-----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, Lb1VwDh4BGXH7ffJPrJXJ6qbefEE1gi6Tohzxw+lcanJ7MobKHdjh12doHQLqkW3 gLlgiHnu+5GXHwAw6zpnkw== 0001193125-06-123982.txt : 20060605 0001193125-06-123982.hdr.sgml : 20060605 20060605091837 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-06-123982 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060605 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20060605 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060605 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001168468 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: JEWELRY, PRECIOUS METAL [3911] IRS NUMBER: 314126506 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0831 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-84294 FILM NUMBER: 06884865 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 7211 CIRCLES S ROAD CITY: AUSTIN STATE: TX ZIP: 78745 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AAC Group Holding Corp. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001311835 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: JEWELRY, PRECIOUS METAL [3911] IRS NUMBER: 201854833 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0831 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-121479 FILM NUMBER: 06884864 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION STREET 2: 7211 CIRCLE S ROAD CITY: AUSTIN STATE: TX ZIP: 78745 BUSINESS PHONE: (512) 444-0571 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION STREET 2: 7211 CIRCLE S ROAD CITY: AUSTIN STATE: TX ZIP: 78745 8-K 1 d8k.htm CURRENT REPORT Current Report
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 5, 2006

AAC Group Holding Corp.

American Achievement Corporation

(Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters)

 

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Delaware   333-121479   20-1854833
Delaware   333-84294   13-4126506

 


7211 Circle S Road

Austin, Texas 78745

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)

Registrants’ telephone number, including area code (512) 444-0571

 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrants under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement    1
Item 8.01. Other Events    1
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits    5
SIGNATURE    6


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Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

American Achievement Corporation and AAC Group Holding Corp. (collectively, the “Company”) announced that their subsidiary Commemorative Brands, Inc. (“CBI”) has entered into an employment agreement with Matthew Gase, pursuant to which Mr. Gase will serve as General Manager of CBI. The agreement is effective as of February 1, 2006 and extends for a one-year term with automatic renewals unless otherwise terminated by either Mr. Gase or CBI. The agreement provides Mr. Gase with an annual base salary of $240,000, severance pay in the event he is terminated without cause or in the event he resigns for good reason as well as other benefits which as may be established for employees from time-to-time. The agreement also includes a non-competition and non-solicitation covenant by Mr. Gase that extends during the term of his employment and for up to one-year thereafter. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual employment agreement executed with Mr. Gase, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events

Proposed Note Offering by Parent

On June 5, 2006, the Company issued a press release announcing that their new parent company, American Achievement Group Holding Corp., expects to commence an offering under Rule 144A and Regulation S of $150.0 million in aggregate gross proceeds of senior discount notes due 2016. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

Settlement of Litigation

On June 5, 2006, the Company announced that CBI has settled the lawsuit brought against it by Frederick Goldman, Inc. (“Goldman”). Pursuant to the settlement, among other things, CBI and Goldman entered into a new licensing agreement and CBI agreed to pay Goldman $1.0 million in cash. This payment was made on May 18, 2006.

Closing of San Angelo Facility

On June 5, 2006, the Company announced that it will close its yearbook facility in San Angelo, Texas in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. The Company expects to incur approximately $1.0 million in costs associated with the closing of this plant, primarily consisting of severance and relocation costs paid to or with respect to employees at the plant. The operations of this plant will be transferred to the Company’s yearbook facility in Dallas, Texas. As a result, the Company expects to realize up to $1.5 million in cost savings attributable to this facility closure, substantially all of which should be realized in fiscal 2007.

 

1


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Release of Financial Results for Last Twelve Months

On June 5, 2006, the Company announced its financial results for twelve-month period ended April 1, 2006. The following table presents such historical financial information. Such financial information is unaudited and does not comprise financial information for a regular fiscal period of the Company. Such financial information is provided for illustrative purposes only, is not intended to be used for purposes of comparisons with other fiscal periods of the Company, and is not indicative of what the Company’s results of operations will be for fiscal 2006 (which will end August 26, 2006).

 

     Twelve
Months Ended
April 1, 2006
     (in thousands)

Statement of Operations Data:

  

Net sales

   $ 309,546

Cost of sales

   $ 128,301
      

Gross profit

   $ 181,245

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 138,259
      

Operating income

   $ 42,986

Interest expense, net

   $ 34,266
      

Income before income taxes

   $ 8,720

Provision for income taxes

   $ 4,158
      

Net income

   $ 4,562
      

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):

  

Total assets

   $ 534,604

Total debt (1)

   $ 375,931

Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 19,259

Other Data:

  

EBITDA (2)

   $ 68,671

Capital expenditures

   $ 13,435

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 25,685

(1) Total debt does not reflect approximately $3.3 million of cash on hand as of April 1, 2006.

 

2


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(2) EBITDA represents net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA does not represent net income or cash flows from operations, as these terms are defined under generally accepted accounting principles, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our operating performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.

A reconciliation of net income to EBITDA is included below:

 

     Twelve
Months Ended
April 1, 2006
     (in thousands)

Net income

   $ 4,562

Interest expense, net

     34,266

Provision for income taxes

     4,158

Depreciation and amortization expense

     25,685
      

EBITDA

   $ 68,671
      

The Company notes that EBITDA reflects the following items for the period presented: (i) approximately $0.3 million of costs relating to the re-branding of the Company’s college products, (ii) approximately $3.2 million of management fees and expenses paid pursuant to the Company’s management agreement with an affiliate of Fenway Partners Capital Fund II, L.P., (iii) approximately $0.6 million in consulting fees paid to independent consultants to advise the Company as to how to streamline its business and improve operational efficiencies as well as to become ready to comply with new Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, (iv) approximately $1.4 million in legal and professional fees relating to two litigation matters (primarily, the Goldman matter referred to above) that have since been settled and a potential acquisition that was subsequently abandoned, (v) approximately $0.4 million in recruiting and relocation expenses paid in connection with the recent restructuring of the Company’s management team, and (vi) approximately $2.0 million of severance costs relating to the recent structuring of the Company’s management team and the closure of the Company’s ring plant in El Paso, Texas in June 2005. In addition, the Company notes that EBITDA does not reflect approximately $0.5 million of expected savings from costs incurred in connection with such plant closing.

The Company considers EBITDA to be a key indicator of operating performance as it and similar measures are instrumental in the determination of compliance with certain financial covenants in the Company’s existing senior secured credit facility, and is used by the Company’s management in the calculation of the aggregate fee payable under its management agreement and in determining compensation for certain employees. EBITDA is not defined

 

3


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under GAAP and has important limitations as an analytical tool. For example, EBITDA (i) does not reflect the Company’s cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; (ii) does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, the Company’s working capital needs; (iii) does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on the Company’s debts; (iv) excludes tax payments that represent a reduction in cash available to the Company; and (v) does not reflect any cash requirements for the assets being depreciated and amortized that may have to be replaced in the future. Because of these limitations, the Company relies primarily on its GAAP results and uses EBITDA only supplementally. Investors should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP.

 

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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

10.1    Employment Agreement, dated January 11, 2006, between Commemorative Brands, Inc. and Matthew Gase
99.1    Press Release, dated June 5, 2006

*****

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

AAC GROUP HOLDING CORP.

AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION

By: 

 

/s/ Sherice Bench

 

Name: Sherice Bench

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

Date: June 5, 2006

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

10.1    Employment Agreement, dated January 11, 2006, between Commemorative Brands, Inc. and Matthew Gase
99.1    Press Release, dated June 5, 2006

 

7

EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, DATED JANUARY 11, 2006 Employment Agreement, dated January 11, 2006

EXHIBIT 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of this 11 day of January, 2006, by and between COMMEMORATIVE BRANDS, INC. and any successors thereto (collectively referred to as the “Company”) and MATTHEW GASE (“Executive”).

The parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Employment. Executive will serve the Company in the position of General Manager of Commemorative Brands, Inc. and will perform such duties as from time to time shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, and will perform, faithfully and diligently, the services and functions performed and will carry out the functions of his office and furnish his best advice, information, judgment and knowledge with respect to the business of the Company. Executive agrees to perform such duties as hereinabove described and to devote full-time attention and energy to the business of the Company. Executive will not, during the term of employment under this Agreement, engage in any other business activity if such business activity would impair Executive’s ability to carry out his duties under this Agreement.

2. Term. Contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background investigation, reference check and pre-employment drug screen, this Agreement shall be effective February 1, 2006 and end on January 31, 2007, and shall thereafter renew for successive one-year terms, unless two months’ notice is given by either party to the other party of non-renewal. However, this Agreement may be terminated at any time by either part in accordance with Section 6 hereof.

3. Compensation and Other Benefits.

3.1 Salary. The salary compensation to be paid by the Company to Executive and which Executive agrees to accept from the Company for services performed and to be performed by Executive hereunder shall be an annual gross amount, before applicable withholding and other payroll deductions, of $240,000, payable in equal bi-weekly installments of $9,230.76, subject to such changes as the Board of Directors of the Company may, in its sole discretion, from time to time determine.

3.2 Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to participate in such employee benefit programs, plans and policies (including incentive bonus plans and incentive stock option plans) as are maintained by the Company and as may be established for the employees of the Company from time to time on the same basis as other executive employees are entitled thereto, except to the extent such plans are duplicative of benefits otherwise provided to Executive under this Agreement (e.g. severance). It is understood that the establishment, termination or change in any such Executive employee benefit programs, plans or policies shall be at the option of the Company in the exercise of its sole discretion, from time to time, and any such termination or change in such program, plan or policy will not affect this Agreement so long as Executive is treated on the same basis as other executive employees participating in such program, plan or policy, as the case may be. Upon termination of employment under this Agreement, without regard to the manner in which the termination was brought about, Executive’s rights in such employee benefit programs, plans or policies shall be governed solely by the terms of the program, plan or policy itself and not this Agreement. Executive shall be entitled to an annual paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s personnel policy for his years of service completed as an employee of the Company (and, to the extent applicable, the Company’s predecessors).


4. Working Facilities. During the term of his employment under this Agreement, Executive shall be furnished with a private office, stenographic services and such other facilities and services as are commensurate with his position with the Company and adequate for the performance of his duties under this Agreement.

5. Expenses. During the term of his employment under this Agreement, Executive is authorized to incur reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for the discharge of his duties hereunder and the promotion of business of the Company, including expenses for entertainment, travel and related items, that are incurred in accordance with the Company’s policies. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all such expenses upon presentation by Executive from time to time of itemized accounts of expenditures incurred in accordance with Company policies.

6. Termination. The employment relationship between Executive and the Company is “at-will”, which means that Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated with or without cause or reason by either the Company or Executive at any time. Payment to Executive upon his termination is governed by the following terms and conditions.

6.1 Termination by Company for Cause. The following events or circumstances are deemed “Cause” for Executive’s termination.

 

  (i) Executive’s indictment of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude;

 

  (ii) Executive’s material breach of a contractual obligation to the Company or any of its Affiliates (as defined below);

 

  (iii) Executive’s failure to perform, or gross negligence in the performance of, Executive material duties and responsibilities to the Company or any of its Affiliates; or

 

  (iv) Executive’s substantial, wrongful damage to property of the Company.

If the Executive is terminated for Cause, upon payment by the Company to Executive of all salary earned but unpaid through the termination date, accrued and unused vacation, and any accrued and unpaid bonus to the date of such termination, the Company shall have no further liability to Executive for compensation in accordance herewith, and Executive will not be entitled to receive any other salary, the Termination Payments or Termination Benefits (as such terms are defined below) except aforesaid vacation and any accrued bonus. For purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliates” means all persons and entities directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, where control may be by management authority, equity interest or otherwise.

6.2 Termination by Company Without Cause. In the event of the termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement by the Company without Cause the Executive will be entitled to receive 26 bi-weekly payments equal to the average of his bi-weekly base salary in effect within the two years preceding the termination (including, for these purposes, average bi-weekly base salary of Executive from the Company’s predecessors) (“Termination Payments”), less legally required withholdings. In addition to the Termination Payments, Executive will be entitled to elect the continuation of health benefits under COBRA and the Company will pay the COBRA premiums for a maximum of 12-months, beginning on the date that Executive’s health coverage ceases due to his termination, accrued but


unused vacation, and any accrued bonus (“Termination Benefits”). If Executive obtains employment while he is entitled to receive the Termination Payments and the Termination Benefits, each Termination Payment shall be reduced by the amount of his average bi-weekly compensation to be received in connection with his new employment and the payment of the Termination Benefits shall cease upon Executive becoming covered under the new employer’s health coverage plan at no cost to Executive. The combination of the Termination Payments and the Termination Benefits constitute the sole amount to which Executive is entitled if termination is without Cause.

6.3 Termination by Executive Without Good Reason. Executive may terminate his employment under this Agreement without Good Reason as defined in Paragraph 6.4 below upon the giving of 90 days written notice of termination. In the event of such termination, in lieu of the 90 day notice period, the Company may elect to pay Executive compensation for the notice period (or any remaining portion thereof), plus unused accrued vacation and any accrued unpaid bonus, in which event Executive’s services to the company will be terminated immediately. No Termination Payments or Termination Benefits other than as set forth in Section 6.3 shall be payable upon Executive’s termination of this Agreement without Good Reason.

6.4 Termination by Executive With Good Reason. Executive may terminate his employment under this Agreement for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

 

  (i) Without Executive’s consent, the assignment to Executive of substantial duties inconsistent with Executive’s then-current position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company, or any removal of Executive from his titles and offices, except in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement by Company or as a result of Executive’s death or permanent disability (as defined in the Company’s or Executive’s disability insurance policies);

 

  (ii) The Company requiring Executive to relocate anywhere other than Austin, or Dallas, Texas without Executive’s consent; or

 

  (iii) A decrease in Executive’s salary from the salary in effect upon the date hereof that is inconsistent with or not commensurate with Executive’s then current position in the Company.

In the event of termination under this Section 6.4, the Company shall pay to Executive the same Termination Payments and Termination Benefits to which Executive would have been entitled had he been terminated by the Company without Cause.

6.5 Death or Permanent Disability. Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate upon Executive’s death or permanent disability (as defined in the Company’s or Executive’s disability insurance policies). Other than accrued but unused vacation and any accrued by unpaid bonus, no Termination Payments or Termination Benefits shall be payable upon Executive’s death or permanent disability.

6.6 Release Agreement. The Termination Payments and Termination Benefits pursuant to Section 6 are conditioned upon your signing a release of claims in the form provided by the Company (the “Release Agreement”) within twenty-one days of the date on which you give or receive, as applicable, notice of termination of your employment and upon your not revoking the Employee Release thereafter.


6.7 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) except to the extent required by law, no payment will be due and payable under this Section 6 until the later of the next regular Company payday following the effective date of the Release Agreement or that date which is in accordance with the requirements of clause (ii) hereof and (ii) in the event that at the time that Executive’s employment with the Company terminates the Company is publicly traded (as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code), any amounts payable under this Section 6 that would otherwise be considered deferred compensation subject to the additional twenty percent (20%) tax imposed by Section 409A if paid within six (6) months following the date of termination of Company employment shall be paid at the later of the time otherwise provided in Section 6 or the time that will prevent such amounts from being considered deferred compensation.

7. Confidentiality. The Company and its Affiliates possess confidential information, proprietary information goodwill and trade secrets, which is important to their business. Immediately upon Executive’s execution of this Agreement and during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company, the Company will give Executive confidential information, proprietary information, goodwill and trade secrets belonging to the Company and its Affiliates that Executive did not have or have access to prior to Executive’s execution of this Agreement to enable Executive to perform his duties and responsibilities hereunder. During and after the term of employment under this Agreement, Executive agrees that he shall not, without the express written consent of Company, directly or indirectly communicate or divulge to, or use for his own benefit or for the benefit of any other person, firm, association or corporation, any of Company’s or its Affiliates’ trade secrets, confidential information, proprietary information or goodwill, which trade secrets, confidential information, proprietary data and goodwill were communicated to or otherwise learned or acquired by Executive during his employment relationship with Company (“Confidential Information”), except that Executive may disclose such matters to the extent that disclosure is required (a) at Company’s direction or (b) by a court or other governmental agency of competent jurisdiction. As long as such matters remain trade secrets, confidential information, proprietary information or goodwill, Executive shall not use such trade secrets, confidential information, proprietary information or goodwill in any way or in any capacity other than as expressly consented to by Company.

8. Covenant not to Compete or Solicit. Ancillary to the Company’s commitments as set forth herein, including but not limited to, the obligation to provide Executive with the Company’s and its Affiliates’ confidential information, proprietary information, trade secrets and goodwill and Executive’s agreement not to improperly use or disclose the Company’s and its Affiliates’ proprietary information, trade secrets or goodwill, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and to avoid the actual or threatened misappropriation of the Company’s and its Affiliates’ confidential information, proprietary information, trade secrets or goodwill, Executive agrees to the following covenants:

8.1 Executive agrees to refrain during his employment under this Agreement and for one year after the termination of his employment under this agreement for any reason, without written permission of the Company, from becoming involved in any way, within the boundaries of the United States, in the business of manufacturing, designing, servicing or selling, the type of jewelry or fine paper or other scholastic, licensed sports, insignia, recognition or affinity products manufactured or sold (or then contemplated to be manufactured or sold) by the Company, its divisions, subsidiaries and/or other affiliated entities, including but not limited to, as an employee, consultant, independent representative, partner representative, partner or proprietor. For the avoidance of doubt, these restrictions shall apply, but shall not be limited to, Herff-Jones, Jostens, Visant and Intergold.

8.2 Executive also agrees to refrain during his employment under this Agreement, and in the event of the termination of his employment under this Agreement for any reason, for one year thereafter, without written


permission from the Company, from diverting, taking, soliciting, licensed sports, insignia, recognition or affinity business of any customer of the Company, its divisions, subsidiaries and/or affiliated entities, or any potential customer of the Company, its divisions, subsidiaries and/or affiliated entities whose identity became known to Executive through his employment by the Company and to which the Company has made a written business proposal or provided written pricing information before the termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement.

8.3 Executive agrees to refrain during his employment under this Agreement, and in the event of the termination of his employment under this Agreement for any reason for a period of one year thereafter, from inducing or attempting to influence any employee or independent representative of the Company, its divisions, subsidiaries, and/or affiliated entities to terminate his or his employment or association with the Company or such other entity.

8.4 Executive further agrees that the covenants in Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 are made to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, including interests in the Company’s “Confidential Information,” as defined in Section 7 of this Agreement, and not to restrict his mobility or to prevent him from utilizing his skills. In signing this Agreement, Executive gives the Company assurance that he has carefully read and considered all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed on him under Section 7 and 8. Executive agrees without reservation that these restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of the Company and its Affiliates and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect to subject matter, length of time and geographic area. Executive further agrees that, were he to breach any of the covenants contained in Section 7 and 8, the damage to the Company and its Affiliates would be irreparable. Executive therefore agrees that the Company, in addition to any other remedies available to it, shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against any breach or threatened breach by him of any of those covenants, without having to post bond. Executive and the Company further agree that, in the event that any provision of Section 7 and 8 is determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its being extended over too great a time, too large a geographic area or too great a range of activities, that provision shall be deemed to be modified to permit its enforcement to the maximum extent permitted by law. It is also agreed that each of the Company’s Affiliates shall have the right to enforce all of Executive’s obligations to that Affiliate under this Agreement, including without limitation pursuant to Section 7 and 8.

9. Controlling Law and Performability. The execution, validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the state of Texas.

10. Reparability. If any provision of this Agreement is rendered or declared illegal or unenforceable, all other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.

11. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and if sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) addressed as follows:

 

If to Executive:   Matthew Gase
  614 North 163rd Street
  Omaha, Nebraska 68118
If to the Company:   Commemorative Brands, Inc.
  7211 Circle S Road
  Austin, Texas 78745
  Attention: Don Percenti, President & CEO


Any address or other change to the above shall be in writing to the other party to become effective.

12. Assignment. The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon its successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Executive under this Agreement are of a personal nature and shall neither be transferred nor assigned in whole or in party by Executive.

13. Non-Waiver. No waiver of or failure to assert any claim, right, benefit or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any other claim, right, benefit or remedy of the company or Executive.

14. Review and Consultation. Executive acknowledges that he has had a reasonable time to review and consider this Agreement and has been given the opportunity to consult with an attorney.

15. Entire Agreement and Amendments. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of Executive and the company relating to the matters contained in this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, between Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter in this Agreement. This Agreement may be changed only by an agreement in writing by Executive and the Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date and year first above written.

 

COMMEMORATIVE BRANDS, INC.

By: 

 

/s/ Don Percenti

 

Don Percenti, President & CEO

EXECUTIVE
 

/s/ Matt Gase

 

Matthew Gase

EX-99.1 3 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE, DATED JUNE 5, 2006 Press Release, dated June 5, 2006

EXHIBIT 99.1

Press Release

Contact:

Sherice Bench

Chief Financial Officer

Sherice.bench@cbi-rings.com

EXPECTED OFFERING OF DEBT SECURITIES

BY AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT GROUP HOLDING CORP.

AUSTIN, TX — June 5, 2006 — American Achievement Corporation and AAC Group Holding Corp. (collectively, the “Company”) today announced that their new parent company, American Achievement Group Holding Corp., expects to commence an offering under Rule 144A and Regulation S of $150.0 million aggregate gross proceeds of senior discount notes due 2016. The senior discount notes will be general unsecured obligations of American Achievement Group Holding Corp.

Up to 100% of the net proceeds of the offering will be distributed to the stockholders of American Achievement Group Holding Corp. and used to pay related costs and expenses. Subject to acceptable market and interest rate conditions, the Company anticipates that American Achievement Group Holding Corp. will complete the offering this month.

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein. American Achievement Group Holding Corp. is offering the notes in reliance upon an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 for an offer and sale of securities that does not involve a public offering. The securities to be offered have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

Forward-Looking Statements. Statements in this press release regarding the expected offering of senior discount notes are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including without limitation statements to the effect that American Achievement Group Holding Corp, AAC Group Holding Corp. or American Achievement Corporation or their respective management “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “looks forward” and similar expressions) should be considered forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements in these materials are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated. Neither American Achievement Group Holding Corp., AAC Group Holding Corp. nor American Achievement Corporation undertakes any obligation to revise or publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or otherwise.

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