SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by:
[X] The Registrant
[ ] A Party Other than the Registrant
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Solicitation Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 240.14a-12
MARKETING SERVICES GROUP, INC.
------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11:
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee previously paid with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box in any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by
registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date
of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Number:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date filed:
<PAGE>
MARKETING SERVICES GROUP, INC.
333 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10001
(212) 594-7688
February 16, 1999
Dear Stockholders:
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Marketing Services Group,
Inc., I cordially invite you to attend the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held on Wednesday, March 31, 1999, at 10:00 a.m., at The Joyce Theater,
175 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011.
The matters to be acted upon at the meeting are fully described in the attached
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement. In addition,
several of the directors and executive officers of the Company will be present
to respond to any questions that you may have. Accompanying the attached Proxy
Statement is the Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30,
1998. This report describes the financial and operational activities of the
Company.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please sign and date the
enclosed proxy card and return it in the accompanying envelope as promptly as
possible. If you attend the Annual Meeting, and I hope you will, you may vote
your shares in person, even if you have previously mailed in a proxy card.
We look forward to greeting you at the meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ J. Jeremy Barbera
---------------------
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
MARKETING SERVICES GROUP, INC.
333 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10001
(212) 594-7688
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MARCH 31, 1999
-------------------------------------------
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
MARKETING SERVICES GROUP, INC.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual
Meeting") of MARKETING SERVICES GROUP, INC., a Nevada corporation, (hereinafter
"MSGI" or the "Company"), will be held at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue,
New York, New York 10011 on Wednesday, March 31, 1999, at 10:00 a.m., for the
following purposes:
(1) To elect two Class I directors each for a three-year term or until
their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;
(2) To approve the adoption of the Marketing Services Group, Inc. 1999
Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan;
(3) To vote upon a proposal to ratify the Board of Directors selection of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent auditors for
the current fiscal year; and
(4) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 12, 1999 as
the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and
to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. Representation of at
least a majority of all outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
is required to constitute a quorum. Accordingly, it is important that your stock
be represented at the meeting. The list of stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder at the Company's
offices at 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10001, during business hours
for ten (10) days prior to March 31, 1999.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, date and
sign the enclosed proxy card and mail it promptly in the self-addressed envelope
enclosed for your convenience. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it
is voted.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Alan I. Annex
-----------------
Secretary
New York, New York
February 16, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. ACCORDINGLY, WE URGE YOU TO DATE, SIGN AND RETURN
THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
MARKETING SERVICES GROUP, INC.
333 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10001
(212) 594-7688
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MARCH 31, 1999
Approximate Mailing Date of Proxy Statement and Form of Proxy - March 4, 1999.
INFORMATION CONCERNING VOTE
---------------------------
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy is furnished in connection
with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of MARKETING SERVICES
GROUP, INC., a Nevada corporation, (hereinafter "MSGI" or the "Company") for use
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Wednesday, March 31, 1999,
at 10:00 a.m. and at any and all adjournments thereof (the "Annual Meeting"),
with respect to the matters referred to in the accompanying notice. The Annual
Meeting will be held at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York
10011.
VOTING RIGHTS AND OUTSTANDING SHARES
Only stockholders of record of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value per
share ("Common Stock"), and Series D preferred stock, $.01 par value per share
(the "Preferred Stock"), at the close of business on the Record Date will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Holders of the Common
Stock (the "Common Stockholders") entitled to vote will be entitled to one vote
for each share of Common Stock that they hold. Holders of the Preferred Stock
(the "Preferred Stockholders") entitled to vote shall be entitled to the number
of shares of Common Stock into which their Preferred Stock is convertible. As of
the Record Date, the total number of common share equivalents eligible to vote
at the Annual Meeting was 17,340,948, consisting of 12,702,359 shares of Common
Stock and 50,000 shares of Preferred Stock convertible into an aggregate of
4,638,589 shares of Common Stock.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
A stockholder who executes and mails a proxy in the enclosed return envelope may
revoke such proxy at any time prior to its use, by notice in writing to the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, at the above address, or by revocation
in person at the Annual Meeting. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by
duly executed proxies received by the Company prior to the Annual Meeting will
be presented at the Annual Meeting and voted in accordance with the
stockholder's instructions marked thereon. If no instructions are marked
thereon, proxies will be voted (1) FOR the election as directors of the nominees
named below under the caption "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; and (2) FOR the adoption
of the Marketing Services Group, Inc. 1999 Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan,
as discussed below under the caption "ADOPTION OF THE 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION
PLAN": and (3) FOR the ratification of the Board of Directors' selection of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the current
fiscal year, as discussed below under the caption "RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS".
VOTING PROCEDURES
All votes shall be tabulated by the inspector of elections appointed for the
Annual Meeting, who shall separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes,
abstentions and broker non-votes. The presence of a quorum for the Annual
Meeting, defined here as a majority of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock
issued and outstanding entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, in person or by
proxy, is required. The Preferred Stockholders shall be entitled to vote as a
Common Stockholder, the number of shares of Preferred Stock as convertible into
Common Stock on the Record Date. Votes withheld from the director nominees and
abstentions will be counted in determining whether a quorum has been reached.
Broker-dealer non-votes are not counted for quorum purposes.
Assuming a quorum has been reached, a determination must be made as to the
results of the vote on each matter submitted for stockholder approval. Director
nominees must receive a majority of the votes cast at the meeting. The proposal
to adopt the 1999 Employee Stock Option Plan must be approved by a majority of
the stockholders, in person or by proxy, at a meeting at which a quorum is
present. The ratification of the selection of independent auditors must be
approved by a majority of the votes cast at the meeting.
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors presently consists of eight directors and is divided into
three classes. One class of directors is elected annually, and each director in
the class generally serves a three-year term. The term of the Company's Class I
Directors will expire at the Annual Meeting.
The nominees for the Class I directors are Alan I. Annex and John T. Gerlach.
All nominees are members of the present Board of Directors. It is intended that
each proxy received by the Company from Common Stockholders will be voted FOR
the election, as directors of the Company, of the nominees, unless authority is
withheld by the stockholder executing the proxy. Shares may not be voted
cumulatively. Each of such nominees has consented to being nominated and to
serve as a director of the Company if elected. If any nominee should become
unavailable for election or unable to serve, it is intended that the proxies
will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors. At
the present time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason why any nominee
might be unavailable for election or unable to serve. The proxies cannot be
voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named herein.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES.
PROPOSAL TWO
ADOPTION OF THE 1999 EMPLOYEE
STOCK OPTION PLAN
The stockholders will be asked at the meeting to vote on a proposal to approve
the adoption of the Marketing Services Group, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Option
Plan (the "Plan"). On January 12, 1999, the Plan was established by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Committee") and ratified and approved by the Board of Directors, subject to
stockholder approval.
The Plan provides for the issuance of options to purchase a maximum aggregate of
1,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock (subject to adjustment for stock
splits and other capital adjustments). Options under the Plan may be issued to
officers and key employees of the Company or directors, consultants, advisors,
and other persons or entities providing goods or services to the Company
(collectively, "Grantees"). Directors who are not officers of the Company shall
receive, on an annual basis on the last trading day of each June starting June
1999, stock options for 10,000 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price
equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, and such
options vest immediately upon grant. The Committee has not yet taken any action
or considered any proposal with respect to other specific grants of options
under the Plan.
The Board of Directors believes that substantial benefits accrue to the Company
from the granting of stock options to the Grantees by encouraging them to
acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and thereby affording them a
greater incentive to enhance the value of the Common Stock. The Board approved
the Plan for this reason and because the number of shares remaining available
for option grants under the Company's existing employee stock option plan, on
the date on which the Plan was approved by the Board (January 12, 1999), was
deemed by the Board to be inadequate. The number of shares available for future
grants under the existing employee plan on January 12, 1999 was 161,239 shares,
representing less than half of one percent of the shares then outstanding.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors and management believe that approval of the
Plan is in the best interests of the Company. A copy of the Plan will be
furnished to any stockholder upon written request made to the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company at the address shown on the cover page of this proxy
statement.
DURATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
The Plan will terminate on January 11, 2009, unless earlier terminated by
resolution of the Board. The Plan may be amended from time to time by the Board,
except that no amendment affecting the aggregate number of shares which may be
issued under the Plan will be effective unless approved by stockholders at which
a quorum is present. Neither termination nor any amendment of the Plan may alter
or impair the rights or obligations of any person, without his or her consent,
under any option theretofore granted pursuant to the Plan.
The Plan will be administered by the Committee, which consists of not less than
two directors of the Company who are (i) "non-employee directors" as defined in
Rule l6b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) "outside
directors" as defined in the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The duties of the Committee include
(i) the selection of grantees for grants of options, (ii) to interpret and
construe the Plan to determine the number of shares covered by each option, the
number of options which shall be treated as incentive stock options (in the case
of options granted to employees) as described in section 422 of the Code
("ISOs"), the number of options which do not qualify as incentive stock options
("nonqualified options"), and the terms and conditions thereof; (iii) to adopt
rules and regulations and to prescribe forms for the operation and
administration of the Plan; and (iv) to take any other action not inconsistent
with the provisions of the Plan that it may deem necessary or appropriate.
SECURITIES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
The stock to be offered and delivered under the Plan, pursuant to the exercise
of an option, shall be shares of the Corporation's authorized common stock and
may be unissued shares or reacquired shares, as the Committee may from time to
time determine. The aggregate number of shares to be delivered under the Plan
shall not exceed 1,000,000 shares except that in the event of stock splits,
stock dividends, combinations, exchanges of shares or similar capital
adjustments, the Committee must make an appropriate adjustment in the number and
kind of shares subject to the Plan and each outstanding option thereunder, and
the option price per share under each outstanding option. If any option expires
without having been fully exercised, the shares with respect to which such
option has not been exercised will be available for further options.
OPTION PRICE
The exercise price of the options shall be determined by the Committee. The
exercise price for ISOs cannot be less than the fair market value of the stock
subject to the option on the grant date (110% of such fair market value in the
case of ISOs granted to a stockholder who owns more than 10% of the Company's
Common Stock). The exercise price of a non-qualified option shall be fixed by
the Committee at whatever price the Committee may determine in good faith.
Unless the Committee determines otherwise, options generally have a 10-year term
(or five years in the case of ISOs granted to a participant owning more than 10%
of the total voting power of the Company's Common Stock).
EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
Under the Plan, the Committee may grant options which are exercisable at any
time before the expiration of ten years from the date such option is granted.
All ISOs granted by the Company to any one person (under the Plan or otherwise)
may not become exercisable in any calendar year for shares having an aggregate
fair market value (determined as of the dates such incentive stock options were
granted) exceeding $100,000.
Upon termination of the Grantee's employment or association with the Company for
any reason before the option has vested in full, then the unvested portion of
the options will automatically terminate. After the date on which an option
vests, if the Grantee's employment by or association with the Company is
terminated for any reason, the option shall be exercisable for the lesser of (i)
three (3) months from the date of such termination or (ii) the balance of such
options' term; except that if the Grantee dies or becomes disabled, the option
must be exercised by the Grantee or, in the case of the death of a Grantee, by
his heirs, legatees, or personal representatives, within a period equal to the
lesser of twelve (12) months after the date of such termination or the
termination date of the option. The Committee may, in specific cases, amend the
termination provisions of options granted to employees if they determine it is
in the best interest of the Company.
PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE WITH COMPANY STOCK
In addition to the methods of payment of the option exercise price in cash the
Grantee may, at the discretion of the Committee, have the right to make payment
by delivering to the Company shares of Common Stock having a total fair market
value equal to the option exercise price, or a combination of cash and such
shares having a total fair market value equal to the option exercise price. For
this purpose, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock will be the
closing bid price of the Common Stock on the trading date preceding the option
exercise date, as such prices are reported on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.
TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS
No option is transferable by the Grantee except by will or by the laws of
descent and no option may be exercised during the Grantee's lifetime by anyone
other than the Grantee or by such Grantee's guardian or legal representative.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
Unless otherwise provided in any option agreement, each outstanding option will
vest and become immediately exercisable if there occurs any transaction or
series of transactions which results in: (i) any person becoming a beneficial
owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act) of 51 percent or more of the
combined voting power of the Common Stock, (ii) the commencement of a tender
offer or exchange for the Common Stock unless such offer or exchange has been
approved by the Board, (iii) the approval by the stockholders of a plan of
merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or dissolution in which the
Company does not survive, or a plan for the sale, lease, exchange or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the property or assets of the
Company, or (iv) changes in the majority of the directors without the approval
of the Board. The Committee, in its sole discretion, by giving written notice to
all Grantees, may cancel, effective upon the date of the consummation of any
such transaction, any option that remains unexercised on the effective date of
such transaction. Such cancellation notice shall be given a reasonable period of
time prior to the proposed date of such cancellation and may be given either
before or after stockholder approval of such transaction. In addition, the
Committee may, for any reason, accelerate the date on which any option may be
exercised and may accelerate the vesting of any shares subject to any option or
previously acquired by the exercise of any option.
ADJUSTMENTS RELATING TO SECURITIES
The number and price of shares of Common Stock subject to options will be
adjusted for certain stock splits, mergers, recapitalizations, consolidations,
exchange of shares or for other capital adjustments or payment of stock
dividends affecting the Company's capital structure. Any adjustment shall be
conclusively determined by the Committee.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS AND THE APPLICATION OF
VARIOUS STATE INCOME TAX LAWS, THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION OF TAX CONSEQUENCES IS
GENERAL IN NATURE AND RELATES SOLELY TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS. OPTIONEES
AND RECIPIENTS OF OTHER AWARDS GRANTED UNDER THE PLAN DESCRIBED HEREIN ARE
ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR PERSONAL TAX ADVISORS BEFORE EXERCISING AN OPTION OR
DISPOSING OF ANY STOCK RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THE EXERCISE OF ANY SUCH OPTION. IN
ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS BASED UPON AN ANALYSIS OF THE INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE AS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT, EXISTING LAWS, JUDICIAL DECISIONS,
ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS, REGULATIONS AND PROPOSED REGULATIONS, ALL OF WHICH ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Options granted under the Plan will be either ISOs or nonqualified options. For
federal income tax purposes, assuming that the shares acquired by the holder of
an ISO are not disposed of within two years from the date the option was granted
or one year from the date the option was exercised, (i) the Company receives no
deduction either upon the grant or the exercise of an ISO or upon a subsequent
sale of the shares by the Grantee and (ii) the Grantee realizes no income for
tax purposes either at the time of the grant or exercise of the ISO. Instead,
the Grantee will realize income or loss only upon his or her subsequent sale of
the option shares, and the Grantee's income, in the amount of any excess of the
sale price over the option exercise price, will be taxed as long-term capital
gain. If, however, the shares are disposed of within either of the two periods
mentioned above, the tax consequences for the Company and the Grantee will be
essentially as described below for nonqualified options.
The recipient of a nonqualified option will not realize any taxable income upon
the grant of the option. Upon exercise of such option, the Grantee will realize
ordinary income in an amount generally measured by the excess, if any, of the
fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the option exercise
price. The Company will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount as the
ordinary income realized by the Grantee. Upon the sale of such shares, the
Grantee will realize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending
upon the length of time the shares are held. Such gain or loss will be measured
by the difference between the sale price of the shares and the market price of
the shares on the date of exercise.
The payment of the option exercise price by delivery of Common Stock of the
Company would constitute a non-taxable exchange by the Grantee and would not
affect the ISO status of the Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the
option. However, if the Common Stock delivered in payment was previously
acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO and had not been held for the
requisite period (two years from the date of option grant and one year from the
date of exercise), the exchange would constitute a premature disposition for
purposes of the ISO holding period requirements. The tax consequences to the
Company resulting from the payment of the option exercise price by the delivery
of Common Stock will not be different from such consequences when payment is
made in cash as described above.
The affirmative vote of a majority of stockholders at a meeting at which a
quorum is present, in person or by proxy, is required for the adoption of the
Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF
THE MARKETING SERVICES GROUP, INC. 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN.
PROPOSAL THREE
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has served as the Company's
independent auditors since July 1995. On November 1, 1998, the Board of
Directors voted to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the current fiscal year. The Board of Directors
recommends the ratification of this selection. A representative of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the annual meeting. The
representative will be given the opportunity to make a statement, if he or she
so desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth-certain information with respect to the nominees
and other directors of the company:
Name Age Position
- --------------- --- ---------------------------------------------
Alan I. Annex 37 Director (Class I) and Secretary (Class I)
J. Jeremy Barbera 42 Chairman of the Board of Directors (Class II),
Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief
Operating Officer (Class II)
James Brown 34 Director (Class III)
S. James Coppersmith 66 Director (Class III)
John T. Gerlach 66 Director (Class I)
Seymour Jones 67 Director (Class II)
Michael E. Pralle 42 Director (Class II)
C. Anthony Wainwright 65 Director (Class III)
Class I directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting. The terms of the
Class II directors expire at the 1999 Annual Meeting and the term of the Class
III directors expire at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Mr. Annex has been a Director and Secretary of the Company since May 1997. He
has been a partner in the law firm of Camhy Karlinsky & Stein LLP since July
1995, where he practices corporate and securities law. Camhy Karlinsky & Stein
LLP is the Company's legal counsel. From July 1994 to June 1995, Mr. Annex was
of Counsel to said firm. Prior thereto he was associated with Proskauer Rose,
LLP. Mr. Annex is also a director of Pacific Coast Apparel, Inc.
Mr. Barbera has been Chairman, Chief Executive and Operating Officer and
President of the Company since April 1997, and was a Director and Vice President
of the Company from October 1996 to March 1997. He has been Chief Executive
Officer of the Metro Direct subsidiary since its formation in 1987. Mr. Barbera
has over twenty years of experience in database marketing and in entertainment
marketing. Prior thereto he held various management positions at Lincoln Center
for the Performing Arts, as well as scientific research positions at
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center.
Mr. Brown has been a Director of the Company since February 1998. Mr. Brown is
currently Vice President and Industry Leader in GE Capital's Equity Capital
Group, where he is responsible for making strategic private equity investments.
From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Brown joined Lehman Brothers in its Corporate Planning
area to restructure the firm. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Brown joined Bain & Co.
where he consulted with Fortune 500 clients on strategic, operational and
financial issues. Prior thereto, Mr. Brown was an analyst for CBS and AC
Nielsen. Mr. Brown also serves as a director of Netselect, Inc.
Mr. Coppersmith has been a Director of the Company since June 1996. Mr.
Coppersmith was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Boston's Emerson College
from 1994 until his term expired in December 1997. Until his retirement in 1994,
he held various senior executive positions with Metromedia Broadcasting where he
managed its television operations in Los Angeles, New York and Boston and served
as President and General Manager of Boston's WCVB-TV, an ABC affiliate owned by
The Hearst Corporation. Mr. Coppersmith also serves as a director for B.J.'s
Wholesale Club, Sun America Asset Management Corporation, Uno Restaurant Corp.,
Kushner-Locke, Inc. and The Boston Stock Exchange.
Mr. Gerlach has been a Director of the Company since December 1997. Mr. Gerlach
presently serves as Director of the graduate business program and as an
associate professor of finance at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield,
Connecticut. Previously, he was an Associate Director in the Bear Stearns'
corporate finance department with responsibility for mergers and financial
restructuring projects; he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Horn &
Hardart, where he supervised restaurant and mail order subsidiaries, including
Hanover Direct; and he was the Founder and President of Consumer Growth Capital,
a venture capital firm. Mr. Gerlach also serves as a director for Uno Restaurant
Co., SAFE Inc., LB USA (subsidiary of a French company), Akona Corp., the Board
of Regents at St. John's University (Collegeville, MN) and sits on an advisory
board for the College of Business and Administration at Drexel University.
Mr. Jones has been a Director of the Company since June 1996. Since September
1995, Mr. Jones has been a professor of accounting at New York University. Mr.
Jones is also currently a consultant for Milberg Factors, Inc. and Dubilier &
Co. Prior thereto, from April 1974 to September 1995, Mr. Jones was a senior
partner of the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. Mr. Jones has over
35 years of accounting experience and over ten years of experience as an
arbitrator and as an expert witness, particularly in the area of mergers and
acquisitions. Mr. Jones also serves as director of Reliance Bank.
Mr. Pralle has been a Director of the Company since May 1998. Mr. Pralle is
currently the President of GE Capital's Equity Capital Group, with
responsibility for making common equity, convertible preferred stock and debt
investments in private and public companies in the US, Europe and Asia. He
joined GE Capital in 1989 and, prior to his current appointment in 1996, was
most recently President, GE Capital Asia Pacific. Before joining GE Capital, Mr.
Pralle spent six years with management consultants, McKinsey & Co. in their
London and Hong Kong offices.
Mr. Wainwright has been a Director of the Company since August 1996, and was
also a Director of the Company from its acquisition of Alliance Media
Corporation ("Alliance") in April 1995, until May 1996. Prior thereto, he was a
director of Alliance. Mr. Wainwright is currently Vice Chairman of the
advertising agency McKinney & Silver and was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the advertising firm Harris Drury Cohen, Inc., from 1995 to 1996.
From 1994 to 1995, he served as a senior executive with Cordient PLC's Compton
Partners, a unit of the advertising firm Saatchi & Saatchi World Advertising,
and, from 1989 to 1994, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Campbell
Mithun Esty, a unit of Saatchi & Saatchi in New York. Mr. Wainwright also serves
as a director of Caribiner International, Gibson Greetings, Inc., Del Webb
Corporation and American Woodmark Co.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Commencing July 1, 1998, Directors who are not employees of the Company will
receive an annual retainer fee of $10,000, $1,000 for each Board Meeting
attended, $500 for each standing committee meeting attended and $500 for each
standing committee meeting for the Chairman of such Committee. Such Directors
will also be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses for attending board and
committee meetings, and will receive an annual grant of options to acquire
10,000 shares of common stock for each fiscal year of service, at an exercise
price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. Any Director who is
also an employee of the Company is not entitled to any compensation or
reimbursement of expenses for serving as a Director of the Company or a member
of any committee thereof. Mr. Annex has agreed to waive the above described cash
retainer since his firm acts as legal counsel to the Company.
Pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors on May 27, 1997, non-employee
members of the Board agreed to serve without cash compensation for fiscal 1998.
It was agreed that each outside director be compensated with options to purchase
100,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $2.625 per
share, with 50% immediately exercisable, 25% exercisable on May 27, 1998 and 25%
exercisable on May 27, 1999.
Messrs. Annex, Coppersmith, Jones and Wainwright each received options to
purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock. Mr. Gerlach received options to
purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.50 per share
with 1/3 immediately exercisable and 1/3 exercisable in December 1998 and 1/3
exercisable in December 1999 upon his appointment to the Board of Directors.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MEETING ATTENDEES
The Board of Directors held five meetings during fiscal year 1998. The Board of
Directors has a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee. No member of the
Board of Directors attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the Board and of
the committee of which he was a member.
The Compensation Committee formulates the Company's policy on compensation of
executive officers, reviews, approves and recommends to the Board of Directors
the terms and conditions of all employee benefit plans or changes thereto, and
administers the Company's stock option plan. During fiscal year 1998, the
members of the Compensation Committee were Messrs. Coppersmith, Gerlach and
Wainwright. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during fiscal 1998.
The Audit Committee appoints the independent public accountants of the Company,
reviews the scope and fees of the prospective annual audit, reviews the results
thereof with the Company's independent public accountants, reviews compliance
with existing major accounting and financial policies of the Company, reviews
the adequacy of the financial organization of the Company, reviews management's
procedures and policies relative to the adequacy of the Company's internal
accounting controls and compliance with federal and state laws relating to
accounting practices and reviews and approves (with the concurrence of a
majority of the independent directors of the Company) transactions, if any, with
affiliated parties. For fiscal 1998, the members of the Audit Committee were
Messrs. Coppersmith, Gerlach and Jones. The audit committee held one meeting
during fiscal 1998.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In addition to Mr. Barbera, the executive officers of the Company are the
following:
Cindy H. Hill has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company since June 1, 1998
and was Corporate Controller from January to May 1998. Prior thereto, she was a
Manager in the Business Assurance Division of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., where
she was employed for the previous six years. Ms. Hill is a Certified Public
Accountant.
Scott A. Anderson has been Vice President, Finance since June 1, 1998, Treasurer
since May 1997, and was Chief Financial Officer from May 1996 to May 1998,
Controller from May 1995 to May 1996 and a Director of the Company from May 1996
to August 1996. Prior thereto, from December 1994 to April 1995, he was
associated with the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., and, from 1988
to 1994, he was a manager in the assurance department of an affiliate of the
accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, LLP. Mr. Anderson is a Certified Public
Accountant.
Robert M. Budlow has been a Vice President of the Company since October 1996 and
President of Metro Direct since April 1997. Prior thereto, he was Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of the subsidiary since 1990. He has
twelve years of experience in database management services and subscription,
membership and donor renewal programs.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION
The following table provides certain information concerning compensation of the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and any other executive officer of the Company
who received compensation in excess of $100,000 during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1998:
Fiscal
Year Securities
Ended Annual Annual Underlying
Name and Principal Position June 30, Salary ($) Bonus($) Options/SARs(#)
- --------------------------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------------
J. Jeremy Barbera(1)(2)
Chairman of the Board, 1998 198,077 50,000
CEO, President & COO 1997 120,883 1,000,000
Thomas Scheir(3) 1998 175,000 2,500
COO, SD&A 1997 154,521 60,000 40,000
1996 128,461 60,000 12,500
Krista Mooradian(3) 1998 175,000 29,625
President, SD&A 1997 127,936 25,000 20,000
1996 85,092 29,372 5,375
Robert M. Budlow(4) 1998 144,231
VP MSGI 1997 93,750
President, Metro Direct
Janet Sautkulis(4) 1998 144,231
COO, Metro Direct 1997 93,750
Stephen Reustle(5) 1998 145,833
President & CEO, MMI
- -----------------
(1)Mr. Barbera was appointed Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chief Operating Officer effective March 31, 1997. Prior
thereto, commencing with the October 1, 1996 acquisition of Metro Direct, he
was Vice President of MSGI and President and CEO of Metro Direct. Pursuant to
an employment agreement dated May 27, 1997, his annual salary increased from
$150,000 to $250,000 through May 31, 1998. As of June 30, 1997, Mr. Barbera's
salary reflects earnings for the nine months from the date of Metro Direct's
acquisition.
(2)During fiscal year end June 30, 1998, Mr. Barbera forgave all interest due
him on a note payable and forgave an increase in his annual salary from May
27, 1997 to December 31, 1997. In consideration for this, the Board of
Directors granted Mr. Barbera options to acquire 50,000 shares of Common
Stock at the then current fair market price.
(3)During fiscal year end June 30, 1998, Mr. Scheir and Ms. Mooradian forgave
an increase in their salaries from January 1, 1998 to June 30, 1998.
Effective July 1, 1998, their salaries were increased in accordance with
their respective employment agreements.
(4)The annual salaries for Mr. Budlow and Ms. Sautkulis are $125,000 each for
1997. Due to the acquisition of Metro Direct on October 1, 1996, their annual
compensation only reflects nine months of salary. During fiscal year end June
30, 1998, Mr. Budlow and Ms. Sautkulis forgave an increase in their salaries
from October 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997. As of January 1, 1998, salaries
were increased in accordance with their respective employment agreements.
(5)The annual salary for Mr. Reustle is $250,000 for 1998. Due to the
acquisition of Media Marketplace, Inc. on December 7, 1997, his annual
compensation only reflects seven months of salary.
STOCK OPTION GRANTS
The table below provides information relating to stock options granted to the
Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998.
<TABLE>
OPTIONS GRANTED IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
Individual Grant
--------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
Number of % of Total Exercise
Securities Under- Options/SARs or Base
lying Options/ Granted to Employees Price ($ per Expiration
Name SARs Granted (#) in Fiscal Year(4) share(5)) Date
- ---- ---------------- ----------------- --------- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Jeremy Barbera ......... 50,000 3.8% 4.6875 11/04
Thomas Scheir ............. 2,500 .02% 4.1875 12/04
Krista Mooradian .......... 29,625(1) 2.3% 4.1875 12/04
Robert Budlow ............. 55,000(2) 4.2% 4.1875 12/04
Janet Sautkulis ........... 55,000(3) 4.2% 4.1875 12/04
</TABLE>
(1)Ms. Mooradian's options are exercisable as follows: 10,000 options are
available for exercise immediately, 10,000 options become available in
August 1998, with the remaining 9,625 options exercisable in August 1999.
(2)Mr. Budlow's options are exercisable as follows: 25,000 options are
available for exercise immediately, 15,000 options become available in
October 1998, with the remaining 15,000 options exercisable in October 1999.
(3)Ms. Sautkulis' options are exercisable as follows: 25,000 options are
available for exercise immediately, 15,000 options become available in
October 1998, with the remaining 15,000 options exercisable in October 1999.
(4)During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, all employees and all
non-employee Directors of the Company received stock options for a total of
1,302,100 shares of Common Stock.
(5)Exercise price is the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on The
Nasdaq SmallCap Market on the date of the grant, unless otherwise identified.
<PAGE>
AGGREGATE OPTIONS EXERCISED IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
The following table sets forth information regarding the number and value of
securities underlying unexercised stock options held by the Named Executive
Officers as of June 30, 1998.
Number of Securities Underlying Value of Unexercised In-the-
Unexercised Options/SARs Money Options/ SARs
at Fiscal Year End (#) at Fiscal Year End ($) (1)
Name Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable
- ---- ------------------------- -------------------------
J. Jeremy Barbera 716,667/333,333 278,001/139,000
Thomas Scheir 55,000/0 50,495/0
Krista Mooradian 35,375/19,625 23,989/0
Robert Budlow 25,000/30,000 0/0
Janet Sautkulis 25,000/30,000 0/0
- -------------
(1)Fair market value of $3.438 per share at June 30, 1998 was used to determine
the value of in-the-money options.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of its named
executives.
Mr. Barbera was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of MSGI by
the Board, effective March 31, 1997. He had previously served as President and
CEO of Metro Direct under an employment contract dated October 1, 1996. On May
27, 1997, the Company amended and restated Mr. Barbera's employment contract,
based on the additional responsibilities he assumed on March 31, 1997. Under the
terms of the amended contract, Mr. Barbera's employment term is for three years
beginning May 27, 1997, and is automatically renewable for an additional three
year period, unless the Company or Mr. Barbera gives written notice; his annual
base salary for the first year of the amended employment term is $250,000, with
$300,000 for the second year and $350,000 for the third year. Mr. Barbera is
also eligible to receive raises and bonuses in each year of the employment
contract, at the determination of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company, based on earnings and other targeted criteria. On May
27, 1997, Mr. Barbera was granted options to acquire 1,000,000 shares of Common
Stock of the Company; 333,334 exercisable at $2.625 per share, 333,333
exercisable at $3.00 per share and 333,333 exercisable at $3.50 per share. One
third of the options in each tranche vest immediately and one third of each
tranche will become available on each of the next two anniversary dates. In a
separate agreement, Mr. Barbera forgave the increase in his annual salary from
May 27, 1997 to December 31, 1997.
Mr. Barbera has agreed in his employment agreement (i) not to compete with MSGI
or its subsidiaries, or to be associated with any other similar business during
the employment term, except that he may own up to 5% of the outstanding Common
Stock of certain corporations, as described more fully in the employment
agreement, and (ii) upon termination of employment with MSGI and its
subsidiaries, not to solicit or encourage certain clients of MSGI or its
subsidiaries, to cease doing business with MSGI and its subsidiaries and not to
do business with any other similar business for a period of three years from the
date of such termination.
Mr. Budlow and Ms. Sautkulis entered into separate employment agreements
effective October 1, 1996, providing for employment as Executive Vice President
& Chief Operating Officer of Metro Direct and as Executive Vice President &
General Manager of Metro Direct, respectively. Each agreement provides for an
initial term expiring on September 30, 1999 (the "Employment Term") and is
renewable for an additional three-year term unless Metro Direct or the employee
gives written notice. The base salary for each of Mr. Budlow and Ms. Sautkulis
during the Employment Term is $125,000 for the first year, $165,000 for the
second year and $200,000 for the third year. Mr. Budlow and Ms. Sautkulis are
each eligible to receive raises and bonuses based upon the achievement of
earnings and other targeted criteria if and as determined by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors. The agreements also provide for the
granting to Mr. Budlow and Ms. Sautkulis of options to acquire Common Stock if
and as determined by the Option Plan Committee. Each has agreed in his or her
respective employment agreement (i) not to compete with Metro Direct or to be
associated with any other similar business during the Employment Term, except
that may each own up to 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of certain
corporations, as described more fully in the relevant employment agreement, and
(ii) upon termination of employment with Metro Direct, not to solicit or
encourage certain clients of Metro Direct (as more fully described in the
relevant employment agreement), to cease doing business with Metro Direct, and
not to do business with any other similar business, for a period of three years
from the date of such termination.
Mr. Scheir entered into an employment agreement effective as of April 25, 1995,
providing for his employment as the Chief Financial Officer of SD&A. The
agreement provides for an initial term expiring on April 25, 1997, and is
renewable for an additional one-year term at the discretion of the employee
covered thereby, subject to termination as provided therein. Mr. Scheir's base
salary during his employment term is $125,000 for the first year, $150,000 for
the second year and $175,000 for the third year. At the end of each year, in the
sole discretion of the board of directors of SD&A and Mr. Scheir may be paid a
cash bonus. The agreement also provides for other fringe benefits as may be
approved by the board of directors of SD&A. Mr. Scheir has agreed in his
employment agreement not to (i) own, become employed by, or become a partner of
any similar business during the term of his employment agreement, except that
each may own 1% or less of any similar business or (ii) compete with SD&A for a
period of three years after the termination of his employment.
Mr. Scheir entered into an agreement in the subsequent period to be employed as
SD&A's Chief Operating Officer through December 31, 1999, with an annual base
salary of $175,000 through December 31, 1997, $200,000 in calendar 1998 and
$250,000 in calendar 1999.
Effective July 1, 1997, Ms. Mooradian entered into an employment agreement to
serve as President of SD&A until December 31, 1999, with an annual base salary
of $175,000 through December 31, 1997, $200,000 in calendar 1998 and $250,000 in
calendar 1999.
Effective December 29, 1997, Mr. Reustle entered into an employment agreement to
serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Media Marketplace, Inc. until
December 31, 2000, with an annual base salary of $250,000 for each year of the
employment term.
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of Common Stock as of September 30, 1998 by: (i) each Director and
each of the Named Executive Officers; (ii) all executive officers and Directors
of the Company as a group; and (iii) each person known by the Company to own
beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Amount and Nature of Common
Stock Beneficially Owned
Name and Address of Beneficial Holder(1) Number Percent
- ---------------------------------------- ------ -------
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
J. Jeremy Barbera(2)............................ 4,283,266 26.7%
Robert M. Budlow(3)............................. 569,200 4.3%
Janet Sautkulis(3).............................. 206,400 1.6%
Thomas Scheir(4)................................ 63,375 *
Krista Mooradian(5)............................. 35,375 *
Alan I. Annex(6)................................ 82,850 *
S. James Coppersmith(7)......................... 125,000 *
Seymour Jones(8)................................ 100,000 *
C. Anthony Wainwright(9)........................ 143,408 1.1%
John Gerlach(10)................................ 20,667 *
All Directors and Named Executive Officers
as a group (16 persons)(11) 6,480,783 38.5%
5% Stockholders:
Naomi Bodner(12)................................ 1,266,599 9.7%
Laura Huberfeld(12)............................. 1,539,599 11.8%
Morgan Grenfell Asset Management Limited(13).... 709,300 5.4%
General Electric Capital Corporation(14)........ 4,451,458 34.0%
- -------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated in these footnotes, each stockholder has sole
voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned.
All share amounts reflect beneficial ownership determined pursuant to Rule
13d-3 under the Exchange Act. All information with respect to beneficial
ownership has been furnished by the respective Director, executive officer
or stockholder, as the case may be. Except as otherwise noted, each person
has an address in care of the Company.
(2) Includes 716,667 beneficially owned shares of Common Stock issuable upon
the exercise of options, which are currently exercisable or are exercisable
within 60 days of September 30, 1998. Includes 2,266,599 beneficially owned
shares through Ms. Huberfeld, Ms. Bodner and the Huberfeld/Bodner
partnership who have appointed Mr. Barbera as their proxy until December
17, 1998.
(3) Includes 25,000 beneficially owned shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or are exercisable
within 60 days of September 30, 1998.
(4) Includes 55,000 beneficially owned shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or are exercisable
within 60 days of September 30, 1998.
(5) Includes 35,375 beneficially owned shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or are exercisable
within 60 days of September 30, 1998.
(6) Includes 75,000 beneficially owned shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or are exercisable
within 60 days of September 30, 1998, and 6,250 beneficially owned shares
issuable upon the exercise of currently exercisable warrants owned by Camhy
Karlinsky & Stein, LLP. Mr. Annex is one of thirteen partners in such firm.
(7) Includes 75,000 beneficially owned shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or are exercisable
within 60 days of September 30, 1998 and 50,000 beneficially owned shares
of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of currently exercisable
warrants.
(8) Includes 75,000 beneficially owned shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or are exercisable
within 60 days of September 30, 1998 and 25,000 beneficially owned shares
of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of currently exercisable
warrants.
(9) Includes 90,000 beneficially owned shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or are exercisable
within 60 days of September 30, 1998 and 50,000 beneficially owned shares
of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a contractual right to
purchase warrants currently exercisable for such common stock.
(10) Includes 16,667 beneficially owned shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options which are currently exercisable or are exercisable
within 60 days of September 30, 1998.
(11) Of the total shares of Common Stock, convertible debt, stock options and
warrants beneficially held by the Company's directors and named executive
officers, 115,000 shares of Common Stock are owned by family members.
(12) The address for each of the 5% Stockholders is as follows: c/o Broad
Capital Associates, Inc., 152 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
Beneficially owned shares of Common Stock held in partnerships and joint
tenancy include 539,599 shares.
(13) The address for the 5% Stockholder is as follows: 10 Finsbury Circus,
London, EC2M, England.
(14) Includes 4,451,458 beneficially owned shares of Common Stock issuable upon
the conversion of 50,000 shares of redeemable convertible Preferred Stock.
The address for the 5% Stockholder is as follows: 260 Long Ridge Road,
Stamford, Connecticut 06927.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with Mr. Dunn: In connection with the acquisition of SD&A on April
25, 1995, Alliance issued promissory notes in an aggregate principal amount of
$4.5 million to Mr. Dunn. Interest on such notes was payable monthly at a rate
equal to the prime rate of Bank of America, NT&SA, as in effect from time to
time, subject to a maximum of 10% and a minimum of 8%. Principal payments were
due quarterly, and originally $1.5 million was due in quarterly installments
during fiscal 1996. All of the outstanding common shares of SD&A were initially
pledged to collateralize such notes but were released in June 1996. In
connection with such notes, an operating covenants agreement between the Company
and Mr. Dunn included, among other things, provisions requiring that SD&A have a
minimum level of working capital and cash levels, subject to periodic increases
based on sales, before dividend payments could be made to the parent company. In
June 1996, the operating covenants agreement was terminated.
Prior to October 1995, the Company made all principal payments when due. Each of
the principal payments due October 1, 1995, January 1, 1996 and April 1, 1996
were deferred as they became due and thereafter from time to time. In June 1996,
principal payments of approximately $2.0 million were made and the remaining
obligations were restructured such that the remaining $2.1 million is now
payable in installments of $58,333 per month, plus interest at 8%, starting
September 19, 1996. As of June, 1997, due to a pending change in financing
relationships, the May and June, 1997 payments had not been made. These payments
were paid in full in August, 1997.
SD&A leases its corporate business premises from Mr. Dunn. The lease requires
monthly rental payments of $11,805 through January 1, 1999, with an option to
renew. SD&A incurs all costs of insurance, maintenance and utilities. Total rent
paid by SD&A to Mr. Dunn during 1998 and 1997 was approximately $142,000 and
$138,000, respectively.
Bank Credit Line: Mr. Dunn was a guarantor of SD&A's credit line until December
1996.
Transactions with Mr. Barbera: In October 1996, the Company consummated its
acquisition of Metro Direct. In February 1996, Mr. Barbera, then a stockholder
of Metro Direct, borrowed $50,000 from Metro Direct. Interest on such
indebtedness accrues at a rate of 6% per annum. The principal of such
indebtedness, together with accrued interest thereon, was repayable in four
equal quarterly installment starting March 31, 1998. In December 1997, Mr.
Barbera repaid the entire outstanding balance plus interest thereon. With the
October 1, 1996 acquisition of Metro Direct, Mr. Barbera received a 6%
promissory note for $600,000, due and payable, together with interest, on June
30, 1998. In April 1997, the Company repaid $100,000 of the promissory note. In
January 1998, the remaining $500,000 of principal was repaid.
In November 1997, Mr. Barbera forgave all interest due him on notes payable from
July 1, 1997, through December 31, 1997, and forgave an increase in his annual
salary from May 27, 1997 to December 31, 1997. In consideration for this, the
Board of Directors granted Mr. Barbera options to acquire 50,000 shares of
Common Stock at the then current fair market price.
Transactions with Mr. Budlow and Ms. Sautkulis: With the October 1, 1996
acquisition of Metro Direct, Mr. Budlow and Ms. Sautkulis, former stockholders
of Metro Direct, received 6% promissory notes totaling $300,000 and $100,000,
respectively. Such notes were originally due and payable, together with
interest, on June 30, 1998. In July 1997, the Company prepaid the full principal
amounts due to Mr. Budlow and Ms. Sautkulis.
Mr. Budlow and Ms. Sautkulis forgave an increase in their respective salaries
from October 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997.
Transactions with Mr. Annex: Mr. Annex, Secretary and a Director of the Company,
is a partner in the law firm of Camhy Karlinsky & Stein LLP, which provides
legal services to the Company. The Company incurred expenses aggregating
approximately $176,000 and $110,000 during fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Mr. Annex has informed the Company that such fees did not represent more than 5%
of such firms revenues for its fiscal years ending during such periods. The
Company believes that the fees for services provided by the law firm were at
least as favorable to the Company as the fees for such services from
unaffiliated third parties.
Transactions with the Company's Outside Board of Directors: In May 1997, the
Company's outside directors each received options for 100,000 common shares
(400,000 in the aggregate), exercisable at $2.625 per share, of which one half
vested immediately and one fourth vest in each of May 1998 and May 1999.
In August 1996, Mr. Jones purchased from the Company, for $2,500 in the
aggregate, warrants exercisable for 50,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price of $2.50 per share for the first 25,000 shares, $3.00 per share for the
next 15,000 shares and $3.50 per share for the remaining 10,000 shares. The
warrants are currently exercisable and expire on April 15, 2000. Subsequently,
Mr. Jones gifted warrants for 25,000 shares to an unaffiliated third party.
In September 1996, Mr. Coppersmith purchased from the Company, for $2,500 in the
aggregate, warrants exercisable for 50,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price of $2.50 per share for the first 25,000 shares, $3.00 per share for the
next 15,000 shares and $3.50 per share for the remaining 10,000 shares. The
warrants are currently exercisable and expire on May 15, 2000.
On June 3, 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. C. Anthony
Wainwright to retain his services as a financial consultant and advisor to the
Company on a non-exclusive basis for a period of two years. As compensation for
such services, Mr. Wainwright is entitled to receive the sum of $1,000 per month
for the term of the agreement plus all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Mr.
Wainwright in the performance of such services, provided that prior
authorization from the Company shall have been received with respect to any such
expense. In addition, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, Mr. Wainwright
has the right, which right, as of the date hereof, has not been exercised, to
purchase from the Company, for $2,500 in the aggregate warrants exercisable for
50,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.00 per share for the
first 25,000 shares, $4.50 per share for the next 15,000 shares and $5.00 per
share for the remaining 10,000 shares. The warrants may be exercised over a
four-year period commencing June 3, 1996. The agreement is only assignable with
the prior written consent of the other party in the event of a sale of all or
substantially all of the business of the party desiring to assign the agreement.
The agreement also provides for indemnification of Mr. Wainwright and his
affiliates (and their respective directors, officers, stockholders, general and
limited partners, employees, agents and controlling persons and the successors
and assigns of all of the foregoing) by the Company for any losses or claims
arising out of the rendering of the services called for in the agreement, other
than for negligence or willful misconduct.
Transactions with 5% Stockholders. Each of 2,000 shares of redeemable
convertible preferred stock held by Naomi Bodner and Laura Huberfeld plus
accumulated accrued dividends thereon and the 235 shares held by their
partnership plus accrued dividends were converted into 826,302, 826,302 and
97,091 shares of Common Stock, respectively, in a December 23, 1996
recapitalization.
In March 1997, the Company accepted offers from certain warrant-holders to
exercise their warrants for 3,152,500 shares of Common Stock at discounted
exercise prices. In this transaction, Ms. Bodner, Ms. Huberfeld and their
partnership exercised warrants for 1,000,000, 1,000,000 and 117,500 shares of
Common Stock respectively.
Ms. Huberfeld, Ms. Bodner and the Huberfeld/Bodner partnership have appointed
Jeremy Barbera as their proxy to vote 1,000,000, 727,000 and 539,599 shares of
Common Stock, respectively, for a period until December 17, 1998.
OTHER MATTERS ARISING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
The matters referred to in the Notice of Annual Meeting and described in this
Proxy Statement are, to the knowledge of the Board of Directors, the only
matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any
other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons
appointed by the accompanying proxy will vote on such matters in accordance with
their best judgment, pursuant to the discretionary authority granted to them in
the proxy.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
A stockholder of the Company who wishes to present a proposal for action at the
Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit such proposal to the
Company, and such proposal must be received by the Company, no later than
November 22, 1999.
COST OF SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The solicitation of proxies pursuant to this Proxy Statement is made by and on
behalf of the Company's Board of Directors. The cost of such solicitation will
be paid by the Company. Such cost includes the preparation, printing and mailing
of the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, Annual Report and form of
proxy. The solicitation will be conducted principally by mail, although
directors, officers and employees of the Company (at no additional compensation)
may solicit proxies personally or by telephone or telegram. Arrangements will be
made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for
the forwarding of proxy material to the beneficial owners of shares held of
record by such fiduciaries, and the Company may reimburse such persons for their
reasonable expenses in so doing.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that the Company's
officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities, file reports of ownership
on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") and the NASDAQ National Market. Officers, directors and greater
than ten percent stockholders are required by the Commission's regulations to
furnish the Company with copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5 they file.
Based solely on the Company's review of the copies of such forms it has received
and written representations from certain reporting persons that they were not
required to file reports on Form 5 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, the
Company believes that all its officers, directors and greater than ten percent
beneficial owners complied with all filing requirements applicable to them with
respect to transactions during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, except that
Mr. Barbera, Mr. Pralle and Mr. Gerlach each made one late filing due to
administrative timing errors on their part with respect to reporting repayment
of convertible debt to Mr. Barbera and initial filing upon being appointed to
the Board of Directors for Messrs. Pralle and Gerlach.
ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
The annual report to stockholders concerning the operations of the Company for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, including financial statements for that
year, accompanies this proxy statement. Such report is not to be treated as part
of these proxy soliciting materials. The Company will provide to each
stockholder, on written request addressed to the Director of Investor Relations,
MARKETING SERVICES GROUP, INC., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York, 10001 a
copy of the Company's most recent Annual Report on From 10-KSB as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including the financial statements and
schedules thereto.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Alan Annex
--------------
Secretary
New York, New York
February 12, 1999
<PAGE>
PROXY CARD
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of MARKETING
SERVICES GROUP, INC., for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on March
31, 1999. The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the following
proposals:
1. Election of Class I directors: INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to
Alan I.Annex vote for any nominee(s),
John T. Gerlach write that nominee's
name in thespace provided:
-------------------------
[ ] FOR all of the nominees [ ] WITHHOLD for all nominees
2. Adoption of the 1999 Stock Option Plan [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ]ABSTAIN
3. Ratification of selection of Independent
Auditors: [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ]ABSTAIN
Votes MUST be indicated by placing an "X" in one of the above boxes using black
or blue ink.
The undersigned hereby appoints J. Jeremy Barbera and Alan I. Annex, and each of
them, proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of Common
Stock of the undersigned in MARKETING SERVICES GROUP, INC. at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be held on March 31, 1999, and at any adjournment thereof,
upon all subjects that may properly come before the meeting. IF SPECIFIC
DIRECTIONS ARE NOT GIVEN WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSALS OR ANY OTHER MATTERS TO
BE ACTED UPON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND THIS PROXY CARD IS SIGNED AND RETURNED,
THE PROXIES WILL VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION (I.E., FOR
THE PROPOSALS) AND ON ANY OTHER MATTER THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.
Please date and sign exactly as your name or
names appear on this proxy card. If the
shares are held jointly, each Stockholder
should sign. If signing as an executor,
trustee, administrator, custodian, guardian,
corporate officer, or pursuant to a power of
attorney, please so indicate below.
Dated :
----------------------------
By :
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----------------------------
[ ]Check this box if you have either a change of address or comments, and
please note the same on this proxy card.
