8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 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)

January 12, 2005

PINNACLE SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California	000-24784	94-3003809
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

280 North Bernardo Avenue

Mountain View, California 94043

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(650) 526-1600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

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

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the 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))

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Item 5.02 is incorporated here by reference.

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

On January 12, 2005, Pinnacle Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mary Dotz as the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 17, 2005. Ms. Dotz is replacing Suzy Seandel, who has served as the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer since October 2004. Ms. Seandel will continue to serve as the Company’s Vice President Finance and Accounting. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Dotz, age 46, served as Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller of NVIDIA Corporation from October 2000 to January 2005. In addition, from April 2002 to September 2002, Ms. Dotz served as NVIDIA’s Interim Chief Financial Officer. From October 1998 to October 2000, Ms. Dotz served as a Division Controller at Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. From 1988 to 1998, Ms. Dotz served in various senior finance positions with Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation. Ms. Dotz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from San Diego State University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern California.

As the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Dotz will be paid an annual base salary of $235,000, will be eligible to be paid an annual target bonus of $141,000 and will be granted an option to purchase up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on January 17, 2005, as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market. The stock option will have a ten year term and the shares subject to the stock option will vest over a period of four years, subject to Ms. Dotz’s continued employment with the Company.

The Company and Ms. Dotz entered into a change of control severance agreement, effective as of January 17, 2005, that provides that if Ms. Dotz’s employment is terminated other than for cause, then she will receive, within 30 days of such termination, a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (i) six months of compensation at the rate of compensation in effect immediately prior to such termination and (ii) 50% of her target performance bonus for the fiscal year of termination. In addition, upon such termination, 100% of the outstanding stock options held by Ms. Dotz will vest and become fully exercisable. For six months after such termination, the Company will also continue to make available to Ms. Dotz and her dependents any health or life insurance coverage that she participated in on the date of her termination; provided, however, that she constitutes a “qualified beneficiary” as defined in Section 4980B(g)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and she elects continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA within the required time periods.

The Agreement also provides that if Ms. Dotz’s employment is involuntarily terminated within three months prior to or within 12 months after a change of control of the Company, she will receive, within 30 days of such termination, a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (i) six months of compensation at the rate of compensation in effect immediately prior to such termination and (ii) 50% of her target performance bonus for the fiscal year of termination. In addition, upon such termination, 100% of the outstanding stock options held by Ms. Dotz will vest and become fully exercisable. For six months after such termination, the Company will also continue to make

available to Ms. Dotz and her dependents any health or life insurance coverage that she participated in on the date of her termination; provided, however, that she constitutes a “qualified beneficiary” as defined in Section 4980B(g)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and she elects continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA within the required time periods.

This brief description of the change of control severance agreement is qualified by reference to the provisions of the change of control severance agreement attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.81.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
10.81	Change of Control Severance Agreement between the Company and Mary Dotz dated as of January 17, 2005
99.1	Press Release of Pinnacle Systems, Inc. dated January 12, 2005

SIGNATURES

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

PINNACLE SYSTEMS, INC.
By:	/s/ Scott E. Martin
	Scott E. Martin
	Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Legal

Date: January 12, 2005

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
10.81	Change of Control Severance Agreement between the Company and Mary Dotz dated as of January 17, 2005
99.1	Press Release of Pinnacle Systems, Inc. dated January 12, 2005

EX-10.81

EXHIBIT 10.81

PINNACLE SYSTEMS, INC.

CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

This Change of Control Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of January 17, 2005 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Mary Dotz (the “Employee”) and Pinnacle Systems, Inc., a California corporation (the “Company”). Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 1 below.

R E C I T A L S

A. It is expected that the Company from time to time will consider the possibility of a Change of Control. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) recognizes that such consideration can be a distraction to the Employee and can cause the Employee to consider alternative employment opportunities.

B. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to provide the Employee with an incentive to continue his employment and to maximize the value of the Company upon a Change of Control for the benefit of its shareholders.

C. In order to provide the Employee with enhanced financial security and sufficient encouragement to remain with the Company notwithstanding the possibility of a Change of Control, the Board believes that it is imperative to provide the Employee with certain severance benefits upon the Employee’s termination of employment (i) following a Change of Control and (ii) regardless of a Change of Control.

AGREEMENT

In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and the continued employment of the Employee by the Company, the parties agree as follows:

1. Definition of Terms. The following terms referred to in this Agreement shall have the following meanings:

(a) Cause. “Cause” shall mean (i) any act of personal dishonesty taken by the Employee in connection with her responsibilities as an employee which is intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of the Employee, (ii) the Employee’s conviction, or plea of nolo contendere, of a felony, (iii) a good faith determination by a majority of the Board that Employee has engaged in an act which constitutes misconduct and is materially injurious to the Company, or (iv) continued violations by the Employee of the Employee’s obligations to the Company after there has been delivered to the Employee a written demand for action from the Company which describes the basis for the Company’s belief that the Employee has not substantially performed his duties.

(b) Change of Control. “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation;

(ii) any approval by the shareholders of the Company, or if shareholder approval is not required, by the Board of Directors of the Company, of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;

(iii) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or

(iv) a change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of those directors whose election or nomination was not in connection with any transaction described in subsections (i), (ii) or (iii) or in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors of the Company.

(c) Involuntary Termination. “Involuntary Termination” shall mean any of the following, without the Employee’s express written consent, (i) a significant reduction of the Employee’s duties, position or responsibilities relative to the Employee’s duties, position or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such reduction, or the removal of the Employee from such position, duties and responsibilities, unless the Employee is provided with comparable duties, position and responsibilities; provided, however, that a reduction in duties, position or responsibilities solely by virtue of the Company being acquired and made part of a larger entity (as, for example, when, following a Change of Control, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company remains as the senior executive officer or a division or subsidiary of the acquiror which division or subsidiary contains substantially all of the Company’s business or is of comparable size but is not made the Chief Executive Officer of the acquiring corporation) shall not constitute an Involuntary Termination; (ii) a substantial reduction, without good business reasons, of the facilities and perquisites (including office space and location) available to the Employee immediately prior to such reduction; (iii) a reduction by the Company of the Employee’s base salary or target bonus as in effect immediately prior to such reduction; (iv) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of employee benefits to which the Employee is entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that the Employee’s overall benefits package is significantly reduced; (v) the relocation of the Employee to a facility or a location more than fifty (50) miles from his current location; (vi) any purported termination of the Employee by the Company which is not effected for

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Cause or for which the grounds relied upon are not valid; or (vii) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any successors contemplated in Section 6 below.

2. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate upon the date that all obligations of the parties hereto under this Agreement have been satisfied.

3. At-Will Employment. The Company and the Employee acknowledge that the Employee’s employment is and shall continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law. If the Employee’s employment terminates for any reason, the Employee shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than as provided by this Agreement, or as may otherwise be established under the Company’s then existing employee benefit plans or policies at the time of termination.

4. Change of Control and Severance Benefits.

(a) Severance in Connection with Termination of Employment. If the Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company other than for Cause then the Employee shall be entitled to receive the following severance benefits:

(i) Option Acceleration. One hundred percent (100%) of the shares subject to all outstanding options granted to the Employee by the Company (the “Options”) prior to the date of such termination shall immediately become vested and exercisable in full upon such termination. Following such acceleration, the Options shall continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s stock option plans and the applicable option agreements between the Employee and the Company.

(ii) Cash Severance Payment. The Employee shall be entitled to receive a severance payment in an amount equal to the sum of (A) six (6) months of the Employee’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to such termination and (B) fifty percent (50%) of the Employee’s target performance bonus for the fiscal year of termination. Such severance payment shall be in lieu of any other severance payment to which the Employee shall be entitled pursuant to any employment agreement, offer letter or the Company’s then existing severance plans and policies. Such severance payment shall be payable in a lump sum within thirty (30) days of such termination in accordance with the Company’s normal payment practices.

(iii) Certain Benefits. During the six (6) months following such termination, the Company shall continue to pay for and make available to the Employee and the Employee’s dependents covered under any group health plans or life insurance plans of the Company on the date of such termination of employment, all group health, life and other similar insurance plans in which the Employee or such covered dependents participate on the date of the Employee’s termination; provided, however, that (i) the Employee constitutes a qualified beneficiary, as defined in Section 4980B(g)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); and (ii) the Employee elects continuation coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA.

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(b) Termination Following A Change of Control. If the Employee’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of an Involuntary Termination at any time within three (3) months prior to, at or within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control, then the Employee shall be entitled to receive the following severance benefits:

(i) Option Acceleration. One hundred percent (100%) of the shares subject to all Options granted to the Employee by the Company prior to the Change of Control shall immediately become vested and exercisable in full upon such Involuntary Termination. Following such acceleration, the Options shall continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s stock option plans and the applicable option agreements between the Employee and the Company.

(ii) Cash Severance Payment. The Employee shall be entitled to receive a severance payment in an amount equal to the sum of (A) six (6) months of the Employee’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Involuntary Termination and (B) fifty percent (50%) of Employee’s target performance bonus for the fiscal year of termination. Such severance payment shall be in lieu of any other severance payment to which the Employee shall be entitled pursuant to any employment agreement, offer letter or the Company’s then existing severance plans and policies. Such severance payment shall be payable in a lump sum within thirty (30) days of the Involuntary Termination in accordance with the Company’s normal payment practices.

(iii) Certain Benefits. During the six (6) months following the Involuntary Termination, the Company shall continue to make available to the Employee and the Employee’s dependents covered under any group health plans or life insurance plans of the Company on the date of such termination of employment, all group health, life and other similar insurance plans in which the Employee or such covered dependents participate on the date of the Employee’s termination; provided, however, that (i) the Employee constitutes a qualified beneficiary, as defined in Section 4980B(g)(1) of the Code; and (ii) the Employee elects continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA, within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA.

(c) Voluntary Resignation or Termination for Cause. If the Employee’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of the Employee’s voluntary resignation which is not an Involuntary Termination or if the Employee is terminated for Cause at any time, then the Employee shall not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits hereunder, but may be eligible for those benefits (if any) as may then be established under the Company’s then existing severance and benefits plans and policies at the time of such termination.

(d) Disability or Death. If the Employee’s employment with the Company terminates due to the Employee’s death or disability following a Change of Control, then the Employee shall not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits hereunder, except for those (if any) as may be then established under the Company’s then existing severance and benefits plans and policies at the time of such disability or death. In the event of the Employee’s death or disability after the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company pursuant to Section 4(a) or Section 4(b) of this Agreement, the Employee’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees shall be entitled to receive severance or other benefits hereunder.

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(e) Accrued Wages and Vacation; Expenses. Without regard to the reason for, or the timing of, the Employee’s termination of employment: (i) the Company shall pay the Employee any unpaid base salary due for periods prior to the date of termination; (ii) the Company shall pay the Employee all of the Employee’s accrued and unused vacation through the date of termination; and (iii) following submission of proper expense reports by the Employee, the Company shall reimburse the Employee for all expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by the Employee in connection with the business of the Company prior to the date of termination. These payments shall be made promptly upon termination and within the period of time mandated by law.

(f) No Duplication of Benefits. The Employee shall only be entitled to receive benefits under either Section 4(a) or Section 4(b). In no event shall the Employee receive benefits under both Section 4(a) and Section 4(b) of this Agreement.

5. Limitation on Payments. In the event that the benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to the Employee (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this Section 5, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Employee’s benefits hereunder shall be either

(a) delivered in full, or

(b) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such severance benefits being subject to the Excise Tax,

whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by the Employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under the Excise Tax. Unless the Company and the Employee otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 5 shall be made in writing in good faith by the accounting firm serving as the Company’s independent public accountants immediately prior to the Change of Control (the “Accountants”). For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 5, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of the Code. The Company and the Employee shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 5.

6. Successors.

(a) Company’s Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets shall assume the Company’s obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform

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such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” shall include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this subsection (a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.

(b) Employee’s Successors. Without the written consent of the Company, the Employee shall not assign or transfer this Agreement or any right or obligation under this Agreement to any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Agreement and all rights of the Employee hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Employee’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

7. Notices.

(a) General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of the Employee, mailed notices shall be addressed to him at the home address that he most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Secretary.

(b) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or by the Employee as a result of a voluntary resignation or an Involuntary Termination shall be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with this Section. Such notice shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated. The failure by the Employee to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Involuntary Termination shall not waive any right of the Employee hereunder or preclude the Employee from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing his rights hereunder.

8. Execution of Release Agreement upon Termination. As a condition of entering into this Agreement and receiving the benefits under Section 4, the Employee agrees to execute and not revoke a release of claims agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A upon the termination of his employment with the Company.

9. Arbitration.

(a) Except as provided in Section 9(d) below, any dispute or controversy arising out of, relating to, or in connection with this Agreement, or the interpretation, validity, construction, performance, breach, or termination thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration to be held in Palo Alto, California, in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association (the “Rules”). The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator shall be

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final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s decision in any court having jurisdiction.

(b) The arbitrator(s) shall apply California law to the merits of any dispute or claim, without reference to conflicts of law rules. The arbitration proceedings shall be governed by federal arbitration law and by the Rules, without reference to state arbitration law. The Employee hereby consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in California for any action or proceeding arising from or relating to this Agreement or relating to any arbitration in which the parties are participants.

(c) The Employee understands that nothing in this Section modifies the Employee’s at-will employment status. Either the Employee or the Company can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause.

(d) THE EMPLOYEE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THIS SECTION, WHICH DISCUSSES ARBITRATION. THE EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDS THAT SUBMITTING ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE INTERPRETATION, VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE, BREACH OR TERMINATION THEREOF TO BINDING ARBITRATION TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AND THAT THIS ARBITRATION CLAUSE CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF THE EMPLOYEE’S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND RELATES TO THE RESOLUTION OF ALL DISPUTES RELATING TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS:

(i) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR WRONGFUL DISCHARGE OF EMPLOYMENT; BREACH OF CONTRACT, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; BREACH OF THE COVENANT OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT OR PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE; AND DEFAMATION.

(ii) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR VIOLATION OF ANY FEDERAL STATE OR MUNICIPAL STATUTE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1991, THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT, THE CALIFORNIA FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING ACT, AND LABOR CODE SECTION 201, et seq;

(iii) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF ANY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION.

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10. Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a) Mitigation. The Employee shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that the Employee may receive from any other source. However, the Employee shall not be entitled to receive the health coverage and benefits contemplated by this Agreement in the event that the Employee receives similar health coverage and benefits as a result of new employment.

(b) Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Employee). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

(c) Integration. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements, offer letters, resolutions of the Board, understandings and arrangements, whether written or oral, regarding the same.

(d) Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the conflicts of law rules, of the State of California.

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

(f) Employment Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes.

(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of Page Left Blank Intentionally]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

COMPANY:	PINNACLE SYSTEMS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Patti S. Hart
		Patti S. Hart
		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
EMPLOYEE:	/s/ Mary Dotz
	Mary Dotz

EXHIBIT A

FORM RELEASE OF CLAIMS AGREEMENT

This Release of Claims Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Pinnacle Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) and Mary Dotz (the “Employee”).

WHEREAS, the Employee was employed by the Company; and

WHEREAS, the Company (or the Company’s predecessor) and the Employee have entered into a Change of Control Severance Agreement effective as of January 17, 2005 (the “Severance Agreement”).

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Employee (collectively referred to as the “Parties”) desiring to be legally bound do hereby agree as follows:

1. Termination. The Employee’s employment with the Company terminated on                     , 20    .

2. Consideration. Subject to and in consideration of the Employee’s release of claims as provided herein, the Company has agreed to pay the Employee certain benefits and the Employee has agreed to provide certain benefits to the Company, both as set forth in the Severance Agreement.

3. Payment of Salary. The Employee acknowledges and represents that the Company has paid all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation, commissions and any and all other benefits due to the Employee.

4. Release of Claims. The Employee agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to the Employee by the Company. The Employee, on his own behalf and his respective heirs, family members, executors and assigns, hereby fully and forever releases the Company and its past, present and future officers, agents, directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns, from, and agrees not to sue or otherwise institute or cause to be instituted any legal or administrative proceedings concerning any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that he may possess arising from any omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date (as defined below) of this Agreement including, without limitation:

(a) any and all claims relating to or arising from the Employee’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;

(b) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, the Employee’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for

fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law and securities fraud under any state or federal law;

(c) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment, termination in violation of public policy, discrimination, breach of contract (both express and implied), breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing (both express and implied), promissory estoppel, negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent or intentional misrepresentation, negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage, unfair business practices, defamation, libel, slander, negligence, personal injury, assault, battery, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment and conversion;

(d) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and Labor Code Section 201, et seq. and Section 970, et seq. and all amendments to each such Act as well as the regulations issued thereunder;

(e) any and all claims for violation of the federal or any state constitution;

(f) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination; and

(g) any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.

The Employee agrees that the release set forth in this Section 4 shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any obligations incurred under this Agreement.

5. Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. The Employee acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. The Employee and the Company agree that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. The Employee acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release agreement is in addition to anything of value to which the Employee was already entitled. The Employee further acknowledges that he has been advised by this writing that (a) he should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) he has at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (c) he has seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement by the Parties to revoke the Agreement; and (d) this Agreement shall not be effective until the revocation period has expired. Any revocation should be in writing and delivered to the Company by the close of business on the seventh (7^th) day from the date that the Employee signs this Agreement.

6. Civil Code Section 1542. The Employee represents that he is not aware of any claims against the Company other than the claims that are released by this Agreement. The Employee

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acknowledges that he has been advised by legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as follows:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

The Employee, being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights he may have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of similar effect.

7. No Pending or Future Lawsuits. The Employee represents that he has no lawsuits, claims or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein. The Employee also represents that he does not intend to bring any claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein.

8. Confidentiality. The Employee agrees to use his best efforts to maintain in confidence the existence of this Agreement, the contents and terms of this Agreement, and the consideration for this Agreement (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Release Information”). The Employee agrees to take every reasonable precaution to prevent disclosure of any Release Information to third parties and agrees that there will be no publicity, directly or indirectly, concerning any Release Information. The Employee agrees to take every precaution to disclose Release Information only to those attorneys, accountants, governmental entities and family members who have a reasonable need to know of such Release Information.

9. No Cooperation. The Employee agrees he will not act in any manner that might damage the business of the Company. The Employee agrees that he will not counsel or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges or complaints by any third party against the Company and/or any officer, director, employee, agent, representative, shareholder or attorney of the Company, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so.

10. Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, expert fees, attorneys’ fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Agreement.

11. Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Employee represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through him to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

12. No Representations. The Employee represents that he has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the

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provisions of this Agreement. Neither party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the other party hereto which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.

13. Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision.

14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Severance Agreement and the agreements and plans referenced therein represent the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and the Employee concerning the Employee’s separation from the Company, and supersede and replace any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning the Employee’s relationship with the Company and his compensation by the Company. This Agreement may only be amended in writing signed by the Employee and an executive officer of the Company.

15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of California.

16. Effective Date. This Agreement is effective eight (8) days after it has been signed by the Parties (the “Effective Date”).

17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.

18. Voluntary Execution of Agreement. This Agreement is executed voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Parties hereto, with the full intent of releasing all claims. The Parties acknowledge that:

(a) They have read this Agreement;

(b) They have been represented in the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of their own choice or that they have voluntarily declined to seek such counsel;

(c) They understand the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; and

(d) They are fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set forth below.

PINNACLE SYSTEMS, INC.

By:

Title:

Date:

EMPLOYEE

Date:

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

PINNACLE SYSTEMS NAMES MARY DOTZ CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Addition Strengthens Company’s Movement

Toward Long-Term Profitable Growth

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 12, 2005—Pinnacle Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCLE), a leader in digital video solutions, today named Mary Dotz Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Dotz brings over 24 years of financial management experience to the company and will be instrumental in improving operational and financial processes to further refine the business and increase profitability.

“The company is making definitive strides toward achieving its goals and Mary’s addition continues that strong momentum,” said Patti Hart, Pinnacle Systems Chairman and CEO. “Mary’s extensive track record of operational and financial improvements makes her the perfect choice to help build the infrastructure needed to move the company to the next level.”

At Pinnacle, Dotz will be responsible for developing an organizational and financial structure that will guide the company as it implements best practices in all areas, specifically supply chain and cash management, and ensures the strongest financial controls and reporting.

“I am thrilled to join Pinnacle Systems at such an exciting and important time in the company’s progress,” said Dotz. “I believe the opportunities to further refine and enhance the business play exceptionally well to my strengths. This opportunity is not merely business as usual, but a chance for me to use all of my years of experience and skill to make a real difference for a company that is poised to lead its industry now and in the future.”

Dotz joins Pinnacle Systems from NVIDIA Corporation, where she most recently served as Vice President Finance and Corporate Controller. In that position she built and managed the finance infrastructure supporting the company’s growth from $700 million to $2 billion annually during her tenure. Other positions she held within NVIDIA were Interim Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Controller. Prior to NVIDIA, Dotz served as Division Controller in Corporate Finance for Advanced Micro Devices. Dotz also served at Nissan North American for 10 years in a range of financial management roles.

Pinnacle will grant Ms.Dotz a non-qualified stock option to purchase up to 200,000 shares of its common stock, pursuant to NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4350(i)(1)(A)(iv). The option will have an exercise price equal to the closing price of Pinnacle’s stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market on January 17, 2005, will have a ten-year term and will vest over a period of four years, subject to continued employment with Pinnacle.

About Pinnacle Systems

Pinnacle Systems provides broadcasters and consumers with cutting-edge digital media creation, storage, and play-back solutions for use at Home, at Work and on the Air. Pinnacle Systems’ award winning digital media solutions are in use around the world for broadcast, video editing, DVD and CDR authoring and on the Internet. A recognized industry leader, the company has received nine prestigious Emmy Awards for its technical innovations and carries this commitment throughout all of its product lines. Pinnacle Systems may be reached at (650) 526-1600 or at www.pinnaclesys.com.

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For Media Inquiries

Amy Whelan

Corporate Communications Manager

Pinnacle Systems

650-237-1631