<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A - 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:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE
14A-6(E)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
WORLDCOM, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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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):
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] 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:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3) Filing Party:
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4) Date Filed:
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<PAGE> 2
[WorldCom Logo]
515 EAST AMITE STREET
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39201-2702
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Jackson, Mississippi
April 23, 1998
The annual meeting of the shareholders of WorldCom, Inc., a Georgia
corporation (the "Company"), will be held on Thursday, May 21, 1998, at 10:00
a.m. local time, at 500 Clinton Center Drive, Clinton, Mississippi, for the
purposes of:
1. electing a Board of eleven (11) directors;
2. considering and acting upon a shareholder proposal; and
3. transacting such other business as properly may come before the
meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Holders of record of the Company's Common Stock, Series A 8% Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock at the
close of business on April 2, 1998, will be entitled to receive notice of, and
to vote at, the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
A copy of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for 1997 accompanies
this notice.
By Order of the Board of Directors
SCOTT D. SULLIVAN
Secretary
WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, PLEASE PROMPTLY
MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY. A RETURN ADDRESSED ENVELOPE
IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.
<PAGE> 3
WORLDCOM, INC.
515 EAST AMITE STREET
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39201-2702
---------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
---------------------
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of WorldCom,
Inc., a Georgia corporation ("WorldCom" or the "Company"), for use at the annual
meeting of the Company's shareholders to be held at 500 Clinton Center Drive,
Clinton, Mississippi, on Thursday, May 21, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. local time and at
any adjournments or postponements thereof. Holders of record of the Company's
voting securities at the close of business on April 2, 1998 (the "Record Date")
will be entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. Whether or
not you expect to attend the meeting in person, please return your executed
proxy in the enclosed envelope and the shares represented thereby will be voted
in accordance with your wishes. The first mailing of proxy statements and
proxies to shareholders will occur on or about April 23, 1998. If, after sending
in your proxy, you decide to vote in person or desire to change the voting
instructions on your proxy or revoke your proxy, you may do so by notifying the
Secretary of the Company in writing of such revocation at any time prior to the
voting of the proxy, by submitting a later-dated proxy or by attending the
meeting and voting in person.
On September 15, 1993, Metromedia Communications Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, merged into Resurgens Communications Group, Inc., a Georgia
corporation ("Resurgens"). Immediately thereafter, LDDS Communications, Inc., a
Tennessee corporation ("LDDS-TN"), merged into Resurgens, whereupon the name of
Resurgens was changed to "LDDS Communications, Inc." (the "Surviving
Corporation"). Such mergers are hereinafter referred to collectively as the
"Mergers" and individually as a "Merger." Although from a corporate law
perspective Resurgens was the survivor in both Mergers, for accounting purposes,
LDDS-TN was the survivor of the second Merger. Accordingly, unless otherwise
provided herein, all references to and information regarding the Company
contained in this Proxy Statement relate to LDDS-TN prior to the Mergers and to
the Surviving Corporation after the Mergers. At the annual meeting of
shareholders held May 25, 1995, shareholders of LDDS Communications, Inc. voted
to change the name of the Company to WorldCom, Inc., effectively immediately.
COMPANY SECURITIES
On the Record Date, there were issued and outstanding 1,029,164,724 shares
of common stock of the Company (the "Common Stock"), 94,992 shares of Series A
8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Series A
Preferred Stock") and 12,237,025 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
of the Company (the "Series B Preferred Stock"). All of the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock are held by The Bank of New York as Depositary (the
"Depositary") for the holders of Series A Depositary Shares (the "Series A
Depositary Shares"). Each Series A Depositary Share represents a one-hundredth
interest in a share of Series A Preferred Stock.
The holders of record of shares of Common Stock as of the close of business
on the Record Date are entitled to cast one vote per share on all matters voted
on by the holders of Common Stock generally, including the election of
directors, and do not have cumulative voting rights. The holders of Series A
Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with
holders of Common Stock as a single class on issues presented to a vote of the
Company's shareholders, except under certain conditions when such holders are
entitled to vote as a separate class. The holders of Series A Preferred Stock
are entitled to vote on the basis of ten votes for each such share held. The
holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to vote on the basis of one
vote per such share held. The Series A Preferred Stock will be voted by the
Depositary in accordance with instructions received from the holders of Series A
Depositary Shares, as described below.
<PAGE> 4
Consequently, holders of Series A Depositary Shares are entitled to direct the
Depositary with respect to one-tenth ( 1/10) of a vote per Series A Depositary
Share. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock do
not carry cumulative voting rights.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN UNDER PROXY
SHARES WILL BE VOTED AS INSTRUCTED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY ON EACH MATTER
SUBMITTED TO THE VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS. IF ANY DULY EXECUTED PROXY IS RETURNED
WITHOUT VOTING INSTRUCTIONS, THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES THEREON INTEND TO VOTE
ALL SHARES REPRESENTED BY SUCH PROXY AS FOLLOWS:
(1) FOR the election of the persons named herein as nominees for
directors of the Company to hold office until the 1999 annual meeting of
the Company's shareholders and until their successors have been duly
elected and qualified;
(2) AGAINST the shareholder proposal; and
(3) in their discretion on the transaction of such other business as
properly may come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements
thereof.
Under the terms of the Deposit Agreement dated December 31, 1996 between
the Company and the Depositary, all shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by
the Depositary will be voted or not voted as directed by written instructions
from the holders of Series A Depositary Shares, and shares for which no
instructions are received will be voted as abstentions. If the enclosed voting
instruction card (which is also the proxy card) is executed and returned without
otherwise indicating how it is to be voted, the voting instruction card will be
deemed to be an instruction to vote FOR the election of the Board's nominees,
AGAINST the shareholder proposal regarding shareholder rights plans, and in the
discretion of the Depositary on the transaction of such other business as
properly may come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
As of the Record Date, the following persons, individually or as a group,
were known to the Company to be deemed to be the beneficial owners of more than
five percent of the issued and outstanding Common Stock, each of which persons
has sole voting and investment power over such Common Stock, except as set forth
in the footnotes hereto:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NAME AND ADDRESS OF NATURE OF EXISTING PERCENT
BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1) OF CLASS(1)
- ---------------- ----------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
FMR Corp. 73,298,304(2) 7.1%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Based upon 1,029,164,724 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding plus,
as to the holder thereof only, exercise or conversion of all derivative
securities that are exercisable or convertible currently or within 60 days
after the Record Date.
(2) Based upon shares owned as of December 31, 1997, as provided by FMR Corp. on
its Statement on Schedule 13G. Edward C. Johnson 3d, Chairman of FMR Corp.,
together with various trusts for the benefit of Johnson family members, form
a controlling group with respect to FMR Corp. Amount includes 64,238,970
shares beneficially owned by Fidelity Management & Research Company
("Fidelity"), a wholly owned subsidiary of FMR Corp., as a result of acting
as investment adviser to various investment companies registered under
Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Funds"). Each of
Edward C. Johnson 3d, FMR Corp., through its control of Fidelity, and the
Funds has sole power to dispose of these 64,238,970 shares, including
5,151,716 shares issuable upon conversion of
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<PAGE> 5
Series A Preferred Stock. Neither FMR Corp., nor Edward C. Johnson 3d has
the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the shares owned directly by
the Funds, which power resides with the Funds' Boards of Trustees. As a
result of its serving as investment manager of institutional account(s) FMR
Corp., through its control of Fidelity Management Trust Company, has voting
and dispositive power over 8,026,134 shares of Common Stock, including
237,589 shares issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock.
Fidelity International Limited, Pembroke Hall, 42 Crownlane, Hamilton,
Bermuda, has voting and dispositive power over 1,033,200 shares of Common
Stock, as a result of its serving as investment adviser to various
non-United States investment companies and certain institutional investors.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Common Stock, as
of the Record Date, by each director, each MCI Communications Corporation
("MCI") designee (See "Item 1. Election of Directors -- The MCI WorldCom
Merger"), the named executive officers and by all persons, as a group, who are
currently directors and executive officers of WorldCom. No person listed on the
following table is the beneficial owner of any shares of Series A Preferred
Stock or Series B Preferred Stock. Each director, executive officer or designee
has sole voting and investment power over the shares listed opposite his or her
name except as set forth in the footnotes hereto.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1) OF CLASS(1)
- ------------------------ --------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Clifford Alexander, Jr.............................. 0 *
James C. Allen...................................... 481,929(2) *
Judith Areen........................................ 0 *
Carl J. Aycock...................................... 706,734(3) *
Max E. Bobbitt...................................... 256,292(4) *
Stephen M. Case..................................... 0 *
Bernard J. Ebbers................................... 16,920,539(5) 1.6%
Francesco Galesi.................................... 3,021,908(6) *
Stiles A. Kellett, Jr............................... 4,036,816(7) *
Gordon S. Macklin................................... 0 *
John A. Porter...................................... 4,433,924(8) *
Timothy F. Price.................................... 0 *
Bert C. Roberts, Jr................................. 0 *
John W. Sidgmore.................................... 3,467,895(9) *
Scott D. Sullivan................................... 436,904(10) *
Gerald H. Taylor.................................... 0 *
Lawrence C. Tucker.................................. 3,170,096(11) *
All Directors and Current Executive
Officers as a Group (11 persons).................... 36,933,037(12) 3.6%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than one percent.
(1) Based upon 1,029,164,724 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding
plus, as to the holder thereof only, exercise or conversion of all
derivative securities that are exercisable or convertible currently or
within 60 days after the Record Date.
(2) Includes 684 shares owned by Mr. Allen's spouse, as to which beneficial
ownership is disclaimed; and 37,000 shares held in a revocable trust as to
which Mr. Allen is a co-trustee.
(3) Includes 5,576 shares owned by Mr. Aycock's spouse; 73,048 shares
purchasable upon exercise of options; and 2,208 shares held as custodian
for children.
(4) Includes 38,512 shares purchasable upon exercise of options; and 108,890
shares as to which Mr. Bobbitt shares voting and investment power with his
spouse.
3
<PAGE> 6
(5) Includes 36,432 shares held as custodian for children; 2,875,696 shares
purchasable upon exercise of options; and 855,448 shares owned by Linda
Ebbers, as to which Mr. Ebbers has voting power.
(6) Consists of 2,983,396 shares owned by Rotterdam Ventures, Inc., of which
Mr. Galesi is sole shareholder; and 38,512 shares purchasable upon exercise
of options.
(7) Includes 16,000 shares owned by Mr. Kellett's spouse; 900,000 shares owned
by a family partnership; 30,500 shares owned by a partnership as to which
Mr. Kellett is a general partner; 80,816 shares purchasable upon exercise
of options; and 9,500 shares purchasable upon exercise of options held by
Mr. Kellett's spouse.
(8) Includes 165,560 shares held as custodian or trustee for minor children;
73,048 shares purchasable upon exercise of options; 85,812 shares held in
trust for son of majority age, as to which beneficial ownership is
disclaimed; 6,049 shares held in a trust of which Mr. Porter is trustee
with sole voting and dispositive power; and 6,500 shares held in trust for
employees of Mr. Porter.
(9) Includes 368,704 shares purchasable upon exercise of options; and 10,429
shares held in a trust of which Mr. Sidgmore is sole trustee with sole
voting and dispositive power.
(10) Includes 433,333 shares purchasable upon exercise of options.
(11) A total of 3,131,828 of these shares are beneficially owned by The 1818
Fund L.P. and The 1818 Fund II, L.P. (collectively, "The 1818 Funds"). Mr.
Tucker is the general and managing partner of The 1818 Funds and Mr.
Tucker, as a general partner of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., shares
voting and investment power with respect to such securities. Also includes
38,268 shares purchasable upon exercise of options.
(12) Includes 4,029,437 shares purchasable upon exercise of options.
ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of
not less than three directors, with the number to be determined from time to
time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has currently fixed the
number of directors at eleven.
All nominees have indicated their willingness to serve if elected and all
nominees are currently directors of the Company. Should any nominee named herein
for election become unavailable for any reason, it is intended that the persons
named in the proxy will vote for the election of such other person in his or her
stead as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is
not aware of any reason that might cause any nominee to be unavailable. The
Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the election of all of the listed
nominees.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares
entitled to vote in the election at a meeting of the shareholders at which a
quorum of the voting group involved is present. A majority of the votes entitled
to be cast in the election by the voting group constitutes a quorum of that
voting group for the election.
Shares as to which voting authority is withheld will be considered present
for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the annual meeting
(unless such shares are represented at such meeting solely to object to holding
the meeting or transacting business at the meeting) but as not voted for
purposes of the election of directors. Shares as to which a broker indicates it
has no discretion to vote and which are not voted will be considered not present
at such meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and as
unvoted for the election of directors.
Pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Company's Second Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation, holders of shares of Common Stock, Series A
Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock currently are entitled to vote as a
single class in the election of the eleven directors at the annual meeting. Each
outstanding share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote in the election, each
holder of the Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to ten votes for each such
share held in the election and each holder of Series B Preferred Stock is
entitled to one vote for each such share held in the election.
4
<PAGE> 7
INFORMATION ABOUT DIRECTORS, NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following states each director or nominee's and each executive
officer's age, principal occupation, present position with the Company and the
year in which each director first was elected a director (each serving
continuously since first elected except as set forth otherwise). Unless
indicated otherwise, each individual has held his present position for at least
five years. All references to "the Company" include for these purposes LDDS-TN
and its predecessors.
JAMES C. ALLEN, 51, has been a director of the Company since March 1998.
Mr. Allen is the former Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and a former
director of Brooks Fiber Properties, Inc. ("BFP"), where he served in such
capacities from 1993 until February 1998. Mr. Allen served as President and
Chief Operating Officer of Brooks Telecommunications Corporation, a founder of
BFP, from April 1993 until it was merged with BFP in January 1996. Mr. Allen was
appointed to the WorldCom Board of Directors pursuant to the expectation
expressed by WorldCom during the negotiation and approval of the merger
agreement between WorldCom and BFP (the "BFP Merger Agreement") that the
WorldCom Board would consider the nomination of an individual designated by the
BFP Board of Directors following the effective time of the merger of a wholly
owned subsidiary of WorldCom with and into BFP (the "BFP Merger"). The BFP
Merger was effective January 29, 1998. Mr. Allen serves as a director of
Metronet Communications Corp. and Verio Inc.
CARL J. AYCOCK, 49, has been a director of the Company since 1983. Mr.
Aycock served as Secretary of the Company from 1987 to 1995 and was the
Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of Master Corporation, a motel management
and ownership company, from 1989 until 1992. Subsequent to 1992, Mr. Aycock has
been self employed as a financial administrator.
MAX E. BOBBITT, 53, has been a director of the Company since 1992. Mr.
Bobbitt was a director of Advanced Telecommunications Corporation ("ATC") until
its merger with the Company in December 1992 (the "ATC Merger"). Mr. Bobbitt is
currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Metromedia China Corporation,
a telecommunications company. From 1996 until February 1997, Mr. Bobbitt was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Asian American Telecommunications
Corporation. Prior to 1996, Mr. Bobbitt held various positions including
President and Chief Operating Officer and director of ALLTEL Corporation, a
telecommunications company, from 1970 until January 1995.
STEPHEN M. CASE, 39, has been a director of the Company since March 1998.
Mr. Case, a co-founder of America Online, Inc. ("AOL"), has been Chairman of the
Board of Directors of AOL since October 1995, Chief Executive Officer of AOL
since April 1993 and a director of AOL since September 1992. Mr. Case served as
President of AOL from July 1996 until February 1998 and from January 1991 to
February 1996. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President of AOL from
September 1987 to January 1991 and Vice President, Marketing, from 1985 to
September 1987. Mr. Case was appointed to the WorldCom Board of Directors
pursuant to the agreement relating to WorldCom's acquisition of ANS
Communications, Inc. ("ANS") from AOL on January 31, 1998 (the "AOL Agreement"),
which provided that, if so requested a specified time before the closing of the
transactions contemplated thereby, WorldCom would appoint Mr. Case to the
WorldCom Board. Mr. Case made such request. Mr. Case has been nominated as a
member of the Board of Directors of the New York Stock Exchange.
BERNARD J. EBBERS, 56, has been President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company since April 1985. Mr. Ebbers has served as a director of the Company
since 1983.
FRANCESCO GALESI, 67, has been a director of the Company since 1992. Mr.
Galesi was a director of ATC until the ATC Merger. Mr. Galesi is the Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of the Galesi Group, which includes companies
engaged in distribution, manufacturing, real estate and telecommunications. Mr.
Galesi serves as a director of Amnex, Inc., and Walden Residential Properties,
Inc.
STILES A. KELLETT, JR., 54, has served as a director of the Company since
1981. Mr. Kellett has been Chairman of Kellett Investment Corp. since 1995. From
1978 to 1995, Mr. Kellett served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Convalescent Services, Inc., a long-term health care company in Atlanta,
Georgia.
5
<PAGE> 8
Mr. Kellett serves as a director of Frederica Bank & Trust Company, St. Simons
Island, Georgia, and Mariner Health Group, Inc., New London, Connecticut.
JOHN A. PORTER, 54, has been a director of the Company since 1988. Mr.
Porter served as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company from September 1993
until the Company's merger with MFS Communications Company, Inc. ("MFS") in
December 1996 (the "MFS Merger") and served as Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company from 1988 until September 1993. From May 1995 to the
present, Mr. Porter has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of Industrial Electric Manufacturing, Inc., a manufacturer of
electrical power distribution products. Mr. Porter also serves as Chairman of
Phillips & Brooks/Gladwin, Inc., a manufacturer of pay telephone enclosures and
equipment. Mr. Porter was previously President and sole shareholder of P.M.
Restaurant Group, Inc. which filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code in March 1995. Subsequent to March 1995, Mr. Porter sold
all of his shares in P.M. Restaurant Group, Inc. He is also a director of
Uniroyal Technology Corporation and XL Connect, Inc.
JOHN W. SIDGMORE, 47, serves as Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief
Operations Officer of the Company. Mr. Sidgmore has been a director of the
Company since the MFS Merger and has served as a director of MFS since August
1996. Mr. Sidgmore was President and Chief Operating Officer of MFS from August
1996 until the MFS Merger and has been Chief Executive Officer and a director of
UUNET Technologies, Inc. ("UUNET") from June 1994 to the present, and also held
the position of President of UUNET from June 1994 to August 1996 and from
January 1997 to September 1997. From 1989 to 1994, he was President and Chief
Executive Officer of CSC Intelicom, a telecommunications software company. Mr.
Sidgmore is a director of Saville Systems PLC and Earthlink Network, Inc.
SCOTT D. SULLIVAN, 36, serves as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of
the Company. From the ATC Merger until December 1994, Mr. Sullivan served as
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. From 1989 until 1992, Mr.
Sullivan served as an executive officer of two long-distance companies,
including ATC. From 1983 to 1989, Mr. Sullivan served in various capacities with
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. Mr. Sullivan has served as a director of the Company
since March 1996.
LAWRENCE C. TUCKER, 55, is a general partner of Brown Brothers Harriman &
Co. ("Brown Brothers"), which is the general and managing partner of The 1818
Funds. He is also a director of The WellCare Management Group, Inc., Riverwood
International Corporation and National HealthCare Corporation. Mr. Tucker has
served as a director of the Company since May 1995, and previously served as a
director of the Company from May 28, 1992 until the ATC Merger.
THE MCI WORLDCOM MERGER
On November 9, 1997, WorldCom entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
(the "MCI/WorldCom Merger Agreement") with MCI and a wholly owned acquisition
subsidiary of WorldCom ("MCI Merger Sub"), providing for the merger (the
"MCI/WorldCom Merger") of MCI with and into MCI Merger Sub, with MCI Merger Sub
surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of WorldCom. As a result of the
MCI/WorldCom Merger, the separate corporate existence of MCI will cease, and MCI
Merger Sub (which will be renamed "MCI Communications Corporation") will succeed
to all the rights and be responsible for all the obligations of MCI in
accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law. Subject to the terms and
conditions of the MCI/WorldCom Merger Agreement, each share of MCI Common Stock,
par value $.10 per share ("MCI Common Stock"), outstanding immediately prior to
the effective time of the MCI/WorldCom Merger (the "MCI/WorldCom Effective
Time") will be converted into the right to receive that number of shares of
WorldCom Common Stock equal to the MCI Exchange Ratio (as defined below), and
each share of MCI Class A common stock, par value $.10 per share, outstanding
immediately prior to the MCI/WorldCom Effective Time will be converted into the
right to receive $51.00 in cash, without interest thereon. The "MCI Exchange
Ratio" means the quotient (rounded to the nearest 1/10,000) determined by
dividing $51.00 by the average of the high and low sales prices of WorldCom
Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq National Market on each of the 20
consecutive trading days ending with the third trading day immediately preceding
the MCI/WorldCom Effective Time; provided, however, that the MCI Exchange
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<PAGE> 9
Ratio will not be less than 1.2439 or greater than 1.7586. Cash will be paid in
lieu of the issuance of any fractional share of WorldCom Common Stock in the
MCI/WorldCom Merger.
The MCI/WorldCom Merger was approved by the MCI stockholders and the
WorldCom shareholders at separate meetings held on March 11, 1998. The
MCI/WorldCom Merger is subject to certain other conditions, including without
limitation, approvals from the Federal Communications Commission, the Department
of Justice and various state government bodies as well as the Commission of the
European Communities. WorldCom anticipates that the MCI/WorldCom Merger will
close in mid-year 1998.
MANAGEMENT OF MCI WORLDCOM FOLLOWING THE MCI/WORLDCOM MERGER. WorldCom has
agreed to cause the WorldCom Board of Directors as of the MCI/WorldCom Effective
Time to consist of 17 members, which shall consist of eleven members designated
by WorldCom from among directors of WorldCom and six members designated by MCI
from among directors of MCI. As of the date hereof, the WorldCom Board of
Directors is comprised of eleven members. On March 11, 1998, MCI and WorldCom
announced that the 17 member Board would include the current WorldCom Board
members plus the MCI designations of Clifford L. Alexander, Jr., Judith Areen,
Gordon S. Macklin, Bert C. Roberts, Timothy F. Price and Gerald H. Taylor. If,
prior to the MCI/WorldCom Effective Time, any of the persons named by either
WorldCom or MCI to serve on the Board of Directors of the Company following the
MCI/WorldCom Merger ("MCI WorldCom") as of the MCI/WorldCom Effective Time
declines or is unable to serve as a director, the party that designated such
individual may name a replacement to become a director. The directors of
WorldCom are elected annually.
WorldCom has agreed to cause Bert C. Roberts, Jr. to be appointed Chairman
of MCI WorldCom, and to cause the senior management of MCI WorldCom to be as
previously agreed between the parties. Pursuant to the MCI/WorldCom Merger
Agreement, Bernard J. Ebbers will be the President and Chief Executive Officer
of MCI WorldCom. In addition, Gerald H. Taylor, currently Chief Executive
Officer of MCI, will become President and Chief Executive Officer of MCI
WorldCom International, responsible for all strategy, operations and ventures
outside of the U.S.; Timothy F. Price, currently President and Chief Operating
Officer of MCI, will become President and Chief Executive Officer of MCI
WorldCom's U.S. communications operating subsidiary. The U.S. operating
subsidiary will be responsible for the communications business in the United
States, including all sales and marketing, customer service, product
development, and network operations. John W. Sidgmore, currently Vice Chairman
and Chief Operations Officer of WorldCom, will become President and Chief
Executive Officer of Internet & Technology, responsible for managing WorldCom's
Internet businesses, and information technology services, including MCI
Systemhouse, architecture, design, and planning for the global network; and
Scott D. Sullivan will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer of MCI
WorldCom.
Additional information about MCI Board designees follows:
CLIFFORD L. ALEXANDER, JR., age 64, has been President of Alexander &
Associates, Inc., management consultants, since 1981. Mr. Alexander is also a
director of Dreyfus 3rd Century Fund, Dreyfus General Family of Funds, Mutual of
America Life Insurance Company, Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, American Home
Products Corporation, Cognizant Corporation and TLC Holdings, Inc.
JUDITH AREEN, age 53, has been Executive Vice President for Law Center
Affairs and Dean of the Law Center, Georgetown University, since 1989. She has
been a Professor of Law, Georgetown University, since 1976.
GORDON S. MACKLIN, age 69, has been Chairman, White River Corporation, an
information services company since 1993. Mr. Macklin is also a director of Fund
American Enterprises Holdings, Inc.; CCC Information Services Group, Inc.;
MedImmune, Inc.; Real 3-D; Spacehab, Inc.; and director, trustee or managing
general partner, as the case may be, of 52 of the investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. Mr. Macklin was formerly chairman, Hambrecht
and Quist Group; director, H&Q Healthcare Investors; and President, National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
TIMOTHY F. PRICE, age 44, has been President and Chief Operating Officer of
MCI since November 1996. He has been President and Chief Operating Officer of
MCI Telecommunications Corporation ("MCIT")
7
<PAGE> 10
since July 1995. He was an Executive Vice President and Group President of MCIT,
serving as Group President, Communication Services, from December 1994 to July
1995. He was an Executive Vice President of MCIT, serving as President, Business
Markets, from June 1993 to December 1994. He was a Senior Vice President of MCIT
from November 1990 to June 1993, serving as President, Business Services, from
July 1992 to June 1993 and as Senior Vice President, Consumer Markets, from
November 1990 to July 1992.
BERT C. ROBERTS, JR., age 55, has been Chairman of the Board of MCI since
June 1992. He was Chief Executive Officer of MCI from December 1991 to November
1996. He was President and Chief Operating Officer of MCI from October 1985 to
June 1992 and President of MCIT from May 1983 to June 1992. Mr. Roberts has been
a director of MCI since 1985; a nonexecutive director of British
Telecommunications plc ("BT") from October 1994 to March 1998; a non-executive
director of The News Corporation Limited, a global multi-media company located
in Australia, since 1995; and a non-executive director of Telephonica since
March 1998.
GERALD H. TAYLOR, age 56, has been Chief Executive Officer of MCI since
November 1996. He has been Vice Chairman of MCIT since July 1995. He was
President and Chief Operating Officer of MCI from July 1994 to November 1996 and
President and Chief Operating Officer of MCIT from April 1994 to July 1995. He
was an Executive Vice President and Group Executive of MCIT from September 1993
to April 1994. He was an Executive Vice President of MCIT, serving as President,
Consumer Markets, from November 1990 to September 1993. Mr. Taylor has been a
director of MCI since September 1994 and was a non-executive director of BT from
November 1996 to November 1997.
INFORMATION CONCERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
During 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company held six meetings. Each
director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and
committees on which such director served.
The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee currently consisting
of Max E. Bobbitt (Chairman) and Francesco Galesi. During 1997, the Audit
Committee held five meetings. The Audit Committee performs the following
functions: (a) review of periodic financial statements, (b) communication with
independent accountants, (c) review of the Company's internal accounting
controls and (d) recommendation to the Board of Directors as to selection of
independent accountants.
The Board of Directors has a standing Compensation and Stock Option
Committee currently consisting of Stiles A. Kellett, Jr. (Chairman), Max E.
Bobbitt and Lawrence C. Tucker. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee held
six meetings during 1997. The duties of the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee are as follows: (a) to make determinations regarding the annual
salary, bonus and other benefits of executive officers of the Company; (b) to
administer the stock option or award plans of the Company, including a
determination of the individuals to whom options or awards are granted and the
terms and provisions of options and awards under such plans; and (c) to review
and take actions, including submission of recommendations to the Board of
Directors, concerning compensation, stock plans and other benefits for the
Company's directors, officers and employees.
The Board of Directors has a Nominating Committee currently consisting of
John A. Porter (Chairman) and Carl J. Aycock. The Nominating Committee held one
meeting during 1997. The duties of the Nominating Committee include recommending
to the Board, if so requested by the Board, nominees for director, successors to
the Chief Executive Officer in the event there is a vacancy in that office, and
nominees for committee chairpersons and members. The Nominating Committee, if it
meets, or the Board will give due consideration to written recommendations for
nominees from shareholders for election as directors. Under the Bylaws of the
Company, shareholders are entitled to nominate persons for election as directors
only if written notice has been given as specified therein to the Company's
Secretary, 515 East Amite Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201-2702, not later
than 90 days prior to the anniversary of the preceding year's meeting. Such
8
<PAGE> 11
notice must set forth information about the proposed nominee and the consent of
the nominee, among other things. See "Future Proposals of Security Holders."
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
WorldCom's directors are paid fees of $22,500 per year and $1,000 per
meeting attended of the Board plus certain expenses. Committee members are paid
a fee of $750 for any committee meeting attended on the same day as a Board
meeting and $1,000 for any other committee meeting attended, plus certain
expenses. The chairman of each committee receives an additional $3,000 per year.
Pursuant to WorldCom's Third Amended and Restated 1990 Stock Option Plan,
each non-employee director receives annually a non-discretionary grant of
options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock at the fair market value of
such stock on the date of grant. Such options are immediately exercisable and
expire on the earliest to occur of (a) ten years following the date of grant,
(b) three months following retirement, (c) 12 months following termination of
service due to disability or death, (d) upon cessation of service for reasons
other than retirement, death or disability, or (e) the date of consummation of a
specified change in control transaction defined generally to include the
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, a reorganization, merger or
consolidation of the Company in which the Company is not the surviving
corporation, or a sale of substantially all of the assets or 80% or more of the
outstanding stock of the Company to another entity. The exercise price may be
paid in cash or, in the discretion of the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee, Common Stock. In the discretion of the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee, shares receivable on exercise may be withheld to pay applicable taxes
on the exercise.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Pursuant to the employment agreement of Mr. Sidgmore with UUNET,
approximately 420,000 restricted shares of Common Stock vested as a result of
the MFS Merger. Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Sidgmore's employment agreement
with UUNET, Mr. Sidgmore's initial base salary was $220,000 per year, plus a
bonus targeted at $130,000 per year. Mr. Sidgmore received a bonus of $400,000
for 1996 under his employment agreement. If Mr. Sidgmore's employment is
terminated without cause, he will receive severance payments totaling $300,000.
Under the employment agreement, Mr. Sidgmore also received options to purchase
at $0.04 per share 4,644,635 shares of WorldCom Common Stock (which options were
exercised and 193,533 of the shares issued remain, as of December 31, 1997,
subject to a right of repurchase, which right lapses as to 13,823 shares each
month). In the event of a change in control of WorldCom or an involuntary
termination other than for cause of Mr. Sidgmore's employment, WorldCom's right
of repurchase lapses with respect to 50 percent of any of the shares subject to
a right of repurchase at the time and such right also lapses over time. If as a
result of such acceleration, Mr. Sidgmore would incur an excise tax pursuant to
Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding provision of
applicable state law, the Company is required to pay him when due to the
applicable tax authority an amount sufficient to pay the excise tax and any
federal, state and local taxes with respect thereto.
Effective June 26, 1997, James Q. Crowe resigned as director, Chairman of
the Board and employee of WorldCom. Pursuant to an employment arrangement, as
subsequently modified, among other things, Mr. Crowe did not have any direct
operating responsibility but continued to serve as a director and Chairman of
the Board of the Company for a specified term in 1997, in connection with which
he received a base salary of $120,000 per year for certain services.
Additionally, pursuant to such agreement, Mr. Crowe's options to purchase an
aggregate of 872,562 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.869 per
share became fully exercisable and all shares granted under the WorldCom/MFS
Employee Stock Bonus Plan and the WorldCom/MFS 1995 Deferred Stock Purchase Plan
vested immediately.
9
<PAGE> 12
REPORT OF COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
GENERAL
The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the
Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Committee"). From January 1, 1997 until June 27, 1997 the Committee was
composed of Stiles A. Kellett, Jr. (Chairman), Walter Scott, Jr., Lawrence C.
Tucker and Michael B. Yanney. From June 28, 1997 until July 30, 1997 the
Committee was composed of Stiles A. Kellett, Jr. (Chairman), Lawrence C. Tucker
and Michael B. Yanney. From July 31, 1997 to September 10, 1997 the Committee
was composed of Stiles A. Kellett, Jr. (Chairman) and Lawrence C. Tucker.
Subsequent to September 10, 1997, the Committee was composed of Stiles A.
Kellett, Jr. (Chairman), Max E. Bobbitt and Lawrence C. Tucker.
The Company's executive compensation policy as implemented by the Committee
is designed to provide a competitive compensation program that will enable the
Company to attract, motivate, reward and retain executives who have the skills,
experience and talents required to promote the short- and long-term financial
performance and growth of the Company. The compensation policy is based on the
principle that the financial rewards to the executive must be aligned with the
financial interests of the shareholders of the Company. In this manner, the
Company will meet its ultimate responsibility to its shareholders.
The Company's executive compensation has three elements: base salary,
annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation. The
Committee is endeavoring to maximize deductibility of compensation under Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent practicable while maintaining
competitive compensation. The following is a summary of the considerations
underlying each element.
BASE SALARY
The Committee determines the salary ranges for each of the executive
officer positions of the Company, based upon the level and scope of the
responsibilities of the office and the pay levels of similarly positioned
executive officers in comparable companies. With respect to executive officers
other than the Chief Executive Officer, the evaluation of the Chief Executive
Officer is of paramount importance in setting base salaries. The Committee's
practice has been to establish base salaries for particular offices between the
median and high end of the range of such salaries at comparable companies in
order to attract and retain the best qualified management team available. In
1997, base salaries for executive officers were consistent with this policy.
The comparison of compensation levels is based on surveys of various
companies both within and outside the telecommunications industry. Certain of
these companies are included in the peer group represented in the index used for
stock performance comparisons elsewhere in this Proxy Statement under the
caption "Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Returns." The Committee is
satisfied that it has reasonably accurate information with respect to salary
ranges for the surveyed companies.
The Committee begins its annual compensation review in November, and it
generally acts in the first quarter of each year to set the compensation of the
Company's executive officers. The Committee considers (i) the Company's
performance as evidenced in changes in the price of the Common Stock during the
year as compared to changes in its industry and the broader economic
environment, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer's recommendations with respect to
a particular officer, (iii) the officer's individual performance, (iv) any
significant changes in the officer's level of responsibility and (v) each
officer's then-current salary within the range of salaries for such position.
The Committee includes significant qualitative components in evaluating the
individual performance of each executive officer. These components include the
officer's leadership, teambuilding and motivational skills, adaptability to
rapid change, and assimilation of new technical knowledge to meet the demands of
the industry's customers. In this qualitative evaluation, the Committee
exercises its collective judgment as to the officer's contributions to the
growth and success of the Company during the prior year and the expected
contributions of such officer in the future.
10
<PAGE> 13
Generally, salary increases are made retroactive to January 1 of the
current year. For 1998, executive officers' salaries were set consistent with
the policy to pay between the median and high end of the range of such salaries
at comparable companies. The Company's Board of Directors unanimously ratified
and approved the 1998 salary levels.
ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company's executive officers, as well as other management employees,
are eligible to receive cash bonus awards. The key components in determining the
amount of such awards include the financial performance of the Company in the
context of the overall industry and economic environment, generally as evidenced
by changes in the Common Stock price during the prior year, as well as the
individual growth and success of the Company as measured primarily by revenues.
The judgment of each member of the Committee and, in the case of other executive
officers, of the Chief Executive Officer as to the impact of the individual on
the financial performance of the Company also are considered. Based largely upon
internal growth, the successful negotiation of various acquisitions and the
increase in the price of the Common Stock, the Committee awarded bonuses for
1997 which fell between the median and high end of the range of bonuses at
comparable companies.
In 1994, the Company adopted the Annual Performance Bonus Plan (the "Annual
Plan") which relates to certain cash bonuses for the Chief Executive Officer and
such other executive officers as the Committee may determine. The bonuses are
predicated on the achievement by the Company of one or more quantitative
performance goals. The Annual Plan will continue until terminated by the
Committee. Subject to attainment of the specified performance goal(s) and the
limitations with respect to the maximum bonus payable under the Annual Plan, the
Committee exercises its judgment as to individual contributions to the Company's
performance, as set forth above under the caption "Base Salary," in determining
the actual amount of the bonus to be paid under the Annual Plan.
In 1997, the Company adopted the WorldCom, Inc. Performance Bonus Plan (the
"Performance Bonus Plan") for certain executive officers of the Company,
including the Chief Executive Officer. Cash bonuses under the Performance Bonus
Plan are predicated on the achievement by the Company of one or more
quantitative performance goals. Subject to attainment of the specified
performance goal(s) and the limitation with respect to the maximum bonus payable
under the Performance Bonus Plan, cash awards under the Performance Bonus Plan
will be made based on the Committee's subjective assessment of individual
contributions.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
The Committee believes that long-term incentive compensation in the form of
stock options is the most direct way of making executive compensation dependent
upon increases in shareholder value. The Company's stock option plans provide
the means through which executive officers can build an investment in Common
Stock which will align such officers' economic interests with the interests of
shareholders. The value of the stock options historically has increased as a
result of increases in the price of the Common Stock, and such options are
highly valued by employees. The Committee believes that the grant of stock
options has been a particularly important component of its success in retaining
talented management employees.
The exercise price of each option has generally been the market price of
the Common Stock on the date of grant. The most recent option grants generally
provide for delayed vesting and have a term of ten years. The Committee believes
that stock options give the executive officers greater incentives throughout the
term of the options to strive to operate the Company in a manner that directly
affects the financial interests of the shareholders both on a long-term, as well
as a short-term, basis.
In determining the number of option shares to grant to executive officers,
the Committee considers on a subjective basis the same factors as it does in
determining the other components of compensation, with no single factor accorded
special weight. The recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer is of
paramount importance in determining awards to persons other than himself. Prior
option grants to the individual involved are not considered in making new
nonqualified option grants.
11
<PAGE> 14
COMPENSATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr. Ebbers' base salary, annual incentive compensation and long-term
incentive compensation are determined by the Committee based upon the same
factors as those employed by the Committee for executive officers generally. The
total compensation package of Mr. Ebbers is designed to be competitive while
creating awards for short- and long-term performance in line with the financial
interests of the shareholders. In 1997, the compensation package for Mr. Ebbers
was consistent with this policy.
The Company's performance bonus plans for the Chief Executive Officer
include the Annual Plan, the Performance Bonus Plan and the Special Performance
Bonus Plan adopted in 1996 relating to certain cash bonuses to the Chief
Executive Officer for 1996 through 1998 (the "Special Bonus Plan").
In 1996, the Company's stock price increased from $17.63 to $26.06 per
share, and the Company increased significantly in size upon the completion of
the MFS Merger. The Company had $19.86 billion in total assets as of December
31, 1996 and $4.49 billion in revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996. The
Committee established a maximum bonus under the Annual Plan for the Chief
Executive Officer for 1996 equal to $1,687,500. It established specific
performance goals for 1996 based on the attainment by the Company of specified
minimum gross revenues and adjusted earnings per share of Common Stock. The
Company achieved the performance goals, and the Committee determined to award
the Chief Executive Officer the entire bonus, based on the factors discussed
above. Additionally, for 1996, the Committee established a maximum bonus under
the Special Bonus Plan of $1,000,000 and a performance goal based on certain
billings by the Company. The 1996 performance goal was achieved, and the
Committee awarded the $1,000,000 maximum amount allowed under the Special Bonus
Plan. However, Mr. Ebbers accepted only $650,000 of such award. Despite the
Company's strong performance, in light of the $1.0 million compensation
deductibility limitation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and
Mr. Ebbers' request that his 1997 salary not be increased, the base salary for
Mr. Ebbers in 1997 remained unchanged over the 1996 base salary of $935,000.
In 1997, the Company's stock price increased from $26.06 to $30.25 per
share. The Company had $22.39 billion in total assets as of December 31, 1997
and $7.35 billion in revenues for the year ended December 31, 1997. The
Committee established a maximum bonus under the Annual Plan for the Chief
Executive Officer equal to $2,531,250. The Committee established specific
performance goals for 1997 based on the attainment by the Company of specified
minimum gross revenues and adjusted earnings per share of Common Stock. The
Company achieved the performance goals, and the Committee determined to award
the Chief Executive Officer the entire bonus, based on the factors discussed
above. Additionally, in connection with the Performance Bonus Plan, the
Committee established a specific performance goal based on the attainment by the
Company of a specified percentage increase in consolidated pro forma gross
revenues. The specified performance goal was met in 1997 and the Committee
determined to award the Chief Executive Officer the maximum bonus with respect
to 1997 of $13.0 million. Under the Special Bonus Plan, the Committee
established a maximum bonus for 1997 of $1,500,000 and a performance goal based
on certain billings by the Company. The 1997 performance goal was achieved, and
the Committee awarded the $1,500,000 maximum allowed under the Special Bonus
Plan. At Mr. Ebbers' request, the base salary for Mr. Ebbers in 1998 will again
remain unchanged at $935,000.
During 1997, the Committee granted Mr. Ebbers options exercisable for an
aggregate of 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock, which become exercisable in three
equal annual installments beginning January 1, 1998 through January 1, 2000. The
Committee believes that options appropriately compose a significant portion of
compensation for the reasons set forth above. In evaluating the number of
options awarded, the Committee did not employ a formal valuation formula, but
compared the number of options to the numbers of options awarded by comparable
companies.
12
<PAGE> 15
CONCLUSION
The Committee intends to continue its practice of basing executive
compensation on stock price and other financial performance criteria, and on its
qualitative evaluation of individual performance. Additionally, the Committee is
augmenting, as applicable to the persons involved, these components of the
compensation process with the quantitative measures of performance included in
the Company's performance bonus plans. The Committee believes that its
compensation policies promote the goals of attracting, motivating, rewarding and
retaining talented executives who will maximize value for the Company's
shareholders.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
THE COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
April 23, 1998
Stiles A. Kellett, Jr. (Chairman)
Max E. Bobbitt
Lawrence C. Tucker
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE> 16
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
The following graphs and tables compare cumulative five-year shareholder
returns (including reinvestment of dividends) on an indexed basis with the
Center for Research in Security Prices ("CRSP") Index for Nasdaq
Telecommunications Stocks (SIC codes 4800 through 4899 -- US and Foreign
Companies) and the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the "S&P
500"), the first reflecting LDDS-TN returns prior to the Mergers and the second
reflecting the returns applicable to Resurgens prior to the Mergers. Upon a
shareholder's written request to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the
Company will promptly provide the names of the companies included in the CRSP
Index for Nasdaq Telecommunications Stocks. These indices are included for
comparative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect management's opinion
that such indices are an appropriate measure of the relative performance of the
stock involved, and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible
future performance of the Common Stock.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR-CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
Performance Graph for WorldCom, Inc. (LDDS-TN Prior to 9/15/93)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nasdaq Telecommunications
Measurement Period WorldCom, S&P 500 Stocks SIC 4800-4899
(Fiscal Year Covered) Inc. Stocks US & Foreign
<S> <C> <C> <C>
12/31/92 100.0 100.0 100.0
12/31/93 154.7 109.8 154.2
12/30/94 124.7 111.3 128.7
12/29/95 226.1 153.1 168.5
12/31/96 334.4 188.8 172.3
12/31/97 397.9 252.0 255.1
</TABLE>
- ---------------
Notes:
A. The lines represent monthly index levels derived from compounded daily
returns that include all dividends.
B. The indexes are reweighted daily, using the market capitalization on the
previous trading day.
C. If the monthly interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading
day, the preceding trading day is used.
D. The index for all series was set to $100.0 on 12/31/92.
14
<PAGE> 17
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR-CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
Performance Graph for WorldCom, Inc. (Resurgens Prior to 9/15/93)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nasdaq Telecommunications
Measurement Period WorldCom, S&P 500 Stocks SIC 4800-4899
(Fiscal Year Covered) Inc. Stocks US & Foreign
<S> <C> <C> <C>
12/31/92 100.0 100.0 100.0
12/31/93 166.4 109.8 154.2
12/30/94 134.1 111.3 128.7
12/29/95 243.1 153.1 168.5
12/31/96 359.5 188.8 172.3
12/31/97 427.8 252.0 255.1
</TABLE>
- ---------------
Notes:
A. The lines represent monthly index levels derived from compounded daily
returns that include all dividends.
B. The indexes are reweighted daily, using the market capitalization on the
previous trading day.
C. If the monthly interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading
day, the preceding trading day is used.
D. The index for all series was set to $100.0 on 12/31/92.
15
<PAGE> 18
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth the compensation of the named executive
officers of the Company for the three years ended December 31, 1997. The table
also sets forth, for informational purposes, the compensation paid by MFS and/or
UUNET during 1996 to Messrs. Crowe and Sidgmore, who became executive officers
of the Company upon completion of the MFS Merger.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
------------
AWARDS
------------
SECURITIES
ANNUAL COMPENSATION UNDERLYING
---------------------- OPTIONS/ ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) SARS(#) COMPENSATION($)
- --------------------------- ---- --------- ---------- ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Bernard J. Ebbers.................... 1997 935,000 17,031,250(1) 1,200,000/0 4,500(2)
President and 1996 935,000 2,337,500 1,200,000/0 4,500
Chief Executive Officer 1995 860,000 2,125,000 900,000/0 4,500
James Q. Crowe(4).................... 1997 150,769 0 0/0 20,710,685(3)
Former Chairman of the Board 1996 496,923 1,000,000 0/0 149,692
John W. Sidgmore(5).................. 1997 500,000 0 1,000,000/0 961,750(2)(3)
Vice Chairman of the Board 1996 283,577 494,443 0/0 2,182,654
and Chief Operations Officer
Scott D. Sullivan.................... 1997 500,000 3,500,000(1) 1,000,000/0 4,500(2)
Chief Financial Officer 1996 375,000 500,000 100,000/0 4,500
and Secretary 1995 294,000 225,000 240,000/0 4,500
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes payments received by Mr. Ebbers and Mr. Sullivan of $13.0 million
and $3.5 million, respectively, pursuant to the WorldCom Performance Bonus
Plan that relate to prior years as well.
(2) Matching contributions to the Company's 401(k) Plan.
(3) Includes MFS Shareworks Plus Awards paid out on January 9, 1997 in
connection with the MFS Merger. The value received from such awards was
$20,276,000 for Mr. Crowe and $957,250 for Mr. Sidgmore. The amount for Mr.
Crowe also includes $434,685 in compensation received in connection with the
employer match portion of Mr. Crowe's shareworks distribution.
(4) Resigned in June 1997. See "Employment Agreements and Termination of
Employment Arrangements."
(5) As of December 31, 1997, the total number (and value) of restricted stock
holdings of Mr. Sidgmore was 193,533 ($5,854,373). See "Employment
Agreements and Termination of Employment Arrangements."
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth information concerning stock option grants
made in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 to the individuals named in the
Summary Compensation Table. There were no grants of stock appreciation rights
("SARs") to said individuals during the year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
------------------------------------------------------------------ VALUE AT ASSUMED ANNUAL
NUMBER OF RATES OF STOCK PRICE
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED TERM(3)
OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES EXERCISE OR EXPIRATION -----------------------
NAME GRANTED(#)(1) IN FY BASE PRICE($/SH)(2) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
- ---- ------------- --------------- ------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Bernard J. Ebbers...... 1,200,000 4.1% 26.00 01/23/07 19,621,512 49,724,765
James Q. Crowe......... -- -- -- -- -- --
John W. Sidgmore....... 1,000,000 3.4% 26.00 02/11/07 16,351,260 41,437,304
Scott D. Sullivan...... 1,000,000 3.4% 26.00 02/11/07 16,351,260 41,437,304
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE> 19
- ---------------
(1) The options terminate on the earlier of their expiration date or ten years
after grant or, generally, immediately on termination for reasons other than
retirement, disability, death or without cause; three months after
termination of employment on retirement; 12 months after termination for
disability, death or without cause; or upon the consummation of a specified
change of control transaction. The options may be transferred to certain
family members and related entities with the consent of the Compensation and
Stock Option Committee.
The options for Messrs. Ebbers, Sidgmore and Sullivan become exercisable in
three equal annual installments beginning January 1, 1998 through January 1,
2000.
(2) The exercise price may be paid in cash or, in the discretion of the
Company's Compensation and Stock Option Committee, by shares of Common Stock
valued at the closing quoted selling price on the date of exercise, or a
combination of cash and Common Stock.
(3) The indicated 5% and 10% rates of appreciation are provided to comply with
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the Company as to the likely trend in the stock price.
Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises and the sale of Common Stock
holdings will be dependent on, among other things, the future performance of
the Common Stock and overall stock market conditions. There can be no
assurance that the amounts reflected in this table will be achieved.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
The following table sets forth information concerning the number and value
realized as to options exercised during 1997 and options held at December 31,
1997, by the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table and the value
of those options held at such date. The options exercised were not exercised as
SARs and no SARs were held at year end. All options had exercise prices lower
than the fair market value of the Common Stock on December 31, 1997
("in-the-money" options).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
SHARES OPTIONS AT FY-END(#) FY-END($)(2)
ACQUIRED ON VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($)(1) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- -------------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Bernard J. Ebbers............. -- -- 2,875,696 1,200,000 44,326,826 8,350,000
James Q. Crowe................ 1,810,263 48,202,166 -- -- -- --
John W. Sidgmore.............. -- -- 368,704 666,667 2,299,555 2,833,335
Scott D. Sullivan............. 373,028 5,581,314 433,333 766,667 3,091,665 4,070,825
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Based upon the difference between the closing price on the date of exercise
and the option exercise price.
(2) Based upon a price of $30.25 per share, which was the closing price of
Common Stock on December 31, 1997.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires directors,
executive officers and 10% or greater shareholders of the Company ("Reporting
Persons") to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of
ownership and reports of changes in ownership of equity securities of the
Company. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on its review of the copies of
such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that certain
reports were not required, during the year ended December 31, 1997, all Section
16(a) filing requirements applicable to Reporting Persons were complied with,
except that Messrs. Galesi, Jaros, Porter and Tucker each filed one late report
covering one, four, five, and one transaction(s), respectively.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The AOL Agreement provided that, if so requested at least five business
days before the closing of the AOL transaction, WorldCom would cause Stephen M.
Case, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
17
<PAGE> 20
Officer of AOL, to be appointed to the WorldCom Board. Mr. Case made such
request and was appointed to the Board in March 1998.
AOL and WorldCom and/or certain of WorldCom's subsidiaries are currently
parties to certain agreements regarding the provision of dial-up and leased line
access to AOL. Upon closing of the AOL Agreement, WorldCom, AOL and ANS entered
into a Master Agreement for Data Communications which has an initial term
expiring December 31, 2002, subject to extension by AOL in certain
circumstances. The agreement provides that ANS will (i) continue to maintain and
operate portions of AOL's dial-up member access network; (ii) install, activate,
maintain and operate additional modems for AOL's dial-up network in the United
States and Canada; and (iii) provide AOL with Internet access. AOL committed to
purchase from ANS specified percentages of its incremental modem requirements
each year, subject to ANS fulfilling certain obligations. The fees for the
foregoing services are based on several factors, including certain fixed base
prices, the prices offered by ANS to its non-affiliated customers, prices paid
by AOL to, or offered to AOL by, other significant suppliers of modems and modem
services, and, if AOL provides such services to itself, AOL's cost. The fees are
subject to adjustment twice per year and include certain agreed-upon discounts.
AOL, UUNET and the surviving corporation of the Company's merger with CompuServe
Corporation ("CompuServe") also entered into a Network Services Agreement on
January 31, 1998, which has an initial term expiring December 31, 2002, subject
to extension by AOL in certain circumstances. Under this agreement, such
surviving corporation provides AOL with capacity on the CompuServe network, and
AOL committed to use the network for specified portions of its requirements. The
fees to be paid by AOL are based on several factors, including certain fixed
base prices, the prices offered to AOL by other significant suppliers of network
capacity, and such surviving corporation's actual cost to provide the network
capacity. Expenditures by AOL under all of such agreements during the twelve
month period commencing as of the closing of the AOL Agreement is anticipated to
exceed $400 million. Actual results may vary materially from such expectation.
The AOL Agreement included customary representations and warranties, and
provisions for each of AOL and WorldCom to indemnify the other for certain
losses and expenses, subject to specified time limits and minimum amounts. AOL
and ANS also entered into a Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Agreement under
which (i) AOL agreed to certain limitations on its business activities in the
network services business, (ii) WorldCom agreed that CompuServe will be subject
to certain limitations in the online services business, and (iii) each of the
parties agreed to certain restrictions on its rights to solicit or otherwise
deal with customers, suppliers, employees, independent contractors, agents or
representatives of the other.
In connection with the negotiation and approval of the BFP Merger
Agreement, Mr. Ebbers indicated his expectation that the WorldCom Board would
consider the nomination of an individual designated by the BFP Board of
Directors (who was expected to be Mr. James C. Allen) for election as a director
of WorldCom following the effective time of the BFP Merger. The BFP Merger
resulted in the vesting of Mr. Allen's 66,667 shares of BFP stock options
exercisable at $12.50 per share, which options were converted into options
exercisable for Common Stock having the same terms and conditions, except that
the exercise price and number of shares issuable upon exercise were divided and
multiplied, respectively, by 1.85. Each of Mr. Allen's shares of BFP common
stock was converted into 1.85 shares of Common Stock in the BFP Merger. As of
November 30, 1997, Mr. Allen beneficially owned 319,885 shares of BFP common
stock. Pursuant to a Change in Control Severance Agreement entered into as of
April 8, 1997, Mr. Allen received a $2,075,158 payment upon his termination as
Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BFP in February 1998. Mr. Allen is
also entitled to continuation of medical insurance benefits for a three year
period, and is subject to certain non-competition and non-solicitation
provisions.
On August 19, 1997, in connection with the acquisition by the Company of
the outstanding shares of McCourt Fiber Network, Inc., which was the holder of
the shares of Metropolitan Fiber Systems -- McCourt, Inc. not already owned by
the Company, the Company issued to shareholders of McCourt Fiber Network, Inc.
846,154 shares of WorldCom Common Stock, which total included 812,308 shares
issued to David C. McCourt, then a member of the WorldCom Board of Directors.
As of December 31, 1996, R. Douglas Bradbury, former director of WorldCom
and Chief Financial Officer of MFS, held 52,500 MFS Shareworks Plus Awards. This
award, totaling $6.4 million, was paid out in
18
<PAGE> 21
January 1997 in connection with the MFS Merger. Additionally, in accordance with
the WorldCom/MFS 1992 Stock Option Plan, upon the termination of Mr. Bradbury as
Chief Financial Officer of MFS on February 28, 1997, all of Mr. Bradbury's
options to purchase an aggregate of 749,725 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $2.869 per share were immediately vested. Mr. Bradbury
subsequently exercised all such options and sold the underlying shares of Common
Stock.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MCI/WORLDCOM MERGER
A number of executive officers of MCI, including some of the officers who
are also directors, have certain interests in the MCI/WorldCom Merger that are
different from, or in addition to, the interests of the stockholders of MCI
generally. With respect to Messrs. Roberts, Price and Taylor, executives who
serve as directors of MCI and who will serve as executives and directors of the
combined company, and the other MCI designees each will be entitled to receive
in connection with the MCI/WorldCom Merger a number of shares of Common Stock
and options to purchase shares of Common Stock based upon the MCI Exchange
Ratio, in exchange for the shares of MCI Common Stock beneficially owned by
Messrs. Roberts, Price and Taylor and the other MCI designees as of the
MCI/WorldCom Effective Time and options to purchase shares of MCI Common Stock
held by Messrs. Roberts, Price and Taylor and the other MCI designees as of the
MCI/WorldCom Effective Time. In addition, in connection with the MCI/WorldCom
Merger, Messrs. Roberts, Taylor and Price will receive cash retention bonuses of
$10.5 million, $9.5 million and $9.0 million, respectively, which replace the
senior retention incentive stock units granted pursuant to a prior merger
agreement between BT and MCI (the "BT/MCI Merger Agreement") which were
discontinued when that agreement was terminated in connection with the execution
of the MCI/WorldCom Merger Agreement.
OWNERSHIP OF MCI COMMON STOCK; STOCK OPTIONS. As of December 31, 1997, directors
and executive officers of MCI beneficially owned an aggregate of 2,557,871
shares of MCI Common Stock (or approximately 0.4% of the then outstanding MCI
Common Stock), including restricted shares of MCI Common Stock ("MCI Restricted
Shares") and incentive stock units ("ISUs") but excluding shares of MCI Common
Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of outstanding options to purchase
MCI Common Stock ("MCI Stock Options").
As of December 31, 1997, directors and executive officers of MCI held
options to purchase an aggregate of 4,299,020 shares of MCI Common Stock, of
which options to purchase 2,870,830 shares of MCI Common Stock were exercisable,
and the remainder of which will, pursuant to the MCI/WorldCom Merger Agreement,
become fully vested and exercisable immediately prior to the MCI/WorldCom
Effective Time if not previously vested. The MCI/WorldCom Merger Agreement
provides that, on or prior to the MCI/WorldCom Effective Time, MCI shall take
all action necessary to cause each option to purchase shares of MCI Common Stock
that remains outstanding at the MCI/WorldCom Effective Time to be converted into
an option to acquire that number of shares of Common Stock determined by
multiplying the number of shares of MCI Common Stock subject to such option by
the MCI Exchange Ratio, rounded, if necessary, up to the nearest whole share of
Common Stock, at a price per share equal to the per-share exercise price
specified in such MCI Stock Option divided by the MCI Exchange Ratio.
As of December 31, 1997, executive officers of MCI held an aggregate of
1,083,324 MCI Restricted Shares and ISUs, including in the case of Mr. Roberts,
Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Price, 299,903, 229,641 and 154,138 shares, respectively.
Pursuant to the MCI/WorldCom Merger Agreement, at the MCI/WorldCom Effective
Time all unvested and unpaid MCI Restricted Shares and ISUs outstanding on the
date of execution of the MCI/WorldCom Merger Agreement will become fully vested
and (unless voluntarily deferred) paid. Any MCI Restricted Shares or ISUs
outstanding at the MCI/WorldCom Effective Time will be converted into the number
of shares of WorldCom Common Stock or ISUs determined by multiplying such MCI
Restricted Shares and ISUs by the MCI Exchange Ratio.
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<PAGE> 22
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of MCI Common Stock as of December 31, 1997, assuming the exercise of
all options exercisable on, or within 60 days of, such date, by the persons
selected by MCI to serve as directors of MCI WorldCom. Each such individual has
sole voting and investment power over the shares listed opposite his or her name
except as set forth in the footnotes hereto.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1) OF CLASS
------------------------ --------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Clifford L. Alexander, Jr. .............................. 20,000(2) *
Judith Areen............................................. 22,803 *
Gordon S. Macklin........................................ 64,000(3) *
Timothy F. Price......................................... 290,243(4) *
Bert C. Roberts, Jr. .................................... 1,609,823(5) *
Gerald H. Taylor......................................... 998,579(6) *
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than one percent.
(1) Unless otherwise noted, each person has sole voting power and sole
investment power with respect to the securities reported, except with
respect to shares of MCI Common Stock allocated to accounts under MCI's
Employee Stock Ownership and 401(k) Plan ("ESOP"), with respect to which
shares such person has sole voting power only. Where indicated, the data
also include shares which each person had the right to acquire upon exercise
of MCI Stock Options within sixty days of December 31, 1997, and also shares
issued as awards of MCI Restricted Shares and/or ISUs.
(2) Consists of 20,000 shares of MCI Common Stock Mr. Alexander has the right to
acquire pursuant to the exercise of MCI Stock Options.
(3) Includes 40,000 shares of MCI Common Stock Mr. Macklin has the right to
acquire pursuant to the exercise of MCI Stock Options. Does not include
3,200 shares of MCI Common Stock owned solely by Mr. Macklin's wife, in
which shares he disclaims beneficial ownership.
(4) Includes 14,891 shares of MCI Common Stock allocated to Mr. Price's ESOP
account, 102,825 shares of MCI Common Stock he has the right to acquire
pursuant to the exercise of MCI Stock Options and 154,138 shares of MCI
Common Stock issued as ISUs. Does not include 1,000 shares of MCI Common
Stock held by Mr. Price's wife as custodian for the benefit of their minor
children, in which shares Mr. Price disclaims beneficial ownership.
(5) Includes 46,020 shares of MCI Common Stock allocated to Mr. Roberts' ESOP
account, 798,500 shares of MCI Common Stock he has the right to acquire
pursuant to the exercise of MCI Stock Options, 255,736 MCI Restricted
Shares, 44,167 shares of MCI Common Stock issued as ISUs, 122,400 shares of
MCI Common Stock owned by a limited partnership in which Mr. Roberts is a
general partner, and 18,000 shares of MCI Common Stock owned by the Roberts'
Foundation. Does not include 12,000 shares of MCI Common Stock held by Mr.
Roberts' wife as custodian for the benefit of their minor child, in which
shares Mr. Roberts disclaims beneficial ownership.
(6) Includes 36,251 shares of MCI Common Stock allocated to Mr. Taylor's ESOP
account, 661,420 shares of MCI Common Stock he has the right to acquire
pursuant to the exercise of MCI Stock Options, and 229,641 shares of MCI
Common Stock issued as ISUs.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. MCI had previously entered into employment agreements
(the "Employment Agreements") with Messrs. Roberts, Taylor and Price, (as well
as five other MCI executives) (collectively, the "Executives"), effective as of
November 2, 1996, and expiring on December 31, 1999.
Pursuant to the Employment Agreements, each Executive will receive an
annual base salary, subject to increases (but not decreases) at the discretion
of MCI. The 1997 annual salaries of certain of the Executives under the
Employment Agreements were as follows: Bert C. Roberts, Jr., $1,000,000; Gerald
H. Taylor, $700,000; and Timothy F. Price, $550,000. In addition, each Executive
will receive an annual bonus for each fiscal year of MCI ending during the term
of the Executive's employment with a minimum bonus amount of
20
<PAGE> 23
no less than the average annual bonus earned by the Executive in respect of the
1994, 1995 and 1996 fiscal years. The Executives will also participate in any
long-term incentive compensation plan or program maintained by MCI for senior
executives of MCI and all long-term compensation plans and programs in existence
immediately prior to the MCI/WorldCom Merger are, under the Employment
Agreements, required to be maintained for at least two years following the
MCI/WorldCom Effective Time or replaced by programs that are no less favorable
to the Executives. In addition, the Executives will participate in all MCI
pension and welfare benefit plans and programs which are applicable to senior
executives of MCI, and all pension and welfare benefit plans and programs in
existence immediately prior to the MCI/WorldCom Merger are, under the Employment
Agreements, required to be maintained for at least two years following the
MCI/WorldCom Effective Time or be replaced by programs that are no less
favorable to the Executives.
Under the Employment Agreements, in the event an Executive's employment is
terminated by MCI (for this purpose "MCI" shall mean MCI, MCI WorldCom and their
respective affiliates) without "Cause" or by the Executive for "Good Reason" (as
each such term is defined below), the Executive is to receive (a) the
Executive's accrued but unpaid salary and vacation pay, and any unpaid bonus
from the prior fiscal year, (b) a cash payment equal to three times the sum of
(x) the Executive's annual base salary and (y) the greater of (A) the average
annual bonus paid to or accrued for the Executive by MCI in respect of the three
calendar years preceding the termination of employment and (B) the annual bonus
paid to or accrued for the Executive in respect of 1995, (c) continued medical,
dental and life insurance coverage for the Executive and the Executive's
eligible dependents on the same basis as in effect immediately prior to the
Executive's termination of employment until the earlier of (x) 36 months after
the Executive's termination of employment or (y) the commencement of coverage
with a subsequent employer, but only to the extent such coverage duplicates or
exceeds the coverage provided by MCI, (d) unless otherwise expressly elected by
the Executive prior to such termination, payment, in a cash lump sum, of all
amounts deferred by the Executive under any non-qualified plan of deferred
compensation maintained by MCI or MCI WorldCom (notwithstanding the payment
provisions of any such plan to the contrary), (e) full acceleration of vesting
and exercisability of any equity based and cash retention awards (including, but
not limited to, MCI Stock Options, MCI Restricted Shares and ISUs) granted to
the Executive prior to the Executive's termination of employment and (f) 36
months of age and service credit for all purposes under all defined benefit
plans of MCI (or the equivalent).
For purposes of the Employment Agreements, "Cause" means: (i) a deliberate
and material breach by the Executive of his duties and responsibilities under
the Employment Agreement that results in material harm to MCI, which breach is
(A) either the product of willful malfeasance or gross neglect, (B) committed in
bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is in, or not contrary
to, the best interests of MCI and (C) not remedied within 30 days after receipt
of written notice from MCI specifying such breach; (ii) the Executive's willful
and material breach of the restrictive covenants contained in the Employment
Agreement which is not remedied within 30 days after receipt of written notice
from MCI specifying such breach; or (iii) the Executive's plea of guilty or nolo
contendre to, or nonappealable conviction of, a felony, which conviction or plea
causes material harm to the reputation or financial position of MCI. "Good
Reason" means the occurrence of any of the following without the Executive's
express written consent: (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties
inconsistent with the Executive's current positions, duties, responsibilities
and status with MCI, a change in the Executive's reporting responsibilities,
title or offices or any removal of the Executive from or failure to elect or
re-elect the Executive to any position with MCI (including membership on the MCI
Board) except in connection with the Executive's promotion or a termination of
employment for Cause; (ii) a reduction in the Executive's base salary or target
annual bonus or long-term incentives, as such salary, target bonus and
incentives are increased from time to time; (iii) the failure to continue in
effect any employee benefit plan or compensation plan in which the Executive
participates unless the Executive is provided with participation in other plans
that provide substantially comparable benefits or the taking of any action that
would adversely affect the Executive's benefits under any such plan; (iv) any
relocation of the Executive's principal place of business from the location
described in the Employment Agreement; (v) any reduction in fringe benefits and
perquisites provided to the Executive; (vi) any material breach by MCI of any
provisions of the Employment Agreement; and (vii) a failure by MCI WorldCom to
expressly assume, as of the date of the MCI/WorldCom Merger, all obligations of
MCI under the Employment Agreement.
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<PAGE> 24
The Employment Agreements further provide that if the payments described
above constitute "parachute payments" under applicable provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), MCI is to pay the
Executive an additional amount sufficient to place the Executive in the same
after-tax financial position the Executive would have been in if the Executive
had not incurred the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code in
respect of such parachute payments.
In the event an Executive's employment is terminated due to the Executive's
death or "Disability" (as defined in the Employment Agreements), the Employment
Agreements provide that MCI is to pay to the Executive (or the Executive's
beneficiaries) a lump sum cash amount equal to (i) the annual rate of the
Executive's annual base salary as in effect on the date of termination and (ii)
the highest bonus paid to the Executive under MCI's annual bonus plan during the
three fiscal years preceding the termination of employment. In addition, the
Executive is to receive (i) the unpaid portion of his annual base salary accrued
to the date of termination and any accrued vacation as of the date of
termination and (ii) the unpaid portion of his bonus accrued with respect to the
last full fiscal year of MCI ended prior to the date of termination, when such
bonus would otherwise be payable.
The Employment Agreements contain confidentiality, non-competition and
non-solicitation clauses which provide, among other things, that the Executive
is not to (i) render services to a competitor of MCI or its affiliates or (ii)
solicit or offer employment to any employee of MCI or its affiliates during the
Executive's employment with MCI or its affiliates and, thereafter, for a period
expiring on the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of the Executive's
termination of employment and (y) the expiration of the term of the Employment
Agreement.
RETENTION BONUSES FOR SENIOR EXECUTIVES. In connection with the MCI/WorldCom
Merger, a cash retention award pool (the "Executive Retention Program") of up to
approximately $170 million will be created to provide retention incentives for
MCI senior executives, including Messrs. Roberts, Taylor and Price, who will
receive $10.5 million, $9.5 million and $9.0 million, respectively. These
bonuses generally replace the Senior Retention ISUs granted pursuant to the
BT/MCI Merger Agreement, which were discontinued when that agreement was
terminated. The schedule of payments of such incentives will be subject to the
approval of WorldCom, which will not be unreasonably withheld; and WorldCom will
be informed as to the other aspects of the incentives.
DISCRETIONARY RETENTION BONUS POOL. In addition, a cash retention pool of up to
$150 million has been created for post-MCI/WorldCom Merger retention; such pool
will be allocated in consultation with WorldCom.
DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. Pursuant to the MCI/WorldCom
Merger Agreement, from and after the MCI/WorldCom Effective Time, the surviving
corporation in the MCI/WorldCom Merger is to cause to be maintained in effect in
its certificate of incorporation and bylaws (i) for a period of six years after
the MCI/WorldCom Effective Time, the current provisions regarding
indemnification of officers and directors contained in the MCI Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and the MCI Bylaws and (ii) for a period of six
years, the current policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance and
fiduciary liability insurance maintained by MCI with respect to claims arising
from facts or events that occurred on or before the MCI/WorldCom Effective Time,
except that in no event is the surviving corporation to be required to expend in
any one year an amount in excess of 200% of the annual premiums currently paid
by MCI for such insurance, and, if the annual premiums of such insurance
coverage exceed such amount, the surviving corporation is to obtain a policy
with the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding such amount.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS; MANAGEMENT. Pursuant to the MCI/WorldCom Merger Agreement,
WorldCom originally agreed that the WorldCom Board, as of the MCI/WorldCom
Effective Time, would consist of fifteen members, eight of whom would be
designated by WorldCom from among the directors of WorldCom, five of whom would
be designated by MCI from among the directors of MCI and two of whom would be
directors designated by WorldCom from among pending acquisitions of WorldCom;
provided that the persons designated by each party are reasonably acceptable to
the other party. See, however, "Item 1. Election of Directors -- The MCI
WorldCom Merger -- Management of MCI WorldCom Following the MCI/WorldCom
Merger." As of the date hereof, the WorldCom Board is composed of eleven
directors. WorldCom has further agreed to cause Bert C. Roberts, Jr. to be
appointed Chairman of MCI WorldCom,
22
<PAGE> 25
and to cause the senior management of MCI WorldCom to be as previously agreed
between the parties. Pursuant to the MCI/WorldCom Merger Agreement, Bernard J.
Ebbers will be the President and Chief Executive Officer of MCI WorldCom. In
addition, Gerald H. Taylor, currently Chief Executive Officer of MCI, will
become President and Chief Executive Officer of MCI WorldCom International,
responsible for all strategy, operations, and ventures outside of the U.S.; and
Timothy F. Price, currently President and Chief Operating Officer of MCI, will
become President and Chief Executive Officer of MCI WorldCom's U.S.
communications operating subsidiary. The U.S. operating subsidiary will be
responsible for the communications business in the United States, including all
sales and marketing, customer service, product development, and network
operations. John W. Sidgmore, currently Vice Chairman and Chief Operations
Officer of WorldCom, will become President and Chief Executive Officer of
Internet & Technology, responsible for information technology services,
including MCI Systemhouse, architecture, design, and planning for the global
network, and managing MCI WorldCom's largest commercial Internet relationships;
and Scott D. Sullivan will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer of MCI
WorldCom. See "Item 1. Election of Directors -- The MCI/WorldCom
Merger -- Management of MCI WorldCom Following the MCI/WorldCom Merger."
CERTAIN RELATED TRANSACTIONS
WorldCom and MCI have entered into certain interconnection or other service
agreements with each other and certain of their affiliates in the ordinary
course of their businesses, which agreements have been amended from time to
time. In fiscal 1997, fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1995, MCI and its subsidiaries and
WorldCom and its subsidiaries have engaged in transactions aggregating
approximately $655 million, $558 million, and $273 million, respectively.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
From January 1, 1997 until June 27, 1997 the Committee was composed of
Stiles A. Kellett, Jr. (Chairman), Walter Scott, Jr., Lawrence C. Tucker and
Michael B. Yanney. From June 28, 1997 until July 30, 1997 the Committee was
composed of Stiles A. Kellett, Jr. (Chairman), Lawrence C. Tucker and Michael B.
Yanney. From July 31, 1997 to September 10, 1997 the Committee was composed of
Stiles A. Kellett, Jr. (Chairman) and Lawrence C. Tucker. Subsequent to
September 10, 1997, the Committee was composed of Stiles A. Kellett, Jr.
(Chairman), Max E. Bobbitt, and Lawrence C. Tucker.
ITEM 2. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL ON SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLANS
The CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan, P. O. Box 2380, Colorado Springs, CO
80901-2380 (the "Fund"), which owns 75,000 shares of Common Stock, has informed
WorldCom that it intends to propose the following resolution at the 1998 annual
meeting of shareholders. The proposal and supporting statement, for which the
Board of Directors and WorldCom accept no responsibility, are set forth below.
THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
Resolved, that the shareholders of WorldCom, Inc. request the Board of
Directors to refrain from adopting any future shareholder rights plan, rights
agreement, or other device commonly known as a "poison pill," without the prior
approval of the stockholders at an Annual or Special meeting, and to redeem or
terminate any such plan, agreement or device which may be in effect at the
adoption of this resolution.
THE SHAREHOLDER'S STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
A poison pill is an anti-takeover device, which effectively prevents a
change in control of a Company without the approval of the Board of Directors.
It forces potential acquirers to negotiate acquisitions with management, instead
of making an offer directly to the stockholders.
The stockholders, who own the Company, should have the right to decide what
is a fair price for their holdings. The directors and managers, who serve as our
agents, should not usurp that right.
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<PAGE> 26
In addition, by forcing potential acquirers to negotiate with the Board,
poison pills have a tendency to entrench management, to insulate it from
accountability, and to make management less responsive to the views of
stockholders. Stockholders should have the right to decide whether the risk of
such consequences may be warranted by special circumstances that might make it
appropriate to adopt a poison pill.
In this regard, proposals to redeem or allow shareholder votes on poison
pills have received the support of a majority of the shareholders at fourteen
publicly traded American companies within the last two years. According to the
Investor Responsibility Research Center (IRRC), these include CSX, Wellman, the
Fleming Companies, Columbia/HCA, Flour, Bausch & Lomb, J.C. Penney, Lukens,
Consolidated Natural Gas, Harrah's Entertainment, Baker Hughes, Weyerhaeuser and
Rowan.
Of the proposals to redeem or allow votes on poison pills within the IRRC
research universe, the proponents won 53% of the votes cast during 1996 and
1997. And these results do not take account of many companies that have decided
to redeem or allow votes on poison pills without action by their stockholders.
*****
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE
FOREGOING PROPOSAL.
Proxies will be voted against the foregoing unless shareholders specify
otherwise in their proxies. The number of votes cast in favor of the shareholder
proposal by the holders of the shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock
and Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, represented in person or
by proxy at a meeting where a quorum is present must exceed the number of votes
cast against said proposal by said holders in order for the proposal to be
adopted. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast in the election constitutes
a quorum. Shares voted to "abstain" will be considered to be present for
purposes of establishing a quorum but will have no effect on the vote. Shares as
to which a broker indicates it lacks authority to vote on Item 2 and which are
not voted will be considered not present for purposes of determining the
existence of a quorum and the requisite vote.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur Andersen") has been selected as the Company's
independent accountant for 1998. Representatives of Arthur Andersen are expected
to attend the annual meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement,
if they so desire, and respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.
REPORT ON FORM 10-K
A copy of the Company's Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December
31, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including related
financial statements and schedules) is available to shareholders without charge,
upon written request to Scott D. Sullivan, Secretary, WorldCom, Inc., 515 East
Amite Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201-2702.
FUTURE PROPOSALS OF SECURITY HOLDERS
All proposals of security holders intended to be presented at the 1999
annual meeting of shareholders must be received by the Company not later than
December 24, 1998, for inclusion in the Company's 1999 proxy statement and form
of proxy relating to the 1999 annual meeting. Upon timely receipt of any such
proposal, the Company will determine whether or not to include such proposal in
the proxy statement and proxy in accordance with applicable regulations and
provisions governing the solicitation of proxies.
Under the Bylaws of the Company, shareholders entitled to vote in the
election of directors may nominate one or more persons for election as directors
only if written notice of such shareholder's intent to make such nomination(s)
has been given either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage
prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company not later than 90 days prior to the
anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting. Such notice must
set forth: (a) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the
nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation
that the shareholder is a
24
<PAGE> 27
holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and
intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or
persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all arrangements or
understandings between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or
persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or
nominations are to be made by the shareholder; (d) such other information
regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholder as would be required to be
included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission; and (e) the consent of each nominee to serve
as a director of the Company if so elected.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Company knows of no business to be brought before the annual meeting
other than as set forth above. If other matters properly come before the
meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the solicited proxy to vote
the proxy on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Company will pay the cost of soliciting proxies in connection with the
1998 annual meeting. In addition to solicitation by use of the mails, certain
directors, officers and regular employees of the Company may solicit the return
of proxies by telephone, facsimile or other means, or personal interview, and
may request brokerage houses and custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward
soliciting material to their principals and will agree to reimburse them for
their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Company's transfer agent, The Bank
of New York, has agreed to assist the Company in connection with the tabulation
of proxies. In addition, the Company may retain MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to
assist with the solicitation of proxies, the estimated cost of which would be
approximately $5,000, plus expenses.
Shareholders are urged to mark, sign and send in their proxies without
delay.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Scott D. Sullivan
Secretary
Jackson, Mississippi
April 23, 1998
25
<PAGE> 28
PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD
WORLDCOM, INC.
515 EAST AMITE STREET
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39201-2702
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1998
The undersigned hereby (i) with respect to all shares of Common Stock and
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of WorldCom, Inc. (the "Company") which the
undersigned may be entitled to vote, constitutes and appoints Bernard J. Ebbers
and Scott D. Sullivan, and each of them, with full power of substitution, the
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, agents and proxies of the undersigned and
(ii) with respect to all shares of Series A 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock of the Company (or portions thereof) which the undersigned, as holder of
depositary shares relating thereto (the "Series A Depositary Shares"), may be
entitled to direct the voting of, directs The Bank of New York, as Depositary
(the "Depositary"), in each case, to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
of WorldCom, Inc., to be held on Thursday, May 21, 1998, commencing at 10:00
a.m. local time, at 500 Clinton Center Dr., Clinton, Mississippi, and at any and
all adjournments or postponements thereof, according to the number of votes
which the undersigned would possess if personally present, for the purposes of
considering and taking action upon the following, as more fully set forth in the
Proxy Statement of the Company dated April 23, 1998, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged.
THIS PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED
AND DEEMED AN INSTRUCTION TO VOTE IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE
UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED OR, WITH RESPECT
TO SERIES A DEPOSITARY SHARES, THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD WILL BE DEEMED AN
INSTRUCTION TO VOTE, FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES UNDER PROPOSAL 1, AGAINST
PROPOSAL 2 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES OR THE DEPOSITARY, AS THE CASE
MAY BE, WITH RESPECT TO PROPOSAL 3.
WorldCom, Inc.
Post Office Box 11494
New York, NY 10203-0494
(Continued, and to be signed and dated on
the reverse side.)
<PAGE> 29
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS [ ] FOR all nominees [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote [ ] *EXCEPTIONS
listed below for all nominees listed below
Nominees: James C. Allen, Carl J. Aycock, Max E. Bobbitt, Stephen M. Case, Bernard J. Ebbers, Francesco Galesi,
Stiles A. Kellett, Jr., John A. Porter, John W. Sidgmore, Scott D. Sullivan and Lawrence C. Tucker.
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, MARK THE "EXCEPTIONS" BOX AND WRITE THAT
NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)
*Exceptions_____________________________________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "AGAINST" PROPOSAL 2.
2. Proposal on Shareholders Rights Plan. 3. In their discretion with respect to such other business as
properly may come before the meeting or any adjournments or
postponements thereof.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
Change of Address and
or Comments Mark Here [ ]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please sign exactly as name(s) appear on this proxy/voting
instruction card. When shares are held by joint tenants,
both should sign. When signing as attorney-in-fact,
executor, administrator, personal representative, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation,
please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person.
DATED ______________________________,19_______
------------------------------------------------------------
Signature of shareholder or authorized representative
------------------------------------------------------------
Signature (if held jointly)
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. VOTES MUST BE INDICATED [X]
(x) IN BLACK OR BLUE INK.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 30
WORLDCOM, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS MAY 21, 1998
The enclosed material relates to shares of WORLDCOM, INC. held in your account
in the WORLDCOM 401(k) Plan (the "Plan") on April 2, 1998. As Trustee of the
Plan, Merrill Lynch Trust Company will vote your Plan shares in accordance with
your instructions.
The enclosed proxy will be used solely as your instructions to Merrill Lynch
Trust Company as to how your Plan shares should be voted. Please execute and
return your instructions to the Trustee as soon as possible in the postage paid
envelope included.
MERRILL LYNCH TRUST COMPANY
<PAGE> 31
WORLDCOM, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS MAY 21, 1998
The enclosed material relates to shares of WORLDCOM, INC. held in your account
in the MFS Communications Company, Inc. 401(A) Shareworks Grant Plan (the
"Plan") on April 2, 1998. As Trustee of the Plan, Merrill Lynch Trust Company
will vote your Plan shares in accordance with your instructions.
The enclosed proxy will be used solely as your instructions to Merrill Lynch
Trust Company as to how your Plan shares should be voted. Please execute and
return your instructions to the Trustee as soon as possible in the postage paid
envelope included.
MERRILL LYNCH TRUST COMPANY
