UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 12, 2015 (November 9, 2015)
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware | 333-173105 | 16-1732155 | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(203) 956-1000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
AFFINION GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware | 333-133895 | 16-1732152 | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(203) 956-1000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
Indenture relating to the New International Notes
General
On November 9, 2015, in connection with the consummation of the previously announced rights offering (the Rights Offering), Affinion International Holdings Limited, a limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (Affinion International), issued $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018 (the New International Notes).
The New International Notes are governed by the terms of the indenture, dated as of November 9, 2015 (the New International Indenture), among Affinion International, the guarantors party thereto (the Guarantors) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee).
The New International Notes are unsecured senior obligations of Affinion International, as issuer, and of the Guarantors, as guarantors. The New International Notes are guaranteed by (1) Affinion Group, Inc. (Affinion Group), (2) all of Affinion Groups existing and future domestic subsidiaries that currently guarantee Affinion Groups 7.875% Senior Notes due 2018 and (3) Affinion International Limited, Affinion International Travel HoldCo Limited, Webloyalty International Limited, Loyalty Ventures Limited, Bassae Holding B.V., Webloyalty Holdings Coöperatief U.A. and Webloyalty International S.à r.l. (such entities listed in clause (3), the Foreign Guarantors). The New International Notes will mature on July 30, 2018.
Interest on the New International Notes accrues at the rate of 7.5% per annum, of which 3.5% per annum will be payable in cash (Cash Interest) and 4.0% per annum will be payable by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding New International Notes or by issuing New International Notes (PIK Interest); provided, that all of the accrued interest on the New International Notes from the issue date to, but not including, May 1, 2016 will be payable on May 1, 2016 entirely as PIK Interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum. Interest on the New International Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1, commencing on May 1, 2016, and is payable to the holders of record at the close of business on April 15 or October 15 immediately preceding the interest payment date.
The New International Notes were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and the New International Notes may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, any United States persons absent registration under, or an applicable exemption from, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This report shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any notes and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
Covenants
The New International Indenture contains negative covenants and also contains customary events of default. The New International Indenture contains negative covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of Affinion International and its restricted subsidiaries to (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, or issue disqualified stock or preferred stock; (ii) repurchase or redeem capital stock of Affinion International or any parent of Affinion International or repurchase, redeem or prepay indebtedness of Affinion International or any restricted subsidiary of Affinion International that is subordinated in right of payment to the New International Notes and the guarantees thereof (other than subordinated indebtedness owed to Affinion Group or the Guarantors (other than the Foreign Guarantors)); (iii) make investments or acquisitions; (iv) incur restrictions on the ability of certain of Affinion Internationals subsidiaries to pay dividends or to make other payments to Affinion International; (v) enter into transactions with affiliates; (vi) create liens; (vii) merge or consolidate with other companies or transfer all or substantially all of Affinion Internationals assets; and (viii) transfer or sell assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries. In addition, the New International Indenture contains negative covenants that limit Affinion Groups ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to make certain asset sales or create liens.
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In addition, under the New International Indenture, certain triggering events, such as a change of control, certain asset sales or certain excess distributions, may require Affinion International to make an offer to purchase the New International Notes at the prices specified in the New International Indenture.
Optional Redemption
The New International Notes are redeemable at the option of Affinion International, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice, at a redemption price of 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The foregoing description of the New International Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the New International Indenture, which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Subordination Agreement
On November 9, 2015, Affinion Group, as subordinated creditor, and Affinion International, Affinion International Limited and Bassae Holding B.V., as obligors (the Obligors), entered into a Subordination Agreement (the Subordination Agreement). Pursuant to the Subordination Agreement, the parties agreed that certain intercompany indebtedness owed by the Obligors to Affinion Group would be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the payment in full of all obligations with respect to the New International Notes and the related guarantees thereof of the Obligors arising under the New International Indenture.
The foregoing description of the Subordination Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Subordination Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
On November 9, 2015, Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (Affinion Holdings), with the requisite consent of the former holders of Affinion Holdings Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Class A Common Stock), and former holders of the Series A Warrants of Affinion Holdings (the Series A Warrants), adopted the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Affinion Holdings (the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation) in order to, among other things, reclassify Affinion Holdings outstanding Class A Common Stock (the Reclassification) and cancel Affinion Holdings Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Class B Common Stock), and Series A Warrants as charter authorized instruments. The Class A Common Stock (including Class A Common Stock issued as a result of the mandatory cashless exercise of the Series A Warrants that occurred pursuant to an Amendment to the Warrant Agreement, dated November 9, 2015, by and among Affinion Holdings, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent, and the holders of Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants (as defined below) party thereto) was converted into shares of Affinion Holdings Class C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Class C Common Stock), and shares of Affinion Holdings Class D Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Class D Common Stock and, together with the Class C Common Stock, the Class C/D Common Stock), and any outstanding rights to acquire Class A Common Stock that were not cancelled in connection with the consummation of the Rights Offering and the previously announced exchange offers (the Exchange Offers) became rights to acquire Class C/D Common Stock. As of November 9, 2015, (i) such Class C Common Stock represented the rights to acquire 5% of the outstanding shares of Affinion Holdings new Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the New Common Stock), on a fully diluted basis (subject to dilution for the management equity incentive plan and the 66,667 shares of New Common Stock issued in connection with the payment of professional fees), before the conversion of the Class D Common Stock and (ii) such Class D Common Stock represented the rights to acquire 5% of the outstanding shares of New Common Stock on a fully diluted basis (including dilution for the conversion of Class C/D Common Stock, but subject to dilution for the management equity incentive plan and the 66,667 shares of New Common Stock issued in connection with the payment of professional fees). The foregoing assumes the full conversion or exercise of all options or other rights to acquire Class C/D Common Stock that were outstanding on November 9, 2015 as a result of the automatic conversion of such securities from the rights to acquire Class A Common Stock to the rights to acquire Class C/D Common Stock.
In addition, the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for a classified board of directors pursuant to which the board of directors is divided as equally as possible into three classes of directors, each of whom shall serve for a three-year term or until the earlier of their death, disability or removal (except with respect to the initial directors appointed or confirmed in connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering, in which case the Class I director shall serve until the first annual meeting of shareholders following such consummation, the Class II directors shall serve until the second annual meeting of stockholders following such consummation and the Class III directors shall serve until the third annual meeting of stockholders following such consummation).
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The foregoing description of the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws
On November 9, 2015, with the requisite consent of the former holders of Affinion Holdings Class A Common Stock and Series A Warrants, Affinion Holdings adopted the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws (the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws). The bylaws were amended to, among other things, provide that they can be amended by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote or by the stockholders written consent pursuant to the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws or by the vote of a majority of the board of directors or by the directors written consent pursuant to provisions of the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws. In addition, the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for a classified board of directors pursuant to which the board of directors is divided as equally as possible into three classes of directors, each of whom shall serve for a three-year term or until the earlier of their death, disability or removal (except with respect to the initial directors appointed or confirmed in connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering, in which case the Class I director shall serve until the first annual meeting of shareholders following such consummation, the Class II directors shall serve until the second annual meeting of stockholders following such consummation and the Class III directors shall serve until the third annual meeting of stockholders following such consummation).
The foregoing description of the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws, which is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Shareholders Agreement
On November 9, 2015, Affinion Holdings and the requisite former holders of Class A Common Stock, Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants of Affinion Holdings (the Series B Warrants and, together with the Series A Warrants, the Old Warrants) entered into a Shareholders Agreement (the Shareholders Agreement) that, among other things, (1) amended and restated each of (a) that certain Stockholder Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2011, as amended on May 7, 2014, by and among Affinion Holdings, Affinion Group Holdings, LLC (Parent), investment funds affiliated with General Atlantic, LLC (General Atlantic) and the investors party thereto (the Stockholder Agreement), (b) that certain Management Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of October 17, 2005, as amended on April 30, 2010, by and among Affinion Holdings and the investors party thereto (the Management Investor Rights Agreement), (c) that certain Securityholder Rights Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2011, by and among Affinion Holdings, Parent, General Atlantic and the investors party thereto (the Securityholder Rights Agreement) and (d) that certain Warrantholder Rights Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2013, as amended on May 7, 2014, by and among Parent, General Atlantic and the investors party thereto (the Warrantholder Rights Agreement), each such amendment and restatement effective as of November 9, 2015, and (2) established certain terms and conditions pursuant to which the holders of New Common Stock are bound with respect thereto.
In addition, as a condition to the delivery of New Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offers or the Rights Offering, each recipient of New Common Stock has executed and delivered a joinder to the Shareholders Agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Affinion Holdings.
The Shareholders Agreement contains the following terms:
Transfer Restrictions
Prior to a Listing (as defined below), the Shareholders Agreement provides that transfers of shares of New Common Stock and Class C/D Common Stock, other than pursuant to a Permitted Transferee (as such term is defined in the Shareholders Agreement) are subject to the consent of Affinion Holdings unless the shares may be resold pursuant to an effective resale registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144 thereunder. A Listing means the registration of New Common Stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and (1) qualification for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board (or other available over the counter market) (an OTC Listing) or (2) listing on a U.S. national securities exchange registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) (such listing, a Public Listing).
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Tag-Along Rights
Prior to a Public Listing, if one or more parties to the Shareholders Agreement that collectively hold 35% of the shares of New Common Stock then outstanding proposes to transfer for value any shares of New Common Stock in a single transaction or series of related transactions, then each of the other parties to the Shareholders Agreement may elect to transfer its shares of New Common Stock to the transferee up to an amount equal to the product of (1) the number of shares of New Common Stock proposed to be transferred and (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of New Common Stock owned by such investor and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of New Common Stock then outstanding, at the same price and on substantially the same terms and conditions as agreed to by the transferee and investor initiating such transaction.
Preemptive Rights
Prior to a Public Listing, the Shareholders Agreement provides that upon a proposed issuance of equity securities of Affinion Holdings by Affinion Holdings or its subsidiaries, Affinion Holdings shall offer to each holder of 1% or more of the outstanding New Common Stock the right to purchase its pro rata share, based on ownership of New Common Stock of such securities on the terms and conditions of the proposed issuance. The preemptive rights are subject to customary limited carve-outs.
Minority Protections
The Shareholders Agreement requires the approval of the holders of 66 2 ⁄ 3 % of the New Common Stock for Affinion Holdings to, or permit any of its subsidiaries to, (1) amend the charter or bylaws of Affinion Holdings, (2) merge or consolidate with, or enter into a reorganization or equity recapitalization, that results in the holders of New Common Stock holding less than a majority of the equity in the surviving or resulting entity, (3) any sale of all or substantially all of Affinion Holdings assets on a consolidated basis, (4) enter into related party transactions with holders of 5% or more of the New Common Stock or, unless on an arms-length basis, any of their affiliates, (5) engage in a new line of business substantially unrelated to an existing line of business or (6) adopt an equity incentive plan that, together with all other equity incentive plans (excluding Affinion Holdings 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, Affinion Holdings 2007 Stock Award Plan and Webloyalty Holdings, Inc.s 2005 Equity Award Plan) is for more than 10% of the issued and outstanding New Common Stock.
Financial Reports; Information Rights
The Shareholders Agreement obligates Affinion Holdings to deliver reports to stockholders substantially similar to the current, periodic and annual reports required by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act unless Affinion Holdings is then a public reporting company or a voluntary filer.
Representations and Warranties
Investors party to the Shareholders Agreement, including as a result of executing a joinder thereto, are required to make customary representations and warranties to Affinion Holdings regarding (1) organization, (2) authority, and (3) absence of violations or failure to obtain required consents.
Listing Requirement
Pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement, Affinion Holdings is obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to qualify the New Common Stock for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board as promptly as practicable following the closing of the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering (the Settlement Date). In addition, Affinion Holdings is obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the New Common Stock to be listed on a U.S. national securities exchange registered with the SEC on or prior to the first anniversary of the Settlement Date.
Other Agreements
By executing the Shareholders Agreement, investors party thereto have agreed not to enter into any agreements or arrangements of any kind with any person or entity inconsistent with the provisions of the Shareholders Agreement.
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Term; Termination
The Shareholders Agreement shall terminate upon the dissolution or liquidation of Affinion Holdings or the occurrence of a qualified initial public offering of Affinion Holdings.
The foregoing description of the Shareholders Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Shareholders Agreement, a form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Registration Rights Agreement
On November 9, 2015, Affinion Holdings, the holders of the New Common Stock and certain holders of Class C/D Common Stock entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the Registration Rights Agreement), pursuant to which Affinion Holdings has granted such holders the right, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions, to require Affinion Holdings to register under the Securities Act the shares of New Common Stock that are held or acquired by them.
Shelf Registration
The Registration Rights Agreement requires Affinion Holdings, upon becoming eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly prepare and file a shelf registration statement with respect to the resale of New Common Stock and maintain the shelf registration statement for one year. Holders may request a shelf-takedown one time per six month period. Holders owning 30% of the shares of New Common Stock to be registered pursuant to a shelf registration statement may elect to have the offering underwritten. Affinion Holdings is required to prepare and file additional shelf registration statements as necessary every three years.
Demand Rights
The Registration Rights Agreement grants holders of 35% or more of the shares of New Common Stock one demand registration right per six month period; provided, that Affinion Holdings does not have to effect a demand registration if a shelf registration statement is on file and effective or if such a demand registration would not reasonably be expected to result in aggregate gross cash proceeds in excess of $100 million (without regard to any underwriting discount or underwriters commission). After the first anniversary after the execution of the Registration Rights Agreement, holders owning 30% of the shares of New Common Stock to be registered pursuant to a demand registration statement may elect to have the offering underwritten.
Black-Out Periods
Affinion Holdings has the ability to postpone the filing of a registration statement in connection with a shelf registration or a demand registration for not more than once in any twelve-month period, not to exceed 60 days, subject to certain conditions.
Piggyback Registration Rights
The Registration Rights Agreement grants the holders of New Common Stock certain piggyback registration rights, which allows the holders the right to include shares of New Common Stock in a registration statement filed by Affinion Holdings, including in connection with the exercise of any demand registration rights by any other security holder possessing such rights, subject to customary exceptions.
Reduction of Offering and Lock-Up Periods
If Affinion Holdings and the holders, in consultation with the underwriter in a demand or piggyback registration, determine in good faith that the amount or kind of securities requested to be included in such offering materially and adversely affects such offering, then the amount of securities to be offered by the participating holders will be reduced pro rata based on the formulation set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. Holders of 1% or more of the New Common Stock or holders who participate in an underwritten offering agree to enter into, if requested by underwriters, a customary lock-up agreement in connection with an underwritten offering made pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. In connection with any underwritten offering, such lock-up period will start no earlier than 7 days prior to the expected pricing date of such offering and will last no longer than 90 days after such pricing date, unless the offering is an initial public offering, in which case such lock-up period will last no longer than 180 days after such pricing date.
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Underwriters
In connection with any underwritten shelf registration or demand registration, the holders of a majority of the shares of New Common Stock to be registered shall select the underwriter, who must be reasonably satisfactory to Affinion Holdings.
Indemnification; Expenses
Affinion Holdings is required to indemnify prospective sellers in an offering pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and certain related parties against any losses or damages arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or omission of material fact in a registration statement or prospectus pursuant to which such prospective seller sells shares of New Common Stock, unless such liability arose out of or is based on such partys misstatement or omission. The Registration Rights Agreement also provides that Affinion Holdings is indemnified by each seller, severally and not jointly, against all losses caused by its misstatements or omissions up to the amount of net proceeds received by such prospective seller upon the sale of the shares of New Common Stock giving rise to such losses. Affinion Holdings will pay all registration expenses incidental to its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, including legal fees and expenses.
The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, a form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Nominating Agreements
Affinion Holdings entered into separate nominating agreements (the Nominating Agreements) with each of Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Focused Credit Fund, and Ares Management LLC, on behalf of certain affiliated funds and managed accounts, pursuant to which such investors, on behalf of their respective constituents, have the right to nominate one director for election to Affinion Holdings board of directors. Such nomination rights do not include any obligation on the part of any other investor to vote for such nominees, nor do they guarantee that such nominees will be successfully elected to serve on Affinion Holdings board of directors. The rights to nominate a director pursuant to the Nominating Agreements are subject to the investor, together with its affiliates, maintaining beneficial ownership of at least 8% of Affinion Holdings issued and outstanding New Common Stock (including any Limited Warrants (as defined below), but excluding (1) any other derivative securities or rights to acquire New Common Stock and (2) any New Common Stock issued pursuant to an equity incentive plan).
The foregoing description of the Nominating Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Nominating Agreements, which are filed as Exhibits 10.4 and 10.5 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
Amendment to Warrant Agreement for Old Warrants
On November 9, 2015, together with the requisite holders of Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants, Affinion Holdings and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent (Amstock), entered into an amendment to that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2013 (the Warrant Agreement), by and between Affinion Holdings and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as warrant agent (as replaced by Amstock as successor warrant agent), effective as of November 9, 2015. Such amendment amended the terms of the Warrant Agreement to (1) cause each of the outstanding Series A Warrants to be automatically exercised, using cashless exercise, for shares of Class A Common Stock immediately prior to the Reclassification and (2) amend the terms of the Series B Warrants to accelerate the expiration thereof without having vested such that each outstanding Series B Warrant was cancelled and ceased to be outstanding, for no additional consideration, on November 9, 2015. As a result, due to the consummation of the Exchange Offers, Rights Offering and the Reclassification, none of the Old Warrants remain outstanding.
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The foregoing description of the Amendment to Warrant Agreement for Old Warrants does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment to Warrant Agreement for Old Warrants, which is filed as Exhibit 10.6 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Limited Warrant
On November 9, 2015, in lieu of shares of New Common Stock that would have resulted in Third Avenue Trust, together with its affiliates, acquiring over 19.9% of the issued and outstanding New Common Stock, Affinion Holdings issued a limited warrant to acquire up to 370,275 shares of New Common Stock (the Limited Warrant) to Third Avenue Trust, acting on behalf of Third Avenue Focused Credit Fund. The Limited Warrant is non-voting, non-participating and has an exercise price equal to $0.01. The Limited Warrant contains customary anti-dilution protection for splits, reverse-splits, reclassifications and similar transformative events. The Limited Warrant is exercisable at any time unless the exercising holder would require the approval of, or a filing with, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority or the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of North Dakota to acquire the New Common Stock issuable upon such exercise, and such approval(s) have not been obtained and/or filing(s) have not been made.
The foregoing description of the Limited Warrant does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Limited Warrant, which is filed as Exhibit 10.7 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1.02 | Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement. |
Termination of Consulting Agreement
On November 9, 2015, with the consent of the requisite holders of Series A Warrants, Apollo Global Management V, L.P. (Apollo) and Affinion Group entered into a Termination and Mutual Release (the Termination of Consulting Agreement) in respect of that certain Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2011, as amended on December 12, 2013, by and between Apollo and Affinion Group (the Consulting Agreement). Pursuant to the terms of the Termination of Consulting Agreement, each of the parties to the Consulting Agreement agreed to the termination of the Consulting Agreement for no additional consideration, and to a general release of the other party and its affiliates, and its and their respective former and present directors, officers, employees, representatives, partners and managers of all obligations arising under or related to the Consulting Agreement (and covenanting not to sue in respect of such released claims) except that the obligation of Affinion Group to provide indemnification in accordance with Section 5 of the Consulting Agreement for Liabilities (as defined in the Consulting Agreement) arising from or related to acts or omissions occurring prior to the effective date of the Termination of Consulting Agreement survives the termination of the agreement. As a result of the Termination of Consulting Agreement, Affinion Group has no obligations to pay Apollo any previously accrued and unpaid amounts for prior services rendered under the Consulting Agreement.
The foregoing description of the Termination of Consulting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Termination of Consulting Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.8 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Termination of Registration Rights Agreement
On November 9, 2015, Parent, General Atlantic and Affinion Holdings entered into a termination agreement (the Termination of Registration Rights Agreement) terminating that certain Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2013, by and among Affinion Holdings and the investors party thereto (the Old Registration Rights Agreement). Pursuant to the terms of the Termination of Registration Rights Agreement, each of the investors, on the one hand, and Affinion Holdings, on the other hand, irrevocably released the other(s) for any and all obligations and liabilities arising from or related to the Old Registration Rights Agreement.
The foregoing description of the Termination of Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Termination of Registration Rights Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.9 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 2.02 | Results of Operations and Financial Condition. |
On November 12, 2015, Affinion Holdings issued a press release announcing the financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015, for itself and selected financial information for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Affinion Group. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.
Note : The information contained in this Item 2.02 (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 2.03 | Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant. |
The information set forth in Item 1.01 regarding the issuance of the New International Notes is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 2.03.
Item 3.02 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities. |
The information set forth in Items 1.01 and 8.01 is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 3.02.
Affinion Holdings issued the New Common Stock and the Limited Warrants in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The New Common Stock and the Limited Warrants were offered and issued, only (a) in the United States, to holders of 13.75%/14.50% Senior Secured PIK/Toggle Notes due 2018 of Affinion Holdings and 13.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 of Affinion Investments, LLC (Affinion Investments) (such notes, collectively, the Existing Notes) who were qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or institutional accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 (a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and (b) outside the United States, to holders of Existing Notes who were not U.S. persons (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S of the Securities Act. The New Common Stock and the Limited Warrants were offered only to eligible holders who certified to Affinion Holdings and Affinion Investments that they were eligible to participate in the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering.
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
(b) |
Director Resignations
On November 9, 2015, immediately following the consummation of the Exchange Offers and the Rights Offering, each of Messrs. Nathaniel J. Lipman, Marc E. Becker, Richard J. Fernandes, Matthew H. Nord, Eric L. Press, Michael A. Reiss and David J. Topper resigned from the boards of directors of Affinion Holdings and Affinion Group, and from any of the committees each of them was then serving on.
(d) |
Director Appointments
On November 9, 2015, immediately following the resignation of Mr. Reiss but prior to the resignations of Messrs. Lipman, Becker, Fernandes, Nord, Press and Topper, the boards of directors of each of Affinion Holdings and Affinion Group appointed the following directors to fill the vacancy resulting from Mr. Reiss resignation and the vacancies created upon the adoption of the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws and the execution and delivery of the Shareholders Agreement, in each case to serve in such class of directors (in the case of the board of directors of Affinion Holdings), and in such capacity and having such title, as set forth opposite his name below:
Name |
Class/Initial Term Expiration |
Title |
||
L. Spencer Wells | II / 2nd annual meeting | Chairman | ||
Scott W. Bernstein | II / 2nd annual meeting | Director | ||
Rick P. Frier | III / 3rd annual meeting | Director |
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In addition, on November 9, 2015, the boards of directors selected Messrs. Todd H. Siegel and Skip Victor to continue serving on the boards of directors as a member of such class of directors (in the case of the board of directors of Affinion Holdings), and in such capacity and having such title, as set forth opposite his name below:
Name |
Class/Initial Term Expiration |
Title |
||
Skip Victor | I / 1st annual meeting | Director | ||
Todd H. Siegel | III / 3rd annual meeting | Director |
Messrs. Frier and Bernstein are the nominees of Ares Management LLC and Third Avenue Trust, respectively, pursuant to their Nominating Agreements with Affinion Holdings, as described under the heading Nominating Agreements in Item 1.01 above, which is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 5.02(d).
In accordance with the Shareholders Agreement, each of the directors, excluding Mr. Siegel, as non-employee directors will be entitled to receive cash compensation in an amount equal to $100,000 per year and equity compensation in an amount equal to $70,000 per year. Mr. Wells, as Chairman, will be entitled to an additional $50,000 in cash compensation per year and a one-time $50,000 cash payment upon his initial appointment as Chairman. In addition, any director that serves on the Audit Committee of the boards of directors shall be entitled to an additional $30,000 in cash compensation per year.
(e) |
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
On November 9, 2015, the Board of Directors (the Board) of Affinion Holdings adopted, and the shareholders of Affinion Holdings approved, the Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2015 Plan), under which employees, directors and other service providers of Affinion Holdings and its affiliates are eligible to receive awards of Affinion Holdings common stock. The rationale for the 2015 Plan is to provide a means through which Affinion Holdings and its affiliates may attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means for directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors (and prospective directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors) of Affinion Holdings and its affiliates to acquire and maintain an equity interest in Affinion Holdings, or be paid incentive compensation, which may (but need not) be measured by reference to Affinion Holdings stock price. Upon adoption of the 2015 Plan, no additional grants may be made under the Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, the Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2007 Stock Award Plan, or the Webloyalty Holdings, Inc. 2005 Equity Award Plan.
The Board authorized a number of shares of Affinion Holdings common stock for grants under the 2015 Plan equal to ten percent (10%) of the aggregate number of shares of Affinion Holdings common stock outstanding as of November 9, 2015, on a fully diluted basis. Grants of non-qualified stock options, incentive (or tax-qualified) stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock bonus awards, and/or performance compensation awards may be made under the 2015 Plan. Cash bonus awards may also be granted under the 2015 Plan. The 2015 Plan has a term of ten years and no further awards may be granted under the 2015 Plan after November 9, 2025.
The Compensation Committee (the Committee) of the Board (or the entire Board acting as the Committee) administers the 2015 Plan and has the power to grant awards under the 2015 Plan, select eligible persons to receive awards under the 2015 Plan, determine the specific terms and conditions of any award (including price and conditions of vesting), construe and interpret the 2015 Plan, and generally make all other determinations and take other actions as may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2015 Plan. In the event of a change in control, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, that outstanding options and equity awards (other than performance compensation awards) issued under the 2015 Plan become fully vested and may vest performance compensation awards based on the level of attainment of the specified performance goals. The Committee may also cancel outstanding awards and pay the value of such awards to participants in connection with a change in control.
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Cancellation of Options and Adjustment of Equity Awards
On November 9, 2015, in connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering, the Committee approved the cancellation of all stock options (the Underwater Options) previously issued and outstanding under Affinion Holdings 2007 Stock Award Plan (the 2007 Plan) and the Webloyalty Holdings, Inc. 2005 Equity Award Plan (the Webloyalty Plan). The Underwater Options had a per share exercise price in excess of the current fair market value per share of Affinion Holdings common stock and as such the Committee determined that the Underwater Options no longer served as adequate incentive or retention tools for the recipients. Pursuant to the terms of the 2007 Plan and the Webloyalty Plan, the Underwater Options were cancelled in connection with the Rights Offering. Stock options issued and outstanding under the Affinion Holdings 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2005 Plan) were not affected by the cancellation.
In addition, on November 9, 2015, in connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering, the Committee adjusted the terms of stock options (the 2005 Options) issued and outstanding under the 2005 Plan and retention units (Retention Units) issued and outstanding under the 2007 Plan (the Adjustment). With respect to each of the 2005 Options, for each share of Class A Common Stock originally underlying the 2005 Option, the award was converted to an option (the Converted Option) to acquire 0.003775 shares of Class C Common Stock and 0.003974 shares of Class D Common Stock. In addition, the exercise price of each 2005 Option was adjusted such that the aggregate exercise price and the aggregate spread of the 2005 Option equals the aggregate exercise price and the aggregate spread of the Converted Option. With respect to the Retention Units, for each share of Class A Common Stock originally underlying the Retention Units, the award was converted into retention units in respect of 0.003775 shares of Class C Common Stock and 0.003974 shares of Class D Common Stock.
Awards previously issued under the 2007 Plan that are payable in cash were not affected by the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering and will remain payable in accordance with their terms.
Item 5.07 | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
The information set forth in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 5.07.
In addition, in connection with the appointment of the new directors as described more fully in Item 5.02(d) to this Current Report on Form 8-K, Parent and General Atlantic consented to an increase in the size of the boards of directors from 9 to 11 members, effectively immediately prior to the consummation of the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering (which size has subsequently been reduced to 5, without further action, by operation of the Shareholders Agreement and Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws).
Item 8.01. | Other Events. |
On November 10, 2015, Affinion Holdings issued a press release announcing the completion of the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits. |
Number |
Exhibit |
|
3.1 | Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., dated as of November 9, 2015. | |
3.2 | Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., adopted on November 9, 2015. | |
4.1 | Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion International Holdings Limited, the guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. | |
10.1 | Subordination Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion Group, Inc., Affinion International Holdings Limited, Affinion International Limited and Bassae Holding B.V. | |
10.2 | Form of Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. and the investors party thereto. | |
10.3 | Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. and the investors party thereto. |
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10.4 | Nominating Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, between Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. and Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Focused Credit Fund. | |
10.5 | Nominating Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, between Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. and Ares Management LLC, on behalf of certain affiliated funds and managed accounts. | |
10.6 | Amendment, dated as of November 9, 2015, to Warrant Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2013, between Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as warrant agent (as replaced by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as successor warrant agent). | |
10.7 | Limited Warrant, dated as of November 9, 2015, issued by Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. | |
10.8 | Termination Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, between Affinion Group, Inc. and Apollo Management V, L.P. | |
10.9 | Termination Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. Affinion Group Holdings, LLC, General Atlantic Partners 79, L.P., Gap-W Holdings, L.P., GapStar, LLC, GapCo GmbH & Co. KG, Gap Coinvestments III, LLC and Gap Coinvestments IV, LLC. | |
99.1 | Press Release issued by Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. dated November 12, 2015. | |
99.2 | Press Release issued by Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. dated November 10, 2015. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||||||
Date: November 12, 2015 | By: | /s/ Gregory S. Miller | ||||
|
||||||
Name: | Gregory S. Miller | |||||
Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||||||
Date: November 12, 2015 | By: | /s/ Gregory S. Miller | ||||
|
||||||
Name: | Gregory S. Miller | |||||
Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Number |
Exhibit |
|
3.1 | Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., dated as of November 9, 2015. | |
3.2 | Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., adopted on November 9, 2015. | |
4.1 | Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion International Holdings Limited, the guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. | |
10.1 | Subordination Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion Group, Inc., Affinion International Holdings Limited, Affinion International Limited and Bassae Holding B.V. | |
10.2 | Form of Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. and the investors party thereto. | |
10.3 | Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. and the investors party thereto. | |
10.4 | Nominating Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, between Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. and Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Focused Credit Fund. | |
10.5 | Nominating Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, between Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. and Ares Management LLC, on behalf of certain affiliated funds and managed accounts. | |
10.6 | Amendment, dated as of November 9, 2015, to Warrant Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2013, between Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as warrant agent (as replaced by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as successor warrant agent). | |
10.7 | Limited Warrant, dated as of November 9, 2015, issued by Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. | |
10.8 | Termination Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, between Affinion Group, Inc. and Apollo Management V, L.P. | |
10.9 | Termination Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. Affinion Group Holdings, LLC, General Atlantic Partners 79, L.P., Gap-W Holdings, L.P., GapStar, LLC, GapCo GmbH & Co. KG, Gap Coinvestments III, LLC and Gap Coinvestments IV, LLC. | |
99.1 | Press Release issued by Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. dated November 12, 2015. | |
99.2 | Press Release issued by Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. dated November 10, 2015. |
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EXHIBIT 3.1
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
(Dated November 9, 2015)
THIS FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Corporation ), has been duly adopted by the stockholders and the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the Board ) in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL ) and expressly supersedes and replaces in its entirety that certain Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 11, 2013. The original name of the Corporation was Affinity Acquisition Holdings, Inc., and the Corporation was incorporated on July 14, 2005 by the filing of the original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State for the State of Delaware.
NOW, THEREFORE, the text of the Corporations Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation hereby is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE I
The name of the Corporation is Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
ARTICLE II
The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is Corporation Service Company.
ARTICLE III
The purpose for which the Corporation is organized is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL and to possess and exercise all of the powers and privileges granted by such law and any other law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE IV
The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 550,000,000, consisting of 520,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Common Stock ), 10,000,000 shares of Class C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Class C Common Stock ), 10,000,000 shares of Class D Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Class D Common Stock and together with the Class C Common Stock, the Class C/D Common Stock ) and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Preferred Stock ) (collectively with the Common Stock and the Class C/D Common Stock, the Capital Stock ).
The effective time (the Effective Time ) of this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be the time it is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Immediately upon the occurrence of the Effective Time, (1) each share of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the Class A Common Stock ) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall automatically, without any action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class A Common Stock, be reclassified as and converted into 0.0037749 validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable shares of Class C Common Stock and 0.0039736 validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable shares of Class D Common Stock. The Corporation shall not issue fractions of shares in connection with the reclassification and conversion of Class A Common Stock into Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock. In lieu of such fractional shares, the Corporation shall make a cash payment therefor to the holder in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined below) thereof as determined in good faith by the Board. Each certificate that prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Class A Common Stock ( Certificates ) shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares and, until the Certificates are surrendered and exchanged in the manner provided herein, each such Certificate shall, from and after the Effective Time, be deemed to represent only the right to receive a certificate for the number of shares of Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock into which the shares of Class A Common Stock previously represented by such certificate were converted at the Effective Time; provided , that each Person holding of record a Certificate shall receive, upon surrender of such Certificate, unless otherwise instructed by such stockholder, book-entry shares in lieu of a new certificate or certificates evidencing and representing the number of shares of Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock to which such Person is entitled under the foregoing reclassification and (2) the Class B Common Stock, of which there is none issued or outstanding, shall be cancelled.
The following is a statement of the designations, preferences, voting powers, qualifications, special or relative rights and privileges in respect of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation.
(a) Common Stock .
(1) Rights and Privileges . Except as expressly set forth otherwise herein, the Common Stock shall have (i) all rights and privileges typically associated with such securities as set forth in the DGCL, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, the right to vote, subject to Article IV(a)(3)(ii) , on all matters presented to the holders of the Common Stock for a vote and the rights upon a liquidation and (ii) the additional rights and privileges hereinafter set forth.
(2) Dividends . Subject to the rights of the Preferred Stock, dividends may be paid on the Common Stock, as and when declared by the Board, out of the assets of the Corporation legally available for the payment of such dividends. If and when dividends on the Common Stock are declared payable from time to time by the Board, whether payable in cash, in property or in shares of capital stock of the Corporation, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to share equally, pro rata, based on the number of shares of Common Stock held by each such holder, in such dividends.
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(3) Voting .
(i) Unless otherwise required by applicable Law, each share of Common Stock shall, subject to Article IV(a)(3)(ii) , entitle the holder thereof to cast one vote.
(ii) Limitation on Voting; Automatic Voting .
(I) For so long as ownership or voting of Common Stock of the Corporation is subject to the review and approval of the Insurance Commissioner, no Person shall be entitled to vote, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock representing, in aggregate, more than 9.9% of the total combined voting power of all securities of the Corporation entitled to vote on any matter (or such higher or lower threshold as the Insurance Commissioner may from time to time establish as the threshold pursuant to which a Form A filing or Disclaimer of Control filing must be made) unless such Person has delivered evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation that (i) such Person has completed and submitted all material filings, registrations or other notifications to the Insurance Commissioner that may be required pursuant to applicable Law in connection with the ownership or voting of such Persons Common Stock entitled to vote on such matter and (ii) all necessary and material approvals or waivers, as the case may be, of the Insurance Commissioner that may be required pursuant to applicable Law in connection with the ownership or voting of such Persons Common Stock entitled to vote on such matter have been obtained.
(II) For so long as ownership or voting of Common Stock of the Corporation is subject to the review and approval of the FCA, no Person shall be entitled to vote any shares of Common Stock representing, in aggregate, more than 19.9% of the total combined voting power of all securities of the Corporation entitled to vote on any matter (or such higher or lower threshold as may from time to time be established for determining when a Person shall (i) acquire control of Affinion International Limited for the purposes of Section 181 of FSMA or (ii) increase its existing control of Affinion International Limited for the purposes of Section 182 of FSMA) unless such Person has delivered evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation that (i) such Person has completed and submitted all material filings, registrations or other notifications to the FCA that may be required pursuant to applicable Law in connection with the ownership or voting of such Persons Common Stock entitled to vote on such matter and (ii) all necessary and material approvals or waivers, as the case may be, of the FCA that may be required pursuant to applicable Law in connection with the ownership or voting of such Persons Common Stock entitled to vote on such matter have been obtained from.
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(III) Without limiting the foregoing and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Person shall be entitled to vote any shares of Common Stock on any matter unless (i) such Person has completed and submitted all material filings, registrations or other notifications to any Governmental Entity that may be required pursuant to applicable Law in connection with the ownership or voting of such Persons Common Stock entitled to vote on such matter, or that no such material filings, registrations or other notifications are required, and (ii) all necessary and material approvals or waivers, as the case may be, of any Governmental Entity that may be required pursuant to applicable Law in connection with the ownership or voting of such Persons Common Stock entitled to vote on such matter have been obtained, including, if applicable, the approval of the Insurance Commissioner and the FCA and, at the Corporations request, such Person has delivered evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation of compliance with the foregoing.
(IV) To the extent that a Person is not entitled to vote a portion of its shares without violating the restrictions of Article IV(a)(3)(ii)(I) - (III) , the portion of shares that, if voted by such Person, would violate such restrictions, shall be voted as directed by the Secretary of the Corporation, any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or, in the absence of any of them, any officer of the Corporation authorized by the Board in the same proportion as all outstanding shares of Common Stock not voted by (i) such Person or (ii) any other Person that is subject to having its voting restricted by this Article IV(a)(3)(ii ), are actually voted on such matter. The provisions of Article IV(a)(3)(ii)(I) - (III) shall continue to apply iteratively until no Person that has not complied with the provisions of Article IV(a)(3)(ii)(I) - (III) to vote more than the regulated maximum would be deemed by the applicable regulator to possess the power directly or indirectly to vote more than the regulated maximum (or, in the case of the FCA and the Insurance Commissioner specifically, 19.9% and 9.9%, respectively).
(V) The final application of this Article IV(a)(3)(ii) will be as determined by the Board, which determination shall be absolute and binding absent manifest error.
(b) Class C/D Common Stock .
(1) Rights and Privileges . Except as expressly set forth herein, prior to the conversion of the Class C/D Common Stock into Common Stock, the Class C/D Common Stock shall have none of the rights of common equity securities of a Corporation under the DGCL.
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(2) Dividends . Except as set forth in Article IV(b)(10)(ii) , the Class C/D Common Stock shall have no rights to, and the Board shall not declare or pay any, dividends in respect of the Class C/D Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation.
(3) Liquidation; Dissolution . Upon a liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, any unconverted Class C/D Common Stock shall be cancelled automatically for no additional consideration.
(4) Voting .
(i) Except as set forth expressly in this Article IV(b)(4) or to the extent required by the DGCL, the holders of Class C/D Common Stock shall have no voting rights on any matters in their capacity as such. With respect to each matter upon which holders of Class C/D Common Stock are entitled to vote, each share of Class C/D Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to cast one vote.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the By-Laws (as defined below), any amendment, alteration, modification, supplement or other change to this Article IV(b) or any other provision of this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws (as defined below) that would materially and adversely affect the rights and privileges of the Class C/D Common Stock disproportionately to the holders of other classes of Common Stock shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Class C/D Common Stock. Any amendment, alteration, modification, supplement or other change made in contravention of this Article IV(b)(4)(ii) shall be unenforceable against those holders of Class C/D Common Stock that did not consent to such amendment, alteration, modification, supplement or other change.
(5) Notice of Certain Events . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the holders of Class C/D Common Stock shall be entitled, to the extent permitted by the DGCL and applicable Law, to advance notice of any transaction that would result in the cancellation of the Class C/D Common Stock and given at least three (3) Business Days following the date of such notice to elect to exercise their conversion rights as set forth herein. Holders of Class C/D Common Stock shall also be entitled to advance notice of (i) the proposed effective or consummation date of any merger, consolidation, sale, reorganization, reclassification or other similar transformative transaction and (ii) the proposed record date for a dividend or distribution. The Corporation shall deliver such notice at least ten (10) Business Days before such proposed date (if any).
(6) Conversion of Class C/D Common Stock . From and after the issuance thereof, each share of Class C/D Common Stock shall be convertible at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, into one share of Common Stock (i) for a conversion price of (A) $67.14 per share, with respect to the Class C Common Stock and (B) $88.07 per share, with respect to the Class D Common Stock (as applicable, the Conversion Price ) or (ii) by the surrender of the Class C/D Common Stock, and without payment of the Conversion Price in cash, in return for the delivery to the
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surrendering holder of that number of shares of Common Stock equal to (A) the number of shares of Common Stock for which such Class C/D Common Stock is convertible as of the date of conversion (if the aggregate Conversion Price were being paid in cash) reduced by (B) that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the aggregate Conversion Price for such Class C/D Common Stock by (2) the Market Price (as defined below) of one share of Common Stock on the Business Day (as defined below) which next precedes the day of conversion of the Class C/D Common Stock (a Cashless Exercise ). To effect a conversion, in whole or in part, a holder of Class C/D Common Stock must (x) submit a notice of conversion, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Corporation and making such undertakings, representations and warranties as the Corporation may reasonably request and (y) except in the case of a Cashless Exercise, deliver in the form of immediately available cash funds an amount equal to the aggregate Conversion Price with respect to the Class C/D Common Stock being converted. The close of business on the date of receipt by the Corporation of the notice of conversion shall be the time of conversion (the Conversion Time ), and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the specified shares of Class C/D Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding of record as of such date.
(7) Limitation on Exercise . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a holder of Class C/D Common Stock may not exercise its conversion rights to the extent that (i) such exercise would result in a violation of Article IV(d) with all references therein to the term Transfer and words of similar import being read as references to the term issue and words of similar import or (ii) all necessary and material approvals or waivers, as the case may be, of any Governmental Entity that may be required pursuant to applicable Law in connection with the ownership of the Common Stock to be issued upon such conversion shall not have been obtained, including, if applicable, the approval of the FCA.
(8) Reservation of Shares . The Corporation shall at all times when the Class C/D Common Stock is outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued capital stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Class C/D Common Stock, such number of its duly authorized shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Class C/D Common Stock; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of Class C/D Common Stock, the Corporation shall take such corporate action as may be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of share as shall be sufficient for such purposes.
(9) Effect of Conversion . All shares of Class C/D Common Stock surrendered for conversion as herein provided shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall immediately cease and terminate at the Conversion Time, except for the right of the holders of Class C/D Common Stock to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange therefor.
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(10) Adjustments .
(i) If the Corporation (A) pays a dividend or makes a distribution on the Common Stock in shares of capital stock, (B) splits or subdivides the outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares, or (C) reverse splits or combines the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Class C/D Common Stock shall be adjusted so that the Class C/D Common Stock will become exercisable for the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which the holder thereof would have owned immediately following such action if the Class C/D Common Stock had been exercised immediately prior to such action, and any other appropriate action shall be taken by the Corporation. The foregoing adjustment shall become effective on the effective date of an event referred to in clauses (A) (C) above, retroactive to the record date (if any) for such event. If, after an adjustment, the holder of Class C/D Common Stock upon conversion thereof may receive shares of two or more classes of capital stock of the Corporation, the Board shall determine in good faith the allocation between such classes of capital stock. After such allocation, the conversion privilege and the number of shares of each class of capital stock issuable upon conversion shall thereafter be subject to adjustment on terms comparable to those applicable to this Section. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event listed above shall occur.
(ii) If the Corporation (A) pays any cash dividend or distribution in respect of the Common Stock, (B) purchases or causes any of its subsidiaries to purchase any shares of Common Stock (excluding transactions by and among the Corporation and its subsidiaries) or (C) makes any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation to the holders of Common Stock on account of their ownership thereof (other than a dividend in shares of Capital Stock), the Conversion Price of the Class C/D Common Stock shall be reduced, but not below zero, by the amount of such dividend, distribution or aggregate purchase price on a per share basis (or in the case of non-cash dividends, distributions or purchase prices, the Fair Market Value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board). In the event that the Conversion Price is or has been reduced to par value due to adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to this Article IV(b)(10) and the Corporation declares a dividend or any other distribution, such excess shall be distributed in the form of a dividend or distribution to holders of Class C/D Common Stock.
(iii) Upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to an adjustment pursuant to this Article IV(b)(10) , the Corporation shall give prompt notice to each holder of record of Class C/D Common Stock of the nature of the event and the Corporations calculation of the appropriate adjustment, which calculation shall be made in good faith by or at the direction of the Board and shall be final and binding absent manifest error.
(c) Preferred Stock . Subject to the provisions of this Article IV , the Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series. The Board shall have the authority to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL to adopt by resolution from time to time one or more certificates of designations providing for the designation of one or more classes or series of the Preferred Stock and the voting powers, whether full or limited or no voting powers,
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and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and to fix or alter the number of shares comprising any such class or series, subject to any requirements of the DGCL and this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time.
The authority of the Board with respect to each such class or series shall include, without limitation of the foregoing, the right to determine and fix the following preferences and powers, which may vary as between different classes or series of the Preferred Stock:
(1) the distinctive designation of such class or series and the number of shares to constitute such class or series;
(2) the rate at which dividends on the shares of such class or series shall be declared and paid, or set aside for payment, whether dividends at the rate so determined shall be cumulative or accruing, and whether the shares of such class or series shall be entitled to any participating or other dividends in addition to dividends at the rate so determined, and if so, on what terms;
(3) the right or obligation, if any, of the Corporation to redeem shares of the particular class or series of the Preferred Stock, and, if redeemable, the price, terms and manner of such redemption;
(4) the special and relative rights and preferences, if any, and the amount or amounts per share, which the shares of such class or series of the Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation;
(5) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which shares of such class or series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of capital stock of any other class or series, including the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the terms of adjustment, if any;
(6) the obligations, if any, of the Corporation to retire, redeem or purchase shares of such class or series pursuant to a sinking fund or fund of a similar nature or otherwise, and the terms and conditions of such obligation;
(7) voting rights, if any, including special voting rights with respect to the election of Directors and matters adversely affecting any class or series of the Preferred Stock;
(8) limitations, if any, on the issuance of additional shares of such class or series or any shares of any other class or series of the Preferred Stock; and
(9) such other preferences, powers, qualifications, special or relative rights and privileges thereof as the Board, by the vote of the members of the Board then in office acting in accordance with this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or any Preferred Stock, may deem advisable and are not inconsistent with law, the provisions of this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the provisions of any certificate of designations.
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(d) Certain Restrictions on Transfer . Unless otherwise expressly approved by the Board, prior to the consummation of a Qualified Public Offering or a Listing, no shares of Common Stock shall be Transferred (i) if such Transfer would constitute a violation of applicable Laws, (ii) to any Person who is not an accredited investor (as such term is defined under Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) if, at the time of such Transfer, or as a result of giving effect to such Transfer, the Corporation has more than 450 holders of record of Common Stock assuming the exercise of all outstanding options to purchase shares of Common Stock or (iii) to any Person if, at the time of such Transfer, or as a result of giving effect to such Transfer, the Corporation has more than 1,900 holders of record of Common Stock assuming the exercise of all outstanding options to purchase shares of Common Stock or (iii) if such Transfer would otherwise require the Corporation to register any class of Common Stock under the Exchange Act or any other applicable federal or state securities laws; provided that, the term holders of record shall having the meaning ascribed thereto for the purposes of Section 12 (g) of the Exchange Act.
(e) Defined Terms . For purposes of this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation:
(1) Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by Law or executive order to close.
(2) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder from time to time.
(3) Fair Market Value means, with respect to any asset or property, the price that could be negotiated in an arms-length transaction between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.
(4) FCA means the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority.
(5) FSMA means the U.K. Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended.
(6) GAAP means the generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the U.S.
(7) Governmental Entity means any U.S. or non-U.S. federal, national, supranational, state, provincial, local or similar government, governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, branch, agency or commission or any court, tribunal, or arbitral or judicial body.
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(8) Insurance Commissioner means the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of North Dakota.
(9) Law means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree or order of any Governmental Entity.
(10) Listing means an OTC Listing or Public Listing.
(11) Market Price per share of Common Stock means, on any date specified herein: (i) if the Common Stock is then listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the average of the daily closing prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date; (ii) if the Common Stock is not then listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange but is designated as a national market system security, the daily closing prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date; (iii) if there shall have been no trading on such date or if the Common Stock is not so designated, the average of the reported high bid and low asked price of the Common Stock on such date as shown by NASDAQ or reported by any member firm of the NYSE selected by the Corporation; or (iv) if neither (i), (ii) nor (iii) is applicable, the Fair Market Value per share as determined in good faith by the Board.
(12) OTC Listing means the listing of the Common Stock for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board (or other available over the counter market).
(13) Person shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a government entity.
(14) Public Listing means the listing of the Common Stock on a U.S. national securities exchange registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(15) Qualified Public Offering means an underwritten public offering of Common Stock by the Corporation pursuant to an effective registration statement filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (other than on Forms S-4 or S-8 or successors to such forms) under the Securities Act.
(16) Subsidiary means any Person the majority of the equity of which, directly, or indirectly through one or more other Persons, (a) the Corporation has the right to acquire or (b) is owned or controlled by the Corporation. As used in this definition, control, including, its correlative meanings, controlled by and under common control with, means possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of equity, by contract or otherwise). For the avoidance of doubt, Subsidiary shall include any Person that is included in the Corporations consolidated group for purposes of preparing the Corporations consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
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(17) Transfer means any direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, gift, bequest by will or under intestacy laws, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance, or any other disposition, of the stated security (or any interest therein or right thereto, including the issuance of any total return swap or other derivative whose economic value is primarily based upon the value of the stated security) or of all or part of the voting power (other than the granting of a revocable proxy) associated with the stated security (or any interest therein) whatsoever, or any other transfer of beneficial ownership of the stated security, with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily (including by operation of law).
(18) U.S. means the United States of America.
ARTICLE V
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board is expressly authorized and empowered to make, alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation (as they may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise revised from time to time, the By-Laws ) in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
ARTICLE VI
The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of the directors of the Corporation (the Directors ) and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such date, time and place, if any, as shall be determined solely by the resolution of the Board in its sole and absolute discretion. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. Subject to the following paragraph, the stockholders shall have the right to elect a number of Directors of the Board (as set forth in the By-laws) to be designated as Directors, in accordance with the By-Laws. The number of Directors may be increased or decreased from time to time as provided in the By-Laws. With respect to each matter brought before the Board (or any committee thereof) for vote, each Director shall be entitled to cast one vote.
Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV , the total number of Directors constituting the entire Board shall not be less than three nor more than eleven, with the then-authorized number of Directors fixed from time to time by the Board. The Board shall be and is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, designated: Class I, Class II and Class III. In case of any increase or decrease, from time to time, in the number of Directors, the number of Directors in each class shall be apportioned as nearly equal as possible. No decrease in the number of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director. Except for the terms of such additional Directors, if any, as elected by the holders of any series of Preferred stock and as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof, each Director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting following the annual meeting at which such Director was elected; provided , that each director initially appointed to Class I shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporations first annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this provision; each Director initially
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appointed to Class II shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporations second annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this provision; and each Director initially appointed to Class III shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporations third annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this provision; provided further , that the term of each Director shall continue until the election and qualification of a successor and be subject to such Directors earlier death, resignation or removal. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV or as otherwise provided in the Shareholders Agreement, dated November 9, 2015, by and among the Corporation and the stockholders party thereto, or By-laws, vacancies on the Board by reason of death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office, or otherwise, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors shall be solely filled by a majority of the Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director and shall not be filled by the stockholders. A Director elected to fill a vacancy or a newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such Director shall have been chosen, subject to the election and qualification of a successor and to such Directors earlier death, resignation or removal.
A Director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except for liability (a) for any breach of the Directors duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (d) for any transaction from which the Director derived any improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended after the date of incorporation of the Corporation to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of Directors, then the liability of a Director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.
The Corporation hereby acknowledges that certain Directors (the Specified Persons ) may have rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by a stockholder of the Corporation or its affiliates (directly or through insurance obtained by any such entity) (collectively, the Stockholder Indemnitors ). The Corporation hereby agrees and acknowledges that (i) it is the indemnitor of first resort with respect to the Specified Persons, (ii) it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by the Specified Persons, as required by the terms of these By-Laws, without regard to any rights the Specified Persons may have against the Stockholder Indemnitors and (iii) it irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Stockholder Indemnitors from any and all claims against the Stockholder Indemnitors for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof. The Corporation further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Stockholder Indemnitors on behalf of the Corporation with respect to any claim for which the Specified Persons have sought indemnification from the Corporation shall affect the foregoing and the Stockholder Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Specified Persons against the Corporation. These rights shall be a contract right.
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Any repeal or modification of any of the foregoing paragraphs in this Article VI by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE VII
The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of Section 145 of the DGCL, as the same now exists or may be amended and supplemented, indemnify and advance expenses to its Directors and officers, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The Corporation may, by action of the Board, extend such indemnification and advancement of expenses to any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify, including but not limited to its employees or agents, on such terms and conditions and to the extent determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote, of the stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise and shall continue as to any person who has ceased to be a Director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person. The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under this Article VII .
Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with this Article VII , shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption.
ARTICLE VIII
To the maximum extent permitted from time to time under the DGCL, the Corporation renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any and all business opportunities that are presented to any of its stockholders.
Without limiting the foregoing renunciation, the Corporation acknowledges that certain of the stockholders are in the business of making investments in, and have investments in, other businesses similar to and that may compete with the Corporations businesses ( Competing Businesses ), and agrees that each such Stockholder shall have the right to make additional investments in or have relationships with other Competing Businesses independent of its investment in the Corporation. No stockholder that has nominated or designated a Director shall be obligated to present to the Corporation any particular investment opportunity that such stockholder gains access to, other than by reason of such nominated or designated Directors status as a Director (and other than those Directors who are employees of the Corporation), even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, could be taken by the Corporation or such Subsidiary, and such stockholder shall continue to have the right to take for such stockholders own respective account or to recommend to others any such particular investment opportunity.
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The provisions of this Article VIII shall in no way limit or eliminate any such stockholders duties, responsibilities and obligations with respect to the protection of any proprietary information of the Corporation and any of its subsidiaries, including any applicable duty not to disclose or use such proprietary information improperly or to obtain therefrom an improper personal benefit.
No amendment or repeal of this Article VIII shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Director of the Corporation for or with respect to opportunities of which such Director becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal.
ARTICLE IX
The Corporation elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.
ARTICLE X
The Corporation reserves the right to amend this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in any manner permitted by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, and any rights and powers conferred upon stockholders, Directors and officers herein are granted subject to this reservation.
* * * * * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned authorized officer of the Corporation has duly executed this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as of the date first written above.
By: |
/s/ Todd H. Siegel |
|
Name: Todd H. Siegel | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Fourth Amended & Restated Certificate of Incorporation]
EXHIBIT 3.2
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Incorporated under the laws
of the State of Delaware
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
As adopted on November 9, 2015
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS OF
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
1.1. | Registered Office. |
The registered office of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (the Corporation ) in the State of Delaware shall be 160 Greentree Drive, Suite 101, Dover, County of Kent, Delaware 19904. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is National Registered Agents, Inc.
1.2. | Other Offices. |
The Corporation may also have an office or offices at any other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE II
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS; STOCKHOLDERS CONSENT
IN LIEU OF MEETING
2.1. | Annual Meetings. |
The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and such other actions as are required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL ) to be taken at a stockholders annual meeting and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, date and hour as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors (the Board ) and designated in the notice or waiver of notice thereof, except that no annual meeting need be held if all actions, including the election of directors, required by the DGCL to be taken at a stockholders annual meeting are taken by written consent in lieu of meeting pursuant to Section 2.11 of this Article II .
2.2. | Special Meetings. |
A special meeting of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by (A) the Board; (B) the Chairman; (C) the President; (D) the record holders of at least 25% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the Common Stock ); to be held at such place, date and hour as shall be designated in the notice or waiver of notice thereof.
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2.3. | Notice of Meetings. |
Except as otherwise required by statute, these By-Laws, the Shareholders Agreement, dated November 9, 2015, among the Corporation and the stockholders party thereto (the Shareholders Agreement ) or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as may be amended from time to time (the Certificate of Incorporation ), notice of each annual or special meeting of the stockholders shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, by delivering written notice thereof to him personally, or by mailing a copy of such notice, postage prepaid, directly to him at his address as it appears in the records of the Corporation, or by transmitting such notice thereof to him at such address by electronic mail, telegraph, cable or other telephonic transmission. Every such notice shall state the place, the date and hour of the meeting, and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy, or who shall, in person or by his attorney thereunto authorized, waive such notice in writing, either before or after such meeting. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws or the Shareholders Agreement, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any such notice or waiver of notice. Notice of any adjourned meeting of stockholders shall not be required to be given, except when expressly required by law.
2.4. | Quorum. |
At each meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at such meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the holders of Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of any vote by a class of common stock or preferred stock, including for the election of directors, a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of such class of common stock or preferred stock entitled to vote at such meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by such class. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, in the absence of a quorum, a majority in interest of the holders of Common Stock or any given class of common stock or preferred stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote, or, in the absence of all the holders of Common Stock or a given class of common stock or preferred stock entitled to vote, any officer entitled to preside at, or act as secretary of, such meeting, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, until stockholders holding the requisite amount of the relevant class of stock to constitute a quorum shall be present or represented. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
2.5. | Organization. |
Unless otherwise determined by the Board, at each meeting of the stockholders, one of the following shall act as chairman of the meeting and preside thereat, in the following order of precedence:
(a) the Chairman, if any;
(b) the President;
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(c) any director, officer or stockholder of the Corporation designated by the Board to act as chairman of such meeting and to preside thereat if the Chairman or the President shall be absent from such meeting; or
(d) a stockholder of record who shall be chosen chairman of such meeting by a majority in voting interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereat.
The Secretary or, if he shall be presiding over such meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.5 or if he shall be absent from such meeting, the person (who shall be an Assistant Secretary, if an Assistant Secretary has been appointed and is present) whom the chairman of such meeting shall appoint, shall act as secretary of such meeting and keep the minutes thereof.
2.6. | Order of Business. |
The order of business at each meeting of the stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of such meeting, but such order of business may be changed by a majority in voting interest of those present in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereat.
2.7. | Voting. |
Except as otherwise provided by law, these By-Laws, the Shareholders Agreement or the Certificate of Incorporation, at each meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder of the Corporation shall be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of Common Stock of the Corporation held by him and registered in his name on the books of the Corporation on the date fixed pursuant to Section 6.7 of Article VI as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting. For the avoidance of doubt, except as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or to the extent required by applicable law, holders of Class C Common Stock or Class D Common Stock shall have no voting rights. Persons holding stock in a fiduciary capacity shall be entitled to vote the shares so held. A person whose stock is pledged shall be entitled to vote, unless, in the transfer by the pledgor on the books of the Corporation, he has expressly empowered the pledgee to vote thereon, in which case only the pledgee or his proxy may represent such stock and vote thereon. If shares or other securities having voting power stand in the record of two or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety or otherwise, or if two or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary shall be given written notice to the contrary and furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect:
(a) if only one votes, his act binds all;
(b) if more than one votes, the act of the majority so voting binds all; and
(c) if more than one votes, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, such shares shall be voted in the manner provided by law.
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If the instrument so filed shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even-split for the purposes of this Section 2.7 shall be a majority or even-split in interest. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Shareholders Agreement, the Corporation shall not vote directly or indirectly any share of its own capital stock. Any vote of stock may be given by the stockholder entitled thereto in person or by his proxy appointed by an instrument in writing, subscribed by such stockholder or by his attorney thereunto authorized, delivered to the secretary of the meeting; provided , however , that no proxy shall be voted after three years from its date, unless said proxy provides for a longer period. At all meetings of the stockholders, all matters (except where other provision is made by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws or the Shareholders Agreement) shall be decided by the vote of a majority in interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereon, a quorum being present, and all matters submitted to the holders of a given class or series of Common Stock shall be decided by a majority in interest of the holders of such class or series of Common Stock present in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote therein, a quorum being present. Unless demanded by a stockholder present in person or by proxy at any meeting and entitled to vote on thereon, the vote on any question need not be by ballot. Upon a demand by any such stockholder for a vote by ballot upon any such question, such vote by ballot shall be taken. On a vote by ballot, each ballot shall be signed by the stockholder voting, or by his proxy, if there be such proxy, and shall state the number of shares voted.
2.8. | Inspection. |
The chairman of the meeting may at any time appoint one or more inspectors to serve at any meeting of the stockholders. Any inspector may be removed, and a new inspector or inspectors appointed, by the Board at any time. Such inspectors shall decide upon the qualifications of voters, accept and count votes, declare the results of such vote, and subscribe and deliver to the secretary of the meeting a certificate stating the number of shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereon and the number of shares voted for and against the question, respectively. The inspectors need not be stockholders of the Corporation, and any director or officer of the Corporation may be an inspector on any question other than a vote for or against his election to any position with the Corporation or on any other matter in which he may be directly interested. Before acting as herein provided, each inspector shall subscribe an oath faithfully to execute the duties of an inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability.
2.9. | List of Stockholders. |
It shall be the duty of the Secretary or other officer of the Corporation who shall have charge of its stock ledger to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to any such meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to such meeting, either at a place within the city where such meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. Such list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
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2.10. | Transaction of Business. |
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders .
(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) delivered pursuant to Section 2.3 of these By-Laws, (B) by or at the direction of the Board, (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2.10(a) and who was a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, (D) as otherwise set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or (E) as otherwise set forth in the Shareholders Agreement.
(ii) Except as otherwise set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Shareholders Agreement, for nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of Section 2.10(a)(i) , the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, and, in the case of business other than nominations, such other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 20 days, or delayed by more than 70 days, from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. Such stockholders notice shall set forth (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ), including such persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; (B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these By-Laws, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporations books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class
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and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and that such shares have been held for the period required by any applicable law, (iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination and (iv) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporations outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination. The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) promulgated under the Exchange Act and such stockholders proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 2.10(a)(ii) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board made by the Corporation at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting, a stockholders notice required by these By-Laws shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Except as otherwise set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting as set forth in the Corporations notice of meeting pursuant to Section 2.3 of these By-Laws. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who complies with the notice procedures set forth in these By-Laws and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, (iii) as otherwise set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or (iv) as otherwise set forth the Shareholders Agreement. Except as otherwise set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Shareholders Agreement, nominations by stockholders of persons for election to the Board may be made at such a special meeting of stockholders if the stockholders notice as required by Section 2.10(a)(ii) of these By-Laws shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting.
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(c) General .
(i) Except as otherwise set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Shareholders Agreement, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these By-Laws shall be eligible to serve as directors elected by the Corporations stockholders and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in these By-Laws. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in these By-Laws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these By-Laws, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these By-Laws, if the nominating or proposing stockholder (or a qualified representative of the nominating or proposing stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation.
(ii) For purposes of these By-Laws, public announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(iii) For purposes of these By-Laws, no adjournment nor notice of adjournment of any meeting shall be deemed to constitute a new notice of such meeting for purposes of this Section 2.10 , and in order for any notification required to be delivered by a stockholder pursuant to this Section 2.10 to be timely, such notification must be delivered within the periods set forth above with respect to the originally scheduled meeting.
(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these By-Laws, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in these By-Laws. Nothing in these By-Laws shall be deemed to affect any rights of (A) stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, (B) the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors (including any certificate of designations relating to such series), (C) any stockholder set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or (D) any stockholder set forth in the Shareholders Agreement.
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2.11. | Stockholders Consent in Lieu of Meeting. |
Except as otherwise set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Shareholders Agreement, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an office or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
3.1. | General Powers. |
The business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
3.2. | Number and Term of Office. |
Subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock or any other series or class of stock as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and the Shareholders Agreement to elect directors under specified circumstances, the initial number of directors shall be 11. Promptly following the settlement of the exchange offers for the Corporations then outstanding 13.75/14.50% Senior Secured PIK/Toggle Notes due 2018 and the then outstanding 13.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 of Affinion Investments, LLC and the rights offering for 7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018 of Affinion International Holdings Limited and shares of Common Stock and thereafter, the number of directors shall be 5, or as fixed from time to time by the Board or as otherwise set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or the Shareholders Agreement; provided , that, the Board may not decrease the number of directors to be less than 3 or below the number required by the rules of the exchange on which the Common Stock is listed, if any, to allow a majority of the directors to be independent directors. Directors need not be stockholders.
The Board shall be and is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, designated: Class I, Class II and Class III. In case of any increase or decrease, from time to time, in the number of directors, the number of directors in each class shall be apportioned as nearly equal as possible. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting following the annual meeting at which such director was elected; provided, that each director initially appointed to Class I shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporations first annual meeting of stockholders. Each director initially appointed to Class II shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporations second annual meeting of stockholders; and each director initially appointed to Class III shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporations third annual meeting; provided, however , that the term of each
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director shall continue until the election and qualification of a successor and be subject to such directors earlier death, resignation or removal. A director elected to fill a vacancy or a newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen, subject to the election and qualification of a successor and to such directors earlier death, resignation or removal.
Each director shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death or resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided.
3.3. | Election of Directors. |
Subject to the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Shareholders Agreement, at each meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, the persons receiving the greatest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, of the stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon shall be the directors; provided , that, for purposes of such vote no stockholder shall be allowed to cumulate his votes. Unless an election by ballot shall be demanded as provided in Section 2.7 of Article II , election of directors may be conducted in any manner approved at such meeting.
3.4. | Resignation, Removal and Vacancies. |
Any director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board, the Chairman, the President or the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time is not specified, upon receipt thereof; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Except as otherwise required by applicable law or as otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or the Shareholders Agreement, any director may be removed, with or without cause, at any time, by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors or by written consent of the stockholders pursuant to Section 2.11 of Article II .
Except as otherwise required by applicable law or as otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation or the Shareholders Agreement, vacancies occurring on the Board for any reason may be filled only by vote of the Board or the directors written consent pursuant to Section 3.6 of this Article III . If the number of directors then in office is less than a quorum, such vacancies may be filled by a vote of the majority of the directors then in office. In the event that any officer of the Corporation then serving on the Board resigns or is removed from his position as an officer, such officer will, effective as of such resignation or removal, be removed from the Board.
3.5. | Meetings. |
(a) Annual Meetings . As soon as practicable after each annual election of directors, the Board shall meet for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business, unless it shall have transacted all such business by written consent pursuant to Section 3.6 of this Article III .
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(b) Other Meetings . Other meetings of the Board shall be held at such times and at such places as the Board, the Chairman, the President or any director shall from time to time determine.
(c) Notice of Meetings . Notice shall be given to each director of each meeting, including the time, place and purpose of such meeting. Notice of each such meeting shall be mailed to each director, addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business, at least two days before the date on which such meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to him at such place by electronic mail, telegraph, cable, wireless or other form of recorded communication, or be delivered personally or by telephone not later than the day before the day on which such meeting is to be held, but notice need not be given to any director who shall attend such meeting. A written waiver of notice, signed by the person entitled thereto, whether before or after the time of the meeting stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.
(d) Place of Meetings . The Board may hold its meetings at such place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the Board may from time to time determine, or as shall be designated in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.
(e) Quorum and Manner of Acting . Except as otherwise expressly required by law or these By-Laws, in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, the directors present in person shall consist of a majority of the total number of directors then in office. The vote of a majority of those directors present at any such meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the passage of any resolution or act of the Board, except as otherwise expressly required by law or these By-Laws. In the absence of a quorum for any such meeting, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn such meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present. Each director shall be entitled to cast one vote.
(f) Organization . At each meeting of the Board, one of the following shall act as chairman of the meeting and preside thereat, in the following order of precedence:
(i) the Chairman, if any;
(ii) the President (if a director); or
(iii) any director designated by a majority of the directors present.
The Secretary or, in the case of his absence, an Assistant Secretary, if an Assistant Secretary has been appointed and is present, or any person whom the chairman of the meeting shall appoint shall act as secretary of such meeting and keep the minutes thereof.
3.6. | Directors Consent in Lieu of Meeting. |
Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the directors then in office and such consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board.
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3.7. | Action by Means of Conference Telephone or Similar Communications Equipment. |
Any one or more members of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
3.8. | Committees. |
Subject to the requirements set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board may, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, such committee or committees to have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board, and each such committee to consist of one or more directors of the Corporation, which to the extent provided in said resolution or resolutions shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. A majority of all the members of any such committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board or the Certificate of Incorporation shall otherwise provide. The Board shall have power to change the members of any such committee at any time, to fill vacancies and to discharge any such committee, either with or without cause, at any time.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
4.1. | Executive Officers. |
The principal officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman, if one is appointed (and any references to the Chairman shall not apply if a Chairman has not been appointed), a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and may include such other officers as the Board may appoint pursuant to Section 4.3 of this Article IV . Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.
4.2. | Authority and Duties. |
All officers, as between themselves and the Corporation, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the Corporation as may be provided in these By-Laws or, to the extent so provided, by the Board.
4.3. | Other Officers. |
The Corporation may have such other officers, agents and employees as the Board may deem necessary, including one or more Chief Executive Officers, Co-Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers, Co-Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Co-Chief Financial Officers, Executive Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, and Assistant Treasurers, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as the Board, the Chairman or the President may from time to time determine. The Board may delegate to any principal officer the power to appoint and define the authority and duties of, or remove, any such officers, agents or employees.
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4.4. | Term of Office, Resignation and Removal. |
All officers shall be elected or appointed by the Board and shall hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board. Each officer shall hold office until his successor has been elected or appointed and qualified or until his earlier death or resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. The Board may require any officer to give security for the faithful performance of his duties.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board, the Chairman, the President or the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time be not specified, at the time it is accepted by action of the Board. Except as aforesaid, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
All officers and agents elected or appointed by the Board shall be subject to removal at any time by the Board or by the stockholders of the Corporation with or without cause.
4.5. | Vacancies. |
If the office of Chairman, President, Secretary or Treasurer becomes vacant for any reason, the Board shall fill such vacancy, and if any other office becomes vacant, the Board may fill such vacancy. Any officer so appointed or elected by the Board shall serve only until such time as the unexpired term of his predecessor shall have expired, unless reelected or reappointed by the Board.
4.6. | The Chairman. |
The Chairman shall give counsel and advice to the Board and the officers of the Corporation on all subjects concerning the welfare of the Corporation and the conduct of its business and shall perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time determine. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, he shall preside at meetings of the Board and of the stockholders at which he is present. Notwithstanding By-law 4.1, the designation of the Chairman as a principal officer of the Corporation thereunder shall not be determinative with respect to the Chairmans status as an officer, executive officer, principal executive officer or similar title or position for purposes of disclosure in accordance with Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which determination shall instead be based solely on the facts and circumstances of the Chairmans role within the Corporation during the applicable period.
4.7. | The President. |
Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and, if the President is not the chief executive officer of the Corporation, all references to the President herein shall be deemed to refer to the chief executive officer. The President shall have general and active management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation subject to the control of the Board and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. The President shall from time to time make such reports of the affairs of the Corporation as the Board may require and shall perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time determine.
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4.8. | The Secretary. |
The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, attend all meetings of the Board and all meetings of the stockholders and shall record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose. He may give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman or the President, under whose supervision he shall act. He shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation and affix the same to any duly authorized instrument requiring it and, when so affixed, it shall be attested by his signature or by the signature of the Treasurer or, if appointed, an Assistant Secretary or an Assistant Treasurer. He shall keep in safe custody the certificate books and stockholder records and such other books and records as the Board may direct, and shall perform all other duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board, the Chairman or the President.
4.9. | The Treasurer. |
The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of the corporate funds and other valuable effects, including securities, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, shall render to the Chairman, President and directors, at the regular meetings of the Board or whenever they may require it, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation and shall perform all other duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board, the Chairman or the President.
ARTICLE V
CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DRAFTS, BANK ACCOUNTS, ETC.
5.1. | Execution of Documents. |
The Board shall designate, by either specific or general resolution, the officers, employees and agents of the Corporation who shall have the power to execute and deliver deeds, contracts, mortgages, bonds, debentures, checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of money and other documents for and in the name of the Corporation, and may authorize such officers, employees and agents to delegate such power (including authority to redelegate) by written instrument to other officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Unless so designated or expressly authorized by these By-Laws, no officer, employee or agent shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement, to pledge its credit or to render it liable pecuniarily for any purpose or amount.
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5.2. | Deposits. |
All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation or otherwise as the Board or Treasurer, or any other officer of the Corporation to whom power in this respect shall have been given by the Board, shall select.
5.3. | Proxies with Respect to Stock or Other Securities of Other Corporations. |
The Board shall designate the officers of the Corporation who shall have authority from time to time to appoint an agent or agents of the Corporation to exercise in the name and on behalf of the Corporation the powers and rights which the Corporation may have as the holder of stock or other securities in any other entity, and to vote or consent with respect to such stock or securities. Such designated officers may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of exercising such powers and rights, and such designated officers may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, such written proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as they may deem necessary or proper in order that the Corporation may exercise its powers and rights.
ARTICLE VI
SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER; FIXING RECORD DATE
6.1. | Certificates for Shares. |
Shares of stock in the Corporation need not be certificated. The Corporation may, at its election, issue to any stockholder of record a certificate certifying the number and class of shares owned by him in the Corporation, which shall be in such form as shall be prescribed by the Board. Certificates, if issued, shall be numbered and issued in consecutive order and shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the Chairman, the President or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer (or an Assistant Treasurer, if appointed) or the Secretary (or an Assistant Secretary, if appointed). In case any officer or officers who shall have signed any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the Corporation, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall have been delivered by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the Corporation.
6.2. | Record. |
A record in one or more counterparts shall be kept of the name of the person, firm or corporation owning the shares of stock of the Corporation. If certificates are issued for any shares, the record shall include the number of each certificate the Corporation issued, the number of shares represented by each such certificate, the date thereof and, in the case of cancellation, the date of cancellation. Except as otherwise expressly required by law, the person in whose name shares of stock stand on the stock record of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes regarding the Corporation.
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6.3. | Transfer and Registration of Stock. |
The transfer of stock and certificates which represent the stock of the Corporation shall be governed by Article 8 of Subtitle 1 of Title 6 of the Delaware Code (the Uniform Commercial Code), as amended from time to time.
Registration of transfers of shares of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation upon request of the registered holder thereof, or of his attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, and, if a certificate or certificates for such shares have been issued, upon the surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a stock power duly executed.
The Board may appoint suitable agents to facilitate transfers by stockholders under such regulations as the Board may from time to time prescribe, including the appointment of a transfer agent to act as registrar of transfers of stock.
6.4. | Addresses of Stockholders. |
Each stockholder shall designate to the Secretary an address at which notices of meetings and all other corporate notices may be served or mailed to him, and, if any stockholder shall fail to designate such address, corporate notices may be served upon him by mail directed to him at his post-office address, if any, as the same appears on the share record books of the Corporation or at his last known post-office address.
6.5. | Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates. |
The holder of any shares of the Corporation for which a certificate has been issued shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, destruction or mutilation of the certificate therefor, and the Board may, in its discretion, cause to be issued to him a new certificate or certificates for such shares, upon the surrender of the mutilated certificates or, in the case of loss or destruction of the certificate, upon satisfactory proof of such loss or destruction, and the Board may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate or his legal representative to give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as it may direct to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate.
6.6. | Regulations. |
The Board may make such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for stock of the Corporation.
6.7. | Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record. |
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall be not more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for
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determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided , however , that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date shall be not more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. If no record date has been fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board is required by the DGCL, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporations registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is required by the DGCL, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
ARTICLE VII
SEAL
The Board may provide a corporate seal, which shall be in the form of a circle and shall bear the full name of the Corporation, the year of incorporation of the Corporation and the words and figures Corporate Seal-Delaware.
ARTICLE VIII
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the calendar year unless otherwise determined by the Board.
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ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
9.1. | Indemnification. |
(a) As provided in the Certificate of Incorporation and to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
(b) Without limitation of any right conferred by paragraph (a) of this Section 9.1 , each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a proceeding ), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or employee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (each, an indemnitee ), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity while serving as a director, officer or employee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or employee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitees heirs, testators, intestates, executors and administrators; provided , however , that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation, and with respect to a criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided , further , however , that no indemnification shall be made in the case of an action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such director, officer, employee or agent is liable to the Corporation, unless a court having jurisdiction shall determine that, despite such adjudication, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification. Except as provided in Section 9.1(c) of this Article IX with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee was authorized by the Board. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article IX shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an advancement of expenses ); provided , however , that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an undertaking ), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be
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determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a final adjudication ) (i) that such indemnitee breached his fiduciary duty to the Corporation or (ii) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section or otherwise.
(c) If a claim under Section 9.1(b) of this Article IX is not paid in full by the Corporation with 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 10 days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of any undertaking, the indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. The Corporation shall be entitled to recover expenses upon a final adjudication that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL in (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses), and (ii) in any suit by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including the Board, independent legal counsel, or the stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including the Board, independent legal counsel or the stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Section or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
(d) The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article IX shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the Certificate of Incorporation, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
9.2. | Insurance. |
The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or any person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employer or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
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ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT
These By-Laws may be amended, changed or repealed, or new By-Laws adopted, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote or by the stockholders written consent pursuant to Section 2.11 of Article II , or by the vote of the Board or by the directors written consent pursuant to Section 3.6 of Article III .
ARTICLE XI
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of these By-Laws and the Shareholders Agreement, the provisions of the Shareholders Agreement shall control.
* * * * *
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EXHIBIT 4.1
EXECUTION VERSION
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
as Issuer
the GUARANTORS named herein
$110,000,000 7.5% CASH/PIK SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018
INDENTURE
Dated as of November 9, 2015
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
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SECTION 1.01. | Definitions | 1 | ||||
SECTION 1.02. | Other Definitions | 29 | ||||
SECTION 1.03. | No Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 30 | ||||
SECTION 1.04. | Rules of Construction | 30 | ||||
ARTICLE 2 | ||||||
THE NOTES | ||||||
SECTION 2.01. | Amount of Notes; Issuable in Series | 31 | ||||
SECTION 2.02. | Form and Dating | 31 | ||||
SECTION 2.03. | Execution and Authentication | 31 | ||||
SECTION 2.04. | Registrar and Paying Agent | 32 | ||||
SECTION 2.05. | Paying Agent to Hold Money and PIK Notes in Trust | 34 | ||||
SECTION 2.06. | Holder Lists | 34 | ||||
SECTION 2.07. | Transfer and Exchange | 34 | ||||
SECTION 2.08. | Replacement Notes | 35 | ||||
SECTION 2.09. | Outstanding Notes | 35 | ||||
SECTION 2.10. | Temporary Notes | 36 | ||||
SECTION 2.11. | Cancellation | 36 | ||||
SECTION 2.12. | Defaulted Interest | 36 | ||||
SECTION 2.13. | CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, etc | 36 | ||||
SECTION 2.14. | Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes | 36 | ||||
ARTICLE 3 | ||||||
REDEMPTION | ||||||
SECTION 3.01. | Redemption | 37 | ||||
SECTION 3.02. | Applicability of Article | 37 | ||||
SECTION 3.03. | Notices to Trustee | 37 | ||||
SECTION 3.04. | Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed | 37 | ||||
SECTION 3.05. | Notice of Optional Redemption | 38 | ||||
SECTION 3.06. | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 39 | ||||
SECTION 3.07. | Deposit of Redemption Price | 39 | ||||
SECTION 3.08. | Notes Redeemed in Part | 39 |
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ARTICLE 4 | ||||||
COVENANTS | ||||||
SECTION 4.01. | Payment of Notes | 39 | ||||
SECTION 4.02. | Reports and Other Information | 40 | ||||
SECTION 4.03. | Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock | 41 | ||||
SECTION 4.04. | Limitation on Restricted Payments | 46 | ||||
SECTION 4.05. | Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries | 51 | ||||
SECTION 4.06. | Asset Sales | 52 | ||||
SECTION 4.07. | Transactions with Affiliates | 56 | ||||
SECTION 4.08. | Change of Control | 58 | ||||
SECTION 4.09. | Compliance Certificate | 59 | ||||
SECTION 4.10. | Further Instruments and Acts | 60 | ||||
SECTION 4.11. | Future Guarantors | 60 | ||||
SECTION 4.12. | Liens | 60 | ||||
SECTION 4.13. | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 61 | ||||
SECTION 4.14. | Additional Amounts | 61 | ||||
SECTION 4.15. | Asset Sales by Affinion Group | 65 | ||||
SECTION 4.16. | Admission to Trading | 68 | ||||
SECTION 4.17. | Excess Cash Flow Offer | 68 | ||||
ARTICLE 5 | ||||||
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ALL | ||||||
OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ASSETS | ||||||
SECTION 5.01. |
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets | 70 | ||||
ARTICLE 6 | ||||||
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | ||||||
SECTION 6.01. | Events of Default | 73 | ||||
SECTION 6.02. | Acceleration | 75 | ||||
SECTION 6.03. | Other Remedies | 75 | ||||
SECTION 6.04. | Waiver of Past Defaults | 76 | ||||
SECTION 6.05. | Control by Majority | 76 |
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SECTION 6.06. | Limitation on Suits | 76 | ||||
SECTION 6.07. | Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment | 76 | ||||
SECTION 6.08. | Collection Suit by Trustee | 77 | ||||
SECTION 6.09. | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 77 | ||||
SECTION 6.10. | Priorities | 77 | ||||
SECTION 6.11. | Undertaking for Costs | 77 | ||||
SECTION 6.12. | Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 78 | ||||
ARTICLE 7 | ||||||
TRUSTEE | ||||||
SECTION 7.01. | Duties of Trustee | 78 | ||||
SECTION 7.02. | Rights of Trustee | 79 | ||||
SECTION 7.03. | Individual Rights of Trustee | 80 | ||||
SECTION 7.04. | Trustees Disclaimer | 80 | ||||
SECTION 7.05. | Notice of Defaults | 81 | ||||
SECTION 7.06. | Compensation and Indemnity | 81 | ||||
SECTION 7.07. | Replacement of Trustee | 82 | ||||
SECTION 7.08. | Successor Trustee by Merger | 82 | ||||
SECTION 7.09. | Eligibility; Disqualification | 83 | ||||
SECTION 7.10. | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer | 83 | ||||
ARTICLE 8 | ||||||
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE | ||||||
SECTION 8.01. | Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance | 83 | ||||
SECTION 8.02. | Conditions to Defeasance | 85 | ||||
SECTION 8.03. | Application of Trust Money | 86 | ||||
SECTION 8.04. | Repayment to the Issuer | 86 | ||||
SECTION 8.05. | Indemnity for Government Obligations | 86 | ||||
SECTION 8.06. | Reinstatement | 86 | ||||
ARTICLE 9 | ||||||
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS | ||||||
SECTION 9.01. | Without Consent of the Holders | 87 | ||||
SECTION 9.02. | With Consent of the Holders | 88 | ||||
SECTION 9.03. | Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers | 89 | ||||
SECTION 9.04. | Notation on or Exchange of Notes | 89 |
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SECTION 9.05. | Trustee to Sign Amendments | 89 | ||||
SECTION 9.06. | Payment for Consent | 89 | ||||
SECTION 9.07. | Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount | 90 | ||||
ARTICLE 10 | ||||||
GUARANTEES | ||||||
SECTION 10.01. | Guarantees | 90 | ||||
SECTION 10.02. | Limitation on Liability; Release | 92 | ||||
SECTION 10.03. | Successors and Assigns | 94 | ||||
SECTION 10.04. | No Waiver | 94 | ||||
SECTION 10.05. | Modification | 94 | ||||
SECTION 10.06. | Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors | 94 | ||||
SECTION 10.07. | Execution and Delivery of Guarantee | 94 | ||||
SECTION 10.08. | Limitation on Guarantees of Swiss Guarantors | 95 | ||||
ARTICLE 11 | ||||||
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED] | ||||||
ARTICLE 12 | ||||||
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED] | ||||||
ARTICLE 13 | ||||||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
SECTION 13.01. | [Reserved] | 96 | ||||
SECTION 13.02. | Notices | 96 | ||||
SECTION 13.03. | [Reserved.] | 97 | ||||
SECTION 13.04. | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 98 | ||||
SECTION 13.05. | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 98 | ||||
SECTION 13.06. | When Notes Disregarded | 98 | ||||
SECTION 13.07. | Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar | 98 | ||||
SECTION 13.08. | Legal Holidays | 98 | ||||
SECTION 13.09. | Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial | 99 | ||||
SECTION 13.10. | No Recourse Against Others | 99 | ||||
SECTION 13.11. | Successors | 99 | ||||
SECTION 13.12. | Multiple Originals | 99 | ||||
SECTION 13.13. | Table of Contents; Headings | 99 |
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SECTION 13.14. | Indenture Controls | 99 | ||||
SECTION 13.15. | Severability | 99 | ||||
SECTION 13.16. | Currency of Account; Conversion of Currency; Foreign Exchange Restrictions | 100 | ||||
SECTION 13.17. | U.S.A. Patriot Act | 101 | ||||
SECTION 13.18. | Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process | 101 | ||||
SECTION 13.19. | Force Majeure | 102 |
Appendix A Rule 144A/Regulation S/IAI Appendix
Exhibit 1 Form of Initial Note or Additional Notes or PIK Note
Exhibit 2 Form of Letter of Representation
Exhibit 3 U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
Appendix B Form of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors
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INDENTURE dated as of November 9, 2015 among Affinion International Holdings Limited, a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 3458969 (the Issuer ), the Guarantors (as defined herein) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee ).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of Notes issued under this Indenture.
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01. Definitions .
Acquired Indebtedness means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person,
in each case, other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by such Person, or such asset was acquired by such Person, as applicable.
Additional Notes means the 7.5% Cash /PIK Senior Notes due 2018 issued by the Issuer pursuant to this Indenture from time to time after the Issue Date (other than PIK Notes issued as a result of the payment of PIK Interest).
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, control (including, with correlative meanings, the terms controlling , controlled by and under common control with ), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
Affinion Group means Affinion Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors.
Affinion Holdings means Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors.
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Affinion Investments means Affinion Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors.
AGI Credit Agreement means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 9, 2010, as amended on the Issue Date, among Affinion Group, Holdings, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (as successor to Bank of America, N.A.), as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the other agents party thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any one or more agreements or indentures extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof.
AGI Senior Notes means the 7.875% Senior Notes due 2018 that were issued by Affinion Group.
AGI Senior Notes Indenture means the indenture governing the AGI Senior Notes.
AGI Significant Subsidiary means any Non-Subsidiary Guarantor of the Notes that would be a significant subsidiary of Affinion Group within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC or any successor provision.
AGI Unsecured Indebtedness means any unsecured Indebtedness Incurred by Affinion Group the principal amount of which is in excess of $50.0 million.
Asset Sale means:
(1) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of property or assets (including by way of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer (each referred to in this definition as a disposition ) or
(2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than directors qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions),
in each case other than:
(a) a disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete, damaged or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business;
(b) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions set forth in Section 5.01 herein or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control;
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(c) for purposes of Section 4.06 only, any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment (other than a Permitted Investment to the extent such transaction results in the receipt of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries) that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.04 herein;
(d) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of related transactions with an aggregate Fair Market Value of less than $2.5 million;
(e) any disposition of property or assets or the issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to the Issuer or by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer;
(f) any foreclosures on assets or property of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries;
(g) any sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(h) any sale of inventory, equipment or other assets in the ordinary course of business;
(i) any grant in the ordinary course of business of any license of patents, trademarks, know-how and any other intellectual property;
(j) any exchange of assets for assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) related to a Similar Business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Issuer, which in the event of an exchange of assets with a Fair Market Value in excess of (1) $5.0 million shall be evidenced by an Officers Certificate, and (2) $10.0 million shall be set forth in a resolution approved in good faith by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer;
(k) in the ordinary course of business, any swap of assets, or lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property, in exchange for services (including in connection with any outsourcing arrangements in which the Issuer enters into a multi-year services arrangement with the transfer of such assets) of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer, which in the event of a swap with a Fair Market Value in excess of (1) $5.0 million shall be evidenced by an Officers Certificate and (2) $10.0 million shall be set forth in a resolution approved in good faith by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer; and
(l) cash advances by any Material Subsidiary of Affinion Group (as defined in the AGI Credit Agreement) or any Subsidiary of Affinion Group (as defined in the AGI Credit Agreement) that is a Parent of such Subsidiary (as defined in the AGI Credit Agreement).
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Bank Indebtedness means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of the Credit Agreement or the other Senior Credit Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced, restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time (including after termination of the Credit Agreement), including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Issuer whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.
Backstop Provider has the meaning set forth in the Subscription and Backstop Purchase Agreement, dated September 29, 2015 by and among Affinion Holdings, the Issuer and the Backstop Provider party thereto.
Board of Directors means as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof.
Business Day means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or place of payment.
Capital Stock means:
(1) in the case of a corporation or a company, corporate stock or shares;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
Capitalized Lease Obligation means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Equivalents means:
(1) U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, euros, national currency of any participating member state in the European Union or, in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business;
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(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the government of the United States or any country that is a member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof, in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;
(3) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers acceptances, in each case with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $250.0 million, or the foreign currency equivalent thereof, and whose long-term debt is rated A or the equivalent thereof by Moodys or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency);
(4) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Issuer) rated at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof by Moodys or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;
(6) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moodys or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;
(7) Indebtedness issued by Persons (other than Permitted Holders or any of their Affiliates) with a rating of A or higher from S&P or A-2 or higher from Moodys (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition; and
(8) investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (7) above.
Change of Control means any of the following events:
(1) the failure of Affinion Group and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries to own, in the aggregate, 100.0% of the Issuers Capital Stock;
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer or Affinion Group;
(3) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all the assets of Affinion Group and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person, other than any Permitted Holder;
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(4) Affinion Group becomes aware (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) of the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than any of the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Affinion Group or any Parent of Affinion Group (for purposes of calculating the total voting power of the Voting Stock held by a group, the voting power beneficially owned by a Permitted Holder shall be excluded to the extent such Permitted Holder retains the sole economic rights with respect to the subject Voting Stock); or
(5) (A) prior to the first public offering of common Capital Stock of any Parent of Affinion Group or Affinion Group, the first day on which the Board of Directors of such Parent or Affinion Group shall cease to consist of a majority of directors who (i) were members of the Board of Directors of such Parent or Affinion Group on the Issue Date or (ii) were either (x) nominated for election by the Board of Directors of such Parent or Affinion Group, a majority of whom were directors on the Issue Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously approved by a majority of directors nominated for election pursuant to this clause (x) or who were designated or appointed pursuant to clause (y) below, or (y) designated or appointed by a Permitted Holder (each of the directors selected pursuant to clauses (A)(i) and (A)(ii), a Continuing Director ) and (B) after the first public offering of common Capital Stock of either any parent of Affinion Group or Affinion Group, (i) if such public offering is of common Capital Stock of a Parent, the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of such Parent are not Continuing Directors or (ii) if such public offering is of common Capital Stock of Affinion Group, the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Affinion Group are not Continuing Directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Specified Merger/Transfer Transaction shall not constitute a Change of Control.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Consolidated Cash Flow means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period (without giving effect to the amount added to Net Income in calculating Consolidated Net Income for the excess of the provision for taxes over cash taxes) plus :
(1) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, including, without limitation, state franchise and similar taxes, which shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person, in each case, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
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(2) Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that any such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(3) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(4) the amount of any restructuring charges or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include retention and supplemental bonus payments, exit costs, severance payments, systems establishment costs or excess pension charges), to the extent that any such charges or expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus
(5) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding the recognition of deferred revenue or any non-cash items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period and any items for which cash was received in any prior period);
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, the Fixed Charges of, the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses or non-cash items of and the restructuring charges or expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer shall be added to (or subtracted from, in the case of non-cash items described in clause (7) above) Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow of the Issuer (A) in the same proportion that the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary was added to compute such Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer and (B) only to the extent that a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended or distributed to the Issuer by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders.
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, plus the amount that the provision for taxes exceeds cash taxes paid by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such period; provided that:
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(1) any net after-tax extraordinary or nonrecurring or unusual gains, losses, income, expense or charges (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), including, without limitation, any severance, relocation or other restructuring costs and transition expenses Incurred in connection with the Transactions and/or as contemplated by the Offering Memorandum, fees, expenses or charges related to any offering of Equity Interests of such Person, any Investment, any acquisition or any offering of Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred by this Indenture (in each case, whether or not successful), including any such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes, in each case, shall be excluded;
(2) any increase in amortization or depreciation or any one-time non-cash charges resulting from purchase accounting in connection with any acquisition that is consummated on or after the Issue Date shall be excluded;
(3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period shall be excluded;
(4) any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of discontinued operations shall be excluded;
(5) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer) shall be excluded;
(6) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of indebtedness shall be excluded;
(7) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;
(8) solely for the purpose of covenant described in Section 4.04 herein the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its equity holders, unless such restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions have been legally waived; provided that the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person (subject to the provisions of this clause (8)), to the extent not already included therein;
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(9) any non-cash impairment charge or asset write-off resulting from the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 and 144, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to No. 141, shall be excluded;
(10) any non-cash expenses realized or resulting from employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights to officers, directors and employees of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be excluded;
(11) any one-time non-cash compensation charges shall be excluded;
(12) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations shall be excluded; and
(13) accruals and reserves that are established within twelve months after the Issue Date and that are so required to be established in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of the covenant described in Section 4.04 herein, there shall be excluded from the calculation of Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer in respect of or that originally constituted Restricted Investments.
Contingent Obligations means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness ( primary obligations ) of any other Person (the primary obligor ) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor;
(2) to advance or supply funds:
(a) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or
(b) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or
(3) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.
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Credit Agreement means (1) the AGI Credit Agreement and (2) one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.
Default means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
Designated Non-cash Consideration means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers Certificate setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.
Designated Preferred Stock means Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Parent of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers Certificate, on the issuance date thereof
Disqualified Stock means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable, putable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event:
(1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,
(2) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of such Person, or
(3) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part,
in each case prior to 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes;
provided , however , that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided further , however , that (x) if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employees termination, death or disability and (y) such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if such Capital Stock matures or is mandatorily redeemable or is redeemable
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at the option of the holders thereof as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as the relevant asset sale or change of control provisions, taken as a whole, are no more favorable in any material respect to holders of such Capital Stock than the asset sale and change of control provisions applicable to the Notes and any purchase requirement triggered thereby may not become operative until compliance with the asset sale and change of control provisions applicable to the Notes (including the purchase of any Notes tendered pursuant thereto); provided further that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.
Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
Excess Cash Flow Amount means as of the date of determination the excess of (a) the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of all dividends and other distributions on account of the Issuers Equity Interests, including any payment with respect to such Equity Interests made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving the Issuer paid since the Issue Date and all Investments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in Affinion Group or any Subsidiary of Affinion Group (other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) since the Issue Date pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Investments (excluding in the case of this clause (i), any (A) dividends or distributions by the Issuer payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer; (B) dividends or distributions by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, or the making of loans to, any Parent of the Issuer in amounts required for such entity to pay general corporate overhead expenses arising in the ordinary course of business (including salaries, bonuses, benefits paid to management and employees of any Parent and professional and administrative expenses) for any direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer to the extent such expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries; or (C) dividends or distributions by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, or the making of loans to, any Parent of the Issuer used to fund the Transactions and the fees and expenses related thereto or made in connection with the consummation of the Transactions (including payments made pursuant to or as contemplated by the definitive documents related to the Transactions, whether payable on the Issue Date or thereafter) in an amount not to exceed $20.0 million so long as such dividend, distribution or loan is made within 30 days after the Issue Date) and (ii) the aggregate amount of all payments since the Issue Date made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Parent of the Issuer, including in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation over (b) the difference on the determination date between (i) $15.0 million and (ii) the amount of Restricted Payments made since the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(v).
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Offer means the exchange offer and consent solicitation by Affinion Holdings and Affinion Investments pursuant to which eligible holders of the Existing Notes have been offered the option to receive certain consideration in exchange for their Existing Notes and consent to certain amendments to the terms of the Existing Notes.
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Existing Holdings Notes means the 13.75%/14.50% Senior Secured PIK/Toggle Notes due 2018 that were issued by Affinion Holdings.
Existing Investments Notes means the 13.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 that were issued by Affinion Investments.
Existing Notes means the Existing Holdings Notes and the Existing Investments Notes.
Existing Warrants means the Series A Warrants and the Series B Warrants issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement dated as of December 12, 2013, by and between Holdings and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association.
Fair Market Value means, with respect to any asset or property, the price that could be negotiated in an arms-length transaction between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the Calculation Date ), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the beginning of such period.
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations or discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations or discontinued operations (including the Transactions) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger or consolidation or discontinued any operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or discontinued operation (including the Transactions) had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. For purposes of this definition,
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whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or discontinued operation and the amount of income or earnings relating thereto, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Issuer and shall comply with the requirements of Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission, except that , solely for the purposes of calculating the Issuers ability to incur debt under Section 4.03(b)(xvi) herein, such pro forma calculations may include operating expense reductions for such period resulting from the transaction which is being given pro forma effect that have been realized or for which substantially all the steps necessary for realization have been taken or are reasonably expected to be taken within twelve months following any such transaction, including, but not limited to, the execution or termination of any contracts, the reduction of costs related to administrative functions or the termination of any personnel, as applicable; provided that , in either case, such adjustments are set forth in an Officers Certificate signed by the Issuers chief financial officer and another Officer which states (i) the amount of such adjustment or adjustments, (ii) that such adjustment or adjustments are based on the reasonable good faith beliefs of the Officers executing such Officers Certificate at the time of such execution and (iii) that any related incurrence of Indebtedness is permitted pursuant to this Indenture; provided further that the aggregate of all operating expense reductions that have not been realized that may be included in such pro forma calculation as of the relevant Calculation Date shall not exceed 15% of the pro forma Consolidated Cash Flow of the Issuer on such Calculation Date. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if the related hedge has a remaining term in excess of twelve months).
Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.
Fixed Charges means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) the consolidated interest expense (net of interest income) to the extent it relates to Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and to the extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all
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payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations (but excluding the amortization or writeoff of deferred financing fees or expenses of any bridge or other financing fee in connection with the Transactions (including the offering of the Notes and the amortization of original issue discount relating to the Notes); plus
(2) the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus
(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
(4) to the extent not included in clause (1) above, the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal,
in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
Foreign Guarantor means each of Affinion International Limited, Affinion International Travel HoldCo Limited, Webloyalty International Limited, Loyalty Ventures Limited, Bassae Holding B.V., Webloyalty Holdings Coöperatief U.A., Webloyalty International Sàrl and any other Foreign Subsidiary of Affinion Group that becomes an additional Guarantor by executing a Supplemental Indenture following the Issue Date, all of which will Incur a Guarantee of the Issuers obligations under this Indenture; provided , that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Person ceases to be a Guarantor and a Foreign Guarantor.
Foreign Subsidiary means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia and any direct or indirect subsidiary of such Restricted Subsidiary.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, in each case which are in effect on the Issue Date. For the purposes of this Indenture, the term consolidated with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be accounted for as an Investment.
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guarantee means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.
Guarantee means any guarantee of the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes by any Person in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
Guarantor means any Person that Incurs a Guarantee provided , that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Person ceases to be a Guarantor.
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:
(1) currency exchange or interest rate swap agreements, cap agreements and collar agreements; and
(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage exposure or protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange or interest rates.
holder or Holder means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the registrars books.
Holdings means Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors.
Incur means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person:
(1) the principal and premium (if any) of any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), (c) representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes a current account payable, trade payable or similar obligation Incurred, (d) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations, or (e) representing any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;
(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the Indebtedness of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and
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(3) to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided , however , that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;
provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) obligations to make payments in respect of money back guarantees offered to customers in the ordinary course of business; (5) obligations to make payments to one or more insurers in respect of premiums collected by the Issuer on behalf of such insurers or in respect profit-sharing arrangements entered into with such insurers, in each case in the ordinary course of business; or (6) the financing of insurance premiums with the carrier of such insurance or take or pay obligations contained in supply agreements, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business.
Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture, Indebtedness shall not include, and shall be calculated without giving effect to, the effects of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness; and any such amounts that would have constituted Indebtedness under this Indenture but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under this Indenture.
Indenture means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
Independent Financial Advisor means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in a Similar Business, in each case of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.
Initial Notes means the 7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018 issued by the Issuer pursuant to this Indenture on the Issue Date.
Investment Grade Securities means:
(1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents),
(2) securities that have a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or equivalent) by Moodys or BBB- (or equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency, but excluding any debt securities or loans or advances between and among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries,
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(3) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution, and
(4) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition.
Investments means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and marketing partners and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary and Section 4.04 herein:
(1) Investments shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuers equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to:
(a) the Issuers Investment in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less
(b) the portion (proportionate to the Issuers equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and
(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer.
IRS means, the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Issue Date means November 9, 2015, the date on which the Initial Notes are issued.
Joint Venture means any Person, other than an individual or a Subsidiary of the Issuer, (i) in which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer holds or acquires an ownership interest (whether by way of Capital Stock or otherwise) and (ii) which is engaged in a Similar Business.
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Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any other agreement to give a security interest and, any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or equivalent statutes of any jurisdiction (other than a filing for informational purposes)); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.
Management Group means all of the individuals consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of Affinion Group or any direct or indirect parent company of Affinion Group, as the case may be, on the Issue Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by such boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of Affinion Group or any direct or indirect parent company of Affinion Group, as the case may be, as applicable, was approved by (x) a vote of a majority of the directors of Affinion Group or any direct or indirect parent of Affinion Group, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Issue Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved or (y) the Permitted Holders and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of Affinion Group or any direct or indirect parent company of Affinion Group, as the case may be, as applicable, hired at a time when the directors on the Issue Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of Affinion Group or any direct or indirect parent company of Affinion Group.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
Net Income means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.
Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related thereto), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required other than pursuant to Section 4.06(b) or (c) to be paid as a result of such transaction (including to obtain any consent therefor), any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Issuer after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-
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employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction and any distributions and the payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures as a result of such Asset Sale; provided that Net Proceeds shall not include proceeds of a Subsidiary Spin-Off to the extent such proceeds are applied to redeem the Notes pursuant to the provisions described in the fourth and fifth paragraphs of Paragraph 5 of the form of the Notes set forth in Appendix A.
New Common Stock means shares of common stock that will be issued by Affinion Holdings in connection with the Transactions and issued by Affinion Holdings from time to time after the Issue Date.
Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor. Unless otherwise indicated this Indenture all references to Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer.
Non-Subsidiary Guarantor means each of Affinion Group, Affinion Benefits Group, LLC, Affinion Brazil Holdings I, LLC, Affinion Brazil Holdings II, LLC, Affinion Data Services, Inc., Affinion Group, LLC, Affinion Publishing, LLC, BreakFive, LLC, Cardwell Agency, Inc., CCAA, Corporation, Connexions Loyalty, Inc., Connexions Loyalty Acquisition, LLC, Connexions Loyalty Travel Solutions LLC, Connexions SM Ventures, LLC, Connexions SMV, LLC, CUC Asia Holdings, Global Protection Solutions, LLC, International Travel Fulfillment LLC, Lift Media, LLC, Long Term Preferred Care, Inc., Loyalty Travel Agency LLC, Propp Corp., Travelers Advantage Services, LLC, Trilegiant Auto Services, Inc., Trilegiant Corporation, Trilegiant Insurance Services, Inc., Trilegiant Retail Services, Inc., Watchguard Registration Services, Inc., Webloyalty Holdings, Inc. Webloyalty.com, Inc., and any other Subsidiary of Affinion Group that becomes an additional Guarantor by executing a Supplemental Indenture following the Issue Date, all of which will Incur a Guarantee of the Issuers obligations under this Indenture.
Notes means the Initial Notes and any PIK Notes or Additional Notes issued pursuant to this Indenture, in each case, in the forms set forth in Appendix A. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to Notes for all purposes of this Indenture include any increase in the principal amount of the Notes as a result of a payment of PIK Interest.
Obligations means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness; provided that Obligations with respect to the Notes shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of the Trustee and other third parties other than the holders of the Notes.
Offering Memorandum means the final Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement dated September 29, 2015 (including the information incorporated by reference therein), as amended or supplemented on the Issue Date, relating to the Transactions (including the offering of the Notes).
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Officer means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Issuer or any of the Issuers Restricted Subsidiaries.
Officers Certificate means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer by two Officers of the Issuer or any of the Issuers Restricted Subsidiaries, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Issuer or any of the Issuers Restricted Subsidiaries, that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer.
Parent means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect parent company of such Person whose only material assets consist of the common Capital Stock of such Person.
Pari Passu Indebtedness means:
(1) with respect to the Issuer, the Notes and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment with the Notes; and
(2) with respect to any Guarantor, its applicable Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment with such Guarantors Guarantee.
Permitted Holders means, at any time, the Management Group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.
Permitted Investment means:
(1) any Investment in Affinion Group or any Subsidiary of Affinion Group;
(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;
(3) any Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer in a Person if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, or (b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer;
(4) any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.06 herein or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;
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(5) any Investment existing on the Issue Date and any Investments made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date;
(6) advances to employees not in excess of $7.5 million and outstanding at any one time in the aggregate; provided that advances that are forgiven shall continue to be deemed outstanding;
(7) any Investment acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;
(8) Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 4.03(b)(ix) hereof;
(9) any Investment by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Similar Business having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (9) since the Issue Date that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of Investments made pursuant to this clause (9) to the extent the proceeds of such sale received by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries do not consist of Cash Equivalents), not to exceed the greater of (x) $25.0 million and (y) 10% of Total Assets of the Issuer at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (9) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (9) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary;
(10) additional Investments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) since the Issue Date that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) to the extent the proceeds of such sale received by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries do not consist of Cash Equivalents), not to exceed the greater of (x) $25.0 million and (y) 10% of Total Assets of the Issuer at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);
(11) loans and advances to officers, directors and employees for business-related travel expenses, moving and relocation expenses and other similar expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;
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(12) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Parent of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock); provided , however , that such Equity Interests shall not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under the calculation set forth in Section 4.04(a)(iv)(3) hereof until such time as the Investment in such Equity Interests is no longer outstanding;
(13) Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;
(14) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(15) Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged into, amalgamated with, or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer in a transaction that is not prohibited by the covenant described under Article 5 hereof after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;
(16) any Investment in the Notes;
(17) guarantees not prohibited by or required pursuant to, as the case may be, the covenants described in Sections 4.03 and 4.11 hereof; and
(18) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.07(b) (except for transactions described in Section 4.07(b)(ii), (vi), (vii), (viii), (xi) and (xvi)).
Permitted Liens means, with respect to any Person:
(1) pledges or deposits by such Person under workmens compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations, including those to secure health, safety, insurance and environmental obligations, of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(2) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers, warehousemens and mechanics Liens, in each case for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review;
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(3) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(4) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued at the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;
(5) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;
(6) Liens existing on the Issue Date;
(7) Liens on assets, property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided , further , however , that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer;
(8) Liens on assets or property at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer acquired the assets or property, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer; provided , however , that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided , further , however , that the Liens may not extend to any other assets or property owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer;
(9) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer permitted to be Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03 herein;
(10) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under Sections 4.03(b)(i),4.03(b)(iii) and 4.03(b)(xvi);
(11) Liens securing Hedging Obligations permitted to be Incurred under Section 4.03(b)(ix);
(12) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Persons obligations in respect of bankers acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
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(13) leases and subleases of real property granted to others in the ordinary course of business that do not (i) materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) secure any Indebtedness;
(14) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(15) Liens in favor of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor;
(16) Liens on equipment of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to the Issuers customer at the site at which such equipment is located;
(17) Liens securing insurance premiums financing arrangements, provided that such Liens are limited to the applicable unearned insurance premiums;
(18) Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(19) grants of software and other licenses in the ordinary course of business;
(20) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7) and (8); provided , however , that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7) and (8) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;
(21) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;
(22) Liens securing obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business that do not exceed $2.0 million at any one time outstanding;
(23) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(24) Liens incurred to secure cash management services in the ordinary course of business;
(25) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with importation of goods; and
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(26) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers.
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, Joint Venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
PIK Interest means interest on the Notes payable by increasing the principal amount of the Notes or by issuing PIK Notes.
Preferred Stock means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Rating Agency means (1) each of Moodys and S&P and (2) if Moodys or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Issuers control, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Issuer or any Parent of the Issuer as a replacement agency for Moodys or S&P, as the case may be.
Restricted Investment means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated this Indenture, (i) all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer and (ii) all references to Restricted Subsidiaries of Affinion Group shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of Affinion Group as defined in the AGI Senior Notes Indenture.
Restructuring Support Agreement means the restructuring support agreement, dated as of September 29, 2015, among Affinion Group, the Issuer, Affinion Investments and certain existing holders of securities of Affinion Holdings.
Rights Offering means the offer to holders of Existing Notes and the Backstop Provider to acquire the Notes and New Common Stock on the terms described in the Offering Memorandum.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
Sale/Leaseback Transaction means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between the Issuer and a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or between Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Secured Indebtedness means any Indebtedness secured by a Lien.
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Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Senior Credit Documents means the collective reference to any Credit Agreement, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Significant Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a significant subsidiary of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC or any successor provision.
Similar Business means any business or activity of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries currently conducted or proposed as of the Issue Date, or any business or activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof, or is complementary, incidental, ancillary or related thereto.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).
Subordinated Indebtedness means (a) with respect to the Issuer, any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and (b) with respect to any Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Guarantee.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity and (3) any Person that is consolidated in the consolidated financial statements of the specified Person in accordance with GAAP.
Subsidiary Guarantor means each Subsidiary of the Issuer that is a Guarantor.
Subsidiary Spin-Off means any public sale after the Issue Date of common stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer in connection with a spin-off or a similar transaction involving the disposition of a business operation, unit or division.
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Swiss Federal Withholding Tax means any Taxes levied pursuant to the Swiss Federal Act on Withholding Tax (Bundesgesetz über die Verrechnungssteuer vom 13. Oktober 1965, SR 642.21), as amended from time to time.
TIA means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture.
Total Assets means, with respect to any Person, the total consolidated assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet.
Transactions means, collectively, the Exchange Offer, the Rights Offering and the other related transactions that are described in, or contemplated by, the Restructuring Support Agreement and the Offering Memorandum.
Trust Officer means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such persons knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
Trustee means the respective party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
Uniform Commercial Code means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means:
(1) any Subsidiary of the Issuer that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of such Person in the manner provided below; and
(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The Board of Directors of the Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Issuer) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Issuer or any other Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided , however , that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries); provided further , however , that either:
(a) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less; or
(b) if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Section 4.04.
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The Board of Directors of the Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that immediately after giving effect to such designation:
(x) (1) the Issuer would be permitted to make a Restricted Payment of at least $1.00 pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test under Section 4.04(a)(iv)(2) or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation, and
(y) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Issuer shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer giving effect to such designation and an Officers Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
U.S. Government Obligations means securities that are:
(1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or
(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided , that , (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.
U.S. Person means, any Person that is a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
Voting Stock of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when applied to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.
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Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.
Wholly Owned Subsidiary of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions .
Term |
Defined in
Section |
|
Additional Amounts |
4.14 | |
Affiliate Transaction |
4.07 | |
Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds |
4.15(c) | |
Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer |
4.15(c) | |
Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer Period |
4.15(e) | |
Asset Sale Offer |
4.06(c) | |
Authentication Order |
2.03 | |
Bankruptcy Law |
6.01 | |
Base Currency |
13.16 | |
cash interest |
Appendix A | |
Change of Control Offer |
4.08(b) | |
covenant defeasance option |
8.01(b) | |
Custodian |
6.01 | |
Definitive Note |
Appendix A | |
Depository |
Appendix A | |
EU Savings Tax Directive |
2.04(e) | |
Event of Default |
6.01 | |
Excess Cash Flow Offer |
4.17(a) | |
Excess Cash Flow Offer Period |
4.17(c) | |
Excess Proceeds |
4.06(c) | |
Global Notes |
Appendix A | |
Guaranteed Obligations |
10.01(a) | |
IAI |
Appendix A | |
Judgment Currency |
13.16(b) | |
legal defeasance option |
8.01(b) | |
Notes Custodian |
Appendix A | |
Offer Period |
4.06(e) | |
Paying Agent |
2.04 | |
Payor |
4.14 | |
PIK Notes |
Appendix A |
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Term |
Defined in
Section |
|
protected purchaser |
2.08 | |
QIB |
Appendix A | |
Rates of Exchange |
13.16(b) | |
Redemption Date |
3.01 | |
Refinancing Indebtedness |
4.03(b) | |
Refunding Capital Stock |
4.04(b) | |
Register |
2.04(a) | |
Registrar |
2.04 | |
Regulation S |
Appendix A | |
Regulation S Global Note |
Appendix A | |
Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction |
4.14 | |
Restricted Payments |
4.04(a) | |
Retired Capital Stock |
4.04(b) | |
Rule 144A |
Appendix A | |
Rule 144A Global Note |
Appendix A | |
Specified Merger/Transfer Transaction |
5.01(a) | |
Successor Issuer |
5.01(a) | |
Successor Guarantor |
5.01(b) | |
Tax |
4.14 |
SECTION 1.03. No Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act . Unless specifically referenced herein to certain limited provisions, the TIA is not incorporated by reference into this Indenture.
SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction . Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) or is not exclusive;
(d) including means including without limitation;
(e) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;
(f) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;
(g) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;
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(h) unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP; and
(i) whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, principal, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Notes, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of additional interest, to the extent that, in such context, additional interest is, was, or would be payable in respect thereof.
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
SECTION 2.01. Amount of Notes; Issuable in Series . The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture on the Issue Date is $110,000,000. Subject to Section 4.03, the Issuer may issue Additional Notes from time to time after the Issue Date without notice or the consent of Holders. The Initial Notes (including any increase in the principal amount of the Notes as a result of a payment of PIK Interest) and any Additional Notes or PIK Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes hereunder, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
SECTION 2.02. Form and Dating . Provisions relating to the Notes are set forth in Appendix A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The (i) Initial Notes and the Trustees certificate of authentication and (ii) any Additional Notes or PIK Notes and the Trustees certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form set forth in Appendix A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Issuer). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes (excluding any Notes issued as a result of a payment of PIK Interest) shall be issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and only in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1, and any increase in the principal amount of Notes as a result of a payment of PIK Interest may be made in integral multiples of $1.
SECTION 2.03. Execution and Authentication . (a) The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon a written order of the Issuer (an Authentication Order ) signed by one Officer (i) Initial Notes for original issue on the date hereof in an aggregate principal amount of $110,000,000 and (ii) subject to the terms of this Indenture, Additional Notes and any PIK Notes in an aggregate principal amount to be determined at the time of issuance and specified therein. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes, Additional Notes or PIK Notes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or Appendix A, any issuance of Additional Notes after the Issue Date shall be in a principal amount of at least $2,000 and integral multiples of $1.
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(b) One duly authorized Officer shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual, facsimile or electronic (including .pdf) signature.
(c) If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.
(d) A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
(e) On any interest payment date on which the Issuer pays PIK Interest with respect to a Global Note, the principal amount of such Global Note shall be increased by an amount equal to the interest payable, rounded up to the nearest $1, for the relevant interest period on the principal amount of such Global Note as of the relevant record date for such interest payment date, to the credit of the holders on such record date, pro rata in accordance with their interests or, if applicable, otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Notes Custodian for such Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, to reflect such increase. On any interest payment date on which the Issuer pays PIK Interest with respect to Definitive Notes represented by individual certificates, if any, the Issuer shall issue additional PIK Notes in certificated form, rounded up to the nearest $1. In connection with any payment of PIK Interest, no later than two Business Days prior to the relevant interest payment date, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) written notification, executed by an Officer of the Issuer, setting forth the amount of PIK Interest to be paid on such interest payment date and either (i) directing the Trustee and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) to increase the principal amount of the Notes in accordance with this paragraph, which notification the Trustee and Paying Agent shall be entitled to rely upon or (ii) delivering PIK Notes and an Authentication Order to the Trustee for authentication no later than two Business Days prior to the relevant payment date.
(f) The Trustee may appoint one or more authenticating agents reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate the Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Trust Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Issuer. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent . (a) The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the Registrar ), and where Notes may be presented for payment (the Paying Agent ). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may have one or more co-registrars, except that the Issuer will designate one Registrar, solely for purposes of maintaining a definitive register to act as its agent, and such Registrars register (which shall include the names, addresses of and the amounts of stated interests payable to each holder of a Note (the Register)) shall be conclusive absent manifest error and binding on the Issuer, the Guarantors, any Payor and the Trustee for all purposes of this Indenture, and one or more additional paying agents. The term Registrar includes any co-registrars. The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as (i) Registrar, and Paying Agent in connection with the Notes and (ii) the Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
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(b) The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Issuer may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
(c) The Issuer may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided , however , that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Issuer and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee; provided , however , that the Trustee may resign as Paying Agent or Registrar only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.
(d) On or before the date a given Person becomes a Holder or beneficial owner of at least one Note (but in any case, at least 10 Business Days before a paymentwhether in cash or in kindis to be made) and from time to time thereafter at the reasonable request of the Issuer or Trustee, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, such Person will provide the Issuer, at the Issuers address set forth in Section 13.02 herein, with the following documentation, as applicable: (i) in the case of a Person that is a U.S. Person, two duly executed copies of IRS Form W-9, certifying that such Person is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax and (ii) in the case of a Person that is not a U.S. Person, two duly executed copies of the appropriate IRS Form W-8 and any other documentation, including the appropriate U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, demonstrating such Persons entitlement to a reduced rate of or exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax.
(e) The Issuer will ensure that it maintains a Paying Agent that will not be obliged to withhold or deduct tax pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC on the taxation of savings income which was adopted by the ECOFIN Council on June 3, 2003 or any law or agreement whether or not solely between Member States of the European Union implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to or supplement, such directive (the EU Savings Tax Directive ) or pursuant to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation dated October 26, 2004 providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in the EU Savings Tax Directive or any law or other governmental regulation implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such agreement.
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SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money and PIK Notes in Trust . Prior to each due date of the principal of and interest on any Note, the Issuer shall deposit with each Paying Agent (or if the Issuer is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay the cash portion of such principal and interest, and increase the principal amount of the Notes or issue PIK Notes to pay PIK Interest pursuant to an Authentication Order delivered to the Trustee specifying the increase in the Global Note or the PIK Note amount to be issued on the applicable interest payment date, when so becoming due. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that a Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by a Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. If the Issuer acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section 2.05, a Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
SECTION 2.06. Holder Lists . The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders.
SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange . (a) The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer and in compliance with Appendix A and Section 2.04(a). When a Note is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if its requirements therefor are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of the same series of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrars request. The Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or exchange pursuant to this Section 2.07. The Issuer shall not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the redemption date of the Notes.
(b) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, each Paying Agent and the Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee, a Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(c) Any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a) the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any Holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.
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(d) All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
SECTION 2.08. Replacement Notes . (a) If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note of the same series if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Holder (i) satisfies the Issuer or the Trustee within a reasonable time after such Holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (ii) makes such request to the Issuer or the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a protected purchaser ) and (iii) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. Such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of (x) the Trustee to protect the Trustee and (y) the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, a Paying Agent and the Registrar from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note (including attorneys fees and disbursements in replacing such Note). In the event any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer in its discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.
(b) Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuer and the Guarantors.
(c) The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.
SECTION 2.09. Outstanding Notes . (a) Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those redeemed pursuant to Article 3 and those described in this Section 2.09 as not outstanding. Subject to Section 13.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer, a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor holds the Note.
(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 (other than a mutilated Note surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuer receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser. A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.08.
(c) If a Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
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SECTION 2.10. Temporary Notes . In the event that Definitive Notes are to be issued under the terms of this Indenture, until such Definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuer consider appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, Definitive Notes and make them available for delivery in exchange for temporary Notes upon surrender of such temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Issuer, without charge to the Holder. Until such exchange, temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as Definitive Notes.
SECTION 2.11. Cancellation . The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and each Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place of canceled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.12. Defaulted Interest . If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Issuer shall pay the defaulted interest then borne by the Notes, as the case may be (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful), in any lawful manner. The Issuer may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date and shall promptly mail or electronically transmit or cause to be mailed or electronically transmitted to each affected Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, etc . The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and Common Code numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and Common Code numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided , however , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers, either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption, that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes and that any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer shall advise the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers, ISINs and Common Code numbers.
SECTION 2.14. Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes . The aggregate principal amount of the Notes, at any date of determination, shall be the principal amount of the Notes outstanding (including any outstanding PIK Notes and any increased principal amounts as a result of any payment of PIK Interest) at such date of determination. With respect to any matter requiring consent, waiver, approval or other action of the Holders of a specified
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percentage of the principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding, such percentage shall be calculated, on the relevant date of determination, by dividing (a) the principal amount, as of such date of determination, of Notes, the Holders of which have so consented by (b) the aggregate principal amount, as of such date of determination, of the Notes then outstanding, in each case, as determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, Section 2.09 and Section 13.06 of this Indenture. Any such calculation made pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall be made by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee pursuant to an Officers Certificate.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01. Redemption . The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including an amount of cash equal to all accrued and unpaid PIK Interest on the Notes redeemed) to, but not including, the date of redemption (the Redemption Date ), subject to the right of the Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date occurring on or prior to the Redemption Date.
SECTION 3.02. Applicability of Article . Redemption of Notes at the election of the Issuer or otherwise, as permitted or required by the Notes or any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in accordance with the Notes, such provision and this Article.
SECTION 3.03. Notices to Trustee . If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provision of Section 3.01, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of (i) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. The Issuer shall give notice to the Trustee provided for in this paragraph at least 40 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date if the redemption is pursuant to Section 3.01, unless a shorter period is acceptable to the Trustee. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel from the Issuer to the effect that such redemption shall comply with the conditions herein. If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Issuer and given to the Trustee, which record date shall be not fewer than five days after the date of notice to the Trustee. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed or electronically transmitted to any Holder and shall thereby be void and of no effect.
SECTION 3.04. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed . In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption shall be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed, or if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with the Depositorys applicable procedures); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuer has deposited with the paying agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes to be redeemed.
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SECTION 3.05. Notice of Optional Redemption . (a) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date ( provided that notice may be given more than 60 days before a redemption date in connection with the discharge or a defeasance under this Indenture), the Issuer shall mail or electronically transmit or cause to be mailed by first-class mail or electronically transmitted a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed.
Any such notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(i) the redemption date;
(ii) the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to the redemption date;
(iii) the name and address of a Paying Agent;
(iv) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to a Paying Agent to collect the redemption price, plus accrued interest;
(v) if fewer than all the outstanding Notes of a series are to be redeemed, the certificate numbers and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed, the aggregate principal amount of Notes of a series to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Notes of a series to be outstanding after such partial redemption;
(vi) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(vii) the CUSIP number, ISIN or Common Code number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed;
(viii) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number or ISIN or Common Code number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and
(ix) the applicable provision in this Indenture or the Notes pursuant to which the Issuer is redeeming such Notes.
(b) At the Issuers request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers name and at the Issuers expense. In such event, the Issuer shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section 3.05 no later than 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee).
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SECTION 3.06. Effect of Notice of Redemption . Once notice of redemption is mailed or electronically transmitted in accordance with Section 3.05, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice. Upon surrender to any Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to, but not including, the redemption date; provided , however , that if the redemption date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the interest payment date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant record date. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.
SECTION 3.07. Deposit of Redemption Price . With respect to any Notes, prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer is a Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest (including accrued and unpaid PIK Interest which for the avoidance of doubt shall be paid in cash) on all Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on that date (including any PIK Notes or any increased principal amount of Notes sufficient to pay PIK Interest) other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption that have been delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuer has deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes to be redeemed.
SECTION 3.08. Notes Redeemed in Part . Upon surrender of a Definitive Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Issuers expense) a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note upon cancellation of the original Definitive Note.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes . (a) The Issuer shall promptly pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and cash interest and increase the principal amount of the Notes or issue PIK Notes to pay the PIK Interest, on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. An installment of principal of or cash interest on or any PIK Notes or any increased principal amount of Notes sufficient to pay all PIK Interest on the Notes shall be considered paid on the date it is due if, by 10:00 a.m. New York City time on such date, (i) the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or any of its Affiliates), in the case of cash payments, holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due and (ii) the Trustee has received delivery of an Authentication Order on or prior to the date the payment is due of any PIK Notes to be authenticated and delivered or any increased principal amount of the applicable Global Notes sufficient to pay all PIK Interest then due.
(b) The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes and shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful.
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SECTION 4.02. Reports and Other Information . (a) (i) Notwithstanding that Affinion Group may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, Affinion Group shall file with the SEC (or attempt to file with the SEC if the SEC will not accept such a filing), and provide the Trustee and Holders with copies thereof, without cost to each Holder, within 15 days after it files (or attempts to file) them with the SEC,
(A) within the time periods specified by the Exchange Act, an annual report on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form);
(B) within the time periods specified by the Exchange Act, a quarterly report on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form); and
(C) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K.
In addition, Affinion Group shall make such information available to prospective investors upon request.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustees receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers Certificates).
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Affinion Group shall be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Holders if it has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system or posted such reports on the Issuers website, as applicable, and such reports are publicly available.
(iii) If at any time any Parent of Affinion Group becomes a Guarantor (there being no obligation of any Parent to do so), holds no material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of Affinion Group or of any direct or indirect parent corporation of Affinion Group (and performs the related incidental activities associated with such ownership) and complies with the requirements of Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision), the reports, information and other documents required to be filed and furnished to Holders pursuant to this Section 4.02(a) may, at the option of Affinion Group, be filed by and be those of such Parent rather than Affinion Group.
(b)
(i) For so long as the Notes remain outstanding during any period when the Issuer is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Issuer shall furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act;
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(ii) The Issuer shall not be required to deliver any separate reports to holders or financial statements or other information of the Issuer and its restricted subsidiaries so long as Affinion Group continues to file SEC reports and includes condensed consolidating footnote disclosures consistent with the footnote disclosures contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum. In addition, when Affinion Group files a Form 10-K or Form 10-Q, unless otherwise previously disclosed, the Issuer will also provide, for the relevant period, (x) narrative disclosure stating the percentage of net revenues, EBITDA allocated to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries and the Foreign Guarantors and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, (y) a qualitative description of changes in the revenue, EBITDA allocated to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries and the Foreign Guarantors and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, together with a reconciliation of EBITDA to the applicable GAAP measure and (z) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness at the end of the period of the Foreign Subsidiaries of Affinion Group (as defined in the AGI Senior Notes Indenture) on a consolidated basis owed to (1) Affinion Group and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Foreign Subsidiaries (as such terms are defined in the AGI Senior Notes Indenture)) and (2) unrelated third parties.
(c) Delivery of such reports, information and documents pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustees receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively (subject to Article 7 hereof) on Officers Certificates).
(d) The Issuer shall obtain and maintain CUSIP numbers for the Notes.
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock . (a) (1) the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock; and (2) the Issuer shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
(b) The limitations set forth in Section 4.03(a) shall not apply to:
(i) the Incurrence by the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (excluding any Additional Notes) and the Guarantees, as applicable, plus accretion of all PIK Interest;
(ii) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in Section 4.03(b)(i));
(iii) (1) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) Incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, Disqualified Stock issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiaries of
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the Issuer to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the purchase, lease, construction or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets (but no other material assets)) and (2) Acquired Indebtedness; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (iii), when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding that was Incurred pursuant to this clause (iii), does not exceed $25.0 million at the time of Incurrence;
(iv) Indebtedness Incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation letters of credit in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees or former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers compensation claims;
(v) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in connection with the Transactions or the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of the Issuer in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;
(vi) Indebtedness of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary, Affinion Group or any Subsidiary of Affinion Group (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or Unrestricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group under the AGI Senior Notes Indenture); provided that any such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes; provided , further , that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary or Subsidiary of Affinion Group ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or Subsidiary of Affinion Group, as applicable, or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or to Affinion Group or to a Subsidiary of Affinion Group (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness;
(vii) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that results in any Restricted Subsidiary that holds such shares of Preferred Stock of another Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock;
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(viii) (1) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Guarantor to the Issuer, a Restricted Subsidiary, Affinion Group or any Subsidiary of Affinion Group (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or Unrestricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group under the AGI Senior Notes Indenture); provided that such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary or Subsidiary of Affinion Group holding such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or Subsidiary of Affinion Group, as applicable, or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except (x) to the Issuer or another Subsidiary Guarantor or (y) a pledge of Indebtedness referred to in this clause (viii) shall be deemed to be held by the pledgor and shall not be deemed a transfer until the pledgee commences actions to foreclose on such Indebtedness) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness; (2) Indebtedness of a Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in the Subsidiary Guarantor holding such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Subsidiary Guarantor, or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except (x) to the Issuer or another Subsidiary Guarantor or (y) a pledge of Indebtedness referred to in this clause (viii) shall be deemed to be held by the pledgor and shall not be deemed a transfer until the pledgee commences actions to foreclose on such Indebtedness) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness; and (3) Indebtedness of a Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to another Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, Affinion Group or any Subsidiary of Affinion Group (other than the Issuer, a Subsidiary Guarantor or an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or Unrestricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group under the AGI Senior Notes Indenture); provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (viii)(3), when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness, then outstanding that was Incurred pursuant to this clause (viii)(3), does not exceed $15.0 million at the time of Incurrence; provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in the Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary, Affinion Group or any Subsidiary of Affinion Group (other than the Issuer, a Subsidiary Guarantor or an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or Unrestricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group under the AGI Senior Notes Indenture) holding such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary or Subsidiary of Affinion Group, as applicable, or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except (x) to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or to Affinion Group or to a Subsidiary of Affinion Group (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group under the AGI Senior Notes Indenture or (y) a pledge of Indebtedness referred to in this clause (viii) shall be deemed to be held by the pledgor and shall not be deemed a transfer until the pledgee commences actions to foreclose on such Indebtedness) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness;
(ix) Hedging Obligations that are Incurred not for speculative purposes and either (1) for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be outstanding or (2) for the purpose of fixing or hedging currency exchange rate risk with respect to any currency exchanges;
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(x) obligations (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees) in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, reasonably required in the conduct of the business (giving effect to any growth or expansion of such business), including those to secure health, safety, insurance and environmental obligations of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as conducted in accordance with good and prudent business industry practice;
(xi) any guarantee by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness or other Obligations by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture; provided that if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, any such guarantee of such guarantor with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantors Guarantee, as applicable, substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable;
(xii) the Incurrence by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer which serves to refund, refinance or defease any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred as permitted under the first paragraph of this covenant and clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (xii) and (xv) of this Section 4.03(b), including any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums and fees in connection therewith (subject to the following proviso, Refinancing Indebtedness ) prior to its respective maturity; provided , however , that such Refinancing Indebtedness:
(1) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced;
(2) has a Stated Maturity which is no earlier than the earlier of (x) the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refunded or refinanced or (y) at least 91 days later than the maturity date of the Notes;
(3) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (a) Indebtedness junior to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, such Refinancing Indebtedness is junior to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, or (b) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock;
(4) is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Indebtedness being refinanced plus premium and fees Incurred in connection with such refinancing; and
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(5) shall not include (x) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor, or (y) Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary,
provided , further , that subclauses (1) and (2) of this Section 4.03(b)(xii) shall not apply to any refunding, refinancing or defeasance of (A) the Notes or (B) any Secured Indebtedness;
(xiii) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its Incurrence;
(xiv) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to a Credit Agreement, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit or bank guarantee, provided that if (i) the Indebtedness represented by such letter of credit or bank guarantee is incurred under any of the clauses of this Section 4.03(b) and (ii) the Indebtedness incurred under this clause (xiv) is at any time no longer supported by such letter of credit or bank guarantee, then the Indebtedness previously incurred under this clause (xiv) shall be classified under another available clause in this paragraph and if such Indebtedness may not be so reclassified, then an Event of Default under this Indenture shall be deemed to have occurred;
(xv) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or merged or amalgamated into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided, however, that such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is not Incurred in contemplation of such acquisition, merger or amalgamation; provided further , however, that after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or amalgamation the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer would be greater than or equal to such ratio immediately prior to such acquisition; and
(xvi) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer and Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount which, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xvi), does not exceed $15.0 million at any one time outstanding.
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(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03, in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in Section 4.03(b)(i) through (xvi) above, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, divide, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in any manner that complies with this Section 4.03 and such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock shall be treated as having been Incurred pursuant to one or more of such clauses Section 4.03(b)(i) through (xvi). Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, amortization or original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies shall not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section 4.03. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this Section 4.03.
(d) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.
(e) (i) the Issuer shall not Incur any Indebtedness that is subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Issuer unless it is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes to the same extent and (ii) the Issuer shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to Incur any Indebtedness that is subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor unless it is subordinate in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantors Guarantee to the same extent. For purposes of this Section 4.03(e), no Indebtedness shall be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, solely by reason of any Liens or Guarantees arising or created in respect thereof or by virtue of the fact that the holders of any secured Indebtedness have entered into intercreditor agreements giving one or more of such holders priority over the other holders in the collateral held by them.
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments . (a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(i) [reserved];
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(ii) [reserved];
(iii) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment or scheduled maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of (A) Subordinated Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement and (B) Indebtedness permitted under clause 4.03(b)(vi) and (viii)); or
(iv) make any Restricted Investment
(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as Restricted Payments ), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:
(1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis as if the Restricted Payment had been made and any Indebtedness Incurred on such date had been Incurred, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuers most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which the Restricted Payment is made would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of any net proceeds therefrom), as if the Restricted Payment were made and any Indebtedness Incurred; and
(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clause (i) of Section 4.04(b), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period) from October 1, 2015 to the end of the Issuers most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus
(B) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the next succeeding sentence) of property other than cash, received by the Issuer after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Parent of the Issuer (excluding (without duplication) Refunding Capital Stock, Designated Preferred Stock and Disqualified Stock) including Equity Interests (other than Refunding Capital Stock, Disqualified Stock or
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Designated Preferred Stock) issued upon conversion of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or upon exercise of warrants or options (other than an issuance or sale to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries), plus
(C) 100% of the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of the Issuer received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the next succeeding sentence) of property other than cash after the Issue Date (other than Refunding Capital Stock, Designated Preferred Stock, Disqualified Stock and contributions by a Restricted Subsidiary), plus
(D) 100% of the aggregate amount received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the next succeeding sentence) of property other than cash received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date from:
(I) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and from repayments of loans or advances which constituted Restricted Investments (other than in each case to the extent that the Restricted Investment was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(v)),
(II) the sale (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the investments in such Unrestricted Subsidiary were made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(v) or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or
(III) a distribution, dividend or other payment from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus
(E) in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Issuer has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer after the Issue Date , the Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the next succeeding sentence) of the Investments of the Issuer in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation,
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combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable) (other than in each case to the extent that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary was made pursuant to (b)(v) of this Section 4.04 or constituted a Permitted Investment).
The Fair Market Value of property other than cash covered by clauses 3(B), (C), (D) and (E) above shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Issuer and
(x) in the event of property with a Fair Market Value in excess of $5.0 million, shall be set forth in an Officers Certificate or
(y) in the event of property with a Fair Market Value in excess of $10.0 million, shall be set forth in a resolution approved by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:
(i) [reserved];
(ii) the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than the sale of any Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or any Equity Interests sold to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to an employee stock ownership plan or any trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) of Equity Interests of the Issuer or contributions to the equity capital of the Issuer (collectively, including any such contributions, Refunding Capital Stock );
(iii) the redemption, repayment, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (or as promptly as practicable after giving any requisite notice to the holders of such Subordinated Indebtedness) of, new Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor which is Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03 so long as
(A) the principal amount of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired for value (plus the amount of any premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired plus any fees incurred in connection therewith),
(B) such Indebtedness is Incurred by the Issuer or by a Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of refinanced Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Guarantor and, in each case, is subordinated to the Notes, or the related Guarantee, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired for value,
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(C) such Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the earlier of (x) the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired and (y) at least 91 days later than the maturity date of the Notes, and
(D) such Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time Incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired;
(iv) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued or incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;
(v) other Restricted Payments since the Issue Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15.0 million;
(vi) [reserved];
(vii) [reserved];
(viii) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries since the Issue Date having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (viii) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed $5.0 million at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided that the dollar amount of Investments made pursuant to this clause (viii) shall not be reduced by the sale, disposition or other transfer of such Investments unless the proceeds of such sale, disposition or other transfer are received by the Issuer and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(ix) [reserved].
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Issuer or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant shall be determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer.
(c) As of the Issue Date, all of the Issuers Subsidiaries shall be Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary. For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of Investments. Such designation shall only be permitted if Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
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SECTION 4.05. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries . The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(a) (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (1) on its Capital Stock or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; or (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(b) make loans or advances to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(c) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date;
(2) this Indenture and the Notes;
(3) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;
(4) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary which was in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired;
(5) contracts or agreements for the sale of assets, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;
(6) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Sections 4.03 and 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;
(7) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers, suppliers or other vendors under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
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(8) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements (including customary provisions in agreements relating to any Joint Venture);
(9) purchase money obligations for property acquired and Capitalized Lease Obligations in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in Section 4.05(c) on the property so acquired;
(10) customary provisions contained in leases, licenses, contracts and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the type described in Section 4.05(c) on the property subject to such lease;
(11) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date and permitted pursuant to Section 4.03; provided that such encumbrances and restrictions contained in any agreement or instrument shall not materially affect the Issuers ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Notes (as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer); and
(12) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 4.05 imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (11) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer, no more restrictive as a whole with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.05, (i) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common Capital Stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (ii) the subordination of loans or advances made to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to other Indebtedness Incurred by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.
SECTION 4.06. Asset Sales . (a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless (x) the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Issuer) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of and (y) at least 75% of the consideration
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therefor received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of:
(i) any liabilities (as shown on the Issuers or such Restricted Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets,
(ii) any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer from such transferee that are converted by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer into cash within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received), and
(iii) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Issuer), taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (iii) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $10.0 million or 4.0% of Total Assets of the Issuer at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value)
shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this Section 4.06(a).
(b) Within 365 days after the receipt by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option:
(i) to repay (x) Secured Indebtedness, to the extent repayment is required thereunder, including Indebtedness under any Credit Agreement and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, (y) Pari Passu Indebtedness ( provided that if the Issuer or any Guarantor shall so reduce Obligations under Pari Passu Indebtedness (other than Pari Passu Indebtedness that is Secured Indebtedness), the Issuer shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes if the Notes are then prepayable or, if the Notes may not then be prepaid, by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all holders to purchase at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, the pro rata principal amount of Notes that would otherwise be prepaid) or (z) Indebtedness of a Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary, in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer; or
(ii) to make an investment in any one or more businesses ( provided that if such investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer), or capital expenditures or assets, in each case used or useful in a Similar Business; and/or
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(iii) to make an investment in any one or more businesses ( provided that if such investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer), properties or assets that replace the properties and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale or Event of Loss;
provided that in the case of this Section 4.06(b)(ii) and (iii), a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment so long as to purchase (x) such purchase is consummated within 545 days after the receipt by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale and (y) if such purchase is not consummated within the period set forth in subclause (x), the Net Proceeds not so applied shall be deemed to be Excess Proceeds (as defined below).
(c) Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in clause (b) of this Section 4.06 (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to purchase the Notes, as described in Section 4.06 (b) (i), shall be deemed to have been invested whether or not such offer is accepted) shall be deemed to constitute Excess Proceeds .
When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $15.0 million , the Issuer shall make an offer to all holders of Notes (and, at the option of the Issuer, to holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness) (an Asset Sale Offer to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) that is an integral multiple of $1,000 that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest (including an amount of cash equal to all accrued and unpaid PIK Interest) (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture.
The Issuer shall commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $15.0 million by mailing or electronically transmitting the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the tender agent (or if none, the Trustee) shall select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with Section 4.06(f) in the case of Notes (and any such Pari Passu Indebtedness shall be selected by the Issuer in accordance with the agreement governing such Pari Passu Indebtedness). Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
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(d) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.
(e) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Asset Sale Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided above, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate as to (i) the amount of the Excess Proceeds, (ii) the allocation of the Net Proceeds from the Asset Sales pursuant to which such Asset Sale Offer is being made and (iii) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Sections 4.06(b) and (c). On such date, the Issuer shall also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as a Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount equal to the Excess Proceeds to be invested in Cash Equivalents, as directed in writing by the Issuer, and to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.06. Upon the expiration of the period for which the Asset Sale Offer remains open (the Offer Period ), the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Issuer. The Trustee (or a Paying Agent, if not the Trustee) shall, on the date of purchase, mail or deliver payment to each tendering Holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the Excess Proceeds delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee is greater than the purchase price of the Notes tendered, the Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Issuer immediately after the expiration of the Offer Period for application in accordance with this Section 4.06.
(f) Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuer at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Issuer receive not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered by the Holder for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. If at the end of the Offer Period more Notes (and Pari Passu Indebtedness) are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the Issuer is required to purchase, the principal amount of the Notes (and Pari Passu Indebtedness) to be purchased shall be determined pro rata based on the principal amounts so tendered and the selection of the actual Notes of each series for purchase shall be made by the tender agent (or if none, the Trustee) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable; provided , however , that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part.
(g) Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid or electronically transmitted, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each Holder at such Holders registered address and to the Trustee. If any Note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.
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A new Note in principal amount equal to the unpurchased portion of any Definitive Note purchased in part shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Definitive Note. On and after the purchase date, unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the purchase price, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof purchased.
SECTION 4.07. Transactions with Affiliates . (a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Issuer (each of the foregoing, an Affiliate Transaction ) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $2.5 million, unless:
(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not less favorable to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
(ii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million, the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted in good faith by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officers Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with Section 4.07(a)(i).
(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not apply to the following:
(i) transactions between or among the Issuer and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(ii) Restricted Payments permitted by the provisions of Section 4.04 and Investments under the definition of Permitted Investments ;
(iii) Indebtedness Incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by the provisions of Section 4.03(b)(vi) and Section 4.03(b)(viii) that, in the reasonable determination of the members of the Board of Directors or senior management of the Issuer, are on terms as least as favorable to the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries as would reasonably have been entered into at such time with an unaffiliated party;
(iv) the payment of reasonable and customary fees to, and indemnity provided on behalf of officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Issuer, any Parent of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer;
(v) (i) the payment of any dividends and other distributions on account of the Issuers Equity Interests, including any payment with respect to such Equity Interests made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving the Issuer and (ii) payments made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Parent of the Issuer, including in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation;
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(vi) transactions in which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of Section 4.07(a)(i);
(vii) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to employees or consultants that are (x) approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer in good faith, (y) made in compliance with applicable law and (z) otherwise permitted under this Indenture;
(viii) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date and any amendment thereto (so long as any such agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date ) or any transaction contemplated thereby as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer;
(ix) [reserved];
(x) transactions to effect the Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions;
(xi) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture that are fair to the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the members of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Issuer, or are on terms at least as favorable as would reasonably have been entered into at such time with an unaffiliated party;
(xii) if otherwise permitted under this Indenture, the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer to any Permitted Holder or to any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Issuer or any Parent of the Issuer;
(xiii) the issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of the Issuer or of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, as appropriate, in good faith;
(xiv) the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement;
(xv) any contribution to the capital of the Issuer;
(xvi) transactions between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person, a director of which is also a director of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer; provided , however , that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Issuer or such direct or indirect parent company, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;
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(xvii) pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries; and
(xviii) any employment agreements entered into by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
SECTION 4.08. Change of Control . (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase all or any part of such holders Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof (including any PIK Notes or any increased principal amount of Notes as payment for PIK Interest), plus accrued and unpaid interest (including an amount of cash equal to all accrued and unpaid PIK Interest), if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date occurring on or prior to the purchase date), except to the extent the Issuer has previously elected to redeem all of the Notes pursuant to Paragraph 5 in the form of the Notes set forth in Appendix A.
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Issuer has exercised its right to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, the Issuer shall mail or electronically transmit (or cause to be mailed or electronically transmitted) a notice (a Change of Control Offer ) to each holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:
(i) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Issuer to purchase such holders Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);
(ii) the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;
(iii) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent); and
(iv) the instructions determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section 4.08, that a holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.
The Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.
(c) Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuer at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. The Holders shall be entitled to
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withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Issuer receive not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. Holders whose Definitive Notes are purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Definitive Notes surrendered.
(d) On the purchase date, all Notes purchased by the Issuer under this Section shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuer shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest (including cash in an amount equal to accrued and unpaid PIK Interest) to the Holders entitled thereto.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Issuer shall be deemed to have made a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in Section 4.08(b) applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
(f) At the time the Issuer delivers Notes to the Trustee which are to be accepted for purchase, the Issuer shall also deliver an Officers Certificate stating that such Notes are to be accepted by the Issuer pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.08. A Note shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering Holder.
(g) Prior to any Change of Control Offer, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that all conditions precedent contained herein to the right of the Issuer to make such offer have been complied with.
(h) The Issuer shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.08, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this paragraph by virtue thereof.
SECTION 4.09. Compliance Certificate . (a) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer an Officers Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Issuer they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Issuer also shall comply with Section 314(a)(4) of the TIA.
(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof by registered or certified mail or facsimile transmission, an Officers Certificate specifying such event, notice or other action or inaction, its status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take in respect thereto.
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SECTION 4.10. Further Instruments and Acts . Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
SECTION 4.11. Future Guarantors . (a) The Issuer shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of the Guarantors (excluding a Guarantee of Indebtedness of a Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary issued by a Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary) to execute and deliver to the Trustee a Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall unconditionally Guarantee the full and prompt payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on a senior or pari passu basis and all other obligations under this Indenture.
(b) Affinion Group shall cause each Subsidiary of Affinion Group that Guarantees the AGI Senior Notes (including any Indebtedness of Affinion Group Incurred in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem, refinance, replace, defease, discharge, refund or otherwise retire for value, in whole or in part, the AGI Senior Notes) or any AGI Unsecured Indebtedness to execute and deliver to the Trustee a Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary of Affinion Group shall unconditionally Guarantee the full and prompt payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on a senior or pari passu basis and all other obligations under this Indenture.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 4.11(b), in the event any Non-Subsidiary Guarantor other than Affinion Group is released and discharged in full from all of its obligations under Guarantees of (1) the AGI Senior Notes (including any Indebtedness of Affinion Group Incurred in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem, refinance, replace, defease, discharge, refund or otherwise retire for value, in whole or in part, the AGI Senior Notes) and (2) all other AGI Unsecured Indebtedness, then the Guarantee of such Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released or discharged.
(d) Each Guarantee shall be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by that Guarantor without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Each Guarantee shall be released in accordance with Section 4.11(c) and Article Ten of this Indenture.
SECTION 4.12. Liens . The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, and each of the Non-Subsidiary Guarantors will not, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other than, in the case of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, Permitted Liens as defined in this Indenture and, in the case of the Non-Subsidiary Guarantors, Permitted Liens as defined in the AGI Senior Notes Indenture) upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless all payments due under this Indenture and the Guarantees with respect to the
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Notes and the Notes, in each case, are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so secured (or, in the case of Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes or the related Guarantees, prior or senior thereto, with the same relative priority as the Notes shall have with respect to such subordinated Indebtedness) until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.
SECTION 4.13. Maintenance of Office or Agency .
(a) Each of the Issuer and Affinion Group shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer or Affinion Group in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. Each of the Issuer and Affinion Group shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time either the Issuer or Affinion Group shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the corporate trust office of the Trustee as set forth in Section 13.02; provided , however , that no service of legal process may be made on the Issuer or any Guarantor at an office of the Trustee.
(b) The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
(c) Each of the Issuer and Affinion Group hereby designates the corporate trust office of the Trustee or its Agent, as such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.04.
SECTION 4.14. Additional Amounts . All payments made by or on behalf of the Issuer under or with respect to the Notes, or by or on behalf of any Guarantor under or with respect to any Guarantee (each such person, a Payor), will be made free and clear of any withholding or deduction for or on account of any tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge of whatever nature (collectively, including interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto, Tax) imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction in which such Payor is organized, resident or doing business for tax purposes or from or through which such Payor makes any payment on the Notes or a Guarantee, the United States or any department or political subdivision of any of the foregoing (each, a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction ), unless an applicable withholding agent determines in its discretion to make a withholding or deduction for or on account of Tax. If withholding or deduction for or on account of Tax is conducted by an applicable withholding agent in respect of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction from any payment made under or with respect to any Note or Guarantee, the Payor, subject to the exceptions listed below, will pay additional amounts ( Additional Amounts ) as may be necessary to ensure that the net amount received by each holder or beneficial owner of the Notes after such withholding or deduction (including withholding or deduction attributable to Additional Amounts payable hereunder) will not be less than the amount the holder or beneficial owner would have received if such Taxes had not been withheld or deducted.
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A Payor will not, however, pay Additional Amounts, on account of:
(a) U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such holder or beneficial owner of the Notes with respect to a Note pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such holder or beneficial owner acquires such Note or (ii) such holder or beneficial owner changes its jurisdiction as a payee for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to this Section 4.14, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable with respect to a given Note, either to the immediate transferor, if any, of the Note or to such holder or beneficial owner immediately before it changed its jurisdiction as a payee for U.S. federal income Tax purposes;
(b) any Taxes imposed by reason of the holder or the beneficial owner, or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of the holder if the holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation, or a person holding a power over an estate or trust administered by a fiduciary holder, being considered as being or having been engaged in a trade or business in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or having or having had a permanent establishment in a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction;
(c) any payment to a Holder that is not the sole beneficial owner of the Notes, or a portion of the Notes, or that is a fiduciary, partnership or limited liability company, but only to the extent that a beneficial owner with respect to the Holder, a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, or a beneficial owner or member of the partnership or limited liability company would not have been entitled to the payment of Additional Amounts had the beneficiary, settlor, beneficial owner or member received directly its beneficial or distributive share of the payment;
(d) any Taxes that are imposed otherwise than by withholding from a payment on any Note or any Guarantee;
(e) any Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts that would not have been imposed but for the existence of any present or former connection between the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes and the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (other than any connection resulting solely from the acquisition, ownership, holding or disposition of Notes, the receipt of payments thereunder or under any Guarantee and/or the exercise or enforcement of rights under any Notes or any Guarantee);
(f) any Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts that would not have been imposed but for the failure of the holder or beneficial owner of Notes, following a given holders acquisition of at least one Note or the Issuers or the Payors written request addressed to the holder, to the extent such holder or beneficial owner is legally eligible to do so, to comply with any certification, identification, information or other reporting requirements, whether required by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, that would not materially prejudice a given
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holders commercial positionexcept that provision of the appropriate IRS Form W-8, IRS Form W-9, HMRC Form DT Company, and HMRC Form US-Company (or any substantially similar forms) shall not be considered to materially prejudice a holders or beneficial owners commercial positionas a precondition to exemption from, or reduction in the rate of deduction or withholding of, Taxes imposed by the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (including, without limitation, a certification that the holder or beneficial owner is not resident in the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction);
(g) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, wealth, capital gains, value added, personal property or any similar Taxes;
(h) any Tax that would have been avoided by presenting the relevant Note by or on behalf of a holder or beneficial owner to another paying agent in another Member State of the European Union;
(i) any Taxes giving rise to the Additional Amounts that would not have been imposed but for the presentation of a Note for payment (where presentation is required) by or on behalf of the relevant holder or beneficial owner more than 30 days after the relevant payment is first made available to the Holder of the relevant Note, except to the extent that such holder or beneficial owner would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had the relevant Note been presented for payment on the last day of such 30 day period;
(j) any backup withholding Tax imposed pursuant to section 3406 of the Code (or any amended or successor provisions);
(k) any withholding or deduction that is imposed on a payment to an individual and that is required to be made pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC on the taxation of savings income which was adopted by the ECOFIN Council on June 3, 2003 or any law or agreement whether or not solely between Member States of the European Union implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to or supplement, such directive (the EU Savings Tax Directive ) or is required to be made pursuant to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation dated October 26, 2004 providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in the EU Savings Tax Directive or any law or other governmental regulation implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such agreement;
(l) any Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts that are withholding tax imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as of the date hereof (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations, official interpretations or administrative authority promulgated thereunder and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code as in effect on the date hereof (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), and, for the avoidance of doubt, any intergovernmental agreement (and related legislation, rules or practices) implementing the foregoing; or
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(m) any Taxes resulting from any combination of items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (l).
The applicable withholding agent will (i) make any such withholding or deduction and (ii) remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law. The Payor will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of any Taxes so deducted or withheld from each Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction imposing such Taxes. The Payor or a Paying Agent will provide to the Trustee, within a reasonable time after the date the payment of any Taxes so deducted or withheld is due pursuant to applicable law, either a certified copy or tax receipts evidencing such payment, or, if such tax receipts are not reasonably available to the applicable withholding agent, such other documentation that provides reasonable evidence of such payment by the Payor or a Paying Agent.
The Payor will deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that such Additional Amounts will be payable prior to the date on which such payments will be made, and the amounts so payable, and will set forth such other information necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional Amounts to holders on the payment date. Any such certificate will be delivered a reasonable amount of time in advance of when the payments in question are required to be made. The Payor will promptly publish a notice in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture stating that such Additional Amounts will be payable and describing the obligation to pay such amounts.
The Payors, severally and not jointly, will reimburse the holders of Notes, upon written request of such holder of Notes and certified proof of payment for the amount of (i) any Taxes levied or imposed by a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction and payable by such holder (or, if such holder is not a given Notes beneficial owner, the Notes beneficial owner) in connection with payments made under or with respect to the Notes or under or with respect to any Guarantee; and (ii) any Taxes levied or imposed with respect to any reimbursement under the foregoing clause (i) or this clause (ii), so that the net amount received by such holder (or, if such holder is not a given Notes beneficial owner, the Notes beneficial owner) after such reimbursement will not be less than the net amount such holder (or, if such holder is not a given Notes beneficial owner, the Notes beneficial owner) would have received if the Taxes giving rise to the reimbursement described in clauses (i) and/or (ii) had not been imposed, provided , however , that the indemnification obligation provided for in this paragraph shall not extend to Taxes imposed for which the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes would not have been eligible to receive payment of Additional Amounts hereunder by virtue of clauses (a) through (m) above or to the extent such holder or beneficial owner received Additional Amounts with respect to such payments.
In addition, the Payor will pay any stamp, issue, registration, court, documentary, excise or other similar taxes, charges and duties, including interest, additions to tax and penalties with respect thereto, imposed by any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction at any time in respect of the execution, issuance, registration or initial delivery of the Notes or any Guarantee or any other document or instrument referred to thereunder and any such taxes, charges or duties imposed by any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction at any time as a result of, or in connection with (i) the payments made pursuant to the Notes or any Guarantee or any other document or instrument referred to thereunder and/or (ii) the enforcement of the Notes or any Guarantee or any other document or instrument referred to thereunder.
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The obligations described under this Section 4.14 will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of this Indenture and will apply mutatis mutandis to any successor Payor and to any jurisdiction in which such successor is organized, doing business or is otherwise resident for tax purposes or any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by such successor or its respective agents. Whenever this Indenture refers to, in any context, the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Note or under any Guarantee, such reference includes the payment of Additional Amounts or indemnification payments as described hereunder, if applicable.
SECTION 4.15. Asset Sales by Affinion Group . (a) Affinion Group shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale as defined in the AGI Senior Notes Indenture (an Affinion Group Asset Sale), unless (x) Affinion Group or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Affinion Group Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Affinion Group) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of and (y) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by Affinion Group or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of:
(i) any liabilities (as shown on Affinion Groups or such Restricted Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet) of Affinion Group or any Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets,
(ii) any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by Affinion Group or such Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group from such transferee that are converted by Affinion Group or such Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group into cash within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received), and
(iii) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by Affinion Group or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Affinion Group Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Affinion Group), taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (iii) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $50.0 million or 2.5% of Total Assets of Affinion Group at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value)
shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this Section 4.15(a).
(b) Within 365 days after the receipt by Affinion Group or any Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group of the net proceeds of any Affinion Group Asset Sale, Affinion Group or such Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group may apply the net proceeds from such Affinion Group Asset Sale, at its option:
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(i) to repay (x) Secured Indebtedness, including Indebtedness under the AGI Credit Agreement and any other Credit Agreement to which Affinion Group is a party, to the extent required, and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, (y) Pari Passu Indebtedness (provided that if Affinion Group or any Guarantor shall so reduce obligations under Pari Passu Indebtedness (other than Pari Passu Indebtedness that is Secured Indebtedness), Affinion Group shall equally and ratably reduce obligations under the Notes or (z) Indebtedness of a Non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group, in each case other than Indebtedness owed to Affinion Group or an Affiliate of Affinion Group; or
(ii) to make an investment in any one or more businesses (provided that if such investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group), or capital expenditures or assets, in each case used or useful in a Similar Business; and/or
(iii) to make an investment in any one or more businesses (provided that if such investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group), properties or assets that replace the properties and assets that are the subject of such Affinion Group Asset Sale or Event of Loss;
provided that in the case of this Section 4.15(b)(ii) and (iii), a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the net proceeds of any Affinion Group Asset Sale from the date of such commitment so long as to purchase (x) such purchase is consummated within 545 days after the receipt by Affinion Group or any Restricted Subsidiary of the net proceeds of any Affinion Group Asset Sale and (y) if such purchase is not consummated within the period set forth in subclause (x), the net proceeds of any Affinion Group Asset Sale not so applied shall be deemed to be Excess Proceeds (as defined below).
(c) Pending the final application of any net proceeds from an Affinion Group Asset Sale, Affinion Group or such Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such net proceeds in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities. Any net proceeds from any Affinion Group Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in clause (b) of this Section 4.15 shall be deemed to constitute Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds.
When the aggregate amount of Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, Affinion Group shall make an offer to all holders of the Notes (and, at the option of Affinion Group, to holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness, including the AGI Senior Notes) (an Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer) to purchase the maximum principal amount of the Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) that is an integral multiple of $1,000 that may be purchased out of the Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest and all additional interest owing on the Notes pursuant to any related registration rights agreement, if any (or, in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Pari Passu Indebtedness), to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture.
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Affinion Group shall commence an Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer with respect to Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds exceed $25.0 million by mailing or electronically transmitting the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of the Notes (and such Pari Passu Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to an Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer is less than the Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds, Affinion Group may use any remaining Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of the Notes surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds, the tender agent (or if none, the Trustee) shall select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with Section 4.15(f) in the case of the Notes (and any such Pari Passu Indebtedness shall be selected by Affinion Group in accordance with the agreement governing such Pari Passu Indebtedness). Upon completion of any such Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
(d) Affinion Group shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, Affinion Group shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.
(e) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer is delivered to the trustee under this Indenture as provided above, Affinion Group shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate as to (i) the amount of the Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds, (ii) the allocation of the net proceeds from the Affinion Group Asset Sales pursuant to which such Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer is being made and (iii) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Sections 4.15(b) and (c). On such date, Affinion Group shall also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group is acting as a Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount equal to the Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds to be invested in Cash Equivalents, as directed in writing by Affinion Group, and to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.15. Upon the expiration of the period for which the Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer remains open (the Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer Period), Affinion Group shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by Affinion Group. The Trustee (or a Paying Agent, if not the trustee under this Indenture) shall, on the date of purchase, mail or deliver payment to each tendering Holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the Affinion Group Asset Sale Excess Proceeds delivered by Affinion Group to the Trustee is greater than the purchase price of the Notes tendered, the trustee under this Indenture shall deliver the excess to Affinion Group immediately after the expiration of the Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer Period for application in accordance with this Section 4.15.
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(f) Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to Affinion Group at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the trustee under this Indenture or Affinion Group receive not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered by the Holder for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. If at the end of the Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer Period more Notes (and Pari Passu Indebtedness) are tendered pursuant to an Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer than Affinion Group is required to purchase, the principal amount of the Notes (and Pari Passu Indebtedness) to be purchased shall be determined pro rata based on the principal amounts so tendered and the selection of the actual Notes of each series for purchase shall be made by the tender agent (or if none, the Trustee) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable; provided, however, that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part.
(g) Notices of an Affinion Group Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid or electronically transmitted, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each Holder at such Holders registered address and to the trustee under this Indenture. If any Note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.
(h) A Note in principal amount equal to the unpurchased portion of any Definitive Note purchased in part shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. On and after the purchase date, unless Affinion Group defaults in payment of the purchase price, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof purchased.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary described in this Section 4.15, Asset Sales made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be made only in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.06 herein.
SECTION 4.16. Admission to Trading . The Issuer shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain the admission to trading of the Notes on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange; provided , however , that if the Issuer is unable to obtain admission to trading of the Notes on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange or if maintenance of such admission to trading becomes unduly onerous, the Issuer will use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain an admission to trading of such Notes on another recognized stock exchange (as defined in Section 1005 of the United Kingdom Income Tax Act of 2007).
SECTION 4.17. Excess Cash Flow Offer . (a) If at any time the Excess Cash Flow Amount is positive, the Issuer shall make an offer to all holders of Notes (an Excess Cash Flow Offer ) to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes that is an integral multiple of $1,000 that may be purchased out of an amount equal to twice the Excess Cash Flow Amount at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
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and unpaid interest (including an amount of cash equal to all accrued and unpaid PIK Interest); provided , however , that the Issuer shall not be obligated to make an Excess Cash Flow Offer until the Excess Cash Flow Amount exceeds $5 million. The Issuer shall commence an Excess Cash Flow Offer within ten Business Days after the date that the Excess Cash Flow Amount is positive by mailing or electronically transmitting the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee; provided , however , that the Issuer shall not be obligated to commence an Excess Cash Flow Offer until the Excess Cash Flow Amount exceeds $5 million. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes tendered pursuant to an Excess Cash Flow Offer is less than the Excess Cash Flow Amount, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Cash Flow Amount for any purpose that is not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by holders thereof exceeds twice the amount of Excess Cash Flow Amount, the tender agent (or if none, the Trustee) shall select the Notes to be purchased in accordance with Section 4.17(d) in the case of Notes. Upon completion of any such Excess Cash Flow Offer, the Issuer shall not be required to commence another Excess Cash Flow Offer until the Excess Cash Flow Amount on the new determination date exceeds the Excess Cash Flow Amount that was the subject of the previously completed Excess Cash Flow Offer by at least $5 million.
(b) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Excess Cash Flow Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.
(c) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Excess Cash Flow Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided above, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate as to the Excess Cash Flow Amount that is the subject of such Excess Cash Flow Offer. On such date, the Issuer shall also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as a Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount equal to twice the Excess Cash Flow Amount to be invested in Cash Equivalents, as directed in writing by the Issuer, and to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.17. Upon the expiration of the period for which the Excess Cash Flow Offer remains open (the Excess Cash Flow Offer Period ), the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Issuer. The Trustee (or a Paying Agent, if not the Trustee) shall, on the date of purchase, mail or deliver payment to each tendering Holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the amount irrevocably deposited by the Issuer with the Trustee is greater than the purchase price of the Notes tendered, the Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Issuer immediately after the expiration of the Offer Period for application in accordance with this Section 4.17.
(d) Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Issuer at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Issuer receive not later than one Business Day prior
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to the purchase date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered by the Holder for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. If at the end of the Excess Cash Flow Offer Period more Notes are tendered pursuant to an Excess Cash Flow Offer than the Issuer is required to purchase, the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased shall be determined pro rata based on the principal amounts so tendered and the selection of the actual Notes of each series for purchase shall be made by the tender agent (or if none, the Trustee) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable; provided , however , that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part.
(e) Notice of an Excess Cash Flow Offer shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid or electronically transmitted, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each Holder at such Holders registered address and to the Trustee. If any Note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.
A new Note in principal amount equal to the unpurchased portion of any Definitive Note purchased in part shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Definitive Note. On and after the purchase date, unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the purchase price, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof purchased.
ARTICLE 5
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ALL
OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ASSETS
SECTION 5.01. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets . (a) The Issuer may not consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:
(i) the Issuer is a surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (the Issuer or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the Successor Issuer );
(ii) the Successor Issuer (if other than the Issuer) expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
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(iv) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), either
(A) the Successor Issuer would be permitted to make a Restricted Payment of at least $1.00 pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth Section 4.04(a)(iv); or
(B) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than or equal to such ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;
(v) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Persons obligations under this Indenture and the Notes;
(vi) if the Successor Issuer is not organized as a corporation after such transaction, a successor corporation which is a Subsidiary of the Successor Issuer shall continue to be co-obligor of the Notes and shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and
(vii) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.
The Successor Issuer (if other than the Issuer) shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes, and the Issuer shall automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, but in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its assets, the Issuer shall not be released from the obligations to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 5.01(a)(iii) and (iv), (a) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or amalgamate with, merge into, sell, assign or transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or to another Restricted Subsidiary and (b) the Issuer may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated or organized solely for the purpose of incorporating or organizing the Issuer in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby (any transaction described in this sentence a Specified Merger/Transfer Transaction ). This Section 5.01 shall not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
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For purposes of this Section 5.01, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Issuer, which properties and assets, if held by the Issuer instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer.
(b) Subject to Section 10.02(b), each Guarantor shall not, and the Issuer shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:
(i) either
(A) such Guarantor is a surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the Successor Guarantor ) and the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantors Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture or other documents or instruments; or
(B) such sale or other disposition or consolidation or merger complies with Section 4.06 or Section 4.15;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Guarantor or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(iii) any Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.
The Successor Guarantor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantors Guarantee, and such Guarantor shall automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and such Guarantors guarantee. Notwithstanding Section 5.01(b)(ii), (i) a Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated or organized solely for the purpose of incorporating or organizing such Guarantor in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Guarantor is not increased thereby and (ii) a Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with another Guarantor or the Issuer.
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ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default . An Event of Default with respect to all of the Notes occurs if:
(a) a default in any payment of interest on the Notes when due that continues for 30 days;
(b) a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of the Notes when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise;
(c) the failure by the Issuer, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the Non-Subsidiary Guarantors to comply with the provisions set forth in Article Five of this Indenture;
(d) the failure by the Issuer, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the Non-Subsidiary Guarantors to comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations under Article Four of this Indenture (other than a failure to purchase Notes);
(e) the failure by the Issuer, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the Non-Subsidiary Guarantors to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements contained in the Notes or this Indenture,
(f) the failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $10.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent,
(g) the failure by Affinion Group or any AGI Significant Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group (as such term is defined in the AGI Senior Notes Indenture)) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $30.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent,
(h) the Issuer, Affinion Group, any Significant Subsidiary or any AGI Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences a voluntary case;
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;
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(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors
(v) or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency,
(i) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or
(iii) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary;
or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days, (the provisions under 6.01(h) and (i) are collectively referred to herein as the bankruptcy provisions );
(j) failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $10.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days,
(k) failure by the Affinion Group or any AGI Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $30.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days, or
(l) any Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary or an AGI Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any Guarantor that qualifies as a Significant Subsidiary or an AGI Significant Subsidiary denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or any Guarantee and such Default continues for 10 days.
The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
The term Bankruptcy Law means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term Custodian means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
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A default under Section 6.01(d) and (e) shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Notes outstanding notify the Issuer (and, when the Holders provide such notice, the Trustee) of the default and the Issuer does not cure such default within the time specified in Section 6.01(d) and (e) hereof after receipt of such notice.
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration . If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or (i)) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes outstanding by notice to the Issuer (and, when the Holders provide such notice, the Trustee) may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or (i) occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.
In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) occurs, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose the Issuer delivers an Officers Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the requisite number of holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the Notes be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration; provided , however , that if the Notes were accelerated as a result of an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes must also agree to rescind such acceleration and its consequences. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies . If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
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SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults . When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured and the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions and rights under this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority . The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to security or indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses, liabilities and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits . (a) Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
(i) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing,
(ii) Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes outstanding in writing have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy,
(iii) such Holders have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity (reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) against any loss, liability or expense,
(iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and
(v) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a written direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.
(b) A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).
SECTION 6.07. Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
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SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee . If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01 (a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer or any other obligor on the Notes for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on overdue principal and (to the extent lawful) on any unpaid interest at the rate provided for in the Notes) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation, expenses disbursements and advances of the Trustee (including counsel, accountants, experts or such other professionals as the Trustee deems necessary, advisable or appropriate)) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any Guarantor, their creditors or their property, shall be entitled to participate as a member, voting or otherwise, of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matters and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.
SECTION 6.10. Priorities . If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee and its agents for amounts due under Section 7.07;
SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: to the Issuer or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount on behalf of or which is owed to any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to the Holders pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail or electronically transmit to each Holder and the Issuer a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs . In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes.
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SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws . Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer and each Guarantor (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee . (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such persons own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions required by any provision hereof to be provided to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith unless it is proved by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05; and
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(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer.
(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of the TIA.
SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee . (a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided , however , that the Trustees conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney, at the expense of the Issuer and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of making or not making such inquiry or investigation.
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(g) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(i) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(j) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.
(k) The right of the Trustee or an Agent to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.
(l) Unless instructed by the requisite Holders pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Issuer with respect to the covenants contained in Article 4 herein or to make any calculation in connection therewith or in connection with any redemption of the Notes. In addition, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Trustee shall have no obligation to monitor or verify compliance by the Issuer or any Guarantor with any other obligation or covenant under this Indenture.
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee . The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent or Registrar may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
SECTION 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer . The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, any Guarantee or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Issuer or any Guarantor in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustees certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default or of the identity of any Significant Subsidiary unless either (a) a Trust Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof or (b) the Trustee shall have received notice thereof in accordance with Section 13.02 hereof from the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Holder.
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SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults . If a Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Notes and if it is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail or electronically transmit to each Holder of the Notes notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Notes, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.
SECTION 7.06. Compensation and Indemnity . The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services, as agreed in writing among the parties. The Trustees compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it (including attorneys fees and expenses), including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustees agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuer and each Guarantor, jointly and severally shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture or Guarantee against the Issuer or a Guarantor (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, any Guarantor, any Holder or any other Person). The Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for any action or inaction on the part of any Paying Agent, Registrar, authentication agent (aside from the Trustee acting in such capacities and subject to the terms hereof) or any successor trustee or the Custodian. The Trustee shall notify the Issuer of any claim for which it may seek indemnity promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided, however, that any failure so to notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer or any Guarantor of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and the indemnified party shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Issuers expense in the defense. Such indemnified parties may have separate counsel and the Issuer and the Guarantors, as applicable shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel; provided , however , that the Issuer shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified parties defense and, in such indemnified parties reasonable judgment, there is no conflict of interest between the Issuer and the Guarantors, as applicable, and such parties in connection with such defense. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by an indemnified party through such partys own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith as proven by a court of competent jurisdiction.
To secure the Issuers and the Guarantors payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.
The Issuers and the Guarantors payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or (i) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.
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SECTION 7.07. Replacement of Trustee . (a) The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuer shall remove the Trustee if:
(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(ii) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(iv) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
(b) If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuer or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.
(c) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail or electronically transmit a notice of its succession to the Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07.
(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in principal amount of the Notes may petition at the expense of the Issuer any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustees duty to resign is stayed as provided in Section 310(b) of the TIA, any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Issuers obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.08. Successor Trustee by Merger . If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
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In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
SECTION 7.09. Eligibility; Disqualification . The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA, subject to its right to apply for a stay of its duty to resign under the penultimate paragraph of Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA any series of Notes issued under this Indenture and any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuer is outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.
SECTION 7.10. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer . The Trustee shall comply with Section 311 (a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311 (a) of the TIA to the extent indicated.
ARTICLE 8
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance . (a) This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration or transfer or exchange of Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes and the obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Holders of the Notes when:
(i) either (a) all the Notes theretofore authenticated under this Indenture and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (b) all of the Notes under this Indenture (i) have become due and payable, (ii) shall become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or (iii) if redeemable at the option of the Issuer, have been called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the
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Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of deposit together with irrevocable instructions from the Issuer directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(ii) the Issuer has and/or the Guarantors have paid all other sums payable under this Indenture; and
(iii) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Issuer at any time may terminate (i) all of its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture with respect to the Notes ( legal defeasance option ) or (ii) its obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.11, 4.12, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16 and 4.17 for the benefit of the Notes and the operation of Section 5.01 and Sections 6.01(d), 6.01(f), 6.01(g), 6.01(h) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only) and 6.01(i) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only) for the benefit of the Notes ( covenant defeasance option ).
In the event that the Issuer terminates its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture by exercising its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, the obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee shall be terminated simultaneously with the termination of such obligations.
The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f), 6.01(g), 6.01(h) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only), 6.01(i) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only), 6.01(j) or 6.01(k) or because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with Section 4.08. Any exercise of the Issuers covenant defeasance option or legal defeasance option shall not have any effect on the Notes and their rights under this Indenture or on the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors with respect to the Notes.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuer terminate.
(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuers obligations in Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 4.01, 7.07, 7.08 and in this Article 8 shall survive until all the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuers obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
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SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance . (a) The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:
(i) the Issuer irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee in respect of cash in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof in an amount sufficient or U.S. Government Obligations, the principal of and the interest on which shall be sufficient, or a combination thereof sufficient, to pay the principal of, and premium (if any) and interest (including an amount of cash sufficient to pay all PIK Interest) on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be, including interest thereon to maturity or such redemption date;
(ii) the Issuer deliver to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment shall provide cash at such times and in such amounts as shall be sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest (including an amount of cash sufficient to pay all PIK Interest) when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(iii) 123 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 123-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or (i) with respect to the Issuer occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;
(iv) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(v) the Issuer deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(vi) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the IRS a ruling, or (2) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required with respect to a legal defeasance need not be delivered if all of the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer;
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(vii) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and
(viii) the Issuer deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Notes to be so defeased and discharged as contemplated by this Article 8 have been complied with.
(b) Before or after a deposit, the Issuer may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of such Notes at a future date in accordance with Article 3.
SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money . The Trustee shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations (including proceeds thereof) deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from Government Obligations through each Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes so discharged or defeased.
SECTION 8.04. Repayment to the Issuer . Each of the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuer upon request any money or Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Article which, in the written opinion of nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee (which delivery shall only be required if Government Obligations have been so deposited), are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent discharge or defeasance in accordance with this Article.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuer upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.
SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations . The Issuer shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such Government Obligations.
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement . If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers and the Guarantors obligations under this Indenture and the Notes so discharged or defeased shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee or any Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided , however , that, if the Issuer has made any payment of principal of or interest on, any such Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent.
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ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of the Holders . The Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Notes without notice to or consent of any Holder:
(i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
(ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Issuer of the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes in compliance with Article 5;
(iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Guarantor of the obligations of a Guarantor under this Indenture and its Guarantee in compliance with Article 5 of this Indenture;
(iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes ( provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Sections 163(f)(2)(B) and 871(h)(2)(B)(i) of the Code);
(v) to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to secure the Notes;
(vi) to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer;
(vii) [reserved];
(viii) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder;
(ix) to effectuate any provision of this Indenture;
(x) to make certain changes to this Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes;
(xi) to provide for the issuance of PIK Notes or the increase of the principal amount of the Notes to pay PIK Interest in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or
(xii) in the event that any PIK Notes are issued as Definitive Notes, to make appropriate amendments to this Indenture to reflect an appropriate minimum denomination of certificated PIK Notes.
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After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Issuer shall send or cause to be sent to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.01.
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of the Holders . (a) The Issuer and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Notes with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes) and any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes). However, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected, an amendment may not:
(i) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment,
(ii) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note,
(iii) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note,
(iv) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time when any Note may be redeemed in accordance with Article 3 of this Indenture or Paragraph 5 of the form of Note attached to Appendix A of this Indenture,
(v) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note,
(vi) impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Holders Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holders Notes,
(vii) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each Holders consent or in the waiver provisions,
(viii) expressly subordinate the Notes or any Guarantee thereof to any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor, or
(ix) modify the Guarantees in any manner adverse to the Holders.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
(b) After an amendment under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail or electronically transmit (or cause to be mailed or electronically transmitted) to the Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02.
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SECTION 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers . (a) A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Note shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holders Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such Holder (or subsequent Holder, so long as no record date was set) may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holders Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officers Certificate from the Issuer certifying that the requisite principal amount of Notes have consented. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the (i) receipt by the Issuer or the Trustee of consents by the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes, (ii) satisfaction of conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment or waiver and (iii) execution of such amendment or waiver (or supplemental indenture) by the Issuer and the Trustee.
(b) The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.
SECTION 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Notes . If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Issuer may require the Holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may at the direction of the Issuer place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuer so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
SECTION 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments . The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity satisfactory to it and shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and the Guarantors, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03).
SECTION 9.06. Payment for Consent . The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of the Subsidiaries of the Issuer to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indentures or the Notes unless such
consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
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SECTION 9.07. Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount . Except as expressly provided in this Indenture, including under Section 9.02, all Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters (as to which any of such Notes may vote) as one class. Determinations as to whether Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent shall be made in accordance with this Article Nine and Section 2.14.
ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES
SECTION 10.01. Guarantees . (a) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees (in the case of each Foreign Guarantor, jointly and severally, and in the case of each Non-Subsidiary Guarantor, severally but not jointly) as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety on a senior basis, to each Holder and to the Trustee (or any Paying Agent, Registrar, authenticating agent and transfer agent acting on the Trustees behalf), and the Trustees successor and assigns (or the successor and assign of any Paying Agent, Registrar, authenticating agent and transfer agent acting on the Trustees behalf) (i) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee (or any Paying Agent, Registrar, authenticating agent and transfer agent acting on the Trustees behalf) and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on in respect of the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Issuer whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Notes (all of the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the Guaranteed Obligations ). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from each such Guarantor, and that each such Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article 10 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.
(b) Each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Issuer of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuer or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes, or any other agreement or otherwise; (ii) any extension or renewal of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iv) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any Guarantor; (v) the failure of any Holder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (vi) any change in the ownership of such Guarantor, except as provided in Section 10.02(b).
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(c) Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Guarantors, such that such Guarantors obligations would be less than the full amount claimed. Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Issuer or any other Guarantor first be used and depleted as payment of the Issuers or such Guarantors obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Guarantor hereunder. Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Issuer be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Guarantor.
(d) Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
(e) Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.01(b), 10.02, 10.06 and 10.08 (with respect to the Swiss Guarantors only), the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.
(f) Each Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise.
(g) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Issuer to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by applicable law) and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Issuer to the Holders and the Trustee.
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(h) Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of any Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for the purposes of this Section 10.01.
(i) Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.
(j) Upon request of the Trustee, each Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
SECTION 10.02. Limitation on Liability; Release . (a) Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable laws relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
(b) A Guarantee as to any Restricted Subsidiary shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed to be released from all obligations under this Article 10 upon delivery of an Officers Certificate confirming one of the following:
(i)
(A) the sale, disposition or other transfer (including through merger, amalgamation or consolidation) of the Capital Stock of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, following which such Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, if such sale, disposition or other transfer is made in compliance with this Indenture;
(B) the Issuer designating a Subsidiary Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions set forth under Section 4.04 and the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary ; or
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(C) the Issuers exercise of the legal defeasance option under Section 8.01(b) or if the Issuers obligations under this Indenture are otherwise discharged in accordance with Section 8.01(a); and
(ii) in the case of Section 10.02(b)(i)(A), such Subsidiary Guarantor is released from its guarantees, if any, of, and all pledges and security, if any, granted in connection with, the AGI Credit Agreement and any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer.
A Guarantee shall also be automatically released upon the applicable Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Bank Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof.
(c) A Guarantee as to any Non-Subsidiary Guarantor other than Affinion Group shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and such Non-Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed to be released from all obligations under this Article 10 upon:
(i)
(A) the sale, disposition or other transfer (including through merger, amalgamation or consolidation) of the Capital Stock of the applicable Non-Subsidiary Guarantor, following which such Non-Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group as defined in AGI Senior Notes Indenture, if such sale, disposition or other transfer is made in compliance with the AGI Senior Notes Indenture;
(B) Affinion Group designating such Non-Subsidiary Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions set forth in the AGI Senior Notes Indenture and the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary therein;
(C) in the case of any Non-Subsidiary Guarantor which after the Issue Date, is required to guarantee the Notes pursuant to Section 4.11(b), the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Non-Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness of Affinion Group or the repayment of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, in each case, which resulted in the obligation to guarantee the Notes; or
(D) the Issuers exercise of the legal defeasance option under Section 8.01(b) or if the Issuers obligations under this Indenture are otherwise discharged in accordance with Section 8.01(a); and
(ii) in the case of Section 10.02(c)(i)(A), such Non-Subsidiary Guarantor (other than Affinion Group) is released from its guarantees, if any, of, and all pledges and security, if any, granted in connection with, the AGI Credit Agreement and any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer.
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SECTION 10.03. Successors and Assigns . This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.
SECTION 10.04. No Waiver . Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 10 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
SECTION 10.05. Modification . No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 10, nor the consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.
SECTION 10.06. Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors . Each Person which is required to become a Guarantor after the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.11 shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form of Appendix B hereto pursuant to which such Person shall become a Guarantor under this Article 10 and shall guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers Certificate to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Person and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Guarantee of such Guarantor is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor, enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms.
SECTION 10.07. Execution and Delivery of Guarantee . To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each Guarantor agrees that this Indenture or a supplemental indenture in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by an Officer of such Guarantor (or, if an Officer is not available, by a board member or director) on behalf of such Guarantor by manual or facsimile signature. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes until such Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. In case the Officer, board member or director of such Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or such supplemental indenture, as applicable, no longer holds office at the time the Trustee authenticates any Note, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.
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The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
SECTION 10.08. Limitation on Guarantees of Swiss Guarantors .
(a) The fulfilment of any guarantee, obligation, liability, indemnity or undertaking ( Swiss Obligation ) of or the realization of any security over any asset ( Charge ) granted by any Foreign Guarantor incorporated in Switzerland (a Swiss Obligor ) under this Indenture in relation to any obligation, undertaking, indemnity or liability of a Swiss Obligor (other than the relevant Swiss Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries) ( Up- and Cross-stream Obligation ) shall be limited to the amount of that Swiss Obligors Free Reserves Available for Distribution at the time the payment is requested ( Limitation ). For the purpose of this paragraph (a), Free Reserves Available for Distribution means the amount equal to the maximal amount in which the relevant Swiss Obligor can make a dividend payment to its shareholders under applicable law at that point in time.
(b) If an Up- and Cross-stream Obligation is subject to the Limitation, the Limitation shall not release the relevant Swiss Obligor from the fulfilment of its Obligation or the application of proceeds from the realization of a Charge beyond the Limitation, but merely postpone the fulfilment of its Obligation or the application of proceeds from the realization of a Charge until such time as it is again permitted notwithstanding the Limitation. The relevant Swiss Obligor shall take any action and pass any resolution (including, but not limited to, arranging for an interim audited balance sheet and holding a shareholders meeting) to enable the fulfilment of the Obligation or the application of proceeds from the realization of a Charge as soon as possible and in an amount as large as possible.
(c) To the extent that the fulfilment of an Obligation or the application of proceeds from the realization of a Charge in relation to an Up- or Cross-stream Obligation are subject to Swiss Federal Withholding Tax, the Swiss Obligor:
(1) shall:
(A) use its best endeavors to procure that the fulfilment of an Obligation or the application of proceeds from the realization of a Charge can be made without deduction of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax by discharging the liability of such tax by notification pursuant to applicable law rather than payment of the tax;
(B) if the notification procedure pursuant to sub-paragraph (A) above does not apply, deduct the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax at such rate (i) as in force from time to time or (ii) as provided by any applicable double tax treaties from the respective amount of any fulfilment of an Obligation or any application of proceeds from the realization of a Charge and promptly pay any such Swiss Federal Withholding Tax deducted to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration; and
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(C) notify the Agent that such notification or, as the case may be, deduction has been made, and provide the Agent with evidence that such a notification of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration has been made or, as the case may be, such Swiss Federal Withholding Tax deducted has been paid to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration; and
(2) shall use its best endeavors to procure that any person who is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax deducted from the respective amount of a fulfilment of an Obligation or from the application of proceeds from the realization of a Charge will promptly after such deduction:
(A) request a refund of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax under applicable law; and
(B) pay to the Agent upon receipt any amount so refunded;
(3) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Finance Documents, shall not be required to gross up, indemnify or hold harmless any Finance Party for the deduction of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax in an amount exceeding the Limitation; provided , that this should not in any way limit any obligations of any other Obligor under the Finance Documents to indemnify the Finance Parties in respect of the deduction of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax.
ARTICLE 11
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
ARTICLE 12
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 13.01. [Reserved] .
SECTION 13.02. Notices . (a) Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and delivered in person, via facsimile, electronically transmitted or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:
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if to the Issuer or a Guarantor:
Affinion International Holdings Limited
c/o Affinion Group, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
Attention of: General Counsel
Facsimile: (203)956-1206
and
Affinion Group, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
Attention of: General Counsel
Facsimile: (203)956-1206
if to the Trustee:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Attention of: Affinion Account Manager
Facsimile: 612-217-5651
The Issuer or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
(b) Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed, first class mail or electronically transmitted, to the Holder at the Holders address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed or electronically transmitted within the time prescribed.
(c) Failure to mail or electronically transmit a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or electronically transmitted in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except that notices to the Trustee are effective only if received.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository for such Note (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from such Depository.
SECTION 13.03. [Reserved.] .
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SECTION 13.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent . Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at the request of the Trustee:
(a) an Officers Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
SECTION 13.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion . Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 4.09) shall include:
(a) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided , however , that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers Certificate or certificates of public officials.
SECTION 13.06. When Notes Disregarded . In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer, any Guarantor or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any Guarantor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which a Trust Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.
SECTION 13.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar . The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of the Holders. The Registrar and a Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
SECTION 13.08. Legal Holidays . If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on any amount that would have been otherwise payable on such payment date if it were a Business Day for the intervening period. If a regular record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.
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SECTION 13.09. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial . THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES , TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW , ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE , THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION 13.10. No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in the Issuer, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
SECTION 13.11. Successors . All agreements of the Issuer and each Guarantor in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 13.12. Multiple Originals . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.
SECTION 13.13. Table of Contents; Headings . The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 13.14. Indenture Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of this Indenture, such provision of this Indenture shall control.
SECTION 13.15. Severability . In case any provision in this Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.
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SECTION 13.16. Currency of Account; Conversion of Currency; Foreign Exchange Restrictions . (a) U.S. Dollars are the sole currency of account and payment for all sums payable by the Issuer and the Guarantors under or in connection with the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture, including damages related thereto. Any amount received or recovered in a currency other than U.S. Dollars by a Holder (whether as a result of, or of the enforcement of, a judgment or order of a court of any jurisdiction, in the winding-up or dissolution of the Issuer or otherwise) in respect of any sum expressed to be due to it from the Issuer or a Guarantor shall only constitute a discharge to the Issuer or any such Guarantor to the extent of the U.S. Dollar amount, which the recipient is able to purchase with the amount so received or recovered in that other currency on the date of that receipt or recovery (or, if it is not practicable to make that purchase on that date, on the first date on which it is practicable to do so). If that U.S. Dollar amount is less than the U.S. Dollar amount expressed to be due to the recipient under the Notes, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall indemnify it against any loss sustained by it as a result as set forth in Section 13.16(b). In any event, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall indemnify the recipient against the cost of making any such purchase. For the purposes of this Section 13.16, it shall be sufficient for the Holder of a Note to certify in a satisfactory manner (indicating sources of information used) that it would have suffered a loss had an actual purchase of U.S. Dollars been made with the amount so received in that other currency on the date of receipt or recovery (or, if a purchase of U.S. Dollars on such date had not been practicable, on the first date on which it would have been practicable, it being required that the need for a change of date be certified in the manner mentioned above).
(b) The Issuer and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, covenant and agree that the following provisions shall apply to conversion of currency in the case of the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture:
(1) (A) If for the purpose of obtaining judgment in, or enforcing the judgment of, any court in any country, it becomes necessary to convert into a currency (the Judgment Currency ) an amount due in any other currency (the Base Currency ), then the conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given or the order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (unless a court shall otherwise determine).
(B) If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given or an order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (or such other date as a court shall determine), and the date of receipt of the amount due, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall pay such additional (or, as the case may be, such lesser) amount, if any, as may be necessary so that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of receipt will produce the amount in the Base Currency originally due.
(2) In the event of the winding-up of the Issuer or any Guarantor at any time while any amount or damages owing under the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture, or any judgment or order rendered in respect thereof, shall remain outstanding, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall indemnify and hold the Holders and the Trustee harmless against any deficiency
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arising or resulting from any variation in rates of exchange between (i) the date as of which the foreign currency equivalent of the amount due or contingently due under the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture (other than under this subsection (b)(2)) is calculated for the purposes of such winding-up and (ii) the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in such winding-up. For the purpose of this subsection (b)(2), the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in the winding-up of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall be the date fixed by the liquidator or otherwise in accordance with the relevant provisions of applicable law as being the latest practicable date as at which liabilities of the Issuer or such Guarantor may be ascertained for such winding-up prior to payment by the liquidator or otherwise in respect thereto.
(A) The obligations contained in subsections (a), (b)(1)(B) and (b)(2) of this Section 13.16 shall constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Indenture, shall give rise to separate and independent causes of action against the Issuer and the Guarantors, shall apply irrespective of any waiver or extension granted by any Holder or the Trustee or either of them from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order or the filing of any proof of claim in the winding-up of the Issuer or any Guarantor for a liquidated sum in respect of amounts due hereunder (other than under subsection (b)(2) above) or under any such judgment or order. Any such deficiency as aforesaid shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by the Holders or the Trustee, as the case may be, and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Issuer or any Guarantor or the liquidator or otherwise or any of them. In the case of subsection (b)(2) above, the amount of such deficiency shall not be deemed to be reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said final date and the date of any liquidating distribution.
(B) The term rate(s) of exchange shall mean the rate of exchange quoted by Reuters at 10:00 a.m. (New York time) for spot purchases of the Base Currency with the Judgment Currency other than the Base Currency referred to in subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) above and includes any premiums and costs of exchange payable.
SECTION 13.17. U.S.A. Patriot Act . The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
SECTION 13.18. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process . (a) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York or any United States Federal court sitting, in each case, in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, United States of America, and any appellate court from any court
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thereof, in respect of actions, suits or proceedings brought against such party as a defendant arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby (a Proceeding ), and waives any immunity (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) from the jurisdiction of such courts over any Proceeding that may be brought in connection with this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees and any right to which it may be entitled on account of place of residence or domicile. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may do so under applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such Proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such Proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the parties hereto agrees that final judgment in any such Proceeding brought in such court shall be conclusive and binding upon such party and may be enforced in any court to the jurisdiction of which such party is subject by a suit upon judgment; provided , in the case of the Issuer and the Guarantors, that service of process is effected upon the Issuer and the Guarantors in the manner provided in this Indenture.
(b) The Issuer and each Foreign Guarantor agrees that service of all writs, process and summonses in any suit, action or proceeding brought in connection with this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees against the Issuer or any Foreign Guarantor in any court of the State of New York or any United States Federal court sitting, in each case, in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, may be made upon Corporation Service Company located at 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 210, New York, NY 10036, whom the Issuer and each Foreign Guarantor irrevocably appoints as its authorized agent for service of process. The Issuer and each Foreign Guarantor represents and warrants that Corporation Service Company, the authorized representative of the Issuer and each Foreign Guarantor in the United States, has agreed to act as the agent for service of process for the Issuer and each Foreign Guarantor. The Issuer and each Foreign Guarantor agrees that such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding or until the irrevocable appointment by the Issuer or any Foreign Guarantor of a successor in The City of New York as its authorized agent for such purpose and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor. The Issuer and each Foreign Guarantor further agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid. If Corporation Service Company shall cease to act as the agent for service of process for the Issuer or any Foreign Guarantor, the Issuer or such Foreign Guarantor shall appoint without delay another such agent and provide prompt written notice to the Trustee of such appointment. With respect to such action in any court of the State of New York or any United State Federal court, in each case, in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, service of process on Corporation Service Company as the authorized agent of the Issuer and each Foreign Guarantor for service of process, and written notice of such service to the Issuer or such Foreign Guarantor, shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Issuer and such Foreign Guarantor.
SECTION 13.19. Force Majeure . In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
ISSUER:
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED |
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By: |
/s/ Michele Conforti |
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Name: | Michele Conforti | |||
Title: | President and Managing Director | |||
GUARANTORS:
AFFINION GROUP, INC. AFFINION BENEFITS GROUP, LLC AFFINION BRAZIL HOLDINGS I, LLC AFFINION BRAZIL HOLDINGS II, LLC AFFINION DATA SERVICES, INC. AFFINION GROUP, LLC AFFINION PUBLISHING, LLC BREAKFIVE, LLC CARDWELL AGENCY, INC. CCAA, CORPORATION CONNEXIONS LOYALTY, INC. CONNEXIONS LOYALTY TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LLC CONNEXIONS SMV, LLC CONNEXIONS SM VENTURES, LLC GLOBAL PROTECTION SOLUTIONS, LLC INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FULFILLMENT LLC LIFT MEDIA, LLC LONG TERM PREFERRED CARE, INC. LOYALTY TRAVEL AGENCY LLC PROPP CORP. TRAVELERS ADVANTAGE SERVICES, LLC TRILEGIANT AUTO SERVICES, INC. TRILEGIANT CORPORATION TRILEGIANT INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. TRILEGIANT RETAIL SERVICES, INC. WATCHGUARD REGISTRATION SERVICES, INC. WEBLOYALTY HOLDINGS, INC. WEBLOYALTY.COM, INC.
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By: |
/s/ Gregory S. Miller |
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Name: | Gregory S. Miller | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
[ AIHL Indenture Signature Page ]
CONNEXIONS LOYALTY ACQUISITION, LLC | ||||
By: |
/s/ Gregory S. Miller |
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Name: | Gregory S. Miller | |||
Title: | Vice President and Treasurer | |||
CUC ASIA HOLDINGS, by its partners: |
TRILEGIANT CORPORATION | ||||
By: |
/s/ Gregory S. Miller |
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Name: | Gregory S. Miller | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||
and
TRILEGIANT RETAIL SERVICES, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Gregory S. Miller |
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Name: | Gregory S. Miller | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL LIMITED | ||||
By: |
/s/ Michele Conforti |
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Name: | Michele Conforti | |||
Title: | President and Managing Director | |||
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HOLDCO LIMITED | ||||
By: |
/s/ Caroline Noble |
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Name: | Caroline Noble | |||
Title: | GVP Field & Travel Operations |
[ AIHL Indenture Signature Page ]
WEBLOYALTY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED | ||||
By: |
/s/ Guy Chiswick |
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Name: | Guy Chiswick | |||
Title: | Managing Director, Northern Europe | |||
LOYALTY VENTURES LIMITED | ||||
By: |
/s/ Guy Chiswick |
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Name: | Guy Chiswick | |||
Title: | Managing Director, Northern Europe | |||
BASSAE HOLDING B.V. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Richard Kemperman |
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Name: | Richard Kemperman | |||
Title: | Director | |||
WEBLOYALTY HOLDINGS COÖPERATIEF U.A. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Richard Kemperman |
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Name: | Richard Kemperman | |||
Title: | Director | |||
WEBLOYALTY INERNATIONAL SÀRL | ||||
By: |
/s/ Lise Hanhart |
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Name: | Lise Hanhart | |||
Title: | Finance Director |
[ AIHL Indenture Signature Page ]
TRUSTEE: | ||
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee |
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By: |
/s/ Lynn M. Steiner |
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Name: Lynn M. Steiner | ||
Title: Vice President |
[ AIHL Indenture Signature Page ]
APPENDIX A
(Rule 144A/REGULATION S/IAI APPENDIX)
PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL NOTES,
PIK NOTES AND ADDITIONAL NOTES
1. | Definitions |
1.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this Appendix the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:
Applicable Procedures means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Temporary Regulation S Global Note or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such a Temporary Regulation S Global Note, to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
Definitive Note means a certificated Initial Note or PIK Note or Additional Note bearing, if required, the appropriate restricted notes legend set forth in Section 2.3(e).
Depository means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.
Distribution Compliance Period , with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the day on which such Notes are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the issue date with respect to such Notes.
IAI means an institutional accredited investor, as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
Initial Notes means the initial $110,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018 issued on the Issue Date.
Notes means the Initial Notes and any PIK Notes or Additional Notes issued pursuant to the Indenture, treated as a single class. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to Notes for all purposes of this Annex A include any increase in the principal amount of the Notes as a result of a payment of PIK Interest.
Notes Custodian means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person thereto, and shall initially be the Trustee.
QIB means a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A.
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Rule 144A Notes means all Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
1.2 Other Definitions
Term |
Defined in
Section: |
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Agent Members |
2.1 | (b) | ||
Eligible Holder |
2.1 | (a) | ||
Global Note |
2.1 | (a) | ||
IAI Global Note |
2.1 | (a) | ||
Permanent Regulation S Global Note |
2.1 | (a) | ||
Regulation S |
2.1 | (a) | ||
Regulation S Global Note |
2.1 | (a) | ||
Rule 144A |
2.1 | (a) | ||
Rule 144A Global Note |
2.1 | (a) | ||
Temporary Regulation S Global Note |
2.1 | (a) |
2. | The Notes |
2.1(a) Form and Dating . The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof will be (a) privately placed by the Issuer pursuant to the Rights Offering only to holders of Existing Notes that participate in the Exchange Offers and/or to the Backstop Provider and (b) available for subscription only to (i) a QIB in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act ( Rule 144A ), (ii) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act ( Regulation S ) or (iii) an institutional accredited investor as described in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act (each of which satisfies (a) and (b), an Eligible Holder ). Initial Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, IAIs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Initial Notes initially issued pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the Rule 144A Global Note ); Initial Notes initially issued to IAIs shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the IAI Global Note ); and Initial Notes initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary global notes in fully registered form (collectively, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note ), in each case without interest coupons and with the global notes legend and the applicable restricted notes legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Initial Notes represented thereby with the Notes Custodian and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Indenture. Except as set forth in this Section 2.1(a), beneficial ownership interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall not be exchangeable for interests in the Rule 144A Global Note, the IAI Global Note, a permanent global note (the Permanent Regulation S Global Note , and together with the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, the Regulation S Global Note ) or any other Note prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and then, after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Note, an IAI Global Note or the Permanent Regulation S Global Note only upon
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certification in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee that (i) beneficial ownership interests in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note are owned either by non-U.S. persons or U.S. persons who purchased such interests in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act and (ii) in the case of an exchange for an IAI Global Note, certification that the interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note is being transferred to an institutional accredited investor under the Securities Act that is an institutional accredited investor acquiring the Notes for its own account or for the account of an institutional accredited investor.
Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes (after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period) or IAI Global Notes may be exchanged for interests in Rule 144A Global Notes if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of Notes in compliance with Rule 144A and (2) the transferor of the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the IAI Global Note, as applicable, first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in a form satisfactory to the Trustee) to the effect that the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the IAI Global Note, as applicable, is being transferred to a Person (a) who the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB, (b) purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and (c) in accordance with all applicable laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.
Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes (after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period) and Rule 144A Global Notes may be exchanged for an interest in IAI Global Notes if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of the Notes in compliance with an exemption under the Securities Act and (2) the transferor of the Regulation S Global Note or Rule 144A Global Note, as applicable, first delivers to the trustee a written certificate (substantially in the form of Exhibit 2) to the effect that (A) the Regulation S Global Note or Rule 144A Global Note, as applicable, is being transferred (a) to an accredited investor within the meaning of 501(a)(1),(2),(3) and (7) under the Securities Act that is an institutional investor acquiring the Notes for its own account or for the account of such an institutional accredited investor, in each case in a minimum principal amount of the Notes of $250,000, for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act and (B) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.
Beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in this Indenture) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable).
The Rule 144A Global Note, the IAI Global Note, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note and the Permanent Regulation S Global Note are collectively referred to herein as Global Notes . The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
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(b) Book-Entry Provisions . This Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.
The Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(b), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (a) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depository and (b) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depositorys instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository.
Members of, or participants in, the Depository (Agent Members) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depository or under such Global Note, and the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.
(c) Definitive Notes . Except as provided in this Section 2.1 or Section 2.3 or 2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.
2.2 Authentication
The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver: (1) on the Issue Date, an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 of Initial Notes and (2) any Additional Notes or PIK Notes for an original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in the written order of the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Indenture, in each case upon a written order of the Issuer signed by one Officer. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and, in the case of any issuance and Additional Notes or PIK Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of this Indenture, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.03 of this Indenture.
2.3 Transfer and Exchange
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes . When Definitive Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request:
(x) to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes; or
(y) to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations,
the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided , however , that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:
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(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and
(ii) if such Definitive Notes are required to bear a restricted notes legend, they are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 2.3(b) or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Definitive Notes are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect; or
(B) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to the Issuer, a certification to that effect; or
(C) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred (x) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144A, Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (y) in reliance upon another exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act: (i) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and (ii) if the Issuer so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section 2.3(e)(i).
(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note . A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, an IAI Global Note or a Permanent Regulation S Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:
(i) certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note, that such Definitive Note is either (A) being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, (B) being transferred to an IAI or (C) being transferred after expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period by a Person who initially purchased such Note in reliance on Regulation S to a buyer who elects to hold its interest in such Note in the form of a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note;
(ii) written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Notes Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Rule 144A Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(A)), IAI Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(B) or Permanent Regulation S Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(C)) to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depository account to be credited with such increase, and
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(iii) if the Registrar or the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an opinion of counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the applicable restricted notes legend is no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act,
then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Notes Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Notes Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so canceled. If no Rule 144A Global Notes, IAI Global Notes or Permanent Regulation S Global Notes, as applicable, are then outstanding, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officers Certificate of the Issuer, a new Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, in the appropriate principal amount.
(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes .
(i) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depositorys procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in the Global Note. The Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions, instruct the Depository to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.
(ii) If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.
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(iv) In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes pursuant to Section 2.4 of this Appendix, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Issuer.
(v) In the event that a Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note is exchanged for an unrestricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.3, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions hereof (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Issuer.
(d) Restrictions on Transfer of Temporary Regulation S Global Notes . During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes may only be sold, pledged or transferred in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and only (i) to the Issuer, (ii) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S (other than a transaction resulting in an exchange for an interest in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note), (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States.
(e) Legend .
(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraph (ii), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof), in the case of Notes offered otherwise than in reliance on Regulation S, shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
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THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) TO AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES THE TRUSTEE WITH A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES LESS THAN $250,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER SHALL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.
Each certificate evidencing a Note offered in reliance on Regulation S shall, in lieu of the foregoing, bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
Each Definitive Note shall also bear the following additional legend:
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER SHALL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
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(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note (including any Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a certificated Note that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note).
(iii) Each certificate evidencing a Note shall, in addition to the foregoing, bear a legend in substantially the following form.
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER SHALL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note . At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned to the Depository for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for certificated Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Notes Custodian for such Global Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, to reflect such reduction.
(f) No Obligation of the Trustee .
(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
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2.4 Certificated Notes
(a) A Global Note deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as Notes Custodian for the Depository pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.3 hereof and (i) the Depository notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Note and the Depository fails to appoint a successor depository or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depository is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days of such notice, or (ii) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Depository requests such exchange or (iii) the Issuer, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes under this Indenture.
(b) Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee located at its principal corporate trust office, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any integral multiple of $1 and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Transfer Restricted Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.3(e) hereof, bear the applicable restricted notes legend and definitive note legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b) hereof, the registered Holder of a Global Note shall be entitled to grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
(d) In the event of the occurrence of one of the events specified in Section 2.4(a) hereof, the Issuer shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons. In the event that such Definitive Notes are not issued, the Issuer expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Section 6.06 of this Indenture, the right of any beneficial owner of Notes to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Note that represents such beneficial owners Notes as if such Definitive Notes had been issued.
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EXHIBIT 1 to APPENDIX A (Rule 144A/Regulation S/IAI APPENDIX)
[FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL NOTE OR ADDITIONAL NOTE OR PIK NOTE]
[Global Notes Legend]
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (DTC), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSORS NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.
[FOR REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE ONLY] [UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF NOTES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT)) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.]
[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered Otherwise than in Reliance on Regulation S]
THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) WITHIN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES LESS THAN $250,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER SHALL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.
[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered in Reliance on Regulation S]
THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
[Temporary Regulation S Global Note Legend]
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE SHALL NOT BE EXCHANGEABLE FOR INTERESTS IN THE PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR ANY OTHER NOTE REPRESENTING AN INTEREST IN THE NOTES REPRESENTED HEREBY WHICH DO NOT CONTAIN A LEGEND CONTAINING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 903(b)(2) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THEN ONLY UPON CERTIFICATION IN FORM REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE TRUSTEE THAT SUCH BENEFICIAL INTERESTS ARE OWNED EITHER BY NON-U.S. PERSONS OR U.S. PERSONS WHO PURCHASED SUCH INTERESTS IN A TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. DURING SUCH 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY ONLY BE SOLD,
PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN A TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. HOLDERS OF INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE SHALL NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE, IF THEN APPLICABLE.
AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE ONLY IF (1) SUCH EXCHANGE OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH A TRANSFER OF THE NOTES IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A AND (2) THE TRANSFEROR OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE IS BEING TRANSFERRED (A) TO A PERSON WHO THE TRANSFEROR REASONABLY BELIEVES TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A, (B) TO A PERSON WHO IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, AND (C) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR INTERESTS IN AN IAI GLOBAL NOTE ONLY IF (1) SUCH EXCHANGE OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH A TRANSFER OF THE NOTES IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN EXEMPTION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (2) THE TRANSFEROR OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE IS BEING TRANSFERRED (A) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(A)(1),(2),(3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES LESS THAN $250,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR AN IAI GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A PERSON WHO TAKES DELIVERY IN THE FORM OF AN INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE, WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE
PERIOD, ONLY IF THE TRANSFEROR FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR 904 OF REGULATION S OR RULE 144 (IF AVAILABLE).
[Definitive Notes Legend]
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER SHALL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
AFFINION GROUP, INC.
7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018
144A CUSIP No. 00831G AA7
and ISIN No. US00831GAA76
REG S CUSIP No. G0132F AA8
and ISIN No. US G0132FAA87
IAI CUSIP No. 00831G AB5
and ISIN No. US00831GAB59
No. [ ] | $ [ ] |
AFFINION GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [ ] Dollars ($ [ ] ) [, as revised by the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto,] 1 on July 30, 2018.
Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1
Record Dates: April 15 and October 15
These Notes have been issued with original issue discount (OID) for United States federal income tax purposes. The issue price, amount of OID, issue date and yield to maturity of these Notes may be obtained by writing to the Chief Financial Officer at Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., 6 High Ridge Park, Stamford, CT 06905. Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
Dated: November 9, 2015
SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS
1 | To be included in Global Notes only. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated: November 9, 2015
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED, as Issuer
By |
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Name: |
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Title: |
TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the Indenture.
By |
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Authorized Signatory |
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Dated |
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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL NOTE OR ADDITIONAL NOTE]
7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018
1. Interest
Affinion International Holdings Limited, a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 3458969 (such Person, and its respective successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the Issuer) promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of 7.5%. The Issuer shall pay interest semiannually in arrears to the holders of the Notes on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2016. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including the Issue Date. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by this Note plus 1.0% per annum, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
Interest on the Notes will be payable at (1) the annual rate of 3.5% in cash, payable in cash ( cash interest ) plus (2) the annual rate of 4.0% (the PIK Interest ), payable by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Notes represented by one or more Global Notes or, with respect to Definitive Notes represented by individual certificates, if any, by issuing additional PIK Notes in certificated form, in each case by rounding up to the nearest $1.00; provided , however that all of the accrued interest on the Notes from the Issue Date to, but not including May 1, 2016 will be payable on the first interest payment date by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Notes represented by one or more Global Notes or by issuing additional PIK Notes in certificated form at a rate of 7.5%. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the principal or principal amount of Notes, including for purposes of calculating any redemption price or redemption amount, includes any increase in the principal amount of the Notes as a result of a PIK Payment.
2. Method of Payment
The Issuer shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 15 or October 15 next preceding the interest payment date even if Notes are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders of Definitive Notes must surrender their Definitive Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuer shall pay principal and cash interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Cash payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium and interest (excluding PIK Interest)) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depository. The Issuer, or the Paying Agent on behalf of the Issuer, shall make all cash payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that cash payments on a certificated Note shall be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the
Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).At all times, PIK Interest on the Notes will be payable: (i) with respect to Notes represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of, or held by, the Depository (or any successor depository) or its nominee on the relevant record date, by increasing the principal amount of the outstanding Global Notes, effective as of the applicable interest payment date, by an amount equal to the amount of PIK Interest for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar) ( PIK Payment ) at the request of the Issuer to authenticate or increase the Global Note and (ii) with respect to Definitive Notes, if any, by issuing PIK Notes in certificated form, dated as of the applicable interest payment date, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of the PIK Interest for the applicable interest period (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar), and the Trustee will, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver such PIK Notes in certificated form for original issuance to the Holders on the relevant record date, as shown by the records of the register of holders.
3. Paying Agent and Registrar
Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association (the Trustee), shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Issuer may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.
4. Indenture
The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of November 9, 2015 (the Indenture ), among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.
The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Issuer and consist of the 7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018 issued on the Issue Date (including any increase in the principal amount of the Notes as a result of payment of PIK Interest) and any Additional Notes and any PIK Notes that may be issued after the Issue Date. The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries to Incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase capital stock; make investments; engage in transactions with affiliates; create liens on assets to secure indebtedness; transfer or sell assets; guarantee indebtedness; restrict dividends or other payments of subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; and engage in sale/leaseback transactions. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications contained in the Indenture.
On or before the date a given Person becomes a Holder or beneficial owner of at least one Note (but in any case, at least 10 Business Days before a paymentwhether in cash or in kindis to be made), and from time to time thereafter at the reasonable request of the Issuer or Trustee, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, such Person will provide the Issuer, at the office of the Issuer as set forth in Section 13.02 of the Indenture, with the following
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documentation, as applicable: (i) in the case of a Person that is a U.S. Person, two duly executed copies of IRS Form W-9, certifying that such Person is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax and (ii) in the case of a Person that is not a U.S. Person, two duly executed copies of the appropriate IRS Form W-8 and any other documentation, including the appropriate U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, demonstrating such Persons entitlement to a reduced rate of or exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax.
5. Optional Redemption
The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid cash interest (including an amount of cash equal to all accrued and unpaid PIK Interest on the Notes redeemed) to, but not including, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of the Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date occurring on or prior to the Redemption Date.
6. Notice of Redemption
Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first-class mail or electronically transmitted at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at his registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 principal amount may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.
7. Put Provisions
Except as set forth in the Indenture, the occurrence of any Change of Control shall constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture unless the Issuer (i)(A) makes an offer within 30 days following such Change of Control to all holders of the Notes to purchase all the Notes properly tendered (a Change of Control Offer ) at a purchase price (the Change of Control Purchase Price ) equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); and (B) purchases all the Notes properly tendered in accordance with the Change of Control Offer or (ii) exercises its right, within 30 days following such Change of Control, to redeem all the Notes as described under Paragraph 5 of this Note.
In accordance with Sections 4.06 and 4.15 of the Indenture, the Issuer will be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain Asset Sales by the Issuer or certain Affinion Group Asset Sales.
In accordance with Section 4.17 of the Indenture, the Issuer will be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain positive Excess Cash Flow Amounts.
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8. Guarantee
The payment by the Issuer of the principal of, and premium and interest on, the Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by each of the Guarantors to the extent set forth in the Indenture.
9. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange
The Initial Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 days before the redemption date of the Notes or 15 days before an interest payment date.
10. Persons Deemed Owners
The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
11. Unclaimed Money
If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuer at its written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Issuer and not to the Trustee for payment.
12. Discharge and Defeasance
Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Issuer at any time shall be entitled to terminate some or all of its and the Guarantors obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuer deposits with the Trustee money or, in certain cases, U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.
13. Amendment, Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (a) the Indenture and the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Notes and (b) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture or the Notes to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide for the assumption by a Successor Issuer of the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture and hereunder, to provide for the assumption by a Successor Guarantor of the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under
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the Indenture and its Guarantee, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes, to secure the Notes, to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer, to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder, to effect any provision of the Indenture, to make certain changes to the Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes, to provide for the issuance of PIK Notes or the increase of the principal amount of the Notes to pay PIK Interest in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, or in the event that any PIK Notes are issued as Definitive Notes, to make appropriate amendments to the Indenture to reflect an appropriate minimum denomination of certificated PIK Notes.
14. Defaults and Remedies
Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (1) a default in any payment of interest on any Note when due that continues for 30 days, (2) a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise, (3) the failure by the Issuer, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the Non-Subsidiary Guarantors to comply with the provisions set forth in Article 5 of the Indenture, (4) the failure by the Issuer, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the Non-Subsidiary Guarantors to comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations under Article 4 of the Indenture (other than a failure to purchase Notes), (5) the failure by the Issuer, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the Non-Subsidiary Guarantors to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements contained in the Notes or the Indenture, (6) the failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $10.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent, (7) the failure by Affinion Group or any AGI Significant Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary of Affinion Group (as such term is defined in the AGI Senior Notes Indenture)) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $30.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent, (8) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuer, Affinion Group, a Significant Subsidiary or an AGI Significant Subsidiary, (9) the failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $10.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days, (10) the failure by Affinion Group or any AGI Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $30.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days and (11) any Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary or an AGI Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any Guarantor that qualifies as a Significant Subsidiary or an AGI Significant Subsidiary denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Indenture or any Guarantee and such Default continues for 10 days. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
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Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all such Notes to be due and payable immediately, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which shall result in the Notes being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.
Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it receives indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.
15. Trustee Dealings with the Issuer
The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuer or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
16. No Recourse Against Others
A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Issuer or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation; provided , however , the foregoing shall not affect or limit any liability of any Guarantor under the Indenture or its Guarantee. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.
17. Authentication
This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
18. Abbreviations
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
19. CUSIP Numbers
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
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20. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
The Issuer shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note in larger type. Requests may be made to:
Affinion International Holdings Limited
c/o Affinion Group, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
Attention: General Counsel
and
Affinion Group, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
Attention: General Counsel ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to
(Print or type assignees name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignees soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)
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and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: | Your Signature: |
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.
In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144 under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original issuance of such Notes and the last date, if any, on which such Notes were owned by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
¨ | to the Issuer; or | |||||
(1) | ¨ | pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||||
(2) | ¨ | inside the United States to a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||||
(3) | ¨ | outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||||
(4) | ¨ | pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||||
(5) | ¨ | to an institutional accredited investor (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1),(2),(3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements. | ||||
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee shall refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided , however , that if box (3), (4) or (5) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Issuer has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act. |
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Signature |
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Signature Guarantee: |
Signature must be guaranteed |
Signature |
Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ( STAMP ) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigneds foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
Dated: |
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Notice: To be executed by an executive officer |
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[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in
Principal amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in
Principal amount of this Global Note |
Principal amount
of this Global Note following such decrease or increase |
Signature of
authorized signatory of Trustee or Notes Custodian |
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.06, 4.08, 4.15 or 4.17 of the Indenture, check the box:
¨
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.06, 4.08, 4.15 or 4.17 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount: $
Dated: | Your Signature: |
|
||
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.) |
Signature Guarantee: |
|
|||
(Signature must be guaranteed) |
Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program ( STAMP ) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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EXHIBIT 3-1
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Holders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to that certain Indenture dated as of November 9, 2015, among Affinion International Holdings Limited, a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 3458969 (the Issuer ), the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee ).
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.04(d) of the Indenture, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Note(s) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of Holdings within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to Holdings as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Issuer with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Issuer, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Issuer with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Indenture and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
[HOLDER] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
[Address] |
Dated: , 20[ ]
EXHIBIT 3-2
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Holders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to that certain Indenture dated as of November 9, 2015 among Affinion International Holdings Limited, a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 3458969 (the Issuer ), the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee ).
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.04(d) of the Indenture, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Note(s) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Note(s), (iii) with respect to the purchase of such Note(s), neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of Holdings within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to Holdings as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Issuer with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partners/members beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Issuer and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Issuer with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Indenture and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
[HOLDER] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
[Address] |
Dated: , 20[ ]
APPENDIX B
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE
DELIVERED BY ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS]
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this Supplemental Indenture ), dated as of [ ] among [ ][(the Additional Subsidiary Guarantor )][the Additional Non-Subsidiary Guarantor ][the Additional Foreign Guarantor ] 2 , a [ ] corporation and a [direct] [indirect] subsidiary of Affinion International Holdings Limited (or its permitted successor) (the Issuer ), the Issuer and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture (the Trustee ).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS the Issuer and the [Subsidiary Guarantors][Non-Subsidiary Guarantors][Foreign Guarantors] have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture (the Indenture ), dated as of November 9, 2015, providing for the issuance of 7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018 (the Notes );
WHEREAS, Section 4.11 and Section 10.06 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances the Issuer shall cause the [Additional Subsidiary Guarantor][Additional Non-Subsidiary Guarantor][Additional Foreign Guarantor] to execute and deliver to the Trustee a guaranty agreement pursuant to which the [Additional Subsidiary Guarantor][Additional Non-Subsidiary Guarantor][Additional Foreign Guarantor] shall Guarantee payment of the Notes on the same terms and conditions as those set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01(v) of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Issuer is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Issuer, the [Additional Subsidiary Guarantor][Additional Non-Subsidiary Guarantor][Additional Foreign Guarantor] and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:
SECTION 1. Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
SECTION 2. Guarantees . The [Additional Subsidiary Guarantor][Additional Non-Subsidiary Guarantor][Additional Foreign Guarantor] hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all other Guarantors, to guarantee the Issuers obligations under the Notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture.
2 | Form to be drafted based on type of new Guarantor. |
SECTION 3. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.
SECTION 4. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY , AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH , THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF. EACH OF THE ISSUER , THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES , TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW , ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE , THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION 5. Trustee Makes No Representation . The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.
SECTION 6. Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
SECTION 7. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Supplemental Indenture.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED, | ||
by | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
[ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR][ADDITIONAL NON-SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR][ADDITIONAL FOREIGN GUARANTOR], | ||
by | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
by | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT 10.1
EXECUTION VERSION
INTERCOMPANY SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT
THIS INTERCOMPANY SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT, dated as of November 9, 2015 (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, this Subordination Agreement ), is made among Affinion Group, Inc. ( Affinion Group ) as the Subordinated Creditor and each other Person that may from time to time become a party hereto as a Subordinated Creditor (collectively, the Subordinated Creditors ), and each party listed on the signature pages hereto as an Obligor and each other Person that may from time to time become a party hereto as an Obligor (collectively, the Obligors ).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Subordinated Creditor and the Obligors (other than the Issuer (as defined below)) have agreed to guarantee (the Guarantee ) the obligations of Affinion International Holdings Limited, a limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (the Issuer ), relating to the $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018 (the Notes ) being issued by the Issuer on the date hereof pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2015 (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, the Indenture ), among the Issuer, the guarantors party thereto (the Guarantors ) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the Trustee );
WHEREAS, each Obligor is now or may hereafter become indebted or otherwise obligated to the Subordinated Creditors in respect of Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) (all principal, interest, premiums and fees, if any, thereon and all other amounts payable in respect thereof and all rights and remedies of the Subordinated Creditors with respect to such Indebtedness being collectively referred to as the Intercompany Subordinated Debt ); and
WHEREAS, each Obligor is a direct or indirect subsidiary of Affinion Group, which is a Subordinated Creditor, and the Issuer is an indirect subsidiary of Affinion Group;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, including to facilitate the issuance of the Notes under the Indenture, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows.
SECTION 1
DEFINITIONS
1.01 Certain Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without being herein defined have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture. In addition, the following terms when used in this Subordination Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, shall have the following meanings (such definitions to be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):
Affinion Group is defined in the preamble.
Guarantee is defined in the first recital.
Guarantors is defined in the first recital.
Indenture is defined in the first recital.
Intercompany Subordinated Debt is defined in the second recital.
Issuer is defined in the first recital.
Notes is defined in the first recital.
Obligors is defined in the preamble.
paid in full and payment in full means the prior indefeasible payment in cash in full of all Senior Indebtedness. For purposes of this Subordination Agreement, the Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid in full until the Indenture has been satisfied and discharged in accordance with its terms (other than indemnity obligations not yet due and payable).
Senior Indebtedness is defined in Section 2.01(a) .
Subordinated Creditors is defined in the preamble.
Subordination Agreement is defined in the preamble.
Termination Date means the first date on which the Notes have been paid in full.
Trustee is defined in the preamble.
SECTION 2
AGREEMENT
2.01 Agreement to Subordinate . (a) The Intercompany Subordinated Debt is and shall be subordinate and rendered junior, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the payment in full of all obligations with respect to the Notes and the Guarantees thereof of the Obligors now existing or hereafter arising under the Indenture (including obligations with respect to (i) principal on the Notes, (ii) interest payable with respect to the Notes, (iii) any premium payable with respect to the Notes, (iv) out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and out-of-pocket disbursements), owing under the Indenture and (v) any other fees payable with respect to obligations under the Indenture, with all such obligations (including as listed in clauses (a)(i) through (a)(v) ) referred to collectively as the Senior Indebtedness ).
(b) No Obligor shall make, and no Subordinated Creditor shall receive or accept from any Obligor, any payment in respect of any Intercompany Subordinated Debt if any Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom.
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2.02 In Furtherance of Subordination . (a) Upon any distribution of all or any of the assets of any Obligor in the event of:
(i) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to such Obligor, or to its creditors, as such, or to its assets,
(ii) any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of such Obligor, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or
(iii) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshaling of assets and liabilities of such Obligor,
then, and in any such event, the holders of the Notes shall receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due (whether or not the Senior Indebtedness has been declared due and payable prior to the date on which the Senior Indebtedness would otherwise have become due and payable) on or in respect of all Senior Indebtedness (including post-petition interest, whether or not allowed as a claim) before the Subordinated Creditors or anyone claiming through or on their behalf (including any receiver, trustee, or otherwise) are entitled to receive any payment on account of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on or other amounts payable in respect of the Intercompany Subordinated Debt, and to that end, any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, which may be payable or deliverable in respect of the Intercompany Subordinated Debt in any such case, proceeding, dissolution, liquidation or other winding up or event, shall be paid or delivered by the Subordinated Creditor directly to the Trustee for the application to the payment of the Senior Indebtedness until the Termination Date.
(b) If any proceeding, liquidation, dissolution or winding up referred to in Section 2.02(a) is commenced by or against any Obligor,
(i) the Subordinated Creditors shall duly and promptly take reasonable action (A) to collect the Intercompany Subordinated Debt for the account of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and to file appropriate claims or proofs of claim in respect of the Intercompany Subordinated Debt, (B) to execute and deliver such powers of attorney, assignments, or other instruments as may be reasonably requested in order to enable the Trustee to enforce any and all claims with respect to, the Intercompany Subordinated Debt, and (C) to collect and receive any and all payments or distributions which may be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to the Intercompany Subordinated Debt.
(c) All payments or distributions of assets of any Obligor, whether in cash, property or securities upon or with respect to the Intercompany Subordinated Debt which are received by the Subordinated Creditors contrary to the provisions of this Subordination Agreement or the Notes shall be received and held for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, shall be segregated from other funds and property held in trust by the Subordinated Creditors and shall be forthwith paid over to the Trustee in the same form as so received (with any necessary indorsement) to be applied to the payment of the Senior Indebtedness, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Subordination Agreement and the Notes.
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2.03 No Enforcement or Commencement of Any Proceedings . Each Subordinated Creditor agrees that, until the Termination Date, (a) it will not accelerate the maturity of the Intercompany Subordinated Debt, exercise any remedies (including the assertion of any claims, motions, objections or arguments) or commence, or join with any creditor other than the Holders in commencing, any proceeding referred to in Section 2.02(a) or (b) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, take, or permit to be taken, any action to assert, collect or enforce the Intercompany Subordinated Debt or any part thereof. The Subordinated Creditors also agree not to, directly or indirectly, whether in connection with an event or proceeding referred to in Section 2.02(a) or otherwise, take any action that would be in violation of, or inconsistent with, or result in a breach of, this Subordination Agreement or to challenge or contest the validity or enforceability of the Indenture.
2.04 Liens . (a) Each Subordinated Creditor represents and warrants that the Intercompany Subordinated Debt is unsecured. Each Subordinated Creditor agrees that it will not request or accept any security interest in any collateral to secure the Intercompany Subordinated Debt.
(b) Each Subordinated Creditor agrees that it will not request or accept any guaranty of the Intercompany Subordinated Debt.
2.05 Rights of Subrogation . The Subordinated Creditors agree that no payment or distribution pursuant to the provisions of this Subordination Agreement shall entitle the Subordinated Creditors to exercise any rights of subrogation in respect thereof until the Termination Date.
2.06 Subordination Legend; Further Assurances . The Subordinated Creditors and the Obligors will cause each note and instrument (if any) evidencing the Intercompany Subordinated Debt to be endorsed with the following legend:
The indebtedness evidenced by this instrument is subordinated to the prior payment in full (as defined in the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015 (the Intercompany Subordination Agreement )) of the Senior Indebtedness as defined in, pursuant to, and to the extent provided in, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement by the maker hereof and payee named herein.
Each of the Obligors and the Subordinated Creditors hereby agrees to mark its books of account in such a manner as shall be effective to give proper notice of the effect of this Subordination Agreement. Each of the Subordinated Creditors and the Obligors will at its expense and at any time and from time to time promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents and take all further action that may be necessary or that the Trustee on behalf of holders of the Senior Indebtedness may reasonably request to protect any right or interest granted hereunder.
2.07 Obligations Hereunder Not Affected . All agreements and obligations of the Subordinated Creditors hereunder, shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:
(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any document evidencing Senior Indebtedness;
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(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or any other term of, all or any of the Senior Indebtedness, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any of the documents evidencing or relating to the Senior Indebtedness;
(c) any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any guaranty for all or any of the Senior Indebtedness;
(d) any failure of the Trustee, on behalf of the Holders, to assert any claim or to enforce any right or remedy against any other party hereto under the provisions of the Indenture;
(e) any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination of the Senior Indebtedness for any reason (other than payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and any defense (other than the defense of payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness) or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of invalidity, illegality, nongenuineness, irregularity, compromise, unenforceability of, or any other event or occurrence affecting, any Senior Indebtedness (which each Obligor and each Subordinated Creditor hereby waives any right to or claim of until the Termination Date to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law); and
(f) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense (other than the defense of payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness) available to, or a discharge of, any Obligor in respect of the Senior Indebtedness or the Subordinated Creditors in respect of this Subordination Agreement.
This Subordination Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Senior Indebtedness is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Trustee or a holder of Senior Indebtedness upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or similar event of any Obligor or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. The Subordinated Creditors acknowledge and agree that the Subordinated Creditors obligations hereunder will not be impaired by any amendment or waiver of the terms of the Senior Indebtedness made pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
2.08 Additional Subordinated Creditors . If any Guarantor (other than a Foreign Guarantor (as defined in the Indenture)) is owed any Intercompany Subordinated Debt by any Obligor after the date hereof, then such Guarantor will become a Subordinated Creditor party to this Subordination Agreement.
SECTION 3
MISCELLANEOUS
3.01 Binding on Successors, Transferees and Assigns; Continuing Agreement . This Subordination Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the Termination Date has occurred, shall be binding upon each Obligor and each Subordinated Creditor and their respective successors, transferees and assigns.
3.02 Amendments . This Subordination Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by each Subordinated Creditor. The performance of any obligation of any party hereto may be waived only by a written instrument signed by the party against which such waiver is sought to be enforced. Any such waiver, amendment or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.
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3.03 No Waiver; Remedies . No failure or delay on the part of the Trustee or the holders of Senior Indebtedness in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power or right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right.
3.04 Third-Party Beneficiaries . For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto agree and acknowledge that each of the holders of the Notes and the Trustee are intended to be third-party beneficiaries under this Subordination Agreement.
3.05 Headings . The various headings of this Subordination Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Subordination Agreement or any provisions thereof.
3.06 Severability . Any provision of this Subordination Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such provision and such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Subordination Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
3.07 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial . THIS SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
3.08 Counterparts . This Subordination Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Subordination Agreement by email ( e.g. pdf or tiff) or telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Subordination Agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Subordination Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
SUBORDINATED CREDITORS: | ||||||
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||||||
By |
/s/ Gregory S. Miller |
|||||
Name: Gregory S. Miller | ||||||
Title: Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer |
SIGNATURE PAGE TO INTERCOMPANY SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT
ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED:
By its signature below, each Obligor agrees that it will not take any action in contravention of the provisions of this Subordination Agreement:
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
By |
/s/ Michele Conforti |
|
Name: Michele Conforti | ||
Title: President and Managing Director | ||
AFFINION INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||
By |
/s/ Michele Conforti |
|
Name: Michele Conforti | ||
Title: President and Managing Director | ||
BASSAE HOLDING B.V. | ||
By |
/s/ Richard Kemperman |
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Name: Richard Kemperman | ||
Title: Director |
SIGNATURE PAGE TO INTERCOMPANY SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 10.2
FINAL FORM
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.,
AND
THE STOCKHOLDERS (AS DEFINED HEREIN)
DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 9, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I |
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STOCKHOLDERS; VOTING |
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Section 1.1 |
Stockholders; Voting | 2 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Restrictive Legend | 2 | ||||
ARTICLE II |
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MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF BUSINESS |
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Section 2.1 |
Board of Directors | 3 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
Restrictions on Authority of the Board | 4 | ||||
Section 2.3 |
Directors Non-exclusive Services | 5 | ||||
Section 2.4 |
Reimbursement of Expenses | 5 | ||||
Section 2.5 |
Director Compensation | 5 | ||||
ARTICLE III |
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INFORMATION RIGHTS AND LISTING |
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Section 3.1 |
Information Rights of Stockholders; Records Required by the DGCL; Right of Inspection | 6 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
Information Rights of the Company | 8 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Listing | 8 | ||||
ARTICLE IV |
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TRANSFER |
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Section 4.1 |
Transfer of Company Common Stock; Derivative Securities | 8 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
General Provisions Regarding Transfers | 8 | ||||
Section 4.3 |
Tag-Along Rights | 9 | ||||
Section 4.4 |
Preemptive Rights | 13 | ||||
Section 4.5 |
All Other Transfers Void | 15 | ||||
Section 4.6 |
Admission of Substitute Stockholder; Liabilities | 15 | ||||
ARTICLE V |
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
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Section 5.1 |
Representations and Warranties of Each Party | 16 | ||||
ARTICLE VI |
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MISCELLANEOUS |
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Section 6.1 |
Management Investors | 16 | ||||
Section 6.2 |
Complete Agreement | 16 | ||||
Section 6.3 |
Voting and Other Actions | 16 | ||||
Section 6.4 |
Governing Law | 17 | ||||
Section 6.5 |
No Assignment | 17 | ||||
Section 6.6 |
Binding Effect | 17 | ||||
Section 6.7 |
Severability | 17 | ||||
Section 6.8 |
No Partition | 17 |
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Section 6.9 |
Additional Documents and Acts | 17 | ||||
Section 6.10 |
No Employment Rights | 18 | ||||
Section 6.11 |
Amendments; Termination of Equity Rights | 18 | ||||
Section 6.12 |
No Waiver | 18 | ||||
Section 6.13 |
Notices | 18 | ||||
Section 6.14 |
Consent to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 19 | ||||
Section 6.15 |
No Third Party Beneficiary | 20 | ||||
Section 6.16 |
Confidentiality | 20 | ||||
Section 6.17 |
Cumulative Remedies; Specific Performance | 21 | ||||
Section 6.18 |
Exhibits and Schedules | 21 | ||||
Section 6.19 |
Interpretation | 21 | ||||
Section 6.20 |
Termination | 22 |
SCHEDULE A | DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | |
SCHEDULE B | COMPETITORS | |
EXHIBIT A | DEFINITIONS | |
EXHIBIT B | FORM OF ADOPTION AGREEMENT | |
ANNEX I | CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT |
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SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
This Shareholders Agreement (this Agreement ) is made and entered into as of November 9, 2015 (the Effective Date ) by and among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and the Stockholders (as defined herein). Capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein have the meanings set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference.
RECITALS
A. This Agreement is being entered into in connection with the issuance of all of the outstanding Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ( Company Common Stock ) on the Effective Date to the Stockholders pursuant to the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering in accordance with the terms thereof.
B. As of the date hereof, the Stockholders hold in the aggregate all of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Class C/D Common Stock.
C. The parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to establish certain arrangements with respect to the Company Common Stock and the Class C/D Common Stock and other related corporate matters of the Company.
D. Reference is made to (1) that certain Stockholder Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2011, as amended on May 7, 2014, by and among the Company, Affinion Group Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( AGHILLC ), certain investment funds affiliated with General Atlantic LLC ( General Atlantic ) and the investors party thereto (the Stockholder Agreement ), (2) that certain Management Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of October 17, 2005, as amended on April 30, 2010, by and among the Company, AGHILLC and the investors party thereto (the Management Investor Rights Agreement ), (3) that certain Securityholder Rights Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2011, by and among the Company, AGHILLC, General Atlantic and the investors party thereto (the Securityholder Rights Agreement ) and (4) that certain Warrantholder Rights Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2013, as amended on May 7, 2014, by and among the Company, AGHILLC, General Atlantic and the investors party thereto (the Warrantholder Rights Agreement , and together with the Stockholder Agreement, the Management Investor Rights Agreement and the Securityholder Rights Agreement, the Prior Equity Agreements ).
E. The Company and the requisite parties to each of the Prior Equity Agreements desire to amend and restate each Prior Equity Agreement, and replace such agreements in their entirety with this Agreement.
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NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Stockholders, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS; VOTING
Section 1.1 Stockholders; Voting . Except for the obligations contained in Section 6.16 , and subject to the last sentence of Section 4.6(a) , a Person shall cease to be a Stockholder for all purposes upon the disposition of all of such Persons Company Common Stock and Class C/D Common Stock.
Section 1.2 Restrictive Legend .
(a) Each certificate representing the Company Common Stock and Class C/D Common Stock will contain a legend in substantially the following form and any other legends required under the Companys Charter Documents:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF A SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT MADE AS OF NOVEMBER 9, 2015, INCLUDING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, TO WHICH THE COMPANY AND ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE PARTY. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE TRANSFERABLE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH AGREEMENT, AND ANY HOLDER OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY (WHETHER ACQUIRED UPON ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER) SHALL BE, AND BE DEEMED TO BE, A PARTY TO AND BOUND BY THAT AGREEMENT, WHICH SHALL CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTIVE NOTWITHSTANDING ANY ISSUE OR TRANSFER OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY. A COPY OF THE SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE COMPANY TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITY OR BLUE SKY LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM UNDER SAID ACT OR LAWS.
(b) Subject to any lock-up or other agreement that may apply to a Stockholders Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock as may be specifically agreed to with an applicable Stockholder, the requirement that the shares of Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock contain the second paragraph of the legend set forth in clause (a) above shall cease and terminate when such shares are transferred pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act ( Rule 144 ). Upon the consummation of an event described in the immediately preceding sentence, the Company, upon surrender of certificates containing the second paragraph of such legend (if certificated), shall, at its own expense, and upon delivery, if requested by the Board, of a written opinion of legal counsel in form and substance reasonably
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satisfactory to the Companys legal counsel to the effect that the proposed Transfer is being made pursuant to Rule 144, deliver to the holder of any such securities as to which the requirement for the second paragraph of such legend shall have terminated, one or more new certificates evidencing such securities not bearing the second paragraph of such legend (if certificated).
(c) In the event that the Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock, or any shares thereof, shall cease to be subject to the restrictions on Transfer set forth in Section 4.2 , the requirement that such shares of Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock contain the first paragraph of the legend set forth in clause (a) above shall cease and terminate. Upon the consummation of an event described in the immediately preceding sentence, the Company, upon surrender of certificates containing the first paragraph of such legend (if certificated), shall, at its own expense, deliver to the holder of any such securities as to which the requirement for the first paragraph of such legend shall have terminated, one or more new certificates evidencing such securities not bearing the first paragraph of such legend (if certificated).
ARTICLE II
MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF BUSINESS
Section 2.1 Board of Directors .
(a) Company Subsidiaries . The Company shall not cause or permit any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries to take any action in subversion of the rights of Stockholders as set forth herein (it being understood that any action by the Company permitted hereunder, including with respect to actions relating to it and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, shall not require additional consent hereunder solely because such action instead is taken by a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company).
(b) Election of Directors .
(i) On or promptly following the settlement of the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering, the Company shall take all Necessary Action to cause the board of directors of the Company (the Board ) to be comprised of five (5) Directors, divided into three (3) classes of Directors.
(ii) For each Board election occurring after the date hereof, the individual then serving as the chief executive officer of the Company (the CEO Director ) shall be included in the Companys slate of nominees for Director at each annual or special meeting of Stockholders at which Directors are to be elected and at which the Class I Director (as defined in the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company) seats are subject to election. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the election of the CEO Director to the Board at such meeting (including recommending that the Companys Stockholders vote in favor of the election of the CEO Director (along with all other Company nominees) and otherwise supporting him or her for election in a manner no less rigorous and favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees in the aggregate).
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(iii) If at any time the CEO Director is no longer serving as chief executive officer of the Company, (A) then the CEO Director shall be deemed to have resigned from the Board immediately and (B) the Board shall cause the vacancy caused by such resignation to be filled by the new chief executive officer of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the Charter Documents.
(iv) If at any time there is no chief executive officer of the Company, then notwithstanding the right of the Board to fill any vacancy pursuant to the Charter Documents, the CEO Director seat shall be vacant until a chief executive officer of the Company is appointed whether on an interim or permanent basis.
Section 2.2 Restrictions on Authority of the Board .
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, none of the following actions may be taken by the Company, directly or indirectly (and the Company shall cause its Subsidiaries to refrain from taking such actions) without a Stockholder Supermajority Vote:
(i) any material amendment, modification or waiver of this Agreement or of the Charter Documents of the Company or any material Subsidiary; provided that any such amendment that reasonably would be expected to disproportionately and adversely affect any Stockholder, in its capacity as a Stockholder, in any material respect, as compared to the other Stockholders, shall also require the prior written consent of each Stockholder so affected; provided, further, that no consent shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.2(a)(i) to the extent that an amendment of a Charter Document of any material Subsidiary (X) is requested in connection with a refinance or extension of the senior secured credit facility of Affinion Group, governed by that certain Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Facility, dated as of April 9, 2010, as amended on November 20, 2012, as further amended on December 21, 2012, as further amended on December 12, 2013, to facilitate the creation and perfection of security interests in the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries (including without limitation the equity of the Companys Subsidiaries) and (Y) does not in any material respect impair the ability of any Stockholder to exercise its rights under this Agreement.
(ii) any merger, consolidation, reorganization, or equity recapitalization of, the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than mergers or consolidations of a wholly owned Subsidiary with another wholly owned Subsidiary or with the Company) as a result of which the holders of Company Common Stock are not the holders of a majority of the equity interests or voting power of the surviving or resulting entity;
(iii) any sale, assignment or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets or properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries (in each case, on a consolidated basis and other than sales, assignments and transfers between a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company and the Company or another wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company);
(iv) entry by the Company or any Subsidiary into any agreement or transaction or series of related transactions with any holder of five percent (5%) or more of the shares of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or any of their respective executive officers, directors or
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Affiliates, except in the ordinary course of business (X) with Persons that are Affiliates of the Company and its Subsidiaries that do not hold five percent (5%) or more of the shares of the Outstanding Common Stock and on terms no less favorable to the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, than would have been obtainable on an arms length basis or (Y) in connection with new or continued employment of the officers or employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries; provided that for the purposes of this clause (iv), the term Affiliates shall not include the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(v) engagement in any material new line of business substantially unrelated to any business or activity of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries currently conducted or proposed as of the date hereof, or any business or activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof, or is complementary, incidental, ancillary or related thereto;
(vi) implementation of a new management Equity Incentive Plan or similar arrangement which could result, when combined with any existing management Equity Incentive Plan or similar arrangement (excluding the Existing Plans), in the issuance of more than ten percent (10%) of the Company Common Stock to employees and Directors of the Company; and
(vii) entry into any agreement, commitment or arrangement to effect any of the foregoing.
Section 2.3 Directors Non-exclusive Services . No Director shall be required to manage the Company as his sole and exclusive function and any Director or Stockholder may have other business interests and may engage in other activities in addition to those relating to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Directors who are employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries shall be required to have such employment as their primary business function.
Section 2.4 Reimbursement of Expenses . Each Director shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company of all expenses reasonably incurred and paid by such Director in connection with such Directors services as a Director or otherwise incurred for the benefit of, or on behalf of, the Company. The Board may establish, from time to time, policies relating to expense reimbursement (including, what expenses, such as retained counsel or other advisors, will be reimbursable), which policies shall treat and apply to each Director (other than any employee of the Company serving as a Director) equally.
Section 2.5 Director Compensation . Each of the Directors (other than any employee of the Company serving as a Director) shall be paid the fee set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (which Schedule shall be deemed to be automatically amended upon any change to Director compensation that (i) is approved by a Majority of the Board (if such change does not provide for an increase of more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) in the aggregate amount of any Director compensation in any fiscal year) or (ii) is approved by a Majority of the Board and a Stockholder Majority Vote (if such change provides for an increase of more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) in the aggregate amount of any Director compensation in any fiscal year)); provided that each non-employee Director, other than the chairperson, shall receive the same fee. The Board shall have the discretion to determine if Directors should be provided additional fees for serving on one or more committees of the Company; provided that each
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committee member, other than the chairperson, shall receive the same fee. Further, nothing contained herein shall preclude any Director that is an employee of the Company from receiving wages or similar compensation pursuant to any employment agreement with the Company for services rendered thereto.
ARTICLE III
INFORMATION RIGHTS AND LISTING
Section 3.1 Information Rights of Stockholders; Records Required by the DGCL; Right of Inspection .
(a) Until the Company becomes obligated to file reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, unless the Company files reports required by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as a voluntary filer, each Stockholder, other than any Stockholder that is a Competitor, shall have the right to receive the following information (which right the Company may satisfy by providing access to each Stockholder to a confidential website such as Intralinks and timely posting such information on such website (which website shall have a system of email notification of new postings and may require confirmation by viewers of the site of the confidentiality obligations set forth in Section 6.16 , a Secure Site ), and each Stockholder may share and discuss such information (along with any other information provided to Stockholders pursuant to this Agreement and otherwise made available to Stockholders via the Secure Site) with its Affiliates, directors, officers, partners, managers, stockholders, employees, investors and advisors as well as any bona fide prospective purchaser of Company Common Stock that (x) is not a Competitor and (y) has entered into, and delivered to the Company, a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form set forth on Annex I attached hereto regarding the treatment of such information (and for the avoidance of doubt, at its election, the Company may share and discuss such information with any prospective purchaser of Company Common Stock):
(i) within ninety (90) days of the end of each fiscal year, copies of all annual financial statements and similar information of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Form 10-K if the Company were required to file such forms, which financial statements shall (v) include a comparison to the prior fiscal year results; (w) be prepared in accordance with GAAP; (x) be audited by a nationally recognized accounting firm approved by the Board and accompanied by a report and opinion thereon by such accounting firm prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards that is not subject to any going concern or similar qualification or exception or any qualification as to the scope of such audit or with respect to accounting principles followed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries not in accordance with GAAP; (y) be accompanied by a management discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations with respect to such financial statements (an MD&A ); and (z) be certified by the chief financial officer of the Company.
(ii) for each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, copies of all quarterly financial statements and similar information of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Form 10-Q if the Company were required to file such forms, which
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financial statements shall (w) include year-to-date results and a comparison to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year; (x) be prepared in accordance with GAAP; (y) be accompanied by an MD&A; and (z) be delivered no later than forty-five (45) days following the end of such fiscal quarter.
(iii) all current reports that would be required to be filed with, and within the timing that would be required by, the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.
(b) The Company shall host, and each Stockholder shall have access to, quarterly conference calls with senior officers of the Company to discuss the status of the Company and its business and the business of its Subsidiaries (including updates to the budgets and projections of the Company and its Subsidiaries), which calls shall include a reasonable and customary question and answer session. Quarterly calls shall be hosted as promptly as reasonably practicable but in any event no later than twenty (20) Business Days after furnishing the annual and quarterly reports.
(c) During the term of the Companys existence there shall be maintained in the Companys principal office or at the office of the Companys agents and representatives all records required to be kept pursuant to the DGCL, including (whether or not so required) a current list of the names, addresses and shares of Company Common Stock and Class C/D Common Stock held by each of the Stockholders (including the dates on which each of the Stockholders became a Stockholder), copies of federal, state and local information or income tax returns for each of the Companys tax years, copies of this Agreement and each of the Companys Charter Documents, including all amendments thereto and restatements thereof, and correct and complete books and records of account of the Company. Prior to any termination of the Companys existence, the Company shall use all reasonable efforts to ensure that, for a period of six (6) years after any such termination, such information, to the extent still in existence and available, may be obtained by a Stockholders request in writing to a legal advisor or agent of the Company to be designated prior to any such termination, with the cost (as reasonably determined by such legal advisor or agent) of accessing and providing such information being borne by the requesting Stockholder.
(d) On written request stating the purpose, a Stockholder that (together with its Affiliates) holds at least five percent (5%) of the Outstanding Company Common Stock may make reasonable inquiries of management and examine, at any reasonable time during business hours, for any proper purpose reasonably related to such Stockholders interest as a Stockholder of the Company, and at the Stockholders expense, records of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that the Company may limit access to certain information if and to the extent required by applicable law, if the Board reasonably deems such information to be competitively sensitive with respect to the Stockholder requesting such access or if granting such access could reasonably be expected in the loss or impairment of the Company to claim attorney client privilege, work product doctrine, or a similar protective privilege or doctrine with respect to the information (provided that the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to allow for such access in a way that would not have any of the foregoing effects). Upon written request by any Stockholder made to the Company, the Company shall provide or make available to such Stockholder without charge true copies of this Agreement, the Companys Charter Documents, and all amendments thereto and restatements thereof, which documents may be provided to such Stockholder by posting them on a Secure Site or on EDGAR.
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Section 3.2 Information Rights of the Company . The Company may from time to time (including in connection with the admission of a new or Substitute Stockholder), but a Stockholder may be compelled to answer no more frequently than once per calendar quarter (unless, with respect to clause (i) hereof, required by applicable law), reasonably request of any or all Stockholders information (i) needed by the Company to comply with applicable law and/or (ii) regarding such Stockholders accredited investor status (within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act).
Section 3.3 Listing . As promptly as practicable following the Closing, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company Common Stock to be registered under the Exchange Act and qualified for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board (or other available over the counter market) (an OTC Listing ). On or prior to the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Closing, to the extent that the Company is able to satisfy the listing requirements therefor, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company Common Stock to be listed on a U.S. national securities exchange registered with the SEC (a Public Listing and each of an OTC Listing or Public Listing, a Listing ).
ARTICLE IV
TRANSFER
Section 4.1 Transfer of Company Common Stock; Derivative Securities . No Stockholder may Transfer, offer to Transfer, or accept an offer from any proposed Transferee for, all or any shares of its Company Common Stock or any amount of its Derivative Security to another Person except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV . A Transfer completed in accordance with this Article IV is referred to in this Agreement as a Permitted Transfer .
Section 4.2 General Provisions Regarding Transfers .
(a) Without limiting any other provisions or restrictions or conditions of this Article IV , no Transfer of Company Common Stock or any Derivative Security or any other rights or obligations or interests of a Stockholder, as applicable, may be made under any circumstances unless such Transfer is made in accordance with the procedures set forth herein and such Transfer would not result in any of the following:
(i) Securities Laws . Any violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ), or any regulation issued pursuant thereto, or any state securities laws or regulations, or any other applicable federal or state laws or order of any court having jurisdiction over the Company; or
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(ii) Registration . Without limiting the restrictions set forth in the Charter Documents, until the Company becomes obligated to file reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, any requirement that the Company register the Company Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act or any regulation issued pursuant thereto.
Compliance with the restrictions on Transfer set forth in this Section 4.2(a) may be administered by the Company or the Companys transfer agent under the direction and control of the Company, and the Company and its transfer agent shall be entitled to take such measures as are reasonably necessary to prevent any Transfers in violation of this Section 4.2(a) . In furtherance of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed by all Stockholders, additional Stockholders and Substitute Stockholders that Transfers may not be permitted if, following such Transfer, the Companys securities would be held by a number of holders or non-accredited investors that would result (including as a result of passage of time, and giving effect to the exercise of all Derivative Securities) in a requirement that the Company file a registration statement under the Exchange Act or any regulation issued pursuant thereto, unless the Company has already become required, or the Board has elected, to file such a registration statement.
(b) Mechanics . Any Transfer of Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock shall be subject to the restrictions of this Section 4.2 . The Person proposing to make any such Transfer shall deliver to the Company (i) the name of the Person or Persons to whom the proposed Transfer is to be made ( Transferee ) and (ii) if reasonably requested by the Board, a written opinion of legal counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Companys legal counsel to the effect that the proposed Transfer may be effected without registration under the Securities Act or any applicable state law.
(c) Adoption Agreement . Prior to the consummation of an IPO, no direct Transfer of Company Common Stock and Class C/D Common Stock by any Stockholder will be permitted unless the Transferee in such Transfer (if not already a party hereto) executes an Adoption Agreement, pursuant to which such Transferee shall become a Stockholder bound by this Agreement. Upon any Transfer by a Stockholder of all of its Company Common Stock and Class C/D Common Stock, that Stockholder shall cease to be a Stockholder for all purposes under this Agreement.
(d) Prohibited Persons . No Transfer of any Company Common Stock or Derivative Securities otherwise permitted by this Agreement shall be permitted or made by any Stockholder if such Transfer, whether directly or indirectly, is to a Prohibited Person.
Section 4.3 Tag-Along Rights .
(a) Without limiting the other terms and conditions hereof (including Section 4.1 ), if at any time one (1) or more Stockholders that collectively hold thirty five percent (35%) or more of the then Outstanding Company Common Stock proposes to Transfer, directly or indirectly, for value any Company Common Stock (but less than one hundred percent (100%) of the then Outstanding Company Common Stock), in a single transaction or series of related transactions (each Stockholder proposing to make any such Transfer, a Tag-Along Seller , each such transaction, other than a Transfer that is an Affiliate Transfer with respect to such Tag-Along Seller, a Tag-Along Sale and the purchaser involved in such transaction(s), the Tag-Along Purchaser ), then, each other Stockholder (each, a Tag-Along Rightholder ) shall have the
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right to sell to such Tag-Along Purchaser, upon the terms set forth in the Tag-Along Notice, up to a maximum number of shares of Company Common Stock held by such Tag-Along Rightholder (the Tag-Along Offered Shares ) equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock proposed to be sold by the Tag-Along Seller in such Tag-Along Sale by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Company Common Stock owned by such Tag-Along Rightholder at the Tag-Along Record Date and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of Outstanding Company Common Stock at the Tag-Along Record Date. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.3 , any Tag-Along Sale must satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 and otherwise be a Permitted Transfer.
(b) The Tag-Along Seller shall give written notice to the Company of each proposed Transfer by it that gives rise to the rights of the Tag-Along Rightholders set forth in this Section 4.3 at least ten (10) days prior to the proposed consummation of such Transfer and the Company, within three (3) Business Days after receiving notice from such Tag-Along Seller, shall give written notice of such Transfer to each Tag-Along Rightholder. The close of business on the date immediately prior to the date on which written notice is given by the Company in accordance with this Section 4.3(b) shall be deemed to be the Tag-Along Record Date . The notice provided by the Tag-Along Seller, and forwarded by the Company, shall set forth in reasonable detail based on information available to the Tag-Along Seller, the name of such Tag-Along Seller, the number of shares of Company Common Stock that will be held by such Tag-Along Seller as of the Tag-Along Record Date and the number of shares of Company Common Stock proposed to be sold by such Tag-Along Seller, the name of and contact information for the proposed Tag-Along Purchaser (including any material relationships the Tag-Along Purchaser has with the Company, any Stockholder or any Director), the proposed amount and form of consideration and terms and conditions of payment offered by such Tag-Along Purchaser, the percentage (or a reasonable estimate of the minimum and maximum percentage) of Company Common Stock that Tag-Along Rightholders may sell to such Tag-Along Purchaser (determined in accordance with Section 4.3(a) ) , the per share purchase price and any other material terms or conditions (the Tag-Along Notice ). The Tag-Along Seller will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company, and the Company will deliver to the Tag-Along Rightholders, copies of all transaction documents relating to the Tag-Along Sale as the same become available. The Company can satisfy its obligation to deliver the Tag-Along Notice by posting such notice to a Secure Site and notifying (or causing notification to be delivered to) each of the Tag-Along Rightholders of such posting in writing. If the Tag-Along Rightholder holds a Derivative Security eligible for participation in a Tag-Along Sale, but is required under the Equity Incentive Plan applicable thereto or the terms of such Derivative Security to exercise such Derivative Security to so participate, such Tag-Along Rightholder shall, no later than the tenth (10th) Business Day following the Tag-Along Record Date, irrevocably notify the Tag-Along Seller and the Company as to whether it will, immediately prior to the consummation of the Tag-Along Sale, convert or exercise, in accordance with the terms thereof, any such Derivative Securities into shares of Company Common Stock and then include such shares of Company Common Stock in the applicable Tag-Along Sale by delivery of a Tag-Along Rightholders Offer with respect thereto in accordance with the following sentence (and any such shares of Company Common Stock that would become outstanding as a result of such exercise shall be deemed to be outstanding as of the Tag-Along Record Date and each Tag-Along Rightholders Tag-Along Offered Shares shall be adjusted accordingly), with any failure to include any such shares of
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Company Common Stock in the applicable Tag-Along Rightholders Offer being deemed a waiver of the right to include such shares of Company Common Stock in such Tag-Along Sale. The tag-along rights provided by this Section 4.3 must be exercised by any Tag-Along Rightholder electing to sell Tag-Along Offered Shares no later than the tenth (10th) Business Day following the Tag-Along Record Date, which exercise shall be by delivery of a written irrevocable offer (the Tag-Along Rightholders Offer ) to the Tag-Along Seller and the Company indicating such Tag-Along Rightholders election to have its Tag-Along Offered Shares included in the Tag-Along Sale and specifying the number of Tag-Along Offered Shares (up to the maximum number of Tag-Along Offered Shares as determined in accordance with Section 4.3(a)) it elects to sell; provided that any Tag-Along Rightholder may waive its tag-along rights under this Section 4.3 with respect to such Tag-Along Sale prior to the expiration of such ten (10)-Business Day period by giving written notice thereof to the Tag-Along Seller, with a copy to the Company (and failure to deliver a Tag-Along Rightholders Offer by the tenth (10th) Business Day following the Tag-Along Record Date will be deemed to be a waiver of such Tag-Along Rightholders tag-along rights under this Section 4.3 with respect to such Tag-Along Sale). Subject to the other terms herein, delivery of the Tag-Along Rightholders Offer will constitute an irrevocable binding commitment by such Tag-Along Rightholder to sell the number of Tag-Along Offered Shares specified in the Tag-Along Rightholders Offer of such Tag-Along Rightholder on the terms set forth in the Tag-Along Notice. The Tag-Along Seller shall attempt to obtain the inclusion in the proposed Tag-Along Sale of the entire number of Tag-Along Offered Shares that the Tag-Along Rightholders timely elect to have included in such Tag-Along Sale. If the Tag-Along Seller is unable to obtain such inclusion of all such Tag-Along Offered Shares, then (i) the number of Tag-Along Offered Shares to be sold in such Tag-Along Sale shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among the Tag-Along Seller and each Tag-Along Rightholder who shall have timely elected to participate in such Tag-Along Sale in proportion to the total number of shares of Company Common Stock offered and eligible to be sold in the Tag-Along Sale by each such Stockholder or (ii) the Tag-Along Seller shall be permitted to sell its shares of Company Common Stock in such Tag-Along Sale; provided that it purchases, for the same price and upon the same terms, from each Tag-Along Rightholder who shall have timely elected to participate in such Tag-Along Sale the number of shares of Company Common Stock that such Tag-Along Rightholder could have included in such Tag-Along Sale. Neither the Tag-Along Seller nor any of its Affiliates shall receive any direct or indirect consideration in connection with the Tag-Along Sale (including by way of fees, consulting arrangements or a non-compete payment) other than consideration received in exchange for its Company Common Stock.
(c) If (i) the Tag-Along Seller has not consummated the Tag-Along Sale within sixty (60) days of the delivery to Stockholders of the related Tag-Along Notice (for any reason other than the failure of a Tag-Along Rightholder to sell its shares of Company Common Stock under this Section 4.3 ) or (ii) the principal terms and conditions of the Tag-Along Sale shall change, in any material respect, from those in the Tag-Along Notice, then the Tag-Along Notice and any Tag-Along Rightholders Offer shall be null and void, and it shall be necessary for a separate Tag-Along Notice to be furnished, and the terms and provisions of this Section 4.3 separately complied with, in order to subsequently consummate such proposed Tag-Along Sale pursuant to this Section 4.3 ; provided , however , that the Tag-Along Notice and the Tag-Along Rightholders Offers shall not be null and void if the Tag-Along Seller receives the written consent of each of the Tag-Along Rightholders agreeing to an extension and/or revised terms. Notwithstanding any
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other provision of this Section 4.3 , there shall be no liability on the part of any Tag-Along Seller to any other Stockholder arising from the failure of any Tag-Along Seller or Tag-Along Purchaser to consummate the Tag-Along Sale for any reason, and the decision to consummate such Tag-Along Sale shall be in the sole discretion of the Tag-Along Seller.
(d) Each Person selling Company Common Stock or Derivative Securities in a proposed Tag-Along Sale shall take or cause to be taken all such reasonable actions consistent with the terms of this Agreement as may be necessary or reasonably desirable in order expeditiously to consummate such sale and any related transactions, including: executing, acknowledging and delivering consents, assignments, waivers and other documents or instruments; furnishing information and copies of documents reasonably requested of it; and otherwise reasonably cooperating with the selling Stockholders, the Company, and the prospective purchaser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, with respect to a proposed Tag-Along Sale, each such participating Stockholder agrees to execute and deliver such agreements as may be reasonably specified by the Tag-Along Seller (including, if applicable, any conversion or exercise of any Derivative Securities in exchange for Company Common Stock prior to the consummation of the applicable sale), so long as all selling Stockholders party to such agreement will be subject to the same terms; provided that the participating Stockholders that are not the Tag-Along Seller, (i) shall not be required to make representations and warranties other than with respect to unencumbered title to its Company Common Stock and/or Derivative Securities, as applicable, and the power, authority and legal right of such Stockholder to transfer its Company Common Stock and/or Derivative Securities, as applicable, (ii) may be liable, but shall only be severally, not jointly, liable with all other sellers (whether by purchase price adjustment, indemnity payments or otherwise) in respect of representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements made in respect of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (iii) may be required to remain subject to confidentiality restrictions in respect of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries consistent with those set forth in this Agreement and (iv) shall not be required to agree to any noncompetition, non-solicitation or similar restrictive covenant; and provided , further , that with respect to representations, warranties and covenants of the type described in clause (ii), the aggregate amount of such liability (x) will not exceed the lesser of (A) such Stockholders pro rata portion of any such liability, to be determined in accordance with such Stockholders portion of the total amount of shares of Company Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) included in such sale and (B) the net after-tax proceeds actually received by such Stockholder in connection with such sale and (y) will be satisfied, at least as to such liability of the participating Stockholders that are not the Tag-Along Seller, first from the proceeds of such sale that are escrowed or otherwise withheld (which escrow or withholding will be of the proceeds payable to all Stockholders participating in such sale, on a pro rata basis) (if any), and then from the proceeds of such sale actually received by such participating Stockholders (if any).
(e) The closing of a Tag-Along Sale will take place at such time and place as the Tag-Along Seller shall reasonably specify by written notice to each participating Stockholder.
(f) In any Tag-Along Sale, the sale of Company Common Stock and/or Derivative Securities, as applicable, by all selling Stockholders shall (i) be made on the same terms (including the price per share and the type of consideration to be received), (ii) be subject to the same conditions, except as set forth in the provisos in Section 4.3(d) and except that with respect
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to the sale of any Derivative Securities or other equity awards (unless otherwise provided in the applicable Equity Incentive Plan) the consideration payable on account thereof may be adjusted by the Board to take into consideration any exercise, conversion or similar price therefor, and (iii) be entitled to receive the proceeds from such sale (in such amount calculated as provided herein) at the same time. No selling Stockholder shall be entitled to receive any other material benefits or consideration in connection with any Tag-Along Sale that is not shared pro rata with all other selling Stockholders.
Section 4.4 Preemptive Rights . Any issuance of New Securities by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than an issuance of Exempt Securities, shall be subject to the following provisions:
(a) Right to Purchase New Securities . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.4 (including Section 4.4(e) hereof), the Company hereby grants to each Stockholder that, together with its Affiliates, holds of record at least one percent (1%) of the Outstanding Company Common Stock (the Qualified Stockholder ) the right to purchase its pro rata share of any and all issuances, sales or distributions of New Securities proposed to be made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, or anything herein to the contrary, if the purchase by any Qualified Stockholder of its pro rata share of the New Securities would not be permitted without the prior approval of a governmental body of applicable jurisdiction (including the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority), such approval has not been obtained, and such approval would not be required if the Qualified Stockholder were to purchase Limited Warrants in lieu of some or all of the New Securities, then, under this Section 4.4, the offer to such Qualified Stockholder shall be the right to purchase the number of Limited Warrants (at the same price as the New Securities) and New Securities that would result from making such a substitution.
(b) Issuance Notice . The Company shall give each Person that on the date of an Issuance Notice is a Qualified Stockholder written notice of the Companys intention to issue or sell New Securities (which notice may be provided by posting the requisite information on a Secure Site and notifying (or causing notification to be delivered to) each of such Qualified Stockholders of such posting in writing) (the Issuance Notice ), describing the type and terms of the New Securities, the price at which such New Securities will be issued or sold and the general terms upon which the Company proposes to issue or sell the New Securities, including the anticipated date of such issuance, sale or distribution, the general use of proceeds thereof, a description of both the business purpose of the offering of such New Securities and the dilutive effects, if any, of such offering, and the record date for determining Qualified Stockholders and the pro rata share of each of them which, if not specified in the Issuance Notice, shall be the date of the Issuance Notice (the Preemptive Offer Record Date ) . Each Qualified Stockholder shall have ten (10) Business Days from the date the Issuance Notice is sent to deliver notice (the Response Notice ) of its intention to purchase all or any portion of its pro rata share of the New Securities, based on the ratio of the shares of Company Common Stock held by such Qualified Stockholder on the Preemptive Offer Record Date to the number of shares of Company Common Stock held by all the Qualified Stockholders on the Preemptive Offer Record Date, and stating therein the quantity of New Securities it intends to purchase (each Qualified Stockholder who delivers a Response Notice hereunder is a Purchaser for purposes of this Section 4.4 ); provided that if the Company determines that a ten (10)-Business Day period is not practical, the
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Company shall specify a shorter period (which shall be as long a period as is reasonably practical but in no event less than three (3) Business Days) in the Issuance Notice. Such Response Notice shall constitute the irrevocable agreement of such Purchaser to purchase the quantity of New Securities indicated in the Response Notice at the price and upon the terms stated in the Issuance Notice; provided , however , that if the Company is proposing to issue, sell or distribute securities for consideration other than all cash, and subject to the limitations on the rights set forth in this Section 4.4 , the Company shall accept from such Purchaser either non-cash consideration that is reasonably comparable to the non-cash consideration proposed by the Company or the cash value of such non-cash consideration, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board. Any purchase of New Securities by a Purchaser pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be consummated on or prior to the later of (x) the date on which all other Offered Securities described in the applicable Issuance Notice are issued, sold or distributed and (y) the second (2nd) Business Day following delivery of the Response Notice by such Purchaser.
(c) Sale to Other Persons . The Company shall have sixty (60) days from the date of the applicable Issuance Notice to consummate an issuance, sale or distribution of any New Securities which the Qualified Stockholders have not elected to purchase pursuant to Section 4.4(b) to other Persons at a price and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Company than those contained in the Issuance Notice, on the condition that any Person purchasing New Securities pursuant to such offer must comply with Sections 4.2 and 4.6 . In the event that the sale of New Securities is not fully consummated within such sixty (60)-day period, then the Company shall be obligated once again to offer the purchase rights set forth in this Section 4.4 before it may subsequently sell such New Securities (provided that such sixty (60)-day period shall automatically toll, but not for longer than one-hundred and eighty (180) days to the extent regulatory approval would be required for such Person to acquire such New Securities).
(d) Exempt Securities . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.4 , Qualified Stockholders shall not have the right to participate in the issuance of any New Securities which are otherwise authorized to be issued in accordance with this Agreement (i) if such New Securities were issued as consideration in any merger, consolidation or combination with or acquisition of securities or assets of another Person in exchange for New Securities, (ii) if made upon conversion or exercise of any rights, convertible securities, options or warrants to purchase Company Common Stock or other capital stock of the Company, (iii) if made by any Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or any of its direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries, or (iv) if made as securities which are the subject of a registration statement being filed under the Securities Act pursuant to a Qualified IPO, (v) if made to Directors, officers, employees or consultants as compensation pursuant to any Equity Incentive Plans approved in accordance with Section 2.2 (the New Securities described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (v), Exempt Securities ).
(e) Nothing in this Section 4.4 shall prevent the Company or its Subsidiaries from issuing or selling to any Person (the Accelerated Buyer ) any New Securities without first complying with the provisions of this Section 4.4 ; provided , that in connection with such issuance or sale (i) the Company gives reasonably prompt notice to the Qualified Stockholders of such issuance (after such issuance has occurred), which notice shall describe in reasonable detail the New Securities purchased by the Accelerated Buyer and the purchase price thereof and (ii)
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the Accelerated Buyer and the Company enable the Qualified Stockholders to effectively exercise their respective rights under this Section 4.4 with respect to their purchase of their pro rata share of the New Securities issued to the Accelerated Buyer within 15 Business Days after receipt of the notice by the Qualified Stockholder of such issuance to the Accelerated Buyer on the terms specified in this Section 4.4 . The Preemptive Offer Record Date for such issuance shall be the date such New Securities are issued to the Accelerated Buyer.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and without limiting any other right or remedy that may be available to the Company, the Board may deny any right contemplated by this Section 4.4 to any Person that is a transferee or purported transferee of any securities of the Company in violation of Section 4.2 .
Section 4.5 All Other Transfers Void . Any Transfer or purported Transfer in violation of the provisions of this Article IV shall be null and void ab initio , shall be of no force or effect and shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.
Section 4.6 Admission of Substitute Stockholder; Liabilities .
(a) After the consummation of any Transfer of any shares of Company Common Stock or Derivative Securities in compliance with the requirements of this Article IV , the assignee of Company Common Stock or Derivative Securities so transferred shall be required to comply with all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement. An assignee of a Company Common Stock or Derivative Securities will be admitted as a Substitute Stockholder only if (i) the Transfer of such Company Common Stock or Derivative Securities complies in all respects with this Article IV and (ii) the prospective Substitute Stockholder delivers a signed Adoption Agreement pursuant to Section 4.2(c) . Unless otherwise agreed to by a Majority Vote of the Board, the admission of a Substitute Stockholder shall not release the transferring Stockholder from any liability to the Company or to the other Stockholders in respect of its shares of Company Common Stock or Derivative Securities that may have existed prior to such admission.
(b) No Transfer of all or any other quantity of Company Common Stock or Derivative Securities shall be effective until the date upon which the applicable requirements of this Article IV have been met. Any Substitute Stockholder shall take such securities subject to the restrictions on transfer imposed by this Agreement.
(c) The Company shall reflect, or shall cause its transfer agent to reflect, the admission of such Substitute Stockholder in the records of the Company (including the Stockholder Registry) as soon as possible after satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
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ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 5.1 Representations and Warranties of Each Party . Except as otherwise specified below, as of the Effective Date, each of the parties to this Agreement, severally and not jointly and severally, represents and warrants, solely with respect to itself, to each of the other parties to this Agreement as follows:
(a) Due Organization and Good Standing . If the party is the Company or a Stockholder that is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity, it is duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent that its jurisdiction of organization recognizes the concept of good standing) under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization. If the Stockholder is an individual, the Stockholder is of legal age to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and is legally competent to do so.
(b) Authority Relative to this Agreement . It has all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by it has been duly and validly authorized by all requisite action, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to authorize this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by it and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties to this Agreement, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of it, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles. It has not granted nor is it a party to any proxy, voting trust or other agreement that is inconsistent with, conflicts with or violates any provision of this Agreement.
(c) No Conflict . The execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement do not and shall not violate any applicable law or conflict with or constitute a default, breach or violation of (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) the terms, conditions or provisions of any contract, agreement or instrument to which it is subject, which would prevent it from performing any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 6.1 Management Investors . The provisions of Annex II to this Agreement shall apply to the Management Holders and Executive Management Holders (as such terms are defined therein).
Section 6.2 Complete Agreement . This Agreement and the other agreements expressly referenced in this Agreement constitute the complete and exclusive statement of agreement among the Stockholders with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior written and oral statements by and among the Stockholders or any of them, and except as otherwise specifically contemplated by this Agreement, no representation, statement, or condition or warranty not contained in this Agreement will be binding on the Stockholders or the Company or have any force or effect whatsoever.
Section 6.3 Voting and Other Actions .
(a) Each Stockholder hereby acknowledges and agrees that it is subject to the limitations and restrictions on voting its Company Common Stock set forth in Article IV(a)(3)(ii) of the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (and any successor provision thereto).
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(b) The Company by its execution hereof acknowledges that it has actual notice of the terms of this Agreement, consents hereto and hereby covenants with each of the Stockholders that it will at all times during the term of this Agreement be governed by the terms and provisions hereof in carrying out its business and affairs and, accordingly, shall give or cause to be given such notices, execute or cause to be executed such documents and do or cause to be done all such acts, matters and things as may from time to time be necessary or required to carry out the terms and intent hereof.
Section 6.4 Governing Law . This Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder will be governed by, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to conflicts of law principles.
Section 6.5 No Assignment . No party hereto may assign any of its respective rights or delegate any of its respective obligations under this Agreement, and any attempted assignment or delegation in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Person that acquires Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock pursuant to a Transfer made in accordance with Article IV shall be entitled to rights under and be bound by this Agreement as if an original party hereto except as otherwise set forth herein.
Section 6.6 Binding Effect . Subject to the provisions of this Agreement relating to transferability or assignment, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and each of the Stockholders, and their respective heirs, devisees, spouses, distributees, representatives, successors and permitted assigns. Directors are express third party beneficiaries of the provisions of Sections 2.5 , in all cases upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
Section 6.7 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under any present or future laws applicable to the Company effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision will be fully severable; this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement.
Section 6.8 No Partition . The parties acknowledge that the assets and properties of the Company are not and will not be suitable for partition. Thus, each Stockholder (on behalf of such Stockholder and their successors and assigns) hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights that such Stockholder may have to maintain any action for partition of such assets and properties, if any.
Section 6.9 Additional Documents and Acts . Each party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out, and perform all of the terms, provisions, and conditions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
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Section 6.10 No Employment Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon any Person any right to be employed or to continue employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates, or interfere in any manner with any right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate such employment at any time.
Section 6.11 Amendments; Termination of Equity Rights .
(a) All amendments to this Agreement will be in writing and approved by a Stockholder Majority Vote and by any other Stockholders whose approval is required pursuant to Section 6.11(b) .
(b) Any amendment or other modification that would adversely affect any Stockholders rights set forth in Section 3.1 ( Information Rights of Stockholders; Records Required by the DGCL; Right of Inspection ) or Article IV ( Transfer ) shall require the written consent of each such Stockholder adversely affected; provided , however , that any amendment to Section 3.1 that only provides for a reasonable extension of time for the delivery of the financial statements or the other information to be delivered pursuant thereto shall only require approval by a Stockholder Majority Vote. Any amendment or other modification that would have disproportionate material adverse effect on any Stockholder compared to the other Stockholders shall require the written consent of such Stockholder.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the provisions of Sections 4.1 , 4.2, 4.5, and 4.6 shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect upon an OTC Listing or Public Listing, and (ii) the provisions of Sections 2.1 , 2.2 , 3.1 , 4.3 and 4.4 shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect upon a Public Listing. The Board, with the approval of the Stockholders by a Stockholder Majority Vote, shall have the authority, but shall not be required, to add any provisions to this Section 6.11(c) , or replace any provisions referred to in this Section 6.11(c) with other provisions, considered appropriate by the Board and such Stockholders in connection with and following such a Listing.
Section 6.12 No Waiver . No delay, failure or waiver by any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement, and no partial or single exercise of any such right or remedy, will operate to limit, preclude, cancel, waive or otherwise affect such right or remedy, nor will any single or partial exercise of such right or remedy limit, preclude, impair or waive any further exercise of such right or remedy or the exercise of any other right or remedy.
Section 6.13 Notices . Except as otherwise provided elsewhere in this Agreement regarding notices by electronic mail or other electronic means to Stockholders and the Board and regarding proxies, all notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered (a) by personal delivery, (b) by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, (c) by telefacsimile or electronic mail, using equipment that provides written confirmation of delivery, or (d) by deposit in the U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Company at its principal executive office and to any Stockholder at the address then shown as the current address of such Stockholder specified on the Stockholder Registry. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date so delivered, if delivered personally, by overnight courier service or by electronic mail; or if by telefacsimile, on the first (1st) day
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following the transmission of such facsimile; or if mailed, four (4) calendar days after mailing. Any party may, at any time by giving five (5) calendar days prior written notice to the Company, specify a different address (physical or electronic) or telefacsimile number for notice purposes by sending notice thereof in the foregoing manner. Any notice required to be given by the Company to Stockholders, including pursuant to Section 228(e) of the DGCL, may be given by posting to a Secure Site or on EDGAR (with email notification of such posting), and shall be deemed to be delivered on the date such posting is made.
Section 6.14 Consent to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .
(a) Consent to Jurisdiction . The Company and each Stockholder (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state court in the State of Delaware, and the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (and the appropriate appellate courts), for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement and (ii) agrees to commence any such action, suit or proceeding either in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be brought in such court for jurisdictional reasons, in any state court in the State of Delaware. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party hereto may commence an action, suit or proceeding with any governmental body anywhere in the world for the sole purpose of seeking recognition and enforcement of a judgment of any court referred to in the first sentence of this Section 6.14(a) . The Company and each Stockholder further (x) agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such partys respective address set forth on the Stockholder Registry (or in the case of the Company, at the Companys principal office in Delaware) shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding in Delaware with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction in this Section 6.14(a) and (y) irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement in (A) any state court in the State of Delaware, or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(b) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THE COMPANY AND EACH STOCKHOLDER HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, INVOLVING OR OTHERWISE IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR SUCH STOCKHOLDERS OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK OR CLASS C/D COMMON STOCK. THE COMPANY AND EACH STOCKHOLDER (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE COMPANY OR ANY STOCKHOLDER HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT THE COMPANY OR SUCH STOCKHOLDER WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE COMPANY AND EACH STOCKHOLDER HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 6.14(b) .
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Section 6.15 No Third Party Beneficiary . Except as expressly provided in Section 6.6 , this Agreement is made solely and specifically among and for the benefit of the parties hereto (including each Stockholder), and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and no other Person will have any rights, interest, or claims hereunder or be entitled to any benefits under or on account of this Agreement as a third party beneficiary or otherwise.
Section 6.16 Confidentiality .
(a) The terms of this Agreement, the identity of any Person with whom the Company may be holding discussions with respect to any investment, acquisition, disposition or other transaction, any information disclosed to or received by any Stockholder pursuant to Section 3.1 or Annex I and all other business, financial or other information relating directly to the conduct of the business and affairs of the Company or its Subsidiaries or the relative or absolute rights or interests of any of the Stockholders (collectively, the Confidential Information ) that has not been publicly disclosed pursuant to authorization by the Board is confidential and proprietary information of the Company, the disclosure of which would cause irreparable harm to the Company and the Stockholders. Accordingly, each Stockholder represents that it has not and agrees that it will not and will direct its shareholders, partners, stockholders, directors, officers, agents, advisors and Affiliates not to, disclose to any Person any Confidential Information or confirm any statement made by third Persons regarding Confidential Information until the Company has publicly disclosed the Confidential Information pursuant to authorization by the Board; provided , however , that any Stockholder (or its Affiliates) may disclose such Confidential Information: (i) to the extent required by law (it being specifically understood and agreed that anything required to be set forth in a registration statement or any other document required to be filed pursuant to law will be deemed required by law, so long as the requirement to file such registration statement does not arise primarily in connection with a Transfer of securities of the Company), regulation or the listing standards of any national securities exchange, (ii) to the extent that the Confidential Information is publicly known or subsequently becomes publicly known other than through a breach of this Section 6.16(a) by such Stockholder, (iii) to the extent that the Confidential Information is already in possession of, or is subsequently received by, a Stockholder from a third party not known by the Stockholder after due inquiry to be subject to an obligation of confidentiality owed to the Company, or (iv) to a prospective Transferee that (x) is not associated with any Competitor and (y) has entered into reasonable confidentiality arrangements enforceable by the Company as described in Section 3.1(a) , subject to the terms and conditions of such arrangements.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 6.16(a) each Stockholder agrees not to disclose any Confidential Information to any Person (other than a Person agreeing in a manner enforceable by the Company to maintain all Confidential Information in strict confidence or a judge, magistrate or referee in any action, suit or proceeding relating to or arising out of this Agreement or otherwise), and to keep confidential all documents (including responses to discovery requests) containing any Confidential Information. Each Stockholder hereby consents in advance to any motion for any protective order brought by the Company or any other Stockholder represented as being intended by the movant to implement the purposes of this Section 6.16 ; provided that, if a Stockholder receives a request to disclose any Confidential Information under the terms of a valid and effective order issued by a court or governmental agency and the order was not sought by or on behalf of or consented to by such Stockholder, then such Stockholder may disclose the Confidential Information to the extent required if the Stockholder as promptly as practicable (i) notifies the Company of the existence, terms and
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circumstances of the order, (ii) consults in good faith with the Company on the advisability of taking legally available steps to resist or to narrow the order and cooperates with the reasonable requests of the Company, at the Companys sole cost and expense, in connection with the foregoing, and (iii) if disclosure of the Confidential Information is required, exercises its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a protective order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to the portion of the disclosed Confidential Information that the Company designates. The cost (including attorneys fees and expenses) of obtaining a protective order covering Confidential Information designated by the Company will be borne by the Company.
(c) The covenants contained in this Section 6.16 will survive the Transfer of the Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock of any Stockholder and the termination of this Agreement.
Section 6.17 Cumulative Remedies; Specific Performance .
(a) The rights and remedies of any party hereto as set forth in this Agreement are not exclusive and are in addition to any other rights and remedies now or hereafter provided by law or at equity.
(b) The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that, in addition to any other rights and remedies at law or in equity existing in its favor, any party hereto shall be entitled to specific performance and/or other injunctive relief from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 6.18 Exhibits and Schedules .
All Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto are hereby incorporated by reference into, and made a part of, this Agreement.
Section 6.19 Interpretation .
The titles and section headings set forth in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered as part of agreement of the parties hereto. When the context requires, the plural shall include the singular and the singular the plural, and any gender shall include all other genders or neuter. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed against any party because such party or its counsel was the drafter thereof. Any reference to the DGCL or other statutes or laws will include all amendments, modifications, or replacements of the specific sections and provisions concerned. Numbered or lettered articles, sections, and subsections herein contained refer to articles, sections, and subsections of this Agreement unless otherwise expressly stated.
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Section 6.20 Termination .
This Agreement will be automatically effective as of the Effective Date and will continue in effect thereafter until the earlier to occur of (a) its termination by the written agreement of the undersigned parties hereto (other than the Company) or their respective successors in interest, (b) its termination by the unanimous written consent of all Stockholders of the Company, (c) the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company and (d) the occurrence of a Qualified IPO. This Article VI shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
COMPANY: | ||
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: |
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Name: Gregory S. Miller | ||
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief | ||
Financial Officer | ||
STOCKHOLDERS: | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Shareholders Agreement]
SCHEDULE A
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Non-executive Directors : $100,000 per year in cash plus $70,000 per year in equity.
Chairman of the Board of Directors ; Additional $50,000 per year in cash (with an additional one-time $50,000 cash payment on initial appointment as chairperson).
Audit Committee Members : Additional $30,000 per year in cash.
Schedule A
SCHEDULE B
COMPETITORS
Membership Products
| United Marketing Group/Teleformix (Inte Q) |
| Encore |
| Synapse |
| AAA |
| LifeLock |
| Intersections |
| Experian |
| Equifax |
| TransUnion |
| Entertainment Publications |
| Clarus |
| ROKT |
| RetailMeNot |
| Sempris |
Insurance and Package Products
| AIG |
| Assurant |
| CUNA Mutual Group |
| New York Life |
| Securian |
| Transamerica |
| Sisk |
| Generations Gold |
| Econocheck |
| Strategy Corp |
Global Loyalty Products
| Maritz Loyalty Marketing |
| Epsilon |
| Orbitz/Expedia |
| Augeo |
| Kobie |
| American Express Loyalty Edge |
| Bridge 2 Solutions |
| Montrose Travel |
| Switchfly |
| Hogg Robinson |
| Travel & Transport |
Schedule B
| Hinda |
| Loyalty One |
International Products
| Card Protection Plan |
| LEV-8 Marketing |
| Plebicom S.A. |
| MobileServ Limited |
| Lifestyle Service Group |
| Serisystem |
| Jakala |
| MehrWert Servicegesellschaft |
| Mehr Werk |
| Monetize Angels |
| Bilendi/Maximiles |
| Quitess |
| Collinson |
| SPB |
| Falck |
Schedule B
EXHIBIT A
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms will have the following meanings, and all section references shall be to sections in this Agreement unless otherwise provided:
Accelerated Buyer has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(e) .
Adoption Agreement means an agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B , permitting a Person to become a party to this Agreement.
Affiliate(s) means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust or other entity or association, directly or indirectly, through one (1) or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a Person. The term control, as used in the immediately preceding sentence, means, with respect to a corporation or limited liability company the right to exercise, directly or indirectly, ten percent (10%) or more of the voting rights attributable to the controlled corporation or limited liability company, and, with respect to any individual, partnership, trust, other entity or association, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled entity. With respect to any Person who is a general partner of a Person, such general partner is an Affiliate of such Person. With respect to a limited partnership, Affiliate shall also mean any limited partner of such limited partnership holding ten percent (10%) or more of the capital or interests in profits of such limited partnership. With respect to a trust, any Affiliate shall include any Person which is a trustee or lifetime beneficiary of such trust.
Affiliate Transfer means, (i) with respect to a Stockholder that is not a natural person, a Transfer of Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock from a Stockholder to its members (if the Stockholder is a limited liability company), to its partners (if the Stockholder is a general or limited partnership), to its shareholders (if the Stockholder is a corporation) or by way of a distribution or to its beneficiaries (if the Stockholder is a trust) or a Transfer of Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock to a Person that is wholly owned by the transferring Stockholder or (ii) with respect to a Stockholder that is a natural person, Transfers to such Stockholders legatees or heirs, following the death of such Stockholder, and Transfers to a family member or to a trust primarily for such Stockholders benefit or the benefit of its family members.
Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Board has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i) .
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or date on which commercial banks in the State of Delaware are authorized by law to close for business.
CEO Director has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(ii) .
Charter Documents means, with respect to the Company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time, and with respect to any other Person, the articles, bylaws, certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, operating agreement, partnership agreement or any other similar incorporating or formation documents of such Person, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time.
Class C Common Stock means the Class C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
Class D Common Stock means the Class D Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
Class C/D Common Stock means, collectively, the Class C Common Stock and Class D Common Stock.
Company has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Company Common Stock has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Competitor means any of the Persons set forth on Schedule B attached hereto and any of their Affiliates, which schedule may be modified by the Board from time to time.
Confidential Information has the meaning set forth in Section 6.16(a) .
Derivative Securities means direct or indirect options, rights, warrants or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, any Company Common Stock or any other capital stock of the Company (and shall for the avoidance of doubt include any share of Class C/D Common Stock).
DGCL means the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same may be amended from time to time. All references herein to sections of the DGCL shall include any corresponding provisions of succeeding law.
Director means any member of the Board (other than any Person (if any) effecting observer rights on the Board).
EDGAR means the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System of the SEC.
Effective Date has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Equity Incentive Plans means any equity incentive plans for officers, employees or Directors of the Company.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
Exchange Offers and Rights Offering means the exchange offers for the Companys then outstanding 13.75%/14.50% Senior Secured PIK/Toggle Notes due 2018 and the then outstanding 13.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 of Affinion Investments, LLC and the rights offering for 7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018 of Affinion International Holdings and shares of Company Common Stock, in each case settling on or about the original execution date of this Agreement.
Exempt Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(d) .
Existing Plans means each of the Webloyalty Holdings, Inc. 2005 Equity Award Plan, Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and the Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2007 Stock Award Plan, each as in effect on the date hereof.
GAAP means the generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the U.S.
IPO means the first public offering of the Company pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act (other than on Forms S-4, S-8 or successors to such forms), covering the offer and sale of capital stock of the Company.
Issuance Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(b).
Listing has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3 .
Majority means greater than fifty percent (50%) (subject, in the case of voting, to any applicable adjustments or limitations on voting as set forth in the Charter Documents).
Majority of the Board means the affirmative vote or written consent of a Majority of the members of the Board.
Majority Vote means the affirmative vote or written consent of a Majority of the Directors or of the Stockholders that hold a Majority of the rights entitled to vote on a given matter (subject to any adjustments or limitations on voting as set forth in the Charter Documents).
MD&A has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(i) .
Necessary Action means, with respect to a specified result, all actions that are permitted by law and necessary to cause such result, including (i) voting or providing a written consent or proxy with respect to the Company Common Stock, (ii) causing the adoption of Stockholders resolutions and amendments to the applicable Charter Documents, (iii) causing members of the Board (to the extent such members were nominated or designated by the Person obligated to undertake the Necessary Action, and subject to any fiduciary duties that such members may have as directors of the Company) to act in a certain manner or causing them to be removed in the event they do not act in such a manner, (iv) executing agreements and instruments and (v) making, or causing to be made, with governmental, administrative or regulatory authorities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result.
New Securities means Company Common Stock and other capital stock and rights, convertible securities, options or warrants to purchase Company Common Stock or other capital stock issued subsequent to the Effective Date, whether or not authorized as of the Effective Date.
Outstanding Company Common Stock means, as of any given time, the then issued and outstanding Company Common Stock, excluding (unless calculated on a fully diluted basis) any Derivative Securities and any unvested or restricted Company Common Stock issued pursuant to an Equity Incentive Plan.
OTC Listing has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3 .
Permitted Transfers has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 .
Person means an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust, business trust, association, or similar entity, whether domestic or foreign, and the heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and assigns of such entity where the context requires.
Prohibited Person means (i) any Person appearing on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the United States Department of the Treasury; (ii) any other Person with whom a transaction is prohibited by Executive Order 13224, the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trading with the Enemy Act or the foreign asset control regulations of the United States Treasury Department, in each case as amended from time to time; (iii) any other Person whom the Board (acting reasonably and in good faith) considers would create a material reputational risk for the Company; or (iv) any other Person that is a Competitor.
Public Listing has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3 .
Purchaser has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(b) .
Qualified IPO means a bona fide , marketed underwritten IPO after which closing such capital is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market or listed or quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or other national securities exchange acceptable to the Board and meeting one of the following two criteria: (i) the aggregate cash proceeds (net of underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses) of such offering to the Company exceed seventy five million dollars ($75 million), or (ii) at least twenty percent (20%) of the Outstanding Company Common Stock (calculated on a fully diluted basis, and for purposes of such calculation treating Company Common Stock issued in the IPO as Outstanding Company Common Stock) shall have been issued or sold to the public in connection with such IPO.
Qualified Stockholder has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(b) .
Registration Rights Agreement means that certain registration rights agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, by and among the Company and the investors party thereto.
Registration Statement means any registration statement of the Company under the Securities Act which permits the public offering of any of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), including the prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
Response Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(b) .
Rule 144 has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b) .
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.
Secure Site has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a) .
Securities Act has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a)(i) .
Stockholder means each Person (other than the Company) who shall be a party to or bound by this Agreement, pursuant to Section 4.2 or otherwise, so long as such Person shall beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) any Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock.
Stockholder Majority Vote means the affirmative vote or written consent of the holders of a Majority of the Outstanding Company Common Stock (subject to any adjustments or limitations on voting as set forth in the Charter Documents).
Stockholder Supermajority Vote means the affirmative vote or written consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% shares of the Outstanding Company Common Stock (subject to any adjustments or limitations on voting as set forth in the Charter Documents).
Stockholder Registry means a register of the Company indicating: (i) with respect to each issuance of Company Common Stock or other capital stock of the Company, the date of such issuance, the number of shares issued and the Stockholder to whom such shares were issued and (ii) with respect to each Permitted Transfer of Company Common Stock or other capital stock of the Company, the date of such Transfer, the number of shares Transferred and the identity of each of the Transferor and the Transferee(s) thereof.
Subsidiary means any Person the majority of the equity of which, directly, or indirectly through one or more other Persons, (a) the Company has the right to acquire or (b) is owned or controlled by the Company. As used in this definition, control, including, its correlative meanings, controlled by and under common control with, means possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of equity, by contract or otherwise). For the avoidance of doubt, Subsidiary shall include any Person that is included in the Companys consolidated group for purposes of preparing the Companys consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
Substitute Stockholder means a Person who acquired Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock and who has been admitted as a Stockholder pursuant to Article IV of this Agreement.
Tag-Along Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(b) .
Tag-Along Offered Shares has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a) .
Tag-Along Purchaser has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a) .
Tag-Along Record Date has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(b) .
Tag-Along Rightholder has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a) .
Tag-Along Rightholders Offer has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(b) .
Tag-Along Sale has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a) .
Tag-Along Seller has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a) .
Transfer means the sale, sale of any option or contract to purchase, purchase of any option or contract to sell, grant of any option, right or warrant to purchase, assignment, loan, offer, transfer, exchange or other disposition of any shares of Company Common Stock or Class C/D Common Stock, whether or not for value, and whether voluntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, and includes foreclosure.
Transferee has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b) .
United States means any federal department, division, agency, bureau, office, branch, court, commission, or other governmental instrumentality of the U.S. or any authority acting on its behalf.
U.S. means the United States of America.
EXHIBIT B
ADOPTION AGREEMENT
This Adoption Agreement (this Adoption ) is executed pursuant to the terms of the Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, by and among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and the Stockholder parties thereto, a copy of which is attached hereto (as it may be amended from time to time, the Shareholders Agreement ), by the transferee ( Transferee ) executing this Adoption. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Shareholders Agreement. By the execution of this Adoption, Transferee agrees as follows:
(1) Acknowledgement . Transferee acknowledges that Transferee is acquiring the Company Common Stock, Class C/D Common Stock and/or other voting or equity securities of the Company (the Securities ), subject to the terms and conditions of the Shareholders Agreement.
(2) Agreement . Transferee (a) agrees that the Securities acquired by Transferee, and any other Securities that may be acquired by Transferee in the future, shall be subject to the terms of the Shareholders Agreement and (b) hereby adopts the Shareholders Agreement, and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions thereof, with the same force and effect as if he were originally a party thereto.
(3) Notice . Any notice required or permitted by the Shareholders Agreement shall be given to Transferee at the address listed beside Transferees signature below.
[ Signature page follows ]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Adoption Agreement as of , .
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
TRANSFEREE: | ||
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TRANSFEREES ADDRESS: | ||
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[Signature Page to Adoption Agreement]
ANNEX I
FORM OF
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
[INSERT DATE]
[INSERT NAME OF POTENTIAL TRANSFEREE]
[INSERT ADDRESS OF POTENTIAL TRANSFEREE]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the consideration by [INSERT NAME OF POTENTIAL TRANSFEREE] ( you or your ) of a potential investment in the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company and together with you, collectively, the Parties and each individually, a Party ), or other securities of the Company (the Transaction ), certain affiliates or stockholders of the Company, the Company or their respective representatives have furnished or may furnish you and your Representatives (as hereinafter defined) with non-public information regarding the Company, including, without limitation, information concerning the Companys financial and operational performance, properties, prospects, activities and plans. You recognize and acknowledge that such information furnished or to be furnished to you and/or your Representatives in the future (whether oral or written) is proprietary to the Company and may include trade secrets or other highly confidential non-public business information the disclosure of which could harm the Company. In consideration for, and as a condition of, such non-public information being furnished to you (and your agents, representatives, attorneys, advisors, directors, officers, employees and affiliates, collectively, your Representatives ), you agree to treat any and all information concerning the Company or any of its subsidiaries that has been or is to be furnished to you or your Representatives (regardless of the manner in which it is furnished, including, without limitation, in written or electronic format or orally, gathered by visual inspection or otherwise) by or on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates or stockholders, together with any documents you create that contain or are based upon any such information, in whole or in part (collectively, Company Information ), in accordance with the provisions of this letter agreement (this Agreement ).
Annex I Page 1
The term Company Information does not include information that you can demonstrate: (i) is obtained by you or your Representatives from a third party, who, after reasonable inquiry, is not known by you to be bound by any duty of confidentiality to or confidential agreement with the Company or any other Person (as defined below) with respect to Company Information or is otherwise prohibited from transmitting the information to you by a contractual, legal, fiduciary or other obligation to the Company or any other Person; (ii) is or becomes part of the public domain (other than through a breach of this Agreement by you or any of your Representatives); (iii) is independently ascertained or developed by or for you or your Representatives or any third party without use of or reference to Company Information; or (iv) is approved for public release by written authorization of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the term Person shall be broadly interpreted to include, without limitation, any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust, business trust, association or similar entity, whether domestic or foreign, and the heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and assigns of such entity where the context requires.
1. You hereby agree that you and your Representatives will, except to the extent required by applicable law or legal process, (a) keep the Company Information strictly confidential, (b) not disclose any of the Company Information in any manner whatsoever without the prior written consent of the Company and (c) not use the Company Information for any purpose other than considering and negotiating the Transaction; provided , however , that you may disclose any of such information to your Representatives (i) who need to know such information for the sole purpose of advising you and (ii) who are informed by you of the confidential nature of such information; provided , further , that you will (x) be responsible for any violation of this Agreement by any of your Representatives as if they were parties hereto and (y) provide the Company with the names of any your Representatives who receives Company Information. You agree to promptly notify the Company in writing of any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company Information and such notice shall include a detailed description of the circumstances of the disclosure and the Persons involved.
2. In the event that you or any of your Representatives are required by applicable law or legal process to disclose any of the Company Information, you will promptly notify (except where such notice would be legally prohibited) the Company in writing so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and (except to the extent legally prohibited) will reasonably cooperate with the Company (at the Companys expense) to limit the disclosure to the greatest extent possible consistent with such applicable law or legal process, including, without limitation, in appropriate circumstances, seeking reliable assurances that confidential or attorneys eyes only treatment shall be accorded the Company Information. Any such Company Information that is (x) not required to be disclosed or (y) accorded confidential treatment shall continue to be Company Information to which this Agreement shall continue to apply. You acknowledge and agree that, for purposes of this Agreement, there shall be no applicable law requiring you to disclose any Company Information solely by virtue of the fact that, absent such disclosure, you would be prohibited from purchasing, selling, or engaging in derivative transactions with respect to, any securities of the Company or otherwise proposing or making an offer to do any of the foregoing.
3. All Company Information shall remain the property of the Company. Neither you nor any of your Representatives shall by virtue of disclosure to you or any of your Representatives, or your or any of your Representatives use, of any Company Information acquire any rights with respect thereto, all of which rights (including, without limitation, all intellectual property rights) shall remain exclusively with the Company.
Annex I Page 2
4. If you determine that you do not wish to proceed with a Transaction, you will promptly advise the Company of that decision. As soon as possible upon the Companys written request, you and your Representatives shall destroy (or at the Companys option (in its sole discretion) return to the Company) all Company Information that has been disclosed to you or any of your Representatives, except for any such Company Information stored on electronic backup media to the extent that such information cannot be expunged without unreasonable effort. Upon returning or destroying such Company Information, you shall provide written notice to the Company certifying compliance with the foregoing sentence. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, you acknowledge and agree that this Agreement will continue to apply to any returned, held, retained or destroyed Company Information on the terms set forth herein.
5. You hereby represent and warrant that you are an accredited investor within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
6. You acknowledge and agree that all Company Information is furnished on an AS IS basis, without warranty of any kind. THE COMPANY AND ITS AFFILIATES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE COMPANY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
7. You acknowledge that an award of money damages would be inadequate for any breach of this Agreement by you or any of your Representatives and would cause the Company irreparable harm. Therefore, you hereby agree that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement by you or any of your Representatives, the Company will be entitled to seek equitable relief, including, without limitation, injunctive relief and specific performance, as remedies for any such breach or threatened breach without the requirement of posting a bond or other security. Such remedies will not be the exclusive remedies for any breach of this Agreement, but will be in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity to the Company.
8. This Agreement or any provision hereof may not be amended, modified or waived by course of dealing, usage in trade, conduct or any exchanges of communication, including, without limitation, e-mail or any other electronic or digital means, other than by amendment, in writing duly executed with the handwritten signatures of an authorized signatory of each of the Parties. The rights and remedies of the Parties are cumulative, and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by any Party in exercising any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power, or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power, or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power, or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement
Annex I Page 3
can be discharged by one Party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other Party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a Party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one Party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of such Party or of the right of the Party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement.
9. This Agreement constitutes the complete agreement between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes and cancels any and all prior communications and agreements between the Parties with respect thereto. This Agreement relates only to the subject matter hereof and shall not be construed as an agreement to agree to enter into the Transaction or any transaction by either Party. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect. If any of the covenants or provisions of this Agreement are determined to be unenforceable by reason of its extent, duration, scope or otherwise, then the Parties contemplate that the court making such determination shall reduce such extent, duration, scope or other provision and enforce them in their reduced form for all purposes contemplated by this Agreement.
10. Neither Party may assign any rights or delegate any duties under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall be at the other Partys sole discretion. Any such attempted assignment or delegation without the other Partys prior written consent will be null and void ab initio . This Agreement will be binding upon the Parties and their respective authorized successors and assigns.
11. You acknowledge and agree that no contract or agreement providing for any Transaction shall be deemed to exist between you and the Company or any of its affiliates or stockholders unless and until a final definitive agreement has been executed and delivered, and each Party hereby waives, in advance, any claims (including, without limitation, breach of contract) in connection with any Transaction unless and until a final definitive agreement has been executed and delivered with respect thereto. The Parties also agree that unless and until a final definitive agreement regarding a Transaction has been executed and delivered, neither Party will be under any legal obligation of any kind whatsoever with respect to such a Transaction by virtue of this Agreement, except for the matters specifically agreed to herein. You acknowledge and agree that the Company and its affiliates and stockholders reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to reject any and all proposals made by you or any of your Representatives with regard to the Transaction, and to terminate discussions and negotiations with you at any time.
12. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made and executed in the State of Delaware, and any dispute arising hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. You and the Company (i) irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state court in the State of Delaware and the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (and the appropriate appellate courts) for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement and (ii) agree to commence any such action, suit or proceeding either in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be brought in such court for jurisdictional reasons, in any state court in the State of Delaware.
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13. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND YOU HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT OR YOU MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, INVOLVING OR OTHERWISE IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
14. Any notice hereunder shall be made in writing by overnight courier, personal delivery, facsimile or email (if telephonically confirmed), in each case to:
If to the Company :
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
Attention:
Facsimile:
If to you :
[INSERT ADDRESS OF POTENTIAL TRANSFEREE] | ||||
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15. This Agreement shall expire on the earlier of (i) the date of the last to occur of (x) a definitive agreement relating to the Transaction is entered into by you and either the Company or any of its affiliates or stockholders and (y) you have become a party to the Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015, as amended from time to time, by and among the Company and the stockholders of the Company and (ii) the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of the date hereof.
16. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together will be deemed to constitute this Agreement when a duly authorized representative of each Party has signed a counterpart. The Parties may sign and deliver this Agreement by facsimile or electronic (that is, .PDF) transmission. Each Party agrees that the delivery of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission will have the same force and effect as delivery of original signatures.
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Please confirm your agreement with the foregoing by signing and returning one copy of this Agreement to the undersigned, whereupon this letter agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Company.
Very truly yours,
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. |
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Accepted and agreed as of the date first written above:
[INSERT NAME OF POTENTIAL TRANSFEREE] | ||
By: |
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ANNEX II
Each Management Holder and Executive Management Holder shall be bound by the provisions contained in this Annex II .
1. Non-Solicitation . During the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date of termination of the Management Holders employment with the Company and its Affiliates for any reason, the Management Holder shall not directly or indirectly through another Person (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company to leave the employ of the Company or such Affiliate, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company or any such Affiliate, on the one hand, and any employee thereof, on the other hand, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company or (iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company to cease doing business with the Company or such Affiliate, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation, on the one hand, and the Company or any such Affiliate, on the other hand.
2. Non-Competition . Each Management Holder acknowledges that, in the course of his employment with the Company and/or its Affiliates and their predecessors, he has become familiar, or will become familiar, with the Companys and its Affiliates and their respective predecessors Confidential Information and that such Management Holders services have been and will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its Affiliates. Therefore, each Management Holder agrees that, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the second anniversary of the Management Holders termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates for any reason (the Non-Compete Period ), such Management Holder 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 Company or its subsidiaries is doing business. For purposes of this Paragraph 2 , 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 Paragraph 2 shall prohibit any Management Holder 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 such Management Holder has no active participation in the business of such corporation.
3. Non-Disclosure; Non-Use of Confidential Information . The Management Holder shall not disclose or use at any time, either during his employment with the Company and its Affiliates or thereafter, any Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) of which the Management Holder 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 the Management Holders performance in good faith of duties assigned to the Management Holder
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by the Company. The Management Holder will take all appropriate steps to safeguard Confidential Information in his possession and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft. The Management Holder shall deliver to the Company at the termination of his employment with the Company and its Affiliates, 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 hereinafter defined) of the business of the Company or any of its Affiliates that the Management Holder may then possess or have under his control.
4. Proprietary Rights . The Management Holder recognizes that the Company and its Affiliates possess a proprietary interest all Confidential Information and Work Product and have 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 the Management Holder, except as otherwise agreed between the Company and the Management Holder in writing. The Management Holder expressly agrees that any Work Product made or developed by the Management Holder or the Management Holders agents or affiliates during the course of the Management Holders 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 Company and its Affiliates. The Management Holder further agrees that all Work Product developed by the Management Holder (whether or not able to be protected by copyright, patent or trademark) during the course of such Management Holders employment, or involving the use of the time, materials or other resources of the Company or any of its Affiliates, shall be promptly disclosed to the Company and shall become the exclusive property of the Company, and the Management Holder shall execute and deliver any and all documents necessary or appropriate to implement the foregoing.
5. Repurchase Rights .
(a) Company Repurchase Right . From and after a Repurchase Event with respect to any Management Holder, the Company and its subsidiaries shall have the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase all or any portion of the shares of Company Common Stock held by such holder (including any Deemed Held Shares) in accordance with this Paragraph 5 for the Purchase Price. The Company or any of its subsidiaries may exercise its right to purchase such shares of Company Common Stock until the date that is the later of (i) six months after the Repurchase Event (but only three months after the Repurchase Event for an Executive Management Holder) and (ii) six months after the date all Options have been exercised by the applicable Management Holder or such Management Holders successors, assigns or representatives (but only three months after all Options have been exercised in the case of Options originally granted to an Executive Management Holder) (such date, the Repurchase Date ). The determination date for purposes of determining the Fair Market Value shall be the closing date of the purchase of the applicable shares (which closing date shall not be later than the Repurchase Date unless so required by Paragraph 5(b) ).
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(b) Closing . The closing date of any purchase of shares of Company Common Stock, pursuant to this Paragraph 5 shall take place on a date designated by the Company or one of its subsidiaries, as applicable, in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Paragraph 5 ; provided that the closing date will be deferred until such time as the applicable Management Holder has held the shares of Company Common Stock for a period of at least six months and one day. The Company or one of its subsidiaries, as applicable, will pay for the shares of Company Common Stock purchased by it pursuant to this Paragraph 5 by delivery of a check or wire transfer of funds, in exchange for the delivery by the Management Holder of the certificates representing such shares of Company Common Stock, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company or such subsidiary, as applicable. The Company shall have the right to record such purchase on its books and records without the consent of the Management Holder.
(c) Restrictions on Repurchase . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, all purchases of shares of Company Common Stock by the Company shall be subject to applicable restrictions contained in federal law and the DGCL and in the Companys and its respective subsidiaries debt and equity financing agreements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any such restrictions prohibit or otherwise delay any purchase of shares of Company Common Stock which the Company is otherwise entitled or required to make pursuant to this Paragraph 5 , then the Company shall have the option to make such purchases pursuant to this Paragraph 5 within thirty (30) days of the date that it is first permitted to make such purchase under the laws and/or agreements containing such restrictions, but in no event later than the first anniversary of the applicable Repurchase Event. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company and its subsidiaries shall not be obligated to effectuate any transaction contemplated by this Paragraph 5 if such transaction would violate the terms of any restrictions imposed by agreements evidencing the Companys Indebtedness. In the event that any shares of Company Common Stock are sold by a Management Holder pursuant to this Paragraph 5 , the Management Holder, and such Management Holders successors, assigns or representatives, will take all reasonable steps necessary and desirable to obtain all required third-party, governmental and regulatory consents and approvals with respect to such Management Holder and take all other actions necessary and desirable to facilitate consummation of such sale in a timely manner.
(d) Additional Payment for Repurchased Shares . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Paragraph 5 , if (x) an Executive Management Holder experiences a Repurchase Event (other than an employment termination for Cause), (y) the Company exercises the repurchase right triggered by such Repurchase Event, and (z) within six (6) months after the Repurchase Event, any of the following events occur (each, a Look-Back Event )(i) the consummation of a Qualified Public Offering, (ii) the consummation of an Asset Sale, (iii) the consummation of a Control Disposition, (iv) the signing of a definitive agreement for an Asset Sale or (v) the signing of a definitive agreement for a Control Dispositionthen the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to such Executive Management Holder the Additional Consideration (as defined herein); provided that, with respect to the events described in clauses (iv) and (v) above, such payment of the Additional Consideration shall be made if and only if such event is consummated on or before the first anniversary of the Repurchase Event. For purposes of this Paragraph 5(d) , the Additional Consideration shall be an amount equal to the product of (A)(x) the per share consideration for the Company Common Stock with respect to the Look-Back Event (which, in the case of a Qualified Public Offering, shall be the price at which the shares of Company Common Stock were offered to the public,
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and, in the case of an Asset Sale, shall be the per share amount distributable in respect of the Company Common Stock), less (y) the Purchase Price per share of Company Common Stock paid to the Management Holder at the closing of such repurchase, multiplied by (B) the number of shares of Company Common Stock so repurchased, provided that if the result of such calculation is zero or a negative number, no additional amount shall be paid to the Executive Management Holder.
6. Certain Definitions .
(a) As used herein, Affiliate of the Company means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company, as applicable. As used in this definition, the term control, including the correlative terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or any partnership or other ownership interest, by contract or otherwise) of a Person.
(b) As used herein, Asset Sale means the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
(c) As used herein, Cause has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Stock Incentive Plan.
(d) As used herein, Confidential Information means information that is not generally known to the public and that is used, developed or obtained by the Company in connection with its business, including, but not limited to, information, observations and data obtained by the Management Holder while employed by the Company or any predecessors thereof (including those obtained prior to the date of this Agreement) concerning (i) the business or affairs of the Company (or such predecessors), (ii) products or services, (iii) fees, costs and pricing structures, (iv) designs, (v) analyses, (vi) drawings, photographs and reports, (vii) computer software, including operating systems, applications and program listings, (viii) flow charts, manuals and documentation, (ix) databases, (x) accounting and business methods, (xi) inventions, devices, new developments, methods and processes, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice, (xii) customers and clients and customer or client lists, (xiii) other copyrightable works, (xiv) all production methods, processes, technology and trade secrets, and (xv) 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 prior to the date the Management Holder 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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(e) As used herein, Control Disposition means a Disposition which would have the effect of transferring to a Person or Group a number of shares of Common Stock such that, following the consummation of such Disposition, such Person or Group possesses the voting power to elect a majority of the Board (whether by merger, consolidation or sale or transfer of Common Stock). For purposes of this definition, (i) Disposition means any direct or indirect transfer, assignment, sale, gift, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance, or any other disposition, of Common Stock (or any interest therein or right thereto) or of all or part of the voting power (other than the granting of a revocable proxy) associated with the Common Stock (or any interest therein) whatsoever, or any other transfer of beneficial ownership of Common Stock whether voluntary or involuntary, including, without limitation (x) as a part of any liquidation of a Management Holders assets or (b) as a part of any reorganization of a Management Holder pursuant to the United States or other bankruptcy law or other similar debtor relief laws and (y) Group has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange.
(f) As used herein, Deemed Held Shares shall mean the shares of Company Common Stock which such Management Holder may obtain by exercising any options, warrants or other rights to acquire Company Common Stock (including, without limitation, the Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Class C/D Common Stock) held by such Management Holder that are vested as of the determination.
(g) As used herein, Executive Management Holder means each Stockholder that was an Executive Management Holder as such term is defined in the Management Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of October 17, 2005, as amended April 30, 2010, by and among the Company, Affinion Group Holdings, LLC and the holders party thereto (the Management Investor Rights Agreement ) on the date of this Agreement immediately prior to giving effect to the amendment and restatement of the Management Investor Rights Agreement as this Agreement, together with any such other Management Holders as the Board may designate.
(h) As used herein, Fair Market Value has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Stock Incentive Plan.
(i) As used herein, Indebtedness means with respect to any Person, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, whether current or funded, or secured or unsecured, (b) all indebtedness of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services represented by a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument and any other obligation or liability represented by a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument, (c) all indebtedness of such Person created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (d) all indebtedness of such Person secured by a purchase money mortgage or other lien to secure all or part of the purchase price of the property subject to such mortgage or lien, (e) all obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ( GAAP ) and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with
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GAAP, (f) all unpaid reimbursement obligations of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person, (g) all obligations of such Person under any forward contract, futures contract, swap, option or other financing agreement or arrangement (including caps, floors, collars and similar agreements), the value of which is dependent upon interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodities or other indices, (h) all interest, fees and other expenses owed with respect to the indebtedness referred to above (and any prepayment penalties or fees or similar breakage costs or other fees and costs required to be paid in order for such Indebtedness to be satisfied and discharged in full), and (i) all indebtedness referred to above which is directly or indirectly guaranteed by such Person or which such Person has agreed (contingently or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire or in respect of which it has otherwise assured a creditor against loss.
(j) As used herein, the term Management Holder means each Stockholder that was a Management Holder as such term is defined in the Management Investor Rights Agreement on the date of this Agreement immediately prior to giving effect to the amendment and restatement of the Management Investor Rights Agreement as this Agreement, together with any other person that executes a joinder to this Agreement as a Management Holder.
(k) As used herein, the term Option means the options issued to Management Holders or Executive Management Holders pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan, as it is amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, or any other option plan approved by the Company.
(l) As used herein, the term Person means an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust, business trust, association, or similar entity, whether domestic or foreign, and the heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and assigns of such entity where the context requires.
(a) As used herein, Purchase Price means: (i) (x) in the case where a Management Holder, other than an Executive Management Holder, resigns as an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries during the 36 month period commencing on the Original Issue Date (or, in the case of shares issued pursuant to an award under the Stock Incentive Plan or a similar plan, the 36 month period commencing on the date of grant of such award) or is terminated for Cause, or (y) in the case where an Executive Management Holder is terminated for Cause, the lower of the Original Cost or the Fair Market Value; and (ii) in all other cases, the Fair Market Value. For purposes of this definition, (i) Original Issue Date means with respect to any share of Common Stock issued to a Management Holder, the date of issuance of such share of Common Stock to such Management Holder, as applicable, and (ii) Original Cost means the price per share paid by the Affinion Group Holdings, LLC for its shares of Company Common Stock on the date of consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement dated as of July 26 , 2005, by and among Affinion Group, Inc. (f/k/a Affinity Acquisition, Inc.), the Company (f/k/a Affinity Acquisition Holdings, Inc.) and Cendant Corporation, as it may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, subject to appropriate adjustment by the Board for stock splits, stock dividends or other distributions, combinations and similar transactions.
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(b) As used herein, Qualified Public Offering means an underwritten public offering of Common Stock by the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (other than on Forms S-4 or S-8 or successors to such forms) under the Securities Act, pursuant to which the aggregate offering price of the Common Stock sold in such offering is at least $150 million.
(c) As used herein, Repurchase Event means, with respect to a Management Holder, such Management Holder shall cease to be employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for any reason (including upon death or Disability) or a Bankruptcy Event shall have occurred with respect to such Management Holder.
(d) As used herein, Stock Incentive Plan means each of the Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and the Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. 2007 Stock Award Plan, as each may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, and any other equity plan approved by the Company.
(e) As used herein, 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 Companys or any of its Affiliates actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived, developed or made by the Management Holder (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone or in conjunction with any other person) while employed by the Company (including those conceived, developed or made prior to the date of this 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.
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EXHIBIT 10.3
FINAL FORM
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of November 9, 2015, is entered into by and among Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ) and the holders listed on Schedule I hereto (each a Holder and, collectively, the Holders ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, this Agreement is being entered into in connection with the issuance of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ( Common Stock ) in the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement dated as of September 29, 2015, as amended or supplemented on the date hereof (the Offering Memorandum ).
WHEREAS, as a condition to subscribing the shares of Common Stock by the Holders, the Company has agreed to grant to the Holders and their respective permitted assignees and transferees the registration rights set forth in Article II hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein contained, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. Definitions . In addition to the definitions set forth above, the following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
Affiliate of any particular Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.
Agreement means this Registration Rights Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Business Day means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized by law to close.
By-Laws means the Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, dated as of November 9, 2015, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.
Certificate of Incorporation means the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated as of November 9, 2015, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.
Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Stock Equivalents means securities (including, without limitation, warrants) exercisable, exchangeable or convertible into Common Stock.
Demand Registration means a Demand Registration as defined in Section 2.2 .
End of Suspension Notice means an End of Suspension Notice as defined in Section 2.5 .
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Offers has the meaning set forth in the Offering Memorandum.
FINRA means Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Holder means any Holder who is the record owner of any Registrable Security or any assignee or transferee of such Registrable Security (including assignments or transfers of Registrable Securities to such assignees or transferees as a result of the foreclosure on any loans secured by such Registrable Securities) to the extent (a) permitted under the Companys Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Shareholders Agreement and (b) such assignee or transferee agrees in writing to be bound by all the provisions hereof, unless such Registrable Security is acquired in a public distribution pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act and in either case where securities sold in such transaction may be resold without subsequent registration under the Securities Act.
Indemnified Party means an Indemnified Party as defined in Section 2.10 .
Indemnifying Party means an Indemnifying Party as defined in Section 2.10 .
Inspector means an Inspector as defined in Section 2.6 .
IPO means a bona fide , marketed underwritten initial public offering after which closing such capital is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market or listed or quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or other national securities exchange acceptable to the board of directors of the Company.
Notice and Questionnaire means a written notice, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A , delivered by a Holder to the Company (i) notifying the Company of such Holders desire to include Registrable Securities held by it in a Shelf Registration Statement, (ii) containing all information about such Holder required to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with applicable law, including Item 507 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule thereto, and (iii) pursuant to which such Holder agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions hereof.
Person means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust, or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
Piggy-Back Registration means a Piggy-Back Registration as defined in Section 2.3 .
Registrable Securities means any Common Stock (including any issuable or issued upon exercise, exchange or conversion of any Common Stock Equivalents) at any time owned, either of record or beneficially, by any Holder and any additional securities that may be issued or distributed or be issuable in respect of any Common Stock by way of conversion, dividend, stock-split, distribution or exchange, merger, consolidation, exchange, recapitalization or reclassification or similar transactions until (i) a registration statement covering such shares has been declared effective by the Commission and such shares have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement, (ii) such shares have been publicly sold under Rule 144 or (iii) such shares have been otherwise transferred in a transaction that
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constitutes a sale thereof under the Securities Act, the Company has delivered to the Holders transferee a new certificate or other evidence of ownership for such shares not bearing the Securities Act restricted stock legend and such shares may be resold or otherwise transferred by such transferee without subsequent registration under the Securities Act.
Registration Expenses means Registration Expenses as defined in Section 2.7 .
Representatives means, with respect to any Person, any of such Persons officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants, actuaries, consultants, equity financing partners or financial advisors or other Person associated with, or acting on behalf of, such Person.
Requested Shares means Requested Shares as defined in Section 2.1(c) .
Rights Offering has the meaning set forth in the Offering Memorandum.
Rule 144 means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule thereto that may be promulgated by the Commission.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Selling Holder means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act pursuant to the terms hereof.
Shareholders Agreement means the Shareholders Agreement by and among the Company and the stockholders party thereto, dated as of November 9, 2015, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.
Shelf Registration Statement means a Shelf Registration Statement as defined in Section 2.1 .
Suspension Event means a Suspension Event as defined in Section 2.5 .
Suspension Notice means a Suspension Notice as defined in Section 2.5 .
Underwriter means a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal and not as part of such dealers market-making activities.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
SECTION 2.1. Shelf Registration .
(a) Preparation and Filing of Shelf Registration Statement . Upon the Company becoming eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly (x) prepare and file a shelf registration statement with respect to the resale of Registrable Securities, on an appropriate form for the offering and subsequent resale thereof, to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the Shelf Registration Statement ) and (y) cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as reasonably practicable thereafter and maintain it for one (1) year following such declaration of effectiveness. At any time on or after the date that the Company becomes eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3, promptly following a request as may be made from time to time by a Holder or
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Holders with respect to their Registrable Securities, the Company shall use a then-effective Shelf Registration Statement (or, if none is effective, shall file a Shelf Registration Statement and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause it to be declared effective) with respect to the resale of the number of Registrable Securities specified by, and in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Holder(s); provided , that if a Holder makes a request pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) to file a Shelf Registration Statement and the other Holder(s) (if any) did not join in such request, the Company shall promptly (and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days) notify the other Holder(s) upon receipt of such request or any request by a Holder to increase the number of Registrable Securities registered on such Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) . The number of requests by a Holder or Holders with respect to their Registrable Securities which may be made pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) shall be limited to one (1) per six (6)-month period. No later than ten (10) Business Days after the receipt of any notice given pursuant to the immediately prior sentence, each Holder shall have the right to include in such registration up to each of their respective pro rata portion of their respective Registrable Securities by notifying the Company in writing of the number of its Registrable Securities (if any) that such Holder is requesting to be registered on such Shelf Registration Statement. The Company shall include in the Shelf Registration Statement the number of Registrable Securities for which the Company receives written notice in accordance with this Section 2.1(a) . At any time prior to or after the filing of an applicable Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder may request that the number of its Registrable Securities (if any) previously requested to be registered on such Shelf Registration Statement be increased to a larger number of its Registrable Securities and the Company shall thereafter use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such increase for such Shelf Registration Statement as promptly as practicable thereafter. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for a period of one (1) year or the date as of which each of the Holders is permitted to sell its Registrable Securities without Registration pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act without volume limitation or other restrictions on transfer thereunder.
(b) At the time a Shelf Registration Statement requested by a Holder pursuant to Section 2.1(a) is declared effective, each Holder that has delivered a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to the date ten (10) Business Days prior to such time of effectiveness shall be named as a Selling Holder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law. If required by applicable law, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, after effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall file a supplement to such prospectus or amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement not less frequently than once a quarter as necessary to name as Selling Holders therein any Holders that provide to the Company a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement filed for such purpose to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof.
(c) Underwritten Shelf Registration . If the Holders of thirty percent (30%) of the Registrable Securities to be registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement so elect (the Registrable Securities held thereby, the Requested Shares ), by written notice to the Company, the offering of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement shall be in the form of an underwritten offering; and provided , further , that the Company shall not be obligated to effect, or take any action to effect, an underwritten offering (i) if an IPO has already occurred, (ii) within ninety (90) days following the last date on which an underwritten offering was effected pursuant to this Section 2.1(c) or Section 2.2(a) or during any lock-up period required by the Underwriters in any prior underwritten offering conducted by the Company on its own behalf or on behalf of selling stockholders, or (iii) during the period commencing with the date thirty (30) days prior to the Companys good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a date ninety (90) days after the effective date of, a registration statement with respect
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to an offering by the Company. The Holders of a majority of the Requested Shares shall select the Underwriter or Underwriters to serve as book-running manager or managers in connection with any such offering; provided that such managing Underwriter or Underwriters must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. The Company may select any additional investment banks and managers to be used in connection with the offering; provided that such additional investment bankers and managers must be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders of a majority of the Requested Shares, as applicable. Each Holder shall have the right to include in such offering up to each of their respective pro rata portion of their respective Registrable Securities in the manner described in Section 2.1(a) .
(d) Filing of Additional Registration Statements . The Company shall prepare and file such additional registration statements as necessary every three (3) years (or such other period that may be applicable under the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act) and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statements to be declared effective by the Commission so that the registration statement remains continuously effective with respect to resales of Registrable Securities as of and for the periods required under Section 2.1(b) , as applicable, such subsequent registration statements to constitute a Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, hereunder.
(e) Selling Holders Become Party to Agreement . Each Holder acknowledges that by participating in its registration rights pursuant to this Agreement, such Holder will be deemed a party to this Agreement and will be bound by its terms, notwithstanding such Holders failure to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire; provided , that any Holder that has not delivered a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire shall not be entitled to be named as a Selling Holder in, or have the Registrable Securities held by it covered by, a Shelf Registration Statement.
SECTION 2.2. Demand Registration .
(a) Request for Registration . At any time on or after the date hereof, the Holders of thirty five percent (35%) or more of the Registrable Securities, at such time, may make a written request to the Company for registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities (a Demand Registration ); provided , that if either (i) a Shelf Registration Statement is on file and effective with respect to the Common Stock or (ii) such a Demand Registration would not reasonably be expected to result in aggregate gross cash proceeds in excess of $100,000,000 (without regard to any underwriting discount or Underwriters commission), then the Company shall have no obligation to effect a Demand Registration for the Common Stock. The Company shall prepare and file a registration statement on an appropriate form with respect to any Demand Registration (the Demand Registration Statement ) and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Demand Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Demand Registration Statement effective for a period ending when all shares of Common Stock covered by the Demand Registration Statement are no longer Registrable Securities or the date as of which each of the Holders is permitted to sell its Registrable Securities without Registration pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act without volume limitation or other restrictions on transfer thereunder. The number of Demand Registrations which may be made pursuant to this Section 2.2(a) shall be limited to one (1) per six (6)-month period. Any request for a Demand Registration will specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and will also specify the intended method of disposition thereof. The Company shall have the opportunity to register such number of shares of Common Stock as it may elect on the Demand Registration Statement and as part of the same underwritten offering in connection with a Demand Registration (a Company Piggy-Back Registration ). Unless the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities participating in such Demand Registration consent in writing, no party, other than the Company, shall be permitted to offer securities in connection with any such Demand Registration. Each
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of the Holders that has requested its Registrable Securities be included in a Demand Registration pursuant to this Section 2.2(a) may withdraw all or any portion of its Registrable Securities from a Demand Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of the applicable Demand Registration Statement. Upon receipt of a notice to such effect from a Holder, with respect to a sufficient number of Registrable Securities to reduce the aggregate holdings under the applicable Demand Registration below thirty five percent (35%) of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall cease all efforts to secure effectiveness of the applicable Demand Registration Statement. In addition, if the Company receives a Demand Registration and the Company is then in the process of engaging in a Company Public Sale, the Company shall inform the Holders of the Companys intention to engage in a Company Public Sale and may require the Holders to withdraw such request for registration for a period of up to 120 days so that the Company may complete the Company Public Sale. In the event that the Company ceases to pursue such Company Public Sale, it shall promptly inform the Holders, and the Holders shall be permitted to submit a new request for registration. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that such Holders have requested a Demand Registration at a time when the Company (1) was required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.1 and has failed to file such Shelf Registration Statement or (2) filed a Shelf Registration Statement but failed to maintain the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.1, then the exercise of such Demand Registration shall not be deemed a waiver of any other remedies such Holders may have, at law or in equity, with respect to the Common Stock.
(b) Effective Registration . A registration will not count as a Demand Registration until it has become effective.
(c) Selling Holders Become Party to Agreement . Each Holder acknowledges that by asserting or participating in its registration rights pursuant to this Agreement, such Holder may become a Selling Holder and thereby will be deemed a party to this Agreement and will be bound by each of its terms.
(d) Underwritten Demand Registrations . After first (1 st ) anniversary of the date hereof, if the Holders of thirty percent (30%) of the Registrable Securities to be registered in a Demand Registration so elect, by written notice to the Company, the offering of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an underwritten offering. The Holders of a majority of the shares participating in a Demand Registration shall select the Underwriter or Underwriters to serve as book-running manager or managers in connection with any such Demand Registration; provided that such managing Underwriter or Underwriters must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. The Company may select any additional investment banks and managers to be used in connection with the offering; provided that such additional investment bankers and managers must be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders of a majority of the shares of the Registrable Securities participating in the Demand Registration.
SECTION 2.3. Piggy-Back Registration . If the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any offering of its Common Stock for its own account or for the account of any of its respective securityholders (other than (a) any registration statement filed in connection with a demand registration other than a Demand Registration under this Agreement, (b) a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or any substitute form that may be adopted by the Commission), (c) a registration statement filed in connection with an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Companys existing securityholders, (d) a registration incidental to an issuance of debt securities under Rule 144A or (e) a registration of securities solely relating to an offering and sale to employees or directors of the Company pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit plan arrangement, a dividend reinvestment plan, or a merger or consolidation) (a Company Public Sale ), then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable (but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date), and such notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to register such number of shares of Registrable
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Securities as each such Holder may request (a Piggy-Back Registration ); provided , that if and so long as a Shelf Registration Statement is on file and effective with respect to the Common Stock, then the Company shall have no obligation to effect a Piggy-Back Registration of Common Stock. Subject to Section 2.4 , the Company shall include in such registration statement all such Registrable Securities that are requested to be included therein within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by such Holders of any such notice (or ten (10) Business Days in the case of a notice pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement); provided , that if at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration of such securities, the Company shall give written notice of such determination to each Holder and, thereupon, (i) in the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses in connection therewith) and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay registering, in the absence of a request for a Demand Registration, shall be permitted to delay registering any Registrable Securities, for the same period as the delay in registering such other securities. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration to be included on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included therein. Each Holder shall be permitted to withdraw all or part of its Registrable Securities from a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement.
SECTION 2.4. Reduction of Offering . Notwithstanding anything contained herein, if the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of an offering described in Sections 2.1(c) , 2.2(d) or 2.3 (or, in the case of a Demand Registration or an offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, not being underwritten, the majority of the Holders) advise the Company and the Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such offering, or if such managing Underwriter or Underwriters are unwilling to so advise, if the Company and the Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such offering conclude after consultation with such managing Underwriter or Underwriters that (i) the size of the offering that the Holders, the Company and such other persons intend to make or (ii) in the case of a Piggy-Back Registration only, the kind of securities that the Holders, the Company and/or any other Persons intend to include in such offering are such that the success of the offering would be materially and adversely affected by inclusion of the Registrable Securities requested to be included, then:
(a) if the size of the offering is the basis of such determination, the amount of securities to be offered for the accounts of Holders shall be reduced pro rata (according to the Registrable Securities proposed for registration) to the extent necessary to reduce the total amount of securities to be included in such offering to the amount recommended by such managing Underwriter or Underwriters (or, in the case of a Demand Registration or an offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, not being underwritten, the majority of the Holders); provided that, in the event of a Demand Registration or pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, the securities to be included in such Demand Registration and Shelf Registration Statement shall be allocated, (x) first, 100% pro rata among the Holders of the Registrable Securities that have requested to participate in such Demand Registration or pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, based on the relative number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder, (y) next, and only if all the securities referred to in clause (x) have been included, the number of securities that the Company proposes to include in such Demand Registration or Shelf Registration Statement that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or underwriters (or, in the case of a Demand Registration or an offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, not being underwritten, the majority of the Holders) can be sold without having such significant adverse effect, and (z) last, only if all of the Registrable Securities referred to in clause (y) have been included in such registration, any other securities eligible for inclusion
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in such registration; provided , further that, in the event of a Piggy-Back Registration, the securities to be included in such Piggy-Back Registration shall be allocated, (A) first, 100% of the securities proposed to be sold in such Piggyback Registration by the Company or any Person (other than a Holder) exercising a contractual right to demand Registration, as the case may be, proposes to sell, (B) second, and only if all the securities referred to in clause (A) have been included, the number of Registrable Securities that, in the opinion of such managing underwriter or underwriters (or, in the case of a Demand Registration or an offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, not being underwritten, the majority of the Holders), can be sold without having such adverse effect, with such number to be allocated pro rata among the Holders that have requested to participate in such registration based on the relative number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder and (iii) third, and only if all of the Registrable Securities referred to in clause (B) have been included in such registration, any other securities eligible for inclusion in such registration.
(b) if the kind of securities to be offered is the basis of such determination, (i) the Registrable Securities to be included in such offering shall be reduced as described in clause (a) above or, (ii) if the actions described in clause (i) would, in the good faith, best judgment of the managing Underwriter (or, in the case of a Demand Registration or an offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, not being underwritten, the majority of the Holders), be insufficient to substantially eliminate the adverse effect that inclusion of the Registrable Securities requested to be included would have on such offering, such Registrable Securities will be excluded from such offering.
SECTION 2.5. Black-Out Periods .
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.1(a) , 2.1(b ), 2.1(c) , 2.2(a) and 2.2(d) , the Company shall be permitted to postpone the filing of any Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2.1 or any registration statement filed in connection with a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.2 , and from time to time to require the Holders not to sell Registrable Securities under any such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement or to suspend the effectiveness thereof, for such times as the Company reasonably may determine is necessary and advisable, if any of the following events shall occur (each such circumstance a Suspension Event ): (i) a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith that (A) the offer or sale of any Registrable Securities would materially impede, delay or interfere with any proposed material financing, material acquisition, corporate reorganization or other material transaction involving the Company or (B)(x) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving the confidentiality of a material transaction that would otherwise be required to be disclosed due to such registration, (y) disclosure would have a material adverse effect on the Company or the Companys ability to consummate such a material transaction or (z) such a material transaction renders the Company unable to comply with Commission requirements, in each case under circumstances that would make it impractical or inadvisable, to cause the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement (or such filings) to become effective or to promptly amend or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement on a post-effective basis, as applicable; (ii) a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith that it is in the Companys best interest or it is required by law, rule or regulation to supplement the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement or file a post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement in order to ensure that the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement (1) contains the information required by the form on which such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement was filed or (2) discloses any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement (or of the most recent post-effective amendment) that, individually or in the aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth therein; or (iii) if the Company is subject to any of its customary suspension or blackout periods, for all or part of such period. Upon the occurrence of any such suspension, the Company shall use its commercially
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reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement to become effective or to amend or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement on a post-effective basis or to take such action as is necessary to permit resumed use of the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement or filing thereof as soon as reasonably possible following the conclusion of the applicable Suspension Event and its effect.
The Company will provide written notice (a Suspension Notice ) to the Holders of the occurrence of any Suspension Event; provided , however , that the Company shall not be permitted to exercise a suspension pursuant to this Section 2.5(a) (i) more than once during any twelve (12)-month period, or (ii) for a period exceeding sixty (60) days in the aggregate during such twelve (12)-month period. Upon receipt of a Suspension Notice, each Holder agrees that it will (i) immediately discontinue offers and sales of the Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement and (ii) maintain the confidentiality of any information included in the Suspension Notice unless otherwise required by law or subpoena. The Holders may recommence effecting offers and sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement (or such filings) following further written notice to such effect (an End of Suspension Notice ) from the Company, which End of Suspension Notice shall be given by the Company to the Holders promptly following the conclusion of any Suspension Event and its effect; provided that the Holders agree that they will only effect such offers and sales pursuant to any supplemental or amended prospectus that has been provided to them by the Company pursuant to Section 2.5(b) .
(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if the Company shall give a Suspension Notice with respect to any Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement pursuant to Section 2.5(a) , the Company agrees that it shall extend the period of time during which such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement shall be maintained effective (including the period referred to in Section 2.6(a) ) by the number of days during the period from the date of receipt by the Holders of the Suspension Notice to and including the date of receipt by the Holders of the End of Suspension Notice and promptly provide copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus necessary to resume offers and sales, with respect to each Suspension Event; provided , that such period of time shall not be extended beyond the date that the Common Stock covered by such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement are no longer Registrable Securities.
SECTION 2.6. Registration Procedures; Filings; Information . Subject to Section 2.5 , in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement under Section 2.1 , any Demand Registration under Section 2.2 or Piggy-Back Registration under Section 2.3 , the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof as quickly as practicable, and in connection with any such request:
(a) The Company will as expeditiously as possible prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such filed registration statement to become and remain effective (i) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, for the period described in Section 2.1 and (ii) in the case of a Demand Registration, for a period of not less than 270 days from the effective date of such registration statement.
(b) The Company will, prior to filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish to each Selling Holder and each Underwriter, if any, of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of such registration statement as
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proposed to be filed with copies of all documents proposed to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review of such Selling Holder and Underwriter, if any, and their respective counsel and, except in the case of a registration statement under Section 2.3 , not file any registration statement or amendments or supplements thereto to which the Underwriter, if any, shall reasonably object. The Company shall thereafter furnish to such Selling Holder and Underwriter, if any, such number of conformed copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (and upon request, all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such Selling Holder or Underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder.
(c) After the filing of the registration statement, the Company will promptly notify each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement of (i) any stop order issued or threatened by the Commission or any order by the Commission or any other regulatory authority preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary or final prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for such purposes, (ii) any written comments by the Commission or any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to such registration statement or for additional information or (iii) the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
(d) The Company will promptly take all reasonable actions required to prevent, or obtain the withdrawal of, any stop order or other order suspending the use of any preliminary or final registration statement.
(e) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions in the United States (where an exemption does not apply) as any Selling Holder or managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, reasonably (in light of such Selling Holders intended plan of distribution) requests and (ii) cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Selling Holder to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder; provided that the Company will not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph (e), (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(f) The Company will promptly notify each Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (i) the Companys receipt of any notification of the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement for sale in any jurisdiction, (ii) the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and promptly make available to each Selling Holder any such supplement or amendment and (iii) deliver to each Selling Holder and each Underwriter, if any, without charge, as many copies of the applicable prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus), any amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents useful to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities as such Selling Holder or Underwriter may reasonably request.
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(g) The Company will promptly (i) incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Underwriter, if any, reasonably believes should be included therein relating to the plan of distribution with respect to such Registrable Securities, and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, (ii) furnish to each Selling Holder and each Underwriter, if any, without charge, as many conformed copies as such Selling Holder or Underwriter may reasonably request of the applicable Registration Statement and any amendment or post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference).
(h) The Company will enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement, if any, in customary form) and use commercially reasonable efforts to take such other actions as the Underwriters, if any, reasonably request or that are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, (A) obtain for delivery to the Selling Holders and to the Underwriters, if any, an opinion or opinions from counsel for the Company dated the effective date of the applicable registration statement or, in the event of an underwritten offering, the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, in customary form, scope and substance, which opinions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Holders or Underwriters, as the case may be, and their respective counsel, (B) in the case of an underwritten offering, obtain for delivery to the Company and the managing Underwriter or Underwriters, with copies to the Selling Holders, a cold comfort letter from the Companys independent certified public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by cold comfort letters as the managing underwriter or underwriters reasonably request, dated the date of execution of the underwriting agreement and brought down to the closing under the underwriting agreement and (C) cooperate with each Selling Holder and each Underwriter, if any, participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA.
(i) The Company will make available for inspection by any Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities, if such Selling Holder has a due diligence defense under the Securities Act, any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any such Selling Holder or Underwriter (collectively, the Inspectors ), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Companys officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any Inspector in connection with such registration statement, subject to entry by each such Inspector into a customary confidentiality agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company.
(j) The Company will otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its securityholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of 12 months, beginning within three months after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder (or any successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission).
(k) The Company may require each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities to promptly furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding such Selling Holder, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of distribution of the Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request and such other information as may be legally required in connection with such registration. No Holder may include Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder has furnished to the Company such information. Each Holder further agrees to furnish as soon as reasonably practicable to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.
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(l) Each Selling Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.6(f) , such Selling Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Selling Holders receipt of written notice from the Company that such disposition may be made and, in the case of clause (ii) of Section 2.6(f) , copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by clause (ii) of Section 2.6(f) , and, if so directed by the Company, such Selling Holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Selling Holders possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice. Each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that it will promptly notify the Company at any time when a prospectus relating to the registration of such Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of an event as a result of which information previously furnished by such Selling Holder to the Company in writing for inclusion in such prospectus contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which they were made. In the event the Company shall give such notice, the Company shall extend the period during which such registration statement shall be maintained effective (including the period referred to in Section 2.6(a) ) by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of notice pursuant to Section 2.6(f) to the date when the Company shall provide written notice that such dispositions may be made and, in the case of clause (ii) of Section 2.6(f) , make available to the Selling Holders of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement a prospectus supplemented or amended to conform with the requirements of Section 2.6(f) .
(m) In the case of an underwritten offering, the Company will cooperate in all marketing efforts, including, without limitation, providing information and materials and causing senior executive officers of the Company to participate in meetings, customary road show presentations and/or investor conference calls to market the Registrable Securities that may be reasonably requested by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in any such underwritten offering and otherwise to facilitate, cooperate with, and participate in each proposed offering contemplated herein and customary selling efforts related thereto.
(n) With respect to any notice of a filing of or copies of a registration statement provided by the Company to a Holder prior to the filing of a registration pursuant to Section 2.1, Section 2.2 or Section 2.3, each of the Holders receiving such notice and information shall maintain the confidentiality until the Companys public disclosure of and comply with applicable law with respect to any such information, including the Companys intention to file the registration statement.
SECTION 2.7. Registration Expenses . In connection with any registration statement required to be filed hereunder, the Company shall pay the following registration expenses incurred in connection with the registration hereunder (the Registration Expenses ), regardless of whether such registration statement is declared effective by the Commission: (a) all registration and filing fees, and any other fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with the SEC or FINRA, (b) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities), (c) all printing, duplicating, word processing, messenger, telephone, facsimile and delivery expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses), (d) internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (e) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities, (f) reasonable fees and
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disbursements of counsel for the Company and customary fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses of any comfort letters or costs associated with the delivery by independent certified public accountants of a comfort letter or comfort letters requested pursuant to Section 2.6(h) ), (g) the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration, (h) reasonable fees and disbursements of one (1) legal counsel plus any regulatory counsel, as appropriate, for all Selling Holders participating in such registration, and (i) any reasonable fees and disbursements of the Underwriters, if any, customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities. The Company shall have no obligation to pay any underwriting fees, discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities or any transfer taxes relating to the registration or sale of the Registrable Securities.
SECTION 2.8. Indemnification by the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by law, each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities, each member, limited partner or general partner thereof, each member, limited partner or general partner of each such member, limited or general partner, each of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, stockholders, employees, advisors, and agents and each Person, if any, who controls such Persons within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each of their respective Representatives from and against any and all losses, penalties, judgments, suits, costs, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable costs of investigation and legal expenses) (each, a Loss , and collectively, Losses ) that arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus, or that arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission with respect to information relating to such Selling Holder included in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Selling Holder or on such Selling Holders behalf expressly for inclusion therein. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the Company may otherwise have. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Selling Holder or any Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Selling Holder. The Company also agrees to indemnify any Underwriters of the Registrable Securities, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each of their respective Representatives on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Selling Holders provided in this Section 2.8 .
SECTION 2.9. Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities . Each Selling Holder agrees, severally but not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers, directors and agents and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each of their respective Representatives to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Selling Holder pursuant to Section 2.8 , but only with respect to written information relating to such Selling Holder included in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by such Selling Holder or on such Selling Holders behalf expressly for use in any registration statement or prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities of such Selling Holder, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus. In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Company or its officers, directors or agents or any such controlling person, in respect of which indemnity may be sought against such Selling Holder, such Selling Holder shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company or its officers, directors or agents or such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to such Selling Holder, by Section 2.8 . Each Selling Holder also agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Underwriters of
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the Registrable Securities, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such Underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each of their respective Representatives on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Company provided in this Section 2.9 . Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the liability of a Selling Holder under this Section 2.9 or Section 2.11 or otherwise hereunder exceed the net proceeds actually received by such Selling Holder.
SECTION 2.10. Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings . In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Sections 2.8 or 2.9 , such Person (an Indemnified Party ) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (an Indemnifying Party ) in writing and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and shall assume the payment of all fees and expenses; provided that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice will not relieve such Indemnifying Party of its obligations under Sections 2.8 or 2.9 , as applicable, except to the extent such Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (a) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (b) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for all such Indemnified Parties relating to the same class of Common Stock, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Indemnified Parties relating to the same class of Common Stock, such firm shall be designated in writing by (i) in the case of Persons indemnified pursuant to Section 2.8 , the Selling Holders which owned a majority of the Registrable Securities sold under the applicable registration statement and (ii) in the case of Persons indemnified pursuant to Section 2.9 , the Company. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless such Indemnified Parties from and against any loss or liability (to the extent stated above) by reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of with any Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such proceeding without any admission of liability by such Indemnified Party.
SECTION 2.11. Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in Sections 2.8 or 2.9 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (a) as between the Company and the Selling Holders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Holders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the securities, or if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Holders on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or
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liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations and (b) between the Company on the one hand and each Selling Holder on the other, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and of each Selling Holder in connection with such statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Holders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the offering (net of underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling Holders bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the prospectus. The relative fault of the Company and the Selling Holders on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Selling Holders or by the Underwriters. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of each Selling Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such party, and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and the Selling Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.11 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2.11 , no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, and no Selling Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the securities of such Selling Holder were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Selling Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Selling Holders obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 2.11 are several in such proportion that the proceeds of the offering received by such Selling Holder bears to the total proceeds of the offering received by all the Selling Holders, and not joint. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 2.11 applies in the case of a shelf registration and an underwritten offering.
SECTION 2.12. Participation in Underwritten Offerings . No Person may participate in any underwritten offering hereunder unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Persons securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such customary underwriting arrangements and the registration rights provided for in this Article II .
SECTION 2.13. Rule 144 . The Company covenants that it will timely file any reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and that it will take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable Holders to sell
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Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144. Upon the reasonable request of any Holder, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements and, if not, the specific thereof.
SECTION 2.14. Holdback Agreements .
(a) Restrictions on Public Sale by Holder of Registrable Securities . To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, in connection with any underwritten public offering, each Holder who is participating in such offering or who beneficially owns (as such term is defined under the Exchange act) one percent (1%) or more of the Common Stock (whether its securities are included in a registration statement or not, for as long as such Holder has the right to require that its securities be included in such registration statement) agrees not to effect any sale or distribution of the Common Stock being registered or a similar security of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144, during the seven (7) days prior to, and during the ninety (90)-day period beginning on, the pricing date of such underwritten public offering, unless such offering is an IPO, in which case the post-offering period shall be one hundred eighty (180) days, (such period, the Lockup Period ) (except as part of such underwritten public offering), if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters (such agreement to be in the form of lock-up agreement provided by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters); provided that such Lockup Period is applicable on substantially similar terms to the Company and the executive officers and directors of the Company; provided further that nothing herein will prevent any Holder that is a partnership or corporation from making a distribution of Registrable Securities to the partners or stockholders thereof or a transfer to an Affiliate that is otherwise in compliance with applicable securities laws, so long as such distributees or transferees agree to be bound by the restrictions set forth in this Section 2.14(a) ; provided further that each Holder acknowledges and agrees that if the managing Underwriter or Underwriters so require in the written request set forth in this Section 2.14(a) , the restriction of this Section 2.14(a) shall apply to each Holder (whether its securities are included in a registration statement or not, for as long as such Holder has the right to require that its securities be included in such registration statement) regardless of such Holders ownership percentage. Each Holder shall receive the benefit of any shorter Lockup Period or permitted exceptions (on a pro rata basis) agreed to by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters irrespective of whether such Holder participated in the underwritten public offering. This Section 2.14(a) will no longer apply to a Holder once such Holder ceases to hold Registrable Securities.
(b) Restrictions on Public Sale by the Company and Others . The Company agrees that any agreement entered into after the date of this Agreement pursuant to which the Company issues or agrees to issue any privately placed securities shall contain a provision under which holders of such securities agree not to effect any sale or distribution of any securities of the same class or convertible into securities of the same class as those being sold in connection with an underwritten public offering in accordance with Sections 2.1 , 2.2 or 2.3 , or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the seven (7) days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the pricing date of such underwritten public offering (except as part of such underwritten public offering where the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be included in such underwritten public offering consent or as part of registration statements filed as set forth in Sections 2.3(a) or (c) ), if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters (such agreement to be in the form of lock-up agreement provided by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters), in each case including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 (except as part of any such registration, if permitted); provided , however , that the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall not prevent the conversion or exchange of any securities pursuant to their terms into or for other securities.
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ARTICLE III
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 3.1. NASDAQ Listing . To the extent and for so long as any shares of Common Stock are listed on the NASDAQ or such other exchange, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Registrable Securities covered by the applicable registration statement to be listed on the NASDAQ or such other exchange on which any of the Common Stock may then be listed or quoted.
SECTION 3.2. Remedies . In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein and granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Holders shall be entitled to specific performance of the rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, specific performance shall not be available with respect to the rights and obligations of the parties pursuant to Sections 2.14(a) and (b) .
SECTION 3.3. Term . In the event that a given Holder ceases to beneficially own (as such term is defined under the Exchange act) one percent (1%) or more of the Common Stock, all of such Holders rights and obligations under this Agreement shall expire and such Holder will cease to be a Holder for all purposes hereunder without any further action of the Company or any other party hereto.
SECTION 3.4. Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, in each case without the written consent of the Company and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities. No failure or delay by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon any breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
SECTION 3.5. Notices . All notices, requests, consents, and other communications hereunder to any party hereto shall be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person or sent by facsimile, electronic mail, nationally recognized overnight courier, or first class registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to such party at the address set forth below:
(a) if to a Holder, initially to the address, email and facsimile set forth on Schedule I opposite such Holders name or to such other address and to such other Persons as such Holder may hereafter specify in writing; and
(b) if to the Company, to:
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
Attention: Brian Fisher, Esq.
Facsimile: 203-956-1206
Electronic mail: bfisher@affiniongroup.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
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One Bryant Park
New York, NY 10036
Attention: Rosa Testani, Esq.
Adam Weinstein, Esq.
Facsimile: 212-872-1002
Electronic mail: rtestani@akingump.com
aweinstein@akingump.com
SECTION 3.6. Successors and Assigns . Except pursuant to a sale of Common Stock and except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Holders under this Agreement shall not be assignable by any Holder to any Person that is not a Holder (including any Person that becomes a Holder by means of purchase of Common Stock from a Holder as of the date hereof). This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns and transferees.
SECTION 3.7. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties and separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION 3.8. Choice of Laws; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . The validity of this Agreement, the construction, interpretation, and enforcement hereof, and the rights of the parties hereto with respect to all matters arising hereunder or related hereto shall be determined under, governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to any conflicts of laws principles (but including and giving effect to Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law) that would result in the application of the law of another jurisdiction. Each party to this Agreement agrees that, in connection with any legal suit or proceeding arising with respect to this Agreement, it shall submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or the applicable New York state court located in New York County and agrees to venue in such courts. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION 3.9. Severability . In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 3.10. Entire Agreement . This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
SECTION 3.11. Headings . The section headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Agreement or otherwise affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
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SECTION 3.12. No Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing express or implied herein is intended or shall be construed to confer upon any person or entity, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and all Indemnified Parties, any rights, remedies or other benefits under or by reason of this Agreement.
[remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY | ||
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. | ||
By: |
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Name: Gregory S. Miller | ||
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
HOLDER | ||
[] | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
Schedule I
Holders
Holder |
Street Address |
Fax |
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Copy of Notice Sent to |
EXHIBIT A
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
FORM OF NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE
The undersigned beneficial holder of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Common Stock ), of Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (the Company ), understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) one or more registration statements (collectively, the Shelf Registration Statement ) for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ), of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 9, 2015 (the Registration Rights Agreement ), among the Company and the holders party thereto. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Each beneficial owner of Registrable Securities is entitled to the benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement. In order to sell or otherwise dispose of any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, a beneficial owner of Registrable Securities generally will be required to be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus, deliver a prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities and be bound by those provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement applicable to such beneficial owner (including certain indemnification provisions as described below). To be included in the Shelf Registration Statement, this Notice and Questionnaire must be completed, executed and delivered to the Company at the address set forth herein on or prior to the tenth business day before the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement . We will give notice of the filing and effectiveness of the initial Shelf Registration Statement by mailing a notice to the holders at their addresses set forth in the register of the registrar.
Beneficial owners that do not complete this Notice and Questionnaire and deliver it to the Company as provided below will not be named as selling security holders in the prospectus and therefore will not be permitted to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement. Beneficial owners are encouraged to complete and deliver this Notice and Questionnaire prior to the effectiveness of the initial Shelf Registration Statement so that such beneficial owners may be named as selling security holders in the related prospectus at the time of effectiveness. Upon receipt of a completed Notice and Questionnaire from a beneficial owner following the effectiveness of the initial Shelf Registration Statement, in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will file such amendments to the initial Shelf Registration Statement or additional shelf registration statements or supplements to the related prospectus as are necessary to permit such holder to deliver such prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as selling security holders in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus. Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being named as a selling security holder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
NOTICE
The undersigned beneficial owner (the Selling Security Holder ) of Registrable Securities hereby elects to include in the prospectus forming a part of the Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under Item 3). The undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, understands that it will be bound by the terms and conditions of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Registration Rights Agreement.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the undersigned has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors, officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against certain losses arising in connection with statements concerning the undersigned made in the Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus in reliance upon the information provided in this Notice and Questionnaire.
The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants to the Company that such information is accurate and complete:
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. | (a) Full Legal Name of Selling Security Holder: |
(b) Full Legal Name of registered holder (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) below are held:
(c) Full Legal Name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not the same as (b) above) through which Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) below are held:
(d) List below the individual or individuals who exercise voting and/or dispositive powers with respect to the Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) below:
2. | Address for Notices to Selling Security Holder: |
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail address:
Contact Person:
3. | Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities: |
Type of Registrable Securities beneficially owned, and number of shares of Class B Common Stock beneficially owned:
4. | Beneficial Ownership of Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling Security Holder: |
Except as set forth below in this Item (4), the undersigned is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company, other than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3).
Type and amount of other securities beneficially owned by the Selling Security Holder:
5. | Relationship with the Company |
Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (5% or more) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
6. | Plan of Distribution |
Except as set forth below, the undersigned (including its donees or pledgees) intends to distribute the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3) pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement only as follows and will not be offering any of such Registrable Securities pursuant to an agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into with a broker or dealer prior to the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement. Such Registrable Securities may be sold from time to time directly by the undersigned or, alternatively, through underwriters or broker-dealers or agents. If the Registrable Securities are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the Selling Security Holder will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agents commissions. Such Registrable Securities may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. Such sales may be effected in transactions (which may involve crosses or block transactions)
(i) on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the Registrable Securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;
(ii) in the over-the-counter market;
(iii) in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market; or
(iv) through the writing of options.
In connection with sales of the Registrable Securities or otherwise, the undersigned may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Registrable Securities and deliver Registrable Securities to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge Registrable Securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such securities.
State any exceptions here:
Note: In no event may such method(s) of distribution take the form of an underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities without the prior written agreement of the Company.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The undersigned acknowledges that it understands its obligation to comply with the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder relating to stock manipulation, particularly Regulation M thereunder (or any successor rules or regulations), in connection with any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. The undersigned agrees that neither it nor any person acting on its behalf will engage in any transaction in violation of such provisions.
The Selling Security Holder hereby acknowledges its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement to indemnify and hold harmless certain persons set forth therein. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed under certain circumstances to indemnify the Selling Security Holders against certain liabilities.
In accordance with the undersigneds obligation under the Registration Rights Agreement to provide such information as may be required by law for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, the undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Shelf Registration Statement remains effective. All notices hereunder and pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement shall be made in writing at the address set forth below.
In the event that the undersigned transfers all or any portion of the Registrable Securities listed in Item 3 above after the date on which such information is provided to the Company, the undersigned agrees to notify the transferee(s) at the time of transfer of its rights and obligations under this Notice and Questionnaire and the Registration Rights Agreement.
By signing this Notice and Questionnaire, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items (1) through (6) above and the inclusion of such information in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
Once this Notice and Questionnaire is executed by the Selling Security Holder and received by the Company, the terms of this Notice and Questionnaire and the representations and warranties contained herein shall be binding on, shall insure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns of the Company and the Selling Security Holder with respect to the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by such Selling Security Holder and listed in Item 3 above.
This Notice and Questionnaire shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.
Beneficial Owner | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Dated: |
Please return the completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire to:
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
Attention: Brian Fisher,
Esq. Facsimile: 203-956-1206
Electronic mail: bfisher@affiniongroup.com
EXHIBIT 10.4
EXECUTION VERSION
NOMINATING AGREEMENT
This Nominating Agreement (as it may be amended from time to time, this Agreement ) is made as of November 9, 2015 by and between Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Focused Credit Fund ( Third Avenue ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Certificate (as defined herein), among other things, the Company is authorized to issue capital stock consisting of 550,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Company Common Stock );
WHEREAS, Third Avenue, together with its Affiliates, holds 1,901,564 shares of Company Common Stock or approximately 19.9% of the Company Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Third Avenue desire to enter into this Agreement setting forth certain rights and obligations with respect to the nomination of Directors to the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board ) and certain other matters relating to the Board as set forth herein as hereinafter provided.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement intending to be bound hereby agree as follows:
1. | EFFECTIVE DATE This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above immediately after the Certificate has become effective in accordance with Delaware law. |
2. | BOARD NOMINATION |
2.1 Third Avenue Nominee .
(a) For purposes of determining the number of Outstanding Company Common Stock held by Third Avenue pursuant to this Section 2.1 , the Company Common Stock held by an Affiliate of Third Avenue shall be aggregated with the Company Common Stock held by Third Avenue.
(b) For each Board election occurring after the Regulatory Approval Date, so long as Third Avenue holds in excess of eight percent (8%) of the Outstanding Company Stock ( Third Avenue Threshold ) as of the record date for the applicable Board election or the time a vacancy on the Board is to be filled, as applicable, the Company shall include the Third Avenue Nominee in the Companys slate of nominees for Director at each annual or special meeting of Stockholders at which Directors are to be elected and at which the Class III Director seats are subject to election. The Company shall use its reasonable best
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efforts to cause the election of the Third Avenue Nominee to the Board at such meeting (including recommending that the Companys Stockholders vote in favor of the election of the Third Avenue Nominee (along with all other Company nominees) and otherwise supporting him or her for election in a manner no less rigorous and favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees in the aggregate).
(c) If at any time Third Avenue ceases to satisfy the Third Avenue Threshold, (A) Third Avenue shall cause the Third Avenue Nominee then sitting on the Board to resign from the Board with immediate effect; and (B) the vacancy caused by such resignation shall be filled in accordance with the Companys Charter Documents.
(d) Third Avenue may elect to relinquish its right to nominate a Director by providing the Company with written notice of such election on or prior to the record date for the applicable Board election.
(e) In the event that the Third Avenue Nominee resigns, is removed from the Board (except in the circumstances described in Section 2.1(c) ) dies or otherwise is unable to serve on the Board, Third Avenue shall (if, at the time such vacancy is to be filled, Third Avenue still has the right to nominate such Director) be entitled to nominate a successor Director, and the Company shall take any Necessary Action as may be required to facilitate and implement the immediate appointment of such Third Avenue Nominee to the Board.
2.2 Limitations on Amendments to Charter Documents . So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the Company shall not cause or permit any amendments to the Bylaws or the Certificate that would conflict with the rights and obligations set forth herein except to the extent required to comply with applicable law.
3. | REMEDIES |
3.1 Generally . The rights and remedies of any party hereto as set forth in this Agreement are not exclusive and are in addition to any other rights and remedies now or hereafter provided by law or at equity. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that, in addition to any other rights and remedies at law or in equity existing in its favor, any party hereto shall be entitled to specific performance and/or other injunctive relief from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.
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4. | AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, ETC |
4.1 Oral Modifications . This Agreement may not be orally amended, modified, extended or terminated, nor shall any oral waiver of any of its terms be effective.
4.2 Written Modifications . Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended only with the prior written consent of Third Avenue and the Company.
4.3 Termination . This Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the earlier to occur of (1) a Listing and (2) the first date following the Regulatory Approval Date that Third Avenue is no longer entitled to nominate a director pursuant to Section 2.1(b) as a result of Third Avenue failing to satisfy the Third Avenue Threshold test.
5. | DEFINITIONS For purposes of this Agreement: |
5.1 Certain Matters of Construction . In addition to the definitions referred to or set forth below in this Section 5 :
(a) The titles and section headings set forth in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered as part of agreement of the parties hereto.
(b) When the context requires, the plural shall include the singular and the singular the plural, and any gender shall include all other genders or neuter. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation.
(c) No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed against any party because such party or its counsel was the drafter thereof. Any reference to statutes or laws will include all amendments, modifications, or replacements of the specific sections and provisions concerned.
(d) Numbered or lettered articles, sections, and subsections herein contained refer to articles, sections, and subsections of this Agreement unless otherwise expressly stated.
(e) The word including shall mean including, without limitation.
5.2 Definitions . The following terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate(s) means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust or other entity or association, directly or indirectly, through one (1) or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a Person. The term control, as used in the immediately preceding sentence, means, with respect to a corporation or limited liability company the right to exercise, directly or indirectly, ten percent (10%) or more of the voting rights attributable to the controlled corporation or limited liability company, and, with respect to any individual, partnership, trust, other entity or association, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled entity. With respect to any Person who is a general partner of a Person, such general partner is an Affiliate of such Person. With respect to a limited partnership, Affiliate shall also mean any limited partner of such limited partnership holding ten percent (10%) or more of the capital or interests in profits of such limited partnership. With respect to a trust, any Affiliate shall include any Person which is a trustee or lifetime beneficiary of such trust.
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Agreement has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Board has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Bylaws means the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended from time to time.
Certificate means the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time.
Charter Documents means, with respect to the Company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time, and with respect to any other Person, the articles, bylaws, certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, operating agreement, partnership agreement or any other similar incorporating or formation documents of such Person, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time.
Company has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Company Common Stock has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Derivative Securities has the meaning set forth in the Shareholder Agreement.
Director means any member of the Board (other than any Person (if any) effecting observer rights on the Board).
Equity Incentive Plans means any equity incentive plans for officers, employees or Directors of the Company.
Listing means the listing of the Company Common Stock on a U.S. national securities exchange registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Necessary Action means, with respect to a specified result, all actions that are permitted by law and necessary to cause such result, including (i) recommending that the Companys Stockholders vote in favor of the election of the Third Avenue Nominee, (ii) agreeing to commercially reasonable amendments to the applicable Charter Documents, (iii) executing agreements and instruments reasonably necessary to permit Third Avenue to exercise its rights hereunder, and (iv) making, or causing to be made, with governmental, administrative or regulatory authorities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result, in each case subject to compliance with applicable law.
Outstanding Company Common Stock means, as of any given time, the then issued and outstanding Company Common Stock, excluding any Derivative Securities, other than any Limited Warrants, which will be included on an as-exercised basis, and any Company Common Stock issued pursuant to an Equity Incentive Plan.
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Person means an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust, business trust, association, or similar entity, whether domestic or foreign, and the heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and assigns of such entity where the context requires.
Permitted Transfer has the meaning set forth in the Stockholder Agreement.
Regulatory Approval Date means the date on which the approval set forth on Exhibit A has been obtained by Third Avenue.
Shareholder Agreement means the Shareholder Agreement, dated September 29, 2015, by and among the Company and the stockholders party thereto.
Third Avenue has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Third Avenue Nominee means Scott Bernstein or any another Person selected by Third Avenue to serve as the replacement Third Avenue Nominee.
Third Avenue Threshold has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) .
Stockholder has the meaning set forth in the Shareholder Agreement.
6. | MISCELLANEOUS |
6.1 Authority; Effect . Each party hereto represents and warrants to and agrees with each other party that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized on behalf of such party and do not violate any agreement or other instrument applicable to such party or by which its assets are bound. This Agreement does not, and shall not be construed to, give rise to the creation of a partnership among any of the parties hereto, or to constitute any of such parties members of a joint venture, group or other association.
6.2 Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered (a) by personal delivery, (b) by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, (c) by telefacsimile or electronic mail, using equipment that provides written confirmation of delivery, or (d) by deposit in the U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at the address set forth below:
(a) | If to the Company: |
Affinion Group, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
Attention: Brian Fisher, Esq.
Facsimile: 203-956-1206
Electronic mail: bfisher@affiniongroup.com
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
One Bryant Park
New York, NY 10036
Attention: Adam Weinstein, Esq.
Facsimile: 212-872-1002
Electronic mail: aweinstein@akingump.com
(b) | If to Third Avenue: |
Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Focused Credit Fund
622 Third Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, New York 10017
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP
28 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10011
Attention: Paul Denaro
Facsimile: 212-822-5219
Electronic mail: pdenaro@milbank.com
Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date so delivered, if delivered personally or by overnight courier service or electronic mail; or if by telefacsimile, on the first (1st) day following the transmission of such facsimile; or if mailed, four (4) calendar days after mailing. Any party may, at any time by giving five (5) calendar days prior written notice to the Company, specify a different address (physical or electronic) or telefacsimile number for notice purposes by sending notice thereof in the foregoing manner. By notice complying with the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2 , each party shall have the right to change the mailing address, facsimile number or email address for future notices, communications or deliveries to such party pursuant to this Agreement and any such change shall not be deemed an amendment to this Agreement.
6.3 No Assignment . This Agreement may not be transferred or assigned by any party hereto.
6.4 Binding Effect . Subject to the provisions of this Agreement relating to transferability or assignment, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and Third Avenue, and their respective heirs, devisees, spouses, distributees, representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
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6.5 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under any present or future laws applicable to the Company effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision will be fully severable; this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement.
6.6 Additional Documents and Acts . Each party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out, and perform all of the terms, provisions, and conditions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.7 No Employment Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon any Person any right to be employed or to continue employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates, or interfere in any manner with any right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate such employment at any time.
7. | GOVERNING LAW |
7.1 Governing Law . This Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder will be governed by, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to conflicts of law principles.
7.2 Consent to Jurisdiction . The Company and Third Avenue (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state court in the State of Delaware, and the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (and the appropriate appellate courts), for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement and (ii) agrees to commence any such action, suit or proceeding either in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be brought in such court for jurisdictional reasons, in any state court in the State of Delaware. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party hereto may commence an action, suit or proceeding with any governmental body anywhere in the world for the sole purpose of seeking recognition and enforcement of a judgment of any court referred to in the first sentence of this Section 7.2 . The Company and Third Avenue further (x) agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such partys respective address set forth in Section 6.2 hereof shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding in Delaware with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction in this Section 7.2 and (y) irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement in (A) any state court in the State of Delaware, or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
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7.3 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THE COMPANY AND THIRD AVENUE HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, INVOLVING OR OTHERWISE IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THIRD AVENUES OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK. THE COMPANY AND THIRD AVENUE (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE COMPANY OR THIRD AVENUE HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT THE COMPANY OR THIRD AVENUE WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE COMPANY AND THIRD AVENUE HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.3 .
* * Signature pages follow * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Third Avenue have executed this Agreement on the day and year first written above.
COMPANY : | ||
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. |
||
By: | /s/ Gregory S. Miller | |
Name: |
Gregory S. Miller | |
Title: |
Executive Vice President and Chief | |
Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Nominating Agreement (Third Avenue)]
STOCKHOLDERS : | ||
THIRD AVENUE TRUST, on behalf of THIRD AVENUE FOCUSED CREDIT FUND |
||
By: | /s/ Vincent J. Dugan | |
Name: |
Vincent J. Dugan | |
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Nominating Agreement (Third Avenue)]
EXHIBIT 10.5
EXECUTION VERSION
NOMINATING AGREEMENT
This Nominating Agreement (as it may be amended from time to time, this Agreement ) is made as of November 9, 2015 by and between Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), and Ares Management LLC, on behalf of certain affiliated funds and managed accounts (collectively, Ares ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Certificate (as defined herein), among other things, the Company is authorized to issue capital stock consisting of 550,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the Company Common Stock );
WHEREAS, Ares, together with its Affiliates, holds 896,221 shares of Company Common Stock or approximately 9.4% of the Company Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Ares desire to enter into this Agreement setting forth certain rights and obligations with respect to the nomination of Directors to the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board ) and certain other matters relating to the Board as set forth herein as hereinafter provided.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement intending to be bound hereby agree as follows:
1. EFFECTIVE DATE . This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above immediately after the Certificate has become effective in accordance with Delaware law.
2. BOARD NOMINATION.
2.1 Ares Nominee .
(a) For purposes of determining the number of Outstanding Company Common Stock held by Ares pursuant to this Section 2.1 , the Company Common Stock held by any Affiliate of Ares shall be aggregated with all Company Common Stock held by Ares.
(b) For each Board election occurring after the date hereof, so long as Ares holds in excess of eight percent (8%) of the Outstanding Company Stock ( Ares Threshold ) as of the record date for the applicable Board election or the time a vacancy on the Board is to be filled, as applicable, the Company shall include the Ares Nominee in the Companys slate of nominees for Director at each annual or special meeting of Stockholders at which Directors are to be elected and at which the Class III Director seats are subject to election. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the election of the Ares
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Nominee to the Board at such meeting (including recommending that the Companys Stockholders vote in favor of the election of the Ares Nominee (along with all other Company nominees) and otherwise supporting him or her for election in a manner no less rigorous and favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees in the aggregate).
(c) If at any time Ares ceases to satisfy the Ares Threshold, (A) Ares shall cause the Ares Nominee then sitting on the Board to resign from the Board with immediate effect; and (B) the vacancy caused by such resignation shall be filled in accordance with the Companys Charter Documents.
(d) Ares may elect to relinquish its right to nominate a Director by providing the Company with written notice of such election on or prior to the record date for the applicable Board election.
(e) In the event that the Ares Nominee resigns, is removed from the Board (except in the circumstances described in Section 2.1(c) ) dies or otherwise is unable to serve on the Board, Ares shall (if, at the time such vacancy is to be filled, Ares still has the right to nominate such Director) be entitled to nominate a successor Director, and the Company shall take any Necessary Action as may be required to facilitate and implement the immediate appointment of such Ares Nominee to the Board.
2.2 Limitations on Amendments to Charter Documents . So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the Company shall not cause or permit any amendments to the Bylaws or the Certificate that would conflict with the rights and obligations set forth herein except to the extent required to comply with applicable law.
3. REMEDIES.
3.1 Generally . The rights and remedies of any party hereto as set forth in this Agreement are not exclusive and are in addition to any other rights and remedies now or hereafter provided by law or at equity. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that, in addition to any other rights and remedies at law or in equity existing in its favor, any party hereto shall be entitled to specific performance and/or other injunctive relief from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or other security) in order to enforce or prevent violation of the provisions of this Agreement.
4. AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, ETC.
4.1 Oral Modifications . This Agreement may not be orally amended, modified, extended or terminated, nor shall any oral waiver of any of its terms be effective.
4.2 Written Modifications . Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement may be amended only with the prior written consent of Ares and the Company.
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4.3 Termination . This Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the earlier to occur of (1) a Listing and (2) the first date following date that Ares is no longer entitled to nominate a director pursuant to Section 2.1(b) as a result of Ares failing to satisfy the Ares Threshold test.
5. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement:
5.1 Certain Matters of Construction . In addition to the definitions referred to or set forth below in this Section 5 :
(a) The titles and section headings set forth in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered as part of agreement of the parties hereto.
(b) When the context requires, the plural shall include the singular and the singular the plural, and any gender shall include all other genders or neuter. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation.
(c) No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed against any party because such party or its counsel was the drafter thereof. Any reference to statutes or laws will include all amendments, modifications, or replacements of the specific sections and provisions concerned.
(d) Numbered or lettered articles, sections, and subsections herein contained refer to articles, sections, and subsections of this Agreement unless otherwise expressly stated.
(e) The word including shall mean including, without limitation.
5.2 Definitions . The following terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate(s) means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust or other entity or association, directly or indirectly, through one (1) or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a Person. The term control, as used in the immediately preceding sentence, means, with respect to a corporation or limited liability company the right to exercise, directly or indirectly, ten percent (10%) or more of the voting rights attributable to the controlled corporation or limited liability company, and, with respect to any individual, partnership, trust, other entity or association, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled entity, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. With respect to any Person who is a general partner of a Person, such general partner is an Affiliate of such Person. With respect to a limited partnership, Affiliate shall also mean any limited partner of such limited partnership holding ten percent (10%) or more of the capital or interests in profits of such limited partnership. With respect to a trust, any Affiliate shall include any Person which is a trustee or lifetime beneficiary of such trust.
Agreement has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
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Board has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Bylaws means the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended from time to time.
Certificate means the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time.
Charter Documents means, with respect to the Company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time, and with respect to any other Person, the articles, bylaws, certificate of incorporation, certificate of formation, operating agreement, partnership agreement or any other similar incorporating or formation documents of such Person, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified or restated from time to time.
Company has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Company Common Stock has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Derivative Securities has the meaning set forth in the Shareholder Agreement.
Director means any member of the Board (other than any Person (if any) effecting observer rights on the Board).
Equity Incentive Plans means any equity incentive plans for officers, employees or Directors of the Company.
Listing means the listing of the Company Common Stock on a U.S. national securities exchange registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Necessary Action means, with respect to a specified result, all actions that are permitted by law and necessary to cause such result, including (i) recommending that the Companys Stockholders vote in favor of the election of the Ares Nominee, (ii) agreeing to commercially reasonable amendments to the applicable Charter Documents, (iii) executing agreements and instruments reasonably necessary to permit Ares to exercise its rights hereunder, and (iv) making, or causing to be made, with governmental, administrative or regulatory authorities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result, in each case subject to compliance with applicable law.
Outstanding Company Common Stock means, as of any given time, the then issued and outstanding Company Common Stock, excluding any Derivative Securities, other than any Limited Warrants, which will be included on an as-exercised basis, and any Company Common Stock issued pursuant to an Equity Incentive Plan.
Person means an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, trust, business trust, association, or similar entity, whether domestic or foreign, and the heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and assigns of such entity where the context requires.
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Permitted Transfer has the meaning set forth in the Stockholder Agreement.
Shareholder Agreement means the Shareholder Agreement, dated September November 9, 2015, by and among the Company and the stockholders party thereto.
Ares has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Ares Nominee means Rick Frier or any another Person selected by Ares to serve as the replacement Ares Nominee.
Ares Threshold has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) .
Stockholder has the meaning set forth in the Shareholder Agreement.
6. MISCELLANEOUS.
6.1 Authority; Effect . Each party hereto represents and warrants to and agrees with each other party that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized on behalf of such party and do not violate any agreement or other instrument applicable to such party or by which its assets are bound. This Agreement does not, and shall not be construed to, give rise to the creation of a partnership among any of the parties hereto, or to constitute any of such parties members of a joint venture, group or other association.
6.2 Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered (a) by personal delivery, (b) by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, (c) by telefacsimile or electronic mail, using equipment that provides written confirmation of delivery, or (d) by deposit in the U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at the address set forth below:
(a) If to the Company:
Affinion Group, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
Attention: Brian Fisher, Esq.
Facsimile: 203-956-1206
Electronic mail: bfisher@affiniongroup.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
One Bryant Park
New York, NY 10036
Attention: Adam Weinstein, Esq.
Facsimile: 212-872-1002
Electronic mail: aweinstein@akingump.com
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(b) If to Ares:
Ares Management LLC
2000 Avenue of the Stars, 12th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90067
Attention: Daniel Hall
Facsimile: 310-432-8702
Electronic mail: dhall@aresmgmt.com
with a copy to:
Ares Management LLC
2000 Avenue of the Stars, 12th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90067
Attention: Christopher Mathewson
Facsimile: 310-201-4170
Electronic mail: Mathewson@aresmgmt.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
330 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 2800
Chicago, IL 60611
Attention: Richard A. Levy
Facsimile No.: 312-993-9767
Electronic mail: richard.levy@lw.com
Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date so delivered, if delivered personally or by overnight courier service or electronic mail; or if by telefacsimile, on the first (1st) day following the transmission of such facsimile; or if mailed, four (4) calendar days after mailing. Any party may, at any time by giving five (5) calendar days prior written notice to the Company, specify a different address (physical or electronic) or telefacsimile number for notice purposes by sending notice thereof in the foregoing manner. By notice complying with the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2 , each party shall have the right to change the mailing address, facsimile number or email address for future notices, communications or deliveries to such party pursuant to this Agreement and any such change shall not be deemed an amendment to this Agreement.
6.3 No Assignment . This Agreement may not be transferred or assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party; provided , however , that Ares may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to an Affiliate of Ares holding Company Common Stock without such consent.
6.4 Binding Effect . Subject to the provisions of this Agreement relating to transferability or assignment, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and Ares, and their respective heirs, devisees, spouses, distributees, representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
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6.5 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under any present or future laws applicable to the Company effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision will be fully severable; this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement.
6.6 Additional Documents and Acts . Each party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out, and perform all of the terms, provisions, and conditions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.7 No Employment Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon any Person any right to be employed or to continue employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates, or interfere in any manner with any right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate such employment at any time.
7. GOVERNING LAW.
7.1 Governing Law . This Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder will be governed by, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to conflicts of law principles.
7.2 Consent to Jurisdiction . The Company and Ares (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state court in the State of Delaware, and the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (and the appropriate appellate courts), for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement and (ii) agrees to commence any such action, suit or proceeding either in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be brought in such court for jurisdictional reasons, in any state court in the State of Delaware. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party hereto may commence an action, suit or proceeding with any governmental body anywhere in the world for the sole purpose of seeking recognition and enforcement of a judgment of any court referred to in the first sentence of this Section 7.2 . The Company and Ares further (x) agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such partys respective address set forth in Section 6.2 hereof shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding in Delaware with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction in this Section 7.2 and (y) irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement in (A) any state court in the State of Delaware, or (B) the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
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7.3 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THE COMPANY AND ARES HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, INVOLVING OR OTHERWISE IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ARESS OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK. THE COMPANY AND ARES (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE COMPANY OR ARES HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT THE COMPANY OR ARES WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE COMPANY AND ARES HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.3 .
* * Signature pages follow * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Ares have executed this Agreement on the day and year first written above.
COMPANY : |
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AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Gregory S. Miller |
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Name: |
Gregory S. Miller | |
Title: |
Executive Vice President and Chief | |
Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Nominating Agreement (Ares)]
STOCKHOLDERS : |
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ARES MANAGEMENT LLC, on behalf of certain affiliated funds and managed accounts |
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By: |
/s/ Daniel J. Hall |
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Name: |
Daniel J. Hall | |
Title: |
Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Nominating Agreement (Ares)]
EXHIBIT 10.6
EXECUTION VERSION
AMENDMENT TO THE WARRANT AGREEMENT
This Amendment (this Amendment ) dated as of November 9, 2015, is made by and between Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Company ), American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the Warrant Agent ) and the Holders of a majority of the outstanding Warrants. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Warrant Agreement (as defined below).
WHEREAS, the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as predecessor warrant agent, had entered into that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2013, by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent (the Warrant Agreement );
WHEREAS, in connection with the exchange offers, rights offering and other transactions contemplated by that certain confidential offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement, dated September 29, 2015 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the Offering Memorandum ), of the Company, Affinion Investments, LLC, and Affinion International Holdings Limited, the Company desires to amend the terms of the Warrant Agreement to (i) cause the Series A Warrants to be mandatorily exercised for shares of Class A Common Stock in cashless exercises and (ii) cancel the Series B Warrants;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 14 of the Warrant Agreement, amendments to the Warrant Agreement require the written consent of (i) the Company, (ii) the Warrant Agent and (iii) the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Warrants; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned Holders hold a majority of the outstanding Warrants.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements contained herein and in the Warrantholder Rights Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Amendments to the Warrant Agreement
Section 4(a) Adjustments Adjustment of Number Issuable . Section 4(a) of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:
(a) Adjustment to Securities Issuable Upon Exercise. Subject to, upon and following the consummation of the Transactions, in lieu of receiving the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon the valid exercise of a Warrant (the Number Issuable), each Holder that validly exercises a Warrant, including as a result of Section 4(b), shall receive a like number of shares of Class A Common Stock.
Section 4(b) Adjustments Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets . Section 4(b) of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:
(b) Mandatory Exercise Upon Consummation of the Transactions . Subject to and immediately prior to consummation of the Transactions, without further action on behalf of the Holders, each Series A Warrant shall be mandatorily exercised in full pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii)(C) , with all references therein to Class B Common Stock being read as references to Class A Common Stock. For the avoidance of doubt, any and all requirements set forth in Section 3(a)(ii)(C) regarding the delivery of the Warrant Exercise Documentation and any other right of the Company to restrict the exercise of the Class A Warrants shall be deemed to have been waived by the Company.
Section 20 Termination . Section 20 of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:
This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) one day after the end of the Exercise Period or, if and to the extent applicable, the delivery by the Company to the Holders of all shares of Class B Common Stock and other securities or property in respect of all Warrants duly exercised during the Exercise Period, (ii) when all Warrants have been exercised upon the delivery to the Holders of all shares of Class B Common Stock and other securities or property in respect of all Warrants duly exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 13(b) shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Warrant Agent and (iii) when all Warrants have been exercised and/or cancelled. Notwithstanding any Warrant Certificates evidencing the issuance of Series A Warrants or Series B Warrants, the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants shall be terminated after the Expiration Date.
Section 24 Definitions Definition of Exercise Period . The definition of Exercise Period in Section 24 of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:
Exercise Period means (i) with respect to any Series A Warrant, on any Business Day after the date hereof and on or before the Expiration Date and (ii) with respect to any Series B Warrant, the Series B Warrants shall never be exercisable and shall terminate for no additional consideration on the Expiration Date.
Section 24 Definitions Definition of Expiration Date . The definition of Expiration Date in Section 24 of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:
Expiration Date means immediately prior to the adoption of the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F , in connection with the consummation of the Transactions and following the mandatory exercise of all Series A Warrants pursuant to Section 4(a) herein.
Section 24 Definitions . Section 24 of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following definitions in the appropriate places:
Offering Memorandum means that certain confidential offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement, dated September 29, 2015 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the Offering Memorandum ), of the Company, Affinion Investments, LLC, and Affinion International Holdings Limited.
Transactions means the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering (each as defined in the Offering Memorandum) and the other transactions contemplated by the Offering Memorandum.
2. | Miscellaneous . This Amendment and the Warrant Agreement contain the complete agreement among the Company and the undersigned and supersede any prior understandings, agreements, letters of intent, or representations by or among such parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate to the subject matter hereof. Except as specifically amended hereby, the Warrant Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. |
* * * * *
This Amendment is executed by the Company, the Warrant Agent and the undersigned Holders to be effective as of the date first written above.
THE COMPANY: |
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AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Gregory S. Miller |
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Name: Gregory S. Miller |
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Title: Executive Vice President and Chief | ||
Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
THE WARRANT AGENT: |
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AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC |
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By: |
/s/ Michael A. Nespoli |
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Name: Michael A. Nespoli |
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Title: Executive Director |
[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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ARES STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PARTNERS LTD. |
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BY: |
ARES STRATEGIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC, AS INVESTMENT MANAGER | |
By: |
/s/ Jeff Moore |
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Name: Jeff Moore |
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Title: Vice President |
Series A Warrants |
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Series B Warrants |
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[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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FUTURE FUND BOARD OF GUARDIANS |
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BY: |
ARES ENHANCED LOAN INVESTMENT STRATEGY ADVISOR IV, L.P., ITS INVESTMENT MANAGER (ON BEHALF OF THE ASIP II SUB-ACCOUNT) | |
BY: |
ARES ENHANCED LOAN INVESTMENT STRATEGY ADVISOR IV GP, LLC, ITS GENERAL PARTNER | |
By: |
/s/ Jeff Moore |
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Name: Jeff Moore |
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Title: Vice President |
Series A Warrants |
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Series B Warrants |
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[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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ARES ENHANCED CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND, L.P.. |
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BY: |
ARES ENHANCED CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES GP LLC, ITS GENERAL PARTNER | |
By: |
/s/ Jeff Moore |
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Name: Jeff Moore |
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Title: Vice President |
Series A Warrants |
|
Series B Warrants |
|
[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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ARES SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND, L.P. |
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BY: |
ASSF OPERATING MANAGER, LLC, ITS GENERAL PARTNER | |
By: |
/s/ Jeff Moore |
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Name: Jeff Moore |
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Title: Vice President |
Series A Warrants |
|
Series B Warrants |
|
[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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ARES SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND I-B, L.P. |
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BY: |
ASSF OPERATING MANAGER, LLC, ITS GENERAL PARTNER | |
By: |
/s/ Jeff Moore |
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Name: Jeff Moore |
||
Title: Vice President |
Series A Warrants |
|
Series B Warrants |
|
[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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ARES SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND III, L.P. |
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BY: |
ASSF OPERATING MANAGER III, LLC, ITS MANAGER | |
By: |
/s/ Jeff Moore |
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Name: Jeff Moore |
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Title: Vice President |
Series A Warrants |
|
Series B Warrants |
|
[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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EMPYREAN CAPITAL FUND, LP |
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By: |
/s/ C. Martin Meekins |
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Name: C. Martin Meekins |
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Title: Authorized Person |
Series A Warrants |
|
Series B Warrants |
|
[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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EMPYREAN CAPITAL MASTER OVERSEAS FUND, LTD. | ||
By: |
/s/ C. Martin Meekins |
|
Name: C. Martin Meekins |
||
Title: Authorized Person |
Series A Warrants |
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Series B Warrants |
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[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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P EMP LTD. |
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By: |
/s/ C. Martin Meekins |
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Name: C. Martin Meekins | ||
Title: Authorized Person |
Series A Warrants |
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Series B Warrants |
|
[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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PENNANTPARK INVESTMENT CORPORATION |
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By: |
/s/ Arthur H. Penn |
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Name: Arthur H. Penn |
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Title: Chief Executive Officer |
Series A Warrants |
|
Series B Warrants |
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[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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PENNANTPARK FLOATING RATE CAPITAL LTD. | ||
By: |
/s/ Arthur H. Penn |
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Name: Arthur H. Penn |
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Title: Chief Executive Officer |
Series A Warrants |
|
Series B Warrants |
|
[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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PENNANTPARK CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND II, LP | ||
By: |
/s/ Arthur H. Penn |
|
Name: Arthur H. Penn |
||
Title: Managing Member of PennantPark Capital, LLC, the General Partner of the Fund |
Series A Warrants |
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Series B Warrants |
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[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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JLP STRESSED CREDIT FUND LP |
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By: PHOENIX INVESTMENT ADVISER LLC, as investment manager |
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By: |
/s/ Jeffrey Schultz |
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Name: Jeffrey Schultz |
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Title: Chief Legal Officer |
Series A Warrants |
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Series B Warrants |
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[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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JLP CREDIT OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND LTD | ||
By: PHOENIX INVESTMENT ADVISER LLC, as |
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investment manager | ||
By: |
/s/ Jeffrey Schultz |
|
Name: Jeffrey Schultz |
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Title: Chief Legal Officer |
Series A Warrants |
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Series B Warrants |
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[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Focused Credit Fund | ||
By: |
/s/ Vincent J. Dugan |
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Name: Vincent J. Dugan |
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Title: CFO |
Series A Warrants |
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Series B Warrants |
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[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
WARRANTHOLDERS: |
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WINGSPAN MASTER FUND, LP |
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By: Wingspan GP, LLC, as its general partner |
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By: |
/s/ Brendan Driscoll |
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Name: Brendan Driscoll |
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Title: COO/CFO |
Series A Warrants |
|
Series B Warrants |
|
[Signature Page to Amendment to Warrant Agreement]
EXHIBIT 10.7
WARRANT NO. 1
THIS WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M.
NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).
THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED UPON ITS EXERCISE ARE SUBJECT TO A SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. (THE COMPANY ) AND THE STOCKHOLDERS PARTY THERETO, THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND THE BY-LAWS OF THE COMPANY, IN EACH CASE, AS MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, INCLUDING CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND EXERCISE SET FORTH THEREIN. COPIES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT, THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND THE BY-LAWS OF THE COMPANY ARE ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE COMPANY.
THIS WARRANT IS NOT AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE 1933 ACT ), OR UNDER ANY U.S. STATE OR FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS, IN RELIANCE UPON APPLICABLE EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE 1933 ACT AND SUCH STATE AND FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO DISTRIBUTION OR RESALE.
WARRANT
to Purchase Common Stock of
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
Date: November 9, 2015 (the Effective Date )
This certifies that, for value received, Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Focused Credit Fund, is the registered holder of a Warrant (the Warrant ) and is entitled to purchase up to 370,275 fully paid and nonassessable shares (the Warrant Shares ) of Common Stock, par value $0.01 (the Common Stock ) of Affinion Group Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ), at the Exercise Price.
This Warrant is subject to the following terms and conditions:
1. Exercisability of Warrant; Exercise Price . Subject to Section 2, Section 3 and applicable Law, this Warrant shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, and from time to time beginning on the Effective Date and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the Expiration Date (the Warrant Exercise Period ). The Exercise Price shall be $0.01 per Warrant Share, which shall be subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 6.
2. Method of Exercise .
(a) This Warrant may be exercised by the Holder, in whole or in part, during the Warrant Exercise Period by (i) the surrender of this Warrant, properly endorsed, at the principal office of the Company; (ii) (A) the payment in cash, wire transfer or certified or bank cashiers check to the Company of the Exercise Price in respect of the Warrant Shares being purchased or (B) in the sole discretion of the Holder by Cashless Exercise (as defined below), and without the payment of the Exercise Price in cash, in return for the delivery to the Holder of that number of Warrant Shares equal to (I) the number of Warrant Shares that the Holder desires to receive upon exercise, including those Warrant Shares that will be used to pay the Exercise Price (if the Exercise Price were being paid in cash, wire transfer or certified or bank cashiers check) reduced by (II) that number of Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate Exercise Price to be paid in respect of all Warrant Shares being issued (including those Warrant Shares that will be used to pay the Exercise Price) by (y) the fair market value per Warrant Share determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company (an exercise of a Warrant in accordance with the preceding clause (B) is herein referred to as a Cashless Exercise ); (iii) delivery to the Company of the Form of Subscription attached hereto (or a reasonable facsimile thereof); and (iv) if that certain Shareholders Agreement, dated as November 9, 2015, by and among the Company and the investors party thereto (as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the Shareholders Agreement ) is in effect at the time of exercise, deliver to the Company of a joinder, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company, to the Shareholders Agreement.
(b) Each exercise of this Warrant shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the business day on which (i) this Warrant shall have been surrendered to the Company, (ii) the Company shall have received payment of the Exercise Price in respect of the Warrant Shares being purchased and (iii) the Company shall have received the Form of Subscription attached hereto, all as provided in this Section 2.
(c) In the event of any exercise of this Warrant, certificates for Warrant Shares so purchased shall be delivered at the Companys expense to the Holder within three trading days after the Warrant shall have been so exercised, and unless this Warrant has expired, a new Warrant of like tenor representing the number of Warrant Shares, if any, with respect to which this Warrant shall not then have been exercised, shall also be issued to the Holder within such time.
(d) The Company shall pay all expenses in connection with, and all taxes and other governmental charges (other than income taxes of the Holder) that may be imposed in respect of, the issue or delivery of any Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant; provided, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any Warrant Shares in a name other than that of the Holder.
3. Limitation on Exercise . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1, Section 2 or anything else to the contrary in this Warrant, this Warrant may not be exercised in contravention of applicable Law:
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(a) this Warrant shall not be exercised unless (i) all necessary approvals or waivers, as the case may be, of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of North Dakota and the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority that may be required pursuant to applicable North Dakota Law and United Kingdom Law in connection with such exercise have been obtained. For the avoidance of doubt, a Warrant may be exercised in part to the extent that such filing, registration, notification, approval, waiver or expiration or termination of any waiting period has been satisfied or is not necessary or required;
(b) the Holder may not exercise this Warrant to the extent that such exercise would result in a violation of Article IV(d) of the Company Charter with all references therein to the term Transfer and words of similar import being read as reference to the term issue and words of similar import; and
(c) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of its Common Stock, including any payment with respect to such Common Stock made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving the Company, prior to the first anniversary after the Effective Date.
4. Due Authorization and Issuance; Reservation of Shares . The Company covenants and agrees that any and all of the Warrant Shares issued to the Holder in accordance with the terms hereof will, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free from all preemptive rights of any person or entity and free and clear of all taxes, liens and charges with respect to such issuance. The Company will take all such action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation. The Company further covenants and agrees that during the Warrant Exercise Period, the Company will at all times have authorized and reserved for the purpose of the issue upon the exercise of the this Warrant, at least the maximum number of Warrant Shares as are then issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant, and shall take all action required to increase the authorized number of shares of Common Stock if at any time during the Warrant Exercise Period there shall be insufficient authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to permit such reservation or to permit the exercise this Warrant. The Company further covenants and agrees that it will not, by amendment of the Company Charter or through reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Holder against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during the Warrant Exercise Period the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock obtainable upon the exercise of this Warrant and (ii) take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant.
5. Fractional Shares . No fractional Warrant Shares will be issued in connection with any exercise hereunder but in lieu of such fractional Warrant Shares, the Company shall make a cash payment therefor to the Holder in an amount equal to such fractional interest multiplied by the fair market value per share determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Company.
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6. Adjustments . Each Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares as to which this Warrant may be exercised are subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of the events set forth in this Section 6.
(a) Adjustment for Change in Capital Stock .
If the Company:
(1) pays a dividend or makes a distribution on its Common Stock in shares of capital stock;
(2) forward splits or subdivides its outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of Shares; or
(3) reverse splits or combines its outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of Shares;
then, and in each such case (1) through (3), the number of Shares of issuable upon the valid exercise of the Warrant (the Number Issuable ) in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted (and any other appropriate actions shall be taken by the Company) so that the Holder of this Warrant, to the extent not previously exercised, thereafter shall be entitled to receive upon exercise of this Warrant the number of Warrant Shares which such Holder would have owned or had been entitled to receive upon or by reason of any of the events described above, had this Warrant been exercised immediately prior to the happening of such event. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 6(a) shall become effective retroactively (x) in the case of any such dividend or distribution, to a date immediately following the close of business on the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend or distribution, or (y) in the case of any such split, subdivision, combination or reclassification, to the close of business on the date upon which such corporate action becomes effective.
If, after an adjustment, the Holder of the Warrant upon exercise of it may receive shares of two or more classes of capital stock of the Company, the Board shall determine in good faith the allocation of the Number Issuable between the classes of capital stock. After such allocation, the exercise privilege and the Number Issuable of each class of capital stock shall thereafter be subject to adjustment on terms comparable to those applicable to the Warrant Shares in this Section.
Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event listed above shall occur.
(b) Notice of Adjustment . Whenever any Number Issuable is adjusted, the Company shall provide the notices required by Section 13 hereof. Within ten days following the occurrence of any event requiring an adjustment pursuant to this Section 6, the Company shall issue the Holder a new Warrant reflecting the required adjustment(s) to the Warrant, reasonably promptly following, and subject only to, the permanent surrender by the Holder of the Warrant for which such new Warrant relates
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(c) Notice of Certain Transactions . If the Company proposes to take any action that would require an adjustment in the Number Issuable pursuant to Section 6(a), or there is a proposal for any liquidation or dissolution of the Company or if the Company proposes to enter into a transaction described in Section 7, then, in each case, the Company shall deliver to the Holder a notice stating the proposed record date for a dividend or distribution or the proposed effective or consummation date of a subdivision, combination, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, lease, liquidation or dissolution. The Company shall deliver the notice at least 10 days before such date.
7. Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Sale . If any reorganization or reclassification of outstanding shares of Common Stock, or any consolidation or merger of the Company with another entity, or the sale of all or substantially all of the Companys assets to another entity shall be effected in such a way that holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive cash, stock, securities or assets with respect to or in exchange therefor, then, as a condition of such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale, lawful and adequate provision shall be made whereby the Holder shall thereafter have the right upon the terms and conditions specified in this Warrant to receive, in lieu of Warrant Shares upon the payment of the Exercise Price, solely such cash, stock, securities or assets as would have been issued or payable with respect to or in exchange for Warrant Shares pursuant to the terms hereof had the Holder exercised the Warrant in full immediately prior to the effective date of such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale, and in any such case appropriate provision shall be made with respect to the rights and interests of the Holder to the end that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as may be possible and pertinent, in relation to any stock, securities or assets thereafter deliverable upon the exercise hereof, and appropriate adjustment shall be made to determine and provide for the price per Warrant Share, shares of stock or other security or asset deliverable hereunder, as well as the number of Warrant Shares, shares of stock or other securities, or the amount of assets, deliverable hereunder.
8. No Redemptions . The Company shall not have any right to redeem this Warrant.
9. No Stockholder Rights . Nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as conferring upon the Holder any rights as a stockholder of the Company (except to the extent that Warrant Shares are issued to such Holder pursuant to this Warrant or such Holder otherwise owns any Warrant Shares) or as imposing any liabilities on such Holder to purchase any securities or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liabilities are asserted by the Company or by creditors or stockholders of the Company or otherwise.
10. Transferability of Warrant . This Warrant shall be transferable and assignable by the Holder, subject to compliance with the Securities Act and subject to any restrictions contained herein, in the Company Charter and in the Shareholders Agreement by and among the Company and the stockholders party thereto, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time; provided , however, that the Holder must provide notice to the Company of a transfer, each such transferee hereof must, prior to the acknowledgement and acceptance of such transfer by the Company, register as the Holder on the Warrant Register and agree to take and hold this Warrant subject to the provisions specified herein, and upon request
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by the Company, deliver an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, with respect to compliance of the transfer under applicable Law. Upon such transfer in compliance with such requirements and delivery, the assignee thereof shall have all rights and benefits as a Holder hereunder.
11. Registered Holder . Prior to due presentment for registration or transfer of any Warrant, the Company may deem and treat the Holder as the absolute owner of the Warrant (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing on the Warrant certificate made by anyone other than the Company), for the purpose of any exercise thereof, and for all other purposes, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
12. Modification and Waiver . This Warrant and any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Holder hereof.
13. Notices . Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the Holder or the Company shall be delivered, or shall be sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder at 622 Third Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York, New York 10017 or its address as shown on the books of the Company or to the Company at 6 High Ridge Park, Stamford, CT 06905.
14. Descriptive Headings and Governing Law . The descriptive headings of the several paragraphs of this Warrant are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Warrant. This Warrant shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware.
15. Lost Warrant . The Company represents and warrants to the Holder that upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction, or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction upon receipt of an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Company, or in the case of any such mutilation upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant in lieu of the lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant.
16. Expiration of Warrant . This Warrant shall expire at, and shall no longer be exercisable after the Expiration Date.
17. Definitions . The following terms shall have the meanings given to them below:
Company Charter means the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time).
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated from time to time thereunder.
Expiration Date shall mean the fifth anniversary following the Effective Date.
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Governmental Entity means any U.S. or non-U.S. federal, national, supranational, state, provincial, local or similar government, governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, branch, agency or commission or any court, tribunal, or arbitral or judicial body.
Holder means any Person in whose name ownership in the Warrant shall be registered upon the Warrant Register.
Law means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree or order of any Governmental Entity.
Person shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
Restriction Release Date means the first date after the date hereof on which the Company has a class of equity securities registered under Section 12(b) or Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act or is otherwise required to file reports under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act in connection with the Companys equity securities; provided , however , that for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not include contractual obligations, or a voluntary election, to be a voluntary filer under the Exchange Act.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Shares means Shares of Common Stock.
Warrant Register means books and records maintained by the Company for the registration of original issuance and the registration of transfer of the Warrants.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has caused this Warrant to be duly executed and issued by its officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Gregory S. Miller |
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Name: | Gregory S. Miller | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President and | |||
Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Limited Warrant]
FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION
(to be signed only upon payment of the Exercise Price
pursuant to the Warrant)
To the Company:
The undersigned, the holder of the within Warrant, hereby irrevocably elects to purchase shares of Common Stock for an aggregate Exercise Price of $ , and requests that such shares of Common Stock be held (and the related capital contribution be made) in the name of, , whose address is .
The undersigned represents that (i) it has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Common Stock; (ii) it can bear the economic risk of its investment in the Common Stock and can afford to lose its entire investment in the Common Stock; (iii) it has been furnished the materials relating to its investment in the Common Stock which it has reasonably requested in connection with its investment; (iv) it is acquiring the Common Stock for investment and not with a view toward or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act); (v) it is an accredited investor as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act; and (vi) its exercise of the Warrant is in compliance with all of the terms and conditions of the Warrant, including any limitation on exercise therein. The undersigned agrees that the Common Stock (x) may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from such act and (y) is subject to the restrictions set forth in the Company Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2015 and the Companys Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws.
The undersigned represents that he has tendered payment for such shares of Common Stock to the Company (a) in cash or by certified check or any combination of the foregoing or (b) by authorizing the Company to reduce the number of Shares otherwise issuable upon this exercise of the Warrant by the number of Shares having an aggregate fair market value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price that would have otherwise been paid by the undersigned.
If the number of shares of Common Stock purchased is less than all of the Shares evidenced hereby, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining shares of Common Stock subject to the Warrant be issued and delivered to the undersigned.
DATED: |
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(Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of the Warrant) | ||
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EXHIBIT 10.8
EXECUTION VERSION
TERMINATION AGREEMENT
(Apollo Consulting Agreement)
This Termination Agreement (this Termination Agreement ) is made and entered into as of November 9, 2015 by and among AFFINION GROUP, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the Company ) and APOLLO MANAGEMENT V, L.P. ( Consultant ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and Consultant (each a Party and together the Parties ) are Parties to that certain Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement, dated January 14, 2011 (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the Consulting Agreement );
WHEREAS , the Company, Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. ( Holdings ) and certain subsidiaries of Holdings are implementing a recapitalization in accordance with the terms and conditions of that Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2015, by and among the Company, Holdings and certain other subsidiaries of Holdings, on the one hand, and certain holders of debt and equity of Holdings and its subsidiaries, on the other hand (such agreement, together with all exhibits, term sheets, schedules and annexes thereto, as amended, restated or otherwise modified pursuant to the terms thereof, the Support Agreement ); and
WHEREAS , a requirement pursuant to the Support Agreement is the termination of the Consulting Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Consulting Agreement.
2. Termination . The Company and Consultant hereby agree that the Consulting Agreement is hereby terminated effective immediately; provided , that Section 5 (Indemnification) and, solely to the extent they relate to Section 5, Sections 8 through 15 (Notices; Benefits of Agreement; Governing Law; Headings; Entire Agreement, Amendments; Counterparts; Waivers; Affiliates), of the Consulting Agreement shall survive the termination; provided , further , however , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Consulting Agreement, the maximum liability of the Company for indemnification obligations arising from Section 5 of the Consulting Agreement shall be $2,000,000 in the aggregate.
3. Mutual Releases . Each Party hereby releases, acquits and forever discharges the other Party and the other Partys affiliates and its and their respective former and present directors, officers, employees, representatives, partners and managers from any and all claims, counterclaims, demands, causes of actions, liabilities, promises or obligations of any kind whatsoever (Claims) arising under or relating to the Consulting Agreement, from the beginning of the world to the date hereof.
4. Effects of Termination . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Consulting Agreement, neither upon termination nor at any time thereafter, shall Consultant be entitled to the payment of any amounts or other compensation, including any accrued but unpaid expenses, Consulting Fees, Lump Sum Payments or compensation for other services pursuant to Section 6 of the Consulting Agreement.
5. Covenant not to Sue . Each of the Parties acknowledges, covenants and agrees that it will not assert any Claim purportedly arising under or relating to the Consulting Agreement except for any indemnification Claim by Consultant that may arise after the date hereof under Section 5 of the Consulting Agreement.
6. Miscellaneous . This Termination Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York This Termination Agreement may be executed and delivered by each party hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and both of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Termination Agreement as of the date first above written.
AFFINION GROUP, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ Gregory S. Miller | |||
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Name: | Gregory S. Miller | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President and | |||
Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Termination Agreement (Apollo Consulting Agreement)]
APOLLO MANAGEMENT V, L.P. | ||||
By: AIF V Management, LLC, its General Partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Matthew Nord | |||
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Name | : Matthew Nord | |||
Title | : Authorized Person |
[Signature Page to Termination Agreement (Apollo Consulting Agreement)]
EXHIBIT 10.9
EXECUTION VERSION
TERMINATION AGREEMENT
(Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement)
This Termination Agreement (this Termination Agreement ) is made and entered into as of November 9, 2015 by and among AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the Company ), AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC ( Parent ), GENERAL ATLANTIC PARTNERS 79, L.P. ( GAP 79 ), GAP-W HOLDINGS, L.P. ( GAP-W ), GAPSTAR, LLC ( GapStar ), GAPCO GMBH & CO. KG (GAPCO), GAP COINVESTMENTS III, LLC ( GAP Coinvest III ) and GAP COINVESTMENTS IV, LLC ( GAP Coinvest IV , and together with GAP 79, GAP-W, GapStar, GAPCO and GAP Coinvest III, General Atlantic ). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company, Parent and General Atlantic (each a Party and together the Parties ) are Parties to that certain Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 12, 2013 (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the Registration Rights Agreement );
WHEREAS , the Company is implementing a recapitalization, which includes the reclassification of the Companys equity, and the Parties desire to terminate the Registration Rights Agreement in connection therewith;
WHEREAS , Section 22 of the Registration Rights Agreement provides that the Registration Rights Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified by a written instrument executed by (i) Parent, (ii) Holders of a majority of the Eligible Shares held by the Principal WL Stockholders and (iii) Holders of a majority of the Eligible Shares; and
WHEREAS , the (i) undersigned includes Parent, (ii) General Atlantic holds a majority of the Eligible Shares held by the Principal WL Stockholders and (iii) Parent and General Atlantic collectively hold a majority of the Eligible Shares overall and of the Eligible Shares held by the Principal WL Stockholders.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1. Termination . The Parties hereby agree to amend and restate the Registration Rights Agreement such that the Registration Rights Agreement is terminated immediately upon the effectiveness of this Termination Agreement.
2. Mutual Releases . Each Party hereby releases, acquits and forever discharges the other Party and the other Partys affiliates and its and their respective former and present directors, officers, employees, representatives, partners and managers from any and all claims, counterclaims, demands, causes of actions, liabilities, promises or obligations of any kind whatsoever arising under or relating to the Registration Rights Agreement, from the beginning of the world to the date hereof.
3. Miscellaneous . This Termination Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York This Termination Agreement may be executed and delivered by each party hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and both of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Termination Agreement as of the date first above written.
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ Gregory S. Miller | |||
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Name: | Gregory S. Miller | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President and | |||
Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Termination Agreement (Second A&R Registration Rights Agreement)]
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC. | ||||
By: | /s/ Matthew Nord | |||
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Name: | Matthew Nord | |||
Title: | Authorized Person |
[Signature Page to Termination Agreement (Second A&R Registration Rights Agreement)]
GENERAL ATLANTIC PARTNERS 79, L.P. | ||||
By: General Atlantic, LLC | ||||
Its General Partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Thomas J. Murphy | |||
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Name: | Thomas J. Murphy | |||
Title: | Managing Director | |||
GAP-W HOLDINGS, L.P. | ||||
By: | General Atlantic GenPar, L.P., | |||
Its General Partner | ||||
By: | General Atlantic, LLC | |||
Its General Partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Thomas J. Murphy | |||
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Name: | Thomas J. Murphy | |||
Title: | Managing Director | |||
GAPSTAR, LLC | ||||
By: | /s/ Thomas J. Murphy | |||
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Name: | Thomas J. Murphy | |||
Title: | Vice President | |||
GAPCO GMBH & CO. KG | ||||
By: | GAPCO Management GmbH, | |||
its General Partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Thomas J. Murphy | |||
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Name: | Thomas J. Murphy | |||
Title: | Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Termination Agreement (Second A&R Registration Rights Agreement)]
GAP COINVESTMENTS III, LLC | ||||
By: | General Atlantic LLC, | |||
its Managing Member | ||||
By: | /s/ Thomas J. Murphy | |||
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Name: | Thomas J. Murphy | |||
Title: | Managing Director | |||
GAP COINVESTMENTS IV, LLC | ||||
By: | General Atlantic LLC, | |||
its Managing Member | ||||
By: | /s/ Thomas J. Murphy | |||
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Name: | Thomas J. Murphy | |||
Title: | Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Termination Agreement (Second A&R Registration Rights Agreement)]
EXHIBIT 99.1
More information: | ||||
Torrey Martin | ||||
SVP, Communications and Corporate Development | ||||
203.956.8746 tmartin@affiniongroup.com |
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
REPORTS $75.5 MILLION IN QUARTERLY ADJUSTED EBITDA AND ADJUSTED LTM
EBITDA AT $278.0 MILLION
REAFFIRMS 2015 ADJUSTED EBITDA GUIDANCE
STAMFORD, Conn., November 12, 2015 Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (Affinion Holdings or the Company), the global leader in enabling companies to connect and engage with their customers, thereby creating rewarding relationships and enhancing brand loyalty, announced today the financial results for the three month period ended September 30, 2015 (the third quarter or quarter) for itself and selected financial information for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Affinion Group, Inc. (Affinion).
We are pleased to report solid results in the third quarter with nearly 5% year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA growth, said Todd Siegel, the Companys Chief Executive Officer. We continue to see the benefits of investments in our Global Loyalty and International businesses. Overall results through the first nine months of 2015 are in line with our expectations, and we continue to expect that our 2015 Adjusted EBITDA will be flat compared to 2014, on a currency consistent basis.
In addition, we recently completed the previously announced private exchange offers and rights offering which meaningfully reduced our debt and enhanced our liquidity, said Siegel. The strengthening of our balance sheet, coupled with plans to adopt a new global organizational structure, are important steps in our ongoing strategic plan to position the company for long-term success.
Results Highlights
Notes: Adjusted EBITDA as referred to above excludes any pro forma impact of acquisitions and other actions. See Tables 6 and 7 for a complete description of Adjusted EBITDA and the related reconciliations to GAAP measures.
Third Quarter Net Revenues
¨ | Net revenues for the third quarter of 2015 decreased 3.9%, from $303.0 million in the third quarter of 2014 to $291.3 million. |
¨ | The decrease in overall net revenues was primarily due to expected revenue declines in Membership, as well as declines in the International business, partially offset by increased revenue in Insurance and Package. Lower revenue in International was due to an unfavorable foreign exchange impact of $13.2 million. On a currency consistent basis, International net revenues increased 9.1% compared to the third quarter of 2014. |
Third Quarter Operating Results
¨ | Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in Note (d) of Table 6) was $75.5 million as compared to $72.1 million for the third quarter of 2014, an increase of 4.7%. |
¨ | Segment EBITDA increased $22.4 million, as the impact of lower net revenues was more than offset by lower marketing and commissions and lower general and administrative expenses. |
¨ | As compared to Segment EBITDA, third quarter Adjusted EBITDA reflects the exclusion of, among other items, $5.1 million in debt financing costs, $4.6 million in costs related primarily to restructuring of certain operations including related severance costs and $2.4 million in costs relating to certain litigation matters. |
Segment Commentary
Global Loyalty products net revenues decreased by $1.6 million, or 4.0%, for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $38.7 million as compared to $40.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as growth with existing and new clients was more than offset by lower revenue from the loss of a key client.
Global Loyalty Segment EBITDA decreased by $4.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014, as the increased contribution associated with existing and new clients was more than offset by the loss of a key client and the lower impact of adjustments related to redemption activity for one of the Companys loyalty programs.
International products net revenues decreased by $4.9 million, or 5.4%, to $86.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to $91.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. On a currency consistent basis, net revenues increased $8.3 million, or 9.1%, primarily due to higher retail membership revenue in both our online and offline acquisition channels associated with increased members and higher price points along with growth in the wholesale sector. These increases were more than offset by an unfavorable foreign exchange impact of $13.2 million.
International Segment EBITDA increased by $12.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014, as the lower net revenue was more than offset by lower marketing and commissions, lower operating costs and lower general and administrative costs. The lower marketing and commissions and lower operating costs were primarily attributable to the favorable impact of foreign exchange, and the lower general and administrative costs were primarily due to a decrease in charges for legal reserves and fees.
Membership products net revenues decreased by $10.5 million, or 9.3%, to $102.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to $113.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Membership net revenue decreased primarily due to the continued attrition of legacy members, including those from our large financial institution partners, along with the absence of a favorable reserve adjustment recorded in 2014. These decreases were partially offset by increased revenues from new joins acquired through partners with whom we are actively marketing.
Membership Segment EBITDA increased by $7.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014. Segment EBITDA increased as the impact of lower net revenues was more than offset by lower general and administrative costs and lower operating costs. The lower general and administrative costs were primarily due to a decrease in the legal reserves following the settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the lower operating costs were primarily due to the benefits realized from cost savings initiatives.
Insurance and Package products net revenues increased by $5.2 million, or 8.8%, to $64.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to $59.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Insurance net revenue increased primarily due to a lower cost of insurance principally from an acceleration of claims in 2014 as a result of the conversion to a new primary insurance carrier, while Package net revenue decreased primarily due to the impact of lower average Package members.
Insurance and Package Segment EBITDA increased by $10.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014, primarily from the impact of higher net revenues and lower operating expenses.
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Selected Liquidity Data
Affinion Group, Inc.
At September 30, 2015, Affinion had several debt instruments outstanding, including senior notes, senior subordinated notes, and senior secured credit facilities, which consist of first lien and second lien term loan facilities and a revolving credit facility. The selected liquidity data discussed below is historical and does not give effect to the private exchange offers and rights offering completed on November 9, 2015.
At September 30, 2015, Affinion had $763.4 million of first lien term loans outstanding, $425.0 million of second lien term loans outstanding, $473.6 million (net of discounts) outstanding under its senior notes due in 2018, $2.6 million outstanding under its senior subordinated notes due in 2015, and $354.4 million (net of discounts) outstanding under the Affinion Investments, LLC senior subordinated notes due in 2018.
At September 30, 2015, there were outstanding borrowings of $66.0 million against Affinions revolving credit facility and $0.1 million of the credit facility was available for borrowing, after giving effect to the issuance of $13.9 million in letters of credit.
As of September 30, 2015, Affinions senior secured leverage ratio was 2.76 to 1.0. The senior secured leverage ratio is defined in Affinions amended and restated senior secured credit facility, as amended on May 20, 2014 (senior secured debt, as defined, to Adjusted EBITDA, as defined) and must be equal to or less than 4.25 to 1.0 at September 30, 2015.
As of September 30, 2015, Affinions fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.57 to 1.0. The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined in the indentures governing Affinions 2010 senior notes and 2013 senior subordinated notes (consolidated cash flows, as defined, which is computed with the same addbacks as in Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in Affinions amended and restated senior secured credit facility), to fixed charges, as defined). The calculation of fixed charges excludes the amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the amendment and restatement of Affinions credit facility on April 9, 2010.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Affinions net cash used in operating activities was $0.7 million and the net loss attributable to Affinion was $50.4 million. Pro forma Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in Note (d) of Table 7) for both ratio calculations above was $283.2 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2015.
At September 30, 2015, Affinion had $55.7 million of unrestricted cash on hand.
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc.
At September 30, 2015, Affinion Holdings had $247.6 million (net of discounts) outstanding under its senior secured PIK/toggle notes due in 2018 and $32.2 million outstanding under its senior notes due in 2015, in addition to Affinions debt instruments.
At September 30, 2015, Affinion Holdings had $60.1 million of unrestricted cash on hand, of which $4.4 million resides at Affinion Holdings.
Call-In Information
Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. will hold an informational call to discuss the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, November 12, 2015. The conference call will be broadcast live and can be accessed by dialing 1.866.394.8483 (domestic) or 1.706.758.1455 (international) and entering passcode 77099715. Interested parties should call at least ten (10) minutes prior to the call to register. The Company will also provide an online Web simulcast of its conference call. The Web simulcast will be available online by visiting http://www.affinion.com/ir . A telephonic replay of the call will be available through midnight November 16, 2015 by dialing 1.855.859.2056 (domestic) or 1.404.537.3406 (international) and entering passcode 77099715.
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Important Notes
The information presented in this release is a comparison of the unaudited consolidated results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 to the unaudited consolidated results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.
About Affinion Holdings
As a global leader with over 40 years of experience, Affinion Holdings enhances the value of its partners customer relationships by developing and marketing loyalty solutions. Leveraging its expertise in customer engagement, product development and targeted marketing, Affinion Holdings provides programs in subscription-based lifestyle services, personal protection, insurance and other areas to help generate increased customer loyalty and significant incremental revenue for more than 5,500 marketing partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Stamford, CT, the Company has approximately 3,700 employees and has marketing capabilities in 19 countries globally. For more information, visit www.affinion.com .
Safe Harbor Statement Under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in its rules, regulations and releases. These statements include, but are not limited to, discussions regarding industry outlook, the Companys expectations regarding the performance of its business, its liquidity and capital resources, its guidance for 2015 and the other non-historical statements. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as believes anticipates, expects, intends, plans, continues, estimates, predicts, projects, forecasts, and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and beliefs only as of the date of this press release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks related to general economic and business conditions and international and geopolitical events, a downturn in the credit card industry or changes in the techniques of credit card issuers, industry trends, foreign currency exchange rates, the effects of a decline in travel on the Companys travel fulfillment business, termination or expiration of one or more agreements with its marketing partners or a reduction of the marketing of its services by one or more of its marketing partners, the Companys substantial leverage, restrictions contained in its debt agreements, its inability to compete effectively, and other risks identified and discussed from time to time in reports filed by Affinion Holdings and Affinion with the SEC, including Affinion Holdings most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, as well as Affinions most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Readers are strongly encouraged to review carefully the full cautionary statements described in these reports. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances.
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TABLE 1
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL DATA FOR
SELECTED BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The following table provides data for selected business segments.
Subscriber and insured amounts in thousands, except dollars and percentages.
Three Months Ended
September 30, |
Nine Months Ended
September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||
Global Average Subscribers, excluding Basic Insureds |
36,932 | 38,905 | 37,759 | 39,557 | ||||||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Global Average Subscriber, excluding Basic Insureds (1) |
$ | 27.25 | $ | 26.93 | $ | 26.74 | $ | 26.80 | ||||||||
Global Membership Subscribers |
||||||||||||||||
Average Global Retail Subscribers (2) |
6,709 | 7,457 | 7,117 | 7,665 | ||||||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Global Average Subscriber (1) |
$ | 91.91 | $ | 89.97 | $ | 85.97 | $ | 87.09 | ||||||||
Global Package Subscribers and Wholesale |
||||||||||||||||
Average Global Package Subscribers and Wholesale (2) |
26,733 | 27,712 | 27,075 | 28,116 | ||||||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Global Average Package and Wholesale Subscriber (1) |
$ | 6.25 | $ | 6.57 | $ | 6.22 | $ | 6.61 | ||||||||
Global Insureds |
||||||||||||||||
Average Supplemental Insureds (2) |
3,490 | 3,736 | 3,567 | 3,776 | ||||||||||||
Annualized Net Revenue Per Supplemental Insured (1) |
$ | 63.78 | $ | 52.11 | $ | 64.25 | $ | 54.75 | ||||||||
Global Average Subscribers, including Basic Insureds |
55,706 | 59,015 | 56,932 | 59,767 |
(1) | Annualized Net Revenue Per Global Average Subscriber and Supplemental Insured are all calculated by taking the revenues as reported for the period and dividing it by the average subscribers 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 subscriber or an insured, as applicable, the subscribers or insureds, as applicable, revenues are no longer recognized in the calculation. |
(2) | Average Global Subscribers and Average Supplemental Insureds for the period are all calculated by determining the average subscribers or insureds, as applicable, for each month in the period (adding the number of subscribers or insureds, as applicable, at the beginning of the month with the number of subscribers or insureds, as applicable, at the end of the month and dividing that total by two) and then averaging that result for the period. A subscribers or insureds, as applicable, account is added or removed in the period in which the subscriber or insured, as applicable, has joined or cancelled. |
5
TABLE 2
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AND DECEMBER 31, 2014
(In millions, except share amounts)
September 30,
2015 |
December 31,
2014 |
|||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 60.1 | $ | 32.3 | ||||
Restricted cash |
32.0 | 35.8 | ||||||
Receivables (net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1.9 and $8.5, respectively) |
112.2 | 119.3 | ||||||
Profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers |
24.4 | 28.7 | ||||||
Prepaid commissions |
46.6 | 48.0 | ||||||
Income taxes receivable |
1.1 | 1.3 | ||||||
Other current assets |
117.2 | 104.6 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current assets |
393.6 | 370.0 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
124.5 | 139.0 | ||||||
Contract rights and list fees, net |
17.0 | 16.7 | ||||||
Goodwill |
317.0 | 322.2 | ||||||
Other intangibles, net |
64.1 | 103.3 | ||||||
Other non-current assets |
75.8 | 68.4 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets |
$ | 992.0 | $ | 1,019.6 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities and Deficit |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 42.6 | $ | 43.1 | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
404.5 | 426.0 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
81.6 | 89.9 | ||||||
Income taxes payable |
2.3 | 3.2 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities |
531.0 | 562.2 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
2,322.3 | 2,229.6 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
36.6 | 33.0 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
9.4 | 10.0 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities |
26.0 | 31.3 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities |
2,925.3 | 2,866.1 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||
Deficit: |
||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 540,000,000 shares authorized, 85,129,859 shares issued and 84,842,535 shares outstanding |
0.9 | 0.9 | ||||||
Additional paid in capital |
145.1 | 144.1 | ||||||
Warrants |
124.8 | 124.8 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(2,200.1 | ) | (2,117.5 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(4.2 | ) | 1.2 | |||||
Treasury stock, at cost, 287,324 shares |
(1.1 | ) | (1.1 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. deficit |
(1,934.6 | ) | (1,847.6 | ) | ||||
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary |
1.3 | 1.1 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total deficit |
(1,933.3 | ) | (1,846.5 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities and deficit |
$ | 992.0 | $ | 1,019.6 | ||||
|
|
|
|
6
TABLE 3
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AND 2014
(In millions)
For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30,
2015 |
September 30,
2014 |
September 30,
2015 |
September 30,
2014 |
|||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 291.3 | $ | 303.0 | $ | 888.6 | $ | 928.2 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below: |
||||||||||||||||
Marketing and commissions |
104.7 | 114.8 | 331.4 | 360.3 | ||||||||||||
Operating costs |
95.1 | 96.7 | 298.1 | 310.7 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative |
29.3 | 50.7 | 93.2 | 142.3 | ||||||||||||
Facility exit costs |
0.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
23.7 | 27.2 | 71.7 | 81.3 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total expenses |
252.9 | 290.5 | 795.6 | 896.3 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income from operations |
38.4 | 12.5 | 93.0 | 31.9 | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
1.7 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(58.7 | ) | (50.4 | ) | (173.9 | ) | (166.1 | ) | ||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
| | | (14.6 | ) | |||||||||||
Other income, net |
0.6 | | 1.2 | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest |
(18.0 | ) | (37.8 | ) | (77.9 | ) | (148.6 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax expense |
(1.1 | ) | (2.6 | ) | (4.2 | ) | (10.9 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net loss |
(19.1 | ) | (40.4 | ) | (82.1 | ) | (159.5 | ) | ||||||||
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest |
(0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net loss attributable to Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. |
$ | (19.3 | ) | $ | (40.6 | ) | $ | (82.6 | ) | $ | (159.9 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (19.1 | ) | $ | (40.4 | ) | $ | (82.1 | ) | $ | (159.5 | ) | ||||
Currency translation adjustment, net of tax |
(2.2 | ) | (1.1 | ) | (5.7 | ) | (2.1 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Comprehensive loss |
(21.3 | ) | (41.5 | ) | (87.8 | ) | (161.6 | ) | ||||||||
Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest |
| (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.4 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. |
$ | (21.3 | ) | $ | (41.7 | ) | $ | (88.0 | ) | $ | (162.0 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
TABLE 4
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 AND 2014
(In millions)
For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
September 30,
2015 |
September 30,
2014 |
|||||||
Operating Activities |
||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (82.1 | ) | $ | (159.5 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
71.7 | 81.3 | ||||||
Amortization of debt discount and financing costs |
9.8 | 10.6 | ||||||
Financing costs |
| 6.7 | ||||||
Provision for loss on accounts receivable |
(5.5 | ) | | |||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
| 14.6 | ||||||
Facility exit costs |
1.2 | 1.7 | ||||||
Share-based compensation |
1.4 | 6.8 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
1.5 | 7.4 | ||||||
Net change in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Restricted cash |
4.1 | (2.9 | ) | |||||
Receivables |
8.7 | 0.3 | ||||||
Receivables from related parties |
4.0 | | ||||||
Profit-sharing receivables from insurance carriers |
4.3 | 35.3 | ||||||
Prepaid commissions |
1.2 | (7.3 | ) | |||||
Other current assets |
(18.8 | ) | 20.7 | |||||
Contract rights and list fees |
(0.4 | ) | 1.3 | |||||
Other non-current assets |
(13.3 | ) | | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
18.1 | 3.7 | ||||||
Payables to related parties |
0.9 | (0.1 | ) | |||||
Deferred revenue |
(6.3 | ) | (13.9 | ) | ||||
Income taxes receivable and payable |
(0.5 | ) | 0.2 | |||||
Other long-term liabilities |
(5.7 | ) | (5.2 | ) | ||||
Other, net |
3.2 | 5.2 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
(2.5 | ) | 6.9 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Investing Activities |
||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(23.3 | ) | (36.3 | ) | ||||
Restricted cash |
(1.1 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||
Acquisition-related payments, net of cash acquired |
| (19.4 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sale of investment |
1.5 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(22.9 | ) | (56.0 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Financing Activities |
||||||||
Borrowings (repayments) under revolving credit facility, net |
61.0 | (34.0 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of debt |
| 425.0 | ||||||
Financing costs |
| (23.0 | ) | |||||
Principal payments on borrowings |
(6.6 | ) | (314.0 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of warrants |
| 3.8 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
54.4 | 57.8 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents |
(1.2 | ) | (1.1 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
27.8 | 7.6 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
32.3 | 20.1 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 60.1 | $ | 27.7 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: |
||||||||
Interest payments |
$ | 139.9 | $ | 126.9 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income tax payments, net of refunds |
$ | 2.6 | $ | 2.9 | ||||
|
|
|
|
8
TABLE 5
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
UNAUDITED OPERATING SEGMENT RESULTS
(In millions)
Net revenues and Segment EBITDA by operating segment are as follows:
Net Revenues
For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30,
2015 |
September 30,
2014 |
Increase
(Decrease) |
September 30,
2015 |
September 30,
2014 |
Increase
(Decrease) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Membership products |
$ | 102.5 | $ | 113.0 | $ | (10.5 | ) | $ | 307.5 | $ | 342.5 | $ | (35.0 | ) | ||||||||||
Insurance and package products |
64.3 | 59.1 | 5.2 | 199.9 | 187.3 | 12.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Global loyalty products |
38.7 | 40.3 | (1.6 | ) | 126.1 | 124.5 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||||||
International products |
86.1 | 91.0 | (4.9 | ) | 256.1 | 275.3 | (19.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Eliminations |
(0.3 | ) | (0.4 | ) | 0.1 | (1.0 | ) | (1.4 | ) | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 291.3 | $ | 303.0 | $ | (11.7 | ) | $ | 888.6 | $ | 928.2 | $ | (39.6 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment EBITDA (1)
For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30,
2015 |
September 30,
2014 |
Increase
(Decrease) |
September 30,
2015 |
September 30,
2014 |
Increase
(Decrease) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Membership products |
$ | 20.9 | $ | 13.9 | $ | 7.0 | $ | 40.6 | $ | 46.4 | $ | (5.8 | ) | |||||||||||
Insurance and package products |
20.1 | 9.6 | 10.5 | 61.3 | 37.6 | 23.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Global loyalty products |
14.0 | 18.8 | (4.8 | ) | 44.2 | 50.9 | (6.7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
International products |
14.3 | 1.5 | 12.8 | 28.3 | (2.5 | ) | 30.8 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total products |
69.3 | 43.8 | 25.5 | 174.4 | 132.4 | 42.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate |
(7.2 | ) | (4.1 | ) | (3.1 | ) | (9.7 | ) | (19.2 | ) | 9.5 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
62.1 | 39.7 | 22.4 | 164.7 | 113.2 | 51.5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(23.7 | ) | (27.2 | ) | 3.5 | (71.7 | ) | (81.3 | ) | 9.6 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Income from operations |
$ | 38.4 | $ | 12.5 | $ | 25.9 | $ | 93.0 | $ | 31.9 | $ | 61.1 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | See reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on Table 6 for a discussion of Segment EBITDA. |
9
TABLE 6
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Set forth below is a reconciliation of Affinion Holdings consolidated net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for the twelve months ended September 30, 2015 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 to Affinion Holdings Adjusted EBITDA.
For the Twelve
Months Ended |
For the Three Months
Ended September 30, |
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2015 (a) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
$ | 27.6 | $ | 5.4 | $ | 9.2 | $ | (2.5 | ) | $ | 6.9 | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
229.6 | 57.0 | 50.3 | 172.1 | 165.9 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(45.2 | ) | 1.1 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 10.9 | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of debt discount and financing costs |
(13.0 | ) | (3.3 | ) | (3.1 | ) | (9.8 | ) | (10.6 | ) | ||||||||||
Provision for loss on accounts receivable |
5.2 | 5.9 | | 5.5 | | |||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
49.3 | | (2.1 | ) | (1.5 | ) | (7.4 | ) | ||||||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities |
(21.9 | ) | (2.6 | ) | (15.4 | ) | 0.5 | (37.3 | ) | |||||||||||
Effect of purchase accounting, reorganizations, certain legal costs and net cost savings (b) |
30.0 | 6.1 | 23.9 | 16.7 | 52.8 | |||||||||||||||
Other, net (c) |
16.4 | 5.9 | 6.7 | 10.8 | 18.5 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA, excluding pro forma adjustments (d) (e) |
278.0 | $ | 75.5 | $ | 72.1 | $ | 196.0 | $ | 199.7 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Effect of the pro forma adjustments (f) |
5.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA, including pro forma adjustments (g) |
$ | 283.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
(a) | Represents consolidated financial data for the year ended December 31, 2014, minus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, plus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. |
(b) | Eliminates the effect of purchase accounting related to the Apollo transactions, legal costs for certain legal matters and costs associated with severance incurred. |
(c) | Eliminates (i) net changes in certain reserves, (ii) foreign currency gains and losses related to unusual, non-recurring intercompany transactions, (iii) costs associated with certain strategic and corporate development activities, including business optimization, (iv) consulting fees payable to Apollo, and (v) the impact of an adjustment related to the recognition of International Products retail revenue. |
(d) | 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. |
(e) | Adjusted EBITDA, excluding pro forma adjustments, does not give pro forma effect to the projected annualized benefits of restructurings and other cost savings initiatives. However, we do make such accretive pro forma adjustments as if such restructurings and cost savings initiatives had occurred on October 1, 2014 in calculating the Adjusted EBITDA under Affinions amended and restated senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing Affinions 7.875% senior notes due 2018 (the Affinion 2010 senior notes), Affinions 13.5% senior subordinated notes due 2018 (the Affinion 2013 senior subordinated notes) and the Affinion Holdings 13.75%/14.50% PIK Toggle senior notes due 2018 (the PIK Toggle senior notes). |
(f) | Gives effect to the projected annualized benefits of the restructurings and other cost savings initiatives as if such restructurings and cost savings initiatives had occurred on October 1, 2014. |
(g) | Adjusted EBITDA, including pro forma adjustments, gives pro forma effect to the adjustments discussed in (f) above. |
10
TABLE 6 contd
Set forth below is a reconciliation of Affinion Holdings consolidated net loss attributable to Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. for the twelve months ended September 30, 2015 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 to Affinion Holdings Adjusted EBITDA.
For the Twelve
Months Ended |
For the Three Months
Ended September 30, |
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2015 (a) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. |
$ | (351.4 | ) | $ | (19.3 | ) | $ | (40.6 | ) | $ | (82.6 | ) | $ | (159.9 | ) | |||||
Interest expense, net |
229.6 | 57.0 | 50.3 | 172.1 | 165.9 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
(45.2 | ) | 1.1 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 10.9 | ||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
0.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||
Other income, net |
(1.2 | ) | (0.6 | ) | | (1.2 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
| | | | 14.6 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
100.1 | 23.7 | 27.2 | 71.7 | 81.3 | |||||||||||||||
Effect of purchase accounting, reorganizations and non-recurring revenues and gains (b) |
0.2 | 0.2 | | 0.1 | | |||||||||||||||
Certain legal costs (c) |
7.5 | 2.4 | 20.3 | 4.7 | 37.3 | |||||||||||||||
Net cost savings (d) |
22.3 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 11.9 | 15.5 | |||||||||||||||
Other, net (e) |
315.5 | 7.3 | 8.5 | 14.6 | 33.7 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA, excluding pro forma adjustments (f) (g) |
278.0 | $ | 75.5 | $ | 72.1 | $ | 196.0 | $ | 199.7 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Effect of the pro forma adjustments (h) |
5.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA, including pro forma adjustments (i) |
$ | 283.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
(a) | Represents consolidated financial data for the year ended December 31, 2014, minus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, plus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. |
(b) | Eliminates the effect of purchase accounting related to the Apollo transactions. |
(c) | Represents the elimination of legal costs for certain legal matters. |
(d) | Represents the elimination of costs associated with severance incurred. |
(e) | Eliminates (i) net changes in certain reserves, (ii) share-based compensation expense, (iii) foreign currency gains and losses related to unusual, non-recurring intercompany transactions, (iv) costs associated with certain strategic and corporate development activities, including business optimization, (v) consulting fees payable to Apollo, (vi) facility exit costs, (vii) the impairment charge related to the goodwill of Membership Products, (viii) the impact of an adjustment related to the recognition of International Products retail revenue, and (ix) debt refinancing expenses. |
(f) | 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. |
(g) | Adjusted EBITDA, excluding pro forma adjustments, does not give pro forma effect to the projected annualized benefits of restructurings and other cost savings initiatives. However, we do make such accretive pro forma adjustments as if such restructurings and cost savings initiatives had occurred on October 1, 2014 in calculating the Adjusted EBITDA under Affinions amended and restated senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing the Affinion 2010 senior notes, the Affinion 2013 senior subordinated notes and the PIK Toggle senior notes. |
(h) | Gives effect to the projected annualized benefits of the restructurings and other cost savings initiatives as if such restructurings and cost savings initiatives had occurred on October 1, 2014. |
(i) | Adjusted EBITDA, including pro forma adjustments, gives pro forma effect to the adjustments discussed in (h) above. |
Set forth below is a reconciliation of Affinion Holdings consolidated net loss attributable for the twelve months ended September 30, 2015 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 to Affinion Holdings Segment EBITDA, defined as income from operations before depreciation and amortization.
For the Twelve
Months Ended |
For the Three Months
Ended September 30, |
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2015 (a) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. |
$ | (351.4 | ) | $ | (19.3 | ) | $ | (40.6 | ) | $ | (82.6 | ) | $ | (159.9 | ) | |||||
Interest expense, net |
229.6 | 57.0 | 50.3 | 172.1 | 165.9 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
(45.2 | ) | 1.1 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 10.9 | ||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
0.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||
Other income, net |
(1.2 | ) | (0.6 | ) | | (1.2 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
| | | | 14.6 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
100.1 | 23.7 | 27.2 | 71.7 | 81.3 | |||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
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Segment EBITDA |
$ | (67.5 | ) | $ | 62.1 | $ | 39.7 | $ | 164.7 | $ | 113.2 | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|
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|
(a) | Represents consolidated financial data for the year ended December 31, 2014, minus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, plus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. |
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TABLE 7
AFFINION GROUP, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
(In millions, except ratios)
Set forth below is a reconciliation of Affinions consolidated net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for the twelve months ended September 30, 2015 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 to Affinions Adjusted EBITDA.
For the Twelve
Months Ended |
For the Three Months
Ended September 30, |
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2015 (a) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
$ | 31.3 | $ | 5.3 | $ | 9.2 | $ | (0.7 | ) | $ | 8.8 | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
187.3 | 45.9 | 40.9 | 140.0 | 131.8 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(45.2 | ) | 1.1 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 10.9 | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of debt discount and financing costs |
(9.3 | ) | (2.3 | ) | (2.3 | ) | (7.0 | ) | (7.8 | ) | ||||||||||
Provision for loss on accounts receivable |
5.2 | 5.9 | | 5.5 | | |||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
49.3 | | (2.0 | ) | (1.5 | ) | (7.4 | ) | ||||||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities |
13.2 | 7.6 | (6.8 | ) | 28.1 | (7.8 | ) | |||||||||||||
Effect of purchase accounting, reorganizations, certain legal costs and net cost savings (b) |
30.0 | 6.1 | 23.9 | 16.7 | 52.8 | |||||||||||||||
Other, net (c) |
16.4 | 5.9 | 6.6 | 10.8 | 18.4 | |||||||||||||||
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|
|
|||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA, excluding pro forma adjustments (d) (e) |
278.2 | $ | 75.5 | $ | 72.1 | $ | 196.1 | $ | 199.7 | |||||||||||
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|
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Effect of the pro forma adjustments (f) |
5.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA, including pro forma adjustments (g) |
$ | 283.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
(a) | Represents consolidated financial data for the year ended December 31, 2014, minus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, plus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. |
(b) | Eliminates the effect of purchase accounting related to the Apollo transactions, legal costs for certain legal matters and costs associated with severance incurred. |
(c) | Eliminates (i) net changes in certain reserves, (ii) foreign currency gains and losses related to unusual, non-recurring intercompany transactions, (iii) costs associated with certain strategic and corporate development activities, including business optimization, (iv) consulting fees payable to Apollo, and (v) the impact of an adjustment related to the recognition of International Products retail revenue. |
(d) | 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. |
(e) | Adjusted EBITDA, excluding pro forma adjustments, does not give pro forma effect to the projected annualized benefits of restructurings and other cost savings initiatives. However, we do make such accretive pro forma adjustments as if such restructurings and cost savings initiatives had occurred on October 1, 2014 in calculating the Adjusted EBITDA under Affinions amended and restated senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing the Affinion 2010 senior notes and the Affinion 2013 senior subordinated notes. |
(f) | Gives effect to the projected annualized benefits of the restructurings and other cost savings initiatives as if such restructurings and cost savings initiatives had occurred on October 1, 2014. |
(g) | Adjusted EBITDA, including pro forma adjustments, gives pro forma effect to the adjustments discussed in (f) above. |
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TABLE 7 contd
Set forth below is a reconciliation of Affinions consolidated net loss attributable to Affinion Group, Inc. for the twelve months ended September 30, 2015 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 to Affinions Adjusted EBITDA.
For the Twelve
Months Ended |
For the Three Months
Ended September 30, |
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2015 (a) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to Affinion Group, Inc. |
$ | (308.9 | ) | $ | (8.2 | ) | $ | (31.1 | ) | $ | (50.4 | ) | $ | (115.9 | ) | |||||
Interest expense, net |
187.3 | 45.9 | 40.9 | 140.0 | 131.8 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
(45.2 | ) | 1.1 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 10.9 | ||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
0.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||
Other income, net |
(1.2 | ) | (0.6 | ) | | (1.2 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
| | | | 6.0 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
100.1 | 23.7 | 27.2 | 71.7 | 81.3 | |||||||||||||||
Effect of purchase accounting, reorganizations and non-recurring revenues and gains (b) |
0.2 | 0.2 | | 0.1 | | |||||||||||||||
Certain legal costs (c) |
7.5 | 2.4 | 20.3 | 4.7 | 37.3 | |||||||||||||||
Net cost savings (d) |
22.3 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 11.9 | 15.5 | |||||||||||||||
Other, net (e) |
315.5 | 7.3 | 8.4 | 14.6 | 32.4 | |||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA, excluding pro forma adjustments (f) (g) |
278.2 | $ | 75.5 | $ | 72.1 | $ | 196.1 | $ | 199.7 | |||||||||||
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|
|
|
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|
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Effect of the pro forma adjustments (h) |
5.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA, including pro forma adjustments (i) |
$ | 283.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Senior secured leverage ratio (j) |
2.76 | |||||||||||||||||||
Fixed charge coverage ratio (k) |
1.57 |
(a) | Represents consolidated financial data for the year ended December 31, 2014, minus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, plus consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. |
(b) | Eliminates the effect of purchase accounting related to the Apollo transactions. |
(c) | Represents the elimination of legal costs for certain legal matters. |
(d) | Represents the elimination of costs associated with severance incurred. |
(e) | Eliminates (i) net changes in certain reserves, (ii) share-based compensation expense, (iii) foreign currency gains and losses related to unusual, non-recurring intercompany transactions, (iv) costs associated with certain strategic and corporate development activities, including business optimization, (v) consulting fees payable to Apollo, (vi) facility exit costs, (vii) the impairment charge related to the goodwill of Membership Products, (viii) the impact of an adjustment related to the recognition of International Products retail revenue, and (ix) debt refinancing expenses. |
(f) | 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. |
(g) | Adjusted EBITDA, excluding pro forma adjustments, does not give pro forma effect to the projected annualized benefits of restructurings and other cost savings initiatives. However, we do make such accretive pro forma adjustments as if such restructurings and cost savings initiatives had occurred on October 1, 2014 in calculating the Adjusted EBITDA under Affinions amended and restated senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing the Affinion 2010 senior notes and the Affinion 2013 senior subordinated notes. |
(h) | Gives effect to the projected annualized benefits of the restructurings and other cost savings initiatives as if such restructurings and cost savings initiatives had occurred on October 1, 2014. |
(i) | Adjusted EBITDA, including pro forma adjustments, gives pro forma effect to the adjustments discussed in (h) above. |
(j) | The senior secured leverage ratio is defined in Affinions amended and restated senior secured credit facility, as amended on May 20, 2014 (senior secured debt, as defined, to Adjusted EBITDA, as defined). The senior secured leverage ratio must be equal to or less than 4.25 to 1.0 at September 30, 2015. |
(k) | The fixed charge coverage ratio is defined in the indentures governing the Affinion 2010 senior notes and the Affinion 2013 senior subordinated notes (consolidated cash flows, as defined, which is computed with the same addbacks as in Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in Affinions amended and restated senior secured credit facility) to fixed charges, as defined). The calculation of fixed charges excludes the amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the amendment and restatement of Affinions credit facility on April 9, 2010. |
13
EXHIBIT 99.2
More information: Torrey Martin SVP, Communications and Corporate Development 203.956.8746 tmartin@affiniongroup.com |
AFFINION GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF EXCHANGE
OFFERS, CONSENT SOLICITATIONS AND RIGHTS OFFERING
| Company Has Completed Private Exchange Offers, Consent Solicitations and Rights Offering for $110 Million in Cash |
| Approximately $585 Million of Indebtedness Converted into Equity in the Private Exchange Offers |
| Annual Cash Interest Obligations Reduced by Approximately $50 Million |
STAMFORD, Conn., November 10, 2015 Affinion Group Holdings, Inc. (Affinion Holdings and, together with its subsidiaries, the Company) announced today that on November 9, 2015 it completed (1) the previously announced private exchange offers and consent solicitations (the Exchange Offers) relating to (a) Affinion Holdings outstanding 13.75%/14.50% Senior Secured PIK/Toggle Notes due 2018 (the Existing Holdings Notes) and (b) Affinion Investments, LLCs (Affinion Investments) outstanding 13.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 (the Existing Investments Notes and, together with the Existing Holdings Notes, the Existing Notes) and (2) the previously announced private rights offering (the Rights Offering) for (a) $110.0 million aggregate principal amount of Affinion International Holdings Limiteds (Affinion International) 7.5% Cash/PIK Senior Notes due 2018 (the New International Notes) and (b) 2,483,333 shares of Affinion Holdings new Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the New Common Stock). The Exchange Offers expired at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on November 3, 2015 (the Expiration Time), and the deadline to participate in the Rights Offering was 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on November 4, 2015 (the Subscription Deadline).
In the Exchange Offers, Affinion Holdings and Affinion Investments accepted for exchange all Existing Notes validly tendered and not properly withdrawn at or prior to the Expiration Time. As of the Expiration Time, (1) $247,405,368 aggregate principal amount of the Existing Holdings Notes (or approximately 95%) and (2) $337,346,520 aggregate principal amount of the Existing Investments Notes (or approximately 93.7%) were validly tendered in the Exchange Offers. Upon closing of the Exchange Offers, there remained outstanding approximately $13.1 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Holdings Notes and $22.6 million aggregate principal amount of Existing Investments Notes. As a result of the completion of the Exchange Offers, Affinion Holdings issued a total of 7,005,621 shares of New Common Stock in exchange for the validly tendered Existing Notes.
In the Rights Offering, Affinion Holdings and Affinion International accepted all valid subscriptions received at or prior to the Subscription Deadline. As of the Subscription Deadline, valid subscriptions were received for $94,099,000 aggregate principal amount of New International Notes and 2,124,333 shares of New Common Stock (of which 1,754,058 shares of New Common Stock were issued and the balance was issued as non-participating penny-warrants (the Limited Warrants) to purchase up to approximately 370,275 shares of New Common Stock). The remaining $15,901,000 aggregate principal amount of New International Notes and 358,975 shares of New Common Stock available to be issued in the Rights Offering were purchased by one of the Significant Holders (as defined below) (the Backstop Provider) pursuant to the backstop agreement (the Backstop Agreement), dated as of
September 29, 2015, previously entered into by Affinion Holdings, Affinion International and the Backstop Provider. As a result of the completion of the Exchange Offers and the Rights Offering, (1) Affinion Holdings issued (a) 9,118,654 shares of New Common Stock and (b) Limited Warrants to purchase up to approximately 370,275 shares of New Common Stock in the aggregate and (2) Affinion International issued $110.0 million aggregate principal amount of New International Notes, for an aggregate cash purchase price of $110.0 million.
Certain holders of Existing Notes (the Significant Holders), including, among others, funds managed by Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC, certain funds and accounts managed by Ares Management LLC or its affiliates, funds and accounts managed by Empyrean Capital Partners, LP, funds managed by PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC, and funds managed by Third Avenue Management LLC, had previously entered into a support agreement dated as of September 29, 2015 (the Support Agreement) with Affinion Holdings, Affinion Group, Inc. (Affinion Group), Affinion International, Affinion Investments and Affinion Investments II, LLC (Affinion Investments II). Pursuant to the Support Agreement, the Significant Holders had agreed to tender in the Exchange Offers their Existing Notes subject to certain terms and conditions, all of which have been satisfied.
Consistent with the previous announcement on November 2, 2015, the minimum conditions with respect to the Exchange Offers have been satisfied. In addition, based on the completion of the Exchange Offers, (1) the supplemental indenture evidencing certain amendments to the indenture governing the Existing Holdings Notes (the Holdings Amendments) previously executed by Affinion Holdings and the trustee and collateral agent is now operative, (2) the supplemental indenture evidencing certain amendments to the indenture governing the Existing Investments Notes (the Investments Amendments) previously executed by Affinion Investments, Affinion Investments II and the trustee is now operative, and (3) the supplement evidencing certain amendments to the note agreement governing Affinion Groups 13.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 (the AGI Subordinated Notes) (such amendments, the AGI Amendments and, together with the Holdings Amendments and the Investments Amendments, the Amendments) previously executed by Affinion Group, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Affinion Investments is now operative. The Amendments, among other things, eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain of the default provisions contained in the indentures governing the Existing Notes and the note agreement governing the AGI Subordinated Notes.
In connection with consummation of the Exchange Offers, (1) Affinion Holdings contributed to Affinion Group sufficient shares of New Common Stock to pay the consideration for the Existing Investments Notes in the Exchange Offers; (2) Affinion Group, in turn, used such equity contribution to repurchase for cancellation its AGI Subordinated Notes from Affinion Investments in the same principal amount as the principal amount of Existing Investments Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offers; and (3) Affinion Investments used such equity proceeds to repurchase for cancellation the tendered Existing Investments Notes.
Based on the completion of the Exchange Offers and the Rights Offering, Affinion Holdings effected the previously announced reclassification (the Reclassification) as follows. Affinion Holdings existing Class A Common Stock was converted into (i) 490,083 shares of Affinion Holdings new Class C Common Stock (the Class C Common Stock), that, upon conversion, will represent 5% of the outstanding shares of New Common Stock on a fully diluted basis and (ii) 515,877 shares of Affinion Holdings new Class D Common Stock (the Class D Common Stock and, together with the Class C Common Stock, the Class C/D Common Stock), that, upon conversion, will represent 5% of the outstanding shares of New Common Stock on a fully diluted basis. In order to exercise their conversion rights, holders of Class C/D Common Stock must submit an exercise notice to Affinion Holdings, together with the conversion price equal initially to $67.14 per share with respect to the Class C Common Stock and $88.07 per share with respect to the Class D Common Stock. Initially, each share of Class C/D Common Stock is convertible into one share of New Common Stock. In addition, Affinion Holdings Series A Warrants and Affinion Holdings Class B Common Stock have been eliminated.
2
Upon closing of the Exchange Offers and Rights Offering, and after giving effect to 66,667 shares of New Common Stock that were issued in connection with the payment of professional fees (and assuming conversion of the Limited Warrants), Affinion Holdings would have had 9,555,596 shares of New Common Stock outstanding.
This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The Exchange Offers and the Rights Offering were made and the New Common Stock, Limited Warrants and New International Notes were offered only to qualified institutional buyers, institutional accredited investors and holders that are not U.S. persons, as such terms are defined under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). The New Common Stock, Limited Warrants and New International Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or under any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and accordingly, are subject to significant restrictions on transfer and resale as more fully described in the confidential offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement, dated September 29, 2015 (the Offering Memorandum), the related letter of transmittal and consent (the Letter of Transmittal) and the related subscription form (the Subscription Form). The Exchange Offers and the Rights Offering are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offering Memorandum, the Letter of Transmittal and the Subscription Form.
This press release is directed only at persons who (i) are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within article 19(5) of the United Kingdom Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the Order) or (iii) are persons falling within article 49(2)(a)-(d) (High net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.) of the Order or (iv) to whom this press release may otherwise be directed without contravention of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). This press release must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this press release relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.
In member states of the European Economic Area, this press release is directed only at persons who are qualified investors within the meaning of article 2(1)(e) of Directive 2003/71/EC (the Prospectus Directive) (Qualified Investors). This press release is an advertisement for the purposes of applicable measures implementing the Prospectus Directive.
About Affinion Group
As a global leader with 40 years of experience, Affinion Group enhances the value of its partners customer relationships by developing and marketing loyalty solutions. Leveraging its expertise in customer engagement, product development and targeted marketing, Affinion Group provides programs in subscription-based lifestyle services, personal protection, insurance and other areas to help generate increased customer loyalty and significant incremental revenue for more than 5,500 marketing partners worldwide, including many of the largest and most respected companies in financial services, retail, travel, and Internet commerce. Based in Stamford, CT, Affinion Group has approximately 3,700 employees and has marketing capabilities in 19 countries globally. For more information, visit www.affinion.com .
3
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, discussions regarding industry outlook, Affinion Groups expectations regarding the performance of its business, its liquidity and capital resources, its guidance for 2015 and the other non-historical statements. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as believes anticipates, expects, intends, plans, continues, estimates, predicts, projects, forecasts, and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and beliefs only as of the date of this press release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, risks related to general economic and business conditions and international and geopolitical events, a downturn in the credit card industry or changes in the techniques of credit card issuers, industry trends, foreign currency exchange rates, the effects of a decline in travel on Affinion Groups travel fulfillment business, termination or expiration of one or more agreements with its marketing partners or a reduction of the marketing of its services by one or more of its marketing partners, Affinion Holdings and Affinion Groups substantial leverage, restrictions contained in their respective debt agreements, Affinion Groups inability to compete effectively, and other risks identified and discussed from time to time in reports filed by Affinion Holdings and Affinion Group with the SEC, including Affinion Holdings and Affinion Groups most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and Affinion Holdings and Affinion Groups most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. Readers are strongly encouraged to review carefully the full cautionary statements described in these reports. Except as required by law, none of Affinion Holdings, Affinion Group, Affinion International, Affinion Investments or Affinion Investments II undertakes any obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances.
4