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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 12, 1999
True North Communications Inc.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware 1-5029 36-1088161
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) Identification No.)
101 East Erie Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (312) 425-6500
-------------------------
(Not Applicable)
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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Item 5. Other Events
On April 12, 1999, True North Communications Inc. (the "Company")
entered into the First Amendment ("First Amendment") to its Rights Agreement
dated as of November 4, 1998 between the Company and First Chicago Trust Company
of New York, as Rights Agent. The following is a description of the Rights
Agreement as so amended and of the Rights outstanding pursuant thereto:
On November 4, 1998, the Board of Directors of True North
Communications Inc. (the "Company") declared a dividend distribution of one
Right for each outstanding share of the Company's common stock, $.33-1/3 par
value per share ("Common Stock"), to stockholders of record at the close of
business on November 30, 1998. Each Right entitles the registered holder to
purchase from the Company a unit consisting of one two-thousandth of a share (a
"Unit") of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per
share (the "Preferred Stock"), of the Company at a price of $100 per Unit (the
"Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the
Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of November 4, 1998, as
amended by the First Amendment to the Rights Agreement dated as of April 12,
1999 (as so amended, the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and First
Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights Agent.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock
certificates representing shares then outstanding, and no separate Rights
certificates will be distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common
Stock and the Distribution Date will occur upon the earliest of (i) 10 days
following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired, or obtained the right
to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more (or, in the case of Publicis
Communication, 22% or more) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the
"Stock Acquisition Date"), or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may
be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any
person or group becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of a
tender offer or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in a person
or group beneficially owning 15% or more (or, in the case of Publicis
Communication, 22% or more) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the
Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such Common
Stock certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued on or after
November 30, 1998 will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by
reference and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common
Stock outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated
with the Common Stock represented by such certificate.
Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, the Company reserves the right to
require prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event (as defined below) that,
upon any exercise of Rights, a number of Rights be exercised so that only whole
shares of Preferred Stock will be issued.
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The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on November 30, 2008, unless earlier redeemed by
the Company as described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights
certificates will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the
close of business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights
certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except as otherwise provided in
the Rights Agreement, only shares of Common Stock issued prior to the
Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.
In the event that, at any time following the Distribution Date, a
person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right will
thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, Common Stock having a value
equal to two times the exercise price of the Right. If an insufficient number of
shares of Common Stock is authorized for issuance, then the Board would be
required to substitute cash, property or other securities of the Company for the
Common Stock. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of
the event set forth in this paragraph, all Rights that are, or (under certain
circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by any
Acquiring Person will be null and void. However, Rights are not exercisable
following the occurrence of the event set forth in this paragraph until such
time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company as set forth below.
For example, at an exercise price of $100 per Right, each Right not
owned by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) following an event
set forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase $200
worth of Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $100.
Assuming that the Common Stock had a per share value of $25 at such time, the
holder of each valid Right would be entitled to purchase eight shares of Common
Stock for $100.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date,
(i) the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, (ii) the
Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction in
which the Company is the surviving corporation and all or part of the Common
Stock is converted into securities of another entity, cash or other property, or
(iii) 50% or more of the Company's assets or earning power is sold or
transferred, each holder of a Right (except Rights which previously have been
voided as set forth above) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon
exercise, common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to two
times the exercise price of the Right. The events set forth in this paragraph
and in the second preceding paragraph are referred to as the "Triggering
Events."
The purchase price payable, and the number of Units of Preferred Stock
or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of
a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the
Preferred Stock, (ii) if holders of the Preferred Stock are granted certain
rights, options or warrants to subscribe for Preferred Stock or convertible
securities at less than the current market price of the Preferred Stock, or
(iii) upon the distribution to holders of the
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Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular
quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than
those referred to above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional Units will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment
in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the
last trading day prior to the date of exercise.
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and
prior to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may
exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or group which will
have become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of
Common Stock, or one two-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share
of a class or series of the Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights,
preferences and privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).
In general, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in
part, at a price of $.01 per Right (subject to adjustment and payable in cash,
Common Stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of
Directors) at any time until ten days following the Stock Acquisition Date.
Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors authorizing any
redemption, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of
Rights will be to receive the redemption price.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not
result in the recognition of taxable income by stockholders or the Company,
stockholders may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income
after a Triggering Event.
The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of
the Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights, including an
amendment to lower certain thresholds described above to not less than the
greater of (i) the sum of .001% and the largest percentage of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock then known to the Company to be beneficially owned by any
person or group of affiliated or associated persons and (ii) 10%, except that
from and after such time as any person or group of affiliated or associated
persons becomes an Acquiring Person no such amendment may adversely affect the
interests of the holders of the Rights.
A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the
Rights Agent. This description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired:
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Not applicable.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information:
--------------------------------
Not applicable
(c) Exhibits:
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4.1 First Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of April 12, 1999 between the
Registrant and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights Agent.
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SIGNATURE
---------
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.
TRUE NORTH COMMUNICATIONS INC.
By: /s/ Kevin J. Smith
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Name: Kevin J. Smith
--------------------------------------
Title: Senior V.P., Chief Accounting Officer
-------------------------------------
Dated: April 16, 1999
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Number and Description of Exhibit
4.1 First Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of April 12, 1998 between
True North Communications Inc. and First Chicago Trust Company of New York
as Rights Agent.
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EXHIBIT 4.1
FIRST AMENDMENT
TO RIGHTS AGREEMENT
--------------------
First Amendment dated as of April 12, 1999 (this "Amendment")
to the Rights Agreement dated as of November 4, 1998 (the "Rights Agreement")
between True North Communications Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, a New York corporation (the "Rights
Agent"). Capitalized terms used in this Amendment shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Rights Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Rights Agent entered into the Rights Agreement
which, among other things, governs the terms and conditions under which Rights
are exercisable by the holders of Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 27 of the Rights Agreement, the Board of
Directors of the Company desires to amend the Rights Agreement to address
certain developments in law.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. The last paragraph of Section 1 of the Rights Agreement is hereby
amended by deleting the semicolon (;) immediately before the parenthetical
"(xxi)" and inserting in lieu thereof the word "and"; and by deleting the last
clause of such paragraph, which reads "and (xxii) "180 Day Period" shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 23(c) hereof."
2. The first sentence of Section 3(a) of the Rights Agreement
is hereby amended by deleting the sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu
thereof the following:
Until the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth day after the
Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the tenth day after the Stock Acquisition
Date occurs before the Record Date, the Close of Business on the Record
Date), or (ii) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day (or such
later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors of the
Company prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after
the date that a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the
Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the
Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person organized,
appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any
such plan) is first published or sent or given within the meaning of Rule
14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations
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under the Exchange Act, if upon consummation thereof, such Person would be
the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more, or, in the case of Publicis
Communication or any Affiliate or Associate of Publicis Communication, 22%
or more, of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding (including any such
date which is after the date of this Agreement and prior to the issuance of
the Rights; the earliest of the dates referred to in clauses (i) and (ii)
being herein referred to as the "Distribution Date"), (x) the Rights will
be evidenced (subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 3)
by the certificates for the Common Stock registered in the names of the
holders of the Common Stock (which certificates for Common Stock shall be
deemed also to be certificates for Rights) and not by separate certificates
and (y) the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the
transfer of the underlying shares of Common Stock (including a transfer to
the Company).
3. The first sentence of the legend set forth in Section 3(c)
of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such sentence in its
entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
certain rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between True North
Communications Inc. (the "Company") and First Chicago Trust Company of
New York (the "Rights Agent") dated as of November 4, 1998, as amended
(the "Rights Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal
offices of the Company.
4. Section 13(a) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting
from the first sentence of such section the phrase "or during the pendency of a
180 Day Period"; and (ii) deleting from the parenthetical following clause (z)
of such section the phrase "or during the pendency of a 180 Day Period".
5. Section 13(d) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
such section in its entirety.
6. Section 23(c) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
such section in its entirety.
7. The last sentence of Section 27 of the Rights Agreement is hereby
amended by deleting such sentence in its entirety.
8. The Form of Rights Certificate attached to the Rights
Agreement as Exhibit B is hereby amended by deleting such exhibit in its
entirety and inserting in lieu thereof Exhibit B attached hereto.
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9. The Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock attached
to the Rights Agreement as Exhibit C is hereby amended by deleting such exhibit
in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof Exhibit C attached hereto.
10. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware.
11. This Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts, and each of such counterparts shall be deemed to be an original,
and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
agreement.
12. Except as specifically provided in this Amendment to the Rights
Agreement, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise alter, modify,
amend or in any such way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations,
covenants or agreements contained in the Rights Agreement, all of which are
ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and
effect.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Amendment to the Rights Agreement to be duly executed, all as of the date and
year first above written.
TRUE NORTH COMMUNICATIONS INC.
By: /s/ Dale F. Perona
-------------------------
Name: Dale F. Perona
Title: Senior Vice President
FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
By: /s/ Laurence A. Woods
---------------------
Name: Laurence A. Woods
Title:Vice President
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Exhibit B
[Form of Rights Certificate]
Certificate No. R- __________ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER NOVEMBER 30, 2008 OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED OR EXCHANGED BY
THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY,
AT $.01 PER RIGHT, AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS
AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN
ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY
SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS
REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A
PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN
ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT).
ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY
BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF SUCH
AGREEMENT.]*
________________
* The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if applicable
andshall replace the preceding sentence.
B-1
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Rights Certificate
TRUE NORTH COMMUNICATIONS INC.
This certifies that _______________, or registered assigns, is the
registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles
the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights
Agreement, dated as of November 4, 1998, as amended (the "Rights Agreement"),
between True North Communications Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, a New York corporation (the "Rights
Agent"), to purchase from the Company at any time prior to 5:00 P.M. (Chicago,
Illinois time) on November 30, 2008 at the office or offices of the Rights Agent
designated for such purpose, or its successors as Rights Agent, one two-
thousandth of a fully paid, nonassessable share of Series B Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Preferred Stock") of the
Company, at a purchase price of $100 per one two-thousandth of a share (the
"Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate
with the Form of Election to Purchase and related Certificate duly executed. The
number of Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and the number of shares
which may be purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth above, and the Purchase
Price per share set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of
November 30, 1998, based on the Preferred Stock as constituted at such date. The
Company reserves the right to require prior to the occurrence of a Triggering
Event (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) that, upon any exercise
of Rights, a number of Rights be exercised so that only whole shares of
Preferred Stock will be issued.
Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined
in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are
beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of
any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement),
(ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate, or (iii)
under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of a
person who, after such transfer, became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of such Acquiring Person, such Rights shall become null and void and
no holder hereof shall have any right with respect to such Rights from and after
the occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and
the number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities which may
be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of
certain events, including Triggering Events.
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which
limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of
such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the above-
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mentioned office of the Rights Agent and are also available upon written request
to the Secretary of the Company.
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon
surrender at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for
such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to
purchase a like aggregate number of one two-thousandths of a share of Preferred
Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificates surrendered shall have
entitled such holder to purchase. If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised
in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another
Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights not
exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by
this Certificate may, in each case at the option of the Company, be (i) redeemed
by the Company at its option at a redemption price of $.01 per Right or (ii)
exchanged in whole or in part for shares of Common Stock or other securities of
the Company. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company authorizing redemption, the Rights will terminate and the only right of
the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price.
No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued upon the exercise of
any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of one two-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the
election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu
thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares of Preferred Stock
or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on
the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or
herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights
of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of
directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof,
or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or, to receive notice of
meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the
Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise,
until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been
exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until it shall have been countersigned manually or by facsimile signature by the
Rights Agent.
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WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and
its corporate seal.
Dated as of _______ __, ____
ATTEST: TRUE NORTH COMMUNICATIONS INC.
________________________________ By: ___________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Secretary Title:
Countersigned:
FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY
OF NEW YORK
By: ____________________________
Authorized Signature
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[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if
such holder desires to transfer the Rights
Certificate.)
Please print social security or other identifying number of transferor: ______
and transferee: ____________.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED ________________________________ hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto
_____________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address of transferee)
this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein,
and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint __________ Attorney, to
transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named Company,
with full power of substitution.
Dated: ______________, ____ _____________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed: ____________________________
Certificate
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate
boxes that:
(1) this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold,
assigned and transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as
such terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the
undersigned, it [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: __________________, ____ _____________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed: ___________________________
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NOTICE
------
The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must correspond
to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every
particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
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FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
----------------------------
(To be executed if holder desires to
exercise Rights represented by the
Rights Certificate.)
TO: TRUE NORTH COMMUNICATIONS INC.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ______
Rights represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of
Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such other
securities of the Company or of any other person which may be issuable upon the
exercise of the Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares (or other
securities) be issued in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number: _____________________
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced
by this Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such
Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number: _______________________
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
Dated: _____________, ____
---------------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed: ___________________________
Certificate
-----------
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The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [_] are [_] are not
being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or
an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined
pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [_]
did [_] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any
Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of
an Acquiring Person.
Dated: _________, __ ___________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed: ___________________________
NOTICE
------
The signature to the foregoing Election to Purchase and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
B-8
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EXHIBIT C
---------
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE PREFERRED STOCK
---------------------------------------------
On November 4, 1998, the Board of Directors of True North Communications
Inc. (the "Company") declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each
outstanding share of the Company's common stock, $.33-1/3 par value per share
("Common Stock"), to stockholders of record at the close of business on November
30, 1998. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company
a unit consisting of one two-thousandth of a share (a "Unit") of Series B Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Preferred
Stock"), of the Company at a price of $100 per Unit (the "Purchase Price"),
subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in
a Rights Agreement, dated as of November 4, 1998, as amended (the "Rights
Agreement"), between the Company and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as
Rights Agent.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock certificates
representing shares then outstanding, and no separate Rights certificates will
be distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common Stock and the
Distribution Date will occur upon the earliest of (i) 10 days following a public
announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an
"Acquiring Person") has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial
ownership of 15% or more (or, in the case of Publicis Communication, 22% or
more) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the "Stock Acquisition Date")
or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined by action of
the Board of Directors prior to such time as any person or group becomes an
Acquiring Person) following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer
which, if consummated, would result in a person or group beneficially owning 15%
or more (or, in the case of Publicis Communication, 22% or more) of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Common
Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such Common Stock
certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued on or after November 30,
1998 will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference and
(iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock
outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Stock represented by such certificate.
Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, the Company reserves the right to require
prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event (as defined below) that, upon any
exercise of Rights, a number of Rights be exercised so that only whole shares of
Preferred Stock will be issued.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire
at the close of business on November 30, 2008, unless earlier redeemed by the
Company as described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights certificates
will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of
business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights
certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except as otherwise
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provided in the Rights Agreement, only shares of Common Stock issued prior to
the Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.
In the event that, at any time following the Distribution Date, a person or
group becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right will thereafter have
the right to receive, upon exercise, Common Stock having a value equal to two
times the exercise price of the Right. If an insufficient number of shares of
Common Stock is authorized for issuance, then the Board would be required to
substitute cash, property or other securities of the Company for the Common
Stock. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of the
event set forth in this paragraph, all Rights that are, or (under certain
circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by any
Acquiring Person will be null and void. However, Rights are not exercisable
following the occurrence of the event set forth in this paragraph until such
time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company as set forth below.
For example, at an exercise price of $100 per Right, each Right not owned
by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) following an event set
forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase $200 worth
of Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $100. Assuming that
the Common Stock had a per share value of $25 at such time, the holder of each
valid Right would be entitled to purchase eight shares of Common Stock for $100.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i)
the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction in
which the Company is not the surviving corporation, (ii) the Company is acquired
in a merger or other business combination transaction in which the Company is
the surviving corporation and all or part of the Common Stock is converted into
securities of another entity, cash or other property, or (iii) 50% or more of
the Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a
Right (except Rights which previously have been voided as set forth above) shall
thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the
Right. The events set forth in this paragraph and in the second preceding
paragraph are referred to as the "Triggering Events."
The purchase price payable, and the number of Units of Preferred Stock or
other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject
to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred
Stock, (ii) if holders of the Preferred Stock are granted certain rights,
options or warrants to subscribe for Preferred Stock or convertible securities
at less than the current market price of the Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the
distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or
assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or
warrants (other than those referred to above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional Units will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment in
cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the last
trading day prior to the date of exercise.
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At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior
to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the
Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become
void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock,
or one two-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or
series of the Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences
and privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).
In general, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at
a price of $.01 per Right (subject to adjustment and payable in cash, Common
Stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors) at
any time until ten days following the Stock Acquisition Date. Immediately upon
the action of the Board of Directors authorizing any redemption, the Rights will
terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the
redemption price.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not
result in the recognition of taxable income by stockholders or the Company,
stockholders may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income
after a Triggering Event.
The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of the
Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights, including an amendment
to lower certain thresholds described above to not less than the greater of (i)
the sum of .001% and the largest percentage of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock then known to the Company to be beneficially owned by any person or group
of affiliated or associated persons and (ii) 10%, except that from and after
such time as any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an
Acquiring Person no such amendment may adversely affect the interests of the
holders of the Rights.
A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the Rights
Agent. This description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
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<PAGE>
TRUE NORTH COMMUNICATIONS INC.
101 East Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312/425-6500
April 16, 1999
VIA EDGAR
- ---------
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: True North Communications Inc.
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A
-------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of True North Communications Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), transmitted for filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), is an amendment to the Company"s Registration
Statement on Form 8-A relating to Preferred Stock Purchase Rights.
Should the Staff have any questions regarding the foregoing or the
enclosed, please call the undersigned at (312) 425-6546.
Very truly yours,
TRUE NORTH COMMUNICATIONS INC.
By:/s/ Kevin J. Smith
---------------------------
Kevin J. Smith
Senior V.P., Chief Accounting Officer
<PAGE>
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