UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE TO
Tender Offer Statement under Section 14(d)(1) or 13(e)(1)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
NEW FRONTIER MEDIA, INC.
(Name of Subject Company (Issuer))
FLYNT BROADCAST, INC.
(Offeror)
LFP BROADCASTING, LLC
(Parent of Offeror)
L.F.P., INC.
(Other Person)
LARRY FLYNT
(Other Person)
(Names of Filing Persons (identifying status as offeror, issuer or other person))
COMMON STOCK, $0.0001 PAR VALUE
(Title of Class of Securities)
644398109
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Michael H. Klein
President
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
8484 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 900
Beverly Hills, California 90211
(323) 651-5400
(Name, address, and telephone numbers of person authorized to receive notices and communications on behalf of filing persons)
Copies to:
Charles F. Hertlein, Jr.
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
255 East Fifth Street
Suite 1900
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 977-8200
CALCULATION OF FILING FEE
| |||||||
| |||||||
Transaction Valuation (1) |
| Amount of Filing Fee (2) | |||||
$32,857,307 |
| $4,481.74 | |||||
| |||||||
|
(1) | Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the filing fee. The transaction value was determined by adding the sum of (i) 16,264,213 outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Frontier Media, Inc. (“New Frontier”) multiplied by the offer price of $2.02 per share and (ii) 10,725 shares of New Frontier common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding in-the-money options multiplied by the difference of (x) the offer price of $2.02 per share minus (y) the weighted average exercise price for such options of $1.6846 per share. |
(2) | The filing fee was calculated in accordance with Rule 0-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Fee Rate Advisory #1 for Fiscal Year 2013, issued August 31, 2012, by multiplying the transaction value by 0.0001364. |
¨ |
| Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
Amount Previously Paid: n/a | Filing Party: n/a | |||||||||
Form of Registration No.: n/a | Date Filed: n/a |
¨ | Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer. |
Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the statement relates:
| x | Third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1. |
| ¨ | Issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4. |
| ¨ | Going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3. |
| ¨ | Amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2. |
Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender offer. ¨
If applicable, check the appropriate box(es) below to designate the appropriate rule provision(s) relied upon:
| ¨ | Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer) |
| ¨ | Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer) |
This Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (together with any amendments or supplements hereto, this “Schedule TO”) relates to the tender offer by Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LFP Broadcasting”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of L.F.P., Inc., a California corporation that is controlled by Larry Flynt, pursuant to Rule 14d-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (the “Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier”), at a price of $2.02 per Share, net to the seller in cash (less any required withholding taxes and without interest) (the “Offer Price”), plus one contingent payment right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time this Offer expires (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share) (a “CPR”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated October 29, 2012 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Offer to Purchase”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”), which are annexed to and filed with this Schedule TO as Exhibits (a)(1)(A) and (a)(1)(B), respectively. The Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 (the end of the day Tuesday), unless the Offer is extended or earlier terminated.
Pursuant to General Instruction F to Schedule TO, the information contained in the Offer to Purchase, including all schedules and annexes to the Offer to Purchase, is hereby expressly incorporated in this Schedule TO by reference in response to Items 1 through 9 and Item 11 of this Schedule TO and is supplemented by the information specifically provided for in this Schedule TO.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Schedule TO shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Offer to Purchase.
ITEM 1. | SUMMARY TERM SHEET. |
The information set forth in the section of the Offer to Purchase entitled “Summary Term Sheet” is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 2. | SUBJECT COMPANY INFORMATION. |
(a) The name and address of the subject company and the issuer of the securities to which this Schedule TO relates is New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation with its principal office located at 6000 Spine Road, Suite 100, Boulder, Colorado, 80301. New Frontier’s telephone number at such corporate headquarters is (303) 444-0900.
(b) This Schedule TO relates to the outstanding shares of New Frontier’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. According to New Frontier, as of October 25, 2012, there were 16,264,213 Shares outstanding.
(c) The information concerning the principal market, if any, in which the Shares are traded and certain high and low closing prices for the Shares in the principal market in which the Shares are traded set forth in Section 6—“Price Range of Shares; Dividends” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 3. | IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND OF FILING PERSON. |
(a), (b), (c) This Schedule TO is filed by LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub. The information regarding LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub set forth in Section 9—“Certain Information Concerning Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting” and Schedule A—“Information Concerning Members of the Boards of Directors and the Executive Officers of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. | TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION. |
(a) The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 5. | PAST CONTACTS, TRANSACTIONS, NEGOTIATIONS AND AGREEMENTS. |
(a), (b) The information set forth in the sections of the Offer to Purchase entitled “Summary Term Sheet” and “Introduction” and Section 8—“Certain Information Concerning New Frontier”, Section 9—“Certain Information
Concerning Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting”, Section 10—“Background of the Offer; Contacts or Negotiations with New Frontier” and Section 11 “Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier; Summary of the Merger Agreement and Certain Other Agreements” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 6. | PURPOSES OF THE TRANSACTION AND PLANS OR PROPOSALS. |
(a), (c)(1-7) The information set forth in the sections of the Offer to Purchase entitled “Summary Term Sheet” and “Introduction” and Section 6—“Price Range of Shares; Dividends”, Section 7—“Possible Effects of the Offer on the Market for the Shares; NASDAQ Listing; Exchange Act Registration and Margin Regulations”, Section 11—“Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier; Summary of the Merger Agreement and Certain Other Agreements” and Section 14—“Dividends and Distributions” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7. | SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION. |
(a) The information set forth in the section of the Offer to Purchase entitled “Summary Term Sheet” and Section 12—“Source and Amount of Funds” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) The Offer is not subject to a financing condition.
(d) The information set forth in the section of the Offer to Purchase entitled “Summary Term Sheet” and Section 12—“Source and Amount of Funds” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 8. | INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE SUBJECT COMPANY. |
(b) The information set forth in Section 9—“Certain Information Concerning Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting”, Section 11—“Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier; Summary of the Merger Agreement and Certain Other Agreements” and Schedule A—“Information Concerning Members of the Boards of Directors and the Executive Officers of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9. | PERSONS/ASSETS, RETAINED, EMPLOYED, COMPENSATED OR USED. |
(a) The information set forth in Section 10—“Background of the Offer; Contacts or Negotiations with New Frontier” and Section 16—“Fees and Expenses” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 10. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. |
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. |
(a)(1) The information set forth in the section of the Offer to Purchase entitled “Summary Term Sheet” and in Section 10—“Background of the Offer; Contacts or Negotiations with New Frontier”, Section 11—“Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier; Summary of the Merger Agreement and Certain Other Agreements” and Schedule A—“Information Concerning Members of the Boards of Directors and the Executive Officers of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
(a)(2-3, 5) The information set forth in Section 15—“Certain Legal Matters” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
(a)(4) The information set forth in Section 7—“ Possible Effects of the Offer on the Market for the Shares; NASDAQ Listing; Exchange Act Registration and Margin Regulations” of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. | EXHIBITS. |
| |
| |||
(a)(1)(A) | Offer to Purchase, dated October 29, 2012. | ||
| |||
(a)(1)(B) | Form of Letter of Transmittal. | ||
| |||
(a)(1)(C) | Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. | ||
| |||
(a)(1)(D) | Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees. | ||
| |||
(a)(1)(E) | Form of Letter to Clients for Use by Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees. | ||
| |||
(a)(1)(F) | Summary Advertisement, published October 29, 2012 in Investor’s Business Daily. | ||
| |||
(a)(5)(A) | Press Release, dated October 15, 2012, issued by New Frontier (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Schedule TO filed by LFP Broadcasting with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 15, 2012). | ||
(a)(5)(B) | Joint Press Release of the Company and Parent, dated October 29, 2012, announcing the commencement of the Offer. | ||
(d)(1) | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 15, 2012, by and among LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and New Frontier (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by New Frontier with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 16, 2012). | ||
(d)(2) | Deposit Escrow Agreement dated as of October 15, 2012, by and among LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and New Frontier. | ||
(d)(3) | Guarantee, dated as of October 15, 2012, by and among New Frontier and L.F.P., Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by New Frontier with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 16, 2012). | ||
(d)(4) | Confidentiality Agreement, dated May 9, 2012, by and between New Frontier and Flynt Management Group, LLC. | ||
ITEM 13. | INFORMATION REQUIRED BY SCHEDULE 13E-3. | ||
Not applicable. |
SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: October 29, 2012
| ||||||||||
LFP BROADCASTING, LLC | ||||||||||
By: |
| /s/Michael H. Klein | ||||||||
Name: |
| Michael H. Klein | ||||||||
Title: |
| President | ||||||||
FLYNT BROADCAST, INC. | ||||||||||
By: |
| /s/Michael H. Klein | ||||||||
Name: |
| Michael H. Klein | ||||||||
Title: |
| President | ||||||||
L.F.P., INC. | ||||||||||
By: | /s/Michael H. Klein | |||||||||
Name: | Michael H. Klein | |||||||||
Title: | President | |||||||||
/s/Larry Flynt | ||||||||||
Larry Flynt |
EXHIBIT INDEX
| ||
(a)(1)(A) | Offer to Purchase, dated October 29, 2012. | |
| ||
(a)(1)(B) | Form of Letter of Transmittal. | |
| ||
(a)(1)(C) | Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. | |
| ||
(a)(1)(D) | Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees. | |
| ||
(a)(1)(E) | Form of Letter to Clients for Use by Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees. | |
| ||
(a)(1)(F) | Summary Advertisement, published October 29, 2012 in Investor’s Business Daily. | |
| ||
(a)(5)(A) | Press Release, dated October 15, 2012, issued by New Frontier (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Schedule TO filed by LFP Broadcasting with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 15, 2012). | |
(a)(5)(B) | Joint Press Release of the Company and Parent, dated October 29, 2012, announcing the commencement of the Offer. | |
(d)(1) | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 15, 2012, by and among LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and New Frontier (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by New Frontier with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 16, 2012). | |
(d)(2) | Deposit Escrow Agreement dated as of October 15, 2012, by and among LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and New Frontier. | |
(d)(3) | Guarantee, dated as of October 15, 2012, by and among New Frontier and L.F.P., Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by New Frontier with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 16, 2012). | |
(d)(4) | Confidentiality Agreement, dated May 9, 2012, by and between New Frontier and Flynt Management Group, LLC. |
Exhibit (a)(1)(A)
Offer to Purchase
All Outstanding Shares of Common Stock
of
New Frontier Media, Inc.
at
$2.02 Net Per Share in Cash
and
Certain Contingent Payment Rights
by
Flynt Broadcast, Inc.
a wholly-owned subsidiary of
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2012 (THE END OF THE DAY TUESDAY), UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED BY THE OFFERORS.
LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (“LFP Broadcasting”), Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting (“Merger Sub” and, together with LFP Broadcasting “Offerors”), are offering to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (“Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier”), at a price of $2.02 per Share, net to the seller in cash (less any required withholding taxes and without interest) (the “Offer Price”), plus one contingent payment right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time this Offer expires (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share) (a “CPR”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase (together with any amendments or supplements hereto, this “Offer to Purchase”) and in the related Letter of Transmittal (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with this Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”). The Offer is being made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 15, 2012 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Merger Agreement”), among New Frontier, LFP Broadcasting, and Merger Sub, pursuant to which, after the completion of the Offer and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, Merger Sub will be merged with and into New Frontier, with New Frontier continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). At the effective time of the Merger, each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to such time (other than any (i) Shares owned by LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub or any of their direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, (ii) Shares owned by New Frontier or its subsidiaries and (iii) Shares held by New Frontier shareholders who properly demand appraisal for their Shares under Colorado law) will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to the Offer Price and a CPR.
THE NEW FRONTIER BOARD HAS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TENDER ALL OF YOUR SHARES INTO THE OFFER |
At a meeting held on October 14, 2012, New Frontier’s board of directors (the “New Frontier Board”) has, after careful consideration and following the recommendation of the special committee, unanimously: (1) determined that the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of New Frontier and its shareholders, (2) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, (3) directed that the Merger Agreement be submitted to New Frontier’s shareholders for adoption, if required by Colorado law, and (4) resolved to recommend that New Frontier’s shareholders accept the Offer, tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer and, if required by applicable laws, adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Merger.
There is no financing condition to the Offer. The Offer is, however, subject to the satisfaction of the Minimum Tender Condition and the other conditions described in Section 13—“Conditions to the Offer.” A summary of the principal terms of the Offer, including the CPR, appears on pages 1 through 8 of this Offer to Purchase. You should read this entire Offer to Purchase and Letter of Transmittal carefully before deciding whether to tender your Shares pursuant to the Offer.
October 29, 2012
IMPORTANT
If you desire to tender all or any portion of your Shares to us pursuant to the Offer, you should either (a) if you are a shareholder of record, (1) complete and sign the Letter of Transmittal, which is enclosed with this Offer to Purchase, in accordance with the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal, (2) mail or deliver the Letter of Transmittal (or a manually executed facsimile thereof) and any other required documents to Corporate Stock Transfer (the “Depositary”), and (3) either deliver the certificates for your Shares to the Depositary along with the Letter of Transmittal (or a manually executed facsimile thereof) or tender your Shares by book-entry transfer by following the procedures described in Section 3—”Procedures for Tendering Shares” of this Offer to Purchase, in each case prior to the expiration time of the Offer, or (b) if you hold your shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, request that your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee effect the transaction for you. If you hold Shares registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee you must contact that institution in order to tender your Shares to us pursuant to the Offer.
If you desire to tender your Shares to us pursuant to the Offer and the certificates representing your Shares are not immediately available, or you cannot comply in a timely manner with the procedures for tendering your Shares by book-entry transfer, or you cannot deliver all required documents to the Depositary prior to the expiration time of the Offer, you may tender your Shares to us pursuant to the Offer by following the procedures for guaranteed delivery described in Section 3—“Procedures for Tendering Shares” of this Offer to Purchase.
* * *
Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to Innisfree M&A Incorporated (the “Information Agent”) at its address and telephone number set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase. Requests for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal, the notice of guaranteed delivery (the “Notice of Guaranteed Delivery”) and other tender offer materials may be directed to the Information Agent. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance.
This Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal contain important information, and both documents should be read carefully and in their entirety before any decision is made with respect to the Offer.
This transaction has not been approved or disapproved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) or any state securities commission nor has the SEC or any state securities commission passed upon the fairness or merits of such transaction or upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information contained in this Offer to Purchase or the Letter of Transmittal. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
SUMMARY TERM SHEET | 1 |
INTRODUCTION | 9 |
THE TENDER OFFER | 11 |
1. Terms of the Offer | 11 |
2. Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares | 13 |
3. Procedures for Tendering Shares | 13 |
4. Withdrawal Rights | 16 |
5. Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Offer and the Merger | 17 |
6. Price Range of Shares; Dividends | 18 |
7. Possible Effects of the Offer on the Market for the Shares; NASDAQ Listing; Exchange Act Registration and Margin Regulations | 19 |
8. Certain Information Concerning New Frontier | 20 |
9. Certain Information Concerning Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting | 21 |
10. Background of the Offer: Contacts or Negotiations with New Frontier | 22 |
11. Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier, Summary of the Merger Agreement and Certain Other Agreements | 26 |
12. Source and Amount of Funds | 42 |
13. Conditions to the Offer | 42 |
14. Dividends and Distributions | 43 |
15. Certain Legal Matters | 43 |
16. Fees and Expenses | 45 |
17. Miscellaneous | 45 |
SCHEDULE A — Information Concerning Members of the Boards of Directors and the Executive Officers of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting |
SUMMARY TERM SHEET
The Offerors are making an offer to purchase all outstanding Shares for (i) $2.02 net per Share to the seller in cash (less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest) and (ii) one contingent right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time this Offer expires (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share), as further described herein, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal. The following are some questions you, as a shareholder of New Frontier, may have and answers to those questions. This summary term sheet highlights selected information from this Offer to Purchase, and may not contain all of the information that is important to you and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed descriptions and explanations contained in this Offer to Purchase and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal. To better understand our Offer to you and for a complete description of the legal terms of the Offer, you should read this Offer to Purchase and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal carefully and in their entirety. Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its address and telephone numbers set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase. Unless otherwise indicated in this Offer to Purchase or the context otherwise requires, all references in this Offer to Purchase to “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to the Offerors, Merger Sub or LFP Broadcasting, as the context requires.
WHO IS OFFERING TO BUY MY SHARES?
· The Offerors are LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub. All tendered Shares will be purchased by Merger Sub, a Colorado corporation and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting. Merger Sub has not carried on any business activities other than entering into the Merger Agreement and activities in connection with the Offer. See Section 9.
· LFP Broadcasting is an affiliate of L.F.P. Inc. which is controlled by Larry Flynt. L.F.P. Inc. and its affiliated companies, including LFP Broadcasting, market the HUSTLER brand through a wide range of media properties and licensing initiatives. See the Introduction and Section 9.
· LFP Broadcasting has agreed pursuant to the Merger Agreement to cause Merger Sub to, upon the terms and subject to the conditions in this Offer to Purchase and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, accept and pay for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn in the Offer.
HOW MANY SHARES ARE YOU OFFERING TO PURCHASE?
· We are making an offer to purchase all of the issued and outstanding Shares. See the Introduction and Section 1.
HOW MUCH ARE YOU OFFERING TO PAY FOR MY SHARES AND WHAT IS THE FORM OF PAYMENT?
· We are offering (i) to pay $2.02 per Share, net to you in cash (less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest) and (ii) a contractual right to receive a cash payment, based upon the calculation of the amount of available cash of New Frontier as of the expiration time of this Offer (up to a maximum amount of $0.06 per Share), upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Offer to Purchase and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal.
WHAT IS A CONTINGENT PAYMENT RIGHT (CPR) AND HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH?
· A CPR in this transaction is the contractual right to receive a contingent cash payment of up to an additional $.06 per share. More specifically, pursuant to the Offer, tendering New Frontier shareholders will receive a CPR entitling them to an additional $.01 per share for each $162,000 of “Company Net Available Cash” (as defined in
1
the definitive agreement governing the Offer), in excess of a base amount of $11,514,000, held by New Frontier at the expiration of the Offer, up to a total possible additional cash consideration of an additional $.06 per share.
· It is important to note, however, that there are no assurances regarding the amount of Company Net Available Cash that New Frontier will have at the expiration time of the Offer or the amount, if any, that will ultimately be determined to be payable by LFP Broadcasting to tendering shareholders in respect of CPRs pursuant to the Offer. The CPRs may ultimately be determined not to have any value.
WILL I HAVE TO PAY ANY FEES OR COMMISSIONS IF I TENDER MY SHARES IN YOUR OFFER?
· If you are the record owner of your Shares and you tender your Shares in the Offer, you will not have to pay any brokerage fees or similar expenses. If you own your Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee tenders your Shares on your behalf, your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee may charge a fee for doing so. You should consult your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to determine whether any charges will apply. See the Introduction and Section 1.
WHY ARE THE OFFERORS MAKING THE OFFER?
· We are making the Offer because we want to acquire New Frontier. If the Offer is consummated, LFP Broadcasting intends, as soon as practicable after completion of the Offer, to cause Merger Sub to consummate the Merger. Upon consummation of the Merger, which may be subject to shareholder approval, New Frontier, as the surviving corporation in the Merger, will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting. See Sections 1 and 11.
IS THERE AN AGREEMENT GOVERNING THE OFFER?
· Yes. New Frontier, LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub have entered into the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, for the terms and conditions of the Offer and, following consummation of the Offer, the Merger. See Section 11.
HAS THE NEW FRONTIER BOARD APPROVED THE OFFER?
· Yes. At a meeting held on October 14, 2012, the New Frontier Board has, after careful consideration and following the recommendation of the special committee, unanimously: (1) determined that the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of New Frontier and its shareholders, (2) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, (3) directed that the Merger Agreement be submitted to New Frontier’s shareholders for adoption, if required by applicable laws, and (4) resolved to recommend that New Frontier’s shareholders accept the Offer, tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer and, if required by applicable laws, adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Merger. Accordingly, the New Frontier Board has unanimously recommended that you accept the Offer and tender your Shares to Merger Sub in the Offer and, if required, vote your Shares in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement. New Frontier’s statement on the Offer will be set forth in its Schedule 14D-9, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with the Offer and will be mailed to New Frontier shareholders with this Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal. See the Introduction and Section 11.
2
WHAT ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER?
· The obligation to purchase Shares tendered in the Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of, among others, the following conditions:
o there being validly tendered (not including Shares tendered pursuant to the procedures for guaranteed delivery that have not yet been delivered prior to the expiration time of the Offer) and not properly withdrawn a number of Shares that, together with the Shares beneficially owned by LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub (if any), constitute at least a majority of the total number of then outstanding Shares on a “fully diluted basis” (which total number is the number of Shares issued and outstanding plus the number of Shares which New Frontier would be required to issue pursuant to any then outstanding warrants, options, benefit plans or obligations or securities convertible or exchangeable into Shares or otherwise) (the “Minimum Tender Condition”);
o our not being prohibited from consummating the Offer or the Merger by any applicable law or court order;
o the absence of a material adverse change with respect to New Frontier;
o New Frontier having at least $11,514,000 of Company Net Available Cash (as defined in the Merger Agreement); and
o other customary conditions.
· We may waive any condition, in whole or in part, other than the Minimum Tender Condition, at any time and from time to time, without New Frontier’s consent.
· A more detailed discussion of the conditions to consummation of the Offer is contained in the Introduction, Section 1 and Section 13.
IS THE OFFER SUBJECT TO ANY FINANCING CONDITION?
· No. The Offer is not conditioned upon us obtaining financing to purchase Shares pursuant to the Offer.
IS YOUR FINANCIAL CONDITION RELEVANT TO MY DECISION TO TENDER IN THE OFFER AND DO YOU HAVE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO MAKE PAYMENT?
We estimate that we will need up to slightly less than $34 million to purchase the Shares and to pay related fees and expenses. We do not believe that our financial condition is relevant to your decision whether to tender your Shares and accept the Offer because:
· cash is the only consideration that we are paying to the holders of the Shares in connection with the Offer;
· we are offering to purchase all of the outstanding Shares in the Offer;
· if the Offer is consummated, Merger Sub will acquire all remaining Shares for the same cash price in the Merger; and
· LFP Broadcasting has cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities that, together with the proceeds of existing debt financing commitments, will be sufficient to finance the purchase of the Shares pursuant to the Offer and the consummation of the Merger.
See Sections 10, 11 and 12.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO TENDER MY SHARES?
· Unless the Offer is earlier terminated, you will have until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday November 27, 2012 (the end of the day on Tuesday) to tender your Shares in the Offer, unless we extend the Offer, in which event you will have until the expiration time of the Offer as so extended.
3
If you cannot deliver everything that is required in order to make a valid tender by that time, you may be able to use a guaranteed delivery procedure that is described in Section 3 of this Offer to Purchase. See also Section 1.
· In the event the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to the then scheduled expiration time of the Offer, the Offer will be terminated immediately and no Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer will be accepted for payment or paid for pursuant to the Offer.
UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES CAN OR MUST YOU EXTEND YOUR OFFER?
· If, at any then scheduled expiration time of the Offer, any condition to the Offer has not been satisfied or waived, we must extend the period of time during which the Offer remains open for one or more consecutive periods of not more than five business days, until the earlier of the termination of the Merger Agreement and 20 business days after the initial expiration time, unless the passage of time has made the satisfaction of a condition to the Offer impossible. See Section 1.
· If, at any then scheduled expiration time of the Offer, all conditions to the Offer have been satisfied or waived but the Minimum Tender Condition has not been met, we must extend the period of time during which the Offer remains open for one or more consecutive periods of not more than five business days, until the earlier of the termination of the Merger Agreement and 20 business days after the initial expiration time.
· If we have accepted Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer, but the number of Shares that have been validly tendered and not properly withdrawn in the Offer, together with any Shares then owned by us, assuming exercise of the Top-Up Option (described below) in full is less than 90% of the outstanding Shares, we may choose to provide a subsequent offering period in accordance with Rule 14d-11 under the Exchange Act. A subsequent offering period, if we include one, will be an additional period after we have accepted for payment and made payment for Shares in the Offer. See Sections 1 and 2.
We will extend the period of time during which the Offer remains open for any period required by the Commission. See Section 1.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SUBSEQUENT OFFERING PERIOD AND AN EXTENSION OF THE OFFER?
· A subsequent offering period is not an extension of the Offer. A subsequent offering period, if there is one, would occur after we have accepted, and become obligated to pay for, all Shares that were properly tendered and not withdrawn by the time the initial offering period (including any extensions) expires. If we elect to provide a subsequent offering period, a public announcement of such election will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day following the expiration time of the Offer. We will promptly purchase and pay for any Shares tendered during the subsequent offering period at the same price paid in the Offer. See Section 4.
HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED IF YOU EXTEND YOUR OFFER?
· If the we extend the Offer, we will inform Corporate Stock Transfer, the Depositary for the Offer, of that fact and we will issue a press release giving the new expiration time of the Offer no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the day on which the Offer was previously scheduled to expire. See Section 1.
· If the Offerors elect to provide or extend any subsequent offering period, a public announcement of this determination will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the day on which the Offer expired or the date of termination of any subsequent offering period. See Section 1.
4
HOW DO I TENDER MY SHARES IN YOUR OFFER?
· To tender Shares, you must deliver the certificates representing your Shares, together with a completed Letter of Transmittal and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, to Corporate Stock Transfer, the Depositary for the Offer, prior to the expiration time of the Offer. The Letter of Transmittal is enclosed with this Offer to Purchase. If your Shares are held in street name (i.e., through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee), your Shares can be tendered by your nominee by book-entry transfer through The Depository Trust Company. If you are unable to deliver any required document or instrument to the Depositary by the expiration of the Offer, you may gain some extra time by having a broker, a bank or other fiduciary that is an eligible guarantor institution guarantee that the missing items will be received by the Depositary by using the enclosed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. For the tender to be valid, however, the Depositary must receive the missing items within three NASDAQ Global Select Market trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. See Section 3.
· In all cases, payment for tendered Shares will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of certificates for the Shares (or of a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of the Shares as described in Section 3) and a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents for the Shares. See also Section 2.
CAN I WITHDRAW SHARES I PREVIOUSLY TENDERED IN YOUR OFFER? UNTIL WHAT TIME CAN I WITHDRAW PREVIOUSLY TENDERED SHARES?
· You may withdraw previously tendered Shares any time prior to the expiration of the Offer. Further, if we have not accepted your Shares for payment by December 28, 2012, you may withdraw them at any time prior to our acceptance for payment after that date. Once we accept your Shares for payment upon the expiration of the Offer, you will no longer be able to withdraw them. Shares tendered during a subsequent offering period, if any, may not be withdrawn. See Section 4.
HOW DO I WITHDRAW PREVIOUSLY TENDERED SHARES?
· To withdraw previously tendered Shares, you must deliver a written or facsimile notice of withdrawal with the required information to the Depositary while you still have the right to withdraw. If you tendered Shares by giving instructions to a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, you must instruct the broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to arrange for the withdrawal of your Shares. In the event we provide a subsequent offering period following the Offer, no withdrawal rights will apply to Shares tendered during such subsequent offering period or to Shares tendered in the Offer and accepted for payment. See Section 4.
WILL THE TENDER OFFER BE FOLLOWED BY A MERGER IF ALL THE SHARES ARE NOT TENDERED?
· If we consummate the Offer, we will expect to merge Merger Sub with and into New Frontier as promptly as practicable. If the Merger occurs, New Frontier will continue as the surviving corporation and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, and each issued and then outstanding Share (other than any (1) Shares owned by LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub or any of their direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, (2) Shares owned by New Frontier or its subsidiaries and (3) Shares held by New Frontier shareholders who properly demand appraisal for their Shares under Colorado law) will be canceled and converted automatically into (i) the right to receive $2.02 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest and (ii) a contractual right to receive a cash payment, based upon the calculation of the amount of available cash of New Frontier as of the Effective Time of the Merger. See also the Introduction.
· If we accept Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer, we will hold a sufficient number of Shares to ensure any requisite adoption of the Merger Agreement by New Frontier shareholders under the Colorado Business
5
Corporation Act, as amended (the “CBCA”) to complete the Merger. In addition, if we own at least 90% of the outstanding Shares, we will not be required to submit the adoption of the Merger Agreement to a vote of New Frontier shareholders.
· The Merger will not be consummated unless we accept Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer.
IF A MAJORITY OF SHARES ARE TENDERED AND ARE ACCEPTED FOR PAYMENT, WILL NEW FRONTIER CONTINUE AS A PUBLIC COMPANY?
· If the Merger occurs, New Frontier will no longer be publicly owned. Even if the Merger does not occur, if Merger Sub purchases all Shares that have been tendered, there may be so few remaining shareholders and publicly held Shares that the Shares may no longer be eligible to be traded through the NASDAQ Global Select Market or any other securities market, there may not be a public trading market for the Shares, and New Frontier may cease to make filings with the Commission or otherwise cease to be required to comply with the Commission’s rules relating to publicly held companies. See Section 7.
IF YOU SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE YOUR OFFER, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE NEW FRONTIER BOARD?
· If we accept the Shares for payment pursuant to our Offer, under the Merger Agreement, we will become entitled to designate a number of directors equal to at least a majority of the members of the New Frontier Board, which directors will continue on the New Frontier Board following the appointment of directors by LFP Broadcasting and prior to the Merger. Upon the exercise of these rights, New Frontier must use its reasonable best efforts to elect or appoint LFP Broadcasting’s designees to the New Frontier Board in such number as is proportionate to LFP Broadcasting’s Share ownership, including increasing the size of the New Frontier Board and/or securing the resignations of incumbent directors. Therefore, if we accept Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer, LFP Broadcasting will obtain control over the management of New Frontier shortly thereafter. After the election or appointment of the directors designated by LFP Broadcasting to the New Frontier Board and prior to the completion of the Merger, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the approval of the directors not appointed by LFP Broadcasting (the “Independent Directors”) will be required to approve (i) any termination of the Merger Agreement by New Frontier, (ii) any amendment of the Merger Agreement on behalf of New Frontier, (iii) any extension of time for performance of any obligation or action hereunder by LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub, (iv) any waiver of compliance with any of the agreements, rights, remedies or conditions contained herein for the benefit of New Frontier, (v) any contract between New Frontier and any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and any of their affiliates (other than New Frontier and any of its subsidiaries), on the other hand, (vi) any amendment of the New Frontier charter or bylaws if such action would adversely affect New Frontier’s shareholders (other than LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub) or the rights of the indemnified parties pursuant to Section 6.08 of the Merger Agreement, (vii) any other action by New Frontier in connection with the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby required to be taken by the New Frontier Board, or (viii) any other action adversely affecting the rights of the shareholders of New Frontier (other than LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub). New Frontier must use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause New Frontier to have three Independent Directors between the closing of the Offer and the Merger. See Section 11.
IF I DECIDE NOT TO TENDER, HOW WILL THE OFFER AFFECT MY SHARES?
· If you decide not to tender your Shares in the Offer and the Merger occurs as described above, then unless you exercise your appraisal rights under Colorado law in connection with the Merger, your Shares will be cancelled and you will receive in the Merger the right to receive the same amount of cash per Share and the CPR per Share as if you had tendered your Shares in the Offer.
· If you decide not to tender your Shares in the Offer, we purchase Shares that have been tendered and the Merger does not occur, you will remain a shareholder of New Frontier, but there may be so few remaining shareholders and publicly held Shares that the Shares will no longer be eligible to be traded through the NASDAQ Global Select Market or any other securities market, there may not be a public trading market for the Shares, and New
6
Frontier may cease making filings with the Commission or otherwise cease being required to comply with the Commission’s rules relating to publicly held companies. If we purchase Shares in the Offer, we are obligated under the Merger Agreement to cause the proposed Merger to occur.
· Following the Offer, it is possible that the Shares might no longer constitute “margin securities” for purposes of the margin regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, in which case your Shares may no longer be used as collateral for loans made by brokers. See Section 7.
WHAT IS THE MARKET VALUE OF MY SHARES AS OF A RECENT DATE?
· On October 15, 2012, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of the Merger Agreement, the last reported closing price per Share on the NASDAQ Global Select Market during normal trading hours was $1.30 per Share. Therefore, the Offer Price of $2.02 cash per Share, which is the minimum amount you will receive if you accept the Offer, represents a premium of 55.38% over the closing price of the Shares before announcement of the Merger Agreement and a 79% premium to New Frontier’s closing stock price on March 8, 2012, the day before New Frontier Media received a publicly-announced unsolicited acquisition proposal.
· On October 26, 2012, the last full trading day before we commenced the Offer, the last reported closing price per Share reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $2.00 per Share. See Section 6.
HAVE ANY SHAREHOLDERS ALREADY AGREED TO TENDER THEIR SHARES IN THE OFFER OR OTHERWISE SUPPORT THE OFFER?
· No. Currently, no shareholders are bound to participate or otherwise support the Offer.
IF I ACCEPT THE OFFER, WHEN AND HOW WILL I GET PAID?
· If the conditions to the Offer as set forth in Section 13 are satisfied or waived and Merger Sub consummates the Offer and accepts your Shares for payment, we will pay you an amount equal to the number of Shares you tendered multiplied by $2.02 in cash without interest (and less any amounts required to be deducted and withheld under any applicable law) and you will receive a contractual right to receive a cash payment, based upon the calculation of the amount of available cash of New Frontier as of the expiration time of this Offer (up to a maximum amount of $0.06 per Share) promptly following expiration of the Offer. See Sections 1 and 2.
WHAT IS THE TOP-UP OPTION AND WHEN COULD IT BE EXERCISED?
· New Frontier has granted Merger Sub an irrevocable option (the “Top-Up Option”), exercisable from and after the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts for payment Shares tendered in the Offer, to purchase up to that number of newly issued Shares equal to the lesser of (i) the number of Shares that, when added to the number of Shares owned by LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub at the time of exercise, constitutes one Share more than the 90% of the fully-diluted Shares (i.e. that number of Shares necessary for Merger Sub to be merged into New Frontier through a “short-form” merger under the CBCA (after giving effect to the issuance of the shares issued pursuant to the Top-Up Option)) and (ii) the aggregate number of Shares that New Frontier is authorized to issue under its articles of incorporation but that are not issued and outstanding (and are not subscribed for or otherwise committed to be issued or reserved for issuance) at the time of exercise of the Top-Up Option, in each case, for consideration per Share equal to the Offer Price and a CPR. The Top-Up Option is intended to expedite the timing of the completion of the Merger by permitting Merger Sub to effect such a “short-form” merger pursuant to the CBCA without the need for a meeting of holders of Shares at a time when the approval of the Merger at any meeting of New Frontier’s shareholders would be assured because of Merger Sub’s ownership of a majority of the Shares following completion of the Offer. See Section 11 and Section 15.
7
HOW WILL MY OUTSTANDING NEW FRONTIER OPTIONS BE TREATED IN THE OFFER AND THE MERGER?
· The Offer is being made for all outstanding Shares, and not for options to purchase Shares (each, a “New Frontier Option”).
· New Frontier Options may not be tendered into the Offer. If you wish to tender Shares underlying New Frontier Options, you must first exercise your New Frontier Options (to the extent exercisable) in accordance with their terms in sufficient time to tender the Shares received into the Offer. At the effective time of the Merger each outstanding New Frontier Option, whether or not vested or exercisable, will be canceled and will only entitle the holder to receive an amount in cash equal to (1) the product of (A) the total number of Shares subject to such New Frontier Option, multiplied by (B) the excess, if any, of the Offer Price plus the amount of any contingent cash payment payable in respect of a CPR over the per-share exercise price under such New Frontier Option less (2) applicable taxes required to be withheld.
WHAT ARE THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER?
· The receipt of cash for Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. In general, a shareholder whose Shares are sold pursuant to the Offer or exchanged for cash pursuant to the Merger will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares sold or exchanged. Stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the particular tax consequences to them (including the application and effect of any state, local or foreign income and other tax laws) of the Offer and the Merger. See Section 5.
WILL I HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE MY SHARES APPRAISED?
· You will not have appraisal rights in the Offer. However, if the Merger takes place, shareholders who have not tendered their Shares in the Offer and who comply with the applicable legal requirements will have appraisal rights under the CBCA. If you choose to exercise your appraisal rights in connection with the Merger and you comply with the applicable legal requirements under the CBCA, you will be entitled to payment for your Shares based on a judicial determination of the fair value of such Shares. This value may be the same, more or less than the price that we are offering to pay you in the Offer.
The foregoing summary of the rights of dissenting shareholders under the CBCA does not purport to be a complete statement of the procedures to be followed by shareholders desiring to exercise any available appraisal rights and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Colorado law, including without limitation, Article 113 of the CBCA.
WITH WHOM MAY I TALK IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OFFER?
•
You can call Innisfree M&A Incorporated, the Information Agent, toll-free at (888) 750-5834. See the back cover of this Offer to Purchase.
Except as otherwise set forth in this Offer to Purchase, references to “dollars” and “$” shall be to United States dollars.
8
To All Holders of Shares of
NEW FRONTIER MEDIA, INC.
INTRODUCTION
LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LFP Broadcasting”), Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting (“Merger Sub” and, together with LFP Broadcasting, the “Offerors”), are offering to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (“Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier”), at a price of $2.02 per Share, net to the seller in cash (less any required withholding taxes and without interest) (the “Offer Price”) and one contingent right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time of the expiration of this Offer (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share) (a “CPR” and together with per Share amount payable equal to the Offer Price, the “Merger Consideration”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase (together with any amendments or supplements hereto, this “Offer to Purchase”) and in the related Letter of Transmittal (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with this Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”). The Shares will be purchased by Merger Sub. The Offer is being made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 15, 2012 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Merger Agreement”), among New Frontier, LFP Broadcasting, and Merger Sub, pursuant to which, after the completion of the Offer and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, Merger Sub will be merged with and into New Frontier, with New Frontier continuing as the surviving corporation (the corporation, the “Surviving Corporation” and such merger, the “Merger”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting. Capitalized terms used, but not defined, herein shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Merger Agreement. LFP Broadcasting has agreed pursuant to the Merger Agreement to cause Merger Sub to, upon the terms and subject to the conditions in this Offer to Purchase and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, accept and pay for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn in the Offer.
If your Shares are registered in your name and you tender directly to the Depositary (as defined below) you will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or commissions or, subject to Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes on the purchase of Shares by us. If you hold your Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee you should check with your broker or bank as to whether they charge any service fees. We will pay all charges and expenses of Corporate Stock Transfer, the depositary for the Offer (the “Depositary”), and of Innisfree M&A Incorporated and the information agent for the Offer (the “Information Agent”).
The Offer is not subject to any financing condition. The Offer is, however, subject to the satisfaction of the Minimum Tender Condition and the other conditions described in Section 13—“Conditions to the Offer.”
The Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday November 27, 2012 (the end of the day on Tuesday), unless the Offer is extended or earlier terminated. See Sections 1, 13 and 15—“Terms of the Offer,” “Conditions to the Offer” and “Certain Legal Matters.”
At a meeting held on October 14, 2012, New Frontier’s board of directors (the “New Frontier Board”) has, after careful consideration and following the recommendation of the special committee, unanimously: (1) determined that the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of New Frontier and its shareholders, (2) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, (3) directed that the Merger Agreement be submitted to New Frontier’s shareholders for adoption, if required by applicable laws, and (4) resolved to recommend that New Frontier’s shareholders accept the Offer, tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer and, if required by applicable laws, adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Merger.
A more complete description of the New Frontier Board’s reasons for authorizing and approving the Merger Agreement and recommending that holders of Shares accept the Offer and tender their Shares into the Offer and, if required, vote their Shares in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement, will be set forth in New Frontier’s Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the “Schedule 14D-9”), which will be filed with the Commission in connection with the Offer and will be mailed to New Frontier shareholders with this Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal.
9
The Offer is being made in connection with the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which, after the completion of the Offer and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, and potentially subject to shareholder approval, the Merger will be effected. At the effective time of the Merger, each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than any (i) Shares owned by LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub or any of their direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, (ii) Shares owned by New Frontier or its subsidiaries and (iii) Shares held by New Frontier shareholders who properly demand appraisal for their Shares under Colorado law) will be canceled and will be converted automatically into the right to receive consideration equal to the Merger Consideration, payable, without interest, to the holder of such Share upon surrender of the certificate that formerly evidenced such Share or, with respect to uncertificated Shares, upon the receipt by the Depositary of an Agent’s Message (as defined below) relating to such Shares. The Merger Agreement is more fully described in Section 11—“Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier; Summary of the Merger Agreement and Certain Other Agreements.”
Consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon, among other things, the adoption of the Merger Agreement by holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares, if required by applicable law. If the Minimum Tender Condition is satisfied and Merger Sub accepts Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer, Merger Sub will then have sufficient voting power to adopt the Merger Agreement without the vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement by any other holder of Shares. A vote of holders of Shares to adopt the Merger Agreement will not be required in the event the Merger is consummated pursuant to Section 7-111-104 of the CBCA, which provides that, if a corporation owns at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of a subsidiary corporation, the corporation holding such stock may merge such subsidiary into itself, or itself into such subsidiary, without any action or vote on the part of the board of directors or the shareholders of such subsidiary corporation (a “short form merger”). Therefore, if Merger Sub owns 90% or more of the outstanding Shares, under applicable law, Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting will be able to complete the Merger without any vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the holders of Shares. The Top-Up Option is intended to expedite the timing of the completion of the Merger by permitting Merger Sub to effect a short-form merger pursuant to applicable Colorado law at a time when the approval of the Merger at a meeting of New Frontier’s shareholders would be assured because of Merger Sub’s ownership of a majority of the Shares following completion of the Offer.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, in the event that Merger Sub acquires at least 90% of the then outstanding Shares pursuant to the Offer (including through purchases during any subsequent offering period or through exercise of the Top-Up Option (see Section 11)), the parties have agreed to take all necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to become effective, in accordance with Section 7-111-104 of the CBCA, as promptly as reasonably practicable after such acquisition, without a meeting of the shareholders of New Frontier. See Section 15—“Certain Legal Matters.”
Stockholders who have not tendered their Shares and continue to own their Shares at the time of the Merger and fulfill certain other requirements of the CBCA will have appraisal rights in connection with the Merger. Shares issued pursuant to the Top-Up Option will not be considered in any statutory appraisal action. See Section 15—“Certain Legal Matters.”
If we accept the Shares for payment pursuant to our Offer, under the Merger Agreement, we will become entitled to designate at least a majority of the members of the New Frontier Board. See Section 11—“Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier.”
New Frontier has informed Merger Sub that, as of October 25, 2012, there were 17,290,390 Shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis (including shares issuable under any outstanding warrants or options that were exercisable as of such date). Based upon the foregoing, the Minimum Tender Condition will be satisfied if 8,645,196 Shares are validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration time of the Offer. The actual number of Shares that are required to be tendered to satisfy the Minimum Tender Condition will depend upon the actual number of then outstanding Shares on a fully-diluted basis at the expiration time of the Offer.
Certain material United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of the sale of the Shares pursuant to the Offer and the exchange of Shares for cash pursuant to the Merger are described in Section 5—”Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Offer and the Merger.”
10
If, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the date on which any particular Share is accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer, the outstanding Shares are changed into a different number or class of shares by reason of a reclassification, stock split (including a reverse stock split), stock dividend, distribution or division, recapitalization, merger, issuer tender offer or issuer exchange offer or other similar transaction, the Offer Price will be appropriately adjusted.
This Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal contain important information and both documents should be read carefully and in their entirety before any decision is made with respect to the Offer.
New Frontier has provided LFP Broadcasting with New Frontier’s shareholder list and security position listings for the purpose of disseminating the Offer to holders of Shares. This Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal will be mailed to record holders of Shares whose names appear on New Frontier’s shareholder list and will be furnished, for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of Shares, to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and similar persons whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing agency’s security position listing.
THE TENDER OFFER
1. Terms of the Offer
Upon the terms and subject to the prior satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), we will accept for payment, purchase and pay for all Shares validly tendered prior to the expiration time of the Offer, and not properly withdrawn in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4—“Withdrawal Rights.”
The Offer is conditioned upon the satisfaction of the Minimum Tender Condition, the Cash Condition, and the other conditions described in Section 13—“Conditions to the Offer.” We may terminate the Offer without purchasing any Shares if certain events described in Section 11—“Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier; Summary of the Merger Agreement and Certain Other Agreements—Summary of the Merger Agreement—Termination” occur.
To the extent permitted by the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and other applicable law, we expressly reserve the right to waive any condition and to make any other changes to the terms and conditions of the Offer. However, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we have agreed that we will not, without the prior written consent of New Frontier:
(1) reduce the number of Shares subject to the Offer,
(2) reduce the Offer Price or change the form of consideration payable in the Offer,
(3) change, modify or waive the Minimum Tender Condition,
(4) add to the conditions set forth in Section 13—“Conditions to the Offer” or modify or change any conditions in any manner adverse to the holders of the Shares,
(5) extend the expiration time of the Offer, except as provided in the Merger Agreement,
(6) change the terms of the CPRs, or
(7) otherwise amend, modify or supplement the Offer in any manner adverse to the holders of Shares.
We may, in our sole and absolute discretion, increase the amount of cash constituting the Offer Price without the consent of New Frontier. If, on or before the expiration time of the Offer, we increase the consideration being paid for Shares accepted for payment in the Offer, this increased consideration will be paid to all shareholders whose Shares are purchased in the Offer, whether or not their Shares were tendered before the announcement of the increase in consideration.
11
We will extend the Offer for any period required by the Commission or the staff thereof; provided that in no event will we be required to extend the Offer beyond February 15, 2013. If any condition to the Offer has not been satisfied or waived, we must extend the Offer for one or more consecutive periods of not more than five business days, for 20 business days after the original expiration date. In the event the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to the then scheduled expiration time of the Offer, the Offer will be terminated immediately and no Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer will be accepted for payment or paid for pursuant to the Offer. See Section 11—”Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier; Summary of the Merger Agreement and Certain Other Agreements.”
There can be no assurance that we will be required or permitted under the Merger Agreement to extend the Offer. During any extension of the initial offering period pursuant to the paragraphs above, all Shares previously tendered and not withdrawn will remain subject to the Offer and subject to withdrawal rights. See Section 4—” Withdrawal Rights.”
Unless the Merger Agreement or the Offer is terminated in accordance with its terms, we may in our sole discretion commence a subsequent offering period (as provided in Rule 14d-11 under the Exchange Act) after the date and time at which the Shares are first accepted for payment in the Offer. A subsequent offering period, if we include one, will be an additional period after we have accepted for payment and made payment for Shares in the Offer.
If we provide a subsequent offering period, tendering shareholders will not have withdrawal rights. A subsequent offering period is not an extension of the Offer, which already will have been completed. A subsequent offering period, if there is one, would occur after we have accepted, and become obligated to pay for, all Shares that were properly tendered and not withdrawn by the time the initial offering period (including any extensions) expires. If we elect to provide a subsequent offering period, a public announcement of such election will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day following the expiration time of the Offer. We will promptly purchase and pay for any Shares tendered during the subsequent offering period at the same price paid in the Offer.
If, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, we make a material change in the terms of the Offer or the information concerning the Offer, or if we waive a material condition of the Offer, we will disseminate additional tender offer materials and extend the Offer, in each case, if and to the extent required by Rules 14d-4(d), 14d-6(c) and 14e-1 under the Exchange Act or otherwise. The minimum period during which a tender offer must remain open following material changes in the terms of the tender offer or the information concerning the tender offer, other than a change in the consideration offered or a change in the percentage of securities sought, will depend upon the facts and circumstances, including the relative materiality of the terms or information changes. With respect to a change in the consideration offered or a change in the percentage of securities sought, a tender offer generally must remain open for a minimum of ten business days following such change to allow for adequate disclosure to shareholders.
We expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, to not accept for payment any Shares if, at the expiration time of the Offer, any of the conditions to the Offer set forth in Section 13—“Conditions to the Offer” have not been satisfied or upon the occurrence of any of the events set forth in Section 13. Under certain circumstances, LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub may terminate the Merger Agreement and the Offer.
Any extension, waiver or amendment of the Offer, or delay in acceptance for payment or payment, or termination of the Offer will be followed, as promptly as practicable, by public announcement thereof, such announcement in the case of an extension to be issued not later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration time of the Offer in accordance with the public announcement requirements of Rules 14d-4(d), 14d-6(c) and 14e-1(d) under the Exchange Act. Without limiting our obligation under such rule or the manner in which we may choose to make any public announcement, we currently intend to make announcements by issuing a press release and making any appropriate filing with the Commission.
New Frontier has agreed to provide us with its list of shareholders and security position listings for the purpose of disseminating the Offer to holders of Shares. This Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal will be mailed to record holders of Shares whose names appear on New Frontier’s shareholder list and will be furnished to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and similar persons whose names, or the names of whose
12
nominees, appear on the shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing agency’s security position listing, for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of Shares.
2. Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions to the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), promptly after the expiration time of the Offer, we will accept for payment, purchase and pay for, all Shares validly tendered, and not properly withdrawn, prior to the expiration time of the Offer.
In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (a) certificates representing such Shares or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary’s account at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3— “Procedures for Tendering Shares,” (b) a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message (as defined in Section 3 below) in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal), and (c) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal or any other customary documents required by the Depositary. See Section 3—“Procedures for Tendering Shares.”
For purposes of the Offer, we will be deemed to have accepted for payment and thereby purchased Shares validly tendered, and not properly withdrawn, prior to the expiration time of the Offer if and when we give oral or written notice to the Depositary of our acceptance for payment of such Shares pursuant to the Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions to the Offer, payment for Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made by deposit of the purchase price therefor with the Depositary, which will act as agent for the tendering shareholders for purposes of receiving payments from us and transmitting such payments to the tendering shareholders. Under no circumstances will interest be paid on the Merger Consideration, regardless of any extension of the Offer or any delay in payment for Shares.
If any tendered Shares are not accepted for payment pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Offer for any reason, or if certificates are submitted for more Shares than are tendered, certificates for these unpurchased Shares will be returned (or new certificates for the Shares not tendered will be sent), without expense to the tendering shareholder (or, in the case of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at DTC pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3— “Procedures for Tendering Shares,” these Shares will be credited to an account maintained with DTC) promptly following expiration or termination of the Offer.
3. Procedures for Tendering Shares
Valid Tender of Shares. Except as set forth below, to validly tender Shares pursuant to the Offer, (a) a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually executed facsimile thereof) in accordance with the instructions of the Letter of Transmittal, with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message (as defined below) in connection with a book-entry delivery of Shares, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase prior to the expiration time of the Offer and either (x) certificates representing Shares tendered must be delivered to the Depositary or (y) these Shares must be properly delivered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer described below and a confirmation of such delivery received by the Depositary (which confirmation must include an Agent’s Message if the tendering shareholder has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal), in each case, prior to the expiration time of the Offer, or (b) the tendering shareholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below. The term “Agent’s Message” means a message, transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined below), which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the Shares that are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that Merger Sub may enforce such agreement against the participant.
Book-Entry Transfer. The Depositary will establish an account with respect to the Shares at DTC for purposes of the Offer within two business days after the date of this Offer to Purchase. Any financial institution that is a participant in
13
DTC’s systems may make a book-entry transfer of Shares by causing DTC to transfer the Shares into the Depositary’s account in accordance with DTC’s procedures for the transfer. However, although delivery of Shares may be effected through book-entry transfer, either the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, together with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal, and any other required documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase by the expiration time of the Offer, or the tendering shareholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below. The confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Shares into the Depositary’s account at DTC as described above is referred to herein as a “Book-Entry Confirmation.”
Delivery of documents to DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.
Signature Guarantees and Stock Powers. Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on a Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a member in good standing of a recognized Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc., including any of the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program or an “eligible guarantor institution,” as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 of the Exchange Act (each, an “Eligible Institution”). Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed (a) if the Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) (which term, for purposes of this section, includes any participant in any of DTC’s systems whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares) of Shares tendered therewith and such registered owner has not completed the box entitled “Special Payment Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” on the Letter of Transmittal or (b) if such Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the Letter of Transmittal. If the certificates for Shares are registered in the name of a person other than the signer of the Letter of Transmittal, or if payment is to be made or certificates for Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment are to be returned to a person other than the registered owner of the certificates surrendered, then the tendered certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner(s) or holder(s) appear on the certificates, with the signatures on the certificates or stock powers guaranteed as described above. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the Letter of Transmittal.
If certificates representing Shares are forwarded separately to the Depositary, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile) must accompany each delivery of certificates.
Guaranteed Delivery. A shareholder who desires to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer and whose certificates for Shares are not immediately available and cannot be delivered to the Depositary prior to the expiration time of the Offer, or who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer prior to the expiration time of the Offer, or who cannot deliver all required documents to the Depositary prior to the expiration time of the Offer, may tender such Shares by satisfying all of the requirements set forth below:
· such tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution;
· a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided by Merger Sub, is received by the Depositary (as provided below) prior to the expiration time of the Offer; and
· the certificates for all tendered Shares, in proper form for transfer (or a Book-Entry Confirmation with respect to all such Shares), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal), and any other required documents, are received by the Depositary within three trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. A “trading day” is any day on which the NASDAQ Global Select Market is open for business.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand to the Depositary or transmitted by telegram, facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary and must include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
14
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF SHARES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC, IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER. DELIVERY OF ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION). IF THIS DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS BE SENT BY PROPERLY INSURED REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
Other Requirements. Notwithstanding any provision of the Merger Agreement, we will pay for Shares validly tendered pursuant to the Offer, and not properly withdrawn, prior to the expiration time of the Offer only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (a) certificates for (or a timely Book-Entry Confirmation with respect to) these Shares, (b) a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal), and (c) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal. Accordingly, tendering shareholders may be paid at different times depending upon when certificates for Shares or Book-Entry Confirmations with respect to Shares are actually received by the Depositary. Under no circumstances will we pay interest on the Merger Consideration, regardless of any extension of the Offer or any delay in making such payment.
Binding Agreement. Our acceptance for payment of Shares tendered pursuant to one of the procedures described above will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering shareholder and us upon the terms and subject to the conditions to the Offer.
Appointment as Proxy. By executing and delivering a Letter of Transmittal as set forth above (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, by delivery of an Agent’s Message in lieu of a Letter of Transmittal), the tendering shareholder irrevocably appoints our designees as such shareholder’s proxies, each with full power of substitution, to the full extent of such shareholder’s rights with respect to the Shares tendered by such shareholder and accepted for payment by us and with respect to any and all other Shares or other securities issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after the date of the Merger Agreement. All such proxies and powers of attorney will be considered coupled with an interest in the tendered Shares. Such appointment is effective when, and only to the extent that, we accept for payment Shares tendered by such shareholder as provided herein. Upon the effectiveness of such appointment, all prior powers of attorney, proxies and consents given by such shareholder will be revoked, and no subsequent powers of attorney, proxies and consents may be given (and, if given, will not be deemed effective). Our designees will, with respect to the Shares or other securities and rights for which the appointment is effective, be empowered to exercise all voting and other rights of such shareholder as they, in their sole discretion, may deem proper at any annual, special, adjourned or postponed meeting of the shareholders of New Frontier, by written consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. We reserve the right to require that, in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon our payment for such Shares we must be able to exercise full voting, consent and other rights to the extent permitted under applicable law with respect to such Shares and other securities, including voting at any meeting of shareholders or executing a written consent concerning any matter.
Determination of Validity. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any tender of Shares will be determined by us in our sole and absolute discretion, which determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all tenders determined by us not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of or payment for which may, in our opinion, be unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right to waive any defect or irregularity in the tender of any Shares of any particular shareholder whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of any other shareholder. No tender of Shares will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities relating thereto have been cured or waived. None of LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub or any of their respective affiliates or assigns, the Depositary, the Information Agent, or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the Instructions thereto and any other documents related to the Offer) will be final and binding.
15
Backup Withholding. In order to avoid “backup withholding” at a rate of 28% of U.S. federal income tax on payments of cash pursuant to the Offer, a shareholder that is a “U.S. person” (as defined in the instructions to the IRS Form W-9 provided with the Letter of Transmittal) surrendering Shares in the Offer must, unless an exemption applies, provide the Depositary with such shareholder’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) on an IRS Form W-9, certify under penalties of perjury that such TIN is correct and provide certain other certifications. If a shareholder does not provide such shareholder’s correct TIN or fails to provide the required certifications, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may impose a penalty on such shareholder, and payment of cash to such shareholder pursuant to the Offer may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28%. All shareholders that are U.S. persons surrendering Shares pursuant to the Offer should complete and sign the IRS Form W-9 included as part of the Letter of Transmittal to provide the information and certification necessary to avoid backup withholding (unless an applicable exemption exists and is proved in a manner satisfactory to us and the Depositary). Certain shareholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals and entities) are not subject to backup withholding. Foreign shareholders should complete and sign an appropriate Form W-8 (instead of a Form W-9) in order to avoid backup withholding. The various IRS Forms W-8 may be obtained from the Depositary or at www.irs.gov. See Instruction 9 to the Letter of Transmittal.
4. Withdrawal Rights
Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer are irrevocable. However, a shareholder may withdraw Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer at any time prior to the expiration time of the Offer as explained below. Further, if Merger Sub has not accepted Shares for payment by December 28, 2012, they may be withdrawn at any time prior to our acceptance for payment after that date.
For a withdrawal of Shares to be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase. Any notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person having tendered the Shares to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and the name of the registered holder of the Shares to be withdrawn, if different from that of the person who tendered such Shares. The signature(s) on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, unless such Shares have been tendered for the account of any Eligible Institution. If Shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer as set forth in Section 3—“Procedures for Tendering Shares,” any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Shares. If certificates representing the Shares have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Depositary, the name of the registered owner and the serial numbers shown on such certificates must also be furnished to the Depositary prior to the physical release of such certificates.
All questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal will be determined by us, in our sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. No withdrawal of Shares will be deemed to have been properly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. None of LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub or any of their respective affiliates or assigns, the Depositary, the Information Agent, or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Withdrawals of tenders of Shares may not be rescinded, and any Shares properly withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the Offer. However, withdrawn Shares may be retendered by following one of the procedures for tendering Shares described in Section 3—“Procedures for Tendering Shares” at any time prior to the expiration time of the Offer.
If we extend the Offer, delay our acceptance for payment of Shares, or we are unable to accept for payment Shares pursuant to the Offer, for any reason, then, without prejudice to our rights under the Offer, the Depositary may nevertheless, on our behalf, retain tendered Shares, and such Shares may not be withdrawn except to the extent that tendering shareholders exercise withdrawal rights as described in this Section 4 prior to the expiration time of the Offer or as otherwise required by Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act.
In the event we provide a subsequent offering period following the Offer, no withdrawal rights will apply to Shares tendered during such subsequent offering period or to Shares tendered in the Offer and accepted for payment.
16
5. Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Offer and the Merger
Introduction
The following is a summary of certain material United States federal income tax consequences of the Offer and the Merger to U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose Shares are tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer or whose Shares are converted into the right to receive cash in the Merger. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable treasury regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations thereunder, each as in effect as of the date hereof, all of which may change, possibly with retroactive effect. No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS with respect to the matters discussed below, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the Offer and the Merger or that any such contrary position would not be sustained by a court.
This summary is limited to U.S. Holders who hold Shares as capital assets (generally, property held for investment purposes). In addition, this summary does not address tax considerations that may be applicable to a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances or to U.S. Holders that may be subject to special tax rules (e.g., financial institutions, insurance companies, broker-dealers, S corporations, partnerships and other pass-through entities, trusts, shareholders liable for the alternative minimum tax, traders who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, U.S. expatriates and tax-exempt organizations), persons that own or have owned more than five percent of any class of shares by vote or by value (whether actually or constructively), dissenting shareholders or U.S. Holders who acquired Shares in connection with stock options, stock purchase or restricted stock plans or in other compensatory transactions, or as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated security transaction for United States federal income tax purposes, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those discussed below. This summary does not address holders of restricted stock, holders of options to purchase New Frontier’s Shares or holders of restricted stock units. In addition, this summary does not address any United States federal estate or gift tax consequences, nor any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences, of the Offer and the Merger.
For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” is a New Frontier shareholder that is, for United States federal income tax purposes, (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation or an entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, or any state or political subdivision thereof; (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person for United States federal income tax purposes.
If a partnership (or other entity taxed as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Accordingly, partnerships that hold Shares and partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the specific United States federal income tax consequences to them of the Offer and the Merger.
This discussion is for general information only and should not be construed as tax advice. It is a summary and does not purport to be a comprehensive analysis or description of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Offer and the Merger. We urge you to consult your own tax advisor with respect to the particular U.S. federal, state, and local, or foreign tax consequences of the Offer and the Merger to you.
Effect of the Offer and the Merger
The receipt of cash in exchange for Shares in the Offer or the Merger will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. In general, a U.S. Holder who receives cash in exchange for Shares in connection with the Offer or the Merger will recognize capital gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares surrendered. Any such gain or loss would be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period for the Shares exceeded one year. For non-corporate taxpayers, long-term capital gains are generally taxable at a reduced rate. The deductibility of
17
capital losses is subject to certain limitations. Gain or loss must be calculated separately for each block of Shares (i.e., Shares acquired at the same cost in a single transaction) exchanged for cash in the Offer or the Merger.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments made to U.S. Holders in the Offer or the Merger generally will be subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%). To avoid backup withholding, U.S. Holders that do not otherwise establish an exemption should complete and return the IRS Form W-9 included in the Letter of Transmittal, certifying that such holder is a U.S. person (as defined on the IRS Form W-9), the taxpayer identification number provided is correct and such holder is not subject to backup withholding. Certain holders (including corporations) generally are exempt from backup withholding provided that they appropriately establish an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
6. Price Range of Shares; Dividends
According to New Frontier’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “NOOF.” The following table sets forth, for the calendar quarters indicated, the high and low closing prices per Share on the NASDAQ Global Select Market with respect to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011 as stated in New Frontier’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and from public sources with respect to the subsequent periods noted below.
High | Low | |
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011: | ||
April 1 - June 30, 2010 | $2.15 | $1.54 |
July 1 - September 30, 2010 | $1.90 | $1.35 |
October 1 - December 31, 2010 | $2.04 | $1.58 |
January 1 - March 31, 2011 | $2.18 | $1.67 |
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012: | ||
April 1 - June 30, 2011 | $1.85 | $1.21 |
July 1 - September 30, 2011 | $1.69 | $1.06 |
October 1 - December 31, 2011 | $1.40 | $0.84 |
January 1 - March 31, 2012 | $1.60 | $1.00 |
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013: | ||
April 1 - June 30, 2012 | $1.73 | $1.50 |
July 1 - September 30, 2012 | $1.65 | $1.25 |
October 1 – October 15, 2012 | $1.35 | $1.23 |
On October 15, 2012, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of the Merger Agreement, the last reported closing price per Share on the NASDAQ Global Select Market during normal trading hours was $1.30 per Share. The Offer Price represents (i) a 55.38% premium to the trading price at which the Shares closed on October 15, 2012, the last trading day before the announcement of the Offer, (ii) a 78.76% premium to New Frontier Media’s closing stock price on March 8, 2012, the day before New Frontier Media received a publicly-announced unsolicited acquisition proposal, (iii) premiums of 57.20%, 56.76% and 44.80% over the volume-weighted average trading prices for the Shares for the ten-day, thirty-day and sixty-calendar day periods ending immediately before the date of announcement of the Offer and (iv) a 16.76% premium to the highest trading price, and a 98.03% premium to the lowest trading price, in the last twelve months prior to the date of announcement of the Offer.
18
On October 26, 2012, the last full trading day prior to the commencement of the Offer, the last reported closing price per Share on the NASDAQ Global Select Market during normal trading hours was $2.00 per Share.
New Frontier has previously paid dividends to its shareholders; however, no dividends have been paid since 2008. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, New Frontier is not permitted to declare or pay dividends with respect to the Shares without the prior written consent of LFP Broadcasting. See Section 14—“Dividends and Distributions.” Shareholders are urged to obtain a current market quotation for the Shares.
7. Possible Effects of the Offer on the Market for the Shares; NASDAQ Listing; Exchange Act Registration and Margin Regulations
Effect of Merger. Following the completion of the Offer and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, and potentially shareholder approval, Merger Sub will be merged with and into New Frontier, and New Frontier will be the Surviving Corporation. The Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation will be as attached to the Merger Agreement. Merger Sub’s directors immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will be the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation. The officers of New Frontier immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation.
Possible Effects of the Offer on the Market for the Shares. The purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will reduce the number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly and could adversely affect the liquidity and market value of the remaining Shares held by the public. The purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer can also be expected to reduce the number of holders of Shares. We cannot predict whether the reduction in the number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly would have an adverse or beneficial effect on the market price or marketability of the Shares or whether it would cause future market prices to be the same, greater or less than the Offer Price.
NASDAQ Listing. Depending upon the number of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the Shares may no longer meet the requirements for continued listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. According to the published guidelines of The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC (“NASDAQ”), NASDAQ would consider disqualifying the Shares for listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market if, among other possible grounds, (a) the total number of holders of record and holders of beneficial interest, taken together, in Shares falls below 400, (b) the bid price for a Share over a 30 consecutive business day period is less than $1.00, or (c)(i) New Frontier has shareholders’ equity of less than $10 million, the number of publicly held Shares falls below 750,000, the market value of publicly held Shares over a 30 consecutive business day period is less than $5 million or there are fewer than two active and registered market makers in the Shares over a ten consecutive business day period, (ii) the number of publicly held Shares falls below 1,100,000, the market value of publicly held Shares over a 30 consecutive business day period is less than $15 million, there are fewer than four active and registered market makers in the Shares over a ten consecutive business day period, or the market value of New Frontier’s listed securities is less than $50 million over a ten consecutive business day period, or (iii) the number of publicly held shares falls below 1,100,000, the market value of publicly held Shares over a 30 consecutive business day period is less than $15 million, there are fewer than four active and registered market makers in the Shares over a ten consecutive business day period, or New Frontier’s total assets and total revenue is less than $50 million each for the most recently completed fiscal year (or in two of the last three fiscal years). Shares held by officers or directors of New Frontier, or by any beneficial owner of more than 10 percent of the Shares, will not be considered as being publicly held for this purpose. According to New Frontier, as of October 12, 2012, there were approximately 16,264,213 Shares outstanding. If, as a result of the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer or otherwise, the Shares are either no longer eligible for the NASDAQ Global Select Market or are delisted from NASDAQ altogether, the market for Shares will be adversely affected.
If NASDAQ were to delist the Shares, it is possible that the Shares would continue to trade on other securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market and that price or other quotations for the Shares would be reported by other sources. The extent of the public market for such Shares and the availability of such quotations would depend, however, upon such factors as the number of shareholders and the aggregate market value of such securities remaining at such time, the interest in maintaining a
19
market in the Shares on the part of securities firms, the possible termination of registration under the Exchange Act as described below, and other factors. We cannot predict whether the reduction in the number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly would have an adverse or beneficial effect on the market price for or marketability of the Shares or whether it would cause future market prices to be the same, greater or less than the Offer Price. Trading in the Shares will cease upon consummation of the Merger if trading has not ceased earlier as discussed above.
Exchange Act Registration. The Shares currently are registered under the Exchange Act. The purchase of the Shares pursuant to the Offer may result in the Shares becoming eligible for deregistration under the Exchange Act. Registration of the Shares may be terminated by New Frontier upon application to the Commission if the outstanding Shares are not listed on a “national securities exchange” and if there are fewer than 300 holders of record of Shares.
We intend to seek to cause New Frontier to apply for termination of registration of the Shares as soon as possible after consummation of the Offer if the requirements for termination of registration are met. Termination of registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act would reduce the information required to be furnished by New Frontier to its shareholders and to the Commission and would make certain provisions of the Exchange Act (such as the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16(b), the requirement of furnishing a proxy statement or information statement in connection with shareholders’ meetings or actions in lieu of a shareholders’ meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) and 14(c) of the Exchange Act and the related requirement of furnishing an annual report to shareholders) no longer applicable with respect to the Shares. In addition, if the Shares are no longer registered under the Exchange Act, the requirements of Rule 13e-3 with respect to “going private” transactions would no longer be applicable to New Frontier. Furthermore, the ability of “affiliates” of New Frontier and persons holding “restricted securities” of New Frontier to dispose of such securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 may be impaired or eliminated.
If registration of the Shares is not terminated prior to the Merger, then the registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act will be terminated following completion of the Merger.
8. Certain Information Concerning New Frontier
The following description of New Frontier and its business has been taken from New Frontier’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such report.
New Frontier is a Colorado corporation, incorporated in Colorado on February 23, 1998, with its principal office located at 6000 Spine Road, Suite 100, Boulder, Colorado, 80301. New Frontier’s telephone number at such corporate headquarters is (303) 444-0900.
New Frontier is a provider of transactional television services and a distributor of general motion picture entertainment. Its key customers include large cable and satellite operators, premium movie channel providers, movie aggregators and distributors, and major Hollywood studios. It distributes content worldwide. Its three principal businesses are reflected in the Transactional TV, Film Production and Direct-to-Consumer operating segments. New Frontier’s Transactional TV segment distributes adult content to cable and satellite operators who then distribute the content to retail consumers via video-on-demand (VOD) and pay-per-view (PPV) technology. It earns revenue by receiving a percentage of the retail price paid by consumers to purchase New Frontier’s content on its customers’ VOD and PPV platforms. The Transactional TV segment represents its largest operating segment based on revenue and assets and has historically been its most profitable segment; however, the segment has experienced declining operating income due to competition from free and low-cost websites and the continued global economic downturn. The Film Production segment generates revenue through the distribution of mainstream and erotic films to large cable and satellite operators, premium movie channel providers, and other content distributors. This segment also periodically provides contract film production services to major Hollywood studios (producer-for-hire arrangements). The Film Production segment incurred an operating loss in fiscal year 2011 primarily due to impairment charges. New Frontier’s Direct-to-Consumer segment primarily generates revenue from membership fees earned through the distribution of adult content to consumer websites. The Direct-to-Consumer segment has historically incurred operating losses and is expected to continue to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future. New Frontier’s Corporate Administration segment includes all costs associated with the operation of the public holding company, New Frontier Media, Inc.
20
Available Information. New Frontier is subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and in accordance therewith is obligated to file reports and other information with the Commission relating to its business, financial condition and other matters. Certain information, as of particular dates, concerning New Frontier’s business, principal physical properties, capital structure, material pending litigation, operating results, financial condition, directors and officers (including their remuneration and equity awards granted to them), the principal holders of New Frontier’s securities, any material interests of such persons in transactions with New Frontier, and other matters is required to be disclosed in proxy statements and periodic reports distributed to New Frontier’s shareholders and filed with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information should be available for inspection at the public reference room at the Commission’s office at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Copies may be obtained by mail, upon payment of the Commission’s customary charges, by writing to its principal office at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Further information on the operation of the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC can be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission also maintains an Internet web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, such as New Frontier, who file electronically with the Commission. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. New Frontier also maintains an Internet website at http://www.noof.com. The information contained in, accessible from or connected to New Frontier’s website is not incorporated into, or otherwise a part of, this Offer to Purchase or any of New Frontier’s filings with the Commission. The website addresses referred to in this paragraph are inactive text references and are not intended to be actual links to the websites.
Sources of Information. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the information concerning New Frontier contained in this Offer to Purchase has been based upon publicly available documents and records on file with the Commission and other public sources. Although we have no knowledge that any such information contains any misstatements or omissions, none of LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub or any of their respective affiliates or assigns, the Information Agent or the Depositary assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information concerning New Frontier contained in such documents and records or for any failure by New Frontier to disclose events which may have occurred or may affect the significance or accuracy of any such information.
9. Certain Information Concerning Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting
LFP Broadcasting, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal office located at 8484 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900 Beverly Hills, California 90211. LFP Broadcasting’s telephone number at that address is (323) 651-5400. LFP Broadcasting is a provider of adult video content via PPV, VOD, DVD, as well as mobile and other electronic distribution channels. LFP Broadcasting’s “Hustler TV” is now available in over 55 countries, and it also offers Hustler HD, the only linear adult HD channel offered in the US. After its recent acquisition of Sapphire Media, a significant distributor of adult content through television in Europe, LFP Broadcasting is the largest distributed adult network in Europe and Canada, approximately the second largest in Latin America, and is among the top three in the United States.
Merger Sub is a Colorado corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting. Merger Sub was organized by LFP Broadcasting to acquire New Frontier and has not conducted any other activities since its organization. All outstanding shares of capital stock of Merger Sub are owned by LFP Broadcasting. The principal office of Merger Sub is located at the same address as LFP Broadcasting’s principal office listed above, and its telephone number at that address is the same telephone number as LFP Broadcasting’s telephone number listed above.
The name, citizenship, business address, present principal occupation or employment and five-year employment history of each of the directors and executive officers of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting are listed in Schedule A to this Offer to Purchase.
During the last five years, none of Merger Sub, LFP Broadcasting or, to the best knowledge of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting, any of the persons listed in Schedule A to this Offer to Purchase (i) has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) was a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding (except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement) that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of such laws.
21
Except as described in this Offer to Purchase, none of Merger Sub, LFP Broadcasting or, to the knowledge of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting, any of the persons listed in Schedule A to this Offer to Purchase, or any associate or majority-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub or any of the persons listed in Schedule A to this Offer to Purchase, beneficially owns any equity security of New Frontier, and none of Merger Sub, LFP Broadcasting or, to the knowledge of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting, any of the other persons or entities referred to above, or any of the respective directors, executive officers or subsidiaries of any of the foregoing, has effected any transaction in any equity security of New Frontier during the past 60 days.
Except as described in the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO filed by LFP Broadcasting with the Commission pursuant to Rule 14d-3 under the Exchange Act, of which this Offer to Purchase forms a part, (i) there have not been any contacts, transactions or negotiations between Merger Sub or LFP Broadcasting, any of their respective subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting, any of the persons listed in Schedule A to this Offer to Purchase, on the one hand, and New Frontier or any of its directors, officers or affiliates, on the other hand, that are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission and (ii) none of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting or, to the knowledge of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting, any of the persons listed on Schedule A to this Offer to Purchase, has any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with any person with respect to any securities of New Frontier.
10. Background of the Offer; Contacts with New Frontier
Background of the Offer and the Merger; Past Contacts or Negotiations between LFP Broadcasting and New Frontier
The following contains a description of contacts between representatives of LFP Broadcasting and representatives of New Frontier that resulted in the execution of the Merger Agreement and the agreements related to the Offer. For a review of New Frontier’s activities relating to these contacts, please refer to New Frontier’s Schedule 14D-9 being mailed to stockholders with this Offer to Purchase.
LFP Broadcasting regularly evaluates strategies to enhance value for its members, including opportunities for acquisitions of other companies, their product lines, intellectual property or their other assets.
On July 8, 2010, a representative of New Frontier, Michael Weiner, initiated contact with Michael H. Klein, President and manager of LFP Broadcasting, indicating that New Frontier was exploring potential strategic alternatives and inquiring as to whether LFP Broadcasting would have an interest in pursuing a potential transaction with New Frontier. On July 27, 2010, in response thereto, the parties executed a confidentiality agreement. Also on that day, Mr. Klein and Robert Gaddis, formerly the CFO for LFP Broadcasting, made a visit to the New Frontier offices in Boulder, Colorado. They met with Mr. Weiner, Ken Boenish (former President of New Frontier) and number of other executives from New Frontier and had a discussion exploring strategic opportunities between LFP Broadcasting and New Frontier. Subsequent to that visit, LFP Broadcasting reviewed the various information supplied by New Frontier under the confidentiality agreement and determined not to make an offer to acquire New Frontier at that time.
In July 2011, LFP Broadcasting and New Frontier had a number of discussions concerning a possible transaction, but such discussions did not advance beyond a preliminary stage, as LFP Broadcasting was in the process of purchasing another broadcasting entity.
In late March 2012, LFP Broadcasting reopened its interest in acquiring New Frontier and Mr. Klein reached out to Mr. Weiner regarding the renewed interest. Mr. Weiner informed Mr. Klein that a special committee of the board of directors of New Frontier (the “Special Committee”) was in the process of retaining a financial advisor in connection with its strategic review process and that Mr. Klein would be contacted once a financial advisor was retained.
In April, 2012, LFP Broadcasting was informed that the Special Committee had engaged Avondale Partners, LLC (“Avondale”) as its financial advisor, and was asked to direct its communications with respect to LFP Broadcasting’s interest in a potential transaction with New Frontier to Avondale. On April 9, 2012, Mr. Klein entered into discussions
22
with Gordon Pollack at Avondale with respect to LFP Broadcasting’s interest in pursuing a transaction with New Frontier. Subsequent to that, on April 18, 2012, Mr. Klein notified Avondale via the telephone that LFP Broadcasting was interested in pursuing the acquisition of New Frontier for $1.60 per Share in cash, subject to due diligence and other conditions. Avondale acknowledged the proposal and stated that they would relay LFP Broadcasting’s proposal to the Special Committee.
On May 9, 2012, LFP Broadcasting received from Avondale and negotiated a new confidentiality agreement. Following LFP Broadcasting’s execution of such agreement, it received certain documentation from Avondale, on behalf of the Special Committee, regarding New Frontier to facilitate LFP Broadcasting’s due diligence review of New Frontier.
On May 30, 2012, Avondale notified LFP Broadcasting that the Special Committee had determined to pursue a formal bidding process, and requested that LFP Broadcasting submit a written proposal with respect to the acquisition of 100% of the equity of New Frontier by no later than June 7, 2012. LFP Broadcasting had taken note of the fact that there had also been some public information about recent offers for New Frontier, including one from its largest shareholder, Longkloof Limited, as well as from Manwin.
In response to a bid process letter from Avondale, on June 6, 2012, LFP Broadcasting submitted a written non-binding indication of interest to acquire New Frontier for $1.85 per Share in cash.
During the week of June 19, 2012, Avondale granted LFP Broadcasting access to a newly opened online data site, and LFP Broadcasting began a more thorough due diligence review of New Frontier. Over the next two weeks, LFP Broadcasting reviewed the information and had follow-up discussions with Avondale.
On June 29, 2012, Avondale forwarded LFP Broadcasting its final bid process letter and a draft of the merger agreement. This letter invited each bidder to submit a final proposal for the acquisition of New Frontier no later than July 17, 2012. It requested LFP’s best and final price for the acquisition of 100% of the equity of New Frontier consistent with terms and conditions of a mark-up of the draft definitive agreement submitted by the bidder, along with its bid. Over the next several weeks, LFP Broadcasting formulated a revised offer to acquire New Frontier.
On July 17, 2012, LFP Broadcasting sent Avondale its bid, pursuant to which it proposed acquiring New Frontier for $2.05 per Share in cash, along with a revised draft of the merger agreement.
On July 27, 2012 Mr. Klein and Avondale discussed various features of LFP Broadcasting’s offer, including: (1) New Frontier holding a minimum of $14,000,000 in cash after transaction fees, as a condition to closing; (2) the transaction being contingent on an LFP Broadcasting affiliate closing a loan on its facility and business; (3) LFP Broadcasting being granted a top-up option; and (4) the timing of the transaction.
In early August 2012, Avondale, on behalf of the Special Committee, notified LFP Broadcasting that it was one of the bidders being invited to continue in the bidding process.
On or around August 20, 2012, LFP Broadcasting communicated to Avondale that it had increased its offer to $2.08 per Share, contingent on a minimum cash threshold for New Frontier after transaction fees of $12,500,000, LFP Broadcasting’s receipt of governmental approval to consummate a pending financing, and the consummation of such financing. In connection with such offer, LFP Broadcasting offered a $1,000,000 “reverse break-up fee” if it were not in a position to fund the acquisition by September 30, 2012.
On August 27, 2012, LFP Broadcasting received notification of the regulatory approval it needed for it to proceed with the financing intended to fund LFP Broadcasting’s proposed acquisition of New Frontier.
On August 28, 2012, Avondale requested that LFP Broadcasting increase its bid above its last offer of $2.08 per Share, to at least $2.15 per Share, and LFP Broadcasting indicated that $2.08 per share was its best and final offer. Later on August 28, 2012, Avondale notified Mr. Klein that the Special Committee wanted to proceed with negotiating the merger agreement as promptly as possible.
23
On August 31, 2012, the Special Committee’s counsel distributed to LFP Broadcasting’s counsel a revised draft merger agreement containing proposed revisions on behalf of the Special Committee, reflecting its response to LFP Broadcasting’s mark-up of the draft merger agreement submitted to Avondale on July 17, 2012.
On September 7, 2012, LFP Broadcasting and Avondale discussed via phone various open issues relating to the proposed acquisition of the New Frontier. During the course of this call, LFP Broadcasting indicated that it was willing to have L.F.P., Inc. serve as a guarantor of the obligations of it and Merger Sub pursuant to the Merger Agreement. During this call, LFP Broadcasting continued to express its concern over New Frontier’s cash balance and indicated that its initial indication of interest submitted on July 17, 2012, which proposed a purchase price of $2.05 per Share, assumed that New Frontier would have approximately $14,000,000 of Company Net Available Cash before transaction expenses at the closing of the Offer, and that when it raised its proposed purchase price to $2.08 per Share it was with the understanding that the Company Net Available Cash net of transaction expenses at the closing of the Offer would be at least $12,500,000. Accordingly, LFP Broadcasting proposed a purchase price ranging from $2.03 to $2.08 per Share tied to the extent to which the amount of Company Net Available Cash net of transaction expenses at the closing of the Offer would be at or greater than $11,690,000 and less than or equal to $12,500,000, with adjustments between these two per Share prices equal to $0.01 for each $162,000 adjustment in the amount of the Company Net Available Cash net of transaction expenses that is on hand at the closing of the Offer.
On September 11 and 12, 2012, an accounting firm engaged by LFP Broadcasting to assist in its due diligence regarding New Frontier met with New Frontier’s independent registered public accounting firm and its management as part of that due diligence process.
On September 13, 2012, LFP Broadcasting e-mailed Avondale with a revised proposal for addressing its concerns that New Frontier’s expected cash balance was less than LFP Broadcasting had assumed when it made its previous proposals to acquire New Frontier. LFP Broadcasting indicated its willingness to discuss the following two alternative purchase price structures:
·
$2.08 per Share, subject to a condition that New Frontier have, at closing of the Offer, a minimum of (i) $11,500,000 in Company Net Available Cash, and (ii) and $15,500,000 in total working capital; or
·
A variable purchase price proposal such that for every $162,000 of Company Net Available Cash net of transaction expenses, below $12,500,000 or working capital below $15,500,000 at the closing of the Offer, the purchase price per Share would be reduced by one cent. So for example, if at closing the cash balance is between $12,338,000 and $12,499,000, then the purchase price would be reduced to $2.07 per Share.
On September 21, 2012, LFP Broadcasting’s counsel received an initial draft of the guarantee pursuant to which L.F.P. Inc. would agree to unconditionally guarantee the obligations of LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
Also, on September 21, 2012, LFP Broadcasting’s counsel distributed a revised draft of the Merger Agreement containing revisions proposed by LFP Broadcasting, including, but not limited to, (i) the addition of a liquidated damages clause, (ii) the removal of the specific performance clause, (iii) the addition of a material adverse change financial metric of a 15% reduction in revenue or earnings, and (iv) a working capital threshold requirement that would need to be met by New Frontier.
On or about September 25, 2012, Avondale and LFP Broadcasting discussed in a telephone call various open issues relating to LFP Broadcasting’s proposed acquisition of New Frontier including some of the issues raised by the revised draft of the Merger Agreement. During the course of this call, LFP Broadcasting indicated that it would be amenable to the transaction being conditioned on New Frontier having to meet only one financial metric which would be a threshold relating to Company Net Available Cash but that such threshold would need to be $12,000,000 at the closing of the Offer, net of transaction expenses, and, based on that threshold, it would propose a revised purchase price of $2.05 per Share. In addition, LFP Broadcasting agreed to re-insert the specific performance clause and delete from the draft Merger
24
Agreement (i) the working capital threshold, (ii) the liquidated damages clause, and (iii) the material adverse change financial metric of a 15% reduction in revenue or earnings.
On September 28, 2012, in a telephone call that included representatives of LFP Broadcasting, Avondale and the respective counsel for LFP Broadcasting and the Special Committee, advisors for the Special Committee proposed a purchase price of $2.08 per Share with no cash condition. LFP Broadcasting indicated that such a proposal was not acceptable and that it was only prepared to pursue a transaction that contemplated a purchase price of $2.05 per Share and required the Company to have a minimum of $12,000,000 in Company Net Available Cash at the closing of the Offer net of transaction expenses.
On October 5, 2012, in a telephone call that included representatives of LFP Broadcasting, Avondale, and the respective counsel for LFP Broadcasting and the Special Committee, the advisors for the Special Committee proposed a purchase price of $2.05 per Share, subject to a condition that New Frontier have a minimum of $11,500,000 in Company Net Available Cash at closing net of transaction expenses. The Special Committee’s advisors also proposed that LFP Broadcasting provide New Frontier with a $1,000,000 earnest money deposit concurrently with its execution of the definitive agreement. During such conference call, LFP Broadcasting indicated that while it was amenable to the $1,000,000 earnest money deposit, it would only agree to the Special Committee’s request for a cash condition of $11,500,000 if the purchase price was reduced to $2.02 per Share. In subsequent discussions between LFP Broadcasting and Avondale, LFP Broadcasting indicated that it would be amenable to a contingent cash payment right that would provide New Frontier shareholders with additional cash consideration up to a maximum of $0.06 per Share to the extent the Company Net Available Cash at the closing of the Offer, net of transaction expenses, exceeded $11,500,000. Thereafter, the parties negotiated throughout the day on October 5, 2012 to agree on a purchase price in the transaction of $2.02 per Share, plus one contingent right to receive an additional cash payment, or CPR, as described in Section 1 – “Terms of the Offer” above.
On October 7, 2012, the Special Committee’s counsel provided LFP Broadcasting with a revised Merger Agreement with the aforementioned terms. On October 8, 2012, the Special Committee’s counsel provided LFP Broadcasting with an initial draft of the Contingent Payment Rights Agreement.
On October 9, 2012, LFP Broadcasting’s counsel distributed to the Special Committee’s counsel a revised draft of the Merger Agreement containing proposed revisions on behalf of LFP Broadcasting.
On October 10, 2012, the Special Committee’s counsel distributed to LFP Broadcasting’s counsel a further revised draft of the Merger Agreement containing proposed revisions on behalf of the Special Committee and an initial draft of the Escrow Agreement.
From October 10, 2012 to October 15, 2012, the Special Committee’s counsel, and LFP Broadcasting’s counsel exchanged various drafts of the Merger Agreement, the Contingent Payment Rights Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and the Guaranty and held a number of telephone calls to discuss and negotiate the provisions of these agreements.
On October 15, 2012, LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and New Frontier finalized and executed the Merger Agreement, and, at approximately 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the same date, LFP Broadcasting and New Frontier issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement and the forthcoming commencement of a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding Shares at a price per Share of $2.02, plus a contingent right to receive an additional CPR equal to $.01 per CPR for each $162,000 incremental amount in excess of $11,514,000 of New Frontier’s available cash, net of certain transaction expenses, limited to $.06 per share.
25
11. Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier; Summary of the Merger Agreement and Certain Other Agreements
Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier
The purpose of the Offer and the Merger is for LFP Broadcasting and its affiliates, through Merger Sub, to acquire control of, and the entire equity interest in, New Frontier. Pursuant to the Merger, LFP Broadcasting will acquire all of the stock of New Frontier not purchased pursuant to the Offer, the Top-Up Option or otherwise. Shareholders of New Frontier who sell their Shares in the Offer will cease to have any equity interest in New Frontier or any right to participate in its earnings and future growth. If the Merger is consummated, non-tendering shareholders also will no longer have an equity interest in New Frontier or any right to participate in its earnings and future growth. On the other hand, after selling their Shares in the Offer or after the subsequent Merger, shareholders of New Frontier will not bear the risk of any decrease in the value of New Frontier stock.
Assuming Merger Sub purchases a majority of the outstanding Shares (on a fully diluted basis) pursuant to the Offer, LFP Broadcasting is entitled and currently intends to exercise its rights under the Merger Agreement to obtain pro rata representation on, and control of, the New Frontier Board. See “Summary of the Merger Agreement—Organizational Documents, Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation” below. At the effective time of the Merger, the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation will be as attached to the Merger Agreement. Merger Sub’s directors immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will be the initial directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation. The officers of New Frontier immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation. . See “Summary of the Merger Agreement—Organizational Documents, Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation” below.
LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub are conducting a detailed review of New Frontier and its assets, corporate structure, capitalization, operations, properties, policies, management and personnel, and will consider what changes would be desirable in light of the circumstances that exist upon completion of the Offer. LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub will continue to evaluate the business and operations of New Frontier during the pendency of the Offer and after the consummation of the Offer and the Merger and will take such actions as they deem appropriate under the circumstances then existing. Thereafter, LFP Broadcasting intends to review such information as part of a comprehensive review of New Frontier’s business, operations, capitalization and management with a view to optimizing development of New Frontier’s potential in conjunction with New Frontier’s or LFP Broadcasting’s existing businesses. We expect that all aspects of New Frontier’s business will be fully integrated into LFP Broadcasting. However, plans may change based on further analysis including changes in New Frontier’s business, corporate structure, Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, capitalization, board of directors and management, although, except as disclosed in this Offer to Purchase, LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub have no current plans with respect to any of such matters.
Except as disclosed in this Offer to Purchase, neither LFP Broadcasting nor Merger Sub has any present plans or proposals that would result in an extraordinary corporate transaction involving New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries, such as a merger, reorganization, liquidation, relocation of operations, or sale or transfer of a material amount of assets, or any material changes in New Frontier’s capitalization, corporate structure or business.
After the Merger, LFP Broadcasting may cause Merger Sub to be transferred to one or more of its affiliates for internal structuring reasons, but no such transfer will affect LFP Broadcasting’s obligations under the Merger Agreement.
Summary of the Merger Agreement
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit (d)(1) to the Schedule TO, which is incorporated herein by reference. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for the purposes of the Merger Agreement, were made as of specific dates, were made solely for the benefit of the
26
parties to the Merger Agreement and may not have been intended to be statements of fact but, rather, as a method of allocating risk and governing the contractual rights and relationships among the parties to the Merger Agreement. In addition, such representations, warranties and covenants may have been qualified by certain disclosures not reflected in the text of the Merger Agreement and may apply standards of materiality and other qualifications and limitations in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material by New Frontier’s shareholders or LFP Broadcasting’s shareholders. None of New Frontier’s shareholders or LFP Broadcasting’s shareholders or any other third parties should rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or conditions of LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub, New Frontier or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Copies of the Merger Agreement and the Schedule TO, and any other filings that we make with the Commission with respect to the Offer or the Merger may be obtained in the manner set forth in Section 8 under “Available Information.” Capitalized terms used, but not defined, herein shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Merger Agreement.
The Offer
The Merger Agreement requires Merger Sub to commence the Offer contemplated by this Offer to Purchase no later than October 29, 2012. Merger Sub’s obligation to accept for payment and to pay for any Shares that are tendered in the Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver, if permitted under the Merger Agreement, of each of the conditions to the Offer that are described in Section 13—“Conditions to the Offer” (each, a “Tender Offer Condition”). Merger Sub expressly reserves the right to, in its sole discretion, waive, in whole or in part, any Tender Offer Condition, to increase the Offer Price or modify the terms of the Offer; provided, however, that without the prior written consent of New Frontier, Merger Sub will not: (i) reduce the number of Shares subject to the Offer, (ii) reduce the Offer Price, (iii) change, modify or waive the Minimum Tender Condition, (iv) add to the Tender Offer Conditions or amend or modify any Tender Offer Condition in any manner adverse to the holders of Shares, (v) extend the expiration time of the Offer beyond the initial expiration time, except as otherwise provided in the Merger Agreement, (vi) change the form of consideration payable in the Offer, (vii) change the terms of the CPRs or (viii) otherwise amend the Offer in any manner adverse to the holders of Shares.
The Offer is initially scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on November 27, 2012, 20 business days following the date of the commencement of the Offer. Merger Sub must extend the Offer for any period required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the Commission or its staff that is applicable to the Offer. In addition, if, at the time as of which the Offer is scheduled to expire, any Tender Offer Condition has not been satisfied or waived, If, at any scheduled expiration time of the Offer, any Tender Offer Condition has not been satisfied or waived, Merger Sub will extend the period of time during which the Offer remains open on one or more occasions in increments of no more than five business days for up to a maximum of 20 business days, or until the termination of the Merger Agreement, whichever occurs first, unless the passage of time has made the satisfaction of a condition to the Offer impossible. Further, if, at any then scheduled expiration time of the offer, all Tender Offer Conditions have been satisfied or waived and the Minimum Tender Condition has not been satisfied, Merger Sub will extend the period of time during which the Offer remains open on one or more occasions in increments of no more than five business days for up to a maximum of 20 business days, or until the termination of the Merger Agreement, whichever occurs first.
The Merger Agreement provides that, on the terms of and subject to the conditions to the Offer, Merger Sub will accept for payment all Shares that are validly tendered in the Offer and not withdrawn as soon as practicable after the expiration time of the Offer (as it may be extended or re-extended) pursuant to the Offer. The Merger Agreement further provides that Merger Sub will not terminate or withdraw the Offer without the prior written consent of New Frontier, other than in connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement. If the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to any scheduled expiration time of the Offer, the Offer will be terminated immediately and no Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer will be accepted for payment or paid for pursuant to the Offer.
If, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the date on which any particular Share is accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer, the outstanding Shares are changed into a different number or class of shares by reason of a reclassification, stock split (including a reverse stock split), stock dividend, distribution or division, recapitalization, merger, issuer tender offer or issuer exchange offer or other similar transaction, the Offer Price and the per Share CPR payment amount will be appropriately adjusted.
27
Appointment of Directors after Acceptance for Payment of Shares Tendered in the Offer
The Merger Agreement provides that, effective upon the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment and from time to time thereafter, LFP Broadcasting will be entitled to elect or designate to the New Frontier Board the number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number, equal to the product of (1) the total number of directors on the New Frontier Board (giving effect to the directors elected or designated by LFP Broadcasting) and (2) the percentage of the outstanding Shares (determined on a fully-diluted basis) then beneficially owned by LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub, New Frontier will (i) to the fullest extent permitted by law and NASDAQ rules, elect or appoint LFP Broadcasting’s designees to the New Frontier Board, including by increasing the size of the New Frontier Board and/or securing the resignations of its incumbent directors and (ii) cause the directors so appointed by LFP Broadcasting to constitute the same percentage (rounded up to the nearest whole number) of the members of each committee of the New Frontier Board as such directors represent on the New Frontier Board. Notwithstanding such provisions, New Frontier must use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause New Frontier to have three Independent Directors between the closing of the Offer and the Merger. .
The Merger Agreement provides that, if LFP Broadcasting’s designees are elected to the New Frontier Board prior to the effective time of the Merger, the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors will be required to authorize: (i) any termination of the Merger Agreement by New Frontier, (ii) any amendment of the Merger Agreement on behalf of New Frontier, (iii) any extension of time for performance of any obligation or action hereunder by LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub, (iv) any waiver of compliance with any of the agreements, rights, remedies or conditions contained herein for the benefit of New Frontier, (v) any contract between New Frontier and any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and any of their affiliates (other than New Frontier and any of its subsidiaries), on the other hand, (vi) any amendment of the New Frontier charter or bylaws if such action would adversely affect New Frontier’s shareholders (other than LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub) or the rights of the indemnified parties pursuant to Section 6.08 of the Merger Agreement, (vii) any other action by New Frontier in connection with the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby required to be taken by the New Frontier Board, or (viii) any other action adversely affecting the rights of the shareholders of New Frontier (other than LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub). . The Independent Directors will have the sole authority to institute any action on behalf of New Frontier to enforce LFP Broadcasting’s and Merger Sub’s performance of the Merger Agreement following the election of LFP Broadcasting’s designees.
Top-Up Option
New Frontier has granted Merger Sub the Top-Up Option to purchase a number of newly issued Shares (the “Top-Up Option Shares”) equal to the lesser of (i) the number of Shares that, when added to the number of Shares owned by LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub at the time of exercise, constitutes one Share more than the number of Shares necessary for Merger Sub to be merged into New Frontier pursuant to Section 7-111-104 of the CBCA (after giving effect to the issuance of the Top-Up Option Shares) and (ii) the aggregate number of Shares that New Frontier is authorized to issue under its articles of incorporation but that are not issued and outstanding (and are not subscribed for or otherwise committed to be issued or reserved for issuance) at the time of exercise of the Top-Up Option, in each case, for consideration per Top-Up Option Share equal to the Offer Price and a CPR.
The Top-Up Option may be exercised by Merger Sub, in whole, at any time prior to the third business day following the date on which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer, but the Top-Up Option will only be exercisable if, after exercise of the Top-Up Option, the number of shares owned by LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub would constitute one Share more than the number of Shares necessary for Merger Sub to be merged into New Frontier pursuant to Section 7-111-104 of the CBCA. The aggregate purchase price for the Shares being purchased pursuant to the Top-Up Option may be paid by Merger Sub, at its election, either entirely in cash or by delivery of cash equal to the aggregate par value of the Shares being purchased plus a promissory note for the balance due. Any such promissory note will bear interest at the rate of 4% per annum, will mature on the first anniversary of the date of execution thereof and may be prepaid without penalty.
28
The Merger
The Merger Agreement provides that, following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Merger described below under the caption “Conditions to the Merger;” Merger Sub will be merged with and into New Frontier in accordance with the applicable provisions of the CBCA, and New Frontier will continue as the Surviving Corporation.
Organizational Documents, Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation
The Merger Agreement provides that at the effective time of the Merger, the Articles of Incorporation of New Frontier and the By-Laws of New Frontier shall be amended and restated to read in their entirety as set forth in Exhibits D and E, respectively, of the Merger Agreement until thereafter changed or amended in accordance with applicable law, and the name of Surviving Corporation will be changed to New Frontier Media, Inc. Merger Sub’s directors immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will be the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation until their successors have been elected or appointed. New Frontier’s officers immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger will be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation until their successors have been elected or appointed.
Conversion of Shares
Each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than any (i) Shares owned by LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub, or any of their direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries (ii) Shares owned by New Frontier or its subsidiaries and (iii) Shares held by New Frontier shareholders who properly demand appraisal for their Shares under Colorado law) will be canceled and converted into the right to receive the price per Share paid in the Offer in cash, without interest thereon.
At the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding shall be converted into one share of common stock, par value $0.001, of the Surviving Corporation.
Appraisal Rights
Any Share that, as of the effective time of the Merger, is held by a holder who is entitled to, and who has properly preserved, appraisal rights under Article 113 of the CBCA with respect to such Share will not be converted into or represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration and the holder of such Share will be entitled only to such rights as may be granted to such holder pursuant to Article 113 of the CBCA with respect to such Share.
If, after the effective time of the Merger, any holder fails to perfect, or otherwise loses its rights to appraisal under Article 113 of the CBCA, such Shares will be converted into and represent the right to receive (upon the surrender of the stock certificate representing such Shares) the Merger Consideration. The foregoing summary of Article 113 of the CBCA does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Article 113 of the CBCA. Failure to follow the steps that Article 113 of the CBCA requires for perfecting appraisal rights may result in the loss of those rights.
Treatment of Stock Options and Other Stock-based Compensation
At the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding New Frontier Option, whether or not vested or exercisable, will be canceled and will only entitle the holder to receive an amount in cash equal to (1) the product of (A) the total number of Shares subject to such New Frontier Option, multiplied by (B) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the per-share exercise price under such New Frontier Option less (2) applicable taxes required to be withheld.
At the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding right to receive appreciation with respect to the Shares (each a “New Frontier Stock Right”), whether or not vested, will be canceled and will only entitle the holder to receive an amount in cash equal to (1) the product of (A) the total number of Shares subject to such New Frontier
29
Stock Right, multiplied by (B) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the base amount of such New Frontier Stock Right less (2) applicable taxes required to be withheld.
At the effective time of the Merger, each outstanding restricted stock unit awards, stock awards, performance share unit awards or other rights to acquire or receive Shares or benefits measured by the value of Shares and each award of any kind consisting of Shares (other than New Frontier Options or New Frontier Stock Rights) (each a “New Frontier Stock Award”), whether or not vested, will be canceled and will only entitle the holder to receive an amount in cash equal to (1) the product of (A) the total number of Shares subject to such New Frontier Stock Award, multiplied by (B) the Merger Consideration less (2) applicable taxes required to be withheld.
Representations and Warranties
Representations and Warranties of New Frontier. New Frontier made representations and warranties to Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting in the Merger Agreement with respect to, among other matters:
· its due organization,
· good standing and qualification,
· its subsidiaries;
· capital structure,
· corporate authority,
· approval of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement,
· filings with the Commission and financial statements,
· the absence of a “Company Material Adverse Effect” since March 31, 2012,
· tax matters,
· intellectual property,
· compliance with laws,
· legal proceedings,
· employee benefits and labor matters,
· real property and personal property matters,
· environmental matters,
· material contracts,
· bank accounts,
· customers and suppliers,
· insurance,
· transactions with affiliates,
· information disclosed,
· opinion of New Frontier’s financial advisor
· rights plan, and
· brokers.
30
Some of the representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement made by New Frontier are qualified by “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect”. For purposes of the Merger Agreement, “Company Material Adverse Effect” means any event, occurrence, fact, effect, development, condition or change that is, or would reasonably be expected to become, individually or in the aggregate, materially adverse to (i) the business, properties, assets, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of New Frontier and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of New Frontier to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement on a timely basis; except for purposes of clause (i), a “Company Material Adverse Effect” does not include events, occurrences, facts, effects, developments, conditions or changes that result from any of the following:
· general economic, regulatory or political conditions, and conditions in the banking, financial, credit or securities markets, including acts of God, war, terrorism, natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics;
· economic or other conditions affecting the industries in which New Frontier operates, as a whole;
· the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement or the announcement, pendency or consummation of the Offer, the Merger or any of the other Transactions (including the loss or departure of officers or other employees of New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries, or the termination, reduction (or potential reduction) or any other negative effect (or potential negative effect) on New Frontier’s relationships or agreements with any of its customers, suppliers, distributors or other business partners);
· changes in applicable law or accounting regulation or principles (or interpretations thereof);
· any changes in the market price or trading volume of shares of the Shares or any failure to meet internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions of New Frontier including any projections or forecasts previously made available to LFP Broadcasting (provided that the underlying causes of such changes shall not be excluded);
· any litigation brought by prospective purchasers or current or former shareholders of New Frontier (whether on their own behalf or on behalf of New Frontier) relating to the Merger Agreement, the Offer, the Merger or any of the other Transactions;
· any action taken by LFP Broadcasting or any of its affiliates or the omission of an action that was required to be taken by LFP Broadcasting or any of its affiliates;
· compliance by New Frontier with its covenants and agreements in the Merger Agreement or any action taken by New Frontier or any of its affiliates at the request or with the consent of LFP Broadcasting or any of its affiliates;
· resulting from the identity of LFP Broadcasting or any of its affiliates as the acquirer of New Frontier or any facts or circumstances concerning LFP Broadcasting or its affiliates;
· any litigation, arbitration, mediation or other proceeding arising out of or related to the resignation or termination of any executive officer or director, which resignation or termination has occurred prior to the date of the Merger Agreement;
· the receipt by the New Frontier of a request to call a special meeting of its shareholders or a request to set a record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to request the call of a special meeting of the shareholders; or
· matters described in the New Frontier Disclosure Letter; provided that, in the cases of the first and second bullets above, to the extent that any such event, change, condition, effect or circumstance has a disproportionately adverse effect on New Frontier and its subsidiaries as compared to other comparable
31
businesses (in which case solely the incremental disproportionate effect or effects may be taken into account in determining whether there has been, or is reasonably expected to be, a Company Material Adverse Effect).
Representations and Warranties of LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub. LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub made representations and warranties to New Frontier in the Merger Agreement with respect to, among other matters, organization, good standing and qualification, capital structure of Merger Sub, authority, governmental filings, no violations of laws and regulations, consents and approvals, legal proceedings, sufficiency of funds to consummate the Offer and the Merger, solvency of the Surviving Corporation, capitalization of Merger Sub, absence of an “interested shareholder” relationship with New Frontier, ownership of New Frontier Shares and brokers.
Interim Operations
The Merger Agreement provides that, from the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the date on which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment and the time at which LFP Broadcasting has appointed directors to the New Frontier Board, except as required by the Merger Agreement and subject to certain exceptions:
New Frontier and its subsidiaries shall conduct their businesses in the ordinary course consistent with past practice; and
New Frontier and its subsidiaries shall use reasonable best efforts to maintain and preserve intact its and its subsidiaries’ business organization, to keep available the services of its and its subsidiaries’ current officers and employees, to preserve its and its subsidiaries’ present relationships and goodwill with customers, suppliers, lessors, distributors, licensors, licensees and other persons having material business relationships with it or its subsidiaries.
The Merger Agreement also provides that, except as required by the Merger Agreement and subject to certain exceptions, from the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the date on which Merger Sub accepts Shares for payment and the time at which LFP Broadcasting has appointed directors to the New Frontier Board, without the consent of LFP Broadcasting, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, New Frontier shall not, and shall not permit its subsidiaries to, among other things:
· amend its articles of incorporation, bylaws or comparable governing documents;
· (i) adjust, split, combine, reclassify or make any like change in any securities of New Frontier or its subsidiaries, (ii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any securities of New Frontier or its subsidiaries, (iii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or distribution (whether in cash, stock, property or otherwise) in respect of, or enter into any contract with respect to the voting of, any securities of New Frontier or its subsidiaries (other than dividends from a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of New Frontier to its parent);
· issue, deliver, sell, pledge, dispose of, transfer, modify or encumber any securities of New Frontier or its subsidiaries, other than the issuance of Shares upon the exercise of any New Frontier equity award outstanding as of the date of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms;
· (i) except as required by applicable law or as permitted under the Merger Agreement, increase the compensation payable or that could become payable by New Frontier or its subsidiaries to directors, officers, employees and/or consultants or enter into any new or amend any existing employment or consulting, bonus, severance, retirement, retention, change in control or similar agreement with any of its past or present officers, directors, employees and/or consultants or establish, adopt, enter into, amend, terminate or take any action to accelerate any rights under any company plans, or (ii) hire any new employees, except (A) non-executive employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (B) to replace existing non-executive employees whose employment has terminated, at compensation levels and with benefits consistent in all material respects with that of the employee replaced;
32
-
· acquire, by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or all or substantially all of the assets, or otherwise, or invest in, any business or person or division thereof or make any loans, advances or capital contributions to or investments in any person (other than New Frontier or one or more of its subsidiaries), except (A) pursuant to existing contracts that have been disclosed or made available to LFP Broadcasting and in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B) employee loans or advances for travel, business, relocation or other reimbursable expenses made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
· (i) transfer, license, sell, lease, sublease, subject to any lien (other than permitted liens) or otherwise dispose of any assets or properties (whether by way of merger, consolidation, sale of stock or assets, or otherwise), including the capital stock or other equity interests in any subsidiary of New Frontier, any New Frontier owned property, any lease or any leased real estate, or (ii) adopt or effect a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization;
· repurchase, prepay or incur any indebtedness, issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries, guarantee any debt securities of another person, enter into any contract to maintain any financial statement condition of any other person or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing;
· (i) enter into any new line of business or make or agree to make any new capital expenditure other than (A) as contemplated by the New Frontier’s capital expenditure budget provided to LFP Broadcasting, or (B) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, provided that expenditures in the ordinary course of business in connection with such new lines of business or such capital expenditures shall not exceed $50,000 in the aggregate; or (ii) fail to make capital expenditures and other expenditures in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (subject to any limitations set forth in the Merger Agreement) or as contemplated by the New Frontier’s capital expenditure budget;
· discharge, settle, compromise, assign or satisfy any material legal action, (i) outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (ii) relating to or arising from any securities class action claims or related derivative claims, in each case except to the extent such legal action is fully covered by New Frontier’s insurance policies (other than any applicable deductible), but only if the discharge, settlement, compromise, assignment or satisfaction of such claim would not result in the imposition of any material restriction on the business or operations of the New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or a material increase in New Frontier’s insurance premiums;
· make any material change in any method of financial accounting principles or practices, in each case except for any such change required by a change in GAAP or applicable law;
· make, revoke or amend any material tax election, adopt or change any method of tax accounting other than as described in the disclosure schedules to the Merger Agreement, extend or waive the application of any statute of limitations regarding the assessment or collection of any material tax, settle or compromise any material federal, state, local or other tax liability or refund, enter into any material agreement relating to taxes, file any amended material tax return or claim for refund or otherwise make a material change in the tax compliance practices of New Frontier;
· acquire or materially alter any New Frontier owned or leased real property;
· enter into any material agreement, agreement in principle, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or similar contract with respect to any joint venture, strategic partnership or alliance;
· other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice: enter into or amend or modify in any material respect, or consent to the termination of (other than at its stated expiry date), any certain material contracts or any leases with respect to New Frontier real estate;
33
-
· dispose of, permit to lapse, abandon, encumber, convey title (in whole or in part), obtain, exclusively license or grant any right or other licenses to New Frontier registered intellectual property or other material New Frontier intellectual property, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
· (i) fail to pay when due any material liability, other than any liability being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (ii) delay processing of invoice payments, accelerate accounts receivable collections, slow down payments on obligations or expenditures, defer payroll, or delay cash disbursements or accelerate cash collections in any manner that is not consistent with normal course practice or New Frontier’s ordinary course of business; or (iii) (A) materially decrease purchasing, licensing or creating new film content or (B) otherwise delay entering into or abstain from entering into any expenditure, purchase, commitment or agreement that would, in either case of (A) or (B), reasonably be likely to lead to a material breach of New Frontier’s programming or marketing obligations with any of its customers;
· fail to maintain in full force and effect the existing insurance policies or to replace such insurance policies with comparable insurance policies covering New Frontier, its subsidiaries and their respective properties, assets and businesses;
· make or commit to make any expenditure (other than in accordance with the terms of any agreement, arrangement or commitment which New Frontier or its subsidiaries were party to prior to the date of the Merger Agreement) that exceeds $10,000 and is related to marketing, entertainment, or business development, whether or not such expenditures are generally made in the ordinary course of business of New Frontier; or
· agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.
No Solicitation
The Merger Agreement required that New Frontier immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing discussions or negotiations between New Frontier and any person with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer relating to:
·
a merger, reorganization, sale of assets, share exchange, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation, joint venture or similar transaction involving New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries whose assets constitute 20% or more of the consolidated assets of New Frontier;
·
the acquisition of 20% or more of the assets of New Frontier and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
·
the acquisition of 20% or more of the Shares;
·
any acquisition, tender offer or exchange offer that would result in any third party beneficially owning 20% or more of the Shares or any other class of equity or voting securities of New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries whose assets constitute 20% or more of the consolidated assets of New Frontier; or
·
any combination of the foregoing.
Any such proposal, offer, inquiry or indication of interest (other than a proposal, offer, inquiry or indication of interest made or submitted by LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub or any of their respective subsidiaries) is referred to as a “Takeover Proposal.” The Merger Agreement further provides that New Frontier and its subsidiaries shall not, and shall not authorize or permit their respective employees or representatives to:
· initiate, solicit or knowingly encourage the making of any Takeover Proposal;
· engage in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or provide any non-public information to any person in connection with, any Takeover Proposal;
· approve, endorse or recommend, or propose publicly to approve, endorse or recommend, any Takeover Proposal;
· amend or grant any waiver or release under, or fail to enforce, any standstill or similar contract with respect to any class of equity securities of New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries; or
34
-
· execute or enter into any agreement in principle, letter of intent, term sheet, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other contract relating to a Takeover Proposal.
Despite the restrictions described above, prior to the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer, New Frontier may:
· (A) in response to a person who has made an unsolicited written Takeover Proposal after the date of the Merger Agreement that the New Frontier Board determines in good faith, after consultation with New Frontier’s outside legal counsel and financial advisor, constitutes, or would be reasonably expected to result in, a Superior Proposal (as defined below) (1) contact the person making such Takeover Proposal for the purpose of clarifying the proposal, (2) furnish non-public information relating to New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries to the person making such Takeover Proposal and its employees and representatives pursuant to an executed confidentiality agreement containing nondisclosure provisions that are substantially similar to those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement, dated May 9, 2012, between LFP Broadcasting and New Frontier (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), and (3) engage or participate in negotiations or discussions with such person and its employees and representatives regarding such Takeover Proposal, and (B) if requested by a third party that has entered into a confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement with New Frontier prior to the date of the Merger Agreement, waive any prohibition with respect to the submission of a Takeover Proposal, if the New Frontier Board determines, in good faith, after consultation with New Frontier’s outside legal counsel and financial advisor, that failure to do so would be inconsistent with the New Frontier Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable law; and
· in response to a Takeover Proposal, terminate the Merger Agreement and enter into an agreement regarding the proposal, if, among other requirements, as further described below under “Summary of the Merger Agreement–Recommendation of the New Frontier Board,” the New Frontier Board determines that the Takeover Proposal is a Superior Proposal and, after consultation with New Frontier’s outside legal counsel and financial advisor, that the failure to terminate the Merger Agreement would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law.
For purposes of the Merger Agreement, “Superior Proposal” means an unsolicited offer constituting a Takeover Proposal involving
· a merger, reorganization, sale of assets, share exchange, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation, joint venture or similar transaction involving New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries whose assets constitute 50% or more of the consolidated assets of New Frontier;
· the acquisition of 50% or more of the assets of New Frontier and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
· the acquisition of 50% or more of the Shares;
· any acquisition, tender offer or exchange offer that would result in any third party beneficially owning 50% or more of the Shares or any other class of equity or voting securities of New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries whose assets constitute 50% or more of the consolidated assets of New Frontier; or
any combination of the foregoing. The Merger Agreement also provides that, upon receiving a Takeover Proposal, New Frontier shall, within 48 hours after receipt of any Takeover Proposal, notify LFP Broadcasting of such Takeover Proposal (including the identity of the person making such Takeover Proposal and the material terms and conditions thereof) and thereafter keep LFP Broadcasting reasonably informed of any related material developments, discussions and negotiations related to any such Takeover Proposal or inquiry and shall make available to LFP Broadcasting all material non-public information made available to any person making any such Takeover Proposal at substantially the same time as it provides such information to such other person.
Recommendation of the New Frontier Board
After careful consideration and following the recommendation of the special committee, the New Frontier Board has unanimously recommended that the shareholders of New Frontier accept the Offer and tender their Shares pursuant to
35
the Offer and, if required, vote their Shares in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement (the “New Frontier Recommendation”). The Merger Agreement provides that, except as described below, the New Frontier Board may not (i) fail to make the New Frontier Recommendation, (ii) approve, endorse or recommend, or propose publicly to approve, endorse or recommend, any Takeover Proposal or enter into any contract concerning a Takeover Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement entered into in compliance with the non-solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement) (a “New Frontier Acquisition Agreement”) or resolve, agree, approve, recommend or publicly propose to take any such action, or (iii) withdraw, amend, modify or qualify, in a manner adverse to LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub, or propose publicly to withdraw, amend, modify or qualify in a manner adverse to LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub, the New Frontier Recommendation (any such action described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Company Adverse Recommendation Change”).
The Merger Agreement further provides that notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer, the New Frontier Board may make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change in response to a Takeover Proposal and/or cause New Frontier to enter into a New Frontier Acquisition Agreement concerning such Takeover Proposal only if:
· such Takeover Proposal did not result from a breach of the non-solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement;
· the New Frontier Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and its financial advisors, that (1) such Takeover Proposal would, if the Merger Agreement or the Offer were not amended or an alternative transaction with LFP Broadcasting were not entered into, constitute a Superior Proposal and (2) in light of such Takeover Proposal, a failure to make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change and/or enter into such New Frontier Acquisition Agreement would be inconsistent with the New Frontier Board’s fiduciary obligations to the New Frontier shareholders;
· New Frontier delivers a written notice (the “Superior Proposal Notice”) stating that the New Frontier Board intends to take such action and (in the event the New Frontier Board contemplates causing New Frontier to enter into an New Frontier Acquisition Agreement) including a copy of the New Frontier Acquisition Agreement;
· for three days after receipt of the Superior Proposal Notice by LFP Broadcasting, New Frontier negotiates in good faith with LFP Broadcasting to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement such that the Takeover Proposal ceases to be a Superior Proposal;
· after expiration of the negotiation period, the New Frontier Board shall have determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and its financial advisor, and after taking into account any amendments to the Merger Agreement and the Offer that LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub have agreed to make, that (1) such Takeover Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal and (2) the failure to make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change and/or enter into such New Frontier Acquisition Agreement would be inconsistent with the New Frontier Board’s fiduciary obligations to New Frontier’s shareholders; and
· if New Frontier enters into an New Frontier Acquisition Agreement concerning such Superior Proposal, New Frontier terminates the Merger Agreement.
In the event of any material revision to the terms of any such Superior Proposal, the negotiation period described in the fourth bullet above shall be extended by an additional two business days from the date that New Frontier Notifies LFP Broadcasting of any such material revision.
In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Merger Agreement, the New Frontier Board may also make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change not related to a Takeover Proposal at any time prior to the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer if: (i) a material event, development or change in circumstance that was not known to the New Frontier Board as of the date of the Merger Agreement becomes known to the New Frontier Board (an “Intervening Event”); (ii) the New Frontier Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisor, that, in light of such Intervening Event, a failure to effect a Company Adverse Recommendation Change would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under
36
applicable law; (iii) such Company Adverse Recommendation Change is not effected prior to the third day after LFP Broadcasting receives written notice from New Frontier confirming that the New Frontier Board intends to effect such Company Adverse Recommendation Change; and (iv) during such three day period, New Frontier engages in good faith negotiations with LFP Broadcasting regarding such revisions to the terms of the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement as are necessary or appropriate to address such event, development or change in circumstances.
New Frontier Shareholders’ Meeting
The Merger Agreement provides that as promptly as reasonably practicable following the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer, if the adoption of the Merger Agreement by New Frontier’s shareholders is required by applicable law in order to consummate the Merger, New Frontier will take all action necessary to convene a meeting of the holders of Shares to vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement (the “Company Shareholders Meeting”). New Frontier will, as soon as practicable, prepare and file a proxy statement (the “New Frontier Proxy Statement”) with the SEC. LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and New Frontier will cooperate and consult with each other in the preparation of New Frontier Proxy Statement. Each of LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub will promptly furnish to New Frontier all information concerning LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub required by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder to be set forth in the New Frontier Proxy Statement. New Frontier shall not file the New Frontier Proxy Statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, without providing LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and their counsel a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon. New Frontier will use its reasonable best efforts to resolve, and each party agrees to consult and cooperate with the other party in resolving, all SEC comments with respect to the New Frontier Proxy Statement as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof and to cause the New Frontier Proxy Statement in definitive form to be cleared by the SEC and mailed to New Frontier’s shareholders as promptly as reasonably practicable following filing with the SEC.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, if adoption of the Merger Agreement is not required by applicable law in order to consummate the Merger, LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and New Frontier will take all actions necessary and appropriate to cause the Merger to become effective as soon as practicable after the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in accordance with Section 7-111-104 of the CBCA without convening a Company Shareholders Meeting.
Employee Benefits
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, all regular, full-time employees of New Frontier or its subsidiaries whose terms and conditions of employment are not subject to a collective bargaining agreement and who continue employment with New Frontier or its subsidiaries as of the effective time of the Merger, (“Continuing Employees”) will be entitled to receive, for a period commencing at the date and time at which Shares are first accepted for payment in the Offer and ending on a date not earlier than the first anniversary of the effective time of the Merger, (i) base salary, wages and bonus opportunities (but without regard to the timing of the payment of any bonus, performance goals or targets or duration of the performance period to which the bonus relates), and (ii) employee benefits (other than equity-based compensation arrangements) that are no less favorable in the aggregate than those provided by New Frontier or its subsidiaries, as applicable, immediately prior to effective time of the Merger; provided that no such entitlement shall change any existing employment relationship from that of at-will or change the terms of any employment agreement.
LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub will cause any LFP Broadcasting benefit plans in which the Continuing Employees are eligible to participate following the effective time of the Merger to take into account for purposes of eligibility, vesting, level of benefits and benefit accrual, service to New Frontier or its subsidiaries, as if such service were with LFP Broadcasting (provided that such service need not be recognized to the extent that it would result in any duplication of benefits for the same period of service).
To the extent permitted under applicable law, with respect to any employee benefit plans maintained for the benefit of the Continuing Employees following the effective time of the Merger, LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub will, and will cause the Surviving Corporation to (i) waive any eligibility requirements or pre-existing condition limitations or
37
waiting period requirements to the same extent waived under comparable plans of New Frontier or its subsidiaries, and (ii) give effect, in determining any deductible, co-insurance and maximum out-of-pocket limitations, to amounts paid by such employees during the calendar year in which the effective time of the Merger occurs under similar plans maintained by New Frontier or its subsidiaries, as applicable.
Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance
The Merger Agreement provides that at or prior to the effective time of the Merger, New Frontier must obtain and fully pay for “tail” insurance policies with a claims period of at least six years from and after the effective time of the Merger with respect to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance (collectively, “D&O Insurance”) with benefits and levels of coverage at least as favorable as New Frontier’s existing policies existing or occurring at or prior to the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment; provided, however, that such “tail” insurance policies shall not require the payment of an aggregate premium in excess of 200% of the annual premium paid by New Frontier for its current policy year for such insurance and if the premium therefor would be in excess of such amount, New Frontier will purchase such tail coverage as is available for that premium amount.
The Merger Agreement further provides that, from and for six years after the effective time of the Merger, LFP Broadcasting and the company surviving the Merger shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, each present and former director and officer of New Frontier or its subsidiaries (in each case, when acting in such capacity) determined as of the effective time of the Merger, against any and all costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement incurred in connection with any action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding arising out of matters existing or occurring at or prior to the effective time of the, including the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Efforts, Filings, Other Actions, and Notification
The Merger Agreement provides that each party will use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions reasonably necessary to consummate the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement as soon as practicable, including the obtaining of all necessary actions, waivers, consents and approvals from governmental entities and third parties and the making of all necessary registrations, notices, reports or other filings. To the extent reasonably practicable, each party will consult with the other on and consider in good faith the views of the other in connection with all information relating to LFP Broadcasting, New Frontier or any of their subsidiaries, as the case may be, that appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any governmental entity.
The Merger Agreement provides that New Frontier and LFP Broadcasting agree to keep the other reasonably apprised of the status of matters relating to completion of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including by promptly furnishing the other with copies of notices or other communications received from any third party and/or any Governmental Entity with respect to the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Conditions to the Merger
The Merger Agreement provides that the respective obligations of the parties to complete the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
· if required by the CBCA in order to complete the Merger, the Merger Agreement shall have been adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Shares outstanding on the record date for the Company Shareholders Meeting;
· no order by any court of competent jurisdiction that restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits the consummation of the Merger shall have been entered and remain in effect, and no law or order shall have been enacted, issued,
38
entered, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Entity that prohibits or makes illegal consummation of the Merger and shall remain in effect; and
· Merger Sub shall have accepted for payment and purchased all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer.
Termination
The Merger Agreement may be terminated:
· By mutual written consent of LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and New Frontier;
· By either LFP Broadcasting or New Frontier if the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer has not occurred on or before February 15, 2013. This right to terminate is not available to a party if such party’s breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement has been the primary cause for Merger Sub’s failure to accept Shares in the Offer prior to February 15, 2013;
· By either LFP Broadcasting or New Frontier, if any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) of any Governmental Entity permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the making or the consummation of the Offer exists and has become final and non-appealable. This right to terminate is not available to a party if such party has breached its obligations under the Merger Agreement in any manner that has been the primary cause of the existence of such order;
· By either LFP Broadcasting or New Frontier if, prior to the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer, not all of the Offer conditions have been satisfied or waived. This right to terminate is not available to a party if such party’s breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement the failure of any of the Offer Conditions to have been satisfied or waived as of or prior to the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer;
· By LFP Broadcasting if, prior to the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer, (i) the New Frontier Board makes a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, (ii) New Frontier has materially breached its obligations with respect to the No Solicitation and New Frontier Shareholders Meeting provisions of the Merger Agreement, or (iii) the New Frontier Board shall have resolved to do any of the foregoing or publicly announced its intention to do so;
· By LFP Broadcasting, if there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by New Frontier in the Merger Agreement, in any such case in a manner that will cause certain of the Tender Offer Conditions not to be satisfied at any scheduled expiration time of the Offer, and such breach or failure to be true or correct either is not curable or, if curable, has not been cured prior to the earlier of February 15, 2013 and the 10th business day after written notice of such breach or failure;
· By New Frontier if, prior to the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer, (i) if there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub in the Merger Agreement , which breach or failure would reasonably be expected to prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the Offer, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, , (ii) LFP Broadcasting is notified of the breach, and (iii) the breach is either incapable of being cured by February 15, 2013, or if curable, has not been cured prior to the earlier of February 15, 2013 and the 10th business day after LFP Broadcasting’s receipt of written notice of such breach;
· By New Frontier, prior to the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer, in response to a material event, development or change in circumstance (not in connection with a Takeover Proposal) that is unknown by the New Frontier Board as of the date of the Merger Agreement, if New Frontier and the New Frontier Board shall have complied with the notice, negotiation and other requirements set forth in the Merger Agreement with respect to such change in circumstance;
39
-
· By New Frontier if, prior to the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer, the New Frontier Board authorizes New Frontier to enter into the New Frontier Acquisition Agreement concerning a Superior Proposal substantially concurrently with New Frontier’s termination of the Merger Agreement, if New Frontier and the New Frontier Board shall have complied in all material respects with the notice, negotiation and other requirements set forth in the Merger Agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal; or
· By New Frontier if, for any reason, LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub shall have (i) failed to commence the Offer within ten (10) business days of the date of the Merger Agreement, (ii) terminated the Offer without having accepted all of the Shares tendered for payment, (iii) failed to timely accept for payment and purchase all Shares that have been validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer if all Tender Offer Conditions shall have been satisfied or waived as of the expiration of the Offer (including any extensions thereof), or (iv) taken certain actions set forth in the Merger Agreement without the prior written consent or waiver of New Frontier.
Earnest Money Deposit, Termination Fee
The Merger Agreement required LFP Broadcasting to make, at the time of the execution of the Merger Agreement, a $1,000,000 earnest money deposit with an escrow agent. LFP Broadcasting made this deposit on October 15, 2012, the date the Merger Agreement was signed. The earnest money deposit will be distributed to LFP Broadcasting upon Merger Sub’s acceptance of Shares in the Offer or upon a termination of the Merger Agreement other than a termination of the Merger Agreement by New Frontier in certain circumstances as described below.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated (i) by New Frontier or LFP Broadcasting due to reaching the outside date, the prohibition on the transaction by a governmental entity, or prior to the acceptance of Shares by Merger Sub, the Offer has expired and not all of the Tender Offer Conditions have been satisfied or waived and in any such case, such factor was proximately caused by LFP Broadcasting’s breach of a representation, warranty or covenant, or (ii) by New Frontier (A) pursuant to its right under the Merger Agreement to terminate the Merger Agreement with respect a breach by LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement, or (B) pursuant to its right to terminate due to Merger Sub failing to commence the Offer as required by the Merger Agreement, terminating the Offer without having accepted all of the Shares tendered for payment, or failing to accept for payment tendered Shares if all Tender Offer conditions have been satisfied or waived at the expiration of the Offer, then the earnest money deposit will be distributed to New Frontier.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated by (i) LFP Broadcasting (A) due to a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, (B) because New Frontier has materially breached its obligations with respect to the No Solicitation and New Frontier Shareholders Meeting provisions of the Merger Agreement, (C) the New Frontier Board shall have resolved to do any of the foregoing or publicly announced its intention to do so, or (D) pursuant to its right under the Merger Agreement to terminate the Merger Agreement with respect a breach by New Frontier of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement, or (ii) by New Frontier in connection with the New Frontier’s Board effecting a Company Adverse Recommendation Change in response to a Superior Proposal or causing New Frontier to enter into an New Frontier Acquisition Agreement, then New Frontier shall pay to LFP Broadcasting, within two business days after such termination, a fee in the amount of $1,000,000.
Assignment
Neither the Merger Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations thereunder shall be assignable by any of the parties without the prior written consent of the other parties, except that Merger Sub may assign, in its sole discretion, any or all of its rights, interests and obligations under the Merger Agreement to any direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting without the consent of New Frontier.
40
Guarantee
Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement on October 15, 2012, LFP Broadcasting delivered to New Frontier the guarantee of L.F.P., Inc. (“LFP”), an affiliate of LFP Broadcasting, in favor of New Frontier with respect to certain obligations of LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement (the “Guarantee”). Pursuant to the Guarantee, LFP has irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed the due and punctual payment by LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub to New Frontier of all of the liabilities and obligations of LFP Broadcasting and the Merger Sub under the terms of the Merger Agreement. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Guarantee, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit (d)(3) to the Schedule TO, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Escrow Agreement
Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement on October 15, 2012, LFP Broadcasting, Merge Sub, New Frontier and U.S. Bank National Association, as Escrow Agent, entered into a Deposit Escrow Agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub deposited $1 million into an escrow account in order to partially secure LFP Broadcasting’s and Merger Sub’s obligations under the Merger Agreement. Disbursement of the escrowed amount to either LFP Broadcasting or New Frontier upon the closing of the Offer or in the event of termination of the Merger Agreement under various circumstances is governed by the terms of the Merger Agreement. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Escrow Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit (d)(2) to the Schedule TO, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Confidentiality Agreement
On May 9, 2012, New Frontier and Flynt Management Group, LLC (“Flynt Management”), an affiliate of LFP Broadcasting executed a confidentiality agreement (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, Flynt Management and its affiliates (including LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub) and representatives agreed to use evaluation material (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement) furnished to them by New Frontier thereunder solely for the purpose of evaluating a possible transaction with New Frontier, not to disclose such evaluation material, and not to contact any employees of New Frontier regarding a possible transaction or the evaluation material. Following the execution of the Confidentiality Agreement, as part of the due diligence process for the Contemplated Transactions, New Frontier provided LFP Broadcasting with certain information regarding its business and operations.
Under the Confidentiality Agreement, Flynt Management, for itself and its affiliates (including LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub), also agreed, among other things, to certain “standstill” provisions for the protection of New Frontier for a period ending on the earlier of (i) the date that a transaction is publicly announced with any person other than Flynt Management or an affiliate, or (ii) two years from the date of the Confidentiality Agreement. It also agreed that, subject to certain limited exceptions, for a period ending on the earlier of (A) the consummation of a transaction and (B) two years from the date of the Confidentiality Agreement, it would not, directly or indirectly, solicit or employ New Frontier’s employees. This summary of the Confidentiality Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Confidentiality Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit (d)(4) to the Schedule TO, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Effects of Inability to Consummate the Merger
If, following the consummation of the Offer, the Merger is not consummated for any reason (see “Conditions to the Merger” above), LFP Broadcasting, which owns 100% of the common stock of Merger Sub, will indirectly control the number of Shares acquired by Merger Sub pursuant to the Offer, as well as any other Shares held by LFP Broadcasting or its subsidiaries. Under the Merger Agreement, promptly following payment by Merger Sub for Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, and from time to time thereafter, subject to Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and applicable NASDAQ rules and
41
regulations regarding director independence, New Frontier has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to cause a pro rata portion (based on the percentage of outstanding Shares acquired by Merger Sub) of the directors of New Frontier to consist of persons designated by Merger Sub. As a result of its ownership of such Shares and right to designate nominees for election to the New Frontier Board (assuming no waiver of the Minimum Tender Condition, which would require consent by New Frontier), LFP Broadcasting indirectly will be able to control decisions of the New Frontier Board and the decisions of Merger Sub as a shareholder of New Frontier. This concentration of control in one shareholder may adversely affect the market value of the Shares.
If LFP Broadcasting controls more than 50% of the outstanding Shares following the consummation of the Offer but the Merger is not consummated, shareholders of New Frontier, other than those affiliated with LFP Broadcasting, will lack sufficient voting power to elect directors or to cause other actions to be taken that require majority approval.
12. Source and Amount of Funds
General
LFP Broadcasting estimates that it will need up to slightly less than $34 million to purchase all of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a fully diluted basis) and to pay related fees and expenses, which it plans to finance through cash on hand. LFP Broadcasting’s cash on hand will be sufficient to pay the Offer Price for all Shares tendered in the Offer and all related fees and expenses. The Offer is not conditioned upon LFP Broadcasting’s or Merger Sub’s ability to finance the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer.
We do not believe our financial condition is relevant to your decision whether to tender your Shares and accept the Offer because (a) the Offer is being made for all outstanding Shares solely for cash, (b) the Offer is not subject to any financing condition, (c) if we consummate the Offer, we will acquire all remaining Shares for the same price in the Merger, (d) LFP Broadcasting and/or one or more of its affiliates has, and will arrange for us to have, sufficient funds to purchase all Shares validly tendered in the Offer, and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration time of the Offer, and to acquire the remaining outstanding Shares in the Merger on the payment date applicable thereto, and (e) LFP Broadcasting’s parent company, L.F.P., Inc. has executed a guarantee in favor of New Frontier whereby L.F.P. has agreed to by legally bound as primary obligor and not merely as surety, hereby, absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed to New Frontier the due and punctual payment of any and all liabilities and obligations of LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub under or pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
13. Conditions to the Offer
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Offer, Merger Sub will not be required to, and LFP Broadcasting will not be required to cause Merger Sub to, accept for payment or, subject to any applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, including Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, pay for any tendered Shares if at any time on or after the date of the commencement of the Offer and prior to the expiration time of the Offer, any of the following events shall occur and be continuing at the then scheduled expiration time of the Offer:
· the Minimum Tender Condition shall not have been satisfied;
· a Company Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred since the date of the Merger Agreement and be continuing;
· (i) New Frontier shall have less than $11,514,000 of Company Net Available Cash, or (ii) New Frontier shall have failed to deliver to LFP Broadcasting a certificate executed by the chief financial officer of New Frontier certifying the amount of the Company Net Available Cash as of the expiration time of the Offer under the Merger Agreement;
· any of the representations and warranties of New Frontier (without giving effect to any materiality or “Company Material Adverse Effect” qualifications therein), other than the representations and warranties with respect to organization; standing and power; organizational documents; minutes; subsidiaries, capital structure, power and authority; execution and delivery or information supplied, shall not be true and correct as of the
42
Offer Closing as if made as and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date), except for such failures to be so true and correct as has not had and would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any of the representations and warranties of New Frontier with respect to organization; standing and power; organizational documents; minutes; subsidiaries, power and authority; execution and delivery or information supplied, shall not be true and correct in all material respects as of the Offer Closing as if made at and as of such time, and with respect to capital structure shall not be true and correct in all respects as of the Offer Closing as if made at and as of such time;
· New Frontier shall not have performed in all material respects its obligations required to be performed prior to the expiration time of the Offer under the Merger Agreement, and any failure to perform shall not have been cured prior to the expiration time of the Offer;
· a Governmental Entity shall have issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any order, writ, assessment, decision, injunction, decree, ruling award or judgment (i) challenging or seeking to make illegal, delay materially or otherwise restrain or prohibit the Offer, the acceptance for payment of or payment for some or all of the Shares or the consummation of the Offer or the Merger, (ii) seeking to obtain material damages in connection with the Offer or the Merger, (iii) seeking to restrain, prohibit or limit LFP Broadcasting’s, New Frontier’s or any of their respective Affiliates’ ownership or operation of all or any material portion of the business or assets of New Frontier or any of its subsidiaries, or (iv) seeking to impose material limitations on the ability of LFP Broadcasting or its affiliates with respect to the ownership of Shares; or
· the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms.
The foregoing conditions (except for the Minimum Tender Condition) may be waived by LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub, may be asserted by LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub regardless of the circumstances giving rise to the assertion of any such conditions and may be waived (to the extent permitted by the Merger Agreement and applicable law) by LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in their sole discretion (except for the Minimum Tender Condition), in each case, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission. The failure by LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right that may be asserted at any time and from time to time.
14. Dividends and Distributions
The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to certain exceptions, neither New Frontier nor its subsidiaries will, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts Shares for payment in the Offer, declare, accrue, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to any of its capital stock (except for dividends paid by New Frontier’s subsidiaries to New Frontier). See Section 11—”Purpose of the Offer and Plans for New Frontier; Summary of the Merger Agreement and Certain Other Agreements—Summary of the Merger Agreement—Interim Operations.”
15. Certain Legal Matters
General. Except as otherwise set forth in this Offer to Purchase, based on LFP Broadcasting’s and Merger Sub’s review of publicly available filings by New Frontier with the Commission and other information regarding New Frontier, LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub are not aware of any licenses or other regulatory permits that appear to be material to the business of New Frontier and that might be adversely affected by the acquisition of Shares by Merger Sub or LFP Broadcasting pursuant to the Offer or of any approval or other action by any governmental, administrative or regulatory agency or authority that would be required for the acquisition or ownership of Shares by Merger Sub or LFP Broadcasting pursuant to the Offer. In addition, except as set forth below, LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub are not aware of any filings, approvals or other actions by or with any Governmental Entity or administrative or regulatory agency that would be
43
required for LFP Broadcasting’s and Merger Sub’s acquisition or ownership of the Shares. Should any such approval or other action be required, LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub currently expect that such approval or action, except as described below under “State Takeover laws,” would be sought or taken. There can be no assurance that any such approval or action, if needed, would be obtained or, if obtained, that it will be obtained without substantial conditions; and there can be no assurance that, in the event that such approvals were not obtained or such other actions were not taken, adverse consequences might not result to New Frontier’s or LFP Broadcasting’s business or that certain parts of New Frontier’s or LFP Broadcasting’s business might not have to be disposed of or held separate. In such an event, we may not be required to purchase any Shares in the Offer. See Section 13—”Conditions to the Offer.”
Shareholder Litigation. On October 19, 2012, a Class Action Complaint captioned Elwood M. White, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated v. New Frontier Media Inc., et. al., Filing ID 47171741, was filed in the Denver County District Court in the State of Colorado (the “White Complaint”). The White Complaint purports to assert claims on behalf of the public shareholders of New Frontier and names as defendants the members of the Special Committee and the Board, as well as New Frontier, LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub. The White Complaint alleges, among other things, that New Frontier’s directors breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders in connection with the Offer and the Merger and further claims that New Frontier and LFP Broadcasting aided and abetted those alleged breaches of the fiduciary duty. It seeks injunctive relief to prevent the parties from proceeding with, consummating, or closing the contemplated transactions, an accounting by the defendants for damages sustained as a result of the alleged wrongdoing, and plaintiff’s costs and attorneys’ and experts’ fees. New Frontier and LFP Broadcasting believe the White Complaint lacks merit and intends to contest it vigorously.
Shareholder Approval. New Frontier has represented in the Merger Agreement that the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement by New Frontier and the consummation by New Frontier of the Offer and the Merger have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of New Frontier, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of New Frontier are necessary to authorize the Merger Agreement or to consummate the Offer and the Merger (other than, with respect to the Merger, the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Shares, if and to the extent required by applicable law, and the filing and recordation of the Certificate of Merger and other documents as required by the CBCA). As described below, such approval is not required if the Merger is consummated pursuant to the short-form merger provisions of the CBCA. According to New Frontier’s articles of incorporation, the Shares are the only securities of New Frontier that entitle the holders thereof to voting rights. If, following the purchase of Shares by Merger Sub pursuant to the Offer, Merger Sub and its affiliates own more than a majority of the outstanding Shares, Merger Sub will be able to effect the Merger without the affirmative vote of any other shareholder of New Frontier. LFP Broadcasting and Merger Sub have agreed pursuant to the Merger Agreement that they will cause all Shares then owned by them and their subsidiaries to be voted in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the Merger.
Short-Form Merger. The CBCA provides that if a parent company owns at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of stock of a subsidiary, the parent company can effect a short-form merger with that subsidiary without the action of the other shareholders of the subsidiary. Accordingly, if as a result of the Offer, the Top-Up Option or otherwise, Merger Sub directly or indirectly owns at least 90% of the outstanding Shares, LFP Broadcasting could, and (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to its obligations to effect the Merger contained in the Merger Agreement) is obligated under the Merger Agreement to, effect the Merger without prior notice to, or any action by, any other shareholder of New Frontier if permitted to do so under the CBCA.
State Takeover laws. A number of states have adopted takeover laws and regulations that purport, to varying degrees, to be applicable to attempts to acquire securities of corporations that are incorporated in such states or that have substantial assets, shareholders, principal executive offices or principal places of business therein.
The CBCA does not contain an “interested shareholder” or other similar statute or regulation that might be deemed applicable to the Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the other agreements and transactions referred to therein and the transactions contemplated thereby. Merger Sub has not attempted to comply with any other state takeover statutes in connection with the Offer or the Merger. Merger Sub reserves the right to challenge the validity or applicability of any state law allegedly applicable to the Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby,
44
and nothing in this Offer to Purchase or any action taken in connection herewith is intended as a waiver of that right. In the event that it is asserted that one or more takeover statutes apply to the Offer or the Merger, and it is not determined by an appropriate court that such statute or statutes do not apply or are invalid as applied to the Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the other agreements and transactions referred to therein, as applicable, Merger Sub may be required to file certain documents with, or receive approvals from, the relevant state authorities, and Merger Sub might be unable to accept for payment or purchase Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer or be delayed in continuing or consummating the Offer. In such case, Merger Sub may not be obligated to accept for purchase, or pay for, any Shares tendered. See Section 13—”Conditions to the Offer”
Appraisal Rights. No appraisal rights are available to the holders of Shares in connection with the Offer. However, if the Merger takes place, shareholders who have not tendered their Shares in the Offer and who comply with the applicable legal requirements will have appraisal rights under Article 113 of the CBCA. If you choose to exercise your appraisal rights in connection with the Merger and you comply with the applicable legal requirements under the CBCA, you will be entitled to payment for your Shares based on a judicial determination of the fair value of your Shares. This value may be the same, more or less than the price that we are offering to pay you in the Offer. Shares issued pursuant to the Top-Up Option will not be considered in any statutory appraisal action.
The foregoing summary of the rights of dissenting shareholders under the CBCA does not purport to be a statement of the procedures to be followed by shareholders desiring to exercise any dissenters’ rights and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Colorado law, including without limitation, Article 113 of the CBCA.
“Going Private” Transactions. Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act is applicable to certain “going private” transactions and may under certain circumstances be applicable to the Merger. However, Rule 13e-3 will be inapplicable if (a) the Shares are deregistered under the Exchange Act prior to the Merger or another business combination or (b) the Merger or other business combination is consummated within one year after the purchase of the Shares pursuant to the Offer and the amount paid per Share in the Merger or other business combination is at least equal to the amount paid per Share in the Offer. Neither LFP Broadcasting nor Merger Sub believes that Rule 13e-3 will be applicable to the Merger.
16. Fees and Expenses
We have retained the Depositary and the Information Agent in connection with the Offer. Each of the Depositary and the Information Agent will receive customary compensation, reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, and indemnification against certain liabilities in connection with the Offer, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.
As part of the services included in such retention, the Information Agent may contact holders of Shares by personal interview, mail, electronic mail, telephone, telex, telegraph and other methods of electronic communication and may request brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other nominees to forward the Offer materials to beneficial holders of Shares.
Except as set forth above, we will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or other person for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer. Brokers, dealers, commercial banks and trust companies will upon request be reimbursed by us for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by them in forwarding the offering material to their customers.
17. Miscellaneous
We are not aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer is prohibited by any administrative or judicial action pursuant to any valid state statute. If we become aware of any valid state statute prohibiting the making of the Offer or the acceptance of the Shares, we will make a good faith effort to comply with that state statute or seek to have such statute declared inapplicable to the Offer. If, after a good faith effort, we cannot comply with the state statute, we will not make the Offer to, nor will we accept tenders from or on behalf of, the holders of Shares in that state.
Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting have filed with the Commission the Schedule TO (including exhibits) in accordance with the Exchange Act, furnishing certain additional information with respect to the Offer, and may file
45
amendments thereto. The Schedule TO and any amendments thereto, including exhibits, may be examined and copies may be obtained from the Commission in the manner set forth in Section 8 under “Available Information.”
The Offer does not constitute a solicitation of proxies for any meeting of New Frontier’s shareholders. Any solicitation that Merger Sub or any of its affiliates might seek would be made only pursuant to separate proxy materials complying with the requirements of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.
No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representation on behalf of LFP Broadcasting or Merger Sub not contained in this Offer to Purchase or in the Letter of Transmittal and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized.
Neither delivery of this Offer to Purchase nor any purchase pursuant to the Offer will, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub, New Frontier or any of their respective subsidiaries since the date as of which information is furnished or the date of this Offer to Purchase.
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
Flynt Broadcast, Inc.
October 29, 2012
46
SCHEDULE A
INFORMATION CONCERNING MEMBERS OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND
THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF MERGER SUB AND LFP BROADCASTING
1. Directors and Executive Officers of Merger Sub
The name, business address, present principal occupation or employment and material occupations, positions, offices or employment for the past five years of each of the directors and executive officers of Merger Sub are set forth below. The business address of each such director and executive officer is Flynt Broadcast, Inc., c/o LFP Broadcasting, LLC 8484 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900 Beverly Hills, California 90211. All directors and officers listed below are citizens of the United States.
Name and Position | Present Principal Occupation or Employment and Employment History |
Larry Flynt Age: 69 (70 as of 11/1/12) Chairman and Board Member | Larry Flynt is Chairman of the HUSTLER group of properties. These include the LFP Publishing Group, with over 14 adult publications a month, including the prominent HUSTLER magazine; LFP Broadcasting, with its HUSTLER TV services available on channels and VOD platforms in over 55 countries; the HUSTLER Hollywood retails stores, with 14 locations across the US; the prominent HUSTLER Casino in the Los Angeles area of Gardena; numerous Web sites in the LFP Internet Group; HUSTLER Mobile, offered on mobile platforms worldwide; the HUSTLER Apparel line of clothing, sold globally; the DVD production and distribution group, HUSTLER Video; the HUSTLER Novelties business, distributing HUSTLER-branded novelties internationally; and a worldwide chain of gentlemen’s clubs marketed under the brand, Larry Flynt’s HUSTLER Club. In March 1972, Flynt created the HUSTLER Newsletter, a four-page, black-and-white publication about his clubs. The newsletter became so popular that it expanded to 32 pages in a year, and Flynt decided to turn it into a sexually explicit magazine with national distribution. In July 1974, the first issue of HUSTLER magazine was published. In 1976, Flynt created Larry Flynt Publications, which began movie production in 1998. Mr. Flynt has served as chairman for the HUSTLER group since its inception. |
Michael H. Klein Age: 54 President and Board Member | Michael H. Klein has served since July 2, 2007 as President of L.F.P., Inc./Flynt Management Group, LLC, which is the parent company for Hustler. Encompassed within LFP are various different business entities such as the Publications Group consisting of numerous magazines such as Hustler and Barely Legal and LFP Broadcasting, LLC which includes the PPV and VOD service Hustler TV which is one of the fastest growing and most popular adult networks and now seen in over 55 countries worldwide. Klein joined LFP originally heading up LFP Broadcasting, LLC and created and rolled out Hustler TV to where it stands today. He was then given the responsibilities of overseeing LFP Internet Group, LLC as well and then had LFP Video Group, LLC also added to the list of the companies within LFP that he oversaw until he was eventually named President of all of LFP. Prior to joining LFP, he headed up programming for the leading on demand content solutions provider TVN Entertainment. In this position, he concluded some of the cable industry’s first movie studio VOD deals and launched more than half a dozen new PPV genre channels. Klein launched the company’s event distribution arm “TVN Presents” where he acquired exclusive distribution and licensing rights for the company, as well as distribution of the events to the entire PPV and VOD universe, for both cable and satellite. Klein holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting & Film from Boston University’s College of Communications. |
Thomas Candy Age: 61 Board Member | Thomas Candy has served since October 13, 2003 as the President and General Manager of Hustler Casino in Gardena, California. Mr. Candy currently oversees all operations and financial affairs of Hustler Casino, an 89 table card club with over 700 employees. Mr. Candy has over 30 years of financial and operations management experience encompassing a steady progression of increasing accomplishments and responsibilities in the Aerospace, Publishing, and Gaming Industries. Mr. Candy has worked with Larry Flynt companies in various senior management positions for over 25 years and has been actively involved in many major strategic decisions of these companies. Mr. Candy began his career with Price Waterhouse in Los Angeles and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Candy holds a BA in Political Science from UCLA and an MBA in Finance/Accounting from UCLA. |
Christopher Woodward Age: 43 Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Board Member | Christopher Woodward has served since September 12, 2011 as the Chief Financial Officer of L.F.P., Inc./Flynt Management Group, LLC, which is the parent company for Hustler, the company founded in 1974 by Larry Flynt. Prior to working at L.F.P., Inc./Flynt Management Group, Mr. Woodward held the Chief Financial Officer role at two Internet companies, at HealthyPrice, Inc. since 2009 and at Dialed In, Inc. before that. Mr. Woodward currently oversees the finance, treasury and reporting functions for the entire family of Flynt companies. In his role, Mr. Woodward has completed numerous large capital raises and acquisitions and he actively participates in the strategic direction of the organization. Mr. Woodward is a veteran entertainment, media and Internet industry executive. He has over 20 years CFO, operations, accounting and management consulting experience with large multi-billion dollar enterprises Comcast, Union Bank of California and Ernst & Young as well as several startup and high growth companies. Mr. Woodward began his career with Ernst & Young, most recently as a Manager in their entertainment & media audit practice. Mr. Woodward holds a BS in Accounting from Lehigh University and is an active Certified Public Accountant. |
49
2. Directors and Executive Officers of LFP Broadcasting
The name, business address, present principal occupation or employment and material occupations, positions, offices or employment for the past five years of each of the directors and executive officers of Merger Sub are set forth below. The business address of each such director and executive officer is 8484 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900 Beverly Hills, California 90211. All directors and officers listed below are citizens of the United States.
Name and Position | Present Principal Occupation or Employment and Employment History |
Larry Flynt Age: 69 (70 as of 11/1/12) Chairman | Larry Flynt is Chairman of the HUSTLER group of properties. These include the LFP Publishing Group, with over 14 adult publications a month, including the prominent HUSTLER magazine; LFP Broadcasting, with its HUSTLER TV services available on channels and VOD platforms in over 55 countries; the HUSTLER Hollywood retails stores, with 14 locations across the US; the prominent HUSTLER Casino in the Los Angeles area of Gardena; numerous Web sites in the LFP Internet Group; HUSTLER Mobile, offered on mobile platforms worldwide; the HUSTLER Apparel line of clothing, sold globally; the DVD production and distribution group, HUSTLER Video; the HUSTLER Novelties business, distributing HUSTLER-branded novelties internationally; and a worldwide chain of gentlemen’s clubs marketed under the brand, Larry Flynt’s HUSTLER Club. In March 1972, Flynt created the HUSTLER Newsletter, a four-page, black-and-white publication about his clubs. The newsletter became so popular that it expanded to 32 pages in a year, and Flynt decided to turn it into a sexually explicit magazine with national distribution. In July 1974, the first issue of HUSTLER magazine was published. In 1976, Flynt created Larry Flynt Publications, which began movie production in 1998. Mr. Flynt has served as chairman for the HUSTLER group since its inception. |
Michael H. Klein Age: 54 President and Manager | Michael H. Klein has served since July 2, 2007 as President of L.F.P., Inc./Flynt Management Group, LLC, which is the parent company for Hustler, and is the sole manager of LFP Broadcasting, LLC. Encompassed within LFP are various different business entities such as the Publications Group consisting of numerous magazines such as Hustler and Barely Legal and LFP Broadcasting, LLC which includes the PPV and VOD service Hustler TV which is one of the fastest growing and most popular adult networks and now seen in over 55 countries worldwide. Klein joined LFP originally heading up LFP Broadcasting, LLC and created and rolled out Hustler TV to where it stands today. He was then given the responsibilities of overseeing LFP Internet Group, LLC as well and then had LFP Video Group, LLC also added to the list of the companies within LFP that he oversaw until he was eventually named President of all of LFP. Prior to joining LFP, he headed up programming for the leading on demand content solutions provider TVN Entertainment. In this position, he concluded some of the cable industry’s first movie studio VOD deals and launched more than half a dozen new PPV genre channels. Klein launched the company’s event distribution arm “TVN Presents” where he acquired exclusive distribution and licensing rights for the company, as well as distribution of the events to the entire PPV and VOD universe, for both cable and satellite. Klein holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting & Film from Boston University’s College of Communications. |
Christopher Woodward Age: 43 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | Christopher Woodward has served since September 12, 2011 as the Chief Financial Officer of L.F.P., Inc./Flynt Management Group, LLC, which is the parent company for Hustler, the company founded in 1974 by Larry Flynt. Prior to working at L.F.P., Inc./Flynt Management Group, Mr. Woodward held the Chief Financial Officer role at two Internet companies, at HealthyPrice, Inc. since 2009 and at Dialed In, Inc. before that. Mr. Woodward currently oversees the finance, treasury and reporting functions for the entire family of Flynt companies. In his role, Mr. Woodward has completed numerous large capital raises and acquisitions and he actively participates in the strategic direction of the organization. Mr. Woodward is a veteran entertainment, media and Internet industry executive. He has over 20 years CFO, operations, accounting and management consulting experience with large multi-billion dollar enterprises Comcast, Union Bank of California and Ernst & Young as well as several startup and high growth companies. Mr. Woodward began his career with Ernst & Young, most recently as a Manager in their entertainment & media audit practice. Mr. Woodward holds a BS in Accounting from Lehigh University and is an active Certified Public Accountant. |
Theresa Flynt Age: 43 Executive Vice President | Theresa Flynt is Executive Vice President of Flynt Management Group, the parent company of the HUSTLER brand of properties. In this role, she directly supervises the HUSTLER HOLLYWOOD chain of 14 retail stores nationwide, and oversees the work of other divisions in the HUSTLER portfolio. Ms. Flynt has served in this role for 18 years. Ms. Flynt earned a BA in Business Administration and Marketing from Mt. Saint Mary’s College. She has been named by AVN Magazine as one of its “Top 50 Influential People” under the age of 40. |
The Letter of Transmittal, certificates for Shares and any other required documents should be sent by each shareholder of New Frontier or such shareholder’s broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the Depositary as
follows:
The Depositary for the Tender Offer is:
Corporate Stock Transfer
By Registered or Certified Mail: | By Facsimile Transmission: | By Hand or Overnight Courier: | ||
Corporate Stock Transfer Attn: Carylyn Bell 3200 Cherry Creek Dr. South Suite 4300 Denver, CO 80209 | (303) 282-5800 | Corporate Stock Transfer Attn: Carylyn Bell 3200 Cherry Creek Dr. South Suite 4300 Denver, CO 80209 |
Any questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its telephone number and location listed below. Requests for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Information Agent at its telephone number and location listed below. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.
The Information Agent for the Tender Offer is:
Innisfree |
M&A Incorporated |
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Shareholders may call toll free: (888) 750-5834
Banks and Brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833
51
Exhibit (a)(1)(B)
THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
Letter of Transmittal
To Tender Shares of Common Stock
of
New Frontier Media, Inc.
at
$2.02 Per Share in Cash
and
Certain Contingent Payment Rights
Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated October 29, 2012
by
Flynt Broadcast, Inc.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
| |
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 (THE END OF THE DAY TUESDAY), UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED. |
The Depositary for the Offer is:
Corporate Stock Transfer
By Registered or Certified Mail: | By Facsimile Transmission: | By Hand or Overnight Courier: | ||
Corporate Stock Transfer Attn: Carylyn Bell 3200 Cherry Creek Dr. South Suite 4300 Denver, CO 80209 | (303) 282-5800 | Corporate Stock Transfer Attn: Carylyn Bell 3200 Cherry Creek Dr. South Suite 4300 Denver, CO 80209 | ||
Confirm Facsimile by Telephone: | ||||
(303) 282-4800 | ||||
(For Confirmation Only) |
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. YOU MUST SIGN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL WHERE INDICATED BELOW AND, IF YOU ARE A U.S. HOLDER, COMPLETE THE IRS FORM W-9 ENCLOSED WITH THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. IF YOU ARE A NON-U.S. HOLDER, YOU MUST OBTAIN AND COMPLETE AN IRS FORM W-8BEN OR OTHER IRS FORM W-8, AS APPLICABLE. PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
THE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO (NOR WILL TENDER OF SHARES BE ACCEPTED FROM OR ON BEHALF OF) SHAREHOLDERS IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO DO SO.
1
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s) (Please fill in, if blank, exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share Certificate(s)) |
| Shares Tendered (Please fill in. Attach additional signed list, if necessary) | ||||
|
| Share Certificate Numbers (1) |
| Total Number of Shares Represented by Share Certificate(s) (1) |
| Numberof SharesTendered (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Shares Tendered |
|
| ||
(1) Need not be completed by shareholders tendering by book-entry transfer. (2) Unless a lower number of Shares to be tendered is otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares described above are being tendered. See Instruction 4. |
IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR ANY OF THE OTHER OFFERING DOCUMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE INFORMATION AGENT, INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, AT ITS ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER SET FORTH ON THE BACK COVER OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
The Offer (as defined below) is not being made to (nor will tender of Shares (as defined below) be accepted from or on behalf of) shareholders in any jurisdiction where it would be illegal to do so.
You have received this Letter of Transmittal in connection with the offer of Flynt Broadcast, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a Colorado corporation and direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LFP Broadcasting”), to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier”), at a price of $2.02 per Share, net to the seller in cash (less any required withholding taxes and without interest), plus one contingent payment right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time this Offer expires (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share), as described in the Offer to Purchase, dated October 29, 2012 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase” and, together with this Letter of Transmittal, the “Offer”).
You should use this Letter of Transmittal to deliver to Corporate Stock Transfer (the “Depositary”) Shares represented by certificates (each, a “Share Certificate”) for tender. If you are delivering your Shares by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Depositary at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), you may use this Letter of Transmittal or you may use an Agent’s Message (as defined in Instruction 2 below). In this Letter of Transmittal, shareholders who deliver Share Certificates representing their Shares are referred to as “Certificate Shareholders,” and shareholders who deliver their Shares through book-entry transfer are referred to as “Book-Entry Shareholders.”
If your Share Certificates are not immediately available or you cannot deliver your Share Certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the expiration time of the Offer or you cannot complete the book-entry transfer procedures prior to the expiration time of the Offer, you may nevertheless tender your Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2 below. Delivery of documents to DTC will not constitute delivery to the Depositary.
2
Additional Information if Shares Have Been Lost, Are Being Delivered By Book-Entry Transfer, or Are Being Delivered Pursuant to a Previous Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
If any Share Certificate(s) you are tendering with this Letter of Transmittal has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, then you should contact Corporate Stock Transfer, New Frontier’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”), at (303) 282-4800, regarding the requirements for replacement. You may be required to post a bond to secure against the risk that the Share Certificate(s) may be subsequently recirculated. You are urged to contact the Transfer Agent immediately in order to receive further instructions, for a determination of whether you will need to post a bond and to permit timely processing of this documentation. See Instruction 10.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
¨ |
| CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED HEREWITH. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
¨ |
| CHECK HERE IF SHARE CERTIFICATES HAVE BEEN LOST, STOLEN, DESTROYED OR MUTILATED. SEE INSTRUCTION 10. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
¨ |
| CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE PARTICIPANTS IN DTC MAY DELIVER SHARES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name of Tendering Institution: |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DTC Participant Number: |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction Code Number: |
|
|
¨ |
| CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (PLEASE ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF SUCH NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name(s) of Registered Owner(s): |
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Window Ticket Number (if any) or DTC Participant Number: |
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: |
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery: |
|
|
3
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”) and wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LFP Broadcasting”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated October 29, 2012 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”) and the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”), receipt of each of which is hereby acknowledged, the shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier”), described above.
On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of such extension or amendment), subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment and payment for the Shares validly tendered herewith and not properly withdrawn, prior to the expiration time of Offer in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, Merger Sub, all right, title and interest in and to all of the Shares being tendered hereby and any and all cash dividends, distributions, rights, other Shares or other securities issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after October 29, 2012 (collectively, “Distributions”). In addition, the undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints Corporate Stock Transfer (the “Depositary”) the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact and proxy of the undersigned with respect to such Shares and any Distributions with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) to the fullest extent of such shareholder’s rights with respect to such Shares and any Distributions to (a) deliver certificates representing Shares (the “Share Certificates”) and any Distributions, or transfer of ownership of such Shares and any Distributions on the account books maintained by the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), together, in either such case, with all accompanying evidence of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of Merger Sub, (b) present such Shares and any Distributions for transfer on the books of New Frontier, and (c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares and any Distributions, all in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints each of the designees of Merger Sub the attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to the full extent of such shareholder’s rights with respect to the Shares tendered hereby which have been accepted for payment and with respect to any Distributions. The designees of Merger Sub will, with respect to the Shares and any associated Distributions for which the appointment is effective, be empowered to exercise all voting and any other rights of such shareholder, as they, in their sole discretion, may deem proper at any annual, special, adjourned or postponed meeting of New Frontier’s shareholders, by written consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. This proxy and power of attorney shall be irrevocable and coupled with an interest in the tendered Shares. Such appointment is effective when, and only to the extent that, Merger Sub accepts the Shares tendered with this Letter of Transmittal for payment pursuant to the Offer. Upon the effectiveness of such appointment, without further action, all prior powers of attorney, proxies and consents given by the undersigned with respect to such Shares and any associated Distributions will be revoked and no subsequent powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations may be given (and, if given, will not be deemed effective). Merger Sub reserves the right to require that, in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Merger Sub’s acceptance for payment of such Shares, Merger Sub must be able to exercise full voting, consent and other rights, to the extent permitted under applicable law, with respect to such Shares and any associated Distributions, including voting at any meeting of shareholders.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Shares tendered hereby (and any Distributions) and, when the same are accepted for payment by Merger Sub, Merger Sub will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to such Shares and Distributions, in each case, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and the same will not be subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned is the registered owner of the Shares, or the Share Certificate(s) have been endorsed to the undersigned in blank, or the undersigned is a participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares.
4
The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or Merger Sub to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Shares and any Distributions tendered hereby. In addition, the undersigned shall promptly remit and transfer to the Depositary for the account of Merger Sub any and all Distributions in respect of the Shares tendered hereby, accompanied by appropriate documentation of transfer and, pending such remittance or appropriate assurance thereof, Merger Sub shall be entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of any such Distributions and may withhold the entire purchase price or deduct from the purchase price the amount or value thereof, as determined by Merger Sub in its sole discretion.
It is understood that the undersigned will not receive payment for the Shares unless and until the Shares are accepted for payment and until the Share Certificate(s) owned by the undersigned are received by the Depositary at one of the addresses set forth above, together with such additional documents as the Depositary may require, or, in the case of Shares held in book-entry form, ownership of Shares is validly transferred on the account books maintained by DTC, and until the same are processed for payment by the Depositary. It is understood that the method of delivery of the Shares, the Share Certificate(s) and all other required documents (including delivery through DTC) is at the option and risk of the undersigned and that the risk of loss of such Shares, Share Certificate(s) and other documents shall pass only after the Depositary has actually received the Shares or Share Certificate(s) (including, in the case of a book-entry transfer, by Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined below)).
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred pursuant to this Letter of Transmittal shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges that delivery of any Share Certificate shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to such Share Certificate shall pass, only upon the proper delivery of such Share Certificate to the Depositary.
The undersigned understands that the acceptance for payment by Merger Sub of Shares tendered pursuant to one of the procedures described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and Merger Sub upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer. The undersigned recognizes that under certain circumstances set forth in the Offer to Purchase, Merger Sub may not be required to accept for payment any of the Shares tendered hereby. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any tender of Shares will be determined by Merger Sub (which may delegate power in whole or in part to the Depositary) in its sole and absolute discretion, which determination will be final and binding.
Unless otherwise indicated herein under “Special Payment Instructions,” please issue the check for the purchase price in the name(s) of, and/or return any Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment to, the registered owner(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” please mail the check for the purchase price and/or return any Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered owner(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” In the event that both the Special Delivery Instructions and the Special Payment Instructions are completed, please issue the check for the cash portion of the purchase price and/or issue any Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) in the name of, and deliver such check and/or return such Share Certificates (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) to, the person or persons so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box titled “Special Payment Instructions,” please credit any Shares tendered hereby or by an Agent’s Message (as defined in Instruction 2) and delivered by book-entry transfer, but which are not purchased, by crediting the account at DTC designated above. The undersigned recognizes that Merger Sub has no obligation pursuant to the Special Payment Instructions to transfer any Shares from the name of the registered owner thereof if Merger Sub does not accept for payment any of the Shares so tendered.
5
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7)
To be completed ONLY if Share Certificate(s) not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for the purchase price are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned or if Shares tendered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted for payment are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at DTC other than that designated above.
| |||||||||||||||||
Issue: | ¨ Check and/or |
| |||||||||||||||
¨ Share Certificates to: |
| ||||||||||||||||
Name: |
|
| |||||||||||||||
(Please Type or Print) | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Address: |
|
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
(Include Zip Code) | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number) | |||||||||||||||||
|
6
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7)
To be completed ONLY if Share Certificate(s) not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for the purchase price of Shares accepted for payment, are to be sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered” above.
Deliver: | ¨ Check and/or ¨ Share Certificates to: |
Name: | |
(Please Type or Print) | |
Address: | |
(Include Zip Code) | |
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number) |
7
IMPORTANT
SHAREHOLDER—SIGN HERE
(U.S. Holders Please Also Complete the Enclosed IRS Form W-9)
(Non-U.S. Holders Please Obtain and Complete IRS Form W-8BEN or Other Applicable IRS Form W-8)
(Signature(s) of Shareholder(s)) | ||||
Dated: (Must be signed by registered owner(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share Certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered owner(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title and see Instruction 5. For information concerning signature guarantees, see Instruction 1.) | ||||
Name(s): | ||||
(Please Type or Print | ||||
Capacity (full title): | ||||
Address: | ||||
(Include Zip Code) | ||||
Area Code and Telephone Number: | ||||
Tax Identification or Social Security No.: |
8
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(For use by Eligible Institutions only;
see Instructions 1 and 5)
Name of Firm: | |||
(Include Zip Code) | |||
Authorized Signature: | |||
Name: | |||
(Please Type or Print) | |||
Area Code and Telephone Number: | |||
Dated: | |||
PLACE MEDALLION GUARANTEE IN SPACE BELOW |
9
INSTRUCTIONS
Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer
1. Guarantee of Signatures. Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a member in good standing of a recognized Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association Incorporated, including any of the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program or an “eligible guarantor institution”, as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (each, an “Eligible Institution”). Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed (a) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) (which term, for purposes of this document, includes any participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares) of Shares tendered herewith and such registered owner has not completed the box titled “Special Payment Instructions” or the box titled “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (b) if such Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5.
2. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Share Certificates or Book-Entry Confirmations. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by shareholders either if Share Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or, unless an Agent’s Message is utilized, if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Share Certificates representing all physically tendered Shares, or confirmation of any book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at DTC of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer (“Book-Entry Confirmation”), as well as this Letter of Transmittal properly completed and duly executed with any required signature guarantees, unless an Agent’s Message in the case of a book-entry transfer is utilized, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth herein prior to the expiration of the Offer. Please do not send your Share Certificates directly to Merger Sub, LFP Broadcasting, or New Frontier.
Shareholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately available or who cannot deliver all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the expiration time of the Offer or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer prior to the expiration time of the Offer may nevertheless tender their Shares by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution, (b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the form provided by Merger Sub must be received by the Depositary prior to the expiration time of the Offer, and (c) Share Certificates representing all tendered Shares, in proper form for transfer (or a Book-Entry Confirmation with respect to such Shares), as well as this Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed with any required signature guarantees (unless, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message is utilized), and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary within three NASDAQ Global Select Market trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. For the purpose of the foregoing, a trading day is any day on which the NASDAQ Global Select Market is open for business.
A properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery of Share Certificates to the Depositary.
The term “Agent’s Message” means a message, transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Depositary and forming part of a Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the Shares which are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Letter of Transmittal and that Merger Sub may enforce such agreement against the participant.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE SHARES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC, IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER. DELIVERY OF ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL BE DEEMED MADE AND RISK OF LOSS OF THE SHARE CERTIFICATES SHALL PASS ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION). IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS
10
RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS BE SENT BY PROPERLY INSURED REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY PRIOR TO EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER.
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no fractional Shares will be purchased. All tendering shareholders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Shares for payment.
All questions as to validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any Share Certificate surrendered hereunder will be determined by Merger Sub (which may delegate power in whole or in part to the Depositary) in its sole and absolute discretion, which determination shall be final and binding. Merger Sub reserves the right to waive any irregularities or defects in the surrender of any Shares or Share Certificate(s). A surrender will not be deemed to have been made until all irregularities have been cured or waived.
3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares should be listed on a separate schedule attached hereto and separately signed on each page thereof in the same manner as this Letter of Transmittal is signed.
4. Partial Tenders (Applicable to Holders of Certificated Shares Only). If fewer than all the Shares evidenced by any Share Certificate delivered to the Depositary are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares which are to be tendered in the column titled “Number of Shares Tendered” in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered”. In such cases, new certificate(s) for the remainder of the Shares that were evidenced by the old certificate(s) but not tendered will be sent to the registered owner, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable after the expiration time of the Offer. All Shares represented by Share Certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the Share Certificate(s) without alteration or any other change whatsoever.
If any Shares tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any tendered Shares are registered in the names of different holder(s), it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of such Shares.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to Merger Sub of their authority so to act must be submitted.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of Share Certificates or separate stock powers are required unless payment is to be made to, or Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of, a person other than the registered owner(s), in which case the Share Certificates representing the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered owner(s) or holder(s) appear(s) on the Share Certificates. Signatures on such Share Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Share(s) listed, the Share Certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by the appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner(s) or holder(s) appear(s) on the Share Certificate(s). Signatures on such Share Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
6. Transfer Taxes. Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction 6, Merger Sub will pay any transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and sale of Shares to it or to its order pursuant to the Offer (for the avoidance of doubt,
11
transfer taxes do not include United States federal income or backup withholding taxes). If, however, payment of the purchase price is to be made to, or (in the circumstances permitted hereby) if Share Certificates not tendered or accepted for payment are to be registered in the name of, any person other than the registered owner(s), or if tendered Share Certificates are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered owner(s) or such person) payable on account of the transfer to such person will be deducted from the purchase price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted.
Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Share Certificates listed in this Letter of Transmittal.
7. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If a check for the purchase price and/or Share Certificates representing Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued or returned to, a person other than the signer(s) of this Letter of Transmittal and/or such certificates are to be mailed to a person other than the signer(s) of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered” above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed. Shareholders delivering Shares tendered hereby or by Agent’s Message by book-entry transfer may request that Shares not purchased be credited to an account maintained at DTC as such shareholder may designate in the box titled “Special Payment Instructions” herein. If no such instructions are given, all such Shares not purchased will be returned by crediting the same account at DTC as the account from which such Shares were delivered. The cost of any payment via a method other than check shall be borne by any such shareholder requesting such other method of payment.
8. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its address and telephone number set forth on the back cover of this Letter of Transmittal or to your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other Offer materials may be obtained from the Information Agent, and will be furnished at Merger Sub’s expense.
9. U.S. Shareholders: Form W-9
In order to avoid backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax, a shareholder whose tendered Shares are accepted for payment, or whose Shares are converted in the Merger, and who is a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes or who is otherwise a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes is required to provide the shareholder’s current taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) by completing the attached Form W-9, certifying under penalties of perjury that the TIN provided on that form is correct (or that such shareholder is awaiting a receipt of a TIN), that the shareholder is a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and that (a) the shareholder is exempt from backup withholding, (b) the shareholder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) after being so notified, the IRS has notified such shareholder that such shareholder is no longer subject to backup withholding. If the correct TIN is not provided or if any other information is not correctly provided, a penalty of up to US$50 may be imposed on the shareholder by the IRS and the shareholder may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28%. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may result in criminal penalties.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained, provided that the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.
The TIN for an individual U.S. citizen or resident is the individual’s social security number.
Certain shareholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain not-for-profit organizations) are not subject to these backup withholding requirements. To avoid possible erroneous backup withholding, a shareholder who is a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is exempt from backup withholding should complete the Form W-9 by provided the shareholder’s correct TIN, signing and dating the form, and checking the box “Exempt from backup withholding”. A shareholder should consult its tax advisor as to the shareholder’s qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption.
12
All shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine which forms should be used and whether they are exempt from backup withholding.
10. Non-U.S. Shareholders: Form W-8
A shareholder whose tendered Shares are accepted for payment, or whose Shares are converted in the Merger, and who is not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes must submit the appropriate Form(s) W-8. Generally, a foreign individual or a foreign corporation that is not a pass-through entity for U.S. income tax purposes and is not engaged in a trade or business within the United States would provide a Form W-8BEN. A foreign entity that is a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is not engaged in a trade or business within the United States would generally provide a W-8BEN and/or a Form W-8IMY (which may require additional Forms W-8BEN for its beneficial owners), depending on its particular circumstances. A foreign individual or a foreign entity that is engaged in a trade or business within the United States may be required to provide a Form W-8ECI. The Forms W-8 will be provided to shareholders upon request to the Depositary or downloaded from the IRS’s website at: http://www.irs.gov.
Exempt persons are not subject to backup withholding. Shareholders that are non-U.S. residents for U.S. federal income tax purposes may qualify as exempt persons by submitting a Form W-8BEN, signed under penalties of perjury, certifying the shareholder’s foreign status.
If backup withholding applies, 28% of certain payments to be made to the shareholder is required to be withheld. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained by filing a tax return with the IRS.
All shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine which forms should be used and whether they are exempt from backup withholding.
11. Lost, Destroyed, Mutilated or Stolen Share Certificates. If any Share Certificate has been lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen, the shareholder should promptly (i) complete this Letter of Transmittal and check the appropriate box and (ii) notify the Transfer Agent at (303) 282-4800. The shareholder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Share Certificate. This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, mutilated, destroyed or stolen Share Certificates have been followed.
12. Waiver of Conditions. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the conditions of the Offer (other than the Minimum Tender Condition, as defined in the Offer to Purchase) may be waived by Merger Sub in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in its sole discretion.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR AN AGENT’S MESSAGE, TOGETHER WITH SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) OR BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION OR A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION TIME OF THE OFFER.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE: TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH TREASURY DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 230, SHAREHOLDERS ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT: (A) ANY DISCUSSION OF FEDERAL TAX ISSUES HEREIN IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN BY US TO BE RELIED UPON, AND CANNOT BE RELIED UPON BY SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE; (B) SUCH DISCUSSION IS WRITTEN AS PART OF THE REQUIRED DISCLOSURE IN THIS DOCUMENT, WHICH IS BEING USED BY THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROMOTION OR MARKETING (WITHIN THE MEANING OF CIRCULAR 230) OF THE TRANSACTIONS OR MATTERS ADDRESSED HEREIN; AND (C) SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD SEEK
13
ADVICE BASED ON THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR.
0
Form W-9
(Rev. December 2011) Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service | Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certifications | Give form to the requester. Do not send to the IRS. |
Name (as shown on your income tax return) | |||||||||||||||||
Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above | |||||||||||||||||
Check appropriate box for federal tax classification: ¨ Individual/sole proprietor ¨ C Corporation ¨ S Corporation ¨ Partnership ¨ Trust/estate ¨ Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (C-C corporation, S-S corporation, P-partnership) ………………… ¨ Other (see instructions) | ¨ Exempt payee | ||||||||||||||||
Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.) | Requester’s name and address (optional) | ||||||||||||||||
City, State and ZIP code | |||||||||||||||||
List account number(s) here (optional) | |||||||||||||||||
Part I | Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) | ||||||||||||||||
Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on the “Name” line to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the Part I instructions on page 3. For other entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN on page 3. | Social security number | ||||||||||||||||
- | - | ||||||||||||||||
Note. If the account is in more than one name, see the chart on page 4 for guidelines on whose number to enter. | Employer identification number | ||||||||||||||||
- | |||||||||||||||||
Part II | Certification | ||||||||||||||||
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that: 1. The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and 2. I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and 3. I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below). Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest or dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the Certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. (See the instructions on page 4.) | |||||||||||||||||
Sign Here | Signature of U.S. person | Date |
General Instructions Section references are to the internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted. Purpose of Form A person who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) to report, for example, income paid to you, real estate transactions, mortgage interest you paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA. Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to give your correct TIN to the person requesting it (the requester) and, when applicable, to: 1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued), 2. Certify you are not subject to backup withholding, or 3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee. If applicable, you are also certifying that as a U.S. person, your allocable share of any partnership income from a U.S. trade or business is not subject to the withholding tax on foreign partners' share of effectively connected income. | Note: If a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester's form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9. Definition of a U.S. Person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are: · An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien, · A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, · An estate (other than a foreign estate), or · A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7). Special rules for partnerships. Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax on any foreign partners' share of income from such business. Further, in certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, a partnership is required to presume that a partner is a foreign person, and pay the withholding tax. Therefore, if you are a U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status and avoid withholding on your share of partnership income. | ||||
The person who gives Form W-9 to the partnership for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States is in the following cases: • The U.S. owner of a disregarded entity and not the entity, • The U.S. grantor or other owner of a grantor trust and not the trust, and • The U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust) and not the beneficiaries of the trust. Foreign person. If you are a foreign person, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 (see Publication 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities). Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a "saving clause." Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes. If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. lax on certain types of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items:1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien. 2. The treaty article addressing the income. 3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions. 4. The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax. 5. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article. Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30. 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on his or her scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption. If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity not subject to backup withholding, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8. What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS a percentage of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding. You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return. Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if: 1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester, 2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the Part II instructions on page 3 for details), 3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN. 4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only). or 5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only). | Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See the instructions below and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9. Also see Special rules for partnerships on page 1. Updating Your Information You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S corporation, or if you no longer are tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account, for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies. Penalties Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. Civil penalty for false information with respect to withholding. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty. Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment. Misuse of TINs. It the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties. Specific Instructions Name If you are en individual, you must generally enter the name shown on your income tax return. However, if you have changed your last name, for instance, due to marriage without informing the Social Security Administration of the name change, enter your first name, the last name shown on your social security card, and your new last name.. If the account is in joint names, list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of the form. Sole proprietor. Enter your individual name as shown on your income tax return on the "Name" line. You may enter your business, trade, or "doing business as (DBA)" name on the "Business name/disregarded entity name" line. Partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation. Enter the entity's name on the "Name" line and any business, trade, or "doing business as (DBA) name on the "Business name/disregarded entity name” line. Disregarded entity. Enter the owner's name on the “Name" line. The name of the entity entered on the "Name" line should never be a disregarded entity. The name on the "Name" line must be the name shown on the income tax return on which the income will be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a domestic owner, the domestic owner's name is required to be provided on the "Name” line. If the direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity's name on the “Business name/disregarded entity name” line. If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, you must complete an appropriate Form W-8. Note. Check the appropriate box tor the federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on the "Name" line (Individual/sole proprietor, Partnership, C Corporation, S Corporation, Trust/estate). Limited Liability Company (LLC). If the person identified on the "Name" line is an LLC, check the "Limited liability company" box only and enter the appropriate code for the tax classification in the space provided. If you are an LLC that is treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes, enter "P" for partnership. If you are an LLC that has filed a Form 8832 or a Form 2553 to be taxed as a corporation, enter "C" for C corporation or "S" for S corporation. It you are an LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner under Regulation section 301.7701-3 (except for employment and excise tax), do not check the LLC box unless the owner of the LLC (required to be identified on the "Name" line) is another LLC that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. If the LLC is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, enter the appropriate tax classification of the owner identified on the "Name" line. | ||||
Other entities. Enter your business name as shown on required federal tax documents on the "Name" line. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade, or DBA name on the "Business name/ disregarded entity name" line. Exempt Payee If you are exempt from backup withholding, enter your name as described above and check the appropriate box for your status, then check the "Exempt payee" box in the line following the "Business name/disregarded entity name," sign and date the form. Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding. Corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, such as interest and dividends. Note. If you are exempt from backup withholding, you should still complete this form to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. The following payees are exempt from backup withholding: 1. An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2), 2. The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, 3. A state, the District of Columbia. a possession of the United States. or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities, 4. A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, or 5. An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. Other payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include: 6. A corporation, 7. A foreign central bank of issue, 8. A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States, 9. A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 10. A real estate investment trust, 11. An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 12. A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 594(a), 13. A financial institution, 14. A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian, or 15. A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947. The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 15. | Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below. If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN. However, the IRS prefers that you use your SSN. If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (see Limited Liability Company (LLC) on page 2), enter the owner's SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). Do not enter the disregarded entity's EIN. If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity's EIN. Note. See the chart on page 4 for further clarification of name and TIN combinations. How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get From SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local Social Security Administration office or get this form online at www.ssa.gov. You may also get this form by calling 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/businesses and clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. You can get Forms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS by visiting IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, write "Applied For" in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester. Note. Entering "Applied For" means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon. Caution: A disregarded domestic entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8. Part II. Certification To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if item 1, below, and items 4 and 5 on page 4 indicate otherwise. For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). In the case of a disregarded entity, the person identified on the "Name" line must sign. Exempt payees, see Exempt Payee on page 3. | ||||
IF the payment is for… | THEN the payment is exempt for … | Signature requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in items 1 through 3 below, and items 4 and 5 on page 4. | |||
Interest and dividend payments | All exempt payees except for 9 | 1. Interest, dividend, and barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts considered active during 1983. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification. | |||
Broker transactions | Exempt payees 1 through 5 and 7 through 13. Also, C corporations. | ||||
Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends | Exempt payees 1 through 5 | 2. Interest, dividend, broker, and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker accounts considered inactive during 1983. You must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct | |||
Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5000 1 | Generally, exempt payees 1 though 7 2 | ||||
1 See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions. 2 However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding; medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney, and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency. | TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in the certification before signing the form. 3. Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification. | ||||
4. Other payments. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification unless you have been notified that you have previously given an incorrect TIN. "Other payments" include payments made in the course of the requester's trade or business for rents. royalties. goods (other than bills for merchandise), medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to a nonemployee for services, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including payments to corporations). 5. Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property. Cancellation of debt. qualified tuition program payments (under section 529) IRA, Coverdell ESA, Archer MSA or HSA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification. | Note. If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed. Secure Your Tax Records from Identity Theft Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, social security number (SSN), or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may use your SSN to get a job or may file a tax return using your SSN to receive a refund. To reduce your risk: • Protect your SSN, • Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and • Be careful when choosing a tax preparer. | ||||
What Name and Number To Give the Requester | If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance. Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a system problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the TAS toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/ TDD 1-800-829-4059. Protect yourself from suspicious malls or phishing schemes. Phishing is the creation and use of email and websites designed to mimic legitimate business emails and websites. The most common act is sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The IRS does not initiate contacts with taxpayers via snails. Also, the IRS does not request personal detailed information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward this message to phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). Visit IRS.gov to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk. | ||||
For this type of account: | Give name and SSN of: | ||||
1. | Individual | The individual | |||
2. | Two or more individuals (joint account) | The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account 1 | |||
3. | Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) | The minor 2 | |||
4. | a. the usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee) b. so-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law | The grantor-trustee 1 The actual owner 1 | |||
5. | Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual | The owner 3 | |||
6. | Grantor trust filing under Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 1 (see Regulation section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(A) | The grantor * | |||
For this type of account: | Give name and EIN of: | ||||
7. | Disregarded entity not owned by an individual | The owner 4 | |||
8. | A valid trust, estate or pension trust | Legal entity | |||
9. | Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Form 2553 | The organization | |||
10. | Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization | The organization | |||
11. | Partnership or multi-member LLC | The partnership | |||
12. | A broker or registered nominee | The broker or nominee | |||
13. | Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agriculture program payments | The public entity | |||
14. | Grantor trust filing under the Form 1041 Filing Method or the Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 2 (see Regulation section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(B) | The trust |
1List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that person’s number must be furnished. 2Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN. 3You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or “DBA” name on the “Business name/disregarded entity” name line. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN. 4List first and circle the name of the trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.) Also see Special rules for partnerships on page 1. *Note. Grantor also must provide a Form W-9 to trustee of trust. |
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Privacy Act Notice
Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct TIN to persons (including federal agencies) who are required to file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, or certain other income paid to you; mortgage interest you paid; the acquisition or abandonment of secured property; the cancellation of debt; or contributions you made to an IRA, Archer MSA, or HSA. The person collecting this form uses the information on the form to file information returns with the IRS, reporting the above information. Routine uses of this information include giving it to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions for use in administering their laws. The information also may be disclosed to other countries under a treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce civil and criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism. You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Under section 3406, payers must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payer. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.
Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2011 |
Manually signed photocopies of this Letter of Transmittal will be accepted. This Letter of Transmittal, certificates representing Shares and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each shareholder or such shareholder’s broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee to the Depositary at one of its addresses listed below.
The Depositary for the Offer is:
Corporate Stock Transfer
| |||||||||||
By Registered or Certified Mail: |
| By Facsimile Transmission: |
| By Hand or Overnight Courier: | |||||||
Corporate Stock Transfer Attn: Carylyn Bell 3200 Cherry Creek Dr. South Suite 4300 Denver, CO 80209 |
| (303) 282-5800 |
| Corporate Stock Transfer Attn: Carylyn Bell 3200 Cherry Creek Dr. South Suite 4300 Denver, CO 80209 | |||||||
| Confirm Facsimile by Telephone: |
| |||||||||
| (303) 282-4800 |
| |||||||||
| (For Confirmation Only) |
|
Any questions or requests for assistance or requests for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Information Agent at its telephone number and location listed below. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
Innisfree |
M&A Incorporated |
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Shareholders may call toll free: (888) 750-5834
Banks and Brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833
Exhibit (a)(1)(C)
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
for
Tender of Shares of Common Stock
of
New Frontier Media, Inc.
at
$2.02 Per Share in Cash
and
Certain Contingent Payment Rights
Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated October 29, 2012
by
Flynt Broadcast, Inc.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
| |
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 (THE END OF THE DAY TUESDAY), UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED. |
Do not use for signature guarantees |
This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially in the form hereof, must be used to accept the offer of Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”) and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (“LFP Broadcasting”) to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (“Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier”), at a price of $2.02 per Share, net to the seller in cash (less any required withholding taxes and without interest), plus one contingent payment right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time the Offer expires (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share) as described in the Offer to Purchase dated October 29, 2012 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Offer to Purchase”) and the related Letter of Transmittal (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”), if certificates representing Shares and all other required documents cannot be delivered to Corporate Stock Transfer (the “Depositary”) prior to the expiration time of the Offer, if the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer cannot be completed prior to the expiration time of the Offer, or if time will not permit all required documents to reach the Depositary prior to the expiration time of the Offer.
Such form may be delivered by hand, facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary and must include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution (as defined below). See Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.
The Depositary for the Offer is:
Corporate Stock Transfer
By Registered or Certified Mail: | By Facsimile Transmission: | By Hand or Overnight Courier: | ||
Corporate Stock Transfer Attn: Carylyn Bell 3200 Cherry Creek Dr. South Suite 4300 Denver, CO 80209 | (303) 282-5800 | Corporate Stock Transfer Attn: Carylyn Bell 3200 Cherry Creek Dr. South Suite 4300 Denver, CO 80209 | ||
Confirm Facsimile by Telephone: | ||||
(303) 282-4800 | ||||
(For Confirmation Only) |
DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE SIGNATURES. IF A SIGNATURE ON A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO, SUCH SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE APPLICABLE SPACE PROVIDED IN THE SIGNATURE BOX ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
The guarantee on the back cover page must be completed.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”) and wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LFP Broadcasting”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated October 29, 2012 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”) and the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”), receipt of each of which is hereby acknowledged, the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (“Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier”), indicated below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.
Number of Shares Tendered: _______________ | Name(s) of Record Owner(s): _______________________________________ _______________________________________ (Please Type or Print) | |
Share Certificate Numbers (if available): _______________________________________ | Address(es): ___________________________ _______________________________________ (Including Zip Code) | |
If Shares will be tendered by book-entry transfer: Name of Tendering Institution: _____________ DTC Participant Number: _____________ Transaction Code Number: _____________ Date: ________________________________ | Area Code and Telephone Number: _______________________________________ Signature(s): _______________________________________ _______________________________________ |
GUARANTEE
(Not to be used for signature guarantees)
The undersigned, a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a member in good standing of a recognized Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association Incorporated, including any of the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program or an “eligible guarantor institution”, as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (each, an “Eligible Institution”), hereby guarantees that either the certificates representing the Shares tendered hereby, in proper form for transfer, or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary’s account at The Depository Trust Company (pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually executed copy thereof) with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase)) and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, will be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth above within three (3) NASDAQ Global Select Market trading days after the date of execution hereof. For the purpose of the foregoing, a trading day is any day on which the NASDAQ Global Select Market is open for trading.
The Eligible Institution that completes this form must communicate the guarantee to the Depositary and must deliver the Letter of Transmittal, certificates representing Shares and/or any other required documents to the Depositary within the time period shown above. Failure to do so could result in a financial loss to such Eligible Institution.
Name of Firm: _________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ (Including Zip Code) Area Code and Telephone Number: _________________________________________________ Authorized Signature: ____________________________________________________________ Name: _________________________________________________________________________ (Please Type or Print) Title: __________________________________________________________________________ Date: _________________________________________________________________________ |
NOTE: DO NOT SEND SHARE CERTIFICATES WITH THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY. SHARE CERTIFICATES ARE TO BE DELIVERED WITH THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
Exhibit (a)(1)(D)
Letter to Brokers and Dealers with respect to
Offer to Purchase
All Outstanding Shares of Common Stock
of
New Frontier Media, Inc.
at
$2.02 Per Share in Cash
and
Certain Contingent Payment Rights
Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated October 29, 2012
by
Flynt Broadcast, Inc.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 (THE END OF THE DAY TUESDAY), UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.
October 29, 2012
To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees:
We have been engaged by LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LFP Broadcasting”) and Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting (“Merger Sub”), to act as Information Agent in connection with Merger Sub’s offer to purchase all of the issues and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (“Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier”), for consideration equal to (i) $2.02 per Share, net to the seller in cash (less any required withholding taxes and without interest) (the “Offer Price”), plus (ii) one contingent payment right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time this Offer expires (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share) (a “CPR”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated October 29, 2012 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Offer to Purchase”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”) enclosed herewith. Please furnish copies of the enclosed materials to those of your clients for whom you hold Shares registered in your name or in the name of your nominee.
The Offer is not subject to any financing condition. The Offer is, however, subject to the satisfaction of the Minimum Tender Condition (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), the condition that New Frontier’s Company Net Available Cash (as defined in the agreement governing the Offer) be at least $11,514,000 as of the time of the expiration of the Offer, and the other conditions described in the Offer to Purchase. See Section 13 of the Offer to Purchase.
Enclosed herewith are the following documents:
1. The Offer to Purchase dated October 29, 2012;
2. The Letter of Transmittal for your use in accepting the Offer and tendering Shares and for the consideration of your clients, together with “Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Form W-9” providing information relating to backup federal income tax withholding;
3. The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to be used to accept the Offer if Share certificates are not immediately available or if such certificates and all other required documents cannot be delivered to Corporate Stock Transfer (the “Depositary”) by the expiration time of the Offer or if the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed by the expiration time of the Offer;
4. A letter to New Frontier’s shareholders from Alan L. Isaacman, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of New Frontier, accompanied by New Frontier’s Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission;
5. A printed form of letter that may be sent to your clients for whose accounts you hold Shares in your name or in the name of your nominee, with space provided for obtaining such clients’ instructions with regard to the Offer; and
6. Return envelope addressed to the Depositary for your use only.
YOUR PROMPT ACTION IS REQUESTED. WE URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 (THE END OF THE DAY TUESDAY), UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.
The Offer is being made in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 15, 2012 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and New Frontier, pursuant to which, after the completion of the Offer and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, Merger Sub will be merged with and into New Frontier, with New Frontier continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”) and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease.
NEW FRONTIER’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TENDER ALL OF YOUR SHARES INTO THE OFFER.
At a meeting held on October 14, 2012, New Frontier’s board of directors (the “New Frontier Board”), after careful consideration and following the recommendation of a special committee of independent and disinterested directors, unanimously has: (1) determined that the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of New Frontier and its shareholders, (2) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, (3) directed that the Merger Agreement be submitted to New Frontier’s shareholders for adoption, if required by Colorado law, and (4) resolved to recommend that New Frontier’s shareholders accept the Offer, tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer and, if required by applicable laws, adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Merger.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), Merger Sub will be deemed to have accepted for payment, and will pay for, all Shares validly tendered in the Offer, and not properly withdrawn, prior to the expiration time of the Offer if and when Merger Sub gives oral or written notice to the Depositary of Merger Sub’s acceptance of the tender of such Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer. Payment for Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (a) certificates representing such Shares or a Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) with respect to such Shares pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Offer to Purchase, (b) a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal), and (c) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal. Accordingly, tendering shareholders may be paid at different times depending upon when certificates representing Shares or Book-Entry Confirmation with respect to Shares are actually received by the Depositary. Under no circumstances will interest be paid on the Offer Price or the CPR for Shares, regardless of any extension of the Offer or any delay in payment for Shares.
Neither LFP Broadcasting nor Merger Sub will pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or other person (other than its financial advisors, the Information Agent and the Depositary as described in the Offer to Purchase) in connection with the solicitation of tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer. You will be reimbursed upon request for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by you in forwarding the enclosed offering materials to your clients. Merger Sub will pay all stock transfer taxes applicable to its purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer, subject to Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal.
If holders of Shares wish to tender their Shares, but it is impracticable for them to deliver their certificates representing tendered Shares or other required documents or to complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer prior to the expiration time of the Offer, a tender may be effected by following the guaranteed delivery procedures specified in the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal.
Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the enclosed materials may be directed to us at the address and telephone number set forth below and in the Offer to Purchase. Additional copies of the enclosed materials will be furnished at Merger Sub’s expense.
Very truly yours,
Innisfree M&A Incorporated
NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL RENDER YOU OR ANY PERSON THE AGENT OF LFP BROADCASTING, MERGER SUB OR NEW FRONTIER, THE INFORMATION AGENT, THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER NOT CONTAINED IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE OR THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
Innisfree |
M&A Incorporated |
501 Madison Avenue, 20th floor
New York, New York 10022
Stockholders may call toll free: (888) 750-5834
Banks and Brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833
Exhibit (a)(1)(E)
Letter to Clients with respect to
Offer to Purchase
All Outstanding Shares of Common Stock
of
New Frontier Media, Inc.
at
$2.02 Per Share in Cash
and
Certain Contingent Payment Rights
Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated October 29, 2012
by
Flynt Broadcast, Inc.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2012 (THE END OF THE DAY ON TUESDAY) UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.
October 29, 2012
To Our Clients:
Enclosed for your consideration is an Offer to Purchase, dated October 29, 2012 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Offer to Purchase”), and the related Letter of Transmittal (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”), relating to the offer by Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”), and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LFP Broadcasting”), to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (“Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier”), for consideration equal to (i) $2.02 per Share, net to the seller in cash (less any required withholding taxes and without interest), plus (ii) one contingent payment right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time the Offer expires (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share) (a “CPR”) (such consideration is hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Offer Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer. More specifically, a CPR will entitle all tendering New Frontier shareholders to an additional $.01 per share for each $162,000 of “Company Net Available Cash” (as defined in the definitive agreement governing the Offer), in excess of a base amount of $11,514,000, held by New Frontier at the expiration of the Offer, up to a total possible additional cash consideration of $.06 per Share. Even if the Offer closes, there is no guarantee that there will be any amount paid to the shareholders on the CPR, as there is no guarantee that New Frontier’s Company Net Available Cash will meet or exceed $11,514,000.
Also enclosed is a letter to New Frontier’s shareholders from its Chairman of the Board, accompanied by New Frontier’s Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9.
WE OR OUR NOMINEES ARE THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF SHARES HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT. A TENDER OF SUCH SHARES CAN BE MADE ONLY BY US AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD AND PURSUANT TO YOUR INSTRUCTIONS. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER IS FURNISHED TO YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED BY YOU TO TENDER SHARES HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT.
We request instructions as to whether you wish to tender any or all of the Shares held by us for your account pursuant to the Offer.
Your attention is directed to the following:
1. The Offer Price is $2.02 net per Share in cash plus one contingent payment right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time the Offer expires (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share) upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
2. The Offer is being made for all issued and outstanding Shares.
3. The Offer is being made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 15, 2012, by and among LFP Broadcasting, Merger Sub and New Frontier (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”). The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, for the making of the Offer by Merger Sub, and further provides that, following the completion of the Offer, upon the terms, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, and potentially subject to shareholder approval, of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into New Frontier (the “Merger”). Following the effective time of the Merger, New Frontier will continue as the surviving corporation and become a wholly owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease. At the effective time of the Merger, each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to such time will be converted into the right to receive the same consideration as was paid in the Offer.
4. New Frontier’s board of directors (the “New Frontier Board”) has recommended that you tender all of your Shares into the Offer. At a meeting held on October 14, 2012, the New Frontier Board, after careful consideration and following the recommendation of the special committee, unanimously has: (1) determined that the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of New Frontier and its shareholders, (2) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, (3) directed that the Merger Agreement be submitted to New Frontier’s shareholders for adoption, if required by Colorado law, and (4) resolved to recommend that New Frontier’s shareholders accept the Offer, tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer and, if required by applicable laws, adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Merger.
5. The Offer is not subject to any financing condition. The Offer is, however, subject to the satisfaction of the Minimum Tender Condition (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), the condition that New Frontier’s Company Net Available Cash be at least $11,514,000 as of the time of the expiration of the Offer, and the other conditions described in the Offer to Purchase. See Section 13 of the Offer to Purchase.
6. THE INITIAL OFFERING PERIOD OF THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012, AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME (THE END OF THE DAY ON TUESDAY).
7. If your Shares are registered in your name and you tender directly to the Depositary you will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or commissions or, subject to Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes on the purchase of Shares by Merger Sub.
PLEASE FORWARD YOUR INSTRUCTIONS TO US IN AMPLE TIME TO PERMIT US TO SUBMIT A TENDER ON YOUR BEHALF PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION TIME OF THE OFFER.
If you wish to have us tender any or all of the Shares held by us for your account, please so instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us in the enclosed envelope the attached instruction form. If you authorize the tender of your Shares, all such Shares will be tendered unless otherwise specified on the attached instruction form.
Payment for Shares will be in all cases made only after such Shares are accepted by Merger Sub for payment pursuant to the Offer and the timely receipt by Corporate Stock Transfer, (the “Depositary”), of (a) certificates representing such Shares or a Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) with respect to such Shares, (b) a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal), and (c) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.
Accordingly, tendering shareholders may be paid at different times depending upon when certificates representing Shares or Book-Entry Confirmations with respect to Shares are actually received by the Depositary. Under no circumstances will interest be paid on the Offer Price or the CPR for Shares, regardless of any extension of the Offer or any delay in payment for Shares.
The Offer is not being made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) holders of Shares in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. In those jurisdictions where securities, blue sky or other laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer will be deemed to be made on behalf of Merger Sub and LFP Broadcasting by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction to be designated by Merger Sub.
Instructions with Respect to the
Offer to Purchase
All Outstanding Shares of Common Stock
of
New Frontier Media, Inc.
at
$2.02 Per Share in Cash
and
Certain Contingent Payment Rights
Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated October 29, 2012
by
Flynt Broadcast, Inc.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the Offer to Purchase, dated October 29, 2012 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Offer to Purchase”), and the related Letter of Transmittal (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”), in connection with the offer by Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”), and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LFP Broadcasting”), to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (“Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier”), at a price of $2.02 per Share, net to the seller in cash (less any required withholding taxes and without interest), plus one contingent payment right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time this Offer expires (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer.
The undersigned hereby instruct(s) you to tender the number of Shares indicated on the reverse (or if no number is indicated on the reverse, all Shares) that are held by you for the account of the undersigned, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer.
The undersigned understands and acknowledges that all questions as to validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any certificate representing Shares submitted on my behalf to Corporate Stock Transfer, the Depositary for the Offer, will be determined by Merger Sub (which may delegate power in whole or in part to the Depositary) in its sole and absolute discretion, which determination will be final and binding.
The method of delivery of this document is at the election and risk of the tendering shareholder. If delivery is by mail, then registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely delivery.
| |||||||
Dated: |
| ||||||
Number of Shares to Be Tendered: |
| Shares* | |||||
Account Number: |
| Signature(s): | |||||
Capacity** |
| ||||||
Dated: |
|
Please Type or Print Name(s) above
Please Type or Print Address(es) above
Area Code and Telephone Number
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number(s)
* | Unless otherwise indicated, you are deemed to have instructed us to tender all Shares held by us for your account. |
** | Please provide if signature is by an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity. |
Please return this form to the brokerage firm or other nominee maintaining your account.
Exhibit (a)(1)(F)
This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell Shares (as defined below). The Offer (as defined below) is made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, dated October 29, 2012, and the related Letter of Transmittal, and any amendments or supplements to such Offer to Purchase or Letter of Transmittal. The Offer is not being made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) holders of Shares in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, “blue sky” or other laws of such jurisdiction. However, Merger Sub (as defined below) may, in its discretion, take such action as it may deem necessary to make the Offer in any such jurisdiction and extend the Offer to holders of Shares in such jurisdictions. In those jurisdictions where applicable laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer shall be deemed to be made on behalf of Merger Sub by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction to be designated by Merger Sub.
NOTICE OF OFFER TO PURCHASE
All Outstanding Shares of Common Stock
of
New Frontier Media, Inc.
at
$2.02 Per Share in Cash
and
Certain Contingent Payment Rights
Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated October 29, 2012
by
Flynt Broadcast, Inc.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
a company controlled by
Larry Flynt
Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”) and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LFP”) that is controlled by Larry Flynt, is offering to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 (“Shares”), of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier Media, Inc.”), at a price of $2.02 per Share, net to the seller in cash (less any required withholding taxes and without interest) (the “Offer Price”), plus one contingent payment right per Share which represents the contingent right to receive an additional cash payment based upon the amount of New Frontier’s available cash at the time this Offer expires (up to a maximum amount of $.06 per Share) (a “CPR”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated October 29, 2012 (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Offer to Purchase”) and in the related Letter of Transmittal (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”). More specifically, a CPR will entitle all tendering New Frontier Media shareholders to an additional $.01 per share for each $162,000 of “Net Available Cash” (as defined in the Merger Agreement), in excess of a base amount of $11,514,000, held by New Frontier at the expiration of the Offer, up to a total possible additional cash
consideration of an additional $.06 per share, if Net Available Cash is $12,486,000 or higher. Of course, there is no guarantee that there will be any amount paid to the shareholders on the CPR, as there is no guarantee that New Frontier’s Net Available Cash will meet or exceed $11,514,000. Following completion of the Offer, Merger Sub intends to effect the Merger (as defined below).
If your Shares are registered in your name and you tender directly to Corporate Stock Transfer (the “Depositary”), you will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or commissions or, subject to Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes on the purchase of Shares by Merger Sub. If you hold your Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, you should check with such institution as to whether they charge any service fees.
The Offer is being made pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 15, 2012 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among New Frontier Media, Inc., LFP and Merger Sub, pursuant to which, after the completion of the Offer and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, Merger Sub will be merged with and into New Frontier Media, Inc. (the “Merger”), with New Frontier Media, Inc. continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of LFP (the “Surviving Corporation”). Upon completion of the Merger, each Share outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (excluding those Shares that are held by LFP, Merger Sub, New Frontier Media, Inc. or any of their wholly-owned subsidiaries, or shareholders who properly perfect their appraisal rights under the Colorado Business Corporation Act, as amended (the “CBCA”)) will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the same consideration paid in the Offer, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, as set forth in the Merger Agreement and as described in the Offer to Purchase. The Merger Agreement is more fully described in the Offer to Purchase.
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 (THE END OF THE DAY ON TUESDAY), UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.
There is no financing condition to the Offer. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Offer, Merger Sub will not be required to, and LFP will not be required to cause Merger Sub to, accept for payment or, subject to any applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Rule 14e-1(c) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), pay for any tendered Shares if at any time on or after the date of the commencement of the Offer and prior to the expiration time of the Offer, any of the following events has occurred and is continuing at the then scheduled expiration time of the Offer:
| • |
| there has not been validly tendered (not including Shares tendered pursuant to the procedures for guaranteed delivery and not already delivered prior to the expiration time of the Offer) and not properly withdrawn a number of Shares that, together with the Shares beneficially owned by LFP and Merger Sub (if any), constitute at least a majority of the total number of then outstanding Shares on a “fully diluted basis” (which total number is the number of Shares issued and outstanding plus the number of Shares which New Frontier would be required to issue pursuant to any then outstanding warrants, options, benefit plans or obligations or securities convertible or exchangeable into Shares or otherwise) (the “Minimum Tender Condition”); |
| • |
| New Frontier Media, Inc. has not performed in all material respects its obligations required to be performed prior to the expiration time of the Offer under the Merger Agreement, and any failure to perform has not been cured prior to the expiration time of the Offer; |
| • |
| New Frontier has less than $11,514,000 of Company Net Available Cash, or New Frontier has failed to deliver to LFP a certificate executed by the chief financial officer of New Frontier certifying the amount of the Company Net Available Cash as of the expiration time of the Offer; or |
| • |
| other customary conditions. |
The foregoing conditions (except for the Minimum Tender Condition) may be waived by LFP or Merger Sub in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement.
NEW FRONTIER MEDIA, INC.’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU TENDER ALL OF YOUR SHARES INTO THE OFFER.
At a meeting held on October 14, 2012, New Frontier Media, Inc.’s board of directors, after careful consideration and following the recommendation of the special committee of independent and disinterested directors, unanimously: (1) determined that the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of New Frontier and its shareholders, (2) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, (3) directed that the Merger Agreement be submitted to New Frontier’s shareholders for adoption, if required by applicable laws, and (4) resolved to recommend that New Frontier’s shareholders accept the Offer, tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer and, if required by applicable Laws, adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the Merger.
The purpose of the Offer and the Merger is for LFP and its affiliates, through Merger Sub, to acquire control of, and the entire equity interest in, New Frontier Media, Inc. The Offer, as the first step in the acquisition of New Frontier Media, Inc., is intended to facilitate the acquisition of all outstanding Shares. The purpose of the Merger is to acquire all of the Shares not purchased pursuant to the Offer, the Top-Up Option (as defined below) or otherwise.
New Frontier has granted Merger Sub an irrevocable option (the “Top-Up Option”), exercisable from and after the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts for payment Shares tendered in the Offer, to purchase up to that number of newly issued Shares (the “Top-Up Option Shares”) equal to the lesser of (i) the number of Shares that, when added to the number of Shares owned by LFP and Merger Sub at the time of exercise, constitutes one Share more than the 90% of the fully-diluted Shares (i.e. that number of Shares necessary for Merger Sub to be merged into New Frontier through a “short-form” merger under the CBCA (after giving effect to the issuance of the Top-Up Option Shares)) and (ii) the aggregate number of Shares that New Frontier is authorized to issue under its articles of incorporation but that are not issued and outstanding (and are not subscribed for or otherwise committed to be issued or reserved for issuance) at the time of exercise of the Top-Up Option, in each case, for consideration per Top-Up Option Share equal to the Offer Price plus one CPR.
The Top-Up Option may be exercised by Merger Sub, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the third business day following the date and time at which Merger Sub first accepts payment for Shares tendered in the Offer, but the Top-Up Option will only be exercisable if, after exercise of the Top-Up Option, the number of shares owned by LFP and Merger Sub would constitute one Share more than the number of Shares necessary for Merger Sub to be merged into New Frontier pursuant to Section 7-111-104 of the CBCA. The aggregate purchase price for the Shares being purchased pursuant to the Top-Up Option may be paid by Merger Sub, at its election, either entirely in cash or by delivery of cash equal to the aggregate par value of the Shares being purchased plus a promissory note for the balance due. Any such promissory note will bear interest at the rate of 4% per annum, will mature on the first anniversary of the date of execution thereof and may be prepaid without penalty.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, in the event that Merger Sub acquires at least 90% of the then outstanding Shares pursuant to the Offer (including through purchases during any subsequent offering period or through exercise of the Top-Up Option) the parties have agreed to take all necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to become effective, in accordance with Section 7-111-104 of the CBCA, as promptly as reasonably practicable after such acquisition, without a meeting of the shareholders of New Frontier Media, Inc.
Subject to the provisions of the Merger Agreement and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Merger Sub reserves the right, and under certain circumstances may be required, to extend the Offer, as described in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase. If any condition to the Offer has not been satisfied or waived, Merger Sub must extend the Offer for one or more consecutive periods of not more than five business days, up to an aggregate of 20 business days after the original expiration time of the Offer. In addition, Merger Sub may in its sole discretion commence a subsequent offering period (as provided in Rule 14d-11 under the Exchange Act) after the date and time at which Shares are first accepted for payment in the Offer.
Any extension, waiver or amendment of the Offer, or delay in acceptance for payment or payment, or termination of the Offer will be followed, as promptly as practicable, by public announcement thereof, such announcement in the case of an extension to be issued not later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration time of the Offer in accordance with the public announcement requirements of Rules 14d-4(d), 14d-6(c) and l4e-1(d) under the Exchange Act.
For purposes of the Offer, Merger Sub will be deemed to have accepted for payment, and thereby purchased, Shares validly tendered, and not properly withdrawn, prior to the expiration time of the Offer if and when Merger Sub gives oral or written notice to the Depositary of Merger Sub’s acceptance for payment of such Shares pursuant to the Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, payment for Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made by deposit of the purchase price therefor with the Depositary, which will act as agent for the tendering shareholders for the purpose of receiving payments from Merger Sub and transmitting such payments to the tendering shareholders. Under no circumstances will interest be paid on the Offer Price or the CPR for Shares, regardless of any extension of the Offer or any delay in making payment for Shares.
In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (a) certificates for such Shares or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary’s account at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase, (b) a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal), and (c) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal or any other customary documents required by the Depositary.
Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the expiration time of the Offer. Further, if Merger Sub has not accepted Shares for payment by December 28, 2012, they may be withdrawn at any time prior to Merger Sub’s acceptance for payment after that date. For a withdrawal of Shares to be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of the Offer to Purchase. Any notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person having tendered the Shares to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and the name of the registered holder of the Shares to be withdrawn, if different from that of the person who tendered such Shares. The signature(s) on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), unless such Shares have been tendered for the account of any Eligible Institution. If Shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer as set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Shares. If certificates representing the Shares have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Depositary, the name of the registered owner and the serial numbers shown on such certificates must also be furnished to the Depositary prior to the physical release of such certificates.
All questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal will be determined by Merger Sub, in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. No withdrawal of Shares will be deemed to have been properly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. Neither LFP nor Merger Sub, nor any of their respective affiliates or assigns, the Depositary, the Information Agent, or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Withdrawals of tenders of Shares may not be rescinded, and any Shares properly withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the Offer. However, withdrawn Shares may be retendered by following one of the procedures for tendering Shares described in Section 3 at any time prior to the expiration time of the Offer.
The information required to be disclosed by paragraph (d)(1) of Rule 14d-6 under the Exchange Act is contained in the Offer to Purchase and is incorporated herein by reference.
New Frontier Media, Inc. has provided LFP and Merger Sub with New Frontier Media, Inc.’s shareholder list and security position listings for the purpose of disseminating the Offer to holders of Shares. The Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal will be mailed to record holders of Shares whose names appear on New Frontier Media, Inc.’s shareholder list and will be furnished for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of Shares, to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and similar persons whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing agency’s security position listing.
The receipt of cash for Shares in the Offer or the Merger will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences of the
Offer and the Merger to them. For a more complete description of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Offer and the Merger, see Section 5 of the Offer to Purchase.
The Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal contain important information and both documents should be read carefully and in their entirety before any decision is made with respect to the Offer.
Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at the address and telephone number set forth below. Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Information Agent or to brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies. Such copies will be furnished promptly at LFP and Merger Sub’s expense. LFP and Merger Sub will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or any other person (other than the Information Agent) for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer.
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
Innisfree |
M&A Incorporated |
501 Madison Avenue, 20th floor
New York, New York 10022
Shareholders may call toll free: (888) 750-5834
Banks and Brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833
October 29, 2012
Exhibit (a)(5)(B)
LFP BROADCASTING COMMENCES TENDER OFFER FOR
ALL OUTSTANDING SHARES OF NEW FRONTIER MEDIA, INC.
Previously Announced Offer of $2.02 Per Share in Cash Plus a Contingent Payment Right
BOULDER, COLORADO and LOS ANGELES, CA – October 29, 2012 – New Frontier Media, Inc. (NasdaqGS: NOOF), a leading provider of transactional television services and distributor of general motion picture entertainment, and L.F.P., Inc., the company founded and headed up by Larry Flynt, today jointly announced that LFP Broadcasting, LLC and Flynt Broadcast, Inc., affiliates of L.F.P., have commenced the previously-announced tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of New Frontier Media for $2.02 per share, net to the seller in cash without interest, plus a contingent cash payment right for each common share. The offer price represents approximately a 79% premium to New Frontier Media’s closing stock price on March 8, 2012, the day before New Frontier Media received a publicly-announced unsolicited acquisition proposal.
On October 15, 2012, New Frontier Media and L.F.P. announced that New Frontier Media and affiliates of L.F.P. had entered into a merger agreement, pursuant to which a tender offer would be made for all the issued and outstanding shares of New Frontier Media. The tender offer, if successful, will be followed by a second-step merger in which any shares of New Frontier Media not tendered into the offer will be converted into the right to receive the same per share consideration paid to New Frontier Media shareholders in the tender offer, subject to shareholders’ dissenters’ rights under Colorado law. As a result of the transaction, New Frontier Media’s common stock would no longer be publicly-owned or traded on the NASDAQ market.
After careful consideration and following the recommendation of the special committee of New Frontier Media’s board of directors, which was comprised solely of non-employee independent directors, New Frontier Media’s board of directors unanimously determined that the tender offer and the merger are fair to and in the best interests of the shareholders of New Frontier Media, and approved the merger agreement, the tender offer, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Accordingly, New Frontier Media’s board of directors unanimously recommends that New Frontier Media’s shareholders accept the tender offer and tender their shares in the tender offer and, if required by Colorado law, adopt the merger agreement and approve the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger.
Larry Flynt, L.F.P., Inc., LFP Broadcasting, LLC and Flynt Broadcast, Inc. are today filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an offer to purchase and related letter of transmittal, setting forth in detail the terms of the tender offer. Additionally, New Frontier Media is today filing with the SEC a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 setting forth in detail, among other things, the unanimous recommendation of New Frontier Media’s board of directors that New Frontier Media’s shareholders accept the tender offer and tender their shares into the tender offer.
The consummation of the tender offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including: (i) a majority of outstanding New Frontier Media shares on a fully diluted basis having been tendered into the offer and not validly withdrawn, (ii) there not having been a material adverse change with respect to New Frontier Media, (iii) New Frontier Media having not less than $11,514,000 in available cash at the expiration of the tender offer, and (iv) other customary conditions. The tender offer is not subject to a financing condition.
1
The tender offer and withdrawal rights are scheduled to expire at midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 (the end of the day on Tuesday), unless extended or earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.
Avondale Partners LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of New Frontier Media in connection the transaction. Alston + Bird LLP is acting as legal advisor to the Special Committee. Holland & Hart LLP is acting as legal advisor to the Company.
Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP and Dinsmore & Shohl LLP are acting as legal advisors to LFP Broadcasting in connection with the transaction.
About New Frontier Media, Inc.
New Frontier Media, Inc. is a provider of transactional television services and a distributor of general motion picture entertainment. Our Transactional TV segment distributes adult content to cable and satellite providers who then distribute the content to retail consumers via video-on-demand (VOD) and pay-per-view (PPV) technology. Programming originates from our state of the art digital broadcast infrastructure in Boulder, Colorado. We obtain our programming primarily by licensing content distribution rights from movie studios, and we distribute new and unique programming in order to provide consumers with an exceptional viewing experience.
Our Film Production segment is a distributor of mainstream and erotic films. The films are distributed to cable and satellite operators, premium movie channel providers and other content distributors. We act as a sales agent for mainstream films and produce erotic films. The segment also periodically provides contract film production services to major Hollywood studios.
We are headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, and our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "NOOF." For more information about New Frontier Media, Inc., contact Grant Williams, Chief Financial Officer, at (303) 444-0900, extension 2185, and please visit our web site at http://www.noof.com.
About L.F.P. Inc.
L.F.P. Inc. markets the HUSTLER® brand through a wide range of media properties and licensing initiatives. LFP maintains strong businesses in broadcasting, publishing, retail, internet, mobile, apparel, novelties, clubs and video, and owns the prominent HUSTLER Casino. HUSTLER TV, now available in over 55 countries, has exclusive broadcasting rights to a large number of top studios.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” “predict,” “will,” “may” and similar terms. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated timing of filings relating to the transaction; statements regarding the expected timing of the completion of the transaction; statements regarding the ability to complete the transaction considering the various closing conditions; statements regarding prospective performance and opportunities; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release related to future results and events are based on the Company’s current expectations, beliefs and assumptions about its industry and its
2
business. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to, uncertainties as to the timing of the tender offer and the merger; uncertainties as to how many of the Company’s shareholders will tender their stock in the tender offer; the risk of litigation relating to the transaction; the risk that competing offers will be made; the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived; the effects of disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, vendors or other business partners; other business effects, including, but not limited to, the effects of industry, economic or political conditions outside of the Company’s control; transaction costs; actual or contingent liabilities; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed with the SEC by the Company, including, but not limited to, the solicitation/recommendation statement and merger proxy statement to be filed by the Company. Investors and shareholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Unless required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are also urged to review carefully and consider the various disclosures in the Company’s SEC periodic and interim reports, including but not limited to its Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012 and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed from time to time by the Company. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Important Information About the Tender Offer
This press release is not a recommendation, an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of common stock of New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“New Frontier Media”). The solicitation and the offer to buy shares of New Frontier Media common stock is being made pursuant to an offer to purchase and related materials that Larry Flynt, L.F.P., Inc., LFP Broadcasting, LLC and Flynt Broadcast, Inc. have filed with the SEC. Larry Flynt, L.F.P., Inc., LFP Broadcasting, LLC and Flynt Broadcast, Inc. have filed a tender offer statement on Schedule TO with the SEC, and New Frontier Media has filed a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the offer. The tender offer statement (including an offer to purchase, a related letter of transmittal and other offer documents) and the solicitation/recommendation statement contain important information that should be read carefully and considered before any decision is made with respect to the tender offer. These materials are being sent free of charge to all shareholders of New Frontier Media. In addition, all of these materials (and all other materials filed by New Frontier Media with the SEC) are available at no charge from the SEC through its website at www.sec.gov. Free copies of the offer to purchase, the related letter of transmittal and certain other offering documents are also available by contacting Innisfree M&A Incorporated, 501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10022 (for information by telephone: Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 750-5833; All Others Call Toll-Free: (888) 750-5834. In addition, shareholders will be able to obtain a free copy of these documents from New Frontier Media by contacting Marc Callipari, Chief Legal Officer, New Frontier Media, Inc., 6000 Spine Road, Suite 100, Boulder, Colorado 80301, (303) 444-0900; mcallipari@noof.com.
3
New Frontier Investor Contacts:
New Frontier Media Contacts:
Grant Williams
Andrew Cole / Jonathan Doorley
Chief Financial Officer
Sard Verbinnen & Co
(303) 444-0900 x 2185
(212) 687-8080
gwilliams@noof.com
jdoorley@sardverb.com
OR
Scott Winter
Innisfree M&A Incorporated
(212) 750-5833
swinter@innisfreema.com
LFP Broadcasting Media Contacts:
Arthur Sando
(323) 651-5400
asando@lfp.com
4
Exhibit (d)(2)
DEPOSIT ESCROW AGREEMENT
THIS DEPOSIT ESCROW AGREEMENT (“Deposit Escrow Agreement”) is made and entered into this 15th day of October, 2012, by and among LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”), and New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Company”), and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (“Escrow Agent”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, on the date hereof, Parent, Merger Sub and Company have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 15, 2012 (“Merger Agreement”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Parent will acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company and Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent;
WHEREAS, Section 8.06 of the Merger Agreement contemplates that the Company, Parent, Merger Sub and the Escrow Agent shall enter into this Deposit Escrow Agreement in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement (the “Execution”) and that at the Execution, Parent shall deliver to the Escrow Agent, pursuant to the wire instructions attached hereto as Exhibit A, an amount of cash equal to $1,000,000, less the Escrow Agent Fees;
WHEREAS, Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the parties have agreed that the Escrow Funds (as defined below) shall be held in escrow and distributed in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Deposit Escrow Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the same definitions as set forth in the Merger Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto, agree as follows:
1.
Appointment of and Acceptance by the Escrow Agent. The Company, Parent and Merger Sub hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to serve as their escrow agent for the purposes set forth herein. The Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment under the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Escrow Agent, upon receipt of the Escrow Funds on the date hereof in accordance with the foregoing recitals, agrees to hold, invest and disburse the Escrow Funds (as defined below) solely in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall acknowledge receipt of the Deposit upon actual receipt thereof by notifying the other parties to this Deposit Escrow Agreement by email.
2.
Investment of the Escrow Funds. The funds held by the Escrow Agent from time to time pursuant to this Deposit Escrow Agreement, together with all income accrued thereon which has not been distributed pursuant to this Deposit Escrow Agreement, are referred to herein as the “Escrow Funds.”
a.
Escrow Agent is authorized and directed to deposit, transfer, and hold and invest any cash in the Escrow Funds and any investment income thereon only as set forth in Exhibit B hereto, or as set forth in any subsequent written instruction signed by all the parties. Parent, Merger Sub and Company each acknowledges that they have read and understand Exhibit B hereto.
1
b.
Escrow Agent is hereby authorized and directed to sell or redeem any such investments as it deems necessary to make any payments or distributions required under this Deposit Escrow Agreement. Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss which may result from any investment or sale of investment made pursuant to this Deposit Escrow Agreement. Escrow Agent is hereby authorized, in making or disposing of any investment permitted by this Deposit Escrow Agreement, to deal with itself (in its individual capacity) or with any one or more of its affiliates, whether it or any such affiliate is acting as agent of the Escrow Agent or for any third person or dealing as principal for its own account. Parent, Merger Sub and Company each acknowledges that the Escrow Agent is not providing investment supervision, recommendations, or advice.
3.
Escrow Agent’s Disbursements of the Escrow Funds.
a.
Instructions. In the event that the Company or Parent is entitled to receive a distribution of all or any portion of the Escrow Funds as provided in this Section 3, the Escrow Agent shall make such distribution to the account of such party identified on Exhibit A hereto, unless such party has provided written notice to the Escrow Agent with alternative wire instructions prior to the required disbursement date.
b.
Disbursement of Escrow Funds.
i.
The Company and Parent may at any time give joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent setting forth detailed payment instructions for amounts to be distributed from the Escrow Funds. Upon Escrow Agent’s receipt of joint written instructions from Company and Parent, disbursement of Escrow Funds shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds within two (2) Business Days.
ii.
Unless the Company and Parent shall have given the joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent, Parent (on behalf of Merger Sub) and/or the Company, as applicable, shall give written notice to the Escrow Agent and to the other parties to this Deposit Escrow Agreement of its entitlement to the Escrow Funds, which such notice shall be in the form of Exhibit C hereto (each, a “Claim Notice”).
iii.
Upon receipt of a Claim Notice from either party (the “Claimant”), the Escrow Agent shall acknowledge receipt of the Claim Notice by email to the Claimant and to the other party (the “Respondent”). If the Escrow Agent does not receive a written objection to the Claim Notice from the Respondent in the form of Exhibit D hereto (“Objection Notice”) within ten (10) Business Days after the date such notice was deemed delivered to the Respondent, the Escrow Agent shall deliver the Escrow Funds to the Claimant or its designee in the manner set forth in the Claim Notice. If the Escrow Agent receives an Objection Notice within ten (10) Business Days after the date the Claim Notice was deemed delivered to the Respondent, the Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrow Funds and take no action with respect to it until a Final Determination (as defined below).
A “Final Determination” shall mean (i) a written notice from Parent and Company to the Escrow Agent in the form of Exhibit E hereto setting forth the manner in which the Escrow Funds are to be paid, or (ii) a copy of a final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or decision of an arbitration panel determining the rights of Parent, Merger Sub and Company with respect to the Escrow Funds or resolution of a claim with respect thereto, accompanied by a letter of counsel of Parent (on behalf of Merger Sub) or Company, as the case may be, addressed to the Escrow Agent stating that such order or judgment has
2
been finally affirmed on appeal by the highest court before which such appeal may be sought, or has become final by lapse of time or is otherwise not subject to appeal or such decision of the arbitration panel is binding and is not subject to appeal. A “Business Day” shall mean a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which the Escrow Agent is authorized or permitted to close in the jurisdiction in which it is located.
iv.
The Escrow Agent shall release the Escrow Funds promptly following the receipt of written evidence of a Final Determination in respect of a pending claim, as contemplated by Section 3(b)(iv) above.
4.
Liability and Duties of Escrow Agent. Parent, Merger Sub and Company hereby recognize and acknowledge that the Escrow Agent is serving hereunder at their request. Accordingly, it is understood and agreed as follows:
a.
The Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrow Funds during the period or periods specified in this Deposit Escrow Agreement and shall dispose of the Escrow Funds in accordance with the terms hereof and not as the property of the Escrow Agent. The duties and responsibilities of the Escrow Agent shall be entirely administrative and not discretionary, and shall arise solely under and in accordance with this Deposit Escrow Agreement. Under no circumstance will Escrow Agent be deemed to be a fiduciary to any party or any other person under this Deposit Escrow Agreement.
b.
Parent, Merger Sub and Company agree that the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any claim arising hereunder or in connection herewith (whether or not asserted by Parent, Merger Sub, Company or any third party) unless such claim is based upon the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Escrow Agent in performing its duties pursuant to this Deposit Escrow Agreement. Parent (on behalf of itself and Merger Sub) and Company hereby jointly and severally agree to indemnify the Escrow Agent and hold it harmless from and against all claims, demands, costs, liabilities and expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and costs which may be asserted against the Escrow Agent or to which it may be exposed or which it may incur or suffer, directly or indirectly, by reason of the execution or performance of this Deposit Escrow Agreement, unless such claims, demands, costs, liabilities or expenses are based upon the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Escrow Agent in performing its duties pursuant to this Deposit Escrow Agreement. This Section 4(b) shall survive notwithstanding any termination of this Deposit Escrow Agreement or the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent. The indemnification provided in this Section 4(b) is only for the benefit of the Escrow Agent and shall not affect the rights of the parties under the Merger Agreement.
c.
ESCROW AGENT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FOR ANY (i) DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES ARISING OUT OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED HEREUNDER, OTHER THAN DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES WHICH HAVE BEEN FINALLY ADJUDICATED TO HAVE DIRECTLY RESULTED FROM ESCROW AGENT’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR (ii) SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF DEPOSIT ESCROW AGENT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES OR DAMAGES AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION.
d.
Escrow Agent may fully rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any written notice, instruction or request furnished to it hereunder and believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or printed by the proper party or parties. Concurrent with the execution of this Deposit Escrow Agreement, the Parties shall deliver to the Escrow Agent the authorized signers’ form attached hereto as Exhibit F.
3
e.
Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any reasonable action taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Deposit Escrow Agreement, and may consult with counsel of its own choice and shall have full and complete authorization and protection for any action taken or suffered by it hereunder in good faith or in accordance with or in reliance upon the opinion of such counsel. In addition, the Escrow Agent shall have no liability if it distributes the Escrow Funds in accordance with a Final Determination or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction or if it delivers such Escrow Funds to such a court for disposition by such court.
f.
The fees of Escrow Agent, as set forth on Exhibit G hereof (the “Escrow Agent Fees”), and all of its out-of-pocket expenses, shall be charged against and paid from the Escrow Funds. The fee agreed upon for the services rendered hereunder is intended as full compensation for the Escrow Agent’s services as contemplated by this Deposit Escrow Agreement; provided, however, that in the event that the conditions for the disbursement of the Escrow Funds under this Deposit Escrow Agreement are not fulfilled, or the Escrow Agent renders any service related to this Deposit Escrow Agreement, but not contemplated in this Deposit Escrow Agreement, or there is any assignment of interest in the subject matter of this Deposit Escrow Agreement, or any material modification hereof, or if any material controversy arises hereunder, or the Escrow Agent is made a party to any litigation pertaining to this Deposit Escrow Agreement or the subject matter hereof, then the Escrow Agent shall be compensated for such extraordinary services and reimbursed for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, occasioned by any such delay, controversy, litigation or event. If any amount due to the Escrow Agent hereunder is not paid within thirty (30) days of the date due, the Escrow Agent in its sole discretion may charge interest on such amount up to the highest rate permitted by applicable law. The Escrow Agent shall have, and is hereby granted, a prior lien upon the Escrow Funds with respect to its unpaid fees, non-reimbursed expenses and unsatisfied indemnification rights, superior to the interests of any other persons or entities and is hereby granted the right to set off and deduct any unpaid fees, non-reimbursed expenses and unsatisfied indemnification rights from the Escrow Funds.
g.
Income with respect to the Escrow Funds shall be deemed to have been earned by the party who receives the Escrow Funds and shall be subject to withholding regulations then in force with respect to United States taxes. Each party shall, at the request of Escrow Agent, provide the Escrow Agent with appropriate W-9 forms or tax identification number certifications, or resident alien certifications. This Section shall survive notwithstanding any termination of this Deposit Escrow Agreement or the resignation of the Escrow Agent.
h.
This Deposit Escrow Agreement expressly sets forth all the duties of the Escrow Agent with respect to any and all matters pertinent hereto. No implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Deposit Escrow Agreement against the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by the provisions of any agreement among the other parties hereto except the Deposit Escrow Agreement.
i.
The Escrow Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties or obligations under this Deposit Escrow Agreement by giving not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Parent and Company of such resignation, provided that no such resignation shall be effective until a successor Escrow Agent, designated jointly by Parent and Company, has agreed to serve as the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Escrow Agreement. From the date of said letter of resignation until the delivery of the Escrow Funds to the successor Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent’s sole duty hereunder shall be to retain the Escrow Funds and invest and reinvest said Escrow Funds pursuant to Section 1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if no successor is appointed within thirty (30) days after such resignation notice is deemed given hereunder, the Escrow Agent may deliver the Escrow Funds into a court of competent jurisdiction and, thereupon, shall be released from any and all obligations and
liabilities arising under or in connection with this Deposit Escrow Agreement or its duties as an escrow agent hereunder.
4
j.
If any conflict, disagreement or dispute arises between, among, or involving any of the parties hereto concerning the meaning or validity of any provision hereunder or concerning any other matter relating to this Deposit Escrow Agreement, or the Escrow Agent is in doubt as to the action to be taken hereunder, the Escrow Agent may, at its option, retain the Escrow Funds until the Escrow Agent (i) receives a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a final non-appealable arbitration decision directing delivery of the Escrow Funds, (ii) receives a written agreement executed by each of the parties involved in such disagreement or dispute directing delivery of the Escrow Funds, in which event the Escrow Agent shall be authorized to disburse the Escrow Funds in accordance with such final court order, arbitration decision, or agreement, or (iii) files an interpleader action in any court of competent jurisdiction, and upon the filing thereof, the Escrow Agent shall be relieved of all liability as to the Escrow Funds and shall be entitled to recover attorneys’ fees, expenses and other costs incurred in commencing and maintaining any such interpleader action. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to act on any such agreement, court order, or arbitration decision without further question, inquiry, or consent.
5.
Termination. The duties of the Escrow Agent shall be terminated (a) upon disbursement or release of the entire Escrow Funds by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms hereof; (b) by written mutual consent signed by Company and Parent (on behalf of itself and Merger Sub), or (c) by delivery or payment of the Escrow Funds into a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to a resignation in accordance with Section 4(i) or as otherwise contemplated by Section 4(j).
6.
Escheat. Parent, Merger Sub and Company are aware that under applicable state law, property which is presumed abandoned may under certain circumstances escheat to the applicable state. The Escrow Agent shall have no liability to the parties, their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns, or any other party, should any or all of the Escrow Funds escheat by operation of law.
7.
Notice. All notices, consents, approvals, directions, and instructions required or permitted under this Deposit Escrow Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered either by hand or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by a nationally recognized overnight courier service guaranteeing delivery within twenty-four (24) hours (charges prepaid), or by electronic mail and addressed as follows:
If to Parent or Merger Sub, to:
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
8484 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Attention: Michael H. Klein, President
Email: mklein@lfp.com
with a copy (which will not
constitute notice to Parent or
Merger Sub) to:
Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP
42 Delaware Avenue, Suite 120
Buffalo, New York 14202-3924
Attention: Paul J. Cambria, Jr. Esq. and
Attention: Jeffrey F. Reina, Esq.
Email:
If to the Company, to:
New Frontier Media, Inc.
6000 Spine Road, Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80301-3323
Attention:
General Counsel
Email:
5
with a copy (which will not
constitute notice to the Company)
to:
Alston & Bird LLP
950 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004-1404
Attention: Keith E. Gottfried, Esq.
Email: keith.gottfried@alston.com
and
Holland & Hart LLP
One Boulder Plaza
1800 Broadway, Suite 300
Boulder, CO 80302-5234
Attention: Scott A. Berdan, Esq.
Email: saberdan@hollandhart.com
If to Escrow Agent:
U.S. Bank National Association
Corporate Trust Services
214 N. Tryon Street, Suite 2700
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Lisa Moorehead
Telephone: 704-335-4597
Email: lisa.moorehead@usbank.com
or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as any party shall have requested by a written notice given pursuant to this Section 7. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder when delivered personally, one day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier service or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. Mail, as may be applicable, whether or not delivery is accepted by the addressee. Notices also may be given by electronic mail, as applicable, set forth above, and shall be effective on the date transmitted if confirmed by a delivery receipt. Copies of all communications hereunder shall be sent to Escrow Agent.
8.
Assignment. Subject to the Escrow Agent’s right to withdraw pursuant to Section 4(i) hereof, this Deposit Escrow Agreement may not be assigned by Parent, Merger Sub, Company or the Escrow Agent without the prior written consent of the other parties (with written consent by Parent applicable to both Parent and Merger Sub) hereto.
9.
No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided in Section 4(b) above, nothing in this Deposit Escrow Agreement, whether express or implied, shall be construed to give to any person or entity other than the Escrow Agent and the Parties any legal or equitable right, remedy, interest or claim under or in respect of this Deposit Escrow Agreement or any funds escrowed hereunder.
10.
Force Majeure. The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligation under this Deposit Escrow Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; wars; acts of terrorism; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemic; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental action; it being understood that the Escrow Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
6
11.
Governing Law. This Deposit Escrow Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws and decisions of the State of Colorado applicable to agreements made to be performed entirely in such jurisdiction, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws (whether of the State of Colorado or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any state other than the State of Colorado.
12.
Jurisdiction. Each of the parties and the Escrow Agent irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal and state courts located in the State of Colorado, in connection with any claims or disputes that may arise out of or relate to the subject matter set forth herein. Each party and the Escrow Agent irrevocably waives any objection on the grounds of venue, forum non-conveniens or any similar grounds and irrevocably consents to service of process by mail or in any other manner permitted by applicable law. To the extent that in any jurisdiction either party may now or hereafter be entitled to claim for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution attachment (before or after judgment), or other legal process, such party shall not claim, and it hereby irrevocably waives, such immunity.
13.
Waiver of Trial by Jury Each party and the Escrow Agent further hereby waive any right to a trial by jury with respect to any lawsuit or judicial proceeding arising or relating to this Deposit Escrow Agreement.
14.
Counterparts. This Deposit Escrow Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. In the event that any signature to this Deposit Escrow Agreement is delivered by e-mail delivery of a portable document format (.pdf or similar format) data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
15.
Headings. The headings used in this Deposit Escrow Agreement are for convenience of reference only and do not constitute a part of this Deposit Escrow Agreement and will not be deemed to limit, characterize or in any way affect any provision of this Deposit Escrow Agreement, and all provisions of this Deposit Escrow Agreement will be enforced and construed as if no heading had been used in this Deposit Escrow Agreement.
16.
Interpretation. The captions in this Deposit Escrow Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or affect the interpretation of any provision in this Deposit Escrow Agreement. The singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular; any gender shall include all other genders as the meaning and context of this Deposit Escrow Agreement shall require. This Deposit Escrow Agreement is the product of arm’s length negotiations between sophisticated, well-represented parties and no provision herein shall be construed against the drafter thereof.
17.
Severability. If any provision of this Deposit Escrow Agreement is determined to be prohibited or unenforceable by reason of any applicable law of a jurisdiction, then such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions thereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in such jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provisions in any other jurisdiction.
18.
Amendment. This Deposit Escrow Agreement may not be amended or modified, except by a written instrument executed by the Company, Parent and the Escrow Agent.
19.
Termination of Deposit Escrow Agreement. This Deposit Escrow Agreement shall remain in effect unless and until (i) all Escrow Funds are distributed in full, or (ii) it is terminated by a written instrument executed by the Company and Parent.
7
20.
Merger or Consolidation. Any banking association or corporation into which the Escrow Agent (or substantially all of its corporate trust business) may be merged, converted or with which the Escrow Agent may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Escrow Agent shall be a party, shall succeed to all the Escrow Agent’s rights, obligations and immunities hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.
21.
Funds Transfer. In the event funds transfer instructions are given subject to the terms and conditions hereof (other than in writing at the time of execution of this Deposit Escrow Agreement), whether in writing or by email or facsimile, the Escrow Agent may seek confirmation of such instructions by telephone call-back to the person or person designated in Section 7 hereof, and the Escrow Agent may rely upon the confirmations of anyone purporting to be the person or persons so designated. The persons and telephone numbers for call-backs may be changed only in writing by an authorized party actually received and acknowledged by the Escrow Agent. The parties to this Deposit Escrow Agreement acknowledge that such security procedure is commercially reasonable. It is understood that the Escrow Agent and the beneficiary’s bank in any funds transfer may rely solely upon any account numbers or similar identifying number provided by either of the other parties hereto to identify (i) the beneficiary, (ii) the beneficiary’s bank or (iii) an intermediary bank. The Escrow Agent may apply any of the Escrow Funds for any payment order it executes using any such identifying number, even where its use may result in a person other than the beneficiary being paid, or the transfer of funds to a bank other than the beneficiary’s bank or an intermediary bank, designated.
22.
Identifying Information. The Company, Parent and Merger Sub acknowledge that a portion of the identifying information set forth in this Deposit Escrow Agreement and the Exhibits hereto is being requested by the Escrow Agent in connection with the USA Patriot Act, Pub.L.107–56 (the “USA Patriot Act”), and the Company, Parent and Merger Sub agree to provide any additional information reasonably requested by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the USA Patriot Act or any similar legislation or regulation to which Escrow Agent is subject, in a timely manner. The Company, Parent and Merger Sub each represent that all identifying information set forth in this Deposit Escrow Agreement and the Exhibits hereto, including without limitation, its Taxpayer Identification Number or Social Security Number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service, is true and complete on the date hereof and in the event such information regarding a party changes subsequent to the date hereof, such party will promptly notify the Escrow Agent of such change.
[Signatures Appear on Next Page]
0
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Deposit Escrow Agreement on the date and year first written above.
PARENT:
LFP BROADCASTING, LLC
By: /s/Michael H. Klein
Name: Michael H. Klein
Title: President
MERGER SUB:
FLYNT BROADCAST, INC.
By: /s/Michael H. Klein
Name: Michael H. Klein
Title: President
COMPANY:
NEW FRONTIER MEDIA, INC.
By: /s/ Grant H. Williams
Name: Grant H. Williams
Title: Chief Financial Officer
ESCROW AGENT:
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/Lisa L. Moorehead
Name: Lisa L. Moorehead
Title: Asst. Vice President
Exhibit A
Wire Instructions
Escrow Fund:
U.S. Bank Global Corporate Trust Services
ABA#:
XXXXXXXX
Account #:
XXXXXXXX
Act BNF:
US Bank CT Southeast Wire Clrg
ATTN:
Lisa Moorehead
Re:
Project Crocket
Company:
Bank Name:
Great Western Bank
Bank Address:
100 N Phillips Avenue, PO Box 2345, Sioux Falls, SD 57101-2345
Account Name:
New Frontier Media, Inc. Operating Account
Account Number: XXXXXXXX
ABA #:
XXXXXXXX
Parent:
Bank Name:
Bank Of The West
Bank Address:
9401 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, USA
Account Name:
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
Account #:
XXXXXXXX
ACH Routing #:
XXXXXXXX
Wire Routing #:
XXXXXXXX
SWIFT:
XXXXXXXX
Exhibit B
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT AUTHORIZATION FORM
DESCRIPTION AND TERMS
The U.S. Bank Money Market Account is an U.S. Bank National Association (“U.S. Bank”) interest-bearing money market deposit account designed to meet the needs of U.S. Bank’s Corporate Trust Services Escrow Group and other Corporate Trust customers of U.S. Bank. Selection of this investment includes authorization to place funds on deposit with U.S. Bank.
U.S. Bank uses the daily balance method to calculate interest on this account (actual/365 or 366). This method applies a daily periodic rate to the principal balance in the account each day. Interest is accrued daily and credited monthly to the account. Interest rates are determined at U.S. Bank’s discretion and may be tiered by customer deposit amount.
The owner of the account is U.S. Bank as Agent for its trust customers. U.S. Bank’s trust department performs all account deposits and withdrawals. Deposit accounts are FDIC Insured per depositor, as determined under FDIC Regulations, up to applicable FDIC limits.
AUTOMATIC AUTHORIZATION
In the absence of specific written direction to the contrary, U.S. Bank is hereby directed to invest and reinvest proceeds and other available moneys in the U.S. Bank Money Market Account (#XXXXXX). The U.S. Bank Money Market Account is a permitted investment under the operative documents and this authorization is the permanent direction for investment of the moneys until notified in writing of alternate instructions.
Exhibit C
Form of Claim Notice
BANK ADDRESS Attention:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Section 3 of the Deposit Escrow Agreement (“Deposit Escrow Agreement”), dated October 15, 2012, by and among LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”), New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Company”), and you, [Insert Name of Claimant] hereby notifies you that it is making a claim against [Insert Name of Respondent] for the full amount of the Escrow Funds. The factual basis for this claim is as follows:
[insert facts]
Payment of the Escrow Funds pursuant to this claim shall be delivered as follows:
[insert instructions for payment]
Sincerely,
[INSERT NAME OF CLAIMANT]
By:
Name:
Title:
Exhibit D
Form of Objection Notice
BANK ADDRESS Attention:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Section 3 of the Deposit Escrow Agreement (“Deposit Escrow Agreement”), dated October 15, 2012, by and among LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”), New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Company”), and you, the undersigned hereby notifies you that it objects to [Insert Name of Claimant] Claim Notice dated _____ , 2011, and requests that you hold the Escrow Funds until a Final Determination. The factual basis for this objection is as follows:
[insert facts]
Sincerely,
[INSERT NAME OF RESPONDENT]
By:
Name:
Title:
Exhibit E
Form of Final Determination Notice
BANK ADDRESS Attention:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Section 3 of the Deposit Escrow Agreement (“Deposit Escrow Agreement”), dated October 15, 2012, by and among LFP Broadcasting, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”), Flynt Broadcast, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Merger Sub”), New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Company”), and you, Parent, on behalf of itself and Merger Sub, and Company hereby authorize and direct you to pay the entire Escrow Funds as follows:
[insert agreed upon instructions for payment]
Sincerely,
PARENT
By:
Name:
Title:
COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
Exhibit F
Authorized Signatures
Party | Name | Phone Number | Signature |
Company | Grant H. Williams | 303-444-0900 (ext. 2185) | /s/Grant H. Williams |
Company | Marc Callipari | 303-444-0900 (ext. 2127) | /s/Marc Callipari |
Parent | Michael H. Klein | 323-651-5400 (ext 7421) | /s/Michael H. Klein |
Parent | Christopher J. Woodward | 323-651-5400 (ext. 7801) | /s/Christopher J. Woodward |
Merger Sub | Michael H. Klein | 323-651-5400 (ext. 7421) | /s/Michael H. Klein |
Merger Sub | Christopher J. Woodward | 323-651-5400 (ext. 7801) | /s/Christopher J. Woodward |
Exhibit G
Project Crockett:
LFP Broadcasting, LLC
Flynt Broadcast, Inc.
New Frontier Media, Inc.
SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR ESCROW AGENT SERVICES
SET-UP & ACCEPTANCE FEE:
WAIVED
ONE-TIME ESCROW AGENT FEE:
$ 1,500.00
The one-time fee covers the administration of Escrow Agent Services, including the maintenance of proper records and performance of duties required under the terms of the Deposit Escrow Agreement. The one-time fee is for a period of 12 months; thereafter, a monthly fee of $250.00 will be billed.
TRANSACTION FEES:
Checks/Wires/Tax Reporting:
Waived
OUT-OF-POCKET & LEGAL EXPENSES (if applicable):
Billed at Cost
Reimbursement of direct expenses associated with the performance of our duties including, but not
limited to, publications, mailings, legal fees and travel expenses.
1. EXTRAORDINARY SERVICES: | |
Extraordinary fees are payable to the Escrow Agent for duties or responsibilities not expected to be incurred at the outset of the transaction, not routine or customary, and not incurred in the ordinary course of business. Payment of extraordinary fees is appropriate where particular inquiries, events or developments are unexpected, even if the possibility of such things could have been identified at the inception of the transaction. |
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. For a non-individual person such as a business entity, a charity, a Trust, or other legal entity, we ask for documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity. We may also ask to see financial statements, licenses, identification, and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation.
October 12, 2012
Exhibit (d)(4)
NEW FRONTIER MEDIA, INC.
6000 SPINE ROAD, SUITE 100
BOULDER CO, 80301
May 9, 2012
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
Michael Klein
President
Flynt Management Group, LLC
8484 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Re: CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
Dear Michael:
In connection with your consideration of a possible transaction (Transaction) involving New Frontier Media, Inc., a Colorado corporation (the Company), you have requested or may receive, at the direction of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Special Committee) which is overseeing consideration of a Transaction on behalf of the Companys Board of Directors, certain information regarding the Transaction or the Company, which is non-public, confidential and/or proprietary in nature, the unauthorized disclosure or use of which has the potential to cause the Company substantial harm or breach of applicable law, including the U.S. securities laws. Avondale Partners, LLC (Avondale) is the financial advisor to the Special Committee.
Accordingly, and as a condition to the disclosure of the Evaluation Material (as hereinafter defined), you agree to treat any information concerning the Transaction or the Company, whether or not prepared by the Company or its Representatives and whether furnished in writing or orally to you or your Representatives (as hereinafter defined) before or after the date of this letter, together with any and all analyses, compilations, studies or other documents which contain or otherwise reflect or are generated from such information and your review of, or interest in the Company (collectively, Evaluation Material), in accordance with this agreement. The term Evaluation Material does not include information which (a) was already in your possession or in the possession of your Representatives prior to the time of disclosure to you by the Company or its Representatives, provided that such information was not furnished to you or your Representatives by a source bound by a legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company with respect to such information, or otherwise prohibited from disclosing the information to you, (b) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by you or your Representatives in breach of the terms hereof, (c) becomes available to you on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company or its Representatives, provided that such source is not known by you or your Representatives, after reasonable investigation, to be bound by a legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company with respect to such information, or otherwise prohibited from disclosing the information to you, or (d) which was or is independently developed by you without violating your obligations hereunder. As used in this agreement, the term "Representatives" means, as to any person, such person's affiliates and its and their directors, officers, employees, partners, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, contractors, subcontractors, advisors (including, without limitation, attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, appraisers and financial advisors), controlling persons, potential debt or equity financing sources or other representatives, whether compensated or uncompensated. The term "person" as used in this letter agreement shall be broadly interpreted to include any corporation, limited liability entity, partnership, group, individual or other entity (including the media).
Michael Klein
LFP, Inc.
Page 2
You also agree that the Evaluation Material will be used solely for the purpose of evaluating the Company and a Transaction between the Company and you, will not be used by you or any of your affiliates or other Representatives, directly or indirectly, for any other purpose whatsoever, and will be kept strictly confidential by you and your Representatives, and shall not be disclosed by you or your Representatives in any manner whatsoever, in whole or in part, except to the extent that disclosure (a) has been consented to in writing by the Company, or (b) is made to your Representatives who need to know such information solely to facilitate its evaluation of the Company or its evaluation, negotiation and/or consummation of a Transaction (it being understood that such Representatives shall be informed by you of the confidential nature of the Evaluation Material and shall be directed by you to treat the Evaluation Material in a manner that is in strict compliance with the terms of this agreement). You agree, at your sole expense, to take all appropriate measures and actions necessary to prevent your Representatives (and former employees) from unauthorized disclosure or use of the Evaluation Material in breach of the terms hereof (including, but not limited to, seeking a restraining order from a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent such unauthorized disclosure). You shall be responsible for any breach of this agreement by any of your Representatives (including any employees who, subsequent to the first date of disclosure of the Evaluation Material hereunder, become former employees) as if such Representative had been substituted for you as a party and signatory to this letter.
In the event that you or any of your Representatives are requested or required by law, regulatory authority or other applicable judicial or governmental order (whether by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena, Civil Investigative Demand or similar process) to disclose any Evaluation Material, you will immediately provide the Company with notice of any such request or requirement so that the Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the terms of this agreement. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or that the Company waives compliance with the terms hereof, you and/or such Representative may disclose only that portion of the Evaluation Material which you and/or such Representative are advised by outside counsel is legally required to be disclosed and you will give the Company written notice of the Evaluation Materials to be disclosed.
In addition, without the prior written consent of the Company, or except as required by applicable law, rule, regulation or legal process or in order to avoid a violation of any applicable stock exchange regulation, you will not, and will direct your Representatives not to, disclose to any person (a) that the Evaluation Material has been made available to you or your Representatives, (b) that any discussions or negotiations are or may be taking place concerning a possible Transaction involving the parties, or (c) any terms, conditions or other facts with respect to the possible Transaction (including the status thereof).
You undertake and guarantee that you and your Representatives will not use the Evaluation Material in any way which could be harmful, directly or indirectly, to the Company, its Representatives, stockholders, assets or activities, or procure a commercial advantage to the detriment of the Company.
You undertake and guarantee that, in considering the Transaction and reviewing the Evaluation Material, you are acting solely on your own behalf and not as part of a group with any unaffiliated parties and/or as brokers. You will not, directly or indirectly, enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or any discussions that may lead to such agreement, arrangement or understanding, with any person, including without limitation a joint bidder or an equity investor, regarding a possible transaction involving the Company without the prior express written permission of the Company, provided that you may enter into agreements with your advisors regarding their services in connection with your evaluation of the Transaction.
Michael Klein
LFP, Inc.
Page 3
You acknowledge that the Company would suffer great damage in the event of a breach of the terms and conditions set forth herein and hereby undertake to indemnify and hold the Company and any of its Representatives harmless from and against any damage, liability, loss, claim and expense (including reasonable attorneys fees) whatsoever resulting from the failure to comply with any of the obligations binding upon you and your Representatives under this agreement. It is understood and agreed that monetary damages may not be a sufficient remedy for any threatened or actual breach of this agreement, and that the Company is entitled to seek specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief without the necessity of proving actual damages or of posting of any bond. Such remedy shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedy for breach of this agreement, but shall be in addition to all other remedies available at law or equity to the Company.
Neither the Company nor any of its Representatives shall be deemed to have made any representations or warranties, either implied or express, as to the accuracy or completeness of the Evaluation Material and neither the Company nor any of its Representatives shall have any liability to you or your Representatives relating to or resulting from the supply and use of the Evaluation Material. Only those representations or warranties which are made by the Company in a final definitive agreement regarding a Transaction, when, as and if executed, and subject to such limitations and restrictions as may be specified therein, will have any legal effect.
No license or conveyance of any rights under any discoveries, inventions, patents, trade secrets, proprietary information, copyrights, trade names or trademarks, or applications thereof, or any other form of intellectual property is granted or implied with respect to any Evaluation Material disclosed pursuant to the terms of this agreement.
At any time that you decide not to proceed with a Transaction, you will promptly inform the Company of such decision. In such event or within ten days after being so requested by the Company or its Representative for any reason, you will return or, at your election, destroy all Evaluation Material furnished to you or your Representatives or otherwise in your or your Representatives' possession, including, but not limited to, any reproductions, summaries, extracts or compilations thereof or based thereon, and no copies shall be retained; provided, however, that (i) to the extent required under your or your Representatives existing corporate document retention policies, you and your Representatives to whom Evaluation Material was provided hereunder may retain one copy of the Evaluation Material in their possession solely for legal or regulatory compliance purposes and (ii) neither you nor your Representatives shall have any obligation to destroy copies of Evaluation Material held solely in digital form in an automated data back-up or similar system that is not readily accessible to you or your Representatives personnel (as applicable). Any destruction of materials shall be confirmed by you in writing upon the Companys written request. Any Evaluation Material that cannot be, or otherwise is not, returned or destroyed (such as oral Evaluation Material) shall remain confidential, subject to the limitations and other provisions of this agreement.
This agreement binds the parties only with respect to the matters expressly set forth herein. As such, unless and until a subsequent definitive written agreement regarding a Transaction between the Company and you has been executed, (a) neither the Company nor you will be under any legal obligation of any kind whatsoever to whatsoever with respect to such a Transaction by virtue of (i) this agreement or (ii) any written or oral expression with respect to such a Transaction by any of the Company's directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors or controlling persons except, in the case of this agreement, for the matters specifically agreed to herein, and (b) you shall have no claim whatsoever against the Company or any of its Representatives arising out of or relating to any Transaction or Evaluation Material. In connection with your consideration of a Transaction, you acknowledge that the Board of Directors of the Company has not made any determination to
Michael Klein
LFP, Inc.
Page 4
enter into any transaction or agreement with you or any other party solely by virtue of the Companys execution of this agreement.
You further acknowledge and agree that the Special Committee reserves the right, in its sole discretion, (a) to conduct any process for any transaction involving the Company or its subsidiaries in such manner as the Special Committee may determine in its sole discretion (including, without limitation, negotiating with any other interested parties and entering into a definitive agreement with any third party without notice to you or any other person), (b) to change the procedures relating to any process or our consideration of any transaction involving the Company or its subsidiaries at any time without notice to you or any other person, (c) to reject any and all proposals made by you or any of your Representatives with regard to a Transaction, and (d) to terminate discussions and negotiations with you at any time and request the return or destruction of all Evaluation Material in accordance with this agreement. Neither you nor any of your Representatives shall have any claims whatsoever against the Special Committee, the Companys board of directors or the Company or any of their respective Representatives arising out of or relating to such actions and neither you nor any of your Representatives shall challenge any actions on the ground that any such actions were wrongful, discriminatory, unfair or otherwise violated any duty owed to you or any of your Representatives.
You acknowledge and agree that you and your Representatives will direct all inquiries and other communications regarding a Transaction or the Company, including all requests for information concerning the Company, to Avondale or employees or Representatives of the Company specified in writing by Avondale or the Special Committee. Accordingly, you agree that you and your Representatives will not directly or indirectly contact or communicate with any executive or other employee of the Company concerning a Transaction, or to seek any information in connection therewith from such person, without the prior express written consent of Avondale or the Special Committee.
Until the earlier of (i) the consummation of a Transaction or (ii) two years from the date of this agreement, you agree not to initiate or maintain contact (except for those contacts made in the ordinary course of business) with any officer, director or any employee of the Company regarding the business, operations, prospects or finances of the Company. Furthermore, you agree not to, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment any Company employees to whom you may be introduced or with whom you otherwise had contact as a result of your consideration of a Transaction for a period of two years after the date of this agreement, provided that you shall not be restricted in any general solicitation for employees (including through the use of recruitment agencies) not specifically directed at any such persons, and provided further that you shall not be restricted in hiring any such person who responds to any such general solicitation and any person who directly contacts you on his or her own initiative.
You agree that until the earlier of (i) the date that a transaction that is substantially similar to the Transaction is publicly announced with any person other than you, or (ii) two years from the date of this agreement, without the prior written approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, neither you nor any of your affiliates or Associates (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)), nor any other person acting on your behalf or in concert with you, shall in any manner, directly or indirectly, alone or in concert with others, (a) acquire, offer or propose to acquire or cause to be acquired by purchase or otherwise, any securities of the Company or any direct or indirect rights to acquire any securities of the Company or of any successor to or person in control of the Company (collectively, "Securities"), with or without the payment of money; (b) otherwise seek to influence, disrupt or control, in any manner whatsoever, the Company's board of directors, business, management or policies or affairs, or remove any member of the Company's board of directors; (c) solicit proxies or become a "participant" in a "solicitation",
Michael Klein
LFP, Inc.
Page 5
as such terms are defined in Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, with respect to any matter or communication with or seek to advise or influence any person with respect to the voting of any Securities; (d) form, join or participate in a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group or otherwise act in concert with any other person, for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any Securities within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act; (e) initiate, propose or otherwise solicit stockholders of the Company for the approval of one or more stockholder proposals, or induce any other person to initiate any stockholder proposal pertaining to the Company; (f) solicit, negotiate with or provide any information to any other person or make any statement or proposal, whether written or oral, to the Company's board of directors or any director or officer thereof with respect to any form of business combination transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a merger, exchange offer, liquidation of the Company or any other acquisition of the Company, any acquisition of Securities or all or any portion of the Company's assets; (g) take any action which might require the Company to make a public announcement regarding the possibility of a business combination or merger; (h) finance, participate in any financing or assist any person in arranging any financing with respect to any of the foregoing; or (i) enter into any discussions, negotiations, arrangements or understanding with any person, instigate or encourage any person or make any public announcement with respect to any of the foregoing. You also agree during such period not to request the Company (or its Representatives) to amend or waive any provision of this paragraph. For the avoidance of doubt, the obligations and restrictions set forth in this paragraph shall not apply during any period that the Company and you are party to a final definitive agreement regarding a Transaction.
You hereby acknowledge that you are aware, and further agree that you will advise your Representatives who are informed as to the matters which are the subject of this agreement, that Federal and State securities laws limit the circumstances in which any person who has material, non-public information about a company listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market from purchasing or selling securities of such a company and prohibit any such person from communicating such information to any other person under circumstances in which it is reasonably foreseeable that such person is likely to purchase or sell such securities.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prevent your Representatives that operate businesses within the financial services industry from engaging, in the ordinary course of business, in brokerage, asset management, trust, underwriting, market making and other similar ordinary course financial services business activities involving securities of the Company, so long as (i) those Representatives comply with the other provisions of this Agreement, (ii) those Representatives have established a Chinese Wall between individuals working on a possible transaction between the parties and the individuals involved in the execution and performance of such ordinary course financial services business activities, (iii) the individuals involved in the execution and performance of such activities have neither received nor had access to any Evaluation Material and (iv) all such activities are only in the ordinary course and only in accordance with such Chinese Wall policies and procedures and applicable law.
You undertake and guarantee that you and your Representative shall inform the Company immediately and in writing of any actual or suspected breach of the obligations imposed under this agreement as you may be aware of and provide all possible assistance in order to minimize the effects of such breach.
This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Colorado, without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law or choice of law thereof or of any other jurisdiction to the extent that such principles would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any action, suit or other legal proceeding with respect to this agreement or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect hereof brought by any
Michael Klein
LFP, Inc.
Page 6
other party hereto or its successors or permitted assigns shall be brought and determined in any federal court located in the State of Colorado and sitting within the County of Denver, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits with regard to any such action, suit or other proceeding for itself and in respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action, suit or other legal proceeding with respect to this letter agreement, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment before judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), and (c) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that (i) such action, suit or other legal proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such action, suit or other legal proceeding is improper or (iii) this agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such court.
In the event of litigation relating to this agreement, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final, non-appealable order that a party or its Representatives has breached this agreement, the breaching party shall reimburse the non-breaching party for its reasonable legal costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection with all such litigation, including any appeal therefrom.
The terms of this agreement shall control over any additional purported confidentiality requirements imposed by any offering memorandum, web-based database or similar repository of Evaluation Material to which you or any of your Representatives is granted access in connection with this agreement, notwithstanding acceptance of such an offering memorandum or submission of an electronic signature, clicking on an I Agree icon or other indication of assent to such additional confidentiality conditions, it being understood and agreed that the confidentiality obligations with respect to the Evaluation Materials are exclusively governed by this agreement and may not be modified except by an agreement executed by the parties hereto in traditional written format.
This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto solely regarding the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings and representations, whether oral or written, of the parties in connection herewith. No amendments, changes or modifications may be made to this agreement without the express written consent of each of the parties hereto. If any term or provision of this agreement is adjudged by any court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms and provisions of this agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated by such adjudication. This agreement will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by you and the Company and your and the Companys respective successors and permitted assigns. This agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party. No failure or delay by the Company in exercising any right hereunder or any partial exercise thereof shall operate as a waiver thereof or preclude any other or further exercise of any right hereunder. This agreement may be executed in counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail in portable document format), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but both of which shall constitute the same agreement.
Your obligations under this agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years from the date hereof, except as otherwise stated herein and provided that such expiration shall not affect any rights arising out of a breach of this agreement prior to the date of expiration.
Michael Klein
LFP, Inc.
Page 7
Please confirm your agreement with the foregoing by signing and returning one copy of this letter to the undersigned, whereupon this agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Company.
Very truly yours,
NEW FRONTIER MEDIA, INC.
By: /s/Alan L. Isaacman
Name: Alan L. Isaacman
Title: Chairman, Special Committee
Accepted and agreed to as of the date
first written above:
FLYNT MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC
By: | /s/Michael H. Klein |
Name: | Michael H. Klein |
Title: | President |