UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

[X]

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014

 

[  ]

TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT

 

For the transition period from ________ to ________

 

Commission File Number: 000-52635

 

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

20-3858769

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

20411 SW BIRCH STREET, SUITE 250

NEWPORT BEACH

CALIFORNIA 92660

 (Address of principal executive offices)

 

(949) 515 2141

 (Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  

Yes [X]  No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes [X]  No [  ]

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐

(Do not check if smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company [X]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐   No [X]

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, as of May 9, 2014, was 59,809,131.

 

 When used in this quarterly report, the terms “Accelerize,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Accelerize New Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

 
 

 

   

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include our statements regarding our goals, beliefs, strategies, objectives, plans, including product and service developments, future financial conditions, results or projections or current expectations. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. For example, when we discuss our expectations that our revenues will increase in 2014, our expansion plans, our intentions to grow revenues by investing in sales and marketing efforts, our spending on research and development, training, account management and support personnel, the internet market trends, and specifically, the growth in on-line advertising, performance based marketing, and software-as-a-service, and our expectations based on such trends, we are using forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to implement our strategic initiatives, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, government and industry regulation, interest rate risk, U.S. and global competition, and other factors. Most of these factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond our control. You should consider the areas of risk described in connection with any forward-looking statements that may be made herein. The business and operations of Accelerize New Media, Inc. are subject to substantial risks, which increase the uncertainty inherent in the forward-looking statements contained in this report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to release publicly the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Further information on potential factors that could affect our business is described under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on March 25, 2014. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures we have made in this report and in our annual report on Form 10-K.   

 

 
 

 

 

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.

 

INDEX

 

  

Page

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

1

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position And Results of Operations

16

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

23

 

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION:

23

     
Item 5. Other Information 23

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

24

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

25

   

 
 

 

   

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.  

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   

March 31,

2014

   

December 31,

2013

 
   

(Unaudited)

         

ASSETS

               

Current Assets:

               

Cash

  $ 1,130,870     $ 1,157,315  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debt of $23,121 and $59,072

    1,414,404       1,041,671  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    76,582       85,026  

Total current assets

    2,621,856       2,284,012  
                 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $262,225 and $171,856

    858,198       756,696  

Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization of $203,704 and $37,037

    796,296       962,963  

Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $3,003

    69,064       -  

Other assets

    37,148       -  

Total assets

  $ 4,382,562     $ 4,003,671  
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               
                 

Current Liabilities:

               

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $ 1,495,774     $ 1,703,007  

Deferred revenues

    58,000       83,311  

Line of credit

    500,000       -  

Total current liabilities

    2,053,774       1,786,318  
                 

Stockholders' Equity

               

Common stock; $.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 59,818,917 and 58,394,975 shares issued and outstanding

    59,818       58,394  

Additional paid-in capital

    18,384,573       17,908,278  

Accumulated deficit

    (16,116,933

)

    (15,749,319

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    1,330       -  
                 

Total stockholders’ equity

    2,328,788       2,217,353  
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 4,382,562     $ 4,003,671  

   

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  

  

 
1

 

    

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  

 

   

Three-month periods ended

March 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
                 
                 

Revenues:

  $ 3,427,197     $ 2,163,407  
                 

Operating expenses:

               

Cost of revenue

    789,099       470,483  

Research and development

    576,786       380,617  

Sales and marketing

    1,622,449       615,847  

General and administrative

    803,168       516,283  

Total operating expenses

    3,791,502       1,983,230  
                 

Operating (loss) income

    (364,305

)

    180,177  
                 

Other income (expense):

               

Interest income

    -       13,667  

Interest expense

    (3,309

)

    (18,626

)

      (3,309

)

    (4,959

)

                 

(Loss) income from continuing operations

    (367,614

)

    175,218  
                 

Discontinued operations

               

Gain from the disposal of discontinued operations

    -       61,750  

Income from discontinued operations, net

    -       61,750  
                 

Net (loss) income

  (367,614 )   236,968  
                 
                 

Earnings per share:

               

Basic

               

Continuing operations

  $ (0.01

)

  $ -  

Discontinued operations

  $ -     $ -  

Net (loss) income per share

  $ (0.01

)

  $ -  
                 

Diluted

               

Continuing operations

  $ (0.01

)

  $ -  

Discontinued operations

  $ -     $ -  

Net (loss) income per share

  $ (0.01 )   $ -  
                 
                 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

    58,770,491       56,158,216  

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

    58,770,491       69,394,505  

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
2

 

   

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

 

   

Three-month periods ended

March 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
                 
                 

Net (loss) income

  $ (367,614 )   $ 236,968  
                 

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

    1,330       (1,281 )

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

    1,330       (1,281 )
                 

Comprehensive (loss) income

  (366,284 )   235,687  

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 
3

 

   

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

   

Three-month periods ended

March 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

  $ (367,614 )   $ 175,218  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    257,036       12,598  

Amortization of debt discount

    3,003       10,646  

Amortization of original issuance discount

    -       (11,889

)

Provision for bad debt

    (35,951

)

    -  

Fair value of options

    143,777       125,781  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    (336,782

)

    (164,488

)

Prepaid expenses

    8,143       22  

Other assets

    (37,148

)

    (8,315

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    (206,803

)

    (66,268

)

Deferred revenues

    (25,311

)

    (14,458

)

Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations

    (597,650

)

    58,847  

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

    -       61,750  

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

    (597,650

)

    120,597  
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Capitalized software for internal use

    (153,996

)

    -  

Capital expenditures

    (37,875

)

    (47,806

)

Proceeds from sale of online marketing services business

    -       18,000  
                 

Net cash used in investing activities

    (191,871

)

    (29,806

)

                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Principal repayments on notes payable

    -       (45,000

)

Proceeds from line of credit

    500,000       -  

Payment of financing costs

    (40,000 )     -  

Net proceeds from exercise of warrants

    301,876       81,000  
                 

Net cash provided by financing activities

    761,876       36,000  
                 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    1,200       (1,328

)

                 

Net (decrease) increase in cash

    (26,445 )     125,463  
                 

Cash, beginning of period

    1,157,315       231,926  
                 

Cash, end of period

  $ 1,130,870     $ 357,389  
                 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

               

Cash paid for interest

  $ -     $ 5,235  

Cash paid for income taxes

  $ -     $ -  
                 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

               

Fair value of warrants issued in connection with line of credit

  $ 32,067     $ -  

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  

  

 
4

 

 

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1: ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Accelerize New Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation, incorporated on November 22, 2005, owns and operates CAKE, a Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS, platform providing online tracking and analytics solutions for advertisers and online marketers.

 

The Company provides software solutions for businesses interested in expanding their online advertising spend.

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheet presented as of December 31, 2013 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, have been omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, but we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included herein should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2014.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these interim statements have been included. The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2014.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of Cake Marketing UK Ltd. All material intercompany accounts and transactions between the Company and its subsidiary have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reporting amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results will differ from those estimates. Included in these estimates are assumptions about collection of accounts receivable, useful life of fixed assets and intangible assets, and assumptions used in Black-Scholes-Merton, or BSM, valuation methods, such as expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, and expected dividend rate.

 

Reclassification

 

The financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 have been reclassified to reflect certain training and account management expenses as cost of revenues and sales and marketing expenses separately from our general and administrative expenses as well as to allocate certain unallocated general and administrative expenses to the Company’s functional areas.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased, to be cash equivalents.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

The Company’s accounts receivable are due primarily from advertisers and marketers. Collateral is currently not required. The Company also maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make payments. The Company periodically reviews these estimated allowances, including an analysis of the customers’ payment history and creditworthiness, the age of the trade receivable balances and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to make payments as well as historical collection trends for its customers as a whole. Based on this review, the Company specifically reserves for those accounts deemed uncollectible or likely to become uncollectible. When receivables are determined to be uncollectible, principal amounts of such receivables outstanding are deducted from the allowance.

 

   

March 31,

2014

   

December 31,

2013

 
                 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $ 23,121     $ 59,072  

    

 
5

 

   

Concentration of Credit Risks

 

The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk primarily from cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.

 

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents accounts are held at a financial institution and are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the FDIC, up to $250,000. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, the Company has reached bank balances exceeding the FDIC insurance limit. To reduce its risk associated with the failure of such financial institutions, the Company periodically evaluates the credit quality of the financial institution in which it holds deposits.

 

The Company's accounts receivable are due from customers, generally located in the United States, Europe, and Canada. None of the Company’s customers accounted for more than 10% of its accounts receivable at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.  The Company does not require any collateral from its customers.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue on arrangements in accordance with ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized only when the price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the service is performed, and collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

 

The Company’s SaaS revenues are generated from implementation and training fees and a monthly license fee, supplemented by per transaction fees paid by customers for monthly platform usage. The initial term of the customer contract is generally one year and each party may cancel the contract within that period with 30-days’ prior notice. The Company does not provide any general right of return for its delivered items. Services associated with the implementation and training fees have standalone value to the Company’s customers, as there are third-party vendors who offer similar services to the Company’s SaaS. Accordingly, they qualify as separate units of accounting. The Company allocates a fair value to each element deliverable at the recognition date and recognizes such value when the services are provided. The Company bases the fair value of the implementation and training fees on third-party evidence and the monthly license fee on vendor-specific objective evidence. Fees charged by third-party vendors for implementation and training services do not vary significantly from the fees charged by the Company. Services associated with implementation and training fees are generally rendered within a month from the initial contract date. The value attributed to the monthly license fees as well as the fees associated with monthly transaction-based platform usage are recognized in the corresponding period.

 

Product Concentration

 

The Company generates its revenues from software licensing, usage, and related transaction fees.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company accounts for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, or ASC 820. ASC 820 establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to existing generally accepted accounting principles that require the use of fair value measurements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements.

 

ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, ASC 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized below:

 

Level 1:

Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

 

Level 2:

Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

 

 

Level 3:

Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

 

  Additional Disclosures Regarding Fair Value Measurements

 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and lines of credit approximate their fair value due to the short term maturity of these items.

 

 
6

 

   

Convertible Instruments

 

The Company evaluates and accounts for conversion options embedded in its convertible instruments in accordance with ASC 815, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, or ASC 815.

 

ASC 815 generally provides three criteria that, if met, require companies to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free standing derivative financial instruments. These three criteria include circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument.

 

The Company accounts for convertible instruments (when it has determined that the embedded conversion options should not be bifurcated from their host instruments) in accordance with ASC 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options. Accordingly, the Company records, when necessary, discounts to convertible notes for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in debt instruments based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the note transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the note. Debt discounts under these arrangements are amortized over the term of the related debt to their earliest date of redemption. The Company also records when necessary deemed dividends for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in preferred shares based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the note transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the note.

 

ASC 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s own Equity, provides that, among other things, generally, if an event is not within the entity’s control, such contract could require net cash settlement and shall be classified as an asset or a liability.

 

The Company needs to determine whether the instruments issued in the transactions are considered indexed to the Company’s own stock.  While the Company’s 12% convertible promissory notes, or 12% Convertible Notes Payable, and the warrants issued in connection with the Company’s 12% note payable, or 12% Note Payable, did not provide variability involving sales volume, stock index, commodity price, revenue targets, among other things, they did provide for variability involving future equity offerings and issuance of equity-linked financial instruments.  While the instruments did not contain an exercise contingency, the settlement of the 12% Convertible Notes Payable and the warrants issued in connection with the 12% Note Payable would not equal the difference between the fair value of a fixed number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock and a fixed stock price. Accordingly, they are not indexed to the Company’s stock price.

 

However, the Company believes that there is no value to the derivative liabilities associated with such instruments at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company’s obligations under its 12% Convertible Notes Payable and the warrants issued in connection with the 12% Note Payable have been satisfied without issuing additional consideration to the holders.

 

Advertising

 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred.

 

   

Three-month periods ended,

 
   

March 31,

2014

   

March 31,

2013

 
                 

Advertising expense

  $ 32,211     $ 6,072  

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Accounting for Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized, but no less than quarterly.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company’s reporting currency is U.S. Dollars. The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiary in the United Kingdom is British Pounds. The translation from British Pounds to U.S. Dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using the average exchange rate in effect during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Foreign currency translation gains and losses arising from exchange rate fluctuation on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.  

  

 
7

 

 

Software Development Costs

 

Costs incurred in the research and development of software products and significant upgrades and enhancements thereto during the preliminary project stage and the post-implementation operation stage are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred for maintenance and relatively minor upgrades and enhancements are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with the application development stage of new software products and significant upgrades and enhancements thereto are capitalized when 1) management implicitly or explicitly authorizes and commits to funding a software project and 2) it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. The Company capitalized internal-use software development costs of $153,996 during the three-months ended March 31, 2014. The Company amortizes such costs once the new software products and significant upgrades and enhancements are completed. The unamortized internal-use software development costs amounted to $604,230 and $508,257 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company’s amortization expenses associated with capitalized software development costs amounted to approximately $58,023 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. Amortization of internal-use software is reflected in cost of revenues .

 

Share-Based Payment

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, or ASC 718. Under the fair value recognition provisions of this topic, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period.

 

The Company has elected to use the BSM option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of its options, which incorporates various subjective assumptions including volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected life, and dividend yield to calculate the fair value of stock option awards. Compensation expense recognized in the statements of operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest and reflects estimated forfeitures. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

 

Segment Reporting

 

The Company generated revenues from one source, its SaaS business, during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company's chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of the Company based upon revenues and expenses by functional areas as disclosed in the Company's statements of operations.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Recent accounting pronouncements have been issued but deemed by management to be outside the scope of relevance to the Company. 

 

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing income available to stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Dilutive common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants (calculated using the modified-treasury stock method).   

 

 
8

 

   

   

Three-months ended

March 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Numerator:

               

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

  $ (367,614

)

  $ 175,218  
                 

Net income from discontinued operations

  $ -     $ 61,750  
Net (loss) income   $ (367,614 )   $ 236,968  
                 

Denominator:

               

Denominator for basic earnings per share--weighted average shares

    58,770,491       56,158,216  

Effect of dilutive securities- when applicable:

               

Stock options

    -       10,459,381  

Warrants

    -       2,776,908  

Denominator for diluted earnings per share--adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions

    58,770,491       69,394,505  
                 

Earnings (loss) per share:

               

Basic

               

Continuing operations, as adjusted

  $ (0.01

)

  $ -  

Discontinued operations

  $ -     $ -  

Net (loss) income per share- basic

  $ (0.01

)

  $ -  
                 

Diluted

               

Continuing operations, as adjusted

  $ (0.01

)

  $ -  

Discontinued operations

  $ -     $ -  

Net (loss) income per shares-diluted

  $ (0.01

)

  $ -  
                 

Weighted-average anti-dilutive common share equivalents

    24,496,668       17,247,966  

 

 

The anti-dilutive common share equivalents outstanding are as follows:

 

   

March 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
                 

Convertible notes payable

    -       436,250  

Options

    19,841,688       7,983,119  

Warrants

    4,655,000       8,828,597  
      24,496,668       17,247,966  

    

 
9

 

    

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of three years. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Significant renewals and betterments are capitalized.

 

Property and equipment consist of the following at:

 

   

March 31,

2014

   

December 31,

2013

 

Internal use software costs

  $ 718,640     $ 564,644  

Computer equipment and software

    302,633       269,933  

Office furniture and equipment

    99,150       93,975  
      1,120,423       928,552  

Accumulated depreciation

    (262,225

)

    (171,856

)

    $ 858,198     $ 756,696  

 

   

Three-month periods ended

 
   

March 31,

2014

   

March 31,

2013

 
                 

Depreciation expense

  $ 32,347     $ 12,598  

Amortization expense on internal software

  $ 58,023     $ -  

 

 

NOTE 3:  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND NOTE RECEIVABLE

 

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, the Company generated proceeds from the sale of its online marketing services business, which closed in September 2012, of $18,000. Additionally, the Company recognized $61,750 of gain from the disposal of discontinued operations from in-kind services provided by the buyer of its online marketing services business during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013. Furthermore, the Company recognized interest income of $13,661, including $11,889 of original issue discount from the $142,000 note receivable which was issued to the Company in 2012 by the buyer of its online marketing services business during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013. All obligations of the buyer to the Company were satisfied by December 2013.  

  

 
10

 

   

The components of the gain from disposal of discontinued operations are as follows:

 

   

Three-month periods ended

March 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
                 

Services received in lieu of note receivable

  $ -     $ 61,750  

Gain from disposal of discontinued operations

  $ -     $ 61,750  

   

 

NOTE 4: PREPAID EXPENSES

 

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s prepaid expenses consisted primarily of prepaid insurance and rent.

 

NOTE 5: CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

 

During November 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of certain customer relationships of a former competitor. Pursuant to the acquisition, the Company will pay $1 million payable in four installments of $250,000 every quarter, effective March 2014. Additionally, the former competitor will refer potential clients to the Company. The consideration for the referrals amounts to 25% of the revenues generated from such customers for a period of up to one year. The Company has capitalized the acquisition cost, which approximates fair value of the customer relationships, which amounts to $1,000,000 at December 31, 2013. The Company amortizes such customer relationships over a period of 18 months. The Company incurred amortization expense related to the customer relationships of approximately $166,667 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. The amortization amount for the Customer relationships, by fiscal year over the remaining useful life is as follows:

 

Remainder of 2014

  $ 500,000  

2015

    296,296  
    $ 796,296  

     

 

NOTE 6: DEFERRED REVENUES

 

The Company’s deferred revenues consist of prepayments made by certain customers and undelivered implementation and training fees.  The Company decreases the deferred revenues by the amount of the services it renders to such clients when provided.

 

   

March 31,

2014

   

December 31,

2013

 
                 

Deferred revenues

  $ 58,000     $ 83,311  

 

 

NOTE 7: CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE AND NOTE PAYABLE

 

12% Convertible Notes Payable & 12% Note Payable

 

The Company had its 12% Convertible Notes Payable of $176,244, including accrued interest, outstanding during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013.  The Company satisfied its remaining obligations under the 12% Convertible Notes Payable in August 2013. The 12% Convertible Notes Payable bore interest at 12% per annum.

 

The 12% Note Payable was outstanding during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013. The Company satisfied its remaining obligations under the 12% Note Payable in August 2013. The 12% Note Payable, as amended, bore interest at a rate of 12% per annum and matured in August 2013

  

The Company made principal repayments of $45,000 on its 12% Note Payable during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013.

 

 

 
11

 

   

 

   

Three-month periods ended

 
   

March 31,

2014

   

March 31,

2013

 
                 

Interest and amortization expense associated with the 12% Convertible Notes Payable and 12% Note Payable

  $ -     $ 18,626  

 

 

NOTE 8: LINE OF CREDIT

 

On March 17, 2014, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement, or the Line of Credit, with Square 1 Bank, or the Lender, to borrow up to a maximum of $3,000,000 at the Company’s discretion. Amounts borrowed will accrue interest at the prime rate in effect, plus 1.25%, not to be less than 5.5% per annum. Accrued interest on amounts borrowed is payable monthly and all other amounts borrowed will be payable in full on the maturity date of March 17, 2016, which maturity date may be extended to March 17, 2017 if the Company provides the Lender with a fully-funded business plan acceptable to Lender by January 15, 2016 and no event of default has occurred.

 

The Line of Credit contains covenants including, but not limited to, covenants to achieve specified Adjusted EBITDA, as defined, levels and customer renewal levels, limiting capital expenditures and restricting the Company's ability to pay dividends, purchase and sell assets outside the ordinary course and incur additional indebtedness. The occurrence of a material adverse change, as defined, will be an event of default under the Line of Credit, in addition to other customary events of default. The Company granted the Lender a security interest in all of the Company's personal property and intellectual property.

 

The Company borrowed $500,000 from the Line of Credit during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. The amount due under the Line of Credit amounts to $500,000 as of March 31, 2014. The interest rate for the amount borrowed is 5.5% per annum.

 

In connection with the Line of Credit, the Company issued to the Lender a warrant to purchase up to 46,875 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $1.60 per share. The warrant expires on March 17, 2017. The fair value of the warrants amounted to $32,067. Additionally, the Company paid $40,000 to the lender in financing costs. The fair value of the warrants and the financing costs were capitalized as deferred financing costs at March 31, 2014. The Company recognized an amortization expense of approximately $3,000 in connection with such deferred financing costs during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.

 

   

Three-month periods ended

 
   

March 31,

2014

   

March 31,

2013

 
                 

Interest and amortization expense associated with line of credit

  $ 3,309     $ -  

   

 
12

 

   

NOTE 9: STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Common Stock

 

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company generated proceeds of $301,876 and $81,000 from the exercise of 862,500 and 202,500 warrants, respectively.

 

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company issued 519,252 and 42,190 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to the cashless exercise of 600,000 and 66,666 warrants and options, respectively.    

 

 
13

 

 

Warrants

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, the Company issued 46,875 warrants to the Lender. The warrants are exercisable at the price of $1.60 per share and expire in March 2017. The fair value of such warrants, which amounted to $32,067 has been recognized as deferred financing fees is amortized using the effective interest method over the terms of the associated Line of Credit.

 

The fair value of the warrants granted during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 is based on the BSM model using the following assumptions:

 

Effective Exercise price

  $ 1.60  

Effective Market price

  $ 1.60  

Volatility

    64 %

Risk-free interest

    0.9 %

Term (years)

 

3

 

Expected dividend rate

    0 %

 

Stock Option Plan

 

On December 15, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors and stockholders approved the Accelerize New Media, Inc. Stock Option Plan, or the Plan. The total number of shares of capital stock of the Company that may be subject to options under the Plan is 22,500,000 shares of Common Stock, following an increase from 10,000,000 shares to 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock in May 2011, and from 15,000,000 shares to 22,500,000 shares of Common Stock on March 27, 2012, from either authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. The individuals who are eligible to receive option grants under the Plan are employees, directors and other individuals who render services to the management, operation or development of the Company or its subsidiaries and who have contributed or may be expected to contribute to the success of the Company or a subsidiary. Every option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written stock option agreement in such form as the Board shall approve from time to time, specifying the number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased pursuant to the option, the time or times at which the option shall become exercisable in whole or in part, whether the option is intended to be an incentive stock option or a non-incentive stock option, and such other terms and conditions as the Board shall approve.

 

The share-based payment is based on the fair value of the outstanding options amortized over the requisite period of service for option holders, which is generally the vesting period of the options. The fair value of the options granted during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is based on the BSM model using the following assumptions:

 

   

March 31, 2014

   

March 31, 2013

 

Effective Exercise price

  $ 1,43-1.60     $ 0.58  

Effective Market price

  $ 1.43-1.60     $ 0.58  

Volatility

    64 %     62 %

Risk-free interest

    0.9 %     0.36 %

Terms (years)

 

4

   

4

 

Expected dividend rate

    0 %     0 %

 

 

The Company generally recognizes its share-based payment over the vesting terms of the underlying options.

 

   

Three-month periods ended

 
   

March 31,

2014

   

March 31,

2013

 

Weighted-average grant date fair value

  $ 0.73     $ 0.28  

Fair value of options, recognized as selling, general, and administrative expenses

  $ 143,777     $ 125,781  

Number of options granted

    907,500       902,500  

 

The total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized amounted to approximately $1,971,000 at March 31, 2014 and the Company expects that it will be recognized over the following weighted-average period of 24 months.

 

If any options granted under the Plan expire or terminate without having been exercised or cease to be exercisable, such options will be available again under the Plan. All employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. Non-employee directors and outside consultants who provided bona-fide services not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction are eligible to receive non-qualified stock options. Incentive stock options may not be granted below their fair market value at the time of grant or, if to an individual who beneficially owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all stock classes of the Company or a subsidiary, the option price may not be less than 110% of the fair value of the Common Stock at the time of grant. The expiration date of an incentive stock option may not be longer than ten years from the date of grant. Option holders, or their representatives, may exercise their vested options up to three months after their employment termination or one year after their death or permanent and total disability. The Plan provides for adjustments upon changes in capitalization.

 

The Company’s policy is to issue shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options from its available authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. It does not issue shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options from its treasury shares.

   

 
14

 

   

NOTE 10: COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

 

Comprehensive (loss) income includes changes in equity related to foreign currency translation adjustments. The following table sets forth the reconciliation from net (loss) income to comprehensive (loss) income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

   

Three-months ended

March 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Net (loss) income

  $ (367,614

)

  $ 236,968  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

               

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    1,330       (1,281

)

Comprehensive (loss) income

  $ (366,284

)

  $ 235,687  

 

The following table sets forth the balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively:

 

   

March 31,

2014

   

December 31,

2013

 

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

  $ 1,330     $ -  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  $ 1,330     $ -  

 

NOTE 11: SEGMENTS

 

The Company operates in one business segment. Percentages of sales by geographic region for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were approximately as follows:

 

   

Three-month periods ended

March 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

United States

    81 %     93 %

Europe

    15 %     4 %

Other

    4 %     3 %

 

 

NOTE 12: COMMITMENTS AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

During January 2014, the Company entered into a 4-year lease for certain office space in Newport Beach, effective February 1, 2014. Under the terms of the lease, the Company initially pays a monthly base rent of approximately $22,000, increasing incrementally to approximately $25,000.  

  

During April, 2014, the Company made principal repayments of $500,000 under its Line of Credit.

 

On April 25, 2014, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to register the sale of up to $20,000,000 of its Common Stock . The Registration Statement has not yet been declared effective by the SEC.  

 

On May 9, 2014, the Company entered into an office sublease agreement with Panattoni Development Company, Inc. to sublease approximately 4,168 usable square feet of office space at 20411 SW Birch Street, Suite 210, Newport Beach, California 92660. The sublease is for a term of approximately two years, commencing on May 1, 2014 and ending May 31, 2016.  The initial base rent for the sublease is $10,445 per month, increasing to $10,841 per month on June 1, 2014 and to $11,039 per month on June 1, 2015.  The Master Landlord will provide up to $49,500 for tenant improvements to the office space.

 

 

 
15

 

   

ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Certain statements in this discussion and elsewhere in this report constitute forward-looking statements. See ““Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information’’ elsewhere in this report. Because this discussion involves risk and uncertainties, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements .

 

Overview

 

We own and operate CAKE, and getcake.com, a marketing technology that provides a comprehensive suite of innovative marketing intelligence tools. Our powerful software-as-a service enterprise solution has been an industry standard for ad networks, publishers, brands, and agencies to measurably improve and optimize digital spend. We currently have over 400 customers driving over 2 billion consumer actions monthly through the CAKE enterprise platform.

 

CAKE’s multi-channel performance marketing platform merges attribution analytics from display, mobile, retail, lead generation, and affiliate channels. By significantly increasing visibility across the entire customer digital journey, CAKE takes marketing intelligence to a new deeper level that’s easily accessible to all marketers.

 

The CAKE SaaS proprietary marketing platform is used by some of the world’s leading companies and largest customer-base of enterprise affiliate marketing networks and merchants. CAKE’s solutions are based on reliable, feature rich technology and are bolstered by the industry’s leading customer service and top tier technology partners, assuring the highest level of uptime.

 

Our revenue model is based on a monthly license fee, a usage fee (based on volume of clicks, impressions, or leads), and a training and implementation fee. Clients purchase annual or monthly subscriptions with an additional usage fee. A majority of our revenue is derived from clients in the United States but we have seen 275% growth from our European client base this quarter when compared to the same period last year. Cake Marketing UK Ltd ., our wholly-owned subsidiary located in the United Kingdom, services the European market.

 

Our business is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, with offices in Santa Monica, California, and London, England, allowing us to provide global support to our client base. We are looking to expand our footprint with additional locations in the United States, South America, Europe and India. The CAKE platform supports multiple languages and currencies so online marketers can track the performance of their marketing campaigns and better target their digital spend on a global scale.

 

The CAKE platform’s breath of capabilities provides opportunities in many of the major verticals like financial services, travel, technology, entertainment, gaming, and automotive. CAKE has also implemented a channel sales program that includes several digital agency participants. Recent product enhancements have also contributed to new opportunities in mobile and retail tracking.

 

CAKE’s mobile tracking technology allows a marketer to track application, or app , installs and more importantly events that take place within the app, so the digital marketer knows that the app was installed and what the user is doing within that app: for example, buying items, depositing funds, and referring friends. This all contributes to the marketer’s understanding of the value of that user and may effectively alter advertising spends to target profitable users.

 

Retail tracking is a capability CAKE has introduced into the suite of features. This enables retailers to track the effectiveness of an online campaign at the individual product or SKU level. Retail tracking provides insight into the real value or actual products that are being sold from a specific digital ad. This is important to enable marketers to track which products are being sold from the advertisement placements. In the retail market CAKE has developed a technology that is enabling advertisers to work directly with publishers. With the CAKE platform advertisers now eliminate paying commission fees, develop direct relationships with the affiliates, and gain the transparency needed to make decisions to positively affect their digital spend return on investment.

 

Our training, account management, support personnel, hosting and cloud-based infrastructure contribute to our cost of operating the business. We anticipate more spending in these areas while we continue to grow and could foresee some savings in infrastructure cost due to economies of scale. However, we want to continue to invest in these areas to support our growth.

 

We have experienced 58% year on year growth during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 when compared to the same period in 2013. The organic growth has been a result of providing the performance marketing industry a comprehensive suite of business intelligence tools through innovation and what we believe to be a superior product and customer experience.

 

We intend to grow revenues by investing in sales, marketing, and product development and innovation. We are currently hiring and will continue to hire sales executives globally to target specific verticals and accounts with both agencies and advertisers. We will allocate a significant portion of our marketing budget to being present at tradeshows, industry publications, and providing the support documentation required by sales initiatives. Additional efforts will be made to speak at industry events and write for online publications , increasing awareness of the CAKE suite of products and the thought leadership driving product development.

   

Our principal offices are located at 20411 SW Birch Street, Suite 250, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Our telephone number there is: (949) 515 -2141. Our corporate website is: www.accelerizenewmedia.com, the contents of which are not part of this quarterly report.

 

Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace under the symbol "ACLZ"  

 

 
16

 

    

Results of Operations

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

   

Three-month periods ended

   

Increase/

   

Increase/

 
   

March 31,

   

(Decrease)

   

(Decrease)

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

in $ 2014

   

in % 2014

 
   

(Unaudited)

   

(Unaudited)

   

vs 2013

   

vs 2013

 
                                 

Revenues

  $ 3,427,197     $ 2,163,407     $ 1,236,790       58.4 %
                                 

Operating expenses:

                               

Cost of revenues

    789,099       470,483       318,616       67.7 %

Research and development

    576,786       380,617       196,169       51.5 %

Sales and marketing

    1,662,449       615,847       1,006,602       163.5 %

General and Administrative

    803,168       516,283       286,885       55.6 %

Total operating expenses

    3,791,502       1,983,230       1,808,272       91.2 %
                                 

Operating (loss) income

    (364,305

)

    180,177       544,482       302.2 %
                                 

Other income (expense):

                               

Interest income

    -       13,667       (13,667

)

    -100 %

Interest expense

    (3,309

)

    (18,626

)

    (15,317

)

    -82.2 %
      (3,309

)

    (4,959

)

    (1,650

)

    -33.3 %
                                 

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

    (367,614

)

    175,218       542,832    

NM

 
                                 

Discontinued operations

                               

Net income from discontinued operations

    -       61,750       (61,750

)

    -100 %
      -       61,750       (61,750

)

    -100 %
                                 
                                 

Net (loss) income

  $ (367,614

)

  $ 236,968     $ 604,582    

NM

 

 

NM: Not Meaningful  

  

 
17

 

   

Discussion of Results for Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

 

Revenues

 

   

Three-Months Ended

March 31,

   

%

Change

 
   

2014

   

2013

         
                         

Revenues

  $ 3,427,197     $ 2,163,407       58.4 %

 

We generate revenues from a training and implementation (also known as on-boarding) fee and a monthly licensing fee, supplemented by per-transaction fees paid by customers for monthly platform usage.

 

The increase in our software licensing revenues during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, when compared to the prior year period, is due to the increased number of customers using our SaaS products and services, as well as increased monthly revenues from our existing customers resulting from higher usage of our SaaS platform. Our number of average clients increased 49% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, when compared to the prior year period, and our average monthly fee per customer increased 6% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, when compared to the prior year period. The increase in the number of customers using our SaaS products and services during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 is primarily due to the increased resources we have devoted to customer acquisition for our SaaS products. The higher usage by our existing customers of the same products is primarily due to higher market acceptance among our larger users who generate a higher volume of transactions.

 

We believe that our SaaS revenues will continue to increase during the remainder of 2014 when compared to 2013.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

   

Three-Months Ended

   

%

 
   

March 31,

   

Change

 
   

2014

   

2013

         
                         

Cost of Revenues

  $ 789,099     $ 470,483       67.7 %

 

Cost of revenue consists primarily of web hosting and personnel costs associated with supporting customer on-boarding and training activities, consisting of salaries, benefits, and related infrastructure costs. Web hosting fees are partially correlated to our revenues, depending on each specific agreement we have with our clients. The majority of our clients’ services are hosted on non-dedicated servers, on which capacity can be maximized by server, while certain customers prefer to have their services hosted on dedicated servers, on which capacity can only be maximized by customer and by server. Additionally, our resources associated with on-boarding are usually allocated at the beginning of the relationship with the new customer (usually, the first two months). Accordingly, our personnel costs associated with supporting customer on-boarding activities are not necessarily correlated with our revenues.

 

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, when compared to the prior year period, cost of revenues significantly increased reflecting the higher number of employees we hired to support customer on-boarding and training activities, which increased our personnel costs by approximately $494,000 , when compared to the same period in 2013, as well as web hosting fees incurred to support our increased number of clients and platform usage, which increased by approximately $451,000, when compared to the same period in 2013.

 

We believe that our cost of revenues will continue to increase, at lower percentages than our anticipated increase in revenues, during the remainder of 2014, when compared to 2013.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

   

Three-Months Ended

   

%

 
   

March 31,

   

Change

 
   

2014

   

2013

         
                         

Research and Development

  $ 576,786     $ 380,617       51.5 %

 

Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs associated with the enhancement and the maintenance of our SaaS product offerings, consisting of salaries, benefits, and related infrastructure costs, offset by capitalized software development costs.  

 

Our research and development expenses increased during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, when compared to the prior year period, due to increased staff assigned to the enhancement and maintenance of our software services, which translated into increased personnel costs, offset by the capitalization of software development costs which amounted to $153,996 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.

 

We believe that our research and development expenses will continue to increase during the remainder of 2014, when compared to 2013, as we continue to enhance the features of our SaaS platform. We did not capitalize software development costs during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013.  

  

 
18

 

    

Sales and Marketing Expenses

 

   

Three-Months Ended

   

%

 
   

March 31,

   

Change

 
   

2014

   

2013

         
                         

Sales and Marketing

  $ 1,622,449     $ 615,847       163.5 %

 

Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of personnel costs associated with the sale and the marketing of our SaaS products, including salaries, benefits, and related infrastructure, as well as the costs of related marketing programs, such as trade shows and public relations.

 

The increase in sales and marketing expenses during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, when compared to the prior year period, is primarily due to the increased number of employees associated with the sale of our products as well as increased expenditures in our marketing programs, primarily trade shows. Additionally, we amortized intangible assets and customer relationships of $167,000 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. 

 

We believe that our sales and marketing expenses will continue to increase in 2014 as we continue to hire more sales and marketing personnel in the U.S. and in Europe in anticipation of increased revenues and as we increase our expenditures in certain marketing programs, such as trade shows. Additionally, the amortization of the customer relationships we acquired from our former competitor in November 2013 will amount to $501,000 during the remainder of 2014, while we did not incur such expenditures during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

   

Three-Months Ended

   

%

 
   

March 31,

   

Change

 
   

2014

   

2013

         
                         

General and administrative

  $ 803,168     $ 516,283       55.6 %

 

General and administrative expenses primarily consist of personnel costs associated with the support of our operations consisting of salaries, benefits, and related infrastructure. Also included are non-personnel costs, such as audit fees, accounting services and legal fees, as well as professional fees, insurance and other corporate expenses such as investor relations.

 

The increase in general and administrative expenses during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, when compared with the prior year period, is primarily due to the increased number of employees assigned to support our organization. Additionally, as we continued to expand in Europe in the first quarter of 2014, we incurred increased up-front expenses related to developing and integrating our operations in Europe prior to a commensurate increase in revenues. Furthermore, we have increased our efforts in investor relations.

 

We believe that our general and administrative expenses will continue to increase during the remainder of 2014 as we expect that the scope of our operations will continue to increase.

 

Interest Income

 

   

Three-Months Ended

   

%

 
   

March 31,

   

Change

 
   

2014

   

2013

         
                         

Interest Income

  $ -     $ 13,667       -100 %

 

Interest income consists of interest payments associated with our note receivable delivered to us by the buyer of our online marketing services division and the amortization of the related original issuance discount.

 

The decrease in interest income during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, when compared to the prior year period, is due to the note receivable delivered to us by the buyer of our online marketing services division during September 2012 which was satisfied by the borrower in June 2013.

 

Due to the cancellation of this note receivable, we will not recognize any further interest income from the note receivable during the remainder of 2014.  

 

Interest Expense

 

   

Three-Months Ended

   

%

 
   

March 31,

   

Change

 
   

2014

   

2013

         
                         

Interest Expense

  $ (3,309

)

  $ (18,626

)

    -82.2 %

 

Interest expense consists of interest charges and amortization of debt discount associated with our 12% Convertible Notes Payable, our 12% Note Payable, and our Line of Credit.

 

The decrease in interest expenses during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 is primarily due to a lower weighted average interest-bearing balance of our debt during this period, when compared to the prior year period.

 

Due to the satisfaction of all of our then existing interest-bearing liabilities during the third quarter of 2013, we do not believe that our interest expense will increase during 2014, unless we finance the working capital from increased operations through our Line of Credit . Our interest expense may increase during the remainder of 2014 depending on our liquidity needs and we may choose to finance our working capital needs through our operations and from our Line of Credit.

 

  

 
19

 

   

Discontinued operations

 

   

Three-Months Ended

   

%

 
   

March 31,

   

Change

 
   

2014

   

2013

         
                         

Gain from disposal of discontinued operations

  $ -     $ 61,750       -100 %

 

We sold our online marketing services division in September of 2012.

 

The gain during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 resulted primarily from disposition proceeds received as in-kind services from the buyer of our online marketing services division. We did not receive such in-kind services during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.

 

We do not anticipate recognizing additional gains or losses from the disposal of discontinued operations during the remainder of 2014 .

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

   

Ending balance at

   

Average balance during

 
   

March 31,

   

three-months ended March 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 

Cash

  $ 1,130,870     $ 357,389     $ 1,144,093     $ 211,561  

Accounts receivable

    1,414,404       838,306       1,228,038       626,979  
                                 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    1,495,774       218,521       1,599,391       395,730  

Convertible notes payable excluding debt discount

    -       176,244       -       185,479  

Notes payable, excluding debt discount

    -       98,796       -       256,498  

Line of Credit

    500,000       -       21,739       -  

 

At March 31, 2014 and 2013, 58% and 84%, respectively, of our total assets consisted of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.

 

We extend unsecured credit in the normal course of business to our customers. The determination of the appropriate amount of the reserve for uncollectible accounts is based upon a review of the amount of credit extended, the length of time each receivable has been outstanding, and the specific customers from whom the receivables are due.

 

The objective of liquidity management is to ensure that we have ready access to sufficient funds to meet commitments while implementing our growth strategy. Our primary sources of liquidity historically include the sale of our securities and other financing activities, such as the issuance of the 12% Note Payable in January 2011, and more recently, our cash flow from operating activities. We also completed the sale of our online marketing services division in September 2012, which generated $379,000. Most recently, we have entered into the Line of Credit. In August 2013, we satisfied all our then existing interest-bearing outstanding obligations by paying the remaining principal amount of $22,500 and $122,500 on the 12% Note Payable and certain 12% Convertible Notes Payable, respectively, from existing cash on hand. Additionally, we issued 131,411 shares of our Common Stock in satisfaction of $52,564 of principal and interest on certain 12% Convertible Notes Payable. We believe we have sufficient cash to fund our operations for the next 12 months.

 

We do not have any material commitments for capital expenditures of tangible items, with the exception of tenant improvements to our principal place of business, net of reimbursements from the landlord, amounting to approximately $75,000, which will be incurred during the second quarter of 2014. We routinely purchase computer equipment and technology to maintain or enhance the productivity of our employees and such capital expenditures were $37,875 and $47,806, respectively, during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 .

 

We have material commitments for payments under an agreement with a former competitor from whom we purchased certain customer relationships, as referenced on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013, related to our business. Pursuant to the agreement, we will pay $1 million payable in four installments of $250,000 every quarter, effective March 2014. Additionally, the former competitor will refer potential clients to us. The consideration for the referrals amounts to 25% of the revenues generated from such customers for a period of up to a year. We paid the first installment of $250,000 in March 2014 and we owe the remaining $750,000 under this arrangement at March 31, 2014.

 

On March 17, 2014, we entered into the Line of Credit  with the Lender to borrow up to a maximum of $3,000,000 at our discretion. Amounts borrowed will accrue interest at the prime rate in effect from time to time plus 1.25%, not to be less than 5.5% per annum. Accrued interest on amounts borrowed is payable monthly and all other amounts borrowed will be payable in full on the maturity date of March 17, 2016, which maturity date may be extended to March 17, 2017 if we provide a fully-funded business plan acceptable to Lender by January 15, 2016 and no event of default has occurred.

 

The Line of Credit contains covenants including, but not limited to, covenants to achieve specified Adjusted EBITDA levels and customer renewal levels, limiting capital expenditures and restricting our ability to pay dividends, purchase and sell assets outside the ordinary course and incur additional indebtedness. The occurrence of a material adverse change will be an event of default under the Line of Credit, in addition to other customary events of default. We granted the Lender a security interest in all of our personal property and intellectual property.

 

We owed $500,000 under the Line of Credit at March 31, 2014 which we subsequently repaid in full in April 2014. The interest rate for the amount borrowed was 5.5% per annum.

 

  

 
20

 

    

  Changes in Cash Flows

   

Three-Month Periods Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities

               
                 

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

  $ (367,614

)

  $ 236,968  

Non-cash adjustments

               

Fair value of options

    143,777       125,781  

Depreciation and amortization

    257,036       12,598  

Other

    (32,948

)

    (1,243

)

                 

Changes in assets and liabilities

               

Accounts receivable

    (336,782

)

    (164,488

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    (206,803

)

    (66,268

)

Other

    (54,316

)

    (22,751

)

Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations

    (597,650

)

    120,597  
                 

Cash flows from investing activities

               

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

    -       18,000  

Capitalized software for internal use

    (153,996

)

    -  

Capital expenditures

    (37,875

)

    (47,806

)

Net cash (used in) investing activities

    (191,871

)

    (29,806

)

                 

Cash flows from financing activities

               

Repayment of notes payable

    -       (45,000

)

Proceeds from line of credit

    500,000       -  

Payment of financing costs

    (40,000

)

    -  

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

    301,876       81,000  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    761,876       36,000  
                 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    1,200       (1,328

)

                 

Net variation in cash

  $ (26,445

)

  $ 125,463  

 

 

Three-months ended March 31, 2014

 

The increase in accounts receivable as of March 31, 2014 is primarily due to a commensurate increase in revenues. The decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 is primarily due to a payment of $250,000 to our former competitor, following the purchase of customer relationships.

 

Cash used in investing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 consists of recurring purchases of computer equipment and other capital expenditures of approximately $38,000, and capitalization of development costs for internal-use software of approximately $154,000.

 

Cash provided by financing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 resulted from the proceeds from the exercise of warrants of approximately $302,000 and a $500,000 draw down on the Line of Credit on March 17, 2014. This amount was offset by $40,000 in financing costs.

 

Despite an increase in revenues, the decrease in net cash flows during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 was due to a higher increase in correlated web-hosting and payroll costs, as well as an increase in accounts receivable primarily due to a commensurate increase in revenues, and decreased accounts payables and accrued expenses due primarily to higher operating costs necessary to support our existing and anticipated growth .

 

Three-months ended March 31, 2013

 

The increase in accounts receivable as of March 31, 2013 is primarily due to a commensurate increase in revenues. The decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 is primarily due to faster payment processing to our vendors due to increased cash flows from operations.

 

 
21

 

   

Cash used in investing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 consists of recurring purchases of computer equipment of approximately $48,000, offset by the proceeds from the sale of our online marketing services business of $18,000.

 

Cash provided by financing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 resulted from the proceeds from the exercise of warrants of approximately $81,000, offset by the principal repayments on our notes payable of $45,000.

 

The increase in cash flows from operating activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 is due to an increase in revenues during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, offset by a lesser increase in correlated web-hosting and payroll costs, and an increase in non-cash expenses, such as the fair value of options, offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses due to faster payment processing to our vendors.

 

Capital Raising Transactions

 

Exercise of warrants

 

We generated proceeds of $301,876 from the exercise of 862,500 warrants during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.

 

Other outstanding obligations at March 31, 2014

 

Line of Credit

 

As of March 31, 2014, we owed $500,000 under the Line of Credit which we subsequently repaid in full in April 2014.

 

Warrants

 

As of March 31, 2014, 4,655,000 shares of our Common Stock are issuable pursuant to the exercise of warrants.

 

Options

 

As of March 31, 2014, 19,841,688 shares of our Common Stock are issuable pursuant to the exercise of options.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.  

  

 
22

 

   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, who is also our principal executive and financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, including ensuring that such material information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, who serves as our principal executive and financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Signing of Sublease for Additional Office Space Adjacent to our Current Office in Newport Beach; Appointment of Michael Lin and Santi Pierini as Executive Officers.

 

Given the timing of the event, the following information is included in this Form 10-Q pursuant to Item 1.01 of “Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement” of Form 8-K in lieu of filing a Form 8-K.

 

On May 9, 2014, we entered into an office sublease agreement with Panattoni Development Company, Inc. to lease approximately 4,168 usable square feet of office space at 20411 SW Birch Street, Newport Beach, California 92660. Our principal executive office currently occupies approximately 8,754 usable square feet at the same address and the subleased space is adjacent to our office. The sublease is for an approximate term of two years, commencing on May 1, 2014 and ending on May 31, 2016. The initial base rent for the sublease is $10,444.50 per month, increasing to $11,038.50 per month by the end of the term. We will also pay a 5.33% share of the premises’ operating expense over the term of the sublease.

 

Given the timing of the event, the following information is included in this Form 10-Q pursuant to Item 8.01 “Other Events” of Form 8-K in lieu of filing a Form 8-K.

 

On May 9, 2014, Michael Lin and Santi Pierini were appointed by our Board of Directors as executive officers. The appointment follows an increase in their respective duties and responsibilities and the decision of our Board of Directors to have Mr. Lin and Mr. Pierini report directly to our Chief Executive Officer.

 

Mr. Lin, who is 43 years old, has been employed by us since June 2013 in the position of Executive Vice President of Finance. From 2012 to June 2013 Mr. Lin was the Chief Financial Officer of Gehry Technologies, from 2009 to 2011 he was the Chief Financial Officer of Uniloc USA/BlueCava and from 2003 to 2008 he was the Vice President of Finance and Strategic Planning at Fasst Search & Transfer/Microsoft. Mr. Lin is a graduate of Hosftra University with a B.B.A. in Finance and a M.B.A. from Babson College.

 

Mr. Pierini, who is 51 years old, has been employed by us since February 2014 in the position of Executive Vice President of Marketing. From 2010 to January 2014 Mr. Pierini was Senior Vice President Product Strategy and Marketing at TodoCast TV and from 2009 to 2010 he was Chief Marketing Officer for InQuira. Mr. Pierini is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Computer Science.

 

Mr. Lin’s employment agreement, as amended, was entered into on June 26, 2013 and Mr. Lin’s employment is at will. Under the agreement Mr. Lin is entitled to an annual base salary of $283,250. Mr. Lin is entitled to other benefits including reimbursement for reasonable business expenses and payment towards health insurance premiums. The agreement contains customary confidentiality and assignment of work product provisions.

 

Mr. Pierini’s employment agreement was entered into on February 10, 2014 and Mr. Pierini’s employment is at will. Under the agreement Mr. Pierini is entitled to an annual base salary of $215,000. If we terminate Mr. Pierini’s employment without cause, he shall be entitled to a severance payment of 50% of his annual base salary. Mr. Pierini is entitled to other benefits including reimbursement for reasonable business expenses and payment of health insurance premiums. The agreement contains customary confidentiality and assignment of work product provisions.

 

In connection with their appointment as executive officers, we have entered into our standard indemnification agreement for officers and directors with Mr. Lin and Mr. Pierini.

 

 

 
23

 

 

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

4.1

Warrant to Purchase Stock issued March 17, 2014 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 000-52635) filed on March 19, 2014). 

   

10.1

Standard Multi-Tenant Office Lease – Gross, dated as of January 8, 2014, between Ferrado Bayview, LLC and Accelerize New Media, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 000-52635) filed on January 14, 2014).

   

10.2

Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 17, 2014, between Accelerize New Media, Inc. and Square 1 Bank (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 000-52635) filed on March 19, 2014).

   

10.3

Intellectual Property Security Agreement, dated March 17, 2014, between Accelerize New Media, Inc. and Square 1 Bank (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (file no. 000-52635) filed on March 19, 2014).

   

10.4

Form of Indemnification Agreement.*

   
10.5

Sublease, dated as of May 1, 2014, between Panattoni Development Company, Inc. and Accelerize New Media, Inc.*

   
10.6

Employment Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2013, between Michael Lin and Accelerize New Media, Inc.*

   
10.7

Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of January 8, 2014, between Michael Lin and Accelerize New Media, Inc.*

   
10.8

Employment Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2014, between Santi Pierini and Accelerize New Media, Inc.*

   

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and15d-14(a).*

 

 

32.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.**

 

 

101.

The following materials from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Balance Sheets, (ii) the Statements of Operations, (iii) the Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income, (iv) the Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) related notes to these financial statements.*

 

*

Filed herewith.

**

Furnished herewith.

 

 
24

 

   

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: May 13, 2014

By:

/s/ Brian Ross

 

 

 

Brian Ross

President and Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive and principal financial officer)

 

 

   

 25

Exhibit 10.4

 

FoRm of Indemnification Agreement

 

 

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of [__________ __, ____] by and between Accelerize New Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and the undersigned (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

WITNESSETH THAT:

 

WHEREAS , highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve corporations as directors or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;

 

WHEREAS , the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the By-laws of the Company authorizes indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“ DGCL ”). The By-laws and Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;

 

WHEREAS , the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;

 

WHEREAS , the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

 

WHEREAS , it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;

 

WHEREAS , this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the By-laws and Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

 

 
 

 

   

WHEREAS , Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Company’s By-laws and Certificate of Incorporation and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as director and/or officer without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of Indemnitee’s agreement to serve as a director and/or officer from and after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.      Indemnity of Indemnitee . The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time. In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:

 

(a)      Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company . Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section l(a) if, by reason of such person’s Corporate Status (as hereinafter defined), the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(a) , Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person, or on such person’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

(b)      Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company . Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(b) if, by reason of such person’s Corporate Status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(b) , Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee, or on the Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; provided , however , if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall determine that such indemnification may be made.

 

 
2

 

   

(c)      Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, he shall be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

2.      Additional Indemnity . In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in Sections 6 and 7 hereof) to be unlawful.

 

3.      Contribution .

 

(a)     Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof is available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such action, suit or proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.

 

(b)     Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided , however , that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which the Law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.

 

 
3

 

   

(c)     The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

 

(d)     To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law and without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraphs of this Section 3, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

4.      Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness, or is made (or asked to) respond to discovery requests, in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.

 

5.      Advancement of Expenses . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall advance all Expenses reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 5 shall be unsecured and interest free and not conditioned on Indemnitee’s ability to repay such advances.

 

 
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6.      Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification . It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the DGCL and public policy of the State of Delaware. Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:

 

(a)     To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any failure of Indemnitee to provide such a request to the Company, or to provide such a request in a timely fashion, shall not relieve the Company of any liability that it may have to Indemnitee unless, and to the extent that, such failure actually and materially prejudices the interests of the Company.

 

(b)     Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 6(a) hereof, a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following four methods, which shall be at the election of the Board: (1) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), even though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if the Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined) in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee, or (4) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company.

 

(c)     If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 6(c) . The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “ Independent Counsel ” as defined in Section 13 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel (or other reviewing party set forth in Section 6(b) hereof) shall have been selected and, in the case of Independent Counsel, not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6(b) hereof. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6(c) , regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.

 

 
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(d)     In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

(e)     Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise (as hereinafter defined), including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(e) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

 

(f)     If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 6 to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided , however , that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate documentation and/or information relating thereto; provided , however , that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time to allow for resolution of a selection of Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof; and provided , further , that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(f) shall not apply if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination, the Board of Directors or the Disinterested Directors, if appropriate, resolve to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat.

 

 
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(g)     Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel, member of the Board of Directors or stockholder of the Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination regarding the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement. Any reasonable costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

(h)     The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

 

(i)     The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.  

 

 
7

 

 

7.      Remedies of Indemnitee .

 

(a)     In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement within 90 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification (subject to extension as provided in Section 6(f) hereof), (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor or (v) payment of indemnification is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Delaware, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 7(a) . The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication.

 

(b)     In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of the adverse determination under Section 6(b) .

 

(c)     If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 , absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s misstatement not materially misleading in connection with the application for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

(d)     In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7 , seeks a judicial adjudication of his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, or to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, the Company shall pay on Indemnitee’s behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types described in the definition of Expenses in Section 13 of this Agreement) actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance recovery. The Company irrevocably authorizes the Indemnitee from time to time to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, at the expense of the Company to the extent provided hereunder or under applicable law, to advise and represent Indemnitee in connection with any such judicial adjudication or recovery, including without limitation the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Company or any director, officer, stockholder or other person affiliated with the Company. Notwithstanding any existing or prior attorney-client relationship between the Company and such counsel, the Company irrevocably consents to Indemnitee’s entering into an attorney-client relationship with such counsel, and in that connection the Company and Indemnitee agree that a confidential relationship shall exist between Indemnitee and such counsel.

 

(e)     The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

 

 
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(f)     Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

 

8.      Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Primacy of Indemnification; Subrogation .

 

(a)     The rights of indemnification as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of Disinterested Directors or otherwise, of the Company. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in the DGCL, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

(b)     The Company shall maintain an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors and officers of the Company and of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person serves at the request of the Company, and Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director or officer under such policy or policies. At the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(c)     [Intentionally Omitted].

 

(d)     In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

 
9

 

   

(e)     The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

 

(f)     The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.

 

9.      Exception to Right of Indemnification . Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

 

(a)     for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, provided, that the foregoing shall not affect the rights of Indemnitee;

 

(b)     for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law;

 

(c)     if such indemnification is prohibited by law; or

 

(d)     in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) the Proceeding is initiated by Indemnitee pursuant to Indemnitee’s rights under Section 7 of this Agreement, or (iii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.

 

10.      Duration of Agreement . All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period the Indemnitee is an officer or director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter for a period of six (6) years, and shall also continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Section 7 hereof) by reason of his Corporate Status, whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives.

 

 
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11.      Security . To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Disinterested Directors, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.

 

12.      Enforcement .

 

(a)     The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as an officer or director of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as an officer or director of the Company.

 

(b)     This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

13.      Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)     “ Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of the Company.

 

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

 

(c)     “ Enterprise ” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that Indemnitee is or was serving at the express written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.

 

(d)     “ Expenses ” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other disbursements, costs or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding, or responding to, or objecting to, a request to provide discovery in any Proceeding. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on the Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersede as bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee or any ERISA excise taxes or penalties.

 

 
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(e)     “ Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

(f)     “ Proceeding ” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an officer or director of the Company, by reason of any action taken by him or of any inaction on his part while acting as an officer or director of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise; in each case whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement.

 

14.      Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement is intended to confer upon Indemnitee indemnification rights to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws. In the event any provision hereof conflicts with any applicable law, such provision shall be deemed modified, consistent with the aforementioned intent, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict.

 

15.      Modification and Waiver . No supplement, modification, termination or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

16.      Notice By Indemnitee . Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.

 

 
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17.      Notices . All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent:

 

(a)     To Indemnitee at the address set forth below Indemnitee signature hereto.

 

(b)     To the Company at:

 

Accelerize New Media, Inc.

20411 SW Birch Street, Suite 250

Newport Beach, CA 92660

 

or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

 

18.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature and in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

19.      Headings . The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

20.      Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction . This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “ Delaware Court ”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Indemnification Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

COMPANY

 

     
  ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title: 

 

 

       
       
       
  INDEMNITEE  
       
  By:    



 

Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement

 

 
 

 

   

Schedule to Exhibit 10.4

 

The following current directors and executive officers are parties to Indemnification Agreements with the Company which are substantially identical in all material respects to the representative Indemnification Agreement filed herewith and are dated as of the respective dates listed below. The other Indemnification Agreements are omitted pursuant to Instruction 2 to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

Name of Signatory

 

Date

Brian Ross

   

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer and Director

 

April 11, 2014

     

Gregory Akselrud

 

April 11, 2014

Director

   
     

Mario Marsillo, Jr.

 

April 11, 2014

Director

   
     

Jeff McCollum

 

April 11, 2014

President of CAKE

   
     

Damon Stein

 

April 11, 2014

General Counsel and Secretary

   
     

Dave Stewart

 

April 11, 2014

Executive Vice President of Technology

   
     
Michael Lin   May 9, 2014
Executive Vice President of Finance    
     
Santi Pierini   May 9, 2014
Executive Vice President of Marketing    

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

 

SUBLEASE

[20411 S.W. Birch, Suite 210, Newport Beach, California]

(ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.)

 

 

Recitals

Section 1.

Sublease

Section 2.

Term

Section 3.

Rent

Section 4.

Use of Premises, Compliance and Condition and Subtenant Improvements

Section 5.

Signage and Parking

Section 6.

Utilities

Section 7.

Master Lease Provisions and Exceptions

Section 8.

Warranty by Sublandlord

Section 9.

Brokers

Section 10.

Notices

Section 11.

Assignment and Subletting

Section 12.

Attornment

Section 13.

Entry

Section 14.

Late Charge and Interest

Section  15.

Security Deposit

Section  16.

No Right to Holdover

Section 17.

Subtenant's Insurance

Section 18.

Entire Agreement

Section 19.

Time of Essence

Section 20.

Definitions

Section 21.

Governing Law

Section 22.

Attorneys Fees

Section 23.

Consent by Master Landlord

Exhibit A

Depiction of Premises

Exhibit B

Master Lease

 

********************

 

This Sublease (“ Sublease ”) is executed on this 1st day of May, 2014 to be effective as of May 1, 2014, by and between Panattoni Development Company, Inc. , a California corporation (“ Sublandlord ”, sometimes collectively referred to as “ PDC ”), and accelerize new media, inc. , a Delaware corporation (“ Subtenant ”). Sublandlord and Subtenant are hereinafter referred to individually as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”

 

Recitals

 

A.     Subtenant desires to lease from Sublandlord a portion of the real property located at 20411 S.W. Birch Street, in the City of Newport Beach, County of Orange, State of California, as depicted on Exhibit A and made a part hereof, commonly known as Suite 210, and as more particularly described as approximately four thousand nine hundred fifty (4,950) Rentable Square Feet and approximately four thousand one hundred sixty eight (4,168) Useable Square Feet from the Sublandlord’s overall office space Sublandlord is leasing from Master Landlord as defined and as more particularly set forth herein below (“ Premises ”).

 

 
 

 

 

B.     This Sublease is subject to that certain Standard Multi-Tenant Office Lease - Gross dated March 7, 2011, including the Addendum and exhibits attached thereto, the First Amendment to Standard Multi-Tenant Office Lease – Gross dated September 11, 2012 (the " First Amendment to Master Lease "), and that certain Second Amendment to Standard Multi-Tenant Office Lease – Gross dated May 1, 2014 (the " Second Amendment to Master Lease ") (collectively, the “ Master Lease ”), attached hereto as Exhibit B and made a part hereof, by and between Ferrado Bayview, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Lessor (“ Master Landlord ”), and PDC, as Lessee.

 

C.     Subtenant intends to sublease from Sublandlord and Sublandlord intends to sublease to Subtenant, the Premises, subject to the terms and conditions herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in exchange for the good and valuable consideration and the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Sublease.

 

Sublandlord subleases to Subtenant on the terms and conditions in this Sublease and subject to the Master Lease to the extent provided herein, all of the Premises, as depicted and also defined in the Master Lease (attached hereto respectively as Exhibits A and B and made a part hereof), together with the right in common with others to use any portions of the Property that are designated by Master Landlord as Common Areas for the common use of tenants and others, as defined in the Master Lease. The Premises are subleased to Subtenant subject to the exceptions of record, including easements, rights-of-way and prescriptive rights, whether of record or not, and all presently recorded instruments, other than liens and conveyances, that affect the Premises.

 

Section 2. Term.

 

The term of this Sublease (“ Sublease Term ”) will commence on May 1, 2014 (“ Commencement Date ”) and will continue thereafter until May 31, 2016 (the “ Expiration Date ”). If the Sublease Term commences on a date other than the Commencement Date, Sublandlord and Subtenant will execute a memorandum setting forth the actual date of commencement of the Sublease Term. Possession of the Premises (“ Possession ”) will be delivered to Subtenant on the Commencement Date in its “as is” condition. If for any reason Sublandlord does not deliver Possession to Subtenant on the Commencement Date, Sublandlord will not be subject to any liability for this failure, the validity of this Sublease will not be impaired, and Rent will be abated until delivery of Possession of the Premises to Subtenant. Any change in the Commencement Date shall not advance the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Master Lease, Subtenant agrees and acknowledges that it has no right to extend the Sublease Term beyond the Expiration Date.  

 

 
 

 

 

Section 3. Rent.

 

As consideration for this Sublease, Subtenant shall pay, without any setoff or deduction except as expressly provided otherwise, the total amount of Base Rent and Additional Rent due for the Sublease Term (sometimes collectively referred to as “ Rent ”). Subtenant shall pay and be liable for all rental, sales and use taxes, if any, imposed upon or measured by Rent under applicable Law. Base Rent and, if applicable, recurring monthly charges of Additional Rent shall be due and payable in advance on the first day of each calendar month without notice or demand. All other items of Rent shall be due and payable by Subtenant on or before ten (10) days after billing by Sublandlord or Master Landlord, as the case may be. Per the Master Lease, any undisputed amount owed by Subtenant (for clarity Base Rent shall be undisputed under this Sublease) which is not paid within five (5) days of the date such amount is due shall bear interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum from the due date of such amount; or, if such interest rate is higher than the rate permitted by law, the interest rate is hereby decreased to the maximum legal interest rate permitted by law. The payment of interest on such amounts shall not excuse or cure any default by Subtenant under this Sublease, and shall be in addition to any other applicable fees, interest or penalties under the Master Lease. Rent shall be made payable directly to the Sublandlord, unless otherwise expressly provided or designated, and shall be made by good and sufficient check or by other means (such as automatic debit or electronic transfer) acceptable to Sublandlord. Acceptance of less than the correct amount of Rent shall be considered a payment on account of the earliest Rent due. No endorsement or statement on a check or letter accompanying a check or payment shall be considered an accord and satisfaction, and either Party may accept the check or payment without prejudice to that Party’s right to recover the balance or pursue other available remedies. Subtenant’s covenant to pay Rent is independent of every other covenant in this Sublease.

 

 

Base Rent and Additional Rent .

 

 

A.

The Base Rent for the Premises, due and payable to Sublandlord beginning on the Commencement Date, shall be:

 

On:

Subtenant's Base Rent shall be:

Commencement Date – May 31, 2014

$2.11/RSF ($10,444.50 per month)

Abated Rent - Subtenant’s Base Rent for the period of May 1, 2014 through May 31, 2014 shall be $0.00

June 1, 2014 – May 31, 2015

$2.19/RSF ($10,840.50 per month)

June 1, 2015 – May 31, 2016

$2.23/RSF ($11,038.50 per month)

 

The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Base Rent set forth above for the first (1st) month of the Sublease Term (May 1, 2014 through May 31, 2014) represents the following: “free” Base Rent for the first (1st) month of the Sublease Term otherwise owed during month one of the Sublease Term (“ Abated Rent ”). Subtenant shall be credited with having paid all of the Abated Rent on the expiration of the Sublease Term only if (i) the Sublease has not been terminated as a result of Subtenant’s breach and failure to cure as provided in the Sublease or the Master Lease and (ii) Subtenant has surrendered the Premises to Sublandlord in the time, manner, and physical condition required by the Sublease or the Master Lease.

 

 
 

 

 

If the Commencement Date falls on any day other than the first day of the month and except as otherwise provided herein, such Base Rent for the first calendar month shall be prorated based on a thirty (30) day period.

 

B.       Telephone and Internet Expenses . Subtenant shall also be responsible for paying directly the costs and expenses of telephone, internet, data line and cable charges, including any installation charges.

 

C.        Operating Expenses and Other Expenses . Subtenant shall also be responsible monthly as Additional Rent (as defined in the Master Lease) during the Sublease Term for its share of Operating Expenses (as defined in the Master Lease) including, but not limited to, taxes and insurance. Subtenant's Base Year for purposes of its share of Operating Expense Increase shall be Calendar Year 2014. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Sublease, Subtenant shall be solely responsible for the costs of any HVAC usage by Subtenant which is outside of the Business Hours for the Building (as described in Paragraph 1.12 of the Master Lease).

 

D.      Payments . Rent (Base Rent and Additional Rent) shall be made directly payable to Sublandlord by Subtenant at the following address:

 

Panattoni Development Company, Inc.

8775 Folsom Blvd., Suite 200

Sacramento, CA 95826

Attention: Patty Nishikawa

 

Section 4. Use of Premises, Compliance and Condition and Subtenant's Improvements.

 

Subtenant shall have the right to use the Property only for general office and any other uses to the extent permitted by applicable laws, and for no other use or purpose. Subtenant shall comply with all of the terms and provisions of the Master Lease pertaining to Permitted Use, Rules and Regulations. The Premises are accepted by Subtenant in “as is” condition and Subtenant acknowledges that Sublandlord shall not be obligated to refurbish or improve the Premises in any manner whatsoever. Sublandlord acknowledges that, after the Commencement Date, Master Landlord will be completing certain improvements in the Premises for the benefit of Subtenant (“ Subtenant's Improvements ”) and Sublandlord agrees to reasonably cooperate with Master Landlord and Subtenant in connection therewith at no cost or expense to Sublandlord. Sublandlord shall have no obligation to pay for, furnish, render or supply any work, labor, services, materials, fixtures, equipment or other items to make the Premises ready or suitable for Subtenant’s occupancy (including any work or costs related to the compliance with applicable current building codes, as well as the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 in regard to the Premises, public areas, restrooms, all other common areas, and all mechanical systems), and Sublandlord shall have no liability whatsoever in connection with Subtenant's Improvements. The Parties acknowledge that the TI Allowance (as such term is defined and discussed in the First Amendment and Second Amendment to the Master Lease), in the amount of $49,500.00, that Sublandlord is entitled to from Master Landlord, will be used by Master Landlord to pay for Subtenant's Improvements. Prior to commencement of Subtenant's Improvements, Subtenant shall submit to Sublandlord the plans for Subtenant's Improvements for Sublandlord's prior approval (the plans as approved by Sublandlord, the " Approved Plans "); provided, however, that any such approval by Sublandlord shall in no way obligate Sublandlord in any manner whatsoever in respect to Subtenant's Improvements or the design or construction thereof, nor be deemed a representation or warranty of Sublandlord as to the adequacy or sufficient of the plans thereof, and Sublandlord shall have no liability for any deficiency in design or construction or the use of the Premises as a result of Subtenant's Improvements. Subtenant's Improvements shall be completed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, local codes and agencies having jurisdiction over the Premises, the Master Lease and the Approved Plans. By taking possession of the Premises, it shall be conclusively presumed and Subtenant agrees that the Premises are in good order and satisfactory condition and that other than the specific and limited warranties set forth herein under Section 8, Sublandlord has made no other representations or warranties.

 

 
 

 

 

Section 5. Signage and Parking.

 

Subtenant shall not place any signs on the Property without Master Landlord’s and Sublandlord's prior written consent, and upon such prior consent, must be in conformity with all applicable laws and regulations, including the Bayview Business Park sign program. Any such signage shall be installed by Master Landlord or Sublandlord, or, at Master Landlord’s or Sublandlord's discretion, by Subtenant with the prior approval of Master Landlord and Sublandlord, and shall be at the sole cost and expense of Subtenant. Subtenant shall be entitled to the non-exclusive use of vehicle parking spaces pursuant to the Master Lease, on a non-exclusive basis and at no additional charge to Subtenant. Subtenant shall have no right to any reserved parking spaces.

 

Section 6. Utilities.

 

During the Sublease Term, Subtenant shall be entitled to use any utilities serving the Premises which are provided to Sublandlord pursuant to the Master Lease, and Subtenant shall be responsible for its proportionate or prorated portion of any bill or charge for which billing cycle begins before the Sublease Term and continues into the Sublease Term. Any telephone, internet, data line, cable and other similar services to the Premises shall be arranged, installed and paid for by Subtenant at Subtenant's sole cost and expense.

 

Section 7. Master Lease Provisions and Exceptions.

 

All applicable terms and conditions of the Master Lease are incorporated into and made a part of this Sublease as if Sublandlord were the Lessor and Subtenant the Lessee. Except as may otherwise be provided herein, Subtenant assumes and agrees to perform the Lessee’s obligations under the Master Lease during the Sublease Term for the Premises provided however, that Subtenant shall only be liable for the amount of its Rent due and owing per this Sublease. However, the obligation to pay rent and operating costs to Master Landlord under the Master Lease, and to PDC under this Sublease, will be considered performed by Subtenant to the extent rent and operating costs are required to be paid to Sublandlord in accordance with Section 3 of this Sublease. Subtenant will not commit or suffer any act or omission that will violate any of the provisions of this Sublease or Master Lease. Sublandlord will exercise due diligence in attempting to cause Master Landlord to perform its obligations under the Master Lease for the benefit of Subtenant. If the Master Lease terminates, at the option of Master Landlord, this Sublease will terminate and the parties will be relieved of any further liability or obligation under this Sublease. However, if the Master Lease terminates as a result of a default or breach by Sublandlord or Subtenant under this Sublease or the Master Lease, the defaulting Party will be liable to the non-defaulting Party for the damage suffered as a result of the termination. Regardless, if the Master Lease gives Sublandlord any right to terminate the Master Lease in the event of the partial or total damage, destruction, or condemnation of the Premises or the building or project of which the Premises are a part, the exercise of this right by Sublandlord will not constitute a default or breach.

 

 
 

 

 

Section 8. Warranty by Sublandlord.

 

Sublandlord warrants to Subtenant that the Master Lease has not been amended or modified except as expressly set forth in this Sublease; that Sublandlord is not now, and as of the commencement of the Term (defined in this Sublease) of this Sublease will not be, in default or breach of any of the provisions of the Master Lease; and that Sublandlord has no actual knowledge of any claim it is in default or breach of any of the provisions of the Master Lease.

 

Section 9. Brokers.

 

Sublandlord and Subtenant each warrant that they have not dealt with any real estate broker in connection with this transaction other than CBRE (“ Sublandlord’s Broker ”). Sublandlord and Subtenant each agree to indemnify, defend, and hold the other harmless against any damages incurred as a result of the breach of the warranty contained in this Sublease. Any commission to Sublandlord's Broker shall be paid by Sublandlord in accordance with a separate agreement. The Parties agree that Sublandlord’s Broker shall not be a Party to this Sublease or a third party beneficiary of this Sublease.

 

Section 10. Notices.

 

All notices and demands that may be required or permitted by either Party to the other will be in writing. All notices and demands by the Sublandlord to Subtenant will be sent by United States Mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Subtenant at the Premises, and to the address in this Sublease below, or to any other place that Subtenant may from time to time designate in a notice to the Sublandlord. All notices and demands by the Subtenant to Sublandlord will be sent by United States Mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Sublandlord at the address in this Sublease, and to any other person or place that the Sublandlord may from time to time designate in a notice to the Subtenant.

 

 
 

 

 

 

To Sublandlord:  

Panattoni Development Company, Inc. 

 

 

20411 S.W. Birch, Suite 200 

 

 

Newport Beach, CA 92660 

 

 

Attn: Chris Wilson 

 

 

Telephone: (949) 474-7830 

 

 

Facsimile: (949) 474-6754 

 

 

 

 

To Subtenant:  

Accelerize New Media, Inc. 

 

 

20411 S.W. Birch Street, Suite 250 

 

 

Newport Beach, CA 92660 

 

 

Attn:     Michael Lin 

 

 

Jeff McCollum 

 

 

Telephone: (949) 548-2253 

 

 

Facsimile: ____________ 

 

 

 

 

To Master Landlord:  

Ferrado Bayview, LLC 

 

 

20411 S.W. Birch, Suite 360 

 

 

Newport Beach, CA 92660 

 

 

Attn: John Lake 

 

 

Telephone: (949) 474-9884 

 

 

Facsimile: (949) 474-9892 

 

     

Section 11. Assignment and Subletting.

 

Subtenant will not assign this Sublease or further sublet all or any part of the Premises without the prior written consent of Sublandlord and Master Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

Section 12. Attornment.

 

If the Master Lease terminates, Subtenant will, if requested, attorn to Master Landlord and recognize Master Landlord as Sublandlord under this Sublease. However, Subtenant's obligation to attorn to Master Landlord will be conditioned on Subtenant's receipt of a nondisturbance agreement.

 

Section 13. Entry.

 

During the Sublease Term, Sublandlord reserves the right to enter the Premises on reasonable notice to Subtenant to inspect the Premises or the performance by Subtenant of the terms and conditions of this Sublease or to show the Premises to its employees (or prospective employees), agents, officers, directors, partners, lenders, independent contractors, consultants and affiliates, and also during the last six (6) months of the Sublease Term, to show the Premises to prospective subtenants, provided the Subtenant and Sublandlord have not entered into and executed an amendment to extend the Sublease Term of this Sublease prior to January 1, 2016. In an emergency, no notice will be required for entry.

 

 
 

 

   

Section 14. Late Charge and Interest.

 

In addition to Master Landlord’s additional administrative costs, the late payment of any Rent may also cause Sublandlord to incur additional costs, including the cost to maintain in full force the Master Lease, administration and collection costs, and processing and accounting expenses. If any undisputed installment of Rent (for clarity Base Rent shall be undisputed under this Sublease) is not received within ten (10) days after that amount is due, Sublandlord may, at its sole discretion, charge Subtenant an additional five percent (5%) of the delinquent amount (“ Late Fee ”), which is agreed to represent a reasonable estimate of the additional administrative costs incurred by Sublandlord as a result of Subtenant’s failure to timely pay the Rent. However, in no event will the Late Fee exceed the maximum interest rate permitted by law that may be charged under these circumstances. Sublandlord and Subtenant recognize that the damage Sublandlord will suffer in the event of Subtenant's failure to pay this amount is difficult to ascertain and that the Late Fee is the best estimate of the damage that Sublandlord will suffer. All Late Fees shall be payable directly to Sublandlord. If a Late Fee becomes payable for any three (3) installments of Rent within any twelve (12) month period, the Rent will automatically become payable quarterly in advance.

 

As used in this Section and Section 3, payment obligations shall be “ undisputed ” unless Subtenant, within the period allowed for cure hereunder, certifies to Sublandlord in writing that it disputes specific amounts in good faith (describing the nature of the dispute), and until final mutual agreement or judicial determination. As to Base Rent and other undisputed amounts, Subtenant shall timely pay such obligations. Disputed amounts determined to be due shall bear interest from the date originally due.

 

Section 15. Security Deposit.

 

Concurrently with Subtenant's execution of this Sublease, Subtenant shall deliver a check to Sublandlord in the sum of $10, 840.50 (the “ Security Deposit ”) as security for Subtenant's faithful performance of its obligations under this Sublease. If Subtenant fails to pay Rent, or otherwise breaches the Sublease, Sublandlord may use, apply or retain all or any portion of the Security Deposit for the payment of any amount already due Sublandlord, for Rent which will be due in the future, and/or to reimburse or compensate Sublandlord for any liability, expense, loss or damage which Sublandlord may suffer or incur by reason hereof. If Sublandlord uses or applies all or any portion of the Security Deposit, Subtenant shall within ten (10) days after written request thereof deposit monies with Sublandlord sufficient to restore the Security Deposit to the full amount required by this Sublease. Within thirty (30) days after the Expiration Date or the earlier termination of this Sublease, Sublandlord shall return that portion of the Security Deposit not used or applied by Sublandlord. No part of the Security Deposit shall be considered to be held in trust, to bear interest or to be prepayment for any monies to be paid by Subtenant under this Sublease.

 

Section 16. No Right to Holdover.

 

Subtenant has no right to retain possession of the Premises or any part thereof beyond the Expiration Date or earlier termination of the Sublease. In the event that Subtenant holds over, then Base Rent shall be increased to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Base Rent then applicable immediately preceding the Expiration Date or termination. Nothing herein shall be construed as consent by Sublandlord to any holding over by Subtenant.

 

 
 

 

 

Section 17. Subtenant's Insurance.

 

During the Sublease Term and any early possession period, Subtenant at its sole cost shall maintain insurance with respect to its operations and the Premises as required of Sublandlord by the Master Lease. Sublandlord and Master Landlord shall be additional insureds on all of such insurance policies and Subtenant shall deliver to Sublandlord adequate evidence that all such insurance is in full force and effect.

 

Section 18. Entire Agreement.

 

This Sublease sets forth all the agreements between Sublandlord and Subtenant concerning the Premises, and there are no other agreements either oral or written other than as set forth in this Sublease.

 

Section 19. Time of Essence.

 

Time is of the essence in this Sublease.

 

Section 20. Definitions.

 

Unless otherwise expressly and specifically defined in this Sublease, all capitalized terms shall have the same definitions and meanings ascribed in the Master Lease.

 

Section 21. Governing Law.

 

This Sublease will be governed by and construed in accordance with California law.

 

Section 22. Attorney Fees.

 

If either Party commences an action against the other in connection with this Sublease, the prevailing Party will be entitled to recover costs of suit and reasonable attorney fees.

 

Section 23. Consent by Master Landlord.

 

THIS SUBLEASE WILL HAVE NO EFFECT UNLESS CONSENTED AND AGREED TO BY MASTER LANDLORD, IN WRITING EVIDENCED BY SIGNATURE HERETO BELOW.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 
 

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Sublease as of the date first above written.

 

 

"SUBTENANT"

 

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

 

 

By:  

/s/ Jeff McCollum 

 

Name: 

Jeff McCollum

 

Title: 

President

 

 

 

"SUBLANDLORD"

 

PANATTONI DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, INC.,

a California corporation

 

 

By:

/s/ Adon A. Panattoni

 

 

Adon A. Panattoni, Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

[Master Landlord Consent Follows]  

 

 
 

 

 

MASTER LANDLORD CONSENT

 

 

Master Landlord has reviewed this Sublease and hereby consents and agrees to the terms herein, as of the date first above written.

 

FERRADO BAYVIEW, LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

By:  

/s/ Pepe Tena

 

Name: 

Pepe Tena

 

Title: 

President

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Depiction of Premises  

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Master Lease

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is dated as of June 26, 2013 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between Accelerize New Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Michael Lin (“ Employee ”). Company and Employee may hereinafter be collectively referred to as the Parties and individually as a Party.

 

1.           Term and Termination . Employee’s employment shall be “at will,” meaning that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Parties shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement at any time without cause by giving notice of such termination to the other Party. Section 6 of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect during any period of employment and shall survive the termination of employment.

2.                Duties . Employee shall be employed in the position of Executive Vice President of Finance. Employee shall (a) perform all duties incident to such offices, and (b) perform such other tasks, consistent with Employee’s position with the Company, as may from time to time be assigned to Employee by his/her supervisor.

 

3.                Compensation . During the Term, Employee shall receive an annual base salary (the “ Annual Base Salary ”) of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), which equates to Eight Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty-Three Dollars and Thirty-Three Cents ($8,333.33) per pay period. Employee is an exempt salary employee, and therefore will not be entitled to any overtime pay. The Annual Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices as in effect from time to time, subject to applicable withholding and other taxes.

 

4.                 Additional Benefits .

 

(a)          Business Expenses . The Company shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Employee in connection with Employee’s employment by the Company.

 

(b)         Vacation Days . Employee will be allowed vacation days as dictated by the Employee Handbook.

 

(c)         Benefit Plans and Programs . During the Term, Company will pay up to Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) toward Employee’s health insurance premiums.

 

(d)         Stock Option Plan . Employee shall, to the extent Employee is otherwise eligible, be entitled to participate in the Company’s stock option plan (the “ Stock Option Plan ”); provided that any grant of options shall be subject to vesting and other terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.

 

 

 

5.         Death . In the event of Employee’s death this Agreement shall terminate and Company shall be under no obligation to make any further payments whatsoever under this Agreement, except that Employee’s executors, administrators, or other legal representatives shall be entitled to receive any Payable Amounts.

 

6.           Restrictions . Employee acknowledges that the business in which the Company is engaged is highly competitive. Employee further acknowledges that Employee will acquire extensive confidential information and knowledge of the business of the Company, and will develop relationships with, and/or acquire knowledge of, customers, clients, employees, sales agents, middlemen and suppliers of or to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. In light of the foregoing, Employee agrees as follows:

 

 
 

 

 

(a)          Confidentiality .

 

(i)   During the time of Employment and thereafter for a period of three (3) years, Employee agrees to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use, except for the benefit of the Company and within the scope of Employee’s employment, or to disclose (except as required by law) to any person or entity, any Confidential Information of the Company. Employee understands that “ Confidential Information ” means (1) any and all information , in whatever form, whether reduced to writing, maintained on any form of electronic media, or maintained in mind or memory, received by Employee or generated by Employee on behalf of the Company relating to the current or prospective business, research and development activities, products, technology, strategy, organization and/or finances of the Company, or of third parties (including affiliates, vendors, suppliers and customers) with which the Company has a business relationship and (2) any other information, in whatever form, designated by the Company as confidential, in either case, whether disclosed to, or obtained by, Employee prior or subsequent to the date of this Agreement. Confidential Information shall include without limitation customer lists, database information, samples, demonstration models or materials and other embodiments of products or prospective products, software and other technology, projections, existing and proposed projects or experiments, processes and methodologies and trade secrets and all Developments, as defined below, but excluding (A) information that the Company deliberately and voluntarily makes publicly available and (B) information disclosed by Employee to comply with a court, or other lawful compulsory, order compelling Employee to do so, provided Employee gives the Company prompt notice of the receipt of such order and disclosure is limited only to disclosure necessary for such purpose. Employee specifically acknowledges that: the Confidential Information derives independent economic value from not being readily known to, or ascertainable by proper means by, others; that the Company has expended considerable sums and efforts to develop such Confidential Information; reasonable efforts have been made by the Company to maintain the secrecy of such information; and that such information is the sole property of the Company or its affiliates, vendors, suppliers, or customers and that any retention, use or disclosure of such Confidential Information by Employee during the time of Employment (except in the course of performing Employee’s duties under this Agreement) or any time thereafter, shall constitute a violation of this Agreement and the misappropriation of the trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Company or its affiliates, vendors, suppliers, or customers.

 

(ii)  Employee recognizes that the Company has received and in the future will receive Confidential Information of and from other companies subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. Employee agrees to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person or entity or to use it except as necessary in performing Employee’s duties under this Agreement and in a manner consistent with the Company's obligations to such companies.

 

(iii) Employee agrees that all Confidential Information, in any form, shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company and that immediately upon the termination of Employee’s employment, or at any other time that the Company may request, Employee shall deliver all Confidential Information in Employee’s control to the Company or, if instructed to do so by the Company, Employee will delete or destroy all Confidential Information in Employee’s control.

 

 
 

 

 

(b)         Assignment of Work Product .

 

(i)   If at any time during the time of Employment or thereafter, Employee has made or shall make (either alone or with others, and whether before or after the date of this Agreement), conceive, create, discover, invent or reduce to practice any invention, design, development, improvement, process, software program, work of authorship, or technique, in whole or in part, or which results from any work which Employee may do for or at the request of the Company, whether or not conceived by Employee while on holiday, on vacation, or off the premises of the Company, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws (herein called “ Developments ”) that (a) relate to the business of the Company or any of the products or services being developed, manufactured or sold by the Company, or (b) result directly or indirectly from tasks assigned to Employee by the Company or (c) result from the use of premises or property (whether tangible or intangible) owned, leased or contracted for by the Company, such Developments and all rights and interests therein and all records relating to such Developments shall be the sole and absolute property of the Company. Employee shall promptly disclose to the Company each such Development and Employee shall deliver to the Company all records relating to each such Development. Employee hereby assigns any rights (including, but not limited to, any rights under patent law and copyright law or other similar laws) that Employee may have or acquire in the Developments to the Company, without further compensation. Where applicable, all Developments which are copyrightable works shall be works made for hire. To the extent any such work of authorship may not be deemed to be a work made for hire, Employee agrees to, and does hereby, irrevocably, perpetually and unconditionally transfer and assign to the Company all right, title, and interest including copyright in and to such work without further compensation.

 

(ii)  Employee will, during the time of Employment and at all times thereafter, at the request and cost of the Company, promptly sign all such assignments, applications and other documents, and take such other actions, as the Company and its duly authorized agents may reasonably require: (A) to evidence the Company’s ownership of any Development and to apply for, obtain, register and vest in the name of the Company, or renew, patents, copyrights, trademarks or other similar rights for any Development in any country throughout the world and (B) to initiate or defend any judicial, administrative or other proceedings in respect of such patents, copyrights, trademarks or other similar rights.

 

(iii) In the event the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure Employee’s signature for such purposes for any reason whatsoever, Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Employee’s agents and attorneys-in-fact, to act for and in Employee’s name, behalf and stead, to execute and file any such assignments, applications or other documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the obtaining and protection of such patents, copyright or trademark registrations or other rights with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Employee.

 

(iv) Employee represents and warrants that (A) Employee does not have any pre-existing inventions that relate to the business of the Company and all inventions that Employee has made and owns the intellectual property rights to as of the Effective Date that relate to the business of the Company shall be considered Developments and are subject to the terms of Section 6(b) and (B) all Developments that Employee has developed or with respect to which Employee has been associated while employed by the Company are the sole property of the Company and that there are no other claims or ownership rights in such property with respect to any other party.

 

(f)     Return of Property . Upon the termination of the Employee’s employment or at any other time upon written request by the Company, Employee shall promptly deliver to the Company all records, files, memoranda, designs, data, reports, drawings, plans, computer programs, software and other documents (and all copies or reproductions for such materials in Employee’s possession or control) belonging to the Company, including, without limitation, all Developments and/or Confidential Information and anything relating thereto.

 

 
 

 

 

(g)   For the purposes of this Section 6 , “ Company ” shall mean the Company and its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates.

 

7.      Conflict of Interest and Moonlighting . Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time, labor, skill, and best ability to the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder in a manner which will faithfully and diligently further the business and interests of the Company. During the Term, Employee shall not directly or indirectly pursue any other significant business activity; provided, however, that Employee may serve on civic or other charitable boards or committees and manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not interfere in any material respect with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.

 

8.      General .

 

 

 

(a)    Notices . Any notice or any other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given (i) when delivered by personal delivery or by nationally recognized overnight courier; or (ii) two days after sending by registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the party entitled thereto at the address stated below.

 

(A) 

To Company: 

 

2244 W. Coast Highway, Ste. 250 

 

Newport Beach, CA 92663 

 

Attn: Damon Stein 

 

 

(B) 

To Michael Lin: 

 

Address on the Company Books 

       

(b)    No Conflict . Employee represents that Employee’s performance of all of the terms of this Agreement does not and will not conflict with or breach any agreement Employee has with any other party.

 

(c)    Waivers . Any waiver by the Company of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of this Agreement or of any subsequent breach of such provision or any other provision.

 

(d)    Survival of Terms . Employee’s obligations under Section 6 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever regardless of the manner of such termination and shall be binding upon Employee’s heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives.

 

(e)    Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company’s successors or assigns.

 

(f)    Scope of Restrictions . Employee agrees that the unenforceability of any one clause of this Agreement shall in no way impair the enforceability of any of the other clauses. If any of the provisions of this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to scope, activity, subject or otherwise, the parties hereto agree that such provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by limiting or reducing them, so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent legally permissible.

 

 
 

 

   

(g)    Remedies . Employee agrees that any breach or threatened breach of Section 6 of this Agreement would result in irreparable harm to the Company; therefore, in addition to its other remedies at law or in equity, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive or other equitable relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions of Section 6, without the posting of any bond.

 

(h)    Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

 

(i)     Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof (except with respect to the Company’s stock options) and supersedes all prior discussions, promises, negotiations and agreements (whether written or oral). The parties agree that the Stock Option Plan governs the terms of the Company’s stock options and if any provisions of this Agreement conflict with the terms of the Stock Option Plan, the terms of the Stock Option Plan shall govern. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written agreement executed by the Company and Employee.

 

(j)     Tax Withholding . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise all federal, state, city, or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 
 

 

   

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed or caused to be executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
    /s/ Michael Lin  
    Michael Lin  

 

 

 

 
       

 

 

 

 

 

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.     
     
     

 

By: /s/ Brian Ross  

 

Name:

Brian Ross  

 

 

Title:

CEO 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

This Amendment No. 1 (this "Amendment") to an Employment Agreement (the "Employment Agreement") entered as of January 8, 2014, by and between Accelerize New Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation with headquarters at 2244 W. Coast Highway Ste. 250, Newport Beach, CA 92663 (the “Company”), and Michael Lin, a natural person, residing at 1300 Sussex Lane, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (the “Employee”), is entered as of this 8th day of January 2014. Each of the Company and the Employee may be referred to hereinafter as a "Party" and collectively, the "Parties".

 

WHEREAS, the Parties have entered the Employment Agreement as of June 26, 2104; and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties now wish to adjust the Employee's compensation.

 

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

 

 

1.

Section 3 of the Employment Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

3.           Compensation . During the Term, Employee shall receive an annual base salary (the “ Annual Base Salary ”) of Two Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand and Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($283,250.00), which equates to Eleven Thousand Eight Hundred and Two Dollars and Eight Cents ($11,802.08) per pay period. Employee is an exempt salary employee, and therefore will not be entitled to any overtime pay. The Annual Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices as in effect from time to time, subject to applicable withholding and other taxes.

 

 

 

2.

All other terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed or caused to be executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE:

 

 

 

/s/ Michael Lin                                       

Mi chael Lin

 

 

 

 

ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.

 

 

 

By:  /s/ Brian Ross                                 

Name: Brian Ross

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.8

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

This Employment Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is dated as of February 10, 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between Accelerize New Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Santi Pierini (“ Employee ”). Company and Employee may hereinafter be collectively referred to as the Parties and individually as a Party.

 

1.           Term and Termination . The Company employs Employee, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement until such date as this Agreement shall terminate as provided herein (the “ Term ”). Employee’s employment shall be “at will,” meaning that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Parties shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment under this Agreement at any time without cause by giving notice of such termination to the other Party. Section 7 of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect during any period of employment and shall survive the termination of employment.

   

2.                Duties . Employee shall be employed in the position of Executive Vice President of Marketing. Employee shall (a) perform all duties incident to such offices, and (b) perform such other tasks, consistent with Employee’s position with the Company, as may from time to time be assigned to Employee by his/her supervisor.

 

3.               Compensation . During the Term, Employee shall receive an annual base salary (the “ Annual Base Salary ”) of Two Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($215,000.00), which equates to Eight Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-Eight Dollars and Thirty-Three Cents ($8,958.33) per pay period. Employee is an exempt salary employee, and therefore will not be entitled to any overtime pay. The Annual Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices as in effect from time to time, subject to applicable withholding and other taxes.

 

4.               Additional Benefits .

 

(a)          Business Expenses . The Company shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Employee in connection with Employee’s employment by the Company.

 

(b)         Vacation Days . Employee will be allowed vacation days as dictated by the Employee Handbook .

 

(c)          Benefit Plans and Programs . During the Term, the Company shall pay one hundred percent (100%) of Employee’s health insurance premiums.

 

(d)         Stock Option Plan . Employee shall, to the extent Employee is otherwise eligible, be entitled to participate in the Company’s stock option plan (the “ Stock Option Plan ”); provided that any grant of options shall be subject to vesting and other terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.

 

5.         Death . In the event of Employee’s death this Agreement shall terminate and Company shall be under no obligation to make any further payments whatsoever under this Agreement, except that Employee’s executors, administrators, or other legal representatives shall be entitled to receive (a) any earned but unpaid Annual Base Salary and (b) unreimbursed business expenses (collectively, “Payable Amounts”).

 

6.         Termination of Employment .

 

 
 

 

 

(a)         Termination Without Cause . During the Term, this Agreement and Employee’s employment may be terminated by Company without Cause (as hereinafter defined) by giving written notice of such termination to Employee. In the event that the Company terminates Employee’s employment without Cause during the Term, the Company shall, subject to Employee’s execution and delivery of a general release in favor of the Company and its affiliates substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, and Employee’s compliance with the terms of this Agreement, pay to Employee a severance payment equal to Fifty percent (50%) of the Annual Base Salary, payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices (or, at the Company's option, in one lump sum payment, payable within 45 days, discounted to present value using a 5% discount rate). Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, Employee will be entitled to such payments only if Employee has complied in full with the terms of this Agreement following Employee’s termination ( e.g. , Confidentiality, Return of Property obligations, etc.). In addition, in the event that the Company terminates Employee’s employment without Cause during the Term Employee shall be entitled to receive all Payable Amounts (which shall become due and payable on the date of termination).

 

(b)         Termination with Cause . During the Term, this Agreement and Employee’s employment may be terminated by the Company for Cause. In such event, the Company shall have no liability for any further payments to Employee (including, without limitation, Annual Base Salary or benefits), provided that Employee shall be entitled to receive all Payable Amounts (which shall become due and payable on the date of termination). “ Cause ” shall mean Employee’s:

 

 

(i)

failure or refusal to perform, or any misconduct in the performance of, any material portion of Employee’s obligations, duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, which (A) is incapable of cure or (B) has not been cured or remedied as promptly as is reasonably possible (and in any event within forty-five (45) days) after written notice from the Company to Employee specifying in reasonable detail the nature of such failure, refusal or misconduct;

 

 

(ii)

material breach of this Agreement which (A) is incapable of cure, or (B) has not been cured or remedied promptly (and in any event within forty-five (45) days) after written notice from the Company to Employee specifying in reasonable detail the nature of such breach; or

 

 

(iii)

commission of a felony or of any other crime which materially and adversely affects the Company or its business or operations.

 

7.           Restrictions . Employee acknowledges that the business in which the Company is engaged is highly competitive. Employee further acknowledges that Employee will acquire extensive confidential information and knowledge of the business of the Company, and will develop relationships with, and/or acquire knowledge of, customers, clients, employees, sales agents, middlemen and suppliers of or to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. In light of the foregoing, Employee agrees as follows:

 

(a)          Confidentiality .

 

(i)   During the time of Employment and thereafter for a period of three (3) years, Employee agrees to hold in strictest confidence, and not to use, except for the benefit of the Company and within the scope of Employee’s employment, or to disclose (except as required by law) to any person or entity, any Confidential Information of the Company. Employee understands that “ Confidential Information ” means (1) any and all information , in whatever form, whether reduced to writing, maintained on any form of electronic media, or maintained in mind or memory, received by Employee or generated by Employee on behalf of the Company relating to the current or prospective business, research and development activities, products, technology, strategy, organization and/or finances of the Company, or of third parties (including affiliates, vendors, suppliers and customers) with which the Company has a business relationship and (2) any other information, in whatever form, designated by the Company as confidential, in either case, whether disclosed to, or obtained by, Employee prior or subsequent to the date of this Agreement. Confidential Information shall include without limitation customer lists, database information, samples, demonstration models or materials and other embodiments of products or prospective products, software and other technology, projections, existing and proposed projects or experiments, processes and methodologies and trade secrets and all Developments, as defined below, but excluding (A) information that the Company deliberately and voluntarily makes publicly available and (B) information disclosed by Employee to comply with a court, or other lawful compulsory, order compelling Employee to do so, provided Employee gives the Company prompt notice of the receipt of such order and disclosure is limited only to disclosure necessary for such purpose. Employee specifically acknowledges that: the Confidential Information derives independent economic value from not being readily known to, or ascertainable by proper means by, others; that the Company has expended considerable sums and efforts to develop such Confidential Information; reasonable efforts have been made by the Company to maintain the secrecy of such information; and that such information is the sole property of the Company or its affiliates, vendors, suppliers, or customers and that any retention, use or disclosure of such Confidential Information by Employee during the time of Employment (except in the course of performing Employee’s duties under this Agreement) or any time thereafter, shall constitute a violation of this Agreement and the misappropriation of the trade secrets and Confidential Information of the Company or its affiliates, vendors, suppliers, or customers.

 

 
 

 

 

(ii)  Employee recognizes that the Company has received and in the future will receive Confidential Information of and from other companies subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. Employee agrees to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person or entity or to use it except as necessary in performing Employee’s duties under this Agreement and in a manner consistent with the Company's obligations to such companies.

 

(iii) Employee agrees that all Confidential Information, in any form, shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company and that immediately upon the termination of Employee’s employment, or at any other time that the Company may request, Employee shall deliver all Confidential Information in Employee’s control to the Company or, if instructed to do so by the Company, Employee will delete or destroy all Confidential Information in Employee’s control.

 

(b)         Assignment of Work Product .

 

(i)   If at any time during the time of Employment or thereafter, Employee has made or shall make (either alone or with others, and whether before or after the date of this Agreement), conceive, create, discover, invent or reduce to practice any invention, design, development, improvement, process, software program, work of authorship, or technique, in whole or in part, or which results from any work which Employee may do for or at the request of the Company, whether or not conceived by Employee while on holiday, on vacation, or off the premises of the Company, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws (herein called “ Developments ”) that (a) relate to the business of the Company or any of the products or services being developed, manufactured or sold by the Company, or (b) result directly or indirectly from tasks assigned to Employee by the Company or (c) result from the use of premises or property (whether tangible or intangible) owned, leased or contracted for by the Company, such Developments and all rights and interests therein and all records relating to such Developments shall be the sole and absolute property of the Company. Employee shall promptly disclose to the Company each such Development and Employee shall deliver to the Company all records relating to each such Development. Employee hereby assigns any rights (including, but not limited to, any rights under patent law and copyright law or other similar laws) that Employee may have or acquire in the Developments to the Company, without further compensation. Where applicable, all Developments which are copyrightable works shall be works made for hire. To the extent any such work of authorship may not be deemed to be a work made for hire, Employee agrees to, and does hereby, irrevocably, perpetually and unconditionally transfer and assign to the Company all right, title, and interest including copyright in and to such work without further compensation.

 

 
 

 

   

(ii)  Employee will, during the time of Employment and at all times thereafter, at the request and cost of the Company, promptly sign all such assignments, applications and other documents, and take such other actions, as the Company and its duly authorized agents may reasonably require: (A) to evidence the Company’s ownership of any Development and to apply for, obtain, register and vest in the name of the Company, or renew, patents, copyrights, trademarks or other similar rights for any Development in any country throughout the world and (B) to initiate or defend any judicial, administrative or other proceedings in respect of such patents, copyrights, trademarks or other similar rights.

 

(iii) In the event the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure Employee’s signature for such purposes for any reason whatsoever, Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Employee’s agents and attorneys-in-fact, to act for and in Employee’s name, behalf and stead, to execute and file any such assignments, applications or other documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the obtaining and protection of such patents, copyright or trademark registrations or other rights with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Employee.

 

(iv) Employee represents and warrants that (A) Employee does not have any pre-existing inventions that relate to the business of the Company and all inventions that Employee has made and owns the intellectual property rights to as of the Effective Date that relate to the business of the Company shall be considered Developments and are subject to the terms of Section 6(b) and (B) all Developments that Employee has developed or with respect to which Employee has been associated while employed by the Company are the sole property of the Company and that there are no other claims or ownership rights in such property with respect to any other party.

 

(f)          Return of Property . Upon the termination of the Employee’s employment or at any other time upon written request by the Company, Employee shall promptly deliver to the Company all records, files, memoranda, designs, data, reports, drawings, plans, computer programs, software and other documents (and all copies or reproductions for such materials in Employee’s possession or control) belonging to the Company, including, without limitation, all Developments and/or Confidential Information and anything relating thereto.

 

(g)        For the purposes of this Section 7 , “ Company ” shall mean the Company and its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates.

 

8.           Conflict of Interest and Moonlighting . Employee shall devote substantially all of Employee’s business time, labor, skill, and best ability to the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder in a manner which will faithfully and diligently further the business and interests of the Company. During the Term, Employee shall not directly or indirectly pursue any other significant business activity; provided, however, that Employee may serve on civic or other charitable boards or committees and manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not interfere in any material respect with the performance of Employee’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.

 

 
 

 

   

9.           General .

 

 

 

(a)         Notices . Any notice or any other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given (i) when delivered by personal delivery or by nationally recognized overnight courier; or (ii) two days after sending by registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the party entitled thereto at the address stated below.

 

(A)

To Company:

  2244 W. Coast Highway, Ste. 250
  Newport Beach, CA 92663
  Attn: Damon Stein
   
(B) To Santi Pierini:
  Address on the Company Books

 

 

(b)         No Conflict . Employee represents that Employee’s performance of all of the terms of this Agreement does not and will not conflict with or breach any agreement Employee has with any other party.

 

(c)         Waivers . Any waiver by the Company of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of this Agreement or of any subsequent breach of such provision or any other provision.

 

(d)         Survival of Terms . Employee’s obligations under Section 6 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever regardless of the manner of such termination and shall be binding upon Employee’s heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives.

 

(e)          Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company’s successors or assigns.

 

(f)          Scope of Restrictions . Employee agrees that the unenforceability of any one clause of this Agreement shall in no way impair the enforceability of any of the other clauses. If any of the provisions of this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to scope, activity, subject or otherwise, the parties hereto agree that such provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by limiting or reducing them, so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent legally permissible.

 

(g)         Remedies . Employee agrees that any breach or threatened breach of Section 6 of this Agreement would result in irreparable harm to the Company; therefore, in addition to its other remedies at law or in equity, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive or other equitable relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions of Section 6, without the posting of any bond.

 

(h)         Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

 

 
 

 

 

(i)          Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof (except with respect to the Company’s stock options) and supersedes all prior discussions, promises, negotiations and agreements (whether written or oral). The parties agree that the Stock Option Plan governs the terms of the Company’s stock options and if any provisions of this Agreement conflict with the terms of the Stock Option Plan, the terms of the Stock Option Plan shall govern. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written agreement executed by the Company and Employee.

 

(j)          Tax Withholding . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement or otherwise all federal, state, city, or other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 
 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed or caused to be executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EMPLOYEE:

 

       
       
       
       
  /s/ Santi Pierini  
  Santi Pierini  
       

 

 

 

 

       
       
  ACCELERIZE NEW MEDIA, INC.  
       
       
  By: /s/ Jeff McCollum  
  Name: Jeff McCollum  
  Title: President  

 

 
 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

In consideration of _____ ($_____) to be paid to the undersigned by Accelerize New Media, Inc., I, the undersigned, on behalf of myself and my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, hereby release and forever discharge Accelerize New Media, Inc. (“Accelerize”) and its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, and each of their respective shareholders, partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, counsels, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from any and all suits, claims, demands, debts, sums of money, salary, reimbursement or other compensation, damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, expenses, actions, causes of action, judgments, accounts, promises, contracts, agreements, and any and all claims of law or in equity, whether now known or unknown, which I now have or ever have had against the Released Parties, or any of them, including, but not limited to, any claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, and any other federal, state or local statute, regulation, ordinance or common law creating employment-related causes of action, and all claims related to or arising out of my employment or the termination of my employment with Accelerize. This General Release of Claims does not apply to (1) any claims that arise after I sign this General Release of Claims or (2) any claims which may not be waived or released as a matter of law.

 

I agree that I will indemnify and hold harmless any Released Parties for any cost or expense suffered by such party in connection with any demand, claim or legal action which I may file with regard to any subject matter within the scope of this General Release of Claims. This remedy shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any other remedy to which any Released Party may be entitled under applicable law.

 

I agree to keep strictly confidential, not to make public and not to disclose to anyone in any manner the fact or terms of this General Release of Claims.

 

Accelerize has informed me that in connection with this General Release I have the right to, and should consult with an attorney of my choosing, and that I have twenty-one (21) days after receiving this General Release of Claims to decide whether or not to sign it. In addition, I have seven (7) days after signing this General Release of Claims to revoke my signature before it becomes effective. If I wish to revoke my signature, I should do so in writing addressed and delivered to Damon Stein, the General Counsel of Accelerize before the end of the seven-day revocation period.

 

This release is intended to operate as a contract under seal and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. I agree that all disputes arising under or out of this General Release shall be brought exclusively in courts of competent jurisdiction within the State of California and I hereby consent to jurisdiction in such courts with respect to all matters arising out of or related to this General Release of Claims.

 

 

________________________________     Dated: ______________, ___

 

Agreed and Acknowledged,

 

Accelerize New Media, Inc.

 

 

By: ______________________________________

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a)

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Amended

 

I, Brian Ross, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 of Accelerize New Media, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the period presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 13, 2014

 

/s/ Brian Ross

Brian Ross

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the quarterly report (the “Report”) of Accelerize New Media, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Brian Ross, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Principal Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

1.

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2.

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: May 13, 2014

By: /s/ Brian Ross

 

Brian Ross

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer)