EX-10.19 4 a2043693zex-10_19.txt EXHIBIT 10.19 EXHIBIT 10.19 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 28, 2000, by and between StarMedia Network, Inc. (the "Company"), and Justin K. Macedonia (the "Executive"). W I T N E S S E T H : - - - - - - - - - - WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue the employment of the Executive under the terms and conditions provided in this Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Executive wishes to be so employed; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows: 1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to serve in the employ of the Company in the position and with the responsibilities, duties and authority set forth in Section 2 and on the other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that he is an employee at will and that both the Executive and the Company have the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time for any lawful reason. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that no representative of the Company may verbally change the at will employment relationship between the Executive and the Company. 2. POSITION, DUTIES. The Company shall employ the Executive as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company and the Executive will serve in the Company's employ in that position. The Executive shall perform such duties, and have such powers, authority, functions, duties and responsibilities for the Company as are commensurate and consistent with his employment as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company. The Executive also shall have such additional powers, authority, functions, duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be assigned to him by the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"). 3. COMPENSATION. 3.1 SALARY. In consideration of the performance by the Executive of the services set forth in Section 2 and his observance of the other covenants set forth herein, the Company shall pay to the Executive, and the Executive shall accept, a base salary (the "Base Salary") at an initial rate of $230,000 per annum, payable on a semi-monthly basis in accordance with the standard payroll practices of the Company, which amount shall be increased, effective as of each January 1, by an amount equal to 10% of the immediately preceding Base Salary, and 2 from time to time by such additional amount, if any, that the Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine. 3.2 PERFORMANCE BONUS. The Executive shall receive a bonus (the "Performance Bonus") for each calendar year of employment, provided he is in the employment of the Company through the last day of the year, payable on or before March 31 of the following year, in an amount of at least $75,000, or such greater amount as the Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine. 3.3 TAX INDEMNITY. Should any of the payments of the Base Salary, other incentive or supplemental compensation, benefits, allowances, awards, payments (including the payment referred to in the following sentence), reimbursements or other perquisites, or any other arrangement in the nature of compensation (including the vesting of any awards or the acceleration of any payments), singly, in any combination or in the aggregate, provided to the Executive by the Company, whether or not provided for hereunder, be subject (as determined below) to an excise or similar purpose tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor or other comparable Federal, state or local tax law by reason of being a "parachute payment" (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) ("excise tax"), the Company shall pay to the Executive such additional compensation as is necessary (after taking into account all Federal, state and local taxes, including excise taxes, payable by the Executive as a result of the receipt of such additional compensation) to place the Executive in the same after tax position he would have been in had no such excise tax (or interest or penalties thereon) been paid or incurred; provided, however, that no such additional compensation shall be payable with respect to the Retention Bonus payable pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof. In addition, but without duplication of the benefit provided under the previous sentence, should the Executive recognize income on account of the making and/or forgiveness of the Credit referred to in Section 3.4 hereof (or any installment thereof) , the Company shall pay to the Executive such additional compensation as is necessary (after taking into account all Federal, state and local taxes payable by the Executive as a result of the receipt of such additional compensation) to place the Executive in the same after tax position he would have been in had the making and forgiveness of the Credit not given rise to income recognition by the Executive. In the case additional compensation is payable under either or both of the preceding sentences, the Company shall pay such additional compensation within the earliest to occur of: (i) five (5) business days after the Executive notifies the Company that the Executive intends to file a tax return taking the position that such tax is due and payable in reliance on a written opinion of the Executive's tax counsel (such tax counsel to be chosen by the Executive and reasonably acceptable to the Company) that it is more likely than not that such tax is due and payable; or (ii) twenty-four (24) hours of any notice of or action by the Company that it intends to take the position that such tax is due and payable; or (iii) five (5) business days after the Executive notifies the Company that any federal, state or local tax authority has taken the position that such tax is due and payable and that the Executive intends to pay the tax. 3 The costs of obtaining the tax counsel opinion referred to in clause (i) of the preceding sentence shall be borne by the Executive, and as long as such tax counsel was chosen by the Executive in good faith and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the conclusions reached in such opinion shall not be challenged or disputed by the Company. Without limiting the obligation of the Company hereunder, the Executive agrees, in the event the Company makes any payment pursuant to clause (iii) above, to negotiate with the Company in good faith with respect to procedures reasonably requested by the Company which would afford the Company the ability to contest the imposition of such tax. If, after a payment of additional compensation under this Section 3.3, it is subsequently determined that all or some portion of the excise tax or income tax, as the case may be, is not payable by the Executive, the Executive shall repay to the Company the amount of any overpayment of additional compensation. 3.4 LINE OF CREDIT. During the employment relationship, the Company shall make available to the Executive a revolving line of credit (the "Credit") in an amount up to $1,300,000, which shall bear interest from the date upon which the Credit is issued to the Executive until repaid by the Executive at a rate of 7%. The Credit issued to the Executive will be secured to the extent permitted by Regulation U by shares of Company common stock owned by the Executive, and otherwise will be non-recourse to the Executive. Up to $500,000 of the Credit issued to the Executive and any interest thereon will be forgiven by the Company, with one-third of such amount to be forgiven by the Company on each of the first three anniversaries of the date hereof, provided the Executive is in the employ of the Company on those dates. The Company and the Executive shall enter into a loan agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto setting forth the terms of the Credit. 4. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. During the employment relationship, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder, upon the presentation of proper accounts therefor in accordance with the Company's policies. 5. BENEFITS. During the employment relationship, the Executive will be eligible to participate in all Executive benefit plans and programs offered by the Company from time to time to its employees of comparable seniority, subject to the provisions of such plans and programs as in effect from time to time. 6. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. 6.1 DEATH. In the event of the death of the Executive, the Company shall, within five (5) business days following the date of termination, pay to the estate or other legal representative of the Executive the Base Salary and Performance Bonus provided for in Section 3, together with all other amounts payable to the Executive hereunder, in each case to the extent accrued to the date of the Executive's death and not theretofore paid. Rights and benefits of the estate or other legal representative of the Executive under the benefit plans and programs of the Company shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans 4 and programs. The estate or other legal representative will not be required to repay any outstanding balance of the Credit issued to the Executive, or any interest relating thereto, and shall be entitled to the tax indemnity related to the Credit as described in Section 3.3. Neither the estate or other legal representative of the Executive nor the Company shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement. 6.2 DISABILITY. If the Executive shall be unable to perform the essential functions of his position, with or without reasonable accommodation, by reason of a physical or mental impairment that is reasonably expected to be permanent, this Agreement shall terminate immediately upon written notice to the Executive. In the event of such termination, the Company shall, within five (5) business days following the date of termination, pay to the Executive the Base Salary and Performance Bonus provided for in Section 3, together with all other amounts payable to the Executive hereunder, in each case to the extent accrued to the date of such termination and not theretofore paid. Rights and benefits of the Executive under the benefit plans and programs of the Company shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and programs. If the Executive elects to continue participation in the Company's health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA"), the Company shall pay all premiums necessary to continue the Executive's health insurance coverage for one (1) year after the date of the Executive's termination of employment. The Executive will be required to repay to the Company any outstanding balance of the Credit issued to the Executive, and any interest related thereto, within sixty (60) days of such termination of his employment. Neither the Executive nor the Company shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 7. 6.3 DUE CAUSE. (a) The employment of the Executive hereunder may be terminated by the Company at any time for Due Cause (as hereinafter defined) upon written notice to the Executive. If the Company terminates the Executive's employment for Due Cause, the Executive shall have no further rights hereunder after the date of termination, all obligations of the Company to provide compensation and benefits (including, without limitation, the obligation to pay the Base Salary and the Performance Bonus) shall cease, effective as of the date of termination, except that any Base Salary and Performance Bonus, together with all other amounts payable to the Executive hereunder, accrued as of such date and not theretofore paid shall, within five (5) business days following the date of termination, be paid to the Executive. The Executive will be required to repay to the Company any outstanding balance of the Credit issued to the Executive, and any interest related thereto, within thirty (30) days of the termination of his employment for Due Cause. Rights and benefits of the Executive under the benefit plans and programs of the Company shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and programs. Neither the Executive nor the Company shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except as provided in Sections 7 and 8. (b) For purposes hereof, "Due Cause" shall mean (i) the Executive's final conviction of a felony; (ii) the Executive's continuing to engage in conduct which has caused or is reasonably likely to cause, demonstrable and serious injury to the Company after having been given written notice of such determination by the Company and a reasonable opportunity to cure, which curative period shall not be less than sixty (60) days; or (iii) the Executive's continuing failure to substantially perform the lawful directives of the President or Chief Executive Officer 5 (consistent with the provisions of this Agreement) or his duties and responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement (except by reason of the Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness or injury) after having been given written notice of such determination by the Company and a reasonable opportunity to cure, which curative period shall not be less than sixty (60) days, which written notice specifically identifies the provision of this Agreement which the Company contends that the Executive has continually failed to substantially perform or the directive that the Executive has not followed, the bases for the Company's determination as set forth in the notice and the specific nature of the corrective action that the Company proposes that the Executive take; provided, that for purposes of this clause, the Company shall not have Due Cause to give such notice or thereafter terminate the Executive's employment if such act or omission was taken or omitted to be taken by an officer or employee of the Company other than the Executive or the act or omission was taken or omitted by the Executive with the concurrence of the President or Chief Executive Officer or the act or omission was taken or omitted by the Executive in good faith with a reasonable belief that the act or omission was authorized by the President or Chief Executive Officer or otherwise in the interest of the Company. 6.4 TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY WITHOUT DUE CAUSE. (a) The Company may terminate the Executive's employment at any time for whatever reason it deems appropriate or without reason; provided, however, that in the event that such termination is not pursuant to Section 6.1 (Death), 6.2 (Disability), or 6.3 (Due Cause): (i) The Company shall, within five (5) business days following the date of termination, pay to the Executive the Base Salary and Performance Bonus provided for in Section 3, together with all other amounts payable to the Executive hereunder, in each case to the extent accrued to the date of termination and not theretofore paid to the Executive; (ii) The Executive will not be required to repay 50% of any outstanding balance of the Credit issued to the Executive, or any interest relating to such portion of the Credit, and the Company shall, within five (5) business days following the date of termination, pay to the Executive an amount equal to: 200% of the sum of (A) the Executive's Base Salary applicable to the calendar year in which such termination takes place and (B) the most recent Performance Bonus paid to the Executive; or 300% of the sum of (A) the Executive's Base Salary applicable to the calendar year in which such termination takes place and (B) the most recent Performance Bonus paid to the Executive, if such termination occurs after a Change of Control; and (iii) The Company shall permit the Executive to exercise, for a period of not less than 12 months following the date of termination, any vested stock options which have a strike price greater than 50 cents per share. (b) For purposes hereof, "Change of Control" shall mean: (i) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of at least 25% by one Person, or at least 35% by not more than four unrelated Persons within a ninety (90) day period, (or greater than 50% by one Person when applicable to the Retention 6 Bonus defined in Section 9.1 herein) of either (A) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"), or the making of any agreement with the Company to effect the foregoing; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company shall not constitute a Change of Control; or (ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; or (iii) The Company enters into an agreement with respect to a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns all of the common stock of the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no person, company or other entity (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed in the Company prior to the Business Combination and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or (iv) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. (c) If the Company terminates the Executive's employment in accordance with this Section 6.4, the rights and benefits of the Executive under the benefit plans and programs of the Company shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and programs. If the Executive elects to continue participation in the Company's health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA"), the Company shall pay all premiums necessary to continue the Executive's health insurance coverage for one (1) year after the date of the Executive's termination of employment. 7 Neither the Executive nor the Company shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 7. 6.5 TERMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON. (a) The employment of the Executive hereunder may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason (as hereinafter defined) upon sixty (60) days written notice to the Company; provided, however, that this Agreement may not be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason, if the Company has cured the breach of which it has been notified prior to the expiration of said sixty (60) days. If the Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason: (i) The Company shall, within five (5) business days following the date of termination, pay to the Executive the Base Salary and Performance Bonus provided for in Section 3, together with all other amounts payable to the Executive hereunder, in each case to the extent accrued to the date of termination and not theretofore paid to the Executive; (ii) The Executive will not be required to repay 50% of any outstanding balance of the Credit issued to the Executive, or any interest relating to such portion of the Credit, and the Company shall, within five (5) business days following the date of termination, pay to the Executive an amount equal to: 200% of the sum of (A) the Executive's Base Salary applicable to the calendar year in which such termination takes place and (B) the most recent Performance Bonus paid to the Executive; or 300% of the sum of (A) the Executive's Base Salary applicable to the calendar year in which such termination takes place and (B) the most recent Performance Bonus paid to the Executive, if such termination occurs after a Change of Control; and (iii) The Company shall permit the Executive to exercise, for a period of not less than 12 months following the date of termination, any vested stock options which have a strike price greater than 50 cents per share. (b) If the Executive terminates his employment in accordance with this Section 6.5, the rights and benefits of the Executive under the benefit plans and programs of the Company shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and programs. If the Executive elects to continue participation in the Company's health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 ("COBRA"), the Company shall pay all premiums necessary to continue the Executive's health insurance coverage for one (1) year after the date of the Executive's termination of employment. Neither the Executive nor the Company shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 7. (c) For purposes hereof, "Good Reason" shall mean: (i) any violation or breach by the Company, in any material respect, of the provisions of Sections 3 or 9 of this Agreement; (ii) the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent in any material respect with the Executive's role with the Company (including titles, authority, duties or responsibilities inconsistent in any material respect with such role) or the taking of any action that is the equivalent of a constructive discharge; (iii) relocation of the Executive outside of the New York metropolitan area; or (iv) a change in the Executive's reporting relationships. 8 6.6 TERMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVE WITHOUT GOOD REASON. If the Executive terminates his employment with the Company for a reason other than for Good Reason, the Executive shall have no further rights hereunder after the date of termination, all obligations of the Company to provide compensation and benefits (including, without limitation, the obligation to pay the Base Salary and the Performance Bonus) shall cease, effective as of the date of termination, except that any Base Salary and Performance Bonus, together with all other amounts payable to the Executive hereunder, in each case to the extent accrued as of such date and not theretofore paid shall be paid to the Executive within five (5) business days following such termination. The Executive will be required to repay to the Company any outstanding balance of the Credit issued to the Executive, and any interest related thereto, within thirty (30) days of the termination of his employment. Rights and benefits of the Executive under the benefit plans and programs of the Company shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and programs. Neither the Executive nor the Company shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except as provided in Section 7. 7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. 7.1 NONDISCLOSURE. The Executive acknowledges that the Confidential Information was acquired and will continue to be acquired by the Company at great expense and constitutes trade secrets of the Company, and that irreparable injury will result to the Company from unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information. The Executive shall not use any Confidential Information or disclose, publish or otherwise make available any Confidential Information to third parties at any time during or after the term of the Executive's employment, except in pursuance of the business of the Company. The Executive further agrees that all Confidential Information, together with all notes and records relating thereto, and all copies, duplicates, reproductions, facsimiles or excerpts thereof in the Executive's possession, are the exclusive property of the Company and will be returned promptly to the Company upon the termination of the Executive's employment. In addition, the Executive agrees to return promptly to the Company upon the conclusion of the Executive's employment (or at the Company's option irretrievably destroy or erase) all reports, files, memoranda, records and software, credit cards, cardkey passes, door and file keys, computer access codes or disks, instructional material, and other physical or personal property which the Executive received or prepared in connection with the Executive's employment with the Company. The Executive's obligations of confidentiality hereunder will survive the termination of this Agreement, until and unless any such Confidential Information becomes, through no fault of the Executive, generally known to the public or the Executive is required by law to make disclosure (after giving the Company notice and an opportunity to contest such requirement). The Executive's obligations under this Section are in addition to, and not in limitation or preemption of, all other obligations of confidentiality which the Executive may have to the Company under general legal or equitable principles. 7.2 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION DEFINED. For the purposes hereof, the term "Confidential Information" shall include, but is not limited to, all information acquired by the Executive in the course of his employment in any way concerning any existing services, hardware and software products and hardware and software in various stages of research and development, plans, projects, activities, research, know-how, trade secrets, trade practices, clients, customers, specifications, drawings, sketches, models, samples, proprietary data, client or customer lists, technology, documentation relating to software or computer systems, source code, 9 object code methodologies, product development, distribution plans, contractual arrangements, profits, sales, pricing policies, operational methods, technical processes, business policies, practices and other business affairs and methods, plans for future developments and other technical, business and financial information, and information received from third parties that the Company is obligated to treat as confidential or proprietary, which can be communicated by any means whatsoever, including without limitation oral, visual, written and electronic transmission. The Executive understands that the foregoing is not an exhaustive list and that Confidential Information will also include any other information or materials identified as confidential or proprietary or which the Executive knows or has reason to know has such status; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Confidential Information shall not include information that is or becomes publicly known through no breach of this Agreement by the Executive, has been approved for release by prior written consent of the Company, or has been disclosed pursuant to a requirement of a government agency or of law. 8. INTERFERENCE WITH THE COMPANY. 8.1 COMPETITION. The Executive agrees that during the employment relationship with the Company, and for a period of one (1) year after the termination of such employment if the Executive is terminated for Due Cause (as provided in Section 6.3), the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, engage in a competing business. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed to be engaged in a competing business only if the business is a pan-regional, community based, consumer oriented, internet service focused primarily on Latin America, and the Executive is an employee, officer, director, partner or consultant of such competing business or has an impermissible financial interest therein. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed to have an impermissible financial interest in a competing business only if Executive is a partner or shareholder therein; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Executive shall not be deemed to have an impermissible financial interest in a competing business if the Executive (i) during the employment relationship with the Company, beneficially owns less than one percent (1%) of the voting securities of such competing business and such business is publicly traded, and (ii) following the termination of such employment relationship, beneficially owns (A) less than five percent (5%) of the voting securities of such competing business, if such business is publicly traded, or (B) less than three percent (3%) of the voting securities of such competing business, if such business is not publicly traded. 8.2 EXTENSION. In the event of the Executive's non-compliance with any of the obligations under this Section, the duration of such obligations shall be extended by the duration of the period of non-compliance. 8.3 REASONABLENESS OF COVENANTS. The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered to the Company are of a special and unique character and that the restrictions specified in Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement are reasonable. The Executive acknowledges that the amount of compensation reflects the Executive's agreement in Sections 7 and 8, and acknowledges that the Executive will not be subject to undue hardship by reason of the agreements set forth in this Agreement. 8.4 REMEDIES. The Executive recognizes that a breach of his obligations under Sections 7 or 8 of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm to the Company and, provided 10 that as a precondition the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the payment of all sums that are due and payable to the Executive hereunder, the Company shall be entitled to a preliminary injunction enjoining any violations thereof as a non-exclusive remedy. 9. SPECIAL EVENT BONUSES. 9.1 CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a Change of Control, the Executive shall receive a bonus (the "Retention Bonus") in an amount equal to 100% of the sum of: (A) the Executive's Base Salary applicable to the calendar year in which the Retention Bonus is paid and (B) the most recent Performance Bonus paid to the Executive, payable if the Executive remains in the active employ of the Company until the first anniversary of the Change of Control. 9.2 INVESTMENT IN THE COMPANY. In the event that the Company receives cash from any source, other than from sales in the ordinary course of its business or from the incurrence of debt, in an amount of not less than $50,000,000 in the aggregate, the Executive shall receive a bonus (the "Success Bonus") in an amount of $50,000. 10. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. 10.1 ASSIGNMENT BY THE COMPANY. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company. As used in this Agreement, the "Company" shall mean the Company as herein before defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law and this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Company, as so defined. 10.2 ASSIGNMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive may not assign this Agreement or any part hereof without the prior written consent of a majority of the Board; provided, however, that nothing herein shall preclude one or more beneficiaries of the Executive from receiving any amount that may be payable following the occurrence of his legal incompetency or his death and shall not preclude the legal representative of his estate from receiving such amount or from assigning any right hereunder to the person or persons entitled thereto under his will or, in the case of intestacy, to the person or persons entitled thereto under the laws of intestacy applicable to his estate. The term "beneficiaries", as used in this Agreement, shall mean a beneficiary or beneficiaries so designated to receive any such amount or, if no beneficiary has been so designated, the legal representative of the Executive (in the event of his incompetency) or the Executive's estate. 11. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be deemed a contract made under, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. Any dispute, claim or controversy between the parties with respect to the performance or interpretation of this Agreement or as regards matters which are the subject of this Agreement shall be finally resolved by a binding arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator under the auspices of and in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association at 11 a mutually acceptable place in New York, New York. The arbitrator shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and shall have no power, in rendering the award, to alter or depart from any express provision of this Agreement. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on both parties and enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party shall bear the expenses of its own attorneys and experts in connection with the arbitration proceeding. The fees, costs, charges, and expenses of the arbitrator and the arbitration association shall be borne by the parties equally. 12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains all the understandings and representations between the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all undertakings and agreement, whether oral or in writing, if any there be, previously entered into by them with respect thereto. 13. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, WAIVER. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Company other than the Executive. No waiver by either party hereto of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time, nor shall the failure of or delay by either party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder operate as a waiver thereof to preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege. 14. NOTICES. Any notice to be given hereunder shall be in writing and delivered via overnight courier or via facsimile (in which case with a copy sent via overnight courier) addressed to the party concerned at the address indicated below or at such other address as such party may subsequently designate by like notice: If to the Company: StarMedia Network, Inc. 75 Varick Street New York, NY 10013 Attention: President If to the Executive: StarMedia Network, Inc. 75 Varick Street New York, NY 10013 Attention: Justin K. Macedonia 12 15. SEVERABILITY. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be enforceable only if modified, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the parties hereto with any such modification to become a part hereof and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement. The parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement, or by making such other modifications as it deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the parties as embodied herein to the maximum extent permitted by law. The parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been set forth herein. 16. WITHHOLDING. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, all payments required to be made by the Company hereunder to the Executive, his transferee or his beneficiaries, including his estate, shall be subject to withholding of such amounts relating to taxes as the Company may reasonably determine it must withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. 17. SURVIVORSHIP. The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations. 18. NO RESTRAINT. In the event that the Executive is in possession of any confidential non-public information by virtue of his prior employment, the Executive represents and warrants that he will not engage in any activity that is inconsistent with the rights of such prior employer which could subject the Company to liability. 19. TITLES. Titles of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the title of any section or paragraph. 13 20. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 21. INDEMNIFICATION. In furtherance of any other rights to indemnification and not in limitation thereof, the Executive shall be indemnified by the Company for all liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and expenses) relating to or arising from his status as an officer of the Company (or as an officer, director, employee or agent of any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, to the extent serving as such at the request of the Company), and any actions committed or omitted by the Executive in such capacity, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, as the same may be in effect from time to time. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written. StarMedia Network, Inc. By: /s/ JACK C. CHEN --------------------------------- Name: Jack C. Chen Title: President /s/ JUSTIN K. MACEDONIA -------------------------------- Justin K. Macedonia