UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 24, 1998
ACCESS WORLDWIDE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware 000-23489 52-1309227
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(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER) (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
OF INCORPORATION OR
ORGANIZATION)
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2200 Clarendon Blvd., 11th Floor
Arlington, Virginia 22201
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(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 1 (800) 522-3447
CulturalAccessWorldwide, Inc.
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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Item 2 - Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
On October 24, 1998 (the "Closing Date"), Access Worldwide Communications, Inc.
(the "Company") acquired all the outstanding capital stock of AM Medica
Communications, Ltd., a New York corporation ("AMM"), from Ann M. Holmes, the
sole shareholder of AMM (the "Shareholder"). The consideration paid by the
Company on or about the Closing Date for the stock of AMM was (i) $22.0 million
in cash, (ii) $0.5 million of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value, valued
at the average closing price for the 10 trading days ending three business days
prior to the Closing Date (122,045 shares), and (iii) a three year 6.5%
subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $5.5 million. The
purchase price also includes certain future contingent payments of cash and
shares of the Company's common stock over a five-year period dependent on the
achievement of certain financial goals by AMM.
The Company financed the cash portion of the purchase price by borrowing under
its credit facility with Bank of America.
The determination of the consideration for the acquisition of AMM was based upon
negotiations between the Shareholder and the Company.
Further information concerning the terms of the acquisition of AMM is contained
in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale dated as of October 24, 1998 by and among
the Company, AMM and the Shareholder (see Exhibit 2(a) hereto), which agreement
and such information are incorporated herein by reference.
Prior to the Closing Date, no material relationship existed between the
Shareholder and the Company, any affiliate of the Company, any director or
officer of the Company or any associate of any such director or officer.
AMM provides a range of services to the pharmaceutical industry, including
medical education programs, medical meetings management, medical publishing,
medical audio-visual production and interactive medical education programs for
pharmaceutical companies. The Company intends to continue the business of AMM.
Item 5 - Other Events
The Company announced on October 23, 1998 that, with the acquisition of AM
Medica Communications, Ltd., the Company's name would be changed to Access
Worldwide Communications, Inc. Effective November 2, 1998, the trading symbol
for the Company on the NASDAQ National Market was changed from CAWW to AWWC.
Item 7 - Financial Statements
(a) and (b) Required financial information for AMM is not currently
available. The Company will file financial information of AMM under cover of
Form 8-K/A within 60 days after this Current Report must be filed.
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(c) Exhibits:
The exhibits required to be filed as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K are
listed in the Exhibit index below.
Exhibit
Table Number Description
2(a) Agreement of Purchase and Sale (the "Purchase
Agreement", dated as of October 24, 1998 by and
among the Company, AMM and the Shareholder. (The
schedules and exhibits to the Purchase Agreement
are not filed as part of this Current Report on
Form 8-K. A list briefly identifying the contents
of the omitted schedules and exhibits appears in
the Table of Contents to the Purchase Agreement.
The Company undertakes to furnish supplementally
a copy of any omitted schedules or exhibits to
the Commission upon request.)
2(b) Three-year 6.5% subordinated promissory note of
the Company dated October 24, 1998 in the
principal amount of $5,500,000.
10 Employment Agreement dated October 24, 1998
between the Company and Ann M. Holmes.
99 Press release dated October 23, 1998.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ACCESS WORLDWIDE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Date: __________ By: /s/ John Fitzgerald
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John Fitzgerald, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
Date: __________ By: /s/ Michael Dinkins
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Michael Dinkins, Senior Vice
President of Finance and Administration
and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE
By and Among
A M MEDICA COMMUNICATIONS, LTD.,
ANN M. HOLMES
and
CULTURALACCESSWORLDWIDE, INC.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
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SECTION I PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE SHARES.................................1
SECTION II REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER..............................4
SECTION III REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF
THE SHAREHOLDER................................................13
SECTION IV REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS OF
THE PURCHASER..................................................14
SECTION V ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE
COMPANY, THE SHAREHOLDER AND THE PURCHASER.....................15
SECTION VI CLOSING........................................................19
SECTION VII [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]........................................19
SECTION VIII [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]........................................20
SECTION IX INDEMNIFICATION................................................20
SECTION X NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT......................................22
SECTION XI BROKERS AND FINDERS............................................23
SECTION XII MISCELLANEOUS..................................................24
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SCHEDULES
I. CONTINGENT PAYMENTS
II. CONTINGENT PAYMENT BUSINESS
EXHIBITS
A. FORM OF SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTE
A-1. FORM OF SUBORDINATED SECURITY AGREEMENT
B. CERTAIN CONSENTS, LIENS, CONTRACTS, PERMITS
AND OTHER MATTERS
C. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
D. CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE BUSINESS
E. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
F. FORM OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT -- ANN M. HOLMES
G. [Intentionally Omitted]
H. OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
I. FORM OF CONTINGENT PAYMENT SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT
J. FORM OF NOTE SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT
K. OPINION OF PURCHASER'S COUNSEL
L. WORKING CAPITAL RECONCILIATION
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THIS AGREEMENT dated as of the 24th day of October, 1998 by and
among A M Medica Communications, Ltd., a New York corporation (the "Company"),
Ann M. Holmes (the "Shareholder") and CulturalAccessWorldwide, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Purchaser").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in the business of providing
non-promotional educational programs and industry support, promotional services
and strategic medical communications services to the pharmaceutical industry,
including worldwide medical education, medical meetings management, medical
publishing, medical audiovisual production and interactive medical education
programs and related activities (such activities being hereinafter referred to
as the "Business");
WHEREAS, the Shareholder is the holder of 10 shares (the "Shares")
of the common stock, no par value (the "Common Stock"), of the Company, which
shares constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
the Company;
WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to acquire all of the Shares from the
Shareholder, and the Shareholder desires to sell all of the Shares to the
Purchaser, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, to induce the Purchaser to enter into this Agreement and
perform its obligations hereunder, the Shareholder has agreed to make the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Shareholder
(including the indemnification and non-competition agreements) set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally
bound, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
SECTION I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE SHARES
A. Purchase and Sale of the Shares. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and on the basis of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, at the Closing (as
hereinafter defined), the Shareholder agrees to sell, assign and convey to the
Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase, acquire and accept from the
Shareholder, all of the Shares.
B. [Intentionally Omitted]
C. Purchase Price. The purchase price (the "Purchase Price") for the
Shares is (i) $25,500,000 plus (ii) 122,045 shares (the "Closing Shares") of
common stock, $.01 par value, of the Purchaser (the "Purchaser Common Stock")
and (iii) the
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2
contingent payments, if any (the "Contingent Payments"), provided for in Section
I(D) hereof. The Purchase Price payable at the Closing shall be made by delivery
to the Shareholder of (a) a wire transfer in immediately available funds to an
account designated by the Shareholder in the amount of $20,000,000, (b) a
three-year 6.5% subordinated promissory note of the Purchaser in the form of
Exhibit A attached hereto, payable to the order of the Shareholder in the
principal amount of $5,500,000 (the "Note") and (c) a certificate representing
the Closing Shares registered in the name of the Shareholder.
D. Contingent Payments. Subject to the conditions set forth herein
and in Schedule I hereto, within ninety (90) days after December 31, 1998,
December 31, 1999, December 31, 2000, December 31, 2001, December 31, 2002 and
December 31, 2003, the Purchaser shall deliver to the Shareholder the Contingent
Payments, if any, payable with respect to the three-month period ending December
31, 1998 and the twelve-month periods ending December 31, 1999, December 31,
2000, December 31, 2001, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2003, respectively.
The amount of the Contingent Payments payable to the Shareholder with respect to
each such period (each, a "Contingent Period") shall be calculated based upon
the EBITA (as defined below) achieved by the Contingent Payment Business (as
hereinafter defined) during such Contingent Period. Each of the Contingent
Payments, if any, shall be made by delivery to the Shareholder of (i) a
certified or official bank check payable to the order of the Shareholder or a
wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by the
Shareholder and (ii) a certificate representing shares of Purchaser Common
Stock, registered in the name of the Shareholder, in each case, in such amounts
of cash and in such numbers of shares as are determined in accordance with
Schedule I hereto.
E. Security. The Note shall be secured by a subordinated security
interest in the assets and properties of the Company pursuant to a Subordinated
Security Agreement in the form of Exhibit A-1 attached hereto, and the
obligations of the Purchaser to make the Contingent Payments, if earned, with
respect to the Contingent Period ended December 31, 1998 and the excess working
capital payments pursuant to Exhibit L attached hereto shall be secured by a
standby letter of credit issued by NationsBank, N.A. in the amount of $2.5
million which will expire no later than March 31, 1999.
F. Computation of EBITA. The Purchaser shall, within ninety (90)
days after the end of each Contingent Period, compute the amount of the EBITA of
the Contingent Payment Business for such Contingent Period (i.e., either the
three-month period ending December 31, 1998 or the twelve-month periods for all
other years). The amount so computed shall be the EBITA for purposes of
determining whether or not Contingent Payments shall be due and payable.
Notwithstanding the determination of EBITA for any applicable period by the
Purchaser, the Shareholder shall receive the information upon which such
determination was made, and shall, in the event of a dispute as to the amount or
method of calculation of such EBITA have the right to review all Purchaser
documents relating to the calculation of the Contingent Payments, including all
work papers relating to the determination of EBITA. If the parties cannot agree
upon any
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3
issue relating to EBITA, they will use an agreed upon CPA firm to resolve the
issue. The decision of the CPA firm shall be binding upon the parties. For
purposes of this Agreement, "EBITA" shall mean the earnings before interest,
taxes and amortization of the Contingent Payment Business (or, in the event that
all or substantially all the assets and business of the Contingent Payment
Business shall have been transferred to another entity or entities, the
allocable portion of the EBITA of such other entity or entities) for the
applicable Contingent Period as determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistent with the Purchaser's accounting practices,
subject to the percentage of completion methodology contained in Exhibit L
attached hereto. For purposes of calculating EBITA for any Contingent Period, no
deduction will be made for amortization of goodwill associated with this
transaction; however, deduction will be made for amortization of leasehold
improvements and other intangible assets related to the Contingent Payment
Business. In addition, no deduction will be made for corporate overhead
allocations; however, deductions will be made for direct charges from third
party vendors (including ordinary course accounting fees and legal fees)
incurred at the corporate level directly related to the Contingent Payment
Business. For purposes of determining the Contingent Payments, the Contingent
Payment Business shall mean all revenues derived by the Purchaser and the
Designee from the activities set forth in Schedule II hereto.
Numbers of shares of Purchaser Common Stock set forth herein shall
be appropriately adjusted for any stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock
split or other similar event affecting the Purchaser Common Stock. Fractional
shares shall be rounded to the nearest whole share.
In the event (a "Reorganization") of the consolidation or merger of
the Purchaser with or into another person or the acquisition of all or
substantially all the Purchaser Common Stock or all or substantially all of the
assets of the Purchaser by another person (other than a consolidation or merger
in which the Purchaser is the continuing corporation and which does not result
in any change in the Purchaser Common Stock), the Purchaser shall have the
option to pay the Shareholder at such time as a payment is due pursuant to
Section I(D) hereof, in lieu of the Purchaser Common Stock provided for in such
Section, cash or shares of stock of a class of securities of any successor to
the Purchaser or its business pursuant to the Reorganization that is quoted or
listed in The Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition, such quoted or listed
securities to be valued at the Market Price thereof. The term "Market Price"
shall mean the average for the 10 trading days ending two business days prior to
the date any Contingent Payments are due and payable hereunder of the closing
prices for such stock, as set forth in The Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Reorganization
shall occur prior to March 17, 2000, then any portion of the Contingent Payments
earned with respect to the Contingent Periods ending December 31, 1998 and
December 31, 1999 and 25% of the stock portion of the Contingent Payments earned
with respect to the Contingent Period ending December 31, 2000, which is unpaid
on the date the Reorganization shall occur, shall, at the option of the
Shareholder, be paid solely in cash.
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4
SECTION II
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS AND
AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER
Each of the Company and the Shareholder, jointly and severally,
hereby represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, the Purchaser,
as of the date of the Closing, that:
A. Organization and Qualification. The Company is duly organized,
validly existing and, based on a memorandum delivered by the Company's counsel
which reflects information provided to the Company's counsel from the New York
Secretary of State indicating the Company had not filed its Biennial Statement,
in good standing under the laws of the State of New York and has full corporate
power and authority to own its properties and to conduct the businesses in which
it is now engaged. The Company is in good standing in each other jurisdiction
wherein the failure so to qualify would have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition, business, operations, results of operations, assets or
properties of the Company (such assets and properties being hereinafter referred
to as the "Assets") related to the Business acquired by the Purchaser hereunder
(a "Material Adverse Effect"); provided, however, that any matter that has or
may have an industry-wide effect or any general economic conditions shall not be
considered in the determination of whether such Material Adverse Effect has
occurred or would occur. The Company has no subsidiaries, owns no capital stock
or other proprietary interest, directly or indirectly, in any other corporation,
association, trust, partnership, joint venture or other entity and has no
agreement with any person, firm or corporation to acquire any such capital stock
or other proprietary interest. The Company has full power, authority and legal
right, and all necessary approvals, permits, licenses and authorizations, to own
its properties and to conduct the Business and to enter into and consummate the
transactions contemplated under this Agreement, except for such approvals,
permits, licenses and authorizations, the absence of which would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. The copies of the articles of incorporation and by-laws
of the Company which have been delivered to the Purchaser are complete and
correct.
B. Authority. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company, the performance by the Company of its covenants and agreements
hereunder and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. This
Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable equitable principles or by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws in effect
from time to time.
C. No Legal Bar; Conflicts; Capitalization. (i) Neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, violates any provision of the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws of the Company or any statute, ordinance, regulation,
order, judgment or decree of any court or
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5
governmental agency or board, or conflicts with or will result in any breach of
any of the terms of or constitute a default under or result in the termination
of or the creation of any lien pursuant to the terms of any contract or
agreement to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or any of the
Assets is bound, except where such violation, conflict, breach, default,
termination or lien creation would not have a Material Adverse Effect. No
consents, approvals or authorizations of, or filings with, any governmental
authority or any other person or entity are required in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, except for required consents (which, with
respect to hotel bookings, the Purchaser is not requiring the Company to
obtain), if any, to assignment of permits, certificates, contracts, leases and
other agreements as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto.
(ii) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 200
shares of Common Stock, of which 10 shares of Common Stock are issued and
outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock have been
duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.
All of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock are owned beneficially
and of record by the Shareholder, free and clear of any lien, encumbrance,
charge, security interest or claim whatsoever. There are no outstanding
subscriptions, warrants, options, calls, commitments or other rights or
agreements to which the Company or the Shareholder is bound relating to the
issuance, sale or redemption of shares of Common Stock or other securities of
the Company. No person other than the Shareholder has any interest in the Common
Stock. No shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company are
reserved for any purpose.
D. Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities.
(i) The Company and the Shareholder have delivered to the Purchaser a balance
sheet of the Company as of September 30, 1998 ("1998 Balance Sheet"), the income
statement of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and the
income statement of the Company for the calendar year ended December 31, 1997
(hereinafter referred to as the "Financial Statements"). The Financial
Statements are true and correct in all material respects and the 1998 Balance
Sheet has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles applied consistently throughout the periods involved. The 1998
Balance Sheet fully and fairly presents the financial condition of the Company
as at the date thereof and the income statements included in the Financial
Statements fully and fairly present, on a cash basis, the results of the
operations of the Company for the periods indicated. The 1998 Balance Sheet
fairly reflects all liabilities of the Company of the types normally reflected
in a balance sheet as at the date thereof. Except to the extent set forth in or
provided for in the 1998 Balance Sheet of the Company or as identified in
Exhibit B, and except for current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices (and not materially different in type or
amount), the Company has no material liabilities or obligations of any nature,
whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, whether due or to become
due, whether properly reflected under generally accepted accounting
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6
principles as a liability or a charge or reserve against an asset or equity
account, and whether the amount thereof is readily ascertainable or not. Without
modifying the representation contained herein, it is understood that the
Financial Statements are unaudited and have been prepared by a firm which is not
independent. A true and correct copy of the Financial Statements is attached
hereto as Exhibit C.
(ii) The Company and the Shareholder have delivered to the Purchaser a pro forma
schedule of total excess working capital payments of the Company as of October
30, 1998 prepared on a modified accrual basis in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles as set forth in Exhibit L (the "Excess Working
Capital Schedule"). To the best of the knowledge of the Company and the
Shareholder, the Excess Working Capital Schedule is true and correct in all
material respects.
E. Absence of Certain Changes. Subsequent to September 30, 1998,
there has not been any (i) adverse change or any event or circumstance that the
Company or the Shareholder reasonably believes would cause a prospective adverse
change in the condition of the Business, financial or otherwise, or in the
results of the operations of the Company which has or could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) material damage or destruction
(whether or not insured) affecting the properties or business operations of the
Company; (iii) labor dispute or, to the best of the knowledge of the Shareholder
or the Company, threatened labor dispute involving the employees of the Company;
(iv) actual or, to the best of the knowledge of the Shareholder or the Company,
threatened disputes pertaining to the Business with any major accounts of the
Company, or actual or, to the best of the knowledge of the Shareholder or the
Company, threatened loss of business from any of the major accounts of the
Company; (v) changes in the methods or procedures for billing or collection of
customer accounts or recording of customer accounts receivable or reserves for
doubtful accounts with respect to the Company; or (vi) other event or condition
of any character, known to the Company or the Shareholder or which in the
exercise of reasonable diligence should be known to the Company or the
Shareholder, not disclosed in this Agreement pertaining to and materially
adversely affecting the Assets or the Business.
F. Liabilities Incurred; Certain Payments. Subsequent to September
30, 1998, the Company has not (i) incurred any bank indebtedness, entered into
any leases, loan agreements or, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices, contracts, obligations or arrangements of any
kind, including, without limitation, for the payment of money or property to any
person, or (ii) permitted any liens or encumbrances to attach to the Assets.
Since September 30, 1998, the Company has not made advances or payments to the
Shareholder.
G. Real Property Owned or Leased. The Company does not own any real
property. The Company's leases are listed on Exhibit B. All such leased property
is held subject to written leases which are valid and effective in accordance
with their respective terms, and there are no existing defaults or events of
default, or events which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute
defaults, thereunder on the part of the Company, except for such defaults, if
any, as are not material in character, amount or
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7
extent and do not, severally or in the aggregate, materially detract from the
value or interfere with the present use of the property subject to such lease or
affect the validity, enforceability or assignability of such lease or otherwise
materially impair the Company or the operations of the Business. Neither the
Company nor the Shareholder has any knowledge of any material default or claimed
or purported or alleged material default or state of facts which with notice or
lapse of time or both would constitute a default on the part of any other party
in the performance of any obligation to be performed or paid by such other party
under any lease listed in Exhibit B. Neither the Company nor the Shareholder has
received any written or oral notice to the effect that any lease will not be
renewed at the termination of the term thereof or that any such lease will be
renewed only at a substantially higher rent.
H. Title to Assets; Condition of Property. The Company has good and
valid title to the Assets, including, without limitation, the properties and
assets reflected in the 1998 Balance Sheet (except for assets leased under
leases set forth in Exhibit B, assets sold or retired and accounts receivable
collected upon, since September 30, 1998, in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices). Upon the transfer of the Shares to the
Purchaser, the Purchaser (or the Designee), will acquire good and marketable
title to the assets which are used in the Business, free and clear of all liens,
charges, encumbrances, security interests or claims whatsoever. The assets of
the Business include all properties and assets used in the operations of the
Business as currently conducted. All such properties and assets are in good
condition and repair, consistent with their respective ages, and have been
maintained and serviced in accordance with the normal practices of the Company
and as necessary in the normal course of business. None of the assets is subject
to any liens, charges, encumbrances or security interests, except as set forth
in Exhibit B. None of the assets used in the Business (or uses to which they are
put) fails to conform with any applicable agreement, law, ordinance or
regulation in a manner which is likely to be material to the operations of the
Business.
I. Taxes. The Company has filed or caused to be filed on a timely
basis all federal, state, local, foreign and other tax returns, reports and
declarations (collectively, "Tax Returns") required to be filed by it. All Tax
Returns filed by or on behalf of the Company are true, complete and correct in
all material respects. The Company has paid all income, estimated, excise,
franchise, gross receipts, capital stock, profits, stamp, occupation, sales,
use, transfer, value added, property (whether real, personal or mixed),
employment, unemployment, disability, withholding, social security, workers'
compensation and other taxes, and interest, penalties, fines, costs and
assessments (collectively, "Taxes"), due and payable with respect to the periods
covered by such Tax Returns (whether or not reflected thereon). There are no Tax
liens on any of the properties or assets, real, personal or mixed, tangible or
intangible, of the Company. Since September 30, 1998, the Company has not
incurred any tax liability other than in the ordinary course of business. Except
for audits with respect to New York State sales tax and unemployment insurance
which are now closed, no Tax Return of the Company has ever been audited. No
deficiency in Taxes for any period has been asserted by any taxing authority
which remains unpaid at the date hereof (the results of any settlement
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8
having been disclosed), no written inquiries or notices have been received by
the Company from any Taxing authority with respect to possible claims for Taxes,
the Company has no reason to believe that such an inquiry or notice is pending
or threatened, and there is no basis for any additional claims or assessments
for Taxes. The Company has not agreed to the extension of the statute of
limitations with respect to any Tax Return or Tax period. The Company has
delivered to the Purchaser copies of the federal and state income Tax Returns
filed by the Company for the past two years and for all other past periods as to
which the appropriate statute of limitations has not lapsed. Since 1986, the
Company has had an effective Subchapter S election in place for federal and
state purposes.
J. Permits; Compliance with Applicable Law.
(i) General. The Company is not in default under any, and
has complied with all, statutes, ordinances, regulations and laws, orders,
judgments and decrees of any court or governmental entity or agency, relating to
the Business or the Assets as to which a default or failure to comply might
result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor the Shareholder has
any knowledge of any basis for assertion of any violation of the foregoing or
for any claim for compensation or damages or otherwise arising out of any
violation of the foregoing. Neither the Company nor the Shareholder has received
any notification of any asserted present or past failure to comply with any of
the foregoing which has not been satisfactorily responded to in the time period
required thereunder.
(ii)Permits; Intellectual Property. There are no material
permits, licenses, accreditations, approvals, franchises, patents, registered
and common law trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, notices or
authorizations issued by governmental entities, other regulatory authorities,
federal, state or local, or trade organizations or associations (collectively
"Permits"), held by the Company in connection with the Business. No Permits are
required to be held by the Company in connection with the Business.
(iii) Environmental. (a) To the best of the knowledge of the
Company and the Shareholder, the Company has duly complied in all material
respects with the provisions of all federal, state and local environmental,
health and safety laws, codes and ordinances and all rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(b) To the best of the knowledge of the Company and the
Shareholder, the Company has not received any notice of, and neither the Company
nor the Shareholder knows of any facts which might constitute, violations of any
federal, state or local environmental, health or safety laws, codes or
ordinances, and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, which relate to
the use, ownership or occupancy of the premises leased by the Company.
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9
K. Accounts Receivable; Cash, Accounts Payable.
(i) The accounts receivable of the Company are in their entirety
valid accounts receivable, arising in the ordinary course of business. The
Company shall have available to the Purchaser, and the Assets shall include,
unrestricted cash equal to $750,000.
(ii) The accounts payable and other accrued expenses reflected in
the Financial Statements, and the accounts payable and accrued expenses incurred
by the Business subsequent to September 30, are in all respects valid claims
that arose in the ordinary course of business. Since September 30, 1998, the
accounts payable and other accrued expenses of the Business have been maintained
on a current basis.
L. Contractual and Other Obligations. Set forth in Exhibit B is a
list and brief description of all (i) material contracts, agreements, licenses,
leases, arrangements (written or oral) and other documents to which the Company
is a party or by which the Company or any of the Assets is bound (including, in
the case of loan agreements, a description of the amounts of any outstanding
borrowings thereunder and the collateral, if any, for such borrowings); (ii)
obligations and liabilities of the Company pursuant to uncompleted orders for
the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment and services for the requirements
of the Business with respect to which the remaining obligation of the Company is
in excess of $10,000, and (iii) material contingent obligations and liabilities
of the Company; all of the foregoing being hereinafter referred to as the
"Contracts". Neither the Company nor any other party is in default in the
performance of any covenant or condition under any Contract, except where such
default would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and no claim of such a default
has been made and no event has occurred which with the giving of notice or the
lapse of time would constitute a default under any covenant or condition under
any Contract. The Company is not a party to any Contract which would terminate
or be materially adversely affected by consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. The Company is not a party to any Contract
expected to be performed at a loss. Originals or true, correct and complete
copies of all written Contracts have been provided to the Purchaser.
M. Compensation. Set forth in Exhibit D attached hereto is a list of
all material agreements between the Company and each person employed by or
independently contracting with the Company with regard to compensation, whether
individually or collectively, and set forth in Exhibit D is a list of all
employees of the Company entitled to receive annual compensation in excess of
$20,000 and their respective salaries. The transactions contemplated by this
Agreement will not result in any liability for severance pay to any employee or
independent contractor of the Company. The Company has not informed any employee
or independent contractor providing services to the Company that such person
will receive any increase in compensation or benefits or any ownership interest
in the Company or the Business.
N. Employee Benefit Plans. Except as set forth in Exhibit E attached
hereto, the Company does not maintain or sponsor, nor does it contribute to, any
pension,
<PAGE>
10
profit-sharing, savings, bonus, incentive or deferred compensation, severance
pay, medical, life insurance, welfare or other employee benefit plan. Except as
set forth in Exhibit E, all pension, profit-sharing, savings, bonus, incentive
or deferred compensation, severance pay, medical, life insurance, welfare or
other employee benefit plans within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (hereinafter referred to as
"ERISA"), in which the employees participate (such plans and related trusts,
insurance and annuity contracts, funding media and related agreements and
arrangements being hereinafter referred to as the "Benefit Plans") comply with
all requirements of the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service,
and with all other applicable laws, and the Company has not taken or failed to
take any action with respect to the Benefit Plans which might create any
liability on the part of the Company or the Purchaser.
O. Labor Relations. There have been no violations of any federal,
state or local statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders or
directives with respect to the employment of individuals by, or the employment
practices or work conditions of, the Company, or the terms and conditions of
employment, wages and hours, which violations could have, either individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not engaged in any
unfair labor practice or other unlawful employment practice and there are no
charges of unfair labor practices or other employee-related complaints pending
or, to the best of the knowledge of the Shareholder and the Company, threatened
against the Company.
P. Increases in Compensation or Benefits. Subsequent to the date of
the 1998 Balance Sheet, there have been no increases in the compensation payable
or to become payable to any of the employees of the Company and there have been
no payments or provisions for any awards, bonuses, loans, profit sharing,
pension, retirement or welfare plans or similar or other disbursements or
arrangements for or on behalf of such employees (or related parties thereof), in
each case, other than pursuant to currently existing plans or arrangements, if
any, set forth in Exhibit E; provided, however, that in no event was any such
increase in compensation or any such payment or provision made with respect to
the Shareholder (or any members of the family of the Shareholder). All bonuses
heretofore granted to employees of the Company have been paid in full to such
employees. Listed in Exhibit E are the employees of the Company and their
employment starting dates. The vacations of all employees are governed by the
Company's employee handbook, except for the vacations of the Shareholder.
Q. Insurance. A list and brief description of the insurance policies
maintained by the Company with respect to the Business is set forth in Exhibit
B. Such insurance policies are in full force and effect and all premiums due
thereon prior to or on the date of the Closing have been paid. The Company has
complied in all material respects with the provisions of such policies. The
Company has not received any notices of any pending or threatened termination or
premium increases with respect to any such policies, except where such
terminations or premium increases would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The
Company has not had any casualty loss or occurrence which may give rise to any
claim of any kind not covered by insurance and neither the Company nor
<PAGE>
11
the Shareholder is aware of any occurrence which may give rise to any claim of
any kind not covered by insurance. No third party has filed any claim against
the Company or the Business for personal injury or property damage of a kind for
which liability insurance is generally available which is not fully insured,
subject only to the standard deductible. All material claims against the Company
or the Business covered by insurance have been reported to the insurance carrier
on a timely basis. The Company has adequate insurance and reserves to cover any
liability that may arise out of any claims, including but not limited to workers
compensation and health insurance claims, that may be asserted against the
Business for occurrences prior to the date of the Closing.
R. Conduct of Business. The Company is not restricted from
conducting the Business in any location by agreement or court decree.
S. Allowances. The Company has no obligation outside of the
ordinary course of business to make allowances to any customers with respect to
the Business.
T. Use of Names. The only name under which the Company conducts the
Business is A M Medica Communications. There are no other persons or businesses
conducting businesses similar to those of the Company having the right to use or
using such name or any variants of such name; and no other person or business
has ever attempted to restrain the Company or the Shareholder from using such
name or any variant thereof.
U. Power of Attorney. The Company has not granted any power of
attorney (revocable or irrevocable) to any person, firm or corporation with
respect to the Assets or the Business.
V. Litigation; Disputes. There are no material claims, disputes,
actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the best of the
knowledge of the Company and the Shareholder, threatened against or affecting
the Company, the Business or any of the Assets, no such claim, dispute, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation has been pending or, to the best of the
knowledge of the Shareholder or the Company, threatened during the five-year
period preceding the date of the Closing and, to the best of the knowledge of
the Shareholder and the Company, there is no basis for any such claim, dispute,
action, suit, investigation or proceeding. Neither the Company nor the
Shareholder has any knowledge of any default under any such action, suit or
proceeding. The Company is not in default in respect of any judgment, order,
writ, injunction or decree of any court or of any federal, state, municipal or
other government department, commission, bureau, agency or instrumentality or
any arbitrator.
W. Location of Business and Assets. The only location (specifying
state, county and city) where the Company (i) has a place of business, (ii) owns
or leases real property and (iii) owns or leases any other property, including
equipment and furniture is 305 E. 46th Street, New York City, except for a
leased copier located in Portland, Maine.
<PAGE>
12
X. Computer Software. The Company has the right to use all computer
software, including all property rights constituting part of that computer
software, used in connection with the Company's business operations.
Y. Disclosure. No representation or warranty made under any Section
hereof and none of the information furnished by the Company or the Shareholder
set forth herein, in the exhibits hereto or in any document delivered by the
Company or the Shareholder to the Purchaser, or any authorized representative of
the Purchaser, pursuant to this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
herein or therein not misleading.
Z. Investment. (i) The Shareholder has received the Prospectus and
the Exchange Act Reports (as hereinafter defined) and has had access to such
other information relating to the business and affairs of the Purchaser which
the Shareholder has reasonably requested, and all additional information which
the Shareholder has considered necessary to verify the accuracy of the
information so received. The Shareholder has had the opportunity to ask
questions of and receive answers from the Purchaser concerning the terms and
conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. On the basis of
the foregoing, the Shareholder is familiar with the operations, business plans
and financial condition of the Purchaser.
(ii) The Shareholder understands that the Purchaser is issuing
to the Shareholder at the Closing and may issue and deliver to the Shareholder,
as part of the Contingent Payments, shares of Purchaser Common Stock pursuant to
this Agreement, without compliance with the registration requirements of the
Securities Act; that for such purpose the Purchaser will rely upon the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein; and that
such non-compliance with registration is not permissible unless such
representations and warranties are correct and such covenants and agreements
performed. The Shareholder is an "accredited investor" as such term is defined
in Rule 501 under the Securities Act.
(iii) The Shareholder understands that, under existing rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Shareholder may be
unable to sell her shares of Purchaser Common Stock except to the extent that
her shares of Purchaser Common Stock may be sold (i) pursuant to an effective
registration statement covering such shares pursuant to the Securities Act or
(ii) in a bona fide private placement to a purchaser who shall be subject to the
same restrictions on any resale or (iii) subject to the restrictions contained
in Rule 144 under the Securities Act ("Rule 144"). The Shareholder understands
that the Purchaser is under no obligation to effect a registration of the
Shareholder's shares of Purchaser Common Stock under the Securities Act.
(iv) The Shareholder is familiar with the provisions of Rule
144 and the limitations upon the availability and applicability of such rule.
(v) The Shareholder is a sophisticated investor familiar with
the type of risks inherent in the acquisition of restricted securities such as
the shares of
<PAGE>
13
Purchaser Common Stock and her financial position is such that she can afford to
retain the shares of Purchaser Common Stock for an indefinite period of time
without realizing any direct or indirect cash return on her investment.
(vi) The Shareholder is acquiring her shares of Purchaser
Common Stock for her account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection
with, the distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.
AA. Contingent Payments. The Shareholder understands and agrees that
the Contingent Payments she will receive, if earned, are Subordinated
Obligations as that term is defined in the Contingent Payment Subordination
Agreement in the form of Exhibit I attached hereto (the "Contingent Payment
Subordination Agreement").
SECTION III
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS AND
AGREEMENTS OF THE SHAREHOLDER
The Shareholder hereby represents and warrants to, and covenants and
agrees with, the Purchaser, as of the date of the Closing, that:
A. Authority. The Shareholder is fully able to execute and deliver
this Agreement and to perform the Shareholder's covenants and agreements
hereunder, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation
of the Shareholder, enforceable against the Shareholder in accordance with its
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable equitable
principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar
laws from time to time in effect affecting the enforcement of creditor's rights
generally.
B. No Legal Bar; Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of
this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
violates any statute, ordinance, regulation, order, judgment or decree of any
court or governmental agency, or conflicts with or will result in any breach of
any of the terms of or constitute a default under or result in the termination
of or the creation of any lien pursuant to the terms of any contract or
agreement to which the Shareholder is a party or by which the Shareholder or any
of the Shareholder's assets is bound.
C. Ownership of Common Stock. The Shareholder is the sole owner,
beneficially and of record, of the Shares, free and clear of any lien,
encumbrance, charge, security interest or claim whatsoever. The Shareholder has
the right to transfer the Shares to the Purchaser and, upon transfer of the
Shares to the Purchaser hereunder, the Purchaser will acquire good and
marketable title to the Shares, free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, charge,
security interest or claim whatsoever.
<PAGE>
14
SECTION IV
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS OF THE PURCHASER
The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to, and covenants and
agrees with, the Company and the Shareholder, as of the date of the Closing,
that:
A. Organization and Qualification. The Purchaser is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
and has full corporate power and authority to own its properties and to conduct
the businesses in which it is now engaged. The Purchaser is in good standing in
each other jurisdiction wherein the failure so to qualify would have a material
adverse effect on the financial condition, business, operations, results of
operations, assets or properties of the Purchaser (a "Purchaser Material Adverse
Effect"). The Purchaser has full corporate power, authority and legal right, and
all necessary approvals, permits, licenses and authorizations, to own its
properties and to conduct the businesses conducted by it and to enter into and
consummate the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, except for such
approvals, permits, licenses and authorizations, the absence of which would not
have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
B. Authority. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Purchaser, the performance by the Purchaser of its covenants and agreements
hereunder and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. This
Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser,
enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable equitable principles or by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to
time in effect affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.
C. No Legal Bar; Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of
this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
violates any provision of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the
Purchaser or any statute, ordinance, regulation, order, judgment or decree of
any court or governmental agency or board, or conflicts with or will result in
any breach of any of the terms of or constitute a default under or result in the
termination of or the creation of any lien pursuant to the terms of any contract
or agreement to which the Purchaser is a party or by which the Purchaser or any
of the assets of the Purchaser is bound, except where such violation, conflict,
breach, default, termination or lien creation would not have a Purchaser
Material Adverse Effect.
D. Purchaser Common Stock. The shares of the Purchaser Common Stock
issued to the Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Purchaser.
<PAGE>
15
E. SEC Filings. The Purchaser has delivered to the Shareholder (i)
the Purchaser's Prospectus dated February 13, 1998 (the "Prospectus") and (ii)
the Purchaser's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1997 and the Purchaser's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended March 31, 1998 and June 30, 1998 (all of the foregoing, the "Exchange Act
Reports").
As of its filing date, each Exchange Act Report filed pursuant to
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") complied as
to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and
did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Since the filing of the last Exchange Act Report, no event or
circumstance requiring public disclosure has occurred and none is reasonably
foreseeable which would have a Purchaser Material Adverse Effect.
The Prospectus, as of its date, complied as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and did not 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.
F. Superior Indebtedness. The Purchaser's credit facility with
NationsBank, National Association pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of
April 9, 1998 constitutes the only "Superior Indebtedness" of the Purchaser as
that term is used in the Note Subordination Agreement (as hereinafter defined)
and the Contingent Payment Subordination Agreement (as hereinafter defined).
SECTION V
ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES
AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY,
THE SHAREHOLDER AND THE PURCHASER
A. Publicity. Each of the Company and the Shareholder and the
Purchaser covenants and agrees that any and all publicity (whether written or
oral) and notices to third parties (other than employees of the Company or
agents of the parties involved in the transactions contemplated hereby)
concerning the sale of the Shares and other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to the prior approval of the Purchaser and the
Shareholder.
B. Correspondence, etc. The Shareholder covenants and agrees that
she will deliver to the Company, promptly after the receipt thereof, all
inquiries, correspondence and other materials received by her from any person or
entity relating to the Business.
<PAGE>
16
C. Books and Records. Each of the Company and the Shareholder
represents and warrants, jointly and severally, that the books and records of
the Company are in all respects complete and correct, have been maintained in
accordance with good business practices and accurately reflect the basis for the
financial position and results of operations of the Company set forth in the
Financial Statements. All of such books and records have been available for
inspection by the Purchaser and its representatives. The Company covenants and
agrees that it shall give the Shareholder reasonable access to the historical
financial books and records of the Company. The Company shall retain all such
books and records in substantially their condition at the time of the Closing.
None of such books and records shall be destroyed without the prior written
approval of the Shareholder or without first offering such books and records to
the Shareholder.
D. Working Capital. The Purchaser shall make payments as set forth
in Exhibit L attached hereto.
E. Taxes. (i) The Purchaser and the Shareholder recognize that the
Company has elected, pursuant to Section 1362 of the Code, to be treated as an S
Corporation as that term is defined in Section 1361 of the Code. The Purchaser
and the Shareholder further recognize that upon the transfer of the Shares to
the Purchaser, the election of the Company shall terminate and as a result of
such termination a short taxable year (ending on the day before the date of the
termination) for the Company (the "S Short Year") will result. A short taxable
year not governed by the Subchapter S rules of the Code would then begin for the
Company on the date of the termination of its S election. The Purchaser, the
Shareholder and the Company agree that the Company shall make an election
pursuant to Section 1362(e)(3) of the Code to close its books on the last day of
the S Short Year. Such election shall be filed in compliance with the
regulations promulgated under Section 1362(e)(3) of the Code.
(ii) The Purchaser and the Shareholder shall make an election under
Section 338(h)(10) of the Code (and any comparable election under state or local
Tax law) with respect to the acquisition of the Shares by the Purchaser. The
Purchaser and the Shareholder shall cooperate fully with each other in the
making of such election. In particular, and not by way of limitation, in order
to effect such election, forthwith upon the request of the Purchaser, the
Shareholder shall execute with the Purchaser necessary copies of IRS Forms 8023
or 8023-A and all attachments required to be filed therewith pursuant to
applicable Treasury regulations setting forth allocations as determined by the
parties.
(iii)The Purchase Price and the liabilities of the Company assumed
by the Purchaser hereunder (the "Assumed Liabilities") shall be allocated to the
assets of the Company in a manner which is intended to comply with the
allocation method required by Section 338 of the Code. The parties shall
cooperate to comply with all substantive and procedural requirements of Section
338 of the Code and any regulations thereunder, and the allocation shall be
adjusted if, and to the extent, necessary to comply with the requirements of
Section 338 of the Code. Neither the Purchaser nor the Shareholder will take,
nor permit any affiliated person to take, for federal, state or local income Tax
<PAGE>
17
purposes, any position inconsistent with the allocation agreed upon or, if
applicable, such agreed upon adjusted allocation.
(iv) The Shareholder shall be responsible for preparing and filing
the federal and state income or franchise Tax Returns of the Company required to
be filed by the Company in respect of any and all periods up to and including
the date of the Closing (including, without limitation, the Company's federal
income Tax Returns for the short taxable year ending with the date of the
Closing) to the extent not already filed, whether or not required to be filed on
or before the date of the Closing, and shall pay all income or franchise Taxes
(and interest, penalties, fines or assessments thereon) due and payable by the
Company for all periods up to and including the date of the Closing to the
extent not already paid (including, without limitation, the federal and state
income Taxes due and payable with respect to the short taxable year referenced
in the preceding sentence.) The Shareholder shall review all such Tax Returns
with the Purchaser prior to filing and shall submit such proof of payment of the
Taxes due as the Purchaser shall reasonably request.
(v) The Purchaser and the Shareholder hereby agree that it is their
intention that the Shareholder be compensated by the Purchaser for the income
tax differential incurred by her because a 338(h)(10) election will be made in
conjunction with the Purchaser's acquisition of Shares. The parties hereby also
agree that the theoretical differences (with their current estimated cost) are
as follows:
o Ordinary Income rates applicable to Hot Assets. The net hot assets
(generally receivables less deferred revenue and accounts payable)
will be taxed at ordinary income rates of 39.6% compared to the
capital gains rate of 20% creating a rate differential of 19.6%. The
preliminary balance sheet prepared by PriceWaterhouseCoopers indicates
that this amount is approximately $338,100 - (Net Hot Assets of
$1,725,000 times 19.6%). An additional payment of $169,100 will be
paid to the Shareholder to cover federal taxes.
o New York State Tax on S Corporations. New York State has an
alternative tax on S corporations which will cause an additional tax
burden of 1.125% on the gain recognized in 1998. The 1998 gain is
estimated to be $21,007,200. The additional state tax (which is on the
1998 gain only) is $236,331 before federal benefit. The Shareholder
shall be entitled to this amount reduced for federal benefit. The
Shareholder should receive approximately $142,744 for this issue.
o New York City Corporate Tax. The City of New York will tax the gain at
a rate of 8.85 %. The Shareholder will be compensated for this amount
less federal benefit. The additional tax is calculated on the 1998
gain only. Therefore, the amount due the Shareholder is approximately
$1,859,137 calculated as follows: $21,007,200 gain times NYC rate of
8.85% = $1,859,137 net of federal benefit of 39.6% = $1,122,919. An
<PAGE>
18
additional payment of $239,800 will be paid to the Shareholder to
cover federal Taxes.
The parties further agree that the exact numbers may vary but that the
methodology is agreed to as part of this transaction. It is further understood
that the federal benefits described above can only be obtained by the
Shareholder if she causes the Company to pay the state and city taxes enumerated
above before the transaction closes. The Shareholder has heretofore caused the
Company to make the payments.
F. Key Employees. The Shareholder covenants and agrees to use her
best efforts to cause, within thirty (30) days of the date of the Closing, each
of Malvina Wasserman, Janet Shaw and Barbara Monaghan (collectively, the "Key
Employees") to enter into an amended employment letter containing
non-solicitation of employees and business provisions satisfactory to the
Purchaser.
G. Withdrawal of Funds Post Closing. The Purchaser and the Shareholder
acknowledge and agree that, although the Company will be owned by the Purchaser,
the following restrictions will be in place during the period from the Closing
to the last to occur of the following (such period, the "Restricted Period"):
A. Payment in full to the Shareholder by the Purchaser of total excess
working capital as defined in and provided for in Exhibit L attached
hereto;
B. Payment in full to the to the Shareholder by the Purchaser of an
amount equal to the estimated tax payments made on October 22, 1998 by
the Company because of the 338(h)(10) election made in conjunction
with the acquisition of the Shares; or
C. March 17, 1999.
During the Restricted Period, and except for the liens of NationsBank, N.A. and
the Shareholder in the assets of the Company, no cash, cash equivalents or other
current assets of the Company may be withdrawn for any reason from the Company
(it being understood that funds may be used to pay the expenses of the Business)
or encumbered for any reason without the express written consent of the Chief
Financial Officer of the Purchaser or his designee and the Shareholder or her
designee (jointly).
As of the date hereof, Irvin Schmutter is the Shareholder's designee.
In addition, the Purchaser agrees that during the period of the employment of
the Shareholder by the Purchaser all passthru funds received by the Company from
its customers will be placed in a segregated bank account and will be used
solely for the payment of such passthru expenses as incurred. This restriction
may only be overridden by the sole authority of the Shareholder.
<PAGE>
19
H. The Plan. The Shareholder agrees that she will cause the Company
to adopt a resolution terminating the Company's 401(k) Plan (the "Plan") as of a
date prior to the Closing. As soon as practicable following the receipt of a
favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to
the termination of the Plan, the trustee(s) of the Plan shall distribute the
participants' account balances in the Plan in accordance with the terms of the
Plan documents and any and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The
current trustee(s) of the Plan shall remain as trustee(s) of the Plan through
completion of the termination of the Plan and the distribution of the account
balances in the Plan. The Purchaser agrees that the costs of terminating the
Plan shall be borne by the Company. Any fines or penalties or costs outside the
ordinary course of administration of the Plan (collectively, "Extraordinary Plan
Costs") relating to the operation of the Plan which result from any failure to
administer the Plan prior to the Closing in compliance with applicable law shall
be borne by the Shareholder.
SECTION VI
CLOSING
A. Time and Place of Closing. The closing of the purchase and sale
of the Shares as set forth herein (the "Closing") shall be held at the offices
of Haythe & Curley, 20th Floor, 237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, at 10:00
A.M. on October 24, 1998, or such other time and place as the parties may
mutually agree.
B. Delivery of the Shares. Delivery of the Shares shall be made by
the Company to the Purchaser (or the Designee) at the Closing by delivering one
or more certificates in negotiable form representing the Shares against payment
of the Purchase Price.
SECTION VII
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
SECTION VIII
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
SECTION IX
INDEMNIFICATION
A. Indemnification by the Shareholder. The Shareholder shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser and the Company from and against any
and all losses, claims, assessments, demands, damages, liabilities, obligations,
costs and/or expenses whatsoever (hereinafter referred to collectively as the
"Purchaser's Damages"),
<PAGE>
20
including, without limitation, Purchaser's Counsel Expenses (as hereinafter
defined), sustained or incurred by the Purchaser (or the Company) as a result of
or arising from (a) the breach of any of the obligations, covenants or
provisions of, or the inaccuracy of any of the representations or warranties
made by, the Company or the Shareholder herein or (b) any Extraordinary Plan
Costs. For purposes hereof "Purchaser's Counsel Expenses" shall mean reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel howsoever sustained or incurred by the
Purchaser (or the Company), including, without limitation, in any action or
proceeding between the Purchaser and the Shareholder or in any action or
proceeding between the Purchaser and any third party. In addition to the right
of the Purchaser to indemnification hereunder, the Purchaser shall have the
right from time to time to set off the amount of any of the Purchaser's Damages
against any Contingent Payments and against any payment of principal of or
interest on the Note; provided, however, that the Purchaser shall not have the
right to set-off under this Section IX(A) the amount of the Purchaser's Damages
which it may sustain or incur by reason of a breach of the Shareholder's
covenants contained in Section X hereof.
B. Indemnification by the Purchaser. The Purchaser shall indemnify
and hold harmless the Shareholder from and against any and all losses, claims,
assessments, demands, damages, liabilities, obligations, costs and/or expenses
whatsoever (hereinafter referred to as the "Shareholder's Damages"; the
Shareholder's Damages and the Purchaser's Damages are sometimes referred to
herein as the "Damages"), including, without limitation, Shareholder's Counsel
Expenses (as hereinafter defined), sustained or incurred by the Shareholder as a
result of or arising from the breach of any of the obligations, covenants or
provisions of, or the inaccuracy of any of the representations or warranties
made by, the Purchaser herein. For purposes hereof "Shareholder's Counsel
Expenses" shall mean reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel howsoever
sustained or incurred by the Shareholder, including, without limitation, in any
action or proceeding between the Shareholder and the Purchaser or in any action
or proceeding between the Shareholder and any third party.
C. Procedure for Indemnification. In the event that any party hereto
shall incur (or anticipates that it may incur in the case of third party claims)
any Damages in respect of which indemnity may be sought by such party pursuant
to this Section IX, the party indemnified hereunder (the "Indemnified Party")
shall notify the party or parties providing indemnification (the "Indemnifying
Party") promptly; in the case of third party claims, such notice shall in any
event be given within thirty (30) days of the filing or assertion of any claim
against the Indemnified Party stating the nature and basis of such claim;
provided, however, that any delay or failure to notify any Indemnifying Party of
any claim shall not relieve it from any liability except to the extent that the
Indemnifying Party demonstrates that the defense of such action is materially
prejudiced by such delay or failure to notify. In the case of third party
claims, the Indemnifying Party shall, within ten (10) days of receipt of notice
of such claim, notify the Indemnified Party of its intention to assume the
defense of such claim at its own expense. If the Indemnifying Party shall not
assume the defense of any such claim or litigation resulting therefrom, the
Indemnified Party may defend against any such claim or litigation in such manner
as it may deem appropriate and the Indemnified Party may settle such claim or
litigation on
<PAGE>
21
such terms as it may deem appropriate. In the event that a dispute arises
concerning the obligation of the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of a
claim, or a dispute arises concerning a claim hereunder which does not involve a
third party claim, or in the event that there is any other dispute relating to
indemnification, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith for a period of at
least sixty (60) days to resolve any dispute. If it shall be finally determined
that the Indemnifying Party failed to assume the defense of any claim for which
the Indemnifying Party is liable to the Indemnified Party for Damages, then the
expense of defending the claim shall be borne by the Indemnifying Party. Payment
of the Damages shall be made within ten (10) days of a final determination of a
claim.
A final determination of a claim shall be (i) a judgment of any
court determining the validity of a disputed claim, if no appeal is pending from
such judgment or if the time to appeal therefrom has elapsed, (ii) an award of
any arbitration determining the validity of such disputed claim, if there is not
pending any motion to set aside such award or if the time within which to move
to set such award aside has elapsed, (iii) a written termination of the dispute
with respect to such claim signed by all of the parties thereto or their
attorneys, (iv) a written acknowledgement of the Indemnifying Party that she or
it no longer disputes the validity of such claim, or (v) such other evidence of
final determination of a claim as shall be acceptable to the parties.
The Purchaser shall not be required to make any claim against the
Company or any other party in order to pursue any claim against the Shareholder
and the Shareholder shall not be entitled to any indemnification or right of
contribution from the Company or have any other rights against the Company in
connection with any claim made hereunder.
D. Agreements Concerning Indemnification. The Shareholder shall not
be obligated to indemnify the Purchaser (or the Company) for Purchaser's Damages
(i) in excess of an aggregate of $20,000,000, for Purchaser's Damages with
respect to which notice shall have been given by the Purchaser to the
Shareholder prior to March 17, 1999, or (ii) in excess of an aggregate of
$10,000,000, for Purchaser's Damages with respect to which notice shall have
been given by the Purchaser to the Shareholder on or after March 17, 1999 until
March 17, 2000. See Section XII(B) for agreements concerning the making of
indemnification claims.
SECTION X
NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
and in consideration thereof, the Shareholder shall, (a) subsequent to the date
of the Closing and until five years after the date of the Closing, directly or
indirectly, (i) engage, whether as principal, agent, investor, distributor,
representative, stockholder, employee, consultant, volunteer or otherwise, with
or without pay, in any activity or business venture, which is competitive with
the Business or the Purchaser's and the Company's business of providing
non-promotional educational programs and industry support,
<PAGE>
22
promotional activities and strategic medical communications services to the
pharmaceutical industry, including worldwide medical education, medical meetings
management, medical publishing, medical audiovisual production and interactive
medical education programs and other programs, (ii) solicit or entice or
endeavor to solicit or entice away from any member of the Purchaser Group (as
hereinafter defined) any person who was or is at the time of the solicitation or
enticement a director, officer, employee, agent or consultant of such member of
the Purchaser Group, on the Shareholder's own account or for any person, firm,
corporation or other organization, whether or not such person would commit any
breach of such person's contract of employment by reason of leaving the service
of such member of the Purchaser Group, (iii) solicit or entice or endeavor to
solicit or entice away any person who was or is at the time of the solicitation
or enticement a client or customer of any member of the Purchaser Group, on the
Shareholder's own account or for any other person, firm, corporation or
organization, or (iv) employ any person who was a director, officer or employee
of any member of the Purchaser Group or any person who is or may be likely to be
in possession of any confidential information or trade secrets relating to the
business of any member of the Purchaser Group, or (b) at any time, take any
action or make any statement the effect of which would be, directly or
indirectly, to impair the good will of any member of the Purchaser Group or the
business reputation or good name of any member of the Purchaser Group, or be
otherwise detrimental to the Purchaser, including any action or statement
intended, directly or indirectly, to benefit a competitor of any member of the
Purchaser Group. Because the remedy at law for any breach of the foregoing
provisions of this Section X would be inadequate, the Shareholder hereby
consents, in case of any such breach, to the granting by any court of competent
jurisdiction of specific enforcement, including, but not limited to pre-judgment
injunctive relief, of such provisions, as provided for in Section XII(F) hereof.
The parties hereto agree that if, in any proceeding, the court or
other authority shall refuse to enforce the covenants herein set forth because
such covenants cover too extensive a geographic area or too long a period of
time, any such covenant shall be deemed appropriately amended and modified in
keeping with the intention of the parties to the maximum extent permitted by
law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Shareholder shall not be deemed
to be in breach of the covenant contained in paragraph (a) above by reason of
(i) her activities from the date hereof until April 1, 1999 on behalf of
AMM-Adelphi, provided, that, such activities do not represent more than ten
percent (10%) of her business time and attention and, provided further, that
AMM-Adelphi continues to engage in business activities which are substantially
similar to, and consistent with, its activities on the date hereof or (ii) her
activities on and after April 1, 1999 as an investor in, and director of,
AMM-Adelphi, provided, that, such activities do not represent more than five
percent (5%) of her business time and attention and, provided further, that
AMM-Adelphi continues to engage in business activities which are substantially
similar to, and consistent with, its activities on the date hereof.
<PAGE>
23
In the event that an event of default shall have occurred under the
Note by reason of the failure of the Purchaser to pay any installment of
principal of the Note or in the event that any undisputed Contingent Payments
with respect to the Contingent Periods ending December 31, 1999 and thereafter
are not made when due, the Shareholder shall then have right to give further
written notice to the Purchaser to the effect that if the Note shall not have
been paid in full or the overdue Contingent Payments are not paid in full within
a period of 180 days following receipt by the Purchaser of such further notice,
then the provisions of Section X shall no longer bind the Shareholder except
that the Shareholder shall not solicit existing clients with respect to projects
existing on the date of termination of the non-compete agreement.
For purposes hereof, "Purchaser Group" shall mean, collectively, the
Purchaser and its subsidiaries, affiliates and parent entities operating in the
same lines of business.
SECTION XI
BROKERS AND FINDERS
A. The Shareholder's Obligation. Neither the Purchaser nor the
Shareholder shall have any obligation to pay any fee or other compensation to
any person, firm or corporation dealt with by the Company or the Shareholder in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and the
Shareholder hereby agrees to indemnify and save the Purchaser harmless from any
liability, damage, cost or expense arising from any claim for any such fee or
other compensation.
B. The Purchaser's Obligation. The Shareholder shall not have any
obligation to pay any fee or other compensation to any person, firm or
corporation dealt with by the Purchaser in connection with this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Purchaser hereby agrees to
indemnify and save the Shareholder harmless from any liability, damage, cost or
expense arising from any claim for any such fee or other compensation.
SECTION XII
MISCELLANEOUS
A. Notices. All notices, requests or instructions hereunder shall be
in writing and delivered personally, sent by telecopy or sent by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, as follows:
(1) If to the Shareholder:
47 East 88th Street
Apt. 12D
<PAGE>
24
New York, New York 10020
Telecopy No.: (212) 876-4134
Telephone No.: (212) 722-2647
with a copy to:
Parker Duryee Rosoff & Haft
529 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Helise Harrington, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (212) 972-9487
Telephone No.: (212) 599-0500
(2) If to the Purchaser or the Company:
2200 Clarendon Boulevard
11th Floor
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Attention: Michael Dinkins
Telecopy No.: (703) 528-6367
Telephone No.: (703) 516-6425
with a copy to:
Haythe & Curley
237 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Robert A. Ouimette, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (212) 682-0200
Telephone No.: (212) 880-6000
Any of the above addresses may be changed at any time by notice given as
provided above; provided, however, that any such notice of change of address
shall be effective only upon receipt. All notices, requests or instructions
given in accordance herewith shall be deemed received on the date of delivery,
if hand delivered or telecopied, and two business days after the date of
mailing, if mailed.
B. Survival of Representations. Each representation, warranty,
covenant and agreement of the parties hereto herein contained shall survive the
Closing, notwithstanding any investigation at any time made by or on behalf of
any party hereto, until March 17, 2000 except (a) for covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement which by their terms extend for periods after March
17, 2000 and (b) that nothing in the foregoing shall be deemed to diminish any
Indemnifying Party's indemnification obligations to an Indemnified Party
respecting any claim for Damages under Section IX hereof for which notice to the
Indemnifying Party has been given prior to March 17, 2000 and claims for common
law fraud, which shall survive for the duration
<PAGE>
25
of the applicable statute of limitation governing third party claims made with
respect thereto.
C. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents referred to
herein contain the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby, and no modification hereof shall be effective
unless in writing and signed by the party against which it is sought to be
enforced.
D. Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto shall use such
party's best efforts to take such actions as may be necessary or reasonably
requested by the other parties hereto to carry out and consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Shareholder agrees to execute
and deliver any reasonable and customary management representation letter
requested by the Purchaser's independent certified public accountants in
connection with their audit of the S-X Financial Statements and to otherwise
assist the Purchaser to prepare all required financial statements of the
Company.
E. Expenses. Each of the parties hereto shall bear such party's
own expenses in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
F. Injunctive Relief. In the event of a breach or threatened breach
by the Shareholder of the provisions of Section X of this Agreement, the
Shareholder hereby consents and agrees that the Purchaser and the Company shall
be entitled to an injunction or similar equitable relief restraining the
Shareholder from committing or continuing any such breach or threatened breach
or granting specific performance of any act required to be performed by the
Shareholder, as the case may be, under any such provision, without the necessity
of showing any actual damage or that money damages would not afford an adequate
remedy and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The
parties hereto hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the federal courts for the
Southern District of New York and the New York state courts located in such
District for any proceedings under this Section XII(F).
G. Invalidity. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be enforceable only if modified, such holding
shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of
which shall continue to be binding upon the parties hereto with any such
modification to become a part hereof and treated as though originally set forth
in this Agreement. The parties further agree that any such court is expressly
authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu
of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety,
whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the
offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement, or by making
such other modifications as it deems warranted to carry out the intent and
agreement of the parties as embodied herein to the maximum extent permitted by
law. The parties expressly agree that this Agreement as modified by the court
shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should
one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal
or
<PAGE>
26
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and if such provision or
provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed
as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been set forth
herein.
H. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and the
Purchaser, respectively, and the legal representatives and heirs of the
Shareholder.
I. Governing Law. The validity of this Agreement and of any of its
terms or provisions, as well as the rights and duties of the parties under this
Agreement, shall be construed pursuant to and in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
J. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
* * *
<PAGE>
27
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the
parties hereto as of the date first above written.
A M MEDICA COMMUNICATIONS, LTD.
By: /s/Ann M. Holmes
-------------------------------
Name: Ann M. Holmes
Title: President
/s/Ann M. Holmes
-------------------------------
Ann M. Holmes
CULTURALACCESSWORLDWIDE, INC.
By: /s/John Fitzgerald
-------------------------------
Name: John Fitzgerald
Title: President
SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY NOTE
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933. IT MAY
NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER SUCH ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE MAKER THAT SUCH
REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED. THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF OFFSET AS
PROVIDED FOR HEREIN. THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF A SUBORDINATION
AGREEMENT AS FROM TIME TO TIME AMENDED, RESTATED, SUPPLEMENTED OR
OTHERWISE MODIFIED, DATED AS OF OCTOBER 24, 1998, AMONG NATIONSBANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT FOR VARIOUS LENDERS,
CULTURALACCESSWORLDWIDE, INC., AND THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE. THIS NOTE MAY
NOT BE AMENDED OR MODIFIED WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF SUCH LENDERS.
6.5% Subordinated Promissory Note
due October 24, 2001
----------------------------------
$5,500,000 Arlington,
October 24, 1998 Virginia
Section 1. General. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, CULTURALACCESSWORLDWIDE
INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Maker"), hereby promises to pay to the order
of Ann M. Holmes (the "Payee"), at the offices of the Maker (except that the
Payee may require that payments shall be made to the Payee by mail at such
address as the Payee shall from time to time designate in writing to the Maker),
the principal sum of Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5,500,000), in
lawful money of the United States of America or such lesser amount as may be
payable due to offsets, if any, as provided for herein.
The principal amount hereof shall be payable in one (1) installment
in the amount of One Million Eight Hundred Thirty Three Thousand Dollars and
Thirty Four Cents ($1,833,333.34), payable on October 24, 1999 and two (2)
installments of One Million Eight Hundred Thirty Three Thousand Dollars and
Thirty Three Cents ($1,833,333.33) each, payable on October 24, 2000 and October
24, 2001, or such lesser amounts as may be payable due to offsets, if any. The
entire principal amount of this Note then outstanding together with any
outstanding accrued and unpaid interest thereon shall be due and payable on
October 24, 2001.
<PAGE>
2
The Maker hereby also promises to pay interest on the unpaid
principal amount hereof in like money, payable semi-annually commencing on April
24, 1999 and ending with the final payment of the principal due hereunder, at
such place, from the date hereof until payment of the principal amount hereof
has been made in full, at a fixed rate of six and one-half percent (6.5%) per
annum. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as
the case may be, and actual days elapsed. To the extent permitted by applicable
law, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default, as
set forth in Section 4 hereunder, any outstanding principal of this Note shall
bear interest at a rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum.
Section 2. Subordination. The Maker hereby covenants and agrees, and
the holder of this Note, by such holder's acceptance hereof, hereby consents,
covenants and agrees, that, the indebtedness of the Maker for or on account of
principal and interest on this Note, and the payment of the principal of and
interest (whether by redemption or otherwise) on this Note, is hereby expressly
made subordinate and junior in right of payment to the extent provided in the
Note Subordination Agreement signed as of the date hereof by and among the
Maker, the Payee and NationsBank, National Association (the "Note Subordination
Agreement").
Section 3. Optional Prepayment. The Maker may at any time with the
prior written consent of the holders of Superior Indebtedness so long as any
Superior Indebtedness (as defined in the Note Subordination Agreement) is
outstanding, prepay the whole or any part of the unpaid principal amount of this
Note, without penalty or premium, but with interest accrued to the date fixed
for prepayment. Notices of prepayment shall be given by the Maker by mail and
shall be mailed to the holder of this Note not less than thirty (30) days from
the date fixed for prepayment. In case this Note is to be prepaid in part only,
such notice shall specify the principal amount hereof to be prepaid, and shall
state that this Note shall be submitted to the Maker for notation hereon of the
principal amount hereof to be prepaid. Upon giving of notice of prepayment as
aforesaid, this Note or portion hereof so specified for prepayment shall on the
prepayment date specified in such notice become due and payable, and from and
after the prepayment date so specified (unless the Maker shall default in making
such prepayment), interest on this Note or portion hereof so specified for
prepayment shall cease to accrue and, on presentation and surrender hereof to
the Maker for cancellation in the case of this Note being prepaid as a whole, or
for notation hereon of the payment of the portion of the principal amount hereof
being prepaid in the case of a prepayment of this Note in part only, this Note
or portion hereof so specified for prepayment shall be paid by the Maker at the
prepayment price aforesaid.
Section 4. Events of Default and Remedies. Subject to the Note
Subordination Agreement, the holder of this Note shall have the right, without
demand or notice, to accelerate this Note and to declare the entire unpaid
balance hereof and the obligations evidenced hereby immediately due and payable
and to seek and obtain payment of this Note upon the occurrence of any of the
following events of default: (a) the Maker fails to pay any installment of
principal payable under this Note or interest thereon within twenty-one (21)
days after receipt of written notice from the holder of this Note to the effect
that such installment or interest has not been paid when due, or (b) the
<PAGE>
3
Maker admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become
due, files a petition in bankruptcy or a petition to take advantage of any
bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency act, makes an assignment for the
benefit of creditors, or consents to the appointment of a receiver for itself or
for all or substantially all of its property or, on a petition in bankruptcy
filed against it, is adjudicated a bankrupt, which judgment, order or decree
shall not be appealed within the permitted time period from the date of entry
thereof and subsequently vacated, or (c) the occurrence of a payment default
under the Maker's Credit Agreement dated April 9, 1998 with NationsBank,
National Association (the "Bank"), resulting in the Bank accelerating its
promissory note and declaring the entire unpaid balance thereof and the
obligations evidenced thereby immediately due and payable.. Upon such
declaration by the holder of this Note, the obligations evidenced by this Note
shall be immediately due and payable.
In the event of any event of default hereunder, the Maker agrees to
pay to the holder of this Note all expenses incurred by such holder, including,
without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, incurred by
such holder in the enforcement and collection of this Note.
Section 5. Right of Offset. The principal amount of and interest
accrued on this Note may be offset at any time or from time to time to the
extent of the full amount of any Purchaser's Damages (as defined in the
Agreement of Purchase and Sale dated as of October 24, 1998, by and among the
Maker, the Payee and A M Medica Communications, Ltd., a New York corporation
(the "Purchase Agreement")), except for any Purchaser's Damages arising from a
breach of Section X of the Purchase Agreement. The Maker shall have the right to
offset the full amount of any such Purchaser's Damages by reducing the amount of
the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on this Note by the amount of
such Purchaser's Damages. After the date of any offset, interest shall accrue on
the amount of principal which remains after such offset. The exercise of the
right of offset provided for in this Section 5 is not an exclusive remedy, and
the provisions of this Section 5 shall not prevent the Maker from exercising all
remedies otherwise permitted under applicable law, the terms of the Purchase
Agreement or the terms of this Note.
Section 6. Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and shall be
binding upon the successors and assigns of the Maker and inure to the benefit of
the Payee, the Payee's successors, endorsees and assigns.
Section 7. Severability. If any term or provision of this Note
shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity of all other terms
and provisions hereof shall in no way be affected thereby.
CULTURALACCESSWORLDWIDE, INC.
By /s/John Fitzgerald
-------------------------
Name: John Fitzgerald
Title: President
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made the 24th day of October, 1998 by and between
CulturalAccessWorldwide, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Ann
M. Holmes (the "Employee").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to assure itself of the services of the
Employee, and the Employee wishes to serve in the employ of the Company, upon
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto, intending to be legally
bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment, Term.
1.1 The Company agrees to employ the Employee, and the
Employee agrees to serve in the employ of the Company, for the term set forth in
Section 1.2, in the position and with the responsibilities, duties and authority
set forth in Section 2 and on the other terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
1.2 The term of the Employee's employment under this Agreement
shall be the period commencing on the date hereof and continuing through October
31, 2001, unless sooner terminated in accordance with this Agreement. The
Employee may, at her option, by giving written notice to the Company prior to
May 15, 2001, renew the term of this Agreement for an additional period of three
(3) years continuing through October 31, 2004.
2. Position, Duties.
2.1 The Employee shall serve the Company as the President of the A M
Medica Communications Group of the Company. The Employee shall report to, and
shall have such duties and responsibilities consistent with such position,
including the hiring and firing of Employees and the authority to increase the
compensation of the employees of the A M Medica Communications Group consistent
with the historical salary practices of the Group, and as are reasonably
requested of her by the President of the Company which such duties and
responsibilities shall be consistent with the Company's "client-business first"
corporate culture. The parties recognize that the Employee's primary focus will
be on the A M Medica Communications Group. The Employee's office shall be
located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City.
<PAGE>
2
2.2 The Employee shall perform her duties and responsibilities
hereunder faithfully and diligently. The Employee shall devote her full business
time and attention to the performance of her duties and responsibilities
hereunder; provided, however, that it is understood that the Employee may devote
no more than five percent (5%) of her time to her activities as an investor and
director in AMM-Adelphi (it being understood that the Employee may devote up to
ten percent (10%) of her time to various activities for AMM-Adelphi, until April
1, 1999), provided, that, at all times AMM-Adelphi continues to engage in
activities which are substantially similar to, and consistent with, its
activities on the date hereof. The parties agree that with respect to the four
quarterly corporate meetings that the Company holds each year, the Employee may
send a designated representative from the A M Medica Communications Group to
such meetings. The Employee hereby represents that she is not bound by any
confidentiality agreements or restrictive covenants which restrict or may
restrict her ability to perform her duties hereunder, and agrees that she will
not enter into any such agreements or covenants during the term of her
employment hereunder, except such restrictive covenants or confidentiality
agreements which are required by the Company.
3. Compensation.
3.1 Base Salary. During the term of this Agreement, in
consideration of the performance by the Employee of the services set forth in
Section 2 and her observance of the other covenants and agreements set forth
herein, the Company shall pay the Employee, and the Employee shall accept, a
base salary at the rate of $300,000 per annum, payable in accordance with the
standard payroll practices of the Company. In addition to the base salary
payable hereunder, the Employee may be entitled to receive merit increases in
salary during the term hereof in amounts and at such times as shall be
determined by the President of the Company in his sole discretion. In no event
shall the failure to grant any such increase (or the amount of any such
increase) give rise to a claim by the Employee under this Agreement.
3.2 Stock Options. Commencing on January 1, 1999, the Employee
shall be eligible to participate in the Company's stock option program. The
number of shares of Common Stock to be granted, if any, will be approved by the
Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.
3.3 Bonus. The Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual
bonus of up to 20% of her annual salary based upon achievement of certain
performance objectives established annually by the President of the Company.
4. Expense Reimbursement. During the term of the Employee's
employment by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, consistent with the
Company's policies and procedures as may be in effect from time to time, the
Company shall reimburse the Employee for all reasonable and necessary
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by her in connection with the performance of her
duties hereunder, upon the presentation of proper accounts therefor in
accordance with the Company's policies which such reimbursement shall be
consistent with the Employee's historical practices.
<PAGE>
3
5. Other Benefits. During the term of the Employee's employment by
the Company pursuant to this Agreement, consistent with the Company's policies
and procedures which may be in effect from time to time, the Employee shall be
entitled to receive six (6) weeks paid vacation time per annum and such other
benefits, including participation in the Company's 401(k) plan, as are available
to similarly situated employees. At the Employee's election, the Employee shall
either be entitled to continue the current medical, life insurance and
long/short term disability plans, or to participate in the A M Medica
Communications Group medical, life insurance and long/short term disability
plans. It is understood and agreed that the Employee shall be required to make
the same contributions and payments in order to receive any of such benefits as
may be required of similarly situated employees.
6. Termination of Employment.
6.1 Death. In the event of the death of the Employee during
the term of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the estate or other legal
representative of the Employee the salary provided for in Section 3.1 (at the
annual rate then in effect) accrued to the Employee's date of death and not
theretofore paid, and the estate or other legal representative of the Employee
shall have no further rights under this Agreement.
6.2 Disability. If the Employee shall become incapacitated by
reason of sickness, accident or other physical or mental disability and shall
for a period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days be unable to perform
her normal duties hereunder, with or without reasonable accommodation, the
employment of the Employee hereunder may be terminated by the Company upon ten
(10) days' prior written notice to the Employee. Promptly after such
termination, the Company shall pay to the Employee the salary provided for in
Section 3.1 (at the annual rate then in effect) accrued to the date of such
termination and not theretofore paid. Neither the Employee nor the Company shall
have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except as provided
in Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10.
6.3 Due Cause. The employment of the Employee hereunder may be
terminated by the Company at any time during the term of this Agreement for Due
Cause (as hereinafter defined). In the event of such termination, the Company
shall pay to the Employee the salary provided for in Section 3.1 (at the annual
rate then in effect) accrued to the date of such termination and not theretofore
paid to the Employee, and, after the satisfaction of any claim of the Company
against the Employee arising as a direct and proximate result of such Due Cause,
neither the Employee nor the Company shall have any further rights or
obligations under this Agreement, except as provided in Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10.
For purposes hereof, "Due Cause" shall mean (a) a material breach of any of the
Employee's obligations hereunder (it being understood that any breach of the
provisions of Sections 2, 7, 8 or 9 hereof shall be considered material); or (b)
the use of alcohol, or illegal or recreational drugs by the Employee to an
extent that such use interferes with the performance by the Employee of her
responsibilities hereunder; or (c) that the Employee repeatedly or intentionally
causes damage to the relations of any member of the Company Group (as
hereinafter defined) with its clients,
<PAGE>
4
suppliers or employees; or (d) that the Employee, in carrying out her duties
hereunder, has been guilty of (i) willful or gross neglect or (ii) willful or
gross misconduct, resulting in either case in material harm to any member of the
Company Group; or (e) that the Employee has been convicted of the commission of
or entered a plea of nolo contendere with respect to (i) a felony or (ii) any
crime or offence involving moral turpitude (provided that the Company may, in
its sole discretion, suspend the Employee during the period from the date of
charge or indictment until the date of conviction or other conclusion of
criminal proceedings and provided further that if the Employee is not convicted
or does not enter a plea of nolo contendere she will be entitled to full back
pay). In the event of an occurrence under this Section 6.3, the Employee shall
be given written notice by the Company that it intends to terminate the
Employee's employment for Due Cause under this Section, which written notice
shall specify the act or acts upon the basis of which the Company intends so to
terminate the Employee's employment. If the basis for such written notice is an
act or acts described in clause (a) or (b) above (and not involving moral
turpitude), the Employee shall be given thirty (30) days to cease or correct the
performance (or nonperformance) giving rise to such written notice and, upon
failure of the Employee within such thirty (30) days to cease or correct such
performance (or nonperformance), the Employee's employment by the Company shall
automatically be terminated hereunder for Due Cause.
6.4 Other Termination. The Company may terminate the
Employee's employment prior to the expiration of the term of this Agreement for
whatever reason it deems appropriate; provided, however, that in the event that
such termination is not pursuant to Sections 6.1, 6.2 or 6.3, the Company shall
continue to pay to the Employee (or her estate or other legal representative in
the case of the death of the Employee subsequent to such termination), in the
same periodic installments as her annual salary was paid, the salary provided
for in Section 3.1 (at the annual rate then in effect) until the earlier of (a)
the then scheduled expiration of the term hereof or (b) two (2) years following
the date of such termination. Neither the Employee nor the Company shall have
any further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except as provided in
Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10.
6.5 Termination by the Employee. The Employee may terminate
her employment at any time on or after April 23, 2000 upon not less than ninety
(90) days prior written notice to the Company. Subject to the notice requirement
specified below, the Employee may terminate her employment hereunder prior to
April 23, 2000 if the Company shall fail to pay (a) the compensation provided
for in Section 3.1, (b) any Contingent Payments, if earned, pursuant to the
terms of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale dated as of the date hereof by and
among the Company, the Employee and A M Medica Communications, Ltd. (the
"Purchase Agreement"), (c) any installments of principal of or interest on the
Note (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), or (d) any excess working capital
payments as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. The Employee's right to
terminate her employment shall arise if the Company shall fail, within
twenty-one (21) days of having received written notice from the Employee, to
make any of the payments due referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c) in the
preceding sentence. Upon termination hereunder, neither the Employee nor the
Company
<PAGE>
5
shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except as
provided in Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10.
6.6 Rights to Benefits. Upon termination of employment under
any provision contained in this Section 6, rights and benefits of the Employee,
her estate or other legal representative under the employee benefit plans and
programs of the Company, if any, will be determined in accordance with the terms
and provisions of such plans and programs. Neither the Employee nor the Company
shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement, except as
provided in Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10.
7. Confidential Information.
7.1 (a) The Employee shall, during the Employee's employment
with the Company and at all times thereafter, treat all confidential material
(as hereinafter defined) of the Company or any of the Company's subsidiaries,
affiliates or parent entities (the Company and the Company's subsidiaries,
affiliates and parent entities being hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Company Group") confidentially. The Employee shall not, without the prior
written consent of the President of the Company, disclose such confidential
material, directly or indirectly, to any party, who at the time of such
disclosure is not an employee or agent of any member of the Company Group, or
remove from the Company's premises any notes or records relating thereto, copies
or facsimiles thereof (whether made by electronic, electrical, magnetic,
optical, laser, acoustic or other means), or any other property of any member of
the Company Group. The Employee agrees that all confidential material, together
with all notes and records of the Employee relating thereto, and all copies or
facsimiles thereof in the possession of the Employee (whether made by the
foregoing or other means) are the exclusive property of the Company. The
Employee shall not in any manner use any confidential material of the Company
Group, or any other property of any member of the Company Group, in any manner
not specifically directed by the Company or in any way detrimental to any member
of the Company Group, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.
(b) For the purposes hereof, the term "confidential material"
shall mean all information in any way concerning the activities, business or
affairs of any member of the Company Group or any of the customers of any member
of the Company Group, including, without limitation, information concerning
trade secrets, together with all sales and financial information concerning any
member of the Company Group and any and all information concerning projects in
research and development or marketing plans for any products or projects of the
Company Group, and all information concerning the practices, customers and
clients of any member of the Company Group, and all information in any way
concerning the activities, business or affairs of any of such customers or
clients, as such, which is furnished to the Employee by any member of the
Company Group or any of its agents, customers or clients, as such, or otherwise
acquired by the Employee in the course of her Employment with the Company;
provided, however, that the term "confidential material" shall not include
information which becomes generally available to the public other than as a
result of a disclosure by the Employee.
<PAGE>
6
7.2 Promptly upon the request of the Company, the Employee
shall deliver to the Company all confidential material relating to any member of
the Company Group in the possession of the Employee without retaining a copy
thereof, unless, in the written opinion of counsel for the Company delivered to
the Employee, either returning such confidential material or failing to retain a
copy thereof would violate any applicable federal, state, local or foreign law,
in which event such confidential material shall be returned without retaining
any copies thereof as soon as practicable after such counsel advises in writing
to the Employee that the same may be lawfully done.
7.3 In the event that the Employee is required by law or by
oral questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents,
subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process, to disclose any
confidential material relating to any member of the Company Group, the Employee
shall provide the Company with prompt notice thereof so that the Company may
seek an appropriate protective order and/or waive compliance by the Employee
with the provisions hereof; provided, however, that if in the absence of a
protective order or the receipt of such a waiver, the Employee is, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, compelled to disclose confidential material
not otherwise disclosable hereunder to any legislative, judicial or regulatory
body, agency or authority, or else exposed to liability for contempt, fine or
penalty or to other censure, such confidential material may be so disclosed.
8. Non-Competition.
8.1 The Employee acknowledges that the services to be rendered
by her to the Company are of a special and unique character. The Employee agrees
that, in consideration of her employment hereunder, the Employee will not, (a)
during the term of this Agreement and (b) until two (2) years from the date of
termination of the Employee's employment with the Company or any other member of
the Company Group, directly or indirectly, (i) engage, whether as principal,
agent, investor, distributor, representative, stockholder, employee, consultant,
volunteer or otherwise, with or without pay, in any activity or business
venture, which is competitive with the business of the A M Medica Communications
Group of the Company or the Company's business of providing non-promotional
educational programs and industry support, promotional activities, and strategic
medical communications services to the pharmaceutical industry including
worldwide medical education, medical meetings management, medical publishing,
medical audiovisual production and interactive medical education programs, (ii)
solicit or entice or endeavor to solicit or entice away from any member of the
Company Group any person who was or is at the time of solicitation, a director,
officer, employee, agent or consultant of such member of the Company Group, on
the Employee's own account or for any person, firm, corporation or other
organization, whether or not such person would commit any breach of such
person's contract of employment by reason of leaving the service of such member
of the Company Group, (iii) solicit or entice or endeavor to solicit or entice
away any of the clients or customers or active prospects of any member of the
Company Group, either on the Employee's own account or for any other person,
firm, corporation or organization, or (iv) employ any person who was or is at
the time of solicitation, a director, officer or employee of any member of the
Company Group or any person who is or may be likely to be in possession
<PAGE>
7
of any confidential information or trade secrets relating to the business of any
member of the Company Group, or (b) at any time take any action or make any
statement, the effect of which would be, directly or indirectly, to impair the
good will of any member of the Company Group or the business reputation or good
name of any member of the Company Group, or be otherwise detrimental to the
Company, including any action or statement intended, directly or indirectly, to
benefit a competitor of any member of the Company Group.
8.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee shall not be
deemed to be in breach of the covenant contained in paragraph (a) above by
reason of (i) her activities from the date hereof until April 1, 1999 or behalf
of AMM-Adelphi, provided, that, such activities do not represent more than ten
percent (10%) of her business time and attention and, provided further, that
AMM-Adelphi continues to engage in business activities which are substantially
similar to, and consistent with, its activities and the date hereof or (ii) her
activities on and after April 1, 1999 as an investor in, and director of,
AMM-Adelphi, provided, that, such activities do not represent more than five
percent (5%) of her business time and attention and, provided further, that
AMM-Adelphi continues to engage in business activities which are substantially
similar to, and consistent with, its activities on the date hereof.
8.3 In the event that an event of default shall have occurred
under the Note by reason of the failure of the Company to pay any installment of
principal of the Note or in the event that any undisputed Contingent Payments
with respect to the Contingent Periods ending December 31, 1999 and thereafter
are not made when due, the Employee shall then have the right to give further
written notice to the Company to the effect that if the Note shall not have been
paid in full or the overdue Contingent Payments are not paid in full within a
period of one hundred eighty (180) days following receipt by the Company of such
further notice, then the provisions of this Section 8 shall no longer bind the
Employee, except that the Employee shall not solicit existing clients with
respect to projects existing on the date of termination of the non-compete
agreement.
8.4 The Employee and the Company agree that if, in any
proceeding, the court or authority shall refuse to enforce the covenants herein
set forth because such covenants cover too extensive a geographic area or too
long a period of time, any such covenant shall be deemed appropriately amended
and modified in keeping with the intention of the parties to the maximum extent
permitted by law.
8.5 The Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that the
covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 8 are reasonable in all
respects, and necessary in order to protect, maintain and preserve the value and
goodwill of the Company Group, as well as the proprietary and other legitimate
business interests of the members of the Company Group. The Employee
acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and agreements of the Employee set
forth in this Section 8 constitute a significant part of the consideration given
by the Employee to the Company in exchange for the salary and benefits provided
for in this Agreement, and are a material reason for such payment.
<PAGE>
8
9. Intellectual Property.
9.1 Any and all intellectual property, inventions or software
made, developed or created by the Employee (a) during the term of this Agreement
and (b) within a period of one year after the termination of the Employee's
employment with the Company or any other member of the Company Group, which
reasonably relate to the business of the Company or any other member of the
Company Group or which reasonably relate to any business conducted by the
Company during the term of the Employee's employment by the Company (each, an
"Invention"), whether at the request or suggestion of the Company or otherwise,
whether alone or in conjunction with others, and whether during regular working
hours of work or otherwise, shall be promptly and fully disclosed by the
Employee to the President and/or the Board of Directors of the Company and shall
be the Company's exclusive property as against the Employee, and the Employee
shall promptly deliver to the President and/or the Board of Directors all
papers, drawings, models, data and other material relating to any Invention
made, developed or created by her as aforesaid. In addition, the Employee
covenants and agrees to disclose to the Board of Directors any Invention
developed or created by the Employee during the term of this Agreement, whether
or not such Invention relates to the business being conducted by the Company or
any other member of the Company Group at the time of development or creation of
such Invention.
9.2 The Employee hereby expressly acknowledges and agrees that
any Invention developed or created by the Employee during the term of this
Agreement which reasonably relates to the business of the Company or any other
member of the Company Group or which reasonably relates to the business
conducted by the Company during the Employee's employment by the Company shall
be considered "works made for hire" within the meaning of the Copyright Act of
1976, as amended (17 U.S.C. ss. 101). Each such Invention as well as all copies
of such Invention in whatever medium fixed or embodied, shall be owned
exclusively by the Company as of the date of creation.
9.3 The Employee shall, upon the Company's request and without
any payment therefor, execute any documents necessary or advisable in the
opinion of the Company's counsel to direct issuance of patents or copyrights of
the Company with respect to such Invention as are to be in the Company's
exclusive property as against the Employee under this Section 9 or to vest in
the Company title to such inventions as against the Employee, the expense of
securing any such patent or copyright, to be borne by the Company. In addition,
the Employee agrees not to file any patent, copyright or trademark applications
related to such Invention.
10. Equitable Relief. In the event of a breach or threatened breach
by the Employee of any of the provisions of Sections 7, 8 or 9 of this
Agreement, the Employee hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be
entitled to pre-judgment injunctive relief or similar equitable relief
restraining the Employee from committing or continuing any such breach or
threatened breach or granting specific performance of any act required to be
performed by the Employee under any of such provisions, without the
<PAGE>
9
necessity of showing any actual damage or that money damages would not afford an
adequate remedy and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security.
The parties hereto hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the federal courts
located in the Southern District of New York and the state courts located in
such District for any proceedings under this Section 10. Nothing herein shall be
construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies at law or
in equity which it may have.
11. Successors and Assigns.
11.1 Assignment by the Company. The Company may assign this
Agreement to any member of the Company Group or to any entity which acquires
substantially all the assets and business of the Company, and the Employee
hereby consents to such assignment.
11.2 Assignment by the Employee. The Employee may not assign
this Agreement or any part hereof without the prior written consent of the
Company.
12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed a contract made
under, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of
the State of New York, applicable to contracts to be performed entirely within
such State.
13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is entered into pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement. This Agreement contains all the understandings and
representations between the parties hereto with respect to the Employee's
employment and supersedes all undertakings and agreements, whether oral or in
writing, if there be any, previously entered into by them with respect thereto;
provided, however, that Section 8 shall not serve as a limitation of the terms
of any other non-competition agreement between the Employee and any member of
the Company Group.
14. Modification and Amendment; Waiver. The provisions of this
Agreement may be modified, amended or waived, but only upon the written consent
of the party against whom enforcement of such modification, amendment or waiver
is sought and then such modification, amendment or waiver shall be effective
only to the extent set forth in such writing. No delay or failure on the part of
any party hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall effect
or operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right, power or
remedy preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or
remedy.
15. Notices. All notices, requests or instructions hereunder shall
be in writing and delivered personally, sent by telecopier or sent by registered
or certified mail, postage prepaid, as follows:
<PAGE>
10
If to the Company:
CulturalAccessWorldwide, Inc.
2200 Clarendon Boulevard, 11th Floor
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Attention: President
Telecopy: (703) 528-6367
Telephone: (703) 516-6437
If to the Employee:
47 East 88th Street, Apt. 12D
New York, New York 10020
Telecopy No.: (212) 876-4134
Telephone No.: (212) 722-2647
Either of the above addresses may be changed at any time by notice given as
provided above; provided, however, that any such notice of change of address
shall be effective only upon receipt. All notices, requests or instructions
given in accordance herewith shall be deemed received on the date of delivery,
if hand delivered or telecopied, and two business days after the date of
mailing, if mailed.
16. Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by
a court of competent jurisdiction to be enforceable only if modified, such
holding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the
balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the parties hereto with any
such modification to become a part hereof and treated as though originally set
forth in this Agreement. The parties further agree that any such court is
expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this
Agreement in lieu of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement
in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or
all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement, or
by making such other modifications as it deems warranted to carry out the intent
and agreement of the parties as embodied herein to the maximum extent permitted
by law. The parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the
court shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event,
should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and if such
provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall
be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never
been set forth herein.
17. Withholding. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, all
payments required to be made by the Company hereunder to the Employee or the
Employee's beneficiaries, including the Employee's estate, shall be subject to
withholding of such amounts relating to taxes as the Company may reasonably
determine it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. In
lieu of withholding such amounts, in whole or in part, the Company, may, in its
sole discretion, accept other
<PAGE>
11
provision for payment of taxes as permitted by law, provided it is satisfied in
its sole discretion that all requirements of law affecting its responsibilities
to withhold such taxes have been satisfied.
18. Expenses. Each of the parties hereto shall bear its own costs
and expenses, including attorneys fees and disbursements, incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
19. Survivorship. The respective rights and obligations of the
parties hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent
necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
20. Titles. Titles of the sections of this Agreement are intended
solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by
reference to the title of any section.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
* * *
<PAGE>
12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
on the date first above written.
CULTURALACCESSWORLDWIDE, INC.
By /s/John Fitzgerald
------------------------------
Name: John Fitzgerald
Title: President
/s/Ann M. Holmes
------------------------------
Ann M. Holmes
Contact:
Michael Dinkins Noonan/Russo Communications, Inc.
Senior Vice President, Finance and Heather Hennessy (media) Ext. 274
Administration & Meredith Milewicz (investors) Ext. 228
Chief Financial Officer (212) 696-4455
CulturalAccessWorldwide, Inc. [email protected]
(703) 516-6425
[email protected]
WWW.CULTURALACCESS.COM
CULTURALACCESSWORLDWIDE ACQUIRES AM MEDICA COMMUNICATIONS
- Expands Pharmaceutical Aspect of Business -
Arlington, VA - October 23, 1998 - CulturalAccessWorldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAWW),
an outsourced marketing services company, announced today that it is acquiring
AM Medica Communications Limited, located in New York City. AM Medica has
annualized revenue of $25 million. This acquisition is expected to be accretive.
Other financial terms were not disclosed.
Founded in 1986, AM Medica is a strategic medical education company that
provides a range of services to the pharmaceutical industry, including worldwide
medical education programs, medical meetings management, medical publishing,
medical audiovisual production and interactive medical education programs for
pharmaceutical companies. AM Medica's clients are leading pharmaceutical
companies.
John Fitzgerald, President and CEO of CulturalAccess, stated, "AM Medica is a
proven leader in the delivery of medical education programs for the
pharmaceutical industry. They have planned and managed over 250 international
meetings in countries around the world. Their expertise will contribute
substantially to our ability to access and communicate with physicians,
pharmacists and patients for our pharmaceutical clients. With this acquisition,
CulturalAccess' revenue from the pharmaceutical industry will be more than 60
percent. We will continue to pursue additional accretive acquisitions that
further expand the scope of our services to the pharmaceutical industry."
Ann M. Holmes, President of the new AM Medica Communications Group of
CulturalAccess Worldwide remarked, "We are delighted to join CulturalAccess. We
appreciate the company's focus on the development and implementation of targeted
programs for the pharmaceutical industry, including database management,
physician and pharmacist communications, sample fulfillment, sales force
productivity systems and teleservices. There are clear synergies where we can
leverage our core skills as well as our respective relationships within the
pharmaceutical industry."
CulturalAccess provides outsourced marketing services to more than 100 clients
in the pharmaceutical, telecommunications, financial services and consumer
products industries. The company designs and delivers innovative, data-driven
sales and marketing solutions that maximize clients' sales and profits. The
company has particular expertise in accessing key pharmaceutical audiences
physicians, pharmacists and patients - and niche consumer groups.
CulturalAccessWorldwide resources include proprietary databases of physicians
and pharmacies; strategic planning and market research services; medical
education; medical meetings management; medical publications; electronic
territory management systems (ETMS); ethical drug sample fulfillment; direct
mail capabilities, and inbound and outbound teleservices in 15 different
languages. CulturalAccessWorldwide has over 1,300 employees and representatives
in offices throughout the United States.
-more-
<PAGE>
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risk and
uncertainty. CulturalAccessWorldwide's actual results could differ materially
from those discussed in such forward-looking statements due to various factors
which are outside the company's control. For a more detailed discussion of these
factors and others, see the risk factors section of CulturalAccessWorldwide's
prospectus filed as part of its registration statement on Form S-1 (SEC file #
333-38845).
###
