-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, JD+n/Wk8W2Io+VP2Tol4ygUL8yXboTDU6h2XI3L5U3yagzvwfDmIiorFJtueEbzm roNKBaUX3+xYLS4O9m/1yQ== 0001193125-05-102747.txt : 20050510 0001193125-05-102747.hdr.sgml : 20050510 20050510160727 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-102747 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 9 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050510 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050510 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BOSTON COMMUNICATIONS GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001012887 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RADIO TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS [4812] IRS NUMBER: 043026859 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-28432 FILM NUMBER: 05816745 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 55 MIDDLESEX TURNPIKE CITY: BEDFORD STATE: MA ZIP: 01730 BUSINESS PHONE: 7819045000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 55 MIDDLESEX TURNPIKE CITY: BEDFORD STATE: MA ZIP: 01730 10-Q 1 d10q.htm FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2005 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 10549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005

 

or

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Commission file number: 0-28432

 


 

Boston Communications Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Massachusetts   04-3026859

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

55 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (781) 904-5000

 

 

(Former name, former address, former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x    NO  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2)    YES  x    NO  ¨

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date. As of May 3, 2005, the Company had outstanding 17,639,384 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share.

 



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INDEX

 

PART I.

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION:     

Item 1.

  Financial Statements (Unaudited)     
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets    4
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income    5
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows    6
    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    7

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results    15

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    27

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures    28

PART II.

  OTHER INFORMATION:     

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings    28

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    29

Item 6.

  Exhibits    29

 

This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, statements regarding:

 

    Earnings per share;

 

    Revenues;

 

    Continued customer concentration and diversification of our revenue base;

 

    Legal expenses related to the Freedom Wireless, Inc. (“Freedom Wireless”) lawsuit;

 

    Entrance of new competitors in the wireless services market;

 

    Engineering, research and development expenditures;

 

    Sales and marketing expenses;

 

    General and administrative expenses;

 

    Capital expenditures;

 

    Defined Benefit Plan contributions;

 

    Financing of investments and contingent consideration payments with cash and short-term investments; and

 

    Expectations regarding new product offerings.

 

These statements are based on the current beliefs and assumptions of management.

 

Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words.


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A number of important factors could cause actual events or our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, those set forth under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”. The statements discussed herein do not reflect the potential future impact of any mergers, acquisitions or dispositions. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements made herein.

 

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BOSTON COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     March 31,
2005


    December 31,
2004


 
     (unaudited)        

ASSETS

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,362     $ 9,467  

Short-term investments

     69,981       68,285  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $442 in 2005 and $474 in 2004

     21,405       17,358  

Deferred income taxes

     454       319  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     3,451       2,907  
    


 


Total current assets

     97,653       98,336  

Property and equipment:

                

Building, land and leasehold improvements

     14,668       14,576  

Telecommunications systems & software

     95,277       93,895  

Furniture and fixtures

     876       789  

Systems in development

     6,898       3,842  
    


 


       117,719       113,102  

Less allowance for depreciation and amortization

     62,948       57,543  
    


 


       54,771       55,559  

Intangible assets, net

     2,300       2,450  

Goodwill

     4,753       4,753  

Other assets

     7,461       6,913  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 166,938     $ 168,011  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 747     $ 312  

Accrued expenses

     8,800       13,386  

Deferred revenue

     3,713       3,753  

Income taxes payable

     2,508       1,591  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     15,768       19,042  

Non-current liabilities:

                

Accrued pension liability

     3,721       3,476  

Deferred income taxes

     7,046       7,046  
    


 


Total non-current liabilities

     10,767       10,522  

Commitments and contingencies

                

Shareholders’ equity:

                

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, voting, par value $.01 per share, 35,000,000 shares authorized; 17,639,384 and 17,581,625 shares issued at March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

     176       176  

Additional paid-in capital

     104,442       104,070  

Retained earnings

     36,063       34,430  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (278 )     (229 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     140,403       138,447  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 166,938     $ 168,011  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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BOSTON COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three months ended
March 31,


 
     2005

   2004

 

NET REVENUES

   $ 26,351    $ 27,245  

EXPENSES:

               

Cost of revenues*

     6,677      6,378  

Engineering, research and development

     4,757      3,796  

Sales and marketing

     2,476      1,872  

General and administrative

     2,529      2,086  

General and administrative – legal charges

     2,210      1,150  

Depreciation and amortization

     5,554      5,469  
    

  


Operating income

     2,148      6,494  

Interest income

     403      312  
    

  


Income before income taxes

     2,551      6,806  

Provision for income taxes

     918      2,722  
    

  


Net income from continuing operations

     1,633      4,084  

Net loss from discontinued operations

     —        (11 )
    

  


Net income

   $ 1,633    $ 4,073  
    

  


Basic net income per share:

               

Continuing operations

   $ 0.09    $ 0.22  

Net income

   $ 0.09    $ 0.22  

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     17,602      18,277  

Diluted net income per share:

               

Continuing operations

   $ 0.09    $ 0.22  

Net income

   $ 0.09    $ 0.22  

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     17,726      18,720  

* exclusive of depreciation and amortization, which is shown separately below.

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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BOSTON COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited and in thousands)

 

     Three months ended
March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                

Net income from continuing operations

   $ 1,633     $ 4,084  

Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operations:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     5,554       5,469  

Deferred income taxes

     (135 )     —    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable, net

     (4,047 )     (1,058 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (638 )     (592 )

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue

     (3,600 )     (2,058 )

Income taxes payable

     917       2,235  

Other non-current liabilities

     245       200  
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations

     (71 )     8,280  

Loss from discontinued operations

     —         (11 )

Net change in operating assets and liabilities of discontinued operations

     —         (2 )
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations

     —         (13 )
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operations

     (71 )     8,267  

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                

Payment of earnout of acquired business

     (591 )     (424 )

Purchases of short-term investments

     (17,811 )     (16,538 )

Sales of short-term investments

     16,066       17,005  

Increase in other investments

     (454 )     —    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (4,616 )     (4,371 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (7,406 )     (4,328 )

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     18       212  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     354       334  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     372       546  

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (7,105 )     4,485  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     9,467       2,960  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 2,362     $ 7,445  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

                

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 4     $ 696  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005 or any other interim period.

 

The balance sheet at December 31, 2004 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

 

For further information, refer to the condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include 100% of the Company’s accounts and operations and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Upon consolidation, all intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenues are recognized in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” and application of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21 “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.”

 

The Company earns revenues in various ways through its managed services business:

 

  1) Real-Time Billing - the Company principally earns revenues by processing prepaid wireless minutes or as a percentage of wireless customer revenue, net of any penalties incurred related to outages on the platform;

 

  2) Voyager Billing - the Company earns revenues by generating a postpaid subscriber’s monthly bill; and

 

  3) PayExtend - the Company principally earns revenues by processing transactions on behalf of wireless operators’ subscribers.

 

Revenues for each of these solutions are recognized as the services are provided. Managed services revenues also include amounts for licensing fees, development projects and implementations, which are typically recognized ratably over the remaining life of the contract with the respective wireless operator.

 

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For the Company’s licensed systems sales, the Company typically recognizes revenue from the sale of systems at the time the systems are shipped or delivered to the customer, depending on shipping terms. In the event there are acceptance terms, the Company defers revenue until acceptance has occurred.

 

For multiple element arrangements, the Company determines the fair value of each element based on the specific objective evidence for that element and allocates total revenue from these arrangements to each element based on its fair value. Installation revenue is deferred until the entire installation is complete. Revenues from maintenance and support and other services are based on vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value and recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance and support contract period. Vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value of maintenance and support is based upon the amount charged when the service is sold separately, which is typically the contract’s renewal rate. Vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value for installation and other services is based upon standard pre-established rates.

 

All revenues are recorded net of unbillable amounts and amounts that are estimated to be uncollectible based on historical experience. A reserve for doubtful accounts is recorded based on historical experience or specific identification of an event necessitating a reserve.

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of institutional money market funds.

 

The Company accounts for its marketable securities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Instruments in Debt and Equity Securities.” The Company has classified all of its short-term investments as available-for-sale, and is thus reported at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of stockholder’s equity.

 

Investments that mature in more than three months but less than 36 months are considered short-term investments because the Company views its available-for-sale portfolio as available for use in its current operations. The Company’s short-term investments are invested in corporate notes, municipal auction rate securities and annuities maturing in less than thirty-six months.

 

Substantially all of the Company’s short-term investments have contractual maturities of twelve months or less.

 

Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Legal Costs

 

The Company accrues the costs of settlements, damages and, under certain conditions, costs of defense when such costs are probable and estimable; otherwise, such costs are expensed as incurred. As discussed in Note 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company began to expense legal costs related to the Freedom Wireless lawsuit as incurred due to the lengthy and unpredictable discovery process, which had made it difficult to continue to reasonably estimate legal costs for the suit. Other litigation will continue to be accounted for in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy, and generally, the Company develops an estimate of probable costs in consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel who is handling the case. There can be no assurance that the Company’s expenses will not exceed its estimate.

 

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Income Taxes

 

The Company’s current and deferred income taxes, and associated valuation allowances, are impacted by events and transactions arising in the normal course of business as well as in connection with special and non-recurring items. Assessment of the appropriate amount and classification of income taxes is dependent on several factors, including estimates of the timing and realization of deferred income tax assets and the timing of income tax payments. Actual collections and payments may materially differ from these estimates as a result of changes in tax laws as well as unanticipated future transactions impacting related income tax balances.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Components of comprehensive income include net income and certain transactions that have generally been reported in the condensed consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity.

 

    

Three months ended

March 31,


 

(in thousands)


   2005

    2004

 

Net income as reported

   $ 1,633     $ 4,073  

Securities valuation adjustment, net of tax

     (49 )     (20 )
    


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 1,584     $ 4,053  
    


 


 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally cash, cash equivalents, of short and long-term investments and accounts receivable.

 

The Company maintains cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments primarily with high credit quality financial institutions and monitors the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution, thereby mitigating credit risk.

 

The Company’s managed services business allows wireless operators throughout the United States to utilize its real-time billing capabilities, enabling such operators to offer prepaid wireless calling to their subscribers, offer various ways to replenish their accounts, to purchase digital content and to provide their subscribers with a monthly postpaid wireless bill. In addition, the Company sells licensed systems internationally, principally in North and South America and Africa. The Company generally does not require collateral from its customers, although upfront payments for a portion of the total sale are typically required prior to shipment.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 20 years. Systems in development primarily represent internally capitalized labor and purchased hardware and software to be used in the Company’s managed services and licensed products business that are not yet placed into service and will be depreciated and amortized when placed in service over 3 to 5 years.

 

Research and Development, Software Development Costs and Costs Obtained for Internal Use

 

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. However, costs incurred for the development of computer software or deployment of assets for internal use are capitalized. The direct labor and payroll-related costs of development of computer software, primarily for the coding and testing of the software, are capitalized in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Position 98-1 “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.” The direct labor, travel and payroll-related costs to deploy assets for internal use are

 

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capitalized until the asset is placed in service. The capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on the Company’s anticipated use, anticipated future undiscounted net cash flows and changes in hardware and software technologies.

 

Amortization of capitalized software development costs begins when the solution is made available for general release and amortization of internal use costs begins when the related asset is first placed in service. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over a three-year period.

 

Impairment of Long Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets to assess the recoverability of these assets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” The Company assesses assets for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired because of a change in anticipated use or technology, and the undiscounted operating cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. The impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying values. Fair value is determined by either quoted market prices or a discounted cash flow method, whichever is more appropriate under the circumstances involved.

 

The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with FAS 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Under FAS 142, goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment tests. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the carrying amount of goodwill to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the lowest level of related assets. If this review indicates that goodwill is not recoverable, the carrying amount would be reduced to fair value based on a discounted cash flow analysis taking into consideration the time value of money and investment risk factors.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company has elected to follow the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25) and related Interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans, rather than the alternative fair value accounting method provided for under FAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Under APB 25, since the exercise price of options granted under these plans equals the fair market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, the Company recognizes no compensation expense for stock option grants.

 

During the first quarter of 2005, the Company accelerated the vesting of certain unvested stock options. These stock options were awarded to employees, officers and directors under the Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan and 2004 Stock Incentive Option Plan and had exercise prices that were greater than $7.75 per share. Options to purchase 866,331 shares of bcgi Common Stock became exercisable immediately as a result of the vesting acceleration. The aggregate number of options to purchase shares of bcgi Common Stock held by directors and executive officers that were accelerated pursuant to this acceleration is 310,496. The exercise prices and number of shares subject to the accelerated options were unchanged. The acceleration of the vesting of these options did not result in a charge based on generally accepted accounting principles. For pro forma disclosure requirements under FAS 123, the Company recognized an additional $1.8 million of stock-based compensation for all options whose vesting was accelerated. The Company took this action because it will limit the negative impact on the Company’s results from operations beginning in 2006 when FAS 123(R) takes effect for the Company.

 

Because of the acceleration of vesting described above, the fact that most options vest over several years and additional option grants are expected to be made subsequent to March 31, 2005, the results of applying the fair value method may have a materially different effect on pro forma net income in future years.

 

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Had compensation expense for the Company’s Stock Plans been determined consistent with FAS No. 123, the pro forma net income and net income per share would have been as follows for the three months ended March 31, (in thousands, except per-share information):

 

     2005

    2004

 

Net income as reported

   $ 1,633     $ 4,073  

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income

     —         —    

Deduct: Total stock based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of tax benefit

     (2,395 )     (759 )
    


 


Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ (762 )   $ 3,314  
    


 


Basic net income (loss) per share:

                

As reported

   $ 0.09     $ 0.22  

Pro forma

   $ (0.04 )   $ 0.18  

Diluted net income (loss) per share:

                

As reported

   $ 0.09     $ 0.22  

Pro forma

   $ (0.04 )   $ 0.18  

 

Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the impact, if dilutive, of common share equivalents, which are stock options. For purposes of computing diluted earnings per share, weighted average common share equivalents do not include stock options with an exercise price that exceeds the average market price of the Company’s Common Stock for the respective period. Accordingly, for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 options to purchase 2,009,000 and 1,055,000 shares, respectively, of Common Stock have been excluded from the computation.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of basic and diluted shares for the three months ended March 31 (unaudited and in thousands except for shares):

 

     2005

   2004

Denominator:

         

Denominator for basic net income per share

   17,602    18,277

Effect of dilutive employee stock options

   124    443
    
  

Denominator for diluted net income per share

   17,726    18,720
    
  

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

On December 16, 2004, and as amended on April 14, 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (Statement No. 123(R)), which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. Statement No. 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in Statement No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in Statement No. 123. However, Statement No.123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

 

Under Statement No. 123(R), the Securities and Exchange Commission allows companies to implement Statement No. 123(R) at the beginning of their next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting period, that begins after June 15, 2005. We expect to adopt Statement No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006.

 

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As permitted by Statement No.123, the Company currently accounts for share-based payments to employees using Opinion 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognizes no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoption of Statement No. 123(R)’s fair value method will have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position. The impact of adoption of Statement No. 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on levels of share-based payments granted in the future. However, had the Company adopted Statement No. 123(R) in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of Statement No. 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share in Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Statement No. 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption.

 

3. Other Assets

 

In 2004 and 2005, the Company exchanged cash totaling $1,500,000 and received secured convertible promissory notes (the “Notes”) for the same amount from an early stage entity with whom the Company has a commercial relationship.

 

The Notes accrue interest at a rate of 15% per annum until April, 2005 and subsequently accrue interest at a rate of 12% per annum. Because of the early-stage nature of the entity, interest income from the notes is being accounted for as interest payments are received. The Notes, together with accrued interest, are due on July 23, 2007 and are secured by the entity’s assets, properties and rights.

 

The Notes are convertible at any time into the borrower’s common stock or preferred stock, as defined in the agreement.

 

4. Contingencies

 

Legal

 

In March 2000, Freedom Wireless, Inc. filed a suit against the Company and a number of its wireless carrier customers. The suit is being tried in the United States District Court in Massachusetts and alleges that the defendants infringe two patents held by Freedom Wireless, Inc. and seeks damages as well as injunctive relief. If there is a ruling that the Company infringed the Freedom Wireless patents, it could significantly restrict the Company’s ability to conduct business. In addition, the Company has an obligation to indemnify the other defendants for damages they may incur with respect to any infringement by the Company’s technology. The trial began on February 28, 2005 and is expected to be completed in mid-May 2005. In 2005, Verizon Wireless, which was a defendant in the case, reached a settlement with Freedom Wireless and is therefore no longer a defendant in the case. The Company was not part of the settlement discussions and the terms of the settlement are not public. The Company does not believe that it infringes these patents and believes that the patents are invalid in light of prior art and other reasons.

 

The Company is not presently able to estimate the potential losses, if any, related to the Freedom Wireless lawsuit. Freedom Wireless is seeking damages in excess of $250 million from the Company and the other remaining co-defendants, whom bcgi has agreed to indemnify. If Freedom Wireless prevails in this case and is awarded the amount of damages which they are seeking from bcgi and the other co-defendants, this amount would exceed the Company’s ability to pay.

 

From time to time, as a normal incidence of the nature of the Company’s business, various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced against the Company arising from, or related to, contractual matters, patents, trademarks, personal injury, and personnel and employment disputes. As to such claims and litigation, the Company can give no assurance that it will prevail. However, the Company does not believe

 

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that these matters (other than as disclosed) will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, although an adverse outcome of any of these matters could have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations or cash flows in future quarters or in the quarter or annual period in which one or more of these matters are resolved.

 

Indemnifications

 

In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (FIN 45), which requires certain guarantees to be recorded at fair value as opposed to the previous practice of recording a liability only when a loss is probable and reasonably estimable. FIN 45 also requires a guarantor to make significant new guaranty disclosures, even when the likelihood of making any payments under the guarantee is remote.

 

The Company has agreed to indemnification provisions in certain of its agreements with customers and its leases of real estate in the ordinary course of its business.

 

With respect to customer agreements, these provisions generally obligate the Company to indemnify the customer against losses, expenses, liabilities and damages that may be awarded against the customer in the event the Company’s systems or services infringe upon a patent or other intellectual property right of a third party. The agreements generally limit the scope of and remedies for such indemnification obligations in certain respects, including but not limited to geographical limitations and the right to replace or modify an infringing product or service.

 

With respect to real estate leases, these indemnification provisions typically apply to claims asserted against the landlord by a third party relating to personal injury and property damage occurring at the leased premises or to certain breaches of the Company’s contractual obligations. The term of these indemnification provisions generally survive the termination of the lease, although the exposure is greatest during the lease term and for a short period of time thereafter. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is unlimited. The Company has purchased insurance that reduces the amount of such exposure for landlord indemnifications. The Company has never paid any amounts to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these landlord indemnification provisions. Accordingly, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification arrangements is minimal.

 

5. Segment Reporting and Discontinued Operations

 

FAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” established standards for reporting information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires selected information about operating segments in interim financial statements. It also established standards for related disclosures about products and services, and geographic areas. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is the President and Chief Executive Officer. Historically, the Company’s reportable operating segments consisted of Billing and Transaction Processing Services, Roaming Services and Prepaid Systems. The Company’s Billing and Transaction Processing Services solutions allowed wireless carriers to access the Company’s managed services network and transaction processing platform, enabling such carriers to offer prepaid wireless calling, replenishment capabilities and postpaid billing and customer care to their subscribers. The Roaming Services solution provided wireless carriers the ability to generate revenues from subscribers who are not covered under traditional roaming agreements by arranging payment for roaming calls. The Prepaid Systems solution assembled and marketed prepaid systems to international carriers and is no longer reported as a separate segment, as it is deemed to be not material, representing less than 10% of consolidated revenues and operations for all periods presented.

 

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In March 2004, the Company ceased providing its ROAMERplus solution, effectively discontinuing its Roaming Services segment. Pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“FAS 144”), the consolidated financial statements reflect this as a discontinued operation. Revenues for the Roaming Services segment were $563,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

6. Retirement Plans

 

The Company offers a defined benefit retirement plan (the “Plan”) for certain executives. Contributions are based on periodic actuarial valuations and are charged to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations on a systematic basis over the expected average remaining service lives of the executives as prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions” (FAS 87). The Company’s funding policy is to make annual contributions to the extent such contributions are tax deductible as actuarially determined. The benefits under the defined benefit plan are based on years of service and compensation.

 

The components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows (unaudited and in thousands):

 

     2005

   2004

Components of net periodic benefit costs

             

Service cost

   $ 128    $ 103

Interest cost

     72      54

Amortization of unrecognized net prior service cost

     45      43
    

  

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 245    $ 200
    

  

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Overview

 

We develop products and services that enable wireless operators to fully realize the potential of their networks. Our access management, billing, payment and network solutions help operators rapidly deploy and manage innovative voice and data services for subscribers. Available as licensed products and fully managed services, our solutions power wireless operators and enable mobile virtual network operators (“MVNO’s”) with market-leading implementations of prepaid wireless, postpaid billing, wireless account funding and m-commerce. We provide our fully managed services and licensed products domestically to U.S. wireless operators. Internationally, we offer our products to wireless operators on a licensed basis. We sell our products and services to our wireless operator customers through our direct sales force in the United States and through both direct and indirect channels internationally.

 

We generate revenues from our Real-Time Billing product as a managed service principally by processing prepaid wireless minutes or as a percentage of wireless customer revenue, net of any penalties incurred related to outages on the platform. Real-Time Billing services revenues are recorded net of outage penalties that we may incur based on contracted service level agreements with the wireless operators. We also generate revenues from other transactions processed, including Push to Talk, Short Message Service (SMS) and other data services. Additionally, whether deployed on a managed service basis or licensed basis, we generate revenues from software licensing, implementations and special development services. These revenues are typically recognized over the term of the contract for managed services customers and at the time of shipment for licensed sales. Our Voyager Billing revenues are earned by generating a subscriber’s monthly bill.

 

While there were no bcgi Access Management revenues in the first quarter of 2005, we expect that we will generate revenues from this product by charging wireless operators as a percentage of their revenues or on a per subscriber or account basis. For bcgi Payment, we typically generate revenues by charging wireless operators a transaction fee for the services performed and paying the financial partners a fee for enabling the transaction. bcgi Network is expected to generate revenues on a managed services basis by charging wireless operators a fee for each subscriber or transaction processed or as a percentage of revenue.

 

Our net revenues decreased 3% to $26.4 million in the first quarter of 2005 compared to $27.2 million in the first quarter of 2004. Our operating income of $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2005 is a decrease of 61% over $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2004.

 

In 2004, Verizon Wireless began to use its own internal prepaid billing platform, and began adding new subscribers and converting existing subscribers from our Real-Time Billing platform to its platform. Conversions have been ongoing and are expected to continue through the fourth quarter of 2005. Additionally, while our Cingular Wireless contract expires in the first half of 2006, Cingular Wireless has substantially reduced its sales efforts for its TDMA prepaid offering, which is the only prepaid offering that bcgi supports for Cingular Wireless. Thus, we anticipate that we will continue to have fewer gross additions from Cingular Wireless and that all of its current subscribers will stop being hosted on our Real-Time Billing platform over time.

 

We anticipate that earnings per share for the second quarter of 2005 will approximate $0.03 to $0.06, including approximately $2.2 to $2.9 million of legal costs, primarily associated with the Freedom Wireless lawsuit. We have not provided guidance for the remainder of 2005 since we cannot anticipate the rate and timing of Verizon Wireless’ and Cingular Wireless’ subscribers departure from our Real-Time Billing platform and therefore, the corresponding rate of revenue decline. In addition, Verizon Wireless may terminate our existing prepaid wireless services agreement upon 90 days written notice. We plan to continue to focus on our customer and product diversification strategy that includes investment in all of our new and existing products that we are marketing on a global basis. Based on these factors and other trends, we are estimating that revenues will range from $24.0 to $26.0 million for the second quarter of 2005.

 

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Revenues

 

Our net revenues, which are generated primarily from Real-Time Billing, decreased 3% to $26.4 million in the first quarter of 2005 compared to $27.2 million in the first quarter of 2004. The decrease in revenues was due primarily to our prepaid subscriber base decreasing by 270,000, bringing our subscribers to 3.79 million at March 31, 2005. The decrease in our prepaid subscriber base is due primarily to subscriber losses from Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless exceeding Nextel Communications and other customer additions. In future quarters, our prepaid subscribers are expected to decrease as a result of the Verizon Wireless conversions and the reduced sales efforts of Cingular Wireless. In addition, the Real-Time Billing average billed rate per minute declined by approximately 16% for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same quarter in the previous year. The decline in the average billed rate per minute is due primarily to lower contractual rates for customers who signed contracts more recently making up a larger percentage of Real-Time Billing revenue. Off setting these decreases was a 3% increase in total average billed minutes of use per subscriber per month to 120 minutes for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2004. The increase in total average billed minutes of use per subscriber per month is due primarily to our customers with higher average billed minutes per subscriber per month making up a larger percentage of Real-Time Billing revenue. Nextel Communications, Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless accounted for 29%, 27% and 20% of total revenues, respectively, in the first quarter of 2005.

 

Cost of revenues

 

Cost of revenues primarily include the salaries and benefits of personnel who support our managed services network and our licensed product offerings along with costs for maintenance, telecommunications, travel, facilities and other support costs. Cost of revenues increased to 25% of revenues in the first quarter of 2005 from 23% in the first quarter of 2004. The increase in cost of revenues resulted primarily from additional personnel and wages to support our investments in professional services and global licensing.

 

Operating Data

(unaudited and in thousands)

 

     Three months ended March 31,

 
     2005

    2004

 
     Total

   % of Total
Revenues


    Total

   % of Total
Revenues


 

Total revenues

   $ 26,351    100 %   $ 27,245    100 %

Engineering, research and development

     4,757    18 %     3,796    14 %

Sales and marketing

     2,476    9 %     1,872    7 %

General and administrative

     2,529    10 %     2,086    8 %

General and administrative – legal

     2,210    8 %     1,150    4 %

Depreciation and amortization

     5,554    21 %     5,469    20 %

 

Engineering, research and development expenses

 

Engineering, research and development expenses primarily include the salaries and benefits for software development and engineering personnel associated with the development, implementation and maintenance of existing and new services. The increase in engineering, research and development expenses in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same quarter of 2004 primarily resulted from additional personnel, wages and related costs of approximately $819,000 principally to support the development of bcgi Access Management and bcgi Payment, along with the enhancement of the features and functionality of our existing and other new products. Engineering, research and development expenses in absolute dollars are expected to remain consistent in the second quarter of 2005 compared with $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2005.

 

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Sales and marketing expenses

 

Sales and marketing expenses include direct sales and product management salaries, commissions, travel and entertainment expenses, in addition to the cost of trade shows, direct mail and other promotional expenses. The increase in sales and marketing expenses in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same quarter in the previous year was due primarily to $460,000 in additional expense related to major industry tradeshows we exhibited at in the first quarter of 2005. Sales and marketing expenses in absolute dollars are expected to increase slightly in the second quarter of 2005 as we continue to strengthen our international presence and add resources to augment our international sales team.

 

General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses include salaries and benefits of employees and other expenses that provide our administrative support. The increase in general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same quarter of 2004 was principally due to additional wages of approximately $314,000 to support our diversification strategy. General and administrative expenses in absolute dollars are expected to remain consistent in the second quarter of 2005 compared with $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2005.

 

General and administrative expenses – legal charges

 

General and administrative legal expenses primarily represent legal expenses to defend the patent infringement suit initiated by Freedom Wireless. The increase in expense in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same quarter of 2004 was due to higher costs associated with the commencement of the trial on February 28, 2005. With additional expected trial days in the second quarter of 2005, we expect to incur legal expenses of approximately $2.2 to $2.9 million. This cost is expected to be substantially less per quarter than historical amounts beginning in the third quarter of 2005, during the anticipated appeals process by either party following the completion of the trial. There can be no assurance that costs to defend the Freedom Wireless suit will not exceed our estimate. If Freedom Wireless prevails in this case, the amount of damages could be substantial and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

Depreciation and amortization expense includes depreciation of telecommunications systems and software, building, furniture and equipment and leasehold improvements. We provide for depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to twenty years.

 

Interest income

 

Interest income increased to $403,000 in 2005 compared to $312,000 in 2004. Interest income was earned primarily from investments, which were purchased using the cash generated from operations, from the sale of our teleservices business in 2000 and from the proceeds from our public offerings. Although our combined cash and investment positions decreased as of March 31, 2005, higher average interest rates during the periods resulted in increased levels of interest income compared to the previous year.

 

Provision for income taxes

 

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was 36% compared to 40% for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The income tax rate was 36% in 2005 primarily due to predominantly consistent anticipated tax benefits, including tax credits and tax-exempt interest, on a lower level of income.

 

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Discontinued Operations

 

In March 2004, we ceased providing our ROAMERplus solution, effectively discontinuing our Roaming Services segment. This business generated a net loss of $11,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of March 31, 2005, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased 7% to $72.3 million compared to $77.8 million at December 31, 2004, primarily due to the timing of accounts receivable payments. The net cash used by operations of $71,000 in the first quarter of 2005 resulted from $1.6 million in net income, along with adjustments for depreciation and amortization of $5.6 million, increased receivables of $4.0 million caused by an increase in our days sales outstanding from 63 at as of December 31, 2004 to 73 at March 31, 2004 as a large payment was received in early April and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expense of $2.6 million as a result of paying down year-end accruals.

 

Our investing activities utilized $7.4 million of net cash for the three months ended March 31, 2005. We spent approximately $4.6 million for the purchase of telecommunication equipment and software to enhance our managed services platform as well as further develop our licensed products. Internally capitalized costs totaled $603,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to $780,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. In addition, we purchased $1.7 million in short-term investments, net of sales. We expect to continue our investment in new and existing products which should result in our capital expenditures to be approximately $5.0 to $6.0 million for the second quarter of 2005. We expect to contribute approximately $1.5 million to fund our defined benefit plan in the second quarter of 2005, and we intend to continue to make such contributions once each year for the foreseeable future. We intend to pay such amounts from our cash, cash equivalants and short-term investments.

 

Our financing activities provided cash of $372,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 primarily from proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the issuance of common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

Subject to the outcome of the Freedom Wireless lawsuit, we believe that our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to finance our operations for at least the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future thereafter.

 

We have non-cancelable operating lease commitments for office space and equipment, many of which are renewable at our option as well as various other commitments for equipment and telecommunications services under which we are contractually obligated beyond the current period. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

          Payment due by period

     Total

   within
1 year


   2-3 years

   4-5 years

   More than
5 years


Contractual Obligations:

                                  

Operating leases

   $ 1,917    $ 1,572    $ 302    $ 43    $ —  

Purchase commitments

     3,727      2,206      1,424      97      —  
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 5,644    $ 3,778    $ 1,726    $ 140    $ —  
    

  

  

  

  

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

During the first quarter of 2005, we did not engage in:

 

    Material off-balance sheet activities, including the use of structured finance or special purpose entities,

 

    Material trading activities in non-exchange traded commodity contracts, or

 

    Material transactions with persons or entities that benefit from their non-independent relationship with us.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of those financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to bad debts, capitalized software and labor, long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible asset impairment, legal expenses, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from such estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We believe the following policies to be our most critical policies in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

 

    Revenue recognition and allowance for bad debts

 

    Legal costs

 

    Research and development, software development costs and costs capitalized for internal use

 

    Impairment of long-lived and intangible assets and goodwill

 

    Accounting for income taxes

 

Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Bad Debts

 

Our revenue recognition policy is critical because revenue is a key component affecting our operations. In addition, revenue recognition determines the timing of certain expenses, such as commissions and bonuses, although historically expenses that are contingent on revenue recognition are not material. We follow very specific and detailed guidelines in recognizing revenue; however, certain judgments relating to the elements required for revenue recognition affect the application of our revenue policy. Revenue results are difficult to predict and any shortfall in revenue, changes in judgments concerning recognition of revenue, changes in uncollectible or bad debt estimates, changes in mix, amount of international sales or delays in recognizing revenue, could cause operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter.

 

We recognize our revenues in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” and application of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21 “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” We earn revenues in various ways, depending on the type of transaction. For our managed services business, we earn revenues in the following ways:

 

    For Real-Time Billing, we earn revenues principally by processing prepaid wireless minutes or as a percentage of wireless customer revenue, net of any penalties incurred related to outages on our platform.

 

    For Voyager Billing, we earn revenues by generating a postpaid subscriber’s monthly bill.

 

    For PayExtend, we earn revenues by processing transactions on behalf of wireless operators’ subscribers.

 

Each of these revenues is recognized when the service is provided. For license fees, special projects and implementation services related to our managed services business, revenues are typically recognized ratably over the remaining life of the contract with the wireless operator.

 

For multiple element arrangements, we determine the fair value of each element based on our specific objective evidence for that element and allocate total revenue from these arrangements to each element based on its fair value.

 

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For our licensed systems business, we typically recognize revenue from the sale of systems at the time the systems are shipped or delivered to the customer, depending on shipping terms. In the event there are acceptance terms, we defer revenue until acceptance has occurred. Installation revenue is deferred until the installation is complete. Revenues from maintenance and support and other services are based on vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value and recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance and support contract period or when the services are performed. Vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value for maintenance and support is based upon the amount charged when the service is sold separately, which is typically the contract’s renewal rate. Vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value for installation and other services is based upon standard pre-established rates.

 

In addition to recording revenues net of any penalties incurred related to outages on our managed services platform and estimated amounts that may be disputed, we evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet their financial obligations (e.g. bankruptcy filings, substantial downgrading of credit scores), we record a specific reserve for bad debts against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. In addition, we record reserves based on the length of time the receivables are past due and on historical experience. If circumstances change (e.g., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet their financial obligations), estimates of amounts recoverable could be adversely affected. We believe that our allowance for billing adjustments and doubtful accounts fairly represents the potential amount of bad debt we could incur.

 

Legal Costs

 

We accrue the costs of settlements, damages and, under certain conditions, costs of defense when such costs are probable and estimable; otherwise, such costs are expensed as incurred. As discussed in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we are expensing legal costs related to the Freedom Wireless lawsuit as incurred due to the lengthy and unpredictable proceedings which had made it difficult to reasonably estimate legal costs for the lawsuit.

 

Research and Development, Software Development Costs and Costs Capitalized for Internal Use

 

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. However, costs incurred for the development of computer software or for the deployment of assets for internal use are capitalized. The direct labor and payroll-related costs of development of computer software, primarily for coding and testing of software, are capitalized in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Position 98-1 “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.” The direct labor, travel and payroll-related costs to deploy assets for internal use are capitalized until the asset is placed in service. We make judgments regarding the specific time that can be capitalized based upon the type of project and type of work being performed. The capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on management’s judgment, which contemplates the anticipated future undiscounted net cash flows and changes in hardware and software technologies.

 

Internally capitalized costs totaled $603,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and $780,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Amortization of capitalized software development costs begins when the solution is made available for general release and amortization of internal use costs begins when the related asset is first placed into service. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over a three-year period.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets and Goodwill

 

We assess the impairment of long-lived assets, identifiable intangibles and goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors we consider important which result in an impairment review include the following:

 

    Significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;

 

    Significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business; and

 

    Significant negative industry or economic trends.

 

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When indicators of impairment exist and the carrying value of intangibles and long-lived assets, other than goodwill, may not be recoverable, we compare the projected undiscounted cash flows from these assets, which are determined considering a number of factors including past operating results, budgets, economic projections, market trends and solution development cycles, to their carrying value. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows, the asset is considered impaired and the carrying value is then compared to the asset’s fair value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss equal to the excess is recorded immediately in the Statement of Operations. Fair value is determined by either a quoted market price or use of a present value technique, which requires judgments to be made by management regarding estimating future cash flows, economic life and discount rates, among other assumptions. Different assumptions could yield materially different results.

 

For impairment tests of goodwill, we utilize the enterprise-wide approach, which is based on the aggregate market value of our common stock, to determine the fair value of our reporting segments and compare that to our consolidated net book value to determine if an impairment loss may exist.

 

In October 2002, we acquired the assets and certain liabilities of Infotech Solutions Corporation (“ISC”) and determined the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The principal asset acquired was completed technology of $1.0 million related to billing software solutions for the wireless marketplace as well as customer contracts of $200,000. We may be required to pay additional contingent cash consideration based on ISC attaining certain defined annual revenue targets in 2005, which will be accounted for as additional goodwill.

 

In November 2004, we acquired the assets of Airada Networks, Inc. and Airada Networks Private Limited (“Airada”) and determined the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The principal asset acquired was completed technology of $1.7 million related to a payment management software solution for the wireless marketplace as well as customer contracts of $100,000. We may be required to pay additional contingent cash consideration based on Airada attaining certain defined annual revenue and operational targets through 2007, most of which will be accounted for as additional goodwill.

 

Management determined the fair value of the assets acquired by considering the anticipated cash flows to be generated from the existing products, the valuation of customer relationships, the estimated life of the technology acquired and other assumptions. The valuation of completed technology was primarily based on future cash flow projections over the estimated economic life adjusted for an incremental obsolescence rate discounted to present value. We estimated that the useful life of the acquired technology is five years. Significant judgments and estimates are involved in determining the fair market value of assets acquired and their useful lives. Different assumptions could yield materially different results.

 

Income Taxes

 

Our current and deferred income taxes, and associated tax reserves, are impacted by events and transactions arising in the normal course of business as well as in connection with special and non-recurring items. Assessment of the appropriate amount and classification of income taxes is dependent on several factors, including estimates of the timing and realization of deferred income tax assets and the timing of income tax payments. Actual collections and payments may materially differ from these estimates as a result of changes in tax laws as well as unanticipated future transactions impacting related income tax balances.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

On December 16, 2004 and as amended on April 14, 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (Statement No. 123(R)), which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. Statement No. 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in Statement No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in Statement 123. However, Statement No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

 

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Under Statement No. 123(R), the Securities and Exchange Commission allows companies to implement Statement No. 123(R) at the beginning of their next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting period, that begins after June 15, 2005. We expect to adopt Statement No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006.

 

As permitted by Statement 123, we currently account for share-based payments to employees using Opinion 25’s intrinsic value method and, as such, generally recognize no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoption of Statement No. 123(R)’s fair value method will have a significant impact on our results of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position. The impact of adoption of Statement No. 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on levels of share-based payments granted in the future. However, had we adopted Statement No. 123(R) in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of Statement 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. Statement No. 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption.

 

Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results

 

An unfavorable judgment in the Freedom Wireless lawsuit would have a material adverse impact on our business.

 

In March 2000, Freedom Wireless, Inc. filed a suit against us and a number of our wireless carrier customers claiming that we and the other defendants infringe a patent of Freedom Wireless. In March 2001, Freedom Wireless amended the complaint to include a continuation patent. Freedom Wireless seeks injunctive relief and damages. In addition, we are contractually obligated to indemnify the other defendants for any damages that they incur as a result of any infringement by our technology.

 

The trial began on February 28, 2005 and is expected to be completed in mid-May 2005. We cannot yet assess our potential liability, if any. Any adverse outcome, including the following, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations:

 

    Injunctive relief against us, which could significantly restrict our ability to conduct our business;

 

    An adverse judgment against us for significant monetary damages;

 

    A settlement on unfavorable terms;

 

    Obligations to the other defendants to indemnify them for damages;

 

    Obligations to customers for breach of a contractual warranty of non-infringement; and/or

 

    A requirement to reengineer our prepaid processing solution to avoid patent infringement, which would likely result in additional expense and delay.

 

Freedom Wireless is seeking damages in excess of $250 million from us and the other remaining co-defendants, who bcgi has agreed to indemnify. If Freedom Wireless prevails in this case and is awarded the amount of damages which they are seeking from us and the other co-defendants, this amount would exceed our ability to pay.

 

Regardless of the outcome, we will continue to incur significant expenses to defend this lawsuit. We have incurred approximately $19.0 million in legal costs as of March 31, 2005 to defend this lawsuit, and expect to incur approximately $2.2 to $2.9 million in legal expenses in the second quarter of 2005. This cost is expected to substantially less per quarter than historical amounts beginning in the third quarter of 2005, during the anticipated appeals process by either party following the completion of the trial. There can be no assurance that costs to defend the Freedom Wireless suit will not exceed our estimate.

 

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Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless, two of our largest customers using our Real-Time Billing managed services, are currently also utilizing in-house and/or our competitors’ prepaid solutions, which will result in the continued loss of existing subscribers and fewer subscriber additions to our platform.

 

Verizon Wireless may terminate our existing prepaid wireless services agreement upon 90 days written notice. Verizon Wireless began converting subscribers from our platform to its internal platform in the fourth quarter 2004. Conversions have been ongoing and are expected to continue through the fourth quarter 2005. In addition, because Cingular Wireless has substantially reduced marketing efforts for our Real-Time Billing offering and began offering prepaid service on their GSM network through one of our competitors, we expect that subscribers from Cingular Wireless’ TDMA prepaid service that we currently support will churn off of our platform over time. Thus, revenues from Verizon and Cingular will substantially decrease, resulting in a reduction of overall revenue from our Real-Time Billing business from these two customers.

 

The loss or significant reduction of business from one of our major customers, including Nextel Communications, Verizon Wireless or Cingular Wireless, would have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Historically, a significant portion of our revenues in any particular period has been attributable to a limited number of customers in the wireless telecommunications business. The following table summarizes the percentage of our total revenue received from Nextel Communications, Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless for the three months ended March 31, 2005:

 

Nextel Communications

   29 %

Verizon Wireless

   27 %

Cingular Wireless

   20 %

 

Most of our customer contracts are not exclusive. Therefore, our wireless operator customers have used and/or tested and continue to use and/or test their own services or services of our competitors in certain markets. In addition, certain of our contracts are up for renewal in 2005 and beyond. If and when each of the contracts is renewed, some contractual rates may be lower than in previous years and at lower rates than we have estimated. In addition, we depend on our wireless customers to market and sell our solutions to consumers. We can provide no assurance that they will do so successfully, and therefore, that there will be a significant market for our mobile services platform.

 

Nextel became our largest customer in the first quarter of 2005. We can provide no assurance that Nextel will continue to use our services beyond the term of their contract with us. If we were to lose Nextel as a customer and not replace the revenue, our business would be materially and adversely impacted. Additionally, there are a limited number of customers available in the U.S. marketplace and if we are unable to add new customers, our business would be materially and adversely impacted.

 

Our future success depends partly on the global acceptance of our new products, including bcgi Access Management, Payment Manager and bcgi Network.

 

We have recently introduced bcgi Access Management, Payment Manager and bcgi Network product offerings to the marketplace. The acceptance of these new products is critical to our strategy to diversify and grow our revenue base. Our success in gaining acceptance of these offerings will depend on our ability to integrate these products into existing wireless operator billing platforms. In addition, the success of bcgi Access Management will depend on wireless operator and subscriber acceptance of the capabilities of this product. The failure or delay of any of these offerings to be accepted in the marketplace could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our future operating results are difficult to predict and may materially fluctuate which may result in significant fluctuations in our stock price.

 

We have experienced fluctuations in our quarterly operating results and such fluctuations may continue and could intensify. Additionally, we anticipate the change in our business model will result in more revenues from licensed sales, which tend to be less predictable. Our quarterly operating results may vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including:

 

    The lack of acceptance or delayed acceptance of our newest solutions, including bcgi Access Management and Payment Manager;

 

    Decreased demand for our licensed solutions, caused by reductions in capital budgets of our customers, changing technologies and other reasons beyond our control;

 

    Delays in recognizing revenue on any transaction;

 

    Delays or deferrals of customer shipments and/or implementations of our products;

 

    Variations in volumes of minutes of use generated by our wireless customers’ subscribers;

 

    The number and significance of network outages in a particular quarter and the severity and timing of penalties that result from such outages;

 

    Rates charged and paid by our customers;

 

    Impact and acceptance of existing solutions or the introduction of competing solutions by wireless operators, including those who are currently our customers;

 

    Our wireless customers’ ability to generate additional prepaid subscribers using our solutions;

 

    The extent of our wireless customers’ emphasis on promoting prepaid solutions and the timing of related marketing initiatives, including our wireless operators’ allocation of marketing resources for initiatives other than prepaid wireless services, such as data services, new technologies, etc.;

 

    Our and our wireless customers’ ability to minimize “churn” (the percentage of total prepaid subscribers that terminate service on our network);

 

    The relatively long sales cycles for many of our products;

 

    Changes in the mix of solutions we provide;

 

    Seasonal trends, particularly in the second and third quarters when wireless operators are not usually marketing and selling prepaid services as aggressively as in the first and fourth quarters of the year; and

 

    Consolidation within the wireless industry, which could lead to the loss of a major customer or the reduction in rates per minute paid by our customers.

 

We expect that our revenues and net income will decline in future quarters, as Verizon and Cingular generate less revenue. Also, a significant portion of our expenses is fixed. Accordingly, our results of operations are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in revenues. If our revenues fall below our expectations, we would most likely not be able to reduce our fixed or other expenses in time to sufficiently respond to such a shortfall. Additionally, due to all of the foregoing factors, it is possible that in some future quarter our results of operations will be below our expectations and/or the expectations of public market analysts and investors. In such event, the price of our common stock would likely be materially and adversely affected.

 

If we do not continue to develop and offer more desirable functionality and features in our solutions at competitive prices, including bcgi Billing, bcgi Access Management, bcgi Payment, bcgi Network and the new solutions currently in our pipeline, we will not be able to compete effectively and our business will be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our business will not be successful if we do not develop and offer more functionality and features in our solutions than those available in competitive offerings or if we are unable to develop new solutions to offer our wireless customers. Also, there can be no assurance that we will successfully support and enhance our real-time billing platform effectively or that our network will successfully support current and future growth. In addition, we may be unable to leverage our existing infrastructure to provide enhancements to our current solutions or new solutions

 

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cost-effectively. If we cannot develop and provide more desirable functionality and features than our competitors, if we cannot sell our new solutions, including bcgi Access Management, bcgi Network or bcgi Payment, or if we are unable to keep our costs down to provide new and enhanced solutions at competitive prices, we would likely lose market share or be required to reduce our pricing, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we do not successfully continue to upgrade our software and hosting environment as new wireless technologies evolve, including but not limited to 3G technology, we may lose existing and prospective customers.

 

Our international sales and operations subject us to additional risks that can adversely affect our operating results.

 

We are expanding our operations internationally and expect to derive a greater portion of our revenues from customers outside the United States. Our international operations are subject to a variety of risks, including:

 

    General economic conditions in each country or region;

 

    The overlap of different tax regimes;

 

    Fluctuations in currency exchange rates and difficulties in transferring funds from certain countries;

 

    The difficulty of managing an organization operating in various countries;

 

    Compliance with a variety of international laws and regulations, including trade restrictions, local labor ordinances and changes in tariff rates;

 

    Longer payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;

 

    Import and export licensing requirements;

 

    Political unrest, terrorism and the potential for other hostilities, particularly in areas in which we have facilities; and

 

    Reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some countries.

 

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to anticipate and address these risks. We cannot guarantee that these or other factors will not adversely affect our business or operating results.

 

We rely on complex information technology systems and networks to operate our business. If any significant system or network disruption occurs, we will be subject to financial penalties that could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

We rely on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of complex information technology systems and networks. All information technology systems and networks are potentially vulnerable to damage or interruption from a variety of sources, including but not limited to computer viruses, security breaches, natural disasters, fire, power loss, terrorism, war, telecommunication failure or similar events. We have implemented various measures to guard against these risks, however, each quarter we have experienced network outages, some of which have resulted in significant reductions in revenue due to penalty clauses contained in certain of our wireless customer contracts. Our Bedford and Woburn, Massachusetts facilities are redundant and each facility is able to provide all significant processing functions of our network. We still may not be protected from a natural disaster within the greater Boston, Massachusetts area. There may also be system or network disruptions if new or upgraded business management systems are defective or are not installed properly. However, there can be no assurance that a system or network failure or significant disruption will not have a material adverse impact on our business and our operating results. In addition, in the event of such a disruption or failure, we may incur significant costs to remedy the damages caused by such a situation.

 

Our business would be materially adversely impacted if we cannot protect our intellectual property.

 

Our success and ability to compete depends in part upon our proprietary technology and our ability to protect such technology. We have a number of patent applications pending to protect our proprietary technology in the United States and internationally. If these patent applications are not approved, we may not be able to prevent others from

 

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using similar technologies and we may be subject to additional patent infringement lawsuits or royalty payments to use the technology. We rely on a combination of contractual provisions, confidentiality procedures, and patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright laws to protect the proprietary aspects of our technology. These legal protections afford only limited protection and competitors may gain access to our intellectual property that may result in the loss of customers. In addition, despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our technology or to obtain and use our proprietary information. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets and to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Any litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources with no assurance of success and could seriously harm our business and operating results.

 

We may never realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisitions.

 

A key part of our growth and diversification strategy is to engage in acquisitions. We regularly review future acquisition opportunities and have acquired companies in the recent past. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify any appropriate acquisition candidates or that any identified acquisition opportunities will be available on terms and conditions acceptable to us. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including, among other things:

 

    Possible decreases in capital resources or dilution to existing stockholders;

 

    Difficulties and expenses incurred in connection with the acquisitions and the subsequent assimilation of the operations and the services or products of the acquired company;

 

    Difficulties of operating a new business;

 

    Potential inherited liability for the past actions of the acquired company;

 

    Risk that any acquired company’s internal controls may not be adequate;

 

    Diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;

 

    Limited ability to predict future operating results of the acquired company; and

 

    Potential loss of key employees and customers of the acquired company.

 

In the event that the operations of an acquired business do not meet expectations, we may be required to restructure the acquired business or write off the value of some or all of the assets of the acquired business. There can be no assurance that any acquisition will be successfully integrated into our operations or will have the intended financial or strategic results.

 

We may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our business, which would adversely impact our ability to offer competitive solutions and grow.

 

We have expanded our operations rapidly and continue to invest in new products and features, including expanding internationally. This has created significant demands on our technical, management, operational, development and administrative personnel and other resources. Any additional expansion by us may further strain our management, financial and other resources. There can be no assurance that our systems, procedures, controls and existing space will be adequate to support expansion of our operations or that we will be successful in our expansion strategy. Inability of our management to manage operational changes effectively, would materially and adversely affect the quality of our solutions, our ability to retain key personnel and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our business may suffer if we are unable to attract and retain key employees.

 

Competition for employees with the skills we require is intense. Our success will depend on our ability to attract and retain key employees, including members of the executive management team as well as those employees in crucial technical, marketing and staff positions. The loss of one or more key employees, our inability to attract additional qualified employees, or the delay in hiring key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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The market for our solutions is very competitive and depends on the growth and health of the wireless industry and wireless carriers.

 

We have historically provided our solutions almost exclusively to wireless carriers. The market for solutions to wireless carriers is highly competitive and subject to rapid change as new technologies are continually introduced in the wireless marketplace. We anticipate continued growth and competition in the wireless services industry and, consequently, the entrance of new competitors in the future. Our competitors include independent providers of prepaid and other solutions to wireless carriers and the wireless carriers themselves who provide, or can provide, in-house services similar to ours. These wireless carriers, and many of the independent service providers, have significantly greater financial and other resources than we do. In addition, the wireless industry is subject to consolidation, which could potentially result in the loss of carrier customers and/or subscribers. Competitive pressures may make it difficult for us to acquire and retain customers and may require us to reduce the price of our service solutions. We cannot be certain that we will be able to compete successfully with existing or new competitors. Our failure to maintain and enhance our competitive position would limit our ability to retain and increase our market share, resulting in serious harm to our business and operating results.

 

To provide our solutions, we depend on a number of third-party software, hardware and service vendors, and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected if we are unable, or are delayed in our ability to obtain these components and applications.

 

Our operations are supported by many hardware components and software applications from third-party vendors, sometimes licensed from single vendors. There can be no assurance that these vendors will continue to license these components and applications to us or that they will do so at reasonable prices. In addition, there can be no assurance that these hardware components and software applications will function in accordance with specifications agreed upon by us and our vendors. If we cannot obtain these components and applications from our existing vendors, we may not be able to timely procure or develop replacement software and hardware at commercially reasonable costs, or at all. If we are unable to do so, we may be required to delay the development or sale of our current or future solutions, which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Changes in government regulations could adversely impact our business.

 

Proposals to intensify or reduce government regulations of the wireless telephone industry continue to be discussed at both the federal and state levels. Such changes may decrease the growth of the wireless telephone industry, result in new competitors or industry consolidation, limit the number of potential customers for our solutions or impede our ability to offer competitive solutions to the wireless market or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We maintain an investment portfolio in accordance with our Investment Policy. The primary objectives of our Investment Policy are to preserve principal, maintain proper liquidity to meet operating needs and maximize yields. Although our investments are subject to credit risk, our policy specifies credit quality standards for our investments and limits the amount of credit exposure from any single issue, issuer or type of investment. Our investments are also subject to interest rate risk and will decrease in value if market interest rates increase. However, since our investments are generally conservative in nature and are of a relatively short duration and some are held to maturity, interest rate risk is mitigated.

 

We do not use derivative financial instruments for either hedging foreign currency exposure risk or speculative trading purposes. Accordingly, we do not believe that there is any material market risk exposure with respect to derivative or other financial instruments that would require disclosure under this item.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2005. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and our management necessarily applied its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of March 31, 2005, our disclosure controls and procedures were (1) designed to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to our CEO and CFO by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared and (2) effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act) occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION:

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

In March 2000, Freedom Wireless, Inc. filed a suit against us and a number of our wireless carrier customers. The suit is being tried in the United States District Court in Massachusetts and alleges that the defendants infringe two patents held by Freedom Wireless, Inc. and seeks damages as well as injunctive relief. If there were a ruling that we infringed the Freedom Wireless patents, it could significantly restrict our ability to conduct business. In addition, we have an obligation to indemnify the other defendants for damages they may incur with respect to any infringement by our technology. The trial began on February 28, 2005 and is expected to be completed in mid May 2005. In 2005, Verizon Wireless, who was a defendant in the case, reached a settlement with Freedom Wireless and is therefore no longer a defendant in the case. We were not part of the settlement discussions and the terms of the settlement are not public. We do not believe that we infringe these patents and believe that the patents are invalid in light of prior art and other reasons.

 

We are not presently able to estimate the potential losses, if any, related to the Freedom Wireless lawsuit. Freedom Wireless is seeking damages in excess of $250 million from us and the other remaining co-defendants, whom bcgi has agreed to indemnify. If Freedom Wireless prevails in this case and is awarded the amount of damages which they are seeking from us and the other co-defendants, this amount would exceed our ability to pay.

 

We account for costs related to this case as incurred due to the lengthy and unpredictable proceedings which make it difficult to reasonably estimate legal costs. The total costs to defend the case through March 31, 2005 were $19.0 million. We expect to incur approximately $2.2 to $2.9 million in legal expenses in the second quarter of 2005. This cost is expected to be substantially less per quarter than historical amounts beginning in the third quarter of 2005, during the anticipated appeals process by either party following the completion of the trial. There can be no assurance that costs to defend the Freedom Wireless suit will not exceed our estimate.

 

From time to time, as a normal incidence of the nature of our business, various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced against us arising from, or related to, contractual matters, patents, trademarks, personal injury, and personnel and employment disputes. As to such claims and litigation, we can give no assurance that we will prevail. However, we do not believe that these matters (other than as disclosed) will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, although an adverse outcome of any of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows in future quarters or in the quarter or annual period in which one or more of these matters are resolved.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

(c) In June 2004, our board of directors approved the repurchase by us of up to an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the repurchase program. The program will expire at the earliest occurrence of any of the following events:

 

  a. The repurchase of all shares that are authorized to be repurchased under the program;

 

  b. Termination of the repurchase program by our board of directors; and

 

  c. June 10, 2005.

 

No shares were repurchased under the repurchase program during the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

 

Item 5. Other information

 

(b) None

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibits

 

10.1    Amendment #1 dated May 3, 2005 to Employment Agreement with E. Y. Snowden, dated February 10, 1998
10.2    Change of Control Agreement with Karen A. Walker, dated May 3, 2005
10.3    Change of Control Agreement with William Wessman, dated May 3, 2005
10.4    Change of Control Agreement with Paul Tobin, dated May 3, 2005
10.5    Change of Control with Fritz von Mering, dated May 3, 2005
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
32    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date: May 9, 2005

 

Boston Communications Group, Inc.
(Registrant)
By:  

/s/ Karen A. Walker


    Karen A. Walker
    Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

 

30

EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm AMENDMENT #1 DATED MAY 3, 2005 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Amendment #1 dated May 3, 2005 to Employment Agreement

Exhibit 10.1

 

This AMENDMENT #1 TO THE EMPLOYMENT LETTER AGREEMENT (the “Amendment”), dated as of May 3, 2005, is entered into by and between Boston Communications Group, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the “Company”), and E.Y. Snowden (the “Employee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee are parties to that certain Employment Letter Agreement dated as of February 10, 1998 (the “Employment Agreement”) and desire to amend the Employment Agreement as set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. AMENDMENTS TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

  A. The last two sentences of Paragraph 4 are hereby deleted in their entirety and the following inserted in lieu thereof:

 

“In the event there is a Change in Control (as defined in Appendix A attached hereto) of Boston Communications Group, Inc., then you will vest in 100% of any options to purchase Company stock or restricted stock of the Company held by the Executive under the Company’s stock compensation plans and arrangements, notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the documents otherwise governing the options and will remain exercisable for the period of time during which such options would otherwise have been exercisable had the Executive remained in the employ of the Company.”

 

  B. Paragraph 6 of the Employment Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is inserted in lieu thereof:

 

“6. Boston Communications Group, Inc. will provide you with a severance package to cover you in the event that Boston Communications Group, Inc. terminates your employment for any reason other than one of the following reasons:

 

  a. Illegal acts (other than minor traffic violations, misdemeanors, or other acts that do not result in criminal conviction) including convictions for theft or embezzlement.

 

  b. Material violation of published, written policies of Boston Communications Group, Inc.

 

  c. Irresponsible, unauthorized acts of a willful nature in the performance of duties that have a substantial financial impact on Boston Communications Group, Inc. or significantly affect Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s public image.

 

That package will provide you with the base salary and benefit continuance from the time of your involuntary termination for up to twelve months thereafter, or until such time as you become employed, whichever is the lesser of the two, at which time all payments will cease.”

 

  C. The following Paragraph 10 is hereby added to the Employment Agreement:

 

“10. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, the provisions set forth in Appendix A attached hereto shall be applicable to such Change in Control.”

 

  D. The following Paragraph 11 is hereby added to the Employment Agreement:

 

“11. Neither you nor Boston Communications Group, Inc. shall have the right to accelerate or to defer the delivery of the payments to be made under Paragraph 6 of this Agreement or under the provisions of Appendix A to this Agreement; provided, however, that if you are a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)


and any of the payments to be made to you under Paragraph 6 of this Agreement or under the provisions of Appendix A to this Agreement constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, then the commencement of the delivery of any such payments will be delayed to the date that is 6 months after your date of termination. In addition, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent that you or Boston Communications Group, Inc. reasonably believe that Section 409A of the Code will result in adverse tax consequences to you as a result of the provisions this Agreement or of Appendix A attached hereto, then you and Boston Communications Group, Inc. shall renegotiate this Agreement in good faith in order to minimize or eliminate such tax consequences and retain the basic economics of this Agreement to the extent possible.”

 

2. GENERAL

 

  A. This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

 

  B. Except as amended hereby, the Employment Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

 

  C. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which, taken together, constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]


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

 

BOSTON COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Karen A. Walker


    Karen A. Walker
    Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
   

/s/ E.Y. Snowden


    E.Y. Snowden
    President & Chief Executive Officer


Appendix A

 

1. Key Definitions.

 

As used in this Appendix A, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

  1.1 Cause” means:

 

  a. A good faith finding by a majority of the Board (excluding your vote, if you are then a member of the Board) that (1) you have refused without good reason to perform your reasonably assigned material duties for Boston Communications Group, Inc.; (2) you have engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct, which has or is expected to have a material detrimental effect on Boston Communications Group, Inc., (3) you have engaged in fraud, embezzlement or other material dishonesty, (4) you have engaged in any conduct which would constitute grounds for termination for violation of Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s policies in effect at that time; or (5) you have breached any material provision of any nondisclosure, invention assignment, non-competition or other similar agreement between you and Boston Communications Group, Inc. and, if amenable to cure, have not cured such breach after reasonable notice from Boston Communications Group, Inc.; or

 

  b. Your conviction of, or the entry of a pleading of guilty or nolo contendere by you to, any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.

 

  1.2 As used herein, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events:

 

  a. Any “person” who is not the “beneficial owner” of more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding equity securities of Boston Communications Group, Inc. on a fully diluted basis on the date hereof or an “affiliate” of such party on the date hereof becomes, alone or together with such person’s affiliates, a “beneficial owner” of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding equity securities of Boston Communications Group, Inc. (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder); or

 

  b. In a single transaction, the consummation of a merger, consolidation or share exchange involving Boston Communications Group, Inc., or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Boston Communications Group, Inc., unless the stockholders of Boston Communications Group, Inc. immediately prior to the transaction own fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding equity securities of the continuing entity immediately following the consummation of such transaction.

 

  1.3 Change of Control Date” means the first date during the Term (as defined in Section 1.4) on which a Change in Control occurs. Anything in this Appendix to the contrary notwithstanding, if (a) a Change in Control occurs, (b) your employment with Boston Communications Group, Inc. is terminated prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and (c) you reasonably demonstrate that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Change in Control Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

 

  1.4

Term of Agreement. This Appendix, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall expire upon the first to occur of (a) the expiration of the Term (as defined below) if a Change in Control has not occurred during the Term, (b) the termination of your employment with Boston Communications Group, Inc. prior to the Change in Control Date, (c) the


 

termination of your employment with Boston Communications Group, Inc. after the Change of Control Date without Cause or for Good Reason, (d) the date twenty-four (24) months after the Change in Control Date, if you are still employed by Boston Communications Group, Inc. as of such later date, or (e) the fulfillment by Boston Communications Group, Inc. of all of its obligations under Section 2 of this Appendix A if your employment with Boston Communications Group, Inc. terminates within twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control Date. “Term” shall mean the period commencing as of the Effective Date and continuing in effect through May 3, 2010; provided, however, that commencing on May 3, 2010 and on each May 3 thereafter, the Term shall be automatically extended for one additional year unless, not later than 90 days prior to the scheduled expiration of the Term (or any extension thereof), Boston Communications Group, Inc. shall have given you written notice that the Term will not be extended.

 

  1.5 Good Reason” means the occurrence, without your written consent, of any of the events or circumstances set forth in clauses (a) through (c) below:

 

  a. relocation of your primary place of business to a location that results in an increase in your daily one way commute of at least fifty (50) miles;

 

  b. any material breach by Boston Communications Group, Inc. or any successor thereto of any agreement entered into after the Effective Date (or in the case of any agreement to provide benefits to you, entered into at any time) to which you and Boston Communications Group, Inc. are parties, which breach is not cured within ten days after written notice thereof; or

 

  c. Any material adverse change in your authority, duties or annual base salary (including, but not limited to, any failure to pay compensation on at least a monthly basis) as in effect prior to the Change in Control.

 

  2. Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason After a Change in Control. If at any time prior to the expiration of twenty-four (24) months following a Change of Control Date, Boston Communications Group, Inc. terminates your employment without Cause or you terminate your employment for Good Reason, Boston Communications Group, Inc. will provide benefits as follows, provided you execute a release of claims drafted by counsel to Boston Communications Group, Inc. and it becomes binding:

 

  2.1 Payment

 

  a. Within 30 days following the termination of employment, Boston Communications Group, Inc. will pay to you a lump-sum cash amount equal to 250% of your annual base salary in effect at the time of the termination of employment (or if your annual base salary has been reduced within 61 days prior to the termination, the base salary in effect immediately prior to the reduction), less all applicable state and federal taxes.

 

  b. You will be paid your prorated target bonus due for the calendar year until your date of termination, less all applicable state and federal taxes. For example, if your employment is terminated on March 31, you would be paid 25% of the prorated target bonus not yet paid for the applicable year. If your employment is terminated on June 30, you would be paid 50% of the prorated target bonus not yet paid for the applicable year. Any other bonuses or commission earned but not yet paid will be paid to you upon termination.

 

  c.

Boston Communications Group, Inc. will continue for a period of 30 months following the date of termination to provide you with any medical, dental and disability and life insurance benefits in effect at the time of your termination (or, if your level of benefits has been reduced within 61 days of the termination, your level of benefits in effect prior to the reduction). If Boston


 

Communications Group, Inc. is unable to continue any such benefit or benefits, Boston Communications Group, Inc. will instead pay to you, within 30 days of termination, a lump sum cash payment equal to the greater of Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s cost of such benefits or your individual replacement cost for such benefits. All other benefits will cease upon termination.

 

  2.2 Taxes.

 

  a. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Appendix, except as set forth in Section 2.2(b), in the event that Boston Communications Group, Inc. undergoes a “Change in Ownership or Control” (as defined below), Boston Communications Group, Inc. shall not be obligated to provide to you a portion of any “Contingent Compensation Payments” (as defined below) that you would otherwise be entitled to receive to the extent necessary to eliminate any “excess parachute payments” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) for you. For purposes of this Section 2.2, the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Payments” and the aggregate amount (determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision) of the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Amount.”

 

  b. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.2(a), no such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments shall be made if (i) the Eliminated Amount (computed without regard to this sentence) exceeds (ii) 110% of the aggregate present value (determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-31 and Q/A-32 or any successor provisions) of the amount of any additional taxes that would be incurred by you if the Eliminated Payments (determined without regard to this sentence) were paid to you (including, state and federal income taxes on the Eliminated Payments, the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code payable with respect to all of the Contingent Compensation Payments in excess of your “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code), and any withholding taxes). The override of such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments pursuant to this Section 2.2(b) shall be referred to as a “Section 2.2(b) Override.” For purpose of this paragraph, if any federal or state income taxes would be attributable to the receipt of any Eliminated Payment, the amount of such taxes shall be computed by multiplying the amount of the Eliminated Payment by the maximum combined federal and state income tax rate provided by law.

 

  c. For purposes of this Section 2.2, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

  (i) “Change in Ownership or Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of Boston Communications Group, Inc. or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of Boston Communications Group, Inc. determined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.

 

  (ii) “Contingent Compensation Payment” shall mean any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or made available (under this Agreement or otherwise) to a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Ownership or Control of Boston Communications Group, Inc.

 

  d.

Override is applicable. Within 30 days after delivery of such notice to you, you shall deliver a response to Boston Communications Group, Inc. (the “Executive Response”) stating either (A) that you agree with Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s determination pursuant to the preceding sentence, in which case you shall indicate, if applicable, which Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments or


 

(B) that you disagree with such determination, in which case you shall set forth (i) which Potential Payments should be characterized as Contingent Compensation Payments, (ii) the Eliminated Amount, (iii) whether the Section 2.2(b) Override is applicable, and (iv) which (if any) Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount, if any), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments. In the event that you fail to deliver an Executive Response on or before the required date, Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s initial determination shall be final and the Contingent Compensation Payments that shall be treated as Eliminated Payments shall be determined by Boston Communications Group, Inc. in its absolute discretion. If you state in the Executive Response that you agree with Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s determination, Boston Communications Group, Inc. shall make the Potential Payments to you within three business days following delivery to Boston Communications Group, Inc. of the Executive Response (except for any Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). If you state in the Executive Response that you disagree with Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s determination, then, for a period of 60 days following delivery of the Executive Response, you and Boston Communications Group, Inc. shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within such 60-day period, such dispute shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. Boston Communications Group, Inc. shall, within three business days following delivery to Boston Communications Group, Inc. of the Executive Response, make those Potential Payments to you as to which there is no dispute between you and Boston Communications Group, Inc. regarding whether they should be made (except for any such Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). The balance of the Potential Payments shall be made within three business days following the resolution of such dispute. Subject to the limitations contained in Sections 2.2(a) and (b) hereof, the amount of any payments to be made to you following the resolution of such dispute shall be increased by the amount of the accrued interest thereon computed at the prime rate announced from time to time by Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s primary bank, compounded monthly from the date that such payments originally were due.

 

  2.3 Mitigation. You shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 2 by seeking other employment or otherwise. Further, the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 2 shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by you as a result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by you to Boston Communications Group, Inc., or otherwise.

 

  2.4 Other Payments. This Agreement does not supercede or otherwise impact any other current obligations of Boston Communications Group, Inc. to you. Any amounts payable hereunder shall not be offset by any amounts due to Boston Communications Group, Inc. from you.

 

  3. Other Employment Termination. If your employment terminates for any reason other than as described in Section 2, you shall only receive any compensation owed to you as of your termination date and any other post-termination benefits which you are eligible to receive under the Employment Agreement or any plan or program of Boston Communications Group, Inc.

 

  4. Successors.

 

  4.1

Successor to Company. Boston Communications Group, Inc. shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of Boston Communications Group, Inc. expressly to assume and agree to perform the provisions this Appendix to the same extent that Boston Communications Group, Inc.


 

would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Appendix, “Boston Communications Group, Inc.” shall include any successor to its business or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

 

  4.2 Successor to Executive. The provisions of this Appendix shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by your personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributes, devisees and legatees. If you should die while any amount would still be payable to you or your family hereunder if you had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of your estate.

 

  5. Miscellaneous.

 

  5.1 Employment by Subsidiary. For purposes of this Appendix, your employment with Boston Communications Group, Inc. shall not be deemed to have terminated solely as a result of you continuing to be employed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boston Communications Group, Inc.

 

  5.2 Waiver of Right to Jury Trial. Both Boston Communications Group, Inc. and you expressly waive any right that any party either has or may have to a jury trial of any dispute arising out of or in any way related to the matters covered by the provisions of the Agreement or this Appendix.

 

  5.3 Tax Withholding. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable tax withholding required under federal, state or local law.

 

 

EX-10.2 3 dex102.htm CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT WITH KAREN A. WALKER, DATED MAY 3, 2005 Change of Control Agreement with Karen A. Walker, dated May 3, 2005

Exhibit 10.2

 

Change of Control Agreement

 

THIS CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) by and between Boston Communications Group, Inc. (the “Company”), a Massachusetts Corporation with its principal place of business at 55 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA 01730, and Karen A. Walker (the “Executive”), is made as of May 3, 2005 (the “Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that the possibility of an acquisition of the Company exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among certain personnel, may result in the departure or distraction of personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders, and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued employment and dedication of the Executive and the Executive’s continued efforts to maximize the Company’s value.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, as an inducement for and in consideration of the Executive remaining in its employ, the Company agrees that the Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in this Agreement upon a Change in Control (as defined in Section 1.2).

 

  1. Key Definitions.

 

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

  a. Cause” means:

 

  i. A good faith finding by a majority of the Board (excluding the vote of the Executive, if then a member of the Board) that (1) the Executive has refused without good reason to perform his or her reasonably assigned material duties for the Company; (2) the Executive has engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct, which has or is expected to have a material detrimental effect on the Company, (3) the Executive has engaged in fraud, embezzlement or other material dishonesty, (4) the Executive has engaged in any conduct which would constitute grounds for termination for violation of the Company’s policies in effect at that time; or (5) the Executive has breached any material provision of any nondisclosure, invention assignment, non-competition or other similar agreement between the Executive and the Company and, if amenable to cure, has not cured such breach after reasonable notice from the Company; or

 

  ii. The conviction by the Executive of, or the entry of a pleading of guilty or nolo contendre by the Executive to, any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.

 

  b. As used herein, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events:

 

  i. Any “person” who is not the “beneficial owner” of more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company on a fully diluted basis on the date hereof or an “affiliate” of such party on the date hereof becomes, alone or together with such person’s affiliates, a “beneficial owner” of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder); or

 

  ii. In a single transaction, the consummation of a merger, consolidation or share exchange involving the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, unless the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction own fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding equity securities of the continuing entity immediately following the consummation of such transaction.


  c. Change of Control Date” means the first date during the Term (as defined in Section 1.4) on which a Change in Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (a) a Change in Control occurs, (b) the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and (c) it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Change in Control Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

 

  d. Term of Agreement. This Agreement, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall take effect upon the Effective Date and shall expire upon the first to occur of (a) the expiration of the Term (as defined below) if a Change in Control has not occurred during the term, (b) the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company prior to the Change in Control Date, (c) the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company after the Change of Control Date without Cause or for Good Reason, (d) the date twenty-four (24) months after the Change in Control Date, if the Executive is still employed by the Company as of such later date, or (e) the fulfillment by the Company of all of its obligations under Section 2 if the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates within twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control Date. “Term” shall mean the period commencing as of the Effective Date and continuing in effect through May 3, 2010 provided, however, that commencing on May 3, 2010 and each May 3rd thereafter, the Term shall be automatically extended for one additional year unless, not later than 90 days prior to the scheduled expiration of the Term (or any extension thereof), the Company shall have given the Executive written notice that the Term will not be extended.

 

  e. Good Reason” means the occurrence, without the Executive’s written consent, of any of the events or circumstances set forth in clauses (a) through (c) below

 

  i. relocation of the Executive’s primary place of business to a location that results in an increase in the Executive’s daily one way commute of at least fifty (50) miles;

 

  ii. any material breach by the Company or any successor thereto of any agreement entered into after the Effective Date (or in the case of any agreement to provide benefits to the Executive, entered into at any time) to which the Executive and the Company are parties, which breach is not cured within ten days after written notice thereof; or

 

  iii. Any material adverse change in the Executive’s authority, duties or annual base salary (including, but not limited to, any failure to pay compensation on at least a monthly basis) as in effect prior to the Change in Control.

 

  2. Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason After a Change in Control. If at any time prior to the expiration of twenty-four (24) months following a Change of Control Date, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause or the Executive terminates his or her employment for Good Reason, the Company will provide benefits as follows provided the Executive executes a release of claims drafted by the Company’s counsel and it becomes binding:

 

  2.1 Payment

 

  a. Within 30 days following the termination of employment, the Company will pay to the Executive a lump-sum cash amount equal to 200% of the Executive’s annual base salary in effect at the time of the termination of employment (or if the Executive’s annual base salary has been reduced within 61 days prior to the termination, the base salary in effect immediately prior to the reduction), less all applicable state and federal taxes.


  b. The Executive will be paid his or her prorated target bonus due for the calendar year until his or her date of termination, less all applicable state and federal taxes. For example, an executive who is terminated on March 31 would be paid 25% of the prorated target bonus not yet paid for the applicable year. An executive who is terminated on June 30 would be paid 50% of the prorated target bonus not yet paid for the applicable year. Any other bonuses or commission earned but not yet paid will be paid to the Executive upon termination.

 

  c. The Company will continue for a period of 24 months following the date of termination to provide the Executive with any medical, dental and disability and life insurance benefits in effect at the time of his or her termination (or, if his or her level of benefits has been reduced within 61 days of the termination, his or her level of benefits in effect prior to the reduction). If the Company is unable to continue any such benefit or benefits, the Company will instead pay to the Executive, within 30 days of termination, a lump sum cash payment equal to the greater of the Company’s cost of such benefits or the Executive’s individual replacement cost for such benefits. All other benefits will cease upon termination.

 

  d. Any options to purchase Company stock or restricted stock of the Company held by the Executive under the Company’s stock compensation plans and arrangements will become immediately exercisable notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the documents otherwise governing the options and will remain exercisable for the period of time during which such options would otherwise have been exercisable had the Executive remained in the employ of the Company.

 

  2.2 Taxes.

 

  a. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 2.2(b), in the event that the Company undergoes a “Change in Ownership or Control” (as defined below), the Company shall not be obligated to provide to the Executive a portion of any “Contingent Compensation Payments” (as defined below) that the Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive to the extent necessary to eliminate any “excess parachute payments” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) for the Executive. For purposes of this Section 2.2, the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Payments” and the aggregate amount (determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision) of the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Amount.”

 

  b. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.2(a), no such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments shall be made if (i) the Eliminated Amount (computed without regard to this sentence) exceeds (ii) 110% of the aggregate present value (determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-31 and Q/A-32 or any successor provisions) of the amount of any additional taxes that would be incurred by the Executive if the Eliminated Payments (determined without regard to this sentence) were paid to him or her (including, state and federal income taxes on the Eliminated Payments, the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code payable with respect to all of the Contingent Compensation Payments in excess of the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code), and any withholding taxes). The override of such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments pursuant to this Section 2.2(b) shall be referred to as a “Section 2.2(b) Override.” For purpose of this paragraph, if any federal or state income taxes would be attributable to the receipt of any Eliminated Payment, the amount of such taxes shall be computed by multiplying the amount of the Eliminated Payment by the maximum combined federal and state income tax rate provided by law.

 

  c. For purposes of this Section 2.2 the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

  (i) “Change in Ownership or Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.


  (ii) “Contingent Compensation Payment” shall mean any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or made available (under this Agreement or otherwise) to a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Ownership or Control of the Company.

 

  d. Any payments or other benefits otherwise due to the Executive following a Change in Ownership or Control that could reasonably be characterized (as determined by the Company) as Contingent Compensation Payments (the “Potential Payments”) shall not be made until the dates provided for in this Section 2.2(d). Within 30 days after each date on which the Executive first becomes entitled to receive (whether or not then due) a Contingent Compensation Payment relating to such Change in Ownership or Control, the Company shall determine and notify the Executive (with reasonable detail regarding the basis for its determinations) (i) which Potential Payments constitute Contingent Compensation Payments, (ii) the Eliminated Amount and (iii) whether the Section 2.2(b) Override is applicable. Within 30 days after delivery of such notice to the Executive, the Executive shall deliver a response to the Company (the “Executive Response”) stating either (A) that he or she agrees with the Company’s determination pursuant to the preceding sentence, in which case he or she shall indicate, if applicable, which Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments or (B) that he or she disagrees with such determination, in which case he or she shall set forth (i) which Potential Payments should be characterized as Contingent Compensation Payments, (ii) the Eliminated Amount, (iii) whether the Section 2.2(b) Override is applicable, and (iv) which (if any) Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount, if any), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments. In the event that the Executive fails to deliver an Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company’s initial determination shall be final and the Contingent Compensation Payments that shall be treated as Eliminated Payments shall be determined by the Company in its absolute discretion. If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he or she agrees with the Company’s determination, the Company shall make the Potential Payments to the Executive within three business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response (except for any Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he or she disagrees with the Company’s determination, then, for a period of 60 days following delivery of the Executive Response, the Executive and the Company shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within such 60-day period, such dispute shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. The Company shall, within three business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response, make to the Executive those Potential Payments as to which there is no dispute between the Company and the Executive regarding whether they should be made (except for any such Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). The balance of the Potential Payments shall be made within three business days following the resolution of such dispute. Subject to the limitations contained in Sections 2.2(a) and (b) hereof, the amount of any payments to be made to the Executive following the resolution of such dispute shall be increased by amount of the accrued interest thereon computed at the prime rate announced from time to time by Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s primary bank,, compounded monthly from the date that such payments originally were due.


  2.3 Mitigation.

 

The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 2 by seeking other employment or otherwise. Further, the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 2 shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or otherwise.

 

  2.4 Other Payments.

 

This Agreement does not supercede or otherwise impact any other current obligations of the Company to the Executive. Any amounts payable hereunder shall not be offset by any amounts due to the Company from the Executive.

 

  3 Other Employment Termination.

 

If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason other than as described in Section 2, the Executive shall only receive any compensation owed to him as of his termination date and any other post-termination benefits which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan or program of the Company.

 

  4 Successors.

 

  4.1 Successor to Company.

 

Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as defined above and any successor to its business or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

 

  4.2 Successor to Executive.

 

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributes, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to the Executive or his or her family hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive’s estate.

 

  5 Notices. All notices, instructions and other communications given hereunder or in connection herewith shall be in writing. Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be sent either (i) by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (ii) prepaid via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service, in each case addressed to the Company, at 55 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA 01730, ATTN: President, and to the Executive at the Executive’s address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement (or to such other address as either the Company or the Executive may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith). Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be deemed to have been delivered five business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one business day after it is sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service. Either party may give any notice, instruction or other communication hereunder using any other means, but no such notice, instruction or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly delivered unless and until it actually is received by the party for whom it is intended.


  6 Miscellaneous.

 

  6.1 Employment by Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall not be deemed to have terminated solely as a result of the Executive continuing to be employed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

  6.2 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

  6.3 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Massachusetts, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

 

  6.4 Waiver of Right to Jury Trial. Both the Company and the Executive expressly waive any right that any party either has or may have to a jury trial of any dispute arising out of or in any way related to the matters covered by this Agreement.

 

  6.5 Waivers. No waiver by the Executive at any time of any breach of, or compliance with, any provision of this Agreement to be performed by the Company shall be deemed a waiver of that or any other provision at any subsequent time.

 

  6.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

  6.7 Tax Withholding. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable tax withholding required under federal, state or local law.

 

  6.8 Entire Agreement; Employment Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein; and any prior agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is hereby terminated and cancelled.

 

  6.9 Not an Employment Contract. The Executive acknowledges that this Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Company any obligation to retain the Executive as an employee and that this Agreement does not prevent the Executive from terminating employment at any time. If the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason and subsequently a Change in Control shall occur, the Executive shall not be entitled to any benefits hereunder except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.

 

  6.10 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive.

 

  6.11 Executive’s Acknowledgements. The Executive acknowledges that he or she: (a) has read this Agreement; (b) has been represented in the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of the Executive’s own choice or has voluntarily declined to seek such counsel; and (c) understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement.

 

  6.12 Company Acknowledgements. The Company acknowledges that it has received all necessary consents, approvals and votes, including from the Board and holders of the Company’s Preferred Stock, to permit the Company to enter into this Agreement and be bound hereby.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above.

 

BOSTON COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

By:

 

/s/ E.Y. Snowden


   

E.Y. Snowden

   

President & Chief Executive Officer

EMPLOYEE:

By:

 

/s/ Karen Walker


   

Karen A. Walker,

    Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
EX-10.3 4 dex103.htm CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT WITH WILLIAM WESSMAN, DATED MAY 3, 2005 Change of Control Agreement with William Wessman, dated May 3, 2005

Exhibit 10.3

 

Change of Control Agreement

 

THIS CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) by and between Boston Communications Group, Inc. (the “Company”), a Massachusetts Corporation with its principal place of business at 55 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA 01730, and William D. Wessman (the “Executive”), is made as of May 3, 2005 (the “Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that the possibility of an acquisition of the Company exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among certain personnel, may result in the departure or distraction of personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders, and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued employment and dedication of the Executive and the Executive’s continued efforts to maximize the Company’s value.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, as an inducement for and in consideration of the Executive remaining in its employ, the Company agrees that the Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in this Agreement upon a Change in Control (as defined in Section 1.2).

 

  3. Key Definitions.

 

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

  a. Cause” means:

 

  i. A good faith finding by a majority of the Board (excluding the vote of the Executive, if then a member of the Board) that (1) the Executive has refused without good reason to perform his or her reasonably assigned material duties for the Company; (2) the Executive has engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct, which has or is expected to have a material detrimental effect on the Company, (3) the Executive has engaged in fraud, embezzlement or other material dishonesty, (4) the Executive has engaged in any conduct which would constitute grounds for termination for violation of the Company’s policies in effect at that time; or (5) the Executive has breached any material provision of any nondisclosure, invention assignment, non-competition or other similar agreement between the Executive and the Company and, if amenable to cure, has not cured such breach after reasonable notice from the Company; or

 

  ii. The conviction by the Executive of, or the entry of a pleading of guilty or nolo contendre by the Executive to, any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.

 

  b. As used herein, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events:

 

  i. Any “person” who is not the “beneficial owner” of more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company on a fully diluted basis on the date hereof or an “affiliate” of such party on the date hereof becomes, alone or together with such person’s affiliates, a “beneficial owner” of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder); or

 

  ii. In a single transaction, the consummation of a merger, consolidation or share exchange involving the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, unless the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction own fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding equity securities of the continuing entity immediately following the consummation of such transaction.


  c. Change of Control Date” means the first date during the Term (as defined in Section 1.4) on which a Change in Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (a) a Change in Control occurs, (b) the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and (c) it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Change in Control Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

 

  d. Term of Agreement. This Agreement, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall take effect upon the Effective Date and shall expire upon the first to occur of (a) the expiration of the Term (as defined below) if a Change in Control has not occurred during the term, (b) the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company prior to the Change in Control Date, (c) the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company after the Change of Control Date without Cause or for Good Reason, (d) the date twenty-four (24) months after the Change in Control Date, if the Executive is still employed by the Company as of such later date, or (e) the fulfillment by the Company of all of its obligations under Section 2 if the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates within twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control Date. “Term” shall mean the period commencing as of the Effective Date and continuing in effect through May 3, 2010 provided, however, that commencing on May 3, 2010 and each May 3rd thereafter, the Term shall be automatically extended for one additional year unless, not later than 90 days prior to the scheduled expiration of the Term (or any extension thereof), the Company shall have given the Executive written notice that the Term will not be extended.

 

  e. Good Reason” means the occurrence, without the Executive’s written consent, of any of the events or circumstances set forth in clauses (a) through (c) below

 

  i. relocation of the Executive’s primary place of business to a location that results in an increase in the Executive’s daily one way commute of at least fifty (50) miles;

 

  ii. any material breach by the Company or any successor thereto of any agreement entered into after the Effective Date (or in the case of any agreement to provide benefits to the Executive, entered into at any time) to which the Executive and the Company are parties, which breach is not cured within ten days after written notice thereof; or

 

  iii. Any material adverse change in the Executive’s authority, duties or annual base salary (including, but not limited to, any failure to pay compensation on at least a monthly basis) as in effect prior to the Change in Control.

 

  4. Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason After a Change in Control. If at any time prior to the expiration of twenty-four (24) months following a Change of Control Date, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause or the Executive terminates his or her employment for Good Reason, the Company will provide benefits as follows provided the Executive executes a release of claims drafted by the Company’s counsel and it becomes binding:

 

  6.13 Payment

 

  a. Within 30 days following the termination of employment, the Company will pay to the Executive a lump-sum cash amount equal to 200% of the Executive’s annual base salary in effect at the time of the termination of employment (or if the Executive’s annual base salary has been reduced within 61 days prior to the termination, the base salary in effect immediately prior to the reduction), less all applicable state and federal taxes.


  b. The Executive will be paid his or her prorated target bonus due for the calendar year until his or her date of termination, less all applicable state and federal taxes. For example, an executive who is terminated on March 31 would be paid 25% of the prorated target bonus not yet paid for the applicable year. An executive who is terminated on June 30 would be paid 50% of the prorated target bonus not yet paid for the applicable year. Any other bonuses or commission earned but not yet paid will be paid to the Executive upon termination.

 

  c. The Company will continue for a period of 24 months following the date of termination to provide the Executive with any medical, dental and disability and life insurance benefits in effect at the time of his or her termination (or, if his or her level of benefits has been reduced within 61 days of the termination, his or her level of benefits in effect prior to the reduction). If the Company is unable to continue any such benefit or benefits, the Company will instead pay to the Executive, within 30 days of termination, a lump sum cash payment equal to the greater of the Company’s cost of such benefits or the Executive’s individual replacement cost for such benefits. All other benefits will cease upon termination.

 

  d. Any options to purchase Company stock or restricted stock of the Company held by the Executive under the Company’s stock compensation plans and arrangements will become immediately exercisable notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the documents otherwise governing the options and will remain exercisable for the period of time during which such options would otherwise have been exercisable had the Executive remained in the employ of the Company.

 

  6.14 Taxes.

 

  a. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 2.2(b), in the event that the Company undergoes a “Change in Ownership or Control” (as defined below), the Company shall not be obligated to provide to the Executive a portion of any “Contingent Compensation Payments” (as defined below) that the Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive to the extent necessary to eliminate any “excess parachute payments” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) for the Executive. For purposes of this Section 2.2, the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Payments” and the aggregate amount (determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision) of the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Amount.”

 

  b. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.2(a), no such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments shall be made if (i) the Eliminated Amount (computed without regard to this sentence) exceeds (ii) 110% of the aggregate present value (determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-31 and Q/A-32 or any successor provisions) of the amount of any additional taxes that would be incurred by the Executive if the Eliminated Payments (determined without regard to this sentence) were paid to him or her (including, state and federal income taxes on the Eliminated Payments, the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code payable with respect to all of the Contingent Compensation Payments in excess of the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code), and any withholding taxes). The override of such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments pursuant to this Section 2.2(b) shall be referred to as a “Section 2.2(b) Override.” For purpose of this paragraph, if any federal or state income taxes would be attributable to the receipt of any Eliminated Payment, the amount of such taxes shall be computed by multiplying the amount of the Eliminated Payment by the maximum combined federal and state income tax rate provided by law.

 

  c. For purposes of this Section 2.2 the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

  (i) “Change in Ownership or Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.


  (ii) “Contingent Compensation Payment” shall mean any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or made available (under this Agreement or otherwise) to a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Ownership or Control of the Company.

 

  e. Any payments or other benefits otherwise due to the Executive following a Change in Ownership or Control that could reasonably be characterized (as determined by the Company) as Contingent Compensation Payments (the “Potential Payments”) shall not be made until the dates provided for in this Section 2.2(d). Within 30 days after each date on which the Executive first becomes entitled to receive (whether or not then due) a Contingent Compensation Payment relating to such Change in Ownership or Control, the Company shall determine and notify the Executive (with reasonable detail regarding the basis for its determinations) (i) which Potential Payments constitute Contingent Compensation Payments, (ii) the Eliminated Amount and (iii) whether the Section 2.2(b) Override is applicable. Within 30 days after delivery of such notice to the Executive, the Executive shall deliver a response to the Company (the “Executive Response”) stating either (A) that he or she agrees with the Company’s determination pursuant to the preceding sentence, in which case he or she shall indicate, if applicable, which Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments or (B) that he or she disagrees with such determination, in which case he or she shall set forth (i) which Potential Payments should be characterized as Contingent Compensation Payments, (ii) the Eliminated Amount, (iii) whether the Section 2.2(b) Override is applicable, and (iv) which (if any) Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount, if any), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments. In the event that the Executive fails to deliver an Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company’s initial determination shall be final and the Contingent Compensation Payments that shall be treated as Eliminated Payments shall be determined by the Company in its absolute discretion. If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he or she agrees with the Company’s determination, the Company shall make the Potential Payments to the Executive within three business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response (except for any Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he or she disagrees with the Company’s determination, then, for a period of 60 days following delivery of the Executive Response, the Executive and the Company shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within such 60-day period, such dispute shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. The Company shall, within three business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response, make to the Executive those Potential Payments as to which there is no dispute between the Company and the Executive regarding whether they should be made (except for any such Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). The balance of the Potential Payments shall be made within three business days following the resolution of such dispute. Subject to the limitations contained in Sections 2.2(a) and (b) hereof, the amount of any payments to be made to the Executive following the resolution of such dispute shall be increased by amount of the accrued interest thereon computed at the prime rate announced from time to time by Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s primary bank,, compounded monthly from the date that such payments originally were due.


  6.15 Mitigation.

 

The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 2 by seeking other employment or otherwise. Further, the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 2 shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or otherwise.

 

  6.16 Other Payments.

 

This Agreement does not supercede or otherwise impact any other current obligations of the Company to the Executive. Any amounts payable hereunder shall not be offset by any amounts due to the Company from the Executive.

 

  7 Other Employment Termination.

 

If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason other than as described in Section 2, the Executive shall only receive any compensation owed to him as of his termination date and any other post-termination benefits which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan or program of the Company.

 

  8 Successors.

 

  8.1 Successor to Company.

 

Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as defined above and any successor to its business or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

 

  8.2 Successor to Executive.

 

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributes, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to the Executive or his or her family hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive’s estate.

 

  9 Notices. All notices, instructions and other communications given hereunder or in connection herewith shall be in writing. Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be sent either (i) by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (ii) prepaid via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service, in each case addressed to the Company, at 55 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA 01730, ATTN: President, and to the Executive at the Executive’s address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement (or to such other address as either the Company or the Executive may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith). Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be deemed to have been delivered five business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one business day after it is sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service. Either party may give any notice, instruction or other communication hereunder using any other means, but no such notice, instruction or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly delivered unless and until it actually is received by the party for whom it is intended.


  10 Miscellaneous.

 

  10.1 Employment by Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall not be deemed to have terminated solely as a result of the Executive continuing to be employed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

  10.2 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

  10.3 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Massachusetts, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

 

  10.4 Waiver of Right to Jury Trial. Both the Company and the Executive expressly waive any right that any party either has or may have to a jury trial of any dispute arising out of or in any way related to the matters covered by this Agreement.

 

  10.5 Waivers. No waiver by the Executive at any time of any breach of, or compliance with, any provision of this Agreement to be performed by the Company shall be deemed a waiver of that or any other provision at any subsequent time.

 

  10.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

  10.7 Tax Withholding. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable tax withholding required under federal, state or local law.

 

  10.8 Entire Agreement; Employment Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein; and any prior agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is hereby terminated and cancelled.

 

  10.9 Not an Employment Contract. The Executive acknowledges that this Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Company any obligation to retain the Executive as an employee and that this Agreement does not prevent the Executive from terminating employment at any time. If the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason and subsequently a Change in Control shall occur, the Executive shall not be entitled to any benefits hereunder except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.

 

  10.10 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive.

 

  10.11 Executive’s Acknowledgements. The Executive acknowledges that he or she: (a) has read this Agreement; (b) has been represented in the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of the Executive’s own choice or has voluntarily declined to seek such counsel; and (c) understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement.

 

  10.12 Company Acknowledgements. The Company acknowledges that it has received all necessary consents, approvals and votes, including from the Board and holders of the Company’s Preferred Stock, to permit the Company to enter into this Agreement and be bound hereby.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above.

 

BOSTON COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.
By:  

/s/ Karen Walker


    Karen A. Walker
    Vice president, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
EMPLOYEE:
By:  

/s/ William D. Wessman


    William D. Wessman
    Chief Technology Officer

 

 

EX-10.4 5 dex104.htm CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT WITH PAUL TOBIN, DATED MAY 3, 2005 Change of Control Agreement with Paul Tobin, dated May 3, 2005

Exhibit 10.4

 

Change of Control Agreement

 

THIS CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) by and between Boston Communications Group, Inc. (the “Company”), a Massachusetts Corporation with its principal place of business at 55 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA 01730, and Paul J. Tobin (the “Executive”), is made as of May 3, 2005 (the “Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that the possibility of an acquisition of the Company exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among certain personnel, may result in the departure or distraction of personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders, and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued employment and dedication of the Executive and the Executive’s continued efforts to maximize the Company’s value.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, as an inducement for and in consideration of the Executive remaining in its employ, the Company agrees that the Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in this Agreement upon a Change in Control (as defined in Section 1.2).

 

  5. Key Definitions.

 

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

  a. Cause” means:

 

  i. A good faith finding by a majority of the Board (excluding the vote of the Executive, if then a member of the Board) that (1) the Executive has refused without good reason to perform his or her reasonably assigned material duties for the Company; (2) the Executive has engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct, which has or is expected to have a material detrimental effect on the Company, (3) the Executive has engaged in fraud, embezzlement or other material dishonesty, (4) the Executive has engaged in any conduct which would constitute grounds for termination for violation of the Company’s policies in effect at that time; or (5) the Executive has breached any material provision of any nondisclosure, invention assignment, non-competition or other similar agreement between the Executive and the Company and, if amenable to cure, has not cured such breach after reasonable notice from the Company; or

 

  ii. The conviction by the Executive of, or the entry of a pleading of guilty or nolo contendre by the Executive to, any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.

 

  b. As used herein, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events:

 

  i. Any “person” who is not the “beneficial owner” of more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company on a fully diluted basis on the date hereof or an “affiliate” of such party on the date hereof becomes, alone or together with such person’s affiliates, a “beneficial owner” of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder); or

 

  ii. In a single transaction, the consummation of a merger, consolidation or share exchange involving the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, unless the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction own fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding equity securities of the continuing entity immediately following the consummation of such transaction.


  c. Change of Control Date” means the first date during the Term (as defined in Section 1.4) on which a Change in Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (a) a Change in Control occurs, (b) the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and (c) it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Change in Control Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

 

  d. Term of Agreement. This Agreement, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall take effect upon the Effective Date and shall expire upon the first to occur of (a) the expiration of the Term (as defined below) if a Change in Control has not occurred during the term, (b) the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company prior to the Change in Control Date, (c) the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company after the Change of Control Date without Cause or for Good Reason, (d) the date twenty-four (24) months after the Change in Control Date, if the Executive is still employed by the Company as of such later date, or (e) the fulfillment by the Company of all of its obligations under Section 2 if the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates within twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control Date. “Term” shall mean the period commencing as of the Effective Date and continuing in effect through May 3, 2010 provided, however, that commencing on May 3, 2010 and each May 3rd thereafter, the Term shall be automatically extended for one additional year unless, not later than 90 days prior to the scheduled expiration of the Term (or any extension thereof), the Company shall have given the Executive written notice that the Term will not be extended.

 

  e. Good Reason” means the occurrence, without the Executive’s written consent, of any of the events or circumstances set forth in clauses (a) through (c) below

 

  i. relocation of the Executive’s primary place of business to a location that results in an increase in the Executive’s daily one way commute of at least fifty (50) miles;

 

  ii. any material breach by the Company or any successor thereto of any agreement entered into after the Effective Date (or in the case of any agreement to provide benefits to the Executive, entered into at any time) to which the Executive and the Company are parties, which breach is not cured within ten days after written notice thereof; or

 

  iii. Any material adverse change in the Executive’s authority, duties or annual base salary (including, but not limited to, any failure to pay compensation on at least a monthly basis) as in effect prior to the Change in Control.

 

  6. Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason After a Change in Control. If at any time prior to the expiration of twenty-four (24) months following a Change of Control Date, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause or the Executive terminates his or her employment for Good Reason, the Company will provide benefits as follows provided the Executive executes a release of claims drafted by the Company’s counsel and it becomes binding:

 

  10.13   Payment

 

  a. Within 30 days following the termination of employment, the Company will pay to the Executive a lump-sum cash amount equal to 200% of the Executive’s annual base salary in effect at the time of the termination of employment (or if the Executive’s annual base salary has been reduced within 61 days prior to the termination, the base salary in effect immediately prior to the reduction), less all applicable state and federal taxes.


  b. The Executive will be paid his or her prorated target bonus due for the calendar year until his or her date of termination, less all applicable state and federal taxes. For example, an executive who is terminated on March 31 would be paid 25% of the prorated target bonus not yet paid for the applicable year. An executive who is terminated on June 30 would be paid 50% of the prorated target bonus not yet paid for the applicable year. Any other bonuses or commission earned but not yet paid will be paid to the Executive upon termination.

 

  c. The Company will continue for a period of 24 months following the date of termination to provide the Executive with any medical, dental and disability and life insurance benefits in effect at the time of his or her termination (or, if his or her level of benefits has been reduced within 61 days of the termination, his or her level of benefits in effect prior to the reduction). If the Company is unable to continue any such benefit or benefits, the Company will instead pay to the Executive, within 30 days of termination, a lump sum cash payment equal to the greater of the Company’s cost of such benefits or the Executive’s individual replacement cost for such benefits. All other benefits will cease upon termination.

 

  d. Any options to purchase Company stock or restricted stock of the Company held by the Executive under the Company’s stock compensation plans and arrangements will become immediately exercisable notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the documents otherwise governing the options and will remain exercisable for the period of time during which such options would otherwise have been exercisable had the Executive remained in the employ of the Company.

 

  10.14 Taxes.

 

  a. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 2.2(b), in the event that the Company undergoes a “Change in Ownership or Control” (as defined below), the Company shall not be obligated to provide to the Executive a portion of any “Contingent Compensation Payments” (as defined below) that the Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive to the extent necessary to eliminate any “excess parachute payments” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) for the Executive. For purposes of this Section 2.2, the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Payments” and the aggregate amount (determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision) of the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Amount.”

 

  b. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.2(a), no such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments shall be made if (i) the Eliminated Amount (computed without regard to this sentence) exceeds (ii) 110% of the aggregate present value (determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-31 and Q/A-32 or any successor provisions) of the amount of any additional taxes that would be incurred by the Executive if the Eliminated Payments (determined without regard to this sentence) were paid to him or her (including, state and federal income taxes on the Eliminated Payments, the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code payable with respect to all of the Contingent Compensation Payments in excess of the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code), and any withholding taxes). The override of such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments pursuant to this Section 2.2(b) shall be referred to as a “Section 2.2(b) Override.” For purpose of this paragraph, if any federal or state income taxes would be attributable to the receipt of any Eliminated Payment, the amount of such taxes shall be computed by multiplying the amount of the Eliminated Payment by the maximum combined federal and state income tax rate provided by law.

 

  c. For purposes of this Section 2.2 the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

  (i) “Change in Ownership or Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.


  (ii) “Contingent Compensation Payment” shall mean any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or made available (under this Agreement or otherwise) to a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Ownership or Control of the Company.

 

  f. Any payments or other benefits otherwise due to the Executive following a Change in Ownership or Control that could reasonably be characterized (as determined by the Company) as Contingent Compensation Payments (the “Potential Payments”) shall not be made until the dates provided for in this Section 2.2(d). Within 30 days after each date on which the Executive first becomes entitled to receive (whether or not then due) a Contingent Compensation Payment relating to such Change in Ownership or Control, the Company shall determine and notify the Executive (with reasonable detail regarding the basis for its determinations) (i) which Potential Payments constitute Contingent Compensation Payments, (ii) the Eliminated Amount and (iii) whether the Section 2.2(b) Override is applicable. Within 30 days after delivery of such notice to the Executive, the Executive shall deliver a response to the Company (the “Executive Response”) stating either (A) that he or she agrees with the Company’s determination pursuant to the preceding sentence, in which case he or she shall indicate, if applicable, which Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments or (B) that he or she disagrees with such determination, in which case he or she shall set forth (i) which Potential Payments should be characterized as Contingent Compensation Payments, (ii) the Eliminated Amount, (iii) whether the Section 2.2(b) Override is applicable, and (iv) which (if any) Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount, if any), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments. In the event that the Executive fails to deliver an Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company’s initial determination shall be final and the Contingent Compensation Payments that shall be treated as Eliminated Payments shall be determined by the Company in its absolute discretion. If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he or she agrees with the Company’s determination, the Company shall make the Potential Payments to the Executive within three business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response (except for any Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he or she disagrees with the Company’s determination, then, for a period of 60 days following delivery of the Executive Response, the Executive and the Company shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within such 60-day period, such dispute shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. The Company shall, within three business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response, make to the Executive those Potential Payments as to which there is no dispute between the Company and the Executive regarding whether they should be made (except for any such Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). The balance of the Potential Payments shall be made within three business days following the resolution of such dispute. Subject to the limitations contained in Sections 2.2(a) and (b) hereof, the amount of any payments to be made to the Executive following the resolution of such dispute shall be increased by amount of the accrued interest thereon computed at the prime rate announced from time to time by Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s primary bank,, compounded monthly from the date that such payments originally were due.


  10.15   Mitigation.

 

The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 2 by seeking other employment or otherwise. Further, the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 2 shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or otherwise.

 

  10.16   Other Payments.

 

This Agreement does not supercede or otherwise impact any other current obligations of the Company to the Executive. Any amounts payable hereunder shall not be offset by any amounts due to the Company from the Executive.

 

  11 Other Employment Termination.

 

If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason other than as described in Section 2, the Executive shall only receive any compensation owed to him as of his termination date and any other post-termination benefits which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan or program of the Company.

 

  12 Successors.

 

  12.1 Successor to Company.

 

Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as defined above and any successor to its business or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

 

  12.2 Successor to Executive.

 

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributes, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to the Executive or his or her family hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive’s estate.

 

  13 Notices. All notices, instructions and other communications given hereunder or in connection herewith shall be in writing. Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be sent either (i) by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (ii) prepaid via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service, in each case addressed to the Company, at 55 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA 01730, ATTN: President, and to the Executive at the Executive’s address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement (or to such other address as either the Company or the Executive may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith). Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be deemed to have been delivered five business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one business day after it is sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service. Either party may give any notice, instruction or other communication hereunder using any other means, but no such notice, instruction or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly delivered unless and until it actually is received by the party for whom it is intended.


  14 Miscellaneous.

 

  14.1 Employment by Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall not be deemed to have terminated solely as a result of the Executive continuing to be employed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

  14.2 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

  14.3 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Massachusetts, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

 

  14.4 Waiver of Right to Jury Trial. Both the Company and the Executive expressly waive any right that any party either has or may have to a jury trial of any dispute arising out of or in any way related to the matters covered by this Agreement.

 

  14.5 Waivers. No waiver by the Executive at any time of any breach of, or compliance with, any provision of this Agreement to be performed by the Company shall be deemed a waiver of that or any other provision at any subsequent time.

 

  14.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

  14.7 Tax Withholding. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable tax withholding required under federal, state or local law.

 

  14.8 Entire Agreement; Employment Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein; and any prior agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is hereby terminated and cancelled.

 

  14.9 Not an Employment Contract. The Executive acknowledges that this Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Company any obligation to retain the Executive as an employee and that this Agreement does not prevent the Executive from terminating employment at any time. If the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason and subsequently a Change in Control shall occur, the Executive shall not be entitled to any benefits hereunder except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.

 

  14.10   Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive.

 

  14.11   Executive’s Acknowledgements. The Executive acknowledges that he or she: (a) has read this Agreement; (b) has been represented in the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of the Executive’s own choice or has voluntarily declined to seek such counsel; and (c) understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement.

 

  14.12   Company Acknowledgements. The Company acknowledges that it has received all necessary consents, approvals and votes, including from the Board and holders of the Company’s Preferred Stock, to permit the Company to enter into this Agreement and be bound hereby.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above.

 

BOSTON COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Karen Walker


   

Karen A. Walker

    Vice president, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer

EMPLOYEE:

By:

 

/s/ Paul J. Tobin


   

Paul J. Tobin

   

Chairman

EX-10.5 6 dex105.htm CHANGE OF CONTROL WITH FRITZ VON MERING, DATED MAY 3, 2005 Change of Control with Fritz von Mering, dated May 3, 2005

Exhibit 10.5

 

Change of Control Agreement

 

THIS CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) by and between Boston Communications Group, Inc. (the “Company”), a Massachusetts Corporation with its principal place of business at 55 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA 01730, and Fritz von Mering (the “Executive”), is made as of May 3, 2005 (the “Effective Date”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that the possibility of an acquisition of the Company exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among certain personnel, may result in the departure or distraction of personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders, and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued employment and dedication of the Executive and the Executive’s continued efforts to maximize the Company’s value.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, as an inducement for and in consideration of the Executive remaining in its employ, the Company agrees that the Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in this Agreement upon a Change in Control (as defined in Section 1.2).

 

  7. Key Definitions.

 

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

  a. Cause” means:

 

  i. A good faith finding by a majority of the Board (excluding the vote of the Executive, if then a member of the Board) that (1) the Executive has refused without good reason to perform his or her reasonably assigned material duties for the Company; (2) the Executive has engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct, which has or is expected to have a material detrimental effect on the Company, (3) the Executive has engaged in fraud, embezzlement or other material dishonesty, (4) the Executive has engaged in any conduct which would constitute grounds for termination for violation of the Company’s policies in effect at that time; or (5) the Executive has breached any material provision of any nondisclosure, invention assignment, non-competition or other similar agreement between the Executive and the Company and, if amenable to cure, has not cured such breach after reasonable notice from the Company; or

 

  ii. The conviction by the Executive of, or the entry of a pleading of guilty or nolo contendre by the Executive to, any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.

 

  b. As used herein, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events:

 

  i. Any “person” who is not the “beneficial owner” of more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company on a fully diluted basis on the date hereof or an “affiliate” of such party on the date hereof becomes, alone or together with such person’s affiliates, a “beneficial owner” of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding equity securities of the Company (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder); or

 

  ii. In a single transaction, the consummation of a merger, consolidation or share exchange involving the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, unless the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction own fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding equity securities of the continuing entity immediately following the consummation of such transaction.


  c. Change of Control Date” means the first date during the Term (as defined in Section 1.4) on which a Change in Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (a) a Change in Control occurs, (b) the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and (c) it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Change in Control Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

 

  d. Term of Agreement. This Agreement, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, shall take effect upon the Effective Date and shall expire upon the first to occur of (a) the expiration of the Term (as defined below) if a Change in Control has not occurred during the term, (b) the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company prior to the Change in Control Date, (c) the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company after the Change of Control Date without Cause or for Good Reason, (d) the date twenty-four (24) months after the Change in Control Date, if the Executive is still employed by the Company as of such later date, or (e) the fulfillment by the Company of all of its obligations under Section 2 if the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates within twenty-four (24) months following the Change in Control Date. “Term” shall mean the period commencing as of the Effective Date and continuing in effect through May 3, 2010 provided, however, that commencing on May 3, 2010 and each May 3rd thereafter, the Term shall be automatically extended for one additional year unless, not later than 90 days prior to the scheduled expiration of the Term (or any extension thereof), the Company shall have given the Executive written notice that the Term will not be extended.

 

  e. Good Reason” means the occurrence, without the Executive’s written consent, of any of the events or circumstances set forth in clauses (a) through (c) below

 

  i. relocation of the Executive’s primary place of business to a location that results in an increase in the Executive’s daily one way commute of at least fifty (50) miles;

 

  ii. any material breach by the Company or any successor thereto of any agreement entered into after the Effective Date (or in the case of any agreement to provide benefits to the Executive, entered into at any time) to which the Executive and the Company are parties, which breach is not cured within ten days after written notice thereof; or

 

  iii. Any material adverse change in the Executive’s authority, duties or annual base salary (including, but not limited to, any failure to pay compensation on at least a monthly basis) as in effect prior to the Change in Control.

 

  8. Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason After a Change in Control. If at any time prior to the expiration of twenty-four (24) months following a Change of Control Date, the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause or the Executive terminates his or her employment for Good Reason, the Company will provide benefits as follows provided the Executive executes a release of claims drafted by the Company’s counsel and it becomes binding:

 

  14.13   Payment

 

  a. Within 30 days following the termination of employment, the Company will pay to the Executive a lump-sum cash amount equal to 200% of the Executive’s annual base salary in effect at the time of the termination of employment (or if the Executive’s annual base salary has been reduced within 61 days prior to the termination, the base salary in effect immediately prior to the reduction), less all applicable state and federal taxes.


  b. The Executive will be paid his or her prorated target bonus due for the calendar year until his or her date of termination, less all applicable state and federal taxes. For example, an executive who is terminated on March 31 would be paid 25% of the prorated target bonus not yet paid for the applicable year. An executive who is terminated on June 30 would be paid 50% of the prorated target bonus not yet paid for the applicable year. Any other bonuses or commission earned but not yet paid will be paid to the Executive upon termination.

 

  c. The Company will continue for a period of 24 months following the date of termination to provide the Executive with any medical, dental and disability and life insurance benefits in effect at the time of his or her termination (or, if his or her level of benefits has been reduced within 61 days of the termination, his or her level of benefits in effect prior to the reduction). If the Company is unable to continue any such benefit or benefits, the Company will instead pay to the Executive, within 30 days of termination, a lump sum cash payment equal to the greater of the Company’s cost of such benefits or the Executive’s individual replacement cost for such benefits. All other benefits will cease upon termination.

 

  d. Any options to purchase Company stock or restricted stock of the Company held by the Executive under the Company’s stock compensation plans and arrangements will become immediately exercisable notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the documents otherwise governing the options and will remain exercisable for the period of time during which such options would otherwise have been exercisable had the Executive remained in the employ of the Company.

 

  14.14   Taxes.

 

  a. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 2.2(b), in the event that the Company undergoes a “Change in Ownership or Control” (as defined below), the Company shall not be obligated to provide to the Executive a portion of any “Contingent Compensation Payments” (as defined below) that the Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive to the extent necessary to eliminate any “excess parachute payments” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) for the Executive. For purposes of this Section 2.2, the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Payments” and the aggregate amount (determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision) of the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Amount.”

 

  b. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.2(a), no such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments shall be made if (i) the Eliminated Amount (computed without regard to this sentence) exceeds (ii) 110% of the aggregate present value (determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-31 and Q/A-32 or any successor provisions) of the amount of any additional taxes that would be incurred by the Executive if the Eliminated Payments (determined without regard to this sentence) were paid to him or her (including, state and federal income taxes on the Eliminated Payments, the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code payable with respect to all of the Contingent Compensation Payments in excess of the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code), and any withholding taxes). The override of such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments pursuant to this Section 2.2(b) shall be referred to as a “Section 2.2(b) Override.” For purpose of this paragraph, if any federal or state income taxes would be attributable to the receipt of any Eliminated Payment, the amount of such taxes shall be computed by multiplying the amount of the Eliminated Payment by the maximum combined federal and state income tax rate provided by law.

 

  c. For purposes of this Section 2.2 the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

  (i) “Change in Ownership or Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.


  (ii) “Contingent Compensation Payment” shall mean any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or made available (under this Agreement or otherwise) to a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Ownership or Control of the Company.

 

  g. Any payments or other benefits otherwise due to the Executive following a Change in Ownership or Control that could reasonably be characterized (as determined by the Company) as Contingent Compensation Payments (the “Potential Payments”) shall not be made until the dates provided for in this Section 2.2(d). Within 30 days after each date on which the Executive first becomes entitled to receive (whether or not then due) a Contingent Compensation Payment relating to such Change in Ownership or Control, the Company shall determine and notify the Executive (with reasonable detail regarding the basis for its determinations) (i) which Potential Payments constitute Contingent Compensation Payments, (ii) the Eliminated Amount and (iii) whether the Section 2.2(b) Override is applicable. Within 30 days after delivery of such notice to the Executive, the Executive shall deliver a response to the Company (the “Executive Response”) stating either (A) that he or she agrees with the Company’s determination pursuant to the preceding sentence, in which case he or she shall indicate, if applicable, which Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments or (B) that he or she disagrees with such determination, in which case he or she shall set forth (i) which Potential Payments should be characterized as Contingent Compensation Payments, (ii) the Eliminated Amount, (iii) whether the Section 2.2(b) Override is applicable, and (iv) which (if any) Contingent Compensation Payments, or portions thereof (the aggregate amount of which, determined in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision, shall be equal to the Eliminated Amount, if any), shall be treated as Eliminated Payments. In the event that the Executive fails to deliver an Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company’s initial determination shall be final and the Contingent Compensation Payments that shall be treated as Eliminated Payments shall be determined by the Company in its absolute discretion. If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he or she agrees with the Company’s determination, the Company shall make the Potential Payments to the Executive within three business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response (except for any Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). If the Executive states in the Executive Response that he or she disagrees with the Company’s determination, then, for a period of 60 days following delivery of the Executive Response, the Executive and the Company shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within such 60-day period, such dispute shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. The Company shall, within three business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response, make to the Executive those Potential Payments as to which there is no dispute between the Company and the Executive regarding whether they should be made (except for any such Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). The balance of the Potential Payments shall be made within three business days following the resolution of such dispute. Subject to the limitations contained in Sections 2.2(a) and (b) hereof, the amount of any payments to be made to the Executive following the resolution of such dispute shall be increased by amount of the accrued interest thereon computed at the prime rate announced from time to time by Boston Communications Group, Inc.’s primary bank,, compounded monthly from the date that such payments originally were due.


  14.15   Mitigation.

 

The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 2 by seeking other employment or otherwise. Further, the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 2 shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or otherwise.

 

  14.16   Other Payments.

 

This Agreement does not supercede or otherwise impact any other current obligations of the Company to the Executive. Any amounts payable hereunder shall not be offset by any amounts due to the Company from the Executive.

 

  15 Other Employment Termination.

 

If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason other than as described in Section 2, the Executive shall only receive any compensation owed to him as of his termination date and any other post-termination benefits which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan or program of the Company.

 

  16 Successors.

 

  16.1 Successor to Company.

 

Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as defined above and any successor to its business or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

 

  16.2 Successor to Executive.

 

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributes, devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to the Executive or his or her family hereunder if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive’s estate.

 

  17 Notices. All notices, instructions and other communications given hereunder or in connection herewith shall be in writing. Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be sent either (i) by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (ii) prepaid via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service, in each case addressed to the Company, at 55 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA 01730, ATTN: President, and to the Executive at the Executive’s address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement (or to such other address as either the Company or the Executive may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith). Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be deemed to have been delivered five business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one business day after it is sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service. Either party may give any notice, instruction or other communication hereunder using any other means, but no such notice, instruction or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly delivered unless and until it actually is received by the party for whom it is intended.


  18 Miscellaneous.

 

  18.1 Employment by Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall not be deemed to have terminated solely as a result of the Executive continuing to be employed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

  18.2 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

  18.3 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Massachusetts, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

 

  18.4 Waiver of Right to Jury Trial. Both the Company and the Executive expressly waive any right that any party either has or may have to a jury trial of any dispute arising out of or in any way related to the matters covered by this Agreement.

 

  18.5 Waivers. No waiver by the Executive at any time of any breach of, or compliance with, any provision of this Agreement to be performed by the Company shall be deemed a waiver of that or any other provision at any subsequent time.

 

  18.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

  18.7 Tax Withholding. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable tax withholding required under federal, state or local law.

 

  18.8 Entire Agreement; Employment Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein; and any prior agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is hereby terminated and cancelled.

 

  18.9 Not an Employment Contract. The Executive acknowledges that this Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Company any obligation to retain the Executive as an employee and that this Agreement does not prevent the Executive from terminating employment at any time. If the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason and subsequently a Change in Control shall occur, the Executive shall not be entitled to any benefits hereunder except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.

 

  18.10   Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive.

 

  18.11   Executive’s Acknowledgements. The Executive acknowledges that he or she: (a) has read this Agreement; (b) has been represented in the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of the Executive’s own choice or has voluntarily declined to seek such counsel; and (c) understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement.

 

  18.12   Company Acknowledgements. The Company acknowledges that it has received all necessary consents, approvals and votes, including from the Board and holders of the Company’s Preferred Stock, to permit the Company to enter into this Agreement and be bound hereby.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above.

 

BOSTON COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Karen Walker


   

Karen A. Walker

    Vice president, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer

EMPLOYEE:

By:

 

/s/ Fritz von Mering


   

Fritz von Mering

   

Vice President of Strategic Development

EX-31.1 7 dex311.htm SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION Section 302 CEO Certification

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, E. Y. Snowden, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Boston Communications Group, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting 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 quarterly report) that has materially affected, or is reasonable to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the 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 control 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 9, 2005  

/s/ E. Y. Snowden


    E. Y. Snowden
    President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

EX-31.2 8 dex312.htm SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION Section 302 CFO Certification

Exhibit 31.2

 

I, Karen A. Walker, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Boston Communications Group, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting 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 quarterly report) that has materially affected, or is reasonable to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the 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 control 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 9, 2005

 

/s/ Karen A. Walker


    Karen A. Walker
   

Vice President, Finance and Administration

and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

EX-32 9 dex32.htm SECTION 906 CEO AND CFO CERTIFICATION Section 906 CEO and CFO Certification

Exhibit 32

 

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 on Form 10-Q of Boston Communications Group, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended March 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, E.Y. Snowden, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Karen A. Walker, Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

 

(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 9, 2005  

/s/ E. Y. Snowden


    E.Y. Snowden
    President & Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 9, 2005  

/s/ Karen A. Walker


    Karen A. Walker
    Vice President, Finance and Administration
    and Chief Financial Officer

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Boston Communications Group, Inc., and will be retained by Boston Communications Group, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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