SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) March 23, 1998
WALSH INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware 0-28202 51-0309207
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
105 Terry Drive, Suite 118, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (215)860-4949
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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Item 5. Other Events.
On March 23, 1998, the registrant, Walsh International Inc. (the "Company")
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") among
Cognizant Corporation ("Cognizant"), WAC Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Cognizant ("Acquisition Sub") and the Company. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, Acquisition Sub shall merge with
and into the Company with the Company surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Cognizant (the "Merger"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each share of common
stock, $.01 par value, of the Company ("Company Common Stock") issued and
outstanding at the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time") shall be
converted as discussed below.
On January 15, 1998, Cognizant announced a planned spin-off distribution
(the "Cognizant Distribution") that will result in the reorganization of
Cognizant into two separate publicly traded companies: IMS Health Incorporated
("IMS") and Nielsen Media Research, Inc. If the Effective Time occurs prior to
the record date for the Cognizant Distribution then each share of Company Common
Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective Time will be converted into the
right to receive a fraction of a share of Cognizant's common stock, $.01 par
value ("Cognizant Common Stock"). If the Effective Time occurs subsequent to the
record date for the Cognizant Distribution then each share of Company Common
Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective Time will be converted into the
right to receive a fraction of a share of IMS's common stock, $.01 par value
("IMS Common Stock"). The exchange ratio applicable to Cognizant Common Stock
will be determined by reference to the average of the closing sale prices per
share of Cognizant Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange Composite
Transactions Tape on each of the 15 consecutive trading days immediately
preceding the second trading day prior to the Effective Time. The exchange ratio
applicable to the IMS Common Stock will be determined by reference to the
average of the closing sale prices per share of IMS Common Stock on the New York
Stock Exchange Composite Transactions Tape on each of the 10 consecutive trading
days immediately preceding the second trading day prior to the Effective Time.
If the Effective Time had occurred on the date of the Merger Agreement, each
share of Company Common Stock would have been converted into the right to
receive a fraction of a share of Cognizant Common Stock valued at $15.75 (based
on an average closing sale price for Cognizant Common Stock of $51.792).
Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company also
entered into a Stock Option Agreement (the "Stock Option Agreement") with
Cognizant pursuant to which the Company granted to Cognizant an option to
purchase up to an aggregate
2
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2,111,815 shares of Company Common Stock at $15.75 per share. The option is
exercisable only in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated under
circumstances in which Cognizant becomes entitled to receive a termination fee
from the Company. In addition, under certain circumstances, the Stock Option
Agreement entitles Cognizant to require the Company to repurchase the option
and/or any shares obtained through exercise of the option. The maximum amount of
compensation the Company is required to pay Cognizant under the Stock Option
Agreement together with any termination fees and expense reimbursement is $5.55
million.
In connection with its approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement, the
Board of Directors of the Company amended the Rights Agreement of the Company to
the effect that none of the Merger, the Merger Agreement or the Stock Option
Agreement will cause the Rights issued under the Rights Agreement to become
exercisable.
The Merger is subject to the approval of the stockholders of the Company,
and to certain other conditions. The Merger Agreement (without schedules or
exhibits) is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
Number Description
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2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 23, 1998,
among Cognizant Corporation, WAC Inc. and Walsh International
Inc.
2.2 Stock Option Agreement, dated as of March 23, 1998, by and
between Walsh International Inc. and Cognizant Corporation.
99.1 Press Release dated March 23, 1998.
99.2 Press Release dated March 23, 1998.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
WALSH INTERNATIONAL INC.
By: /s/ MARTYN WILLIAMS
--------------------------------
Name: Martyn Williams
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: April 1, 1998
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Description
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 23,
1998 among Cognizant Corporation, WAC Inc. and
Walsh International Inc.
2.2 Stock Option Agreement, dated as of March 23, 1998,
by and between Walsh International Inc. and
Cognizant Corporation.
99.1 Press Release dated March 23, 1998.
99.2 Press Release dated March 23, 1998.
EXHIBIT 2.1
================================================================================
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Dated as of March 23, 1998
Among
Cognizant Corporation,
WAC Inc.
And
Walsh International Inc.
================================================================================
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I
The Merger ............................. 2
SECTION 1.01. The Merger ................................................... 2
SECTION 1.02. Closing ...................................................... 2
SECTION 1.03. Effective Time of the Merger ................................. 2
SECTION 1.04. Effects of the Merger ........................................ 2
SECTION 1.05. Certificate of Incorporation; By-Laws ........................ 2
SECTION 1.06. Directors .................................................... 3
SECTION 1.07. Officers ..................................................... 3
ARTICLE II
Effect of the Merger on the Capital Stock of the
Constituent Corporations................................. 3
SECTION 2.01. Effect on Capital Stock ...................................... 3
SECTION 2.02. Exchange of Certificates ..................................... 4
SECTION 2.03. Treatment of Options ......................................... 6
SECTION 2.04. Treatment of Debt Securities and Warrants .................... 7
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties .................... 8
SECTION 3.01. Representations and Warranties of the Company ................ 8
SECTION 3.02. Representations and Warranties of Parent and Sub. ............ 23
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Page
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ARTICLE IV
Covenants Relating to Conduct of Business Prior to Merger ...... 28
SECTION 4.01. Conduct of Business ......................................... 28
ARTICLE V
Additional Agreements ........................ 33
SECTION 5.01. Preparation of Form S-4 and Proxy Statement;
Stockholder Meeting ............................................. 33
SECTION 5.02. Access to Information; Confidentiality ...................... 34
SECTION 5.03. Reasonable Efforts .......................................... 34
SECTION 5.04. Indemnification ............................................. 34
SECTION 5.05. Public Announcements ........................................ 36
SECTION 5.06. No Solicitation ............................................. 36
SECTION 5.07. Benefit Matters ............................................. 37
SECTION 5.08. Stock Exchange Listing ...................................... 38
SECTION 5.09. Letters of the Company's Accountants ........................ 38
SECTION 5.10. Letters of Parent's Accountants ............................. 38
SECTION 5.11. Takeover Statute ............................................ 38
ARTICLE VI
Conditions Precedent ......................... 38
SECTION 6.01. Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Merger. 38
SECTION 6.02. Additional Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Sub. ..... 39
SECTION 6.03. Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company ......... 40
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Page
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ARTICLE VII
Termination, Amendment and Waiver .................. 41
SECTION 7.01. Termination ................................................. 41
SECTION 7.02. Effect of Termination ....................................... 42
SECTION 7.03. Amendment ................................................... 42
SECTION 7.04. Extension; Waiver ........................................... 42
SECTION 7.05. Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver ... 43
ARTICLE VIII
General Provisions .......................... 43
SECTION 8.01. Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties ............... 43
SECTION 8.02. Fees and Expenses ........................................... 43
SECTION 8.03. Notices ..................................................... 44
SECTION 8.04. Definitions ................................................. 45
SECTION 8.05. Interpretation .............................................. 49
SECTION 8.06. Counterparts ................................................ 49
SECTION 8.07. Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries .............. 49
SECTION 8.08. GOVERNING LAW ............................................... 49
SECTION 8.09. Assignment .................................................. 50
SECTION 8.10. Enforcement ................................................. 50
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SCHEDULES
Company Disclosure Schedule
Parent Disclosure Schedule
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company
Exhibit B Form of Stock Option Agreement
Exhibit C Parent Exchange Ratios
Exhibit D IMS Representations
Exhibit E IMS Exchange Ratio
Exhibit F IMS Exchange Ratio
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of March 23, 1998, among Cognizant
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Parent"), WAC Inc., a Delaware corporation
and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Sub"), and Walsh International
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Parent, Sub and the 31 upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, would be
fair and in the best interests of their respective stockholders;
WHEREAS, such Boards of Directors have approved the Merger, pursuant to
which each share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the
"Company Common Stock", which term also refers to and includes, unless the
context otherwise requires, the associated Rights, as defined in Section 8.04)
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger (as
defined in Section 1.03), other than shares owned, directly or indirectly, by
the Company or any subsidiary (as defined in Section 8.04) of the Company or by
Parent, Sub or any subsidiary of Parent, will be converted into the right to
receive the Merger Consideration (as defined in Section 2.01(c));
WHEREAS, the Merger and this Agreement require the vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock for the approval
thereof (the "Company Stockholder Approval");
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
as a condition of Parent's willingness to enter into this Agreement, Parent and
the Company are entering into a stock option agreement, dated as of the date
hereof, in the Form of Exhibit A hereto (the "Stock Option Agreement"), pursuant
to which the Company is granting Parent an option to purchase shares of Company
Common Stock;
WHEREAS, Parent, Sub and the Company desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger; and
WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger
shall qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
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2
ARTICLE I
The Merger
SECTION 1.01. The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation
Law (the "DGCL"), Sub shall be merged with and into the Company at the Effective
Time of the Merger. At the Effective Time of the Merger, the separate existence
of Sub shall cease, and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation.
SECTION 1.02. Closing. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated and
the transactions herein contemplated shall have been abandoned pursuant to
Section 7.01, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set
forth in Article VI, the closing of the Merger (the "Closing") will take place
at 10:00 a.m. on the first business day after satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in Section 6.01 (or as soon as practicable thereafter following
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.02 and 6.03)
(the "Closing Date"), at the offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, 425
Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, unless another date, time or place
is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
the event that the Closing Date otherwise would occur during the period
beginning on the record date (the "Distribution Record Date") for the
determination of holders of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent
("Parent Common Stock") entitled to receive shares of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share ("IMS Common Stock" and, together with the Parent Common Stock,
the "Merger Stock"), of IMS Health Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("IMS"),
in the proposed dividend of IMS Common Stock to Parent's stockholders (the
"Parent Transaction") and ending on the date that is 17 trading days following
the date of commencement of "regular way" trading in the IMS Common Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), the Closing Date shall be deferred to the date
that is 18 trading days following the date of commencement of "regular way"
trading in the IMS Common Stock on the NYSE.
SECTION 1.03. Effective Time of the Merger. Upon the Closing, the parties
shall file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of
merger (the "Certificate of Merger") executed in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the DGCL and shall make all other filings or recordings required
under the DGCL. The Merger shall become effective at such time on the Closing
Date as the Certificate of Merger is duly filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware, or at such other time on the Closing Date as is
permissible in accordance with the DGCL and as Sub and the Company shall agree
should be specified in the Certificate of Merger (the time the Merger becomes
effective being the "Effective Time of the Merger").
SECTION 1.04. Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set
forth in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. As used herein, "Surviving
Corporation" shall mean and refer to the Company, at and after the Effective
Time of the Merger, as the surviving corporation in the Merger.
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3
SECTION 1.05. Certificate of Incorporation; By-Laws. (a) At the Effective
Time of the Merger, and without any further action on the part of the Company or
Sub, the certificate of incorporation of the Company shall be amended and
restated in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Amended and Restated
Company Charter"), which Amended and Restated Company Charter shall be the
certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter
amended as provided therein or by applicable law.
(b) At the Effective Time of the Merger, and without any further action on
the part of the Company or Sub, the by-laws of Sub as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall be the by-laws of the Surviving
Corporation at the Effective Time of the Merger until thereafter changed or
amended as provided therein or by applicable law.
SECTION 1.06. Directors. The directors of Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation
at the Effective Time of the Merger, until the earlier of their resignation or
removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as
the case may be.
SECTION 1.07. Officers. The officers of Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation
at the Effective Time of the Merger, until the earlier of their resignation or
removal or until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and
qualified, as the case may be.
ARTICLE II
Effect of the Merger on the Capital Stock of the
Constituent Corporations
SECTION 2.01. Effect on Capital Stock. As of the Effective Time of the
Merger, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
Company, Sub or any holder of any shares of Company Common Stock or any shares
of capital stock of Sub:
(a) Common Stock of Sub. Each share of common stock of Sub issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall be
converted into one share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
Surviving Corporation.
(b) Cancellation of Treasury Stock and Parent-Owned Company Common Stock.
Each share of Company Common Stock that is owned by the Company and each share
of Company Common Stock that is owned by Parent, Sub or any other subsidiary of
Parent shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist,
and no cash, Merger Stock or other consideration shall be delivered or
deliverable in exchange therefor.
(c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Subject to Section 2.02(e), each
issued and outstanding share of Company Common Stock (other than shares
cancelled pursuant to Section 2.01(b)) shall be converted into: (i) if the
Effective Time of the Merger occurs prior to the Distribution Record Date, a
fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock equal to the Parent
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4
Exchange Ratio (as defined in Section 8.04); and (ii) if the Effective Time of
the Merger occurs after the Distribution Record Date, a fraction of a share of
IMS Common Stock equal to the IMS Exchange Ratio (as defined in Section 8.04).
The amount of Merger Stock into which each such share of Company Common Stock is
converted is referred to herein as the "Merger Consideration".
(d) Cancellation and Retirement of Company Common Stock. As of the
Effective Time of the Merger, all shares of Company Common Stock and the
associated Rights issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
of the Merger shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be
cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate
representing any such shares of Company Common Stock (collectively, the
"Certificates") shall, to the extent such Certificate represents such shares,
cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the
Merger Consideration (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) to be issued or
paid in consideration therefor upon surrender of such certificate in accordance
with Section 2.02.
SECTION 2.02. Exchange of Certificates. (a) Exchange Agent. As of the
Effective Time of the Merger, Parent shall enter into an agreement with such
bank or trust company as may be designated by Parent (the "Exchange Agent")
which shall provide that Parent shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, with
the Exchange Agent, for the benefit of holders of the Certificates, for exchange
in accordance with this Article II, certificates representing the shares of
Merger Stock (such shares of Merger Stock, together with any dividends or
distributions with respect thereto with a record date on or after the Effective
Time of the Merger and any cash payable in lieu of any fractional shares of
Parent Common Stock, being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Fund"),
issuable pursuant to Section 2.01 in exchange for outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock.
(b) Exchange Procedures. As soon as reasonably practicable after the
Effective Time of the Merger, the Exchange Agent shall mail to each holder of
record of Certificates immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger
whose shares were converted into shares of Merger Stock pursuant to Section
2.01, (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon
delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent, and which shall be in such
form and have such other provisions as Parent may reasonably specify) and (ii)
instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange
for certificates representing shares of Merger Stock. Upon surrender of a
Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent together with such letter of
transmittal, duly executed, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to
receive in exchange therefor a certificate representing that number of whole
shares of Merger Stock which such holder has the right to receive in respect of
the Certificate surrendered pursuant to the provisions of this Article II (after
taking into account all shares of Company Common Stock then held by such holder)
and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Merger Stock as contemplated by
Section 2.02(e), and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be
cancelled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares of Company Common
Stock which is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, a
certificate representing the proper number of shares of Merger Stock may be
issued to a transferee if the Certificate is presented to the Exchange Agent,
accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and
by evidence that
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5
any applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid. Until surrendered as
contemplated by this Section 2.02, each Certificate shall be deemed at any time
after the Effective Time of the Merger to represent only the Merger Stock into
which the shares of Company Common Stock represented by such Certificate have
been converted as provided in this Article II and the right to receive upon such
surrender cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Merger Stock as contemplated
by this Section 2.02.
(c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or other
distributions with respect to Merger Stock with a record date on or after the
Effective Time of the Merger shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered
Certificate with respect to the shares of Merger Stock represented thereby, and
no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder
pursuant to Section 2.02(e), in each case until the surrender of such
Certificate in accordance with this Article II. Subject to the effect of
applicable laws, following surrender of any such Certificate there also shall be
paid to the holder of the Certificate representing whole shares of Merger Stock
issued in exchange therefor without interest (i) at the time of such surrender,
the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of Merger Stock to
which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.02(e) and the amount of any
dividends or other distributions with a record date on or after the Effective
Time of the Merger theretofore paid (but withheld pursuant to the immediately
preceding sentence) with respect to such whole shares of Merger Stock, and (ii)
at the appropriate payment date, the amount of any dividends or other
distributions with a record date on or after the Effective Time of the Merger
but prior to such surrender and a payment date subsequent to such surrender
payable with respect to such whole shares of Merger Stock.
(d) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. All shares of
Merger Stock issued upon conversion of shares of Company Common Stock in
accordance with the terms hereof, and all cash paid pursuant to Sections 2.02(c)
and 2.02(e), shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all
rights pertaining to such shares of Company Common Stock (including with respect
to the Rights), and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the
stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Company
Common Stock which were outstanding prior to the Effective Time of the Merger.
If, after the Effective Time of the Merger, Certificates are presented to the
Surviving Corporation for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as
provided in this Article II.
(e) No Fractional Shares. (i) No certificates or scrip representing
fractional shares of Merger Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for
exchange of Certificates, and such fractional share interests will not entitle
the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a stockholder of Parent. In lieu
of such issuance of fractional shares, Parent shall pay each holder of
Certificates an amount in cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a)
the fractional share interest to which such holder (after taking into account
all shares of Company Common Stock held immediately prior to the Effective Time
of the Merger by such holder) would otherwise be entitled by (b) the average of
the closing sale prices for a share of Merger Stock on the NYSE Composite
Transaction Tape for the five trading days immediately preceding the Effective
Time of the Merger.
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(ii) As soon as practicable after the determination of the amount of cash,
if any, to be paid to holders of Certificates with respect to any fractional
share interests, the Exchange Agent shall make available such amounts to such
holders of Certificates, subject to and in accordance with the terms of Section
2.02(c).
(f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund
deposited with the Exchange Agent pursuant to this Section 2.02 which remains
undistributed to the holders of the Certificates for six months after the
Effective Time of the Merger shall be delivered to Parent, upon demand, and any
holders of Certificates prior to the Merger who have not theretofore complied
with this Article II shall thereafter look only to Parent and only as general
creditors thereof for payment of their claim for Merger Stock, cash in lieu of
fractional shares of Merger Stock and any dividends or distributions with
respect to Merger Stock to which such holders may be entitled.
(g) No Liability. None of Parent, Sub, the Company or the Exchange Agent
shall be liable to any person in respect of any shares of Merger Stock (or
dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or cash from the Exchange Fund
delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar law. If any Certificates shall not have been surrendered
prior to three years after the Effective Time of the Merger, or immediately
prior to such earlier date on which any Merger Consideration, any cash in lieu
of fractional shares of Merger Stock or any dividends or distributions with
respect to Merger Stock would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any
Governmental Entity (as defined in Section 3.01(d)), any such Merger
Consideration or cash shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become
the property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or
interest of any person previously entitled thereto.
(h) Investment of Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash
included in the Exchange Fund as directed by Parent on a daily basis. Any
interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to
Parent.
SECTION 2.03. Treatment of Options. (a) At the Effective Time of the
Merger, each outstanding option to purchase Company Common Stock (a "Company
Stock Option") issued pursuant to the Company's Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Option Plan (the "Directors' Plan") or the Company's Restated Stock Option and
Restricted Stock Purchase Plan (the "Option Plan" and, collectively with the
Directors' Plan, the "Company Stock Plans"), whether vested or unvested, shall
be deemed to constitute an option to acquire, on the same terms and conditions
as were applicable under such Company Stock Option, those shares which the
holder of such Company Stock Option would have been entitled to receive pursuant
to the Merger if such holder had exercised such option in full immediately prior
to the Effective Time of the Merger, at a price per share equal to (y) the
aggregate exercise price for the shares of Company Common Stock purchasable
pursuant to such Company Stock Option divided by (z) the number of full shares
of Merger Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to such Company Stock Option (a
"Converted Option"); provided, however, that in the case of any option to which
Section 421 of the Code applies by reason of its qualification under Section 422
of the Code ("incentive stock options"), the option price, the number of shares
purchasable pursuant to such option and the terms and conditions of exercise of
such option shall be determined in order to comply with
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7
Section 424(a) of the Code, provided further that if the Closing Date occurs
prior to the Distribution Record Date each Converted Option shall be adjusted or
substituted, as the case may be, pursuant to the Parent Transaction.
(b) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time of the Merger, Parent
shall deliver to the holders of Company Stock Options appropriate notices
setting forth such holders' rights pursuant to the Company Stock Plans and the
agreements evidencing the grants of such Company Stock Options shall continue in
effect on the same terms and conditions (subject to adjustments required by this
Section 2.03 after giving effect to the Merger and the provisions set forth
above and until otherwise determined). If necessary, Parent shall comply with
the terms of the Company Stock Plans and ensure, to the extent required by, and
subject to the provisions of, the Company Stock Plans, that Company Stock
Options that qualified as incentive stock options prior to the Effective Time of
the Merger continue to qualify as incentive stock options after the Effective
Time of the Merger.
(c) Parent shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for
issuance a sufficient number of shares of Merger Stock for delivery upon
exercise of Company Stock Options. As soon as practicable after the Effective
Time of the Merger, Parent shall file a registration statement on Form S-3 or
Form S-8, as the case may be (or any successor or other appropriate forms), or
another appropriate form, with respect to the shares of Merger Stock subject to
such options and shall use its reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness
of such registration statement or registration statements (and maintain the
current status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long
as such options remain outstanding. With respect to those individuals who
subsequent to the Merger will be subject to the reporting requirements under
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), where applicable, Parent shall administer the Company Stock Plans in a
manner that complies with Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act to the
extent the Company Stock Plans complied with such rule prior to the Merger.
SECTION 2.04. Treatment of Debt Securities and Warrants. (a) All debt
securities of the Company that are outstanding as of the Effective Time of the
Merger shall remain outstanding after the Effective Time of the Merger in
accordance with their respective terms and provisions.
(b) At the Effective Time of the Merger, each Warrant (as defined in
Section 3.01(c)) that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior thereto
shall, pursuant to the terms of such Warrant, cease to represent a right to
acquire shares of Company Common Stock and shall be converted automatically into
a warrant to purchase such number of shares of Merger Stock as the holder of
such Warrant would have been entitled to receive pursuant to the Merger had such
holder exercised such Warrant in full immediately prior to the Effective Time of
the Merger, at a price per share equal to (y) the aggregate exercise price for
the shares of Company Common Stock otherwise purchasable pursuant to such
Warrant divided by (z) the number of full shares of Merger Stock deemed
purchasable pursuant to such Warrant.
(c) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time of the Merger, Parent
shall deliver to the holders of Warrants appropriate notices setting forth such
holders' rights pursuant
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8
to the applicable warrant agreements with respect thereto to the extent required
by the terms of the warrant agreements with respect thereto.
(d) Parent shall take (or cause to be taken) all corporate action necessary
to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Merger Stock for
delivery upon conversion of the exercise of the Warrants.
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
SECTION 3.01. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
represents and warrants to Parent and Sub as follows:
(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. Each of the Company and
each of its Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 3.01(b)) is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in
which it is organized and has the requisite corporate power and authority to
carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of the Company and each of
its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction (domestic or foreign) in which the nature of its
business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification
or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be
so qualified or licensed (individually or in the aggregate) could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in Section 8.04) with
respect to the Company. Attached as Section 3.01(a) of the disclosure schedule
delivered by the Company to Parent and Sub at the time of execution of this
Agreement (the "Company Disclosure Schedule") are complete and correct copies of
the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the
"Certificate of Incorporation"), and the Company's Amended and Restated By-laws,
as amended (the "By-Laws"), as currently in effect. The Company has made
available to Parent and Sub complete and correct copies of the certificates of
incorporation and by-laws (or other organizational documents) of each of the
Company's Subsidiaries, in each case as amended to the date of this Agreement.
(b) Subsidiaries. The only direct or indirect subsidiaries (as defined in
Section 8.04) of the Company are those listed in Section 3.01(b) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the "Subsidiaries"). All of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company have been validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and, except as disclosed in Section
3.01(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, are owned (of record and
beneficially) by the Company, by another wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
or by the Company and another such wholly owned subsidiary, free and clear of
all pledges, claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and security interests of any
kind or nature whatsoever (collectively, "Liens"). Except for the ownership
interests set forth in Section 3.01(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the
Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other
ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
business association, joint venture or other entity.
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9
(c) Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists
of (x) 20,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and
(y) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Company
Preferred Stock"), of which 1,667,000 shares have been designated as Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock. As of the close of business on March 20, 1998,
there were: (i) 10,612,137 shares of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding; (ii) 20,750 shares of Company Common Stock held in the treasury of
the Company; (iii) 261,398 shares of Company Common Stock reserved for issuance
upon exercise of Company Stock Options available for grant pursuant to the
Company Stock Plans; (iv) 1,086,425 shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of awarded but unexercised Company Stock Options, with an exercise
price per each awarded but unexercised Company Stock Option as is set forth in
Section 3.01(c)(iv) of the Company Disclosure Schedule; (v) 250,000 shares of
Company Preferred Stock issuable pursuant to the Rights; (vi) 100,000 shares of
Company Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company's Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (as defined below); (vii) 55,781 shares of Company Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding warrants to purchase
Company Common Stock, all as more particularly described in Section 3.01(c)(vii)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the "Warrants"), and with an
exercise price for each such Warrant equal to $12.72 per share of Company Common
Stock; (viii) no shares of Company Preferred Stock issued and outstanding; and
(ix) no shares of Company Preferred Stock in the treasury of the Company. Except
as set forth above, as of the close of business on March 20, 1998, there were no
shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company issued,
reserved for issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of
the Company are, and all shares which may be issued pursuant to the Company
Stock Plans, the Rights and the Warrants will be, when issued, duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive
rights. All securities issued by the Company were issued in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable federal and state securities laws and all
applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. There are no
outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness or debt securities of
the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for,
securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which stockholders of the
Company may vote. Except as set forth above and except pursuant to the Stock
Option Agreement, there are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls,
rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them
is bound obligating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or
sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital
stock or other equity or voting securities of the Company or of any of its
Subsidiaries or obligating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue,
grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right,
commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking. Other than the Stock Option
Agreement and except as disclosed in Section 3.01(c) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, (i) there are no outstanding contractual obligations, commitments,
understandings or arrangements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or make any payment in respect of any
shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) to
the knowledge of the Company, there are no irrevocable proxies with respect to
shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as set
forth in Section 3.01(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no
agreements or arrangements pursuant to which the Company is or could be required
to register shares of Company Common Stock or other securities of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries under the Securities Act of 1933, as
<PAGE>
10
amended (the "Securities Act"), or other agreements or arrangements with or, to
the knowledge of the Company, among any securityholders of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries with respect to securities of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
Since June 30, 1997, except as disclosed in Section 3.01(c) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not (A) issued or permitted to be issued
any shares of capital stock, or securities exercisable for or convertible into
shares of capital stock, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than
(1) pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement, (2) the grant of any employee stock
options prior to the date of this Agreement pursuant to the Company Stock Plans,
(3) the issuance of Company Common Stock upon exercise of the options granted
pursuant to the Company Stock Plans prior to the date of this Agreement and (4)
upon exercise of Warrants outstanding on such date; (B) repurchased, redeemed or
otherwise acquired, directly or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, any
shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (C)
declared, set aside, made or paid to the stockholders of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries dividends or other distributions on the outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding dividends
declared, set aside, made or paid by wholly owned Subsidiaries to the Company or
any wholly owned Subsidiaries).
(d) Authority; Noncontravention. The Company has the requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into each of this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement and, subject to the Company Stockholder Approval in the case of this
Agreement, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The
execution and delivery of each of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement
by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Company, subject, in the case of this
Agreement, to the Company Stockholder Approval. This Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
(assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent and Sub)
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the
Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the effects of
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, general equitable
principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. No holder of capital stock of
the Company will be entitled to appraisal rights under the DGCL or otherwise as
a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of
any of the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as set forth in Section
3.01(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the execution and delivery of each
of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement does not, and the consummation
by the Company of the transactions contemplated by each of this Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreement and compliance by the Company with the provisions
hereof and thereof will not, conflict with, or result in any breach or violation
of, or any default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or
give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of, or a "put"
right with respect to any obligation under, or to a loss of a material benefit
under, or result in the creation of any Lien under, (i) the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws or the comparable charter or organizational documents
of any of the Company's Subsidiaries, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note,
note purchase agreement, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or any other contract,
agreement, instrument, permit,
<PAGE>
11
concession, franchise or license to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties or assets are bound or (iii) subject to the governmental
filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence, any judgment,
order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation or arbitration award
applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective
properties or assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any
such conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults, rights, losses or Liens that
individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. No consent, approval, order
or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to,
any international organization, the government of the United States of America,
any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state,
provincial, local or otherwise, or any court, administrative agency or
commission or other governmental authority, regulatory body or agency, domestic
or foreign (a "Governmental Entity"), or any other third party, is required by
or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by the
Company or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby or the performance by the Company of its obligations
hereunder or thereunder, except for (i) the filing of a premerger notification
and report form by the Company under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), and the filing of such
applications or notices by the Company as may be required pursuant to merger
control, antitrust, foreign investment or similar laws or regulations in effect
in Canada, Germany or any political subdivision thereof, (ii) the filing with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and the National Association
of Securities Dealers (the "NASD") of (A) a proxy statement relating to the
Company Stockholder Approval (such proxy statement as amended or supplemented
from time to time, the "Proxy Statement") and (B) such reports under the
Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (iii) the
filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states
in which the Company is qualified to do business and (iv) such other consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations, filings or
notices the failure of which to make or obtain, individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to (x) prevent or materially delay
consummation of the Merger or the transactions contemplated hereby or
performance of the Company's obligations hereunder or under the Stock Option
Agreement or (y) have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.
(e) SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities. The Company has filed with the
SEC all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required
pursuant to the Securities Act and the Exchange Act since January 1, 1996
(collectively, and in each case including all exhibits and schedules thereto and
documents incorporated by reference therein, the "SEC Documents"). As of their
respective dates, the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects
with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may
be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable
to such SEC Documents. As of their respective dates, (i) none of the SEC
Documents (including any and all financial statements included therein) filed
pursuant to the Securities Act or any rule or regulation thereunder contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein not
<PAGE>
12
misleading and (ii) none of the SEC Documents (including any and all financial
statements included therein) filed pursuant to the Exchange Act or any rule or
regulation thereunder contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. Except to the extent that information
contained in any SEC Document has been revised or superseded by a later filed
SEC Document, none of the SEC Documents (including any and all financial
statements included therein) contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. The consolidated financial statements of
the Company included in all SEC Documents filed since January 1, 1996 (the "SEC
Financial Statements") comply as to form in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of
the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles (except, in the case of unaudited consolidated
quarterly financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC), applied
on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
the notes thereto). The SEC Financial Statements fairly present the consolidated
financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the
dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows
for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited quarterly
statements, to normal recurring audit adjustments). Except as disclosed in
Section 3.01(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, as of the date hereof,
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or
obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise)
required by generally accepted accounting principles to be recognized or
disclosed on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries or
in the notes thereto, except (i) liabilities reflected in the audited
consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of June 30, 1997 or the notes
thereto (the "1997 Balance Sheet") included in the SEC Documents, (ii)
liabilities disclosed in any Recent SEC Document and (iii) liabilities incurred
since June 30, 1997 in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice.
(f) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the
registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC in connection with
the issuance of Merger Stock in the Merger (the "Form S-4") will, at the time
the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any time it is amended or supplemented or
at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
(ii) the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company's
stockholders or at the time of the Stockholders Meeting (as defined in Section
5.01(c)), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made,
not misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, except that no representation is made by the Company
with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on
information supplied in writing by Parent or Sub specifically for inclusion or
incorporation by reference therein.
<PAGE>
13
(g) Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as disclosed in Section
3.01(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or in the Recent SEC Documents (as
defined in Section 8.04), during the period from June 30, 1997 through and
including the date hereof, each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has
conducted its business only in the ordinary course consistent with past
practice, and there is not and has not been since June 30, 1997: (i) any
Material Adverse Change (as defined in Section 8.04) with respect to the
Company; (ii) any condition, event or occurrence which, as of the date of this
Agreement, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company or give rise to a
Material Adverse Change with respect to the Company; (iii) any action or failure
to act which, if it had been taken or not taken after the execution of this
Agreement, would have required the consent of Parent pursuant to this Agreement;
or (iv) any condition, event or occurrence which, individually or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the
ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or perform its obligations hereunder or
thereunder.
(h) Litigation; Labor Matters; Compliance with Laws. (i) Except as
disclosed in Section 3.01(h)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or in the
Recent SEC Documents, as of the date hereof, there is (1) no suit, action,
arbitration or proceeding pending, and (2) to the knowledge of the Company, no
suit, action, arbitration or proceeding threatened against or investigation
pending, in each case with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company or prevent or materially
delay the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or to perform its obligations
hereunder or thereunder, nor is there any judgment, decree, citation,
injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding
against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which, individually or in the
aggregate, has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
with respect to the Company or prevent or materially delay the ability of the
Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Stock Option Agreement or to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. To
the knowledge of the Company, except as disclosed in Section 3.01(h)(i) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule or in the Recent SEC Documents, as of the date
hereof there is no reasonable basis for any action, suit, arbitration or
proceeding that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company or prevent or
materially delay the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or to perform its
obligations hereunder or thereunder.
(ii) Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(h)(ii) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule or in the Recent SEC Documents, (1) neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining agreement,
contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor
organization; (2) as of the date hereof, to the knowledge of the Company,
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is the subject of any proceeding
asserting that it or any of its Subsidiaries has committed an unfair labor
practice or seeking to compel it to bargain with any labor organization as to
wages or conditions of employment; (3) as of the date hereof, there is no
strike, work stoppage or other similar labor
<PAGE>
14
dispute involving it or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to its knowledge,
threatened; (4) as of the date hereof, no grievance is pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company; (5) to
the knowledge of the Company, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in
compliance with all applicable laws (domestic and foreign), agreements,
contracts and policies relating to employment, employment practices, wages,
hours and terms and conditions of employment except for failures so to comply,
if any, that individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company; (6) the Company
and each of its Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with its
payment obligations to all employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries in
respect of all wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, benefits and other
compensation due and payable to such employees under any policy, practice,
agreement, plan, program of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
statute or other law; (7) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
liable for any severance pay or other payments to any employee or former
employee arising from the termination of employment under any benefit or
severance policy, practice, agreement, plan, or program of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of the Company will the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries have any liability which exists or arises, or may be deemed to
exist or arise, under any applicable law or otherwise, as a result of or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder or as a result of the
termination by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any persons employed by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on or prior to the Effective Time of the
Merger, excluding any such payment or liability which does not exceed $50,000
individually or $500,000 in the aggregate with all such other payments and
liabilities not disclosed in Section 3.01(h)(ii) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule; and (8) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with
its obligations pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification
Act of 1988 ("WARN"), to the extent applicable, and all other employee
notification and bargaining obligations arising under any collective bargaining
agreement or statute.
(iii) Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries holds all permits,
licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals of all Governmental
Entities which are material to the operation of the businesses of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (the "Company Permits"). The Company and
its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of the Company Permits, except
where the failure so to comply, individually or in the aggregate, would not have
a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. Except as disclosed in
Section 3.01(h)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the businesses of the
Company and its Subsidiaries are not being conducted in violation of any law
(domestic or foreign), ordinance or regulation of any Governmental Entity,
except for possible violations which, individually or in the aggregate, do not
and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to the Company.
(iv) Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have in the past duly
complied, and are presently duly complying, with all applicable laws (whether
statutory or otherwise), rules, regulations, orders, judgments or decrees (the
"Laws") of all Governmental Entities, including, without limitation, privacy and
data protection Laws of any Governmental Entity, except where the failure to
have so complied or to be presently complying would neither
<PAGE>
15
have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company nor constitute
violations of criminal laws that could subject the Company or any Subsidiary to
criminal liability. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any
notification of or has any knowledge of any asserted material failure by it to
comply with any of such Laws.
(i) Employee Benefit Plans. (i) Section 3.01(i) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule contains a true and complete list of each "employee benefit plan"
(within the meaning of section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")), governmental plan or government-mandated
plan or arrangement providing for retirement or health or other employee
benefits for which contributions are required under any applicable Law
("Governmental Plans"), stock purchase, stock option, severance, employment,
change-in-control, fringe benefit, collective bargaining, bonus, incentive,
deferred compensation and all other employee benefit plans, agreements,
programs, policies or other arrangements relating to employment, benefits or
entitlements, whether or not subject to ERISA (including any funding mechanism
therefor now in effect or required in the future as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise), whether formal or informal, oral
or written, legally binding or not under which any employee or former employee
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any present or future right to
benefits or under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any present
or future liability (all such plans, agreements, programs, policies and
arrangements are herein collectively referred to as the "Company Plans");
provided that such list does not include any employment agreement which (i)
provides for the payment of annual cash compensation in an amount less than
$50,000 and (ii) does not impose any material obligation upon any of the Company
and its Subsidiaries (the "Excluded Employment Agreements").
(ii) With respect to each Company Plan (other than the Excluded Employment
Agreements), the Company has delivered to Parent a current, accurate and
complete copy (or, to the extent no such copy exists, an accurate description)
thereof and, to the extent applicable, (A) any related trust agreement, annuity
contract or other funding instrument; (B) the most recent determination letter;
(C) the current summary plan description and other written communications by the
Company to its employees concerning the extent of the benefits provided under a
Company Plan; and (D) for the most recent year (I) the Form 5500 and attached
schedules; (II) audited financial statements; (III) actuarial valuation reports;
and (IV) attorney's response to an auditor's request for information.
(iii) (A) Each Company Plan has been established and administered in
material compliance with its terms and with the applicable provisions of ERISA,
the Code and other applicable laws, rules and regulations (including the
applicable laws, rules and regulations of any foreign jurisdiction); (B) each
Company Plan which is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section
401(a) of the Code is so qualified and, except for the Walsh America 401(k)
Retirement Plan, has received a favorable determination letter as to its
qualification and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act,
which would cause the loss of such qualification; (C) with respect to any
Company Plan, no actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for
benefits in the ordinary course) are pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened, no facts or circumstances exist which could give rise to
any such actions, suits or claims and the Company will promptly notify Parent in
writing of any pending claims or,
<PAGE>
16
to the knowledge of the Company, any threatened claims arising between the date
hereof and the Effective Time of the Merger; (D) neither the Company nor, to the
knowledge of the Company, any other party has engaged in a prohibited
transaction, as such term is defined under Section 4975 of the Code or ERISA
Section 406, which would subject the Company or Parent or its Subsidiaries to
any material taxes, penalties or other liabilities under the Code or ERISA; (E)
no event has occurred and no condition exists that would subject the Company,
either directly or by reason of its affiliation with any member of its
"Controlled Group" (defined as any organization which is a member of a
controlled group of organizations within the meaning of Sections 414(b), (c),
(m) or (o) of the Code), to any material tax, fine or penalty imposed by ERISA,
the Code or other applicable laws, rules and regulations (including the
applicable laws, rules and regulations of any foreign jurisdiction); (F) all
insurance premiums required to be paid and all contributions required to be made
under the terms of any Company Plan, the Code, ERISA or other applicable laws,
rules and regulations (including the applicable laws, rules and regulations of
any foreign jurisdiction) as of the Effective Time of the Merger have been or
will be timely paid or made prior thereto and adequate reserves have been
provided for on the Company's balance sheet for any premiums (or portions
thereof) and for all benefits attributable to service on or prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger; (G) except for the Source Information America,
PMSI Scott-Levin and Walsh America 401(k) Retirement Plan, each Company Plan
with respect to which a Form 5500 has been filed, no material change has
occurred with respect to the matters covered by the most recent Form since the
date thereof; and (H) no Company Plan provides for an increase in benefits on or
after the Effective Time of the Merger.
(iv) No Company Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA, and no Company Plan
is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(A)(3) of ERISA. The Company
has never been required to contribute to or sponsored any multiemployer plan or
any plan subject to Title IV of ERISA.
(v) Except as set forth in Section 3.01(i)(v) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, no Company Plan exists which could result in the payment to any
Company employee of any money or other property or rights or accelerate or
provide any other rights or benefits to any Company employee as a result of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether or not such payment would
constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.
(vi) (i) Each Company Plan which is intended to meet the requirements for
tax-favored treatment under Subchapter B of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Code
meets such requirements; and (ii) the Company has received a favorable
determination from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any trust
intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code.
(vii) Except as provided in Section 3.01(i)(vii) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, no independent contractor or other contract employee has participated
or is entitled to participate in any Company Plan.
(viii) The Employee Stock Purchase Plan approved by the Board of Directors
of the Company as of December 30, 1997 (the "Employee Stock Purchase Plan") has
not been put
<PAGE>
17
into effect and no person, including any employee of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, has purchased or has any right to purchase any shares of capital
stock of the Company thereunder.
(j) Taxes. Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(j) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule: (i) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries, and any consolidated,
combined, unitary or aggregate group of which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is or has been a member has timely filed all Tax Returns required
to be filed by it, or requests for extensions to file such Tax Returns have been
timely filed, granted and have not expired; (ii) all such Tax Returns are
complete and correct in all material respects; (iii) the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries, and any consolidated, combined, unitary or aggregate group of
which the Company or any of it Subsidiaries is or has been a member, has paid
all Taxes due or has provided adequate reserves in its financial statements
(other than in respect of deferred taxes) for any Taxes that have not been paid;
(iv) no material claim for unpaid Taxes has been asserted by a Tax authority or
has become a lien against the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(other than with respect to Taxes not yet due and payable) or is being asserted
against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (v) no audit or other proceeding
with respect to any Taxes due from or with respect to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Tax Return filed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is being conducted by any governmental or Tax authority and the Company and its
Subsidiaries have not received notification in writing that any such audit or
other proceeding with respect to Taxes or any Tax Return is pending; (vi) no
extension of the statute of limitations on the assessment of any Taxes has been
granted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (vii) neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to liability for Taxes of any Person
(other than the Company or its Subsidiaries), including, without limitation,
liability arising from the application of Treasury Regulation section 1.1502-6
or any analogous provision of state, local or foreign law, or as a transferee or
successor, by contract, or otherwise. As used herein, "Taxes" shall mean all
taxes of any kind, including, without limitation, those on or measured by or
referred to as income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, franchise,
profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, transfer,
net worth, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, value added, property
or windfall profits taxes, customs, duties or similar fees, assessments or
charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties,
additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any governmental authority,
domestic or foreign. As used herein, "Tax Return" shall mean any return, report
or statement required to be filed with any governmental authority with respect
to Taxes.
(k) Properties. Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(k) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (i) has good and
marketable title to all the properties and assets (A) reflected in the 1997
Balance Sheet as being owned by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries (other
than any such properties or assets sold or disposed of since June 30, 1997 in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) and (B) acquired
after June 30, 1997 which are material to the Company's business on a
consolidated basis, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except statutory
Liens securing payments not yet due and such Liens as do not materially affect
the use of the properties or assets subject thereto or affected thereby or
otherwise materially impair business operations at such properties and (ii) is
the lessee of all leasehold estates (x) reflected in the 1997 Balance Sheet and
(y) acquired after June 30, 1997 which are material to its business on a
consolidated basis (except for leases that have expired by their terms since the
date thereof) and is in possession of the properties
<PAGE>
18
purported to be leased thereunder, and each such lease is in full force and
effect and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of, and is legally
enforceable against, the respective parties thereto (except as affected by
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general
equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law)
and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing), and there is no default
thereunder by the lessee or, to the Company's knowledge, as of the date hereof,
the lessor that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. As of the date
hereof, the Company has not received written notice and does not otherwise have
knowledge of any pending, threatened or contemplated condemnation proceeding
affecting any premises owned or leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or any part thereof or of any sale or other disposition of any such owned or
leased premises or any part thereof in lieu of condemnation.
(l) Environmental Matters. Except as could not reasonably be expected to
result in any liability under or relating to Environmental Laws (as defined in
Section 8.04) to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which, individually or
in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
with respect to the Company:
(i) each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries holds and is, and
has been, in compliance with all Environmental Permits (as defined in
Section 8.04), and each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is, and
has been, otherwise in compliance with all Environmental Laws and, to the
knowledge of the Company, there are no conditions that might prevent or
interfere with such compliance in the future;
(ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
written Environmental Claim or has knowledge of any other Environmental
Claim or threatened Environmental Claim;
(iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into
any consent decree, order or agreement under or relating to any
Environmental Law;
(iv) there are no past (including, without limitation, with respect to
assets or businesses formerly owned, leased or operated by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries) or present actions, activities, events, conditions
or circumstances, including without limitation the release, threatened
release, emission, discharge, generation, treatment, storage or disposal of
Hazardous Materials, that could reasonably be expected to give rise to
liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental
Laws; and
(v) no modification, revocation, reissuance, alteration, transfer, or
amendment of the Environmental Permits, or any review by, or approval of,
any third party of the Environmental Permits is required in connection with
the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or the continuation of the business of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries following such consummation.
<PAGE>
19
(m) Contracts; Debt Instruments. (i) Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is, or has received any notice or has any knowledge that any other
party, as of the date hereof, is, or by virtue of the transactions contemplated
hereby, will be, in default in any respect under any contract, agreement,
commitment, arrangement, lease, policy or other instrument to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any such
subsidiary is bound, except for those defaults which could not reasonably be
expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to the Company; and, to the knowledge of the Company, there
has not occurred any event, nor will this transaction by its terms cause the
occurrence of any event, that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or
both would constitute such a default.
(ii) The Company has made available to Parent (x) true and correct copies
(or accurate English translations) of all loan or credit agreements, notes,
bonds, mortgages, indentures and other agreements and instruments pursuant to
which any indebtedness (as defined in section 8.04) of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $500,000 is
outstanding or may be incurred and (y) accurate information regarding the
respective principal amounts currently outstanding thereunder.
(iii) Except as set forth in Section 3.01(m)(iii) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound
by any agreement nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of
any Governmental Authority or arbitrator outstanding against the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, that, following the Effective Time of the Merger, would
impose any material restriction on the ability of Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries (including the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries) to
conduct any of the businesses currently conducted by any of them.
(iv) Except as set forth in Section 3.01(m)(iv) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound
by any agreement which, pursuant to the requirements of Form 10-K under the
Exchange Act, would be required to be filed as an exhibit to an Annual Report on
Form 10-K of the Company, except agreements included or incorporated by
reference as exhibits to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1997 or any Recent SEC Document.
(v) Set forth in Section 3.01(m)(v) of the Company Disclosure Schedule are
all (a) (i) data supply contracts and (ii) customer contracts between the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries and third parties involving the provision of
products or services in more than one country; (b) contracts between the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of their respective
directors, officers, employees or affiliates, or any former directors, officers,
employees or affiliates of the Company, on the other hand (other than the
Excluded Employment Agreements); (c) joint venture and/or agreements and
development agreements to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party; and (d) contracts between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the
one hand, either National Data Corporation, Source Informatics Inc. and/or
Pharmaceutical Marketing Services Inc. or any of their respective subsidiaries,
on the other hand.
(vi) Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(m)(vi) of the Company Disclosure
<PAGE>
20
Schedule, (i) as of the date of this Agreement, with respect to each of its
current customers, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received
notice to the effect that (or has knowledge that) any such customer intends to
terminate or otherwise modify its relationship with the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or decrease or limit the services rendered or products sold by the
Company or its Subsidiaries, which termination, modification, decrease or limit
would in the aggregate result in a decrease in revenues of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $500,000 on an annualized basis and (ii)
during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, no customer of the Company or its
Subsidiaries terminated or otherwise modified its relationship with the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or decreased or limited the services rendered or
products sold by the Company or its Subsidiaries, which termination,
modification, decrease or limit resulted in an aggregate decrease in revenues of
the Company and its Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $500,000 for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 as compared to the fiscal year ended June 30,
1996.
(vii) The Company has not entered into any material purchase commitment,
customer contract or other arrangement with any third party that was not entered
into in the ordinary course of business of the Company and consistent with its
past practice or which contains any material term that is not customary with
respect to commitments, contracts or arrangements of such type.
(n) Brokers. Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(n) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
person, other than NationsBanc Montgomery Securities ("NMS"), the fees and
expenses of which will be paid by the Company (pursuant to fee agreements,
copies of which have been provided to Parent), is entitled to any broker's,
finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option
Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company. The
Company agrees to indemnify Parent and Sub and to hold Parent and Sub harmless
from and against any and all claims, liabilities or obligations with respect to
any other fee, commission or expense asserted by any person on the basis of any
act or statement alleged to have been made by the Company or any of its
affiliates.
(o) Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company has received as of the date
of this Agreement the opinion of NMS to the effect that, as of such date, the
Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of
Company Common Stock (other than Parent and its affiliates).
(p) Board Recommendation; State Antitakeover Law. The Board of Directors of
the Company, at a meeting duly called and held, has by unanimous vote of those
directors present (i) determined that this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the
Merger, taken together, are fair to and in the best interests of the
stockholders of the Company and has taken all actions necessary on the part of
the Company to render the restrictions on business combinations contained in
Section 203 of the DGCL inapplicable to this Agreement, the Merger and the Stock
Option Agreement and (ii)
<PAGE>
21
resolved to recommend that the holders of the shares of Company Common Stock
approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein, including the
Merger.
(q) Required Company Vote. The Company Stockholder Approval, being the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company Common
Stock, is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Company's
securities necessary to approve this Agreement, the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby. There is no vote of the holders of any class
or series of the Company's securities necessary to approve the Stock Option
Agreement.
(r) Intellectual Property. (i) Except as otherwise noted in Section
3.01(r)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company or one of its
Subsidiaries owns or has the right to use all Intellectual Property material to
the operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently
conducted or to products or services currently under development by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, "Material Intellectual Property"), and
has the right to use, license, sublicense or assign the same without liability
to, or any requirement of consent from, any other person or party; in this
regard, to the knowledge of the Company as of the date hereof, no facts or
circumstances exist which would affect the validity, subsistence or existence of
any Material Intellectual Property. Except as set forth in Section 3.01(r)(i) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, all Material Intellectual Property is either
owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries free and clear of all Liens or is used
pursuant to an agreement or license and each such agreement or license is valid
and enforceable and in full force and effect and neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries is in default under or in breach of any such license or
agreement and, to the knowledge of the Company as of the date hereof, none of
the licensors is in default under or in breach of any such license or agreement.
Unless otherwise noted in Section 3.01(r)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
(i) none of the Material Intellectual Property infringes or otherwise conflicts
with any proprietary or other right of any person or party; (ii) as of the date
hereof, there is no pending or threatened litigation, adversarial proceeding,
administrative action or other challenge or claim relating to any of the
Material Intellectual Property; (iii) there is no outstanding judgment, order,
writ, injunction or decree relating to any of the Material Intellectual
Property; (iv) as of the date hereof, there is currently no infringement by any
third party of any of the Material Intellectual Property; and (v) the Material
Intellectual Property owned, used or possessed by the Company or its
Subsidiaries is sufficient and adequate to conduct the business of the Company
and its Subsidiaries to the full extent as such business is currently conducted.
(ii) Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has taken reasonable
steps to protect, maintain and safeguard their Material Intellectual Property,
including any Material Intellectual Property for which improper or unauthorized
disclosure would impair its value or validity, and has executed appropriate
nondisclosure agreements and made appropriate filings and registrations in
connection with the foregoing.
(iii) The Company or one of its Subsidiaries is the sole and exclusive
owner of all Software (which term includes, without limitation, all computer
programs, whether in source code or object code form, algorithms, edit controls,
methodologies, applications, flow charts and any and all systems documentation
(including, but not limited to, data entry and data processing
<PAGE>
22
procedures, report generation and quality control procedures), logic and designs
for all programs, and file layouts and written narratives of all procedures used
in the coding or maintenance of the foregoing) that is required to conduct the
businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries to the full extent such
businesses are currently conducted. Except as set forth in Section
3.01(r)(iii)(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all of the Software owned by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, Premiere
and Precise, is Year 2000 Compliant (as defined in Section 8.04).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 3.01(r)(iii),
the term "Software" does not include any software used or held for use by the
Company or its Subsidiaries and not owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries,
including but not limited to any software licensed or leased by third parties to
the Company or its Subsidiaries and commonly available "shrink wrap" software
copyrighted by third parties (collectively, the "Third Party Software"). All of
the Third Party Software required to conduct the businesses of the Company and
its Subsidiaries to the full extent such businesses are currently conducted is
used pursuant to an agreement or license and each such agreement or license is
valid and enforceable and in full force and effect and neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or in breach of any such license or
agreement and, to the knowledge of the Company as of the date hereof, none of
the licensors is in default under or in breach of any such license or agreement.
To the Company's knowledge as of the date hereof, except as set forth in Section
3.01(r)(iii)(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all of the Third Party
Software is Year 2000 Compliant.
(iv) The Company or one of its Subsidiaries is the sole and exclusive owner
of all Databases (which term includes, without limitation, all databases,
documentation and written narratives of all procedures used in connection with
the collection, processing and distribution of data contained in the databases)
that are required to conduct the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries
to the full extent such businesses are currently conducted. The Databases,
together with the Third Party Databases (as defined below), contain that data
heretofore used by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the operation of their
respective businesses. Except as set forth in Section 3.01(r)(iv)(b) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Databases are Year 2000 Compliant.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 3.1(r)(iv),
the term "Databases" does not include any databases used or held for use by the
Company and its Subsidiaries and not owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries,
including, but not limited to, any databases licensed or leased by third parties
to the Company and databases generally available to the public (collectively,
the "Third Party Databases"). All of the Third Party Databases required to
conduct the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries to the full extent
such businesses are currently conducted are used pursuant to an agreement or
license and each such agreement or license is valid and enforceable and in full
force and effect and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
default under or in breach of any such license or agreement and, to the
knowledge of the Company as of the date hereof, none of the licensors is in
default under or in breach of any such license or agreement. To the Company's
knowledge as of the date hereof, except as set forth in Section 3.01(r)(iv)(c)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all of the Third Party Databases are Year
2000 Compliant.
(v) Except as set forth in Section 3.01(r)(v) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, to the knowledge of the Company, no confidential or trade secret
information of the Company or
<PAGE>
23
any of its Subsidiaries has been provided to any party except subject to written
confidentiality agreements.
(s) Ownership of Parent Common Stock. Neither the Company nor, to its
knowledge, any of its affiliates or associates (as such terms are defined under
the Exchange Act), (i) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or (ii) is a
party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, in each case, shares of capital
stock of Parent which in the aggregate represent 5% or more of the outstanding
shares of such capital stock.
(t) Rights Agreement. (i) The Company has taken all actions necessary so as
to provide that neither Parent nor Sub will become an "Acquiring Person" and
that no "Flip-In Event", "Flip-In Trigger Date", "Flip-Over Event", "Shares
Acquisition Date", "Redemption Date" or "Distribution Date" (as such terms are
defined in the Rights Agreement) will occur as a result of the approval,
execution or delivery of this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or the
consummation of the Merger or the acquisition of shares of Company Common Stock
by Parent pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement.
(ii) The Company has taken all actions necessary with respect to all of the
outstanding Rights so that, immediately prior to the Effective Time of the
Merger, (A) neither Company nor Parent will have any obligations under the
Rights or the Rights Agreement and (B) the holders of the Rights will have no
rights under the Rights or the Rights Agreement.
SECTION 3.02. Representations and Warranties of Parent and Sub. Parent and
Sub represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. Each of Parent, Sub and
each of Parent's "significant subsidiaries" (within the meaning of Rule 1-02 of
Regulation S- X of the SEC) (collectively, the "Parent Subsidiaries") is duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which it is organized and has the requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of Parent, Sub
and each of the Parent Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business
and is in good standing in each jurisdiction (domestic or foreign) in which the
nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such
qualification or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the
failure to be so qualified or licensed (individually or in the aggregate) could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to
Parent. Parent has made available to the Company complete and correct copies of
its articles of incorporation and by-laws and the certificate of incorporation
and by-laws of Sub.
(b) Capital Structure. (i) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized
capital stock of Parent consists of 400,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock,
10,000,000 shares of Series Common Stock, $.01 per share, of Parent ("Series
Stock") and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of
Parent ("Parent Preferred Stock"). As of the close of business on March 10,
1998, there were: (i) 171,120,069 shares of Parent Common Stock issued and
outstanding; (ii) 7,702,009 shares of Parent Common Stock held in the treasury
of Parent; (iii) 12,189,852 shares of Parent Common Stock reserved for issuance
pursuant to Parent's stock
<PAGE>
24
option and stock purchase plans (such plans, collectively, the "Parent Stock
Plans"); (iv) 15,002,581 shares of Parent Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
awarded but unexercised stock options; and (v) no shares of Series Stock or
Parent Preferred Stock outstanding. Except as set forth above and except for
shares of junior participating preferred stock issuable pursuant to the Rights
Agreement, dated as of October 15, 1996, between Parent and First Chicago Trust
Company of New York, as of the close of business on March 10, 1998 there were no
shares of capital stock or other equity securities of Parent issued, reserved
for issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of Parent
are, and all shares which may be issued as described above will be, when issued,
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights. There are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other
indebtedness or debt securities of Parent having the right to vote (or
convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on
any matters on which stockholders of the Parent may vote. Except as set forth
above or in Section 3.02(b) of the disclosure schedule delivered by Parent and
Sub to the Company at the time of execution of this Agreement (the "Parent
Disclosure Schedule"), there are no outstanding securities, options, warrants,
calls, rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind
to which Parent is a party or by which it is bound obligating Parent to issue,
deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of
capital stock or other equity or voting securities of Parent or obligating
Parent to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant,
call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking. There are no
outstanding contractual obligations, commitments, understandings or arrangements
of Parent to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or make any payment in
respect of any shares of capital stock of Parent.
(ii) During the period from March 10, 1998 through the date of this
Agreement, except as set forth in Section 3.02(b) of the Parent Disclosure
Schedule, Parent did not (A) issue or permit to be issued any shares of capital
stock, or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of capital
stock, of Parent, other than pursuant to or as permitted by the terms of the
Parent Stock Plans; (B) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or
indirectly through one or more subsidiaries, any shares of capital stock of
Parent; or (C) declare, set aside, make or pay to the stockholders of Parent
dividends or other distributions on the outstanding shares of capital stock of
Parent (other than regular quarterly cash dividends on the Parent Common Stock).
(iii) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of Sub consists
of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, all of which have
been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by Parent,
free and clear of any Lien.
(iv) As of the Closing Date, all the issued and outstanding shares of the
common stock of Sub will be owned by Parent free and clear of any Lien.
(c) Authority; Noncontravention. Parent and Sub have all requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into each of this Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. The execution and delivery of each of this Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreement by Parent and Sub and the consummation by Parent and Sub of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been
<PAGE>
25
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Parent and Sub.
This Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement have been duly executed and
delivered by each of Parent and Sub and (assuming due authorization, execution
and delivery by the Company) constitute valid and binding obligations of Parent
and Sub, enforceable against them in accordance with their terms, subject to the
effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, general
equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law)
and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The execution and
delivery of each of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement does not, and
the consummation by Parent and Sub of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and compliance by Parent and Sub with the provisions of this Agreement
and the Stock Option Agreement will not, conflict with, or result in any breach
or violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both)
under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of,
or a "put" right with respect to any obligation under, or to a loss of a
material benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien under, (i) the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Parent, Sub or any other subsidiary
of Parent, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
lease or any other contract, agreement, instrument, permit, concession,
franchise or license to which Parent, Sub or any other subsidiary of Parent is a
party or by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound or
(iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in the
following sentence, any judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule,
regulation or arbitration award applicable to Parent, Sub or any other
subsidiary of Parent or their respective properties or assets, other than, in
the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such conflicts, breaches, violations,
defaults, rights, losses or Liens that individually or in the aggregate could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to
Parent. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Entity or any other
third party is required by or with respect to Parent or Sub in connection with
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement by
Parent and Sub or the consummation by Parent and Sub of any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, except for (i) the filing of a premerger
notification and report form under the HSR Act and the filing of such
applications or notices by Parent and Sub as may be required pursuant to merger
control, antitrust, foreign investment or similar laws or regulations in effect
in Canada, Germany or any political subdivision thereof, (ii) the filing with
the SEC and the NYSE of (A) the Form S-4 and (B) such reports under the Exchange
Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement, the Stock Option
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (iii) the filing
of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states
in which the Company is qualified to do business, (iv) such other consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations, filings or
notices as may be required under the "takeover" or "blue sky" laws of various
states and (v) such other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations, filings or notices the failure of which to make or
obtain, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to
(x) prevent or materially delay consummation of the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated hereby or performance of Parent's and Sub's
obligations hereunder and under the Stock Option Agreement or (y) have a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to Parent.
<PAGE>
26
(d) Parent SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities. Parent has filed with
the SEC all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required
to be filed by it pursuant to the Securities Act and the Exchange Act since
November 1, 1996 (collectively, and in each case including all exhibits and
schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, the "Parent
SEC Documents"). Except as set forth in Section 3.02(d) of the Parent Disclosure
Schedule, as of their respective dates, the Parent SEC Documents complied as to
form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC
promulgated thereunder applicable to such Parent SEC Documents, and none of the
Parent SEC Documents (including any and all financial statements included
therein) as of such dates contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. Except as set forth in Section 3.02(d) of
the Parent Disclosure Schedule, except to the extent that information contained
in any Parent SEC Document has been revised or superseded by a later filed
Parent SEC Document, none of the Parent SEC Documents (including any and all
financial statements included therein) contains any untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Except as disclosed in
Section 3.02(d) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, the consolidated financial
statements of Parent included in all Parent SEC Documents filed since November
1, 1996 (the "Parent SEC Financial Statements") comply as to form in all
material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published
rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (except, in the case of
unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q
of the SEC), applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except
as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present the consolidated
financial position of Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates
thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the
periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited quarterly statements, to
normal recurring year-end audit adjustments). Except as disclosed in Section
3.02(d) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, as of the date hereof, neither Parent
nor any of its subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) required by generally
accepted accounting principles to be recognized or disclosed on a consolidated
balance sheet of Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries or in the notes
thereto, except (i) liabilities reflected in the audited consolidated balance
sheet of Parent as of December 31, 1997, (ii) liabilities disclosed in any SEC
Document filed by Parent prior to the date of this Agreement with respect to any
period ending, or date occurring, after December 31, 1997 and (iii) liabilities
incurred since December 31, 1997 in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice.
(e) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by Parent or Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the
Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any time it is
amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under the Securities
Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading or (ii) the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first
mailed to the Company's stockholders or at the time of the Stockholders Meeting,
contain any untrue statement
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27
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Form S-4 will
comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, except that
no representation is made by Parent or Sub with respect to statements made or
incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied in writing by
the Company specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.
(f) Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as disclosed in Section
3.02(f) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, during the period from December 31,
1997 through and including the date hereof, there is not and has not been: (i)
any Material Adverse Change with respect to Parent; (ii) any condition, event or
occurrence which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect or give rise to a Material Adverse Change with
respect to Parent; (iii) any action or failure to act which, if it had been
taken or not taken after the execution of this Agreement, would have required
the consent of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; or (iv) any condition,
event or occurrence which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to prevent or materially delay the ability of Parent and Sub to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or perform its
obligations hereunder or under the Stock Option Agreement.
(g) Litigation; Compliance with Laws. (i) Except as disclosed in Section
3.02(g)(i) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule or in the Parent SEC Documents, as
of the date hereof, there is (1) no suit, action, arbitration or proceeding
pending, and (2) to the knowledge of Parent, no suit, action, arbitration or
proceeding threatened against or investigation pending, in each case with
respect to Parent or any of its subsidiaries that, individually or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to Parent or prevent or materially delay the ability of Parent and Sub
to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to perform
their obligations hereunder and under the Stock Option Agreement nor is there
any judgment, decree, citation, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental
Entity or arbitrator outstanding against Parent or any of its subsidiaries
which, individually or in the aggregate, has or could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company or prevent or
materially delay the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or to perform its
obligations hereunder or thereunder. To the knowledge of Parent, except as
disclosed in Section 3.02(g)(i) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule or in any SEC
Document filed by Parent prior to the date of this Agreement with respect to any
period ending, or date occurring, after December 31, 1997, as of the date hereof
there is no reasonable basis for any action, suit, arbitration or proceeding
that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonable be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to Parent or prevent or materially delay
the ability of Parent or Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or to perform their obligations
hereunder or thereunder.
(ii) Except as disclosed in Section 3.02(g)(ii) of the Parent Disclosure
Schedule, the businesses of Parent and its subsidiaries are not being conducted
in violation of any law (domestic or foreign), ordinance or regulation of any
Governmental Entity, except for possible
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28
violations which, individually or in the aggregate, do not and could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Parent.
(h) Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
person, other than Goldman, Sachs & Co., the fees and expenses of which will be
paid by Parent, is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or
other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or Sub.
Parent agrees to indemnify the Company and to hold the Company harmless from and
against any and all claims, liabilities or obligations with respect to any other
fee, commission or expense asserted by any person on the basis of any act or
statement alleged to have been made by Parent or its affiliates.
(i) Interim Operations of Sub. Sub was formed on March 11, 1998 solely for
the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby, has engaged in
no other business activities and has conducted its operations only as
contemplated hereby.
(j) Required Vote. This Agreement has been approved by Parent, as the sole
stockholder of Sub. No other vote of holders of any class or series of
securities of Parent or Sub is necessary to approve this Agreement, the Merger,
the Stock Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(k) Ownership of Company Common Stock. Neither Parent nor, to its
knowledge, any of its affiliates or associates (as such terms are defined under
the Exchange Act), (i) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or (ii) is a
party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, in each case, shares of capital
stock of the Company, which in the aggregate represent 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of such capital stock.
ARTICLE IV
Covenants Relating to Conduct of Business Prior to Merger.
SECTION 4.01. Conduct of Business. (a) Conduct of Business by the Company.
During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time of the
Merger (except as otherwise expressly contemplated by the terms of this
Agreement), and except as approved by Parent, the Company shall, and shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, act and carry on its and their respective
businesses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and
use its and their respective reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact
its and their current business organizations, keep available the services of its
and their current officers and employees and preserve its and their
relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, advertisers,
distributors and others having significant business dealings with it and them.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during the period from the
date of this Agreement to the Effective Time of the Merger, the Company shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
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29
(i) (x) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other
distributions in respect of, any of its capital stock, other than dividends
and distributions by a direct or indirect wholly owned domestic Subsidiary
to its parent, (y) split, combine or reclassify any capital stock of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or issue or authorize the issuance of
any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for
shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (z)
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other securities thereof or any
rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or other securities;
(ii) authorize for issuance, issue, deliver, sell, pledge or otherwise
encumber any shares of its capital stock, any other voting securities or
any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to
acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible securities or
any other securities or equity equivalents (including without limitation
stock appreciation rights), other than the issuance of Company Common Stock
upon (i) the exercise of Warrants outstanding on the date of this Agreement
in accordance with their present terms and (ii) the exercise of Company
Stock Options awarded prior to the date of this Agreement but unexercised
on the date of this Agreement in accordance with their present terms;
(iii) (A) amend the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws or
comparable charter or organizational documents of any Subsidiary, or (B)
amend or terminate the Rights Agreement;
(iv) acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or
by purchasing a substantial portion of the stock or assets of, or by any
other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association or other business organization or division thereof;
(v) other than as set forth in Section 4.01(a)(v) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule with respect to the sale of certain assets at not less
than the fair market value thereof, sell, lease, license, mortgage or
otherwise encumber or subject to any Lien or otherwise dispose of any of
its properties or assets other than any such properties or assets the value
of which do not exceed $100,000 individually and $500,000 in the aggregate,
except sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice;
(vi) (A) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any
such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt securities or
warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, guarantee any debt securities of another person,
enter into any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial
statement condition of another person or enter into any arrangement having
the economic effect of any of the foregoing, except for short-term
borrowings incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and intercompany indebtedness between the Company and its
wholly-owned Subsidiaries or between such wholly owned Subsidiaries, or (B)
make any loans, advances or capital
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30
contributions to, or investments in, any other person, other than to the
Company or any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary;
(vii) acquire or agree to acquire any assets, other than inventory in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or make or
agree to make any capital expenditures, except capital expenditures that
either are contemplated (with respect to both nature and amount) by the
Company's capital budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998 (a true
and correct copy of which is included Schedule 4.01(a)(vii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule) or do not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate;
(viii) pay, discharge or satisfy any claims (including claims of
stockholders), liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or
unasserted, contingent or otherwise), except for the payment, discharge or
satisfaction of (x) liabilities or obligations in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice or in accordance with their terms as
in effect on the date hereof and other liabilities and obligations not
exceeding $75,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate, or (y) claims
settled or compromised to the extent permitted by Section 4.01(a)(xii), or
waive, release, grant, or transfer any rights of material value or modify
or change in any material respect any existing material license, lease,
contract or other document, other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice;
(ix) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or resolutions
providing for or authorizing such a liquidation or a dissolution, merger,
consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or reorganization;
(x) enter into or amend any collective bargaining agreement;
(xi) change any material accounting principle used by it, except as
required by generally accepted accounting principles;
(xii) settle or compromise any litigation or claim (whether or not
commenced prior to the date of this Agreement), other than settlements or
compromises of litigation or claims that neither provide for injunctive or
similar relief that could be material to the business or operations of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries nor require payments (after giving
effect to insurance proceeds actually received or reasonably believed by
management of the Company to be receivable) in settlement or compromise
exceeding $75,000, provided that the aggregate amount paid in connection
with the settlement or compromise of all such litigation matters shall not
exceed $250,000;
(xiii) engage in any transaction with, or enter into any agreement,
arrangement, or understanding with, directly or indirectly, any of the
Company's affiliates, including, without limitation, any transactions,
agreements, arrangements or understandings with any affiliate or other
Person covered under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K that would be required
to be disclosed under such Item 404, other than
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31
such transactions of the same general nature, scope and magnitude as are
disclosed in the Company SEC Documents;
(xiv) transfer to any person or entity any rights to its Intellectual
Property, other than the provision of data or the granting of end-user
licenses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
to customers of the Company or its Subsidiaries;
(xv) enter into or amend any agreement pursuant to which any other
party is granted exclusive marketing or other exclusive rights of any type
or scope with respect to any of its products or technology; or
(xvi) authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing
actions.
(b) Conduct of Business by Parent. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective Time of the Merger, Parent shall not:
(i) (x) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other
distributions in respect of, any of its capital stock, other than (1) in
connection with the Parent Transaction and (2) regular quarterly cash
dividends (in an amount determined in a manner consistent with Parent's
past practice) with customary record and payment dates, or (y) split,
combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the
issuance of any other securities in lieu of or in substitution for shares
of its capital stock;
(ii) amend Parent's articles of incorporation or by-laws in a manner
that would be materially adverse to the holders of Merger Stock (it being
understood that an amendment to the articles of incorporation of Parent
increasing the number of authorized shares of Parent Common Stock or other
capital stock of Parent shall not be deemed to be materially adverse to the
holders of Merger Stock); or
(iii) authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing
actions.
(c) Changes in Employment Arrangements. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall (i) adopt or amend (except as may be required by law) any
Company Plan for the benefit or welfare of any employee, officer, director or
former director, officer or employee, (ii) other than increases for individuals
(other than executive officers and directors) in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, increase the compensation or fringe benefits of
any director, officer, employee or former director, officer or employee or pay
any benefit not required by any existing plan, arrangement or agreement or (iii)
take any action to implement the Employee Stock Purchase Plan; provided that the
foregoing shall not prohibit the Company from entering into commitments with
respect to the payment of "stay bonuses" and similar incentive compensation not
exceeding $300,000 in the aggregate.
(d) Severance. Except as contemplated by the proviso to the immediately
preceding paragraph (c), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall
grant any new or modified severance or termination arrangement or increase or
accelerate any benefits payable under its severance or termination pay policies
in effect on the date hereof.
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32
(e) WARN. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall effectuate
a "plant closing" or "mass layoff," as those terms are defined in WARN, or a
similar restructuring affecting in whole or in part any site of employment,
facility, operating unit or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
without notifying Parent or its affiliates in advance and without complying with
the notice requirements and other provisions of WARN or any applicable foreign
laws or regulations.
(f) Tax Elections. Except as consistent with past practice, neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall make any tax election or settle or
compromise any federal, state, local or foreign tax liability.
(g) Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment. No party shall, and none shall
permit any of its subsidiaries to, intentionally take or cause to be taken any
action which would disqualify the Merger as a "reorganization" within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; provided that the foregoing shall not be
construed to restrict Parent from completing the Parent Transaction.
(h) Nominee Shares. The Company shall cause any person who owns any shares
of capital stock of any of the Company's Subsidiaries, whether in trust or
pursuant to any nominee arrangement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
to transfer, effective not later than the Effective Time of the Merger, all
right, title and interest in and to such shares to Parent or any person
designated by Parent.
(i) Other Actions. Neither the Company nor Parent shall, or shall permit
any of their respective subsidiaries to, (i) intentionally take any action or
fail to take any action that, if taken or not taken on or prior to the date of
this Agreement, would have resulted in any of its representations and warranties
set forth in this Agreement being untrue in any material respect, or (ii)
intentionally take any action that would or reasonably might be expected to
result in any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VI not being
satisfied or in a violation of any provision of the Stock Option Agreement. The
Company and Parent shall promptly advise the other party orally and in writing
of (x) any action or failure to act of the type set forth in clause (i) above,
(y) the failure by such party to comply with any covenant, condition or
agreement hereunder or under the Stock Option Agreement and (z) any event which
could reasonably be expected to cause the conditions set forth in Article VI not
being satisfied; provided, however, that no such notice shall affect the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreement of the parties or the
conditions to their obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE V
Additional Agreements
SECTION 5.01. Preparation of Form S-4 and Proxy Statement; Stockholder
Meeting. (a) Promptly following the date of this Agreement, the Company shall
prepare the Proxy Statement, and Parent shall prepare and file (or cause to be
prepared and filed) with the SEC the Form S-4 in which the Proxy Statement will
be included. Parent and the Company shall
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33
each use its reasonable efforts to have the Form S-4 declared effective under
the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing. The Company
will use its reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the
Company's stockholders as promptly as practicable after the Form S-4 is declared
effective under the Securities Act. Parent shall also take any action (other
than qualifying to do business in any state in which it is not now so qualified
or filing a general consent to service of process) required to be taken under
any applicable state securities laws in connection with the registration and
qualification of the Merger Stock to be issued in the Merger, and the Company
shall furnish all information relating to the Company and its stockholders as
may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action. The information
provided and to be provided by Parent, Sub and the Company, respectively, (i)
for use in the Form S-4, at the time the Form S-4 becomes effective, shall be
true and accurate in all material respects and shall not omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make such
information not misleading and (ii) for use in the Proxy Statement, on the date
the Proxy Statement is mailed to the Company's stockholders and on the date of
the Stockholders Meeting referred to below, shall be true and correct in all
material respects and shall not omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make such information, in the light of
the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading,
and the Company and Parent each agree to correct any information provided by it
for use in the Form S-4 and/or the Proxy Statement which shall have become false
or misleading.
(b) All mailings to the Company's stockholders in connection with the
Merger, including the Proxy Statement, shall be subject to the prior review,
comment and approval of Parent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed).
(c) The Company will, as promptly as practicable following the date of this
Agreement and in consultation with Parent, duly call, give notice of, convene
and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the "Stockholders Meeting") for the
purpose of approving this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement to the extent required by the DGCL. The Company will, through its
Board of Directors, recommend to its stockholders approval of the foregoing
matters, as set forth in Section 3.01(p); provided, however, that the Board of
Directors of the Company may fail to make or withdraw or modify such
recommendation, but only to the extent that the Board of Directors of the
Company shall have concluded in good faith on the basis of written advice from
outside counsel that the failure to take such action would be contrary to the
fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors of the Company to the stockholders of
the Company under applicable law. Any such recommendation, together with a copy
of the opinion referred to in Section 3.01(o), shall be included in the Proxy
Statement. The Company will use its best efforts to hold such meeting as soon as
practicable after the Form S-4 shall have been declared effective.
SECTION 5.02. Access to Information; Confidentiality. (a) Each of the
Company and Parent shall, and shall cause its respective subsidiaries, officers,
employees, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives to, afford to
the other party and its representatives reasonable access during normal business
hours, during the period prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, to its
properties, books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records, and, during
such period, each of the Company and Parent shall, and shall cause its
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34
respective subsidiaries, officers, employees and representatives to, furnish
promptly to the other party (i) a copy of each report, schedule, registration
statement and other document filed by it during such period pursuant to the
requirements of Federal or state securities laws and (ii) all other information
concerning its business, properties, financial condition, operations and
personnel as such other party may from time to time reasonably request. Each of
the Company and Parent will hold, and will cause its respective directors,
officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other
representatives and affiliates to hold, any nonpublic information in confidence
to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the provisions of the
confidentiality agreement, dated April 22, 1997, between Parent and the Company
(the "Confidentiality Agreement"), which Confidentiality Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect following the execution and delivery of this
Agreement.
(b) No investigation pursuant to this Section 5.02 or otherwise shall
affect any representations or warranties of the parties herein or the conditions
to the obligations of the parties hereto.
SECTION 5.03. Reasonable Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties agrees to use its
reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or
cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing,
all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations
to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable,
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including
(i) obtaining all consents, approvals, waivers, licenses, permits or
authorizations as are required to be obtained (or, which if not obtained, would
result in an event of default, termination or acceleration of any agreement or
any put right under any agreement) under any applicable law or regulation or
from any Governmental Entities or third parties in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) defending any lawsuits or
other proceedings challenging this Agreement and (iii) accepting and delivering
additional instruments necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. The parties agree that each of Parent and Sub, on the one hand,
and the Company, on the other hand, shall have the opportunity to negotiate and
consult directly with all applicable Governmental Entities and third parties in
connection with their consideration of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.03 to the contrary,
neither party shall be required to: (i) expend material sums of money or grant
material financial or other accommodations to any party, (ii) divest any
material operations or (iii) set aside any material assets in order to satisfy
the terms of this Section 5.03.
SECTION 5.04. Indemnification. (a) From and after the Effective Time of the
Merger, Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless each person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date
hereof or who becomes prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, eligible for
indemnification pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws or the
constituent organizational documents of any Subsidiary (the "Indemnified
Parties") against (i) all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities
or judgments or amounts that are paid in settlement of or in connection with any
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation based in whole or in part on or
arising in whole or in part out of the fact that such person is or was a
director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
pertaining to any matter existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time
of
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35
the Merger, whether asserted or claimed prior to, or at or after, the Effective
Time of the Merger (the "Indemnified Liabilities") and (ii) all Indemnified
Liabilities based in whole or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of,
or pertaining to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, in each
case to the extent the Company or such Subsidiary would have been permitted
under the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, or such other constituent
organizational documents, as the case may be, to indemnify such person. Nothing
contained herein shall limit any rights to indemnification which any Indemnified
Party may have under any indemnification agreement or the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws or the constituent organizational documents of any
Subsidiary. In the event any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation is brought against any Indemnified Parties (whether arising before
or after the Effective Time of the Merger), (i) any counsel retained by the
Indemnified Parties for any period after the Effective Time of the Merger shall
be reasonably satisfactory to Parent and the Surviving Corporation (it being
understood that Reboul, MacMurray, Hewitt, Maynard & Kristol is acceptable to
Parent and the Surviving Corporation); (ii) after the Effective Time of the
Merger, Parent or the Surviving Corporation shall pay all reasonable fees and
expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties promptly as statements
therefor are received; and (iii) after the Effective Time of the Merger, the
Surviving Corporation will cooperate in the defense of any such matter, provided
that the Surviving Corporation shall not be liable for any settlement of any
claim effected without its written consent, which consent, however, shall not be
unreasonably withheld. Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification
under this Section 5.04, upon learning of any such claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, shall notify Parent and the Surviving Corporation
(but the failure so to notify Parent or the Surviving Corporation shall not
relieve them from any liability which they may have under this Section 5.04
except to the extent such failure materially prejudices Parent and the Surviving
Corporation), and shall deliver to Parent and the Surviving Corporation the
undertaking, if any, required by Section 145(e) of the DGCL. Parent and the
Surviving Corporation shall be liable for the fees and expenses hereunder with
respect to only one law firm to represent the Indemnified Parties as a group
with respect to each such matter unless there is, under applicable standards of
professional conduct, a conflict between the positions of any two or more
Indemnified Parties that would preclude or render inadvisable joint or multiple
representation of such parties.
(b) Parent shall cause to be maintained in effect for six years from the
Effective Time of the Merger directors' and officers' liability insurance
coverage covering persons who are directors and officers of the Company on the
date of this Agreement, with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective
Time of the Merger, and containing terms and conditions which are not less
advantageous to such persons than the policies of the Company in effect on the
date hereof (the "Company Insurance"); provided that Parent shall not be
required to spend annually in excess of 150% of the annual premium for the
Company Insurance paid by the Company as of the date of this Agreement (the
"Current Premium"), which Current Premium the Company represents is $175,000 per
annum; provided, further, that if Parent would be required to spend annually in
excess of 150% of the Current Premium to obtain insurance having terms not less
advantageous than the Company Insurance, the Surviving Corporation will be
required to spend up to such amount to maintain or procure as much insurance
coverage as can be procured for such premium.
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36
SECTION 5.05. Public Announcements. Neither Parent and Sub, on the one
hand, nor the Company, on the other hand, will issue any press release or public
statement with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreement, including the Merger, without the other party's
prior consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except
as may be required by applicable law, court process or by obligations pursuant
to any agreement with any securities exchange or quotation system on which
securities of the disclosing party are listed or quoted. In addition to the
foregoing, Parent, Sub and the Company will consult with each other before
issuing, and provide each other the opportunity to review and comment upon, any
such press release or other public statements with respect to such transactions.
The parties agree that the initial press release or releases to be issued with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be mutually
agreed upon prior to the issuance thereof.
SECTION 5.06. No Solicitation. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall (whether directly or indirectly through advisors, agents or
other intermediaries), nor shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
authorize or permit any of its or their officers, directors, agents,
representatives or advisors to, (a) solicit, initiate or take any action
knowingly to encourage or facilitate the submission of inquiries, proposals or
offers from any person (other than Sub or Parent) relating to (i) any
acquisition or purchase of 15% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company
and its Subsidiaries or of over 15% of any class of equity securities of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any tender offer (including a self
tender offer) or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person
(as defined in Section 8.02) beneficially owning 15% or more of any class of
equity securities of the Company or any of its significant Subsidiaries, (iii)
any merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of substantially all
assets, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction
involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or
in the aggregate, constitute more than 15% of the consolidated assets of the
Company other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (iv) any
other transaction the consummation of which would or could reasonably be
expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or delay the Merger (collectively,
"Transaction Proposals"), or agree to or endorse any Transaction Proposal, or
(b) enter into or participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding any
of the foregoing, or furnish to any other person any information with respect to
its business, properties or assets or any of the foregoing, or otherwise
cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in, facilitate or encourage,
any effort or attempt by any other person (other than Sub or Parent) to do or
seek any of the foregoing; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not
prohibit the Company (either directly or indirectly through advisors, agents or
other intermediaries) from (i) furnishing information pursuant to an appropriate
confidentiality letter (which letter shall not be less favorable to the Company
in any material respect than the Confidentiality Agreement) concerning the
Company and its businesses, properties or assets to a third party who has made
an unsolicited bona fide written Transaction Proposal, (ii) engaging in
discussions or negotiations with such a third party who has made an unsolicited
bona fide written Transaction Proposal, (iii) following receipt of an
unsolicited bona fide written Transaction Proposal, taking and disclosing to its
stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14d-9 or Rule 14e-2(a) under the
Exchange Act or otherwise making disclosure to its stockholders, (iv) following
receipt of an unsolicited bona fide written Transaction Proposal, failing to
make or withdrawing, modifying or amending its recommendation referred to in
Section 3.01(p), and/or (v) taking any action
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37
required to be taken by the Company pursuant to an order by any court of
competent jurisdiction (other than an order that has been reversed, withdrawn or
stayed), but in each case referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (v)
only to the extent that the Board of Directors of the Company shall have
concluded in good faith on the basis of written advice from outside counsel that
the failure to take such action would be contrary to the fiduciary duties of the
Board of Directors of the Company to the stockholders of the Company under
applicable law; provided, further, that, to the extent that it may do so without
acting in a manner contrary to its fiduciary duties under applicable law, the
Board of Directors of the Company shall advise Parent promptly with respect to
the taking of any such action and, in addition, if the Board of Directors of the
Company receives a Transaction Proposal, then the Company shall promptly inform
Parent of the material terms and conditions of such proposal and the identity of
the person making it. The Company will immediately cease and cause its advisors,
agents and other intermediaries to cease any and all existing activities,
discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect
to any of the foregoing, and shall use its reasonable efforts to cause any such
parties in possession of confidential information about the Company that was
furnished by or on behalf of the Company to return or destroy all such
information in the possession of any such party or in the possession of any
agent or advisor of any such party.
SECTION 5.07. Benefit Matters. (a) Parent shall cause the Surviving
Corporation to maintain employee benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA) for the benefit of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, which
are, in the aggregate, no less favorable than those that cover similarly
situated employees of Parent.
(b) Parent will cause the Surviving Corporation to (i) waive all
limitations as to preexisting conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with
respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to the employees
of the Company and its Subsidiaries under any Parent welfare plan that such
employees may be eligible to participate in after the Effective Time of the
Merger and (ii) provide each employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries with
credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid prior to the Effective Time of
the Merger in satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket requirements
under any Parent welfare plans that such employees are eligible to participate
in after the Effective Time of the Merger.
(c) Prior to the Closing Date, Parent (or IMS if the Closing Date occurs
after the Distribution Record Date) shall establish an employee stock option
plan, having terms and conditions comparable to Parent's 1996 Key Employees
Stock Incentive Plan, pursuant to which it will offer to grant, as of the
Effective Time of the Merger, options to purchase an aggregate of 250,000 shares
of Parent Common Stock (or the appropriate corollary number of shares of IMS
Common Stock in light of the Parent and IMS Exchange Ratios if the Closing Date
occurs after the Distribution Record Date) at fair market value, as of the
Closing Date, to certain employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries who are
expected to be Continuing Employees; the names of such employees and the number
of options to be offered to each shall be set forth in a letter to be delivered
by Parent (or IMS if the Closing Date occurs after the Distribution Record Date)
to the Company prior to the Closing Date.
SECTION 5.08. Stock Exchange Listing. Parent shall use all reasonable
efforts to cause the shares of Merger Stock to be issued in the Merger and the
shares of Merger Stock to
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38
be reserved for issuance upon exercise of Company Stock Options and/or Warrants
to be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.
SECTION 5.09. Letters of the Company's Accountants. The Company shall use
its reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to Parent a letter of Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P., the Company's independent public accountants, dated a date
within two business days before the Form S-4 shall become effective and a letter
of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., dated a date within two business days before the
Closing Date, each addressed to Parent, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Parent and customary in scope and substance for letters
delivered by independent public accountants in connection with registration
statements similar to the Form S-4.
SECTION 5.10. Letters of Parent's Accountants. Parent shall use its
reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to the Company a letter of Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P., Parent's independent public accountants, dated a date within two
business days before the Form S-4 shall become effective and a letter of Coopers
& Lybrand L.L.P. dated a date within two business days before the Closing Date,
each addressed to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Company and customary in scope and substance for letters delivered by
independent public accountants in connection with registration statements
similar to the Form S-4.
SECTION 5.11. Takeover Statute. If any "fair price", "moratorium", "control
share acquisition", "interested shareholder" or other similar anti-takeover
statute or regulation is or may become applicable to the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement, each
of Parent and the Company and their respective boards of directors shall grant
such approvals and take such actions as are necessary so that such transactions
may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement, as the case may be, or the Merger and
otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of such statute or regulation
on such transactions.
ARTICLE VI
Conditions Precedent
SECTION 6.01. Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Merger.
The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated herein shall be subject to the satisfaction on or
prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions, any or all of which may
be waived, in whole or in part, to the extent permitted by applicable law:
(a) Effectiveness of Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have been declared
effective by the SEC under the Securities Act. No stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Form S-4 shall have been issued by the SEC and no
proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of
the Company or Parent, threatened by the SEC. Any material "blue sky" and other
state securities laws applicable to the registration and qualification of the
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39
Merger Stock issuable or required to be reserved for issuance pursuant to this
Agreement shall have been complied with.
(b) Stockholder Approval. The Company Stockholder Approval shall have been
obtained.
(c) No Order. No Governmental Entity or federal, state or foreign court of
competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or
entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or
other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is in effect and
which materially restricts, prevents or prohibits consummation of the Merger or
any transaction contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that the
parties shall use all reasonable efforts to cause any such decree, judgment,
injunction or other order to be vacated or lifted.
(d) HSR Act and Other Waiting Periods. The applicable waiting period under
the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated and all other waiting periods
specified under applicable laws, and all extensions thereof, the passing of
which is legally required prior to the consummation of the Merger, shall have
expired or been terminated.
(e) NYSE Listing. The shares of Merger Stock issuable to stockholders of
the Company in accordance with this Agreement shall have been authorized for
listing on the NYSE upon official notice of issuance.
(f) Other Approvals. Other than the filing of merger documents in
accordance with Delaware Law, all authorizations, consents, waivers, orders or
approvals required to be obtained, and all filings, notices or declarations
required to be made, by the Company and Parent prior to the consummation of the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereunder shall have been
obtained from, and made with, all required Governmental Entities and all waiting
periods specified under applicable laws and all extensions thereof, the passing
of which is necessary for such consummation shall have passed, except for such
authorizations, consents, waivers, orders, approvals, filings, notices or
declarations the failure to obtain or make which would not have a Material
Adverse Effect with respect to Parent.
SECTION 6.02. Additional Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Sub. The
obligations of Parent and Sub to effect the Merger and the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement are also subject to the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and
warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement that is qualified as to
"materiality," "Material Adverse Change" or "Material Adverse Effect" shall be
true and correct, and each of the other representations and warranties of the
Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects, in each case as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the
Closing Date, except (i) for changes specifically permitted by this Agreement
and (ii) that those representations and warranties which address matters only as
of a particular date shall have been true and correct as of such date. Parent
shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer and chief
financial officer of the Company to such effect.
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40
(b) Agreements and Covenants. The Company shall have performed or complied
in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing
Date. Parent shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer
and chief financial officer of the Company to that effect.
(c) No Litigation. There shall not be pending or threatened by any
Governmental Entity any suit, action or proceeding (i) challenging or seeking to
restrain or prohibit the consummation of the Merger or any other transaction
contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or seeking to
obtain from the Company, Sub or Parent or any of their respective affiliates any
material amount of damages, (ii) seeking to prohibit or limit the ownership or
operation by Parent or the Company or any of their respective affiliates of any
material portion of their business or assets or to dispose of or hold separate
any material portion of their business or assets, as a result of the Merger or
any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option
Agreement, (iii) seeking to impose limitations on the ability of Parent to
acquire or hold, or exercise full rights of ownership of, any shares of the
common stock of the Surviving Corporation, including, without limitation, the
right to vote such common stock on all matters properly presented to the
stockholders of the Surviving Corporation or (iv) seeking to prohibit Parent or
any of its Subsidiaries from effectively controlling in any material respect the
business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. No
suit, action or proceeding by any other person shall be pending that seeks any
of the relief or remedies described in clauses (i) through (iv) of the
immediately preceding sentence as to which there is a reasonable possibility of
success or that otherwise could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect with respect to Parent or the Company.
(d) Rights Agreement. None of the events described in Section 3, 7, 11, 13,
23 or 24 of the Rights Agreement shall have occurred, and the Rights shall not
have become nonredeemable and shall not become nonredeemable upon consummation
of the Merger.
SECTION 6.03. Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The
obligation of the Company to effect the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated in this Agreement are also subject to the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and
warranties of Parent and Sub contained in this Agreement that is qualified as to
"materiality," "Material Adverse Change" or "Material Adverse Effect" shall be
true and correct, and each of the other representations and warranties of Parent
and Sub contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects, in each case as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the
Closing Date, except (i) for changes specifically permitted by this Agreement
and (ii) that those representations and warranties which address matters only as
of a particular date shall remain true and correct as of such date. The Company
shall have received a certificate of a duly authorized officer of Parent and Sub
to such effect.
(b) Agreements and Covenants. Parent and Sub shall have performed or
complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by
this Agreement
<PAGE>
41
to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the Closing Date. The
Company shall have received a certificate of a duly authorized officer of Parent
and Sub to that effect.
ARTICLE VII
Termination, Amendment and Waiver
SECTION 7.01. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and abandoned
at any time prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, whether before or after
the Company Stockholder Approval:
(a) by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company; or
(b) by either Parent or the Company if any Governmental Entity shall have
issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently
enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and such order,
decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable; or
(c) by either Parent or the Company if the Merger shall not have been
consummated on or before December 31, 1998 (other than due to the failure of the
party seeking to terminate this Agreement to perform its obligations under this
Agreement required to be performed at or prior to the Effective Time of the
Merger); or
(d) by either Parent or the Company if at the duly held meeting of the
stockholders of the Company (including any adjournment thereof) held for the
purpose of voting on the Merger, this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock shall not have approved the Merger, this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; or
(e) by Parent, if the Company or its Board of Directors shall have (1)
withdrawn, modified or amended in any respect adverse to Parent its approval or
recommendation of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated herein
(it being understood that a communication by the Company that contains only the
information described in Rule 14d-9(e) under the Exchange Act shall not be
deemed to be such a modification or amendment or an action described in clause
(5) below), (2) failed as promptly as practicable after the Form S-4 is declared
effective to mail the Proxy Statement to its stockholders or failed to include
in such statement such recommendation, (3) recommended any Transaction Proposal
from a person other than Parent or any of its affiliates, (4) resolved to do any
of the foregoing or (5) in response to the commencement of any tender offer or
exchange offer for more than 15% of the outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock, not recommended rejection of such tender offer or exchange offer; or
(f) by the Company, if, pursuant to and in compliance with Section 5.06
hereof, the Board of Directors of the Company concludes in good faith, based on
written advice from
<PAGE>
42
outside counsel, that in order to avoid acting in a manner contrary to the
fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors of the Company to the stockholders of
the Company under the DGCL, the Board of Directors must not make or must
withdraw or modify its recommendation referred to in Section 3.01(p) and the
Board of Directors does not make or withdraws or modifies such recommendation.
SECTION 7.02. Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement by either the Company or Parent as provided in Section 7.01, this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability
or obligation on the part of Parent, Sub or the Company, other than the
provisions of Section 3.01(n), Section 3.02(h), the last sentence of Section
5.02(a) (and the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement referred to
therein), this Section 7.02, Section 8.02, Section 8.07 and Section 8.08.
Nothing contained in this Section shall relieve any party for any breach of the
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement
(including, without limitation, liability for damages as a result of any such
breach that gives rise to an inability to satisfy any of the conditions to
Closing set forth in Article VI).
SECTION 7.03. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties
hereto at any time before or after any required approval of matters presented in
connection with the Merger by the stockholders of the Company; provided,
however, that after any such approval, there shall be made no amendment that by
law requires further approval by such stockholders without the further approval
of such stockholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
SECTION 7.04. Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time of
the Merger, the parties hereto may (a) extend the time for the performance of
any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties, (b) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement
or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to the
proviso of Section 7.03, waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to
any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this
Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall
not constitute a waiver of such rights. No single or partial exercise of any
right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.
Any waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose for which given and shall not constitute a waiver to any subsequent or
other exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder.
SECTION 7.05. Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver. A
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01, an amendment of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 7.03 or an extension or waiver pursuant to Section
7.04 shall, in order to be effective, require in the case of Parent, Sub or the
Company, action by its Board of Directors or the duly authorized designee of its
Board of Directors.
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43
ARTICLE VIII
General Provisions
SECTION 8.01. Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties. None of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time of the Merger and
all such representations and warranties will be extinguished on consummation of
the Merger and neither the Company, Parent, Sub, nor any officer, director or
employee or stockholder of any of them shall be under any liability whatsoever
with respect to any such representation or warranty after such time. This
Section 8.01 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by
its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time of the Merger.
SECTION 8.02. Fees and Expenses. (a) (i) If this Agreement shall have been
terminated in accordance with its terms (except pursuant to Section 7.01(b)) and
either of the following shall have occurred: (A) prior to such termination, any
corporation (including the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates),
partnership, person, other entity or "group" (as referred to in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Exchange Act) other than Parent, Sub or any of their respective
affiliates (collectively, "Persons"), shall have become the beneficial owner of
more than 15% of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (it being
understood that no beneficial owner of Company Common Stock as of the date
hereof shall be deemed such a "Person" unless it acquires beneficial ownership
of at least 3% of the outstanding Common Stock after the date hereof or becomes
a member of a group of which it was not a member as of the date hereof or which
includes a person which was not a member thereof as of the date hereof); or (B)
(x) prior to such termination, any Person shall have made, or proposed,
communicated or disclosed in a manner which is or otherwise becomes public a
bona fide intention to make a Transaction Proposal (including by making such a
Transaction Proposal) and (y) on or prior to March 23, 1999, the Company either
consummates with a Person a transaction the proposal of which would otherwise
qualify as a Transaction Proposal under Section 5.06 or enters into a definitive
agreement with a Person with respect to a transaction the proposal of which
would otherwise qualify as a Transaction Proposal under Section 5.06 (whether or
not such Person is the Person referred to in clause (x) above); or
(ii) if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.01(e) or Section
7.01(f);
then the Company shall, (1) in the case of clauses (a)(i)(A) and (a)(ii) above,
promptly, but in no event later than one business day after the termination of
this Agreement and (2) in the case of clause (a)(i)(B) above, promptly, but in
no event later than one business day after an event specified in subclause (y)
thereof shall have occurred, pay Parent a fee of $4,700,000 in cash which fee
shall be payable in same day funds. No termination of this Agreement at a time
when a fee is reasonably expected to be payable pursuant to this Section 8.02(a)
following termination of this Agreement shall be effective until such fee is
paid.
(b) In addition, in any case in which a fee is payable pursuant to
paragraph (a) above, the Company shall promptly reimburse Parent and Sub for
documented reasonable out-of-
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44
pocket expenses incurred by either of them in connection with this Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreement, including reasonable accounting, investment banking
and legal fees and expenses; provided that the amount of such reimbursement
shall not exceed $850,000 in the aggregate.
(c) Except as provided otherwise in paragraphs (a) and (b) above, all costs
and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be paid by
the party incurring such expenses, except that the cost of filing, printing and
distributing the Proxy Statement and the Form S-4 shall be borne equally by
Parent and the Company.
SECTION 8.03. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
given if delivered personally, sent by overnight courier (providing proof of
delivery) or transmitted by confirmed facsimile to the parties at the following
addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like
notice):
(a) if to Parent or Sub, to
Cognizant Corporation
200 Nyala Farms
Westport, CT 06880
Attention: General Counsel
Fax Number: (203) 222-4313
with a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Attention: Peter J. Gordon, Esq.
Fax Number: (212) 455-2502
(b) if to the Company, to
Walsh International Inc.
105 Terry Drive, Suite 118
Newtown, PA 18940
Attention: General Counsel
Fax Number: (215) 860-3277
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45
with a copy to:
Reboul, MacMurray, Hewitt, Maynard & Kristol
45 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10111
Attention: Robert A. Schwed, Esq.
Fax Number: (212) 841-5725
SECTION 8.04. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) an "affiliate" of any person means another person that directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or
is under common control with, such first person;
(b) "Base Price" means $51.792 multiplied by the IMS Fraction;
(c) "Continuing Employees" means all persons who are actively employed on a
full-time basis by the Company or its Subsidiaries immediately following the
Effective Time of the Merger, other than such persons, if any, as may be
identified in writing by Parent to the Company not less then five business days
prior to the Closing Date;
(d) "Environmental Claim" means any written or oral notice, claim, demand,
action, suit, complaint, proceeding or other communication by any person
alleging liability or potential liability (including without limitation
liability or potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs,
governmental response costs, natural resource damages, property damage, personal
injury, fines or penalties) arising out of, relating to, based on or resulting
from (A) the presence, discharge, emission, release or threatened release of any
Hazardous Materials at any location, whether or not owned, leased or operated by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) circumstances forming the basis of
any violation or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental
Permit or (C) otherwise relating to obligations or liabilities under any
Environmental Laws;
(e) "Environmental Laws" means all applicable foreign, federal, state,
provincial and local statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, orders, decrees
and common or civil law relating in any manner to contamination, pollution or
protection of human health or the environment, including without limitation the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Solid
Waste Disposal Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances
Control Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Emergency Planning and
Community-Right-to-Know Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, all as amended, and
similar state and foreign laws;
(f) "Environmental Permits" means all permits, licenses, registrations and
other governmental authorizations required under Environmental Laws for the
Company and its Subsidiaries to conduct their operations and businesses;
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46
(g) "First Threshold" means $5.00 multiplied by the IMS Fraction;
(h) "Hazardous Materials" means all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes,
materials or chemicals, petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof)
and petroleum products, friable asbestos and asbestos-containing materials,
pollutants, contaminants and all other materials, and substances regulated
pursuant to, or that could reasonably be expected to provide the basis of
liability under, any Environmental Law;
(i) "IMS Adjustment Factor" means a fraction, the numerator of which is the
sum of the IMS Reference Price and the NMR Reference Price, and the denominator
of which is the IMS Reference Price;
(j) "IMS Common Stock Price" means the average of the closing sales prices
of IMS Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Transactions Tape on the 10
consecutive trading days immediately preceding the second trading day prior to
the Closing Date;
(k) "IMS Exchange Ratio" means a fraction of a share of IMS Common Stock
(rounded to the nearest 1/1,000th) equal to: (1) the product of 0.3041
multiplied by the IMS Adjustment Factor if the IMS Common Stock Price is at
least equal to the Base Price minus the First Threshold but is not more than the
Base Price plus the First Threshold; (2) $17.27 divided by the IMS Common Stock
Price (rounded to the nearest 1/10,000th) if the IMS Common Stock Price is more
than the sum of the Base Price plus the First Threshold but not more than the
sum of the Base Price plus the Second Threshold; (3) $14.23 divided by the IMS
Common Stock Price if the IMS Common Stock Price (rounded to the nearest
1/10,000th) is less than the Base Price minus the First Threshold but not less
than the Base Price minus the Second Threshold; (4) the fraction determined in
accordance with Exhibit E hereto if the IMS Common Stock Price is more than the
Base Price plus the Second Threshold (or determined on the same basis as the
fractions indicated in Exhibit E if such excess exceeds $20 per share of IMS
Common Stock); and (5) the fraction determined in accordance with Exhibit F
hereto if the IMS Common Stock Price is less than the Base Price minus the
Second Threshold (or determined on the same basis as the fractions indicated in
Exhibit F if such shortage exceeds $20 per share of IMS Common Stock);
(l) "IMS Fraction" means a fraction, the numerator of which is the IMS
Reference Price and the denominator of which is the sum of the IMS Reference
Price and the NMR Reference Price;
(m) "IMS Reference Price" means the average of the closing sales prices of
IMS Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Transactions Tape on the 10 consecutive
trading days commencing on the sixth trading day following the date on which
"regular way" trading in the IMS Common Stock begins on the NYSE;
(n) "indebtedness" means, with respect to any person, without duplication,
(A) all obligations of such person for borrowed money, or with respect to
deposits or advances of any kind to such person, (B) all obligations of such
person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (C) all
obligations of such person under conditional sale or other title
<PAGE>
47
retention agreements relating to property purchased by such person, (D) all
obligations of such person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of
property or services (excluding obligations of such person to creditors for raw
materials, inventory, services and supplies incurred in the ordinary course of
such person's business), (E) all capitalized lease obligations of such person,
(F) all obligations of others secured by any Lien on property or assets owned or
acquired by such person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have
been assumed, (G) all obligations of such person under interest rate or currency
hedging transactions (valued at the termination value thereof), (H) all letters
of credit issued for the account of such person and (I) all guarantees and
arrangements having the economic effect of a guarantee of such person of any
indebtedness of any other person;
(o) "Intellectual Property" means all rights, privileges and priorities
provided under federal, state, foreign and multinational law relating to
intellectual property, whether registered or unregistered, including, without
limitation, all (i) (a) inventions, discoveries, processes, formulae, designs,
methods, techniques, procedures, concepts, developments, technology, and
confidential information, new and useful improvements thereof and know-how
relating thereto, whether or not patented or eligible for patent protection; (b)
copyrights and copyrightable works, including computer applications, programs,
Software, Databases and related items; (c) trademarks, service marks, trade
names, brand names, product names, corporate names, logos and trade dress, the
goodwill of any business symbolized thereby, and all common-law rights relating
thereto; and (d) trade secrets, data and other confidential information; and
(ii) all registrations, applications, recordings, and licenses or other similar
agreements related to the foregoing;
(p) "knowledge" means, with respect to any matter, (i) in the case of
Parent, the knowledge of any director, executive officer or the General Counsel
of Parent after due inquiry into such matter and (ii) in the case of the
Company, the knowledge of Messrs. Turner, Hauck, Mander, Williams, Benjamin and
Waugh after due inquiry into such matter;
(q) "Material Adverse Change" means, when used with respect to the Company
or Parent, any change that, either individually or in the aggregate with all
other such changes, is materially adverse to the Company or Parent, as the case
may be, and their respective subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(r) "Material Adverse Effect" means, when used with respect to the Company
or Parent, any change, effect, event or occurrence that, either individually or
in the aggregate with all other such changes, effects, events and occurrences,
either (a) is materially adverse to the business, properties, financial
condition or results of operations of the Company or Parent, as the case may be,
and their respective subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) will be materially
adverse to the business, properties, financial condition or results of
operations of Parent and its subsidiaries (including the Surviving Corporation)
taken as a whole following the Effective Time of the Merger;
(s) "NMR Reference Price" means the average of the closing sales prices of
Parent Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Transactions Tape on the 10
consecutive trading
<PAGE>
48
days commencing on the sixth trading day following the date on which "regular
way" trading in Parent Common Stock begins under the name "Nielsen Media
Research, Inc." on the NYSE;
(t) "Parent" shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of
this Agreement; provided that in the event of an assignment of this Agreement as
provided in Section 8.09(b), the term "Parent" thereafter shall have the meaning
specified in such Section;
(u) "Parent Common Stock Price" means the average of the closing sales
prices of Parent Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange Composite
Transactions Tape on each of the 15 consecutive trading days immediately
preceding the second trading day prior to the Effective Time of the Merger;
(v) "Parent Exchange Ratio" means a fraction of a share of Parent Common
Stock (rounded to the nearest 1/1000th) equal to: (1) 0.3041, if the Parent
Common Stock Price is equal to at least $46.792 but not more than $56.792; (2)
$17.27 divided by the Parent Common Stock Price (rounded to the nearest
1/10,000th) if the Parent Common Stock Price is more than $56.792 but not more
than $62.792; (3) $14.23 divided by the Parent Common Stock Price (rounded to
the nearest 1/10,000th) if the Parent Common Stock Price is less than $46.792
but not less than $40.792; (4) the indicated fraction of a share of Parent
Common Stock set forth opposite the applicable Parent Common Stock Price in
Exhibit C hereto if the Parent Common Stock Price is either more than $62.792
but not more than $82.792 or less than $40.792 but not less than $20.792; or (5)
a fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock determined on the same basis as the
fractions set forth in Exhibit C hereto if the Parent Common Stock Price is more
than $82.792 or less than $20.792;
(w) "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated
organization or other entity;
(x) "Recent SEC Documents" means any SEC Documents filed by the Company
prior to the date of this Agreement with respect to any period ending, or any
date occurring, on or after June 30, 1997;
(y) "Rights" means the rights to acquire one-third of a share of Company
Common Stock pursuant to the Rights Agreement;
(z) "Rights Agreement" means the Rights Agreement, dated as of January 28,
1998 between the Company and Harris Trust Company of New York;
(aa) "Second Threshold" means $11.00 multiplied by the IMS Fraction;
(bb) a "subsidiary" of any person means another person, an amount of the
voting securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of
which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its Board of Directors or
other governing body (or, if there are no such voting interests, 50% or more of
the equity interests of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such first
person; and
<PAGE>
49
(cc) "Year 2000 Compliant" means, when used with respect to any Software or
Database, that such Software or Database will operate accurately and, without
interruption, accept, possess and in all manner retain full functionality when
referring to, or involving, any year or date in the twentieth or twenty-first
centuries.
SECTION 8.05. Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
a Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section of, or an
Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of
contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or "including" are used in
this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation".
SECTION 8.06. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other parties.
SECTION 8.07. Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This
Agreement and the other agreements referred to herein constitute the entire
agreement, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written
and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement. This Agreement, other than Section 5.04, is not intended to confer
upon any person other than the parties any rights or remedies.
SECTION 8.08. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY:
(i) SUBMITS FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY, OR
FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT IN RESPECT THEREOF, TO THE
NONEXCLUSIVE GENERAL JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW 3 YORK, THE
COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK,
AND APPELLATE COURTS FROM ANY THEREOF;
(ii) CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE BROUGHT IN SUCH
COURTS, AND WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER
HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT
SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WAS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT AND AGREES NOT TO
PLEAD OR CLAIM THE SAME;
<PAGE>
50
(iii) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY
BE EFFECTED BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL (OR ANY
SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM OF MAIL), POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE PARTY AT ITS
ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION 8.03 OR AT SUCH OTHER ADDRESS OR TO THE ATTENTION
OF SUCH OTHER PERSON, AS ANY PARTY SHALL HAVE SPECIFIED BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO
THE OTHER PARTIES;
(iv) AGREES THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO EFFECT SERVICE OF
PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT TO SUE IN
ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND
(v) WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING REFERRED TO IN
PARAGRAPH (i) ABOVE.
SECTION 8.09. Assignment. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) below,
neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under
this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or
otherwise by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the
other parties hereto. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be
binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and
their respective successors and assigns.
(b) If the Closing Date shall not have occurred prior to the Distribution
Record Date, then, on the Distribution Record Date: (i) Parent shall cause all
of the outstanding capital stock of Sub to be transferred to IMS; (ii) all of
Parent's rights and obligations hereunder and under the Stock Option Agreement
shall be assigned and delegated to IMS; and (iii) Parent shall cause IMS to
execute and deliver to the Company a written instrument, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, evidencing such assignment and
assumption. In the event of such assignment and assumption, all references
herein to "Parent" (other than in Sections 3.02(b)(ii) and (iii) and Sections
3.02(f) through (k)) shall thereafter be deemed to be references to IMS
(including, without limitation, paragraph (a) of Section 6.03), the provisions
of Section 3.02 (other than Sections 3.02(b)(ii) and (iii) and Sections 3.02(f)
through (k)) shall be deemed amended in their entirety to read as set forth in
Exhibit D.
SECTION 8.10. Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage would
occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It
is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Sub and the Company have caused this Agreement
to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of
the date first written above.
COGNIZANT CORPORATION
By: /s/ Kenneth S. Siegel
-------------------------
Name: Kenneth S. Siegel
Title: Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
WAC INC.
By: /s/ Kenneth S. Siegel
-------------------------
Name: Kenneth S. Siegel
Title: President
WALSH INTERNATIONAL INC.
By: /s/ Michael Hauck
-------------------------
Name: Michael Hauck
Title: Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
WALSH INTERNATIONAL INC.
----------
(Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)
----------
WALSH INTERNATIONAL INC. (the "Corporation"), a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is WALSH INTERNATIONAL INC. The Corporation
was originally incorporated under the same name, and the original Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of
Delaware on April 27, 1988.
2. The text of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as
heretofore amended, is hereby restated and further amended to read in its
entirety as follows:
"FIRST: The name of the Corporation is
WALSH INTERNATIONAL INC.
SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the
State of Delaware is No. 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County
of New Castle. The name of the Corporation's registered agent at such address is
The Corporation Trust Company.
THIRD: The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is to engage in any
lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
FOURTH: The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is 25,000,000 shares, consisting of
5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value (the "Preferred Stock"),
and 20,000,000 shares of Common
<PAGE>
2
Stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock"). All cross-references in each
subdivision of this Article FOURTH refer to other paragraphs in such subdivision
unless otherwise indicated.
The following is a statement of the designations, and the powers,
preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions
thereof, in respect of each class of stock of the Corporation:
I.
PREFERRED STOCK
A. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more
series of any number of shares, provided that the aggregate number of shares
issued and not cancelled of any and all such series shall not exceed the total
number of shares of Preferred Stock hereinabove authorized.
B. Authority is hereby vested in the Board of Directors from time to
time to authorize the issuance of one or more series of Preferred Stock and, in
connection with the creation of such series, to fix by resolution or resolutions
providing for the issue of shares thereof the designations, powers, preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such series, including,
without limitation, the following:
1. The maximum number of shares to constitute such series and the
distinctive designation thereof and the stated value thereof if different than
the par value thereof;
2. Whether the shares of such series shall have voting rights, in
addition to any voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such
voting rights;
3. The dividend rate, if any, on the shares of such series, the
conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, the preference
or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any
other class or classes or on any other series of capital stock, and whether such
dividend shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
4. Whether the shares of such series shall be subject to
redemption by the Corporation, and, if made subject to redemption, the times,
prices and other terms and conditions of such redemption;
5. The rights of the holders of shares of such series upon the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation;
6. Whether or not the shares of such series shall be subject to
the operation of a retirement or sinking fund, and, if so, the extent to and
manner in which any such retirement or sinking fund shall be applied to the
purchase or redemption of the shares of
<PAGE>
3
such series for retirement or to other corporate purposes and the terms and
provisions relative to the operation thereof;
7. Whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible
into, or exchangeable for, shares of stock of any other class or classes, or of
any other series of the same class, and if so convertible or exchangeable, the
price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or exchange and the method,
if any, of adjusting the same;
8. The limitations and restrictions, if any, to be effective while
any shares of such series are outstanding upon the payment of dividends or the
making of other distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition by the Corporation of, the Common Stock or any other class or
classes of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the shares of such series
either as to dividends or upon liquidation;
9. The conditions or restrictions, if any, upon the creation of
indebtedness of the Corporation or upon the issue of any additional stock
(including additional shares of such series or of any other series or of any
other class) ranking on a parity with or prior to the shares of such series as
to dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding
up; and
10. Any other preference and relative, participating, optional or
other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions
thereof, as shall not be inconsistent with this Article FOURTH.
<PAGE>
4
II.
COMMON STOCK
All shares of Common Stock shall be identical and shall entitle the holders
thereof to the same rights and privileges.
(a) Dividends. When and as dividends are declared upon the Common
Stock, whether payable in cash, in property or in shares of stock of the
Corporation, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to share equally,
share for share, in such dividends.
(b) Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided by law, each holder of
Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote per share.
(c) Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment
shall have been made to holders of Preferred Stock of the full amounts to which
they may respectively be entitled as provided for herein, the holders of Common
Stock shall be entitled, to the exclusion of the holders of Preferred Stock, to
share ratably according to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them in
all remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its
stockholders. Neither the merger or consolidation of another corporation into or
with the Corporation, nor the sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially
all the assets of the Corporation, shall be deemed to be a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.
FIFTH: Election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written
ballot, unless and to the extent provided in the By-laws of the Corporation.
SIXTH: No person shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not eliminate or limit the liability
of a director (a) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under
Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or (d) for
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
For the purposes of this Article SIXTH, "fiduciary duty as directors" shall
include any fiduciary duty arising out of serving at the Corporation's request
as a director of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, and any liability to the Corporation in its capacity as a security
holder, partner, beneficiary, creditor or investor of or in any such other
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
Each of the rights conferred by this Article SIXTH shall be a contract
right and any repeal or amendment of the provisions of this Article SIXTH shall
not adversely affect any right hereunder of any person existing at the time of
such repeal or amendment with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to
the time of such repeal or amendment, and, further, such
<PAGE>
5
repeal or amendment shall not apply to any proceeding, irrespective of when the
proceeding is initiated, arising from the service of such person prior to such
repeal or amendment.
SEVENTH: The Corporation shall be subject to the following provisions
regarding indemnification:
I.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
A. Right to Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold
harmless, to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law, as the same
exists or may hereafter exist in the future, each person who was or is made a
party or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether formal or
informal, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature
(hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director
or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including, without
limitation, attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him, if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Corporation and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct unlawful and such indemnification shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall
inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors, administrators and legal
representatives. The Corporation shall be required to indemnify a director or
officer, in accordance with this Section I of this Article SEVENTH in connection
with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was
authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
B. Prepayment of Expenses. The Corporation shall pay expenses actually
incurred by a director or officer in connection with any proceeding in advance
of its final disposition; provided, however, that if Delaware law then requires,
the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the
final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the
Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to
repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such
director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article SEVENTH
or otherwise.
C. Claims. If a claim under paragraph A of this Section I of this Article
SEVENTH is not paid in full by the Corporation within 30 days after a written
claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time
thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of
the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled
to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. Neither the failure of
the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or
its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of the
claimant is permissible in the circumstances because the claimant has met the
applicable standard of conduct, if any, nor an actual determination by the
Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal
<PAGE>
6
counsel, or its shareholders) that the claimant has not met the standard of
conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the
claimant has not met the standard of conduct. In any such action, the
Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the director or officer was
not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under
applicable law.
II.
INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS
The Corporation may, in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation
to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law.
III.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Expenses as a Witness. To the extent that any director, officer,
employee or agent of the Corporation, is by reasons of such position, or
position with another entity at the request of the Corporation, a witness in any
action, suit or proceeding, he shall be indemnified against all costs and
expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection
therewith.
B. Insurance. The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against
him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as
such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him
against such liability under this Article SEVENTH.
C. Indemnity Agreements. The Corporation may enter into agreements with any
director, officer, employees or agent of the Corporation providing for
indemnification to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law.
D. Separability. Each and every paragraph, sentence, term and provision of
this Article SEVENTH is separate and distinct, so that if any paragraph,
sentence, term or provision hereof shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable
for any reason, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the
validity or unenforceability of any other paragraph, sentence, term or provision
hereof. To the extent required, any paragraph, sentence, term or provision of
this Article SEVENTH may be modified by a court of competent jurisdiction to
preserve its validity and to provide the claimant with, subject to the
limitations set forth in this Article SEVENTH and any agreement between the
Corporation and claimant, the broadest possible indemnification permitted under
applicable law.
<PAGE>
7
E. Contract Right. Each of the rights conferred on directors and officers
of the Corporation by Section I of this Article SEVENTH and on directors,
officers, employees or agents of the Corporation by Section III-A of this
Article SEVENTH shall be a contract right and any repeal or amendment of the
provisions of this Article SEVENTH shall not adversely affect any right
hereunder of any person existing at the time of such repeal or amendment with
respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or
amendment, and, further, such repeal or amendment shall not apply to any
proceeding, irrespective of when the proceeding is initiated, arising from the
service of such person prior to such repeal or amendment.
F. Nonexclusivity. The rights conferred on any person by this Article
SEVENTH shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any person may have or
hereafter acquire under any statute, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws of
the Corporation or otherwise.
G. Other Indemnification. The Corporation's obligation, if any, to
indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person has
collected as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise.
EIGHTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the
laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is
expressly authorized and empowered to make, alter or repeal the By-laws of the
Corporation, subject to the power of the stockholders of the Corporation to
alter or repeal any By-laws made by the Board of Directors.
NINTH: The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time
to amend, alter, change or repeal any provisions contained in this Certificate
of Incorporation, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of
Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or
hereafter prescribed by law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of
whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons
whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present
form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this
Article NINTH.
<PAGE>
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WALSH INTERNATIONAL INC. has caused its corporate seal
to be hereunto affixed and this certificate to be signed by Michael A. Hauck,
its Chief Executive Officer, who hereby acknowledges under penalties of perjury
that the facts herein stated are true and that this certificate is his act and
deed, this __ day of ________, 1998.
WALSH INTERNATIONAL INC.
By:__________________________
Michael A. Hauck
Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
Parent Exchange Ratios
Parent Common Stock Price Parent Exchange Ratio*
- ------------------------- ----------------------
$ 20.792 0.4362
22.792 0.4272
23.792 0.4228
24.792 0.4183
25.792 0.4139
26.792 0.4094
27.792 0.4050
28.792 0.4006
29.792 0.3962
30.792 0.3918
31.792 0.3874
32.792 0.3830
33.792 0.3786
34.792 0.3743
35.792 0.3699
36.792 0.3656
37.792 0.3613
38.792 0.3571
39.792 0.3529
40.792 0.3488
62.792 0.2750
63.792 0.2727
64.792 0.2704
65.792 0.2682
66.792 0.2661
67.792 0.2639
68.792 0.2618
69.792 0.2596
70.792 0.2575
71.792 0.2554
72.792 0.2533
73.792 0.2512
74.792 0.2491
75.792 0.2471
76.792 0.2450
77.792 0.2429
78.792 0.2409
79.792 0.2388
80.792 0.2368
81.792 0.2347
82.792 0.2327
- ----------
* Parent Exchange Ratio to be calculated on the basis of straight line
interpolation if Parent Common Stock Price is between any two amounts set
forth herein.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
IMS Representations
SECTION 3.02. Representations and Warranties of IMS. IMS represents and
warrants to the Company as follows:
(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. Each of IMS and each of
IMS's "significant subsidiaries" (within the meaning of Rule 1-02 of Regulation
S-X of the SEC) (collectively, the "IMS Subsidiaries") is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in
which it is organized and has the requisite corporate power and authority to
carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of IMS and each of the IMS
Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction (domestic or foreign) in which the nature of its
business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification
or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be
so qualified or licensed (individually or in the aggregate) could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to IMS. IMS has made
available to the Company complete and correct copies of its articles of
incorporation and by-laws.
(b) Capital Structure. As of the Distribution Record Date, [relevant
number of shares of IMS capital stock as of such date to be inserted below] the
authorized capital stock of IMS consists of ___________ shares of IMS Common
Stock, __________ shares of Series Common Stock, $.01 per share, of IMS ("IMS
Series Stock") and __________ shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per
share, of IMS ("IMS Preferred Stock"). As of the close of business on the
Distribution Record Date, [relevant numbers of shares of IMS capital stock as of
such date to be inserted below] there were: (i) _______________ shares of IMS
Common Stock issued and outstanding; (ii) ____________ shares of IMS Common
Stock held in the treasury of IMS; (iii) ___________ shares of IMS Common Stock
reserved for issuance pursuant to IMS's stock option and stock purchase plans
(such plans, collectively, the "IMS Stock Plans"); (iv) __________ shares of IMS
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of awarded but unexercised stock options;
and (v) ___________ shares of IMS Series Stock or IMS Preferred Stock
outstanding. Except as set forth above and except for shares of junior
participating preferred stock issuable pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated
as of _______ __, 1998, between IMS and First Chicago Trust Company of New York,
as of the close of business on the Distribution Record Date, there were no
shares of capital stock or other equity securities of IMS issued, reserved for
issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of IMS are, and
all shares which may be issued as described above will be, when issued, duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights. There are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other
indebtedness or debt securities of IMS having the right to vote (or convertible
into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters
on which stockholders of the IMS may vote. Except as set forth above or in the
disclosure schedule delivered by IMS to the Company as of the Record
Distribution Date (the "IMS Disclosure Schedule"), there are no outstanding
securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments, agreements,
arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which IMS is a party or by which it
is bound obligating IMS to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or
<PAGE>
2
sold, additional shares of capital stock or other equity or voting securities of
IMS or obligating IMS to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security,
option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking.
There are no outstanding contractual obligations, commitments, understandings or
arrangements of IMS to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or make any
payment in respect of any shares of capital stock of IMS.
As of the Closing Date, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common
stock of Sub will be owned by IMS free and clear of any lien.
(c) Authority; Noncontravention. IMS has all requisite corporate power
and authority to assume all of the rights and obligations of Parent under
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. The assumption by IMS of all the rights and
obligations of Parent under each of this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement by IMS and the consummation by IMS of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of IMS. This Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement (assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery by the Company) constitute valid and
binding obligations of IMS, enforceable against it in accordance with their
terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The
assumption by IMS of all the rights and obligations of Parent under each of this
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement does not, and the consummation by IMS
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and compliance by IMS with
the provisions of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement will not,
conflict with, or result in any breach or violation of, or default (with or
without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration of, or a "put" right with respect to
any obligation under, or to a loss of a material benefit under, or result in the
creation of any Lien under, (i) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of
IMS or any subsidiary of IMS, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, lease or any other contract, agreement, instrument, permit,
concession, franchise or license to which IMS or any subsidiary of IMS is a
party or by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound or
(iii) subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in the
following sentence, any judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule,
regulation or arbitration award applicable to IMS or any subsidiary of IMS or
their respective properties or assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii)
and (iii), any such conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults, rights, losses or
Liens that individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to IMS. No consent, approval, order
or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to,
any Governmental Entity or any other third party is required by or with respect
to IMS in connection with the assumption by IMS of all of the rights and
obligations of Parent under this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement by IMS
or the consummation by IMS of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, except for (i) the filing of a premerger notification and report form
under the HSR Act and the filing of such applications or notices by IMS as may
be required pursuant to merger control, antitrust, foreign investment or similar
laws or regulations in effect in Canada, Germany or Sweden or any political
subdivision thereof, (ii)
<PAGE>
3
the filing with the SEC and the NYSE of (A) the Form S-4 and (B) such reports
under the Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement, the
Stock Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,
(iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of
other states in which the Company is qualified to do business, (iv) such other
consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations,
filings or notices as may be required under the "takeover" or "blue sky" laws of
various states and (v) such other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations, filings or notices the failure of which to make or
obtain, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to
(x) prevent or materially delay consummation of the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated hereby or performance of IMS's obligations hereunder
and under the Stock Option Agreement or (y) have a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to IMS.
(d) IMS SEC Documents. IMS has filed with the SEC all reports, schedules,
forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it pursuant to the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act (collectively, and in each case including
all exhibits and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference
therein, the "IMS SEC Documents"). As of their respective dates, the IMS SEC
Documents complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such IMS SEC
Documents, and none of the IMS SEC Documents (including any and all financial
statements included therein) as of such dates contained any untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Except to the
extent that information contained in any IMS SEC Document has been revised or
superseded by a later filed IMS SEC Document, none of the IMS SEC Documents
(including any and all financial statements included therein) contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(e) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by IMS for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-4
will, at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any time it is amended
or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading or (ii) the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed
to the Company's stockholders or at the time of the Stockholders Meeting,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The Form S-4 will comply as to form in all material respects with
the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, except that no representation is made by IMS with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information
supplied in writing by the Company specifically for inclusion or incorporation
by reference therein.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT E
IMS Exchange Ratio
If the IMS Common Stock Price is above the Base Price plus the Second Threshold,
the IMS Exchange Ratio shall be .2750 multiplied by the IMS Adjustment Factor,
subject to a downward adjustment (the "Excess Ratio Adjustment") for each dollar
(or portion thereof) by which the IMS Common Stock Price exceeds the Base Price
plus the Second Threshold (the "Excess"). The Excess Ratio Adjustment shall be
as specified opposite the applicable Excess in the table below (subject to
straight line interpolation (rounded to the nearest 1/10,000th) between the
nearest two indicated Excess amounts to give effect to fractions of a dollar).
Excess Excess Ratio Adjustment
------ -----------------------
1.00 -.0024
2.00 -.0046
3.00 -.0068
4.00 -.0090
5.00 -.0111
6.00 -.0133
7.00 -.0154
8.00 -.0175
9.00 -.0196
10.00 -.0217
11.00 -.0238
12.00 -.0259
13.00 -.0280
14.00 -.0301
15.00 -.0321
16.00 -.0342
17.00 -.0362
18.00 -.0383
19.00 -.0403
20.00 -.0424
By way of illustrating the foregoing, if the IMS Adjustment Factor is 1.1111 and
the Excess is $10.50, then the IMS Exchange Ratio would be .2802, calculated as
follows: (x) .2750 multiplied by 1.1111, plus (y) one half of the product
obtained by multiplying 1.1111 by - .0455 (i.e. the sum of -.0217 and -.0238).
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT F
IMS Exchange Ratio
If the IMS Common Stock Price is below the Base Price minus the Second
Threshold, the IMS Exchange Ratio shall be .3488 multiplied by the IMS
Adjustment Factor, subject to an upward adjustment (the "Shortfall Ratio
Adjustment") for each dollar (or portion thereof) by which the Base Price minus
the Second Threshold exceeds the IMS Common Stock Price (the "Shortfall"). The
Shortfall Ratio Adjustment shall be as specified opposite the applicable
Shortfall in the table below (subject to straight line interpolation (rounded to
the nearest 1/10,000th) between the nearest two indicated Shortfall amounts to
give effect to fractions of a dollar).
Shortfall Shortfall Ratio Adjustment
--------- --------------------------
1.00 .0041
2.00 .0083
3.00 .0125
4.00 .0168
5.00 .0211
6.00 .0254
7.00 .0298
8.00 .0342
9.00 .0385
10.00 .0429
11.00 .0473
12.00 .0518
13.00 .0562
14.00 .0606
15.00 .0650
16.00 .0695
17.00 .0739
18.00 .0784
19.00 .0829
20.00 .0873
By way of illustrating the foregoing, if the IMS Adjustment Factor is 1.1111 and
the Shortfall is $5.50, then the IMS Exchange Ratio would be .4134, calculated
as follows: (x) .3488 multiplied by 1.1111, plus (y) one half of the product
obtained by multiplying 1.1111 by .0466 (i.e. the sum of .0211 and .0254).
EXHIBIT 2.2
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of March 23, 1998 (the "Agreement"), by
and between Walsh International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Issuer"), and
Cognizant Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Grantee").
WHEREAS, Grantee, Issuer and WAC Inc., a Delaware corporation and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Grantee ("Sub"), are concurrently herewith entering
into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the "Merger
Agreement"; capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings set
forth in the Merger Agreement), providing for, among other things, the merger of
Sub with and into Issuer with Issuer as the surviving corporation; and
WHEREAS, as a condition to Grantee's willingness to enter into the Merger
Agreement, Grantee has requested that Issuer agree, and Issuer has agreed, to
grant Grantee the Option (as defined below);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein and in
the Merger Agreement, Issuer and Grantee agree as follows:
1. Grant of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,
Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an irrevocable option (the "Option") to purchase
up to 2,111,815 (as adjusted as set forth herein) shares (the "Option Shares")
of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of Issuer (the "Issuer Common Stock")
at a purchase price of $15.75 per Option Share (the "Purchase Price").
2. Exercise of Option. (a) If not in material breach of the Merger
Agreement, Grantee may exercise the Option, in whole or in part, at any time or
from time to time following the occurrence of a Purchase Event (as defined
below) and until termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 15 hereof;
provided that, except as otherwise provided herein, the Option shall terminate
and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest to occur of (i) the
Effective Time of the Merger, (ii) 12 months after the first occurrence of a
Purchase Event or (iii) termination of the Merger Agreement prior to the
occurrence of a Purchase Event. Notwithstanding the termination of the Option,
but subject to Section 15 hereof, Grantee shall be entitled to purchase those
Option Shares with respect to which it has exercised the Option pursuant to this
Section 2(a) in accordance with the terms hereof prior to the termination of the
Option. The termination of the Option shall not affect any rights hereunder
which by their terms extend beyond the date of such termination.
(b) As used herein, a "Purchase Event" means the termination of the Merger
Agreement under any circumstance which would entitle Grantee or Issuer to
receive any fee from Issuer pursuant to Section 8.02(a) of the Merger Agreement,
provided, however, that the termination of the Merger Agreement (except pursuant
to Section 7.01(b) thereof) after the occurrence of any event described in
Section 8.02(a)(i)(B)(x) thereof shall constitute a Purchase
<PAGE>
2
Event hereunder whether or not any event described in Section 8.02(a)(i)(B)(y)
of the Merger Agreement shall have occurred.
(c) In the event Grantee wishes to exercise the Option, it shall send to
Issuer a written notice (the date of which being herein referred to as the
"Notice Date") specifying (i) the total number of Option Shares it intends to
purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a place and date not earlier than
three business days nor later than 20 business days from the Notice Date for the
closing of such purchase (the "Closing"; and the date of such Closing, the
"Closing Date"); provided that the Closing shall be held only if (A) such
purchase would not otherwise violate or cause the violation of applicable law
(including the HSR Act) and (B) no statute, rule, regulation, decree, order or
injunction shall have been promulgated, enacted, entered into, or enforced by
any Governmental Entity which prohibits delivery of the Option Shares, whether
temporary, preliminary or permanent; provided, however, that the parties hereto
shall use their best efforts to have any such decree, order or injunction
vacated or reversed. If the Closing cannot be consummated by reason of a
restriction set forth in clause (A) or (B) above, notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 2(a), the Closing Date shall be within 20 business days following the
elimination of such restriction.
3. Payment and Delivery of Certificates. (a) On each Closing Date, Grantee
shall pay to Issuer in immediately available funds by wire transfer to a bank
account designated by Issuer an amount equal to the Purchase Price multiplied by
the Option Shares to be purchased on such Closing Date.
(b) At each Closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds as provided in Section 3(a), Issuer shall deliver to Grantee a
certificate or certificates representing the Option Shares to be purchased at
such Closing, which Option Shares shall be free and clear of all Liens, and
Grantee shall deliver to Issuer a letter agreeing that Grantee shall not offer
to sell or otherwise dispose of such Option Shares in violation of applicable
law or the provisions of this Agreement. If at the time of issuance of any
Option Shares pursuant to an exercise of all or part of the Option hereunder,
Issuer shall not have redeemed the Rights, or shall have issued any similar
securities, then each Option Share issued pursuant to such exercise shall also
represent a corresponding Right or new rights with terms substantially the same
as and at least as favorable to Grantee as are provided under the Rights
Agreement or any similar agreement then in effect.
(c) Certificates for the Option Shares delivered at each Closing shall be
endorsed with a restrictive legend which shall read substantially as follows:
THE TRANSFER OF THE STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS
SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ARISING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED, AND PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF A STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF MARCH 23, 1998. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT WILL BE
PROVIDED TO THE HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE UPON RECEIPT BY THE
ISSUER OF A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR.
<PAGE>
3
It is understood and agreed that (i) the reference to restrictions arising under
the Securities Act in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of
substitute certificate(s) without such reference if Grantee shall have delivered
to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff of the SEC, or an opinion of counsel
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Issuer and its counsel, to the
effect that such legend is not required for purposes of the Securities Act and
(ii) the reference to restrictions pursuant to this Agreement in the above
legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such
reference if the Option Shares evidenced by certificate(s) containing such
reference have been sold or transferred in compliance with the provisions of
this Agreement under circumstances that do not require the retention of such
reference.
4. Authorized Stock. Issuer hereby represents and warrants to Grantee that
Issuer has taken all necessary corporate and other action to authorize and
reserve and to permit it to issue, and, at all times from the date hereof until
the obligation to deliver Issuer Common Stock upon the exercise of the Option or
any Substitute Option (as hereinafter defined) terminates, will have reserved
for issuance, upon exercise of the Option or any Substitute Option, shares of
Issuer Common Stock necessary for Grantee to exercise the Option or Substitute
Option, and Issuer will take all necessary corporate action to authorize and
reserve for issuance all additional shares of Issuer Common Stock or other
securities which may be issued pursuant to Section 6 upon exercise of the Option
or Substitute Option. The shares of Issuer Common Stock to be issued upon due
exercise of the Option or Substitute Option, including all additional shares of
Issuer Common Stock or other securities which may be issuable upon exercise of
the Option or Substitute Option pursuant to Section 6, upon issuance pursuant
hereto, shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and
shall be delivered free and clear of all Liens, including any preemptive rights
of any stockholder of Issuer.
5. Purchase Not for Distribution. Grantee hereby represents and warrants to
Issuer that any Option Shares or other securities acquired by Grantee upon
exercise of the Option or Substitute Option will not be taken with a view to the
public distribution thereof and will not be transferred or otherwise disposed of
except in a transaction registered or exempt from registration under the
Securities Act.
6. Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization, etc. (a) In the event of any
change in Issuer Common Stock by reason of a stock dividend, split-up,
recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction, the
type and number of shares or securities subject to the Option, and the Purchase
Price therefor, shall be adjusted appropriately, and proper provision shall be
made in the agreements governing such transaction, so that Grantee shall receive
upon exercise of the Option the number and class of shares or other securities
or property that Grantee would have received in respect of Issuer Common Stock
if the Option had been exercised immediately prior to such event or the record
date therefor, as applicable. If any additional shares of Issuer Common Stock
are issued after the date of this Agreement at a price per share less than the
Purchase Price, the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock subject to the
Option shall be adjusted so that, after such issuance, it equals 19.9% of the
number of shares of Issuer Common Stock then issued and outstanding, without
giving effect to any shares subject to or issued pursuant to the Option.
<PAGE>
4
(b) In the event that Issuer shall enter into an agreement (i) to
consolidate with or merge into any person, other than Grantee or one of its
subsidiaries, and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of such
consolidation or merger, (ii) to permit any person, other than Grantee or one of
its subsidiaries, to merge into Issuer and Issuer shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation, but, in connection with such merger, the shares of Issuer
Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of such merger
shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of Issuer or
any other person or cash or any other property, or the shares of Issuer Common
Stock outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of such merger shall
after such merger represent less than 50% of the outstanding voting securities
of the merged company, or (iii) to sell or otherwise transfer all or
substantially all of its assets to any person, other than Grantee or one of its
subsidiaries, then, and in each such case, the agreement governing such
transaction shall make proper provisions so that the Option shall, upon the
consummation of any such transaction and upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein, be converted into, or exchanged for, an option (the "Substitute
Option"), at the election of Grantee, of either (I) the Acquiring Corporation
(as defined below) or (II) any person that controls the Acquiring Corporation
(any such person specified in clause (I) or (II) being referred to as
"Substitute Option Issuer").
(c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the Option; provided
that the exercise price therefor and number of shares subject thereto shall be
as set forth in this Section 6 and the repurchase rights relating thereto shall
be as set forth in Section 8; provided, further, that the Substitute Option
shall be exercisable immediately upon issuance without the occurrence of a
Purchase Event with respect to the Substitute Option; and provided, further,
that if the terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons, be the
same as the Option (subject to the variations described in the foregoing
provisos), such terms shall be as similar as possible and in no event less
advantageous to Grantee. Substitute Option Issuer shall also enter into an
agreement with Grantee in substantially the same form as this Agreement (subject
to the variations described in the foregoing provisos), which shall be
applicable to the Substitute Option.
(d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of shares of
Substitute Common Stock (as defined below) as is equal to the Assigned Value (as
defined below) multiplied by the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock for
which the Option was theretofore exercisable, divided by the Average Price (as
defined below), rounded up to the nearest whole share. The exercise price per
share of Substitute Common Stock of the Substitute Option (the "Substitute
Option Price") shall then be equal to the Purchase Price multiplied by a
fraction in which the numerator is the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock
for which the Option was theretofore exercisable and the denominator is the
number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the Substitute Option is
exercisable.
(e) In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs, shall the
Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the aggregate of the
shares of Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the
Substitute Option. In the event that the Substitute Option would be exercisable
for more than 19.9% of the aggregate of the shares of outstanding Substitute
Common Stock but for the limitation in the first sentence of this Section
<PAGE>
5
6(e), Substitute Option Issuer shall make a cash payment to Grantee equal to the
excess of (i) the value of the Substitute Option without giving effect to the
limitation in the first sentence of this Section 6(e) over (ii) the value of the
Substitute Option after giving effect to the limitation in the first sentence of
this Section 6(e). This difference in value shall be determined by a nationally
recognized investment banking firm selected by Grantee.
(f) Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in Section 6(b)
unless the Acquiring Corporation and any person that controls the Acquiring
Corporation assume in writing all the obligations of Issuer hereunder and take
all other actions that may be necessary so that the provisions of this Agreement
are given full force and effect (including, without limitation, any action that
may be necessary so that the holders of the other shares of common stock issued
by Substitute Option Issuer are not entitled to exercise any rights comparable
to the Rights by reason of the issuance or exercise of the Substitute Option and
the shares of Substitute Common Stock are otherwise in no way distinguishable
from or have lesser economic value than other shares of common stock issued by
Substitute Option Issuer (other than any diminution in value resulting from the
fact, if applicable, that the shares of Substitute Common Stock are restricted
securities, as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor
provision)).
(g) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the following
meanings:
(1) "Acquiring Corporation" means (i) the continuing or surviving
corporation of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if other than
Issuer), (ii) Issuer in a merger in which Issuer is the continuing or
surviving corporation and (iii) the transferee of all or substantially all
of Issuer's assets.
(2) "Assigned Value" means the highest of (w) the price per share of
Issuer Common Stock at which a tender offer or exchange offer for Issuer
Common Stock has been made after the date hereof and prior to the
consummation of the consolidation, merger or sale referred to in Section
6(b), (x) the price per share to be paid by any third party or the
consideration per share to received by holders of Issuer Common Stock, in
each case pursuant to the agreement with Issuer with respect to the
consolidation, merger or sale referred to in Section 6(b), (y) the highest
closing sales price per share for Issuer Common Stock quoted on the NYSE
(or if such Issuer Common Stock is not quoted on the NYSE, the highest bid
price per share as quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System or, if the shares of Issuer Common Stock are not
quoted thereon, on the principal trading market on which such shares are
traded as reported by a recognized source) during the 12-month period
immediately preceding the consolidation, merger or sale referred to in
Section 6(b) and (z) in the event the transaction referred to in Section
6(b) is a sale of all or substantially all of Issuer's assets, an amount
equal to (i) the sum of the price paid in such sale for such assets
(including assumed liabilities) and the current market value of the
remaining assets of Issuer, as determined by a nationally recognized
investment banking firm selected by Grantee, divided by (ii) the number of
shares of Issuer Common Stock outstanding at such time. In the event that a
tender offer or exchange offer is made for Issuer Common Stock or an
<PAGE>
6
agreement is entered into for a merger or consolidation involving
consideration other than cash, the value of the securities or other
property issuable or deliverable in exchange for Issuer Common Stock shall
be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected
by Grantee.
(3) "Average Price" means the average closing sales price per share of
a share of Substitute Common Stock quoted on the NYSE (or if such
Substitute Common Stock is not quoted on the NYSE, the highest bid price
per share as quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System or, if the shares of Substitute Common Stock are
not quoted thereon, on the principal trading market on which such shares
are traded as reported by a recognized source) for the twenty trading days
immediately preceding the fifth business day prior to the consolidation,
merger or sale in question, but in no event higher than the closing price
of the shares of Substitute Common Stock on the day preceding such
consolidation, merger or sale; provided that if Substitute Option Issuer is
Issuer, the Average Price shall be computed with respect to a share of
common stock issued by Issuer, the person merging into Issuer or by any
company which controls such person, as Grantee may elect.
(4) "Substitute Common Stock" means the shares of capital stock (or
similar equity interest) with the greatest voting power in respect of the
election of directors (or persons similarly responsible for the direction
of the business and affairs) of the Substitute Option Issuer.
7. Repurchase of Option and Option Shares. (a) Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 2(a), but subject to Section 15 hereof, at any time
commencing upon the first occurrence of a Repurchase Event (as defined below)
and ending 12 months after the occurrence of a Purchase Event, Issuer (or any
successor entity thereof) shall:
(i) at the request of Grantee, repurchase from Grantee the Option (if
and to the extent not previously terminated) at a price equal to the
excess, if any, of (x) the Applicable Price (as defined below) as of the
Section 7 Request Date (as defined below) for a share of Issuer Common
Stock over (y) the Purchase Price (subject to adjustment pursuant to
Section 6(a)), multiplied by the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock
with respect to which the Option has not been exercised (the "Option
Repurchase Price"); and
(ii) at the request of an owner of Option Shares from time to time,
repurchase such number of Option Shares as such owner shall designate at a
price equal to the Applicable Price as of the Section 7 Request Date
multiplied by the number of Option Shares requested to be repurchased by
such owner (the "Option Share Repurchase Price").
(b) If Grantee or an owner of Option Shares exercises its rights under this
Section 7, Issuer shall, within 10 business days after the Section 7 Request
Date, pay the Option Repurchase Price or Option Share Repurchase Price, as the
case may be, in immediately
<PAGE>
7
available funds, and Grantee or such owner, as the case may be, shall surrender
to Issuer the Option or Option Shares, as the case may be.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the following
meanings:
(i) "Applicable Price," as of any date, means the highest of (A) the
highest price per share at which a tender offer or exchange offer has been
made for shares of Issuer Common Stock after the date hereof and on or
prior to such date, (B) the price per share to be paid by any third party
for shares of Issuer Common Stock or the consideration per share to be
received by holders of Issuer Common Stock, in each case pursuant to an
agreement for a merger or other business combination transaction with
Issuer entered into on or prior to such date or (C) the highest closing
sales price per share of Issuer Common Stock quoted on the NYSE (or if
Issuer Common Stock is not quoted on the NYSE, the highest bid price per
share as quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotations System or, if the shares of Issuer Common Stock are not quoted
thereon, on the principal trading market on which such shares are traded as
reported by a recognized source) during the 60 business days preceding such
date. If the consideration to be offered, paid or received pursuant to
either of the foregoing clauses (A) or (B) shall be other than in cash, the
value of such consideration shall be determined in good faith by an
independent nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by
Grantee and reasonably acceptable to Issuer, which determination shall be
conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.
(ii) "Repurchase Event" means the occurrence of a Purchase Event
followed by the consummation of any transaction the proposal of which would
constitute a Transaction Proposal.
(iii) "Section 7 Request Date" means the date on which Grantee or an
owner of Option Shares exercises its rights under this Section.
8. Repurchase of Substitute Option. (a) At any time after issuance of the
Substitute Option and prior to the expiration of the Substitute Option,
Substitute Option Issuer (or any successor entity thereof) shall:
(i) at the request of Grantee, repurchase from Grantee the Substitute
Option (if and to the extent not previously terminated) at a price equal to
the excess, if any, of (x) the Highest Closing Price as of the Section 8
Request Date (as defined below) for a share of Substitute Common Stock over
(y) the Purchase Price (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6(a)),
multiplied by the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock with respect
to which the Substitute Option has not been exercised (the "Substitute
Option Repurchase Price"); and
(ii) at the request of an owner of shares of Substitute Common Stock
issued upon exercise of the Substitute Option, repurchase such number of
shares of Substitute
<PAGE>
8
Common Stock as such owner shall designate at a price equal to the Highest
Closing Price as of the Section 8 Request Date multiplied by the number of
shares of Substitute Common Stock requested to be repurchased by such owner
(the "Substitute Share Repurchase Price").
(b) If Grantee or an owner of shares of Substitute Common Stock issued upon
exercise of the Substitute Option exercises its rights under this Section 8,
Substitute Option Issuer shall, within 10 business days after the Section 8
Request Date, pay the Substitute Option Repurchase Price or Substitute Share
Repurchase Price, as the case may be, in immediately available funds, and
Grantee or such owner, as the case may be, shall surrender to Issuer the Option
or shares of Substitute Common Stock, as the case may be.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the following
meanings:
(i) "Highest Closing Price" means the highest closing sales price for
shares of Substitute Common Stock quoted on the NYSE (or if the Substitute
Common Stock is not quoted on the NYSE, the highest bid price per share as
quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotations System or, if the shares of Substitute Common Stock are not
quoted thereon, on the principal trading market on which such shares are
traded as reported by a recognized source) during the six-month period
preceding the Section 8 Request Date; and
(ii) "Section 8 Request Date" means the date on which Grantee or an
Owner exercises its rights under this Section.
9. Mandatory Repurchase of Option. (a) In the event that any person who has
participated in a Purchase Event enters into any agreement or understanding with
Grantee with respect to Grantee's exercise of, or its election not to exercise,
any of Grantee's rights set forth in Section 2 or 7 of this Agreement, Grantee
shall, by written notice to Issuer, require that Issuer repurchase, and Issuer
shall repurchase, (I) the Option and (II) all (but not less than all) the shares
of Issuer Common Stock purchased by Grantee pursuant hereto; provided, however,
that the parties shall not be obligated to effect such mandatory repurchase if
the Board of Directors of Issuer determines, after having consulted with and
considered the written advice of outside counsel, that such mandatory repurchase
would cause the members of the Board of Directors to breach their fiduciary
duties; and provided, further, that any such determination by the Board of
Directors of Issuer shall not operate to limit Grantee's rights pursuant to
Section 7 hereof. Issuer shall:
(i) repurchase from Grantee the Option (if and to the extent not
previously terminated) at a price equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the
Section 9 Applicable Price (as defined below) as of the Section 9 Notice
Date (as defined below) for a share of Issuer Common Stock over (y) the
Purchase Price (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6(a)), multiplied
by the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock with respect to which the
Option has not been exercised (the "Section 9 Option Repurchase Price");
and
<PAGE>
9
(ii) repurchase such number of Option Shares as an owner of Option
Shares shall designate at a price equal to the Section 9 Applicable Price
as of the Section 9 Notice Date multiplied by the number of Option Shares
requested to be repurchased by such owner (the "Section 9 Option Share
Repurchase Price").
(b) In the event that Issuer is, as a result of law or regulation,
prohibited from performing any of its obligations under this Section 9, Issuer
shall not thereafter enter into any acquisition transaction unless the other
parties thereto agree to assume Issuer's obligations under this Section 9 to the
extent not previously performed. The foregoing sentence shall not operate to
limit or waive any remedies Grantee may have against Issuer for Issuer's failure
to perform its obligations under this Section 9.
(c) If Grantee or an owner of Option Shares exercises its rights under this
Section 9, Issuer shall, within 10 business days after the Section 9 Notice
Date, pay the Section 9 Option Repurchase Price or Section 9 Option Share
Repurchase Price, as the case may be, in immediately available funds, and
Grantee or such owner, as the case may be, shall surrender to Issuer the Option
or Option Shares, as the case may be.
(d) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the following
meanings:
(i) "Section 9 Applicable Price," as of any date, means the highest of
(A) the highest price per share at which a tender offer or exchange offer
has been made for shares of Issuer Common Stock after the date hereof and
on or prior to such date, (B) the price per share to be paid by any third
party for shares of Issuer Common Stock or the consideration per share to
be received by holders of Issuer Common Stock, in each case pursuant to an
agreement for a merger or other business combination transaction with
Issuer entered into on or prior to such date or (C) the highest closing
sales price per share of Issuer Common Stock quoted on the NYSE (or if
Issuer Common Stock is not quoted on the NYSE, the highest bid price per
share as quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotations System or, if the shares of Issuer Common Stock are not quoted
thereon, on the principal trading market on which such shares are traded as
reported by a recognized source) during the 60 business days preceding such
date. If the consideration to be offered, paid or received pursuant to
either of the foregoing clauses (A) or (B) shall be other than in cash, the
value of such consideration shall be determined in good faith by an
independent nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by
Grantee and reasonably acceptable to Issuer, which determination shall be
conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.
(ii) "Section 9 Notice Date" means the date on which Grantee or an
owner of Option Shares exercises its rights under this Section.
(iii) "Section 9 Repurchase Consideration" means the aggregate price
paid by Issuer to Grantee under the terms of this Section 9.
<PAGE>
10
10. Registration Rights. Issuer shall, if requested by Grantee or any owner
of Option Shares (collectively with Grantee, the "Owners") at any time and from
time to time within three years of the first exercise of the Option, as
expeditiously as possible prepare and file up to two registration statements
under the Securities Act if such registration is necessary in order to permit
the sale or other disposition of any or all shares of securities that have been
acquired by or are issuable to such Owners upon exercise of the Option in
accordance with the intended method of sale or other disposition stated by such
Owners, including a "shelf" registration statement under Rule 415 under the
Securities Act or any successor provision, and Issuer shall use its best efforts
to qualify such shares or other securities under any applicable state securities
laws. Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to cause each such registration
statement to become effective, to obtain all consents or waivers of other
parties which are required therefor and to keep such registration statement
effective for such period not in excess of 180 days from the day such
registration statement first becomes effective as may be reasonably necessary to
effect such sale or other disposition. The obligations of Issuer hereunder to
file a registration statement and to maintain its effectiveness may be suspended
for one or more periods of time not exceeding 30 days in the aggregate if the
Board of Directors of Issuer shall have determined that the filing of such
registration statement or the maintenance of its effectiveness would require
disclosure of nonpublic information that would materially and adversely affect
Issuer. Any registration statement prepared and filed under this Section 10, and
any sale covered thereby, shall be at Issuer's expense except for underwriting
discounts or commissions, brokers' fees and the fees and disbursements of
Owners' counsel related thereto. The Owners shall provide all information
reasonably requested by Issuer for inclusion in any registration statement to be
filed hereunder. If during the time period referred to in the first sentence of
this Section 10 Issuer effects a registration under the Securities Act of Issuer
Common Stock for its own account or for any other stockholders of Issuer (other
than on Form S-4 or Form S-8, or any successor form), it shall allow the Owners
the right to participate in such registration, and such participation shall not
affect the obligation of Issuer to effect two registration statements for the
Owners under this Section 10; provided that, if the managing underwriters of
such offering advise Issuer in writing that in their opinion the number of
shares of Issuer Common Stock requested to be included in such registration
exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering, Issuer shall include the
shares requested to be included therein by the Owners pro rata with the shares
intended to be included therein by Issuer. In connection with any registration
pursuant to this Section 10, Issuer and the Owners shall provide each other and
any underwriter of the offering with customary representations, warranties,
covenants, indemnification and contribution in connection with such
registration.
11. Listing. If Issuer Common Stock or any other securities to be acquired
upon exercise of the Option are then listed on the NYSE, Issuer, upon the
request of any Owner, will promptly file an application to list the shares of
Issuer Common Stock or other securities to be acquired upon exercise of the
Option on the NYSE and will use its best efforts to obtain approval of such
listing as soon as practicable.
12. Limitation of Grantee Profit. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision
herein, in no event shall Grantee's Total Profit (as defined below) exceed
$5,550,000, and, if it otherwise would exceed such amount, Grantee, at its sole
discretion, shall either (i) reduce the
<PAGE>
11
number of shares subject to the Option, (ii) deliver to Issuer for cancellation
shares of Issuer Common Stock (or other securities into which such Option Shares
are converted or exchanged), (iii) pay cash to Issuer, or (iv) any combination
of the foregoing, so that Grantee's actually realized Total Profit shall not
exceed $5,550,000 after taking into account the foregoing actions.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, "Total Profit" shall mean: (i) the
aggregate amount of (A) the excess of (x) the net cash amounts received by
Grantee pursuant to a sale of Option Shares (or securities into which such
shares are converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated third party within 12
months after the exercise of the Option, over (y) the Grantee's aggregate
purchase price for such Option Shares (or other securities), plus (B) all
amounts received by Grantee on the transfer of the Option, plus (C) all
equivalent amounts with respect to the Substitute Option, plus (D) all amounts
received by Grantee pursuant to Section 8.02(a) and (b) of the Merger Agreement,
minus (ii) all amounts of cash previously paid to Issuer pursuant to this
Section 12 plus the value of the Option Shares (or other securities) previously
delivered to Issuer for cancellation pursuant to this Section 12.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, nothing in this
Agreement shall affect the ability of Grantee to receive, nor relieve Issuer's
obligation to pay, any payment provided for in Section 8.02(a) or (b) of the
Merger Agreement; provided that if and to the extent the Total Profit received
by Grantee would exceed $5,550,000 following receipt of such payment, Grantee
shall be obligated to comply with the terms of Section 12(a) within 30 days of
the latest of (i) the date of receipt of such payment, (ii) the date of receipt
of the net cash by Grantee pursuant to the sale of Option Shares (or securities
into which such Option Shares are converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated
party within 12 months after the exercise of this Option with respect to such
Option Shares, (iii) the date of receipt of net cash from disposition of the
Option and (iv) the date of receipt of equivalent amounts pursuant to the sale
of the Substitute Option or shares of Substitute Common Stock (or other
securities into which such Substitute Common Stock is converted or exchanged).
(d) For purposes of Section 12(a) and clause (ii) of Section 12(b), the
value of any Option Shares delivered to Issuer shall be the Assigned Value of
such Option Shares and the value of any Substitute Common Stock delivered to
Issuer shall be the Highest Closing Price of such Substitute Common Stock.
13. Loss, Theft, Etc. of Agreement. This Agreement (and the Option granted
hereby) are exchangeable, without expense, at the option of Grantee, upon
presentation and surrender of this Agreement at the principal office of Issuer
for other Agreements providing for Options of different denominations entitling
the holder thereof to purchase in the aggregate the same number of shares of
Issuer Common Stock purchasable hereunder. The terms "Agreement" and "Option" as
used herein include any other Agreements and related Options for which this
Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) may be exchanged. Upon receipt by
Issuer of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction
or mutilation of this Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction)
of reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation
of this Agreement, if mutilated, Issuer will execute and deliver a new Agreement
of like tenor and date. Any such new Agreement executed
<PAGE>
12
and delivered shall constitute an additional contractual obligation on the part
of Issuer, whether or not the Agreement so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated
shall at any time be enforceable by anyone.
14. Miscellaneous. (a) Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in Section 10
hereof or in the Merger Agreement, each of the parties hereto shall bear and pay
all costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereunder, including fees and expenses of its own
financial consultants, investment bankers, accountants and counsel.
(b) Waiver and Amendment. Any provision of this Agreement may be waived at
any time by the party that is entitled to the benefits of such provision. This
Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented except upon the
execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by the parties hereto.
(c) Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiary; Severability. Except as
otherwise set forth in the Merger Agreement, this Agreement, together with the
Merger Agreement, (a) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and (b) is not intended to confer upon any
person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder. If any
term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of
competent jurisdiction or a federal or state regulatory agency to be invalid,
void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall
in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. If for any reason such court or
regulatory agency determines that the Option does not permit Grantee to acquire,
or does not require Issuer (or Substitute Option Issuer) to repurchase, the full
number of shares of Issuer Common Stock (or Substitute Common Stock) as provided
in Sections 2, 7 and 9 (or in the case of Substitute Common Stock Sections 2 and
8), as adjusted pursuant to Section 6, it is the express intention of Issuer to
allow Grantee to acquire or to require Issuer to repurchase such lesser number
of shares as may be permissible without any amendment or modification hereof.
(D) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY
APPLICABLE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES.
(e) Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings contained herein are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
(f) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied (with
confirmation) or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address
for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
<PAGE>
13
If to Grantee to:
Cognizant Corporation
200 Nyala Farms
Westport, CT 06880
Attention: General Counsel
Telecopier No.: (203) 222-4313
with a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Peter J. Gordon, Esq.
Telecopier No.: (212) 455-2502
If to Issuer to:
Walsh International Inc.
105 Terry Drive, Suite 118
Newtown, PA 18940
Attention: General Counsel
Telecopier No.: (215) 860-3277
with a copy to:
Reboul, MacMurray, Hewitt, Maynard
& Kristol
45 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10111
Attention: Karen C. Wiedemann, Esq.
Telecopier No.: (212) 841-5725
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be executed
in two counterparts, each of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement and shall become effective when both counterparts have been signed by
each of the parties and delivered to the other party, it being understood that
both parties need not sign the same counterpart.
(h) Assignment. Grantee may assign this Agreement in whole to any affiliate
of Grantee at any time. Except as provided in the next sentence, Grantee may
not, without the prior written consent of Issuer (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld), assign this Agreement to any other person. Upon the
occurrence of a Purchase Event, Grantee may sell, transfer, assign or otherwise
dispose of, in whole at any time, its rights and obligations hereunder. In the
case of any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of this Option, Issuer
shall do all things reasonably
<PAGE>
14
necessary to facilitate such transaction. This Agreement shall not be assignable
by Issuer except by operation of law. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
(i) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
contained in Sections 3.01(a) and 3.02(a) of the Merger Agreement, and, to the
extent they relate to this Stock Option Agreement, in Sections 3.01(c),(d), (p),
(q) and (t) and 3.02(c) of the Merger Agreement, are incorporated herein by
reference.
(j) Further Assurances. In the event of any exercise of the Option by
Grantee, Issuer and Grantee shall execute and deliver all other documents and
instruments and take all other action that may be reasonably necessary in order
to consummate the transactions provided for by such exercise.
(k) Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that this Agreement may
be enforced by either party through specific performance, injunctive relief and
other equitable relief. Both parties further agree to waive any requirement for
the securing or posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of any such
equitable relief and that this provision is without prejudice to any other
rights that the parties hereto may have for any failure to perform this
Agreement.
15. Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate, and Grantee shall
have no further rights hereunder, upon the payment in full of any and all
amounts due under Sections 8.02(a) and 8.02(b) of the Merger Agreement.
<PAGE>
15
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Issuer and Grantee have caused this Stock Option
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as
of the day and year first written above.
WALSH INTERNATIONAL INC.
By: /s/ Michael Hauck
----------------------------
Name: Michael Hauck
Title: Chief Executive Officer
COGNIZANT CORPORATION
By: /s/ Kenneth S. Siegel
--------------------------------
Name: Kenneth S. Siegel
Title: Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary
Exhibit 99.1
NEWS
Cognizant
Contact: Joseph C. Allen For Immediate Release
(203) 222-4235
IMS HEALTH SIGNS DEFINITIVE AGREEMENTS TO ACQUIRE
WALSH INTERNATIONAL AND PMSI
Cognizant Corporation Spin-off Strengthens its Leadership
In the Health Information Industry
Westport, CT, Mar. 23, 1998 - Cognizant Corporation (NYSE:CZT), Walsh
International Inc. (NASDAQ:WSHI) and Pharmaceutical Marketing Services Inc.
(NASDAQ:PMRX) today announced the signing of definitive agreements for IMS
HEALTH to acquire Walsh and PMSI. IMS HEALTH is the premier global provider of
information solutions to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, with more
than $1 billion in 1997 revenue.
"The acquisition of Walsh and PMSI consolidated IMS HEALTH's leadership
position in our core markets," said Robert E. Weissman, Cognizant chairman and
chief executive officer. "Customer value is enhanced by offering broader global
coverage, an expanded product and service portfolio, and accelerated investments
in innovative new products. Financially, these transactions are accretive
near-term beginning in 1999, adding growth businesses which result in improved
shareholder value."
Under terms of the agreements, Walsh shareholders will receive .3041
shares of Cognizant common stock per Walsh share, as payment to shareholders of
$167 million, and
<PAGE>
PMSI shareholders will receive .2800 shares of Cognizant common stock
per PMSI share, as payment to shareholders of $180 million. The number of
Cognizant shares received is subject to a collar adjustment based on the price
of Cognizant shares during a period prior to the closing of the transactions.
Walsh currently has approximately 10.6 million shares outstanding; PMSI shares
outstanding total approximately 12.4 million.
The transactions have been independently authorized by the Cognizant,
Walsh and PMSI boards of directors, and are subject to approval by Walsh and
PMSI shareholders. The transactions will be accounted for under purchase
accounting and are projected to close in the second quarter of 1998, subject to
regulatory approval. Both transactions are expected to be tax-free.
Walsh International, based in Newtown, PA, generated revenue of $54
million in its fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, and employs approximately 500
professionals in 14 countries. Walsh, established in 1988, develops and markets
leading-edge sales force automation systems for pharmaceutical companies. The
company's integrated technology, data and services are used by 540
pharmaceutical sales forces in 85 healthcare companies in over 30 countries
around the world. Precise(TM) and Premiere(TM), two of Walsh's leading
electronic territory management systems (ETMS) products, today support over
14,000 users.
New York-based PMSI had ongoing information services revenue of $74
million for its fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, and employs approximately 500
professionals in nine countries. PMSI was established in 1991 and provides a
range of information services to pharmaceutical and healthcare companies in the
U.S., Europe and Japan. On Dec. 15, 1997, PMSI completed the acquisition of
Source Europe, a business delivering prescription database services in five
<PAGE>
European countries. Scott-Levin, PMSI's U.S. subsidiary, provides
market research and managed care audits, as well as strategic consulting, to
pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. PMSI is the international leader in
physician profiling database services, with its Scriptrac(TM) service offered in
Europe and Japan.
"IMS HEALTH is committed to building customer value," said Victoria R.
Fash, IMS HEALTH president and chief operating officer. "Walsh and PMSI together
complete a global product portfolio of IMS sales and marketing services. We plan
to accelerate investment in innovative new business solutions, including
physician micro-marketing, and the integration of ETMS mobile technology with
IMS databases. By offering full-spectrum global solutions, IMS HEALTH enables
improved efficiency and effectiveness, designed to increase productivity for our
pharmaceutical customers worldwide, said Ms. Fash.
In Europe, IMS HEALTH plans to accelerate its prescription database
launch significantly by combining the IMS Xtrend(TM) and PMSI's Source(TM)
micro-marketer initiatives. Walsh's Pharbase(TM) data and PMSI's physician
profiles enable enhanced physician targeting services. Scott-Levin will
strengthen IMS HEALTH's market research business in the U.S. by adding new
capabilities in market research audits, managed care services and consulting
services.
The combination of IMS HEALTH's Sales Technologies, which is focused
primarily in the U.S., and Walsh, concentrated in Europe and Asia Pacific,
instantly creates the global leader in ETMS for pharmaceutical companies
worldwide. Combined, Sales Technologies and Walsh support over 35,000 users.
"Financially, these acquisitions are sound investments," said Ms. Fash. "Both
are projected to be earnings neutral in 1998, becoming accretive in 1999. Cost
synergies in known
<PAGE>
areas, such as duplicate data supply contracts, are the key assumption
driving 1999 accretion. Walsh International and Scott-Levin offer attractive
revenue growth rates, anticipated in the mid-teens range near-term. While we
believe long-term revenue upside exists, incremental revenue has not been
incorporated in the projections, based on a conservative financial approach."
IMS HEALTH is the world's leading provider of information solutions to
the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Pharmaceutical sales, prescription
and market data and analysis are offered, along with decision support systems
that facilitate the advancement of world health. IMS HEALTH operates in more
than 90 countries, and its businesses include: IMS, the leading global provider
of sales management and market research information to pharmaceutical companies;
Erisco, a provider of software-based administrative and analytical solutions to
the healthcare industry; Cognizant Technology Solutions, an outsourcer of
software applications and development services; and Enterprises, the company's
venture capital unit, focused on investments in emerging healthcare businesses.
IMS HEALTH is also the largest shareholder of GartnerGroup (NASDAQ:GART), the
premier provider of research and advisory services to the information technology
industry.
IMS HEALTH is currently a unit of Cognizant Corporation (NYSE:CZT). On
Jan. 15, 1998, Cognizant announced plans to become two independent public
companies by mid-1998: IMS HEALTH and Nielsen Media Research. Additional
information is available at Cognizant's Website: http//www.cognizantcorp.com
###
Mar. 23, 1998
<PAGE>
This press release includes statements which may constitute
forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Cognizant believes
the expectations contained in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it
can give no assurance that such expectations will prove correct. This
information may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
of Cognizant, IMS HEALTH, Walsh International or PMSI to differ materially from
the forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to (i) the risks associated with
operating on a global basis, including fluctuations in the value of foreign
currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, and the ability to successfully hedge
such risks, (ii) the ability to develop new or advanced technologies and systems
for their businesses on a cost-effective basis, (iii) the ability to
successfully achieve estimated effective tax rates and corporate overhead
levels, (iv) regulatory and legislative initiatives, particularly in the area of
medical privacy, (v) deterioration in economic conditions, particularly in the
pharmaceutical, healthcare, information technology or other industries in which
their customers operate, (vi) conditions in the securities markets which may
affect the value or liquidity of portfolio investments, and (vii) other factors
detailed in Cognizant's SEC filings.
DRAFT 3/23/98 10 a.m.
FINAL REVIEWS/APPROVALS BY NOON 3/23/1998
Exhibit 99.2
NEWS
Cognizant
For Immediate Release
Contact: Joseph C. Allen Martyn Williams
Cognizant Corporation Walsh International
(203) 222-4235 44-1372-389-3000
IMS HEALTH SIGNS DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT
TO ACQUIRE WALSH INTERNATIONAL
Cognizant Corporation Spin-off Creates Global Leader
In Pharmaceutical Sales Force Automation Market
Through Merger with Sales Technologies
Westport, CT, Mar. 23, 1998 - Cognizant Corporation (NYSE:CZT), Walsh
International Inc. (NASDAQ:WSHI) today jointly announced the signing of a
definitive agreement for IMS HEALTH to acquire Walsh. IMS HEALTH is the premier
global provider of information solutions to the pharmaceutical and healthcare
industries, with more than $1 billion in 1997 revenue.
"IMS HEALTH's Sales Technologies and Walsh International are a perfect
fit strategically," said Victoria R. Fash, president and chief operating officer
of IMS HEALTH. "Together they are instantly the global market leader in sales
force automation solutions, focused solely on the pharmaceutical industry. By
merging Sales Technologies leading position in the U.S. with Walsh's established
presence in Europe and Asia Pacific, we offer unmatched worldwide coverage."
<PAGE>
Under terms of the agreement, Walsh shareholders will receive .3041
shares of Cognizant common stock per Walsh share, as payment to shareholders of
$167 million. The number of Cognizant shares received is subject to a collar
adjustment based on the price of Cognizant shares during a period prior to the
closing of the transaction. Walsh has approximately 10.6 million shares
outstanding.
The transaction has been independently authorized by the Cognizant and
Walsh boards of directors, and is subject to approval by Walsh shareholders. The
transaction will be accounted for under purchase accounting, is expected to be
tax-free, and is projected to close in the second quarter of 1998, subject to
regulatory approval.
"IMS's extensive global coverage and reputation within the
pharmaceutical industry provide tremendous advantages in driving revenue growth
from our lead products, Premiere(TM) and Precise(TM), said Michael Hauck, Walsh
chief executive officer. "Sales Technologies' Cornerstone(TM) complements our
technology while our Pharbase medical professional databases further strengthen
the IMS HEALTH data services. The entire management team is enthusiastic about
becoming part of IMS HEALTH."
Based in Newtown, PA, Walsh International generated revenue of $54
million in its fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, and employs approximately 500
professionals in 14 countries. Walsh, established in 1988, is a market leader in
sales force automation systems wich assist pharmaceutical and other healthcare
companies in the efficient management of their sales and marketing
organizations. Walsh's services include advanced electronic territory management
systems, strategic sales and marketing management information systems and
comprehensive data
<PAGE>
management services. The company's integrated technology, data and services are
used by 500 pharmaceutical sales forces in 85 healthcare companies in over 30
countries.
"Sales Technologies and Walsh International are committed to providing
leading-edge electronic territory management solutions to our customers," said
Ronald Brown, who has been named chief executive officer of Sales
Technologies/Walsh, the newly formed division of IMS HEALTH. "We plan to market,
support and develop both product lines going forward, while offering a
longer-term migration path. A competitive advantage for customers is an
accelerated investment in R&D enabled by this transaction, designed to bring the
next generation of technology to market faster."
IMS HEALTH is the world's leading provider of information solutions to
the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Pharmaceutical sales, prescription
and market data and analysis are offered, along with decision support systems
that facilitate the advancement of world health. IMS HEALTH operates in more
than 90 countries, and its businesses include: IMS, the leading global provider
of sales management and market research information to pharmaceutical companies;
Erisco, a provider of software-based administrative and analytical solutions to
the healthcare industry; Cognizant Technology Solutions, an outsourcer of
software applications and development services; and Enterprises, the company's
venture capital unit, focused on investments in emerging healthcare businesses.
IMS HEALTH is also the largest shareholder of GartnerGroup (NASDAQ:GART), the
premier provider of research and advisory services to the information technology
industry.
IMS HEALTH is currently a unit of Cognizant Corporation (NYSE:CZT). On
Jan. 15, 1998, Cognizant announced plans to become two independent public
companies by mid-1998:
<PAGE>
IMS HEALTH and Nielsen Media Research. Additional information is available at
Cognizant's Website: http//www.cognizantcorp.com
###
Mar. 23, 1998
This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking
statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Cognizant believes the expectations
contained in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no
assurance that such expectations will prove correct. This information may
involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of Cognizant,
IMS HEALTH, or Walsh International to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements. Factors which could cause or contribute to such differences include,
but are not limited to (i) the risks associated with operating on a global
basis, including fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies relative to the
U.S. dollar, and the ability to successfully hedge such risks, (ii) the ability
to develop new or advanced technologies and systems for their businesses on a
cost-effective basis, (iii) the ability to successfully achieve estimated
effective tax rates and corporate overhead levels, (iv) regulatory and
legislative initiatives, particularly in the area of medical privacy, (v)
deterioration in economic conditions, particularly in the pharmaceutical,
healthcare, information technology or other industries in which their customers
operate, (vi) conditions in the securities markets which may affect the value or
liquidity of portfolio investments, and (vii) other factors detailed in
Cognizant's SEC filings.
