SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary proxy statement
[ ] Definitive proxy statement
[ ] Definitive additional materials
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
K-tel International, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ ] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transactions applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11. (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined.)
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[X] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid: $6,026
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: Preliminary Proxy
Statement
(3) Filing party: K-tel International, Inc.
(4) Date filed: May 14, 1997
(Logo of K-tel International, Inc.)
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD
July 31, 1997
To the Shareholders of K-tel International, Inc.:
A Special Meeting of Shareholders of K-tel International, Inc. (the
"Company") will be held on July 31, 1997, 10:00 a.m., local time, in the
Company's executive offices located at 2605 Fernbrook Lane North in Minneapolis,
Minnesota for the following purposes:
(1) To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Purchase
and Sale Agreement, dated as of March 3, 1997 ("the Purchase
Agreement") between the Company and Platinum Entertainment,
Inc. ("the Purchaser") and the transactions contemplated by
the Purchase Agreement (the "Transactions"). The Transactions
include the sale to the Purchaser of the Company's worldwide
music business, other than its music business in Europe,
through the sale of the stock of two domestic subsidiaries of
the Company.
(2) To transact such other business as may properly come before
the Special Meeting of Shareholders and any adjournment
thereof.
The purchase price payable to the Company under the Purchase Agreement
is $35,000,000 subject to an increase for the positive net tangible book value
(as defined) at the time of closing of the two domestic subsidiaries of the
Company (the "Music Subsidiaries") to be sold or a decrease for the negative net
tangible book value of the Music Subsidiaries after all intercompany accounts
are eliminated. At the time the Purchase Agreement was executed, the parties
agreed that there was a negative adjustment of $4,874,000 based on the balance
sheets as of January 31, 1997 for the Music Subsidiaries. Based on the balance
sheets of the Music Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1997, the negative adjustment
to the purchase price is estimated at approximately $3,268,000 which would
result in a purchase price of $31,732,000 for the Music Subsidiaries. The book
value adjustment will be made based on the book value of the Music Subsidiaries
as of the date of closing and will be calculated after closing.
Pursuant to Minnesota law, each shareholder has the right to exercise
dissenters' rights. An explanation of dissenters' rights is included in the
Proxy Statement, together with a copy of Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the
Minnesota Business Corporation Act ("MBCA").
Only shareholders of record of shares of Common Stock of the Company at
the close of business on July 7, 1997, the record date for the Special Meeting
of Shareholders, are entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting of Shareholders and any adjournment thereof. The affirmative vote of at
least a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company is
required to approve the Transactions. Approval of the Transactions is assured
because Philip Kives, Chairman of the Board of the Company, is the beneficial
owner of more than a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company and has agreed with the Purchaser to vote all of his shares in favor of
approval of the Transactions. Nevertheless, the Company is holding the Special
Meeting of Shareholders because shareholder approval of the Transactions is
required under Section 302A.661 of the MBCA.
ALL SHAREHOLDERS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY PLAN TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL
MEETING AND REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES THEY OWN, ARE REQUESTED TO
COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING
ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF THE ENVELOPE IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
By Order of the Board of Directors
K-TEL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Philip Kives, Chairman of the Board
Minneapolis, Minnesota
July ___, 1997
(Logo of K-tel International, Inc.)
PROXY STATEMENT
OF
K-TEL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
2605 FERNBROOK LANE NORTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55447-4736
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SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
July 31, 1997
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are furnished
in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of
K-tel International, Inc. (the "Company") to be used at the Special Meeting of
the Shareholders of the Company to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on July
31, 1997, in the Company's executive offices located at 2605 Fernbrook Lane
North, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 7,
1997, will be entitled to vote, as a single class with one vote per share, at
the Special Meeting of Shareholders. At the close of business on July 7, 1997,
the Company had outstanding 3,773,659 shares of common stock, $.01 par value
(the "Common Stock").
At the Special Meeting of Shareholders ("Special Meeting"),
shareholders will vote on the following proposals: (1) to approve the Purchase
and Sale Agreement, dated as of March 3, 1997 (the "Purchase Agreement") between
the Company and Platinum Entertainment, Inc. (the "Purchaser") and the
transactions contemplated thereby (the "Transactions"), and (2) to transact any
other business as may properly come before the meeting. The Transactions relate
to the disposition of the Company's music business (the "Music Business") except
for the Company's music business in Europe (the "Retained Music Business")
through the sale of the stock of two domestic subsidiaries of the Company (the
"Music Subsidiaries") to the Purchaser. The Purchaser is a publicly traded
company whose common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market and is not
affiliated with the Company. The sale of the Music Business of the Company
constitutes a sale of a substantial amount of the assets of the Company within
the meaning of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act so the Transactions need
to be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock of the Company.
THE TRANSACTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF SUCH TRANSACTIONS NOR UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
UNLAWFUL.
The quorum required to hold the meeting is a majority of the shares of
Common Stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy. If
a quorum is present, the affirmative vote, in person or by proxy, of a majority
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, voting together as a
single class and with one vote per share, is required to approve the
Transactions. Approval of the Transactions is assured because Philip Kives, the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, is the beneficial
owner of more than a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company and has agreed with the Purchaser to vote all of such shares in favor of
approval of the Transactions.
Each shareholder who signs and returns a proxy in the form enclosed
with this Proxy Statement may revoke the same at any time prior to its use by
giving notice of such revocation to the Company in writing or in open meeting.
Presence at the Special Meeting of a shareholder who has signed a proxy does not
alone revoke that proxy. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by each proxy
will be voted as specified in the instructions indicated in such proxies at the
Special Meeting and at any adjournments thereof. IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE
INDICATED, SUCH PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE
TRANSACTIONS AND, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE PROXY, ON SUCH
OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING. Abstentions and
broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against the proposal to approve
the Transactions. With respect to abstentions, the shares of Common Stock are
considered present at the Special Meeting. They are not, however, affirmative
votes for the matter and, therefore, they will have the same effect as votes
against the matter. With respect to broker non-votes, the shares of Common Stock
are not considered present at the meeting as to which the broker withheld
authority. Consequently, broker non-votes are not counted.
All expenses involved in preparing, assembling and mailing this Proxy
Statement and the accompanying materials will be paid by the Company. The
Company will reimburse brokers and certain other persons for their charges and
expenses in forwarding proxy material to the beneficial owners of Common Stock
held of record by such persons.
Pursuant to Minnesota law, each shareholder has the right to exercise
dissenters' rights. In order for a shareholder to exercise dissenters' rights,
the shareholder must not vote for the proposal to approve the Transactions and
must comply with the applicable requirements of Minnesota law. An explanation of
dissenters' rights is included in this Proxy Statement, and a copy of Sections
302A.471 and 302A.473 of the Minnesota Business Corporations Act is included as
Annex B.
This Proxy Statement and the preceding Notice of Special Meeting of
Shareholders are first being mailed to shareholders on or about July __, 1997.
The date of this Proxy Statement is July ___, 1997.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY ..................................................................... 6
Special Meeting of Shareholders............................................... 6
The Transactions.............................................................. 6
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................... 9
Selected Financial and Pro Forma Data......................................... 9
SPECIAL FACTORS...............................................................11
Control by Principal Shareholder..............................................11
Change in Management..........................................................11
Change in Director Composition................................................12
Change in Business of the Company.............................................12
Deregistration or Privatization of the Company................................12
Classification as an Investment Company .....................................13
Failure of Transactions to Close..............................................14
THE PROPOSAL..................................................................14
THE TRANSACTIONS..............................................................15
General.......................................................................15
Background....................................................................17
Terms of the Transactions.....................................................18
Reasons for the Transactions..................................................24
Opinion of the Financial Advisor..............................................24
Plans for the Company After the Transactions..................................28
Accounting Treatment..........................................................29
Interests of Certain Persons..................................................29
Federal Income Tax Consequences...............................................29
FEES AND EXPENSES.............................................................30
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS............................................................30
Demand for Purchase...........................................................31
Persons Entitled to Exercise Dissenters' Rights under the MBCA................31
Notice of Intent to Demand Fair Value of Shares...............................31
Vote Against the Transactions or Abstention from Vote.........................31
Notice of Procedure...........................................................31
Submission of Stock Certificates..............................................32
Purchase of Dissenting Shares.................................................32
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK; DIVIDENDS........................................34
POSSIBLE EFFECT ON THE MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK............................35
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA......................................................35
CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE PURCHASER...................................39
SECURITY OWNERSHIP............................................................39
REGULATORY APPROVALS..........................................................41
TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS.................................................41
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS................................................41
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.........................................................41
Annex A - Purchase and Sale Agreement
Annex B - Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the Minnesota Business Corporation
Act
Annex C - Opinion of Dain Bosworth Incorporated
SUMMARY
The following summary is a brief summary of information contained
elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary is not intended to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information
set forth elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and the documents in the Annexes
attached to this Proxy Statement. Certain capitalized terms used in this summary
are defined elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. You are urged to read this Proxy
Statement and the Annexes attached hereto in their entirety.
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MEETING DATE; PURPOSES. The Special Meeting of Shareholders of the
Company will be held on Thursday, July 31, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at
the Company's executive offices located at 2605 Fernbrook Lane North in
Minneapolis, Minnesota. At the Special Meeting, the shareholders will vote on
the following proposals (1) to approve a Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as
of March 3, 1997, (the "Purchase Agreement") between the Company and Platinum
Entertainment, Inc. (the "Purchaser") and the transactions contemplated thereby
(the "Transactions"), and (2) to transact such other business as may properly
come before the meeting.
RECORD DATE; SHARES ENTITLED TO VOTE. The Board of Directors of the
Company has fixed the close of business on July 7, 1997, as the record date for
the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote, either in
person or by proxy, at the Special Meeting and any adjournments or postponements
thereof. As of July 7, 1997, there were 3,773,659 shares of Common Stock
outstanding.
THE TRANSACTIONS
THE SALE OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS. The Company proposes to dispose of its
worldwide music business, except for the Company's music business in Europe (the
"Retained Music Business"), by selling to the Purchaser the stock of two
domestic subsidiaries, K-tel International (USA), Inc. and Dominion
Entertainment, Inc. (the "Music Subsidiaries") which own certain master
recording catalog rights to music selections (the "Master Recordings") and which
operates the Company's music business outside of Europe. The Company will also
retain its consumer convenience products, video, direct response (including
music and entertainment) and retail sale of direct response products businesses.
The purchase price for the Music Subsidiaries is $35,000,000 subject to an
increase for the positive net tangible book value (as defined) at the time of
closing of the two domestic subsidiaries of the Company (the "Music
Subsidiaries") to be sold or a decrease for the negative net tangible book value
of the Music Subsidiaries after all intercompany accounts are eliminated. At the
time the Purchase Agreement was executed, the parties agreed that there was a
negative adjustment of $4,874,000 based on the balance sheets as of January 31,
1997 for the Music Subsidiaries. Based on the balance sheets of the Music
Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1997, the negative adjustment to the purchase price
is estimated at approximately $3,268,000 which would result in a purchase price
of $31,732,000 for the Music Subsidiaries. The book value adjustment will be
made based on the book value of the Music Subsidiaries as of the date of closing
and will be calculated after closing. The Company has loss carryovers which the
Company believes will significantly reduce the federal income tax consequences
from the sale of the Music Subsidiaries. If the Transactions had closed on
January 31, 1997, the Company's net after-tax cash position, after payment of
expenses, would have been increased by $26,341,000 (including $3.0 million to be
held in escrows established pursuant to the Purchase Agreement). For fiscal year
ended June 30, 1996 and the nine months ended March 31, 1997, the net sales of
the Music Subsidiaries were $33.7 million and $23.6 million, respectively, and
accounted for approximately 47% and 46% of the net sales for the respective
periods.
FINANCING CONTINGENCY. The Purchaser's obligation to consummate the
Transaction is conditioned, at its option, upon the Purchaser obtaining net
proceeds of at least $70 million from a financing on terms satisfactory to
Purchaser in its sole discretion. The Purchaser has advised the Company that the
Purchaser expects to finance the purchase price for the Music Subsidiaries
through borrowings to be made available for the acquisition of the Music
Subsidiaries under a new bank credit facility and/or proceeds from the private
placement of equity and/or debt securities. As of the date hereof, the Purchaser
has not satisfied the financing contingency. There can be no assurance that the
Purchaser will be able to satisfy the financing contingency or, if such
contingency is not satisfied, that Purchaser will waive such contingency. In the
event the Transactions are not consummated because Purchaser has not been able
to satisfy the financing contingency, the Company will receive the $1,750,000
earnest money deposit made by Purchaser when the Purchase Agreement was signed.
THE RETAINED MUSIC AND EXCLUDED BUSINESSES. The Company will retain and
continue to operate the Retained Music Business as well as its consumer
convenience products, video, direct response (including music and entertainment
products) and retail sale of direct response products businesses (the "Excluded
Businesses") through its remaining subsidiaries (the "Remaining Subsidiaries").
The consumer convenience products marketed by the Company currently include
kitchen appliances and gadgets, personal health products, exercise equipment and
automotive accessories. The direct response business of the Company consists of
offerings of convenience products and entertainment products, including music
and videos, directly to consumers through a variety of direct marketing
techniques, including television and radio advertising, home shopping network
and offerings on the Internet. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, and the
nine months ended March 31, 1997, the net sales of the Retained Music Business
and Excluded Businesses were $38.3 million and $27.6 million, respectively, and
accounted for 53% and 54% of the Company's consolidated net sales for the
respective periods. As a result of the sale of the Music Subsidiaries, the
Company will assign to the Purchaser the exclusive rights to the K-tel music
tradenames and trademarks, except that the Company and its subsidiaries will
retain the K-tel corporate name and will retain exclusive rights to the K-tel
music marks in Europe and may use them on music products exported from Europe to
the Middle East or Africa.
OTHER AGREEMENTS. At closing, two escrow accounts with a third party
bank will be established from the proceeds of the sale of the Music
Subsidiaries: (i) a $1,000,000 escrow (the "Royalty Escrow") to cover any
liability of the Music Subsidiaries in excess of its accrued royalty reserve
under a pending license royalty audit, and (ii) a $2,000,000 escrow (the
"Indemnity Escrow") to cover any indemnity obligations of the Company under the
Purchase Agreement. The amount in the Royalty Escrow will be released to the
Company upon the conclusion of the pending license royalty audit to the extent
not required to be used to pay the amount due if in excess of the accrued
royalty reserve. The amount in the Indemnity Escrow will be released to the
Company on the first anniversary of closing except for any amount paid to
satisfy the indemnity obligations of the Company to the Purchaser and the amount
of any disputed indemnity claims which funds for any disputed claims will be
disbursed based on the resolution of such dispute. The Company will receive a
royalty-free (other than third party royalty payments) license of the Master
Recordings of the Music Subsidiaries which will be exclusive in Europe and
non-exclusive in the Middle East and Africa. The Company's subsidiary in the
United Kingdom ("K-tel UK") which operates the Retained Music Business will
provide Purchaser a royalty-free (other than third party royalty payments)
license on its music catalog which will be non-exclusive outside of Europe. The
Company and Philip Kives, the Company's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
principal shareholder, will each enter into non-competition agreements with the
Purchaser. Subject to certain exceptions, the non-competition agreements will
prohibit the Company and Mr. Kives from (i) competing in the music business
outside of Europe, the Middle East and Africa for a period of three years after
closing, (ii) disclosing information proprietary to the Music Subsidiaries sold
to the Purchaser for three years after closing, and (iii) soliciting for
employment any of its former employees who become employed by the Purchaser
after closing for one year after closing. The Purchaser has agreed to permit the
Company and the Remaining Subsidiaries to use reasonable amounts of space at the
Company's office headquarters and warehouse located in Minneapolis which are
leased by one of the Music Subsidiaries for 60 days after closing. In addition,
the Purchaser has provided certain assurances regarding the continued employment
of certain employees of the Music Subsidiaries.
SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF THE TRANSACTIONS. The affirmative vote of at
least a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock is
required to approve the Transactions. Approval of the Transactions is assured
because Philip Kives, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board, is the beneficial owner of more than a majority of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock of the Company and has agreed to vote all of such shares in
favor of approval of the Transactions, pursuant to a Voting Agreement dated as
of March 3, 1997 (the "Voting Agreement") among Purchaser, Mr. Kives, National
Development Ltd ("National") and K-5 Leisure Products, Inc. ("K-5"). Mr. Kives
has sole voting power over the stock of National and K-5 which have approved the
Voting Agreement and agreed to vote in favor of the Transactions. Mr. Kives,
National and K-5 together own approximately 75% of the outstanding shares of the
Company's Common Stock. Neither National nor K-5 have any relationships with the
Company except for its respective stockholdings and loans which K-5 makes to
provide working capital to the Company. As of June 26, 1997, the outstanding
balance of the loan from K-5 to the Company was approximately $3 million which
is expected to be repaid with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the
Music Subsidiaries. Purchaser required that Mr. Kives enter into the Voting
Agreement as a condition of Purchaser entering into the Purchase Agreement and
neither Mr. Kives or his companies received any consideration for entering into
the Voting Agreement.
DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS. Holders of the Common Stock of the
Company who do not vote for approval of the Transactions may exercise
dissenters' rights and receive cash for the fair value of their shares of Common
Stock by following procedures prescribed by the Minnesota Business Corporations
Act. The failure of a dissenting shareholder to follow the prescribed procedures
will result in the termination or waiver of such rights. A copy of the
provisions of the Minnesota Business Corporations Act relating to dissenters'
rights is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex B.
INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY'S MANAGEMENT. After consummation of the
Transactions, the Purchaser will employ most of the Company's employees who are
employees of the Music Subsidiaries, including Mark Dixon who is Vice
President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and a director of the
Company, and Jeffrey M. Koblick who is Senior Vice President- Purchasing and
Operations and a director of the Company. In the event the Purchaser terminates
without cause the employment of any of twenty specified key employees, including
Messrs. Dixon and Koblick, during the first year after Closing, the salary of
such employees will be continued during the balance of such first year. In
addition, the Company has agreed to pay bonuses of $17,000 to each of Messrs.
Dixon and Koblick if he continues his employment through the closing of the
Transactions.
EFFECTIVE TIME AND CONDITIONS TO CLOSING. The Transactions will become
effective at closing. There are numerous conditions to closing, including but
not limited to Purchaser obtaining satisfactory financing, the accuracy of
representations and warranties, the performance of obligations required to be
performed prior to closing, the receipt of all requisite approvals and consents
and no material adverse change in the Music Subsidiaries. THERE CAN BE NO
ASSURANCE THAT ALL OF THE CONDITIONS TO CLOSING WILL BE SATISFIED.
OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. Dain Bosworth Incorporated ("Dain
Bosworth") has been retained by the Board of Directors of the Company to act as
its financial advisor in connection with the Transactions. Dain Bosworth has
delivered to the Company's Board of Directors its written opinion, dated April
4, 1997, which is attached hereto as Annex C, to the effect that, as of such
date and based upon the matters described therein, the consideration to be
received in the Transactions by the Company is fair to the Company's
shareholders from a financial point of view. Reference is made to the full text
of such opinion in Annex C to this Proxy Statement. The Company's shareholders
are urged to read the opinion in its entirety. See "The Transactions--Opinion of
Financial Advisor."
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") are hereby incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement: the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended
June 30, 1996 and 1995, the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarters ended September 30, 1996, December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997
and the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated March 3, 1997.
The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Proxy Statement is delivered, upon written or
oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all documents which are
incorporated herein by reference. Requests should be directed to the Company at
2605 Fernbrook Lane North, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447, Attention: Mark
Dixon, Vice President-Finance.
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND PRO FORMA DATA
The selected historical financial data as of and for each of the five
years ended June 30, 1996 are derived from the consolidated financial statements
of the Company, which have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, for the periods and as of the dates indicated in its
reports. The interim financial data for the nine months ended March 31, 1997
have not been audited but, in the opinion of management, include all
adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring adjustments and accruals, which the
Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial
position and the results of its operations for the periods indicated. The pro
forma financial data have not been audited but, in the opinion of management,
include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information set forth
therein with respect to the divestiture of the Music Subsidiaries. The following
selected historical data should be read in conjunction with the Company's
consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement. The pro forma financial data are provided for comparative purposes
only and may not be indicative of (i) the actual results that would have
occurred had the divestiture of the Music Subsidiaries been consummated at the
beginning of the period for which pro forma information is presented or (ii) the
results to be expected in the future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
-----------------
March 31, 1997 Year Ended June 30, 1996
------------------------- ---------------------------
Pro
Historical Forma(1)(2) Historical Pro Forma(1)
---------- ----------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data:
Net Sales $ 51,230 $ 27,617 $ 71,987 $ 38,329
Operating Income (Loss) 3,404 1,399 4 (3,847)
Net Income (Loss) 3,114 1,340 (745) (4,191)
Net Income (Loss) per Common
and Common Equivalent Share .80 .34 (.20) (1.12)
Balance Sheet Data
(at end of Period):
Total Assets $ 29,548 $ 43,207 $ 27,795 N/A
Line of Credit -- -- 1,864 N/A
Total Shareholders' Investment 4,555 35,770 1,564 N/A
[WIDE TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE]
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
June 30, 1995 June 30, 1994 June 30, 1993 June 30, 1992
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Historical Historical Historical Historical
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(dollars in thousands except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data:
Net Sales $ 65,917 $ 54,270 $ 55,714 $ 48,234
Operating Income (Loss) (2,188) 223 3,623 2,488
Net Income (Loss) (2,483) 376 2,701 1,875
Net Income (Loss) per Common
and Common Equivalent Share (.67) (.10) .72 .50
Balance Sheet Data
(at end of Period):
Total Assets $ 28,637 $ 26,874 $ 21,922 $ 22,292
Line of Credit 2,516 -- -- --
Total Shareholders' Investment 2,453 4,546 4,150 2,028
- ----------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The Company's net operating loss carryovers are expected to be fully
utilized giving rise to federal income tax on a portion of the gain.
The above pro forma Summary of Statement of Operations Data excludes
income and expenses of the Music Subsidiaries sold in the Transactions
and includes the net after tax gain on the sale of the Music
Subsidiaries.
(2) The purchase price for the Music Subsidiaries is $35,000,000 subject to
an increase for the positive net tangible book value (as defined) at
the time of closing of the Music Subsidiaries or a decrease for the
negative net tangible book value of the Music Subsidiaries after all
intercompany accounts are eliminated. Based on the balance sheets of
the Music Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1997, the negative adjustment to
the purchase price is estimated at approximately $3,268,000 which would
result in a purchase price of $31,732,000 for the Music Subsidiaries.
The estimated net after-tax cash proceeds from the sale of the Music
Subsidiaries would be approximately $27,947,000 assuming $285,000 of
transaction expenses and $3,500,000 of federal and state income taxes.
SPECIAL FACTORS
The following special factors regarding the Transactions and the
business of the Company to be conducted after the Transactions are consummated
should be considered carefully by shareholders before voting on the proposal to
approve the Transactions.
CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER
Mr. Kives beneficially owns approximately 75% of the outstanding Common
Stock of the Company as of July 7, 1997, the record date for this Special
Meeting. Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, Mr. Kives has agreed to vote these
shares in favor of the Transactions. Under Minnesota law, a majority vote of the
Company's outstanding shares is required to approve a merger, consolidation or
reorganization of the Company or the sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company, and a majority vote of the shares of the Company present
at a duly held meeting of shareholders of the Company at which a majority of the
outstanding shares are present is required to elect the directors of the
Company. Accordingly, Mr. Kives currently has and, after consummation of the
Transactions, will continue to have effective control over the Company's
affairs, including but not limited to the approval of major corporate
transactions and the election of directors. Purchaser required that Mr. Kives
enter into the Voting Agreement as a condition of Purchaser entering into the
Purchase Agreement and neither Mr. Kives or his companies received any
consideration for entering into the Voting Agreement.
CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT
Upon consummation of the Transactions, it is anticipated that most of
the employees of the Company will be employed by the Purchaser, including
Messrs. Dixon and Koblick who are executive officers of the Company, except for
Mr. Kives who will continue to serve as the Company's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer and David Weiner who will continue to serve as the Company's
President. In the event the Purchaser terminates without cause the employment of
any of twenty specified key employees, including Messrs. Dixon and Koblick,
during the first year after Closing, the salary of such employees will be
continued during the balance of such first year. In addition, the Company has
agreed to pay bonuses of $17,000 to each of Messrs. Dixon and Koblick if he
continues his employment through the closing of the Transactions. The Company is
currently engaged in a search for a person who will replace Mr. Dixon and become
the chief financial officer of the Company after the Transactions are
consummated. Of the Company's 198 employees at April 1, 1997, approximately 80
employees are designated to remain with the Company and approximately 120
employees are designated to be employed by the Purchaser.
The division of officers and employees between the Company and the
Purchaser may present administrative and organizational complications which may
be more than short-term in nature, depending on the ability of the Company to
attract and hire additional personnel with expertise in the Retained Music
Business and Excluded Businesses and to institute an organizational structure
most conducive to the Company's businesses after completion of the Transactions.
CHANGE IN DIRECTOR COMPOSITION
Upon consummation of the Transactions, Mark Dixon and Jeffrey M.
Koblick will resign as directors of the Company because they will be employed by
the Purchaser. Messrs. Dixon and Koblick have been executive officers of the
Company for more than five years.
CHANGE IN BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY
The sale of the Company's Music Business pursuant to the Transactions
will result in a major change in the Company's business. For the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1996 and the nine months ended March 31, 1997, the net sales
from the Music Subsidiaries to be sold to the Purchaser were approximately 47%
and 46% respectively of consolidated net sales, and the balance of consolidated
net sales were from the Company's Remaining Subsidiaries. The Company believes
that the sale of the Music Subsidiaries will permit the Company to reduce its
overhead and to focus its resources on the Retained Music Business and the
Excluded Businesses. However, the Company will lose the ability to utilize the
distribution capabilities of the Music Subsidiaries to market music- related
products in North America. There can be no assurance that concentration of the
Company's business in the Retained Music Business and the Excluded Businesses
will be beneficial to the Company and its shareholders. Although the Company
presently intends to expand the Retained Music Business and the Excluded
Businesses, the Company could also determine to expand into unrelated businesses
which may not prove to be profitable to the Company.
DEREGISTRATION OR PRIVATIZATION OF THE COMPANY
DEREGISTRATION. The Company's Common Stock is currently registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
is a designated stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Such registration of the
Common Stock may be terminated upon application of the Company to the Commission
if there are fewer than 300 holders of record of the Common Stock. There were
1,739 holders of record of the Company's Common Stock at April 1, 1997. If the
Company were to determine to approve a 250 to 1 reverse stock split, there would
be fewer than 300 holders of record. In such event, the Company could make
application on Form 15 to the Commission to deregister the Company's Common
Stock under the Exchange Act and to suspend the Company's reporting obligations
under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Such deregistration would automatically
take place 90 days after the filing of the Form 15. The Company's obligation to
continue to file reports under Section 12 of the Exchange Act would cease as of
the date of filing the Form 15. Deregistration of the Common Stock under the
Exchange Act reduces substantially the information required to be furnished by
the Company to holders of the Common Stock and renders inapplicable certain of
the provisions of the Exchange Act, such as short-swing profit recovery
provisions of Section 16(b), the requirement of Section 14(a) that the Company
furnish shareholders with proxy materials in connection with shareholders'
meetings and the requirements of Rule 13e-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act
with respect to "going private" transactions. If registration of the Common
Stock under the Exchange Act is terminated, the Common Stock would no longer be
eligible for continued inclusion on The Nasdaq Stock Market. In the event of
such reverse stock split or merger, the holders of shares of Common Stock which
are cancelled thereby would be entitled to the then fair value of their shares
under the Minnesota Business Corporation Act. Mr. Kives does not have a present
intention to propose a reverse stock split that would result in reducing the
number of holders of the Company's Common Stock to below 300. However, there can
be no assurance that Mr. Kives will not propose any such action in the future.
PRIVATIZATION. After consummation of the Transactions, Mr. Kives may
request that the Board of Directors consider alternative courses of action to
provide shareholders liquidity, including a proposal to take the Company private
by merger of the Company into a corporation owned by Mr. Kives or through some
other transaction. Currently, Mr. Kives is considering whether to make a merger
or other business combination proposal after consummation of the Transactions,
but the terms of such a proposal have not been determined and Mr. Kives has not
yet decided whether to make such a proposal. There can be no assurance that Mr.
Kives will make such a proposal or, if made, would be approved by the vote of
51% of the other stockholders. If Mr. Kives makes such a proposal, he intends to
provide fair value for the shareholders. A merger with a corporation controlled
by Mr. Kives would be subject to the provisions of the Company's Articles of
Incorporation applicable to a merger of the Company with a Control Stockholder.
Mr. Kives is specifically identified as a Control Stockholder because he
beneficially holds more than 50% of the Company's Common Stock. The Articles of
Incorporation require that a merger in which a Control Stockholder is a party be
approved by the affirmative vote of not less than 51% of the Company's Common
Stock, excluding the Common Stock of a Control Stockholder who is a party to the
merger.
CLASSIFICATION AS AN INVESTMENT COMPANY
If, as a result of the cash available to it from the sale of the Music
Subsidiaries, the Company were to acquire investment securities having a value
exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of "Government
securities" and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, the Company could be
deemed to be an investment company subject to regulation under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). "Government
securities" means any securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or
interest by the United States, or by a person controlled or supervised by and
acting as an instrumentality of the Government of the United States pursuant to
authority granted by the Congress of the United States, or any certificate of
deposit for any of the foregoing. Because of the limited risk of Government
securities, the yields of Government securities are lower than yields obtainable
from investments with only somewhat more risk, such as investment grade
corporate securities.
If, by reason of its investment of the cash proceeds of the sale of the
Music Subsidiaries, the Company were to become an "inadvertent" investment
company, the Commission could initiate a complaint seeking injunctive relief
with respect to violations of the Investment Company Act and seeking an order
directing the disposition of certain securities acquired in violation of the
Investment Company Act or registration under the Investment Company Act.
Registration imposes various obligations, including periodic reporting and
disclosure of finances and investment policies. In addition, the requirements of
the Investment Company Act would prohibit the Company from changing the nature
of its business or other investment policies without shareholder approval,
prohibit the issuance of most debt securities unless specified asset coverage
tests are met, prohibit the purchase by the Company of its securities except
pursuant to tender offers or on a securities exchange after notice to
stockholders, regulate custody of the Company's assets, require that investment
management contracts be approved by the shareholders, prohibit transactions
between the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates except with the
Commission approval and regulate the capital structure of the Company. Annual
costs to the Company of compliance with the provisions of the Investment Company
Act would be approximately $75,000 to $100,000.
In order to avoid becoming an inadvertent investment company under the
Act, the Company intends to invest the cash proceeds of the sale of its Music
Subsidiaries in "Government securities" as defined by the Investment Company
Act.
FAILURE OF TRANSACTIONS TO CLOSE
There are numerous conditions to closing, including but not limited to
Purchaser obtaining satisfactory financing, the accuracy of representations and
warranties, the performance of obligations required to be performed prior to
closing, the receipt of all requisite approvals and consents and no material
adverse change in the Music Subsidiaries. See "The Transactions -- Terms of the
Transactions -- Conditions to Closing." THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ALL OF
THE CONDITIONS TO THE TRANSACTIONS WILL BE SATISFIED OR THAT THE TRANSACTIONS
WILL BE CONSUMMATED. Failure to consummate the transactions will result in
material expenses to the Company, estimated to be approximately $285,000.
THE PROPOSAL
Under the Minnesota Business Corporation Act ("MBCA"), the affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock is
required for approval of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company. The Music Subsidiaries represented approximately 47% and 46%,
respectively, of the Company's net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996
and the nine months ended March 31, 1997, and approximately 46% of the Company's
total assets at December 31, 1997. Under these circumstances and based on the
oral advice of the Company's legal counsel that the Transactions would be
considered the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
the Board of Directors determined to seek shareholder approval of the
Transactions. As a result of seeking shareholder approval of the Transactions,
shareholders who do not vote their shares in favor of the proposal to approve
the Transactions will have the right to exercise dissenters' rights under the
Minnesota Business Corporation Act and to receive the fair value of their shares
from the Company by complying with the requirements of the Minnesota Business
Corporation Act relating to the exercise of dissenters' rights. See "Dissenters'
Rights" for a discussion of the requirements of the Minnesota Business
Corporation Act for shareholders to exercise dissenters' rights. Submitting the
proposal to approve the Transactions to shareholders may have the possible
effect of limiting the ability of the shareholders to contest or preventing the
shareholders from contesting the Transactions or to make claims against the
officers or directors of the Company because such shareholders would have had
the opportunity to receive the fair value for their shares by exercising
dissenters' rights.
Except for where authority has been withheld by a shareholder or the
direction is to vote against the proposal to approve the Transactions, the
enclosed proxy will be voted for the approval of the Transactions. The
Transactions include the sale by the Company to the Purchaser of the Company's
Music Business (other than the Retained Music Business) through the sale of the
stock of two domestic subsidiaries of the Company and various agreements between
the Company and Purchaser. For a description of the Transactions, see "The
Transactions--Terms of the Transactions".
The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding Common
Stock of the Company is required for approval of the Transactions. Shareholders
are urged to evaluate carefully all information contained in this Proxy
Statement and to consult with their own advisors in order to make any decision
to vote to approve the Transactions. Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, Mr.
Kives, the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and principal
shareholder of the Company, who beneficially owns approximately 75% of the
Company's outstanding Common Stock on April 18, 1997, the record date for the
shareholder meeting to consider the Transactions, has agreed to vote such shares
to approve the Transactions.
The Board of Directors unanimously approved the Transactions
contemplated by the Purchase Agreement at a meeting held on March 1, 1997. The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of the Transactions.
THE TRANSACTIONS
GENERAL
The Company is an international marketing and distribution company for
packaged consumer entertainment products (music and video) and consumer
convenience products (lower priced housewares, automotive accessories, exercise
devices, and other goods). The Company was incorporated in 1968, and its
corporate offices are located at 2605 Fernbrook Lane North, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55447.
The Company's core business has been the marketing and selling of
pre-recorded music, mainly in compilation format including various artists under
a similar theme primarily in the United States and Europe. Videos with a special
theme concept have provided the Company with a product line compatible with its
pre-recorded music and have been marketed and distributed throughout the
Company's foreign subsidiaries, mainly the United Kingdom. The Company sells its
products through both retail sales and direct response marketing. Retail sales
have traditionally accounted for the majority of the Company's overall revenue.
Television direct response marketing has been focused primarily in Europe,
beginning in earnest in the late 1980's, using both terrestrial (local within a
country) and Pan European satellite television. In the early 1990's, the Company
expanded its level of consumer convenience product marketing in the United
States and Europe.
One of the Company's major assets is its music master catalog
consisting of original recordings and re-recordings of music from the 1950s
through the 1990s ("Master Recordings"). The Master Recordings are used for the
Company's pre-recorded music products and are licensed to third parties. The
Company markets and sells pre-recorded music both from its Master Recordings and
from songs licensed from third party record companies. Sales of albums,
cassettes and compact discs are made to rackjobbers (distributors who stock and
manage inventory within certain music and video departments of some retail
stores), wholesalers and retailers in the United States and through
subsidiaries and licensees in Europe and the Pacific region.
The Company's products are manufactured by third-party suppliers with
components supplied by independent vendors. The Company's suppliers and vendors
do not service the Company exclusively and provide the manufacturing service and
components under purchase orders from the Company. After consummation of the
Transactions, the Company expects to continue its relationships with the
suppliers and vendors for the consumer convenience products and the products,
including entertainment products, which the Company will sell by direct
response. At April 1, 1997, the Company employed 198 full time people worldwide.
The Company's corporate offices and United States operations are located in
leased facilities in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota consisting of
approximately 21,000 square feet of office and 84,000 square feet of warehouse
facilities. The Company's foreign subsidiaries lease a total of approximately
45,000 square feet of office and warehouse facilities, consisting of 4,400
square feet of office space and 21,500 square feet of warehouse space in
Germany, 3,000 square feet of office space and 12,500 square feet of warehouse
space in the United Kingdom and 1,450 square feet of office space and 2,300
square feet of warehouse space in Finland. The Company also has a 2,000 square
foot office in California where it operates certain of the Excluded Businesses.
BACKGROUND
On or about September 18, 1996, Purchaser contacted Philip Kives,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, concerning the possible
acquisition of the Company's U.S. music business by Purchaser. At the time
Purchaser contacted Mr. Kives, the Company had not been considering a sale or
other transaction with regard to its domestic music business and did not receive
any proposals for a business combination or sale from any other third party. The
Company then provided Purchaser with certain financial information on its U.S.
music business. On or about September 18, 1996, senior executives of Purchaser
(Steven D. Devick, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Leavens, Chief
Operating Officer and General Counsel, and Douglas C. Laux, Chief Financial
Officer) met with Mr. Kives at Mr. Kives' offices in Winnipeg, Canada. The
representatives of Purchaser explained the interest of Purchaser in acquiring
the Company's music business. Mr. Kives outlined the basis on which the Company
would consider selling its music business. The representatives of Purchaser also
requested that additional information be provided to enable Purchaser to
evaluate the basis on which it could proceed.
During the balance of September and the months of October and November
of 1996, the Company provided Purchaser with additional information concerning
the U.S. music business and responded to questions from representatives of
Purchaser. There were no meetings among the parties during this period of time
and the telephone conversation were between Dennis Ward, Mr. Kives' assistant in
Winnepeg, Canada, and Thomas Leavens, Chief Operating Officer and General
Counsel of Platinum. The conversations related to negotiation of the
confidentiality agreement and various requests for financial information
concerning the Company's U.S. music business. During this period, the parties
negotiated and signed a confidentiality agreement. Pursuant to the
confidentiality agreement, Purchaser agreed to use the confidential and
proprietary information provided by the Company to Purchaser only for the
purpose of evaluating a possible acquisition of the Company's music business.
The parties also agreed to maintain confidential the existence of discussions
between the companies concerning such possible acquisition. In view of the
considerable time and expense which Purchaser would incur to evaluate the
information and consider a transaction to acquire the Company's music business,
the Company agreed that, for a period of ninety days after November 12, 1996
(the date of the confidentiality agreement), the Company would not solicit the
submission of any proposal or offer from any person other than Purchaser, enter
into negotiations with any other person and notify Purchaser of any inquiry from
any other person. After the confidentiality agreement was executed, the Company
provided Platinum detailed financial information concerning the Company's U.S.
music business.
In a letter dated November 22, 1996, Purchaser submitted to Mr. Kives
the principal deal points proposed by Purchaser for Purchaser's acquisition of
the Company's music business. During the months of December 1996 and January
1997, the parties exchanged further correspondence and held telephone
discussions concerning the major terms of a possible transaction. On December 9,
1996, Mr. Kives sent Steven Devick, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Platinum, a letter responding to Purchaser's proposal of November 22, 1996. The
critical business points raised by Mr. Kives were the amount of the earnest
money deposit, the purchase price, the financial ability of Purchaser to
complete the proposed transaction, the structure of the transaction (stock sale
rather than asset sale), non-competition provisions, use of the K-tel name, and
the scope of the Retained Territory. After receiving Mr. Kives' December 9th
letter, Mr. Devick discussed in a telephone conversation with David Weiner, the
President of the Company, the issues raised in Mr. Kives' letter and sent Mr.
Kives a letter dated December 12, 1996 responding to these issues. After
conferring with Mr. Kives and counsel for the Company, Mr. Weiner responded to
Mr. Devick by letter dated December 17, 1996. The principal business issues
reviewed in Mr. Weiner's letter of December 17th were the structure of the
transaction, the retention by the Company of certain infomercial products
currently in development, the extent of the retained territory in which the
Company's European music business could operate, and the license of the
Company's domestic music catalog to the Company's European music subsidiaries.
By letter dated December 19, 1996, Mr. Devick responded to Mr. Weiner's letter
of December 17th. By letter dated December 24, 1996, Mr. Weiner responded to Mr.
Devick's letter of December 19th, indicated that Purchaser would be permitted to
perform on-site due diligence on the Company's domestic music catalog in early
January and stated that the Company did not want to make any announcement
regarding a transaction with the Purchaser until the definitive agreements were
signed. Beginning in January 1997, representatives of Purchaser began conducting
on-site due diligence. During the month of January 1996, Mr. Weiner on behalf of
the Company and Mr. Leavens on behalf of the Purchaser had various telephone
conversations concerning the financial ability of the Purchaser to complete the
proposed transaction as well as issues relating to the scope of the retained
territory for the Company's European music business, the rights to the K-tel
name and trademark, licensing the U.S. music catalog to the Company's European
subsidiaries, the retention by the Company of certain music rights which the
Company was currently negotiating to purchase, the retention of certain
infomercial packages and non-competition provisions.
On January 30, 1997, Mr. Kives, David Weiner, President of the Company,
and counsel for the Company met with Thomas Leavens, Chief Operating Officer and
General Counsel of Purchaser, and counsel for Purchaser. At this meeting the
parties negotiated certain key aspects of a proposed transaction between the
Company and Purchaser. Purchaser proceeded to prepare definitive agreements and
provided them for review and comment by the Company and its counsel. The parties
held meetings in Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 20 and 26, 1997 to negotiate
the definitive documents and also conducted extensive discussions in telephone
conferences concerning the terms and documentation for a proposed transaction.
At these meetings and in these discussions, the Company was represented by Mr.
Weiner and counsel and the Purchaser was represented Mr. Leavens and counsel.
On March 1, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors held a meeting at
which all directors were in attendance to consider the Transactions. At the
meeting, counsel for the Company summarized the terms of the Transactions and
reviewed the various documents for the Transactions. The directors received
information concerning the expected proceeds to the Company from the
Transactions. The directors also discussed the reasons to proceed with the
proposed transaction. Although the Board of Directors of the Company did not
assign any specific weight to the factors, the following material factors were
considered in the decision of the Board of Directors to approve the
Transactions: (i) the purchase price for the Music Subsidiaries was attractive
and would enhance shareholder value of the Company, (ii) the Transactions fully
utilized the Company's net operating loss carry-forward, and (iii) the liquidity
of the Company would be substantially improved. In addition, the Board of
Directors discussed the terms of the Transactions with the Company's investment
banker, Dain Bosworth and instructed Dain Bosworth to continue work necessary
for issuing an opinion concerning the fairness of the Transactions to the
Company's shareholders from a financial point of view. At its meeting, the Board
of Directors unanimously approved the Transactions and authorized the executive
officers to finalize and execute the documentation for the Transactions. On
March 3, 1997, the parties executed the Purchase Agreement and made a public
announcement of the Transactions.
REASONS FOR THE TRANSACTIONS
In approving the Transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement,
the Board of Directors of the Company considered three primary factors although
it did not assign any specific weight to the factors. First, the price proposed
by the Purchaser for the Music Subsidiaries was attractive and would enhance
value for the shareholders which the Company might not be able to realize
through operations. In particular, the purchase price for the Transactions under
the Purchase Agreement of approximately $30.1 million based on the January 31,
1996 net tangible book value of the Music Subsidiaries, compared very favorably
with the transaction proposed in 1995 by Mickey Elfenbein, then President of the
Company, for the sale of all of the Company's business, including both the Music
Subsidiaries and the Retained Business, except for the consumer convenience
product business in the United States, for a net price of approximately $23.2
million. In early 1996, the Company terminated the proposed transaction with Mr.
Elfenbein due to delays in consummating the transaction. The transactions
contemplated by the Purchase Agreement provide the Company with a significantly
greater purchase price and the Company will retain other businesses, primarily
the music business in Europe.
The second major consideration of the Board of Directors relates to the
Company's net operating loss carry-forward. As a result of substantial losses in
the early 1980s, the Company had, as of June 30, 1996, net operating loss
carry-forwards of approximately $16.0 million which expire in 2001. The Company
has not been able to utilize the net operating loss carry-forwards through
operations. A substantial portion of the gain realized by the Company from the
sale of the Music Subsidiaries will not be subject to Federal income taxation
due to the net operating loss carry-forwards. This substantially enhances the
financial benefit of the Transactions from a cash flow standpoint for the
Company.
The third consideration of the Board relates to the liquidity which
consummation of the Transactions will provide to the Company. This liquidity
could be used for various purposes, including as capital for other activities,
such as the retained consumer convenience products, video, direct response
(including music and entertainment products) and retail sale of direct response
businesses as well as the Retained Music Business in Europe. The liquidity
resulting from the Transactions could also provide the necessary funds for the
Company to proceed with a going private transaction. Since the Company's stock
is very thinly traded on the NASDAQ market, holders of the Company's Common
Stock do not have significant liquidity. The funds generated from the sale of
the Music Subsidiaries could be used to pay the shareholders other than Mr.
Kives the fair value of their shares in connection with the merger of the
Company into a company owned by Mr. Kives.
TERMS OF THE TRANSACTIONS
The following summary of the Transactions describes the material terms
of the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex A.
SALE OF MUSIC SUBSIDIARIES. Subject to the terms and conditions under
the Purchase Agreement, the Company will sell to Purchaser the stock of Dominion
Entertainment, Inc. ("Dominion") and K-tel International (USA), Inc. ("K-tel
USA") which operate the Company's music business outside of Europe. Dominion and
K-tel USA (collectively the "Music Subsidiaries") are wholly owned subsidiaries
of the Company. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996 and the nine months
ended March 31, 1997, the net sales of the Music Subsidiaries were $33.7 million
and $23.6 million and represented 47% and 46% of the Company's net sales for the
respective period.
PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price for the stock of the Music
Subsidiaries is $35.0 million plus the aggregate positive net tangible book
value (as defined) of the Music Subsidiaries as of the date of closing (the
"Closing Date") or minus the aggregate negative net tangible book value of the
Music Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. In calculating net tangible book
value any intercompany receivables or payables are excluded and will be
distributed to or assumed by the Company at closing. Based on the unaudited
balance sheets of the Music Subsidiaries as of January 31, 1997, there was a
negative net tangible book value of $4,874,000 and, accordingly, the purchase
price for the Music Subsidiaries would have been $30,126,000 if closing had
occurred on January 31, 1997. Based on the balance sheets of the Music
Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1997, the negative adjustment to the purchase price
is estimated at approximately $3,268,000 which would result in a purchase price
of $31,732,000 for the Music Subsidiaries. The parties will use reasonable good
faith efforts to determine the net tangible book value of the Music Subsidiaries
as of a date closer to closing. If the parties are not able to agree on the
calculation as of a closer date to closing, the January 31, 1997 net tangible
book value will be used to compute the purchase price payable at closing. In any
event, Arthur Andersen LLP, the Company's independent public accountants, will
verify the Company's determination of the net tangible book value of the Music
Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date within 60 days after closing. If either
party disagrees with the calculation, Ernst & Young LLP will make the final
determination of the net tangible book value of the Music Subsidiaries as of the
Closing Date. To the extent such determination of net tangible book value is
different from the amount used to compute the purchase price at closing, such
amount shall be paid by the Purchaser or refunded by the Company, as the case
may be, within five (5) business days after the final determination of the net
tangible book value.
RETAINED MUSIC BUSINESS AND EXCLUDED BUSINESS. The Company will
continue to operate its music and consumer convenience product businesses in
Europe through its subsidiaries in Europe and its consumer convenience products,
video, direct response (including music and entertainment products) and retail
sale of direct response products businesses in the United States through other
domestic subsidiaries (the "Excluded Businesses"). The consumer convenience
products marketed by the Company currently include kitchen appliances and
gadgets, personal health products, exercise equipment and automotive
accessories. The direct response business of the Company consists of offerings
of convenience products and entertainment products, including music and videos,
directly to consumers through a variety of direct marketing techniques,
including print media, television and radio advertising, home shopping network
and offerings on the Internet. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996 and the
nine months ended March 31, 1997, the net sales from these retained businesses
were $38.3 million and $27.6 million, respectively, and represented 53% and 54%
of the net sales for the respective periods.
CLOSING. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to
closing, the closing of the sale of the Music Subsidiaries to the Purchaser will
occur no later than (i) 75 days after approval of the Purchase Agreement by the
requisite vote of the Company's shareholders, or (ii) August 30, 1997.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Purchase Agreement contains
customary representations and warranties by the Company and the Purchaser. The
Company makes certain representations as to (i) the organization, good standing
and capitalization of the Music Subsidiaries, (ii) proper corporate authority,
no conflicts and requisite approvals, (iii) accuracy of financial statements,
and books and records, (iv) title to and condition of assets, (v) accounts
receivables, inventory, and taxes, (vi) no undisclosed liabilities and no
material adverse change, (vii) employee benefits plans and employee matters;
(viii) compliance with laws, (ix) legal proceedings, (x) contract matters, (xi)
insurance, (xii) environmental matters, (xiii) intellectual property matters,
and (xiv) related party transactions and change of control payments. If the
Company becomes aware of any fact or condition that would modify its
representations in the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to supplement
its representations by delivering a written notice of such fact or condition to
the Purchaser. The Company will indemnify the Purchaser for losses arising from
the breach of the Company's representations and warranties. See " -- Indemnity
Escrow."
COVENANTS PENDING CLOSING. The Purchase Agreement also contains various
covenants of the Company pending closing. The Company will conduct the business
of the Music Subsidiaries in the ordinary course and use its best efforts to
preserve intact the business organization of the Music Subsidiaries. The Company
will also confer with the Purchaser on material operational matters. The Company
will also use its best efforts to obtain all necessary consents or approvals to
consummate the Transactions and to satisfy the conditions of closing.
NO NEGOTIATIONS. The Purchase Agreement prohibits the Company from
discussing or negotiating with any other party for the sale of the business of
the Music Subsidiaries or providing any interested party with information
concerning the Music Subsidiaries unless (i) the Company gives the Purchaser
prompt written notice of the details thereof prior to entering into such
discussions and negotiations, (ii) the Company's Board of Directors, after
consultation with and based upon the advice of an independent financial advisor,
determines in good faith that such third party is financially capable, without
any financing contingency, of consummating the proposed transaction, (iii) the
Company's Board of Directors, after weighing such advice, determines that taking
such action is more likely than not to lead to the consummation of the sale of
the Music Subsidiaries with such third party that would yield a higher value to
the stockholders than will the transactions under the Purchase Agreement, and
(iv) the Company's Board of Directors shall have been advised in writing by
independent legal counsel that any failure to enter into discussion and
negotiations with, and provide non-public information to, such third party would
more likely than not constitute a breach of the fiduciary responsibilities of
the Board of Directors to the Company's stockholders.
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING. The obligation of the Purchaser to consummate
the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement is subject to various
conditions. These conditions consist of (i) the Company's representations and
warranties are accurate in all material respects, (ii) the Company has performed
all of its obligations under the Purchase Agreement in all material respects,
(iii) there is no proceeding challenging or seeking damages or other relief in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement or any
proceeding which would reasonably be expected to have the effect of preventing,
delaying, making illegal or otherwise in any material respect interfering with
the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, (iv) consummation of
the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement will not conflict with
or result in a material violation of the Purchaser or cause the Purchaser to
suffer any adverse consequences under any law or order or any proposed law or
order, (v) there has not been a material adverse change in the assets,
liabilities, operations, condition (financial or otherwise), operating results,
relations with employees, customers or suppliers, business activities or
prospects of the Music Subsidiaries since June 30, 1996, (vi) the Purchaser's
shareholders shall have approved the Purchase Agreement, if necessary, and (vii)
the Purchaser shall have consummated and obtained net proceeds of at least $70
million from a financing on terms satisfactory to the Purchaser in its sole
discretion. There can be no assurance that these conditions will be satisfied
and many of the conditions are not within the control of the Company.
TERMINATION. The Purchase Agreement may be terminated (i) by mutual
agreement of the Company and the Purchaser, (ii) by either the Company or the
Purchaser if closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement
does not occur by the earlier of (A) 75 days after approval of this Agreement by
the requisite vote of the Company's shareholders or (B) August 30, 1997, (iii)
by either the Company or the Purchaser if there is a permanent injunction
preventing consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement, (iv) by either the Company or the Purchaser if the shareholders of
the Company do not approve the Purchase Agreement by the requisite vote, (v) by
the Purchaser if the Company fails to comply in any material respect with its
obligations under the Purchase Agreement, or the representations and warranties
of the Company are not accurate in any material respect, and (vi) by the Company
if the Purchaser fails to comply in any material respect with its obligations
under the Purchase Agreement or the representations and warranties of the
Purchaser are not accurate in any material respect. In addition, the Purchase
Agreement provides the Company with a so-called "fiduciary out" if the Company
receives a proposal from a third party to acquire the Music Subsidiaries and, by
following the procedures set forth in the Agreement described in "-- No
Negotiations" above, the Company determines to enter into an agreement with such
third party for the sale of the Music Subsidiaries.
TERMINATION FEE. In the event the Purchase Agreement is terminated
because the Company exercises its so-called fiduciary out or the Company's
shareholders do not approve the Purchase Agreement by the requisite vote, the
Company is obligated to pay a termination fee of $1,750,000 to the Purchaser.
EARNEST MONEY ESCROW. When the Purchase Agreement was executed on March
3, 1997 the Purchaser deposited $1,750,000 in escrow with a third party bank.
The escrow deposit will be applied against the purchase price at closing. In the
event the Purchase Agreement is terminated (i) by the mutual agreement of the
parties which directs the return of the earnest money escrow to the Purchaser,
(ii) by either party due to a material adverse legal proceeding affecting the
transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, (iii) by the Company under
its fiduciary out, (iv) by the Purchaser due to a material breach by the Company
of its representations or covenants under the Purchase Agreement after an
opportunity of the Company to cure, or (v) as a result of the failure of the
Company's shareholders to approve the Purchase Agreement, the earnest money
deposit will be retained by the Purchaser. If the Purchase Agreement is
terminated for any other reason, including, but not limited to, the Purchaser
not obtaining financing or a material adverse change in the assets, liabilities,
operations, condition (financial or otherwise), relations with employees,
customers or suppliers, business activities or prospects of the Music
Subsidiaries, the earnest money deposit will be paid to the Company.
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. The Company will retain liability for any
claims relating to (i) any audit or investigation of the Music Subsidiaries by
the Harry Fox Agency, Inc., which audits the liability of the Music Subsidiaries
for the payment of third party royalties from the sale of products licensed to
the Music Subsidiaries, (ii) taxes arising prior to closing, (iii) employee
benefit plans arising prior to closing, and (iv) the Excluded Business and the
Retained Music Business. The Company has also indemnified the Purchaser for
breaches of the Company's representations and warranties or failure to perform
its obligations. There is currently pending a royalty audit claim of
approximately $3.2 million plus interest for the period 1986 to 1994. Management
believes that the ultimate payment will be significantly lower than the claim
because of identified errors in the claim and that a sufficient amount is
included in the reserve for accrued royalties to cover the payment. Management
also believes that the current reserve for accrued royalties is sufficient to
cover the Company's liability to third parties for royalties payable by the
Company or its subsidiaries. With regard to taxes, the Company has filed all tax
returns which are due and has paid all taxes shown as due on those returns. For
any taxes not yet payable, management believes that there are sufficient
reserves to cover such taxes. With regard to employee benefit plans, management
does not believe there are any material contingent liabilities. Since the
Company will continue to own and operate the Excluded Business and the Retained
Music Business, the Company and its subsidiaries operating those businesses will
continue to have the risks of contingent liabilities related to those
businesses, including product liability for consumer convenience products sold
by the Company. However, management of the Company is not aware of any such
material contingent liabilities.
ROYALTY ESCROW. Unless the current royalty audit is resolved prior to
closing, the Company has agreed that $1.0 million from the purchase price for
the Music Subsidiaries will, at closing, be placed in escrow (the "Royalty
Escrow") with a bank and will be used to pay any liability of the Music
Subsidiaries arising from the current royalty audit in excess of an agreed upon
amount (the "Royalty Liability Amount"). The amount claimed due in the current
royalty audit is approximately $3.2 million plus interest for the period 1986 to
1994. Management believes that the ultimate payment will be significantly lower
than the claim because of identified errors in the claim. Although there can be
no assurance that the Royalty Liability Amount will be sufficient to cover the
current royalty audit, management believes that the Royalty Liability Amount
will be sufficient to pay any liability determined in the current royalty audit.
If such liability is greater than the Royalty Liability Amount, the escrowed
funds will be applied to cover such excess liability and, if such funds are not
sufficient, the Company will pay the balance. If the Royalty Liability Amount is
more than the liability determined in the current royalty audit, the Purchaser
will pay such excess to the Company. When the current royalty audit is resolved
any funds remaining in the Royalty Escrow will be paid to the Company.
INDEMNITY ESCROW. The Company has also agreed that $2.0 million of the
purchase price for the Music Subsidiaries will, at closing, be placed in escrow
(the "Indemnity Escrow") with a bank. The purpose of the Indemnity Escrow is to
cover any claims that the Purchaser may assert against the Company under the
indemnification provisions of the Purchase Agreement described in " --
Contingent Liabilities" above. Generally, the maximum liability of the Company
for breaches of its representations or warranties is the amount of the Indemnity
Escrow and such representations and warranties will survive closing for only one
year, except for certain representations. On the first anniversary of the
Closing Date, the amounts in the Indemnity Escrow will be paid to the Company
except to the extent of any claims made by the Purchaser against the escrow,
including claims which the Company disputes, in which case the amount of the
disputed claims shall be retained in escrow pending a resolution of such
dispute.
VOTING AGREEMENT. In connection with execution of the Purchase
Agreement, Philip Kives and two companies which he controls, which beneficially
own 2,814,360 outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock representing
approximately 75% of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock,
entered into a Voting Agreement with the Purchaser. Pursuant to the Voting
Agreement, Mr. Kives agreed to vote his shares for approval of the Transactions
contemplated by the Purchase Agreement at this Special Meeting of Shareholders
to consider the Purchase Agreement. Therefore, approval of the Purchase
Agreement and the Transactions is assured since Mr. Kives beneficially owns more
than 50% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. Purchaser required that Mr.
Kives enter into the Voting Agreement as a condition of Purchaser entering into
the Purchase Agreement and neither Mr. Kives or his companies received any
consideration for entering into the Voting Agreement.
LICENSE OF MUSIC SUBSIDIARIES CATALOG. At Closing, the Purchaser and
the Music Subsidiaries will license to the Company the exclusive rights to use
and exploit the Master Recordings of the Music Subsidiaries in Europe. The
license is exclusive, perpetual and royalty free (except for third party royalty
payments). This will enable the Company to continue to operate its Retained
Music Business in Europe. In addition, the Purchaser and the Music Subsidiaries
will provide the Company with a non-exclusive, perpetual license on the Music
Subsidiaries' Master Recordings in the Middle East and Africa on a royalty free
basis (except for payments to third parties).
NON-EXCLUSIVE LICENSE TO PURCHASER. At Closing the Company will cause
K-tel UK to amend its current license agreement with the Music Subsidiaries to
provide that the Music Subsidiaries will have a non-exclusive, perpetual license
outside Europe to use K-tel UK's music catalog.
TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES. At Closing, the Company will assign to
Purchaser the "K-tel" trademark and tradename for music products in all
jurisdictions other than Europe and Canada in which the Company has registered
the K-tel mark. The Company will retain its rights to use the name "K-tel" and
the Purchaser has agreed to change the name of K-tel USA to remove the word
"K-tel" in that Corporation's name. In addition, the Company will continue to
own the rights to the "K-tel" marks for music products in Europe.
NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS. Both the Company and Philip Kives have
agreed to enter into non-competition agreements with the Purchaser at Closing.
Under the non-competition agreements, the Company or Mr. Kives, as the case may
be, has agreed not to disclose any proprietary information regarding the Music
Subsidiaries, not to perform services for or otherwise engage in the business of
recording, releasing, licensing, publishing, distributing and otherwise
exploiting recorded music, except in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In
addition, the Company has agreed not to re-record any compositions contained in
any Master Recordings acquired by Purchaser through the stock of the Music
Subsidiaries. These non-competition agreements will expire three years after
closing. However, the non-compete covenants will not prohibit, limit or
otherwise restrict (i) the operation or exploitation of the Retained Music
Business, (ii) the realization of the rights provided to the Company under the
license agreement discussed above, (iii) operating any direct response business,
including the sale of entertainment and music products, (iv) retail sale of
music products originally sold through direct response, (v) the operation of
competing business in Canada, and (vi) the exploitation worldwide of the K-tel
UK music catalog. In addition, the Company and Mr. Kives have agreed not to
solicit any employees to become employed by them during the one year after
Closing.
MUTUAL RELEASE. At Closing, the Music Subsidiaries and the Company for
itself and its other subsidiaries will enter into a mutual release. Pursuant to
the mutual release, both sets of parties acknowledge and agree that the other
party does not owe it any amounts as of the Closing Date.
EMPLOYMENT MATTERS. The employees of the Music Subsidiaries at the time
of Closing will continue as employees of the Music Subsidiaries and become
employees of the Purchaser. In addition, the Purchaser has agreed to provide
certain employment protection for 20 key employees of the Music Subsidiaries. In
the event of a termination of their employment without cause during the first
year after the Closing, such employees will receive severance compensation for
the balance of the first year following Closing.
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE. The Purchaser has agreed that the Company may
continue to utilize reasonable amounts of office and warehouse space during the
60 days immediately following Closing. This will permit the Company to make an
orderly transition of its business to other suitable facilities. After
consummation of the Transactions, the Company expects to relocate its executive
offices to the 3,400 square feet of office space currently leased for the
Retained Business in Los Angeles, California. In addition, the Company intends
to lease approximately 2,000 square feet of office space and approximately
10,000 square feet of warehouse space in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Company has
located the desired space in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but does not intend to make
a definite commitment for the space until the Transactions have closed.
OPINION OF THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR
The Company has retained Dain Bosworth to act as its financial advisor
in connection with the Transactions, to provide an opinion directed to the
Company's Board of Directors as to the fairness to the Company's shareholders,
from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be received by the
Company in connection with the Transactions. The amount of the consideration to
be received by the Company was determined through negotiations between the
Company and the Purchaser and not by Dain Bosworth. See "The Transactions --
Background."
Dain Bosworth has rendered to the Company's Board of Directors an
opinion that the consideration to be received by the Company in connection with
the Transactions is fair to the Company's shareholders from a financial point of
view. A copy of the opinion of Dain Bosworth is attached as Annex C to this
Proxy Statement.
Dain Bosworth did not solicit, and was not asked to solicit, third
parties regarding their interest in acquiring the Music Subsidiaries. As set
forth in its opinion, Dain Bosworth relied on, and did not independently verify,
the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information furnished
to it by the Company. Dain Bosworth did not make an independent evaluation or
appraisal of the assets and liabilities of the Company or the Purchaser, and did
not express any opinion regarding the liquidation value or solvency of either
entity. Holders of the Company's Common Stock are urged to read Dain Bosworth's
opinion in its entirety for a summary description of the procedures followed,
the factors considered and the assumptions made by Dain Bosworth in rendering
its opinion.
For purposes of its opinion, Dain Bosworth reviewed and analyzed
certain publicly available information relating to the Company, as well as other
information provided by the Company including certain financial forecasts and
internal management reports on the Company and the Music Subsidiaries. Dain
Bosworth analyzed the historical and projected operating performance of the
Music Subsidiaries and the Company, the historical reported market prices and
trading activity of the Company's common shares, as well as the market
capitalization, dividends and other characteristics of the Company's common
shares. Dain Bosworth visited the Company's corporate headquarters and held
discussions with members of the company's senior management regarding the past
and current business operations, financial condition and future prospects of the
Music Subsidiaries and the Company.
Dain Bosworth used the foregoing information to further its
understanding of the Music Subsidiaries, the Company and the market for the
Company's Common Stock.
In conducting the review and in performing the analyses described
below, Dain Bosworth did not attribute any particular weight to any information
or analysis considered by it, but rather made qualitative judgments as to the
significance and relevance of each factor and analysis. Accordingly, Dain
Bosworth believes that the information reviewed and the analyses conducted must
be considered as a whole and that considering any portion of such information or
analyses, without considering all of such information and analyses, could create
a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying its opinion.
ANALYSIS OF SELECTED PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANIES. Dain Bosworth compared
the Music Subsidiaries' financial information to similar information for certain
publicly traded companies that produce or distribute music, video and other
entertainment products for consumers. Companies reviewed by Dain Bosworth
included the Purchaser; Navarre Corporation; Image Entertainment, Inc.;
Handleman Co.; Quality Dino Entertainment Ltd; and Alliance Entertainment
Corporation (the "Comparable Companies"). The Comparable Companies were the
public companies determined by Dain Bosworth to be most comparable to the
Company based on a number of criteria. These criteria included, but were not
limited to, the following: product offerings (with particular focus on music and
video products); size, as measured by net sales; net sales growth rate; relative
profitability as measured by operating income margins, margins on earnings
before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") and net
income margins; and net income growth rate.
Dain Bosworth calculated valuation ratios based on published stock
prices for each of the Comparable Companies. The valuation ratios were based
upon several variables, including net sales, EBITDA, operating income, and net
income, all for operating performance over the latest twelve months ("LTM").
After examining the historical performance of the Music Subsidiaries
and the Comparable Companies, Dain Bosworth determined that the median valuation
ratios for the Comparable Companies were the most appropriate ratios for valuing
the Music Subsidiaries. Also, Dain Bosworth determined that weightings should be
applied to the individual valuation ratios to reflect the relative importance
that Dain Bosworth believes that investors attach to the financial variables
underlying these valuation ratios for the Comparable Companies. This
determination was made because most of the Comparable Companies had low
operating margins or losses and to reflect the nature of their business
operations. Based on its analysis, Dain Bosworth determined that weightings of
50%, 25%, 15% and 10% should be applied to the median valuation ratios for LTM
net sales, LTM EBITDA, LTM net income and LTM operating income. Applying these
ratios to the results for the corresponding financial variables for the Music
Subsidiaries resulted in a value for the Music Subsidiaries of approximately
$25.2 million.
ANALYSIS OF SELECTED MERGER AND ACQUISITION TRANSACTIONS. Dain Bosworth
reviewed acquisitions involving companies engaged in producing or distributing
consumer entertainment products and summarized the terms of four such
transactions. The following table lists the transactions that Dain Bosworth
summarized (the "Comparable Acquisitions"):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Effective Date of
Transaction Acquiring Company Acquired Company
- ----------- ----------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
April 27, 1994 Spelling Entertainment Group Republic Pictures Corporation
September 5, 1995 Alliance Entertainment Corporation One Way Distributors
May 20, 1996 National Media Corporation Positive Response Television
January 31, 1997 Platinum Entertainment, Inc. Intersound, Inc.
</TABLE>
The Comparable Acquisitions were selected on the basis of the comparability of
the acquired companies to the Music Subsidiaries with respect to several
factors. These factors included, but were not limited to, size, as measured by
net sales; and the extent to which the net sales of the acquired companies were
attributable to the development, production and/or distribution of consumer
entertainment products and services. In addition, Dain Bosworth concentrated its
review on transactions that occurred since January 1, 1994, and those for which
relevant financial data were available.
For purposes of evaluating the Transactions, valuation ratios were
calculated for each of the Comparable Acquisitions based upon several variables,
including LTM net sales, LTM EBITDA, LTM operating income and LTM net income.
Based upon a review of the Comparable Acquisitions, Dain Bosworth determined
that the median valuation ratios for the Comparable Acquisitions were the most
appropriate ratios to apply to the historical financial results of the Music
Subsidiaries. In addition, based on the business operations and available data
for the Comparable Acquisitions, Dain Bosworth determined that the valuation
ratios should be adjusted by the same weightings applied above in the Analysis
of Selected Publicly Traded Companies. By applying these weightings to the
median valuation ratios for the Comparable Acquisitions, Dain Bosworth
calculated a value for the Music Subsidiaries of approximately $32 million.
DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Dain Bosworth assessed the present value
of future cash flows that the Music Subsidiaries' business activities could be
expected to generate over a defined time period and the residual value of the
Music Subsidiaries at the end of the projected period (the "DCF Analysis"). In
preparing the DCF Analysis, Dain Bosworth used a set of projections prepared by
the Company's management for the remainder of the Company's fiscal year ending
June 30, 1997 and all of fiscal years 1998 and 1999. In conjunction with these
forecasts, Dain Bosworth and the Company's management mutually agreed that the
Music Subsidiaries' projected growth rate for sales on a stand-alone basis could
be reasonably expected to be approximately 5% for periods thereafter. Operating
margins for fiscal years 2000 and 2001 were estimated at the same projected
percentage of net sales as for fiscal 1999, the last year of management's
projections. The resulting five-year projections formed the basis of the DCF
Analysis. The projections were evaluated with respect to various assumptions
regarding the weighted average cost of capital and expected LTM EBITDA valuation
ratios (the "Terminal Multiples") that were used to estimate the residual value
of the Music Subsidiaries following the projection period. The discount rates
that were considered ranged from 19% to 21% and the Terminal Multiples that were
considered ranged from 9.0 to 11.0. The projected cash flows and residual value
were discounted to the present and adjusted for the Music Subsidiaries' debt and
cash as of the most recent balance sheet date to determine values for the Music
Subsidiaries ranging from approximately $26.1 million to $32.5 million.
Based on the Music Subsidiaries capital structure, current capital
market conditions, estimated marginal tax rates and other relevant factors, Dain
Bosworth determined that the most appropriate discount rate and Terminal
Multiple were 20% and 10.0, respectively. Applying this discount rate and
Terminal Multiple to the projections resulted in a value for the Music
Subsidiaries of approximately $29.2 million.
ANALYSIS OF NET OPERATING LOSS CARRYFORWARDS. Dain Bosworth analyzed
and calculated the incremental value realized by the Company associated with its
ability to immediately utilize its net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") in
connection with the Transactions. Based on the projections described above, Dain
Bosworth calculated the tax-derived cash flow differences between the immediate
use of the NOLs and the more gradual use of the NOLs over the projection period
for the Company. Dain Bosworth then calculated the present value of these
tax-derived cash flow differences using an estimated cost of equity discount
rate of 25%. This calculation resulted in a benefit associated with the
immediate use of such NOLs of approximately $2.5 million.
Dain Bosworth did not assign any particular weight to the individual
analyses described above, which represent a summary of the material analyses
performed by Dain Bosworth. Dain Bosworth's determination regarding the fairness
of the consideration to be received is not based on a mathematical model but
rather on a body of information obtained from such analyses and qualitative
factors.
The Company has paid Dain Bosworth $50,000 for its written opinion that
is included in this Proxy Statement. Also, the Company will pay an additional
fee of $50,000 to Dain Bosworth, which is payable at the time of, and contingent
upon, the consummation of the Transactions. The Company has also agreed to
reimburse Dain Bosworth for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and to
indemnify Dain Bosworth against certain liabilities including those arising
under securities laws.
Dain Bosworth was selected by the Company on the basis of its
experience in valuing securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions,
knowledge of the Company and expertise in consumer entertainment products. Dain
Bosworth is a nationally recognized investment banking firm and is regularly
engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with
mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of
listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for estate,
corporate and other purposes. Dain Bosworth has not issued research reports or
recommendations on either the Company or the Purchaser, and does not make a
market in either the Company's or the Purchaser's common shares. Dain Bosworth
does periodically publish research reports regarding other companies in the
consumer leisure and entertainment industries.
PLANS FOR THE COMPANY AFTER THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTINUATION OF RETAINED MUSIC BUSINESS AND EXCLUDED BUSINESSES. After
consummation of the Transactions, the Company will retain its music business in
Europe as well as its consumer convenience products, video, direct response
(including music and entertainment products), and retail sale of direct response
products businesses primarily conducted in the United States. The consumer
convenience products marketed by the Company currently include kitchen
appliances and gadgets, personal health products, exercise equipment and
automotive accessories. The direct response business of the Company consists of
offerings of convenience products and entertainment products, including music
and videos, directly to consumers through a variety of direct marketing
techniques, including television and radio advertising, home shopping network
and offerings on the Internet. These businesses generated net sales of
approximately $38.3 million and $27.6 million for the year ended June 30, 1996
and the nine months ended March 31, 1997, or 53% and 54% of the total net sales
for the respective periods. The Company currently expects to conduct these
businesses from its office in California and to utilize the services of third
parties to distribute its products.
POSSIBLE PRIVATIZATION. After giving effect to the Transactions, Mr.
Kives will own approximately 75% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock.
Although Mr. Kives has not made a proposal to take the Company private, the
Company could be taken private through a merger with an entity controlled by Mr.
Kives or through some other transaction. In such event, the public holders of
the Company's Common Stock whose shares are cancelled would be entitled to
receive the fair value of their shares and the Company could use a portion of
the proceeds from the Transactions to pay such amount to the public
shareholders. See "Dissenters' Rights."
A merger with a corporation controlled by Mr. Kives would be subject to
the provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation applicable to a merger
of the Company with a Control Stockholder. Mr. Kives is specifically identified
as a Control Stockholder because he beneficially holds more than 50% of the
Company's Common Stock. The Articles of Incorporation require that a merger in
which a Control Stockholder is a party be approved by the affirmative vote of
not less than 51% of the Company's Common Stock, excluding the Common Stock of a
Control Stockholder who is a party to the merger.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The disposition of the Music Subsidiaries will be accounted for as a
divestiture of assets.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS
In considering the approval of the Transactions, shareholders should be
aware that certain officers and directors of the Company have certain interests
in the transactions contemplated thereby that are in addition to, and may
conflict with, the interests of the shareholders generally.
After consummation of the Transactions, the Purchaser will employ most
of the Company's employees who are employees of the Music Subsidiaries,
including Mark Dixon who is Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and a director of the Company, and Jeffrey M. Koblick who is Senior
Vice President-Purchasing and Operations and a director of the Company. In the
event the Purchaser terminates without cause the employment of any of twenty
specified key employees, including Messrs. Dixon and Koblick, during the first
year after Closing, the salary of such employees will be continued during the
balance of such first year. In addition, the Company has agreed to pay bonuses
of $17,000 to each of Messrs. Dixon and Koblick if he continues his employment
through the closing of the Transactions. To meet the Company's working capital
needs, K-5, a company owned by Philip Kives, the Company's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, has made loans to the Company. As of June 26, 1997, the
outstanding balance of the loan from K-5 to the Company was approximately $3
million. The Company repays the loan from its excess cash resources which would
include the net proceeds from the sale of the Music Subsidiaries. No other
officers or directors of the Company have conflicting interests with those of
the Company.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion sets forth the material federal income tax
consequences of the sale of a significant portion of the Company's assets. The
discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the
applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated and proposed thereunder and is not
based upon an opinion of counsel.
The Transactions will be treated as a sale for tax purposes. For
federal income tax purposes, a portion of the gain will be offset against the
net operating loss carryover of the Company. The Company will be subject to
federal and state income tax on a portion of the taxable gain. The estimated
federal income tax resulting from the Transactions is approximately $2,525,000.
In addition, the gain will be subject to state income tax of approximately
$975,000. There will be no federal loss carryovers remaining for federal income
tax purposes after the sale of the Music Subsidiaries.
There should be no tax impact upon the individual shareholders
continuing to own shares of the Company's Common Stock.
FEES AND EXPENSES
All expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the
Transactions will be paid by the Company, except that the Purchaser will
reimburse the Company for certain specified legal and accounting expenses. The
estimated fees and expenses to be incurred by the Company in connection with the
Transactions are as follows:
Financial advisor's fee and expenses................... $105,000
Accounting fees and expenses........................... 30,000
Legal fees and expenses................................ 125,000
SEC filing fee......................................... 6,026
Printing and mailing expenses.......................... 5,000
Miscellaneous expenses................................. 13,974
--------
Total......................................... $285,000
=======
No fees or commissions will be paid by or on behalf of the Company to
any broker or other persons for soliciting votes. Brokers, dealers, commercial
banks, trust companies and other nominees will be reimbursed by the Company for
reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding materials to their customers.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
SET FORTH BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF THE PROCEDURES FOR EXERCISING
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS UNDER SECTIONS 302A.471 and 302A.473, OF THE MINNESOTA
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT ("MBCA"). THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A
COMPLETE STATEMENT OF SUCH PROVISIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO ANNEX C HERETO, WHICH IS A COPY OF SUCH PROVISIONS, AND TO ANY
AMENDMENT TO SUCH PROVISIONS AS MAY BE ADOPTED AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROXY
STATEMENT. THE PROVISIONS FOR EXERCISING DISSENTERS' RIGHTS MUST BE COMPLIED
WITH PRECISELY. ANY SHAREHOLDER INTENDING TO DISSENT FROM THE PROPOSED
TRANSACTIONS SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE TEXT OF ANNEX C AND ALSO SHOULD CONSULT
WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
DEMAND FOR PURCHASE
Shareholders of the Company have the right to dissent from the sale of
substantially all of the assets of the Company contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement and demand payment of the fair value of their shares. Such dissenters'
rights are governed by Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473 of the MBCA, the full text
of which is annexed hereto as Annex C. Under the MBCA, a shareholder possessing
dissenters' rights has no right to have the Transactions set aside or rescinded
unless they are fraudulent with regard to the shareholder or the corporation.
PERSONS ENTITLED TO EXERCISE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS UNDER THE MBCA
Dissenters' rights can only be exercised by a shareholder of record or
a beneficial owner of shares held of record by another person who obtains a
written consent of the shareholder of record and submits it to the Company at
the time of or before the assertion of the rights. Dissenting shareholders must
assert their dissenters' rights with respect to all the shares registered in
their names, except that a dissenting shareholder may dissent with respect to
all the shares beneficially owned by another but registered in the shareholder's
name if the shareholder discloses to the Company the name and address of each
such beneficial owner on whose behalf the shareholder dissents.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO DEMAND FAIR VALUE OF SHARES
Shareholders who wish to exercise their dissenters' rights must submit
to the Company at 2605 Fernbrook Lane North, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447-4736,
Attention: Mark Dixon, Vice President-Finance, a written notice of their intent
to demand the fair value of their shares from the Company (the "Notice of
Intent"). The Notice of Intent should state the number of shares held of record
by such shareholder and, in order to be effective, must be received by the
Company before the vote to approve the Transactions at the Special Meeting.
VOTE AGAINST THE TRANSACTIONS OR ABSTENTION FROM VOTE
Shareholders desiring to exercise dissenters' rights must not vote
their shares in favor of approval of the Transactions at the Special Meeting.
Merely voting against the approval of the Transactions or abstaining from the
vote will not, of itself and absent compliance with the provisions summarized
herein, satisfy the requirements of the MBCA for the exercise of dissenters'
rights.
NOTICE OF PROCEDURE
If the proposed Transactions is approved at the Special Meeting, the
Company will mail a notice of the procedure for demanding payment of the fair
value of shares (the "Notice of Procedure") to each shareholder who is entitled
to exercise the dissenters' rights provisions of the MBCA and who has properly
filed a Notice of Intent. The Notice of Procedure will include, among other
things, a form for demanding payment of the fair value of shares (the "Demand
Form").
SUBMISSION OF STOCK CERTIFICATES
Within 30 days after the date of the Notice of Procedure, dissenting
shareholders must submit to the Company or its transfer agent the Demand Form
and certificates representing the shares the dissenting shareholders demand to
be purchased (such certificates to be stamped or endorsed with a statement that
the shares are dissenting shares or are to be exchanged for certificates of
appropriate denomination so stamped or endorsed). The Notice of Procedure will
specify the date by which the submission of the Demand Form and certificates has
to be made. Submissions made after that date will not be effective for any
purpose. The dissenting shareholders will retain all other rights of a
shareholder until the proposed action takes effect.
PURCHASE OF DISSENTING SHARES
After the Transactions are approved, or after the Company receives a
valid demand for payment, whichever is later, the Company will pay to dissenting
shareholders who have surrendered their certificates after having given proper
notice and demand, an amount the Company estimates is the "fair value of the
shares," plus interest, if any. Under the MBCA, the "fair value of the shares"
is determined as the value of the shares immediately before the closing of the
Transactions. Interest commences five days after the date of closing of the
Transactions, up to and including the date of payment, and is calculated at the
rate provided by Minnesota law.
Dissenting shareholders who disagree with the Company's estimate of the
fair value of the shares may submit, within thirty days after the Company mails
the payment, their own written estimate to the Company and demand a supplemental
payment of the difference between their estimate and the amount received from
the Company. Dissenting shareholders who do not submit their own estimate within
the proper time required are entitled only to the payment received from the
Company.
The Company may withhold payment of the fair value of shares from
dissenting shareholders who were not shareholders on the date the Transactions
were publicly announced or who are dissenting on behalf of persons who were not
beneficial owners on that date. The Company may provide instead to such
dissenters who properly gave notice and demand its estimate of the fair value of
the shares, a statement of the reason for withholding payments of its estimate
and an offer to pay the amount of its estimate if, among other things, the
dissenter agrees to accept that amount in full satisfaction. Dissenters may
decline this offer and seek supplemental payment. If the dissenters do not seek
supplemental payment, then they are entitled only to the amount offered by the
Company.
If a demand for supplemental payment is made, the Company will have
sixty days within which either to pay the dissenter that amount (or an amount
agreed to after discussion) or to file a petition in the District Court of
Hennepin County, Minnesota, requesting that the court determine the "fair value
of the shares," plus interest. The court's determination of the fair value of
the shares is binding on all shareholders. A dissenter is entitled to judgment
for the amount by which the fair value of the shares as determined by the court,
plus interest, exceeds the amount already paid. If the court determines that the
fair value of the shares is less than that determined and paid by the Company,
the dissenter will not be liable to the Company for that amount. The costs of
the court proceeding will be borne by the Company, except for costs and expenses
the court assesses against dissenters whose actions in demanding supplemental
payment are found by the court to be arbitrary, vexatious or not in good faith.
Experts' and attorneys' fees may be assessed against the Company if it does not
comply substantially with the above procedure or against shareholders acting
arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith in demanding supplemental payment.
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK; DIVIDENDS
The Company's Common Stock is a designated stock on The Nasdaq Stock
Market under the symbol "KTEL." Over-the-counter market quotations reflect
inter-dealer prices without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not
necessarily represent actual transactions. The following table shows the range
of high and low closing sales prices per share of the Company's Common Stock as
reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market for the periods indicated.
Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
1995 1996 1997
------ ------ -----
High Low High Low High Low
First Quarter 5 1/8 3 5 1/2 3 3/8 4 1/16 3 1/2
Second Quarter 5 1/8 3 5 1/4 3 1/2 7 5/8 3 1/2
Third Quarter 5 3/8 3 3/4 4 3/8 3 1/4 9 3/4 6 3/4
Fourth Quarter 4 3 4 3/8 3 1/4 8 1/4 7 5/8
As of July 7, 1997, there were approximately 1,723 record holders of
the Company's Common Stock.
The Company is subject to loan agreement covenants prohibiting the
payment of dividends without the consent of the lender. The Company has not paid
any dividends on its Common Stock since fiscal 1983.
POSSIBLE EFFECT ON THE MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK
The Company's Common Stock is currently registered under the Exchange
Act and is a designated stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market. The Company could be
deregistered if the Board of Directors were to approve a reverse stock split of
250 to 1 and file an application to deregister the Company's Common Stock under
the Exchange Act or if the Board of Directors and shareholders were to approve a
merger involving the Company and a corporation owned by Mr. Kives or any other
transaction in which all shares of the Company are cancelled other than the
shares beneficially owned by Mr. Kives who will beneficially own approximately
75% of the outstanding Common Stock after the Transactions and the Related
Entity Transactions are consummated. See "The Transactions--Plans for the
Company after the Transactions." In the event of a reverse stock split, the
shareholders whose shares are cancelled will be entitled to receive the then
fair value of their shares in cash. In the event of the merger of the Company
with a corporation owned by Mr. Kives, or any other transaction taking the
Company private, the public shareholders would be entitled to exercise
dissenters' rights to receive the then fair value of their shares in cash if
they were not satisfied with the consideration offered in the merger. Upon the
effectiveness of such reverse stock split or merger, the Company would no longer
be a designated stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market. See "Special Factors--Plans
for the Company after the Sale of Assets--Deregistration or Privatization."
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The following unaudited pro forma financial data for the Company has
been prepared on a pro forma basis to give effect to the divestiture of the
Music Subsidiaries. The unaudited pro forma statement of operations data gives
effect to the divestiture as if it had occurred on July 1, 1995, for the year
ended June 30, 1996, and July 1, 1996 for the nine months ended March 31, 1997.
The unaudited pro forma balance sheet data as of March 31, 1997 has been
prepared as if such divestiture had occurred on that date.
The unaudited pro forma financial data and accompanying notes should be
read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes incorporated
by reference in this Proxy Statement. The unaudited pro forma financial data is
provided for comparative purposes only and may not be indicative of (i) the
actual results that would have occurred had the divestiture of the Music
Subsidiaries been consummated at the beginning of the period for which pro forma
information is presented or (ii) the results to be expected in the future.
On March 3, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its
Music Business through the sale of the Music Subsidiaries. The sale of the Music
Subsidiaries involves the sale to the Purchaser of two domestic subsidiaries
which own the master recording catalog rights to music recordings. Based on the
balance sheets of the Music Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1997, the negative
adjustment to the purchase price is estimated at approximately $3,268,000 which
would result in a purchase price of $31,732,000 for the Music Subsidiaries.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, 1997
----------------------------------------------
Unaudited Pro Forma Unaduited
Historical Adjustments Pro Forma
---------- ----------- ---------
Balance Sheet Data:
- -----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $4,535 $27,947 (b) $32,482
Accounts Receivable 14,436 (8,632) (a) 5,804
Inventories 5,714 (2,932) (a) 2,782
Royalty advances 1,358 (964) (a) 394
Prepaid expenses 1,368 (260) (a) 1,108
Income tax refund receivable 18 0 (a) 18
-------- -------- --------
Total Current Assets 27,429 15,159 42,588
Property and Equipment, net 998 (526) (a) 472
Other Assets 1,121 (974) (a) 147
-------- -------- --------
Total Assets $29,548 $13,659 $43,207
======== ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Current Liabilities
Line of credit $0 $0 (a) $0
Accounts payable 3,251 (2,204) (a) 1,047
Accrued royalties 11,507 (9,538) (a) 1,969
Reserve for returns 5,356 (4,926) (a) 430
Other current liabilities 4,792 (888) (a) 3,904
Income tax payable 87 0 (a) 87
-------- -------- --------
Total Current Liabilities 24,993 (17,556) 7,437
Amounts due to Entertainment
Subdidiaries - 16,589 (a) -
(16,589) (c)
-------- -------- --------
Total Liabilities 24,993 (17,556) 7,437
Shareholder's Investment
Common stock 37 37
Contributied capital 7,947 7,947
Accumulated (deficit) earnings (2,551) 31,215 (d) 28,664
Cumulative translation adjustment (878) (878)
-------- -------- --------
Total Shareholders Investment 4,555 31,215 35,770
-------- -------- --------
Total Liabilities and
Shareholders Investment $29,548 $13,659 $43,207
======== ======== ========
The accompanying notes to pro forma unaudited consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended Year Ended
March 31, 1997 June 30, 1996
--------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Unaudited Pro Forma Unaudited Pro Forma Unaudited
Historical Adjustments Pro Forma Historical Adjustments Pro Forma
Statement of Operations Data:
- -----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales $51,230 ($23,613)(a) $27,617 $71,987 ($33,658)(a) $38,329
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of goods sold 25,520 (12,496)(a) 13,024 38,665 (17,431)(a) 21,234
Advertising 8,534 (3,110)(a) 5,424 12,520 (5,028)(a) 7,492
Selling, general and adminitrative 13,772 (6,002)(a) 7,770 20,798 (7,348)(a) 13,450
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Total Costs and Expenses 47,826 (21,608) 26,218 71,983 (29,807) 42,176
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Operating Income (Loss) 3,404 (2,005) 1,399 4 (3,851) (3,847)
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Non-Operating Income (Expense):
Interest income 65 (21)(a) 44 130 (17)(a) 113
Interest expense (26) 0 (a) (26) (409) 212 (a) (197)
Foreign currency transaction
gain (loss) (125) (125) (119) (119)
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Total Non-Operating Income (Expense) (86) (21) (107) (398) 195 (203)
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Income (Loss) Before Provision for Income Taxes 3,318 (2,026) 1,292 (394) (3,656) (4,050)
Provision for Income Taxes 204 (252)(a) (48) 351 (210)(a) 141
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Net Income (Loss) $3,114 ($1,774) $1,340 ($745) ($3,446) ($4,191)
======================================= =====================================
Net Income (Loss) Per Common
and Common Equivalent Shares $0.80 ($0.46) $0.34 ($0.20) ($0.92) ($1.12)
Weighted Average Number of
Common and Common Equivalent
Shares Outstanding 3,895 3,895 3,895 3,729 3,729 3,729
The accompanying notes to pro forma unaudited consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>
NOTES TO PRO FORMA UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
1. Pro Forma Balance Sheet Adjustments:
The accompanying pro forma balance sheet reflects the following
adjustment:
(a) To reflect the removal of the assets sold to and liabilities
assumed by the Purchaser.
(b) To reflect net after-tax cash proceeds from the sale of the
Music Subsidiaries. The purchase price for the Music
Subsidiaries is $35,000,000 subject to an increase for the
positive net tangible book value (as defined) at the time of
closing of the Music Subsidiaries or a decrease for the
negative net tangible book value of the Music Subsidiaries
after all intercompany accounts are eliminated. Based on the
balance sheets of the Music Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1997,
the negative adjustment to the purchase price is estimated at
approximately $3,268,000 which would result in a purchase
price of $31,732,000 for the Music Subsidiaries. The estimated
net after-tax cash proceeds from the sale of the Music
Subsidiaries would be approximately $27,947,000 assuming
$285,000 of transaction expenses and $3,500,000 of federal and
state income taxes.
(c) To reflect elimination of intercompany balances payable to the
subsidiaries being sold.
(d) To reflect the net after tax gain on sale of the Music
Subsidiaries.
2. Pro Forma Statement of Operations Adjustments:
The accompanying pro forma statements of operations reflect the
following adjustment:
(a) To reflect the removal of revenues and expenses related to the
Music Subsidiaries being sold.
CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE PURCHASER
The Purchaser is a Delaware corporation with its executive offices
located at Suite 1400, 2001 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515. The
Purchaser produces, licenses, acquires, markets and distributes recorded music
in a variety of musical formats. The Purchaser produces music for gospel, adult
contemporary, country and blues formats. The Purchaser is a publicly traded
corporation whose common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market. The
Purchaser is not affiliated with the Company.
Except as described in this Proxy Statement, the Purchaser (i) does not
have any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with any other
person with respect to the Common Stock, (ii) has not had any transactions with
the Company or any of its executive officers, directors or affiliates that would
require disclosure under the rules of the Commission, or (iii) has not had
negotiations or transactions with the Company or its affiliates concerning a
merger, consolidation or acquisition, a tender offer or other acquisition of
securities, an election of directors or a sale or other transfer of a material
amount of assets.
There are conditions to the transaction, including the ability of
Purchaser to obtain $70 million in financing acceptable to Purchaser in its sole
discretion. Purchaser has advised the Company that such financing is necessary
to fund the payment of the purchase price for the Music Subsidiaries under the
Purchase Agreement and certain other financial requirements. As of the date
hereof, Purchaser has not satisfied the financing contingency and has not
notified the Company that it will waive the financing contingency. There can be
no assurance that Purchaser will be able to obtain such financing or, in such
event, Purchaser will waive such condition to the Transactions. In the event the
Purchase Agreement is terminated because Purchaser has not been able to obtain
such financing, the Company will receive the $1,750,000 earnest money escrow.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth certain information as of July 7, 1997
with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of the
record date by (i) all persons known to the Company to own beneficially more
than 5% of the Company's Common Stock, (ii) each executive officer and director
of the Company, and (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group. As of
July 7, 1997, the record date for the Special Meeting of Shareholders to
consider approval of the Transactions, there were outstanding 3,773,659 shares
of Common Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage of
Name and Address Number of Outstanding
of Beneficial Owner Position Shares Owned Shares
- ------------------- -------- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Philip Kives Chief Executive 3,014,360 (1) 72.8%
220 Saulteaux Crescent Officer and Chairman
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3W3 Canada of the Board
Garry Kieves Director 0 --
7700 Anagram Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55344-7307
Louis Scheimer Director 6,000 0.1%
20300 Ventura Boulevard
Suite 145
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
David Weiner President and Director 116,600(3) 2.9%
2605 Fernbrook Lane North
Minneapolis, MN 55447
Mark J. Dixon Vice President- 17,001(4) 0.4%
2605 Fernbrook Lane North Finance, Chief
Minneapolis, MN 55447 Financial Officer,
Treasurer and
Director
Jeffrey M. Koblick Senior Vice President- 65,800(5) 1.6%
2605 Fernbrook Lane North Purchasing and
Minneapolis, MN 55447 Operations and
Director
All Officers and directors 3,221,761(6) 77.8%
as a group (6 persons)
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
(1) Includes 200,000 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
(2) Garry Kieves is the nephew of Philip Kives.
(3) Includes 100,000 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
(4) Includes 17,000 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
(5) Includes 42,500 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
(6) Includes 359,500 shares issuable upon exercise of vested stock options.
REGULATORY APPROVALS
Based on information provided by the Company and the Purchaser, neither
the Purchaser nor the Company is aware of any license or any regulatory permit
that appears to be material to the business of the Company and its Music
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that might be adversely affected by the
Purchaser's acquisition of the Music Subsidiaries as contemplated by the
Transactions, or of any approval or other action by any governmental entity that
would be required for the acquisition or ownership of the Music Subsidiaries by
the Purchaser as contemplated by the Transactions. Should any such approval or
other action be required, the Purchaser presently contemplates that such
approvals or other actions will be sought. There can be no assurance that any
approval or other action, if needed, can be obtained or would be obtained
without substantial conditions or that failure to obtain any such approval or
other such action might not result in consequences adverse to the Company.
TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors of the Company is not aware of any matters that
may be presented at the Special Meeting other than those mentioned in the
Company's Notice of Special Meeting preceding this Proxy Statement and a part
hereof. If, however, other matters do properly come before the Special Meeting,
it is intended that the persons named in the proxy will vote, pursuant to their
discretionary authority and according to their best judgments in the best
interests of the Company.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
A representative of Arthur Andersen LLP, the Company's independent
public accountants, will be present at the Special Meeting, afforded the
opportunity to make a statement and available to respond to questions.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the information requirements of the Exchange
Act and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. Information filed by the Company may be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the
regional offices of the Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, New York,
New York 10048, and Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can also be obtained at
prescribed rates by addressing written requests for such copies to the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Proxy Statement and prior to
the date of the Special Meeting shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
into this Proxy Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of
such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes hereof to the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any
other subsequently filed document that is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein) modifies or supersedes such previous statement. Any statement
so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof except
as so modified or superseded.
This Proxy Statement summarizes or otherwise refers to documents which
are not delivered herewith. Such documents are available on request, without
charge, directed to K-tel International, Inc., 2605 Fernbrook Lane North,
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447-4736, Attention: Mark Dixon, Vice
President-Finance. In order to ensure timely delivery of the documents, any
requests should be made by July ___, 1997.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Philip Kives, Chairman
Annex A
Purchase and Sale Agreement dated March 3, 1997 between
Platinum Entertainment, Inc. and K-tel International, Inc.
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
by and between
PLATINUM ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
and
K-TEL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
as of March 3, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE I PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK........................................................................... 1
1.1 Stock.......................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Excluded Businesses and Excluded Assets........................................................................ 2
ARTICLE II CONSIDERATION AND MANNER OF PAYMENT.................................................................. 3
2.1 Purchase Price................................................................................................. 3
2.2 Escrows........................................................................................................ 3
2.3 Net Tangible Book Value........................................................................................ 4
ARTICLE III CLOSING.............................................................................................. 5
3.1 Closing........................................................................................................ 5
3.2 Deliveries by Seller........................................................................................... 5
3.3 Deliveries by Buyer............................................................................................ 7
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER............................................................. 7
4.1 Organization, Good Standing and Capitalization................................................................. 7
4.2 Authority; No Conflict; Approvals.............................................................................. 9
4.3 Financial Statements........................................................................................... 10
4.4 Books and Records.............................................................................................. 10
4.5 Title to Assets; Encumbrances; Sufficiency..................................................................... 10
4.6 Tangible Assets and Real Property.............................................................................. 11
4.7 Accounts Receivable............................................................................................ 12
4.8 Inventory...................................................................................................... 13
4.9 No Undisclosed Liabilities..................................................................................... 13
4.10 Taxes.......................................................................................................... 13
4.11 No Material Adverse Change..................................................................................... 13
4.12 Employee Benefits.............................................................................................. 13
4.13 Compliance with Legal Requirements; Governmental Authorizations................................................ 14
4.14 Legal Proceedings; Orders...................................................................................... 15
4.15 Absence of Certain Changes and Events.......................................................................... 16
4.16 Contracts; No Defaults; Key Customers.......................................................................... 17
4.17 Insurance...................................................................................................... 20
4.18 Environmental Matters.......................................................................................... 20
4.19 Employees...................................................................................................... 21
4.20 Labor Disputes; Compliance..................................................................................... 21
4.21 Intellectual Property.......................................................................................... 22
4.22 Bank Accounts.................................................................................................. 24
4.23 Disclosure..................................................................................................... 24
4.24 Relationships with Related Persons............................................................................. 24
4.25 Brokers or Finders............................................................................................. 25
4.26 Certain Payments............................................................................................... 25
4.27 Change of Control Payments..................................................................................... 25
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.............................................................. 25
5.1 Organization and Good Standing................................................................................. 25
5.2 Authority; No Conflict......................................................................................... 26
5.3 Certain Proceedings............................................................................................ 26
5.4 Brokers or Finders............................................................................................. 27
5.5 Investment Representations..................................................................................... 27
ARTICLE VI COVENANTS OF SELLER.................................................................................. 27
6.1 Access and Investigation....................................................................................... 27
6.2 Operation of the Businesses of Seller.......................................................................... 28
6.3 Negative Covenant.............................................................................................. 28
6.4 Approvals of Governmental Bodies............................................................................... 29
6.5 Notification................................................................................................... 30
6.6 Best Efforts................................................................................................... 30
6.7 Kives Voting Agreement......................................................................................... 30
ARTICLE VII COVENANTS OF BUYER................................................................................... 30
7.1 Approvals of Governmental Bodies............................................................................... 30
7.2 Best Efforts................................................................................................... 31
7.3 Notification................................................................................................... 31
ARTICLE VIII ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS................................................................................ 31
8.1 Public Disclosure and Confidentiality.......................................................................... 31
8.2 Auditors' Letters.............................................................................................. 31
8.3 Filings; Other Action.......................................................................................... 32
8.4 Licenses....................................................................................................... 32
8.5 Taxes.......................................................................................................... 34
8.6 Meeting of Stockholders........................................................................................ 34
8.7 Restrictive Covenants/Noncompete............................................................................... 35
8.8 Delivery of Disclosure Letter.................................................................................. 35
8.9 Transition Arrangement......................................................................................... 35
8.10 Seller's Employees............................................................................................. 36
ARTICLE IX MUTUAL CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PARTIES'
OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.................................................................................. 36
9.1 Mutual Conditions.............................................................................................. 36
ARTICLE X CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS TO
CLOSE................................................................................................ 37
10.1 Accuracy of Representations.................................................................................... 37
10.2 The Seller's Performance....................................................................................... 37
10.3 No Proceedings................................................................................................. 37
10.4 No Prohibition................................................................................................. 37
10.5 Material Adverse Change........................................................................................ 38
10.6 Financing...................................................................................................... 38
ARTICLE XI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO
CLOSE................................................................................................ 38
11.1 Accuracy of Representations.................................................................................... 38
11.2 Buyer's Performance............................................................................................ 38
11.3 No Proceedings................................................................................................. 38
11.4 No Prohibition................................................................................................. 39
ARTICLE XII TERMINATION.................................................................................................... 39
12.1 Termination by Mutual Consent.................................................................................. 39
12.2 Termination by either Seller or Buyer.......................................................................... 39
12.3 Termination by Seller.......................................................................................... 39
12.4 Termination by Buyer........................................................................................... 40
12.5 Effect of Termination; Earnest Money Escrow.................................................................... 40
12.6 Break-Up Fee................................................................................................... 41
ARTICLE XIII INDEMNIFICATION...................................................................................... 42
13.1 Survival and Limitations....................................................................................... 42
13.2 Indemnification of Buyer....................................................................................... 43
13.3 Indemnification of Seller...................................................................................... 44
13.4 Indemnification Procedure for Third Party Claims............................................................... 44
13.5 Harry Fox Matters.............................................................................................. 46
ARTICLE XIV DEFINITIONS.......................................................................................... 47
"AFFILIATES"................................................................................................... 47
"ACCOUNTANTS".................................................................................................. 47
"ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE".......................................................................................... 47
"BEST EFFORTS"................................................................................................. 47
"BREACH"....................................................................................................... 47
"BUSINESS"..................................................................................................... 47
"BUYER'S CLOSING DOCUMENTS".................................................................................... 47
"CLOSING"...................................................................................................... 47
"CLOSING BALANCE SHEETS"....................................................................................... 47
"CLOSING DATE"................................................................................................. 48
"CODE"......................................................................................................... 48
"CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT".................................................................................... 48
"CONSENTS"..................................................................................................... 48
"CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTIONS".................................................................................... 48
"CONTRACT"..................................................................................................... 48
"DISCLOSURE LETTER"............................................................................................ 48
"DOMINION"..................................................................................................... 48
"DOMINION STOCK"............................................................................................... 48
"ENCUMBRANCE".................................................................................................. 48
"ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS"........................................................................ 48
"ERISA"........................................................................................................ 48
"EXCHANGE ACT"................................................................................................. 48
"EXCLUDED BUSINESSES".......................................................................................... 48
"FACILITIES"................................................................................................... 49
"FINANCIAL STATEMENTS"......................................................................................... 49
"GAAP"......................................................................................................... 49
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION"................................................................................... 49
"GOVERNMENTAL BODY"............................................................................................ 49
"HAZARDOUS MATERIALS".......................................................................................... 49
"HSR ACT"...................................................................................................... 49
"INSURANCE POLICIES"........................................................................................... 49
"INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY"........................................................................................ 49
"INTERIM BALANCE SHEET"........................................................................................ 50
"INVENTORY".................................................................................................... 50
"IRS".......................................................................................................... 50
"KTI".......................................................................................................... 50
"KTI STOCK".................................................................................................... 50
"KNOWLEDGE".................................................................................................... 50
"LEGAL REQUIREMENT"............................................................................................ 50
"LICENSE AGREEMENTS"........................................................................................... 50
"MATERIAL CONTRACT"............................................................................................ 50
"MAUREEN CATALOG".............................................................................................. 50
"MBCA"......................................................................................................... 50
"NET TANGIBLE BOOK VALUE"...................................................................................... 50
"NON-EXCLUSIVE TERRITORY"...................................................................................... 51
"NTBV SCHEDULE"................................................................................................ 51
"OLD TOWN CATALOG"............................................................................................. 51
"ORDER"........................................................................................................ 51
"ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS".................................................................................. 51
"ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS"..................................................................................... 51
"PERSON"....................................................................................................... 51
"PRELIMINARY BOOK VALUE"....................................................................................... 51
"PROCEEDING"................................................................................................... 51
"PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AGREEMENT"................................................................................. 52
"PROTEST NOTICE"............................................................................................... 52
"PURCHASE PRICE"............................................................................................... 52
"RELATED PERSON"............................................................................................... 52
"REPRESENTATIVE"............................................................................................... 52
"RETAINED MUSIC BUSINESS"...................................................................................... 52
"REVIEW PERIOD"................................................................................................ 52
"SECURITIES ACT"............................................................................................... 52
"SEC".......................................................................................................... 52
"STOCK"........................................................................................................ 52
"SUBSIDIARIES"................................................................................................. 52
"SELLERS CLOSING DOCUMENTS".................................................................................... 53
"SELLER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS"................................................................................. 53
"SELLER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS"........................................................................... 53
"TAX OR TAXES"................................................................................................. 53
"THREATENED"................................................................................................... 53
ARTICLE XV GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................................................... 53
15.1 Expenses....................................................................................................... 53
15.2 Notices........................................................................................................ 53
15.3 Further Assurances............................................................................................. 54
15.4 Waiver......................................................................................................... 54
15.5 Entire Agreement and Modification.............................................................................. 54
15.6 Assignments, Successors, and No Third-Party Rights............................................................. 55
15.7 Severability................................................................................................... 55
15.8 Section Headings, Construction................................................................................. 55
15.9 Governing Law.................................................................................................. 55
15.10 Counterparts................................................................................................... 55
15.11 No Strict Construction......................................................................................... 55
</TABLE>
PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
This Purchase and Sale Agreement (this "Agreement") is made as of March
3, 1997 by and between PLATINUM ENTERTAINMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation
("Buyer") and K-TEL INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Seller").
Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in this Agreement are defined
in Article 14.
The parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
WHEREAS, Seller is engaged in the business of recording, releasing,
licensing, publishing, distributing and otherwise exploiting recorded music
products on a worldwide basis ("Seller's Music Business");
WHEREAS, Buyer desires to buy, and Seller desires to sell, all of
Seller's Music Business, except for the Retained Music Business (the
"Business");
WHEREAS, Seller engages in the Business solely through two wholly owned
subsidiaries, K-tel International (USA), Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("KTI")
and Dominion Entertainment, Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("Dominion", together
with KTI, the "Subsidiaries");
WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase
from Seller, the Business by acquiring all of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of the Subsidiaries, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth below; and
WHEREAS, the parties have agreed that the transactions contemplated
hereby be treated as an asset sale pursuant to Sec. 338(h) of the Code.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants of the parties
set forth in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK
1.1 STOCK. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, at the Closing, Seller shall sell to Buyer, free and clear of all
Encumbrances (except for Encumbrances on the subsequent sale or transfer by
Buyer of the Stock under federal and state securities laws or created by Buyer),
and Buyer is purchasing from Seller, all of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of KTI (the "KTI Stock") and Dominion (the "Dominion Stock", together with
the KTI Stock, the "Stock").
1.2 EXCLUDED BUSINESSES AND EXCLUDED ASSETS.
(a) Buyer and Seller each acknowledge and agree that Buyer is
not acquiring (i) Seller's consumer products business which is not
related to the Business (the "Consumer Products Business"), (ii)
Seller's video business (the "Video Business"), and (iii) Seller's
infomercial business, including infomercials for music and
entertainment products (the "Infomercial Business", together with the
Consumer Products Business and the Video Business, collectively
referred to herein as the "Excluded Businesses"). It is further agreed
that Seller or a subsidiary of Seller other than the Subsidiaries will
retain (i) the Old Town Catalog and the Maureen Catalog, and (ii) the
claims arising prior to the Closing Date and related judgments and
settlement proceeds in connection with the pending or settled actions
against Tring, San Juan Music, Marshall Sehorn and related entities
(collectively the "Excluded Assets"). In connection therewith, Seller
agrees that it will, prior to the Closing, (A) transfer and assign to
the Subsidiaries all of the right, title and interest in and to the
assets (including, without limitation, all licenses and other related
contracts) related to the Business which are not owned by the
Subsidiaries as of the date hereof and (B) transfer and assign to
Seller or one of its other subsidiaries, as may be determined by
Seller, all right, title and interest in and to the Excluded Businesses
or any assets specifically related thereto and the Excluded Assets to
the extent owned by the Subsidiaries. In connection with the transfers
and assignments by the Subsidiaries contemplated in the immediately
preceding sentence, Seller shall provide Buyer with all documentation
used to effect such transfers and assignments immediately upon such
documentation becoming available. Notwithstanding the above, the
parties specifically agree that the "Country 101" property/music rights
will be acquired by Buyer hereunder and be deemed to be part of the
Business. In connection with the Excluded Assets referred to in clause
(ii) above of the sentence defining Excluded Assets and after Closing,
Buyer shall, and shall cause the Subsidiaries to, take such reasonable
action, at Seller's expense, as Seller may reasonably request to effect
recovery of such claims, judgments and settlements and to deliver to
Seller promptly upon receipt any funds received by Buyer or the
Subsidiaries with respect to such claims, judgments and settlements.
(b) The parties acknowledge and agree that the Business being
acquired by Buyer includes, but is not limited to, the worldwide rights
to all trademarks, service marks, and trade names, and all
registrations therefore, used in connection with the Business
worldwide, with the exception of the Retained Territory and the
exclusive use of the name "K-tel" solely in the corporate name of
Seller or its Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer agrees
that promptly after the Closing, it will take those steps required to
change the corporate name of KTI to delete the words "K-tel". Seller
further agrees that, except as otherwise specifically provided for
herein, at no time after the Closing will it or any of its
subsidiaries, Affiliates, or Related Persons use, in any manner, the
words "K-tel", or any other name or mark similar thereto, in connection
with the manufacture, distribution, advertising, promotion, or sale of
consumer entertainment products (other than non-musical videos) (i)
except to truthfully disclose the correct corporate name of Seller or
its Affiliates solely on the packaging of such products where Seller's
or its Affiliate's direct connection with such product is described
(i.e., "manufactured by ..." or "distributed by ....") and (ii) except
for the Retained Music Business or in the Retained Territory. The
display of Seller's corporate name shall be in a manner customary to
the trade and without differentiation or emphasis (such as, but not
limited to, different color, typeface, size, or boxing). Seller and its
subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiaries) shall also be entitled to
export phonorecords bearing the "K-tel" name solely from the Retained
Territories to the Non-Exclusive Territory; provided, however, that (i)
such phonorecords shall have been originally commercially released in
the Retained Territories, (ii) such phonorecords are solely in finished
manufactured form, and (iii) the use of the "K-tel" name on such
phonorecords shall be limited to the identical form and manner of
display of the "K-tel" name as used on the original release by Seller
of such phonorecords in the Retained Territories. After Closing, Buyer
agrees that Buyer and its subsidiaries (including the Subsidiaries),
Affiliates or Related Persons will not use the word "K-tel" in their
respective corporate names or the assumed business name under which it
conducts business. Seller and its Affiliates agree, at the Closing, to
assign to Buyer the intellectual property rights provided under this
SECTION 1.2(b).
ARTICLE II
CONSIDERATION AND MANNER OF PAYMENT
2.1 PURCHASE PRICE. The aggregate purchase price for the Stock (the
"Purchase Price") to be paid by Buyer to Seller shall be (i) $35,000,000 to be
paid at Closing, and (ii) plus the amount of the aggregate positive Net Tangible
Book Value (as defined below) or minus the amount of the aggregate negative Net
Tangible Book Value, as the case may be, of the Subsidiaries on the Closing Date
to be paid pursuant to SECTION 2.3 below (the "Final Net Tangible Book Value").
The portion of the Purchase Price to be paid at Closing shall be paid by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated, in writing, to
the Buyer.
2.2 ESCROWS.
(a) The parties hereto agree that upon execution of this
Agreement, Buyer will deposit into an interest bearing escrow account
with a lending institution an earnest money deposit equal to $1,750,000
(the "Earnest Money Escrow") pursuant to the terms of an Earnest Money
Escrow Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit 2.2(a) (the "Earnest Money
Escrow Agreement").
(b) The parties hereto acknowledge that the Harry Fox Agency
is currently auditing the Business for the period of October 6, 1984
through June 30, 1994 (the "Harry Fox Audit") and that Seller has
established a reserve for such audits (as set forth in Part 2.3(a) of
the Disclosure Letter) which will be used in connection with the
calculation of the Final Net Tangible Book Value (the "Harry Fox
Reserve"). In connection therewith, the parties hereto agree that
$1,000,000 of the Purchase Price due at Closing to Seller shall be
placed in an interest bearing escrow account (the "Harry Fox Escrow")
pursuant to the terms of a Harry Fox Escrow Agreement, attached hereto
as Exhibit 2.2(b) (the "Harry Fox Escrow Agreement).
(c) The parties hereto agree that $2,000,000 of the Purchase
Price due at Closing to Seller shall be placed in an interest bearing
escrow account (the "Indemnity Escrow"), pursuant to the terms of an
Indemnity Escrow Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit 2.2(c) which
escrowed funds shall secure Seller's indemnification obligations to
Buyer and its Affiliates under this Agreement.
2.3 NET TANGIBLE BOOK VALUE.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Net Tangible
Book Value" shall mean all of the tangible net assets of the
Subsidiaries less all of the liabilities of the Subsidiaries set forth
on the unaudited balance sheets of the Subsidiaries as of the Closing
Date (the "Closing Balance Sheets"), determined using GAAP,
consistently applied by Seller. The parties agree that the Final Net
Tangible Book Value calculation shall specifically (i) exclude all
Excluded Assets and all assets and liabilities associated with the
Excluded Businesses and the Retained Music Business, (ii) exclude all
intercompany payables and receivables to or from Seller and Affiliates
of the Seller which shall be written-off, distributed to or purchased
by Seller (as Seller may determine) or assumed by Seller, as the case
may be, prior to the Closing and (iii) include the reserves referred to
in Part 2.3(a) of the Disclosure Letter.
(b) Part 2.3(b) of the Disclosure Letter sets forth the
balance sheets for each of the Subsidiaries as of January 31, 1997 (the
"Preliminary Balance Sheets") and a calculation of the Net Tangible
Book Value as of such date (the "Preliminary Net Tangible Book Value")
in accordance with SECTION 2.3(a) indicating a negative Preliminary Net
Tangible Book Value of $4,874,000. The parties agree that the Purchase
Price due at Closing shall be equal to $30,126,000 ($35 million less
the negative Preliminary Net Tangible Book Value); provided that the
parties shall use all reasonable efforts, in good faith, to reach
agreement on the Net Tangible Book Value as of a date closer to the
Closing Date which utilizes the same assumptions and methodology as
used in Part 2.3(b) of the Disclosure Letter. If such an agreement can
be reached, the amount agreed to shall become the "Preliminary Net
Tangible Book Value" as set forth herein. If the parties are unable to
reach such an agreement, the Preliminary Net Tangible Book Value (as
used herein) shall be the amount set forth above in this SECTION
2.3(b).
(c) As soon as practicable following the Closing, but in no
event later than 60 days following the Closing, Buyer and Seller each
agree to cause the Minneapolis office of Arthur Andersen, LLP ("AA") to
prepare and deliver to Buyer and Seller the Closing Balance Sheets and
the calculation of Final Net Tangible Book Value which utilizes the
same assumptions and methodology as used in Part 2.3(b) of the
Disclosure Letter (the "NTBV Schedule") promptly upon their completion.
The Final Net Tangible Book Value shall be determined as follows:
(i) For a period of 10 business days (the "Review
Period") after delivery of Closing Balance Sheet and the NTBV
Schedule, Seller and Buyer shall each have an opportunity to
review and substantiate the Closing Balance Sheets and NTBV
Schedule. During the Review Period, each party agrees to
provide to the other all necessary accounting records and
supporting documentation, as may be requested, so that each of
the Buyer and Seller may complete its review of the Closing
Balance Sheets and NTBV Schedule. Upon expiration of the
Review Period, Seller and Buyer shall each have 5 business
days to deliver written notice (the "Protest Notice") to the
other of any objections, and the basis therefor, that it may
have to the Closing Balance Sheets and the NTBV Schedule.
(ii) If Buyer and Seller are unable to resolve any
disagreement between them within 15 days following receipt of
any Protest Notice, then the items in dispute will be referred
to the Minneapolis office of Ernst & Young, L.L.P. (the
"Accountants") for final determination. The determination made
by the Accountants shall be final and binding on the parties.
(iii) If the Final Net Book Value is greater (i.e., a
higher positive amount on the positive side or less negative
on the negative side) than the Preliminary Net Tangible Book
Value, Buyer shall pay to Seller the amount of such excess by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated, in writing, by Seller. If the Final Net Book Value
is less than the Preliminary Net Book Value (i.e, lower
positive amount on the positive side or a larger negative
amount on the negative side), Seller shall pay to Buyer the
amount of such deficiency by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account designated, in writing, by
Buyer. All such payments due under this SECTION 2.3(c) shall
be paid within 5 business days after final determination of
the Final Net Tangible Book Value.
The fees and expenses of the AA and the Accountants incurred pursuant
to this SECTION 2.3(c) will be borne one-half by Buyer and one-half by
Seller.
ARTICLE III
CLOSING
3.1 CLOSING. The closing (the "Closing") of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will take place at the offices of Katten Muchin &
Zavis, counsel to Buyer, at 525 West Monroe, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois
60661, at 10:00 a.m. (local time) on a date to be specified by the parties,
which shall be no earlier than five (5) business days and no later than ten (10)
business days after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
Articles 9, 10 and 11 or at such other time, date and location as the parties
may agree (the "Closing Date"). Subject to the provisions of Article 12, failure
to consummate the Contemplated Transactions on the Closing Date will not result
in the termination of this Agreement and will not relieve any party of any
obligation under this Agreement.
3.2 DELIVERIES BY SELLER. At the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Buyer
(the "Seller's Closing Documents"):
(a) certificates representing the Stock, duly endorsed (or
accompanied by duly executed stock powers) for transfer to Buyer;
(b) A certificate executed by Seller to the effect that (i)
the Seller's representations and warranties in this Agreement were
accurate as stated herein as of the date of this Agreement and are
accurate as stated herein as of the Closing Date as if made on the
Closing Date (giving full effect to any supplements delivered by the
Seller to Buyer prior to the Closing Date in accordance with SECTION
6.5), except to the extent to which such representations and warranties
are specifically stated to be as of a different date, and (ii) the
Seller has performed and complied in all material respects with all
covenants and conditions required to be performed, or complied with, by
it hereunder prior to or at the Closing;
(c) Resignations of all officers and directors of each of KTI
and Dominion;
(d) A Good Standing Certificate (dated within five business
days prior to the Closing Date) for KTI and Dominion from all states in
which they are authorized to do business;
(e) A copy of the KTI's and Dominion's Articles of
Incorporation and all amendments thereto, certified by the Secretary of
State of Minnesota, and a copy of KTI's and Dominion's By-laws, and all
amendments thereto, certified by the Secretary of each of KTI and
Dominion; and
(f) An opinion of Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A., legal
counsel to Seller and the Subsidiaries, dated the Closing Date,
covering the matters set forth in Exhibit 3.2(f) attached hereto;
(g) The License Agreements, duly executed by Seller;
(h) The Harry Fox Escrow Agreement, duly executed by Seller;
(i) The Indemnity Escrow Agreement, duly executed by Seller;
(j) A release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2(d),
whereby Seller and its subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiaries) shall
release the Subsidiaries from any and all liabilities or obligations of
the Subsidiaries except for the License Agreements;
(k) The noncompetition agreements in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit 8.7 from Seller and Philip Kives, duly executed by each of
them;
(l) A pay-off letter from TCF Bank Minnesota fsb, the secured
lender of the Subsidiaries; and
(m) Such other documents as Buyer may reasonably request for
the purpose of consummating the Contemplated Transactions, each in form
and substance reasonably acceptable to Buyer's and Seller's counsel.
3.3 DELIVERIES BY BUYER. At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver to Seller
(the "Buyer's Closing Deliveries"):
(a) The Purchase Price, as provided in SECTION 2.1 (provided,
in part, by the release of the Earnest Money Escrow to Seller), less
(i) the amount of the Harry Fox Escrow which shall be funded by Buyer
at Closing out of the Purchase Price due to Seller, and (ii) the amount
of the Indemnity Escrow which shall be funded by Buyer at Closing out
of the Purchase Price due to Seller;
(b) A certificate executed by Buyer to the effect that (A)
each of Buyer's representations and warranties in this Agreement was
accurate as stated herein as of the date of this Agreement and is
accurate as stated herein as of the Closing Date as if made on the
Closing Date and (B) Buyer has performed and complied in all material
respects with all covenants and conditions required to be performed or
complied with by it prior to or at the Closing;
(c) An opinion of Katten Muchin & Zavis, legal counsel to
Buyer, dated the Closing Date, covering the matters set forth in
Exhibit 3.3(c) attached hereto;
(d) The License Agreements, duly executed by Dominion and KTI;
(e) The Harry Fox Escrow Agreement, duly executed by Seller
and the escrow agent named therein;
(f) The Indemnity Escrow Agreement, duly executed by Seller
and the escrow agent named therein; and
(g) Such other documents as Seller may reasonably request for
the purpose of consummating the Contemplated Transactions, each in form
and substance reasonably acceptable to Buyer's and Seller's counsel.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
Seller represents and warrants to Buyer, as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations
or warranties are specifically stated to be as of a different date), as follows:
4.1 ORGANIZATION, GOOD STANDING AND CAPITALIZATION.
(a) Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing,
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota with full
corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now
being conducted, to own, hold under lease, or otherwise possess or use
the properties and assets that it purports to own, hold under lease, or
otherwise possess or use, and to perform all its obligations under the
contracts to which it is a party or by which it is bound. Each of KTI
and Dominion is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota, with full
corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now
being conducted, to own, hold under lease, or otherwise possess or use
the properties and assets that it purports to own, hold under lease, or
otherwise possess or use, and to perform all its obligations under the
contracts to which it is a party or by which it is bound. Part 4.1(a)
of the Disclosure Letter sets forth each other jurisdiction in which
each of KTI and Dominion is qualified to do business in accordance with
the laws of such jurisdiction. The Subsidiaries are duly qualified to
do business as foreign corporations and are in good standing under the
laws of each state or other jurisdiction in which such qualification is
required by virtue of the nature of the activities conducted by them,
except where the failure to be so qualified, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the Business as
a whole.
(b) Part 4.1(b) of the Disclosure Letter includes copies of
the Organizational Documents of each of KTI and Dominion, as currently
in effect.
(c) The authorized equity securities of KTI consists of
5,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of which 1,000 shares
are issued and outstanding and constitute the KTI Stock. The authorized
equity securities of Dominion consists of 5,000,000 shares of common
stock, $.01 par value, of which 1,000 shares are issued and outstanding
and constitute the Dominion Stock. Seller is, and on the Closing Date
will be, the sole record and beneficial owner and holder of the Stock,
free and clear of all Encumbrances, except as set forth in Part 4.1(c)
of the Disclosure Letter. Upon consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions, Buyer will be vested with good and valid title to the
Stock, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for Encumbrances on
the subsequent sale or transfer by Buyer of the Stock under federal and
state securities laws or created by Buyer. Except as set forth in Part
4.1(c) of the Disclosure Letter, no legend or other reference to any
purported Encumbrance appears upon any certificate representing the
Stock. All of the Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued
and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth in Part
4.1(c) of the Disclosure Letter, there are not as of the date hereof,
and there will not be on the Closing Date, any outstanding or
authorized options, warrants, calls, rights (including preemptive
rights), commitments or any other agreements of any character which
Seller or any of the Subsidiaries is a party to, or may be bound by,
requiring it to issue, transfer, grant, sell, purchase, redeem or
acquire any shares of capital stock or any securities or rights
convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to
subscribe for, any shares of capital stock of the Subsidiaries. Except
as set forth in Part 4.1(c) of the Disclosure Letter, there are not as
of the date hereof, and there will not be at the Closing Date, any
stockholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or
understandings to which Seller or either of the Subsidiaries is a party
or to which it is bound relating to the voting of any shares of the
capital stock of the Subsidiaries. None of the outstanding equity
securities or other securities of the Subsidiaries was issued, redeemed
or repurchased in violation of the Securities Act or any securities or
"blue sky" Legal Requirements. Neither of the Subsidiaries own, and has
no contract or agreement, written or oral, to acquire, any equity
securities or other securities of any Person or any direct or indirect
equity or ownership interest in any other business.
(d) Part 4.1(d) of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete
and accurate list of the current directors and officers of each of KTI
and Dominion.
4.2 AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT; APPROVALS.
(a) This Agreement constitutes and, when executed and
delivered by Seller at Closing, the Seller's Closing Documents
(collectively, the "Seller Transaction Documents"), to which Seller is
a party, will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of
the Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with their
respective terms except as such enforcement may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws
affecting creditor's rights generally and by general equitable
principles. Seller has the corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and each of the Seller Transaction Documents to
which it is a party and to perform its obligations under this Agreement
and each of the Seller Transaction Documents. This Agreement has been,
and the Seller Transaction Documents to which it is a party at Closing
will be, duly executed and delivered by Seller.
(b) The Board of Directors of Seller has approved the
Contemplated Transaction. Except for the approval of the holders of the
stockholders of Seller required by the Minnesota Business Corporation
Act (the "MBCA"), no other approval of the stockholders of Seller or
other corporate approval of Seller (or the Subsidiaries) is required in
order for Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(c) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor
the consummation by Seller of the Contemplated Transaction will (i)
conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the
respective Organizational Documents of Seller or any of the
Subsidiaries; (ii) require any consent, approval, authorization or
permit of, or registration or filing with or notification to, any
Governmental Body, except (A) in connection with the applicable
requirements, if any, of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") or (B) pursuant to the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, and the Exchange Act, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, including, without, limitation,
a proxy statement and a Form 8-K; (iii) result in a violation or breach
of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a
default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration or lien or other charge or Encumbrance) under any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of any indenture, note, license, lease,
agreement or other instrument or obligation to which Seller or either
of the Subsidiaries or any of their assets may be bound, except for
such violations, breaches and defaults (or rights of termination,
cancellation or acceleration or lien or other charge or encumbrance) as
to which requisite waivers or consents will have been obtained prior to
Closing or which, in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse
effect on the Business as a whole or adversely affect the ability of
Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, except as
set forth in Part 4.2(c) of the Disclosure Letter; (iv) except as set
forth in Part 4.2(c) of the Disclosure Letter, cause the suspension or
revocation of any authorizations, consents, approvals or licenses
currently in effect which would have a material adverse effect on the
Business as a whole; or (v) assuming the consents, approvals,
authorizations or permits and filings or notifications referred to in
this SECTION 4.2(d) are duly and timely obtained or made and the
approval of the Contemplated Transaction by Seller's stockholders has
been obtained, violate any (A) Legal Requirement except where such
violation would not have a material adverse effect on the Business as a
whole or (B) Order, applicable to Seller or either of the Subsidiaries
or to any of their respective assets.
(d) Except for (i) the approval by the Seller's stockholders
of the Contemplated Transaction, and (ii) except as set forth in Part
4.2(d) of the Disclosure Letter, the Seller is not, and will not be,
required to give any notice to or obtain any consent or approval from
any Person which is not a Governmental Body in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the Seller
Transaction Documents or the consummation or performance of any of the
Contemplated Transactions.
4.3 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Seller has delivered to Buyer (a) audited
balance sheets of each of KTI and Dominion as of June 30 for each of the fiscal
years 1994 through 1996, and the related statements of operations and cash flows
for each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 1994 through 1996, including in
each case the notes thereto and (b) the unaudited balance sheet of each of KTI
and Dominion at December 31, 1996 (the "Interim Balance Sheets") and the related
unaudited/reviewed statements of operations and cash flows for the six-month
period then ended (each of the financial statements delivered to Buyer pursuant
to this SECTION 4.3 shall be referred to herein as the "Financial Statements").
The Financial Statements and notes fairly present the financial condition and
results of operations of each of the Subsidiaries as at the respective dates
thereof and for the periods therein referred to, all in accordance with GAAP,
except that the unaudited financial statements do not include footnote
disclosure of the type associated with audited financial statements and were or
are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments which were not or are
not expected to be materially adverse in amount. The Financial Statements
reflect the consistent application of GAAP throughout the periods involved,
except as may otherwise be specifically described therein.
4.4 BOOKS AND RECORDS. The books of account and other records of each
of the Subsidiaries, all of which have been made available to Buyer, are
complete and correct in all material respects and have been maintained in all
material respects in accordance with sound business practices. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the minute books of each of the Subsidiaries
contain complete and accurate records of all official meetings held of, and
corporate action taken by, the shareholders, the boards of directors, and
committees of the boards of directors of such Subsidiary, and no meeting of any
such shareholders, board of directors, or committee has been held for which
minutes have not been prepared and are not contained in such minute books. At
the Closing, all of those books and records will be in the possession of each
Subsidiary or otherwise delivered by Seller to Buyer.
4.5 TITLE TO ASSETS; ENCUMBRANCES; SUFFICIENCY. Except as set forth in
Part 4.5 of the Disclosure Letter, neither Seller, nor any of its subsidiaries
or Affiliates (other than KTI and Dominion) own any of the tangible assets used
in connection with the Business. Each Subsidiary has good and valid title to all
the tangible properties and assets reflected as owned in the books and records
of each Subsidiary, including all of the tangible properties and assets
reflected in the Interim Balance Sheets (except for personal property sold or
disposed of since the date of the Interim Balance Sheets in the Ordinary Course
of Business), free and clear of any Encumbrances, except for any encumbrances,
any mechanics or other statutory liens, any lien of taxes not yet due and
payable, liens or security interests which will be released at or prior to
Closing, and imperfections or irregularities of title, as do not materially
detract from the value of or materially interfere with the use of the properties
or assets subject thereto, or affected thereby). All of the tangible properties
and assets purchased or otherwise acquired by each Subsidiary since the date of
the Interim Balance Sheets (except for supplies, inventory, and personal
property acquired since the date of the Interim Balance Sheets in the Ordinary
Course of Business) are listed in Part 4.5 of the Disclosure Letter. At Closing,
the Subsidiaries will own, lease or license all of the tangible assets which are
necessary for the conduct and operation of the Business as it is presently
conducted, except as set forth in Part 4.5 of the Disclosure Letter.
4.6 TANGIBLE ASSETS AND REAL PROPERTY.
(a) Except as set forth in Part 4.6(a) of the Disclosure
Letter, all of the material tangible assets used by the Subsidiaries
are located at the Facilities, are in operating condition and repair
and free of material defects and are not in need of maintenance or
repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are
not material in nature or costs. Except as set forth on Part 4.6(a) of
the Disclosure Letter, all of the material tangible assets are either
owned by either Subsidiary or held under a lease. All such material
leases are valid and in full force and effect and neither the
Subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of Seller, any other party thereto,
is in default under any of such leases and no event has occurred which
with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both could
constitute a default under any of such leases. All leases for material
tangible assets used by the Subsidiaries with Affiliates and related
parties, if any, are identified as such on Part 4.6(a) of the
Disclosure Letter, and carry terms and conditions no less favorable nor
more favorable in all material respects to the Subsidiaries than those
which could have obtained in arm's-length transactions with unrelated
third parties.
(b) Neither of the Subsidiaries owns any real property. Part
4.6(b) of the Disclosure Letter sets forth all of the leasehold and
other interests in real property used in connection with the Business
(the "Facilities") and the leases or other agreements under which the
Facilities are used (the "Facilities Leases"). The Facilities Leases
are in full force and effect and no default by the Subsidiaries or, to
the knowledge of Seller, by any other party thereto has occurred and is
continuing under any of the Facilities Leases. Either of the
Subsidiaries (and not the Seller or its Affiliates) are the lessees
under the Facilities Leases. To the knowledge of Seller except as set
forth in Part 4.6(b) of the Disclosure Letter:
(i) Each of the Subsidiaries has all easements and
rights necessary to conduct the Business on or at the
Facilities as presently conducted;
(ii) No portion of the Facilities is subject to any
pending condemnation proceeding or proceeding by any public or
quasi-public authority materially adverse to the Facilities
and there is no threatened condemnation or proceeding with
respect to the Facilities;
(iii) The buildings and fixtures located on the
Facilities including, without limitation, heating,
ventilation, mechanical, electrical, sewer, sprinkler and air
conditioning systems, roof, foundation and floors (the
"Building and Fixtures"), have been properly maintained and
are in operating condition in each case in all material
respects. The Building and Fixtures are in operating condition
in each case in all material respects, are substantially fit
for the purposes for which they are being utilized and are not
in need of any material repair or replacement;
(iv) The Facilities (or the use, occupancy and
ownership thereof) do not violate in any material respect any
zoning, subdivision, health, safety, handicapped persons,
landmark preservation, wetlands preservation, building, land
use or other ordinances, laws, codes or regulations or any
covenants, restrictions or other documents of record
(including the Americans with Disabilities Act), nor, has any
such violation been claimed by, nor has any notice of any
violation been issued to Seller or either of the Subsidiaries
by any governmental, public or quasi-public authority;
(v) There are no leases, subleases, licenses,
concessions or other agreements, written or oral, granting to
any party or parties the right of use or occupancy of any
portion of the Facilities used exclusively by either
Subsidiary; and
(vi) The Facilities are supplied with utilities and
other services necessary for the operation of the Business as
presently conducted, and all such services are adequate to
conduct that portion of the Business presently conducted at
the Facilities and are in accordance with all laws,
ordinances, rules and regulations applicable to each of the
Subsidiaries or the Facilities, except where failure to comply
with such laws, ordinances, rules and regulations would not
have individually or in the aggregate a material adverse
effect on either of the Subsidiaries or in the operations of
the Business as presently conducted.
4.7 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. To the knowledge of Seller, except as set
forth in Part 4.7 of the Disclosure Letter, all accounts receivable of each
Subsidiary (without regard to any reserve for bad debts) that are reflected on
the Interim Balance Sheets or on the accounting records of each Subsidiary as of
the Closing Date, which accounts receivable will be part of the calculation of
the Final Net Book Value Calculation (collectively, the "Accounts Receivable")
represent or will represent in all material respects valid obligations arising
from sales actually made, services actually performed or rights granted, in the
Ordinary Course of Business. Except as set forth in Part 4.7 of the Disclosure
Letter, there is no contest, claim, or asserted right of set-off other than
returns in the Ordinary Course of Business in any agreement with any maker of an
Accounts Receivable in a material amount.
4.8 INVENTORY. To the knowledge of Seller, except as set forth in Part
4.8 of the Disclosure Letter, all raw materials, components, work-in-process,
finished products and supplies and merchandise inventory ("Inventory") owned by
each Subsidiary are in good condition in all material respects and consists of
items of a quality and quantity historically useable and saleable in the
Ordinary Course of Business, except for items which are obsolete or below
standard quality, all of which have been determined and written down to net
realizable value in accordance with GAAP.
4.9 NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. To the knowledge of Seller, except as
set forth in Part 4.9 of the Disclosure Letter, or disclosed in any other Part
of the Disclosure Letter, neither of the Subsidiaries will have liabilities or
obligations (nor does the Seller have any liabilities or obligations for which
either of the Subsidiaries or Buyer could be liable) of any nature (whether
absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise) other than (i) liabilities or
obligations which will be reflected or reserved against in the calculation of
the Final Net Tangible Book Value and (ii) obligations under executory Contracts
which are not required to be accrued for under GAAP.
4.10 TAXES. Each of the Seller and the Subsidiaries has filed all
federal, state, local and foreign tax returns, estimates, information statements
and reports ("Tax Returns") that it is required to have filed prior to the
Closing. Seller and each of the Subsidiaries have paid all Taxes, interest and
penalties, if any, shown as due on such Tax Returns or otherwise due and payable
by it as of the Closing. Except for the amounts, if any, specifically included
in the calculation of the Final Net Tangible Book Value, neither Seller nor the
Subsidiaries will have any liability whatsoever for Taxes that, directly or
indirectly, relate to any period prior to the Closing, whether relating to the
Business, the Seller, the Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates. Any
deficiencies proposed as a result of any governmental audits of such Tax Returns
have been paid or settled, and except as set forth in Part 4.10 of the
Disclosure Letter, there are no present disputes as to Taxes payable by Seller,
the Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates.
4.11 NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. To the knowledge of Seller, except as
set forth in Part 4.11 of the Disclosure Letter, since the date of the June 30,
1996 audited financial statements of the Subsidiaries, there has not been any
material adverse change in the business, operations, properties, prospects,
assets, or condition of either of the Subsidiaries or any event, condition, or
contingency that is likely to result in such a material adverse change.
4.12 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Except as set forth in Part 4.12 of the
Disclosure Letter, neither Seller nor any Plan Affiliate has maintained,
sponsored, adopted, made contributions to or obligated itself to make
contributions to or to pay any benefits or grant rights under or with respect to
any "Employee Pension Benefit Plan" (as defined in SECTION 3(2) of ERISA),
"Employee Welfare Benefit Plan" (as defined in SECTION 3(1) of ERISA),
"Multi-employer Plan" (as defined in SECTION 3(37) of ERISA), plan of deferred
compensation, medical plan, life insurance plan, long-term disability plan,
dental plan or other plan providing for the welfare of any of Seller's or any
Plan Affiliate's employees or former employees or beneficiaries thereof,
personnel policy (including but not limited to vacation time, holiday pay, bonus
programs, moving expense reimbursement programs and sick leave), excess benefit
plan, bonus or incentive plan (including but not limited to stock options,
restricted stock, stock bonus and deferred bonus plans), salary reduction
agreement, change-of-control agreement, employment agreement, consulting
agreement, or any other benefit, program or contract (all such plans listed on
Part 4.12 of the Disclosure Letter collectively, "Employee Benefit Plans"),
whether written, voluntary or pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement or
law, which could give rise to or result in Seller or such Plan Affiliate having
any debt, liability, claim or obligation of any kind or nature, whether accrued,
absolute, contingent, direct, indirect, known or unknown, perfected or inchoate
or otherwise and whether or not due or to become due. Correct and complete
copies of all Employee Benefit Plans previously have been furnished to Buyer.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Plan Affiliate" means any person or entity with
which Seller constitutes all or part of a controlled group of corporations, a
group of trades or businesses under common control or an affiliated service
group, as each of those terms are defined in SECTION 414 of the Code. Since June
30, 1996, there has not been any adoption of, or increase in the payments to or
benefits under, any profit sharing, bonus, deferred compensation, savings,
insurance, pension, retirement, or other Employee Benefit Plan except as set
forth in Part 4.12 of the Disclosure Letter.
4.13 COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS; GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS.
(a) Except as set forth in Part 4.13(a) of the Disclosure
Letter to the knowledge of Seller:
(i) each of the Subsidiaries and the operations of
the Business are in full compliance with each Legal
Requirement that is or was applicable to it except where
failure to comply would not individually or in the aggregate
have a material adverse effect on the Business as a whole;
(ii) no event has occurred or circumstance exists
that may constitute or result in (with or without notice or
lapse of time) a violation by Seller or its affiliates (with
respect to the Business) or by either of the Subsidiaries of,
or a failure to comply with, any Legal Requirement except
where failure to comply would not individually or in the
aggregate have a material adverse effect on the Business as a
whole; and
(iii) neither Seller nor the Subsidiaries have
received any notice or other communication (whether oral or
written) from any Governmental Body or any other Person
regarding, and Seller has no knowledge of any actual, alleged,
possible, or potential violation of, or failure to comply
with, any Legal Requirement applicable to the Business, or any
obligation on the part of Seller (with respect to the
Business) or either of the Subsidiaries to undertake, or to
bear all or any portion of the cost of, any remedial action of
any nature except where failure to comply would not
individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse
effect on the Business as a whole.
(b) To the knowledge of Seller, the Governmental
Authorizations listed in Part 4.13(b) of the Disclosure Letter (the
"Seller Governmental Authorizations") collectively constitute all of
the Governmental Authorizations necessary to permit each of the
Subsidiaries to lawfully conduct and operate the Business in the manner
currently conducted and operated except where failure to have
Governmental Authorizations would not individually or in the aggregate
have a material adverse effect on the Business as a whole. To the
knowledge of Seller, each Seller Governmental Authorization is valid
and in full force and effect. Except as set forth in Part 4.13(b) of
the Disclosure Letter to the knowledge of Seller:
(i) Seller and each Subsidiary is in full compliance
with all of the terms and requirements of each Seller
Governmental Authorization except where failure to comply
would not individually or in the aggregate have a material
adverse effect on the Business as a whole;
(ii) no event has occurred or circumstance exists
that may reasonably (with or without notice or lapse of time)
(A) constitute or result in a violation of or a failure to
comply with any term or requirement of any Seller Governmental
Authorization, or (B) result in the revocation, withdrawal,
suspension, cancellation, or termination of, or any
modification to, any Seller Governmental Authorization except
where such violation, failure or revocation, withdrawal,
suspension, cancellation or termination would not individually
or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the
Business as a whole;
(iii) neither Seller nor the Subsidiaries have
received any notice or other written communication from any
Governmental Body or any other Person regarding (A) any
actual, alleged, or potential violation of or failure to
comply with any term or requirement of any Seller Governmental
Authorization, or (B) any actual, proposed, or potential
revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination
of, or modification to any Seller Governmental Authorization
except where such violation, failure or revocation,
withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or termination would not
individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse
effect on the Business as a whole; and
(iv) all applications required to have been filed for
the renewal of Seller Governmental Authorizations have been
duly filed on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental
Bodies, and all other filings required to have been made with
respect to such Seller Governmental Authorizations have been
duly made on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental
Bodies except where failure to so file would not individually
or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the
Business as a whole.
4.14 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS; ORDERS.
(a) Except as set forth in Part 4.14(a) of the Disclosure
Letter, to the knowledge of Seller, there is no pending Proceeding:
(i) that has been commenced by or against Seller
(relating to the Business) or either of the Subsidiaries; or
(ii) that challenges, or that may have the effect of
preventing, delaying, making illegal, or otherwise interfering
with, any of the Contemplated Transactions.
Except as set forth in Part 4.14(a) of the Disclosure Letter, to the
knowledge of Seller (A) no such Proceeding has been Threatened, and (B)
no event has occurred or circumstance exists that could reasonably be
expected to give rise to or serve as a basis for the commencement of
any such Proceeding. Seller has delivered to Buyer copies of all
pleadings, correspondence, and other documents relating to each
Proceeding listed in Part 4.14(a) of the Disclosure Letter. Also listed
in Part 4.14(a) of the Disclosure Letter are all Proceedings commenced
or, to the knowledge of Seller, Threatened by or against (i) Seller
pertaining to the Business or (ii) the Subsidiaries, within the last
two (2) years, and a description of the outcome thereof.
(b) Except as set forth in Part 4.14(b) of the Disclosure
Letter to the Seller's knowledge:
(i) there is no Order to which Seller, with respect
to the operations of the Business, or either of the
Subsidiaries, is subject; and
(ii) no officer, director, agent or employee of
either of the Subsidiaries is subject to any Order that
prohibits such person from engaging in or continuing any
conduct, activity, or practice relating to the Business.
(c) Except as set forth in Part 4.14(c) of the Disclosure
Letter to the Seller's knowledge:
(i) Seller, with respect to the operations of the
Business, and each of the Subsidiaries, are in full compliance
with all of the terms and requirements of each Order to which
it is or has been subject;
(ii) no event has occurred or circumstance exists
that will constitute or result in (with or without notice or
lapse of time) a violation of or failure to comply with any
term or requirement of any Order to which Seller, with respect
to the operations of the Business, or either of the
Subsidiaries, is subject; and
(iii) neither Seller nor either Subsidiary has
received any notice or other written communication from any
Governmental Body or any other Person regarding any actual,
alleged, or potential violation of, or failure to comply with,
any term or requirement of any Order to which Seller, with
respect to the operations of the Business, or either of the
Subsidiaries, is or has been subject.
4.15 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES AND EVENTS. Except as set forth in Part
4.15 of the Disclosure Letter, since June 30, 1996, the businesses of each
Subsidiary has been conducted only in the Ordinary Course of Business and there
has not been any:
(i) change in either of the Subsidiary's authorized
or issued capital stock; grant of any stock option or right to
purchase shares of capital stock of either Subsidiary;
issuance of any security convertible into such capital stock;
grant of any registration rights; purchase, redemption,
retirement, or other acquisition by either Subsidiary of any
shares of any such capital stock; or declaration or payment of
any non-cash dividend or other non-cash distribution or
payment in respect of shares of capital stock;
(ii) damage to or destruction or loss of any asset or
property of the Subsidiaries, whether or not covered by
insurance, materially and adversely affecting the properties,
assets, business or financial condition of either of the
Subsidiaries;
(iii) entry into, termination of, or receipt of notice
of termination of (A) any license, maintenance,
distributorship, dealer, sales representative, consulting,
joint venture, credit, or similar agreement, or (B) any
Contract or transaction involving a total remaining commitment
by either Subsidiary of at least $50,000 which is not in the
Ordinary Course of Business;
(iv) loan or advance by either Subsidiary to any
Person other than sales to customers on credit in the Ordinary
Course of Business and loans or advances of $10,000 or less to
any Person in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(v) discharge or satisfy any liability of either
Subsidiary in excess of $50,000, except in the Ordinary Course
of Business;
(vi) other than the sale of inventory and licensing
of Intellectual Property in the Ordinary Course of Business,
sale, lease, or other disposition of any asset or property of
either Subsidiary or mortgage, pledge, or imposition of any
Encumbrance on any material asset or property of either
Subsidiary, including the sale, lease, or other disposition of
any of either Subsidiary's intellectual property;
(vii) cancellation or waiver of any claims or rights
with a value to either Subsidiary in excess of $50,000;
(vii) change in the accounting methods used by Seller
with respect to the Subsidiaries' operations; or
(viii) agreement, whether oral or written, to do any
of the foregoing.
4.16 CONTRACTS; NO DEFAULTS; KEY CUSTOMERS.
(a) Part 4.16(a) of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete
and accurate list, and Seller has delivered to Buyer true and complete
copies (or forms thereof, where form agreements are used; provided that
any and all deviations or changes to the forms in any individual case
are described in Part 4.16(a) of the Disclosure Letter), of all
Contracts relating to the operation of the Business which are described
in (i) through (xiv) below (the "Material Contracts"):
(i) each Contract that involves executory
performance of services or delivery of goods or materials by
either of the Subsidiaries which has a specified amount or
specified value in excess of $50,000 and not terminable by
such Subsidiary on thirty (30) days prior notice without
liability (without giving effect to renewal provisions
thereof) except for orders of finished goods from either
Subsidiary in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(ii) each Contract that involves executory
performance of services or delivery of goods or materials to
either of the Subsidiaries of a specified amount or specified
value in excess of $50,000 and not terminable by such
Subsidiary on thirty (30) days prior notice without liability
except for licenses of music rights by either Subsidiary for
its use and Contracts for finished goods entered into in the
Ordinary Course of Business;
(iii) each Contract relating to the borrowing of
money, the guaranty of another Person's borrowing of money, or
the creation of an Encumbrance on any of the assets of either
Subsidiary;
(iv) each Contract not in the Ordinary Course of
Business involving expenditures or receipts of either of the
Subsidiaries in excess of $50,000;
(v) each lease, rental or occupancy agreement,
installment and conditional sale agreement, and other Contract
affecting the ownership of, leasing of, title to, use of, or
any leasehold or other interest in, (A) any real property or
(B) any tangible personal property with a fair market value in
excess of $50,000 or which is otherwise material to the
Business;
(vi) each Contract with employees, officers, and
directors of either Subsidiary, and Contracts with any labor
union or other employee representative of a group of employees
relating to wages, hours, and other conditions of employment;
(vii) each joint venture, partnership, and other
Contract (however named) involving a sharing of profits (other
than licenses of music rights), losses, costs, or liabilities
by either Subsidiary with any other Person;
(viii) each Contract containing covenants that in any
way purport to restrict either Subsidiaries' business activity
or limit the freedom of either Subsidiary to engage in any
line of business or to compete with any Person except for
licenses of rights included in the Subsidiaries' music catalog
entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(ix) each Contract providing for payments to or by
any Person based on sales, purchases, or profits, including
distribution, reseller and sales representative agreements
other than licenses of music rights;
(x) each power of attorney from either Subsidiary
that is currently effective and outstanding;
(xi) each Contract entered into by Seller pertaining
to the businesses of a Subsidiary or a Subsidiary,
individually, for capital expenditures having a remaining
amount in excess of $50,000;
(xii) each written warranty, guaranty, and or other
similar undertaking with respect to contractual performance or
discharge of indebtedness of a Person other than the
Subsidiaries;
(xiii) each agreement or plan of a Subsidiary,
including, without limitation, any stock option plan, stock
appreciation rights plan, or stock purchase plan, whereby any
of the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of
benefits of which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of
any of the Contemplated Transactions; and
(xiv) any other Contract relating to the Business, the
loss of which would have a material adverse affect on the
Business as a whole.
(b) Except as set forth in Part 4.16(b)(i) of the Disclosure
Letter, all of the Contracts listed or required to be listed in Part
4.16(a) of the Disclosure Letter are in full force and effect and are
valid and enforceable against the Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of
Seller, the other party(ies), in accordance with their respective terms
(except as enforceability may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership and other similar laws affecting the rights and remedies
of creditors generally and the effect of general principles of equity),
and, to the knowledge of Seller, no event has occurred or circumstance
exists, including, without limitation, the failure of either Subsidiary
or any distributor to meet any quota or minimum sales or revenue level,
that would give any Person (including either Subsidiary) the right
(with or without notice or lapse of time) to declare a default or
exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance
of, or to cancel, terminate, or modify, any such Contract which
individually or in the aggregate would have a material adverse effect
on the Business as a whole. Except as set forth on Part 4.16(b)(ii) of
the Disclosure Letter, none of the Material Contracts require any
approval or consent as a result of the consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions where the failure to obtain such approval or consent
individually or in the aggregate would have a material adverse effect
on the Business as a whole. One of the Subsidiaries and not the Seller,
are party to all of the Contracts pertaining to the operation of the
Business.
(c) There are no renegotiations of, attempts to renegotiate,
or outstanding rights to renegotiate any amounts paid or payable to
either Subsidiary under current or completed Material Contracts with
any Person which is material to the Business, and to the knowledge of
Seller, no such Person has made demands on either Subsidiary for such
renegotiation.
(d) Part 4.16(d) of the Disclosure Letter contains a list of
the top twenty-five (25) customers and licensees of both KTI and
Dominion (determined by revenues generated by KTI and Dominion in each
of the fiscal years 1995 and 1996) (the "Customers"). Except as set
forth in Part 4.16(d) of the Disclosure Letter, to the knowledge of
Seller, none of the Customers intend to reduce the level of business
with such Subsidiary or in any other manner materially alter their
relationship with such Subsidiary as a result of the Contemplated
Transaction or otherwise.
4.17 INSURANCE. Part 4.17 of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete
and accurate list of all insurance policies (including "self-insurance"
programs) now maintained by Seller, with respect to the Business, and the
Subsidiaries, individually, (the "Insurance Policies") and all general liability
policies maintained by Seller, with respect to the Business, and the
Subsidiaries, individually, during the past five years and all claims (except
for health insurance claims) made under any such current or prior insurance
policies for the past five years. The Insurance Policies are in full force and
effect, neither Seller nor either of the Subsidiaries are in default under any
Insurance Policy, and no claim for coverage under any Insurance Policy (except
for health insurance claims) has been denied. All of the Insurance Policies will
be maintained in full force and effect until the Closing Date.
4.18 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
(a) To the knowledge of Seller, neither Seller nor either of
the Subsidiaries have ever generated, transported, treated, stored,
disposed of or otherwise handled any Hazardous Materials (as defined
below) at any site, location or facility used in connection with the
Business (including, without limitation, the Facilities) (the
"Premises") and, to the knowledge of Seller, no such Hazardous
Materials are present on, in or under the Premises, and the Premises do
not contain (including without limitation, containment by means of any
underground storage tank) any Hazardous Materials, in each case in
violation of any applicable Environmental and Safety Requirement (as
defined below). There are no underground storage tanks on any of the
Premises.
(b) To the knowledge of Seller, Seller with respect to the
operations of the Business, and the Subsidiaries, individually, are (i)
in material compliance with all applicable Environmental and Safety
Requirements, the violation of which would reasonably be expected to
result in a liability to either of the Subsidiaries or their respective
properties or assets and (ii) possesses all required permits, licenses,
certifications and approvals and has filed all notices or applications
required thereby or pertaining thereto.
(c) Neither Seller nor the Subsidiaries have ever been subject
to, or received any notice (written or oral) of, any private,
administrative or judicial inquiry, investigation, order or action, or
any notice (written or oral) of any intended or, to the knowledge of
Seller, Threatened private, administrative, or judicial inquiry,
investigation, order or action relating to the presence or alleged
presence of Hazardous Materials in, under or upon the Premises, and to
the knowledge of Seller, there is no reasonable basis for any such
inquiry, investigation, order, action or notice; and to the knowledge
of Seller, there are no pending or Threatened investigations, actions,
orders or proceedings (or notices of potential investigations, actions,
orders or proceedings) from any governmental agency or any other entity
regarding any matter relating to Environmental and Safety Requirements.
(d) To the knowledge of Seller, no facts, events or conditions
with respect to the Premises exist which could reasonably be expected
to interfere with or prevent continued compliance with, or could give
rise to any common law or statutory liability or otherwise form the
basis of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing or investigation
against or involving either of the Subsidiaries, its assets or
properties or the Premises under any Environmental and Safety
Requirement or related common law theories based on any such fact,
event or circumstance, including, without limitation, liability for
investigation costs, cleanup costs, personal injury or property damage.
4.19 EMPLOYEES. Part 4.19 of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete
and accurate list as of February 28, 1997 of the following information for each
employee of each Subsidiary, including each employee on leave of absence or
layoff status: name; job title; base salary, bonus and any change in
compensation since June 30, 1996; vacation accrued; and service credited for
purposes of vesting and eligibility to participate under each Employee Benefit
Plan. To the knowledge of Seller, no current or former employee of either
Subsidiary is a party to, or is otherwise bound by, any agreement or
arrangement, including any confidentiality, non-competition, or proprietary
rights agreement, between such employee and any other Person ("Proprietary
Rights Agreement") that in any way adversely affected, affects, or will affect
(i) the performance of his duties as an employee of such Subsidiary, or (ii) the
ability of such Subsidiary to conduct its business, or otherwise produce,
manufacture and distribute its products, including any Proprietary Rights
Agreement with such Subsidiary by any such employee or director. Since June 30,
1996, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business or as set forth in Part 4.19
of the Disclosure Letter, there has not been (i) payment by either of the
Subsidiaries of any bonuses or compensation other than regular salary payments,
(ii) a nonstandard increase in the salaries of the Subsidiaries' employees,
(iii) payment on any debt of the Subsidiaries to any stockholder, director,
officer, or employee, or (iv) entry into any employment, severance, or similar
Contract with any director, officer, or employee.
4.20 LABOR DISPUTES; COMPLIANCE. Except as set forth in Part 4.20 of
the Disclosure Letter, neither of the Subsidiaries have ever been a party to any
collective bargaining or other labor Contract. There has never been, there is
not presently existing, to the knowledge of Seller, Threatened, any strike,
slowdown, picketing, lockout, work stoppage, labor arbitration, or Proceeding in
respect of the grievance of any employee, application or complaint filed by an
employee or union with the National Labor Relations Board or any comparable
Governmental Body, organizational activity, or other labor dispute against or
affecting either Subsidiary or the Facilities, and no application for
certification of a collective bargaining agent exists or, to the knowledge of
Seller, is Threatened.
4.21 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) Subsidiaries Music Catalog. Part 4.21(a) of the Disclosure
Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete in all material respects
list of the owned and licensed sound recordings used in the Business
(the "Subsidiaries Music Catalog") indicating, with respect to each
such sound recording whether it is (i) owned by the Subsidiaries or
(ii) licensed by the Subsidiaries pursuant to any oral or written
contract, license or other agreement (all of which written contracts,
licenses or other agreements have been made available to Buyer for
review) (the "Music Catalog Agreements"). The Subsidiaries have good
and valid title to the recordings in the Subsidiaries Music Catalog
which are owned by the Subsidiaries. Subject to Part 4.21(a) of the
Disclosure Letter, the Music Catalog Agreements are in full force and
effect (subject to each being enforceable against the other parties
thereto) and represent the valid and legal obligations, in accordance
with their terms, of the respective Subsidiary which is a party thereto
and, to the knowledge of Seller, the other parties thereto. Except as
set forth in Part 4.21(a) of the Disclosure Letter, no default by
either of the Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Seller, by any other
party thereto, exists under the Music Catalog Agreements and no event
has occurred which the giving of notice or passage of time or both
could constitute a default under the Music Catalog Agreements, except
where such default would have a material adverse effect on the Business
as a whole. Except as set forth in Part 4.21(a) of the Disclosure
Letter and the Harry Fox Audit, to the knowledge of Seller (i) since
January 1, 1995, there have been no claims that the use of or the
rights under the Subsidiaries Music Catalog infringes, misappropriates
or otherwise violates the rights of any Person and no such claim is
pending, and (ii) no Person is currently infringing, misappropriating
or otherwise violating the rights of the Subsidiaries in the
Subsidiaries Music Catalog. To the knowledge of Seller, neither of the
Subsidiaries or the Seller have taken any action that has materially
and adversely impaired or would reasonably be expected to have
materially and adversely impaired the Subsidiaries' right, title or
interest in and to the Subsidiaries Music Catalog. To the knowledge of
Seller, the Subsidiaries ownership or use of the Subsidiaries Music
Catalog do not infringe, misappropriate or conflict with the
proprietary rights or other rights or interests of any Person. Upon
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, the Subsidiaries will be
vested with the same ownership or use rights in the Subsidiaries Music
Catalog which are held by the Subsidiaries prior to the consummation of
the Contemplated Transaction.
(b) Licenses of Subsidiaries Music Catalog. Seller has
provided Buyer with a true, correct and complete list in all material
respects of the contracts, licenses and other agreements pursuant to
which rights to use any part of the Subsidiaries Music Catalog have
been granted and are currently in effect (the "Outbound Licenses") and
no other rights of any kind have been transferred or assigned by Seller
or the Subsidiaries in the recordings comprising the Subsidiaries Music
Catalog other than pursuant to the Outbound Licenses. Subject to Part
4.21(b) of the Disclosure Letter, the Outbound Licenses are in full
force and effect (subject to such licenses being enforceable against
the other parties thereto) and represent the valid and legal
obligations of the respective Subsidiary which is a party thereto and,
to the knowledge of Seller, the other parties thereto. Except as set
forth in Part 4.21(b) of the Disclosure Letter, no default by either of
the Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Seller, by any other party
thereto, exists under the Outbound Licenses and no event has occurred
which the giving of notice or passage of time or both could constitute
a default under the Outbound Licenses except where such default would
have a material adverse effect on the Business as a whole. Except as
set forth in Part 4.21(b) of the Disclosure Letter, to the knowledge of
Seller, since January 1, 1995, there have been no claims that either of
the Subsidiaries or any of the other parties to the Outbound Licenses
breached or otherwise failed to perform their respective obligations in
any material respect.
(c) Trademarks, Trade Names and Service Marks. Part 4.21(c) of
the Disclosure Letter includes a true, correct and complete list in all
material respects of the trademarks, trade names and service marks
owned by Seller or the Subsidiaries which are currently used in the
Business (the "Subsidiaries Marks"). Except as set forth in Part
4.21(c) of the Disclosure Letter, (i) Seller or the Subsidiaries have
good and valid title to the Subsidiaries Marks in the jurisdictions
listed in Part 4.21(c) of the Disclosure Letter, free and clear of all
Encumbrances, (ii) to the knowledge of Seller, no Person is currently
infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the Subsidiaries
Marks, and (iii) to the knowledge of Seller, there is currently no
claim outstanding or Threatened against Seller or either of the
Subsidiaries that the Subsidiaries Marks infringe, misappropriate or
otherwise violate any rights of any other Person. To the knowledge of
Seller, neither of the Subsidiaries or the Seller have taken any action
that has materially and adversely impaired or would reasonably be
expected to have materially and adversely impaired the Subsidiaries' or
Seller's right, title or interest in and to the Subsidiaries Marks. To
the knowledge of Seller, the Subsidiaries' or Seller's ownership or use
of the Subsidiaries Marks do not infringe, misappropriate or conflict
with the proprietary rights or other rights or interests of any Person.
Upon consummation of the Contemplated Transaction, the Buyer or the
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, shall be vested with the same
ownership rights in the Subsidiaries Marks which are held by the Seller
or the Subsidiaries, as the case may be, prior to the consummation of
the Contemplated Transaction.
(d) Other Intellectual Property. To the knowledge of Seller,
all Intellectual Property other than the Intellectual Property referred
to in SECTION 4.21(A), (B) or (C) above (the "Other Intellectual
Property") which is used in the Business is owned or duly licensed to
Seller or either of the Subsidiaries except where the failure to own or
license such Other Intellectual Property would not have a material
adverse effect on the Business as a whole. Except as set forth in Part
4.21(d) of the Disclosure Letter, the Subsidiaries, or the Seller, as
the case may be, have good and valid title to, or the right to use, the
Other Intellectual Property that is material to the Business which is
owned, free and clear of all Encumbrances. To the extent any of the
Other Intellectual Property which is material to the business are
licensed to the Seller or the Subsidiaries, no default by Seller or
either of the Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Seller, by any other
party thereto, exists under such licenses and no event has occurred
which the giving of notice or passage of time or both could constitute
a default under such licenses. Except as set forth on Part 4.21(d) of
the Disclosure Letter, to the knowledge of Seller, (i) no Person is
currently infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the Other
Intellectual Property, and (ii) there is currently no claim outstanding
or Threatened against Seller or either of the Subsidiaries that the use
of the Other Intellectual Property by the Subsidiaries infringes,
misappropriates or otherwise violates any rights of any other Person.
To the knowledge of Seller, neither of the Subsidiaries or the Seller
have taken any action that has adversely impaired or would reasonably
be expected to have adversely impaired the Subsidiaries' right, title
or interest in and to the Other Intellectual Property, except where
such impairment would not have a material adverse effect on the
Business as a whole. To the knowledge of Seller, the Subsidiaries
ownership or use of the Other Intellectual Property do not infringe,
misappropriate or conflict with the proprietary rights or other rights
or interests of any Person where such infringement, misappropriation or
conflict would have a material adverse effect on the Business as a
whole. Upon consummation of the Contemplated Transaction, the Buyer or
the Subsidiaries, as the case may be, shall be vested with the same
ownership or use rights in the Other Intellectual Property held by the
Seller or the Subsidiaries, as the case may be, prior to the
consummation of the Contemplated Transaction.
4.22 BANK ACCOUNTS. Part 4.22 of the Disclosure Letter contains a
complete and accurate list of each bank at which each Subsidiary has an account
or safe deposit box, the number of each such account or box, and the names of
all persons authorized to draw on such accounts or to have access to such boxes.
4.23 DISCLOSURE.
(a) To the knowledge of Seller, no representation or warranty
(including the disclosures set forth in the Disclosure Letter) of
Seller in this Agreement or in any of the Seller Transaction Documents
omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements herein
or therein not misleading.
(b) No notice given pursuant to SECTION 6.5 when taken
together with the disclosure described in the Disclosure Letter will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or, to the knowledge of
Seller, omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
therein, in this Agreement or in any of the Seller Transaction
Documents, not misleading as of the date such notice is given.
4.24 RELATIONSHIPS WITH RELATED PERSONS.
(a) Except as set forth in Part 4.24 of the Disclosure Letter,
neither the Seller nor the directors, officers or employees of the
Subsidiaries, or their Related Persons have any ownership interest in
any of the assets used in connection with the Business and to the
knowledge of Seller, do not own, of record or as a beneficial owner, an
equity interest or any other financial or profit interest in any Person
that has (i) had business dealings or a material financial interest in
any transaction with either of the Subsidiaries, except for less than
two percent (2%) of the outstanding capital stock of such person that
is publicly traded on any recognized exchange or in the
over-the-counter market, or (ii) engaged in competition with the
Business (a "Competing Business"), except for less than two percent
(2%) of the outstanding capital stock of any Competing Business that is
publicly traded on any recognized exchange or in the over-the-counter
market. Except as set forth in Part 4.24 of the Disclosure Letter, no
shareholder, officer or director of Seller or either of the
Subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of Seller, none of their Related
Persons, is a party to any Contract with, or has any claim or rights
against, either of the Subsidiaries. Neither of the Subsidiaries is
indebted, in any manner, to Seller or any of its Related Persons.
(b) Except as set forth in Part 4.24 of the Disclosure Letter,
neither Seller or any of Seller's Affiliates provide any services to
either of the Subsidiaries or in connection with the Business.
4.25 BROKERS OR FINDERS. Except as set forth in Part 4.25 of the
Disclosure Letter, Seller and its agents have incurred no obligation or
liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders' fees or agents'
commissions or other similar payment in connection with this Agreement.
4.26 CERTAIN PAYMENTS. To the knowledge of Seller, no director,
officer, agent, or employee of either Subsidiary (on behalf of a Subsidiary or
otherwise in connection with the Business) or any other Person associated with
or acting for or on behalf of either Subsidiary, has directly or indirectly (a)
made any contribution, gift, bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback,
or other payment to any Person, private or public, regardless of form, whether
in money, property, or services (i) to pay for favorable treatment for business
secured, (ii) to obtain special concessions or for special concessions already
obtained, for or in respect of either Subsidiary or any Affiliate of either
Subsidiary, or (iii) in violation of any Legal Requirements, or (b) established
or maintained any fund or asset that has not been recorded in the books and
records of either Subsidiary.
4.27 CHANGE OF CONTROL PAYMENTS. Except as set forth in Part 4.27 of
the Disclosure Letter, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor
the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions will (i) result in any payment
(including, without limitation, severance, unemployment compensation, golden
parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any director or employee of
either of the Subsidiaries from either of the Subsidiaries, (ii) materially
increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Employee Benefit Plan, or
(iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such
benefits.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
Buyer represents and warrants to Seller as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent to which such
representations and warranties are specifically stated to be as of a different
date), as follows:
5.1 ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING. Buyer is a corporation duly
incorporated, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of Delaware,
with full corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now
being conducted, to own, hold under lease, or otherwise possess or use the
properties and assets that it purports to own, hold under lease, or otherwise
possess or use, and to perform all its obligations under the contracts to which
it is a party or by which it is bound. Buyer is duly qualified to do business as
a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each state or
other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by virtue of the
nature of the activities conducted by it. Buyer has delivered to Seller copies
of the Organizational Documents of Buyer, as currently in effect.
5.2 AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT.
(a) This Agreement constitutes, and when executed and
delivered by Buyer at the Closing and the Buyer's Closing Documents,
(collectively, the "Buyer Transaction Documents"), to the extent
applicable, will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations
of the Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their
respective terms except as such enforcement may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws
affecting creditor's rights generally and by general equitable
principles. Buyer has the corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and each of the Buyer Transaction Documents and
to perform its obligations under this Agreement and each of the Seller
Transaction Documents. This Agreement has been, and the Buyer
Transaction Documents at Closing will be, duly executed and delivered
by Buyer.
(b) The Board of Directors of Buyer has unanimously approved
the Contemplated Transaction. Except for the approval of the holders of
the stockholders of Buyer which may be required by the rules of the
Nasdaq National Market (depending on the structure of the Financing),
no other approval of the stockholders of Buyer or other corporate
approval is required in order for Buyer to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
Buyer's Closing Documents by Buyer nor the consummation or performance
of any of the Contemplated Transactions by Buyer will give any Person
the right to prevent, delay, or otherwise interfere with any of the
Contemplated Transactions pursuant to: (i) any provision of Buyer's
Organizational Documents; (ii) any resolution adopted by the board of
directors or the stockholders of Buyer; (iii) any Legal Requirement or
Order to which Buyer or any of its respective assets may be subject; or
(iv) any Contract to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer may be
bound. Buyer is not required to give any notice to or obtain any
consent or approval from any Person in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer or the consummation or
performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions by Buyer except for
(i) the potential requirement to file with the SEC a proxy statement
and the potential requirement to obtain approval by Buyer's
stockholders of the Contemplated Transactions and the Financing; (ii)
the filing of a Form 8-K with the SEC, (iii) such consents, approvals,
orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may
be required under applicable federal and state securities laws and the
laws of any foreign country or as may otherwise be required to
consummate the Financing and (iv) the filings necessary, and
termination of any waiting periods, pursuant to the HSR Act.
5.3 CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS. There is no pending proceeding that has been
commenced against Buyer and that challenges or may have the affect of
preventing, delaying making illegal or otherwise interfering with any of the
Contemplated Transactions. To Buyer's knowledge, no such proceeding has been
Threatened.
5.4 BROKERS OR FINDERS. Buyer and its respective officers and agents
have incurred no obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage
or finders' fees or agents' commissions or other similar payment in connection
with this Agreement.
5.5 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. Buyer has not seen, received, been
presented with, or been solicited by any leaflet, public promotional meeting,
newspaper or magazine article or advertisement, radio or television
advertisement, or any other form of advertising or general solicitation with
respect to the sale of the Stock. Buyer is acquiring the Stock for its own
account only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any
distribution of all or any part of the Stock. Buyer acknowledges that the sale
of the Stock hereunder has not been registered under the Securities Act in
reliance, in part, on its representations, warranties and agreement herein.
Buyer understands that the Stock is a "restricted security" under the Securities
Act in that the Stock will be acquired in a transaction not involving a public
offering, and that the Stock may be resold without registration under the
Securities Act only in certain limited circumstances. Buyer represents,
warrants, and agrees that Seller is under no obligation to register or qualify
the Stock under the Securities Act or under any state securities law, or to
assist Buyer in complying with any exemption from registration and
qualification. Buyer acknowledges that there are substantial restrictions on the
transferability of the Stock due to its being a "restricted security", that
there is no public market for the Stock and none is expected to develop.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF SELLER
6.1 ACCESS AND INVESTIGATION.
(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement to the
Closing Date, Seller and its officers, employees, counsel, accountants
and other authorized representatives ("Representatives") will, (i)
afford Buyer and its Representatives reasonable access to Seller's
(with respect to the Business) and each Subsidiary's senior management
personnel, properties, contracts, books, and records, and other
documents and data, (ii) permit access to or furnish copies to Buyer
and its Representative (as requested by Buyer, provided that if copies
are to be furnished it will be furnished at Buyer's expense) of all
such contracts, books and records, and other existing documents and
data as Buyer may reasonably request, and (iii) furnish Buyer and its
Representatives with such additional financial, operating, and other
data and information as Buyer may reasonably request, including,
without limitation periodically reporting to Buyer the status of the
business, operations and finances of the Business. Seller shall also
inform Buyer (upon its request) of any facts or circumstances of which
Seller has knowledge which calls into question the collectibility of
any Accounts Receivable, adequacy of the bad debt reserves that exist
as of the Closing Date and the adequacy of the Harry Fox Reserve. No
information or knowledge obtained in any investigation pursuant to this
SECTION 6.1 shall affect or be deemed to modify any representation or
warranty contained herein or the conditions to the obligations of the
parties to consummate the Consummated Transactions. Buyer agrees that
from the date hereof until the Closing, Buyer will not discuss or
negotiate any terms of employment with any employees of the
Subsidiaries (other than disclosing to any such employee the
obligations of Buyer pursuant to SECTION 8.10(b) hereof), without prior
approval by Seller's President or Chairman.
(b) From the date hereof through the Closing Date, Buyer
agrees that if it becomes aware, in the course of its due diligence
examination or otherwise, of a material Breach of Seller's
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein,
Buyer will promptly notify Seller thereof; provided, however, this
SECTION 6.1(b) shall in no manner (i) obligate Buyer to affirmatively
inquire or research whether a Breach by Seller has occurred or (ii)
limit or waive the conditions set forth in SECTIONS 10.1 and 10.2
herein or any of Buyer's rights hereunder.
6.2 OPERATION OF THE BUSINESSES OF SELLER. During the period from the
date of this Agreement to the Closing Date, Seller will cause each Subsidiary
to:
(a) conduct the Business only in the Ordinary Course of
Business, including but not limited to taking reasonable steps to
maintain the tangible assets of each Subsidiary in reasonable repair,
order, and condition;
(b) use its Best Efforts to preserve intact the current
business organization of each Subsidiary and all rights in connection
with the Business (including, without limitation, all intellectual
property and license rights), keep available the services of the
current officers, employees, and agents of each Subsidiary, and
maintain the relations and goodwill with its suppliers, customers,
artists, landlords, creditors, employees, agents, and others having
business relationships with each Subsidiary; and
(c) confer with Buyer concerning operational matters relating
to the Business which are of a material nature.
6.3 NEGATIVE COVENANT. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Closing Date:
(a) Except as set forth in SECTION 6.3(b), neither the Seller
or either Subsidiary will take any affirmative action, or fail to take
any reasonable action within their or its control, as a result of which
any of the changes or events listed in SECTION 4.15 is reasonably
likely to occur or cause a breach of any representation or warranty or
Seller hereunder. In addition, from and after the date of this
Agreement until the Closing or the earlier termination of this
Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Seller will not and the
Subsidiaries will not, and will not permit its directors, officers,
employees, representatives, investment bankers, agents and affiliates
to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or encourage submission or any
inquiries, proposals or offers by, (ii) participate in any negotiations
with, (iii) afford any access to the properties, books or records of
either of the Subsidiaries to, or (iv) otherwise assist, facilitate or
encourage, or enter into any agreement or understanding with, any
person, entity or group (other than Buyer and its Affiliates,
representatives and agents), in connection with any Acquisition
Proposal. For purposes of this Agreement, an "Acquisition Proposal"
shall mean any proposal relating to the possible acquisition of the
Business or the Subsidiaries, whether by way of merger, purchase of any
Stock, purchase of a substantial portion of the assets of either of the
Subsidiaries, or otherwise. In addition, subject to the terms set forth
in SECTION 6.3(b) below, from and after the date of this Agreement
until the Closing or the earlier termination of this Agreement in
accordance with its terms, the Seller will not and the Subsidiaries
will not, and will not permit their respective directors, officers,
employees, representatives, investment bankers, agents and Affiliates
to, directly or indirectly, make or authorize any statement,
recommendation or solicitation in support of any Acquisition Proposal
made by any person, entity or group (other than Buyer). The Seller and
each Subsidiary will immediately cease any and all existing activities,
discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with
respect to any of the foregoing.
(b) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event Seller receives an unsolicited written proposal for, or an
unsolicited written indication of a serious interest in entering into,
a transaction pursuant to an Acquisition Proposal (an "Acquisition
Transaction") from a bona fide, financially capable third party that
contains no financing contingency, (i) Seller in its discretion may
furnish to and communicate with such third party public information
requested by such party, (ii) Seller may enter into discussions and
negotiations with such third party, provided (in the case of this
clause (ii)) that (A) Seller gives the Buyer prompt written notice of
the details thereof prior to entering into such discussions and
negotiations (subject to the last sentence of this SECTION 6.3(b)), (B)
Seller's Board of Directors, after consultation with and based upon the
advice of an independent financial advisor, determines in good faith
that such third party is financially capable, without any financing
contingency, of consummating an Acquisition Transaction, (C) Seller's
Board of Directors, after weighing such advice, determines that taking
such action is more likely than not to lead to the consummation of an
Acquisition Transaction with such third party that would yield a higher
value to the Seller's stockholders than will the Contemplated
Transaction, and (D) Seller's Board of Directors shall have been
advised in writing by independent legal counsel, that any failure to
enter into such discussion and negotiations with, and provide such
non-public information to, such third party would more likely than not
constitute a breach of the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of
Directors to the Seller's stockholders and (iii) Seller may, at the
request of such third party, furnish such third party with non-public
information concerning the Business and the Subsidiaries only if the
conditions set forth in (A) and (B) above are met and Seller obtains
from such third party a written and executed confidentiality agreement
in reasonably customary form. The Buyer and Seller further agree that
after receipt of an Acquisition Proposal, Seller's request for
information or clarification from such third party solely in order to
determine whether the conditions in clauses (B), (C), and (D) above can
be met will not be deemed to be a violation of this SECTION 6.3(b).
6.4 APPROVALS OF GOVERNMENTAL BODIES. As promptly as practicable after
the date of this Agreement, Seller will (i) make any filings required by Legal
Requirements to be made by it and (ii) use its Best Efforts to obtain all
necessary consents or approvals required under the Material Contracts or
otherwise referred to in the Disclosure Letter (the "Consents") in order to
consummate the Contemplated Transactions. Between the date of this Agreement and
the Closing Date, Seller will cooperate with Buyer in connection with any
filings required by Legal Requirements to be made by Buyer in order to
consummate the Contemplated Transactions.
6.5 NOTIFICATION. Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing
Date, Seller will promptly notify Buyer in writing if Seller becomes aware of
any fact or condition that causes or constitutes a Breach of any of Seller's
representations and warranties as of the date of this Agreement, or if or Seller
becomes aware of the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any fact or
condition that would cause or constitute a Breach of any such representation or
warranty had such representation or warranty been made as of the time of
occurrence or discovery of such fact or condition. Should any such fact or
condition require any change in the disclosure set forth in the Disclosure
Letter, Seller will promptly deliver to Buyer a supplement to the Disclosure
Letter specifying such change and such supplement shall qualify such
representations and warranties; provided, however, that such supplements may
only be made with respect to claims made, events occurring or arising after the
date hereof and not arising out of any Breach by Seller of its covenants or
agreements set forth in this Agreement. During the same period, Seller will
promptly after obtaining knowledge thereof notify Buyer of the occurrence of any
Breach of any agreement, covenant representation or warranty of Seller hereunder
or of the occurrence of any event that may make the satisfaction of the
conditions in ARTICLES 9, 10, or 11 impossible or unlikely upon becoming aware
of such occurrence.
6.6 BEST EFFORTS. Subject to the terms of SECTION 6.3(b) hereof,
between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Seller will use its
Best Efforts to cause the conditions in Article 9, 10 and 11 to be satisfied to
the extent Seller can affect the satisfaction of such conditions or involve
Seller (including, without initiation, providing Buyer with the information and
documentation necessary to consummate the Financing).
6.7 KIVES VOTING AGREEMENT. Simultaneous with the signing hereof, the
Seller shall cause Philip Kives, and those entities controlled by Philip Kives
which own the voting stock of Seller, to deliver a voting agreement (attached
hereto as Exhibit 6.7) memorializing the agreement to vote in favor of the
Contemplated Transaction at the meeting of the Seller's stockholders to consider
approval of the Contemplated Transactions (the "Kives Voting Agreement").
ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS OF BUYER
7.1 APPROVALS OF GOVERNMENTAL BODIES. As promptly as practicable after
the date of this Agreement, Buyer will make any filings required by Legal
Requirements to be made by it in order to consummate the Contemplated
Transactions. Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Buyer
will cooperate with Seller in connection with (i) any filings required by Legal
Requirements to be made by Seller and (ii) obtaining the necessary Consents in
order to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.
7.2 BEST EFFORTS. Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing
Date, Buyer will use its Best Efforts to cause the conditions in Articles 9, 10,
and 11 to be satisfied; provided, however, in no event shall Buyer be deemed to
have Breached this SECTION 7.2 if it is unable to consummate the Financing upon
terms satisfactory to it, in its sole discretion. Buyer shall, upon the prior
reasonable request of Seller, provide Seller and Seller's Representatives with
information concerning the status of the Financing and any other financing which
Buyer proposes to secure to pay the Purchase Price in whole or in part and, in
each instance, upon the prior consent of Buyer (which consent, in each instance,
shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) permit Seller and
Seller's Representatives to discuss the Financing or such other financing with
Buyer's Representatives, including its investment bankers and lenders.
7.3 NOTIFICATION. Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing
Date, Buyer will promptly notify Seller in writing if Buyer becomes aware of any
fact or condition that causes or constitutes a Breach of any of Buyer's
representations and warranties as of the date of this Agreement, or if Buyer
becomes aware of the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any fact or
condition that would cause or constitute a Breach of any such representation or
warranty had such representation or warranty been made as of the time of
occurrence or discovery of such fact or condition. Should any such fact or
condition require any change in the disclosures set forth in this Agreement,
Buyer will promptly deliver to Seller a supplement to the Buyer Disclosure
Letter specifying such change, and such supplement shall qualify such
representations and warranties. During the same period, Buyer will promptly
notify Seller of the occurrence of any Breach of any covenant representation or
warranty of Buyer hereunder or of the occurrence of any event that may make the
satisfaction of the conditions in Articles 9, 10 or 11 impossible or unlikely
upon becoming aware of such occurrence.
ARTICLE VIII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
8.1 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE AND CONFIDENTIALITY. Buyer and Seller shall
consult with each other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any
public statement with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or this
Agreement and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public
statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required by law or any
listing agreement with a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National
Market. The parties further agree that the terms of that certain Confidentiality
Agreement, dated November 12, 1996, delivered by Buyer to Seller shall be
incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
8.2 AUDITORS' LETTERS. The Seller shall, at Buyer's expense, use its
Best Efforts to cause Arthur Andersen & Co., L.L.P., independent auditors to
Seller, to (i) deliver letters and consents with respect to the financial
statements of the Subsidiaries, to Buyer, (as may be reasonably requested by
Buyer) from time to time, from and after the Closing Date, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and customary in scope and substance for
letters and consents delivered by independent auditors in connection with
filings with the SEC, (ii) generally cooperate with Buyer (as may be reasonably
requested by Buyer), for Buyer to comply with its SEC reporting obligations and
(iii) provide Buyer, as promptly as reasonably possible upon Buyer's request,
with all necessary financial information (including, without limitation, audited
financial statements of the Subsidiaries and the Business) in order for Buyer to
consummate the Financing and obtain Buyer's Requisite Stockholder Approval.
8.3 FILINGS; OTHER ACTION. Each of Seller and Buyer shall: (a) promptly
make their respective filings and thereafter make any other required submissions
under the HSR Act, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the
Contemplated Transactions; and (b) use their respective Best Efforts promptly to
take, or cause to be taken, all other actions and do, or cause to be done, all
other things necessary, proper or appropriate under applicable laws and
regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement as soon as practicable.
8.4 LICENSES. The parties have agreed that Buyer will acquire all
right, title and interest in and to the assets (including the name "K-tel",
trademark and service mark as provided in SECTION 1.2(b) hereof and all other
Intellectual Property) used in connection with the Business; provided however,
Seller will be allowed to (i) continue to use the K-tel name, trademarks and
service marks in connection with the Consumer Products Business in all respects,
(ii) continue to use the name K-tel solely as a corporate name in connection
with the other Excluded Businesses, in the Retained Music Business and otherwise
as provided in SECTION 1.2(b) hereof. The parties hereto also acknowledge and
agree that Buyer is not purchasing, and Seller is retaining, the Business
conducted in the Retained Territories (as defined below) (the "Retained Music
Business"). In connection with the foregoing, the following license agreements
will be entered into at Closing pursuant to terms mutually acceptable to each of
Buyer and Seller but which terms will generally include the following
(collectively, the "License Agreements"):
(a) Seller shall cause K-tel International, Ltd., a Manitoba
corporation, to enter into a license agreement with Buyer for purposes
of licensing to Buyer the mark "K-tel" in connection with music
products and music-related products in Canada for a period of three
years from the Closing Date on an exclusive, royalty free basis.
(b) Buyer and the Subsidiaries will license the exclusive
rights to masters owned or licensed by the Subsidiaries as of the
Closing (the "Masters") to Seller, and Seller may sublicense such
rights to K-tel Entertainment (UK) Limited ("K-tel UK") for
exploitation in the territories attached hereto as Exhibit 8.4(b)(i)
(the "Retained Territories") and the non-exclusive rights to the
Masters for exportation in the Non-Exclusive Territory, pursuant to the
License Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 8.4(b)(ii).
(c) K-tel UK will license its catalog of Masters at Closing to
Buyer on a non-exclusive worldwide basis (except for the Retained
Territories) under the same terms as the existing Agreement #9648,
dated July 1, 1990, by and between K-tel UK and Seller. The term of
such license will be the same term as the license set forth in
subparagraph (b) above.
(d) All rights associated with the "Old Town" music catalog
(the "Old Town Catalog") and "Maureen Music" music catalog (the
"Maureen Catalog") (in each case, including, without limitation, all
masters and musical compositions) except for synchronization rights,
which if acquired by Seller or a subsidiary of Seller will be licensed
to Buyer for retail sale or distribution on a worldwide (except for the
Retained Territories), non-exclusive and non-sublicensable basis, with
no advance. The royalty rates for the Old Town Catalog for United
States sales will be the greater of (i) four cents and seven cents per
track of cassette tapes and compact discs, respectively or (ii) 10% of
the suggested retail price, prorated and reduced by container charges.
The rates for territories outside of the United States will be
determined on a comparable basis. Seller also agrees to provide Buyer
with a blanket agreement for all rights in the Maureen Catalog (except
synchronization rights) in the United States at 80% of the then
prevailing statutory rate and at comparable rates outside of the United
States. The term of each such license will be for three years from the
Closing Date with a one-year renewal option.
(e) Buyer will license to Seller the right to use the Masters
included in the collections presently entitled "101 Greatest R & B Love
Songs" (previously known as "Heartbreaker") and "Ultimate History of
Rock and Roll" for sale worldwide through half-hour infomercials (the
"TV Packages") and as permitted under clause (f) below at retail,
whereby Buyer will produce the finished goods on the same terms as set
forth in paragraph 3 of the existing contract between KTI and Kent and
Speigal; provided, however, all infomercials will be presented under a
name other than "K-tel", except that the "Ultimate History of Rock and
Roll" infomercial will bear a "K-tel" mark for a period equal to the
shorter of (i) three months after the Closing Date and (ii) the
existing inventory of product held by Kent and Speigal is exhausted.
Any new infomercial products will bear a new trademark with no
similarity to "K-tel" or risk of confusion to the public.
(f) Prior to Closing, KTI will assign its existing contract
with Kent and Speigal to Seller (or a subsidiary designated by Seller)
and the "101 Greatest Love Songs" and "Ultimate History of Rock and
Roll" will be distributed at retail in accordance with the Kent and
Speigal contract; provided, however, KTI (or Buyer, as determined by
Buyer) will continue to perform the distribution services which KTI is
currently responsible under such contract pursuant to the terms thereof
(including, without limitation, the 12.5% fee specified therein).
Seller and KTI (or Buyer, as the case may be) will share equally in the
profit participation of K-tel under such contract for all retail sales
by KTI (or Buyer, as the case may be). Seller will pay all marketing
expenses related to such retail sales, provided that Seller is
reimbursed for such reasonable marketing expenses before the sharing of
any profit participation. KTI (or Buyer, as the case may be) will be
compensated for producing the finished goods for these products in
accordance with the terms of the Kent and Speigal Contract.
(g) Buyer shall license to K-tel International, Ltd. the right
to sell and market the Masters contained in the "101 Country Hits" in
Canada solely through television direct response at a royalty fee equal
to three (U.S.) cents per track.
Buyer and Seller agree to use their Best Efforts prior to the Closing
to agree on the form and substance of the License Agreements. The descriptions
set forth above represent general terms to be set forth with more particularity
in the License Agreements. In the event of a conflict between the above terms
and the terms set forth in the License Agreements, the License Agreements shall
govern.
8.5 TAXES.
(a) Seller and Buyer agree that for tax reporting purposes,
Seller and Buyer will elect to treat the consummation of the
Contemplated Transaction as an asset sale pursuant to SECTION 338(H) of
the Code. Seller and Buyer agree to take all reasonable steps and
actions necessary to insure that such tax treatment is received and
Seller shall pay any Tax liability from the taxable income of the
Seller and the Subsidiaries which are incurred as a direct result of
such election.
(b) The parties have agreed as follows:
(i) Subject to the terms set forth in (ii) below,
Buyer will not assume or be liable in any manner for any
liability or obligation relating to Taxes of Seller, its
Affiliates or its subsidiaries (including, without limitation,
the Subsidiaries). In connection therewith, subject to the
terms set forth in (ii) below, Seller shall be liable for, and
shall indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from, any Taxes of
Seller, its subsidiaries or its Affiliates (including the
Subsidiaries), including, without limitation, Taxes (A)
relating to any period prior to the Closing Date with respect
to the Business or (B) relating to the Excluded Businesses,
Excluded Assets, Retained Music Business or otherwise,
regardless of whether such Taxes related to a period prior to
or subsequent to the Closing Date.
(ii) Buyer shall be liable for, and shall indemnify
and hold Seller harmless from any Taxes imposed on the
Subsidiaries solely with respect to the operations of the
Business which specifically relate to periods after the
Closing Date.
8.6 MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS. Seller, on the one hand, and Buyer (if
necessary) on the other, shall each take all action necessary in accordance with
applicable law and its Organizational Documents to convene a meeting of its
stockholders (the "Stockholder Meetings") as promptly as practicable to consider
and vote upon the approval of the Contemplated Transaction. Subject to the
fiduciary duties of the each of Buyer's and Seller's Board of Directors under
applicable law after consultation with and based upon the advice of independent
legal counsel, the Board of Directors of each of Seller, on the one hand, and
Buyer on the other, shall each recommend and declare advisable such approval and
Seller, on the one hand, and Buyer on the other, shall, subject to the fiduciary
duties of their respective Board of Directors, take all lawful action to
solicit, and use its Best Efforts to obtain, such approval (the requisite
approval by the stockholders of each of the Seller and Buyer, hereinafter
referred to as the "Requisite Stockholder Approval"). In connection with such
Stockholder Meetings, each of Buyer and Seller will (i) promptly prepare and
file with the SEC, will use all reasonable efforts to have cleared by the SEC
and will thereafter mail to its stockholders as promptly as possible a proxy
statement and all other proxy materials for such meeting, (ii) will use its Best
Efforts to obtain the necessary approvals by its stockholders of the
Contemplated Transaction and (iii) will otherwise comply with all Legal
Requirements applicable to such meeting.
8.7 RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS/NONCOMPETE. At Closing, each of Philip Kives
and Seller shall enter into a noncompetition agreement with Buyer in the forms
of Exhibit 8.7 attached hereto.
8.8 DELIVERY OF DISCLOSURE LETTER. The parties acknowledge that each
has executed and delivered this Agreement prior to the delivery by Seller to
Buyer of the Disclosure Letter except for Parts 2.3(b) and 8.10(a) and (b) of
the Disclosure Letter. Seller acknowledges that Buyer is relying on the
disclosures set forth in the Disclosure Letter in executing this Agreement and
consummating the Contemplated Transactions. In connection therewith, Seller
hereby agrees to deliver a complete and accurate Disclosure Letter within seven
(7) business days of the date hereof. If Buyer is not satisfied with the
disclosures set forth on the Disclosure Letter, and, as a result, terminates
this Agreement pursuant to SECTION 12.4(iii) below, the Earnest Money Escrow
shall be released to Seller.
8.9 TRANSITION ARRANGEMENT. As of the date hereof, Seller is using the
Facilities in connection with the operations of the Excluded Businesses and
warehousing inventory relating to the Consumer Products Business. The parties
agree that for a period of 60 days after the Closing (the "Transition Period"),
Seller may continue to use the Facilities to the extent (and for the purposes)
utilized as of the date hereof. During the Transition Period, Seller agrees to
use its Best Efforts to move all operations and inventory relating to the
Excluded Businesses out of the Facilities. In consideration of allowing Seller
to use the Facilities during the Transition Period, the Seller agrees to (i) pay
to Buyer (on a monthly basis) a portion of the amounts due to the lessor of the
Facilities under the Facilities Leases, which amount shall be based on the pro
rata square footage of the Facilities used by Seller and (ii) reimburse Buyer
(on a monthly basis) for all costs and expenses incurred by Buyer in connection
with the use of the Facilities by Seller, including, without limitation,
telephone and other utility expenses.
8.10 SELLER'S EMPLOYEES.
(a) The parties acknowledge that some current employees of KTI
have duties and responsibilities relating to the Excluded Businesses
and the Retained Music Business and some employees of Seller have
duties and responsibilities relating to the Business. Part 8.10(a) of
the Disclosure Letter sets forth (i) all of the employees of KTI and
Seller (the "Employees"), (ii) those Employees who will be employed by
Buyer after Closing and (iii) those Employees who will be employed by
Seller (or one of its subsidiaries, other than the Subsidiaries) after
Closing. The parties further agree that the calculation of the Final
Net Tangible Book Value will (A) include any and all liabilities
(including, without limitation, accrued vacation and salaries) relating
to all of such Employees to be hired by Buyer upon consummation of the
Contemplated Transactions and (B) exclude any and all liabilities
relating to such Employees not hired by Buyer upon consummation of the
Contemplated Transactions, pursuant to Part 8.10(a) of the Disclosure
Letter.
(b) Buyer agrees that so long as the employees set forth on
Part 8.10(b) of the Disclosure Letter remain employed with the Seller
or the Subsidiaries, as the case may be, through the Closing, Buyer
shall keep such employees in its employ in positions with comparable
responsibilities and duties (or the employ of the Subsidiaries, as
determined by Buyer in its sole discretion) in the metropolitan
Minneapolis, Minnesota area upon terms at least as favorable as their
current compensation for at least one year after the Closing; provided,
however, this SECTION 8.10(b) shall not, in any manner, limit Buyer's
right (or the Subsidiaries' right, as the case may be) to terminate
such employees prior to the end of such one-year period for cause, in
accordance with the customary employment policies and procedures
established by Buyer. In the event Buyer Breaches the terms of this
SECTION 8.10(B), including without limitation, terminating any such
employee without cause prior to the first anniversary of the Closing,
Buyer shall be liable for paying such employee's salary from the date
of termination until the first anniversary of the Closing.
ARTICLE IX
MUTUAL CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO
PARTIES' OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
9.1 MUTUAL CONDITIONS. Each of the parties' obligations to consummate
the Contemplated Transactions and to take other actions required to be taken by
the parties at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the
Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a) No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent
injunction or other order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction
or other legal or regulatory restraint or prohibition preventing the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be in
effect.
(b) The Requisite Stockholder Approval of the Contemplated
Transactions shall have been received by each of Buyer (if necessary)
and Seller.
(c) Counsel for each of Buyer and Seller shall be satisfied
with the steps taken for compliance with all applicable requirements of
the securities, antitrust and regulatory laws and with all other legal
matter, including obtaining all necessary consents from any
Governmental Authorities, including, without limitation, the expiration
or early termination of the waiting period(s), if any, under the HSR
Act.
ARTICLE X
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS TO CLOSE
Buyer's obligations to consummate the Contemplated Transactions and to
take the other actions required to be taken by Buyer at the Closing is subject
to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following
conditions (any of which may be waived by Buyer in whole or in part):
10.1 ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS. Each of Seller's representations and
warranties in this Agreement and must have been accurate in all material
respects as of the date of this Agreement except to the extent to which such
representations and warranties are specifically stated to be as of a different
date, and must be accurate in all material respects as of the Closing Date as if
made on the Closing Date, without giving effect to any supplements pursuant to
SECTION 6.5.
10.2 THE SELLER'S PERFORMANCE.
(a) Each of the covenants and obligations that Seller is
required to perform or to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or
prior to the Closing must have been duly performed and complied with in
all material respects.
(b) Seller must have delivered or caused to be delivered, each
of the documents required to be delivered or caused to be delivered, by
it pursuant to SECTION 3.2.
(c) Seller shall have obtained all of the Consents.
10.3 NO PROCEEDINGS. Since the date of this Agreement, there must not
have been commenced or Threatened against Buyer, or against any Person
affiliated with Buyer, any Proceeding (i) involving any challenge to, or seeking
damages or other relief in connection with, any of the Contemplated
Transactions, or (ii) that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of
preventing, delaying, making illegal, or in any material respect, otherwise
interfering with any of the Contemplated Transactions.
10.4 NO PROHIBITION. Neither the consummation nor the performance of
any of the Contemplated Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or
without notice or lapse of time), contravene, or conflict with, or result in a
material violation of, or cause Buyer or any Person affiliated with Buyer to
suffer any adverse consequence under, (i) any applicable Legal Requirement or
Order, or (ii) any Legal Requirement or Order that has been published,
introduced, or otherwise formally proposed by or before any Governmental Body.
10.5 MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. There shall have been no material adverse
change in the assets, liabilities of any kind, operations, condition (financial
or otherwise), operating results, employee, customer or supplier relations,
business activities or prospects of the Subsidiaries taken as a whole since June
30, 1996.
10.6 FINANCING. Buyer shall have consummated and obtained net proceeds
of at least $70 million from a financing which may be in the form of a public or
private placement of convertible debentures to one or more investors, on terms
satisfactory to Buyer in its sole discretion (the "Financing").
ARTICLE XI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
Seller's obligation to consummate the Contemplated Transactions and to
take the other actions required to be taken by Seller at the Closing is subject
to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following
conditions (any of which may be waived by Seller, in whole or in part):
11.1 ACCURACY OF REPRESENTATIONS. Each of Buyer's representations and
warranties in this Agreement must have been accurate in all material respects as
of the date of this Agreement (except to the extent to which such
representations and warranties are specifically stated to be as of a different
date) and must be accurate in all material respects as of the Closing Date as if
made on the Closing Date.
11.2 BUYER'S PERFORMANCE.
(a) Each of the covenants and obligations that Buyer is
required to perform or to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or
prior to the Closing must have been performed and complied with in all
material respects; and
(b) Buyer must have delivered each of the documents and
payments required to be delivered by them pursuant to SECTION 3.3.
11.3 NO PROCEEDINGS. Since the date of this Agreement, there must not
have been commenced or Threatened against Seller, or against any Person
affiliated with Seller, any Proceeding (i) involving any challenge to, or
seeking damages or other relief in connection with, any of the Contemplated
Transactions, or (ii) that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of
preventing, delaying, making illegal, or, in any material respect, otherwise
interfering with any of the Contemplated Transactions.
11.4 NO PROHIBITION. Neither the consummation nor the performance of
any of the Contemplated Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or
without notice or lapse of time), contravene, or conflict with, or result in a
material violation of, or cause Seller or any Person affiliated with Seller to
suffer any adverse consequence under, (i) any applicable Legal Requirement or
Order, or (ii) any Legal Requirement or Order that has been published,
introduced, or otherwise formally proposed by or before any Governmental Body.
ARTICLE XII
TERMINATION
12.1 TERMINATION BY MUTUAL CONSENT. This Agreement may be terminated
and the Contemplated Transactions may be abandoned at any time prior to the
Closing, before or after gaining Requisite Stockholder Approval, by the mutual
written consent of Seller and Buyer.
12.2 TERMINATION BY EITHER SELLER OR BUYER. This Agreement may be
terminated and the Contemplated Transactions may be abandoned by action of the
Board of Directors of either Seller or Buyer if (i) the Contemplated
Transactions shall not have been consummated within the earlier of (A) 75 days
following Requisite Stockholder Approval of Seller of the Contemplated
Transactions and (B) 180 days from the date hereof (provided that the right to
terminate this Agreement under this SECTION 12.2 shall not be available to any
party whose failure to fulfill a covenant, in any material respect, or
intentional delay, has caused, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to
occur on or before such date) (the "Termination Date"); (ii) any court of
competent jurisdiction in the United States or some other governmental body or
regulatory authority shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any
other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
Contemplated Transaction and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall
have become final and nonappealable; or (iii) if necessary, the Contemplated
Transaction shall have been voted on by stockholders of Buyer at the
stockholders meeting of Buyer duly convened therefor and the vote shall not have
been sufficient to obtain the Requisite Stockholder Approval of Buyer.
12.3 TERMINATION BY SELLER. This Agreement may be terminated upon
written notice to Buyer and the Contemplated Transactions may be abandoned at
any time prior to the Closing, before or after the approval by stockholders of
Seller, by action of the Board of Directors of Seller, if (i) Buyer shall have
failed to comply in any material respect with any of the covenants or agreements
contained in this Agreement to be complied with or performed by Buyer at or
prior to such date of termination, which failure to comply has not been cured
(provided such non-compliance or non-performance is capable of being cured) by
the Termination Date, (ii) any representation or warranty of Buyer contained in
this Agreement shall not be true in all material respects when made or, if a
representation or warranty relates to a particular date, shall not be true in
all material respects as of such date (provided such breach is capable of being
cured) and has not been cured by the Termination Date or on and as of the
Closing as if made on and as of the Closing, or (iii) Seller receives an
Acquisition Proposal pursuant to SECTION 6.3(b) above and/or enters into (or
desires to enter into) an agreement relating to an Acquisition Transaction,
provided it has complied with all of the provisions thereof and has made payment
of the Termination Fee required by SECTION 12.5(a) OR 12.6 below.
12.4 TERMINATION BY BUYER. This Agreement may be terminated upon
written notice to Seller and the Contemplated Transactions may be abandoned at
any time prior to the Closing, before or after the approval by stockholders of
Buyer, by action of the Board of Directors of Buyer, if (i) Seller shall have
failed to comply in any material respect with any of the covenants or agreements
contained in this Agreement to be complied with or performed by Seller at or
prior to such date of termination, which failure to comply has not been cured
(provided such non-compliance or non-performance is capable of being cured) by
the Termination Date,(ii) any representation or warranty of Seller contained in
this Agreement shall not be true in all material respects when made or, if a
representation or warranty relates to a particular date, shall not be true in
all material respects as of such date (provided such Breach is capable of being
cured, including without limitation, a cure by providing supplemental disclosure
pursuant to SECTION 6.5, and has not been cured by the Termination Date) or on
and as of the Closing as if made on and as of the Closing or (iii) Buyer desires
to terminate this Agreement for any reason, at its sole discretion, other than
as set forth above or due to the failure of any conditions hereof to be
satisfied.
12.5 EFFECT OF TERMINATION; EARNEST MONEY ESCROW. In the event of
termination of this Agreement by either Seller or Buyer as provided in this
Article XII, the Earnest Money Escrow shall be disposed of as set forth below
and, except as set forth in SECTION 12.5 OR 12.6 below, (i) this Agreement shall
become null and void and (ii) there shall be no liability or obligation on the
part of either Buyer or Seller. In the event this Agreement is terminated or
fails to close by the Termination Date, the Earnest Money Escrow shall be
disposed of as follows:
(a) The Earnest Money Escrow (plus all interest accrued
thereon) shall be distributed to Buyer if the Contemplated Transactions
fails to close (i) due to a termination of this Agreement (A) pursuant
to SECTION 12.1 hereof whereby such mutual termination provides for a
return to Buyer of the Earnest Money Escrow, (B) by Buyer or Seller
pursuant to SECTION 12.2(II) so long as such order, decree or ruling
did not arise as a direct result of Buyer's conduct (other than solely
by being a party to the Contemplated Transaction), (C) by Seller
pursuant to SECTION 12.3(iii) or (D) by Buyer pursuant to SECTION
12.4(i) OR 12.4(ii), (ii) by the Termination Date due to the failure of
the Seller obtaining the Seller's Requisite Stockholder Approval for
any reason or (iii) due to Seller not closing due to the conditions set
forth in ARTICLE IX OR SECTIONS 11.3 OR 11.4 not being satisfied or
waived by Seller.
(b) The Earnest Money Escrow (plus all interest accrued
thereon) shall be distributed to Seller if the Contemplated
Transactions fails to close in all other events except as specifically
provided under SECTION 12.5(a), 12.5(c) OR 12.5(d) hereof.
(c) In the event Seller is prepared and willing to close the
Contemplated Transaction, but the Closing fails to occur due to the
conditions set forth in SECTIONS 9.1(a), 10.3 OR 10.4 not being
satisfied or waived by Buyer prior to the Termination Date, each of
Buyer and Seller agree to discuss, in good faith, and mutually agree to
an extension of the Termination Date (for a period no shorter than 60
days) until (i) such condition can be satisfied or waived by Buyer or
(ii) a permanent, non-appealable injunction or Order is issued by a
court of competent jurisdiction with respect to such condition making
the condition unable to be satisfied.
(d) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement by
Seller for any reason, Seller shall not be entitled to the Earnest
Money Escrow if Seller (or an Affiliate of Seller) has Breached, in any
material respect, any (i) representation or warranty (provided such
Breach is capable of being cured, including without limitation, a cure
by providing supplemental disclosures pursuant to SECTION 6.5 and has
not been cured by the Termination Date) or (ii) covenant or agreement,
set forth herein or in any document executed in connection herewith
(including, without limitation, a Breach of the voting agreement
contemplated pursuant to SECTION 6.7 hereof).
(e) The distribution of the funds held in the Earnest Money
Escrow pursuant to this SECTION 12.5 shall be made immediately upon the
termination of this Agreement or the failure to close by the
Termination Date, as the case may be, by wire transfer to an account
designated, in writing, by the recipient of such funds.
(f) In the event this Agreement is terminated by Buyer due to
a material Breach by Seller hereunder, which Breach is not cured prior
to the Termination Date, in addition to the Buyer receiving the Earnest
Money Escrow pursuant to SECTIONS 12.4 AND 12.5 hereof, the Seller
shall promptly pay to Buyer an amount equal to $1,750,000 as
reimbursement for all of the costs, expenses, time and effort incurred
and expended by Buyer in connection with the Contemplated Transaction
(the "Buyer's Reimbursement"). Payment of the Buyer's Reimbursement
shall be Buyer's sole and exclusive remedy in connection with such
Breach by Seller; provided, however, Buyer may, in its sole discretion,
waive the payment of the Buyer's Reimbursement and seek any equitable
remedies that may be available to it in connection with such Breach.
12.6 BREAK-UP FEE. The parties agree that Seller shall immediately pay
Buyer a break-up fee in the amount of $1,750,000 (the "Break-Up Fee") if (i)
this Agreement is terminated by Seller pursuant to SECTION 12.3(iii), or (ii)
prior to any termination of this Agreement, if (A) the Seller shall have entered
into, or shall have publicly announced its intention to enter into, an agreement
or an agreement in principle, with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or (B)
the Board of Directors of the Seller (or any special committee thereof) shall
have withdrawn or materially modified its approval or recommendation of the
Contemplated Transaction in connection with the vote of the Seller's
shareholders approving the Contemplated Transaction. In addition to the above,
the parties further agree that if (1) the Closing does not occur by the
Termination Date due to the stockholders of Seller (including Philip Kives), for
any reason, not approving (or voting on) the Contemplated Transaction by the
Termination Date and (2) the Seller enters into a definitive agreement to sell
the Business, in any form, within 12 months after the Termination Date, Seller
shall immediately pay Buyer the Break-Up Fee upon the execution of such
definitive agreement.
ARTICLE XIII
INDEMNIFICATION
13.1 SURVIVAL AND LIMITATIONS.
(a) All representations and warranties in this Agreement and
any other certificate or document delivered pursuant to this Agreement
will survive the Closing until the later of the (A) first anniversary
of the Closing Date and (B) August 31, 1998 (the "Sunset Period");
provided, however, that the representations and warranties set forth in
(i) SECTIONS 4.1(c) shall survive indefinitely and (ii) SECTIONS 4.10
AND 4.12 shall survive until expiration of all applicable statutes of
limitations (including amendments extending said statutes).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a representation and warranty shall
continue in effect in the event a claim for breach thereof has been
made prior to the expiration of the applicable survival period and
shall survive until such claim is resolved. The right to
indemnification, reimbursement, or other remedy based on such
representations and warranties will not be affected by any
investigation conducted by Buyer (unless Buyer breaches, in any
material respect, the terms set forth in SECTION 6.1(b)). Unless a
specified period is set forth in this Agreement (in which event such
specified period will control), all agreements and covenants contained
in this Agreement will survive the Closing and remain in effect
indefinitely.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this
Agreement (but subject to the terms of this SECTION 13.1), Seller shall
not be liable hereunder to Buyer as a result any Breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this
Agreement, unless and until the Losses incurred by all Buyer
Indemnified Parties as a result of such misrepresentations under this
Agreement shall exceed, in the aggregate, $250,000 (the "Basket
Threshold") and once the Basket Threshold is reached, Seller shall
fully indemnify all Buyer Indemnified Parties for all Losses in excess
of the Basket Threshold. The parties agree that the maximum liability
of Seller for any Losses of Buyer shall not exceed, in the aggregate,
$2,000,000 (the "Cap").
(c) Notwithstanding the above, the Cap and Basket Threshold
shall in no event apply to any Losses incurred by a Buyer Indemnified
Party which relate, directly or indirectly, to (i) an indemnification
obligation under SECTIONS 13.2(b), 13.2(d), 13.2(e) OR 13.2(f), (ii)
any Losses relating to the Seller's obligations set forth in SECTION
15.1 below to pay for its own expenses in connection with the
Contemplated Transactions, (iii) any fraudulent acts committed by
Seller, (iv) any amounts due to Buyer which are held in the Harry Fox
Escrow, (v) any amounts due to Buyer pursuant to ARTICLE XII hereof and
(vi) a Breach by Seller of the representations and warranties contained
in SECTIONS 4.1(c), 4.10 OR 4.12. The parties further agree that the
Basket Threshold shall not apply to any Losses incurred by Buyer or a
Buyer Indemnified Party as a result of any Breach of any of Seller's
representations and warranties that are qualified by "material", "any
material respect", "material adverse affect" or similar term; provided,
however, in no event will such agreement be deemed an agreement or
understanding that amounts less than the "Basket Threshold" are
immaterial to the Business.
13.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF BUYER. Seller, on behalf of itself and its
successors and assigns, hereby agrees to indemnify Buyer and its Affiliates,
shareholders, directors, partners, officers, employees, agents, representatives
and successors, permitted assigns of Buyer and their respective Affiliates (the
"Buyer Indemnified Parties") and save and hold them harmless from and against
and, subject to the terms of SECTION 13.4 below, pay on behalf of or reimburse
the Buyer Indemnified Parties as and when incurred for any and all liabilities,
demands, claims, actions, causes of action, assessments, losses, costs, damages,
deficiencies, taxes, fines or expenses (whether or not arising out of third
party claims), including, without limitation, interest, penalties, reasonable
attorneys' fees and all amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of
any of the foregoing (collectively, "Losses"), which any Buyer Indemnified Party
may suffer, sustain or become subject to, in connection with, incident to,
resulting from or arising out of or in any way relating to or by virtue of:
(a) Any misrepresentation or breach of warranty on the part of
Seller under Article 4 of this Agreement or any misrepresentation in or
omission from any of the representations, warranties, statements,
schedules and exhibits, certificates, Disclosure Letter (as update
prior to Closing pursuant to SECTION 6.5) or other instruments or
documents furnished to Buyer by Seller made in or pursuant to this
Agreement;
(b) Any nonfulfillment or breach of any covenant or agreement
on the part of Seller or its subsidiaries under this Agreement;
provided that Buyer promptly notify Seller of any such nonfulfillment
or breach upon Buyer obtaining actual knowledge of such breach or
nonfulfillment;
(c) Any action, demand, proceeding, investigation or claim by
any third party (including any Governmental Body) against or affecting
any Buyer Indemnified Party which, if successful, would give rise to or
evidence the existence of or relate to a misrepresentation or breach of
any of the representations, warranties, agreements or covenants of
Seller;
(d) Any claim for payment of fees and/or expenses as a broker
or finder in connection with the origin, negotiation, execution or
consummation of this Agreement based upon any alleged agreement between
the claimant and Seller or any of Seller's Affiliates;
(e) Any claims or Losses relating, directly or indirectly, to
(i) any audit or investigation of the Subsidiaries or the Business by
the Harry Fox Agency (or its Affiliates) for any period prior to the
Closing Date, (ii) Seller's agreement and obligations under SECTION
8.5(b) hereof or (iii) other than liabilities specifically accrued for,
reflected in the Closing Balance Sheets and reflected in the
calculation of the Final Net Tangible Book Value, any Employee Benefit
Plans of the Business, Seller, the Subsidiaries or their respective
Affiliates which claims or Losses relate, in any manner, to periods
prior to the Closing; or
(f) The Excluded Businesses, the Excluded Assets or the
Retained Music Business, regardless of (A) when such Loss arises or (B)
whether such Loss relates to periods before or after the Closing.
The rights of the Buyer Indemnified Parties to indemnification under parts (b),
(d), (e) or (f) of this SECTION 13.2 shall apply notwithstanding that the matter
in question may be disclosed in the Disclosure Letter, in this Agreement or in
any document entered into in connection with the Contemplated Transaction, or
may be the subject of, excluded from or beyond the scope of any representation
or warranty of Seller in this Agreement. In addition to Buyer's right to
indemnification hereunder, Buyer shall also have the right to pursue any
remedies at equity that may be available to it in the event of a Breach of this
Agreement.
13.3 INDEMNIFICATION OF SELLER. Buyer, on behalf of itself and its
respective successors and assigns, hereby agrees to indemnify Seller and its
Affiliates, agents, representatives, successors and permitted assigns (the
"Seller Indemnified Parties") and save and hold each of them harmless from and
against and pay on behalf of or reimburse the Seller Indemnified Party as and
when incurred for any and all Losses which they may suffer, sustain or became
subject to, in connection with, incident to resulting from or arising out of or
in any way relating to or by virtue of:
(a) Any misrepresentation or breach of warranty on the part of
Buyer under Article 5 of this Agreement or any misrepresentation in or
omission from any of the representations, warranties, statements,
schedules and exhibits, certificates or other instruments or documents
furnished to Seller by the Buyer made in or pursuant to this Agreement
or any other Contemplated Agreement;
(b) Any nonfulfillment or breach of any covenant or agreement
on the part of Buyer under this Agreement;
(c) Any action, demand, proceeding, investigation or claim by
any third party (including governmental agencies) against or affecting
a Seller Indemnified Party which, if successful, would give rise to or
evidence the existence of or relate to a misrepresentation or breach of
any of the representations, warranties, agreements or covenants of
Buyer;
(d) Any claim for payment of fees and/or expenses as a broker
or finder in connection with the origin, negotiation, execution or
consummation of this Agreement based upon any alleged agreement between
claimant and Buyer or any of Buyer's Affiliates; or
(e) Any claim arising which results from Buyer's conduct of
the Business after Closing or the failure of Buyer to discharge solely
the liabilities included in the calculation of the Final Net Tangible
Book Value (except for matters relating to Harry Fox).
13.4 INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR THIRD PARTY CLAIMS. In the event
that subsequent to the Closing any person or entity entitled to indemnification
under this Agreement (an "Indemnified Party") asserts a claim for
indemnification or receives notice of the assertion of any claim or of the
commencement of any action or proceeding by any entity who is not a party to
this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement (including, but not
limited to any domestic or foreign court or Governmental Body, federal, state or
local) (a "Third Party Claim") against such Indemnified Party, against which a
party to this Agreement is required to provide indemnification under this
Agreement (an "Indemnifying Party"), the Indemnified Party shall give written
notice together with a statement of any available information (other than
privileged information) regarding such claim to the Indemnifying Party within
twenty (20) business days after learning of such claim (or within such shorter
time as may be necessary to give the Indemnifying Party a reasonable opportunity
to respond to such claim). The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, upon
written notice to the Indemnified Party (the "Defense Notice") within fifteen
days (15) after receipt from the Indemnified Party of notice of such claim,
which notice by the Indemnifying Party shall specify the counsel it will appoint
to defend such claim ("Defense Counsel"), to conduct at its expense the defense
against such claim in its own name, or if necessary in the name of the
Indemnified Party; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party shall have the
right to approve the Defense Counsel, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld, and in the event the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party
cannot agree upon such counsel within ten (10) days after the Defense Notice is
provided, then the Indemnifying Party shall propose an alternate Defense
Counsel, which shall be subject again to the Indemnified Party's approval which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the parties still fail to agree
on the Defense Counsel, then, at such time, they shall mutually agree in good
faith on a procedure to determine the Defense Counsel. The provisions set forth
in this SECTION 13.4 shall not apply to matters in connection with any
Pre-Closing Harry Fox Matters, which matters are subject to the provisions set
forth in SECTION 13.5 below.
(a) In the event that the Indemnifying Party shall fail to
give the Defense Notice within said 15 day period, it shall be deemed
to have elected not to conduct the defense of the subject claim, and in
such event the Indemnified Party shall have the right to conduct the
defense in good faith and to compromise and settle the claim in good
faith without prior consent of the Indemnifying Party and the
Indemnifying Party will be liable for all reasonable costs, expenses,
settlement amounts or other Losses paid or incurred in connection
therewith.
(b) In the event that the Indemnifying Party does deliver a
Defense Notice and thereby elects to conduct the defense of the subject
claim, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to have the exclusive
control over said defense settlement of the subject claim and the
Indemnified Party will cooperate with and make available to the
Indemnifying Party such reasonable assistance and reasonable materials
(including providing books, records and reasonable time of personnel)
as it may reasonably request, and the Indemnified Party shall have the
right at its expense to participate in the defense assisted by counsel
of its own choosing. If the Indemnified Party elects to so participate
in the defense of the subject claim, the Indemnifying Party will not
settle the subject claim without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
(c) Without the prior written consent of the Indemnified
Party, the Indemnifying Party will not enter into any settlement of any
Third Party Claim or cease to defend against such claim, if pursuant to
or as a result of such settlement or cessation, (i) injunctive relief
or specific performance would be imposed against the Indemnified Party,
or (ii) such settlement or cessation would lead to liability or create
any financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party
for which the Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification
hereunder.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) above, the Indemnifying
Party shall not be entitled to control, but may participate in, and the
Indemnified Party shall be entitled to have sole control over, the
defense or settlement of any claim (i) that seeks a temporary
restraining order, a preliminary or permanent injunction or specific
performance against the Indemnified Party, (ii) to the extent such
claim involves criminal allegations against the Indemnified Party,
(iii) that if unsuccessful, would set a precedent that would materially
interfere with, or have a material adverse effect on, the business or
financial condition of the Indemnified Party, or (iv) to the extent
such claim imposes liability on the part of the Indemnified Party for
which the Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification
hereunder due to the limitations set forth herein or otherwise. In such
an event, the Indemnifying Party will still have all of its obligations
hereunder provided that the Indemnified Party will not settle the
subject claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying
Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld delayed or
conditioned.
(e) Any final judgment entered or settlement agreed upon in
the manner provided herein shall be binding upon the Indemnifying
Party, and shall conclusively be deemed to be an obligation with
respect to which the Indemnified Party is entitled to prompt
indemnification hereunder.
(f) A failure by an Indemnified Party to give timely, complete
or accurate notice as provided in this SECTION 13.4 will not affect the
rights or obligations of any party hereunder except and only to the
extent that, as a result of such failure, any party entitled to receive
such notice was deprived of its right to recover any payment under its
applicable insurance coverage or was otherwise damaged in any material
respect, as a result of such failure to give timely notice.
13.5 HARRY FOX MATTERS. The parties agree that Seller shall have sole
liability for any and all matters, claims, investigations or audits relating to
the Harry Fox Agency for all periods prior to the Closing ("Pre-Closing Harry
Fox Matters"). The parties agree that each of Buyer and Seller may actively
participate (at its own expense) in the negotiation and settlement of such
Pre-Closing Harry Fox Matters (including the Harry Fox Audit) and each of Buyer
and Seller shall, in good faith, cooperate with each other in settling or
resolving such matters. The parties further agree that each of Buyer and Seller
must jointly approve any settlement or resolution of all Pre-Closing Harry Fox
Matters (including the Harry Fox Audit) (such approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld, delayed or conditioned). The parties hereto agree that upon final
determination of all liabilities in connection with the Harry Fox Audit, such
liabilities shall be paid (i) first by Buyer up to the amount of the Harry Fox
Reserve and (ii) second through the amounts held in the Harry Fox Escrow. To the
extent the amount of the Harry Fox Reserve exceeds all amounts due to the Harry
Fox Agency in connection with the Harry Fox Audit, such excess shall,
immediately upon the settlement or resolution of the Harry Fox Audit, be paid by
Buyer to Seller. In addition, immediately upon the settlement or resolution of
the Harry Fox Audit, any amount in the Harry Fox Escrow which is not required to
be used to pay liabilities in connection with the Harry Fox Audit shall be paid
to Seller. In connection with any Pre-Closing Harry Fox Matters, Buyer, the
Subsidiaries and Seller will cooperate, in good faith, with each other and
provide such reasonable assistance and reasonable materials (including providing
books and records and reasonable time of personnel) as may reasonably be
requested in connection with any such Pre-Closing Harry Fox Matters. Until the
Pre-Closing Harry Fox Matters have been completely settled or resolved, Buyer
shall use all reasonable efforts retain all books and records of the
Subsidiaries that may be reasonably required to settle or resolve such matters.
If the amounts due to the Harry Fox Agency in connection with the Harry Fox
Audit are more than the Harry Fox Reserve and Harry Fox Escrow, taken together,
Seller shall be solely liable for any such deficiency and shall immediately
indemnify Buyer, in full, for any Losses incurred by Buyer in connection
therewith, including, without limitation, the amount of any such deficiency.
ARTICLE XIV
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings
specified:
"AFFILIATES" -- means an affiliate as defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act, and includes any past and present Affiliate of a Person.
"ACCOUNTANTS" -- as defined in SECTION 2.3(b)(iii).
"ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE" -- as defined in SECTION 4.7.
"BEST EFFORTS" -- the efforts that a prudent Person desirous of
achieving a result would use in similar circumstances to ensure that such result
is achieved as expeditiously as reasonably possible but without incurring any
extraordinary material expense or any significant obligations not otherwise
contemplated by this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions.
"BREACH" -- a "Breach" of a representation, warranty, covenant,
obligation, or other provision of this Agreement will be deemed to have occurred
if there is or has been (a) any inaccuracy in or breach of, or any failure to
perform or comply with, such representation, warranty, covenant, obligation, or
other provision, or (b) any valid claim (by any Person) or other occurrence or
circumstance that is or was inconsistent with such representation, warranty,
covenant, obligation, or other provision, and the term "Breach" means any such
inaccuracy, breach, failure, claim, occurrence, or circumstance.
"BUSINESS" -- as defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.
"BUYER'S CLOSING DOCUMENTS" -- as defined in SECTION 3.3.
"CLOSING" -- as defined in SECTION 3.1.
"CLOSING BALANCE SHEETS" -- as defined in SECTION 2.3(a).
"CLOSING DATE" -- the date and time as of which the Closing actually
takes place.
"CODE" -- the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any
successor law, and regulations issued by the IRS pursuant to the Internal
Revenue Code or any successor law.
"CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT" -- that certain letter agreement, dated
November 12, 1996, as amended, by and between Buyer and Seller.
"CONSENTS" -- as defined in SECTION 6.4.
"CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTIONS" -- all of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement,
(i) the execution, delivery, and performance of
Seller's Closing Documents and Buyer's Closing Documents; and
(ii) the performance by Buyer and Seller of their
respective covenants and obligations under this Agreement and
each of the Seller Transaction Documents and Buyer Transaction
Documents.
"CONTRACT" -- any agreement, contract, obligation, promise, or
undertaking (whether written or oral and whether express or implied) that is
legally binding.
"DISCLOSURE LETTER" -- the disclosure letter delivered by Seller to
Buyer concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
"DOMINION" -- as defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.
"DOMINION STOCK" -- as defined in Article I.
"ENCUMBRANCE" -- any claim, lien, pledge, charge, security interest,
equitable interest, option, right of first refusal or preemptive right, or other
restriction of any kind, including any restriction on use, voting (in the case
of any security), transfer, receipt of income, or exercise of any other
attribute of ownership.
"ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS" -- means all federal, state and
local statutes, laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, standards,
permits, licenses, actions, policies and requirements (including consent
decrees, judicial decisions and administrative orders) relating to protection,
preservation or conservation of the environment and public or worker health and
safety, all as amended, hereafter amended or reauthorized.
"ERISA" -- the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, or any successor law.
"EXCHANGE ACT" -- the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"EXCLUDED BUSINESSES" -- as defined in Article I.
"FACILITIES" -- as defined in SECTION 4.6(b).
"FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" -- as defined in SECTION 4.3.
"GAAP" -- generally accepted United States accounting principles,
applied on a basis consistent with the basis on which the audited financial
statements referred to in SECTION 5.4 were prepared.
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION" -- any approval, consent, license, permit,
waiver, or other authorization issued, granted, given, or otherwise made
available by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant to any
Legal Requirement.
"GOVERNMENTAL BODY" -- any:
(i) nation, state, county, city, town, village,
district, or other jurisdiction of any nature;
(ii) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, or
other government;
(iii) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of
any nature (including any governmental agency, branch,
department, official, or other entity and any court or other
tribunal);
(iv) multi-national organization or body; or
(v) body exercising, or entitled or purporting to
exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial,
legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing authority or power
of any nature.
"HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" -- means (i) hazardous substances, as defined by
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42
U.S.C. ss.9601 et seq.; (ii) hazardous wastes as defined by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. ss.6901 et seq.; (iii) petroleum,
including without limitation, crude oil or any fraction thereof which is liquid
at standard conditions of temperature and pressure (60 degrees Fahrenheit and
14.7 pounds per square inch absolute); (iv) any radioactive material, including,
without limitation, any source, special nuclear, or by-product material as
defined in 42 U.S.C. ss.2011 et seq.; (v) asbestos in any form or condition;
(vi) polychlorinated biphenyls; and (vii) any other material, substance or waste
to which liability or standards of conduct may be imposed under any
Environmental and Safety Requirements.
"HSR ACT" -- as defined in SECTION 4.2(d).
"INSURANCE POLICIES" -- as defined in SECTION 4.17.
"INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" -- all intellectual property and proprietary
information used in connection with the Business, including, without limitation,
Seller's and the Subsidiaries' names and assumed names, the music catalogue, all
patents, patent applications, patent disclosures and inventions (whether or not
patentable and whether or not reduced to practice); all trademarks, service
marks, trade dress, trade names and corporate names; all registered and
unregistered statutory and common law copyrights; all registrations,
applications and renewals for any of the foregoing; all trade secrets,
confidential information, ideas, formulae, compositions, know-how, manufacturing
and production processes and techniques, research and development information,
drawings, specifications, designs, plans, improvements, proposals, technical and
computer data, documentation and software, financial, business and marketing
plans, and customer and supplier lists and related information and all other
proprietary rights).
"INTERIM BALANCE SHEET" -- as defined in SECTION 4.3.
"INVENTORY" -- as defined in SECTION 4.8.
"IRS" -- the United States Internal Revenue Service.
"KTI" -- as defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.
"KTI STOCK" -- as defined in Article I.
"KNOWLEDGE" -- where any representation or warranty of the Seller in
this Agreement is expressly qualified by "to the knowledge of Seller", "to
Seller's knowledge" or similar reference, it refers the knowledge of the
responsible officers of Seller and the Subsidiaries (after due and adequate
inquiry, in good faith, by such officers of all employees and agents of Seller
and the Subsidiaries who would have knowledge of such matters) to the existence
of facts that are the subject of such representations and warranties.
"LEGAL REQUIREMENT" -- any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign,
or other constitution, ordinance, regulation, statute, treaty, or other law
adopted, enacted, implemented, or promulgated by or under the authority of any
Governmental Body or by the eligible voters of any jurisdiction, and any
agreement, approval, consent, injunction, judgment, license, order, or permit by
or with any Governmental Body or to which Seller, with respect to the operations
of the Subsidiaries, or either of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which
Seller, with respect to the operations of the Subsidiaries, or either of the
Subsidiaries, is bound.
"LICENSE AGREEMENTS" -- as defined in SECTION 8.4.
"MATERIAL CONTRACT" -- as defined in SECTION 4.16(a).
"MAUREEN CATALOG" -- as defined in SECTION 8.4.
"MBCA" -- as defined in SECTION 4.2(b).
"NET TANGIBLE BOOK VALUE" -- as defined in SECTION 2.3(a).
"NON-EXCLUSIVE TERRITORY" -- shall mean (i) the countries of Algeria,
Bahrain, Quatar, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya,
Morocco, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and the United Arab
Emirates (or any future territory or country comprising the foregoing geographic
areas), and (ii) the remaining countries comprising the continent of Africa.
"NTBV SCHEDULE" -- as defined in SECTION 2.3(b)(i).
"OLD TOWN CATALOG" -- as defined in SECTION 8.4.
"ORDER" -- any award, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, subpoena, or
verdict or other decision entered, issued, made, or rendered by any court,
administrative agency, or other Governmental Body or by any arbitrator.
"ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS" -- an action taken by a Person will be
deemed to have been taken in the "Ordinary Course of Business" only if:
(i) such action is consistent with the past practices
of such Person and is taken in the ordinary course of the
normal day-to-day operations of such Person;
(ii) such action is not required to be authorized by
the board of directors of such Person (or by any Person or
group of Persons exercising similar authority) and does not
require any other separate or special authorization of any
nature; and
(iii) such action is similar in nature and magnitude
to actions customarily taken, without any separate or special
authorization, in the ordinary course of the normal day to day
operations of other Persons that are in the same line of
business as such Person.
"ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS" -- (i) the articles or certificate of
incorporation and the bylaws of a corporation; (ii) any charter or similar
document adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation, or
organization of a Person; and (iii) any amendment to any of the foregoing.
"PERSON" -- any individual, corporation (including any non-profit
corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint
venture, estate, trust, association, organization, or other entity or
Governmental Body.
"PRELIMINARY BOOK VALUE" -- as defined in SECTION 2.3.
"PROCEEDING" -- any suit, litigation, arbitration, hearing, audit,
investigation, or other action (whether civil, criminal, administrative,
investigative, or informal) commenced, brought, conducted, or heard by or
before, or otherwise involving, any Governmental Body or arbitrator.
"PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AGREEMENT" -- as defined in SECTION 4.19.
"PROTEST NOTICE -- as defined in SECTION 2.3(b)(iii).
"PURCHASE PRICE" -- as defined in SECTION 2.1.
"RELATED PERSON" -- with respect to a particular individual:
(i) each other member of such individual's Family;
and
(ii) any Person that is directly or indirectly
controlled by any one or more members of such individual's
Family.
With respect to a specified Person other than an individual:
(i) any Person that, directly or indirectly,
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with
such specified Person; and
(ii) each Person that serves as a director, executive
officer, general partner, executor, or trustee of such
specified Person (or in a similar capacity);
For purposes of this definition, the "Family" of an individual includes (i) such
individual, (ii) the individual's spouse and former spouses, (iii) any lineal
ancestor or lineal descendant of the individual, or (iv) a trust for the benefit
of the foregoing. A Person will be deemed to control another Person, for
purposes of this definition, if the first Person possesses, directly or
indirectly, the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management
policies of the second Person, (x) through the ownership of voting securities,
(y) through common directors, trustees or officers, or (z) by contract or
otherwise).
"REPRESENTATIVE" -- with respect to a particular Person, any director,
officer, employee, agent, consultant, advisor, or other representative of such
Person, including legal counsel, accountants, and financial advisors.
"RETAINED MUSIC BUSINESS" -- as defined in SECTION 8.4.
"REVIEW PERIOD" -- as defined in SECTION 2.3(b)(ii).
"SECURITIES ACT" -- the Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C.ss.77a et
seq., as amended, or any successor law.
"SEC" -- the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"STOCK" -- as defined in Article I.
"SUBSIDIARIES" -- as defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.
"SELLERS CLOSING DOCUMENTS" -- as defined in SECTION 3.2.
"SELLER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS" -- as defined in SECTION 4.2.
"SELLER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS" -- as defined in SECTION 4.13(b).
"TAX OR TAXES" -- means any and all federal, state, local and foreign
taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, duties, impositions and
liabilities relating to taxes, including taxes based upon or measured by gross
receipts income, profits, sales, use and occupation, and value added, ad
valorem, transfer, franchise, withholding, payroll, recapture, employment,
excise and property taxes, together with all interest, penalties and additions
imposed with respect to such amounts and any obligations under any agreements or
arrangements with any other person with respect to such amounts and including
any liability for taxes of a predecessor entity.
"THREATENED" -- a claim, Proceeding, dispute, action, or other matter
will be deemed to have been "Threatened" if any demand or statement has been
made (orally or in writing) or any notice has been given (orally or in writing).
ARTICLE XV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
15.1 EXPENSES. Each of Buyer, on one hand, and Seller on the other
hand, shall pay all costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by it in
negotiating and preparing this Agreement and carrying out the Contemplated
Transactions. In the event a filing under the HSR Act is required, the Buyer and
Seller shall each pay one-half of the filing fees.
15.2 NOTICES. All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications
under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly
given (a) when delivered by hand; (b) when sent by telecopier, provided that a
copy is mailed by U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested; (c) three days
after sent by Certified U.S. Mail, return receipt requested; or (d) one day
after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each
case to the appropriate addresses and telecopier numbers set forth below (or to
such other addresses and telecopier numbers as a party may designate by notice
to the other parties):
Seller: with copies to:
K-tel International, Inc. Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.
2605 Fernbrook Lane North 5500 Norwest Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447 90 South Seventh Street
Attention: President Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Telecopy No.: (612) 509-9409 Attention: Bruce J. Parker, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (612) 375-1143
Philip Kives
K-5 Leisure Products, Inc.
220 Saulteaux Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3J 3W2
Telecopy No.: (204) 832-7782
Buyer: with a copy to:
Platinum Entertainment, Inc. Katten Muchin & Zavis
2001 Butterfield Road 525 West Monroe Street
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515 Suite 1600
Attention: Steven Devick Chicago, Illinois 60661-3693
Telecopy No.: (630) 769-0049 Attention: Matthew S. Brown, Esq.
Adam H. Schecter, Esq.
Telecopy No.: (312) 902-1061
15.3 FURTHER ASSURANCES. To the extent consistent with the terms of
this Agreement, the parties agree (a) to furnish upon request to each other such
further information, (b) to execute and deliver to each other such other
documents, and (c) to do such other acts and things, all as the other party may
reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of the
Contemplated Transactions.
15.4 WAIVER. The rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement
are cumulative and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by any
party in exercising any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement or the
documents referred to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right,
power, or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power,
or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power,
or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege.
15.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION. This Agreement supersedes all
prior oral or written agreements between the parties with respect to its subject
matter and constitutes (along with the documents referred to in this Agreement)
as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement between the
parties with respect to its subject matter, except that until the Closing, the
Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance
with its terms. This Agreement may not be amended except by a written agreement
executed by the party to be charged with the amendment.
15.6 ASSIGNMENTS, SUCCESSORS, AND NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS. None of the
parties may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the prior
consent of the other parties except that Buyer may assign any of its rights
under this Agreement to any subsidiary of Buyer. Subject to the preceding
sentence, this Agreement will apply to, be binding in all respects upon, and
inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the parties.
Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any
Person other than the parties to this Agreement any legal or equitable right,
remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of
this Agreement except as provided in SECTION 8.10(b).
15.7 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid
or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of
this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. Any provision of this
Agreement held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in
full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
15.8 SECTION HEADINGS, CONSTRUCTION. The headings of Sections in this
Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction
or interpretation. All references to "Sections" refer to the corresponding
Sections of this Agreement. All words used in this Agreement will be construed
to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require. Unless otherwise
expressly provided, the word "including" does not limit the preceding words or
terms.
15.9 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by and construed
under the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflict of laws
principles.
15.10 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this
Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute
one and the same agreement.
15.11 NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. The language used in this Agreement will
be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual
intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
BUYER: SELLER:
PLATINUM ENTERTAINMENT, INC. K-TEL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:/s/ By:/s/
Its: Its:
Annex B
Sections 302A.471 and 302A.473, Minnesota Business Corporation Act
302A.471. RIGHTS OF DISSENTING STOCKHOLDERS
SUBD. 1. ACTIONS CREATING RIGHTS. A stockholder of a corporation may
dissent from, and obtain payment for the fair value of the stockholder's shares
in the event of, any of the following corporate actions:
(a) An amendment of the articles that materially and adversely affects
the rights or preferences of the shares of the dissenting stockholder in that
it:
(1) alters or abolishes a preferential right of the shares;
(2) creates, alters, or abolishes a right in respect of the redemption
of the shares, including a provision respecting a sinking fund for the
redemption or repurchase of the shares;
(3) alters or abolishes a preemptive right of the holder of the shares
to acquire shares, securities other than shares, or rights to purchase shares or
securities other than shares;
(4) excludes or limits the right of a stockholder to vote on a matter,
or to cumulate votes, except as the right may be excluded or limited through the
authorization or issuance of securities of an existing or new class or series
with similar or different voting rights; except that an amendment to the
articles of an issuing public corporation that provides that section 302A.671
does not apply to a control share acquisition does not give rise to the right to
obtain payment under this section;
(b) A sale, lease, transfer, or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the corporation, but not
including a transaction permitted without stockholder approval in section
302A.661, subdivision 1, or a disposition in dissolution described in section
302A.725, subdivision 2, or a disposition pursuant to an order of a court, or a
disposition for cash on terms requiring that all or substantially all of the net
proceeds of disposition be distributed to the stockholders in accordance with
their respective interests within one year after the date of disposition;
(c) A plan of merger, whether under this chapter or under chapter 322B,
to which the corporation is a party, except as provided in subdivision 3;
(d) A plan of exchange, whether under this chapter or under chapter
322B, to which the corporation is a party as the corporation whose shares will
be acquired by the acquiring corporation, if the shares of the stockholder are
entitled to be voted on the plan; or
(e) Any other corporate action taken pursuant to a stockholder vote
with respect to which the articles, the bylaws, or a resolution approved by the
board directs that dissenting stockholders may obtain payment for their shares.
SUBD. 2. BENEFICIAL OWNERS. (a) A stockholder shall not assert
dissenters' rights as to less than all of the shares registered in the name of
the stockholder, unless the stockholder dissents with respect to all of the
shares that are beneficially owned by another person but registered in the name
of the stockholder and discloses the name and address of each beneficial owner
on whose behalf the stockholder dissents. In that event, the rights of the
dissenter shall be determined as if the shares as to which the stockholder has
dissented and the other shares were registered in the names of different
stockholders.
(b) The beneficial owner of shares who is not the stockholder may
assert dissenters' rights with respect to shares held on behalf of the
beneficial owner, and shall be treated as a dissenting stockholder under the
terms of this section and section 302A.473, if the beneficial owner submits to
the corporation at the time of or before the assertion of the rights a written
consent of the stockholder.
SUBD. 3. RIGHTS NOT TO APPLY. Unless the articles, the bylaws, or a
resolution approved by the board otherwise provide, the right to obtain payment
under this section does not apply to a stockholder of the surviving corporation
in a merger, if the shares of the stockholder are not entitled to be voted on
the merger.
SUBD. 4. OTHER RIGHTS. The stockholders of a corporation who have a
right under this section to obtain payment for their shares do not have a right
at law or in equity to have a corporate action described in subdivision 1 set
aside or rescinded, except when the corporate action is fraudulent with regard
to the complaining stockholder or the corporation.
302A.473. PROCEDURES FOR ASSERTING DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
SUBD. 1. DEFINITIONS. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms
defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them.
(b) "Corporation" means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter
before the corporate action referred to in section 302A.471, subdivision 1 or
the successor by merger of that issuer.
(c) "Fair value of the shares" means the value of the shares of a
corporation immediately before the effective date of the corporate action
referred to in section 302A.471, subdivision 1.
(d) "Interest" means interest commencing five days after the effective
date of the corporate action referred to in section 302A.471, subdivision 1, up
to and including the date of payment, calculated at the rate provided in section
549.09 for interest on verdicts and judgments.
SUBD. 2. NOTICE OF ACTION. If a corporation calls a stockholder meeting
at which any action described in section 302A.471, subdivision 1 is to be voted
upon, the notice of the meeting shall inform each stockholder of the right to
dissent and shall include a copy of section 302A.471 and this section and a
brief description of the procedure to be followed under these sections.
SUBD. 3. NOTICE OF DISSENT. If the proposed action must be approved by
the stockholders, a stockholder who wishes to exercise dissenters' rights must
file with the corporation before the vote on the proposed action a written
notice of intent to demand the fair value of the shares owned by the stockholder
and must not vote the shares in favor of the proposed action.
SUBD. 4. NOTICE OF PROCEDURE; DEPOSIT OF SHARES. (a) After the proposed
action has been approved by the board and, if necessary, the stockholders, the
corporation shall send to all stockholders who have complied with subdivision 3
and to all stockholders entitled to dissent if no stockholder vote was required,
a notice that contains:
(1) The address to which a demand for payment and certificates of
certificated shares must be sent in order to obtain payment and the
date by which they must be received;
(2) Any restrictions on transfer of uncertificated shares that will
apply after the demand for payment is received;
(3) A form to be used to certify the date on which the stockholder, or
the beneficial owner on whose behalf the stockholder dissents, acquired
the shares or an interest in them and to demand payment; and
(4) A copy of Section 302A.471 and this section and a brief description
of the procedures to be followed under these sections.
(b) In order to receive the fair value of the shares, a dissenting
stockholder must demand payment and deposit certificated shares or comply with
any restrictions on transfer of uncertificated shares within 30 days after the
notice required by paragraph (a) was given, but the dissenter retains all other
rights of a stockholder until the proposed action takes effect.
SUBD. 5. PAYMENT; RETURN OF SHARES. (a) After the corporate action
takes effect, or after the corporation receives a valid demand for payment,
whichever is later, the corporation shall remit to each dissenting stockholder
who has complied with subdivisions 3 and 4 the amount the corporation estimates
to be the fair value of the shares, plus interest, accompanied by:
(1) The corporation's closing balance sheet and statement of income for
a fiscal year ending not more than 16 months before the effective date
of the corporate action, together with the latest available interim
financial statements;
(2) An estimate by the corporation of the fair value of the shares and
a brief description of the method used to reach the estimate; and
(3) A copy of Section 302A.471 and this section, and a brief
description of the procedure to be followed in demanding supplemental
payment.
(b) The corporation may withhold the remittance described in paragraph
(a) from a person who was not a stockholder on the date the action dissented
from was first announced to the public or who is dissenting on behalf of a
person who was not beneficial owner on that date. If the dissenter has complied
with subdivisions 3 and 4, the corporation shall forward to the dissenter the
materials described in paragraph (a), a statement of the reason for withholding
the remittance, and an offer to pay to the dissenter the amount listed in the
materials if the dissenter agrees to accept that amount in full satisfaction.
The dissenter may decline the offer and demand payment under subdivision 6.
Failure to do so entitles the dissenter only to the amount offered. If the
dissenter makes demand, subdivisions 7 and 8 apply.
(c) If the corporation fails to remit payment within 60 days of the
deposit of certificates or the imposition of transfer restrictions on
uncertificated shares, it shall return all deposited certificates and cancel all
transfer restrictions. However, the corporation may again give notice under
subdivision 4 and require deposit or restrict transfer at a later time.
SUBD. 6. SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT; DEMAND. If a dissenter believes that the
amount remitted under subdivision 5 is less than the fair value of the shares
plus interest, the dissenter may give written notice to the corporation of the
dissenter's own estimate of the fair value of shares, plus interest, within 30
days after the corporation mails the remittance under subdivision 5, and demand
payment of the difference. Otherwise, a dissenter is entitled only to the amount
remitted by the corporation.
SUBD. 7. PETITION; DETERMINATION. If the corporation receives a demand
under subdivision 6, it shall, within 60 days after receiving the demand, either
pay to the dissenter the amount demanded or agreed to by the dissenter after
discussion with the corporation or file in court a petition requesting that the
court determine the fair value of the shares, plus interest. The petition shall
be filed in the county in which the registered office of the corporation is
located, except that a surviving foreign corporation that receives a demand
relating to the shares of a constituent domestic corporation shall file the
petition in the county in this state in which the last registered office of the
constituent corporation was located. The petition must name as parties all
dissenters who have demanded payment under subdivision 6 and who have not
reached agreement with the corporation. The corporation shall, after filing the
petition, serve all parties with a summons and copy of the petition under the
rules of civil procedure. Nonresidents of this state may be served by registered
or certified mail or by publication as provided by law. Except as otherwise
provided, the rules of civil procedure apply to this proceeding. The
jurisdiction of the court is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint
appraisers, with powers and authorities the court deems proper, to receive
evidence on and recommend the amount of the fair value of the shares. The court
shall determine whether the stockholder or stockholders in question have fully
complied with the requirements of this section, and shall determine the fair
value of the shares, taking into account any and all factors the court finds
relevant, computed by any method or combination of methods that the court, in
its discretion, sees fit to use, whether or not used by the corporation or by a
dissenter. The fair value of the shares as determined by the court is binding on
all stockholders, wherever located. A dissenter is entitled to judgment for cash
for the amount by which the fair value of the shares as determined by the court,
plus interest, exceeds the amount, if any, remitted under subdivision 5, but
shall not be liable to the corporation for the amount, if any, by which the
amount, if any, remitted to the dissenter under subdivision 5 exceeds the fair
value of the shares as determined by the court, plus interest.
SUBD. 8. COSTS; FEES; EXPENSES. (a) The court shall determine the costs
and expenses of a proceeding under subdivision 7, including the reasonable
expenses and compensation of any appraisers appointed by the court, and shall
assess those costs and expenses against the corporation, except that the court
may assess part or all of those costs and expenses against a dissenter whose
action in demanding payment under subdivision 6 is found to be arbitrary,
vexatious, or not in good faith.
(b) If the court finds that the corporation has failed to comply
substantially with this section, the court may assess all fees and expenses of
any experts or attorneys as the court deems equitable. These fees and expenses
may also be assessed against a person who has acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or
not in good faith in bringing the proceeding, and may be awarded to a party
injured by those actions.
(c) The court may award, in its discretion, fees and expenses to an
attorney for the dissenters out of the amount awarded to the dissenters, if any.
Annex C
Opinion of Dain Bosworth Incorporated
April 4, 1997
The Board of Directors
K-tel International, Inc.
2605 Fernbrook Lane North
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447-4736
Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, to the common stockholders of K-tel International, Inc. ("K-tel" or the
"Company") of the consideration to be received in connection with the proposed
sale (the "Transaction") of the Company's music business outside of Europe (the
"Business") to Platinum Entertainment, Inc. ("Platinum"). Specifically, under
the terms of the Transaction, Platinum will purchase the stock of two of the
Company's wholly owned subsidiaries, K-tel International (USA), Inc. ("K-tel
USA") and Dominion Entertainment, Inc. ("Dominion" and, together with K-tel USA,
the "Subsidiaries"). The Company and Platinum have entered into a Purchase and
Sale Agreement dated March 3, 1997 (the "Agreement"), which specifies that
Platinum will, as consideration for the stock of the Subsidiaries, (i) pay K-tel
$35.0 million in cash (subject to adjustment based on the aggregate net tangible
book value of the Subsidiaries at closing (the "Closing Adjustment") which, as
of the recent balance sheet dated January 31, 1997, would have reduced the cash
consideration by approximately $4.874 million), (ii) grant the Company an
exclusive royalty-free (except for third party royalties) license to use the
masters owned or licensed by the Subsidiaries for a territory that includes
Europe and the nations of the former Soviet Union, and (iii) grant the Company a
non-exclusive royalty-free (except for third party royalties) license to use the
masters owned or licensed by the Subsidiaries for a territory that includes the
nations of the Middle East and Africa. In addition, the Agreement stipulates
that (a) $2.0 million of the proceeds from the Transaction will be placed in an
escrow account for purposes of settling any indemnification claims made by
Platinum against the Company and (b) $1.0 million of the proceeds will be placed
in an escrow account for purposes of funding any settlement claims made by the
Harry Fox Agency against the Company which are in excess of the related reserve
accrued by the Subsidiaries. Also, the Agreement contains various other terms
and conditions, including a requirement that stockholders of K-tel approve the
Transaction, and is subject to Platinum raising net proceeds of at least $70
million in a public or private financing.
Dain Bosworth Incorporated ("Dain Bosworth"), as part of its investment banking
business, is continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated
underwritings, competitive bids, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements, and valuations for estate, corporate, and other
purposes. In the ordinary course of business, Dain Bosworth has published
research materials on other companies in the consumer entertainment industry.
Also, Dain Bosworth has acted as a market maker in the equity securities of such
other companies and, accordingly, periodically may have positions in such
securities. Dain Bosworth was retained as the Company's exclusive financial
advisor in connection with the Transaction solely for the purpose of rendering
an opinion as to the fairness of the consideration to be received in connection
with the Transaction. Accordingly, we did not solicit, nor were we asked to
solicit, interest in the Business from other potential parties to a Transaction.
We will receive a fee for rendering our opinion, a substantial portion of which
is contingent upon the consummation of the Transaction, and will be indemnified
against certain liabilities that may arise from activities related to our
engagement.
In connection with this opinion, we have, among other things, reviewed (i) the
Agreement; (ii) certain historical financial information for the Subsidiaries,
the Company and Platinum; (iii) certain projected financial information for the
Subsidiaries furnished by the management of K-tel; and (iv) certain publicly
available data relative to the Company and Platinum. We visited the Company's
offices and made inquiries of the management of the Company regarding the past
and current business operations, financial condition, and future prospects for
the Subsidiaries and the Company. In addition, we have held discussions with the
senior management of the Company to understand the reasons for completing the
Transaction.
We have compared financial information on the Subsidiaries to similar
information for certain companies deemed comparable to the Business and have
reviewed stock market information on such companies that have publicly traded
securities. Also, we have reviewed, to the extent publicly available, the
financial terms of certain acquisition transactions involving companies
operating businesses deemed similar to that of the Subsidiaries and analyzed the
general economic outlook for companies in the consumer entertainment industry.
In conducting our review and in rendering our opinion, we have assumed and
relied upon the accuracy, completeness and fairness of the financial and other
information provided to us or publicly available and we have not assumed any
responsibility for independent verification of such information. It is
understood that we were retained by the Board of Directors of the Company, and
that the Board of Directors has not looked to us for independent verification
with respect to the financial and other information provided to us or publicly
available. We have further relied upon the assurances of the management of the
Company that it is not aware of any facts that would make the information
supplied to us, or publicly available, inaccurate or misleading. With respect to
the financial projections for the Subsidiaries, management of the Company has
represented that such projections have been reasonably prepared on a basis
reflecting management's best currently available estimates and judgment as to
the future financial performance of the Subsidiaries.
We did not make an independent appraisal of the assets or the liabilities of the
Subsidiaries, and we do not express an opinion regarding the liquidation value
or solvency of the Subsidiaries or the Company separately, or the Company
following the Transaction. In addition, we do not express any opinion as to the
prices at which shares of the Company's common stock may trade following the
date of this opinion, at the closing date for the Transaction, or at any later
time in the future. Our opinion as expressed herein is limited to the fairness
to the common stockholders of K-tel, from a financial point of view, of the
consideration to be received by the Company in connection with the Transaction,
and does not address the Company's underlying business decision to proceed with
the Transaction. Our opinion is based solely on information available to us on
or before the date hereof and reflects general market, economic, financial,
monetary and other conditions as of the date hereof.
It is understood that this opinion is directed to the Board of Directors of the
Company and is not a recommendation as to how any stockholder should vote at
the meeting to be held to vote upon the Transaction. Also, this opinion may not
be reproduced, quoted, published or otherwise used or referred to in any manner,
nor shall any public reference to Dain Bosworth be made, without our prior
written consent.
Based upon the foregoing, and other matters that we considered relevant, it is
our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the consideration to be received by
K-tel International, Inc. in connection with the Transaction is fair to the
Company's common stockholders from a financial point of view.
Very truly yours,
/S/ Dain Bosworth Incorporated
DAIN BOSWORTH INCORPORATED
PROXY
K-TEL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
For Special Meeting of Shareholders
July 31, 1997
The undersigned, revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoints Philip Kives and
David Weiner or either of them, as proxy or proxies, with full power of
substitution and revocation, to vote all shares of common stock of K-tel
International, Inc. of record in the name of the undersigned at the close of
business on July 7, 1997, at the Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on
July 31, 1997, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, upon the following
matters:
1. Approval of the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of March 3, 1997,
between the Company and Platinum Entertainment, Inc., and the
transactions contemplated thereby.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
2. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
matters as may properly come before the meeting.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by
the undersigned shareholder. If this proxy is properly executed but no direction
is made, this proxy will be voted FOR Proposal 1. The Board of Directors
recommends a vote FOR Proposal 1.
Please sign your name exactly as it appears below. In the case of shares owned
in joint tenancy or as tenants in common, all should sign. Fiduciaries should
indicate their title and authority.
Dated: ______________________, 1997
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____________________________________
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Signature(s)
PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
