QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND PROPOSAL 4
You
will be voting on each of the following items of business:
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to
elect eight (8) directors to the Board of Directors of the Company;
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to
ratify the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting
firm
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016;
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to
approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of certain executive officers as disclosed
in
the proxy statement;
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to
re-approve the material terms of the performance goals under The Steven Madden, Ltd.
2006 Stock
Incentive
Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
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to transact such other
business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
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2.
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What
are the voting recommendations of the Board of Directors?
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For
the reasons set forth in more detail in the Proxy Statement and in this Supplement, THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE:
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“FOR”
THE ELECTION OF THE EIGHT (8) DIRECTORS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY;
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“FOR”
THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF EISNERAMPER LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016;
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“FOR”
THE APPROVAL, ON A NON-BINDING ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF CERTAIN EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT; AND
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“FOR”
THE RE-APPROVAL OF THE MATERIAL TERMS OF THE PERFORMANCE GOALS UNDER THE STEVEN MADDEN,
LTD. 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN PURSUANT TO SECTION 162(m) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
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3.
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How
can I obtain electronic access to the proxy materials?
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You
may view the Proxy Statement, the Annual Report, this Supplement, the amended proxy card, and the Amended Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders at
www.proxyvote.com.
The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, which we mailed commencing
on or about April 8, 2016, provides you with instructions regarding how to:
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view
the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting on the Internet; and
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instruct
us to send future proxy materials to you electronically by email.
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Your
vote is important. Your shares can be voted at the Annual Meeting only if you are present in person or represented by proxy. Even
if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to authorize your proxy in advance. You may vote your shares by authorizing
a proxy over the Internet or by telephone. In addition, if you received a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail, you can also
submit a proxy by mail by following the instructions on the proxy card. Voting your shares by authorizing a proxy over the Internet,
by telephone or by written proxy card will ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting regardless of whether you attend in
person.
If
you are the record holder of your shares, please authorize your proxy electronically by going to the
http://www.proxyvote.com
website or by calling the toll-free number listed below and on the proxy card. Please have your Proxy Statement or proxy card
in hand when going online or calling. If you authorize your proxy via the Internet or by phone you do not need to return your
proxy card. If you choose to authorize your proxy by mail, simply mark your proxy card and then date, sign and return it in the
postage-paid envelope provided.
VOTE
BY INTERNET
http://www.proxyvote.com
Use
the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information.
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VOTE
BY PHONE
1-800-690-6903
Use
any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions.
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VOTE
BY MAIL
Vote
Processing, c/o Broadridge
51 Mercedes Way
Edgewood, New York 11717
If
you receive paper proxy materials, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have
provided or return it to the address shown above.
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If
you hold your shares beneficially in “street name” through a broker or nominee you may be able to authorize your proxy
by telephone or the Internet as well as by mail, but you will need to obtain and follow instructions from your broker or nominee
to vote these shares.
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5.
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What
vote is needed to approve Proposal 4?
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The
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and
entitled to vote is required to approve Proposal 4. If you are a stockholder whose shares of Common Stock are held in street name
with a bank, broker or other nominee, your bank, broker or other nominee will not be permitted to vote your shares on non-routine
matters. Proposal 4 is considered a non-routine matter, which means that your bank, broker or other nominee does not have discretion
to vote your shares in respect of Proposal 4 in the absence of specific instructions from you as to how you would like your shares
to be voted. If you do not return your voting instruction card, your bank, broker or other nominee will not be permitted to vote
your shares on Proposal 4, resulting in a broker non-vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on
Proposal 4. Abstentions will be treated as present and entitled to vote on Proposal 4 and, therefore, abstentions will have the
effect of votes against Proposal 4.
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6.
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What
should I do if I have previously voted?
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In
order to vote on Proposal 4, you must sign and return the revised proxy card enclosed with this Supplement, vote by telephone
or over the Internet as described above or attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. If you have already completed
and returned the original proxy card previously sent to you and you also complete and return the enclosed revised proxy card,
the completed and signed revised proxy card will replace the original proxy card in its entirety and only your vote as
indicated on the revised proxy card will be counted.
This means that, in order to vote with respect to all four proposals,
you must vote again for Proposals 1, 2 and 3 in addition to voting for Proposal 4.
If
you have already completed and returned the original proxy card and you do not complete and return a signed revised proxy card,
your vote for Proposals 1, 2 and 3 as indicated on the original proxy card will be voted at the Annual Meeting, but will
not
include a vote with respect to Proposal 4. If you have already voted by telephone or over the Internet, you may simply vote
again, using the same procedures, in which case your later submitted vote will be recorded and your earlier vote revoked. If you
have already voted by telephone or over the Internet and do not vote again, your vote for Proposals 1, 2 and 3 will be recorded
but will
not
include a vote on Proposal 4. Therefore, we urge you to cast your vote with respect to all proposals using
the revised proxy card enclosed with this Supplement or one of the other methods described in response to Question 4 above.
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7.
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Who
pays the cost of proxy solicitation?
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All
expenses of soliciting proxies, including clerical work, printing and postage will be paid by us. Our officers and other employees
may personally solicit proxies or solicit proxies by mail, telephone, facsimile or Internet, but we will not provide any compensation
for such solicitations. In addition, the Company has entered into an agreement with D.F. King & Co., Inc. to assist in the
solicitation of proxies and provide related advice and informational support. The total expense of this engagement, which will
be borne by the Company, including customary disbursements, is not expected to exceed $20,000 in the aggregate. We will also reimburse
banks, brokers and other persons holding shares in their names or in the names of nominees for expenses incurred sending material
to beneficial owners and obtaining proxies from beneficial owners.
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8.
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What
if I change my mind after I vote?
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Whether
you vote by telephone, Internet or mail, you may later change or revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by (i)
submitting a properly signed proxy with a later date, (ii) voting by telephone or the Internet at a later time, or (iii) voting
in person at the Annual Meeting. See the enclosed revised proxy card for instructions. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not
by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.
If
you are a stockholder whose stock is held in street name with a bank, broker or other nominee, you must follow the instructions
found on the voting instruction card provided by the bank, broker or other nominee, or contact your bank, broker or other nominee
to change or revoke your previously given proxy.
RE-APPROVAL
OF THE MATERIAL TERMS OF THE PERFORMANCE GOALS UNDER
THE
STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
PURSUANT
TO SECTION 162(m) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
[Proposal
4 on the revised proxy card]
Overview
The
Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the re-approval of the material terms of the
performance goals under The Steven Madden, Ltd. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the “Plan”). The
performance goals are described below under the caption “Description of the Plan – Performance Goals” and
in Exhibit A to the Plan. A description of the material terms of the Plan is also provided below. The discussion
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan, a copy of which is attached to this Supplement as
Annex
A
.
The
Plan was originally adopted by the Board of Directors in March 2006 and approved by the stockholders in May 2006 as a successor
plan to a prior stock option plan. The Plan was subsequently amended in 2007 and 2008, and on April 6, 2009, an amendment and
restatement of the Plan was adopted by the Board and, subsequently, approved by the stockholders on May 22, 2009. The Plan was
further amended in May, 2012 in relevant part to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan.
Background
Stockholders
are being asked to re-approve the material terms of the performance goals currently contained in the Plan so that the Company
can continue to deduct from its income for U.S. Federal corporate income tax purposes the full amount of the incentive awards
paid under the Plan that otherwise qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the
Code.
Stockholders
are
not
being asked to approve an increase in the number of shares available for grant under the Plan or any amendment
to the Plan, nor are they being asked to re-approve the Plan itself. The terms of the Plan will remain unchanged and the re-approval
does not affect the nature and amount of awards available for grant under the Plan.
If
stockholders re-approve the material terms of the performance goals under the Plan at the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors
currently anticipates that, to the extent practicable and in the Company’s best interest, performance-based compensation
programs will be designed to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code to permit the deduction for tax purposes of
the full amount of such awards. The Board recognizes, however, that there may be business considerations that dictate that the
Company grant annual cash bonus awards and other equity incentive awards that may not be deductible under Section 162(m) of the
Code.
Under
Section 162(m) of the Code, compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid in any one year to a “covered employee” of a
public corporation who is employed by the corporation at year-end will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes unless
the compensation is considered “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (or another
exemption is met). For purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, the covered employees include the Chief Executive Officer and our
three other most highly compensated executive officers as of the last day of the taxable year other than our Chief Financial Officer
(“Covered Employees”).
In
order for certain compensation to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation,” among other requirements,
Section 162(m) of the Code requires that stockholders approve or re-approve the material terms of the performance goals under
which the compensation may be paid under a plan every five years. If the stockholders re-approve the material terms of the performance
goals under the Plan pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code at the Annual Meeting, then performance-based awards granted to Covered
Employees following such stockholder approval can be designed to be Section 162(m) compliant awards. If the material terms of
the performance goals of the Plan are not re-approved at the Annual Meeting, certain incentive awards in the future to our Covered
Employees (other than options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) granted with an exercise or base price at least
equal to 100% of the fair market value of the stock as of the grant date) will not qualify as “qualified performance-based
compensation” and will count against the $1,000,000 deductible compensation limit otherwise imposed by Section 162(m) of
the Code.
Since
the stockholder approval of the Plan at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company has not obtained stockholder re-approval
of the material terms of the performance goals under the Plan pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code. Accordingly, stockholder
re-approval of the material terms of the performance goals under the Plan is required at the Annual Meeting in order for certain
performance-based awards not to count against the $1,000,000 deduction limit under Section 162(m) of the Code.
The
Company believes that awards made after stockholder re-approval of the performance goals will meet the requirements of
Section 162(m). However, the Company made awards of restricted stock in March of each of 2015 and 2016 consistent with
the prior operation of the Plan but before stockholder re-approval of the performance goals. Therefore, all or a portion of such
awards that are includible in the income of certain affected executives for a tax year, if not corrected, would count against
the $1,000,000 deductible compensation limit imposed by Section 162(m). The Company believes that the income tax effect to
the Company of any past awards that remain subject to the $1,000,000 limit is not material. However, the Company will take such
further action as it deems appropriate with respect to the awards made in 2015 and 2016, which will include cancelation of or
other action with respect to such awards, as necessary. The Company may make awards, including awards in replacement of any canceled
awards, if the stockholders re-approve the material terms of the performance goals under the Plan pursuant to Section 162(m) of
the Code. The Company believes that subsequent to receipt of stockholder approval of Proposal 4 at the Annual Meeting, any awards
made, whether or not in replacement of any canceled awards, will not count against the $1,000,000 deduction limit under Section
162(m) of the Code, provided that such awards otherwise qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under
Section 162(m) of the Code.
The
rules and regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code are complicated and subject to change from time to time, sometimes
with retroactive effect. There can be no guarantee, therefore, that amounts potentially subject to the Section 162(m) limitations
will be treated by the Internal Revenue Service as qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and/or
deductible by the Company. Under the Plan, options and SARs granted with an exercise price or base price at least equal to 100%
of fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant, and certain other awards that are conditioned upon achievement
of performance goals can be designed to qualify as “qualified performance-based” compensation. A number of requirements
must be met under Section 162(m) of the Code in order for particular compensation to so qualify for the exception such that there
can be no assurance that “qualified performance-based” compensation under the Plan will be fully deductible under
all circumstances. In addition, other awards under the Plan, such as non-performance-based restricted stock and restricted stock
units, generally will not so qualify for the exception under Section 162(m) of the Code, so that compensation paid to certain
Covered Employees in connection with such awards may, to the extent it and other compensation subject to Section 162(m) of the
Code’s deductibility cap exceed $1,000,000 in a given taxable year, not be deductible by the Company as a result of Section
162(m) of the Code. Compensation to certain employees resulting from vesting of awards in connection with a change in control
or termination following a change in control also may be non-deductible under Code Sections 4999 and 280G.
Description
of the Plan
The
following is a brief description of certain important features of the Plan. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the full text of the Plan which is attached as Annex A.
Administration.
The Plan requires that it be administered by a committee consisting of two or more non-employee directors, each of whom will
be, to the extent required, a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, an “outside
director” as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code and an “independent director” as defined under NASDAQ
Rule 5605(a)(2) (the “Committee”). The Committee has full authority under the Plan to administer and interpret the
Plan, to grant discretionary awards, to determine the individuals to whom awards will be granted, to determine the types of awards
to be granted, to determine the terms and conditions of each award, to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered
by each award and to make all other determinations in connection with the Plan and the awards thereunder. Currently, the Compensation
Committee of the Board serves as the Committee under the Plan.
Eligibility
and Types of Awards.
The Company’s employees as well as our non-employee directors and individuals providing consulting
or advisory services to the Company or its affiliates pursuant to a written agreement are eligible to receive awards under the
Plan. The types of awards available under the Plan consist of nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance
shares, restricted stock, other stock-based awards and performance-based cash awards. In addition, the Company’s employees
and employees of the Company’s affiliates that qualify as subsidiaries or parent corporations (as defined under Section
424 of the Code) are eligible to be granted incentive stock options under the Plan.
Awards
Under the Plan.
The following types of awards are available under the Plan:
Stock
Options.
The Committee may grant nonqualified stock options and incentive stock options (only to eligible employees) to purchase
shares of Common Stock. The Committee will determine the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each option, the term of
each option, which may not exceed seven years (or five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% stockholder),
the exercise price, the vesting schedule (if any), and the other material terms of each option. No incentive stock option or nonqualified
stock option may have an exercise price less than the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of grant (or, in the case
of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% stockholder, 110% of fair market value).
Options
will be exercisable at such time and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee at grant and the exercisability
of such options may be accelerated by the Committee in its sole discretion, provided that no option is exercisable more than seven
years after the date the option is granted and, in the case of a ten percent Stockholder, five years from the date an incentive
stock option is granted. Upon the exercise of an option, the participant must make payment of the full exercise price, either
(i) in cash, check, bank draft or money order; (ii) solely to the extent permitted by law, through the delivery of irrevocable
instructions to a broker reasonably acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the purchase
price; or (iii) on such other terms and condition as a may be acceptable to the Committee.
Stock
Appreciation Rights.
The Committee may grant stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) either with a stock option which
may be exercised only at such times and to the extent the related option is exercisable (“Tandem SAR”) or independent
of a stock option (“Non-Tandem SARs”). A SAR is a right to receive a payment in Common Stock or cash (as determined
by the Committee) equal in value to the excess of the fair market value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over
the exercise price per share established in connection with the grant of the SAR. The term of each SAR may not exceed seven years.
The exercise price per share covered by a SAR will be the exercise price per share of the related option in the case of a Tandem
SAR and will be the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant in the case of a Non-Tandem SAR. The Committee
may also grant “limited SARs,” either as Tandem SARs or Non-Tandem SARs, which may become exercisable only upon the
occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the Plan) or such other event as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, designate
at the time of grant or thereafter.
Restricted
Stock.
The Committee may award shares of restricted stock. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee upon the award of
restricted stock, the recipient generally has the rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares, including the right to receive
dividends, the right to vote the shares of restricted stock and, conditioned upon full vesting of shares of restricted stock,
the right to transfer such shares, subject to the conditions and restrictions generally applicable to restricted stock
or specifically set forth in the recipient’s restricted stock agreement. The Committee may determine at the time of award,
that the payment of dividends, if any, will be deferred until the expiration of the applicable restriction period. Recipients
of restricted stock are required to enter into a restricted stock agreement with the Company, which states the restrictions to
which the shares are subject, which may include satisfaction of pre-established performance goals, and the criteria or date or
dates on which such restrictions will lapse.
If
the grant of restricted stock or the lapse of the relevant restrictions is based on the attainment of performance goals, the Committee
will establish for each recipient the applicable performance goals, formulae or standards and the applicable vesting percentages
with reference to the attainment of such goals or satisfaction of such formulas or standards while the outcome of the performance
goals are substantially uncertain. Such performance goals may incorporate provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes
in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar
events or circumstances. Section 162(m) of the Code requires that performance awards be based upon objective performance measures.
The performance goals for performance-based restricted stock are based on one or more of the objective criteria set forth on Exhibit
A to the Plan and discussed in general below.
Performance
Shares.
The Committee may award performance shares. A performance share is the equivalent of one share of Common Stock. The
performance goals for performance shares are based on one or more of the objective criteria set forth on Exhibit A to the Plan
and discussed in general below. A minimum level of acceptable achievement will also be established by the Committee. If, by the
end of the performance period, the recipient has achieved the specified performance goals, he or she will be deemed to have fully
earned the performance shares. To the extent earned, the performance shares will be paid to the recipient at the time and in the
manner determined by the Committee in cash, shares of Common Stock or any combination thereof.
Other
Stock-Based Awards.
The Committee may, subject to limitations under applicable law, make a grant of such other stock-based
awards (including, without limitation, performance units, dividend equivalent units, stock equivalent units, restricted stock
units and deferred stock units) under the Plan that are payable in cash or denominated or payable in or valued by shares of Common
Stock or factors that influence the value of such shares. The Committee will determine the terms and conditions of any such other
awards, which may include the achievement of certain minimum performance goals for purposes of compliance with Section 162(m)
of the Code and/or a minimum vesting period. The performance goals for performance-based other stock-based awards are based on
one or more of the objective criteria set forth on Exhibit A to the Plan and discussed in general below.
Performance-Based
Cash Awards.
The Committee may, subject to limitations under applicable law, make a grant of individual target awards either
alone or in tandem with stock options, SARs or restricted stock under the Plan that are contingent upon the satisfaction of certain
pre-established performance goals that are reached within a specified performance period, each of which, together with any other
terms and conditions, shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant. At the time the performance
goals are established, the Committee will prescribe a formula to determine the percentages (which may be greater than 100%) of
the individual target award that may be payable based upon the degree of attainment of the performance goals during the
calendar year. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay a participant an amount that is less than the participant’s
individual target award regardless of the degree of attainment of the performance goals; provided that no such discretion to reduce
a performance-based cash award earned based on achievement of the applicable performance goals will be permitted for a calendar
year in which a change in control occurs. The performance goals for performance-based cash awards are based on one or more of
the objective criteria set forth on Exhibit A to the Plan and discussed in general below.
Limitation.
Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Plan or in any employment agreement, the restrictions or vesting conditions, as
applicable, to restricted stock awards, other stock-based awards and performance-based awards can be no less than (i) one year,
if the lapsing of restrictions or vesting schedule, as applicable, is based (in whole or in part) on the attainment of one or
more performance goals, and (ii) three years, if the lapsing of restrictions or the vesting schedule, as applicable, is based
solely on the continued performance of services by the Plan participant (with restrictions as to no more than one-third
of shares of Common Stock subject thereto lapsing on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant); provided
that, the Committee is authorized to provide for earlier lapsing of the restrictions or acceleration of vesting, as applicable,
in the event of a change in control of the Company or a participant’s retirement, death or disability. The preceding limitation
does not apply with respect to up to 10% (when combined with the 10% limitation for non-employee director award grants) of the
total number of shares of Common Stock reserved for awards under Plan.
Performance
Goals
. The Committee may grant awards of restricted stock, performance shares, performance-based cash awards and other stock-based
awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
These awards may be granted, vest and be paid based on attainment of specified performance goals established by the Committee.
These performance goals are based on the attainment of a certain target level of, or a specified increase or decrease in, one
or more of the following criteria selected by the Committee:
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earnings
per share, earnings before interest and taxes or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;
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gross
profit or gross profit return on investment;
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gross
margin or gross margin return on investment;
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operating
income, net income, cash flow or economic value added;
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revenue
growth;
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working
capital;
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specified
objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in all or a portion of, the Company’s bank debt or other long-term
or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be calculated net of
cash balances and/or other offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Committee;
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return
on equity, assets or capital;
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total
shareholder return;
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fair
market value of the shares of the Common Stock;
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market
share and/or market segment share;
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the
growth in the value of an investment in the Common Stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends;
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customer
satisfaction, customer loyalty, brand recognition and/or brand acceptance;
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style
indexes;
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employee
retention;
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number
of new patents, new product innovation and/or introduction;
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product
release schedules and/or ship targets; or
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reduction
in expenses and/or product cost reduction through advanced technology.
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To
the extent permitted by law, the Committee may also exclude the impact of an event or occurrence such as restructurings, discontinued
operations, extraordinary items and other unusual or non-recurring charges, an event either not directly related to the operations
of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management, or a change in accounting standards required
by generally accepted accounting principles, which the Committee determines should be appropriately excluded. Performance goals
may also be based on individual participant performance goals, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion or they
may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of Company (or subsidiary, division or other operational unit of the Company)
performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other corporations. The Committee
may designate additional business criteria on which the performance goals may be based or adjust, modify or amend those criteria.
Term,
Amendment and Termination.
The term of the Plan extends for a period of ten years from April 6, 2009 and, accordingly, will
remain in effect unless sooner terminated through April 6, 2019. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may
at any time amend any or all of the provisions of the Plan, or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided,
however, that, unless otherwise required by law or specifically provided in the Plan, the rights of a participant with respect
to awards granted prior to such amendment, suspension or termination may not be adversely affected without the consent of such
participant and, provided further that the approval of the Company’s stockholders will be obtained to the extent required
by Delaware law, Sections 162(m) and 422 of the Code, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or the rules of such other applicable stock
exchange, as specified in the Plan.
Repricing
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
The Plan includes an additional express prohibition against repricing stock options
and stock appreciation rights. The Company may not, without stockholder approval, either (i) reduce the exercise price of an outstanding
stock option or stock appreciation right, or (ii) simultaneously cancel stock options or stock appreciation rights for which the
exercise price exceeds the then current fair market value of the underlying Common Stock and grant a new stock option or stock
appreciation right with an exercise price equal to the then current fair market value of the underlying Common Stock.
Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The
rules concerning the federal income tax consequences with respect to options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Plan are
quite technical. Moreover, the applicable statutory provisions are subject to change, as are their interpretations and applications,
which may vary in individual circumstances. Therefore, the following is designed to provide a general understanding of the federal
income tax consequences. In addition, the following discussion does not set forth any gift, estate, Social Security or state or
local tax consequences that may be applicable and is limited to the U.S. federal income tax consequences to individuals who are
citizens or residents of the U.S., other than those individuals who are taxed on a residence basis in a foreign country.
Incentive
Stock Options.
In general, an employee will not recognize taxable income upon either the grant or the exercise of an incentive
stock option and the Company will not receive an income tax deduction at either such time. In general, however, for purposes of
the alternative minimum tax, the excess of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive
stock option (determined at the time of exercise) over the exercise price of the incentive stock option will be considered income.
If the recipient is continuously employed on the date of grant until the date three months prior to the date of exercise and such
recipient does not sell Common Stock received pursuant to the exercise of the incentive stock option within either (i) two years
after the date of the grant of the incentive stock option or (ii) one year after the date of exercise, a subsequent sale of Common
Stock will result in long-term capital gain or loss to the recipient and will not result in a tax deduction to the Company.
If
the recipient is not continuously employed on the date of grant until the date three months prior to the date of exercise or such
recipient disposes of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of the incentive stock option within either of the above-mentioned time
periods, the recipient will generally recognize as ordinary income an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value
of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) the amount realized upon disposition over the exercise
price. In such event, subject to the limitations under Sections 162(m) and 280G of the Code (as described below), the Company
generally will be allowed an income tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as ordinary income. Any gain in excess of such
amount recognized by the recipient as ordinary income would be taxed at the rates applicable to short-term or long-term capital
gains (depending on the holding period).
To
the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which
incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any
other stock option plan of the Company or affiliate exceeds $100,000, such options are treated as non-qualified stock options.
Nonqualified
Stock Options
. A recipient will not recognize any taxable income upon the grant of a nonqualified stock option and the Company
will not receive a deduction at the time of such grant unless such option has a readily ascertainable fair market value (as determined
under applicable tax law) at the time of grant. Upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the recipient generally will recognize
ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise
price. Upon a subsequent sale of Common Stock by the recipient, the recipient will recognize short-term or long-term capital gain
or loss depending upon his or her holding period for Common Stock. Subject to the limitations under Sections 162(m) and 280G of
the Code (as described below), the Company will generally be allowed an income tax deduction equal to the amount recognized by
the recipient as ordinary income.
All
Options.
With regard to both incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options, the following also apply: (i) any of
the Company’s officers and directors subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act may be subject to special tax rules regarding
the income tax consequences concerning their stock options, (ii) any entitlement to a tax deduction on the part of the Company
is subject to the applicable tax rules (including, without limitation, Section 162(m) of the Code regarding the $1,000,000 limitation
on deductible compensation), and (iii) in the event that the exercisability or vesting of any award is accelerated because of
a change in control, payments relating to the awards (or a portion thereof), either alone or together with certain other payments,
may constitute parachute payments under Section 280G of the Code, which excess amounts may be subject to excise taxes and may
be nondeductible by the Company.
In
general, Section 162(m) of the Code denies a publicly held corporation a deduction for federal income tax purposes for compensation
in excess of $1,000,000 per year per person to its chief executive officer and three other most highly compensated executive officers
as of the last day of the taxable year, other than its chief financial officer, as disclosed in its proxy statement. Options will
generally qualify under an exception if they are granted under a plan that states the maximum number of shares with respect to
which options may be granted to any recipient during a specified period, and if the plan under which the options are granted is
approved by stockholders and is administered by a committee comprised of outside directors. The Plan is intended to satisfy those
requirements with respect to options.
Section
409A of the Code provides that all amounts deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan are includible in a participant’s
gross income to the extent such amounts are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, unless certain requirements are satisfied.
If the requirements are not satisfied, in addition to current income inclusion, interest at the underpayment rate plus 1% will
be imposed on the participant’s underpayments that would have occurred had the deferred compensation been includible in
gross income for the taxable year in which first deferred or, if later, the first taxable year in which such deferred compensation
is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. The amount required to be included in income is also subject to an additional
20% tax. While most awards under the Plan are anticipated to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, awards
not exempt from Section 409A of the Code are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
The
Plan is not subject to any of the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The Plan is
not, nor is it intended to be, a “tax-qualified” under Section 401(a) of the Code.
Required
Vote
Approval
of this resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present or represented by proxy and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Recommendation
of the Board of Directors
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RE-APPROVAL OF THE MATERIAL TERMS OF THE PERFORMANCE
GOALS UNDER THE STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN PURSUANT TO SECTION 162(M) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
Other
Matters
The
Board is not aware of any matters to be presented for action at the Annual Meeting other than as set forth in the Proxy Statement
as supplemented by this Supplement. However, if other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement
thereof, the person or persons voting the proxies will vote them in accordance with their best judgment.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors
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Arvind Dharia
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Corporate Secretary
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Dated: April 29,
2016
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Annex
A
Steven
Madden, Ltd. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated Effective May 22, 2009
(Amended
by the Board on April 5, 2012 and
Approved
and Adopted by the Stockholders on May 25, 2012)
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
STEVEN
MADDEN, LTD.
2006
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Amended
and Restated Effective May 22, 2009)
(Amended
by the Board on April 5, 2012 and
Approved
and Adopted by the Stockholders on May 25, 2012)
ARTICLE
I
PURPOSE
The
purpose of this Plan is to enhance the profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling
the Company to offer Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors cash and stock based incentives in the Company
to attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s
stockholders.
This
Plan, in the form set forth herein, is effective as of the Amendment Date (as defined in Article XVII) and amends the Steven Madden,
Ltd. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective May 22, 2009.
ARTICLE
II
DEFINITIONS
For
purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
2.1 “
Acquisition
Event
”
means a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity, any transaction that results
in the acquisition of all or substantially all of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock by a single person or entity or
by a group of persons and/or entities acting in concert, or the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets.
2.2 “
Affiliate
”
means each of the following: (a) any Subsidiary; (b) any Parent; (c) any corporation, trade or business (including,
without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which is directly or indirectly controlled 50% or more (whether
by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company; (d) any corporation, trade
or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which directly or indirectly controls
50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) of the Company; and
(e) any other entity in which the Company or any of its Affiliates has a material equity interest and which is designated
as an “Affiliate” by resolution of the Committee; provided that the Common Stock subject to any Award constitutes
“service recipient stock” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code or otherwise does not subject the Award to Section
409A of the Code.
2.3 “
Appreciation
Award
”
means any Award under this Plan of any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Award,
provided that such Other Stock-Based Award is based on the appreciation in value of a share of Common Stock in excess of an amount
equal to at least the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date such Other Stock-Based Award is granted.
2.4 “
Award
”
means any award under this Plan of any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Other
Stock-Based Award or Performance-Based Cash Awards. All Awards shall be granted by, confirmed by, and subject to the terms of,
a written agreement executed by the Company and the Participant.
2.5 “
Board
”
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.6 “
Cause
”
means with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy from and after the date
hereof, the following: (a) in the case where there is no employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement
or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award (or
where there is such an agreement but it does not define “cause” (or words of like import)), termination due to: (i)
a Participant’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony; (ii) perpetration by a Participant of
an illegal act, or fraud which could cause significant economic injury to the Company; (iii) continuing willful and deliberate
failure by the Participant to perform the Participant’s duties in any material respect, provided that the Participant is
given notice and an opportunity to effectuate a cure as determined by the Committee; or (iv) a Participant’s willful misconduct
with regard to the Company that could have a material adverse effect on the Company; or (b) in the case where there is an employment
agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate
and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “cause” (or words of like import), “cause”
as defined under such agreement; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which the definition of “cause”
only applies on occurrence of a change in control, such definition of “cause” shall not apply until a change in control
actually takes place and then only with regard to a termination thereafter. With respect to a Participant’s Termination
of Directorship, “cause” means an act or failure to act that constitutes cause for removal of a director under applicable
Delaware law.
2.7 “
Change
in Control
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.
2.8 “
Change
in Control Price
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.
2.9 “
Code
”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to
any successor provision and any Treasury Regulation promulgated thereunder.
2.10 “
Committee
”
means a committee or subcommittee of the Board appointed from time to time by the Board, which committee or subcommittee shall
consist of two or more non-employee directors, each of whom shall be (i) a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule
16b-3; (ii) to the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code, an “outside director” as defined under Section 162(m)
of the Code; and (iii) an “independent director” as defined under NASD Rule 4200(a)(15) or such other applicable stock
exchange rule. To the extent that no Committee exists that has the authority to administer this Plan, the functions of the Committee
shall be exercised by the Board. If for any reason the appointed Committee does not meet the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or Section
162(m) of the Code, such noncompliance shall not affect the validity of Awards, grants, interpretations or other actions of the
Committee.
2.11 “
Common
Stock
”
means the Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company.
2.12 “
Company
”
means Steven Madden, Ltd., a Delaware corporation, and its successors by operation of law.
2.13 “
Consultant
”
means any natural person who provides bona fide consulting or advisory services to the Company or its Affiliates pursuant
to a written agreement, which are not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction.
2.14 “
Disability
”
means with respect to a Participant’s Termination, a permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of
the Code. A Disability shall only be deemed to occur at the time of the determination by the Committee of the Disability. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, for Awards that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, Disability shall mean that a Participant is disabled under
Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) or (ii) of the Code.
2.15 “
Effective
Date
”
means the effective date of this Plan as defined in Article XVII.
2.16 “
Eligible
Employees
”
means each employee of the Company or an Affiliate.
2.17 “
Exchange
Act
”
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any references to any section of the Exchange Act shall
also be a reference to any successor provision.
2.18 “
Fair
Market Value
”
means, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued
thereunder, as of any date and except as provided below, the closing price reported for the Common Stock on the applicable date:
(a) as reported on the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded or The Nasdaq Stock
Market; or (b) if not traded on any such national securities exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market, as quoted on an automated quotation
system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or if the Common Stock shall not have been reported or
quoted on such date, on the first day prior thereto on which the Common Stock was reported or quoted. If the Common Stock is not
traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted, then Fair Market Value means the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined
by the Committee in good faith in whatever manner it considers appropriate taking into account the requirements of Section 422
of the Code or Section 409A of the Code, as applicable. For purposes of the grant of any Award, the applicable date shall be the
trading day immediately prior to the date on which the Award is granted. For purposes of the exercise of any Award, the applicable
date shall be the date a notice of exercise is received by the Committee or, if not a day on which the applicable market is open,
the next day that it is open.
2.19 “
Family
Member
”
means “family member” as defined in Section A.1.(5) of the general instructions of Form S-8,
as may be amended from time to time.
2.20 “
GAAP
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2(c)(ii).
2.21 “
Incentive
Stock Option
”
means any Stock Option awarded to an Eligible Employee of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parent
(if any) under this Plan intended to be and designated as an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section
422 of the Code.
2.22 “
Non-Employee
Director
”
means a director of the Company who is not an active employee of the Company or an Affiliate.
2.23 “
Non-Qualified
Stock Option
”
means any Stock Option awarded under this Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
2.24 “
Other
Stock-Based Award
”
means an Award under Article X of this Plan that is valued in whole or in part by reference to,
or is payable in or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including, without limitation, a restricted stock unit or an Award valued
by reference to an Affiliate.
2.25 “
Parent
”
means any parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.
2.26 “
Participant
”
means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant to whom an Award has been granted pursuant to this Plan.
2.27 “
Performance-Based
Cash Award
”
means a cash Award under Article XI of this Plan that is payable or otherwise based on the attainment
of certain pre-established performance goals during a Performance Period.
2.28 “
Performance
Period
”
means the duration of the period during which receipt of an Award is subject to the satisfaction of performance
criteria, such period as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
2.29 “
Performance
Share
”
means an Award made pursuant to Article IX of this Plan of the right to receive Common Stock or cash of an
equivalent value at the end of a specified Performance Period.
2.30 “
Person
”
means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, incorporated organization, governmental or regulatory or other entity.
2.31 “
Plan
”
means this Steven Madden, Ltd. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
2.32 “
Reference
Stock Option
”
has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
2.33 “
Restricted
Stock
”
means an Award of shares of Common Stock under this Plan that is subject to restrictions under Article VIII.
2.34 “
Restriction
Period
”
has the meaning set forth in Subsection 8.3(a).
2.35 “
Retirement
”
means a voluntary Termination of Employment at or after age 65 or such earlier date after age 50 as may be approved by the
Committee, in its sole discretion at the time of grant or thereafter provided that the exercise of such discretion does not make
the applicable Award subject to Section 409A of the Code, except that Retirement shall not include any Termination with or without
Cause. With respect to a Participant’s Termination of Directorship, Retirement means the failure to stand for reelection
or the failure to be reelected on or after a Participant has attained age 65 or, with the consent of the Board, provided that
the exercise of such discretion does not make the applicable Award subject to Section 409A of the Code, before age 65 but after
age 50.
2.36 “
Rule
16b-3
”
means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as then in effect or any successor provision.
2.37 “
Section
162(m) of the Code
”
means the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and
any applicable Treasury regulations thereunder.
2.38 “
Section
409A of the Code
”
means the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable
Treasury regulations thereunder.
2.39 “
Securities
Act
”
means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Any reference
to any section of the Securities Act shall also be a reference to any successor provision.
2.40 “
Stock
Appreciation Right
”
means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Article VII. A Tandem Stock Appreciation
Right shall mean the right to surrender to the Company all (or a portion) of a Stock Option in exchange for cash or a number of
shares of Common Stock (as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, on the date of grant) equal to the difference
between (a) the Fair Market Value on the date such Stock Option (or such portion thereof) is surrendered, of the Common Stock
covered by such Stock Option (or such portion thereof), and (b) the aggregate exercise price of such Stock Option (or such
portion thereof). A Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right to receive cash or a number of shares of Common Stock
(as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, on the date of grant) equal to the difference between (i) the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date such right is exercised, and (ii) the aggregate exercise price of such
right, otherwise than on surrender of a Stock Option.
2.41 “
Stock
Option
”
or
“
Option
”
means any option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to Eligible
Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants granted pursuant to Article VI.
2.42 “
Subsidiary
”
means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.
2.43 “
Ten
Percent Stockholder
”
means a person owning stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parent.
2.44 “
Termination
”
means a Termination of Consultancy, Termination of Directorship or Termination of Employment, as applicable.
2.45 “
Termination
of Consultancy
”
means: (a) that the Consultant is no longer acting as a consultant to the Company or an Affiliate;
or (b) when an entity which is retaining a Participant as a Consultant ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Participant otherwise
is, or thereupon becomes, a Consultant to the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In
the event that a Consultant becomes an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of his or her consultancy,
unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Consultancy shall be deemed to occur until
such time as such Consultant is no longer a Consultant, an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Committee may, in its sole discretion, otherwise define Termination of Consultancy in the Award agreement or, if no rights
of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy thereafter.
2.46 “
Termination
of Directorship
”
means that the Non-Employee Director has ceased to be a director of the Company; except that if
a Non-Employee Director becomes an Eligible Employee or a Consultant upon the termination of his or her directorship, his or her
ceasing to be a director of the Company shall not be treated as a Termination of Directorship unless and until the Participant
has a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, as the case may be.
2.47 “
Termination
of Employment
”
means: (a) a termination of employment (for reasons other than a military or personal leave
of absence granted by the Company) of a Participant from the Company and its Affiliates; or (b) when an entity which is employing
a Participant ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, employed by the Company or
another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that an Eligible Employee becomes a Consultant
or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of his or her employment, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its
sole discretion, no Termination of Employment shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Eligible Employee is no longer
an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
otherwise define Termination of Employment in the Award agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise
define Termination of Employment thereafter.
2.48 “
Transfer
”
means: (a) when used as a noun, any direct or indirect transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or other
disposition (including the issuance of equity in a Person), whether for value or no value and whether voluntary or involuntary
(including by operation of law), and (b) when used as a verb, to directly or indirectly transfer, sell, assign, pledge, encumber,
charge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (including the issuance of equity in a Person) whether for value or for no value and
whether voluntarily or involuntarily (including by operation of law). “Transferred” and “Transferrable”
shall have a correlative meaning.
ARTICLE
III
ADMINISTRATION
3.1
The
Committee
.
This Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee.
3.2
Grants
of Awards
. The Committee shall have full authority to grant, pursuant to the terms of this Plan, to Eligible Employees,
Consultants and Non-Employee Directors: (i) Stock Options, (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) Restricted Stock,
(iv) Performance Shares; (v) Other Stock-Based Awards, and (vi) Performance-Based Cash Awards. In particular, the Committee
shall have the authority:
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(a)
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to
select the Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder;
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(b)
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to
determine whether and to what extent Awards, or any combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder to one or more Eligible
Employees, Consultants or Non-Employee Directors;
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(c)
|
to
determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
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(d)
|
to
determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, of any Award granted hereunder (including,
but not limited to, the exercise or purchase price (if any), any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or acceleration
thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver thereof, regarding any Award and the shares of Common Stock relating thereto,
based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);
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(e)
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to
determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances grants of Options and other Awards under this Plan are to operate
on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or apart from other awards made by the Company outside of this Plan;
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(f)
|
to
determine whether and under what circumstances a Stock Option may be settled in cash, Common Stock and/or Restricted Stock
under Section 6.3(d);
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(g)
|
to
determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Common Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an Award
under this Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant in any case, in a manner intended
to comply with, Section 409A of the Code;
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(h)
|
to
determine whether a Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option;
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(i)
|
to
determine whether to require a Participant, as a condition of the granting of any Award, to not sell or otherwise dispose
of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion,
following the date of the acquisition of such Award; and
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(j)
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to
set the performance criteria and the Performance Period with respect to any Award for
which the grant, vesting or payment of such Award is conditioned upon the attainment
of specified performance criteria and to certify the attainment of any such performance
criteria;
provided
, that with regard to any Award that is intended to comply with
Section 162(m) of the Code, the applicable performance criteria shall be based on one
or more of the performance goals set forth in Exhibit A hereto (“Performance Goals”).
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3.3
Guidelines
.
Subject to Article XIV hereof, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such
administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing this Plan and perform all acts, including the delegation of its responsibilities
(to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable stock exchange rules), as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable;
to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan and any Award issued under this Plan (and any agreements relating
thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of this Plan. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, correct any defect,
supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan or in any agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the
extent it shall deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of this Plan;
provided
, that with regard to any provision
of this Plan or any agreement relating thereto that is intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, any such action by
the Committee shall be permitted only to the extent such action would be permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee
may, in its sole discretion, adopt special guidelines and provisions for persons who are residing in or employed in, or subject
to, the taxes of, any domestic or foreign jurisdictions to comply with applicable tax and securities laws of such domestic or
foreign jurisdictions. This Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 and with respect to Awards
intended to be “performance-based,” the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and this Plan shall be
limited, construed and interpreted in a manner so as to comply therewith.
3.4
Decisions
Final
. Any decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good faith by or at the direction of the Company,
the Board or the Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in connection with this Plan shall be within the absolute
discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all employees
and Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
3.5
Procedures
.
If the Committee is appointed, the Board shall designate one of the members of the Committee as chairman and the Committee
shall hold meetings, subject to the By-Laws of the Company, at such times and places as it shall deem advisable, including, without
limitation, by telephone conference or by written consent to the extent permitted by applicable law. A majority of the Committee
members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any decision
or determination reduced to writing and signed by all the Committee members in accordance with the By-Laws of the Company shall
be fully effective as if it had been made by a vote at a meeting duly called and held. The Committee shall keep minutes of its
meetings and shall make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable.
3.6
Designation
of Consultants/Liability
.
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(a)
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The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, designate employees of the Company and professional advisors to assist the Committee
in the administration of this Plan and (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable exchange rules) may grant
authority to officers to grant Awards and/or execute agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee.
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(b)
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The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, employ such legal counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the
administration of this Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation
received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such
counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee, its members and any person designated pursuant to
sub-section (a) above shall not be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan. To
the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, no officer of the Company or member or former member of the Committee or of
the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award granted
under it.
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3.7
Indemnification.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company and
to the extent not covered by insurance directly insuring such person, each officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate
and member or former member of the Committee or the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any cost
or expense (including reasonable fees of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Committee) or liability (including any sum paid
in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Committee), and advanced amounts necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest
time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the administration of this
Plan, except to the extent arising out of such officer’s, employee’s, member’s or former member’s fraud.
Such indemnification shall be in addition to any rights of indemnification the officers, employees, directors or members or former
officers, directors or members may have under applicable law or under the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company
or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made
by an individual with regard to Awards granted to him or her under this Plan.
ARTICLE
IV
SHARE LIMITATION
4.1
Shares
.
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(a)
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General
Limitations
. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or used for reference purposes or with
respect to which Awards may be granted under this Plan shall not exceed 15,644,000 shares (subject to any increase or decrease
pursuant to Section 4.2), which may be either authorized and unissued Common Stock or Common Stock held in or acquired for
the treasury of the Company or both. Any shares of Common Stock that are subject to Awards that are not Appreciation Awards
shall be counted against this limit as 1.93 shares for every share granted. If any Appreciation Award granted under this Plan
expires, terminates, is cancelled or is forfeited for any reason, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying any such
Award shall again be available for the purpose of Awards under this Plan and added back to the aggregate maximum limit. If
any Awards that are not Appreciation Awards granted under this Plan to a Participant expire, terminate, are cancelled or are
forfeited for any reason, 1.93 shares of Common Stock shall again be available for the purposes of Awards under this Plan
and added back to the aggregate maximum limit. If a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or a Limited Stock Appreciation Right
is granted in tandem with an Option, such grant shall only apply once against the maximum number of shares of Common Stock
which may be issued under this Plan. The number of shares of Common Stock available for the purpose of Awards under this Plan
shall be reduced by (i) the total number of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights exercised, regardless of whether any
of the shares of Common Stock underlying such Awards are not actually issued to the Participant as the result of a net settlement,
(ii) any shares of Common Stock used to pay any exercise price or tax withholding obligation with respect to any Award and
(iii) any shares of Common Stock repurchased by the Company on the open market with the proceeds of an Stock Option exercise
price.
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(b)
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Individual
Participant Limitations
.
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(i) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Award of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or shares of
Restricted Stock for which the grant of such Award or the lapse of the relevant Restriction Period is subject to the attainment
of Performance Goals in accordance with Section 8.3(a)(ii) herein which may be granted under this Plan during any fiscal year
of the Company to each Eligible Employee or Consultant shall be 1,800,000 shares per type of Award (which shall be subject
to any further increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2), provided that the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for
all types of Awards does not exceed 2,000,000 (which shall be subject to any further increase or decrease pursuant to Section
4.2) with respect to any fiscal year of the Company. If a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is granted or a Limited Stock Appreciation
Right is granted in tandem with a Stock Option, it shall apply against the Eligible Employee’s or Consultant’s
individual share limitations for both Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Options.
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(ii) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Award of Stock Options (other than Incentive Stock Options), Stock
Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares or Other Stock-Based Awards which may be granted under this Plan during any fiscal
year of the Company to each Non-Employee Director shall be 337,500 shares per type of Award (which shall be subject to any
further increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2), provided that the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for all
types of Awards does not exceed 450,000 (which shall be subject to any further increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2)
with respect to any fiscal year of the Company, provided further, that, effective on the date of the Company’s 2009
annual stockholders’ meeting, in no event shall the aggregate grant of Awards to Non-Employee Directors granted on and
after such date exceed 10% (when combined with the 10% limitation set forth in Sections 8.3(a)(iii), 9.2(f), and 10.2(d) of
this Plan) of the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved for Awards under this Plan. If a Tandem Stock Appreciation
Right is granted or a Limited Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with a Stock Option, it shall apply against the
Non-Employee Director’s individual share limitations for both Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Options.
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(iii) There are no annual individual Eligible Employee or Consultant share limitations on Restricted Stock for which the grant of
such Award or the lapse of the relevant Restriction Period is not subject to attainment of Performance Goals in accordance
with Section 8.3(a)(ii) hereof.
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(iv)
The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Award of Performance Shares which may be granted under this Plan
during any fiscal year of the Company to each Eligible Employee or Consultant shall be 1,800,000 (which shall be subject to
any further increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2) with respect to any fiscal year of the Company. Each Performance
Share shall be referenced to one share of Common Stock and shall be charged against the available shares under this Plan at
the time the unit value measurement is converted to a referenced number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section
9.1.
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(v) The maximum payment under any Performance-Based Cash Award payable with respect to any fiscal year of the Company and for
which the grant of such Award is subject to the attainment of Performance Goals in accordance with Section 11.2(c) herein
which may be granted under this Plan with respect to any fiscal year of the Company to each Eligible Employee or Consultant
shall be $10,000,000.
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(vi) The individual Participant limitations set forth in this Section 4.1(b) shall be cumulative; that is, to the extent that shares
of Common Stock for which Awards are permitted to be granted to an Eligible Employee or a Consultant during a fiscal year
are not covered by an Award to such Eligible Employee or Consultant in a fiscal year, the number of shares of Common Stock
available for Awards to such Eligible Employee or Consultant shall automatically increase in the subsequent fiscal years during
the term of the Plan until used.
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4.2
Changes
.
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(a)
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The
existence of this Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the
stockholders of the Company to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the
Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii)
any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock, (iv) the dissolution
or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the Company
or any Affiliate or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding.
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(b)
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Subject
to the provisions of Section 4.2(d), if there shall occur any such change in the capital structure of the Company by reason
of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification of shares that may be
issued under the Plan, any recapitalization, any merger, any consolidation, any spin off, any reorganization or any partial
or complete liquidation, or any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing (a “
Section
4.2 Event
”), then (i) the aggregate number and/or kind of shares that thereafter may be issued under the Plan, (ii)
the number and/or kind of shares or other property (including cash) to be issued upon exercise of an outstanding Award or
under other Awards granted under the Plan, (iii) the purchase price thereof, and/or (iv) the individual Participant limitations
set forth in Section 4.1(b) (other than those based on cash limitations) shall be appropriately adjusted. In addition, subject
to Section 4.2(d), if there shall occur any change in the capital structure or the business of the Company that is not a Section
4.2 Event (an “
Other Extraordinary Event
”), including by reason of any extraordinary dividend (whether
cash or stock), any conversion, any adjustment, any issuance of any class of securities convertible or exercisable into, or
exercisable for, any class of stock, or any sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets or business,
then the Committee, in its sole discretion, may adjust any Award and make such other adjustments to the Plan. Any adjustment
pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be consistent with the applicable Section 4.2 Event or the applicable Other Extraordinary
Event, as the case may be, and in such manner as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, deem appropriate and equitable
to prevent substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan. Any
such adjustment determined by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all Participants and
their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided in this
Section 4.2 or in the applicable Award agreement, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any Section 4.2 Event or
any Other Extraordinary Event.
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(c)
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Fractional
shares of Common Stock resulting from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to Section 4.2(a) or (b) shall be aggregated until,
and eliminated at, the time of exercise by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions equal
to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. Notice
of any adjustment shall be given by the Committee to each Participant whose Award has been adjusted and such adjustment (whether
or not such notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of this Plan.
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(d)
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In
the event of an Acquisition Event, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate all outstanding and unexercised Stock
Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or any Other Stock Based Award that provides for a Participant elected exercise effective
as of the date of the Acquisition Event, by delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least 20 days prior to
the date of consummation of the Acquisition Event, in which case during the period from the date on which such notice of termination
is delivered to the consummation of the Acquisition Event, each such Participant shall have the right to exercise in full
all of his or her Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that are then outstanding (without regard to any limitations
on exercisability otherwise contained in the Award agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the occurrence
of the Acquisition Event, and, provided that, if the Acquisition Event does not take place within a specified period after
giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and void.
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If
an Acquisition Event occurs but the Committee does not terminate the outstanding Awards pursuant to this Section 4.2(d), then
the provisions of Section 4.2(b) and Article XIII shall apply.
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4.3
Minimum
Purchase Price
. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if authorized but previously unissued shares
of Common Stock are issued under this Plan, such shares shall not be issued for a consideration that is less than as permitted
under applicable law.
ARTICLE
V
ELIGIBILITY – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARDS
5.1
General
Eligibility
. All Eligible Employees, Consultants, Non-Employee Directors and prospective employees and consultants are
eligible to be granted Awards, subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan. Eligibility for the grant of Awards and actual
participation in this Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
5.2
Incentive
Stock Options.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, only Eligible Employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries
and its Parent (if any) are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options under this Plan. Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive
Stock Option and actual participation in this Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
5.3
General
Requirement
. The vesting and exercise of Awards granted to a prospective employee or consultant are conditioned upon such
individual actually becoming an Eligible Employee or Consultant.
ARTICLE
VI
STOCK OPTIONS
6.1
Options
.
Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. Each Stock Option granted under this
Plan shall be of one of two types: (a) an Incentive Stock Option or (b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
6.2
Grants
.
The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, have the authority to grant to any Eligible Employee (subject to Section 5.2) Incentive
Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock Options. The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, have
the authority to grant Non-Qualified Stock Options to any Consultant or Non-Employee Director. To the extent that any Stock Option
does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise),
such Stock Option or the portion thereof which does not qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.
6.3
Terms
of Options
. Options granted under this Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such
form and contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee, in its
sole discretion, shall deem desirable:
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(a)
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Exercise
Price
. The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at
the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Stock Option shall not be less than 100% (or, in the case
of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, 110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the
time of grant.
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(b)
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Stock
Option Term
. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, provided that no Stock Option shall be exercisable
more than seven (7) years after the date the Option is granted; and provided further that the term of an Incentive Stock Option
granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not exceed five (5) years.
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(c)
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Exercisability
.
Stock Options shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions or as shall be determined
by the Committee at grant. If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any Stock Option is exercisable subject to certain
limitations (including, without limitation, that such Stock Option is exercisable only in installments or within certain time
periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after grant in whole or in part
(including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such Stock
Option may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion. In the
event that a written employment agreement between the Company and a Participant provides for a vesting schedule that is more
favorable than the vesting schedule provided in the form of Award Agreement, the vesting schedule in such employment agreement
shall govern, provided that such agreement is in effect on the date of grant and applicable to the specific Award.
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(d)
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Method
of Exercise
. Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under subsection (c) above,
to the extent vested, Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Option term, by giving written
notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased. Such notice shall be in
a form acceptable to the Company and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price as follows: (i) in cash
or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; (ii) solely to the extent permitted by applicable
law, if the Common Stock is traded on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or quoted on a national quotation
system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, and the Committee authorizes, through a procedure whereby
the Participant delivers irrevocable instructions to a broker reasonably acceptable to the Committee to deliver promptly to
the Company an amount equal to the purchase price; or (iii) on such other terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the
Committee (including, without limitation, the relinquishment of Stock Options or by payment in full or in part in the form
of Common Stock owned by the Participant based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the payment date as determined
by the Committee, in its sole discretion). No shares of Common Stock shall be issued until payment therefor, as provided herein,
has been made or provided for.
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(e)
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Non-Transferability
of Options
. No Stock Option shall be Transferable by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or thereafter that
a Non-Qualified Stock Option that is otherwise not Transferable pursuant to this Section is Transferable to a Family Member
in whole or in part and in such circumstances, and under such conditions, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
A Non-Qualified Stock Option that is Transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be subsequently
Transferred otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) remains subject to the terms of this
Plan and the applicable Award agreement. Any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option
by a permissible transferee of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or a permissible transferee pursuant to a Transfer after the exercise
of the Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be subject to the terms of this Plan and the applicable Award agreement.
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(f)
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Incentive
Stock Option Limitations
. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the
Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Eligible Employee during
any calendar year under this Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent exceeds
$100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. Should any provision of this Plan not be necessary
in order for the Stock Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be required, the
Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend this Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the
stockholders of the Company.
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(g)
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Form,
Modification, Extension and Renewal of Stock Options
. Subject to the terms and conditions and within the limitations of
this Plan, Stock Options shall be evidenced by such form of agreement or grant as is approved by the Committee, and the Committee
may, in its sole discretion (i) modify, extend or renew outstanding Stock Options granted under this Plan (provided that the
rights of a Participant are not reduced without his or her consent and provided further that such action does not subject
the Stock Options to Section 409A of the Code), and (ii) accept the surrender of outstanding Stock Options (up to the extent
not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Stock Options in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore
exercised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an outstanding Option may not be modified to reduce the exercise price thereof
nor may a new Option at a lower price be substituted for a surrendered Option (other than adjustments or substitutions in
accordance with Section 4.2), unless such action is approved by the stockholders of the Company.
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(h)
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Early
Exercise
. The Committee may provide that a Stock Option include a provision whereby the Participant may elect at any time
before the Participant’s Termination to exercise the Stock Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock
subject to the Stock Option prior to the full vesting of the Stock Option and such shares shall be subject to the provisions
of Article VIII and treated as Restricted Stock. Any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase
option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Committee determines to be appropriate.
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(i)
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Other
Terms and Conditions
. Stock Options may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the
terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, deem appropriate.
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ARTICLE
VII
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
7.1
Tandem
Stock Appreciation Rights
. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in conjunction with all or part of any Stock Option
(a “Reference Stock Option”) granted under this Plan (“Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights”). In the case
of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, such rights may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of such Reference Stock Option.
In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such rights may be granted only at the time of the grant of such Reference Stock Option.
7.2
Terms
and Conditions of Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights
. Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be subject
to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the
Committee in its sole discretion, and the following:
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(a)
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Exercise
Price
. The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by
the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall
not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.
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(b)
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Term
.
A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or applicable portion thereof granted with respect to a Reference Stock Option shall terminate
and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the Reference Stock Option, except that, unless otherwise
determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant, a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right granted with
respect to less than the full number of shares covered by the Reference Stock Option shall not be reduced until and then only
to the extent the exercise or termination of the Reference Stock Option causes the number of shares covered by the Tandem
Stock Appreciation Right to exceed the number of shares remaining available and unexercised under the Reference Stock Option.
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(c)
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Exercisability
.
Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the Reference Stock
Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Article VI, and shall be subject to
the provisions of Section 6.3(c).
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(d)
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Method
of Exercise
. A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by the Participant by surrendering the applicable portion
of the Reference Stock Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount determined
in the manner prescribed in this Section 7.2. Stock Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no
longer be exercisable to the extent the related Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights have been exercised.
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(e)
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Payment
.
Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but no more than,
an amount in cash or a number of shares of Common Stock (as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, on the date
of grant) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock over the Option exercise price
per share specified in the Reference Stock Option agreement, multiplied by the number of shares in respect of which the Tandem
Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.
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(f)
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Deemed
Exercise of Reference Stock Option
. Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, the Reference Stock Option
or part thereof to which such Stock Appreciation Right is related shall be deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of
the limitation set forth in Article IV of the Plan on the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan.
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(g)
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Non-Transferability
.
Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Transferable only when and to the extent that
the underlying Stock Option would be Transferable under Section 6.3(e) of the Plan.
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7.3
Non-Tandem
Stock Appreciation Rights
. Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may also be granted without reference to any Stock Options
granted under this Plan.
7.4
Terms
and Conditions of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights
. Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be
subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, as shall be determined from time to time
by the Committee in its sole discretion, and the following:
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(a)
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Exercise
Price
. The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined
by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right
shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.
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(b)
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Term
.
The term of each Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Committee, but shall not be greater than 7 years
after the date the right is granted.
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(c)
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Exercisability
.
Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as
shall be determined by the Committee at grant. If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any such right is exercisable
subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that it is exercisable only in installments or within certain
time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after grant in whole or in
part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such
right may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion. In the event
that a written employment agreement between the Company and a Participant provides for a vesting schedule that is more favorable
than the vesting schedule provided in the form of Award Agreement, the vesting schedule in such employment agreement shall
govern, provided that such agreement is in effect on the date of grant and applicable to the specific Award.
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(d)
|
Method
of Exercise
. Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under subsection (c) above,
Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part at any time in accordance with the applicable Award
agreement, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights
to be exercised.
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(e)
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Payment
.
Upon the exercise of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right a Participant shall be entitled to receive, for each right exercised,
up to, but no more than, an amount in cash or a number of shares of Common Stock (as determined by the Committee, in its sole
discretion, on the date of grant) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the
date the right is exercised over the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date the right was awarded to the
Participant.
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(f)
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Non-Transferability
.
No Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Transferable by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution, and all such rights shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant.
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7.5
Limited
Stock Appreciation Rights
. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Tandem and Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights
either as a general Stock Appreciation Right or as a Limited Stock Appreciation Right. Limited Stock Appreciation Rights may be
exercised only upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or such other event as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, designate
at the time of grant or thereafter. Upon the exercise of Limited Stock Appreciation Rights, except as otherwise provided in an
Award agreement, the Participant shall receive in cash or Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, an amount equal to the
amount (a) set forth in Section 7.2(e) with respect to Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights, or (b) set forth in Section
7.4(e) with respect to Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights, as applicable.
ARTICLE
VIII
RESTRICTED
STOCK
8.1
Awards
of Restricted Stock
. Shares of Restricted Stock may be issued either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under
the Plan. The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine the Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors,
to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock shall be made, the number of shares to be awarded, the price
(if any) to be paid by the Participant (subject to Section 8.2), the time or times within which such Awards may be subject to
forfeiture, the vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of the Awards. The Committee
may condition the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of specified performance targets (including, the Performance
Goals specified in Exhibit A attached hereto) or such other factors as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, including
to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.
8.2
Awards
and Certificates
. Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors selected to receive Restricted Stock shall
not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such Participant has delivered a fully executed copy of the agreement
evidencing the Award to the Company and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award. Further,
such Award shall be subject to the following conditions:
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(a)
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Purchase
Price
. The purchase price of Restricted Stock shall be fixed by the Committee. Subject to Section 4.3, the purchase price
for shares of Restricted Stock may be zero to the extent permitted by applicable law, and, to the extent not so permitted,
such purchase price may not be less than par value.
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(b)
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Acceptance
.
Awards of Restricted Stock must be accepted within a period of 60 days (or such other period as the Committee may specify)
after the grant date, by executing a Restricted Stock agreement and by paying whatever price (if any) the Committee has designated
thereunder.
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(c)
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Legend
.
Each Participant receiving Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock certificate in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock,
unless the Committee elects to use another system, such as book entries by the transfer agent, as evidencing ownership of
shares of Restricted Stock. Such certificate shall be registered in the name of such Participant, and shall, in addition to
such legends required by applicable securities laws, bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions
applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form:
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“The
anticipation, alienation, attachment, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge of the shares of stock represented
hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Steven Madden, Ltd. (the “Company”)
2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and an agreement entered into between the registered owner and the Company
dated __________. Copies of such Plan and agreement are on file at the principal office of the Company.”
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(d)
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Custody
.
If stock certificates are issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee
may require that any stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by
the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition
of any grant of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have delivered a duly signed
stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Common Stock covered by such Award.
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8.3
Restrictions
and Conditions
. The shares of Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to this Plan shall be subject to the following restrictions
and conditions:
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(a)
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Restriction
Period
. (i) The Participant shall not be permitted to Transfer shares of Restricted Stock awarded under this Plan during
the period or periods set by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”) commencing on the date of such Award, as
set forth in a Restricted Stock Award agreement and such agreement shall set forth a vesting schedule and any events which
would accelerate vesting of the shares of Restricted Stock. Within these limits, based on service, attainment of Performance
Goals pursuant to Section 8.3(a)(ii) below and/or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may determine in its sole
discretion, the Committee may condition the grant or provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments in whole or
in part, or may accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award and/or waive the deferral limitations
for all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award. Subject to Section 8.3(a)(iii) of this Plan, in the event that a written
employment agreement between the Company and a Participant provides for a vesting schedule that is more favorable than the
vesting schedule provided in the form of Award Agreement, the vesting schedule in such employment agreement shall govern,
provided that such agreement is in effect on the date of grant and applicable to the specific Award.
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(ii)
Objective Performance Goals, Formulae or Standards
. If the grant of shares of Restricted Stock or the lapse of restrictions
is based on the attainment of Performance Goals, the Committee shall establish the Performance Goals and the applicable vesting
percentage of the Restricted Stock Award applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning
of the applicable Performance Period or at such later date as otherwise determined by the Committee and while the outcome
of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate provisions for disregarding (or
adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions)
and other similar type events or circumstances. With regard to a Restricted Stock Award that is intended to comply with Section
162(m) of the Code, to the extent any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code
or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect. The applicable Performance
Goals shall be based on one or more of the performance criteria set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
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(iii)
Limitations
. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, effective on the date of the Company’s
2009 annual stockholders’ meeting, the Restriction Period with respect to any Restricted Stock Award granted on or after
such date shall be no less than (A) one year, if the lapsing of restrictions is based (in whole or in part) on the attainment
of one or more Performance Goals, and (B) three years, if the lapsing of restrictions is based solely on the continued performance
of services by the Participant (with restrictions as to no more than 1/3
rd
of the shares of Common Stock subject thereto
lapsing on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant);
provided
, that, subject to the terms of this Plan,
the Committee shall be authorized (at the time of grant or thereafter) to provide for the earlier lapsing of restrictions in the
event of a Change in Control or a Participant’s retirement, death or Disability; and
provided further
, that, subject
to the limitations set forth in Section 4.1(b), Restricted Stock Awards may be granted on or after the date of the Company’s
2009 annual stockholders’ meeting without the foregoing limitations with respect to up to 10% (when combined with the 10%
limitation set forth in Sections 4.1(b)(ii), 9.2(f) and 10.2(d) of this Plan) of the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved
for Awards under this Plan.
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(b)
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Rights
as a Stockholder
. Except as provided in this subsection (b) and subsection (a) above and as otherwise determined by the
Committee, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a holder of shares
of Common Stock of the Company including, without limitation, the right to receive any dividends, the right to vote such shares
and, subject to and conditioned upon the full vesting of shares of Restricted Stock, the right to tender such shares. The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine at the time of grant that the payment of dividends shall be deferred until,
and conditioned upon, the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period.
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(c)
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Lapse
of Restrictions
. If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Stock, the certificates
for such shares shall be delivered to the Participant. All legends shall be removed from said certificates at the time of
delivery to the Participant, except as otherwise required by applicable law or other limitations imposed by the Committee.
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ARTICLE
IX
PERFORMANCE SHARES
9.1
Award
of Performance Shares
. Performance Shares may be awarded either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this
Plan. The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine the Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors, to
whom, and the time or times at which, Performance Shares shall be awarded, the number of Performance Shares to be awarded to any
person, the Performance Period during which, and the conditions under which, receipt of the Shares will be deferred, and the other
terms and conditions of the Award in addition to those set forth in Section 9.2.
Except
as otherwise provided herein, the Committee shall condition the right to payment of any Performance Share upon the attainment
of specified objective performance goals (including, the Performance Goals specified in Exhibit A attached hereto) established
pursuant to Section 9.2(c) below and such other factors as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, including
to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.
9.2
Terms
and Conditions
. Performance Shares awarded pursuant to this Article IX shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
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(a)
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Earning
of Performance Share Award
. At the expiration of the applicable Performance Period, the Committee shall determine the
extent to which the Performance Goals established pursuant to Section 9.2(c) are achieved and the percentage of each Performance
Share Award that has been earned.
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(b)
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Non-Transferability
.
Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award agreement and this Plan, Performance Shares may not be Transferred during
the Performance Period.
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(c)
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Objective
Performance Goals, Formulae or Standards
. The Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals for the earning
of Performance Shares based on a Performance Period applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior
to the beginning of the applicable Performance Period or at such later date as permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code
and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate, if and
only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting
methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events
or circumstances. To the extent any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code
or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect. The applicable Performance
Goals shall be based on one or more of the performance criteria set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
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(d)
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Dividends
.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, amounts equal to any dividends declared during the Performance
Period with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock covered by a Performance Share will not be paid to the Participant.
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(e)
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Payment
.
Following the Committee’s determination in accordance with subsection (a) above, shares of Common Stock or, as determined
by the Committee in its sole discretion, the cash equivalent of such shares shall be delivered to the Eligible Employee, Consultant
or Non-Employee Director, or his legal representative, in an amount equal to such individual’s earned Performance Share.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, award an amount less than the earned Performance
Share and/or subject the payment of all or part of any Performance Share to additional vesting, forfeiture and deferral conditions
as it deems appropriate.
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(f)
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Accelerated
Vesting
. Based on service, performance and/or such other factors or criteria, if any, as the Committee may determine,
the Committee may, in its sole discretion, at or after grant, accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Performance
Share Award and/or waive the preceding sentence and any other provision of this Plan to the contrary. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence or any other provision of this Plan, effective on the date of the Company’s 2009 annual stockholders’
meeting, the vesting schedule with respect to any Performance Share Award on or after such date shall be no less than (A)
one year, if the vesting period is based (in whole or in part) on the attainment of one or more Performance Goals, and (B)
three years, if the vesting period is based solely on the continued performance of services by the Participant (with restrictions
as to no more than 1/3
rd
of the shares of Common Stock subject thereto lapsing on each of the first three anniversaries
of the date of grant);
provided
, that, subject to the terms of this Plan, the Committee shall be authorized (at the
time of grant or thereafter) to provide for the acceleration of vesting in the event of a Change in Control or a Participant’s
retirement, death or Disability; and
provided
further
, that, subject to the limitations set forth in Section
4.1(b), Performance Share Awards may be granted on or after the date of the Company’s 2009 annual stockholders’
meeting without the foregoing limitations with respect to up to 10% (when combined with the 10% limitation set forth in Sections
4.1(b)(ii), 8.3(a)(iii) and 10.2(d) of this Plan) of the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved for Awards under
this Plan.
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ARTICLE
X
OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS
10.1 Other
Awards.
The Committee, in its sole discretion, is authorized to grant to Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee
Directors Other Stock-Based Awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related
to shares of Common Stock, including, but not limited to, shares of Common Stock awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to
any restrictions or conditions, shares of Common Stock in payment of the amounts due under an incentive or performance plan sponsored
or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate, performance units, dividend equivalent units, stock equivalent units, restricted
stock units and deferred stock units. To the extent permitted by law, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Eligible
Employees and/or Non-Employee Directors to defer all or a portion of their cash compensation in the form of Other Stock-Based
Awards granted under this Plan, subject to the terms and conditions of any deferred compensation arrangement established by the
Company, which shall be intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone
or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan.
Subject
to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, have authority to determine the Eligible Employees,
Consultants and Non-Employee Directors, to whom, and the time or times at which, such Awards shall be made, the number of shares
of Common Stock to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards. The Committee may also provide
for the grant of Common Stock under such Awards upon the completion of a specified Performance Period.
The
Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals set
forth on Exhibit A as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion; provided that to the extent that such Other Stock-Based
Awards are intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals for
the vesting of such Other Stock-Based Awards based on a performance period applicable to each Participant or class of Participants
in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable performance period or at such later date as permitted under Section 162(m)
of the Code and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate,
if and only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in
accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type
events or circumstances. To the extent any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code
or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect. The applicable Performance Goals
shall be based on one or more of the performance criteria set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
10.2
Terms
and Conditions
. Other Stock-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article X shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
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(a)
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Non-Transferability
.
Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award agreement and this Plan, shares of Common Stock subject to Awards made under
this Article X may not be Transferred prior to the date on which the shares are issued, or, if later, the date on which any
applicable restriction, performance or deferral period lapses.
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(b)
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Dividends
.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of Award, subject to the provisions of the Award agreement and this
Plan, the recipient of an Award under this Article X shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends
or dividend equivalents with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award.
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(c)
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Vesting
.
Any Award under this Article X and any Common Stock covered by any such Award shall vest or be forfeited to the extent so
provided in the Award agreement, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, in accordance with the terms of this
Plan. Subject to Section 10.2(d) of this Plan, in the event that a written employment agreement between the Company and a
Participant provides for a vesting schedule that is more favorable than the vesting schedule provided in the form of Award
Agreement, the vesting schedule in such employment agreement shall govern, provided that such agreement is in effect on the
date of grant and applicable to the specific Award.
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(d)
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Limitation
.
Notwithstanding Section 10.2(c) of this Plan and any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, effective on the date of
the Company’s 2009 annual stockholders’ meeting, the vesting schedule with respect to any Other Stock-Based Award
on or after such date shall be no less than (A) one year, if the vesting period is based (in whole or in part) on the attainment
of one or more Performance Goals, and (B) three years, if the vesting period is based solely on the continued performance
of services by the Participant (with restrictions as to no more than 1/3
rd
of the shares of Common Stock subject
thereto lapsing on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant);
provided
, that, subject to the terms
of this Plan, the Committee shall be authorized (at the time of grant or thereafter) to provide for the acceleration of vesting
in the event of a Change in Control or a Participant’s retirement, death or Disability; and
provided
further
,
that, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 4.1(b), Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted on or after the date
of the Company’s 2009 annual stockholders’ meeting without the foregoing limitations with respect to up to 10%
(when combined with the 10% limitation set forth in Sections 4.1(b)(ii), 8.3(a)(iii) and 9.2(f) of this Plan) of the total
number of shares of Common Stock reserved for Awards under this Plan.
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(e)
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Price
.
Common Stock issued on a bonus basis under this Article X may be issued for no cash consideration; Common Stock purchased
pursuant to a purchase right awarded under this Article X shall be priced, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
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(f)
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Payment
.
Form of payment for the Other Stock-Based Award shall be specified in the Award agreement.
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ARTICLE
XI
PERFORMANCE-BASED CASH AWARDS
11.1
Performance-Based
Cash Awards
. Performance-Based Cash Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with Stock Options,
Stock Appreciation Rights, or Restricted Stock. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion,
have authority to determine the Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors to whom, and the time or times at which,
such Awards shall be made, the dollar amount to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards. The
Committee may also provide for the payment of dollar amount under such Awards upon the completion of a specified Performance Period.
For
each Participant, the Committee may specify a targeted performance award. The individual target award may be expressed, at the
Committee’s discretion, as a fixed dollar amount, a percentage of base pay or total pay (excluding payments made under the
Plan), or an amount determined pursuant to an objective formula or standard. Establishment of an individual target award for a
Participant for a calendar year shall not imply or require that the same level individual target award (if any such award is established
by the Committee for the relevant Participant) be set for any subsequent calendar year. At the time the Performance Goals are
established, the Committee shall prescribe a formula to determine the percentages (which may be greater than 100%) of the individual
target award which may be payable based upon the degree of attainment of the Performance Goals during the calendar year. Notwithstanding
anything else herein, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay a Participant an amount that is less than the Participant’s
individual target award (or attained percentage thereof) regardless of the degree of attainment of the Performance Goals; provided
that no such discretion to reduce an Award earned based on achievement of the applicable Performance Goals shall be permitted
for the calendar year in which a Change in Control of the Company occurs, or during such calendar year with regard to the prior
calendar year if the Awards for the prior calendar year have not been made by the time of the Change in Control of the Company,
with regard to individuals who were Participants at the time of the Change in Control of the Company.
11.2
Terms
and Conditions
. Performance-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article XI shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
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(a)
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Vesting
of Performance-Based Cash Award
. At the expiration of the applicable Performance Period, the Committee shall determine
and certify in writing the extent to which the Performance Goals established pursuant to Section 11.2(c) are achieved and
the percentage of the Participant’s individual target award has been vested and earned.
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(b)
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Waiver
of Limitation
. In the event of the Participant’s Retirement (other than with respect to Performance-Based Cash Awards
that are intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code), Disability or death, or in cases of special circumstances (to
the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code with regard to a Performance-Based Cash Award that is intended to comply
with Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive in whole or in part any or all of the limitations
imposed hereunder (if any) with respect to any or all of an Award under this Article XI.
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(c)
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Objective Performance
Goals, Formulae or Standards
.
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(i) The Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals and the individual target award (if any) applicable to each
Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable Performance Period or at such later
date as permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain.
Such Performance Goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for
disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions
and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To the extent any Performance-Based Award is intended to
comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, if any provision would create impermissible discretion under Section
162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect. The applicable
Performance Goals shall be based on one or more of the performance criteria set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
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(ii) The measurements used in Performance Goals set under the Plan shall be determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (“GAAP”), except, to the extent that any objective Performance Goals are used, if any measurements
require deviation from GAAP, such deviation shall be at the discretion of the Committee at the time the Performance Goals
are set or at such later time to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code.
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(d)
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Payment
.
Following the Committee’s determination and certification in accordance with subsection (a) above, the Performance-Based
Cash Award amount shall be delivered to the Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director, or his legal representative,
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Award agreement. If the Award Agreement does not provide when such amount
will be paid, except as provided in the next sentence, such amount shall be paid by no later than the later of: (i) March
15 of the year following the year in which the applicable Performance Period ends; or (ii) two and one-half (2½) months
after the expiration of the fiscal year of the Company in which the applicable Performance Period ends. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Committee may place such conditions on the payment of the payment of all or any portion of any Performance-Based
Cash Award as the Committee may determine and prior to the beginning of a Performance Period the Committee may (x) provide
that the payment of all or any portion of any Performance-Based Cash Award shall be deferred and (y) permit a Participant
to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of any Performance-Based Cash Award. Any Performance-Based Cash Award deferred
by a Participant in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee shall not increase (between the
date on which the Performance-Based Cash Award is credited to any deferred compensation program applicable to such Participant
and the payment date) by an amount that would result in such deferral being deemed as an “increase in the amount of
compensation” under Code Section 162(m). To the extent applicable, any deferral under this Section 11.2(d) shall be
made in a manner intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
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ARTICLE
XII
TERMINATION
12.1
Termination
.
The following rules apply with regard to the Termination of a Participant.
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(a)
|
Rules
Applicable to Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant (or, if
no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter):
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(i)
Termination by Reason of Death, Disability or Retirement.
If a Participant’s Termination is by reason of death,
Disability or the Participant’s Retirement, all Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that are held by such Participant
that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant (or,
in the case of death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate) at any time within a one-year period
from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights; provided, however, if the Participant dies within such exercise period, all unexercised Stock Options
or Stock Appreciation Rights held by such Participant shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which they were exercisable
at the time of death, for a period of one year from the date of such death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated
term of such Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
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(ii)
Involuntary Termination Without Cause.
If a Participant’s Termination is by involuntary termination without Cause,
all Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time
of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of 90 days from the
date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options or Stock Appreciation
Rights.
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(iii)
Voluntary Termination.
If a Participant’s Termination is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described
in Section 12.2(a)(iv)(2) below), all Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that are held by such Participant that are
vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time
within a period of 30 days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated terms of
such Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
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(iv)
Termination for Cause.
If a Participant’s Termination: (1) is for Cause or (2) is a voluntary Termination (as
provided in sub-section (iii) above) after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, all
Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon
terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.
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(v)
Unvested Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that are not vested
as of the date of a Participant’s Termination for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.
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(b)
|
Rules
Applicable to Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, Other Stock-Based Awards and Performance-Based Cash Awards
. Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or thereafter, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason: (i) during
the relevant Restriction Period, all Restricted Stock still subject to restriction shall be forfeited; and (ii) any unvested
Performance Shares, Other Stock-Based Awards or Performance-Based Cash Awards shall be forfeited
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ARTICLE
XIII
CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS
13.1
Benefits
.
In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, and except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement or
in a written employment agreement between the Company and a Participant, a Participant’s unvested Award shall not vest and
a Participant’s Award shall be treated in accordance with one of the following methods as determined by the Committee in
its sole discretion:
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(a)
|
Awards,
whether or not then vested, shall be continued, assumed, have new rights substituted therefor or be treated in accordance
with Section 4.2(d) hereof, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and restrictions to which any shares of
Restricted Stock or any other Award granted prior to the Change in Control are subject shall not lapse upon a Change in Control
and the Restricted Stock or other Award shall, where appropriate in the sole discretion of the Committee, receive the same
distribution as other Common Stock on such terms as determined by the Committee; provided that, the Committee may, in its
sole discretion, decide to award additional Restricted Stock or other Award in lieu of any cash distribution. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any assumed or substituted Stock Option shall comply
with the requirements of Treasury Regulation § 1.424-1 (and any amendments thereto) and for purposes of any Non-Qualified
Stock Options and Stock Appreciations Rights, any assumed or substituted Non-Qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation
Right shall comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance issued thereunder.
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(b)
|
The
Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for the purchase of any Awards by the Company or an Affiliate for an amount
of cash equal to the excess of the Change in Control Price (as defined below) of the shares of Common Stock covered by such
Awards, over the aggregate exercise price of such Awards. For purposes of this Section 13.1, “Change in Control Price”
shall mean the highest price per share of Common Stock paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control of the Company.
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(c)
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The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for the cancellation of any Awards without payment, if the Change in Control
Price is less than the Fair Market Value of such Award on the date of grant.
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(d)
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Notwithstanding
anything else herein, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting or lapse of restrictions,
of an Award at the time of grant or at any time thereafter.
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13.2
Change
in Control
. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award agreement (or other written agreement
approved by the Committee including, without limitation, an employment agreement), a “Change in Control” shall be
deemed to occur following any transaction if: (a) any “person” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of
the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership of Common Stock of the Company), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the
Company (or its successor corporation); provided, however, that a merger or consolidation effected solely to implement a recapitalization
of the Company shall not constitute a Change in Control of the Company; or (b) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan
of complete liquidation of the Company;
provided
, that this subsection (b) shall not constitute a Change in Control with
respect to the amount of any payment pursuant to an Award under this Plan, or any portion thereof, that is triggered upon a Change
in Control and that is intended to constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” pursuant to Section 409A of the
Code; or (c) the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets
other than (i) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or persons who beneficially
own, directly or indirectly, at least 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company
at the time of the sale or (ii) pursuant to a spinoff type transaction, directly or indirectly, of such assets to the stockholders
of the Company.
ARTICLE
XIV
TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN
14.1
Termination
or Amendment
. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Board or the Committee may at any time, and from time
to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of this Plan (including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure
that the Company may comply with any regulatory requirement referred to in Article XVI), or suspend or terminate it entirely,
retroactively or otherwise; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by law or specifically provided herein, the rights
of a Participant with respect to Awards granted prior to such amendment, suspension or termination, may not be impaired without
the consent of such Participant and, provided further, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware, to the extent required by the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 or Section 162(m) of the
Code, pursuant to the requirements of NASD Rule 4350(i)(1)(A) or such other applicable stock exchange rule, or, to the extent
applicable to Incentive Stock Options, Section 422 of the Code, no amendment may be made which would:
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(a)
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increase
the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan pursuant to Section 4.1 (except by operation
of Section 4.2);
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(b)
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increase
the maximum individual Participant limitations for a fiscal year under Section 4.1(b)
(except by operation of Section 4.2);
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(c)
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change
the classification of Eligible Employees or Consultants eligible to receive Awards under this Plan;
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(d)
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decrease the minimum
option price of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right;
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(e)
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extend the maximum
option period under Section 6.3;
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(f)
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alter
the Performance Goals for the Award of Restricted Stock, Performance Shares or Other Stock-Based Awards subject to satisfaction
of Performance Goals as set forth in Exhibit A;
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(g)
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other
than adjustments or substitutions in accordance with
Section 4.2
, amend the terms of outstanding Awards to reduce the
exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or to cancel outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation
Rights in exchange for cash, other Awards or Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price that is less
than the exercise price of the original Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights;
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(h)
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award
any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right in replacement of a canceled Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a
higher exercise price, except in accordance with Section 6.3(g); or
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(i)
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require
stockholder approval in order for this Plan to continue to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the
Code or, to the extent applicable to Incentive Stock Options, Section 422 of the Code. In no event may this Plan be amended
without the approval of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Delaware to
increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan, decrease the minimum exercise
price of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or to make any other amendment that would require stockholder approval
under NASD Rule 4350(i)(1)(A) or other such rules of any exchange or system on which the Company’s securities are listed
or traded at the request of the Company.
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The
Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Article IV above
or as otherwise specifically provided herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall impair the rights of any
holder without the holder’s consent.
ARTICLE
XV
UNFUNDED PLAN
15.1
Unfunded
Status of Plan
. This Plan is an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any
payments as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but that are not yet made to a Participant by the Company,
nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor
of the Company.
ARTICLE
XVI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
16.1
Legend
.
The Committee may require each person receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Option or other Award under the Plan
to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution
thereof. In addition to any legend required by this Plan, the certificates for such shares may include any legend that the Committee,
in its sole discretion, deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on Transfer.
All
certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions
as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, The Nasdaq Stock Market or any national securities exchange system upon whose system the Common Stock
is then quoted, any applicable Federal or state securities law, and any applicable corporate law, and the Committee may cause
a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
16.2
Other
Plans
. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements,
subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable
only in specific cases.
16.3
No
Right to Employment/Directorship/Consultancy
. Neither this Plan nor the grant of any Option or other Award hereunder shall
give any Participant or other employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director any right with respect to continuance of employment,
consultancy or directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall they be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company
or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a Consultant or Non-Employee Director is retained to terminate his or her
employment, consultancy or directorship at any time.
16.4
Withholding
of Taxes
. The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment to be made pursuant to this Plan, or to otherwise
require, prior to the issuance or delivery of any shares of Common Stock or the payment of any cash hereunder, payment by the
Participant of, any Federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld. Upon the vesting of Restricted Stock (or other
Award that is taxable upon vesting), or upon making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, a Participant shall pay all required
withholding to the Company. Any statutorily required withholding obligation with regard to any Participant may be satisfied, subject
to the advance consent of the Committee, by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable or by delivering
shares of Common Stock already owned. Any fraction of a share of Common Stock required to satisfy such tax obligations shall be
disregarded and the amount due shall be paid instead in cash by the Participant.
16.5
No
Assignment of Benefits
. No Award or other benefit payable under this Plan shall, except as otherwise specifically provided
by law or permitted by the Committee, be Transferable in any manner, and any attempt to Transfer any such benefit shall be void,
and any such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts
of any person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such
person.
16.6
Listing and Other Conditions.
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(a)
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Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, as long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or system sponsored
by a national securities association, the issue of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon
such shares being listed on such exchange or system. The Company shall have no obligation to issue such shares unless and
until such shares are so listed, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award with respect to such shares shall be
suspended until such listing has been effected.
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(b)
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If
at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to
an Option or other Award is or may in the circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company
under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make such
sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities
Act or otherwise, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Awards, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall
be suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition
of excise taxes on the Company.
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(c)
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Upon
termination of any period of suspension under this Section 16.6, any Award affected by such suspension which shall not then
have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all shares available before such suspension and as to shares which would
otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any
Award.
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(d)
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A
Participant shall be required to supply the Company with any certificates, representations
and information that the Company requests and otherwise cooperate with the Company in
obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption, consent or approval the
Company deems necessary or appropriate.
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16.7
Governing
Law
. This Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).
16.8
Construction
.
Wherever any words are used in this Plan in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the
feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever any words are used herein in the singular form they shall
be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.
16.9
Other
Benefits
. No Award granted or paid out under this Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits
under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any benefits under any other benefit plan now or subsequently
in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.
16.10
Costs
. The Company shall bear all expenses associated with administering this Plan, including expenses of issuing Common
Stock pursuant to any Awards hereunder.
16.11
No
Right to Same Benefits
. The provisions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant, and such Awards
to individual Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.
16.12
Death/Disability
.
The Committee may in its sole discretion require the transferee of a Participant to supply it with written notice of the Participant’s
death or Disability and to supply it with a copy of the will (in the case of the Participant’s death) or such other evidence
as the Committee deems necessary to establish the validity of the transfer of an Award. The Committee may, in its discretion,
also require the agreement of the transferee to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan.
16.13
Section
16(b) of the Exchange Act
. All elections and transactions under this Plan by persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange
Act involving shares of Common Stock are intended to comply with any applicable exemptive condition under Rule 16b-3. The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, establish and adopt written administrative guidelines, designed to facilitate compliance
with Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as it may deem necessary or proper for the administration and operation of this Plan and
the transaction of business thereunder.
16.14
Section
409A of the Code
. Although the Company does not guarantee the particular tax treatment of an Award granted under this
Plan, Awards made under this Plan are intended to comply with, or be exempt from, the applicable requirements of Section 409A
of the Code and this Plan and any Award agreement hereunder shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such
intent. In no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its Affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties
that may be imposed on a Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the
Code.
16.15
Successor
and Assigns
. The Plan shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation,
the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate.
16.16
Severability
of Provisions
. If any provision of the Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been
included.
16.17
Payments
to Minors, Etc
.
Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent person or other person incapable
of receipt thereof shall be deemed paid when paid to such person’s guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing
to provide for the care of such person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Committee, the Board, the Company, its Affiliates
and their employees, agents and representatives with respect thereto.
16.18
Headings
and Captions
. The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered
part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.
ARTICLE
XVII
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
The
Plan was originally adopted by the Board on March 10, 2006 and approved by the stockholders of the Company on May 26, 2006. An
amendment and restatement of the Plan (the “Amended and Restated Plan”) was adopted by the Board on April 6, 2009
and approved by the stockholders of the Company on May 22, 2009. The Board subsequently approved an amendment of the Amended and
Restated Plan in the form set forth herein (the “Amended Plan”) subject to, and to be effective upon, the approval
of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware at the Company’s
2012 annual stockholders’ meeting to be held on May 25, 2012 (the “Amendment Date”). If the Amended Plan is
not so approved by the stockholders, all provisions of the Amended and Restated Plan shall remain effective.
ARTICLE
XVIII
TERM OF PLAN
No
Award shall be granted pursuant to this Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted
by the Board and the Effective Date, but Awards granted prior to such tenth anniversary may extend beyond that date; provided
that no Award (other than a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right) that is intended to be “performance-based” under
Section 162(m) of the Code shall be granted on or after the fifth anniversary of the stockholder approval of the Plan unless
the Performance Goals set forth on Exhibit A are reapproved (or other designated performance goals are approved) by the stockholders
no later than the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which stockholders approve the
Performance Goals set forth on Exhibit A.
ARTICLE
XIX
NAME OF PLAN
This
Plan shall be known as “The Steven Madden, Ltd. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.”
EXHIBIT
A
PERFORMANCE
GOALS
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1.
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Performance goals established for purposes of the grant or vesting of Awards of Restricted Stock, Other Stock-Based Awards, Performance Shares and/or Performance-Based Cash Awards, each intended to be “performance-based” under Section 162(m) of the Code, shall be based on the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase or decrease (as applicable) in one or more of the following performance goals (“Performance Goals”):
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(a)
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earnings per share;
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(b)
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operating income;
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(c)
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net income;
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(d)
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cash flow;
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(e)
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gross profit;
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(f)
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gross profit return on investment;
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(g)
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gross margin return on investment;
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(h)
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gross margin;
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(i)
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working capital;
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(j)
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earnings before interest and taxes;
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(k)
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earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization;
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(l)
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return on equity;
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(m)
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return on assets;
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(n)
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return on capital;
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(o)
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revenue growth;
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(p)
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total shareholder return;
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(q)
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economic value added;
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(r)
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specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in all or a portion of the Company’s bank debt or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be calculated net of cash balances and/or other offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Committee in its sole discretion;
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(s)
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the fair market value of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock;
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(t)
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the growth in the value of an investment in the Company’s Common Stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends;
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(u)
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reduction in expenses;
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(v)
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customer satisfaction;
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(w)
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customer loyalty;
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(x)
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style indexes;
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(y)
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number of new patents;
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(z)
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employee retention;
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(aa)
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market share;
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(bb)
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market segment share;
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(cc)
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product release schedules;
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(dd)
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new product innovation;
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(ee)
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new product introduction;
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(ff)
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product cost reduction through advanced technology;
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(gg)
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brand recognition and/or acceptance; or
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(hh)
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ship targets.
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2.
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To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, also exclude, or adjust to reflect, the impact of an event or occurrence which the Committee determines should be appropriately excluded or adjusted, including:
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(a)
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restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items or events, and other unusual or non-recurring charges as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing or incorporated by reference in the Company’s Form 10-K for the applicable year;
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(b)
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an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management; or
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(c)
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a change in tax law or accounting standards required by generally accepted accounting principles.
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3.
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Performance goals may also be based upon individual Participant performance goals, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
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4.
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In addition, such Performance Goals may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of Company (or subsidiary, division, other operational unit or administrative department of the Company) performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other corporations. To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, but only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (including, without limitation, compliance with any requirements for stockholder approval), the Committee may:
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(a)
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designate additional business criteria on which the performance goals may be based; or
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(b)
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adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned business criteria.
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STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.
ATTN: ARVIND DHARIA
52-16 BARNETT AVENUE
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11104
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VOTE BY
INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to
transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information
up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your
proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions
to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
ELECTRONIC
DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
If you would like to
reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can
consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual
reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic
delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet
and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy
materials electronically in future years.
VOTE BY
PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone
telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern
Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you
call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY
MAIL
Mark, sign and date
your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided
or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood,
NY 11717.
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TO
VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
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KEEP
THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
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DETACH
AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
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THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
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For
All
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Withhold
All
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For All
Except
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To withhold authority to
vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the
number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.
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The Board
of Directors recommends you vote
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FOR the
following:
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o
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o
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o
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1.
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Election of Directors
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Nominees
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01
06
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Edward R. Rosenfeld 02 Rose Peabody Lynch 03 Peter
Migliorini 04 Richard
P. Randall 05 Ravi
Sachdev
Thomas H. Schwartz
07 Robert Smith
08 Amelia Newton Varela
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The Board
of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4.
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For
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Against
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Abstain
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2.
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TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF EISNERAMPER LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016.
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o
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o
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o
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3.
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TO APPROVE, BY NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE, THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DESCRIBED IN THE STEVEN
MADDEN, LTD PROXY STATEMENT.
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4.
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TO RE-APPROVE THE MATERIAL TERMS OF THE PERFORMANCE GOALS UNDER THE STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN PURSUANT TO SECTION 162(M) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
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NOTE:
In their
discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as
may properly be presented at the meeting or any adjournments or postponements
thereof.
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Yes
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No
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Please indicate if you plan
to attend this meeting
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o
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Please sign exactly as your
name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator,
or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each
sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership,
please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN
WITHIN BOX]
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Date
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Signature (Joint Owners)
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Date
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice, Proxy Statement, Supplement to Proxy Statement and Annual Report with Form 10-K
are available at www.proxyvote.com.
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STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.
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THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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PLEASE CLEARLY INDICATE A RESPONSE BY CHECKING ONE OF THE
BOXES NEXT TO EACH OF THE PROPOSALS
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The undersigned
stockholder(s) of Steven Madden, Ltd. (the “Company”) hereby appoint(s)
Edward R. Rosenfeld and Arvind Dharia, and each of them, as attorneys and
proxies, each with power of substitution and revocation, to represent the
undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held
at the Company’s showroom located at 1370 Avenue of the Americas, 14th Floor,
New York, New York at 10:00 a.m., local time, on May 27, 2016 and at any
adjournments or postponements thereof, with authority to vote all shares of
Common Stock of the Company held or owned by the undersigned on April 1,
2016, in accordance with the directions indicated herein.
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THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED HEREIN; UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED (1)
FOR
THE ELECTION OF THE EIGHT (8) NOMINEES NAMED IN ITEM 1, (2)
FOR
THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF EISNERAMPER LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
2016, (3)
FOR
THE APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DESCRIBED IN THE COMPANY’S PROXY STATEMENT AND (4)
FOR
THE RE-APPROVAL OF THE MATERIAL TERMS OF THE PERFORMANCE GOALS UNDER THE STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN PURSUANT TO SECTION 162(M) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES ON ANY OTHER MATTER THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.
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Continued and to be signed on reverse side
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