or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which such a sale was reported; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, but is quoted in the NASDAQ National Market Reporting System or another inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the closing bid price or, if there is no such sale on that date, then on the last preceding date on which a sale was reported; or (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Common Stock.
(s) Immediate Family Members shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15(b).
(t) Incentive Stock Option means an Option that is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option as described in Section 422 of the Code and otherwise meets the requirements set forth in the Plan.
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(u) Incumbent Board has the meaning given such term in the definition of Change in Control.
(v) Indemnifiable Person shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) of the Plan.
(w) Mature Shares means shares of Common Stock owned by a Participant that are not subject to any pledge or security interest and that have been either previously acquired by the Participant on the open market or meet such other requirements, if any, as the Committee may determine are necessary in order to avoid an accounting earnings charge on account of the use of such shares to pay the Exercise Price or satisfy a withholding obligation of the Participant.
(x) Negative Discretion shall mean the discretion authorized by the Plan to be applied by the Committee to eliminate or reduce the size of a Performance Compensation Award consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code.
(y) Nonqualified Stock Option means an Option that is not designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.
(z) Option means an Award granted under Section 7 of the Plan.
(aa) Option Period has the meaning given such term in Section 7(c) of the Plan.
(bb) Outstanding Company Common Stock has the meaning given such term in the definition of Change in Control.
(cc) Outstanding Company Voting Securities has the meaning given such term in the definition of Change in Control.
(dd) Participant means an Eligible Person who has been selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan and to receive an Award pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.
(ee) Performance Compensation Award shall mean any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan.
(ff) Performance Criteria shall mean the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award under the Plan.
(gg) Performance Formula shall mean, for a Performance Period, the one or more objective formulae applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the Performance Compensation Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of the Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period.
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(hh) Performance Goals shall mean, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.
(ii) Performance Period shall mean the one or more periods of time, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participants right to, and the payment of, a Performance Compensation Award.
(jj) Permitted Transferee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15(b) of the Plan.
(kk) Person has the meaning given such term in the definition of Change in Control.
(ll) Plan means this Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2007 Stock Award Plan.
(mm) Restricted Period means the period of time determined by the Committee during which an Award is subject to restrictions or, as applicable, the period of time within which performance is measured for purposes of determining whether an Award has been earned.
(nn) Restricted Stock Unit means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver shares of Common Stock, cash, other securities or other property, subject to certain restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.
(oo) Restricted Stock means Common Stock, subject to certain specified restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of the Plan.
(pp) SAR Period has the meaning given such term in Section 8(b) of the Plan.
(qq) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.
(rr) Stock Appreciation Right or SAR means an Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan.
(ss) Stock Bonus Award means an Award granted under Section 10 of the Plan.
(tt) Strike Price means, except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, (i) in the case of a SAR granted in tandem with an Option, the Exercise Price of the related Option, or (ii) in the case of a SAR granted independent of an Option, the Fair Market Value on the Date of Grant.
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(uu) Subsidiary means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Outstanding Company Voting Securities (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders agreement that effectively transfers voting power) is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership (or any comparable foreign entity (a) the sole general partner (or functional equivalent thereof) or the managing general partner of which is such Person or Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners (or functional equivalents thereof) of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).
(vv) Substitute Award has the meaning given such term in Section 5(e).
3. Effective Date; Duration . The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The expiration date of the Plan, on and after which date no Awards may be granted hereunder, shall be the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date; provided , however , that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.
4. Administration . (a) The Committee shall administer the Plan. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under the Plan) or necessary to obtain the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, as applicable, it is intended that each member of the Committee shall, at the time he takes any action with respect to an Award under the Plan, be an Eligible Director. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as an Eligible Director shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan. The majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present or acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee shall be deemed the acts of the Committee.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled,
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exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the delivery of cash, Common Stock, other securities, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant or of the Committee; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (ix) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.
(c) The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company or any Affiliate the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election that is the responsibility of or that is allocated to the Committee herein, and that may be so delegated as a matter of law, except for grants of Awards to persons (i) subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (ii) who are, or who are reasonably expected to be, covered employees for purposes of Code Section 162(m).
(d) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award or any documents evidencing Awards granted pursuant to the Plan shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons or entities, including, without limitation, the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, and any stockholder of the Company.
(e) No member of the Board, the Committee, delegate of the Committee or any employee or agent of the Company (each such person, an Indemnifiable Person ) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder. Each Indemnifiable Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense (including attorneys fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Indemnifiable Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Indemnifiable Person may be a party or in which such Indemnifiable Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Plan or any Award agreement and against and from any and all amounts paid by such Indemnifiable Person with the Companys approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Indemnifiable Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Indemnifiable Person, provided , that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Companys choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to an Indemnifiable Person to the extent that a final judgment or other final adjudication (in either case not subject to further appeal) binding upon such Indemnifiable Person determines that the acts or omissions of such Indemnifiable Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Indemnifiable Persons bad faith, fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the Companys Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws. The foregoing
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right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such Indemnifiable Persons may be entitled under the Companys Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Indemnifiable Persons or hold them harmless.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards and administer the Plan with respect to such Awards. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan.
5. Grant of Awards; Shares Subject to the Plan; Limitations . (a) The Committee may, from time to time, grant Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Bonus Awards and/or Performance Compensation Awards to one or more Eligible Persons.
(b) Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following limitations: (i) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, the Committee is authorized to deliver under the Plan 10,000,000 shares; (ii) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, grants of Options or SARs under the Plan in respect of no more than 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock may be made to any single Participant during any calendar year; (iii) subject to Section 12 of the Plan, no more than 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock may be earned in respect of Performance Compensation Awards granted pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan to any single Participant for a single calendar year during a Performance Period, or in the event such Performance Compensation Award is paid in cash, other securities, other Awards or other property, no more than the Fair Market Value of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock on the last day of the Performance Period to which such Award relates; and (iv) the maximum amount that can be paid to any single Participant in any one calendar year pursuant to a cash bonus Award described in Section 11(a) of the Plan shall be $15,000,000.
(c) Use of shares of Common Stock to pay the required Exercise Price or tax obligations, or shares not issued in connection with settlement of an Option or SAR or that are used or withheld to satisfy tax obligations of the Participant shall, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, not be available again for other Awards under the Plan. Shares underlying Awards under this Plan that are forfeited, cancelled, expire unexercised, or are settled in cash are available again for Awards under the Plan.
(d) Shares of Common Stock delivered by the Company in settlement of Awards may be authorized and unissued shares, shares held in the treasury of the Company, shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase, or a combination of the foregoing.
(e) Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines ( Substitute Awards ). The number of shares of Common Stock underlying any Substitute Awards shall be counted against the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under the Plan.
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6. Eligibility . Participation shall be limited to Eligible Persons who have entered into an Award agreement or who have received written notification from the Committee, or from a person designated by the Committee, that they have been selected to participate in the Plan.
7. Options . (a) Generally . Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Nonqualified Stock Options unless the applicable Award agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company and its Affiliates, and no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any Eligible Person who is ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code. No Option shall be treated as an Incentive Stock Option unless the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company in a manner intended to comply with the stockholder approval requirements of Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, provided that any Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not fail to be effective solely on account of a failure to obtain such approval, but rather such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option unless and until such approval is obtained. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the terms and conditions of such grant shall be subject to and comply with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code. If for any reason an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option or portion thereof shall be regarded as a Nonqualified Stock Option appropriately granted under the Plan.
(b) Exercise Price . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, the exercise price ( Exercise Price ) per share of Common Stock for each Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share (determined as of the Date of Grant); provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who, at the time of the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate, the Exercise Price per share shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant.
(c) Vesting and Expiration . Options shall vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates determined by the Committee and shall expire after such period, not to exceed ten years, as may be determined by the Committee (the Option Period ); provided , however , that the Option Period shall not exceed five years from the Date of Grant in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who on the Date of Grant owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate; provided , further , that notwithstanding any vesting dates set by the Committee, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the exercisability of any Option, which acceleration shall not affect the terms and conditions of such Option other than with respect to exercisability. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement: (i) an Option shall vest and become exercisable with respect to 25% of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option on each of the first four anniversaries of the Date of Grant; (ii) the
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unvested portion of an Option shall expire upon termination of employment or service of the Participant granted the Option, and the vested portion of such Option shall remain exercisable for (A) one year following termination of employment or service by reason of such Participants death or disability (as determined by the Committee), but not later than the expiration of the Option Period or (B) 90 days following termination of employment or service for any reason other than such Participants death or disability, and other than such Participants termination of employment or service for Cause, but not later than the expiration of the Option Period; and (iii) both the unvested and the vested portion of an Option shall expire upon the termination of the Participants employment or service by the Company for Cause.
(d) Method of Exercise and Form of Payment . No shares of Common Stock shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company and the Participant has paid to the Company an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld. Options that have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Option accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be payable (i) in cash, check, cash equivalent and/or shares of Common Stock valued at the Fair Market Value at the time the Option is exercised (including, pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, by means of attestation of ownership of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock in lieu of actual delivery of such shares to the Company); provided , that such shares of Common Stock are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and are Mature Shares and; (ii) by such other method as the Committee may permit in its sole discretion, including without limitation: (A) in other property having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price or (B) if there is a public market for the shares of Common Stock at such time, by means of a broker-assisted cashless exercise pursuant to which the Company is delivered a copy of irrevocable instructions to a stockbroker to sell the shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the Exercise Price or (C) by a net exercise method whereby the Company withholds from the delivery of the shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercised that number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercised. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.
(e) Notification upon Disqualifying Disposition of an Incentive Stock Option . Each Participant awarded an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date he makes a disqualifying disposition of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including, without limitation, any sale) of such Common Stock before the later of (A) two years after the Date of Grant of the Incentive Stock Option or (B) one year after the date of exercise of the Incentive Stock Option. The Company may, if determined by the Committee and in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, retain possession of any Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option as agent for the applicable Participant until the end of the period described in the preceding sentence.
(f) Compliance With Laws, etc. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Participant be permitted to exercise an Option in a manner that the Committee determines
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would violate the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or any other applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded.
8. Stock Appreciation Rights . (a) Generally . Each SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each SAR so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement. Any Option granted under the Plan may include tandem SARs. The Committee also may award SARs to Eligible Persons independent of any Option.
(b) Vesting and Expiration . A SAR granted in connection with an Option shall become exercisable and shall expire according to the same vesting schedule and expiration provisions as the corresponding Option. A SAR granted independent of an Option shall vest and become exercisable and shall expire in such manner and on such date or dates determined by the Committee and shall expire after such period, not to exceed ten years, as may be determined by the Committee (the SAR Period ); provided, however, that notwithstanding any vesting dates set by the Committee, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the exercisability of any SAR, which acceleration shall not affect the terms and conditions of such SAR other than with respect to exercisability. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement: (i) a SAR shall vest and become exercisable with respect to 25% of the shares of Common Stock subject to such SAR on each of the first four anniversaries of the Date of Grant; (ii) the unvested portion of a SAR shall expire upon termination of employment or service of the Participant granted the SAR, and the vested portion of such SAR shall remain exercisable for (A) one year following termination of employment or service by reason of such Participants death or disability (as determined by the Committee), but not later than the expiration of the SAR Period or (B) 90 days following termination of employment or service for any reason other than such Participants death or disability, and other than such Participants termination of employment or service for Cause, but not later than the expiration of the SAR Period; and (iii) both the unvested and the vested portion of a SAR shall expire upon the termination of the Participants employment or service by the Company for Cause.
(c) Method of Exercise . SARs that have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award, specifying the number of SARs to be exercised and the date on which such SARs were awarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on the last day of the Option Period (or in the case of a SAR independent of an option, the SAR Period), the Fair Market Value exceeds the Strike Price, the Participant has not exercised the SAR or the corresponding Option (if applicable), and neither the SAR nor the corresponding Option (if applicable) has expired, such SAR shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Participant on such last day and the Company shall make the appropriate payment therefor.
(d) Payment . Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of shares subject to the SAR that are being exercised multiplied by the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the
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exercise date over the Strike Price, less an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld. The Company shall pay such amount in cash, in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Any fractional shares of Common Stock shall be settled in cash.
9. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units . (a) Generally . Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each such grant shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 9, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.
(b) Stock Certificates; Escrow or Similar Arrangement . Upon the grant of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall cause a stock certificate registered in the name of the Participant to be issued and, if the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (i) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable, and (ii) the appropriate stock power (endorsed in blank) with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant shall fail to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and blank stock power within the amount of time specified by the Committee, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 9 and the applicable Award agreement, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including without limitation the right to vote such Restricted Stock. To the extent shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, any stock certificates issued to the Participant evidencing such shares shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect thereto shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.
(c) Vesting; Acceleration of Lapse of Restrictions . Except as provided below: (i) the Restricted Period shall lapse with respect to 25% of the restricted stock and restricted stock units on any of the first four anniversaries of the Date of Grant; and (ii) the unvested portion of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall terminate and be forfeited upon termination of employment or service of the Participant granted the applicable Award.
(d) Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units . (i) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock that have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (rounded down to the nearest full share). Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends (except as otherwise set forth by the Committee in the applicable Award agreement).
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(ii) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement, upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his beneficiary, without charge, one share of Common Stock for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit; provided , however , that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to (i) pay cash or part cash and part Common Stock in lieu of delivering only shares of Common Stock in respect of such Restricted Stock Units or (ii) defer the delivery of Common Stock (or cash or part Common Stock and part cash, as the case may be) beyond the expiration of the Restricted Period. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering shares of Common Stock, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, less an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld.
(e) Legends on Restricted Stock . Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall bear a legend substantially in the form of the following in addition to any other information the Company deems appropriate until the lapse of all restrictions with respect to such Common Stock:
TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY IS RESTRICTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. 2007 STOCK AWARD PLAN AND A RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT, BETWEEN AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND PARTICIPANT. A COPY OF SUCH PLAN AND AWARD AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
10. Stock Bonus Awards . The Committee may issue unrestricted Common Stock, or other Awards denominated in Common Stock, under the Plan to Eligible Persons, either alone or in tandem with other awards, in such amounts as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. Each Stock Bonus Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each Stock Bonus Award so granted shall be subject to such conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.
11. Performance Compensation Awards . (a) Generally . The Committee shall have the authority, at the time of grant of any Award described in Sections 7 through 10 of the Plan, to designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee shall have the authority to make an award of a cash bonus to any Participant and designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(b) Discretion of Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards . With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have sole
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discretion to select the length of such Performance Period, the type(s) of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued, the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s), the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goals(s) that is (are) to apply and the Performance Formula. Within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence and record the same in writing.
(c) Performance Criteria . The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) shall be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company (and/or one or more Affiliates, divisions or operational units, or any combination of the foregoing) and shall include the following: (i) net earnings or net income (before or after taxes); (ii) basic or diluted earnings per share (before or after taxes); (iii) net revenue or revenue growth; (iv) gross profit or gross profit growth; (v) operating profit (before or after taxes); (vi) return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity, or sales); (vii) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, and cash flow return on capital); (viii) earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation and/or amortization; (ix) gross or operating margins; (x) productivity ratios; (xi) share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return); (xii) expense targets; (xiii) margins; (xiv) operating efficiency; (xv) objective measures of customer satisfaction; (xvi) working capital targets; (xvii) measures of economic value added; (xviii) inventory control; (xix) enterprise value; (xx) sales; (xxi) debt levels and net debt; (xxii) timely launch of new facilities; (xxiii) client retention; (xxiv) employee retention; (xxv) timely completion of new product rollouts; and (xxvi) objective measures of personal targets, goals or completion of projects. Any one or more of the Performance Criteria may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates as a whole or any business unit(s) of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Criteria may be compared to the performance of a selected group of comparison companies, or a published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or as compared to various stock market indices. The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of Performance Goals pursuant to the Performance Criteria specified in this paragraph. To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall, within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period and thereafter promptly communicate such Performance Criteria to the Participant.
(d) Modification of Performance Goal(s) . In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Criteria without obtaining stockholder approval of such alterations, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such alterations without obtaining stockholder approval. The Committee is authorized at any time during the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or at any time thereafter to the extent the exercise of such authority at such time would not cause the Performance
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Compensation Awards granted to any Participant for such Performance Period to fail to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, in its sole discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period, based on and in order to appropriately reflect the following events: (i) asset write-downs; (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (iii) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; (iv) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (v) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 (or any successor pronouncement thereto) and/or in managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Companys annual report to stockholders for the applicable year; (vi) acquisitions or divestitures; (vii) any other specific unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; (viii) foreign exchange gains and losses; and (ix) a change in the Companys fiscal year.
(e) Payment of Performance Compensation Awards . (i) Condition to Receipt of Payment . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, a Participant must be employed by the Company on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.
(ii) Limitation . A Participant shall be eligible to receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that: (A) the Performance Goals for such period are achieved; and (B) all or some of the portion of such Participants Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period based on the application of the Performance Formula to such achieved Performance Goals.
(iii) Certification . Following the completion of a Performance Period, the Committee shall review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, calculate and certify in writing that amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the Performance Formula. The Committee shall then determine the amount of each Participants Performance Compensation Award actually payable for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply Negative Discretion.
(iv) Use of Negative Discretion . In determining the actual amount of an individual Participants Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance Compensation Award earned under the Performance Formula in the Performance Period through the use of Negative Discretion if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate. The Committee shall not have the discretion, except as is otherwise provided in the Plan, to (A) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained; or (B) increase a Performance Compensation Award above the applicable limitations set forth in Section 5 of the Plan.
(f) Timing of Award Payments . Performance Compensation Awards granted for a Performance Period shall be paid to Participants as soon as administratively practicable following completion of the certifications required by this Section 11, but in no event later than two-and-one-half months following the end of the fiscal year during which the Performance Period is completed.
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12. Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events . In the event of (a) any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a Change in Control) that affects the shares of Common Stock, or (b) unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, a Change in Control) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system, accounting principles or law, such that in either case an adjustment is determined by the Committee in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate, then the Committee shall make any such adjustments in such manner as it may deem equitable, including without limitation any or all of the following:
(i) adjusting any or all of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) that may be delivered in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including, without limitation, adjusting any or all of the limitations under Section 5 of the Plan) and (B) the terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, (1) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate, (2) the Exercise Price or Strike Price with respect to any Award or (3) any applicable performance measures (including, without limitation, Performance Criteria and Performance Goals);
(ii) providing for a substitution or assumption of Awards, accelerating the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards or providing for a period of time for exercise prior to the occurrence of such event; and
(iii) cancelling any one or more outstanding Awards and causing to be paid to the holders thereof, in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property, or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards, if any, as determined by the Committee (which if applicable may be based upon the price per share of Common Stock received or to be received by other stockholders of the Company in such event), including without limitation, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price of such Option or SAR, respectively (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or SAR having a per share Exercise Price or Strike Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject thereto may be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor);
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provided , however , that in the case of any equity restructuring (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004)), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring. Any adjustment in Incentive Stock Options under this Section 12 (other than any cancellation of Incentive Stock Options) shall be made only to the extent not constituting a modification within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code, and any adjustments under this Section 12 shall be made in a manner that does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.
13. Effect of Change in Control . Except to the extent otherwise provided in an Award agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may provide that, with respect to all or any portion of a particular outstanding Award or Awards:
(a) the then outstanding Options and SARs shall become immediately exercisable as of a time prior to the Change in Control;
(b) the Restricted Period shall expire as of a time prior to the Change in Control (including without limitation a waiver of any applicable Performance Goals);
(c) Performance Periods in effect on the date the Change in Control occurs shall end on such date, and (i) determine the extent to which Performance Goals with respect to each such Performance Period have been met based upon such audited or unaudited financial information or other information then available as it deems relevant and (ii) cause the Participant to receive partial or full payment of Awards for each such Performance Period based upon the Committees determination of the degree of attainment of the Performance Goals, or assuming that the applicable target levels of performance have been attained or on such other basis determined by the Committee; and
(d) cause Awards previously deferred to be settled in full as soon as practicable.
To the extent practicable, any actions taken by the Committee under the immediately preceding clauses (a) through (d) shall occur in a manner and at a time which allows affected Participants the ability to participate in the Change in Control transactions with respect to the Common Stock subject to their Awards.
14. Amendments and Termination . (a) Amendment and Termination of the Plan . The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided , that (i) no amendment to Section 11(c) or Section 14(b) (to the extent required by the proviso in such Section 14(b)) shall be made without stockholder approval and (ii) no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan (including, without limitation, as necessary to comply with
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any rules or requirements of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock may be listed or quoted or to prevent the Company from being denied a tax deduction under Section 162(m) of the Code); provided , further , that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary.
(b) Amendment of Award Agreements . The Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of any applicable Award agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted or the associated Award agreement, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant; provided , further , that without stockholder approval, except as otherwise permitted under Section 12 of the Plan, (i) no amendment or modification may reduce the Exercise Price of any Option or the Strike Price of any SAR, (ii) the Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option or SAR and replace it with a new Option or SAR, another Award or cash and (iii) the Committee may not take any other action that is considered a repricing for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted.
15. General . (a) Award Agreements . Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)) and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award any rules applicable thereto, including without limitation, the effect on such Award of the death, disability or termination of employment or service of a Participant, or of such other events as may be determined by the Committee.
(b) Nontransferability . (i) Each Award shall be exercisable only by a Participant during the Participants lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participants legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or an Affiliate; provided that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) to be transferred by a Participant, without consideration, subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt consistent with any applicable Award agreement to preserve the purposes of the Plan, to: (A) any person who is a family member of the Participant, as such term is used in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act (collectively, the Immediate Family Members ); (B) a trust solely for the benefit of the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (C) a partnership or
19
limited liability company whose only partners or stockholders are the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (D) any other transferee as may be approved either (I) by the Board or the Committee in its sole discretion, or (II) as provided in the applicable Award agreement. (each transferee described in clauses (A), (B) (C) and (D) above is hereinafter referred to as a Permitted Transferee ); provided , that the Participant gives the Committee advance written notice describing the terms and conditions of the proposed transfer and the Committee notifies the Participant in writing that such a transfer would comply with the requirements of the Plan.
(iii) The terms of any Award transferred in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to the Permitted Transferee and any reference in the Plan, or in any applicable Award agreement, to a Participant shall be deemed to refer to the Permitted Transferee, except that (A) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to transfer any Award, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (B) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to exercise any transferred Option unless there shall be in effect a registration statement on an appropriate form covering the shares of Common Stock to be acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Option if the Committee determines, consistent with any applicable Award agreement, that such a registration statement is necessary or appropriate; (C) the Committee or the Company shall not be required to provide any notice to a Permitted Transferee, whether or not such notice is or would otherwise have been required to be given to the Participant under the Plan or otherwise; and (D) the consequences of the termination of the Participants employment by, or services to, the Company or an Affiliate under the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award agreement shall continue to be applied with respect to the Participant, including, without limitation, that an Option shall be exercisable by the Permitted Transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, specified in the Plan and the applicable Award agreement.
(c) Tax Withholding . (i) A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate, and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold, from any cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property deliverable under any Award or from any compensation or other amounts owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Common Stock, other securities or other property) of any required withholding taxes in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding and taxes.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of clause (i) above, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability by (A) the delivery of shares of Common Stock (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and are Mature Shares) owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability or (B) having the Company withhold from the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable pursuant to the exercise or settlement of the Award a number of shares with a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability (but no more than the minimum required statutory withholding liability).
(d) No Claim to Awards; No Rights to Continued Employment; Waiver . No employee of the Company or an Affiliate, or other person, shall have any claim or right to be
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granted an Award under the Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for a grant of any other Award. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committees determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate, nor shall it be construed as giving any Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. The Company or any of its Affiliates may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or any Award agreement.
(e) International Participants . With respect to Participants who reside or work outside of the United States of America and who are not (and who are not expect to be) covered employees within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may in its sole discretion amend the terms of the Plan or outstanding Awards with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law or to obtain more favorable tax or other treatment for a Participant, the Company or its Affiliates.
(f) Designation and Change of Beneficiary . Each Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of one or more persons as the beneficiary(ies) who shall be entitled to receive the amounts payable with respect to an Award, if any, due under the Plan upon his death. A Participant may, from time to time, revoke or change his beneficiary designation without the consent of any prior beneficiary by filing a new designation with the Committee. The last such designation received by the Committee shall be controlling; provided , however , that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Committee prior to the Participants death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt. If no beneficiary designation is filed by a Participant, the beneficiary shall be deemed to be his or her spouse or, if the Participant is unmarried at the time of death, his or her estate.
(g) Termination of Employment/Service . Unless determined otherwise by the Committee at any point following such event: (i) neither a temporary absence from employment or service due to illness, vacation or leave of absence nor a transfer from employment or service with the Company to employment or service with an Affiliate (or vice-versa) shall be considered a termination of employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate; and (ii) if a Participants employment with the Company and its Affiliates terminates, but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company and its Affiliates in a non-employee capacity (or vice-versa), such change in status shall not be considered a termination of employment with the Company or an Affiliate.
(h) No Rights as a Stockholder . Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or any Award agreement, no person shall be entitled to the privileges of ownership in respect of shares of Common Stock that are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued or delivered to that person.
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(i) Government and Other Regulations . (i) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in Common Stock or other consideration shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the shares of Common Stock to be offered or sold under the Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to provide that all certificates for shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award agreement, the federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which such shares or other securities are then listed or quoted and any other applicable federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, and, without limiting the generality of Section 9 of the Plan, the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under the Plan that it in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.
(ii) The Committee may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Companys acquisition of shares of Common Stock from the public markets, the Companys issuance of Common Stock to the Participant, the Participants acquisition of Common Stock from the Company and/or the Participants sale of Common Stock to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Committee determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in accordance with the foregoing, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the shares would have been vested or delivered, as applicable), over (B) the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price (in the case of an Option or SAR, respectively) or any amount payable as a condition of delivery of shares of Common Stock (in the case of any other Award). Such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof.
(j) Payments to Persons Other Than Participants . If the Committee shall find that any person to whom any amount is payable under the Plan is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such person or his estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such person, or any other person deemed
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by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.
(k) Nonexclusivity of the Plan . Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board nor the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.
(l) No Trust or Fund Created . Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate, on the one hand, and a Participant or other person or entity, on the other hand. No provision of the Plan or any Award shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other employees under general law.
(m) Reliance on Reports . Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in acting or failing to act, as the case may be, and shall not be liable for having so acted or failed to act in good faith, in reliance upon any report made by the independent public accountant of the Company and its Affiliates and/or any other information furnished in connection with the Plan by any agent of the Company or the Committee or the Board, other than himself.
(n) Relationship to Other Benefits . No payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance or other benefit plan of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan.
(o) Governing Law . The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed wholly within the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
(p) Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any Award or Award agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or entity or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or entity or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
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(q) Obligations Binding on Successors . The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.
(r) Code Section 162(m) Approval . If so determined by the Committee, (i) the Plan shall be approved by the stockholders of the Company no later than the first meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which the Companys initial public offering, if any, occurs, and (ii) the provisions of the Plan regarding Performance Compensation Awards shall be disclosed and reapproved by stockholders no later than the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which stockholders previously approved such provisions following the Companys initial public offering, if any, in each case in order for certain Awards granted after such time to be exempt from the deduction limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code. Nothing in this clause, however, shall affect the validity of Awards granted after such time if such stockholder approval has not been obtained.
(s) Expenses; Gender; Titles and Headings . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates. Masculine pronouns and other words of masculine gender shall refer to both men and women. The titles and headings of the sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings shall control.
(t) Other Agreements . Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may require, as a condition to the grant of and/or the receipt of shares of Common Stock under an Award, that the Participant execute lock-up, stockholder or other agreements, as it may determine in its sole and absolute discretion.
(u) Payments . Participants shall be required to pay, to the extent required by applicable law, any amounts required to receive shares of Common Stock under any Award made under the Plan.
* * *
As adopted by the Board of Directors of
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. on November 7, 2007.
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Exhibit 10.7
EMPLOYEE FORM
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
2007 STOCK AWARD PLAN
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the Agreement ), dated as of November , 2007 (the Date of Grant ), is made by and between Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and (the Participant ).
RECITALS :
WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2007 Stock Award Plan (the Plan ), pursuant to which options may be granted to purchase shares of the Companys Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Committee ) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to grant to the Participant a Nonqualified Stock Option to purchase the number of shares of the Companys Common Stock provided for herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the covenants of the parties contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, for themselves, their successors and assigns, hereby agree as follows:
1. | Grant of Option . |
The Company hereby grants to the Participant on the Date of Grant an option (the Option ) to purchase shares of Common Stock (such shares of Common Stock, the Option Shares ), on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and as otherwise provided in the Plan. The Option is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
2. | Incorporation by Reference, Etc . |
The provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and any capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the definitions set forth in the Plan. The Committee shall have final authority to interpret and construe the Plan and this Agreement and to make any and all determinations under them, and its decision shall be binding and conclusive upon the Participant and his legal representative in respect of any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.
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3. | Terms and Conditions . |
(a) Option Price . The price at which the Participant shall be entitled to purchase the Option Shares upon the exercise of all or any portion of the Option shall be $ per Option Share.
(b) Expiration Date . Subject to Section 3(d) hereof, the Option shall expire at the end of the period commencing on the Date of Grant and ending at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the day preceding the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant (the Option Period ).
(c) Exercisability of the Option .
(i) Subject to the Participants continued service to the Company or an Affiliate and except as may otherwise be provided herein, the Option shall become vested and exercisable as to 25% of the Option Shares on each of the first four anniversaries of the Date of Grant.
(ii) The Option may be exercised only by written notice in accordance with the option exercise form approved by the Company, which notice shall either be delivered in person, by mail or by electronic means in accordance with Section 6(a) hereof and shall be accompanied by payment therefor. The purchase price of the Option Shares shall be paid by the Participant to the Company (A) (1) in cash (by check or wire transfer) and/or in shares of Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value at the time the Option is exercised (including, pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, by actual delivery of such shares to the Company); provided , that such shares of Common Stock are Mature Shares or (2) if a public market for the Companys Common Stock exists, by means of a broker-assisted cashless exercise program; or (B) by such other method as the Committee may permit in its sole discretion , including without limitation: (1) in other property having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for such Option Shares or (B) by a net exercise method. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Participant be permitted to exercise an Option in a manner that the Committee determines would violate the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or any other applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company or any Affiliates are listed or traded.
(d) Effect of Termination of Service on the Option .
(i) Death/Disability . If the Participants service is terminated with the Company and its Affiliates due to the Participants death or by the Company or any Affiliate due to disability (as determined by the Committee), the unvested portion of the Option shall expire on the date of termination of service and the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable by the Participant through the earlier of (A) the expiration of the Option Period or (B) the first anniversary of the date of termination of service on account of death or disability (as determined by the Committee).
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(ii) Termination Other than on Account of Death, Disability or for Cause . If the Participants service with the Company and its Affiliates is terminated by the Company or any Affiliate other than on account of death, disability (as determined by the Committee), or for Cause, the unvested portion of the Option shall expire on the date of termination of service and the vested portion of the Participants Option shall remain exercisable by the Participant through the earlier of (A) the expiration of the Option Period or (B) the ninetieth day following the Participants termination of service.
(iii) Termination For Cause . If the Participants service is terminated by the Company or any Affiliate for Cause, both the unvested and the vested portions of the Option shall terminate on the date of such termination.
(e) Compliance with Legal Requirements . The granting and exercising of the Option, and any other obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency as may be required. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may postpone the issuance or delivery of Option Shares as the Committee may consider appropriate and may require the Participant to make such representations, execute any agreements, and furnish such information as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Option Shares in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations or otherwise. Any Option Shares acquired by the Participant may bear a restrictive legend summarizing any restrictions on transferability applicable thereto, including those imposed by federal and state securities laws.
(f) Transferability . The Option shall not be transferable by the Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise permitted by the Committee.
(g) Rights as Stockholder . The Participant shall not be deemed for any purpose to be the owner of any shares of Common Stock subject to this Option unless, until and to the extent that (i) this Option shall have been exercised pursuant to its terms, (ii) the Company shall have issued and delivered to the Participant the Option Shares, and (iii) the Participants name shall have been entered as a stockholder of record with respect to such Option Shares on the books of the Company.
(h) Taxes . Unless the Committee permits or requires such withholding obligation to be satisfied by another method described in Section 15(c) of the Plan, the Participant shall be required to pay the Company, and the Company (or any Affiliate) shall have the right to withhold from any Option Shares to be delivered to the Participant, the amount of any federal, state or local withholding taxes required to be withheld, if any, upon the exercise of such Option.
4. | Miscellaneous . |
(a) Notices . All notices, demands and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be by registered or certified first-class mail, return receipt requested, telecopier, courier service or personal delivery or by such electronic means as may be approved by the Company:
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if to the Company:
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
100 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Facsimile: (203) 956-1206
Attention: General Counsel
if to the Participant, at the Participants last known address on file with the Company.
All such notices, demands and other communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when delivered by courier, if delivered by commercial courier service; five (5) business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; and when receipt is mechanically acknowledged, if telecopied.
(b) Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and each other provision of this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.
(c) No Rights to Continue Service . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Participant any right to be retained, in any position, as an employee, consultant or director of the Company or its Affiliates or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the right of the Company or its Affiliates, which are hereby expressly reserved, to remove, terminate or discharge the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever.
(d) Bound by Plan; Management Investor Rights Agreement . By signing this Agreement, the Participant acknowledges that he has received a copy of the Plan and has had an opportunity to review the Plan and agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions of the Plan. The Participant acknowledges that to the extent the Participant is not a party to the Management Investor Rights Agreement at the time the Participant exercises any portion of the Option, such exercise shall be treated for all purposes as effecting the Participants simultaneous execution of the Management Investor Rights Agreement and the Participant shall be bound thereby.
(e) Successors . The terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns, and of the Participant and the beneficiaries, executors, administrators, heirs and successors of the Participant.
(f) Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Plan contain the entire agreement and understandings of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersede all prior communications, representations and negotiations in respect thereto. No change, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
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(g) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to principles of conflicts of law thereof, or principals of conflicts of laws of any other jurisdiction that could cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
(h) Headings . The headings of the Sections hereof are provided for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction, and shall not constitute a part, of this Agreement.
(i) Signature in Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
(j) Lock-Up Agreement . The Participant hereby agrees that the Participant will not, without the prior written consent of the managing underwriter of the Companys initial public offering pursuant to a registration statement declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the IPO), during the period commencing on the date of the final prospectus relating to the Companys IPO and ending on the date specified by the Company and the managing underwriter (such period not to exceed 180 days) (i) lend, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, directly or indirectly, any Option Shares held immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement for the IPO or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Option Shares, whether any such transaction described in clauses (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Option Shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise. The underwriters in connection with the IPO are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Section 4(j) and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page to follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day first written above.
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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[Name of Participant] |
[Signature Page to Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement]
Exhibit 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)
I, Nathaniel J. Lipman, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Affinion Group, Inc.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: |
a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
c) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: November 13, 2007
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
Nathaniel J. Lipman |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)
I, Thomas A. Williams, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Affinion Group, Inc.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: |
a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
c) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: November 13, 2007
/s/ Thomas A. Williams |
Thomas A. Williams |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Affinion Group, Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Form 10-Q), I, Nathaniel J. Lipman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
(i) the Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(ii) the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.
Dated: November 13, 2007.
/s/ Nathaniel J. Lipman |
Nathaniel J. Lipman |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Affinion Group, Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Form 10-Q), I, Thomas A. Williams, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
(i) the Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(ii) the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.
Dated: November 13, 2007.
/s/ Thomas A. Williams |
Thomas A. Williams |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |