EX-99.1
Exhibit 99.1
DREAMWORKS ANIMATION SKG, INC.
1000 FLOWER STREET
GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA 91201
August 13, 2014
Fazal Merchant
c/o Vedder Price, P.C.
222 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Attention: Philip L. Mowery, Esq.
Dear Fazal:
Upon the Commencement Date
(as defined below), DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Studio”) agrees to employ you and you agree to accept such employment upon the terms and conditions set forth herein (this “Agreement”). Studio shall
have no obligation under this Agreement unless and until Studio has received from you a fully executed copy of this Agreement (in form and substance satisfactory to Studio).
1. Term. The term of your employment with Studio hereunder shall commence on September 15, 2014 (the “Commencement
Date”) and shall, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, continue up to and including December 31, 2017 (such date, the “Initial Expiration Date”). Studio shall have an exclusive
irrevocable option exercisable by written notice to you no later than ninety (90) days prior to the Initial Expiration Date to extend the term hereof for an additional two (2) year period, commencing December 31, 2017 and continuing
through and including December 31, 2019 (such date, the “Extended Expiration Date”). If Studio does not exercise its option, the term of your employment hereunder shall continue up to the Initial Expiration Date. The period of your
employment hereunder shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Employment Term”. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that, during the 12-month period following a “change of control” (as
defined in Paragraph 25), your employment with Studio terminates as a result of the natural expiration of the Employment Term on the Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable, the Extended Expiration Date), you will receive the payments and
benefits described in Paragraph 12.a for the Continuation Period (as defined below); provided that, for purposes of this sentence, the Continuation Period shall end on the second anniversary of the Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable,
the Extended Expiration Date).
2. Duties/Responsibilities.
a. General. Your title shall be Chief Financial Officer. You shall have such duties and responsibilities as are consistent with
the traditional position of Chief Financial Officer of publicly traded major entertainment and media corporations.
b. Services. During the Employment Term you shall render your exclusive full-time
business services to Studio and/or its divisions, subsidiaries or affiliates in accordance with the reasonable directions and instructions of the Chief Executive Officer of Studio, all as hereinafter set forth. You shall report to the Chief
Executive Officer of Studio.
3. Exclusivity. You shall not during the Employment Term perform services for any person, firm
or corporation (hereinafter referred to collectively as a “person”) without the prior written consent of Studio and will not engage in any activity which would interfere with the performance of your services hereunder, or become
financially interested in any other person engaged in the production, distribution or exhibition of motion pictures or television programs (including, without limitation, motion pictures produced for, distributed to or exhibited on free, cable, pay,
satellite and/or subscription television, music and/or interactive), anywhere in the world. Nothing contained herein shall prevent you from owning publicly traded minority stock interests not to exceed five percent (5%), limited partnership
interests or other passive investment interests in businesses performing any of the aforesaid activities.
4. Compensation.
a. Base Salary. For all services rendered under this Agreement, Studio will pay you a base salary (the “Base Salary”) at
a rate of Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00) for each full year of the Employment Term. The Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with Studio’s applicable payroll practices. Within 15 days following the Commencement Date, you
shall receive a cash payment (subject to applicable withholding) of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000) as a signing bonus; provided that, any annual cash bonus that becomes payable to you pursuant to Paragraph 4.b(i) with respect
to calendar year 2014 will be reduced by such signing bonus; provided, further, that any such reduction to any annual cash bonus that becomes payable to you pursuant to Paragraph 4.b(i) with respect to calendar year 2014 shall not reduce such
annual cash bonus amount below $0.
b. Cash Incentive and Equity-Based Compensation.
(i) You will be eligible during the Employment Term, subject to annual approval by the compensation committee of the board of
directors of Studio (such board of directors, the “Board” and such committee, the “Compensation Committee”), to receive an annual cash bonus award pursuant to the terms of Studio’s short-term incentive plan. It is
Studio’s present expectation that such awards will have an annual grant-date target value of $700,000. For the avoidance of doubt, such annual award will be prorated for the 2014 calendar year based on the number of days you are employed by
Studio during such year and will be subject to reduction as set forth in Paragraph 4.a. If your employment with Studio terminates as a result of the natural expiration of the Employment Term on the Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable, the
Extended Expiration Date), you will be entitled to receive the same annual cash bonus that you would have received for any complete or partial fiscal year (pro-rated based on the number of days you worked in any partial fiscal year) of the
Employment Term if
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you had remained an employee through the date on which the annual cash bonuses are paid, computed in the same manner generally used in determining the annual cash bonuses of Studio’s other
executive officers.
(ii) In addition, you will be eligible during the Employment Term, subject to annual approval by the
Compensation Committee, to receive annual equity-based incentive awards, commencing in October 2014, consistent with other senior executives subject to Compensation Committee approval. It is Studio’s present expectation that such awards will
have an annual aggregate grant-date target value of $1,200,000 and shall vest either over four (4) years from the date of grant or in full on the third anniversary of the date of grant, depending on the type of award and as determined by the
Compensation Committee; provided that, it is Studio’s present expectation that the 2014 equity-based incentive awards (A) will not be pro rated for calendar year 2014, but shall be a full award as if you had been employed by Studio
during the entire 2014 calendar year and (B) will be comprised 75% of restricted stock units that constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”), which will vest over four years from the date of grant, and 25% of performance-based units, which will be subject to a three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2017 (the “2014 PSUs”), in each case, based
on grant-date value. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or in the award agreement applicable to the 2014 PSUs to the contrary, in the event that Studio does not exercise its option to extend the Employment Term past the Initial Expiration
Date in accordance with Paragraph 1 and your employment hereunder has not earlier terminated, following December 31, 2017, the 2014 PSUs shall not be subject to any continued service requirement but shall continue to remain subject to the
certification of the achievement of performance goals, as determined by the Compensation Committee following the completion of the performance period.
c. Additional Cash Payments. While you remain employed hereunder, you shall be entitled to receive the following cash payments (the
“Additional Cash Payments”) on or about the following dates: (i) December 31, 2014, $1,000,000; (ii) December 31, 2015, $1,300,000; and (iii) December 31, 2016, $700,000; provided, however, that
in the event of a termination of the Employment Term due to your death or incapacity, without cause or by you for good reason, any unpaid Additional Cash Payments shall be paid to you as promptly as practicable following such termination of the
Employment Term and in no event later than 30 days following such termination. The Additional Cash Payments shall be made in accordance with Studio’s applicable payroll practices.
5. Benefits. In addition to the foregoing, during the Employment Term, you shall be entitled to participate in such other,
medical, dental and life insurance, 401(k), pension and other benefit plans as Studio may have or establish from time to time for its most senior executives. In addition, Studio shall cover the cost of personal financial consulting services to you
during the Employment Term and shall reimburse the reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by you in connection with the preparation, review and negotiation of this Agreement. During the Employment Term, you shall be entitled to
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coverage in accordance with Studio’s standard leave of absence policy and shall be entitled to vacation days and/or personal days to be taken subject to the demands of Studio (as determined
by Studio) and consistent with the amount of days taken by other senior level executives; provided, however, that no vacation time will be accrued during the Employment Term. The foregoing, however, shall not be construed to require
Studio to establish any such plans or to prevent the modification or termination of such plans once established, and no such action or failure thereof shall affect this Agreement.
6. Business Expenses. Studio shall reimburse you for business expenses on a regular basis in accordance with its policy
regarding the reimbursement of such expenses for executives of like stature to you (including travel, at Studio’s request (which, in accordance with Studio policy, is currently first class), a car and cellular phone, including business phone
expenses). Expenses shall be eligible for reimbursement hereunder to the extent that they are incurred by you during the Employment Term. All reimbursable expenses shall be reimbursed to you as promptly as practicable and in any event not later than
the last day of the calendar year after the calendar year in which the expenses are incurred, and the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during any calendar year will not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any
other calendar year.
7. Indemnification. You shall be fully indemnified and held harmless by Studio to the fullest extent
permitted by law from any claim, liability, loss, cost or expense of any nature (including attorney’s fees of counsel selected by you, judgments, fines, any amounts paid or to be paid in any settlement, and all costs of any nature) incurred by
you (all such indemnification to be on an “after-tax” or “gross-up” basis) which arises, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part out of any alleged or actual conduct, action or inaction on your part in or in connection with
or related in any manner to your status as an employee, agent, officer, corporate director, member, manager, shareholder, partner of, or your provision of services to, Studio or any of its affiliated entities, or any entity to which you are
providing services on behalf of Studio or which may be doing business with Studio. To the maximum extent allowed by law, all amounts to be indemnified hereunder including reasonable attorneys’ fees shall be promptly advanced by Studio until
such time, if ever, as it is determined by final decision pursuant to Paragraph 24 below that you are not entitled to indemnification hereunder (whereupon you shall reimburse Studio for all sums theretofore advanced). Any tax gross-up payments
that you become entitled to receive pursuant to this Paragraph 7 will be paid to you (or to the applicable taxing authority on your behalf) as promptly as practicable and in any event not later than the last day of the calendar year after the
calendar year in which you remit the related taxes.
8. Covenants.
a. Confidential Information. You agree that you shall not, during the course of your employment with Studio or any of its affiliates
hereunder and at any time thereafter, use for your own purposes, or disclose to, or for any benefit of any third party, any trade secret or other confidential information of Studio or any of its affiliates (except as may be required by law or in the
performance of your duties hereunder consistent with Studio’s
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policies) and that you will comply with any confidentiality obligations of Studio known by you to a third party, whether under agreement or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, confidential
information shall be deemed not to include information which (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by you or any other person who directly or indirectly receives such information from you or
at your direction or (ii) is or becomes available to you on a non-confidential basis from a source which you reasonably believe is entitled to disclose it to you.
b. Studio Ownership. The results and proceeds of your services hereunder, including, without limitation, any works of authorship
resulting from your services during your employment and any works in progress, shall be works-made-for-hire and Studio shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or
hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner Studio determines in its sole discretion without any further payment to you whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such
results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-for-hire and/or there are any rights which do not accrue to Studio under the preceding sentence, then you hereby irrevocably assign and agree to assign any and all of your right, title and interest
thereto, including, without limitation, any and all copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks and/or other rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized or developed by Studio,
and Studio shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner Studio may deem useful or desirable to establish or document Studio’s exclusive ownership of any and all rights in any such results and
proceeds, including, without limitation, the execution of appropriate copyright and/or patent applications or assignments. To the extent that you have any rights in the results and proceeds of your services that cannot be assigned in the manner
described above, you unconditionally and irrevocably waive the enforcement of such rights. This Paragraph 8.b is subject to, and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict, or constitute any waiver by Studio of any rights of ownership to which
Studio may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of Studio or any of its affiliates being your employer.
c. Return of
Property. All documents, data, recordings, or other property, whether tangible or intangible, including all information stored in electronic form, obtained or prepared by or for you and utilized by you in the course of your employment with
Studio or any of its affiliates shall remain the exclusive property of Studio. In the event of the termination of your employment for any reason, and subject to any other provisions hereof, Studio reserves the right, subject to Paragraph 27.b,
to the extent required by law, and in addition to any other remedy Studio may have, to deduct from any monies otherwise payable to you the following: (i) the full amount of any specifically determined debt you owe to Studio or any of its
affiliates at the time of or subsequent to the termination of your employment with Studio, and (ii) the value of Studio property which you retain in your possession after the termination of your employment with Studio following Studio’s
written request for such item(s) return and your failure to return such items within thirty (30) days of receiving such notice. In the event that the law of any state or other jurisdiction requires the consent of an employee for such
deductions, this Agreement shall serve as such consent.
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d. Promise Not To Solicit. You will not, during the course of your employment with Studio
or any of its affiliates hereunder and for the period ending one (1) year after the earlier of the termination of the Employment Term or the Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable, the Extended Expiration Date), induce or attempt to induce
any employees, exclusive consultants, exclusive contractors or exclusive representatives of Studio (or those of any of its affiliates) to stop working for, contracting with or representing Studio or any of its affiliates or to work for, contract
with or represent any of Studio’s (or its affiliates’) competitors.
9. Incapacity.
a. In the event you are unable to perform the services required of you hereunder as a result of a physical or mental disability and such
disability shall continue for a period of ninety (90) or more consecutive days or an aggregate of four (4) or more months during any twelve (12) month period during the Employment Term, Studio shall have the right, at its option and
subject to applicable state and federal law, to terminate the Employment Term, and Studio shall only be obligated to pay you (i) for a period commencing on the termination of the Employment Term by Studio and ending on the earlier of the
Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable, the Extended Expiration Date) and the second anniversary of the termination of the Employment Term, payments at a rate equal to 50% of your rate of Base Salary, and, except as otherwise provided in this
Paragraph 9.a, such payments will be payable in accordance with Studio’s regular payroll practices applicable to similarly situated active employees, and (ii) any additional compensation (including, without limitation, any grants of
equity-based compensation made to you on or prior to the date of termination (it being understood you will not be entitled to receive any grants of equity-based compensation thereafter) as determined pursuant to Paragraph 9.b below, and expense
reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to your termination) earned by you prior to the termination of the Employment Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, you further will be entitled to continuation of medical, dental, life insurance,
and financial counseling benefits (collectively, excluding disability insurance, the “Continued Benefits”) for a period of twelve (12) months after termination of the Employment Term pursuant to this Paragraph 9 (but not to extend
beyond the Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable, the Extended Expiration Date)); provided, however, that nothing in this sentence is intended to discontinue any short-term or long-term disability insurance benefits you are
receiving or may become eligible to receive as a result of the disability resulting in termination of the Employment Term pursuant to this Paragraph 9. Except as specifically permitted by Section 409A of the Code, and the regulations thereunder
as in effect from time to time (collectively, hereinafter, “Section 409A”), the Continued Benefits provided to you during any calendar year will not affect the Continued Benefits to be provided to you in any other calendar year, and
the right to such Continued Benefits cannot be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit. With respect to any Continued Benefits for which you may become eligible under this Paragraph 9.a or otherwise under this Agreement, if requested by
Studio during any continuation period you shall elect to treat such Continued Benefits as being provided pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (“COBRA”) or any similar
applicable federal or state statute. Whenever compensation is payable to you hereunder, during or with respect to a
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time when you are partially or totally disabled and such disability (except for the provisions hereof) would entitle you to disability income or to salary continuation payments from Studio
according to the terms of any plan now or hereafter provided by Studio or according to any policy of Studio in effect at the time of such disability, the compensation payable to you hereunder shall be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by any such
disability income or salary continuation and shall not be in addition thereto. If disability income is payable directly to you by an insurance company under an insurance policy paid for by Studio, the compensation payable to you hereunder shall be
reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amounts paid to you by said insurance company and shall not be in addition thereto.
b. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable equity compensation plan of Studio (each such plan, a “Plan”) or in the agreement evidencing the grant, in each case as of the date of the grant, after termination of the Employment Term pursuant to
Paragraph 9.a, your grants of equity-based compensation will be determined as follows. For purposes of this Agreement, an award will be deemed to have vested when it is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (within the meaning
of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(d)). With respect to grants having performance-based vesting criteria, the amount of such award that is eligible to vest will be determined after the end of the performance period specified in the grant,
or satisfaction of such other criteria pursuant to the Plan, subject to the applicable performance or other criteria (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not the service requirements), as if you had continued to remain employed with Studio throughout
such performance period (subject to the proration formula set forth in this Paragraph 9.b). With respect to grants having time-based vesting criteria, the full amount of such award will be eligible to vest to the extent provided herein. Vesting will
be determined promptly following termination of the Employment Term. A ratable portion of the amount of each award that is eligible to vest will become vested by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of
(i) your actual period of service in months through the date of termination plus (ii) the lesser of (A) twelve (12) months or (B) 50% of the remaining period through the Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable, the
Extended Expiration Date) in months determined as of the date of termination (but in no event will the numerator exceed the denominator), and the denominator of which is the total performance period in months (for grants having performance-based
vesting criteria) or the total vesting period in months (for grants having time-based vesting criteria) specified in the grant. To avoid any double-counting, any part of any equity-based compensation award that has vested in accordance with the
terms of the applicable award agreement shall be credited against any part of such award that you shall be entitled to receive or exercise pursuant to the determination set forth in the preceding sentence. The balance of such awards will be
forfeited. Subject to this Paragraph 9.b and to the other terms and conditions of the grants, all stock options and any similar equity-based awards will remain exercisable for the remaining term of the grant (subject to termination in the event
of a corporate transaction to the extent permitted by the applicable Plan). With respect to restricted stock units that are subject to performance-based vesting criteria, except as otherwise set forth in Paragraph 25, such awards will be
settled on the seventieth (70th) day after the date that such awards become vested. With respect to restricted stock units that are subject to time-based vesting criteria, such awards will be
settled within thirty (30) days following termination of the Employment Term.
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10. Death. If you die prior to the Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable, the
Extended Expiration Date), the Employment Term shall be terminated as of the date of death and your beneficiary or estate shall be entitled to receive (a) your Base Salary accrued up to and including the date of death and, thereafter, for a
period commencing on such date and ending on the earlier of the Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable, the Extended Expiration Date) and the first anniversary of the termination of the Employment Term, continued Base Salary, payable in
accordance with Studio’s regular payroll practices applicable to similarly situated active employees, (b) equity-based compensation to be determined in the same manner and at the same time as provided in Paragraph 9.b, under and in
accordance with any Plan, and (c) all other benefits pro-rated up to the date on which the death occurs.
11. Termination for
Cause. Studio shall have the right to terminate the Employment Term at any time for cause. As used herein, the term “cause” shall mean (a) misappropriation of any material funds or property of Studio or any of its related
companies; (b) failure to obey reasonable and material orders given by the Chief Executive Officer of Studio or by the Board; (c) any material breach of this Agreement by you; (d) conviction of or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo
contendre to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; (e) any willful act, or failure to act, by you in bad faith to the material detriment of Studio; or (f) material non-compliance with established Studio policies and guidelines
(after which you have been informed in writing of such policies and guidelines and you have failed to cure such non-compliance); provided that in each such case (other than (a) or (d) or a willful failure in (b) or repeated
breaches, failures or acts of the same type or nature) prompt written notice of such cause is given to you by specifying in reasonable detail the facts giving rise thereto and that continuation thereof will result in termination of the Employment
Term, and such cause is not cured within ten (10) business days after receipt by you of the first such notice. If the Employment Term is terminated as set forth in this Paragraph 11, then payment of the specified Base Salary and any
additional noncontingent cash compensation (including, without limitation, any equity-based compensation which has vested and expense reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to your termination) theretofore earned by you shall be payment in full
of all compensation payable hereunder. If Studio terminated the Employment Term pursuant to this Paragraph 11, then you shall immediately reimburse Studio for all paid but unearned sums.
12. Involuntary Termination.
a. Studio may terminate the Employment Term other than for cause or on account of incapacity, in which case you will receive, for a period
equal to the Continuation Period (as defined below), (i) continued Base Salary payable in accordance with Studio’s regular payroll practices applicable to similarly situated active employees, and (ii) Continued Benefits. In the event
that any cash bonuses have been paid to you following the Commencement Date, you shall also be entitled to receive, with respect to each complete or partial calendar year prior to the expiration of the Continuation Period
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with respect to which, as of the date of termination of the Employment Term, Studio has not yet paid annual cash bonuses (if any) under its short term incentive plan to similarly situated active
employees (each such year, a “Bonus Entitlement Year”), an annual cash payment (such payment, a “Bonus Equivalent Payment”) in an amount equal to the average annual cash bonuses (including any $0 bonuses) that have been paid
(whether or not deferred) to you, if any, in respect of years during the Employment Term for which you were eligible for an annual cash bonus; provided, however, that, in the event that the Employment Term is terminated other than for
cause or on account of incapacity prior to the date in 2015 on which the Compensation Committee determines the annual cash bonuses for Studio’s other executive officers (the “Bonus Determination Date”), then the Bonus Equivalent
Payment shall be deemed to be the annual cash bonus that you would have received for 2014 had you remained an employee until the Bonus Determination Date (computed in the manner generally used in determining annual cash bonuses of Studio’s
other executive officers). In the event that you become entitled to a Bonus Equivalent Payment in accordance with the preceding sentence, such Bonus Equivalent Payment will be made to you no earlier than January 1 and no later than
December 31 of the calendar year following the Bonus Entitlement Year to which such Bonus Equivalent Payment relates, and the Bonus Equivalent Payment relating to the calendar year for the last year of the Continuation Period shall be pro-rated
based on the number of days prior to the expiration of the Continuation Period during such calendar year. For purposes of this Paragraph 12, the term “Continuation Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date that the
Employment Term is terminated by Studio other than for cause or incapacity and ending on the Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable, the Extended Expiration Date); provided that, if such termination occurs during the 12-month period
following a “change of control” (as defined in Paragraph 25), then the Continuation Period shall instead end on the later of the Initial Expiration Date (or, if applicable, the Extended Expiration Date) and the second anniversary of
the termination of the Employment Term.
b. In the event of termination of the Employment Term without cause pursuant to this
Paragraph 12, (i) in the case of equity-based compensation awards that are subject to time-based vesting criteria, the full amount of such awards will vest on the date of the termination of the Employment Term and (ii) except as set
forth in Paragraph 25.b below, in the case of equity-based compensation awards that are subject to performance-based vesting criteria, following the date of the termination of the Employment Term, such awards will continue to remain subject to the
achievement of performance goals (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not the service requirements), as provided pursuant to the Plan and the agreements evidencing such awards and to such other terms and conditions as may be determined by the
Compensation Committee at the time of the grant. Notwithstanding clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence, in the event that a change of control (as defined in Paragraph 25) occurs prior to the end of the applicable performance period,
unless provision is made in connection with such change of control for assumption of such awards or substitution for such awards in the manner described in Paragraph 25.a, such awards shall be treated in accordance with the proviso of Paragraph
25.a. Subject to the foregoing, all stock options and any similar equity-based awards will remain exercisable for the balance of the term of the grant (subject to termination in the event of a corporate transaction, to the extent permitted by the
applicable Plan); provided,
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however, that you will not be entitled to receive any future equity-based compensation. In the case of restricted stock units that are subject to time-based vesting criteria, such awards
will be settled within thirty (30) days following termination of the Employment Term. In the case of restricted stock units that are subject to performance-based vesting criteria, except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 25, such awards will
be settled on the seventieth (70th) day after the date such awards become vested.
c. If the Employment Term is terminated pursuant
to this Paragraph 12 or Paragraph 13, you shall be obligated to seek other employment to mitigate damages incurred by Studio and any payments due you as a result of your termination hereunder; provided, however, that if the Employment
Term is terminated following a “change of control” (as defined in Paragraph 25) or if, at the time of termination of the Employment Term, you are eligible to retire from Studio, you shall not be obligated to seek other employment. For
purposes of this Agreement, you shall be considered “eligible to retire” if, as of such date of termination of the Employment Term, (A) you have attained the age of 55 and (B) the sum of your age and years of service with Studio
is at least 70. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, your employment with Studio shall be deemed to have commenced on the Commencement Date. Any compensation earned from any employment obtained by you during the remainder of the Continuation
Period will reduce on a dollar-for-dollar basis Studio’s payment obligations under Paragraph 12, except (i) no such reduction (including of any amounts described in subsection (ii) of this exception) shall occur (A) if your
services are terminated following a “change of control” (as defined in Paragraph 25), (B) with respect to any amounts that you receive as compensation for serving as an employee or consultant with a non-profit or government
organization or on any entity’s board of directors or other similar governing body or (C) with respect to any Additional Cash Payments that become payable upon a termination of the Employment Term to the extent provided in Paragraph 4.c
and (ii) any amounts earned from self-employment or consulting income shall reduce the payments hereunder only to the extent that such amounts are greater than the expenses incurred by you in generating such employment or consulting income.
d. You agree that you will have no rights or remedies in the event of your termination without cause other than those set forth in this
Agreement to the maximum extent required by law.
13. Termination for Good Reason. You shall be entitled to terminate the
Employment Term at any time for “good reason.” As used herein, the term “good reason” shall mean only: (a) any material breach of this Agreement by Studio; (b) any diminution in title; (c) any material
diminution in duties; (d) any time that Studio shall direct or require that you report to any person other than the Chief Executive Officer of Studio; or (e) any time that Studio shall direct or require that your principal place of
business be anywhere other than the Los Angeles area. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, you will not be entitled to terminate the Employment Term for good reason for purposes of this Agreement as the result of any event
specified in the foregoing clauses (a) through (e) unless, within ninety (90) days following the occurrence of such event, you give Studio written notice of the occurrence of such event, which notice sets forth the exact nature of the
event and the conduct required to cure such event.
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Studio shall have thirty (30) days from the receipt of such notice within which to cure (such period, the “Cure Period”). If, during the Cure Period, such event is remedied, then
you will not be permitted to terminate the Employment Term for good reason as a result of such event. If, at the end of the Cure Period, the event that constitutes good reason has not been remedied, you will be entitled to terminate the Employment
Term for good reason during the sixty (60) day period that follows the end of the Cure Period. If you do not terminate the Employment Term during such sixty (60) day period, you will not be permitted to terminate the Employment Term for
good reason as a result of such event. In the event you voluntarily terminate the Employment Term for good reason, you shall be entitled to the payments, benefits (including the post-term continuation of the applicable benefits) and equity-based
compensation provided under Paragraph 12 for involuntary termination without cause (subject to the mitigation and offset provisions of Paragraph 12). You agree that you will have no rights or remedies in the event of your termination of the
Employment Term for good reason other than those set forth in this Agreement to the maximum extent allowed by law.
14.
Name/Likeness. During the course of your employment with Studio or any of its affiliates hereunder, Studio shall have the right to use your name, biography and likeness in connection with its business as follows: You shall
promptly submit to Studio a biography of yourself. Provided that you timely submit such biography, Studio shall not use any other biographical information other than contained in such biography so furnished, other than references to your prior
professional services and your services hereunder, without your prior approval (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). If you fail to promptly submit a biography, then you shall not have the right to approve any biographical material
used by Studio. You shall have the right to approve any likeness of you used by Studio. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the use of your name, biography or likeness to endorse any product or service or to use the same for
similar commercial purposes.
15. Section 317 and 508 of the Federal Communications Act. You represent that you have
not accepted or given, nor will you accept or give, directly or indirectly, any money, services or other valuable consideration from or to anyone other than Studio for the inclusion of any matter as part of any film, television program or other
production produced, distributed and/or developed by Studio and/or any of its affiliates.
16. Equal Opportunity Employer.
You acknowledge that Studio is an equal opportunity employer. You agree that you will comply with Studio policies regarding employment practices and with applicable federal, state and local laws prohibiting discrimination or harassment.
17. Notices. All notices required to be given hereunder shall be given in writing, by personal delivery or by mail and confirmed
by fax at the respective addresses of the parties hereto set forth above, or at such address as may be designated in writing by either party, and in the case of Studio, to the attention of the General Counsel of Studio. A courtesy copy of any notice
to you hereunder shall be sent to Vedder Price, 222 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, Facsimile: (312) 609-5005, Attention: Philip L. Mowery, Esq. Any notice given by mail shall be deemed to have been given three
(3) business days following such mailing.
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18. Assignment. This is an Agreement for the performance of personal services by
you and may not be assigned by you (other than the right to receive payments which may be assigned to a company, trust or foundation owned or controlled by you) and any purported assignment in violation of the foregoing shall be deemed null and
void. Studio may assign this Agreement or all or any part of its rights hereunder to any entity which acquires all or substantially all of the assets of Studio and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of such assignee; provided that your
duties do not materially change.
19. California Law. This Agreement and all matters or issues collateral thereto shall be
governed by the laws of the State of California applicable to contracts entered into and performed entirely therein.
20. No Implied
Contract. The parties intend to be bound only upon execution of this Agreement and no negotiation, exchange or draft or partial performance shall be deemed to imply an agreement. Neither the continuation of employment nor any other conduct
shall be deemed to imply a continuing agreement upon the expiration of this Agreement.
21. Entire Understanding. This
Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter herein contained, and can be changed only by a writing signed by both parties hereto.
22. Void Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement, as applied to either party or to any circumstances, shall be adjudged
by a court to be void or unenforceable, the same shall be deemed stricken from this Agreement and shall in no way affect any other provision of this Agreement or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement. In the event any such provision (the
“Applicable Provision”) is so adjudged void or unenforceable, you and Studio shall take the following actions in the following order: (a) seek judicial reformation of the Applicable Provision; (b) negotiate in good faith
with each other to replace the Applicable Provision with a lawful provision; and (c) have an arbitration as provided in Paragraph 24 hereof determine a lawful replacement provision for the Applicable Provision; provided,
however, that no such action pursuant to either of clauses (a) or (c) above shall increase in any respect your obligations pursuant to the Applicable Provision.
23. Survival; Modification of Terms. Your obligations under Paragraph 8 hereof shall remain in full force and effect for
the entire period provided therein, notwithstanding the termination of the Employment Term pursuant to Paragraph 11 hereof or otherwise. Studio’s obligations under Paragraphs 6 (with respect to expenses theretofore incurred) and 7
hereof shall survive indefinitely the termination of this Agreement regardless of the reason for such termination. Further, the last sentences of Paragraphs 1 and 4.b(i) and Paragraphs 9, 10, 12, 13 and 25 will continue to govern your
entitlement, if any, to benefits and equity based compensation after the termination of the Employment Term, and Paragraph 24 will continue to govern any Claims (as defined below) by one party against the other.
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24. Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim by you against Studio or any
of its parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates (and/or officers, directors, employees, representatives or agents of Studio and such parent companies, subsidiaries and/or affiliates), including any controversy or claim arising from, out of or
relating to this Agreement, the breach thereof, or the employment or termination thereof of you by Studio which would give rise to a claim under federal, state or local law (including, but not limited to, claims based in tort or contract, claims for
discrimination under state or federal law, and/or claims for violation of any federal, state or local law, statute or regulation), or any claim against you by Studio (individually and/or collectively, “Claim(s)”) shall be submitted to an
impartial mediator (“Mediator”) selected jointly by the parties. Both parties shall attend a mediation conference in Los Angeles County, California and attempt to resolve any and all Claims. If the parties are not able to resolve all
Claims, then upon written demand for arbitration to the other party, which demand shall be made within a reasonable time after the Claim has arisen, any unresolved Claims shall be determined by final and binding arbitration in Los Angeles,
California, in accordance with the Model Employment Procedures of the American Arbitration Association (collectively, “Rules”) by a neutral arbitrator experienced in employment law, licensed to practice law in California, in accordance
with the Rules, except as herein specified. In no event shall the demand for arbitration be made after the date when the institution of legal and/or equitable proceedings based upon such Claim would be barred by the applicable statute of
limitations. Each party to the arbitration will be entitled to be represented by counsel and will have the opportunity to take depositions in Los Angeles, California of any opposing party or witnesses selected by such party and/or request production
of documents by the opposing party before the arbitration hearing. By mutual agreement of the parties, additional depositions may be taken at other locations. In addition, upon a party’s showing of need for additional discovery, the arbitrator
shall have discretion to order such additional discovery. You acknowledge and agree that you are familiar with and fully understand the need for preserving the confidentiality of Studio’s agreements with third parties and compensation of
Studio’s employees. Accordingly, you hereby agree that to the extent the arbitrator determines that documents, correspondence or other writings (or portions thereof) whether internal or from any third party, relating in any way to your
agreements with third parties and/or compensation of other employees are necessary to the determination of any Claim, you and/or your representatives may discover and examine such documents, correspondence or other writings only after execution of
an appropriate confidentiality agreement. Each party shall have the right to subpoena witnesses and documents for the arbitration hearing. A court reporter shall record all arbitration proceedings. With respect to any Claim brought to arbitration
hereunder, either party may be entitled to recover whatever damages would otherwise be available to that party in any legal proceeding based upon the federal and/or state law applicable to the matter. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision
setting forth the award and the findings and/or conclusions upon which such award is based. The decision of the arbitrator may be entered and enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction by either Studio or you. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
result of any such arbitration shall be binding but shall not be made public (including by filing a petition to confirm the arbitration award), unless necessary to confirm such arbitration award after non-payment of the award for a period of at
least fifteen (15) days after notice
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to Studio of the arbitrator’s decision. Each party shall pay the fees of their respective attorneys (except as otherwise awarded by the arbitrator), the expenses of their witnesses, and all
other expenses connected with presenting their Claims or defense(s). Other costs of arbitration shall be borne by Studio. Except as set forth below, should you or Studio pursue any Claim covered by this Paragraph 24 by any method other than
said arbitration, the responding party shall be entitled to recover from the other party all damages, costs, expenses, and reasonable outside attorneys’ fees incurred as a result of such action. The provisions contained in this
Paragraph 24 shall survive the termination of your employment with Studio. Notwithstanding anything set forth above, you agree that any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement (particularly, but without limitation, with respect to
Paragraphs 3 and 8, above) may result in irreparable injury to Studio, and therefore, in addition to the procedures set forth above, Studio may be entitled to file suit in a court of competent jurisdiction to seek a Temporary Restraining Order
and/or preliminary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief to prevent a breach or contemplated breach of such provisions.
25.
Change of Control.
a. Except as set forth in Paragraph 25.b below, in the event of a “change of control” all
unvested equity-based compensation held by you shall remain unvested and shall continue to vest in accordance with its terms, without regard to the occurrence of the change of control; provided, however, that unless provision is made
in connection with the change of control for (i) assumption of such outstanding equity-based compensation or (ii) substitution for such equity-based compensation of new awards covering stock of a successor corporation or its “parent
corporation” (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or “subsidiary corporation” (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kinds of shares and the exercise price, if
applicable, in each case, that preserve the material terms and conditions of such outstanding equity-based compensation as in effect immediately prior to the change of control (including, without limitation, with respect to the vesting schedules,
the intrinsic value of the awards (if any) as of the change of control and transferability of the shares underlying such awards), all such equity-based compensation shall accelerate vesting (on the basis that any mid-range or “target”
goals rather than premium goals are deemed to have been achieved) immediately prior to such change of control, in which case, all outstanding restricted stock units (whether subject to time-based or performance-based vesting criteria) will be
settled not later than the tenth (10th) day following the date of such change of control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that payment of any amount that would otherwise be paid pursuant to the proviso in the immediately preceding
sentence would result in a violation of Section 409A, then even though your rights to payment of such amount will become vested pursuant to such proviso and the amount of such payment will be determined as of the change of control, such amount
will not be paid to you until the earliest time permitted under Section 409A.
b. In the event that, during the 12-month period
following a change of control, the Employment Term is terminated by Studio other than for cause or by you for good reason, then notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any other agreement between you and Studio, all equity-based
compensation held by you shall accelerate
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vesting (on the basis that any mid-range or “target” goals rather than premium goals are deemed to have been achieved) and, subject to the other terms and conditions of the grants,
remain exercisable for the remainder of the term of the grant (subject to termination in the event of a corporate transaction, to the extent permitted by the applicable Plan). All outstanding restricted stock units (whether subject to time-based or
performance-based vesting criteria) will be settled not later than the tenth (10th) day following the date of termination of the Employment Term.
c. For purposes of this Agreement, “change of control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) during any period of fourteen (14) consecutive calendar months, individuals who were directors of Studio on the first
day of such period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the first day of such period whose election,
or nomination for election, by Studio’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors shall be considered as though such individual were an Incumbent Director, but excluding, for purposes of this proviso,
any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened proxy contest with respect to election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of
a “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (each, a “Person”), in each case other than the management of Studio, the Board or the
holders of Studio’s Class B common stock par value $0.01;
(ii) the consummation of (A) a merger, consolidation,
statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving (x) Studio or (y) any of its subsidiaries, but in the case of this clause (y) only if Studio Voting Securities (as defined below) are issued or issuable (each
of the events referred to in this clause (A) being hereinafter referred to as a “Reorganization”) or (B) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of Studio to an entity that is not an affiliate (a
“Sale”), in each such case, if such Reorganization or Sale requires the approval of Studio’s stockholders under the law of Studio’s jurisdiction of organization (whether such approval is required for such Reorganization or Sale
or for the issuance of securities of Studio in such Reorganization or Sale), unless, immediately following such Reorganization or Sale, (1) all or substantially all the individuals and entities who were the “beneficial owners” (as
such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act (or a successor rule thereto)) of the securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board (“Studio Voting Securities”) outstanding immediately prior to the consummation
of such Reorganization or Sale beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such Reorganization or Sale (including, without
limitation, a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns Studio or all or substantially all Studio’s assets either directly or through
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one or more subsidiaries) (the “Continuing Corporation”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization or Sale,
of the outstanding Studio Voting Securities (excluding any outstanding voting securities of the Continuing Corporation that such beneficial owners hold immediately following the consummation of the Reorganization or Sale as a result of their
ownership prior to such consummation of voting securities of any company or other entity involved in or forming part of such Reorganization or Sale other than Studio), (2) no Person (excluding (x) any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) sponsored or maintained by the Continuing Corporation or any corporation controlled by the Continuing Corporation, (y) Jeffrey Katzenberg and (z) David Geffen) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 40% or more of the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Continuing Corporation and (3) at least 50% of the members of the board of directors of the Continuing Corporation were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the
definitive agreement providing for such Reorganization or Sale or, in the absence of such an agreement, at the time at which approval of the Board was obtained for such Reorganization or Sale;
(iii) the stockholders of Studio approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of Studio; or
(iv) any Person, corporation or other entity or “group” (as used in Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other
than (A) Studio, (B) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of Studio or an affiliate or (C) any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of Studio in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of the voting power of Studio Voting Securities) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of Studio representing 40% or more of the combined voting power of Studio Voting Securities but only
if the percentage so owned exceeds the aggregate percentage of the combined voting power of Studio Voting Securities then owned, directly or indirectly, by Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen; provided, however, that for
purposes of this subparagraph (iv), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a change of control: (x) any acquisition directly from Studio or (y) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by Studio or an affiliate.
d. In the event that it is determined (by the reasonable computation by a nationally recognized
certified public accounting firm that shall be selected by Studio (the “Accountant”), which determination shall be certified by the Accountant and set forth in a certificate delivered to you) that the aggregate amount of the payments,
distributions, benefits and entitlements of any type payable by Studio or any affiliate to or for your benefit (including any payment, distribution, benefit or entitlement made by any person or entity effecting a change of control), in each case,
that could be considered “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (such payments, the “Parachute Payments”) that, but for this Paragraph 25.d, would be payable to you, exceeds the greatest amount
of Parachute Payments that could be paid to you without
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giving rise to any liability for any excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) or any similar tax imposed by state or local law, or any interest or
penalties with respect to such tax (such tax or taxes, together with any such interest or penalties, being hereafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the aggregate amount of Parachute Payments payable to you shall not
exceed the amount which produces the greatest after-tax benefit to you after taking into account any Excise Tax to be payable by you. For the avoidance of doubt, this provision will reduce the amount of Parachute Payments otherwise payable to you,
if doing so would place you in a better net after-tax economic position as compared with not doing so (taking into account the Excise Tax payable in respect of such Parachute Payments). You shall be permitted to provide Studio with written notice
specifying which of the Parachute Payments will be subject to reduction or elimination; provided, however, that to the extent that your ability to exercise such authority would cause any Parachute Payment to become subject to any taxes
or penalties pursuant to Section 409A, or if you do not provide Studio with any such written notice, Studio shall reduce or eliminate the Parachute Payments by first reducing or eliminating the portion of the Parachute Payments that are payable
in cash and then by reducing or eliminating the non-cash portion of the Parachute Payments, in each case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits which are to be paid the furthest in time from the date of the Accountant’s
determination. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, any notice given by you pursuant to the preceding sentence shall take precedence over the provisions of any other plan, arrangement or agreement governing your rights and entitlements to
any benefits or compensation.
26. Miscellaneous. You agree that Studio may deduct and withhold from your compensation
hereunder the amounts required to be deducted and withheld under the provisions of the Federal and California Income Tax Acts, Federal Insurance Contributions Act, California Unemployment Insurance Act, any and all amendments thereto, and other
statutes heretofore or hereafter enacted requiring the withholding of compensation. All of Studio’s obligations in this Agreement are expressly conditioned upon you completing and delivering to Studio an Employment Eligibility Form
(“Form I-9”) (in form satisfactory to Studio) and in connection therewith, you submitting to Studio original documentation demonstrating your employment eligibility.
27. Section 409A; Section 105(h).
a. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement comply with Section 409A, and all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed
and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.
b. Neither you nor
any of your creditors or beneficiaries shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable under this Agreement or under any other plan, policy, arrangement or agreement of or with Studio or
any of its affiliates (this Agreement and such other plans, policies, arrangements and agreements, the “Company Plans”) to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment. Except as
permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable to you or for your benefit under any Company Plan may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by you to Studio or any of
its affiliates.
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c. If, at the time of your separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A),
(i) you shall be a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A and using the identification methodology selected by Studio from time to time) and (ii) Studio shall make a good faith determination that an amount payable
under a Company Plan constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A in order to avoid taxes or penalties
under Section 409A, then Studio (or its affiliate, as applicable) shall not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but shall instead accumulate such amount and pay it, together with interest credited at the Applicable Federal
Rate in effect as of the date of your termination of employment, on the first business day after such six-month period.
d.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any Company Plan to the contrary, in light of the uncertainty with respect to the proper application of Section 409A, Studio reserves the right to make amendments to any Company Plan as Studio
deems necessary or desirable to avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A. In any case, except as provided in Paragraph 7 of this Agreement, you are solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and
penalties that may be imposed on you or for your account in connection with any Company Plan (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A), and neither Studio nor any affiliate shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold
you harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties.
e. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment hereunder will be deemed to
be a separate payment as permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii).
f. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, to the extent necessary to satisfy Section 105(h) of the Code, Studio will be permitted to alter the manner in which medical benefits are provided to you following termination of the Employment Term; provided
that the after-tax cost to you of such benefits shall not be greater than the cost applicable to similarly situated executives of Studio who have not terminated employment.
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If the foregoing correctly sets forth your understanding, please sign one copy of this letter and
return it to the undersigned, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between us.
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| Very truly yours, |
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| DREAMWORKS ANIMATION SKG, INC. |
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| By: |
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/s/ Andrew Chang |
| Its: |
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General Counsel |
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| ACCEPTED AND AGREED AS OF THE DATE FIRST ABOVE WRITTEN: |
|
| /s/ Fazal Merchant |
| FAZAL MERCHANT |
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