<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
FILED BY THE REGISTRANT [X] FILED BY A PARTY OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT [ ]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
Forrester Research, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Forrester Research, Inc.
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.
1033 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02138
GEORGE F. COLONY
Chairman of the Board, President,
and Chief Executive Officer
April 13, 1998
To Our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Forrester Research, Inc., which will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 1998 at 10:00
a.m. (local time) at the offices of Ropes & Gray, One International Place,
Boston, Massachusetts.
On the following pages, you will find the formal notice of the Annual
Meeting and our proxy statement. When you have finished reading the statement,
please promptly mark, sign, and return the enclosed proxy card to ensure that
your shares will be represented.
This is our second Annual Meeting since becoming a public company, and we
hope that many of you will be able to attend in person. I look forward to seeing
you there.
Sincerely,
/s/ GEORGE COLONY
George F. Colony
Chairman of the Board, President,
and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE> 3
FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 12, 1998
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Forrester
Research, Inc. will be held at the offices of Ropes & Gray, One International
Place, Boston, Massachusetts at 10:00 a.m. (local time) on Tuesday, May 12, 1998
for the following purposes:
1. To elect two Class II directors to serve until the 2001 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
and any adjournments thereof.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy
statement accompanying this notice.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 1998 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. A list of stockholders
entitled to vote at the meeting will be open to examination by stockholders at
the meeting and during normal business hours from May 1, 1998 to the date of the
meeting at the offices of Ropes & Gray, One International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts.
If you are unable to be present personally, please sign and date the
enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Susan M. Whirty, Esq.
Secretary
Cambridge, Massachusetts
April 13, 1998
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS
POSSIBLE WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON.
<PAGE> 4
FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 12, 1998
PROXY STATEMENT
The enclosed proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors
of Forrester Research, Inc. ("Forrester" or the "Company") to be voted at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") to be held at the offices of
Ropes & Gray, One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts at 10:00 a.m.
(local time) on Tuesday, May 12, 1998, or at any adjournment thereof. A proxy
may be revoked by a stockholder at any time before it is voted by (i) returning
to the Company another properly signed proxy bearing a later date, (ii)
otherwise delivering a written revocation to the Secretary of the Company, or
(iii) attending the Meeting and voting the shares covered by the proxy in
person. Shares represented by the enclosed form of proxy properly executed and
returned, and not revoked, will be voted at the Meeting by the persons named in
the proxy for the proposal set forth below. In the absence of contrary
instructions, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with the
intentions stated below.
This proxy statement was first mailed to stockholders on or about April 13,
1998.
The expense of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Officers
and regular employees of the Company (who will receive no compensation therefor
in addition to their regular salaries) may solicit proxies. In addition to the
solicitation of proxies by use of the mails, the Company may use the services of
its officers and regular employees to solicit proxies personally and by mail,
telephone, and telegram from brokerage houses and other stockholders. The
Company will reimburse brokers and other persons for their reasonable charges
and expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to their principals.
The holders of record of shares of the common stock, $.01 par value, of the
Company (the "Common Stock") at the close of business on March 31, 1998 are
entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of that date, the
Company had issued and outstanding 8,463,442 shares of Common Stock. Each such
share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter to come before the
Meeting.
Consistent with state law and the Company's Bylaws, a majority of the
shares entitled to be cast on a particular matter, present in person or
represented by proxy, constitutes a quorum as to such matter. Votes cast by
proxy or in person at the Meeting will be counted by the person appointed by the
Company to act as the election inspector for the Meeting. The nominees for
election as Class II directors at the Meeting who receive the greatest number of
votes properly cast for the election of directors will be elected. The election
inspector(s) will count shares represented by proxies that withhold authority to
vote for a nominee for election as a director or that reflect abstentions and
"broker non-votes" (i.e., shares represented at the Meeting held by brokers or
nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial
owners or persons entitled to vote, and (ii) the broker or nominee does not have
the discretionary voting power on a particular matter) only as shares that are
present and entitled to vote on the matter for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum, but neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will have any
effect on the outcome of voting on the election of directors.
The Annual Report to Stockholders for the Company's fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 accompanies this proxy statement. This proxy statement and the
enclosed proxy are being mailed to stockholders on the same date as the date of
the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
<PAGE> 5
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
PROPOSAL ONE:
ELECTION OF CLASS II DIRECTORS
The persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to vote each share as to
which a proxy has been properly executed and returned (and not revoked) in favor
of the election as Class II directors of the nominees named below, unless
authority to vote for the election of such nominees is withheld, by marking the
proxy to that effect.
Pursuant to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws,
the Board of Directors is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number
as possible, so that each director will serve for three years, with one class of
directors being elected each year.
The first nominee, George R. Hornig, is the director currently designated
as a Class II director whose term expires at the Meeting. The second nominee,
Henk W. Broeders, has been nominated by the Board of Directors for election at
the Meeting to the position of Class II director.
If Proposal One is approved, George R. Hornig and Henk W. Broeders will be
elected as Class II Directors for a term of three years expiring at the 2001
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and until their respective successors are
elected and shall qualify to serve.
It is expected that Mr. Hornig and Mr. Broeders will be able to serve, but
if either of them is unable to serve, the proxies reserve discretion to vote, or
refrain from voting, for a substitute nominee or nominees.
NOMINEES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
George R. Hornig............................. 43 Class II Director
Henk W. Broeders............................. 46 Class II Director
</TABLE>
George R. Hornig became a director of the Company in November 1996
immediately following the Company's initial public offering. Mr. Hornig has been
a Managing Director of Deutsche Bank North America Holdings, Inc., a banking
firm, from 1993 to the present. From 1991 to 1993, Mr. Hornig was President and
Chief Operating Officer of Dubin & Swieca Holdings, Inc., an investment
management firm. He is also Director of Unity Mutual Life Insurance Company and
SL Industries, Inc.
Henk W. Broeders will become a director of the Company in May 1998 if he is
elected at the Meeting. Mr. Broeders is currently an Executive Director of Cap
Gemini BV, a management consulting firm located in the Netherlands. From 1992 to
April 1998, Mr. Broeders was General Manager of IQUIP Informatica BV, a software
company in the Netherlands.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS ELECTION
OF THE NOMINEES DESCRIBED IN PROPOSAL ONE.
OTHER DIRECTORS
George F. Colony, a Class I director, is the founder of the Company and has
served as President and Chief Executive Officer since its inception in July
1983.
Robert M. Galford, a Class III director, became a director of the Company
in November 1996 immediately following the Company's initial public offering.
Mr. Galford has been a member of the Faculty of the Executive Programs at
Columbia University's Graduate School of Business since 1994. Before joining
Columbia's Executive Programs, he taught at Boston University from 1993 to 1994.
Prior to his work in executive education, Mr. Galford was a Vice President of
the MAC Group from 1986 to 1991 and its successor firm, Gemini Consulting, from
1991 to 1994.
2
<PAGE> 6
Michael H. Welles, a Class III director, became a director of the Company
in November 1996 immediately following the Company's initial public offering.
Mr. Welles has been Vice President of News Operations for NewsEdge Corporation
since February 1998. He previously served as Vice President of Engineering at
Individual, Inc. from May 1997 to February 1998, General Manager, Next
Generation Products, for Lotus Development Corporation from 1994 to 1997, and
General Manager of Lotus' Improv development team from 1991 to 1994.
There is currently one Class II director vacancy, which will be filled if
two Class II directors are elected at the Meeting.
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors of the Company held five (5) meetings during the
fiscal year that ended December 31, 1997. In fiscal 1997, each director attended
at least 75% of the Board meetings held during such time each director was in
office. The Board of Directors currently has two standing committees, the Audit
Committee and the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors does not have a
Nominating Committee or a committee performing similar functions.
The Audit Committee of the Company, which consists of George R. Hornig and
Michael H. Welles, held five (5) meetings during the fiscal year ended December
31, 1997. The Audit Committee reviews the results of operations of the Company
with officers of the Company who are responsible for accounting matters and,
from time to time, meets with the Company's independent auditors.
The Compensation Committee of the Company, which consists of two members,
Robert M. Galford and Michael H. Welles, neither of whom is an executive officer
or employee of the Company, held five (5) meetings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997. The Compensation Committee administers the Company's stock
plans, recommends annual compensation arrangements for the Company's executive
officers, and reviews annual compensation arrangements for all other officers
and significant employees.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Members of the Board of Directors of the Company are reimbursed for their
expenses incurred in connection with attending any meeting. In addition, under
the 1996 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Directors' Plan"),
the Company's four non-employee directors each received on the date of last
year's Annual Meeting an option to purchase 4,000 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $20.50, the fair market value on that date. These options vest
in three equal installments on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the
date of grant. Each newly elected, non-employee, director will receive an option
to purchase 6,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair
market value of the Common Stock upon his or her first election as a director,
which will vest in three equal installments commencing on the date of grant and
on the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant. The Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors also has the authority under the Directors'
Plan to grant options to non-employee directors in such amounts and on such
terms as it shall determine at the time of grant.
3
<PAGE> 7
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table and notes thereto set forth certain information with
respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's outstanding Common Stock
as of March 31, 1998 (except as set forth in the Notes to the table) by (i)
each person who is known to the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, (ii) each of the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, (iii) each member of the
Company's board of directors, and (iv) the Company's directors and executive
officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, each of the stockholders
named below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of
Common Stock shown as beneficially owned.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
-------------------------------
SHARES PERCENTAGE OF
BENEFICIALLY OUTSTANDING
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED(1) SHARES
- ------------------------ ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C>
George F. Colony, c/o Forrester Research, Inc............... 5,997,630 70.86%
1033 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138(2)
Provident Investment Counsel(3)............................. 512,867 6.06%
300 North Lake, Suite 1001
Pasadena, CA 91101
Pilgrim Baxter & Associates, Ltd.(4)........................ 456,800 5.40%
825 Duportail Road
Wayne, PA 19087
William M. Bluestein, Ph.D.(5).............................. 35,004 *
Mary A. Modahl(6)........................................... 42,368 *
Jon D. Schwartz(7).......................................... 31,805 *
Stuart D. Woodring(8)....................................... 36,441 *
Henk W. Broeders............................................ -- --
Robert M. Galford(9)........................................ 6,533 *
George R. Hornig............................................ 6,333 *
Michael H. Welles........................................... 6,533 *
Directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons).... 6,191,949 71.65%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and includes voting or investment power
with respect to the shares. Shares subject to options currently exercisable
or exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998 are included as beneficially
owned.
(2) Includes 1,000 shares held by Mr. Colony's wife as to which Mr. Colony
disclaims beneficial ownership and 500 shares subject to currently
exercisable stock options.
(3) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by Provident Investment Counsel, Inc.
("Provident") with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission")
dated March 11, 1998, Provident beneficially owned 512,867 shares of Common
Stock as of December 31, 1997. Provident has sole voting power with respect
to 477,767 of the shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 512,867
shares.
(4) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by Pilgrim Baxter & Associates, Ltd.
("Pilgrim") with the Commission dated February 12, 1998, Pilgrim
beneficially owned 456,800 shares of Common Stock as of December 31, 1997.
Pilgrim has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 456,800
shares.
(5) Includes 33,504 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(6) Includes 40,504 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(7) Includes 30,809 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(8) Includes 29,777 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(9) Includes 1,200 shares held in trust for Mr. Galford's children as to which
Mr. Galford disclaims beneficial ownership.
* Less than 1%.
4
<PAGE> 8
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding all
compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the Company's President and Chief
Executive Officer and each of the other four most highly compensated executive
officers during 1997 (the "Named Executive Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION(1) COMPENSATION
-------------------- ------------------
SECURITIES ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS UNDERLYING OPTIONS COMPENSATION
--------------------------- ---- ------ ----- ------------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
George F. Colony................ 1997 $150,000 $133,702 500 --
Chairman of the Board,
President, 1996 $150,000 $ 77,501 -- $7,700
and Chief Executive Officer 1995 $135,000 $ 0 -- $7,000
William M. Bluestein, Ph.D. .... 1997 $176,667 $ 91,767 500 --
Vice President, Corporate 1996 $135,000 $ 72,497 70,926
Strategy and Development 1995 $110,000 $ 46,476 --
Mary A. Modahl.................. 1997 $176,667 $ 93,787 500 --
Vice President, New Media 1996 $135,000 $ 65,127 70,926
Research 1995 $105,938 $ 37,276 --
Jon D. Schwartz................. 1997 $282,438 $ 7,250 500 --
Vice President, Sales,
Marketing, 1996 $241,256 $ 23,136 70,019
and Client Services 1995 $177,444 $ 20,400 --
Stuart D. Woodring.............. 1997 $176,667 $ 99,892 500 --
Vice President, Information 1996 $135,000 $ 59,305 69,699
Technology Research 1995 $125,000 $ 43,827 --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) No Named Executive Officer received perquisites or other personal benefits
in excess of the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of his salary and bonus.
5
<PAGE> 9
OPTIONS GRANTED AND OPTIONS EXERCISED IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following tables set forth certain information regarding stock options
granted to, and exercised by, the Named Executive Officers during 1997.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF TOTAL POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
NUMBER OF OPTIONS VALUE AT ANNUAL
SECURITIES GRANTED RATES OF STOCK PRICE
UNDERLYING TO APPRECIATION FOR
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE OPTION TERM(2)
GRANTED IN FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION --------------------
NAME (#)(1) YEAR ($/SHARE) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
---- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
George F. Colony........... 500 * $24.20 2/14/03 $2,641 $7,387
William M. Bluestein,
Ph.D. ................... 500 * $22.00 2/14/03 $3,741 $8,487
Mary A. Modahl............. 500 * $22.00 2/14/03 $3,741 $8,487
Jon D. Schwartz............ 500 * $22.00 2/14/03 $3,741 $8,487
Stuart D. Woodring......... 500 * $22.00 2/14/03 $3,741 $8,487
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Each of these options was granted pursuant to the Company's Amended and
Restated 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and is subject to the terms
of such plan. The exercise price of the options granted is equal to the fair
market value (as defined in the Plan) of the Company's Common Stock on the
date of grant. Pursuant to the terms set forth in the option certificate,
each such option was to become exercisable in full on February 13, 2003 or
earlier if, the Company achieved a pre-determined financial goal. The
Company achieved that goal on December 22, 1997, and the option vested and
became exercisable in full on that date. All such options expire six years
from the date of grant.
(2) The amounts shown in this table represent hypothetical gains that could be
achieved for the respective options if exercised at the end of the option
term. These gains are based on assumed rates of stock appreciation of 5% and
10%, compounded annually from the date the respective options were granted
to their expiration date. The gains shown are net of the option exercise
price, but do not include deductions for taxes or other expenses associated
with the exercise. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises will
depend on the future performance of the Common Stock, the holders' continued
employment through the option period, and the date on which the options are
exercised.
* Less than 1%
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<PAGE> 10
The following table contains information for each of the Named Executive
Officers concerning the exercise of options during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 and unexercised options held as of the end of the 1997 fiscal
year.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1997 AND
AGGREGATE UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT DECEMBER 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
---------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
OPTIONS AT FISCAL AT FISCAL
SHARES YEAR-END (#): YEAR-END($)(1):
ACQUIRED ON VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($)(2) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- -------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
George F. Colony............... -- -- 500 -- -- --
William M. Bluestein, Ph.D..... 7,000 $111,375 26,959 37,467 $377,577 $487,862
Mary A. Modahl................. -- -- 33,959 37,467 $498,327 $487,862
Jon D. Schwartz................ 5,000 $110,000 24,294 41,225 $319,191 $527,864
Stuart D. Woodring............. 6,500 $ 92,000 27,050 36,649 $376,898 $469,252
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Based upon the market price of $22.75 per share, which was the closing price
per share of Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on the last trading
day of the 1997 fiscal year less the option exercise price per share.
(2) Represents the difference between the fair market value of the stock at the
time of the exercise and the exercise price of the stock options.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Following the Company's initial public offering, the Board of Directors
appointed a Compensation Committee consisting of Robert M. Galford and Michael
H. Welles, neither of whom is an employee of the Company. The Compensation
Committee is responsible for reviewing with management the compensation of the
Company's directors, officers, employees, and agents, making recommendations to
the Board of Directors, and administering the Company's stock plans. The Company
engaged a compensation consultant to advise it and also the Compensation
Committee on appropriate levels and methods of compensation for key employees
for 1997.
The Company's culture emphasizes certain key values -- quality,
cooperation, and creativity -- that it believes are critical to its continued
growth. To encourage achievement of the Company's key values, the Company places
great emphasis on individual excellence, and employees at all levels, as well as
executive officers, are encouraged to take initiative and lead individual
projects that enhance the Company's effectiveness. The Company's compensation
philosophy bases cash compensation on individual achievement, teamwork, and the
Company's short-term performance, and aligns employees' incentives with the
Company's objective of enhancing stockholder value over the long term through
long-term incentives, principally stock options. Compensation must also be
competitive with other companies in the industry so that the Company can
continue to attract, retain, and motivate key employees who are critical to the
long-term success of the Company.
Compensation for the Company's executive officers in 1997 consisted of
three principal components: base salary, cash bonuses, and stock options.
Base Salary. Base salaries of executive officers were determined by
evaluating the responsibilities of the position, the experience and performance
of the individual, formal and informal industry comparisons.
Cash Bonuses. Cash bonuses were determined based upon performance against
individual and team goals and are funded by the Company's overall performance
against key business objectives.
Stock Options. The principal equity compensation component of executive
compensation are options granted under the Company's stock option plan. Prior to
1996, the Company had not issued stock options to
7
<PAGE> 11
executive officers or employees. In 1996, the Company granted stock options,
some of which vested upon consummation of the Company's initial public offering
and others of which vest over three years, to executive officers and other
employees based on seniority and the position held with the Company, and granted
stock options, which vest over three years, to new executive officers who joined
the Company in 1996. The Compensation Committee expects that future stock
options generally will be granted when an executive joins the Company, with
additional options granted from time to time for promotions and performance. The
Compensation Committee believes that stock option participation helps to
motivate and retain executives and also aligns management's incentives with
long-term stock price appreciation. In determining the size of awards for 1997,
the Committee considered formal and informal surveys of companies in similar
businesses, recognizing that equity compensation is a key retention incentive in
a company, like Forrester, that relies heavily on the quality of its analysts.
Mr. Colony's compensation package in 1997 as Chief Executive Officer
consisted of the same benefits program as other executive officers, including
base salary, cash bonus, and other executive and employee benefit programs. Mr.
Colony did not receive any stock options other than the award of an option on
500 shares that was made to every employee of the Company. The Compensation
Committee decided to maintain Mr. Colony's base salary at the 1996 level, which
it believes is relatively modest, but to place more emphasis on cash incentive
compensation. In deciding to increase the size of his cash bonus, the Committee
considered the performance of the Company, including the increase in revenues,
operating income, and agreement value, although no single factor was more
important than any other.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the deductibility of
compensation paid to certain executive officers in excess of $1.0 million unless
the compensation is performance-based. To the extent consistent with its
performance goals, it is the Company's policy to structure compensation
arrangements with its executive officers to preserve the deductibility of that
compensation in light of Section 162(m).
Robert M. Galford
Michael H. Welles
8
<PAGE> 12
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the period cumulative return of
the Company's Common Stock against the return on the Nasdaq Stock Market Index
of U.S. Companies and the H&Q Technology index for the period indicated below.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD 'FORRESTER
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) RESEARCH, INC.' NASDAQ H&Q TECHNOLOGY
<S> <C> <C> <C>
11/26/96 100 100 100
12/31/96 117.05 100.81 98.84
12/31/97 103.41 123.77 115.63
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Assumes that the value of the investment in Forrester Research, Inc. Common
Stock, the Nasdaq Stock Market Index of U.S. Companies, and the H&Q Technology
index was $100 on November 26, 1996 and that all dividends were reinvested.
The stock performance graph above is not necessarily indicative of future
stock performance.
OTHER INFORMATION
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee of the Company, which consists of two members,
Messrs. Galford and Welles, neither of whom is or has been an executive officer
or employee of the Company, was responsible for compensation decisions.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Based solely on its review of copies of filings under Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") received by it,
and written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes
that during 1996 its directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of
greater than ten percent of the Common Stock filed all required reports under
Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company and Mr. Colony, who was the sole stockholder of the Company
prior to the Offering, have entered into an indemnification agreement relating
to their respective tax liabilities. Mr. Colony will continue to be liable for
personal income taxes on the Company's income for all periods prior to the time
the Company
9
<PAGE> 13
ceased to be an S corporation. The agreement generally provides that the Company
will indemnify Mr. Colony for any increase in his taxes (including interest and
penalties) resulting from adjustments initiated by taxing authorities and from
payments to him under the agreement, and Mr. Colony will pay to the Company an
amount equal to any decrease in his tax liability resulting from adjustments
initiated by taxing authorities. The agreement also provides that, if the
Company is determined to have been a C corporation for tax purposes at any time
it reported its income as an S corporation, Mr. Colony will make a capital
contribution to the Company in an amount necessary to hold the Company harmless
from any taxes and interest arising from such determination up to the amount of
distributions made by the Company to Mr. Colony prior to the termination of the
Company's S corporation election less any taxes and interest attributable to
such distributions.
The Company and Mr. Colony entered into a registration rights and
non-competition agreement (the "Registration Rights and Non-Competition
Agreement") which provides that if Mr. Colony's employment with the Company is
terminated he will not compete with the Company for the one-year period after
the date of such termination. The Registration Rights and Non-Competition
Agreement also provides that in the event the Company proposes to file a
registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering by
the Company for its own account or the account of another person, or both, Mr.
Colony shall be entitled to include shares held by him (the "Registrable
Shares") in such a registration, subject to the right of the managing
underwriter of any such offering to exclude some or all of such Registrable
Shares from such registration if and to the extent the inclusion of the shares
would adversely affect the marketing of the shares to be sold by the Company.
The agreement also provides that Mr. Colony may require the Company to register
under the Securities Act shares having a fair market value of at least $5.0
million, except that the Company is not required to effect such registration
more than twice or at certain times described in the agreement. The agreement
also provides that the Company will pay all expenses incurred in connection with
such registration.
AUDIT MATTERS
Arthur Andersen LLP has been selected to audit the financial statements of
the Company for the year ending December 31, 1998 and to report the results of
their examination.
A representative of Arthur Andersen LLP is expected to be present at the
Meeting and will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement if he or she
desires to do so and to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders submitted for consideration at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders in 1999 must be received by the Company no later than December
14, 1998.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors knows of no business that will come before the
Meeting for action except as described in the accompanying Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. However, as to any such business, the persons
designated as proxies will have discretionary authority to act in their best
judgment.
FORM 10-K AND ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
A copy of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is available to stockholders without charge
by writing to Forrester Research, Inc., Investor Relations, 1033 Massachusetts
Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138.
10
<PAGE> 14
DETACH HERE
PROXY
FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE COMPANY FOR ANNUAL MEETING, MAY 12, 1998
The undersigned appoints George F. Colony, Susan M. Whirty and David H.
Ramsdell, and each of them, as proxies, each with the power of substitution, and
authorizes them to represent and vote all shares of common stock of Forrester
Research, Inc. held by the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to
be held at the offices of Ropes & Gray, One International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110 at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 1998, or any adjournments
thereof, for the following purposes set forth on the reverse side.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY
THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS MADE, THE PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
- ----------- -----------
SEE REVERSE CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE SEE REVERSE
SIDE SIDE
- ----------- -----------
DETACH HERE
PLEASE MARK
[X] VOTES AS IN
THIS EXAMPLE.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. To elect two Class II directors to serve until the
2001 Annual Meeting.
NOMINEES: George R. Hornig, Henk W. Broeders
FOR WITHHELD
[ ] [ ]
[ ]
-------------------------------------------------
For both nominees except as noted above
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT [ ]
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon and date. Where shares
are held jointly, both holders should sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please
give full title as such.
Signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________ Signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________
</TABLE>
