Delaware
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1-4171
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38-0710690
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(IRS Employer Identification No.)
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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KELLOGG COMPANY
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Date: February 25, 2020
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/s/ Gary H. Pilnick
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Name:
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Gary H. Pilnick
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Title:
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Vice Chairman
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1.
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Awards: The Performance Shares will be earned on the Vesting Date (as defined below) as determined by the Board of Directors of Kellogg Company (the “Board”), with any unearned Performance Shares being forfeited without notice on the Vesting Date. The performance measures are Organic Net Sales Growth and Aggregate Operating Cash Flow over a three-year period as described in the 2020-2022 Executive Performance Plan Overview (the “Overview”).
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2.
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Grant Date: February 21, 2020
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3.
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Performance Period: The Company’s 2020-2022 fiscal years.
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4.
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Vesting: Performance Shares are earned and vest on the Board meeting that occurs closest to the third anniversary of the grant date, which Board meeting shall occur in the same calendar year as the third anniversary of the grant date, provided the recipient remains continuously employed from the grant through such date (the “Vesting Date”), except as otherwise provided herein.
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5.
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Non-Solicitation: As a condition for receipt of this EPP award, and in consideration of the compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this EPP award, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, acceptance of this EPP award is agreement by the participant that during the participant’s active employment and thereafter for a period of two years, the participant shall not, without the prior written consent of the Chief Legal Officer, directly or indirectly employ, solicit the employment of (whether as an employee officer, director, agent, consultant or independent contractor), or otherwise encourage to leave the Company, any person who is, or at any time during the previous year was, an officer, director, representative, agent or employee of the Company; or directly or indirectly, divert or take away, or attempt to divert or take away, any customers, business or suppliers of the Company upon whom the participant called, serviced, or solicited, or with whom the participant became acquainted as a result of the participant’s employment with the Company.
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6.
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Non-Disparagement of the Company: As a condition for receipt of this EPP award, and in consideration of the compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this EPP award, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, acceptance of this EPP award is agreement by the participant that during the term of the participant’s active employment and thereafter, the participant will not engage in any form of conduct or make any statements or representations that disparage, portray in a negative light, or otherwise impair the reputation, goodwill or commercial interests of the Company or its past, present and future subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, successors, officers, directors, attorneys, agents and employees.
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7.
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Preservation of Company Confidential Information: As a condition for receipt of this EPP award, and in consideration of the compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this EPP award, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, acceptance of this EPP award is agreement by the participant that the participant will not (without first obtaining the prior written consent in each instance from the Company) during the term of the participant’s employment and thereafter, disclose, make commercial or other use of, give or sell to any person, firm or corporation (other than agents or representatives of the Company in furtherance of the participant’s duties), any information received directly or indirectly from the Company or acquired or developed in the course of the participant’s employment, including, by way of example only, trade secrets (including organizational charts, employee information such as
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8.
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Change of Control: Notwithstanding the above, in the event of a Change of Control, all Performance Shares will fully vest immediately as of the Change of Control and will be considered fully earned and will be payable at target as promptly as practicable following the Change of Control if the awards have not been assumed or replaced by a Substitute Award, as defined below. The Compensation and Talent Management Committee of the Board of Directors of Kellogg Company (the “Committee”) may adjust the Performance Shares earned to the extent the Organic Net Sales Growth and Aggregate Operating Cash Flow at that date exceeds the target specified in the Overview, but in no case will the Performance Shares earned be less than the target.
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9.
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Settlement: As soon as administratively possible after the Vesting Date, or the Change in Control, whichever is applicable, but in any event within the same calendar year as the Vesting Date or the Change in Control, the number of net shares of the Kellogg Company common stock earned will be deposited into a Merrill Lynch account. After the shares of Kellogg Company common stock are deposited following the Vesting Date, Participants can contact Merrill Lynch at 1-866-866-4050 or 1-609-818-8669 (outside of the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico), or the Merrill Lynch Grand Rapids Office at 1-877-884-4371 or 1-616-774-4252 (outside the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico) for customer service.
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10.
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Dividends: If cash dividends are declared and paid on Kellogg Company common stock prior to the date the Performance Share award is vested, an amount equal to the cash dividends payable on the Kellogg Company common stock represented by the Performance Share award will be converted as of the dividend payment date to the equivalent number of whole shares of Kellogg Company common stock, including fractional shares, and credited to a bookkeeping account maintained for the participant’s benefit ("Dividend Equivalent Units"). Cash dividends declared and paid on the Kellogg Company common stock represented by Dividend Equivalent Units prior to the date the Dividend Equivalent Units are vested shall also be credited to the participant’s account and converted to Kellogg Company common stock in the same manner as dividends with respect to Performance Share awards. Upon the vesting of the Performance Shares, the amount of Dividend Equivalent Units that vest will be adjusted in the same manner as the corresponding Performance Shares and be paid in shares of Kellogg Company common stock (rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares). If the Performance Shares partially vest as the result of the participant’s death, Disability or Retirement, the Dividend Equivalent Units will vest in the same proportion that the corresponding Performance Shares vest. Dividend Equivalent Units attributable to forfeited Performance Shares shall also be forfeited.
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11.
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Voting: Performance Shares are not entitled to any voting rights until after they are vested and shares of Kellogg Company common stock are deposited in a Merrill Lynch account for the Participant (net of taxes). As soon as administratively possible after that occurs, the participant will be entitled to voting rights on such shares of Kellogg Company common stock.
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12.
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Taxes: Prior to the delivery of any shares of Kellogg Company common stock in settlement of Performance Shares, the Company shall have the power and right to deduct or withhold or require the participant to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes of any kind which the Company in its sole discretion deems necessary to be withheld or remitted to comply with any applicable law, rule, or regulation. Participants will be deemed to have elected to pay the withholding taxes owed by allowing the Company to withhold shares on the Vesting Date (and delivering to the participant the net shares of Kellogg Company common stock) having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount sufficient to satisfy the Company’s statutory withholding obligations. The participant is responsible for paying participant’s taxes that result from the granting or vesting of the Performance Shares. Taxes include, but are not limited to, Federal or national taxes, social insurance or FICA taxes, state and local taxes, and any other tax, if applicable.
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13.
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Communication: Target awards will be communicated to participants during the salary planning communication in late February or early March 2020. Participants will receive confirmation of the actual number of Performance Shares earned during the first quarter of the 2022 calendar year.
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14.
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Registration: Upon the depositing of the shares of the Company’s common stock in the Merrill Lynch account, the shares of the Company’s common stock will be registered in the participant’s name. Participants can change the registration of the shares by calling Merrill Lynch.
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15.
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Disposition at Vesting: After the shares of Kellogg Company common stock are deposited in the Merrill Lynch account in the participant’s name, the participant can leave the shares with Merrill Lynch, ask Merrill Lynch to sell the shares, have a certificate issued to the participant
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16.
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Benefits: Income from the Performance Shares will not be included in earnings for the purposes of determining benefits, including pension, defined contribution retirement,, disability, life insurance and other survivor benefits.
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17.
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Insiders: After the Performance Shares vest and the net shares of Kellogg Company common stock are deposited in the participant’s Merrill Lynch account, any participant who is an insider cannot dispose of the shares of common stock without prior approval of the Legal & Compliance Department.
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18.
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Recoupment: If at any time (including after the Vesting Date or after payment), the Committee, including any person authorized pursuant to Section 3.2 of the 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) (an “Authorized Officer”):
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(a)
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reasonably believes that a participant has engaged in “Detrimental Conduct” (as defined below), then the Committee or an Authorized Officer may suspend the participant’s right to participate in the Executive Performance Plan pending a determination of whether the participant has engaged in Detrimental Conduct;
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(b)
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determines that a participant has engaged in “Detrimental Conduct” (as defined below), then the grant of Performance Shares under the Plan and all rights thereunder shall terminate immediately without notice effective the date on which the participant engages in such Detrimental Conduct, unless terminated sooner by operation of another term or condition of this document or the Plan; and/or
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(c)
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determines the participant has engaged in “Detrimental Conduct” (as defined below), then the participant may be required to repay to the Company, in cash and upon demand, any payment of Performance Shares under the EPP made during and after the year in which the Detrimental Conduct occurred.
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19.
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Offsets: Any amounts the Company owes the participant from time to time (including amounts owed to the participant as wages or other compensation, fringe benefits, or vacation pay, as well as, any other amounts owed to the participant by the Company) may be offset, to the extent of the amounts the participant owes the Company, provided that amounts owed to the participant which constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A shall only be offset to the extent allowed under Code Section 409A. Whether or not the Company elects to make any set-off for the full amount owed, calculated as set forth above, the participant agrees to pay immediately the unpaid balance to the Company. The participant may be released from obligations under this section only if the Committee or an Authorized Officer determines in its sole discretion that such action is in the best interests of the Company.
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20.
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Recordkeeping and Authorization: By entering into and accepting receipt of this EPP award, the participant (i) authorizes the Company and any agent of the Company administering the Plan or providing Plan recordkeeping services to disclose to the Company such information and data as the Company shall request in order to facilitate the grant of EPP awards and the administration of the Plan; (ii) waives any data privacy rights you may have with respect to such information; and (iii) authorizes the Company to store and transmit such information in electronic form.
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21.
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Other Plan Provisions: The 2020-2022 EPP was adopted under the Plan and is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, including those related to the ability of the Board of Directors to amend the Plan, the EPP or any awards thereunder. Nothing in this summary, the Overview, or the Plan shall confer upon the participant any right of continued employment. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning given such term in the Plan.
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22.
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Administration: The Plan and this EPP award shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee, as provided in the Plan. Any decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good faith by the Committee or the Board, arising out of or in connection with the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all employees and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. Determinations by the Committee or the Board, including without limitation determinations of employee eligibility, the form, amount and timing of awards, the terms and provisions of awards, and the agreements evidencing awards, need not be uniform and may be made selectively among eligible employees who receive or are eligible to receive awards under the Plan, whether or not such eligible employees are similarly situated. The Committee or the Board may amend this EPP award to the extent provided in the Plan or this EPP award.
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23.
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Severability: The provisions of this EPP award are severable and if any one or more provisions may be determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, and any partially unenforceable provision to the extent enforceable in any jurisdiction, shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
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1.
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Type of Award: Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) awards are granted to participants upon the approval of the Compensation and Talent Management Committee of the Board of Directors of Kellogg Company (the “Committee”). This RSU award will be forfeited if the participant is terminated, retired, on long-term disability, on a severance leave of absence or otherwise not an active employee on the date of grant. Employees who receive and accept an RSU award are participants in the Kellogg Company 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).
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2.
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Vesting: RSU awards become unrestricted and no longer subject to forfeiture and will fully vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. Participants will immediately forfeit any non-vested RSUs upon termination of employment with Kellogg Company or any of its subsidiaries (the “Company”), for any reason other than death, Disability, Retirement or Change of Control (as those terms are defined in the Plan. In the case of a participant’s, death, Disability or Retirement, RSUs will partially vest. Vesting in those cases will be pro-rated based on the number of days the participant was actively employed during the vesting period.
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3.
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Change of Control: Notwithstanding the above, in the event of a Change of Control, all outstanding RSU awards will fully vest immediately as of the Change of Control and will be considered fully earned and will be payable as promptly as practicable following the Change of Control if the RSU awards have not been assumed or replaced by a Substitute Award, as defined below.
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4.
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Non-Solicitation: As a condition for receipt of this RSU award, and in consideration of the compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this RSU award, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, acceptance of this RSU award is agreement by the participant that during the participant’s active employment and thereafter for a period of two years, the participant shall not, without the prior written consent of the Chief Legal Officer, directly or indirectly employ, solicit the employment of (whether as an employee, officer, director, agent, consultant or independent contractor), or otherwise encourage to leave the Company, any person who is, or at any time during the previous year was, an officer, director, representative, agent or employee of the Company; or directly or indirectly divert or take away or attempt to divert or take away any customers, business, or suppliers of the Company upon whom the participant called, serviced, or solicited, or with whom the participant became acquainted as a result of the participant’s employment with the Company.
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5.
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Non-Disparagement of the Company: As a condition for receipt of this RSU award, and in consideration of the compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this RSU award, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, acceptance of this RSU award is agreement by the participant that during the term of the participant’s active employment and thereafter, the participant will not engage in any form of conduct or make any statements or representations that disparage, portray in a negative light, or otherwise impair the reputation, goodwill or commercial interests of the Company or its past, present and future subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, successors, officers, directors, attorneys, agents and employees.
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6.
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Preservation of Company Confidential Information: As a condition for receipt of this RSU award, and in consideration of the compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this RSU award, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, acceptance of this RSU award is agreement by the participant that the participant will not (without first obtaining the prior written
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7.
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Payment: This RSU award will be paid, when and as vested, in shares of Kellogg Company common stock based on the applicable number of RSUs unless Kellogg Company determines otherwise (see 'Tax and Legal Issues' below). Until the time of vesting, no shares of common stock will be issued for the RSUs.
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8.
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Dividends: If cash dividends are declared and paid on Kellogg Company common stock prior to the date the RSU award is vested, an amount equal to the cash dividends payable on the Kellogg Company common stock represented by the RSU award will be converted as of the dividend payment date to the equivalent number of whole shares of Kellogg Company common stock, including fractional shares, and credited to a bookkeeping account maintained for the participant’s benefit (“Dividend Equivalent Units”). Cash dividends declared and paid on the Kellogg Company common stock represented by Dividend Equivalent Units prior to the date the Dividend Equivalent Units are vested shall also be credited to the participant’s account and converted to Kellogg Company common stock in the same manner as dividends with respect to RSU awards. Upon the vesting of the corresponding RSUs, the Dividend Equivalent Units will vest and be paid in shares of Kellogg Company common stock (rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares). If the RSUs partially vest as the result of the participant’s death, Disability or Retirement, the Dividend Equivalent Units will vest in the same proportion that the RSUs vest. Dividend Equivalent Units attributable to forfeited RSUs shall also be forfeited.
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9.
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Voting: RSUs do not give their holder any voting rights, or any other right of a holder of Kellogg Company common stock. The shares of Kellogg Company common stock that are issued for RSUs upon vesting will have voting rights.
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10.
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Taxes: Taxes will be due when the RSUs vest based on the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) of the shares on the vesting date. This amount, considered taxable compensation, will be included in appropriate tax forms for the participant, for example, W2 income for U.S. employees and T4 income for Canadian employees. Participants will pay withholding taxes by selling shares. Taxes include, but are not limited to, Federal or national, social insurance or FICA taxes, state and local, if applicable, and as required by local requirements. FICA taxes may be due before the vesting date for U.S. and Puerto Rico participants who are Retirement eligible.
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11.
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Settlement: Participants will not receive stock certificates when RSUs vest. The shares of Kellogg Company common stock issued in payment for RSUs will initially be held via book entry at Merrill Lynch. Those shares will be registered in the participant’s name as soon as
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12.
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Communication: Each participant will be provided with a written confirmation of the RSU award. Participants will also receive a notice after vesting that explains the number of shares issued as well as the number of shares to be sold to pay the withholding tax.
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13.
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Disposition at Vesting: After RSUs vest and shares are issued, participants can leave the shares with Merrill Lynch, ask Merrill Lynch to sell the shares, have a certificate issued to the participant or have the shares electronically transferred to another broker. Certain fees may apply to selling or transferring shares – contact Merrill Lynch for details.
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14.
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Benefits: RSU grants or vesting income will not be included in earnings for the purposes of determining benefits, including pension, defined contribution retirement, disability, life insurance and other survivor benefits (for U.S. participants).
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15.
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Insiders: Insiders cannot dispose of the shares issued after vesting without prior approval of the Legal & Compliance Department.
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16.
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Tax and Legal Issues: Prior to vesting, the Company reserves the right to replace RSUs granted with a cash equivalent benefit if there are any adverse tax or legal consequences for either the participant or the Company related to the ownership of Kellogg Company shares (generally for participants outside North America).
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17.
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Recoupment: If at any time (including after the vesting date or after payment), the Committee, including any person authorized pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Plan (an “Authorized Officer”):
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(a)
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reasonably believes that a participant has engaged in “Detrimental Conduct” (as defined below), the Committee or an Authorized Officer may suspend the participant’s participation in this RSU award pending a determination of whether the participant has engaged in Detrimental Conduct;
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(b)
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determines that a participant has engaged in “Detrimental Conduct” (as defined below), then the grant of RSUs under the Plan and all rights thereunder shall terminate immediately without notice effective the date on which the participant engages in such Detrimental Conduct, unless terminated sooner by operation of another term or condition of this RSU award or the Plan; and/or
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(c)
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determines the participant has engaged in “Detrimental Conduct” (as defined below), then the participant may be required to repay to the Company, in cash and upon demand, any payment in shares from any RSU award made during and after the year in which the Detrimental Conduct occurred.
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18.
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Offsets: Any amounts the Company owes the participant from time to time (including amounts owed to the participant as wages or other compensation, fringe benefits, or vacation pay, as well as, any other amounts owed to the participant by the Company) may be offset, to the extent of the amounts the participant owes the Company, provided that amounts owed to the participant which constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A shall only be offset to the extent allowed under Code Section 409A. Whether or not the Company elects to make any set-off for the full amount owed, calculated as set forth above, the participant agrees to pay immediately the unpaid balance to the Company. The participant may be released from obligations under this Section only if the Committee or an Authorized Officer determines in its sole discretion that such action is in the best interests of the Company.
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19.
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Administration: The Plan and this RSU award shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee, as provided in the Plan. Any decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good faith by the Committee or an appropriately designated proxy, arising out of or in connection with the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all employees and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. Determinations by the Committee or an appropriately designated proxy, including without limitation determinations of employee eligibility, the form, amount and timing of awards, the terms and provisions of awards, and the agreements evidencing awards, need not be uniform and may be made selectively among eligible employees who receive or are eligible to receive awards under the Plan, whether or not such eligible employees are similarly situated. The Committee may amend this RSU award to the extent provided in the Plan or this RSU award.
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20.
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Assignability and Transfer: RSUs may not be assigned, transferred, sold, exchanged, encumbered, pledged or otherwise hypothecated or disposed of prior to vesting, except as provided in the Plan.
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21.
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Recordkeeping and Authorization: By accepting this RSU award, the participant (i) authorizes the Company and any agent of the Company administering the Plan or providing Plan recordkeeping services to disclose to the Company such information and data as the Company shall request in order to facilitate the grant of RSU awards and the administration of the Plan; (ii) waives any data privacy rights the participant may have with respect to such information; and (iii) authorizes the Company to store and transmit such information in electronic form.
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1.
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Type of Award: Kellogg Company awards to you and you accept an option to purchase the number of shares of Kellogg Company Common Stock ($0.25 par value) (the “Common Stock”) at the option price per share on the date of award described in the Employee Compensation Statement and distributed to you by your manager (such document, together with the Terms and Conditions, being the “Option”). This Option will be forfeited if you are terminated, retired, on long-term disability, on a severance leave of absence or otherwise not an active employee on the date of grant.
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2.
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Vesting: This Option vests and becomes exercisable in equal installments over three (3) years: one-third on the first anniversary date of the grant, one-third on the second anniversary date of the grant and the remaining one-third on the third anniversary date of the grant. It is your responsibility to exercise this Option prior to or on its Expiration Date, just as is the case with any other employee stock option. Kellogg Company has no obligation to notify or contact you prior to the Expiration Date of this Option, or any other option. This Option partially vests if your employment with Kellogg Company or any of its subsidiaries (the “Company”) terminates because of death, Disability (as defined in the Plan) or Retirement (as defined in the Plan). Vesting in those cases will be pro-rated based on the number of days you were employed during the applicable vesting period of the award. If your employment terminates because of death, the legal representative of your estate or your beneficiary, if so designated, may exercise the vested portion of this Option on or before the first to occur of the Expiration Date and two days after the first anniversary of your death. If your employment terminates because of Disability or Retirement, you may exercise the vested portion of this Option on or before the first to occur of the Expiration Date and the day after the fifth anniversary of your termination of employment due to Disability or Retirement. Retirement under the Plan is the same as the participant’s defined benefit pension-based eligibility criteria for those that receive a defined benefit pension from the Company. If you do not have a defined benefit pension from the Company, Retirement means you terminate employment with the Company on or after you have attained age 55 with at least five years of service with the Company and your combined age and years of service
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3.
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Change of Control: In the event of a Change of Control, as defined in the Plan, this Option becomes fully exercisable and vested as of the date of such Change of Control if the award has not been assumed or replaced by a Substitute Award, as defined below.
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4.
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Non-Solicitation: As a condition for receipt of this Option, and in consideration of the compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this Option, the sufficiency of which is hereby
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5.
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Non-Disparagement of the Company: As a condition for receipt of this Option, and in consideration of the compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this Option, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, acceptance of this Option is agreement by you that during the term of your active employment and thereafter, you will not engage in any form of conduct or make any statements or representations that disparage, portray in a negative light, or otherwise impair the reputation, goodwill or commercial interests of the Company or its past, present and future subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, successors, officers, directors, attorneys, agents and employees.
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6.
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Preservation of Company Confidential Information: As a condition for receipt of this Option, and in consideration of the compensation and benefits provided pursuant to this Option, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, acceptance of this Option is agreement by you that you will not (without first obtaining the prior written consent in each instance from the Company) during the term of your employment and thereafter, disclose, make commercial or other use of, give or sell to any person, firm or corporation (other than agents or representatives of the Company in furtherance of your duties), any information received directly or indirectly from the Company or acquired or developed in the course of your employment, including, by way of example only, trade secrets (including organizational charts, employee information such as credentials, skill sets, salaries and background information), ideas, inventions, methods, designs, formulas, systems, improvements, prices, discounts, business affairs, products, product specifications, manufacturing processes, data and know-how and technical information of any kind whatsoever unless such information has been publicly disclosed by authorized officials of the Company.
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7.
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Exercise: If the exercise of this Option within the time periods set forth herein is prevented by the provisions of Section 16.6 of the Plan, the Option shall remain exercisable until thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions, but in any event no later than the Expiration Date.
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8.
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Taxes: The Company shall have the right to deduct or otherwise require any payment by you of any Federal, state, local or foreign taxes required by law to be withheld. The Company has the right to deduct or require this payment prior to, and as a condition precedent to, issuing or delivering any shares of Common Stock, to you pursuant to this Option. Subject to any terms and conditions which the Committee may impose, the required withholding obligation may be satisfied by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable pursuant to this Option. You acknowledge that (i) the ultimate liability for any and all taxes is and remains your responsibility, (ii) the Company makes no representations or undertaking regarding the amount or timing of any taxes, (iii) the Company does not commit to structure the terms of this Option or any aspect of the transfer of the shares to reduce or eliminate your liability for taxes, and (iv) in no event shall the Company be liable for any tax or other costs to you that may arise under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”).
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9.
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No Reload: You will not receive any accelerated ownership feature or “reload” options when this Option is exercised or when any tax withholding is paid using shares of Common Stock or otherwise.
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10.
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Governing Law: This Option shall be construed according to the laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable Delaware principles of conflict laws) to the extent not superseded by Federal U.S. law.
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11.
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Recoupment: If at any time (including after a notice of exercise has been delivered), the Committee, including any person authorized pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Plan (an “Authorized Officer”):
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(a)
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reasonably believes that you have engaged in “Detrimental Conduct” (as defined below), then the Committee or an Authorized Officer may suspend your right to exercise this Option pending a determination of whether you have engaged in Detrimental Conduct;
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(b)
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determines that you have engaged in “Detrimental Conduct” (as defined below), then this Option and all rights thereunder shall terminate immediately without notice effective the date on which you engage in such Detrimental Conduct, unless terminated sooner by operation of another term or condition of this Option or the Plan; and/or
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(c)
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determines you have engaged in “Detrimental Conduct” (as defined below), then you may be required to repay to the Company, in cash and upon demand, the Option Proceeds (as defined below) resulting from the sale or other disposition (including to the Company) of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of this Option if the sale or disposition was effected after the Detrimental Conduct occurred.
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12.
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Offsets: Any amounts the Company owes you from time to time (including amounts owed to you as wages or other compensation, fringe benefits, or vacation pay, as well as, any other amounts owed to you by the Company) may be offset, to the extent of the amounts you owe the Company, provided that amounts owed to you which constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A shall only be offset to the extent allowed under Code Section 409A. Whether or not the Company elects to make any set-off for the full amount owed, calculated as set forth above, you agree to pay immediately the unpaid balance to the Company.
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13.
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Assignability and Transfer: This Option shall be personal to you and not be assignable or transferable by you except as otherwise specifically provided in this document or the Plan.
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14.
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Administration: The Plan and this Option shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee, as provided in the Plan. Any decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good faith by the Committee or an appropriately designated proxy, arising out of or in connection with the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all employees and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. Determinations by the Committee or an appropriately designated proxy, including without limitation determinations of employee eligibility, the form, amount and timing of awards, the terms and provisions of awards, and the agreements evidencing awards, need not be uniform and may be made selectively among eligible employees who receive or are eligible to receive awards under the Plan, whether or not such eligible employees are similarly situated. The Committee may amend this Option to the extent provided in the Plan or this Option.
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15.
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Benefits: This document does not confer on you any right to continue in the employ of the Company, nor does it interfere with the Company’s right to terminate your employment or alter other duties at any time. This Option will not be deemed to be compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company, nor will it affect benefits under any other benefit plan, including any benefit plan under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to compensation. The grant of this Option is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of options. All decisions with respect to future option grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company.
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16.
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Substitution: The Committee shall have the ability to substitute, without receiving your permission, Stock Appreciation Rights to be paid only in shares of Common Stock for any or
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17.
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Recordkeeping and Authorization: By accepting this Option, you (i) authorize the Company and any agent of the Company administering the Plan or providing Plan recordkeeping services to disclose to the Company such information and data as the Company shall request in order to facilitate the grant of options and the administration of the Plan; (ii) waive any data privacy rights you may have with respect to such information; and (iii) authorize the Company to store and transmit such information in electronic form.
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18.
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Severability: The provisions of this Option are severable and if any one or more provisions may be determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions, and any partially unenforceable provision to the extent enforceable in any jurisdiction, shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
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