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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant: [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
GARTNER GROUP, INC.
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
-----------------------
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
__________________________________
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
__________________________________
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it is
determined):______________________
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
__________________________________
5) Total fee paid: $_________________
[ ] 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:______________________________________________
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:________________________
3) Filing Party:________________________________________________________
4) Date Filed:__________________________________________________________
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Preliminary Proxy
Filed as of May 20, 1999
[GARTNER GROUP LOGO]
P.O. Box 10212
56 Top Gallant Road
Stamford, Connecticut 06904
_______________, 1999
To the Stockholders of Gartner Group, Inc.
Re: Invitation and Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders
Dear Stockholder:
You are invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders of Gartner
Group, Inc. ("Gartner Group" or the "Company") to be held on:
____________, 1999, at ____ a.m.,
at _________________ located at
[LOCATION]
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SPECIAL MEETING THAT AFFECTS YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE
COMPANY.
Background and Proposed Transactions
Gartner Group and IMS Health Incorporated, the holder of approximately
46% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Gartner Group ("IMS Health"),
have previously announced a series of transactions that will result in the
separation of the Company and IMS Health. This separation will be effected
through the tax-free distribution by IMS Health to its stockholders of
approximately 40.7 million shares of common stock of the Company held by IMS
Health (the "Distribution"). In order to permit the Distribution to be tax-free
for federal income tax purposes, and thereby in order to make the Distribution
possible, the Company proposes to make certain changes to its capital structure
as described in the Proxy Statement. In addition, in connection with and
contingent upon the Distribution, the Company would pay a $125 million cash
dividend to its stockholders, and following the Distribution the Company would
undertake to commence a share repurchase program for approximately 20% of the
Company's outstanding common stock.
The Distribution and the related transactions described in the Proxy
Statement are designed to give effective control of Gartner Group to public
stockholders, to return immediate value to the Gartner Group stockholders, and
to permit Gartner Group and IMS Health to focus more closely on their respective
businesses in the future.
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More specifically, these transactions (collectively referred to as the
"Transactions") consist of the following:
(a) Recapitalization. To effect a distribution that would be
tax-free to IMS Health and its stockholders, current tax law
requires, among other things, that IMS Health own, at the time
of the distribution, capital stock of Gartner Group having the
right to elect 80% of the Board of Directors of Gartner Group,
and that IMS Health distribute all of such stock to its
stockholders in a single transaction. Accordingly, Gartner
Group's certificate of incorporation will be amended to create a
new class of common stock, called Class B common stock. The
Class B shares will be entitled to elect 80% of the Board of
Directors of Gartner Group but otherwise will be identical to
the current Class A common stock (including with respect to
voting rights on fundamental transactions affecting Gartner
Group). The Class B shares will be issued to IMS Health, on a
one-for one basis, in exchange for a substantial portion of the
Class A common stock held by IMS Health, by means of the merger
of a wholly-owned subsidiary of IMS Health ("Merger Sub") into
Gartner Group (the "Recapitalization"). Until the Distribution,
these transactions would give IMS Health, as the holder of the
Class B common stock, the right to elect 80% of the directors of
Gartner Group. However, all of the Class B common stock will be
promptly distributed by IMS Health to its stockholders in the
Distribution. Gartner Group and IMS Health believe that such
voting ability does not materially enhance IMS Health's current
rights. The election of directors of Gartner Group is, under
Delaware law, by plurality vote. Accordingly, as the holder of
nearly 50% of the outstanding Class A common stock, IMS Health
could currently under most circumstances effectively elect 100%
of Gartner Group's Board of Directors. In addition, the ability
of an acquiror of Class B common stock to exercise control over
the Company is mitigated to some extent by (i) the additional
proposal to provide for a classified board of directors for
Gartner Group, (ii) the terms of the Class A and Class B common
stock which require a combined vote of both classes on a
one-share, one-vote basis for the approval of acquisitions and
other fundamental transactions, and (iii) an additional
provision to be included in the terms of the Class B common
stock, which will be effective following the Distribution and
subject to Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE") approval to the effect that a beneficial owner
of 15% or more of the Class B common stock may only vote in any
election of directors the number of shares of Class B common
stock for which it owns an equivalent percentage of Class A
common stock.
(b) Cash Dividend. Gartner Group will declare a $125 million cash
dividend to Gartner Group stockholders, payable to stockholders
of record prior to the Distribution (the "Cash Dividend").
(c) Distribution. Following the payment of the Cash Dividend, IMS
Health will consummate the Distribution, pursuant to which it
will distribute to its public
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stockholders, on a pro-rata basis, all of the shares of Gartner
Group Class B common stock that IMS Health receives in the
Recapitalization.
(d) Stock Repurchase. The Company has agreed that, as promptly as
practicable following the Distribution, it will undertake a
tender offer to acquire at least 15% of the outstanding shares
of common stock of the Company. The tender offer will be made by
means of a Dutch Auction, as described in the Proxy Statement
(the "Dutch Auction"), which will provide for the purchase of
both Class A common stock and Class B common stock, in the same
proportion as the ratio of shares of Class A common stock and
Class B common stock outstanding immediately following the
distribution and at [an identical price per share], and will be
on such other terms as the Gartner Group Board of Directors will
determine. In addition, Gartner Group will repurchase an
additional approximately 5% of the Class A common stock and
Class B common stock outstanding following the Distribution
(increased or decreased to the extent the actual number of
shares purchased in the Dutch Auction is less than or greater
than the 15% sought to be purchased thereby), allocated between
Class A common stock and Class B common stock in the same
proportion as in the Dutch Auction, in open market purchases
over a two-year period following the Distribution (the "Open
Market Repurchase"; together with the Dutch Auction, the "Stock
Repurchase").
(e) Disposition of Additional Shares by IMS Health. The ruling
obtained by IMS Health from the IRS with respect to the tax-free
nature of the Distribution requires that IMS Health dispose of
the shares of Class A common stock of Gartner Group held by IMS
Health (including shares issuable on exercise of certain
warrants held by IMS Health) that are not converted into Class B
common stock in the Recapitalization as quickly as feasible. IMS
Health has agreed that it will not dispose of any such
securities for a period of 90 days following the Distribution,
and that thereafter it will dispose of such securities only in
an agreed manner intended to mitigate the market impact of such
dispositions.
(f) Corporate Governance Changes and Increase in Authorized Shares.
In addition to the Transactions, the Company proposes to make
certain changes to the governance provisions of its certificate
of incorporation, to create a classified Board of Directors and
to increase the Company's authorized share capital, in order to
foster the Company's long-term growth as an independent
corporation following the Distribution.
(g) Conditions to the Transactions. The Recapitalization and other
Transactions will only be consummated if all of the conditions
to the Transactions are satisfied or waived. These conditions
are set forth in the Merger Agreement and the Distribution
Agreement. The Recapitalization and the other Transactions are
not contingent upon the approval of the Corporate Governance
Proposal or the Share Increase Proposal.
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However, the Corporate Governance Proposal and the Share
Increase Proposal will not be implemented unless the
Recapitalization is approved.
Proposals for Adoption by Stockholders
In order to implement the Transactions, the Company requires the
approval of its stockholders for certain actions. Therefore, at the special
meeting you will be asked to vote on the following proposals:
Proposal One: Recapitalization Pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The
stockholders are being asked to approve the Recapitalization, which will
be accomplished pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
May __, 1999 (the "Merger Agreement"), among the Company, IMS Health and
a newly created, wholly-owned subsidiary of IMS Health ("Merger Sub").
Approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement is a prerequisite to the
consummation of the other Transactions and the undertaking of the other
Transactions is a prerequisite to the Recapitalization.
Proposal Two: Designation of Classified Board of Directors. The
stockholders are being asked to approve amendments to Gartner Group's
certificate of incorporation to provide for a classified Board of
Directors (the "Corporate Governance Proposal"). If this proposal is
approved, the Board of Directors will be divided into three classes with
one class of directors to be elected each year and each class having a
three-year term.
Proposal Three: Increase in Number of Authorized Shares. The
stockholders are being asked to approve an amendment to Gartner Group's
certificate of incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares
of common stock and preferred stock which Gartner Group may issue from
201,600,000 shares of common stock and 2,500,000 shares of preferred
stock to 250,000,000 shares of common stock (consisting of 166,000,000
share of Class A common stock and 84,000,000 shares of Class B common
stock) and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the "Share Increase
Proposal").
Board of Directors Recommendation
The Board of Directors has determined that the Recapitalization Proposal
and the other Transactions, the Corporate Governance Proposal and the Share
Increase Proposal are in your best interests and recommends that you vote in
favor of these proposals.
Required Vote
Each share of the Company's outstanding Class A common stock is entitled
to one vote on each matter which may properly come before the special meeting of
stockholders. Under Delaware law, approval of each of the Recapitalization
Proposal, the Corporate Governance Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Class A common stock of the Company. However, although not
required by law, the Board of Directors has determined and IMS Health has agreed
that the Recapitalization will be
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implemented only if the Recapitalization Proposal is also approved by the
holders of a majority of the shares of the Company's Class A common stock other
than IMS Health voting at the special meeting of stockholders.
IMS Health Stock Ownership
Upon completion of the Recapitalization, IMS Health will hold 40,689,648
shares of Class B common stock, 6,909,457 shares of Class A common stock (the
"Retained Shares") and warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase an additional
599,400 shares of Class A common stock (the "Warrant Shares"). Pursuant to the
Distribution, the Class B common stock issued to IMS Health will be promptly
distributed to its stockholders, and IMS Health will retain the Retained Shares
and Warrants. The IRS ruling requires that IMS Health dispose of the Retained
Shares and Warrant Shares as quickly as feasible. However, IMS Health has agreed
that it will not dispose of any Retained Shares or Warrant Shares for a period
of 90 days following the Distribution, and that thereafter it will dispose of
such securities only in an agreed manner intended to mitigate the market impact
of such disposition.
Stockholders of Record
Only stockholders of record of the Company's common stock at the close
of business on _________, 1999 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the
special meeting of stockholders or any adjournments or postponements. A list of
such stockholders will be available for inspection at the Company's headquarters
located at 56 Top Gallant Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06904 during ordinary
business hours for the ten-day period prior to the special meeting of
stockholders.
Enclosures to be Read Carefully
We enclose a Proxy Statement discussing the Recapitalization Proposal,
the Corporate Governance Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal. Attached to
the Proxy Statement are the following Appendices:
Appendix A - Distribution Agreement, which governs the Distribution and
the other Transactions, including (as an exhibit thereto) the Agreement
and Plan of Merger pursuant to which the Recapitalization will be
effected.
Appendix B - Proposed Amendments to Gartner Group's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Corporate Governance Proposal
and Share Increase, together with the existing Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THE ENTIRE PROXY STATEMENT AND THE APPENDICES
CAREFULLY.
Ensuring Your Vote at the Meeting
Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting of stockholders,
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN
THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PREPAID
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ENVELOPE. Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the
person giving it any time before its use by delivering written notice of
revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Secretary,
Gartner Group, Inc., P.O. Box 10212, 56 Top Gallant Road, Stamford, CT 06904, or
by attending the meeting and voting in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Manuel A. Fernandez
Chairman of the Board
Cathy S. Satz
Corporate Secretary
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE COMPANY'S SPECIAL
MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE YOUR PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY
IN THE ENCLOSED, POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE. YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AT ANY
TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED. EXECUTED BUT UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR
APPROVAL OF THE RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL, THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PROPOSAL AND
THE SHARE INCREASE PROPOSAL. DO NOT SEND ANY GARTNER GROUP, INC. STOCK
CERTIFICATES IN YOUR PROXY ENVELOPE.
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PROXY STATEMENT
FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
GARTNER GROUP, INC.
TO BE HELD ON ____, 1999
SUMMARY
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the stockholders of Gartner
Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Gartner Group" or the "Company"), in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of the
Company for use at a special meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held
on ____, 1999, at ___a.m., local time, at [LOCATION] (including any adjournments
or postponements thereof, the "Special Meeting").
Gartner Group and IMS Health have previously announced a series of
transactions that will result in the separation of the Company and IMS Health.
This separation will be effected through the tax-free distribution by IMS Health
to its stockholders of approximately 40.7 million shares of common stock of the
Company (the "Distribution"). In order to permit the Distribution to be tax-free
for federal income tax purposes, and thereby in order to make the Distribution
possible, the Company proposes to make certain changes to its capital structure
as described in this Proxy Statement. In addition, in connection with and
contingent upon the Distribution, the Company would pay a $125 million cash
dividend to its stockholders, and following the Distribution the Company would
undertake a share repurchase program for approximately 20% of the Company's
outstanding common stock.
The Distribution and the related transactions described in this Proxy
Statement are designed to give effective control of Gartner Group to public
stockholders, to return immediate value to the Gartner Group stockholders, and
to permit Gartner Group and IMS Health to focus more closely on their respective
businesses in the future.
At the Special Meeting, the holders of shares of Class A common stock,
par value $0.0005 per share, of the Company (the "Class A common stock"), will
consider and vote upon:
(1) Recapitalization. The stockholders are being asked to approve a
proposal (the "Recapitalization Proposal") for the
recapitalization of the Company (the "Recapitalization")
pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger
Agreement") dated as of May __, 1999 among the Company, IMS
Health Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("IMS Health"), and
[Newco], a Delaware corporation and a newly formed, wholly owned
subsidiary of IMS Health ("Merger Sub"). This Merger Agreement
provides for the creation of a new class of Class B common
stock, par value $0.0005 per share (the "Class B common stock";
and, together with the Class A common stock, the "Common Stock")
and the exchange by
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IMS Health of 40,689,648 shares of Class A common stock held by
it, for an equal number of shares of Class B common stock. The
exchange will be effected by means of a merger (the "Merger") of
Merger Sub with Gartner Group.
Each stockholder (except for IMS Health with respect to
40,689,648 shares of Class A common stock owned by it) will
retain its shares of the Company's Class A common stock. IMS
Health will retain 6,909,457 shares of Class A common stock
owned by it (the "Retained Shares") as well as warrants (the
"Warrants") to purchase an additional 599,400 shares of Class A
common stock (the "Warrant Shares").
The Recapitalization is being effected because of the
tax law requirement that for a distribution to be tax-free to
IMS Health and its stockholders, IMS Health must own, at the
time of the distribution, capital stock of Gartner Group having
the right to elect 80% of the Board of Directors of Gartner
Group, and must distribute all of such stock to its stockholders
in a single transaction. The Class B common stock to be issued
to IMS Health pursuant to the Recapitalization will be entitled
to elect 80% of the Board of Directors of Gartner Group but
otherwise will be identical to the Class A common stock
(including with respect to voting rights on fundamental
transactions affecting Gartner Group). All of the Class B common
stock will be distributed by IMS Health to its stockholders in
the Distribution. Gartner Group and IMS Health believe that the
ability of the holders of Class B common stock to elect 80% of
the Board of Directors of Gartner Group does not materially
enhance IMS Health's current rights. The election of directors
of Gartner Group is, under Delaware law, by plurality vote.
Accordingly, as the holder at this time of nearly 50% of the
outstanding Class A common stock, IMS Health could currently
under most circumstances effectively elect 100% of Gartner
Group's Board of Directors. In addition, the ability of an
acquiror of Class B Common Stock to exercise control over the
Company is mitigated to the same extent by (i) the proposal to
provide for a classified board of directors for Gartner Group,
(ii) the terms of the Class A and Class B common stock, which
require a combined vote of both classes on a one-share, one-vote
basis for the approval of acquisitions and other fundamental
transactions and (iii) an additional provision to be included in
the terms of the Class B common stock, which will be effective
following the Distribution and subject to Internal Revenue
Service ("IRS") and New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") approval to
the effect that a beneficial owner of 15% or more of the Class B
common stock may only vote in any election of directors the
number of shares of Class B common stock for which it owns an
equivalent percentage of Class A common stock.
If the Recapitalization is approved and the other
conditions are met as set forth in the Merger Agreement and in
the Distribution Agreement dated as of May __, 1999, between
Gartner Group and IMS Health (the "Distribution Agreement"),
then the following additional transactions (collectively with
the Recapitalization, the "Transactions") shall be effected
after the Recapitalization:
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Cash Dividend. Gartner Group will declare a $125 million cash
dividend to Gartner Group stockholders, payable to stockholders
of record prior to the Distribution (the "Cash Dividend").
Distribution. Following the payment of the Cash Dividend, IMS
Health will consummate the Distribution, pursuant to which it
will distribute to its stockholders, on a pro rata basis, all of
the shares of Gartner Group Class B common stock that IMS Health
receives in the Recapitalization.
Stock Repurchase. The Company has agreed that, as promptly as
practicable following the Distribution, it will undertake a
tender offer to acquire at least 15% of the outstanding shares
of common stock of the Company. The tender offer will be made by
means of a Dutch Auction (the "Dutch Auction"), will provide for
the purchase of both Class A common stock and Class B common
stock, in the same proportion as the ratio of shares of Class A
common stock and Class B common stock outstanding immediately
following the Distribution and at [an identical price per
share], and will be on such other terms as the Gartner Group
Board of Directors will determine. In addition, Gartner Group
will repurchase an additional approximately 5% of the combined
Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding
following the Distribution (increased or decreased to the extent
the actual number of shares purchased in the Dutch Auction is
less than or greater than the 15% sought to be purchased
thereby), allocated between Class A common stock and Class B
common stock in the same proportion as in the Dutch Auction in
open market purchases over a two-year period following the
Distribution (the "Open Market Repurchase"; together with the
Dutch Auction, the "Stock Repurchase").
Disposition of Additional Shares by IMS Health. The ruling
obtained by IMS Health from the IRS with respect to the tax-free
nature of the Distribution requires that IMS Health dispose of
the Retained Shares and the Warrant Shares that are not
converted into Class B common stock in the Recapitalization as
quickly as feasible. However, IMS Health has agreed that it will
not dispose of any such securities for a period of 90 days
following the Distribution, and that thereafter it will dispose
of such securities only in an agreed manner intended to mitigate
the market impact of such dispositions.
(2) Classified Board of Directors. The stockholders are being asked
to approve a proposal (the "Corporate Governance Proposal")
that, upon effectiveness of the Recapitalization, the Company's
certificate of incorporation be amended to provide for a
classified Board of Directors, which will be divided into three
classes with one class of directors to be elected each year and
each class to serve for a three-year term.
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(3) Share Increase. The stockholders are being asked to approve a
proposal (the "Share Increase Proposal") that, upon
effectiveness of the Recapitalization, the Company's certificate
of incorporation be amended to increase the number of shares of
common stock and preferred stock which the Company is authorized
to issue from 201,600,000 shares of common stock and 2,500,000
shares of preferred stock to 250,000,000 shares of common stock
(of which 166,000,000 shares shall be Class A common stock and
84,000,000 shares shall be Class B common stock) and 5,000,000
shares of Preferred Stock.
The Distribution Agreement is attached hereto as Appendix A, and the
Merger Agreement is attached as an exhibit to the Distribution Agreement. We
encourage you to read the Distribution Agreement and the Merger Agreement
carefully in their entirety.
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THE SPECIAL MEETING
DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The special meeting of stockholders will be held on _______, 1999 at
____ __.m., local time, at [INSERT LOCATION] (the "Special Meeting").
RECORD DATE AND SHARES ENTITLED TO VOTE
Only holders of record of the Company's Class A common stock at the
close of business on _________, 1999 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting or any adjournments or
postponements. A list of such stockholders will be available for inspection at
the Company's headquarters located at 56 Top Gallant Road, Stamford, Connecticut
06904 during ordinary business hours for the ten-day period prior to the Special
Meeting. As of the close of business on the Record Date, there were ________
shares of the Company's Class A common stock outstanding and entitled to vote,
held of record by ____ stockholders (although the Company has been informed that
there are in excess of _____ beneficial owners). A majority of these shares,
present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business.
VOTING OF PROXIES
The proxy accompanying this Proxy Statement is solicited on behalf of
your Board of Directors for use at the Special Meeting. Stockholders are
requested to complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and promptly
return it in the enclosed envelope. Provided the same are not revoked, all
properly executed proxies received by the Company prior to the vote at the
Special Meeting will be voted at the Special Meeting in accordance with the
instructions indicated on the proxies or, if no direction is indicated, to
approve the Recapitalization Proposal, the Corporate Governance Proposal and the
Share Increase Proposal. Under the Company's bylaws, no business may be brought
before the Special Meeting except as proposed in the Notice and Proxy Statement.
A stockholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is
exercised at the Special Meeting by (i) delivering to the Secretary of the
Company a written notice, bearing a date later than the date of the previous
proxy, stating that the proxy is revoked, (ii) signing and delivering to the
Secretary of the Company a proxy relating to the same shares and bearing a later
date than the date of the previous proxy prior to the vote at the Special
Meeting, or (iii) attending the Special Meeting and voting in person.
VOTE REQUIRED
Recapitalization Proposal. Each share of the Company's outstanding Class
A common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter which may properly come
before the Special Meeting. Under Delaware law, approval of the Recapitalization
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Class A common stock of the Company. However, even though not
required by law, the Company and IMS Health have agreed that the
Recapitalization will be implemented only if the Recapitalization Proposal is
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approved by the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company's Class A
common stock other than IMS Health voting at the Special Meeting.
Corporate Governance Proposal. The Corporate Governance Proposal,
providing for amendment of the Company's certificate of incorporation to provide
for a classified board of directors, requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock under
Delaware law.
Share Increase Proposal. The proposal to amend the Company's certificate
of incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock and
preferred stock which the Company may issue requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock under
Delaware law.
Shares Held by IMS Health and by Gartner Group Officers and Directors.
As of the Record Date and the date of this Proxy Statement, IMS Health owns
47,599,105 shares of the Company's Class A common stock, representing
approximately 46% of the shares outstanding as of such date. In addition, as of
such date executive officers and directors of the Company beneficially own an
additional 2,486,358 shares of Class A common stock, representing 2.4% of the
shares outstanding.
Vote by IMS Health. IMS Health has agreed with the Company to vote or
cause to be voted all shares of Gartner Group common stock owned by it and any
of its subsidiaries, representing approximately 46% of the total number of
outstanding shares of Gartner Group common stock, in favor of the
Recapitalization Proposal, the Corporate Governance Proposal and the Share
Increase Proposal.
QUORUM; ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES
The required quorum for the transaction of business at the Special
Meeting is a majority of the shares of Class A common stock issued and
outstanding on the Record Date. Abstentions and broker non-votes each will be
included in determining the number of shares present at the Special Meeting for
the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Because under applicable
law approval of each of the Recapitalization Proposal, the Corporate Governance
Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock entitled to vote
thereon, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes
against each of the proposals. Gartner Group and IMS Health have agreed that the
approval of the Recapitalization Proposal will also require the approval by the
holders of a majority of the shares of the Company's Class A common stock other
than IMS Health that are present in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting
and vote on such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted
in such vote and therefore will not have any effect on the special approval
condition for the Recapitalization Proposal.
THE ACTIONS PROPOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT ARE NOT MATTERS THAT CAN BE
VOTED ON BY BROKERS HOLDING SHARES FOR BENEFICIAL OWNERS WITHOUT THE OWNERS'
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS. ACCORDINGLY, ALL
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BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO RETURN THE ENCLOSED
PROXY CARD MARKED TO INDICATE THEIR VOTES OR TO CONTACT THEIR BROKERS TO
DETERMINE HOW TO VOTE.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND EXPENSES
The Company has engaged Morrow & Co. to assist the Company in soliciting
proxies from banks, brokers and nominees. Morrow & Co. will be paid fees of
approximately $75,000, plus out of pocket expenses. In addition, the directors,
officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies from stockholders by
telephone, facsimile or in person. Following the original mailing of this Proxy
Statement and other soliciting materials, the Company will request brokers,
custodians, nominees and other record holders to forward copies of this Proxy
Statement and other solicitation materials to persons for whom they hold shares
of the Company's Common Stock and to request authority for the exercise of
proxies. In such cases, the Company, upon the request of the record holders,
will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GARTNER GROUP IN FAVOR OF
THE PROPOSALS
Recapitalization Proposal. The Board of Directors, upon the
recommendation of its Governance Committee consisting of William O. Grabe, Max
D. Hopper and Stephen G. Pagliuca, has unanimously determined (with Robert
Weissman and John Imlay abstaining because of their positions as directors of
IMS Health) that the Recapitalization is fair to and in the best interests of
Gartner Group stockholders. In reaching its decision, the Board of Directors
identified several potential benefits of the Recapitalization and the other
Transactions. The Transactions are designed to give effective control of Gartner
Group to the public stockholders, in an orderly manner intended to minimize any
adverse effects on the market for the Company's Common Stock, and will allow
Gartner Group to operate its business in the future as a completely independent
corporation. Among other things, this may permit all Gartner Group stockholders
to share in any premium associated with any future transfer of control of
Gartner Group. In addition to the long-term benefits of independence for Gartner
Group, the Transactions will deliver immediate value to Gartner Group
stockholders by virtue of the Cash Dividend and Stock Repurchase. The Board of
Directors believes that if the Transactions are not completed, alternative
transactions might be undertaken independently by IMS Health which might not
yield any direct benefits to stockholders of Gartner Group other than IMS
Health. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE
RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL.
Corporate Governance Proposal. The Board of Directors has determined
that the Corporate Governance Proposal is in your best interests and the best
interests of the Company. The Board of Directors believes that the
Recapitalization may make it possible for a third party to acquire control of
the Company's Board of Directors by purchasing control of the outstanding shares
of Class B common stock without acquiring Class A common stock. The Company's
Board of Directors believes that companies can be and are acquired, and that
changes in control of companies can and do occur, at prices below realistically
achievable levels when boards do not have measures in place to require an
acquiror to negotiate the terms of any acquisition
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<PAGE> 15
directly with the board. Many companies, with stockholder approval, have put
provisions in place which effectively require such negotiations. The Corporate
Governance Proposal is intended to make it more difficult for a potential
acquirer of the Company to take advantage of the new capital structure of
Gartner Group in order to acquire control of the Company's Board of Directors by
means of a proxy contest or separately to acquire the Company by means of a
merger or tender offer which is not negotiated with the Company's Board of
Directors. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PROPOSAL.
Share Increase Proposal. The Board of Directors has determined that the
Share Increase Proposal is in your best interests and the best interests of
Gartner Group. The Board of Directors believes that the increase will ensure
that there remains a sufficient authorized number of shares of common stock and
preferred stock after the Recapitalization for potential future stock splits,
sales of Gartner Group's securities to raise additional capital, acquisitions of
other companies or their businesses or assets, establishing strategic
relationships with third parties, or providing options or other stock incentives
to Gartner Group employees, consultants or others. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE SHARE INCREASE PROPOSAL.
THE MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING ARE OF GREAT
IMPORTANCE TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY. ACCORDINGLY, STOCKHOLDERS ARE
URGED TO READ AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT AND THE ATTACHMENTS HERETO, AND TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY
RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. NO PHYSICAL
SUBSTITUTION OF STOCK CERTIFICATES WILL BE REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF THE
RECAPITALIZATION, AND YOUR EXISTING CERTIFICATES WILL CONTINUE TO REPRESENT YOUR
SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK AFTER THE RECAPITALIZATION.
WHO CAN HELP ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
If you have questions about the proposals in this Proxy Statement, you
should contact either:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Gartner Group or Proxy Solicitor
<S> <C>
Gartner Group, Inc. Morrow & Co.
P.O. Box 10212 445 Park Avenue
56 Top Gallant Road New York, New York 10022
Stamford, Connecticut 06904 Telephone: (212) 754-8000
Attention: Jennifer Schlueter Facsimile: (212) 754-8300
Telephone: (203) 316-6537
Facsimile: (203) 316-6878
E-mail: [email protected]
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 16
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND
ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR PROXY CARDS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY PROVE INACCURATE
This document and other communications to stockholders of the Company
may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to
expectations concerning matters that are historical facts. Although the Company
believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, the Company cannot give any assurance that such expectations will
prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from such expectations ("Cautionary Statements") are disclosed
herein and therein, including without limitation in conjunction with the
forward-looking statements included under "Certain Considerations," below. All
forward-looking statements attributable to the Company are expressly qualified
in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements described herein and in the
Company's reports filed with the Commission.
The Company does not make any express or implied representation or
warranty as to the attainability of the projected or estimated financial
information referenced or set forth herein or as to the accuracy or completeness
of the assumptions from which such projected or estimated information is
derived. Projections or estimations of the Company's future performance are
necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and may vary materially from
actual results. Reference is made to the particular discussions set forth under
"Certain Considerations," below.
CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS
You should carefully consider the factors described below before voting
on the proposals set forth herein.
THE CLASS B COMMON STOCK WILL CONTROL THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Following the Recapitalization, holders of a majority of the Class B
common stock will be entitled to elect 80% of our Board of Directors. Thus, if
any person or group of persons acquires a majority of the outstanding shares of
Class B common stock, that person or group will be able to obtain control of
Gartner Group by electing a majority of the Board of Directors. Thus, the
creation and issuance of the Class B common stock could render Gartner Group
more susceptible to unsolicited takeover bids from third parties. This risk will
be mitigated in part but not in the entirety by the Corporate Governance
Proposal, which if approved would result in a classified Board of Directors, and
by the terms of the Class A and Class B common stock, which require a combined
vote of both classes on a one-share, one-vote basis for the approval of
acquisitions and other fundamental transactions. If the Corporate Governance
Proposal is approved and a classified Board is thereby established, a potential
acquiror could only elect a majority of the Board of Directors over the course
of two annual elections of directors.
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<PAGE> 17
The risk may also be mitigated by an additional provision that will be
included in the certificate of incorporation upon approval of the
Recapitalization Proposal, subject to IRS and NYSE approval. This provision
states that so long as any person or entity, or group of persons or entities
acting as a group, beneficially owns 15% or more of the outstanding shares of
Class B common stock, then such person, entity or group may only vote in any
election of directors the number of shares of Class B common stock for which it
owns an equivalent percentage of Class A common stock. This provision is
intended to protect the public stockholders of the Company by ensuring that
anyone seeking to obtain control the Board of Directors of the Company acquire a
majority of the outstanding shares of each class of common stock. There can be
no assurances, however, that this provision will be approved by the IRS and
NYSE.
THE REDUCTION IN CASH AND INCURRENCE OF BORROWINGS COULD LIMIT FUTURE
OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY
In order to pay the Cash Dividend to our stockholders and finance the
Stock Repurchase, we will use available cash and we will incur up to
approximately $450 million of debt financing.
Our ability to make principal and interest payments on our outstanding
debt will depend on our future operating performance. Our future operating
performance itself depends on a number of factors, many of which are outside of
our control. These factors include prevailing economic conditions and financial,
competitive and other factors affecting our business and operations. Although we
believe, based on current levels of operations, that our cash flow from
operations, together with other sources of liquidity, will be adequate to make
required payments of principal and interest on our debt, whether at or prior to
maturity, finance anticipated capital expenditures and fund working capital
requirements, we cannot assure you that sources of cash will indeed be
sufficient for such purposes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow
from operations, or if we require additional equipment loans or equipment and
working capital lines of credit to service our debt, we may be required to sell
assets, reduce capital expenditures, refinance all or a portion of existing
indebtedness or obtain other sources of financing. We cannot assure you we would
have access to sources of refinancing on commercially reasonable terms, or at
all.
In addition, the terms of debt financing will limit the amount of cash
or borrowings available to us in the future, and this could adversely affect our
future operations in various ways, including the following:
- We could become more vulnerable to general adverse economic and
industry conditions.
- We will be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our
cash flow from operations to the payment of principal of, and
interest on, our indebtedness, which will reduce the
availability of cash flow to fund activities that might
otherwise benefit us. These could include cash acquisitions,
significant additional investments in new business areas, and
significant capital expenditures. The Company does believe,
however, that excess cash flow at current levels should be
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<PAGE> 18
sufficient to fund the increased debt service requirements and
the Company's operating needs.
- We will have reduced ability to obtain additional financing to
fund potentially beneficial future activities; and
- We may be placed at a competitive disadvantage as compared to
less leveraged competitors, because of reduced ability to invest
in our business.
THE TAX-FREE DISTRIBUTION BY IMS HEALTH RESULTS IN POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT
LIMITATIONS ON OUR BUSINESS OPERATIONS
The Distribution, the Recapitalization and the other Transactions are
made possible by the tax-free nature of the Distribution. IMS Health has
received a favorable ruling from the IRS that the Distribution will be tax-free
to IMS Health and its stockholders. However, the IRS Ruling and the underlying
tax laws provide that the Distribution can become taxable to IMS Health and its
stockholders under certain circumstances, including certain share transactions
we might choose to undertake. Accordingly, pursuant to the Distribution
Agreement, we have agreed to indemnify IMS Health for additional taxes that may
become payable by IMS Health or its stockholders, if attributable to such
actions. As a result of this indemnification obligation, we may be reluctant to
undertake acquisitions and other corporate opportunities that become available
within the two year period following the Recapitalization and Distribution,
unless an additional IRS ruling is obtained. These risks and restrictions may
also make our company less attractive to a potential acquiror.
STOCK SALES FOLLOWING THE DISTRIBUTION MAY AFFECT OUR STOCK PRICE
Pursuant to the Distribution, IMS Health will distribute the Class B
common stock to the stockholders of IMS Health. The IMS Health stockholders who
receive Class B common stock in the Distribution may sell all or a substantial
portion of those shares in the public market. Those sales could substantially
increase the trading volume of our common stock, and could result in downward
pressure on our stock price in the near term. Following the Distribution, IMS
Health will continue to own the Retained Shares and Warrant Shares, comprising a
total of 7,508,857 shares of Class A common stock. The IRS Ruling requires IMS
Health to dispose of these Retained Shares and Warrant Shares as quickly as
feasible following the Distribution. IMS Health has agreed, however, that it
will not dispose of such securities for a period of 90 days following the
Distribution, and thereafter will dispose of such shares in an agreed manner
intended to mitigate the market impact of such dispositions. Although the
Company believes that dispositions of shares in such manner should mitigate the
impact on the market for our common stock, such additional sales could also
impact such market adversely. Upon completion of the Recapitalization, we will
have 103,748,743 shares of common stock outstanding (based on shares outstanding
at [March 31, 1999]).
We have agreed to undertake the Dutch Auction as promptly as practicable
following the Distribution, and to complete the Open Market Repurchases within
the two-year period follow-
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<PAGE> 19
ing the Distribution. These transactions are intended to mitigate the adverse
impact on the market for our stock if there is a significant amount of selling
by new stockholders or by IMS Health after the Distribution. These repurchase
programs may not be as effective as we intend, particularly if our stock
purchases do not provide liquidity at the same time or times that stockholders
desire to sell significant blocks of our shares. In particular, the Dutch
Auction represents a significant portion of the total demand that we will create
for our shares through our repurchase. The Dutch Auction will be undertaken as
promptly as practicable following the Recapitalization and Distribution, and
will provide immediate liquidity to satisfy any immediate excess supply of our
shares. However, we will only purchase a limited amount of shares in open market
purchases following the Dutch Auction, and these open market transactions may
not be sufficient to satisfy any excess supply which might remain or arise
following the Dutch Auction. We can only repurchase a maximum of less than 20%
of our outstanding shares without potentially causing the Distribution to become
a taxable event.
POTENTIAL ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS OF A CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND AN
INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED STOCK
The creation of a Classified Board of Directors may discourage
unsolicited takeover bids from third parties or efforts to remove incumbent
management, or make such offers more difficult to accomplish. If the Corporate
Governance Proposal is passed, a third party seeking to replace a majority of
our Board of Directors would not be able to do so at any single meeting of
stockholders. It would take two annual meetings for a third party to obtain
control of our company by replacing a majority of our Board of Directors.
Additionally, the increase in the number of authorized shares of our
common stock and our preferred stock and any subsequent issuance of such shares
could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control without
further action by the stockholders. Shares of our authorized and unissued common
stock and/or preferred stock could (within the limits imposed by applicable law
and New York Stock Exchange rules) be issued in one or more transactions that
would make a change in control more difficult, and therefore less likely.
AFTER CONSIDERATION OF ALL THESE FACTORS, THE GARTNER GROUP BOARD OF
DIRECTORS CONTINUES TO BELIEVE THAT THE RECAPITALIZATION, THE DISTRIBUTION AND
THE OTHER TRANSACTIONS ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE GARTNER GROUP
STOCKHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS THAT THE GARTNER GROUP STOCKHOLDERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF
THE RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL.
PROPOSAL 1:
THE RECAPITALIZATION AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
BACKGROUND FOR THE RECAPITALIZATION AND THE TRANSACTIONS
IMS Health or its predecessors have held a substantial equity position
in Gartner Group since April, 1993. After its initial public offering in October
1993, Gartner Group remained a majority-owned subsidiary of The Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation ("D&B"). In 1996, D&B
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<PAGE> 20
created a new, publicly traded corporation, Cognizant Corporation ("Cognizant"),
by means of a tax-free spin-off of Cognizant to the stockholders of D&B. In
1998, Cognizant undertook a similar spin-off to its stockholders, creating IMS
Health as a new, publicly traded corporation. By means of these transactions,
Gartner Group was first a majority-owned subsidiary of D&B, then became a
majority-owned (and, subsequently, a minority-owned) subsidiary of Cognizant,
and currently a 46%-owned subsidiary of IMS Health. IMS Health or its
predecessors held at least a majority of Gartner Group's outstanding equity
securities from the Company's initial public offering in October 1993 through
August 1997.
Prior to the spin-off of Cognizant in 1996, management of D&B had
actively sought to maintain a majority interest in the Company. D&B continued to
purchase shares of the Company's common stock to offset the effects of stock
issuances by the Company resulting from acquisitions or exercises of stock
options under the Company's benefit plans. When Cognizant succeeded to D&B's
Gartner Group shares in 1996, Cognizant indicated that it intended to maintain
its share ownership in the Company. However, both the Company and Cognizant
cautioned shareholders that changing business conditions and other factors could
cause Cognizant to reassess its ownership interest in the Company.
Management of Cognizant actively began to review this practice in 1997.
In April 1997, Cognizant announced that it would no longer purchase the
Company's common stock to offset dilutive issuances by the Company. As a result
of share issuances under Gartner Group employee benefits plans as well as
acquisitions, Cognizant's ownership interest in the Company fell below 50% in
the third calendar quarter of 1997.
In order to plan for the eventual disposition by Cognizant of its
interest in Gartner Group, in [April 1997] the Gartner Group Board of Directors
formed a Governance Committee to address the issues that would impact the
Company and its stockholders as Cognizant's ownership interest declined. The
Governance Committee considered the likelihood that Cognizant might seek to
dispose of its interest in a manner that would result in a change in control of
Gartner Group, the impact of any potential transactions on long term value for
Gartner Group stockholders, the duty of the Board of Directors in the context of
such activity and the potential responses of the Board of Directors to the
issues posed. The Governance Committee met on a number of occasions between
April 1997 and the present to consider those issues and reported its findings to
the Board of Directors as a whole. The Board of Directors as a whole also
considered these issues at a number of meetings during such same time frame.
In January 1998, Cognizant announced plans to separate into two
independent publicly traded companies - IMS Health and Nielsen Media Research
Inc. - each of which would be sharply focused on single industries. The
separation became effective July 1, 1998, at which time IMS Health succeeded to
Cognizant's ownership interest in the Company's common stock and warrants.
IMS Health focuses on information solutions to the pharmaceutical and
healthcare industries. Covering over 90 countries with over 7,200 employees
worldwide, IMS Health is the leading global supplier of market information and
decision-support services to the pharmaceu-
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<PAGE> 21
tical and healthcare industries. IMS Health's businesses also include IMS Health
Strategic Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of automated sales support to
the pharmaceutical industry; ERISCO Managed Care Technologies, Inc., a leading
supplier of software-based administrative and analytical solutions to the
managed care industry; Enterprise Associates, Inc., a venture capital unit
focused on investments in emerging healthcare businesses; and a 67.1% interest
in Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, a provider of software
application development and maintenance services and Year 2000 and Eurocurrency
compliance services.
IMS Health management indicated to Gartner Group at the time of its
spin-off from Cognizant that the Company was not critical to IMS Health's
business strategy. This caused Gartner Group to believe that some divestiture of
the Gartner Group stock was a likely possibility at a future point. In October
1998, IMS Health indicated to the Gartner Group Board of Directors that IMS
Health had determined to divest itself of its Gartner Group stock in the near
future. IMS Health indicated that it had determined to do so for a number of
reasons. The reasons indicated to Gartner Group included:
- Continuation of IMS Health's strategic plan to become sharply
focused on its core business.
- Allowing Gartner Group also to become sharply focused on its
core businesses as an independent company.
- Concern that, because the two businesses were not strategically
related, management of the two companies would be distracted
from focusing on their separate businesses and industries.
- The expectation that IMS Health's stockholders would benefit
were IMS Health to divest itself of its interest in Gartner
Group, allowing both IMS Health and Gartner Group to be
perceived by investors as a "pure play" investment in their
respective services industries.
- The reduction in the volatility in IMS Health's earnings caused
by the inclusion therein of a portion of Gartner Group's
earnings. In October 1998, Gartner Group informed IMS Health
that Gartner Group's earnings for its fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998 might not meet analysts' expectations.
Thereafter, IMS Health indicated to Gartner Group that IMS
Health planned to publicly announce on November 12, 1998 its
intention to divest the Gartner Group shares. This announcement
was intended by IMS Health to be concurrent with Gartner Group's
scheduled announcement of its financial results for the year
ended September 30, 1998. In response, the Board of Directors of
Gartner Group and its Governance Committee met on a number of
occasions in October and November 1998 to consider the potential
impact of the announcement by IMS Health, the potential
transactions that might be undertaken by IMS Health and their
potential impact on Gartner Group, and alternative potential
responses by Gartner Group. To assist the Company in evaluating
potential transactions by IMS Health and/or
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<PAGE> 22
the Company as well as financing alternatives for Gartner Group,
the Company engaged Credit Suisse First Boston and DLJ
Securities Corporation as its financial advisors. Gartner Group
and IMS Health undertook negotiations of potential transactions,
in which Gartner Group sought to structure a transaction which
would meet the objectives of IMS Health, as expressed to Gartner
Group, but at the same time provide the best long term value for
Gartner Group stockholders.
A number of potential scenarios were considered by Gartner Group,
including:
- The distribution of the Gartner Group common stock held by IMS
Health to IMS Health's stockholders;
- Public market sales of the Gartner Group common stock held by
IMS Health;
- The repurchase by Gartner Group of all or a significant portion
of the Gartner Group stock held by IMS Health;
- The sale of the Gartner Group common stock held by IMS Health to
a single buyer; and/or
- The sale of the entire company to a third party.
The Gartner Group Board of Directors understood that IMS Health had
committed itself to complete a transaction as quickly as possible, and the
Gartner Group Board believed that some of the potential transactions that IMS
Health could undertake might not be in the best interests of Gartner Group's
other stockholders. For example, the Gartner Group Board believed that the sale
by IMS Health of its block of shares in the Company could effectively result in
a change in control of the Company and could divert the Company from its long
term strategic objective, without producing any value to other stockholders. The
Gartner Group Board of Directors also believed that public market sales by IMS
Health of Gartner Group stock could produce a long term depressive effect on the
Gartner Group stock price, adversely affecting stockholders and adversely
affecting the ability of Gartner Group to retain staff, due to the fact that
equity is a significant portion of Gartner Group employee compensation.
Accordingly, Gartner Group management, at the direction of the Gartner Group
Board, sought to negotiate with IMS Health a mutually acceptable transaction
that would achieve IMS Health's objectives and would also provide near-and
long-term value to Gartner Group's stockholders. Gartner Group, assisted by its
financial and legal advisors, explored with IMS Health a number of the
transactions specified above. The parties and their respective advisors
conducted extensive negotiations which consisted of a number of meetings and
conference calls, and involved discussions between the financial and legal
advisors and members of senior management of the respective parties. Ultimately
these negotiations led to a proposed series of transactions originally announced
by the parties on November 12, 1998.
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<PAGE> 23
As originally proposed in November 1998, the transactions were
contemplated as follows: (i) the Company would declare a $300 million cash
dividend to its stockholders; (ii) the Company would effect the
Recapitalization; (iii) IMS Health would effect the Distribution; and (iv)
Gartner Group would repurchase the lesser of $300 million or 20% of its shares
in the open market following the Distribution.
The intent of the originally proposed transactions was to ensure that
the large block of shares held by IMS Health would be distributed broadly to the
public in an orderly manner, and not to one or a small number of potentially
controlling stockholders. In addition, the transactions were intended to provide
immediate value and short-term liquidity to the Gartner Group stockholders, by
means of the cash dividend and stock repurchases.
Following the announcement on November 12, 1998 of the originally
proposed transactions, management of Gartner Group and IMS Health continued to
negotiate more detailed terms of the proposed transactions, and discussed the
proposed transactions with several large public stockholders of Gartner Group.
The stockholders indicated generally that they favored a series of transactions
which would result in the orderly distribution of shares held by IMS Health, but
sought a more effective means to return value to stockholders than the $300
million cash dividend. These concerns were discussed by Gartner Group and IMS
Health, in the latter part of April 1999, during continuing negotiations between
Gartner Group and IMS Health. The parties discussed the proposed transactions
during many negotiation sessions between November 1998 and the date of this
Proxy Statement. The terms of the transactions evolved over time as the parties
and their respective legal advisors continued to negotiate detailed terms
through the course of multiple drafts of definitive documents. During this time,
the Gartner Group directors associated with IMS refrained from deliberating on
the proposed transactions as Gartner Group directors. Ultimately, the continued
negotiations and discussions with stockholders resulted in the terms of the
proposed Transactions as described herein and as set forth in the Distribution
Agreement and the Merger Agreement. As a result of these further discussions, on
May 12, 1999, Gartner Group and IMS Health announced a revised proposal on the
terms set forth in this Proxy Statement.
The Gartner Group Board believes that the proposed Transactions suit the
purposes of both IMS Health and the Company. The Transactions allow for the
orderly transfer of IMS Health's large ownership interest to its stockholders,
resulting in the Company being a widely held public company without any
controlling stockholder. The Transactions also allow IMS Health to dispose of
its investment in the Company and deliver value to its stockholders, while at
the same time providing value for Gartner Group stockholders. The Gartner Group
Board believes the Transactions should not result in the adverse effects
associated with other transactions that IMS Health could have undertaken,
including the transfer of effective control of Gartner Group to a third party or
the undertaking of a large public offering.
To effect a distribution that would be tax-free to IMS Health and its
stockholders, current tax law requires, among other things, that IMS Health own,
at the time of distribution, capital stock of Gartner Group having the right to
elect 80% of the Board of Directors of Gartner Group,
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<PAGE> 24
and that IMS Health distribute all of such stock to its stockholders in a single
transaction. Accordingly, the Recapitalization creates a new Class B common
stock of Gartner Group that is entitled to elect 80% of the Gartner Group Board
of Directors. All of this stock will be distributed by IMS Health to its
stockholders promptly following the Recapitalization by means of the
Distribution. The ability to elect 80% of the Board of Directors is a
requirement for the tax-free treatment of the Distribution and is therefore
essential to the Transaction as structured by the parties. Gartner Group and IMS
Health believe that such ability does not materially enhance IMS Health's
current rights. The election of directors of Gartner Group is, under Delaware
law, by plurality vote. Accordingly, as the holder of nearly 50% of the
outstanding Class A common stock, IMS Health could currently under most
circumstances effectively elect 100% of Gartner Group's Board of Directors.
In connection with the negotiation of the terms of the Transactions, IMS
Health agreed at Gartner Group's request (i) to vote the shares of Gartner Group
common stock held by IMS Health in favor of the Corporate Governance Proposal,
(ii) to refrain from soliciting or encouraging negotiations regarding an
acquisition of its remaining shares of common stock until the Distribution is
consummated, and (iii) to vote its shares of common stock in favor of the Share
Increase Proposal. See "Description of Merger Agreement and Distribution
Agreement--Certain Agreements -- Voting Agreement by IMS Health" and
"--Standstill."
In connection with its evaluation of the Transactions, the Company
retained Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ("CSFB") to act as its financial
advisor. CSFB provided to the Company certain advice and assistance with respect
to the structuring and planning of the Transactions including the evaluation of
potential alternative transactions with IMS Health or other potential third
parties, and various financing alternatives available to the Company. In
addition, CSFB advised the Company with respect to the negotiation of the
principal terms and conditions of the Transactions. CSFB will receive customary
fees for its service as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the
Transactions or any related financings. CSFB also provides advice to the Company
from time to time on other matters, for which it receives customary fees.
GARTNER GROUP'S REASONS FOR THE RECAPITALIZATION AND RELATED
TRANSACTIONS
The Board of Directors of Gartner Group, upon the recommendation of its
Governance Committee consisting of William O. Grabe, Max D. Hopper and Stephen
G. Pagliuca, has unanimously determined (with Robert Weissman and John Imlay
abstaining because of their positions as directors of IMS Health) that the
Transactions are fair to and in the best interests of Gartner Group
stockholders. In reaching their conclusion, the Gartner Group Board of Directors
considered a number of factors including the following:
- The Transactions allow Gartner Group to become an independent
corporation without a single controlling shareholder, giving
effective control to Gartner Group's public stockholders.
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- The Transactions will allow Gartner Group management to
concentrate all of its efforts on its core business.
- The Transactions provide immediate value to Gartner Group
stockholders and are designed to enhance the long-term value of
Gartner Group.
- The Transactions are expected to be the least disruptive method
for IMS Health to exit its investment in Gartner Group;
alternative transactions could have resulted in large, new
Gartner Group shareholders without any advance approval by
Gartner Group or a large public offering that could adversely
affect Gartner Group's stock price.
- Gartner Group's stockholders and the market price for Gartner
Group Common Stock are expected to benefit from an orderly
disposition of the Common Stock held by IMS Health.
- Gartner Group believes that it will be able to finance the
Transactions on favorable terms without overly restricting its
ability to obtain financing in the future.
In addition, the Board of Directors of Gartner Group and its Governance
Committee considered and balanced against the potential benefits of the
Recapitalization and Related Transactions a number of potentially negative
factors, including the following:
- The Transactions require Gartner Group to borrow a significant
amount of funds in order to finance the Cash Dividend and Stock
Repurchase.
- There may be a short-term adverse impact on the market price of
Gartner Group's common stock resulting from any excess sales of
Gartner Group common stock by stockholders of IMS Health
following the Distribution.
- The Transactions impose restrictions on the ability of the
Company to undertake certain transactions for a period of time
in the future which, if undertaken, could impair the tax-free
nature of the Distribution to IMS Health and its stockholders.
- The Transactions may also defer for a period of time the ability
of Gartner Group to engage in a merger or similar transaction
and account for the transaction as a pooling of interests.
Gartner Group presently cannot undertake a pooling transaction
prior to September 1999 (two years following the date that
Cognizant Corporation ceased to own a majority of the
outstanding stock of Gartner Group). The current Transactions
will delay the earliest permitted pooling transaction until at
least six months following the Transactions.
- The Transactions may subject Gartner Group to potential
significant liability under Gartner Group's tax indemnity to IMS
Health, in the event of certain
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activity which Gartner Group elects to undertake following the
consummation of the Transactions as described below under "Tax
Matters - Recapitalization and Distribution."
The foregoing discussion and factors were the factors considered by the
Governance Committee of the Board and by the Board of Directors of Gartner Group
in their assessment of the Transactions. The Governance Committee and the
Gartner Group Board of Directors did not quantify or attach any particular
weight to the various factors that it considered in reaching its determination
that the Transactions are fair to and in the best interest of Gartner Group and
the Gartner Group stockholders. Different members may have assigned different
weights to different factors. In reaching its determination, the Governance
Committee and the Gartner Group Board of Directors took the various factors into
account collectively and did not perform a factor-by-factor analysis.
The Board of Directors unanimously determined (with Robert Weissman and
John Imlay abstaining because of their positions as directors of IMS Health)
that the Recapitalization is in the best interests of the Company's stockholders
and recommends that the stockholders of Gartner Group vote FOR the approval of
the Recapitalization Proposal.
EFFECTS OF THE RECAPITALIZATION ON OUTSTANDING SHARES
The Company's Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be
identical in all respects except for voting rights with respect to the election
of the Company's Board of Directors. The holders of Class A common stock
(together with any voting preferred stock that may be issued in the future) will
be entitled to elect 20% of the Board of Directors (or, if such 20% is not a
whole number, then the nearest lower whole number of directors that is closer to
20% of such membership). The holders of Class B common stock shall be entitled
to elect the remaining directors of the Company. On all other matters requiring
a stockholder vote (including acquisitions and other fundamental transactions),
the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together
as a single class on a one-share, one-vote basis.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amendment to the certificate of
incorporation authorizing the Class B common stock includes an additional
provision which would help to mitigate the potential takeover risks imposed upon
the Company by the designation of Class B common stock having special voting
rights with respect to the election of the Board of Directors, subject to a
favorable supplemental tax ruling. This provision will be effective following
the Distribution and upon receipt of the approval of the IRS and the NYSE
described in the next paragraph and provides that so long as any person or
entity, or group of persons or entities acting as a group, beneficially owns 15%
or more of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock, then such person,
entity or group may only vote in any election of directors the number of shares
of Class B common stock for which it owns an equivalent percentage of Class A
common stock. The purpose of this provision is to ensure that any person, entity
or group cannot seek to obtain control of the Board of Directors of the Company
solely by acquiring a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common
stock. This provision is intended to protect the public
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stockholders of the Company by ensuring that anyone seeking to take over the
Company acquire a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of common
stock.
IMS Health has filed a supplemental tax ruling request with the IRS
requesting, among other things, confirmation that the protective provision
referred to in the preceding paragraph may be implemented by the Company without
jeopardizing the tax-free nature of the Recapitalization and Distribution. There
can be no assurances that a favorable ruling will be obtained. This protective
provision is also subject to approval by the NYSE. If a favorable ruling is not
obtained from the IRS or approval is not granted by the NYSE, then such
provision will not become effective. The Board of Directors of the Company has
approved the proposed Transactions regardless of the availability of the
foregoing protective provision, and the Company intends to undertake the
proposed Transactions, assuming appropriate approval from the stockholders is
obtained, whether or not such protective provision may be implemented. The Board
of Directors believes that the proposed Transactions are in the best interest of
the stockholders whether or not such protective provision is available, for the
reasons outlined elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.
RESTRICTIONS ON IMS HEALTH
In connection with the negotiation of the terms of the Transactions, IMS
Health agreed at Gartner Group's request (i) to vote the shares of Gartner Group
common stock held by IMS Health in favor of the Corporate Governance Proposal,
(ii) subject to certain conditions, including Gartner Group's continued efforts
to facilitate the Distribution by [June 30,] 1999, to refrain from soliciting or
encouraging negotiations regarding an acquisition of its remaining shares of
common stock until the Distribution is consummated, and (iii) to vote its shares
of common stock in favor of the Share Increase Proposal. See "Description of
Merger Agreement and Distribution Agreement--Certain Agreements -- Voting
Agreement by IMS Health" and "--Standstill."
The ruling obtained by IMS Health from the IRS with respect to the
tax-free nature of the Distribution requires that IMS Health dispose of the
Retained Shares and the Warrant Shares as quickly as feasible. However, IMS
Health has agreed that it will not dispose of any such securities for a period
of 90 days following the Distribution, and that thereafter it will dispose of
such securities only in an agreed manner intended to mitigate the market impact
of such dispositions.
THE CASH DIVIDEND AND STOCK REPURCHASE
The Cash Dividend will be in the amount of $125 million and will be
payable pro rata to all Gartner Group stockholders of record including IMS
Health. The record date for the Cash Dividend will be prior to the record date
for the Distribution, such that IMS Health would receive a pro rata share of the
Cash Dividend. The declaration of the Cash Dividend is contingent, however, upon
approval of the Recapitalization by the stockholders of the Company, and the
satisfaction of all conditions necessary for the undertaking of the
Recapitalization and the Distribution.
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Gartner Group has agreed with IMS Health that following completion of
the Recapitalization, the Cash Dividend and the Distribution, Gartner Group will
institute the Stock Repurchase. The Stock Repurchase will consist of two
components, the Dutch Auction and the Open Market Repurchase. The Dutch Auction
will be implemented as promptly as practicable following completion of the
Recapitalization and the Distribution. In the Dutch Auction, Gartner Group will
offer to acquire from the stockholders of the Company a number of shares of
common stock equal to at least 15% of the number of shares outstanding
immediately following the Distribution. Stockholders will be entitled to tender,
in response to the Dutch Auction tender offer, shares of either Class A common
stock or Class B common stock, provided that Gartner Group will only repurchase
shares in response to the tender offer in the same proportion of Class A common
stock and Class B common stock as the ratio of Class A common stock and Class B
common stock outstanding immediately following the Distribution, and will
repurchase shares of each series [at an identical price per share]. As is
customary in the case of similar transactions, and in accordance with the
applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company
will also reserve the right to purchase an additional amount of shares not to
exceed 2% of the total outstanding shares, without amending or extending the
offer. The general terms of a tender offer effected by means of a Dutch Auction
is described more fully below. The specific terms of the Dutch Auction shall be
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company and set forth in tender
offer materials which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and delivered to all stockholders of record of the Company as of the initiation
of the tender offer.
In addition to the Dutch Auction, Gartner Group will be obligated to
effect additional repurchases of shares in the open market within the two year
period following the Distribution, pursuant to the Open Market Repurchase. These
repurchases may be made from time to time as determined by the Company, provided
that the Company will be obligated to complete the Open Market Repurchase within
two years following the Distribution. Repurchases will be made at prevailing
market prices. The number of shares to be repurchased through the Open Market
Repurchases will be equal to approximately 5% of the number of shares of Common
Stock immediately following the Distribution, increased or decreased to the
extent the actual number of shares purchased in the Dutch Auction is less than
or greater than the 15% sought to be purchased thereby, and will be allocated
between Class A common stock and Class B common stock in the same proportion as
in the Dutch Auction.
The Dutch Auction shall be implemented by means of a tender offer made
by Gartner Group to each of its stockholders of record as of the time of
commencement of the tender offer. Gartner Group will offer to each stockholder
the opportunity to sell all or any portion of their shares at prices specified
by the individual stockholders within a range defined by minimum and maximum
prices set by the Company. Each stockholder will specify the price or prices at
which the stockholder is to sell its shares for cash. Based upon the number of
shares that each tendering stockholder indicates it is willing to sell at each
price, the Company will determine a single price per share that it will pay for
the shares that are validly tendered pursuant to the offer, taking into account
the number of shares so tendered and the prices specified by each tendering
stockholder. The Company will select the lowest purchase price that will allow
it to purchase a
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<PAGE> 29
number of shares equal to at least 15% of the total outstanding shares
immediately following the Distribution (or such lesser number of shares as are
validly tendered and otherwise meet the conditions of the tender offer),
provided that the Company will only repurchase Class A common stock and Class B
common stock in the same proportion as the ratio of the number of shares of
Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding immediately following
the Distribution. The Company will then pay [that same single purchase price]
for all shares that are validly tendered at prices at or below such purchase
price, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the tender offer. In the
event that an excess number of shares are tendered in the aggregate at prices at
or below the determined purchase price, the shares will be purchased on a pro
rata basis from all tendering stockholders, based on the total number of shares
tendered. As noted above, the Company will be entitled to increase the number of
shares to be repurchased by as much as an additional 2% of the shares
outstanding.
The purpose of the Cash Dividend and Stock Repurchase is to deliver
immediate value to the stockholders of Gartner Group. In addition, the market
for Gartner Group common stock could be adversely affected by excess sales of
Gartner Group common stock by stockholders of IMS Health following the
Distribution, or by sales by IMS Health of the Retained Shares or the shares
issuable under the Warrants retained by IMS Health following the Distribution.
The repurchase of a significant amount of shares by Gartner Group promptly
following the Distribution, by means of the Dutch Auction, will help to satisfy
any significant demand for liquidity following the Distribution, and will
mitigate any downward pressure on Gartner Group's stock price due to these
potential sales. Similarly, the Open Market Repurchase is intended to be
effected on an opportunistic basis in response to periods of excess selling
pressure on the shares, subject to the requirement that the Open Market
Repurchase be completed within two years.
RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF CASH BY GARTNER GROUP
In order to ensure the availability of sufficient cash to pay the Cash
Dividend and to fund the Stock Repurchase, Gartner Group has agreed with IMS
Health that, prior to payment of the Cash Dividend, Gartner Group will not,
without the prior written consent of IMS Health, (i) pay any cash dividends,
(ii) repurchase any shares of common stock except for purchases necessary to
offset (x) exercises of pre-existing employee stock options and (y) stock
issuances under Gartner Group's Employee Stock Purchase Plan in the ordinary
course of business, or (iii) make any acquisitions or capital expenditures
utilizing more than $80 million in cash in the aggregate, excluding transfers
between Gartner Group and any wholly-owned subsidiary of Gartner Group or
between wholly-owned subsidiaries of Gartner Group. In this regard, Gartner
Group's Board of Directors approved in January 1999 a capital expenditure budget
of approximately $22.0 million. This compares to a capital budget in fiscal
years 1996, 1997 and 1998 of $7.0 million, $15.5 million and $19.0 million,
respectively.
RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES BY GARTNER GROUP
As described more fully below under the caption "Tax Matters -
Recapitalization and Distribution," the Distribution and the Recapitalization
are intended to be tax-free to Gartner Group, IMS Health and the stockholders of
IMS Health. The tax-free status of the Distribution is
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based upon a number of facts and circumstances represented by IMS Health and
Gartner Group in the ruling request submitted to the IRS and can be jeopardized
in the event of certain activity by Gartner Group following the Distribution. As
a result, Gartner Group and IMS Health have agreed that Gartner Group will be
liable to IMS Health and the IMS Health stockholders for the adverse tax
consequences of the Distribution becoming a taxable transaction if certain
activities undertaken by Gartner Group following the Distribution contribute to
the adverse tax consequences. See "Description of Distribution Agreement and
Merger Agreement -- Certain Agreements -- Indemnification Against Certain Tax
and Other Liabilities."
DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS
If the proposed Transactions are approved by the stockholders and
consummated, the total number of directors of Gartner Group will be increased
from the current number of eight (8) directors (including Robert Weissman and
John Imlay, who are also directors of IMS Health) to ten (10) directors (which
will include Mr. Imlay but not Mr. Weissman). Accordingly, the proposed
transactions will result in one vacancy and two new directorships on the Board
of Directors of the Company.
It is the intent of the Board of Directors of Gartner Group to fill
these new directorships by appointing to the Board of Directors _____________ ,
_____________ and ______________. Certain information regarding these candidates
is as follows:
For additional information regarding these potential members of the
Board of Directors, as well as information regarding the current directors and
management of Gartner Group, see "Certain Information Regarding Management of
Gartner Group Board of Directors," below.
FINANCING REQUIRED TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY GARTNER GROUP TO FUND CASH
DIVIDEND AND STOCK REPURCHASE
The following is a summary of certain indebtedness of the Company that
will be outstanding following the consummation of the Recapitalization and the
Distribution. Although this summary contains descriptions of the terms of such
indebtedness, these descriptions are not complete and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to the Credit Agreement described below or the other
credit documents that the Company will enter into in connection with the Credit
Agreement.
In connection with the Recapitalization and the Distribution, the
Company will enter into a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with a
syndicate of financial institutions (the "Lenders") for which The Chase
Manhattan Bank will act as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent") and
Chase Securities, Inc. and Credit Suisse First Boston will act as arrangers.
General. The Credit Agreement will provide for credit facilities (the
"Credit Facilities") in a maximum aggregate principal amount of $450,000,000,
consisting of a $350,000,000 term loan (the "Term Facility") and a $100,000,000
senior revolving credit facility
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(the "Revolving Facility"). The Term Facility can be advanced in multiple
drawings during the first year after the closing date of the Credit Facilities
("Closing Date"), subject to certain customary conditions on the date of any
such loan. Amounts repaid under the Term Facility may not be reborrowed. Loans
under the Revolving Facility will be available for a period of five years after
the Closing Date, subject to certain customary conditions on the date of any
such loan. Amounts repaid by the Company under the Revolving Facility may be
reborrowed.
Interest Rates; Fees. Interest on the loans outstanding under the Credit
Facilities will accrue based on one or more rates selected by the Company, based
on (1) the alternate base rate (the "Alternate Base Rate") or (2) a Eurodollar
rate (the "LIBO Rate"), in each case plus an applicable margin (the "Applicable
Margin"). The Alternate Base Rate will be defined as the greatest of (a) the
prime commercial lending rate of the Chase Manhattan Bank, (b) the secondary
market rate for certificates of deposit, adjusted for reserves and assessments,
plus 1% and (c) the federal funds rate published from time to time by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus 1/2%. The LIBO Rate will be defined as
the rate for U.S. Euro dollar deposits for one, two, three or six months offered
to the Administrative Agent in the applicable interbank market two business days
prior to the date the loan is to be made. The Applicable Margin which will be
based on the ratio of (x) the Company's total consolidated indebtedness to (y)
the Company's consolidated earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation
and amortization (the "Leverage Ratio") as of the end of any fiscal quarter. The
Applicable Margin for the Alternate Base Rate will range from 0% to 0.50% per
annum and will initially be 0.25% per annum. The Applicable Margin for the LIBO
Rate will range from 0.75% to 1.75% per annum, and will initially be 1.50% per
annum.
The Company will be charged a commitment fee per annum, payable
quarterly in arrears, on the average daily unused amount of the Credit
Facilities. The amount of the commitment fee will be based on the Leverage
Ratio, and will range from 0.25% to 0.35% per annum. The initial Commitment Fee
will be 0.30% per annum.
Repayment. Loans made under the Term Facility will mature five years
after the Closing Date and will amortize in eight equal semi-annual installments
commencing 18 months after the Closing Date. Loans made under the Revolving
Facility will mature five years after the Closing Date.
Guarantees. The obligations of the Company under the Credit Facilities
will be guaranteed by all direct or indirect significant domestic subsidiaries
of the Company.
Prepayments. The Company will be permitted to make prepayments on loans
under the Credit Facilities at any time, upon prior notice to the Administrative
Agent. In addition, the Company will be required to make prepayments on loans
under the Term Facility with (1) 100% of the net cash proceeds of any issuances
of indebtedness by the Company and its subsidiaries, if on a pro forma basis,
after giving effect to such issuances, the Company's Leverage Ratio is equal to
or greater than 2.25 to 1.00, and (2) 50% of the net cash proceeds of any
issuances of indebtedness by the Company and its subsidiaries, if on a pro forma
basis, after
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giving effect to such issuances, the Company's Leverage Ratio on a pro forma
basis after giving effect thereto is less than 2.25 to 1.00, in each case
subject to limited exceptions.
Conditions and Covenants. The obligations of the Lenders to make loans
under the Credit Facilities will be subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions precedent that are customary in similar credit facilities or
otherwise appropriate under the circumstances. The Company expects that the
Company and its subsidiaries will be subject to certain negative covenants
contained in the Credit Agreement relating to restrictions on (1) the incurrence
of additional indebtedness and other obligations and the granting of liens, (2)
mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, (3) investments, loans and advances, and (4)
sale and leaseback transactions. Dividends, distributions, redemptions and stock
repurchases will be prohibited unless, on a pro forma basis after giving effect
thereto, the Company's Leverage Ratio is less than 1.50 to 1.00, provided that
the Company may, so long as no default or event of default exists or would
result under the Credit Agreement, (a) pay the Cash Dividend, (b) effect the
Stock Repurchase, and (c) pay other dividends and make other distributions,
redemptions and repurchases in an aggregate amount not in excess of $50,000,000.
The Company also expects that the Credit Agreement will contain
customary affirmative covenants, including compliance with ERISA, environmental
and other laws, payment of taxes, maintenance of corporate existence and rights,
maintenance of insurance, financial reporting and use of proceeds of loans. In
addition, the Credit Agreement will require the Company to maintain compliance
with certain specified financial covenants, including (1) a Leverage Ratio of
not more than 2.75 to 1.00, (2) a ratio of the Company's consolidated earnings
before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization to consolidated
cash interest expense of not less than 5.00 to 1.00, (3) a ratio of the
annualized value of all of the Company's advisory and measurement contracts in
effect at a given time, without regard to the duration of those contracts ( the
"Contract Value") to consolidated indebtedness due in more than one year from
the date of calculation of not less than 1.25 to 1.00, and (4) minimum Contract
Value of not less than $350,000,000.
Events of Default. The Company expects that the Credit Agreement will
also include events of default that are typical for similar credit facilities,
including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants,
inaccuracy of representations and warranties in any material respect,
cross-default to certain other indebtedness and agreements, bankruptcy and
insolvency events, material judgments, certain defaults under ERISA and change
in control. The occurrence of any of these events of default could result in
acceleration of the Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement.
TAX MATTERS - RECAPITALIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION
IMS Health has received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the
"IRS Ruling") to the effect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) the
Cash Dividend will be treated as a distribution to the stockholders of Gartner
Group governed by Section 301 of the Code, (ii) the Recapitalization will be a
tax-free transaction under Section 354 of the Code, and (iii) the Distribution
will be tax free to IMS Health and its shareholders under Section 355 of the
Code.
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Implementation of the Recapitalization will be tax free for federal
income tax purposes to Gartner Group and its stockholders based upon the facts
and law as of the date of this Proxy Statement. To preserve the tax-free status
of the Distribution, Gartner Group has agreed that for a period of two years
after the date of the Distribution, Gartner Group will maintain its status as a
company engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business. If Gartner Group
fails to comply with this obligation or takes or fails to take any other action
and such failure, act or omission contributes to the Distribution being
disqualified as tax-free to IMS Health or its stockholders, Gartner Group will
generally be required to indemnify IMS and its stockholders for any taxes
arising from the disqualification. In addition, as described more fully below,
Gartner Group may under certain circumstances be required to indemnify IMS
Health if the Distribution becomes taxable to IMS Health under Section 355(e) of
the Code. The liability to IMS Health or its stockholders for which Gartner
Group could potentially be subject under these indemnification obligations is
estimated at [$275 million].
Under Section 355(e) of the Code enacted in 1997, the Distribution will
be taxable to IMS Health if the Distribution is part of a plan (or series of
related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire directly or
indirectly stock representing a 50% or greater interest (based on either vote or
value) in IMS Health or Gartner Group. Acquisitions that occur during the
two-year period before the Distribution or the two-year period after the
Distribution are subject to a rebuttable presumption that they are "part of a
plan." If IMS Health becomes subject to tax under Section 355(e), its tax
liability will be based upon the difference between the fair market value of the
Class B common stock at the time of the Distribution and its adjusted basis in
such stock at that time, and will be very substantial. The application of
Section 355(e) to the Transactions is somewhat uncertain, and it is possible
that certain of the Transactions may be viewed as contributing to a change in
ownership of the Company for purposes of Section 355(e). Accordingly, under the
Distribution Agreement, Gartner Group has agreed to indemnify IMS Health for any
tax liability arising under Section 355(e) if any action or actions by Gartner
Group contribute to such tax liability other than: (i) transactions by Gartner
Group prior to the Distribution as represented by Gartner Group to IMS Health,
(ii) the Recapitalization and the Distribution, (iii) repurchases of stock by
Gartner Group pursuant to the Stock Repurchase or as set forth in the IRS
Ruling, (iv) actions pursuant to sales or other dispositions of Class A Common
Stock by IMS Health or any affiliate of IMS Health, (v) after the Distribution,
new issuances of stock options and other stock awards, in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice under compensatory stock programs, to
acquire an amount of Class A common stock equal to or less than 4% of the
outstanding stock of Gartner Group at the time of the Distribution or (vi) after
the Distribution, issuances of Class A common stock (other than stock issued
upon the exercise of existing stock options and other rights under compensatory
stock programs or pursuant to options and other awards excluded under clause
(v)) that, in the aggregate, amount to 1% or less of the outstanding stock of
Gartner Group at the time of the Distribution.
In order to attempt to clarify the application of Section 355(e) to the
Transactions, IMS Health has requested a supplemental ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service to the effect that, among other things, neither (i) the
Recapitalization or the Distribution nor (ii) grants of
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stock options or other awards and exercises of compensatory stock options and
other awards will be taken into account for purposes of applying Section 355(e)
of the Code (the "IRS Supplemental Ruling"). In the event the IRS Supplemental
Ruling is received Gartner Group should have significantly more flexibility to
engage in transactions involving its stock following the Distribution. However,
there can be no assurance that the IRS Supplemental Ruling will be obtained. If
IMS determines in good faith that the IRS Supplemental Ruling will not be not
forthcoming in form and content substantially identical to that submitted to the
IRS prior to the Declaration Date, IMS Health may elect to terminate the
Distribution Agreement and the Merger Agreement.
TAX MATTERS - CASH DIVIDEND
The Cash Dividend will generally constitute a dividend taxable as
ordinary income in the year of receipt to the extent that Gartner Group has
current or accumulated "earnings and profits" as of the end of the taxable year
in which the Cash Dividend is made. If the Cash Dividend exceeds a stockholder's
allocable share of Gartner Group's current and accumulated earnings and profits
for federal income tax purposes determined as of the end of Gartner Group's
fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, the excess will generally be treated
first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the stockholder's basis
in his or her Gartner Group common stock, and after this basis is reduced to
zero, as capital gain. Gartner Group's management has advised that, based on the
information currently available, Gartner Group's current and accumulated
earnings and profits at September 30, 1999 is expected to be such that the Cash
Dividend will not exceed any Gartner Group stockholder's allocable share of such
earnings and profits. Thus it is expected that the Cash Dividend will be taxable
as an ordinary dividend.
For corporate holders of Gartner Group common stock, the Cash Dividend
(to the extent treated as ordinary income) will be eligible for a
"dividends-received" deduction, subject to limitations and exclusions provided
by the Code. However, the Cash Dividend will be subject to the Code's
extraordinary dividend rules, which could reduce a corporate holder's basis in
its Gartner Group common stock by the amount of the deduction, if the Cash
Dividend equals at least 10% of the holder's basis in such stock. Moreover, to
the extent that the untaxed distribution exceeds the corporate holder's basis,
gain will be recognized.
Although this discussion does not generally address tax consequences of
the Cash Dividend to foreign holders of Gartner Group common stock, such holders
should note that the Cash Dividend (to the extent of such foreign holder's
allocable share of Gartner Group's current and accumulated earnings and profits)
will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%. This rate
may be reduced by income tax treaties to which the United States is a party.
Finally, to the extent that the Cash Dividend constitutes ordinary
income, it will generally be subject to back-up withholding with respect to
Gartner Group stockholders who, before the Cash Dividend, have not provided
their correct taxpayer identification numbers to Gartner Group on an IRS Form
W-9 or a substitute therefor.
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INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE RECAPITALIZATION
In considering the recommendation of the Gartner Group Board of
Directors, the stockholders of Gartner Group should be aware that certain
officers and directors of Gartner Group may have certain interests in the
Recapitalization that are or may be different from, or in addition to, the
interests of the Gartner Group public stockholders:
Ownership of Gartner Group Common Stock. As of March 31, 1999, the
directors of Gartner Group (other than Messrs. Weissman and Imlay) beneficially
owned an aggregate of 1,402,467 shares of common stock of Gartner Group,
including shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of outstanding stock
options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date, and the directors (other
than Messrs. Weissman and Imlay) and executive officers of Gartner Group
beneficially owned an aggregate of 2,382,358 shares of common stock of Gartner
Group, including shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of outstanding
stock options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
Ownership of IMS Health Common Stock. As of ______________, 1999, the
directors (other than Messrs. Weissman and Imlay) of Gartner Group beneficially
owned an aggregate of __________________ shares of common stock of IMS Health,
including shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of outstanding stock
options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date, and the directors (other
than Messrs. Weissman and Imlay) and executive officers of Gartner Group
beneficially owned an aggregate of _______ shares of common stock of IMS Health,
including shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of outstanding stock
options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE APPROVALS
Gartner Group is in the process of obtaining the necessary approval from
the NYSE in order to effect the Recapitalization. The Company's Class A common
stock is currently listed on the NYSE under the symbol "IT." Following the
Recapitalization and Distribution, the Class A common stock will continue to be
listed on the NYSE under the symbol "IT" and the Class B common stock will be
listed on the NYSE under the symbol "IT.B," subject to NYSE approvals.
FEDERAL SECURITIES LAW CONSEQUENCES
All shares of Class B common stock received by holders of IMS Health
common stock following the Recapitalization and Distribution will be freely
transferable, except that shares of Class B common stock received by persons who
are deemed to be affiliates of Gartner Group may be resold by them only in
transactions permitted by the resale provision of Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or otherwise in
compliance with (or pursuant to an exemption from) the registration requirements
of the Securities Act. Persons deemed to be affiliates of Gartner Group are
those individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or are under
common control with, Gartner Group and generally include the executive officers
and directors of Gartner Group, as well as certain principal
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stockholders of Gartner Group. Following the Distribution, IMS Health will not
be an affiliate of Gartner Group.
NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Holders of Gartner Group common stock are not entitled to appraisal
rights under Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
(the "DGCL") in connection with the Recapitalization because the
Recapitalization is not a transaction for which appraisal rights are available
under the DGCL.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE
RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND
MERGER AGREEMENT
Gartner Group and IMS Health have entered into an agreement and plan of
merger and a distribution agreement which, if the Recapitalization is approved,
will govern the terms of the Recapitalization, the Cash Dividend, the
Distribution and the Stock Repurchase.
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
The description of the Distribution Agreement contained in this Proxy
Statement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Distribution Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Appendix A. Capitalized terms used in this section but not defined in this Proxy
Statement have the meanings assigned to them in the Distribution Agreement. All
stockholders are urged to read carefully the Distribution Agreement in its
entirety.
THE DISTRIBUTION
Gartner Group and IMS Health have entered into the Distribution
Agreement providing for, among other things, the Distribution, the Cash Dividend
and the Stock Repurchase.
Subject to the conditions to IMS Health's obligations to declare the
Distribution, the Board of Directors of IMS Health shall declare the
Distribution on a date mutually agreed between the Company and IMS Health (the
"Declaration Date"). IMS Health shall appoint a distribution agent to effect the
Distribution (the "Distribution Agent") to its stockholders. To effect the
Distribution, IMS Health shall cause the Distribution Agent to distribute, on or
as soon as practicable following a date agreed between the Company and IMS
Health (the "Distribution Date"), on a pro rata basis to the holders of record
of IMS Health common stock on the record date for the Distribution (the
"Distribution Record Date"), all shares of Class B common stock held by IMS
Health on the Distribution Date. The Distribution Agent shall aggregate all
fractional shares that would otherwise be distributed in the Distribution and
sell them in an orderly manner after the Distribution Date in the open market
and, after completion of such sales, distribute a pro rata portion of the net
proceeds from such sales to each stockholder of IMS Health who would otherwise
have received a fractional share.
The Board of Directors of IMS Health shall declare the Distribution on
the Declaration Date following the satisfaction or waiver by IMS Health, as
determined by IMS Health in its sole discretion, of the conditions set forth
below:
(i) The Company shall have complied with all provisions set forth in
the IRS Ruling; the request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling and,
if granted prior to such time, the IRS Supplemental Ruling, in
each case, that are required to be complied with prior to the
Declaration Date;
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(ii) any material governmental approvals and consents necessary to
consummate the Distribution and the other transactions
contemplated by the Distribution Agreement and the Merger
Agreement shall have been obtained and shall be in full force
and effect;
(iii) no order, injunction or decree issued by any court or agency of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition
preventing the consummation of the Distribution and the other
transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement and the
Merger Agreement shall be in effect and no other event outside
the control of IMS Health shall have occurred or failed to occur
that prevents the lawful consummation of the Distribution;
(iv) the Recapitalization, the Distribution, the Cash Dividend, and
the Stock Repurchase shall be in compliance with applicable
federal and state securities and other applicable laws;
(v) each of the Company and IMS Health shall have received copies of
all consents required in connection with the completion of the
Recapitalization and the Distribution as set forth on Schedule
4.5 to the Distribution Agreement;
(vi) all conditions to the Recapitalization shall have been satisfied
or waived and no circumstances shall exist that would reasonably
be expected to prevent the consummation of the Recapitalization
immediately following the declaration of the Distribution;
(vii) the Cash Dividend shall be declared by the Board of Directors of
the Company substantially simultaneously with the declaration of
the Distribution by the Board of Directors of IMS Health;
(viii) the Stock Repurchase shall have been authorized and not revoked
by the Board of Directors of the Company, or shall be so
authorized substantially simultaneously with the declaration of
the Distribution and shall be committed to by the Company to the
satisfaction of IMS Health;
(ix) a registration statement on Form 8-A (the "Form 8-A") pursuant
to which the Class B common stock shall be registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), including
all amendments thereto, shall have been filed with the
Commission and there shall be no impediment to the certification
by the NYSE to the Commission of the listing of the Class B
common stock;
(x) the Class B common stock shall have been approved for listing on
the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
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(xi) each of the representations and warranties of the Company set
forth in the Distribution Agreement shall have been true and
correct in all material respects when made and shall be true and
correct in all material respects as of the Declaration Date; and
the Company shall have performed or complied in all material
respects with all agreements and covenants required to be
performed by it under this Distribution Agreement and the Merger
Agreement at or prior to the Declaration Date;
(xii) IMS Health shall have received from the Company copies of
financing commitments available to the Company which, when added
to its available cash and reasonably anticipated cash flow
through the Declaration Date, will permit payment of the Cash
Dividend and the Stock Repurchase, with sufficient cash
available to meet the needs of the Company's business (the
"Financing Commitments"), the Company shall have complied with
its obligations under the Distribution Agreement with respect to
the Financing Commitments and IMS Health, acting reasonably,
shall be satisfied that funds available pursuant to such
Financing Commitments, together with funds internally available
to the Company, will be sufficient to consummate the Cash
Dividend and the Stock Repurchase; and,
(xiii) all actions and other documents and instruments reasonably
necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by
the Distribution Agreement shall have been taken or executed, as
the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to IMS Health.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of IMS Health and
shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of IMS Health to waive or
not waive any such condition.
Each of the Company and IMS Health has agreed that the Declaration Date
shall occur as soon as reasonably practicable following the satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions to the Distribution (other than the declaration of the
Cash Dividend) and the Cash Dividend (other than the declaration of the
Distribution). The parties have agreed to cause their respective Boards of
Directors to meet telephonically or at the same location on the Declaration Date
and each shall take such corporate action at such meeting as shall be required
to effect the transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement and the
Merger Agreement. Immediately following such meetings, the Company shall take
all actions required to consummate the Recapitalization in accordance with the
terms of the Merger Agreement, including the filing of the certificate of merger
relating to the Recapitalization with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware (the "Certificate of Merger"). IMS Health has agreed to take all
actions necessary to consummate the Distribution promptly following the filing
of the Certificate of Merger.
In connection with the Distribution, the Company and IMS Health have
agreed to take all reasonable steps necessary and appropriate to cause the
conditions to the declaration of the Distribution to be satisfied on the
Declaration Date, including actions with respect to blue sky
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laws, the listing of the Class B common stock, the preparation and filing of the
Form 8-A and the transactions contemplated by the request for the IRS Ruling.
Following the Distribution, IMS Health will continue to hold the
Retained Shares and the Warrants (including the Warrant Shares), representing a
total of 7,508,857 shares of Class A common stock. IMS Health will not retain
any Class B common stock following the Distribution. IMS Health has agreed that
it shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or issue any derivative
security with respect to, any Retained Shares or Warrant Shares except (i) sales
on the NYSE of Retained Shares or Warrant Shares in an amount (collectively) in
any day in excess of 25% of the average daily trading volume of the Gartner
Common Stock for the immediately preceding four weeks as reported on the NYSE
composite tape (excluding shares sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of on
the NYSE by IMS Health or as to which IMS Health issues a derivative security
that trades on the NYSE, in each case, during such four week period) and (ii) in
other transactions [which the parties agree in good faith would not reasonably
be expected to have a significant negative impact on the trading prices of the
Gartner Common Stock as reported on the NYSE composite tape.] In addition, IMS
Health has agreed that following the Distribution in all matters requiring a
vote of the holders of Class A common stock at any stockholder meeting or by
written consent of the stockholders, for such time as IMS Health holds the
Retained Shares and any Warrant Shares, IMS Health will vote the Retained Shares
in proportion to the votes cast by all other holders of Class A common stock.
CASH DIVIDEND AND THE STOCK REPURCHASE
The Distribution Agreement provides that, subject to the conditions to
the Company's obligations to declare the Cash Dividend and consummate the Stock
Repurchase, on the Declaration Date the Board of Directors of the Company shall
declare the Cash Dividend to all holders of record of the Company's Common Stock
as of the date immediately preceding the Distribution Record Date (the "Cash
Dividend Record Date"). The Company has agreed to commence and consummate the
Dutch Auction as promptly as practicable, subject to reasonable and customary
conditions and other terms and reasonable ranges of purchase prices based on
recent trading prices, which conditions, terms and ranges shall be determined by
the Board of Directors in good faith. Furthermore, the Company has also agreed
to effect the Open Market Repurchase as promptly as practicable (subject to
market conditions) after completion of the Dutch Auction, and shall in any event
complete the Open Market Repurchase within two years after the Distribution
Date. In accordance with tax regulations, Gartner Group may only repurchase less
than 20% of its shares within two years following the Distribution. Accordingly,
the Stock Repurchase will be limited to 19.99%, in the aggregate, of the number
of shares of Gartner Group common stock outstanding immediately following the
Distribution. Gartner Group agrees that it will not repurchase any shares of
Class A common stock or Class B common stock in the Stock Purchase beneficially
owned by any of its directors or officers.
The obligation of the Board of Directors of the Company to declare the
Cash Dividend and consummate the Stock Repurchase are subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
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(i) IMS Health shall have complied with all provisions set forth in
the IRS Ruling, the request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling and,
if granted prior to such time, the IRS Supplemental Ruling, in
each case, that are required to be complied with prior to the
Declaration Date;
(ii) all conditions to the Recapitalization shall have been satisfied
or waived and no circumstances shall exist that would reasonably
be expected to prevent the consummation of the Recapitalization
immediately following the declaration of the Cash Dividend;
(iii) all conditions to the declaration of the Distribution shall have
been satisfied or waived;
(iv) the Distribution shall be declared by the Board of Directors of
IMS Health substantially simultaneously with the declaration of
the Cash Dividend and no circumstances shall exist that would
reasonably be expected to prevent the prompt consummation of the
Distribution;
(v) all material governmental approvals and consents necessary to
consummate the Cash Dividend or the Stock Repurchase, as the
case may be, shall have been obtained and shall be in full force
and effect;
(vi) no order, injunction or decree issued by any court or agency of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition
in each case preventing the consummation of the Cash Dividend,
the Stock Repurchase or the Distribution shall be in effect and
no other event outside the control of the Company shall have
occurred or failed to occur that prevents the lawful
consummation of the Cash Dividend, the Stock Repurchase of the
Distribution;
(vii) the Recapitalization, the Cash Dividend, the Stock Repurchase
and the Distribution shall be in compliance with applicable
federal and state securities and other applicable laws;
(viii) the Form 8-A shall have been filed with the Commission and there
shall be no impediment to the certification by NYSE to the
Commission of the listing of the Class B common stock;
(ix) the Class B common stock shall have been approved for listing on
the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
(x) each of the representations and warranties of IMS Health set
forth in the Distribution Agreement shall have been true and
correct in all material respects when made and shall be true and
correct in all material respects as of the Declaration Date, and
IMS Health shall have performed or complied in all material
respects with all agreements or covenants required to be
performed by it
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under the Distribution Agreement and the Recapitalization
Agreement at or prior to the Declaration Date;
(xi) all actions and other documents and instruments reasonably
necessary in connection with all transactions contemplated in
the Distribution Agreement shall have been taken or executed in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company; and
(xii) each of the Company and IMS Health shall have received copies of
all consents specified to be required in connection with the
completion of the Recapitalization and the Distribution.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Gartner Group and
shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of Gartner Group to waive
or not to waive any such condition.
In connection with the Cash Dividend and the Stock Repurchase, the
Company has secured the Financing Commitments which will provide the Company
with sufficient capital to effect the Cash Dividend and Stock Repurchase and
meet the ongoing needs of the Company's business. The Company has agreed, until
such time as the Cash Dividend has been fully paid, the Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, pay any other cash dividend on any
of its capital stock, repurchase any of the Common Stock (except purchases
necessary to offset exercises of pre-existing employee stock options and stock
issuances under the Company's employee stock purchase plan), or acquire any
assets or securities or make any capital expenditures which utilize more than
$80 million in cash in the aggregate (excluding transfers between Gartner Group
and any wholly-owned subsidiary of Gartner Group or between wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Gartner Group), without the prior written consent of IMS Health.
CERTAIN AGREEMENTS
Voting Agreement by IMS Health. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement,
IMS Health has agreed to be present in person or by proxy at each and every
stockholders meeting of the Company at which the Recapitalization, the Corporate
Governance Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal are submitted to the
stockholders of the Company for consideration and to vote, or cause to be voted,
all shares of the Class A common stock owned directly or indirectly by it and
its Subsidiaries in favor of the Recapitalization Proposal, the Corporate
Governance Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal; provided that the Corporate
Governance Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal are to become effective
solely upon the effectiveness of the Recapitalization. Pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement, IMS Health has also agreed that, following the
Distribution, in all matters requiring a vote of the holders of Class A common
stock at any stockholder meeting or by written consent of the stockholders, for
such time as it holds the Retained Shares, it will vote the Retained Shares and
any Warrant Shares in proportion to the votes cast by all other holders of Class
A common stock voting.
Restrictions on Gartner Group Business. The Distribution Agreement
provides that each of the Company and IMS Health will comply with and otherwise
not take any action inconsistent
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with each representation and statement made to the Internal Revenue Service in
connection with the requests for the IRS Ruling and the IRS Supplemental Ruling.
In addition, the Company has agreed to maintain its status as a company engaged
in the active conduct of a trade or business, as defined in Section 355(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code, until the second anniversary of the Distribution
Date.
As a result of the representations in the request for the IRS Ruling and
the covenants in the Distribution Agreement, the acquisition of control of the
Company prior to the second anniversary of the Distribution Date may be more
difficult or less likely to occur because of the potential liability associated
with a breach of such representations or covenants.
Indemnification Against Certain Tax and Other Liabilities. Under Section
355(e) of the Code, which was enacted in 1997, the Distribution will be taxable
to IMS Health if the Distribution is part of a plan (or series of related
transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire directly or
indirectly stock representing a 50% or greater interest (based on either vote or
value) in IMS Health or Gartner Group. Acquisitions that occur during the
two-year period before the Distribution or the two-year period after the
Distribution are subject to a rebuttable presumption that they are "part of a
plan." If IMS Health becomes subject to tax under Section 355(e), its tax
liability will be based upon the difference between the fair market value of the
Class B Common Stock at the time of the Distribution and its adjusted basis in
such stock at that time, and will be very substantial. The application of
Section 355(e) to the Transactions is somewhat uncertain, and it is possible
that certain of the Transactions may be viewed as contributing to a change in
ownership of the Company for purposes of Section 355(e). Accordingly, under the
Distribution Agreement, Gartner Group has agreed to indemnify IMS Health for any
tax liability arising under Section 355(e) if any action or actions by Gartner
Group contribute to such tax liability other than: (i) transactions by Gartner
Group prior to the Distribution as represented by Gartner Group to IMS Health,
(ii) the Recapitalization and the Distribution, (iii) repurchases of stock by
Gartner Group pursuant to the Stock Repurchase or otherwise set forth in the IRS
Ruling, the request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling and, if granted prior to
such time, the IRS Supplemental Ruling, (iv) actions pursuant to sales or other
dispositions of Class A Common Stock by IMS Health or any affiliate of IMS
Health, (v) after the Distribution, new issuances of stock options and other
stock awards, in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice under compensatory stock programs, to acquire an amount of Class A
common stock equal to or less than 4% of the outstanding stock of Gartner Group
at the time of the Distribution or (vi) after the Distribution, issuances of
Class A common stock (other than stock issued upon the exercise of existing
stock options and other rights under compensatory stock programs or pursuant to
options or other awards excluded under clause (v)) that, in the aggregate,
amount to 1% or less of the outstanding stock of Gartner Group at the time of
the Distribution. Gartner Group shall not indemnify IMS Health for any tax
liability arising under Section 355(e) that results from any inaccuracy or
incompleteness in any representation made by IMS Health to the IRS in connection
with the requests for the IRS Ruling or the IRS Supplemental Ruling or failure
by IMS Health to comply with any representation by IMS Health to the IRS in
connection with the requests for the IRS Ruling or the IRS Supplemental Ruling.
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In addition, to preserve the tax-free status of the Distribution,
Gartner Group has agreed that for a period of two years after the date of the
Distribution, Gartner Group will maintain its status as a company engaged in the
active conduct of a trade or business. If Gartner Group fails to comply with
this obligation or takes or fails to take any other action and such failure, act
or omission contributes to the Distribution being disqualified from being
tax-free to IMS Health or its stockholders, Gartner Group will generally be
required to indemnify IMS and its stockholders for any taxes arising from such
disqualification. The liability to IMS Health and its stockholders for which
Gartner Group could potentially be subject under these indemnification
obligations is estimated at [$275 million].
IMS Health has received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to
the effect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) the Cash Dividend
will be treated as a distribution to the stockholders of Gartner Group governed
by Section 301 of the Code, (ii) the Recapitalization will be a tax-free
transaction under Section 354 of the Code, and (iii) the Distribution will be
tax free to IMS Health and its shareholders under Section 355 of the Code.
In order to attempt to clarify the application of Section 355(e) to the
Transactions, IMS Health has requested a supplemental ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service to the effect that, among other things, neither (i) the
Recapitalization or the Distribution nor (ii) grants of stock options and other
awards and exercises of compensatory stock options and other awards will be
taken into account for purposes of applying Section 355(e) of the Code (the "IRS
Supplemental Ruling"). In the event the IRS Supplemental Ruling is received
Gartner Group should have significantly more flexibility to engage in
transactions involving its stock following the Distribution. However, there can
be no assurance that the IRS Supplemental Ruling will be obtained. If IMS
determines in good faith that the IRS Supplemental Ruling will not be not
forthcoming in form and content substantially identical to that submitted to the
IRS prior to the Declaration Date, IMS Health may elect to terminate the
Distribution Agreement and the Merger Agreement.
The Distribution Agreement also provides for assumptions of liabilities
and cross indemnities designed to allocate generally financial responsibility
for former, current, or future liabilities arising out of or in connection with
the businesses of each respective party. Pursuant to the terms of (i) the
Distribution Agreement dated as of October 28, 1996 among Cognizant Corporation,
which has been renamed Nielsen Media Research, Inc. ("NMR"), D&B, which has been
renamed the R.H. Donnelley Corporation ("RHD") and ACNielsen Corporation
("ACNielsen") (the "1996 Distribution Agreement") and related agreements and
(ii) the Distribution Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1998 between NMR and IMS
Health (the "1998 Distribution Agreement") and related agreements, the Company
is required as a condition to the Distribution to undertake to be jointly and
severally liable to RHD and ACNielsen for certain liabilities of IMS Health
arising thereunder. As a result, the Company has agreed to assume such
liabilities (the "Undertakings") by executing letters of undertaking in favor of
RHD and ACNielsen in one case, and NMR in the other case. However, subject to
the general allocation of liabilities arising from the respective businesses of
the Company and IMS Health,
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IMS Health has agreed to indemnify and reimburse the Company for any liabilities
incurred with respect to such Undertakings.
Standstill. The Distribution Agreement provides that each of the Company
and IMS Health will not solicit, initiate or encourage negotiations regarding an
acquisition of the Common Stock of the Company until the Distribution is
consummated (the "Standstill"), although IMS Health will be relieved of these
obligations if the Company, among other things, fails to comply with its
material obligations under the Distribution Agreement or the Merger Agreement in
a manner that would reasonably be expected to preclude the consummation of the
Distribution by [June 30, 1999].
Other Matters. In addition, the Distribution Agreement includes
provisions governing the administration of certain insurance programs and
procedures for making claims. The Distribution Agreement also allocates the
right to proceeds and the obligation to satisfy deductibles.
Under the Distribution Agreement, each of the Company and IMS Health
have agreed to provide to the other party, subject to certain conditions, access
to certain corporate records and information.
The Distribution Agreement also provides that, except as set forth under
"--Termination" below, all costs and expenses incurred in connection the
Distribution Agreement and the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby will be paid by the party incurring such costs and
expenses.
TERMINATION
Prior to the filing of the Certificate of Merger, the Distribution
Agreement may be terminated:
(i) by the Company and IMS Health by mutual consent;
(ii) by the Company or IMS Health if the other party is in breach
materially of any of its obligations or warranties under the
Distribution Agreement or the Merger Agreement, and thereafter
fails to substantially correct such breach within a reasonable
period;
(iii) by the Company if the Board of Directors of the Company in good
faith, upon advice of its outside counsel [(which advice may be
oral and later confirmed in writing)], determines that it will
breach its fiduciary duties to stockholders of the Company if
the Distribution Agreement is not terminated; provided that the
Company shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses
of counsel to IMS Health incurred in connection with the
Distribution Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by such agreements;
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(iv) by IMS Health if the Company solicits, initiates or encourages
the commencement of negotiations or continue any current
negotiations regarding any proposal by any third party of any
shares of capital stock of the Company until the earlier to
occur of the termination of the Distribution Agreement or the
time at which the Distribution is consummated;
(v) by IMS Health if the Board of Directors of Gartner Group shall
withdraw its approval or recommendation of the proposed
Transactions or modify its approval or recommendation in a
manner adverse to IMS Health, or if the Board of Directors of
Gartner Group approves, recommends or enters into an agreement
for any alternative acquisition proposal; provided that in such
event Gartner Group shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket fees
and expenses of counsel to IMS Health incurred in connection
with the proposed Transactions; or
(vi) by IMS Health if IMS Health in good faith believes that the IRS
Supplemental Ruling in form and content substantially identical
to the rulings requested in the submission to the IRS will not
be forthcoming prior to the Declaration Date.
In the event that the Distribution Agreement is terminated, except in
circumstances where a party is required to pay the expenses of the other party
as set forth above, and except for liability for any breach by one party prior
to termination of the Distribution Agreement by the other party, no party shall
have any liability to any other party or any other person. After the filing of
the Certificate of Merger relating to the Recapitalization, the Distribution
Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by both
parties.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The description of the Merger Agreement contained in this Proxy
Statement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Appendix B. Capitalized terms used in this section but not defined in this Proxy
Statement have the meanings assigned to them in the Merger Agreement. All
stockholders are urged to read carefully the Merger Agreement in its entirety.
The Company, IMS Health and Merger Sub have entered into the Merger
Agreement pursuant to which the Recapitalization will be implemented. The Merger
Agreement provides for the amendment of the Company's certificate of
incorporation to provide for the Class A and Class B common stock and certain
other changes to implement the Corporate Governance Proposal and the Share
Increase Proposal.
If the Recapitalization Proposal is adopted by the stockholders of the
Company, the certificate of incorporation will be amended to create the Class A
and Class B common stock. The approval of the Recapitalization Proposal is not
conditioned upon the approval of the Corporate Governance Proposal or the Share
Increase Proposal; therefore, the Recapitalization Proposal may be adopted, and
the Class A and Class B common stock created, alone and not in conjunction with
the amendments contemplated by the Corporate Governance Proposal or the
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Share Increase Proposal. The amendments contemplated by the Corporate Governance
Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal, however, cannot be implemented without
approval of the Recapitalization Proposal.
The Merger Agreement provides that the amendments contemplated by the
Corporate Governance Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal may be adopted by
the Company's stockholders independent of each other. Therefore, if the
Recapitalization Proposal is approved, the amendments contemplated by the
Corporate Governance Proposal may be implemented without the amendments
contemplated by the Share Increase Proposal and the amendments contemplated by
the Share Increase Proposal may be implemented without the amendments
contemplated by the Corporate Governance Proposal. IMS Health has agreed to
vote, or cause to be voted, all the shares of common stock owned by it and its
subsidiaries in favor of the Corporate Governance Proposal and the Share
Increase Proposal.
The Merger Agreement provides that prior to the effective time of the
Recapitalization (the "Effective Time"), IMS Health will contribute 40,689,648
shares of the Company's Class A common stock (the "Contributed Shares") to
Merger Sub. As of the Effective Time, Merger Sub will be merged with and into
the Company and its separate corporate existence will cease and the Company
shall become the surviving corporation. All of the shares of Merger Sub common
stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into
40,689,648 fully paid shares of the Company's Class B common stock, each of the
Contributed Shares shall automatically be canceled and retired, and each other
share of Class A common stock shall remain issued and outstanding and not be
affected by the Recapitalization. As a result of and following the
Recapitalization, IMS Health shall own 40,689,648 shares of Class B common
stock, and shall retain the 6,909,457 Retained Shares and Warrant for 599,400
Warrant Shares. Each other stockholder of the Company shall own the same number
of shares of Class A common stock as such stockholder owned prior to the
Recapitalization.
The Merger Agreement provides that the Board of Directors of the Company
following the Recapitalization shall consist of ten (10) members. The Board
shall consist of the same directors that were on the Board prior to the
Effective Time plus the other directors specified in "The Recapitalization and
Related Transactions -- Designation of Additional Directors," except for Robert
E. Weissman, whose resignation shall become effective as of the Effective Time.
The officers of the Company following the Effective Time will retain the same
positions which they held prior to the Effective Time.
The obligations of the Company to consummate the Recapitalization are
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(i) The Recapitalization Proposal shall have been approved by the
holders of (a) a majority of the outstanding Class A common
stock and (b) a majority of the shares of Class A common stock
(other than shares held of record or beneficially owned by IMS
Health) present in person or by proxy at the Stockholders
Meeting and voting on such proposal;
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<PAGE> 48
(ii) the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the
Recapitalization under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act") shall have expired or
been terminated;
(iii) no court, arbitrator or governmental body, agency or official
shall have issued any order, and there shall not be any statute,
rule or regulation, restraining or prohibiting the consummation
of the Recapitalization or the Distribution and no proceeding
challenging the Merger Agreement or the transactions
contemplated thereby or seeking to prohibit, alter, prevent or
materially delay the Recapitalization or the Distribution shall
have been instituted by any governmental entity before any
court, arbitrator or governmental body, agency or official and
be pending;
(iv) all actions by or in respect of or filings with any governmental
entity required to permit the consummation of the
Recapitalization shall have been obtained, except those that
would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
affect on any party's ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
(v) the Distribution Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect;
(vi) all representations and warranties of IMS Health set forth in
the Distribution Agreement and all representations and
warranties of IMS Health and Merger Sub in the Merger Agreement
shall have been true and correct in all material respects when
made, and shall remain true and correct in all material respects
as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; and
(vii) all covenants to have been performed prior to the Effective Time
by IMS Health and Merger Sub pursuant to the Merger Agreement
and all covenants to have been performed prior to the Effective
Time by IMS Health pursuant to the Distribution Agreement shall
have been performed by the relevant parties in all material
respects to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company.
The obligations of IMS Health and Merger Sub to consummate the
Recapitalization are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(i) The Recapitalization Proposal shall have been approved by the
holders of (a) a majority of the outstanding Class A common
stock and (b) a majority of the shares of Class A common stock
(other than shares held of record or beneficially owned by IMS
Health) present in person or by proxy at the Stockholders
Meeting and voting on such proposal;
(ii) the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the
Recapitalization under the HSR Act shall have expired or been
terminated;
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<PAGE> 49
(iii) no court, arbitrator or governmental body, agency or official
shall have issued any order, and there shall not be any statute,
rule or regulation, restraining or prohibiting the consummation
of the Recapitalization and no proceeding challenging the Merger
Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby or seeking to
prohibit, alter, prevent or materially delay the
Recapitalization shall have been instituted by any governmental
entity before any court, arbitrator or governmental body, agency
or official and be pending;
(iv) the IRS Ruling shall continue in effect and the Company and IMS
Health shall have complied with all provisions set forth in the
IRS Ruling, the request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling and, if
granted prior to such time, the IRS Supplemental Ruling;
(v) all actions by or in respect of or filings with any governmental
entity required to permit the consummation of the
Recapitalization shall have been obtained, except those that
would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
affect on any party's ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
(vi) the Distribution Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect;
(vii) all representations and warranties of the Company set forth in
the Distribution Agreement and the Merger Agreement shall have
been true and correct in all material respects when made, and
shall remain true and correct in all material respects as of
immediately prior to the Effective Time; and
(viii) all covenants to have been performed by the Company pursuant to
the Merger Agreement prior to the Effective Time shall have been
performed by the Company in all material respects to the
reasonable satisfaction of IMS Health and Merger Sub.
(ix) the Board of Directors of IMS Health shall have declared, or
simultaneously shall be declaring, the Distribution.
The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Recapitalization may be
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time (notwithstanding any approval
of the Merger Agreement by the stockholders of the Company):
(i) by mutual written consent of the Company and IMS Health;
(ii) by either the Company or IMS Health, if there shall be any law
or regulation that makes consummation of the Recapitalization
illegal or otherwise prohibited or if any judgment, injunction,
order or decree enjoining the Company or Merger Sub from
consummating the Recapitalization is entered and such judgment,
injunction, order or decree shall become final and
nonappealable;
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<PAGE> 50
(iii) by IMS Health, if there shall be any law or regulation that
makes consummation of the Distribution illegal or otherwise
prohibited or if any judgment, injunction, order or decree
enjoining IMS Health from consummating the Distribution is
entered;
(iv) the IRS Ruling shall continue in effect and the Company and IMS
Health shall have complied with all provisions set forth in the
IRS Ruling, the request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling and, if
granted prior to such time, the IRS Supplemental Ruling; or
(v) by IMS Health or the Company in the event the Distribution
Agreement is terminated.
Furthermore, the Merger Agreement may be terminated at the election of
Gartner Group or IMS Health if the Recapitalization Proposal is not approved at
the Special Meeting or the Recapitalization is not consummated by [June 30],
1999.
Under the Merger Agreement, each of the Company and IMS Health agrees to
provide to the other party, subject to certain conditions, access to certain
corporate records and information. Each party has also agreed to exercise its
respective commercially reasonable efforts promptly to obtain any necessary
consents and approvals and to take such actions as may be reasonably necessary
or desirable to carry out the purposes of the Merger Agreement.
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<PAGE> 51
PROPOSAL 2:
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PROPOSAL
The Company is seeking approval by the stockholders of an amendment to
the Company's certificate of incorporation to provide for a classified Board of
Directors. If the amendment is approved, the authorized number of directors
would be set at ten (10) and the Board of Directors would be divided into three
classes of, three (3) and four (4) directors, each having a three year term. The
staggered terms of the three classes would be implemented through initial one,
two and three year terms for the three classes, followed in each case by full
three year terms.
Although implementation of the Recapitalization Proposal is not
contingent upon the approval of the Corporate Governance Proposal,
implementation of the Corporate Governance Proposal is contingent upon approval
of the Recapitalization Proposal. The Board of Directors of Gartner Group has
determined that a classified Board of Directors is advisable in light of certain
consequences of the proposed Recapitalization and Distribution, as described
below, and has determined not to provide for the classified Board in the absence
of the Recapitalization and the Distribution.
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
text of the proposed amendments to the certificate of incorporation, which is
attached as Appendix B.
REASONS FOR THE CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The proposed Recapitalization and the other Transactions may make it
easier for a single person or group of related persons to gain control over the
Gartner Group Board of Directors. Prior to the Recapitalization and
Distribution, a person seeking to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of
the Company would need to hold or control the vote of a majority of the total
outstanding shares of Gartner Group common stock. Following the Recapitalization
and Distribution, however, the holders of Class B common stock will have the
right to elect 80% of the Board of Directors. Accordingly, a person or group of
related persons could gain control over a majority of the Board of Directors by
acquiring a majority of the outstanding Class B common stock (or the votes
represented thereby); a majority of the Class B common stock will represent only
__% of the total outstanding shares of common stock.
The purpose and intended effect of the proposed classified Board of
Directors is to make it more difficult for a person seeking to obtain control of
the Company to achieve that control by acquiring a majority of the outstanding
shares of Class B common stock or by acquiring proxies for that number of shares
of Class B common stock. With a classified Board of Directors, only one-third of
the members of the Board are elected each year, and directors may only be
removed from office for cause. Accordingly, the acquisition of control of a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Company would require the election of
new directors at (at least) two successive annual meetings of stockholders.
-44-
<PAGE> 52
The overall impact of the amendment may be to render more difficult or
discourage attempts to assume control of Gartner Group by means of a merger or
tender offer which is not negotiated with the board of directors (even if such
transaction would result in a premium over the market price for the shares of
the Company's common stock held by the stockholders or is otherwise favorable to
the interests of the stockholders), or by means of a proxy contest.
The Company's Board of Directors believes that companies can be and are
acquired, and that changes in control of companies can and do occur, at prices
below realistically achievable levels when boards do not have measures in place
to require an acquirer to negotiate the terms of any acquisition directly with
the board. Many companies, with stockholder approval, have put provisions in
place which effectively require such negotiations. While it is possible for such
measures to be misused to resist reasonable takeover actions contrary to
stockholders' interests, the Gartner Group Board of Directors is aware of, and
committed to, its fiduciary obligations not to misuse such provisions.
The Gartner Group Board of Directors believes that the adoption of the
Corporate Governance Proposal is advantageous to the Company and its
stockholders for a number of reasons. As discussed above, public companies are
potentially subject to attempts by various individuals and entities to acquire
significant minority positions with the intent either of obtaining actual
control by electing their own slate of directors, or of achieving some other
goal, such as the repurchase of their shares by the Company at a premium. These
prospective acquirers may be in a position to elect the majority or the entirety
of a company's board of directors through a proxy contest or otherwise, even
though they do not actually own a majority of a company's outstanding shares at
the time. If the Corporate Governance Proposal is approved, a majority of the
Company's directors could not be replaced by such persons without cause until at
least two annual meetings of stockholders have occurred. By eliminating the
possibility of the sudden removal of the Company's board of directors, the
incumbent board of directors will be given the time and opportunity to evaluate
any proposals for acquisition of control of the Company and assess and develop
alternatives without the pressure created by the threat of imminent removal or
loss of control, in a manner consistent with their responsibility to the
Company's stockholders.
In addition, by allowing directors to serve three-year terms rather than
one-year terms, the Corporate Governance Proposal will enhance the continuity
and stability of both the composition of the Company's board of directors and
the policies formulated by the Board of Directors. This will enhance the Board
of Directors' ability to adopt and implement long term business strategies aimed
at increasing stockholder value. The Gartner Group Board of Directors believes,
therefore, that removing the threat of sudden removal will permit it more
effectively to represent the interests of all stockholders, including responding
to demands or actions by any stockholder or group.
In addition, the Corporate Governance Proposal would similarly delay
stockholders who do not approve of policies of the Board of Directors in their
attempt to replace a majority of the directors. For the same reason, the
adoption of the Corporate Governance Proposal may also
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<PAGE> 53
deter certain mergers, tender offers, proxy contests or other takeover attempts
which some or a majority of holders of the Company's voting stock may deem to be
in their best interests.
The Gartner Group Board of Directors has no knowledge of any present
effort to gain control of the Company or to organize a proxy contest. In
addition, the Company has not experienced any problems in the past or at the
present time with the Board of Directors' continuity or stability. However, the
Board of Directors believes that adopting the Corporate Governance Proposal is
prudent, advantageous and in the best interests of stockholders because it will
give the Board of Directors more time to fulfill its responsibilities to
stockholders and it will provide greater assurance of continuity and stability
in the composition and policies of the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors also believes such advantages outweigh any disadvantages relating to
discouraging potential acquirers from attempting to obtain control of the
Company.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CLASSIFIED BOARD
If the Corporate Governance Proposal is approved, a slate of ten (10)
directors would be designated to three separate classes as follows:
- three "Class I Directors" would serve for a term expiring at the
next annual meeting of stockholders to be held following the end
of fiscal year 1999;
- three "Class II Directors" would serve for a term expiring at
the annual meeting of stockholders to be held following the end
of fiscal year 2000; and
- four "Class III Directors" would serve for a term expiring at
the at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held following
the end of fiscal year 2001.
At each annual meeting, only directors of the class whose term is
expiring that year would be required to stand for election, and upon election
each such director would serve a three-year term.
The total number of authorized directors will be initially set at ten
(10). The authorized number may be changed at any time by the Board, provided
that such change does not have the effect of removing any director from office.
Upon any change in the authorized number, the total number of directors will be
allocated as evenly as possible within the three classes, provided that the term
of office may not be shortened for any incumbent director.
Pursuant to the terms of the Recapitalization, holders of the Class B
common stock would be entitled to elect at least 80% of the members of the Board
of Directors. With the authorized number of directors initially to be set at ten
(10), the holders of Class B common stock would be entitled to elect eight (8)
directors and the holders of the Class A common stock would be entitled to elect
two (2) directors. The directors of the Company following the implementation of
the classified board would be as follows:
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<PAGE> 54
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR TERM STOCKHOLDERS REPRESENTED
-------- ---- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
_______________ Class I Class B common stock
_______________ Class I Class B common stock
_______________ Class I Class B common stock
_______________ Class II Class B common stock
_______________ Class II Class B common stock
_______________ Class II Class A common stock
_______________ Class III Class B common stock
_______________ Class III* Class B common stock
_______________ Class III* Class B common stock
_______________ Class III* Class A common stock
</TABLE>
*Not presently a member of the Board
Biographical information regarding current directors of Gartner Group
and the additional individuals to be named to the Board of Directors of the
Recapitalization Proposal if approved is set forth below under "Certain
Information Regarding Management of Gartner Group - Board of Directors. "
If the Corporate Governance Proposal is approved, the Company's
certificate of incorporation will be amended as indicated in Appendix B.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS REGARDING VOTING OF CLASS B SHARES
If the Recapitalization Proposal is approved, the Company's certificate
of incorporation will include an additional provision that will be effective
following the Distribution, subject to the IRS and NYSE approval, to the effect
that a beneficial owner of 15% or more of the Class B common stock may only vote
in any election of directors the number of shares of Class B common stock for
which it owns an equivalent percentage of Class A common stock.
VOTE REQUIRED
Approval of the Corporate Governance Proposal requires the affirmative
vote of a majority of shares of the Company's Class A common stock outstanding
as of the record date. IMS Health has agreed to vote or cause to be voted all
shares of common stock owned by it and any of its subsidiaries, approximately
46% of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock, in favor of the
Corporate Governance Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PROPOSAL.
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<PAGE> 55
PROPOSAL 3:
INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED SHARES
At the Special Meeting, Gartner Group Stockholders are being asked to
approve amendments to Gartner Group's certificate of incorporation to increase
the number of authorized shares of Gartner Group Common Stock (the "Common
Increase") from 201,600,000 shares of common stock (consisting solely of Class A
common stock) to a total of 250,000,000 shares of common stock (consisting of
166,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 84,000,000 shares of Class B
common stock) and to increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock
(the "Preferred Increase") of Gartner Group from 2,500,000 shares to 5,000,000
shares (collectively, the "Share Increase Proposal").
The Common Increase and the Preferred Increase were approved by the
Board of Directors in ________, 1999, subject to stockholder approval at the
Special Meeting. The Common Increase and the Preferred Increase would give the
Board of Directors the authority to issue additional shares of Gartner Group
common stock and preferred stock without requiring future stockholder approval
of such issuances, except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or
exchange rules.
SHARES RESERVED
Of the 201,600,000 shares of Gartner Group common stock currently
authorized, 103,748,743 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding as of
March 31, 1999. In addition, as of March 31, 1999, approximately 19,050,000
shares were subject to outstanding stock options or available for future grant
under the Company's option plans. None of the 2,500,000 currently authorized
shares of Gartner Group preferred stock are currently issued and outstanding.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE COMMON INCREASE AND THE PREFERRED INCREASE
While the current number of shares of Gartner Group common stock and
preferred stock is expected to be sufficient for issuances as a result of the
Recapitalization, the Gartner Group Board is seeking Gartner Group stockholder
approval of the Share Increase Proposal in order to ensure that there remain
sufficient authorized shares after the Recapitalization for potential future
stock splits, sales of Gartner Group's securities to raise additional capital,
acquisitions of other companies or their businesses or assets, establishing
strategic relationships with corporate partners, and providing options or other
stock incentives to Gartner Group's employees, consultants or others.
The Board of Directors has no present agreement or arrangement, plan or
understanding with respect to the issuance of any such additional shares, other
than under its existing stock option and employee stock purchase plans. If the
Common Increase and the Preferred Increase are approved, the Board of Directors
would be able to issue such additional shares without further stockholder
approval, except as may be required by applicable law or exchange rules. In
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<PAGE> 56
addition, Gartner Group stockholders have no statutory preemptive rights with
respect to future issuances of Gartner Group common stock or preferred stock.
The increase in the number of authorized shares of Gartner Group common
stock and preferred stock will not have any immediate effect on the rights of
existing Gartner Group stockholders. To the extent that the additional
authorized shares are issued in the future, they will decrease the then-existing
stockholders' percentage equity ownership and, depending on the price at which
they are issued, could be dilutive to the then-existing stockholders.
If the Share Increase Proposal is not approved, the 201,600,000
currently authorized shares of common stock would be reclassified as 120,960,000
shares of Class A common stock and 80,640,000 shares of Class B common stock in
connection with the Recapitalization, upon approval of the Recapitalization and
the closing of the Merger.
VOTE REQUIRED
Approval of the Share Increase Proposal requires the affirmative vote of
not less than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the Special Meeting
by all shares of Gartner Group common stock issued and outstanding on the Record
Date. IMS Health has agreed to vote or cause to be voted all shares of common
stock owned by it and any of its subsidiaries, approximately 46% of the total
number of outstanding shares of common stock, in favor of the Share Increase
Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
APPROVAL OF THE SHARE INCREASE PROPOSAL.
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<PAGE> 57
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT OF GARTNER GROUP
The following table sets forth certain information, based on review of
Gartner Group stock records and other information, with respect to beneficial
ownership of the Class A common stock as of March 31, 1999, (i) by each person
(or group of affiliated persons) which is known by the Company to own
beneficially more than five percent of the Gartner Group common stock, (ii) by
each of the Company's directors and each proposed nominee to be a director of
the Company, (iii) by the Company's Chief Executive Officer for the 1998 fiscal
year and each of the four other most highly compensated executive officers
during the 1998 fiscal year (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"), and
(iv) by all current directors and executive officers as a group. Except as
indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in the table have
sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as
beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF
NUMBER OF TOTAL VOTING
BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES STOCK
---------------- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
IMS Health Incorporated(1)
200 Nyala Farms
Westport, CT 06880............................................ 48,198,505 46.4
Manuel A. Fernandez(2)........................................ 870,238 *
E. Follett Carter(3).......................................... 309,119 *
William T. Clifford(6)........................................ 370,229 *
Michael D. Fleisher (5)....................................... 164,720 *
John F. Halligan(4)........................................... 197,764 *
William O. Grabe(7)........................................... 83,000 *
John P. Imlay(8).............................................. 102,000 *
Max D. Hopper(9).............................................. 25,000 *
Stephen G. Pagliuca(10)....................................... 38,000 *
Robert E. Weissman(11)........................................ 2,000 *
Dennis G. Sisco(12)........................................... 16,000 *
_______________**............................................. ______ *
_______________**............................................. ______ *
_______________**............................................. ______ *
All directors and executive officers as a group 2,486,358 2.1
(6 persons)...................................................
</TABLE>
- ------------------
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<PAGE> 58
* Less than 1%
** Potential Additional Director
(1) Includes 34,223,993 shares of Class A common stock held by IMS Health,
13,257,728 shares of Class A common stock held by Enterprises
Associates, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of IMS Health, and 117,376
shares of Class A common stock held by IMS Health Licensing Associates,
L.P., in which IMS Health has a majority interest. Also includes
warrants to purchase 599,400 shares of Class A common stock held by IMS
Health.
(2) Includes 69,245 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1999. Includes 23,200 shares
held by members of Mr. Fernandez' family, as to which he disclaims
beneficial ownership.
(3) Includes 162,175 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1999. Includes 4,000 shares
held by members of Mr. Carter's family, as to which he disclaims
beneficial ownership.
(4) Includes 120,175 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1999. Includes 4,400 shares
held by members of Mr. Halligan's family, as to which he disclaims
beneficial ownership.
(5) Includes 111,775 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1999.
(6) Includes 237,695 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1999.
(7) Includes 33,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1999.
(8) Includes 33,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1999.
(9) Includes 20,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1999.
(10) Includes 33,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that
are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1999.
(11) Excludes shares beneficially owned by IMS Health. Mr. Weissman, a
director of the Company, is the Chairman of IMS Health, and accordingly
may be deemed the beneficial owner of such shares. Mr. Weissman has
disclaimed such beneficial ownership.
(12) Includes 11,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and
stock warrants that are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1999.
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<PAGE> 59
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF IMS HEALTH
The following table sets forth certain information, based on review of
information on file with the Commission, with respect to (i) beneficial
ownership of the common stock of IMS Health as of December 31, 1998, by each
person (or group of affiliated persons) which is known by IMS Health to
beneficially own more than five percent of the outstanding common stock of IMS
Health and (ii) the anticipated amount of Class B common stock that would be
received by such persons pursuant to the Distribution based on their interest in
IMS Health and the total number of shares of IMS Health outstanding as of
[__________].
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF
SHARES SHARES OF TOTAL CLASS B PERCENT OF
OF IMS Health CLASS B COMMON TOTAL
BENEFICIAL COMMON COMMON STOCK GARTNER GROUP
OWNER STOCK STOCK STOCK COMMON
----- ----- ----- ----- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FMR Corp.
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109......................... 21,269,967(1)
Mutuelles AXA, AXA
and the Equitable Companies
Incorporated............................. 8,538,612(2)
</TABLE>
(1) FMR Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Fidelity Management &
Research Company ("Fidelity"), Edward C. Johnson, 3rd and Abigail P.
Johnson, jointly filed a Schedule 13G with the SEC on February 12, 1999.
This Schedule 13G shows that Fidelity, a registered investment adviser,
beneficially owned as of December 31, 1998, 19,843,890 shares of common
stock. Edward C. Johnson, 3rd, Chairman of FMR Corp., FMR Corp. and the
registered investment companies advised by Fidelity each have sole
dispositive power (but no voting power) over the shares beneficially
owned by Fidelity. Voting power with respect to such shares resides with
the respective Boards of Trustees of each of the Fidelity Funds. In
addition, Mr. Johnson and FMR Corp. each has sole dispositive power over
1,165,267 shares of IMS Health common stock held by Fidelity Management
Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp. and a bank as
defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which
serves as investment manager for institutional accounts, sole voting
power over 770,439 of such shares and no voting power over 394,828 of
such shares. Fidelity International Limited, a partnership controlled by
Mr. Johnson and members of his family, is the beneficial owner of
267,810 shares of IMS Health common stock.
(2) AXA Conseil Vie Assurance Mutuelle ("Conseil"), AXA Assurances I.A.R.D.
Mutuelle ("IARD"), AXA Assurances Vie Mutuelle ("AVM") and AXA Courtage
Assurance Mutuelle ("Courtage"), as a group (collectively, the
"Mutuelles AXA"), together with AXA and with The Equitable Companies
Incorporated ("Equitable"), filed a joint Schedule 13G with the SEC on
February 16, 1999. The Schedule 13G shows that Mutuelles AXA, AXA and
Equitable together may be deemed to beneficially own the number of
shares reported in the table above, including sole power to vote
4,100,911 shares, shared power to vote 1,533,675 shares, sole power to
dispose of 8,481,896 shares, and shared power to dispose of 600 shares.
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<PAGE> 60
Except for 4,300 shares beneficially owned by a separate subsidiary of
AXA, all of the shares are beneficially owned through subsidiaries of
Equitable (Equitable's total beneficial ownership therefore is 8,534,312
shares). AXA owns a majority interest in Equitable, and Mutuelles AXA as
a group controls AXA. Addresses of these entities are as follows:
Conseil, 100-101 Terrasse Boieldieu, 92042 Paris La Defense France; IARD
and AVM, 21, rue de Chateaudun, 75009 Paris France; Courtage, 26 rue
Louis le Grand, 75002 Paris France; AXA, 9 Place Vendome, 75001 Paris
France, and Equitable, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
10104.
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<PAGE> 61
CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING
MANAGEMENT OF GARTNER GROUP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The following is certain information regarding the directors of the
Company as of May __, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- ---- --- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Manuel A. Fernandez.......................... 52 Chairman of the Board of Directors
William T. Clifford.......................... 50 President and Chief Executive Officer
William O. Grabe............................. 60 General Partner, General Atlantic Partners
John P. Imlay................................ 62 Chairman, Imlay Investments, Inc.
Max D. Hopper................................ 64 Retired Chairman of SABRE Technology Group
Stephen G. Pagliuca.......................... 43 Managing Director, Bain Capital Inc.
Dennis G. Sisco.............................. 52 Partner, Behrman Capital
Robert E. Weissman**......................... 58 Chairman, IMS Health Incorporated
_________________*........................... __ ___________________________________________
_________________*........................... __ ___________________________________________
_________________*........................... __ ___________________________________________
</TABLE>
- -------------
* To be appointed in connection with proposed Transactions.
** To resign as of ______, 1999.
There is no arrangement or understanding between any nominee and any
other person pursuant to which the nominee was selected as a nominee, except as
follows. Messrs. Imlay and Weissman are current designees of IMS Health. Mr.
Fernandez' and Mr. Clifford's employment agreements with the Company provide
that they will be included on the Company's slate of nominees to be elected to
the Board. See "Executive Compensation -- Employment Agreements". There is no
family relationship among any directors or executive officers of the Company.
Current Directors
MR. FERNANDEZ has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since
April 1995 and as a Director since January 1991. He served as Chief Executive
Officer from April 1991 through December 1998, and as President from January
1991 through September 1997. Prior to joining the Company, he was President and
Chief Executive Officer of Dataquest, Incorporated. Before joining Dataquest,
Mr. Fernandez was President and Chief Executive Officer of Gavilan Computer
Corporation, a laptop computer manufacturer, and Zilog, Incorporated, a
semiconductor manufacturing company. Mr. Fernandez holds a bachelors degree in
electrical engineering from the University of Florida, and completed
post-graduate work in solid state engineering at the University of Florida and
in business administration at the Florida Institute of Technology. Mr. Fernandez
is also on the board of directors of Black & Decker, U.S. West,
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<PAGE> 62
Inc., Brunswick Corporation, Getty Communications P.L.C., SACIA (Southwestern
Area Commerce and Industry Association of Connecticut) and Norwalk
Community-Technical College (Norwalk, Connecticut).
MR. CLIFFORD has served as Chief Executive Officer since January 1999
and President since October 1997. He previously served as Chief Operating
Officer from April 1995 to December 1998. Mr. Clifford served as President,
Gartner Group Research and Executive Vice President, Operations of the Company
from October 1993 through September 1997. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Clifford served as President, Central Division and Senior IT Executive for
Product Development for ADP Corp., a payroll service provider. Previously, Mr.
Clifford was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Applied
Data Research, a supplier of computer software. Mr. Clifford holds a bachelors
degree in Economics from the University of Connecticut. Mr. Clifford serves on
the board of directors of ProBusiness Services, Inc.
MR. GRABE has served as a Director of the Company since April 1993. He
has been with General Atlantic Partners, an investment firm, since March 1992
and he has been a General Partner of General Atlantic Partners since January
1994. Prior to that, he was a Special Partner of General Atlantic Partners
beginning in April 1993. From February 1984 until March 1992, Mr. Grabe was a
corporate officer at IBM Corporation. Mr. Grabe is also a director of Compuware
Corporation, a computer systems software corporation; LHS Group, Inc.; TDS GmbH;
MARCAM Corporation, an enterprise resource planning software provider for
process manufacturing companies; and BAAN Company N.V., an enterprise resource
planning system provider for open systems and client-server environments. He is
also on the board of directors of several privately held companies in the
computer software and services industry. Mr. Grabe holds a B.S. degree in
Engineering from New York University and a M.B.A. degree from the University of
California at Los Angeles.
MR. IMLAY has served as a Director of the Company since April 1993. Mr.
Imlay is a current designee of IMS Health and has served on the board of
directors of IMS Health since June 1998 and of Cognizant Corporation from
October 1996 through June 1998. He was Chairman of Dun & Bradstreet Software
Services, Inc., a software company, from January 1990 until November 1996. Prior
to that he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Management Science
America, Inc., a predecessor of Dun & Bradstreet Software Services, Inc. He
presently is Chairman of Imlay Investments, Inc., and serves on the board of the
Atlanta Falcons, Metromedia International Group, Inc. and several other
organizations. Mr. Imlay holds a bachelors degree in Industrial Management from
the Georgia Institute of Technology. Following the Recapitalization, Mr. Imlay
will continue to serve on the Board of Directors but will do so in an
independent, individual capacity and not as a designee or representative of IMS
Health.
MR. HOPPER has served as a Director of the Company since January 1994.
In 1995, he founded Max D. Hopper Associates, Inc., a consulting firm
specializing in creating benefits from the strategic use of advanced information
systems. He is the retired chairman of the SABRE Technology Group and served as
Senior Vice President for American Airlines, both units of AMR Corporation. Mr.
Hopper serves on the board of directors of Metrocall, Inc., Payless
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<PAGE> 63
Cashways Inc., VTEL Corporation, USDATA Corporation, Inc., Exodus
Communications, Inc., United Stationers Inc., and Worldtalk Corporation. Mr.
Hopper holds a bachelors degree in Mathematics from the University of Houston.
MR. PAGLIUCA has been a Director of the Company since July 1990. He was
a founding partner of Information Partners Capital Fund, L.P. (the "Fund") and
has served as its Managing Partner since 1989. He is also a Managing Director of
Bain Capital, Inc., an investment firm with which the Fund is associated. Prior
to 1989, Mr. Pagliuca was a partner at Bain & Company, where he managed client
relationships in the information services, software, credit services and health
care industries. He is on the board of directors of Vivra Corporation, Dade
Behring, Inc., Epoch Senior Living, Inc., Jostens Learning, Coram Health Care,
Medical Specialties Group, Inc., Physio Control, Wesley Jessen Visioncare, Inc.,
and Physicians Quality Care, Inc. (PQC). Mr. Pagliuca is a certified public
accountant, holds a B.A. degree from Duke University and a M.B.A. degree from
the Harvard Business School.
MR. SISCO has been a Director of the Company since October 1990. Since
January 1998 he has been a partner in Behrman Capital, a private equity firm.
From January 1997 through December 1997, he served as the President of Storm
Ridge Capital, a venture capital firm. From 1988 to February 1997, Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation and Cognizant Corporation employed him in various
capacities, most recently as Executive Vice President of Cognizant Corporation
with responsibility for several operating units as well as business development.
Mr. Sisco also serves as a Director of Aspect Development, Inc., Oasis
Healthcare Holdings and TSI International Software Ltd. Mr. Sisco holds a B.A.
degree from Western Maryland College.
Additional Current Director to Resign upon Recapitalization
MR. WEISSMAN has been a Director of the Company since April 1997 and is
a current designee of IMS Health. Since June 1998 he has been Chairman of IMS
Health. From June 1998 to March 1999, he was Chief Executive Officer of IMS
Health and prior to that he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Cognizant Corporation from July 1996 through June 1998. Previously, Mr. Weissman
was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dun & Bradstreet Corporation from
April 1995 until October 1996, after serving as President and Chief Operating
Officer since January 1985. He is a Director of State Street Boston Corporation
and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Babson College. Mr. Weissman holds
a B.A. degree from Babson College.
Additional Individuals to be Appointed to Board upon Recapitalization [TO
FOLLOW]
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES DURING FISCAL 1998
The Board of Directors of the Company held five meetings during fiscal
1998.
The Audit Committee held four meetings during fiscal 1998. The Audit
Committee consisted of Messrs. Hopper, Imlay and Weissman through August 23,
1998 and consists of Messrs. Hopper, Pagliuca and Sisco since August 24, 1998.
The Audit Committee assists the
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<PAGE> 64
Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by meeting regularly with the
Company's independent auditors and operating and financial management personnel.
The Audit Committee reviews the audit performed by the Company's independent
auditors and reports the results of such audit to the Board. The Audit Committee
reviews the Company's annual financial statements and all material financial
reports provided to the stockholders; reviews the Company's internal auditing,
accounting and financial controls; and reviews the Company's policies governing
compliance with laws, regulations, rules of ethics and conflicts of interest.
The Compensation Committee held four meetings during fiscal 1998.
Messrs. Grabe, Pagliuca and Sisco served on the Committee through August 23,
1998 and Messrs. Grabe, Imlay and Weissman serve on the Committee since August
24, 1998. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board of
Directors regarding the Company's executive compensation policies, establishes
and approves salaries paid to the executive officers of the Company and
administers the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 1991 Stock Option Plan,
Long Term Stock Option Plan, 1996 Long Term Stock Option Plan, and 1998 Long
Term Stock Option Plan. As part of this administration function, the
Compensation Committee reviews and approves all stock option grants to
employees.
The Corporate Governance Committee, which currently consists of Messrs.
Grabe, Hopper and Pagliuca, held two meetings during fiscal 1998. The Corporate
Governance Committee has held __ meetings during fiscal 1999 as of May __, 1999.
The Corporate Governance Committee reviews issues regarding the governance of
the Company.
The Board of Directors currently has no nominating committee or
committee performing a similar function.
Each director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of (i) the
total number of meetings of the Board of Directors held during fiscal 1998 and
(ii) the total number of meetings of all committees of the Board of Directors
held during fiscal 1998 while such director served on such committee.
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<PAGE> 65
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Listed below are the executive officers of the Company as of May __,
1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE TITLE
- ---- --- -----
<S> <C> <C>
Manuel A. Fernandez........... 52 Chairman of the Board of Directors
William T. Clifford........... 52 President and Chief Executive Officer
Michael D. Fleisher........... 33 Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration
Stephen T. Bradley............ 36 Executive Vice President, Marketing & Corporate Planning
E. Follett Carter............. 56 Executive Vice President, President, Distribution Services and Chief Marketing Officer
Richard E. Eldh, Jr........... 40 Executive Vice President, Worldwide Sales
Patricia L. Higgins........... 49 Executive Vice President and Chairman of The Research Board
John J. Neeson................ 37 Executive Vice President & General Manager, Technology Provider Group
Regina M. Paolillo............ 40 Executive Vice President & General Manager, Technology Management Group
</TABLE>
MR. FERNANDEZ has served as Chairman of the Board since April 1996. For
more information on Mr. Fernandez' business experience, see the description
provided above under "Election of Directors. "
MR. CLIFFORD has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company since
January 1999. For more information on Mr. Clifford's business experience, see
the description provided above under "Election of Directors. "
MR. FLEISHER has served as chief financial officer and executive vice
president, finance and administration since February 1999. Since joining the
Company in 1993, Mr. Fleisher has held numerous executive and operating
positions. He has led the Company's mergers and acquisitions group since 1995.
From 1994 to 1995, he headed the Company's conference and events business. Prior
to joining the Company, Mr. Fleisher worked at Bain Capital, where he was
involved in the buyout of the company by management and Bain Capital from
Saatchi and Saatchi in October 1993. Prior to Bain Capital, Mr. Fleisher was a
consultant with Bain and Company.
MR. BRADLEY was promoted to executive vice president, marketing and
corporate planning in February 1999. Since joining the Company in 1987 as
executive assistant to the president, Mr. Bradley has held numerous management
positions, including president and chief operating officer of Gartner
GroupLearning, vice president and research center director, applications
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<PAGE> 66
development, and director of venture capital programs. Prior to joining Gartner
Group, Mr. Bradley held numerous executive and management positions at Nutmeg
Systems and the New England Technology Group, a spin-off of the Media Lab at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
MR. CARTER has been President, Gartner Group Distribution Services since
October 1995, Chief Marketing Officer of the Company since April 1995 and
Executive Vice President since July 1993. From April 1991 to July 1993, he was
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing; from May 1990 to March 1991, he was
Vice President, Sales; and from November 1988 to April 1990, he was Vice
President and Service Director of Electronic Output Strategies.
MR. ELDH was promoted to executive vice president, worldwide sales in
February 1999. A [14-year] Gartner Group executive, Mr. Eldh most recently was
senior vice president for Gartner Group's European sales based in the United
Kingdom. Before that he was senior vice president for Gartner Group's North
American sales team, and also had responsibility for sales in Central and South
America. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Eldh held sales and marketing
positions at Four-Phase Systems, Motorola, and Hewlett-Packard.
MS. HIGGINS has served as Executive Vice President of Gartner Group and
CEO of The Research Board since April 15, 1999. From 1997 to April 1999, Ms.
Higgins was Chief Information Officer and Corporate Vice President of Alcoa
Corporation. Before joining Alcoa, Ms Higgins was President of the
Communications Business Unit at Unisys Corporation from ______ to ______ and
before that held executive business unit positions with Bell Atlantic as Group
Vice President in New York, and with AT&T and Lucent in the positions of sales
and operations vice president. Ms Higgins is a member of the board of directors
at the Williams Companies and Fleet Bank N.A . She is also a director of Up with
People. Ms. Higgins holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Montclair State
University. Her post-graduate work includes the Harvard Advanced Management
Program.
MR. NEESON was promoted to executive vice president and general manager
of Gartner Group's newly created Technology Provider Group in February 1999. Mr.
Neeson joined Gartner Group in 1987 and has held numerous management positions
in sales, research and marketing, most recently as senior vice president,
worldwide marketing. Prior to joining Gartner Group, John was with Minnesota
Mining and Manufacturing in various sales and consulting positions.
MS. PAOLILLO was promoted to executive vice president and general
manager of Gartner Group's newly created Technology Management Group in February
1999. Ms. Paolillo joined Gartner Group in 1993 as director of operations.
Shortly thereafter, she was promoted to vice president, product delivery. In
1995, she was promoted to senior vice president and controller and, in 1997, was
named president and chief operating officer, Gartner Group Measurement. Prior to
joining Gartner Group, Regina served as chief operating officer and chief
financial officer at Productivity, Inc. and held numerous executive and
management positions at Citibank, Page America, Bristol-Myers and Price
Waterhouse.
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<PAGE> 67
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Two of the members of the Compensation Committee, Messrs. Imlay and
Weissman, serve on the board of directors of IMS Health and are designees of IMS
Health to the Company's Board. Mr. Imlay is also a member of the Compensation
Committee of IMS Health.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS DURING FISCAL 1998
During fiscal 1998 and through December 31, 1998, except for Mr.
Weissman, each outside director of the Company (each director who is not an
employee of the Company and is not a beneficial owner of or representative of a
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding stock) received an
annual retainer of $10,000 plus $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of
Directors attended in person. In addition, each outside director receives an
additional annual retainer fee of $3,000 for each standing committee of the
Board of Directors of which such director is a member, plus $350 for each
committee meeting attended. Outside directors also received options under the
Company's 1993 Director Stock Option Plan. Pursuant to the 1993 Director Stock
Option Plan, each outside director is automatically granted an option to
purchase 15,000 shares of Class A common stock on the date the individual first
becomes a director and is automatically granted an option to purchase 3,000
shares of Class A common stock on March 1 of each year, if the individual has
been an outside director for at least six months. Options are granted at 100% of
the fair market value of the Class A common stock on the date of the grant. Each
option becomes exercisable in three equal installments on each of the first
three anniversaries of the date of grant. Each option has a term of five years.
Except in the case of death or disability, each option terminates ninety days
after the optionee ceases to be a non-employee director, but is exercisable only
to the extent exercisable when such person ceases to be an outside director. Mr.
Weissman receives no compensation for serving as a director since he is a
representative of a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's
outstanding stock.
Commencing with the January 1999 meeting of the Board of Directors, the
Company increased the compensation that it pays to its outside directors to
$40,000 per year, or $41,500 per year to any director who is chairman of a
committee of the Board of Directors. The director's compensation is payable in
shares of common stock of the Company. The shares awarded to each outside
director are awarded to an account for the benefit of such director on a
quarterly basis, and payment of the shares to each director is deferred until
such time as the respective director shall cease to serve as a director of the
Company, at which time the shares shall be paid from the account for the benefit
of such director to the director. The stock awarded in respect of outside
director compensation is valued based on the fair market value of the Company's
stock on the first market trading day of each respective quarter. In addition,
each outside director also receives 7,000 shares of the Company's common stock
on March 1 of each year, on the terms set forth above.
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<PAGE> 68
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS DURING FISCAL 1998
The following table shows, as to the Company's Named Executive Officers
for the 1998 fiscal year, information concerning compensation paid for services
to the Company in all capacities during the fiscal year ended September 30,
1998, as well as total compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers for the
Company's previous two fiscal years:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1) COMPENSATION
FISCAL ---------------------- AWARDS SECURITIES
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(2) UNDERLYING OPTIONS
--------------------------- ---- ------ -------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Manuel A. Fernandez.................................. 1998 $400,000 $320,000 60,000
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief 1997 350,000 700,000 108,500
Executive Officer (3) 1996 270,000 700,000 45,000
William T. Clifford.................................. 1998 300,000 150,000 120,000
President and Chief Operating Officer (4) 1997 250,000 300,000 77,500
1996 220,000 260,000 10,000
E. Follett Carter ................................... 1998 235,000 75,000 30,000
Executive Vice President, President, 1997 220,000 240,000 77,500
Distribution Services and Chief 1996 200,000 320,000 27,000
Marketing Officer
John F. Halligan .................................... 1998 235,000 125,000 30,000
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial 1997 215,000 240,000 77,500
Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary 1996 185,000 250,000 18,000
Michael D. Fleisher ................................. 1998 230,000 130,000 60,000
Executive Vice President and 1997 200,000 180,000 77,500
President, Emerging Businesses (5) 1996 148,640 200,000 10,000
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Excludes certain perquisites and other personal benefits, such as car
allowances, life insurance premiums, and savings and investment plan
contributions by the Company. These amounts, in the aggregate, did not
exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of the total annual salary
and bonus for such executive officer.
(2) Includes bonus awards earned for performance in the fiscal year noted
even though such amounts are payable in the subsequent year. Excludes
bonus awards paid in the fiscal year noted but earned in prior years.
(3) Mr. Fernandez served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer through
December 1998.
(4) Mr. Clifford became the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer
in January 1999.
(5) Mr. Fleisher became the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Executive
Vice President, Finance and Administration in February 1999.
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<PAGE> 69
OPTIONS GRANTED AND OPTIONS EXERCISED IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998
The following tables set forth information regarding stock options
granted to and exercised by the Named Executive Officers during the last fiscal
year, as well as options held by such officers as of September 30, 1998, the
last day of the Company's 1998 fiscal year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
---------------------------------------------------
% OF TOTAL POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUES AT
NUMBER OF OPTIONS ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK PRICE
SECURITIES GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR APPRECIATION FOR OPTION TERM (3)
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION --------------------------------
NAME OPTIONS FISCAL YEAR PER SHARE DATE 5% 10%
- ---- ------- ----------- --------- ---- -- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Manuel A. Fernandez....... (1) 60,000 1.19% $31.66 10/9/07 $ 1,032,230 $2,768,956
William T. Clifford....... (1) 60,000 1.19% $31.66 10/9/07 $ 1,032,230 $2,768,956
(2) 60,000 1.19% $31.66 10/9/07 $ 1,032,230 $2,768,956
E. Follett Carter.......... (1) 60,000 1.19% $31.66 10/9/07 $ 1,032,230 $2,768,956
John F. Halligan........... (1) 30,000 0.59% $31.66 10/9/07 $ 516,115 $1,384,478
Michael D. Fleisher....... (1) 30,000 0.59% $31.66 10/9/07 $ 516,115 $1,384,478
(2) 30,000 0.59% $31.66 10/9/07 $ 516,115 $1,384,478
</TABLE>
(1) Each of these options was granted pursuant to the Company's 1991 Stock
Option Plan and is subject to the terms of such plan. The options become
exercisable in three equal installments on each of the first three
anniversaries of the date of grant.
(2) Each of these options was granted pursuant to the Company's Long Term
Stock Option Plan and is subject to the terms of such plan. The options
become exercisable five years from the date of grant subject to
acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon the achievement of
certain annual and cumulative performance targets for fiscal years 1998,
1999 and 2000.
(3) In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"), shown are the hypothetical gains or "option spreads"
that would exist for the respective options. These gains are based on
assumed rates of annual compounded stock price appreciation of 5% and 10%
from the date the option was granted over the full option terms. The 5%
and 10% assumed rates of appreciation are mandated by the rules of the
Commission and do not represent the Company's estimate or projection of
future increases in the price of its Class A Common Stock.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-
UNDERLYING OPTIONS AT FISCAL MONEY OPTIONS AT FISCAL
YEAR EMD UNEXERCISED YEAR END (1)
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE ------------------------------ --------------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Manuel A. Fernandez 280,000 $9,144,946 93,990 239,510 $ 519,738 $1,378,733
William T. Clifford 50,000 $1,562,500 104,770 305,250 $1,170,287 $2,048,544
E. Follett Carter . 20,000 $ 567,812 60,250 159,250 $1,968,220 $ 991,544
John F. Halligan .. 105,000 $3,124,446 107,350 165,650 $1,101,305 $1,104,843
Michael D. Fleisher 41,200 $1,342,534 59,750 159,350 $ 693,660 $ 529,471
</TABLE>
(1) The values for "in-the-money" options represent the difference between
the exercise price of the options and the closing price of the Company's
Class A Common Stock on September 30, 1998, which was $20.88 per share.
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<PAGE> 70
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
1991 Stock Option Plan. Each Named Executive Officer is entitled to
participate in the Company's 1991 Stock Option Plan (the "1991 Option Plan").
The 1991 Option Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors in March 1991 and
approved by the stockholders in April 1991. In April 1998, the Board of
Directors adopted an amendment, subject to shareholder approval, to the 1991
Option Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder by
10,000,000 shares. The stockholders approved the amendment to the 1991 Option
Plan on January 28, 1999. A total of 32,800,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
have been reserved for issuance under the 1991 Option Plan.
Long Term Stock Option Plan. Each Named Executive Officer is entitled to
participate in the Company's Long Term Stock Option Plan (the "1994 Long Term
Plan"). The 1994 Long Term Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors and
approved by the stockholders in October 1994. A total of 6,560,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock has been reserved for issuance under the 1994 Long Term
Plan.
1996 Long Term Stock Option Plan. Each Named Executive Officer is
entitled to participate in the Company's 1996 Long Term Stock Option Plan (the
"1996 Long Term Plan"). The 1996 Long Term Plan was adopted by the Board of
Directors in October 1996 and approved by the stockholders in January 1997. A
total of 1,800,000 shares of Class A Common Stock has been reserved for issuance
under the 1996 Long Term Plan.
1998 Long Term Stock Option Plan. The Company 1998 Long Term Stock
Option Plan (the "1998 Long Term Plan") was approved by the stockholders on
January 28, 1999. Each Named Executive Officer is entitled to participate in the
1998 Long Term Plan. A total of 2,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock has
been reserved for issuance under the 1998 Long Term Plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Each Named Executive Officer is entitled
to participate in the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase
Plan"). The stockholders adopted the Purchase Plan in February 1993. A total of
4,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock has been reserved for issuance under
the Purchase Plan.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
During fiscal 1998, Mr. Fernandez served as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company pursuant to the terms of employment agreements with the
Company. An employment agreement entered in April 1997, as amended in October
1997 (together, the "1997 Agreement"), provided that he would serve as Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company through October 1, 2000 at a salary
in fiscal 1998 determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee, in their
sole discretion. In February 1998, Mr. Fernandez and the Company entered into a
new employment agreement which was amended in August 1998 (together, the "1998
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<PAGE> 71
Agreement"). The 1998 Agreement provided that Mr. Fernandez would serve as Chief
Executive Officer through December 31, 1998 and as Chairman through October 1,
2000 and contained substantially similar terms as the 1997 Agreement, except
that Mr. Fernandez' fiscal 1998 salary was set at $400,000, subject thereafter
to annual adjustments by the Board or the Compensation Committee, in their sole
discretion. Under both the 1997 Agreement and the 1998 Agreement, Mr. Fernandez
was entitled to participate in the Company's executive bonus program, with the
annual target bonus established by the Board or the Compensation Committee in
their sole discretion, payable based on achievement of specified Company and
individual objectives. The target bonus for fiscal 1998 had been set at $400,000
prior to entering into the 1998 Agreement. Both the 1997 Agreement and the 1998
Agreement contained provisions relating to the termination of Mr. Fernandez'
employment with the Company.
Mr. Fernandez entered into an employment agreement with the Company
effective November 12, 1998 (the "Fernandez Agreement"). Under the Fernandez
Agreement, Mr. Fernandez served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company through December 31, 1998 and is serving as Chairman from January 1,
1999 through October 1, 2000, (or later if the term of the Fernandez Agreement
is extended by the parties). During the term of the Fernandez Agreement, Mr.
Fernandez will be included on the Company's slate of nominees to be elected to
the Board of Directors.
The Fernandez Agreement provides for a base salary of $400,000 for
fiscal 1999 and thereafter it is subject to annual adjustments by the Board or
the Compensation Committee, in their sole discretion. Mr. Fernandez is entitled
to participate in the Company's executive bonus program and the annual target
bonus will be established by the Board or the Compensation Committee in their
discretion and shall be payable based on achievement of specified Company and
individual objectives. The target bonus of $400,000 for fiscal 1999 had been set
prior to entering into the Fernandez Agreement.
Mr. Fernandez' employment is at will and may be terminated by him or the
Company upon sixty days' notice. If, during the term of the Fernandez Agreement,
the Company terminates the employment of Mr. Fernandez involuntarily without
Business Reasons (as defined in the Fernandez Agreement) or if a Constructive
Termination (as defined in the Fernandez Agreement) occurs, he will be entitled
to receive his salary and vacation accrued through the Termination Date (as
defined in the Fernandez Agreement), salary for three years (one year in case of
termination within one year following a Change in Control (as defined in the
Fernandez Agreement)), 100% of his target bonus for the fiscal year in which the
termination occurs, a pro rata share (based on the proportion of the year during
which he was employed) of the bonus that would have been payable in excess of
the target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs, 100% of the
target bonus for the fiscal year following termination, acceleration of vesting
of all outstanding stock options, restricted stock and other equity arrangements
subject to vesting, group health benefits until age 55, auto benefits for one
year, and if such termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in
Control, forgiveness of all outstanding principal and interest due to the
Company under indebtedness incurred to purchase shares of Company stock.
Payments of salary and bonus will cease if Mr. Fernandez violates the terms of
the non-
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competition provisions contained in the Fernandez Agreement during the three
years following termination. If a Change of Control occurs during the term of
the Fernandez Agreement, Mr. Fernandez will be entitled to receive immediately
salary and vacation accrued through the Termination Date, plus three year's
salary then in effect, three times maximum target bonus for the fiscal year in
which the Change in Control occurs, acceleration in full of vesting of all
outstanding stock options, TARPS and other equity arrangements subject to
vesting, group health benefits until age 55, auto benefits for one year,
forgiveness of all outstanding principal and interest due to the Company under
indebtedness incurred to purchase shares of Company stock, except that if he
violates the terms of the non-competition provisions contained in the Fernandez
Agreement, he will be required to repay to the Company any amounts received as
salary or bonus with respect to any period following the termination of his
employment. If Mr. Fernandez voluntarily terminates his employment, or if the
Company terminates it for Business Reasons, he will not receive any salary or
bonus thereafter.
In February 1998, each of Messrs. Clifford, Carter, Halligan and
Fleisher (collectively, the "Executive Officers") entered into an employment
agreement with the Company (the "Executive Officer Agreements"). Under the
Executive Officer Agreements, each of the Executive Officers agreed to serve the
Company in their then-current capacities through October 1, 2000 and each
Executive Officer Agreement would automatically renew for subsequent one-year
periods unless the Executive Officer or the Company provided written notice of
its termination of the Executive Officer Agreement.
The Executive Officer Agreements provided for base salaries of $300,000,
$235,000, $235,000 and $230,000 for Messrs. Clifford, Carter, Halligan and
Fleisher, respectively, for fiscal 1998, subject thereafter to annual
adjustments by the Board or the Compensation Committee, in their sole
discretion. Each Executive Officer was entitled to participate in the Company's
executive bonus program, with the annual target bonus established by the Board
or the Compensation Committee in their discretion, payable based on achievement
of specified Company and individual objectives. The target bonuses for fiscal
year 1998 had been set at $250,000, $210,000, $170,000 and $150,000 for Messrs.
Clifford, Carter, Halligan and Fleisher, respectively, prior to entering into
the Executive Officer Agreements. The Executive Officer Agreements contained
provisions relating to the termination of the Executive Officers' employment
with the Company.
Mr. Clifford entered into a new employment agreement with the Company
effective November 12, 1998 (the "Clifford Agreement"). Under the Clifford
Agreement, Mr. Clifford will continue to serve as President of the Company
through December 31, 1998 and shall serve as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company through October 1, 2000. The Clifford Agreement shall
automatically renew for subsequent one year periods unless Mr. Clifford or the
Company provides written notice of its termination of the Clifford Agreement.
During the term of the Clifford Agreement, Mr. Clifford will be included on the
Company's slate of nominees to be elected to the Board of Directors.
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The Clifford Agreement provides for a base salary of $375,000 for fiscal
1999 and thereafter it is subject to annual adjustments by the Board or the
Compensation Committee, in their sole discretion. Mr. Clifford is entitled to
participate in the Company's executive bonus program and the annual target bonus
will be established by the Board or the Compensation Committee in their
discretion and shall be payable based on achievement of specified Company and
individual objectives. The target bonus of $325,000 for fiscal 1999 had been set
prior to entering into the Clifford Agreement.
Mr. Clifford's employment is at will and may be terminated by him or the
Company upon fourteen days' notice. If, during the term of the Clifford
Agreement, the Company terminates the employment of Mr. Clifford involuntarily
without Business Reasons (as defined in the Clifford Agreement) or if a
Constructive Termination (as defined in the Clifford Agreement) occurs, he will
be entitled to receive his base salary and vacation accrued through the
Termination Date (as defined in the Clifford Agreement), plus base salary for
one year, any bonus payment previously fixed and declared by the Board or the
Compensation Committee and not previously paid, and group health benefits for 18
months. If, during the term of the Clifford Agreement, a Change in Control (as
defined in the Clifford Agreement) occurs, he will be entitled to receive
immediately his base salary and vacation accrued through the Termination Date,
plus base salary for three years at the current rate, an amount equal to three
times his maximum target bonus for the fiscal year in which the Change in
Control occurs, acceleration in full of vesting of all outstanding stock
options, restricted stock and other equity arrangements subject to vesting,
forgiveness of all outstanding principal and interest due to the Company under
indebtedness incurred to purchase shares of capital stock of the Company, group
health benefits for 18 months, and if employment is terminated within 12 months
of a Change in Control, outplacement services. Payments of salary and bonus will
cease if Mr. Clifford violates the terms of the non-competition provisions
contained in the Clifford Agreement during the three years following termination
and he will be required to repay to the Company any amounts received as salary
or bonus with respect to any period following the termination of his employment.
If Mr. Clifford voluntarily terminates his employment, or if the Company
terminates it for Business Reasons, he will not receive any salary or bonus
thereafter.
Each of Messrs. Carter, Halligan and Fleisher (collectively, the "Other
Executive Officers") has also entered into a new employment agreement with the
Company effective November 12, 1998 (the "Other Executive Officer Agreements").
Under the Other Executive Officer Agreements, each of the Other Executive
Officers will continue to serve the Company in their current capacities through
October 1, 1999, and each Other Executive Officer Agreement shall automatically
renew for subsequent one year periods unless the Other Executive Officer or the
Company provides written notice of its termination of the Other Executive
Officer Agreements.
The Other Executive Officer Agreements provide for base salaries of
$255,000, $250,000 and $250,000 for Messrs. Carter, Halligan and Fleisher,
respectively, for fiscal 1999 and thereafter the base salaries are subject to
annual adjustments by the Board or the Compensation Committee, in their sole
discretion. Each Other Executive Officer is entitled to participate in the
Company's executive bonus program and the annual target bonus will be
established by the
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Board or the Compensation Committee in their discretion and shall be
payable based on achievement of specified Company and individual objectives. The
target bonuses of $220,000, $180,000 and $180,000 for Messrs. Carter, Halligan
and Fleisher, respectively, for fiscal 1999 had been set prior to entering into
the Other Executive Officer Agreements.
Each of the Other Executive Officer's employment is at will and may be
terminated by him or the Company upon fourteen days' notice. If, during the term
of the Other Executive Officer Agreements, the Company terminates the employment
of an Other Executive Officer involuntarily without Business Reasons (as defined
in the Other Executive Officer Agreements) or if a Constructive Termination (as
defined in the Other Executive Officer Agreements) occurs, he will be entitled
to receive his base salary and vacation accrued through the Termination Date (as
defined in the Other Executive Officer Agreements), plus base salary for one
year, any bonus payment previously fixed and declared by the Board or the
Compensation Committee and not previously paid, and group health benefits for 18
months. If, during the term of the Other Executive Officer Agreement, a Change
in Control occurs, he will be entitled to receive immediately his base salary
and vacation accrued through the Termination Date (as defined in the Other
Executive Officer Agreements), plus base salary for two years at the current
rate, an amount equal to two times his maximum target bonus for the fiscal year
in which the Change in Control occurs, acceleration in full of vesting of all
outstanding stock options, restricted stock and other equity arrangements
subject to vesting, forgiveness of all outstanding principal and interest due to
the Company under indebtedness incurred to purchase shares of capital stock of
the Company, group health benefits for 18 months, and if employment is
terminated within 12 months of a Change in Control, outplacement services.
Payments of salary and bonus will cease if the Other Executive Officer violates
the terms of the non-competition provisions contained in the Other Executive
Officer Agreement during the three years following termination and he will be
required to repay to the Company any amounts received as salary or bonus with
respect to any period following the termination of his employment. If an Other
Executive Officer voluntarily terminates his employment, or if the Company
terminates it for Business Reasons, he will not receive any salary or bonus
thereafter.
LOANS TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
On June 4, 1997, with the Board of Directors approval, the Company
provided loans totaling $7.2 million to certain executive officers to facilitate
the purchase of Class A Common Stock arising out of the exercise of stock
options. The loan proceeds were not used to fund the option exercise price of
the Class A Common Stock acquired. The loans were full recourse obligations to
the officers and were secured by shares of Class A Common Stock. The loans bore
interest at an annual rate of 6.14%. On December 18, 1997, with the Board of
Directors approval, the Company provided additional loans under the same
conditions to the same executive officers totaling $2.5 million. The loans bore
interest at an annual rate of 5.6%. On July 23, 1998, with Board of Directors'
approval, the Company received 302,003 shares of Class A Common Stock in
settlement of the outstanding loan balances and accrued interest due. The
following table provides additional information concerning the loans:
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDEBTEDNESS AS OF JULY 23, 1998
------------------------------------------------------------
NAME PRINCIPAL INTEREST TOTAL*
- ---- --------- -------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Manuel A. Fernandez....... $ 7,375,000 $ 265,539 $ 7,640,539
William T. Clifford....... 500,000 18,453 518,453
John F. Halligan.......... 762,500 27,448 589,948
E. Follett Carter......... 1,000,000 36,018 1,036,018
Total..................... $ 9,637,500 $ 347,458 $ 9,984,958
</TABLE>
* Largest amount outstanding during the fiscal year.
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Board has delegated to the Compensation Committee the responsibility
for establishing and administering the Company's executive compensation plans,
subject to Board approval of major new compensation programs and the Chief
Executive Officer's compensation. In discharging these responsibilities, the
Committee consults with outside compensation consultants, attorneys and other
specialists.
The Company's compensation philosophy is that cash compensation should
be substantially linked to the short-term performance of the Company and that
longer-term incentives, such as stock options and stock ownership, should be
aligned with the Company's objective to enhance stockholder value over the long
term. The Company believes that the use of stock options and stock ownership
links the interest of officers and employees of the Company to the interest of
the stockholders. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes that the
total compensation package must be competitive with other companies in the
industry to ensure that the Company can continue to attract, retain and motivate
key executives who are critical to the long-term success of the Company.
Compensation for the Company's executive officers consists of three
principal components: base salary, cash bonuses and stock options.
Base Salary. The base salaries of executive officers are initially
determined by evaluating the responsibilities of the position held and the
experience and performance of the individual, with reference to the competitive
marketplace for executive talent, including a comparison to base salaries for
comparable positions based on the Compensation Committee's periodic surveys of
the industry.
Cash Bonuses. The Company's executive cash bonus plan is designed to
reward executive officers for the financial performance of the Company during
the year. Under the plan, cash bonuses are determined based upon the Company's
achievement against specified financial performance objectives, as well as the
executive officer's achievement of individual performance objectives. This plan
emphasizes the Compensation Committee's belief that, when the Company is
successful, the executives should be appropriately compensated. Conversely, if
the Company
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is not profitable, no bonuses are paid absent extraordinary circumstances. Each
individual executive officer's portion of the total bonus pool is determined by
a formula that is specified at the start of the fiscal year based on the
executive's base salary and the Committee's assessment of the executive's
contribution to the Company. In addition to cash bonuses, the Company has a
Profit Sharing Plan under which a specified percentage of operating profit is
set aside for equal distribution among all employees, including executives.
Stock Options. The principal equity compensation components of executive
compensation are options granted under the Company's stock option programs.
Stock options are generally granted when an executive joins the Company, with
additional options granted from time to time for promotions and performance. The
Compensation Committee believes that the stock option participation provides a
method of retention and motivation for the senior level executives of the
Company and also aligns senior management's objectives with long-term stock
price appreciation. Executives are also eligible to participate in a payroll
deduction employee stock purchase plan pursuant to which stock may be purchased
at 85 percent of the lower of the closing sale price for the Class A Common
Stock reported on a national market system at the beginning or end of each
six-month offering (up to a maximum stock value of $25,000 per calendar year or
10 percent of salary, whichever is less).
CEO Compensation. The Compensation Committee, subject to Board approval,
determines compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Fernandez'
compensation package in 1998 consisted of the same benefits program as other
executive officers, as itemized above, including base salary, cash bonus, stock
options and other executive and employee benefit programs. Mr. Fernandez
received no material compensation or benefits in 1998 not provided to all
executive officers. Mr. Fernandez' compensation package was designed, however,
to provide for a higher proportion of his compensation to be dependent on
Company performance as compared to other executive officers. Mr. Fernandez'
bonus declined in fiscal 1998 since the Company's performance targets were only
partially met. The Committee has also sought to provide to Mr. Fernandez
incentive to promote long-term stockholder value, through Mr. Fernandez'
participation in the Company's stock option programs.
Other elements of executive compensation include participation in a
Company-wide life insurance program, including a supplemental life insurance
program and long-term disability insurance program. Executives are also eligible
for Company-wide medical benefits and participation in a 401(k) plan under which
the Company provides matching contributions to all employees.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William O. Grabe
John P. Imlay
Robert E. Weissman
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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
All reports required to be filed during fiscal year 1998 pursuant to
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by directors, executive
officers and 10% beneficial owners were filed on timely basis, except as
follows. Mr. Carter filed one late report on Form 5 to report one transaction.
Mr. Clifford filed one late report on Form 5 to report two transactions. Mr.
Halligan filed one late Form 4 to report six transactions and one late Form 5 to
report one transaction. Mr. Fleisher filed one late Form 5 to report two
transactions. Mr. Hopper filed one late report on Form 4 to report six
transactions.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The Company files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Commission. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other
information filed by the Company at the Commission's public reference facilities
located at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C.
20549 and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: 7 World Trade
Center, Suite 1300, New York, NY 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60661. Please call the Commission at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. The Class
A common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "IT," and such material
relating to the Company may also be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20
Broad Street, New York, NY 10005. Certain of such reports, statements and other
information filed by the Company are also available on the Internet at the
Commission's World Wide Web site at http://www.sec.gov. Our World Wide Web site
also contains information about the Company, at http://www.gartner.com.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Under Gartner Group's by-laws, a stockholder proposal intended to be
included in the proxy materials for the Gartner Group 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders must be received by the Secretary, Gartner Group, Inc., P.O. Box
10212, 56 Top Gallant Road, Stamford, CT 06904, no later than August 25, 1999.
Any such proposal must also comply with the other provisions contained in
Gartner Group's by-laws relating to stockholder proposals.
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Appendix A - Distribution Agreement
<PAGE> 79
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of May ____, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), between IMS HEALTH INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation ("IMS
HEALTH"), and GARTNER GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Gartner").
WHEREAS, IMS HEALTH owns, directly and indirectly, as of the
close of business on the date hereof, 47,599,105 shares of Class A Common Stock,
par value $.0005 per share ("Class A Common Stock"), of Gartner;
WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution hereof, Gartner, IMS
HEALTH, and GRGI, INC., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of
IMS HEALTH ("Merger Sub"), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated as of the date hereof (the "Recapitalization Agreement"), pursuant to
which, among other things, Merger Sub will merge with and into Gartner with the
consequent capital stock changes resulting in (i) IMS HEALTH acquiring, in
exchange for 40,689,648 shares of Class A Common Stock held by it 40,689,648
shares of a new Class B Common Stock, par value $.0005 per share ("Class B
Common Stock" and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the "Gartner Common
Stock"), of Gartner, which class of stock shall be entitled to elect 80% of the
members of the board of directors of Gartner and in all other respects shall be
substantially identical to the Class A Common Stock, and (ii) IMS retaining
6,909,457 shares of Class A Common Stock (the "Retained Shares") and the
Warrants (as defined herein) to purchase 599,400 shares of Class A Common Stock,
and all other stockholders of Gartner retaining all their shares of Class A
Common Stock, which class of stock shall be entitled to elect 20% of the members
of the board of directors of Gartner (the "Recapitalization");
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of IMS HEALTH has determined that
it is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of IMS HEALTH and its
stockholders to distribute on the Distribution Date (as defined herein) all the
shares of Class B Common Stock that IMS HEALTH will receive in the
Recapitalization, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, to the holders of record of the Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share, of IMS HEALTH ("IMS HEALTH Common Stock"), as of the Distribution Record
Date (as defined herein), on a pro rata basis (the "Distribution");
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Gartner has determined that it
is appropriate, desirable and in the best interests of Gartner and its
stockholders that the Distribution be consummated, and the Recapitalization is a
necessary and desirable means to enable the Distribution to occur;
WHEREAS, IMS HEALTH has received a ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service to the effect that the Distribution will be a tax-free
distribution within the meaning of Section 355 of the Code (as defined herein);
<PAGE> 80
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, the board of directors of Gartner shall declare the Cash Dividend (as
defined herein), payable on a pro rata basis to holders of record of Gartner
Common Stock as of the date immediately preceding the Distribution Record Date;
WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, Gartner will commence the Stock Repurchase (as defined herein) after
the Distribution for a number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock equal to 19.99% of the total number of outstanding shares of
Gartner Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, each of IMS HEALTH and GARTNER has determined that it is
necessary and desirable to set forth the principal corporate transactions
required to effect the Distribution, the Recapitalization, the Cash Dividend and
the Stock Repurchase and to set forth other agreements that will govern certain
other matters following the Distribution.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements,
provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree
as follows:
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
SECTION I.1 General. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Action" shall mean any action, suit, arbitration, inquiry,
proceeding or investigation by or before any court, any governmental or
other regulatory or administrative agency, body or commission or any
arbitration tribunal.
(b) "Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to a
specified person, another person that controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with the person specified. As used herein,
"control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such
person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other
interests, by contract or otherwise.
(c) "Agreement Disputes" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.1.
(d) "Assets" shall mean assets, properties and rights (including
goodwill), wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or
other third parties or elsewhere), whether real, personal or mixed,
tangible, intangible or contingent, in each case whether or not recorded
or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the books and
records or financial statements of any Person.
(e) "Business Entity" shall mean any corporation, partnership,
limited liability company or other entity which may legally hold title
to Assets.
<PAGE> 81
(f) "Cash Dividend" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.2(a).
(g) "Cash Dividend Date" shall mean the date immediately
preceding the Distribution Date.
(h) "Cash Dividend Record Date" shall mean the date immediately
preceding the Distribution Record Date.
(i) "Claims Administration" shall mean the processing of claims
made under the Shared Policies, including the reporting of claims to the
insurance carriers and the management of the defense of claims.
(j) "Class A Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in
the recitals hereto.
(k) "Class B Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in
the recitals hereto.
(l) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, including
any successor legislation.
(m) "Commission" shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
(n) "Dataquest Agreement" shall mean that certain Acquisition
Agreement dated as of November 27, 1995 by and among Gartner Group,
Inc., Bosa Acquisition Corp., Gartner Group U.K. Ltd., Gartner Group
GMBH, The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, Dataquest Incorporated,
Dataquest Europe Limited and Dataquest GMBH.
(o) "Declaration Date" shall mean the date, mutually agreed
between IMS HEALTH and Gartner, on which (i) the IMS HEALTH Board of
Directors shall declare the Distribution, (ii) the Gartner Board of
Directors shall declare the Cash Dividend and (iii) the Certificate of
Merger effecting the Recapitalization shall be filed with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware.
(p) "DGCL" shall mean the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware.
(q) "Distribution" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereto.
(r) "Distribution Agent" shall mean the distribution agent
selected by IMS HEALTH to effect the Distribution, which may be
Gartner's stock transfer agent. (s) "Distribution Date" shall mean the
date determined by the Board of Directors of IMS HEALTH following the
consummation of the Recapitalization for the
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mailing of certificates of Class B Common Stock to stockholders of IMS
HEALTH in the Distribution. The Distribution Date shall be a date not
more than forty-five days after the filing of the Certificate of Merger
relating to the Recapitalization.
(t) "Distribution Record Date" shall mean the date determined by
the Board of Directors of IMS HEALTH as the record date for the
determination of the holders of record of IMS HEALTH Common Stock
entitled to receive shares of Class B Common Stock in the Distribution.
(u) "Effective Time" shall mean immediately prior to the
midnight, New York time, that ends the 24-hour period comprising the
Distribution Date.
(v) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(w) "Financing Commitments" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.3.
(x) "Form 8-A" shall mean a Gartner registration statement on
Form 8-A pursuant to which the Class B Common Stock shall be registered
under the Exchange Act, including all amendments thereto.
(y) "Gartner" shall have the meaning set forth in the heading of
this Agreement.
(z) "Gartner Business" shall mean each and every business
conducted at any time prior to, on or after the Effective Time by
Gartner or any current, former, or future Subsidiary of Gartner or other
Business Entity controlled by Gartner, whether or not such Subsidiary is
a Subsidiary of Gartner or such Business Entity is controlled by Gartner
on the date hereof.
(aa) "Gartner Group" shall mean Gartner and each Person that is
a Subsidiary of Gartner immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(bb) "Gartner Indemnitees" shall mean Gartner, each member of
the Gartner Group, each of their respective present and former
directors, officers, employees and agents and each of the heirs,
executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.
(cc) "Gartner Liabilities" shall mean, collectively, any and all
Liabilities whatsoever that arise out of, result from or are related to
the operation of the Gartner Business or the ownership of the assets of
the Gartner Business by Gartner, any Subsidiary of Gartner or any
Business Entity controlled by Gartner, whether such Subsidiary was a
Subsidiary of Gartner or such Business Entity was controlled by Gartner
prior to, on or after the date hereof, whether such Liabilities arise
before, on or after the
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Effective Time and whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, and
shall include, without limitation:
(i) any and all Liabilities to which IMS HEALTH or its
predecessors and successors may become subject arising from or based
upon its status or alleged status as a "controlling person" (as defined
under Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange
Act) of Gartner relating to (a) the Proxy Statement (or any amendment
thereto) (except for liabilities which Gartner incurs solely as a result
of written information relating to IMS HEALTH supplied by IMS HEALTH for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement) or (b) any other report or document
filed by Gartner with the Commission at any time before, on or after the
Effective Time (except for liabilities which Gartner incurs solely as a
result of written information relating to IMS HEALTH or the IMS HEALTH
Business supplied by IMS HEALTH for inclusion in such report or
document);
(ii) any and all Liabilities that are expressly contemplated by
this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement (or the Schedules
hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be assumed by Gartner or any member
of the Gartner Group or to remain with Gartner or any member of the
Gartner Group and any Liabilities under this Agreement for a breach by
Gartner of any representation, warranty or covenant herein; and
(iii) any and all Liabilities which IMS HEALTH or any of its
Subsidiaries and any Affiliates may be subject to or which may be
asserted against any of them arising from or based upon any sublease by
Gartner or a Subsidiary of Gartner or other Business Entity controlled
by Gartner of office space in Nanterre, France, Paris, France or Tokyo,
Japan where RHD or any of its predecessors or any of their successors or
their respective Affiliates occupy space on the premises, including
pursuant to any sublease agreement or amendment or other agreement
related thereto.
(dd) "Governmental Authority" shall mean any federal, state,
local, foreign or international court, government, department,
commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other regulatory,
administrative or governmental authority.
(ee) "IMS HEALTH Business" shall mean each and every business
conducted at any time by IMS HEALTH or any current, former or future
Subsidiary of IMS HEALTH (other than Gartner and its Subsidiaries) prior
to the Effective Time or other Business Entity controlled by IMS HEALTH
(other than Gartner and its Subsidiaries), whether or not such
Subsidiary is a Subsidiary of IMS HEALTH or such Business Entity is
controlled by IMS HEALTH on the date hereof, except for the Gartner
Business.
(ff) "IMS HEALTH Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par
value $.01 per share, of IMS HEALTH.
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(gg) "IMS HEALTH Distribution" shall mean the distribution of
the common stock of IMS HEALTH described in Exhibit 2.1(d)(i).
(hh) "IMS HEALTH Group" shall mean IMS HEALTH and each Person
(other than any member of the Gartner Group) that is a Subsidiary of IMS
HEALTH immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(ii) "IMS HEALTH Indemnitees" shall mean IMS HEALTH, each member
of the IMS HEALTH Group, each of their respective present and former
directors, officers, employees and agents and each of the heirs,
executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing, except
Gartner Indemnitees who would not otherwise be an IMS HEALTH Indemnitee.
(jj) "IMS HEALTH Liabilities" shall mean, collectively, any and
all Liabilities whatsoever that arise out of, result from or are related
to the operation of the IMS HEALTH Business or the ownership of the
assets of the IMS HEALTH Business by IMS HEALTH, any predecessor entity
of IMS HEALTH (and all predecessors thereto) or any Subsidiary of or
Business Entity controlled by any such predecessor, any current, former,
or future Subsidiary of IMS HEALTH or any Business Entity controlled by
IMS HEALTH (other than, in each case, Gartner and its Subsidiaries)
whether such Subsidiary was a Subsidiary of IMS HEALTH or such Business
Entity was controlled by IMS HEALTH prior to, on or after the date
hereof, whether such Liabilities arise before, on or after the Effective
Time and whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, and shall
include, without limitation:
(i) any and all Liabilities that are expressly
contemplated by this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement (or the
Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be assumed by IMS HEALTH
or any member of the IMS HEALTH Group or to remain with IMS HEALTH or
any member of the IMS HEALTH Group and any Liabilities under this
Agreement for a breach by IMS HEALTH of any representation, warranty or
covenant herein; and
(ii) any and all Liabilities which Gartner incurs solely
as a result of written information relating to IMS HEALTH or the IMS
HEALTH Business supplied by IMS HEALTH for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement or any report or document filed by Gartner with the
Commission.
(kk) "Indemnifying Party" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.3.
(ll) "Indemnitee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.3.
(mm) "Insurance Administration" shall mean, with respect to each
Shared Policy, the accounting for premiums, retrospectively-rated
premiums, defense costs, indemnity
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payments, deductibles and retentions, as appropriate, under the terms
and conditions of each of the Shared Policies, the reporting to
insurance carriers of any losses or claims, and the distribution of
Insurance Proceeds as contemplated by this Agreement.
(nn) "Insurance Proceeds" shall mean those monies (i) received
by an insured from an insurance carrier or (ii) paid by an insurance
carrier on behalf of an insured, in either case net of any applicable
premium adjustment, retrospectively-rated premium, deductible,
retention, or cost of reserve paid or held by or for the benefit of such
insured.
(oo) "Insured Claims" shall mean those Liabilities that,
individually or in the aggregate, are covered within the terms and
conditions of any of the Shared Policies, whether or not subject to
policy limits, deductibles, co-insurance, uncollectibility or
retrospectively-rated premium adjustments.
(pp) "IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.
(qq) "IRS Ruling" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.1(b)(i).
(rr) "IRS Supplemental Ruling" shall mean a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service providing, among other things, that neither the
Recapitalization nor the Distribution will be taken into account in
applying Section 355(e)(2)(A)(ii) of the Code.
(ss) "Liabilities" shall mean any and all losses, claims,
charges, debts, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, damages,
obligations, payments, costs and expenses, sums of money, accounts,
reckonings, bonds, specialties, indemnities and similar obligations,
exonerations, covenants, contracts, controversies, agreements, promises,
doings, omissions, variances, guarantees, make whole agreements and
similar obligations, and other liabilities, including all contractual
obligations, whether absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured,
liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown,
whenever arising, and including those arising under any law, rule,
regulation, Action, threatened or contemplated Action (including the
costs and expenses of demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and
compromises relating thereto and attorneys' fees and any and all costs
and expenses, whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing
or defending against any such Actions or threatened or contemplated
Actions), order or consent decree of any governmental or other
regulatory or administrative agency, body or commission or any award of
any arbitrator or mediator of any kind, and those arising under any
contract, commitment or undertaking, including those arising under this
Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement, in each case, whether or
not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the
books and records or financial statements of any person.
(tt) "1996 Distribution Agreement" shall mean the Distribution
Agreement among Cognizant Corporation, The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation,
which has been
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renamed the R.H. Donnelley Corporation ("RHD") and ACNielsen Corporation
("ACNielsen") dated as of October 28, 1996.
(uu) "1998 Distribution Agreement" shall mean the Distribution
Agreement between Cognizant Corporation, which has been renamed Nielsen
Media Research, Inc. ("NMR"), and IMS HEALTH dated as of June 30, 1998.
(vv) "NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
(ww) "NYSE Listing Application" shall mean the application to be
submitted by Gartner to the NYSE for the listing of the Class B Common
Stock.
(xx) "Person" shall mean any natural person, Business Entity,
corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company,
partnership, other entity or government, or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
(yy) "Policies" shall mean insurance policies and insurance
contracts of any kind (other than life and benefits policies or
contracts), including primary, excess and umbrella policies,
comprehensive general liability policies, director and officer
liability, fiduciary liability, automobile, aircraft, property and
casualty, workers' compensation and employee dishonesty insurance
policies, bonds and self-insurance and captive insurance company
arrangements, together with the rights, benefits and privileges
thereunder.
(zz) "Proxy Statement" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(aaa) "Recapitalization" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereto.
(bbb) "Recapitalization Agreement" shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals hereto.
(ccc) "Retained Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereto.
(ddd) "Required Consents" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.5 .
(eee) "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(fff) "Share Increase" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(ggg) "Shared Policies" shall mean all Policies, current or
past, which are owned or maintained by or on behalf of IMS HEALTH or any
Subsidiary of IMS HEALTH
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<PAGE> 87
immediately prior to the Effective Time which relate to the Gartner
Business and the IMS HEALTH Business.
(hhh) "Stock Repurchase" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.2(b).
(iii) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation, partnership or
other entity of which another entity (i) owns, directly or indirectly,
ownership interests sufficient to elect a majority of the Board of
Directors (or persons performing similar functions) (irrespective of
whether at the time any other class or classes of ownership interests of
such corporation, partnership or other entity shall or might have such
voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency) or (ii) is a
general partner or an entity performing similar functions (e.g., a
trustee).
(jjj) "Third Party Claim" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.3.
(kkk) "Transition Services Agreement" shall mean the Amended and
Restated Transition Services Agreement dated as of June 30, 1998, among
The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, The New Dun & Bradstreet Corporation,
NMR, IMS HEALTH, ACNielsen Corporation and Gartner.
(lll) "Warrants" shall mean the Warrant dated as of November 1,
1996 and amended as of February 20, 1999 issued by Gartner exercisable
for 539,460 shares of Class A Common Stock as of the date hereof and the
Warrant dated as of November 1, 1996 and amended as of February 20, 1999
issued by Gartner exercisable for 59,940 shares of Class A Common Stock
as of the date hereof.
(mmm) "Warrant Shares" shall mean the shares of Class A Common
Stock issuable by Gartner pursuant to the Warrants.
SECTION I.2 References; Interpretation. References in this
Agreement to any gender include references to all genders, and references to the
singular include references to the plural and vice versa. The words "include",
"includes" and "including" when used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be
followed by the phrase "without limitation". Unless the context otherwise
requires, references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and
Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits
and Schedules to, such Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the
words "hereof", "hereby" and "herein" and words of similar meaning when used in
this Agreement refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular
Article, Section or provision of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II. DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS; CERTAIN COVENANTS AND
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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SECTION II.1 The Distribution and Other Transactions.
(a) The Distribution. Subject to the conditions set forth in
Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement, on the Declaration Date the Board of Directors
of IMS HEALTH shall declare the Distribution upon the terms set forth in this
Agreement. To effect the Distribution, IMS HEALTH shall cause the Distribution
Agent to distribute, on or as soon as practicable following the Distribution
Date, on a pro rata basis and taking into account Section 2.1(c), to the holders
of record of IMS HEALTH Common Stock on the Distribution Record Date, all shares
of Class B Common Stock held by IMS HEALTH on the Distribution Date. During the
period commencing on the date the certificates representing shares of Class B
Common Stock are delivered to the Distribution Agent and ending upon the date(s)
on which certificates evidencing such shares are mailed to holders of record of
IMS HEALTH Common Stock on the Distribution Record Date or on which fractional
shares of Class B Common Stock are sold on behalf of such holders, the
Distribution Agent shall hold the certificates representing shares of Class B
Common Stock on behalf of such holders. IMS HEALTH shall deliver to the Agent
the share certificates representing the shares of Class B Common Stock held by
IMS HEALTH which are to be distributed to the holders of IMS HEALTH Common Stock
in the Distribution. IMS HEALTH agrees to reimburse the Distribution Agent for
its reasonable costs, expenses and fees in connection with the Distribution.
Gartner agrees, if required by IMS HEALTH, to provide all certificates
evidencing shares of Class B Common Stock that IMS HEALTH shall require in order
to effect the Distribution.
(b) Conditions to the Distribution. The IMS HEALTH Board of
Directors shall declare the Distribution on the Declaration Date following the
satisfaction or waiver by IMS HEALTH, as determined by IMS HEALTH in its sole
discretion, of the conditions set forth below:
(i) The private letter ruling received from the IRS
providing that, among other things, the Recapitalization and the
Distribution will qualify as tax-free transactions for federal income
tax purposes under Sections 354 and 355 of the Code, respectively (the
"IRS Ruling") shall continue in effect; and IMS HEALTH and Gartner shall
have complied with all provisions set forth in the IRS Ruling, the
request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling and, if granted prior to such
time, the IRS Supplemental Ruling, in each case, that are required to be
complied with prior to the Declaration Date;
(ii) Any material governmental approvals and consents
necessary to consummate the Distribution and the other transactions
contemplated hereby and by the Recapitalization Agreement shall have
been obtained and shall be in full force and effect;
(iii) No order, injunction or decree issued by any court
or agency of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the Distribution and the
other transactions contemplated hereby and by the Recapitalization
Agreement shall be in effect and no other event outside the control of
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<PAGE> 89
IMS HEALTH shall have occurred or failed to occur that prevents the
lawful consummation of the Distribution;
(iv) The Recapitalization, the Cash Dividend, the Stock
Repurchase and the Distribution shall be in compliance with applicable
federal and state securities and other applicable laws; (v) Each of
Gartner and IMS HEALTH shall have received all the Required Consents;
(vi) All conditions to the Recapitalization shall have
been satisfied or waived and no circumstances shall exist that would
reasonably be expected to prevent the consummation of the
Recapitalization immediately following the declaration of the
Distribution;
(vii) The Cash Dividend shall be declared by the Board of
Directors of Gartner substantially simultaneously with the declaration
of the Distribution and no circumstances shall exist that would
reasonably be expected to prevent the prompt payment of the Cash
Dividend;
(viii) The Stock Repurchase shall have been authorized and
not revoked by the Board of Directors of Gartner, or shall be so
authorized simultaneously with the declaration of the Distribution and
shall be committed to by Gartner to the satisfaction of IMS HEALTH;
(ix) The Form 8-A shall have been filed with the
Commission and there shall be no impediment to the certification by the
NYSE to the Commission of the listing of the Class B Common Stock;
(x) The Class B Common Stock shall have been approved for
listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
(xi) Each of the representations and warranties of Gartner
set forth in this Agreement shall have been true and correct in all
material respects when made and shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the Declaration Date; and Gartner shall have
performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and
covenants required to be performed by it under this Agreement and the
Recapitalization Agreement at or prior to the Declaration Date; and IMS
HEALTH shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer
of Gartner as to the foregoing;
(xii) IMS HEALTH shall have received copies of the
Financing Commitments from Gartner, Gartner shall have complied with
Section 2.3 hereof, and IMS HEALTH, acting reasonably, shall be
satisfied that funds available pursuant to such
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<PAGE> 90
Financing Commitments, together with funds internally available to
Gartner, shall be sufficient to consummate the Cash Dividend and the
Stock Repurchase;
(xiii) All actions and other documents and instruments
reasonably necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been taken or executed, as the case may be, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to IMS HEALTH; and
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of IMS HEALTH and shall not
give rise to or create any duty on the part of IMS HEALTH to waive or not waive
any such condition.
(c) Sale of Fractional Shares. IMS HEALTH shall appoint the
Distribution Agent as agent for each holder of record of IMS HEALTH Common Stock
who would receive in the Distribution any fractional share of Class B Common
Stock. The Distribution Agent shall aggregate all such fractional shares and
sell them in an orderly manner after the Distribution Date in the open market
and, after completion of such sales, distribute a pro rata portion of the net
proceeds from such sales, based upon the gross selling price of all such
fractional shares net of all selling expenses, to each stockholder of IMS HEALTH
who would otherwise have received a fractional share. IMS HEALTH shall reimburse
the Distribution Agent for its reasonable costs, expenses and fees (other than
selling expenses) in connection with the sale of fractional shares of Class B
Common Stock and the distribution of the proceeds thereof in accordance with
this Section 2.1(c).
(d) Undertaking of Gartner. On or prior to the Distribution Date,
Gartner will undertake (i) to each of RHD and ACNielsen to be jointly and
severally liable for all "Cognizant Liabilities" (as defined in the 1996
Distribution Agreement) under the 1996 Distribution Agreement pursuant to an
undertaking substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.1(d) hereto, and (ii) to
Nielsen Media Research, Inc. ("NMR") to be jointly and severally liable for all
"IMS HEALTH Liabilities" (as defined in the 1998 Distribution Agreement) under
the 1998 Distribution Agreement pursuant to an undertaking substantially in the
form of Exhibit 2.1(d)(ii) hereto. IMS HEALTH (together with its successors and
permitted assigns, jointly and severally) will indemnify Gartner against any and
all liabilities to RHD, ACNielsen and NMR (including fees and expenses of
counsel, which will be reimbursed as incurred) which Gartner or its successors
and permitted assigns may become subject as a result of the undertakings
referred to herein. This provision is not intended to limit in any respect any
of Gartner's obligations under Section 3.1 hereof with respect to Gartner
Liabilities.
(e) Other Actions. (i) IMS HEALTH shall prepare and mail, at such
time as determined by IMS HEALTH, to the holders of IMS HEALTH Common Stock,
such information concerning Gartner, its business, operations and management,
the Distribution and the tax consequences thereof and such other matters as IMS
HEALTH shall reasonably determine or as may be required by law. IMS HEALTH shall
give Gartner and its counsel reasonably appropriate advance opportunity to
review such document and shall consider in good
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<PAGE> 91
faith any comments Gartner timely delivers to IMS HEALTH with respect to such
information. Gartner agrees to cooperate with IMS HEALTH in the preparation of,
and provide any information reasonably requested by IMS HEALTH for inclusion in,
such mailing. Gartner shall cause its officers to certify in writing to IMS
HEALTH that all information provided to IMS HEALTH for such mailing is true and
accurate in all material respects. IMS HEALTH and Gartner will prepare, and
Gartner will, to the extent required under applicable law, file with the
Commission any such documentation, including any no action letters or other
requests for interpretive or regulatory assistance, if any, which IMS HEALTH and
Gartner reasonably determine are necessary or desirable to effectuate the
Distribution and the other transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Recapitalization Agreement and IMS HEALTH and Gartner shall each use its
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the
Commission with respect thereto as soon as practicable.
(ii) IMS HEALTH and Gartner shall take all such action as may be
necessary or appropriate under the securities or blue sky laws of the United
States (and any comparable laws under any foreign jurisdiction) in connection
with the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(iii) Gartner shall prepare and file, and shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to have approved, an application for the listing
on the NYSE of the Class B Common Stock to be distributed in the Distribution,
subject to official notice of issuance. IMS HEALTH shall provide, upon request
by Gartner, information reasonably necessary to Gartner for its preparation and
filing of such application.
(iv) Subject to Section 2.1(e)(vii), Gartner shall prepare and
file the Form 8-A (which may include or incorporate by reference information
contained in the Proxy Statement) with the Commission as promptly as practicable
following the execution hereof, and shall use its commercially reasonable
efforts to cause the Form 8-A to become effective under the Exchange Act
immediately following the consummation of the Recapitalization or as soon
thereafter as practicable. IMS HEALTH shall provide, upon request by Gartner,
information reasonably necessary to Gartner for its preparation and filing of
such Form 8-A.
(v) On or prior to the Distribution Date, each of IMS HEALTH and
Gartner shall take those actions and consummate those other transactions in
connection with the Distribution that are contemplated by the IRS Ruling, the
ruling request therefor or any related submissions by IMS HEALTH to the IRS,
including, to the extent applicable, the IRS Supplemental Ruling and the request
therefor.
(vi) In addition to those matters specifically set forth above,
IMS HEALTH and Gartner also shall take all reasonable steps necessary and
appropriate to cause the conditions set forth in Section 2.1(b) to be satisfied
and to effect the Distribution on the Distribution Date.
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(vii) Until the Distribution Date, Gartner agrees that prior to
filing with the Commission any report or other document that contains any
disclosure relating to the Distribution, this Agreement, the Recapitalization
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, it shall
give IMS HEALTH and its counsel reasonably appropriate advance opportunity to
review such report or other document and shall consider in good faith any
comments IMS HEALTH may deliver to Gartner with respect to or for inclusion in
such report or document.
(viii) Prior to the Distribution Date, Gartner shall not amend,
and the Gartner Board of Directors shall not approve any amendment to, Gartner's
restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws, other than the amendments that
will take effect upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware in connection with the Recapitalization in
accordance with the terms of the Recapitalization Agreement.
(ix) IMS HEALTH agrees to be present in person or by proxy at
each and every stockholders meeting of Gartner at which the Recapitalization,
the Governance Provisions and the Share Increase (each as defined in the
Recapitalization Agreement) are submitted to the stockholders of Gartner for
consideration at such meeting, and to vote, or cause to be voted, all shares of
Gartner Class A Common Stock owned directly or indirectly by it and its
Subsidiaries in favor of the Recapitalization, the Governance Provisions and the
Share Increase; provided that the Governance Provisions and the Share Increase
are to become effective solely upon the effectiveness of the Merger; and
similarly to execute any written consent submitted to stockholders by Gartner in
favor of the Recapitalization, the Governance Provisions and the Share Increase.
(x) Effective upon the consummation of the Distribution, the
Stockholder's Agreement dated as of March 19, 1993, between Gartner and The Dun
& Bradstreet Corporation and the Amended and Restated Registration Agreement
dated as of March 19, 1993, among Gartner, The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, D&B
Enterprises, Inc. and Gideon I. Gartner shall each automatically terminate and
become void and of no further force or effect.
(xi) Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, all
agreements and arrangements existing on the date hereof between IMS HEALTH or
any of its Subsidiaries on the one hand and Gartner and any of its Subsidiaries
on the other hand, whether written or oral, including those relating to the
purchase and sale of products and services, shall continue in full force and
effect in accordance with their terms and consistent with past practice from the
date hereof, through the Distribution Date and thereafter.
(xii) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way affect
the relative rights and liabilities of the parties to the Dataquest Agreement.
SECTION II.2 The Cash Dividend and the Stock Repurchase.
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(a) The Cash Dividend. Subject to the conditions set forth in
Section 2.2(c) of this Agreement, on the Declaration Date the Board of Directors
of Gartner shall declare a pro rata cash dividend to all holders of record of
Gartner Common Stock as of the Cash Dividend Record Date in the aggregate amount
of $125 million (the "Cash Dividend").
(b) Stock Repurchase. Subject to the conditions set forth in
Section 2.2(c) of this Agreement, Gartner shall, as soon as practicable
following completion of the Recapitalization and the Distribution, in compliance
with the rules and regulations of the Commission, including Regulation 13E under
the Exchange Act, commence a "Dutch auction" tender offer (the "Self Tender
Offer") for a number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
in the aggregate equal to at least 15% of the total number of shares of Gartner
Common Stock outstanding immediately following the Distribution (the "Minimum
Self Tender Amount"), with such purchases allocated between shares of Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a pro rata basis based on the relative
numbers of shares of such classes outstanding immediately following the
Distribution ("Pro Rata"). Subject to the previous sentence, Gartner shall
acquire all shares properly tendered in response to such Self Tender Offer as
promptly as practicable following commencement thereof, subject to reasonable
and customary conditions and other terms and reasonable range of purchase prices
based on recent trading prices of Gartner Common Stock, which conditions, terms
and ranges shall be determined by the Board of Directors of Gartner in good
faith. Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 2.2(c) of this Agreement,
Gartner shall, as soon as practicable following completion of the Self Tender
Offer, in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Commission, including
Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, purchase through an open-market stock
purchase program an amount of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) 4.99% of the
number of shares of Gartner Common Stock plus or minus (ii) the amount, if any,
by which the Minimum Self Tender Amount is less than or exceeds, respectively,
the number of shares of Gartner Common Stock actually purchased in the Self
Tender Offer (the "Minimum Open Market Amount"), with such purchases allocated
Pro Rata between shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (the
"Open Market Repurchase Program" and, together with the Self Tender Offer, the
"Stock Repurchase"). Gartner shall commence the Open Market Repurchase Program
as promptly as practicable (subject to market conditions) after the Self Tender
Offer and shall in any event complete the Open Market Repurchase Program in an
orderly manner within two years after the Distribution Date. Gartner agrees that
it will not repurchase any shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common
Stock in the Stock Repurchase beneficially owned by any of its directors or
officers.
(c) Conditions of the Cash Dividend and Stock Repurchase. The
obligation of the Board of Directors of Gartner to declare the Cash Dividend on
the Declaration Date and consummate the Stock Repurchase following completion of
the Recapitalization and the declaration of the Distribution shall be
conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver by Gartner, as determined by Gartner
in its sole discretion, of the following conditions:
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(i) The IRS Ruling shall continue in effect; and IMS HEALTH
shall have complied with all provisions set forth in the IRS Ruling, the
request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling and, if granted prior to such
time, the IRS Supplemental Ruling that, in each case, are required to be
complied with by it prior to the Declaration Date;
(ii) All conditions to the Recapitalization shall have been
satisfied or waived and no circumstances shall exist that would
reasonably be expected to prevent the consummation of the
Recapitalization immediately following the declaration of the Cash
Dividend;
(iii) The Distribution shall be declared by the Board of
Directors of IMS HEALTH substantially simultaneously with the
declaration of the Cash Dividend and no circumstances shall exist that
would reasonably be expected to prevent the prompt consummation of the
Distribution;
(iv) Any material governmental approvals and consents necessary
to consummate the Cash Dividend or the Stock Repurchase, as the case may
be, shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect;
(v) No order, injunction or decree issued by any court or agency
of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition in
each case preventing the consummation of the Cash Dividend, the Stock
Repurchase or the Distribution shall be in effect, and no other event
outside the control of Gartner shall have occurred or failed to occur
that prevents the lawful consummation of the Cash Dividend, the Stock
Repurchase or the Distribution;
(vi) The Recapitalization, the Cash Dividend, the Stock
Repurchase and the Distribution shall be in compliance with applicable
federal and state securities and other applicable laws;
(vii) The Form 8-A shall have been filed with the Commission and
there shall be no impediment to the Certification by NYSE to the
Commission of the listing of the Class B Common Stock;
(viii) The Class B Common Stock shall have been approved for
listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
(ix) Each of the representations and warranties of IMS HEALTH
set forth in this Agreement shall have been true and correct in all
material respects when made and shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the Declaration Date; and IMS HEALTH shall have
performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and
covenants required to be performed by it under this Agreement and the
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Recapitalization Agreement at or prior to the Declaration Date; and
Gartner shall have received a certificate of the chief executive officer
of IMS HEALTH as to the foregoing;
(x) All actions and other documents and instruments reasonably
necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall
have been taken or executed, as the case may be, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Gartner; and
(xi) Each of Gartner and IMS HEALTH shall have received all the
Required Consents.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Gartner and shall not give
rise to or create any duty on the part of Gartner to waive or not waive any such
condition.
(d) Certain Limitations on Expenditures by Gartner. Until such
time as the Cash Dividend is paid to Gartner's stockholders, Gartner shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, without the prior written
consent of IMS HEALTH, (i) pay any other cash dividends on any of its capital
stock, (ii) repurchase any shares of its capital stock, except purchases
necessary to offset (x) exercises of pre-existing employee stock options and (y)
stock issuances under Gartner's Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or (iii) acquire
any Assets or securities or make any capital expenditures which, when aggregated
with any acquisition of Assets or securities or capital expenditures made since
November 12, 1998, utilize more than $80 million in cash in the aggregate,
excluding (i) transfers between Gartner and any wholly-owned Subsidiary of
Gartner or between wholly-owned Subsidiaries of Gartner and (ii) cash payment
under Net Share-Settled Forward Purchase Contracts that were entered into prior
to November 12, 1998 and not amended subsequent to such date, provided that
Gartner represents that the shares subject to such contract do not exceed 1% of
the total number of outstanding shares.
SECTION II.3 Financing.
(a) Gartner hereby represents and warrants to IMS HEALTH that it
has secured financing commitments which, when added to its available cash and
reasonably anticipated cash flow through the Declaration Date, will permit
payment of the Cash Dividend and the completion of the Stock Repurchase, with
sufficient cash available to meet the needs of Gartner's business, and which are
subject only to customary conditions (the "Financing Commitments") and has
provided copies of such Financing Commitments to IMS HEALTH.
(b) As promptly as practical following the date hereof, Gartner
shall negotiate and execute definitive loan agreements for the financing
contemplated by the Financing Commitments, which agreements shall make the funds
to be borrowed thereunder available to Gartner with only customary conditions.
Gartner shall provide copies of such loan agreements to IMS HEALTH and shall
provide such other documents and information in connection therewith as IMS
HEALTH shall reasonably request.
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(c) Gartner shall be responsible for all fees and expenses of the
lenders and other advisors in obtaining the Financing Commitments; provided,
however, that, in the event the Financing Commitments are obtained more than 60
days in advance of the payment date for the Cash Dividend, IMS HEALTH shall be
responsible for one-half of the amount by which the commitment fee for the
Financing Commitments exceeds the commitment fee that would have been payable
under the Financing Commitments if they were obtained 60 days in advance of the
payment date for the Cash Dividend.
SECTION II.4 Certain Limitations on Actions by IMS HEALTH.
Subject to the representations and undertakings made by IMS HEALTH in order to
obtain the IRS Ruling and to be made by IMS HEALTH in order to obtain the IRS
Supplemental Ruling:
(a) IMS HEALTH shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of,
or issue any derivative security with respect to, the Retained Shares or the
Warrant Shares for the period of 90 days following the Distribution Date and
thereafter will not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or issue any
derivative security with respect to any Retained Shares or Warrant Shares,
except (i) sales on the NYSE of Retained Shares or Warrant Shares in an amount
(collectively) in any day in excess of 25% of the average daily trading volume
of the Gartner Common Stock for the immediately preceding four weeks as reported
on the NYSE composite tape (excluding shares sold, transferred or otherwise
disposed of on the NYSE by IMS HEALTH or as to which IMS HEALTH issues a
derivative security that trades on the NYSE, in each case, during such four week
period) and (ii) in transactions in which the parties agree in good faith would
not reasonably be expected to have a significant negative impact on the trading
prices of the Gartner Common Stock as reported on the NYSE composite tape; and
(b) following the Distribution, in all matters requiring a vote
of the holders of Class A Common Stock at any stockholder meeting or by written
consent of the stockholders for such time as IMS HEALTH holds the Retained
Shares, IMS HEALTH will vote the Retained Shares and any Warrant Shares in
proportion to the votes cast by all other holders of Class A Common Stock
voting.
SECTION II.5 Declaration Date; Further Assurances. (a) The
parties agree that the Declaration Date shall occur as soon as reasonably
practicable following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the
declaration of the Distribution set forth in Section 2.1(b) (other than the
declaration of the Cash Dividend) and the conditions to the declaration of the
Cash Dividend set forth in Section 2.2(c) (other than the declaration of the
Distribution). The parties shall cause their respective Boards of Directors to
meet telephonically or at the same location on the Declaration Date and each
shall take such corporate action at such meeting as shall be required to effect
the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Recapitalization Agreement.
Immediately following such meetings, Garter shall take all actions required to
consummate the Recapitalization in accordance with the terms of the
Recapitalization Agreement, including the filing of the Certificate of Merger
relating to the Recapitalization with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware. IMS HEALTH shall immediately declare the Distribution and shall take
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all actions necessary to consummate the Distribution promptly following the
filing of the Certificate of Merger.
(b) In case at any time after the date hereof any further action
is reasonably necessary or desirable to carry out the Recapitalization, Cash
Dividend, Distribution or Stock Repurchase or any other purpose of this
Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement, the proper officers of each party
to this Agreement shall take all such necessary action. Without limiting the
foregoing, IMS HEALTH and Gartner shall use their commercially reasonable
efforts promptly to obtain all consents and approvals, to enter into all
amendatory agreements and to make all filings and applications that may be
required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the Recapitalization Agreement, including all applicable governmental and
regulatory filings.
SECTION II.6 Representations and Warranties. (a) Gartner hereby
represents and warrants to IMS HEALTH as follows:
(i) Organization; Good Standing. Gartner is a corporation
duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and has all corporate power required to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(ii) Authorization. The execution, delivery and
performance by Gartner of this Agreement and the Recapitalization
Agreement and the consummation by Gartner of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of Gartner, other than the formal
declaration of the Cash Dividend, formal initiation of the Stock
Repurchase and the approval of the Recapitalization by the stockholders
of Gartner. Each of this Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement
constitutes, and each other agreement or instrument executed and
delivered or to be executed and delivered by Gartner pursuant to this
Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement will, upon such execution
and delivery, constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of
Gartner, enforceable against Gartner in accordance with its terms,
subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights generally, general equitable principles
(whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied
covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
(iii) Consents and Filings. Except (w) for the NYSE
Listing Application, (x) the IRS Ruling, (y) as required under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
"HSR Act") and (z) for the filing of the Proxy Statement and the Form
8-A and any other reports or documents required to be filed under the
Exchange Act, no consent of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity
which has not been obtained or made is required for or in connection
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
Recapitalization Agreement by Gartner, and the consummation by Gartner
of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
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(iv) Noncontravention. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement by
Gartner does not, and the consummation by Gartner of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will not, (x) violate any applicable
federal, state or local statute, law, rule or regulation, (y) violate
any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of Gartner,
or (z) violate any provision of, or result in the termination or
acceleration of, or entitle any party to accelerate any obligation or
indebtedness under, any mortgage, lease, franchise, license, permit,
agreement, instrument, law, order, arbitration award, judgment or decree
to which Gartner or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any
of them are bound.
(v) Litigation. There are no actions or suits against
Gartner pending, or to the knowledge of Gartner, threatened which seek
to, and Gartner is not subject to any judgments, decrees or orders
which, enjoin or rescind the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or the Recapitalization Agreement or otherwise prevent Gartner from
complying with the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(vi) Change of Control Adjustments. None of the
Recapitalization, Cash Dividend, Stock Repurchase or Distribution or any
of the other transactions contemplated hereby or by the Recapitalization
Agreement will constitute a "change of control" or otherwise result in
the increase or acceleration of any benefits, including to employees of
Gartner, under any agreement to which Gartner or any of its Subsidiaries
is a party or by which it or any of its Subsidiaries is bound.
(vii) Surplus and Solvency. Gartner has on the date
hereof, and at the Declaration Date and the Cash Dividend Date will
have, surplus (as defined in and computed in accordance with Sections
154 and 244 of the DGCL) in excess of the amounts of cash required to
effect the Cash Dividend and Stock Repurchase. Gartner is on the date
hereof, and immediately after the payment of the Cash Dividend will be,
and at all times during the period it is effecting the Stock Repurchase
will be, Solvent. For purposes of this Section 2.7(a)(vii), "Solvent"
means, at any date of determination, (x) the fair saleable value of
Gartner's consolidated assets will exceed Gartner's consolidated
liabilities as of such date, (y) Gartner will not have as of such date
an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its
business and (z) Gartner will be able to pay its debts as they mature.
(viii) Certain Transactions. Except for transactions or
other actions that occurred prior to July 1, 1997 or that are described
in Exhibit 2.6(a)(viii), neither Gartner nor any other member of the
Gartner Group has engaged in any transaction or taken any other action
involving or relating to the stock of Gartner or options, warrants or
other rights to acquire stock of Gartner. None of the transactions and
other actions described in Exhibit 2.6(a)(viii) which occurred prior to
[October 1998 (the date which the Distribution was proposed)] (the
"Proposal
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Date") or that occurred prior to July 1, 1997 were undertaken in
contemplation of the Distribution or are related to the Distribution,
and all transactions and actions described in Exhibit 2.6(a)(viii) which
occurred between the Proposal Date and the Declaration Date were
undertaken in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice and, if other than employee stock plan issuances, were pursuant
to a contract which was binding upon Gartner prior to the Proposal Date.
(b) IMS HEALTH hereby represents and warrants to Gartner as
follows:
(i) Organization; Good Standing. IMS HEALTH is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all corporate power
required to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(ii) Authorization. The execution, delivery and
performance by IMS HEALTH of this Agreement and the Recapitalization
Agreement and the consummation by IMS HEALTH of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of IMS HEALTH, other than the
formal declaration of the Distribution. Each of this Agreement and the
Recapitalization Agreement constitutes, and each other agreement or
instrument executed and delivered or to be executed and delivered by IMS
HEALTH pursuant to this Agreement will, upon such execution and
delivery, constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of IMS
HEALTH, enforceable against IMS HEALTH in accordance with its terms,
subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights generally, general equitable principles
(whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied
covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
(iii) Consents and Filings. Except (x) for the IRS Ruling,
and (y) as required under the HSR Act and any other reports or documents
required to be filed under the Exchange Act, no material consent of, or
filing with, any Governmental Entity which has not been obtained or made
is required to be obtained or made by IMS HEALTH for or in connection
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
Recapitalization Agreement by IMS HEALTH, and the consummation by IMS
HEALTH of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(iv) Noncontravention. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement by IMS
HEALTH does not, and the consummation by IMS HEALTH of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby will not, (x) violate any applicable
federal, state or local statute, law, rule or regulation, (y) violate
any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of IMS
HEALTH or (z) violate any provision of, or result in the termination or
acceleration of, or entitle any party to accelerate any obligation or
indebtedness under, any mortgage, lease,
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franchise, license, permit, agreement, instrument, law, order,
arbitration award, judgment or decree to which IMS HEALTH or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them are bound.
(v) Litigation. There are no actions or suits against IMS
HEALTH pending, or to the knowledge of IMS HEALTH, threatened which seek
to, and IMS HEALTH is not subject to any judgments, decrees or orders
which, enjoin or rescind the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or the Recapitalization Agreement or otherwise prevent IMS HEALTH from
complying with the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the
Recapitalization Agreement.
SECTION II.7 Certain Post-Distribution Transactions. (a)(i)
Gartner and IMS HEALTH shall each comply and shall cause its Subsidiaries to
comply with and otherwise not take action inconsistent with each representation
made by such respective party to the IRS in connection with the requests by IMS
HEALTH for the IRS Ruling and the IRS Supplemental Ruling, if any, and (ii)
until two years after the Distribution Date, Gartner will maintain its status as
a company engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business, as defined in
Section 355(b) of the Code.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if Gartner
(or any of its Subsidiaries) fails to comply with any of its obligations under
Section 2.7(a) above or takes any action or fails to take any action, and such
failure to comply, action or omission contributes to a determination that the
Distribution fails to qualify under Section 355(a) of the Code or the Gartner
shares fail to qualify as qualified property for purposes of Section 355(c)(2)
of the Code by reason of Section 355(e) of the Code, then Gartner shall
indemnify and hold harmless IMS HEALTH and each member of the consolidated group
of which IMS HEALTH is a member and the shareholders of IMS HEALTH from and
against any and all federal, state and local taxes, including any interest,
penalties or additions to tax, imposed upon or incurred by IMS HEALTH, any
member of its group or any stockholder of IMS HEALTH as a result of the failure
of the Distribution to qualify under Section 355(a) of the Code or the
application of Section 355(e) (any such tax, interest, penalty or addition to
tax, an "IMS HEALTH Tax Liability"); provided, however, that Gartner shall not
be required to indemnify and hold harmless IMS HEALTH or any member of the
consolidated group of which IMS HEALTH is a member for any such IMS HEALTH Tax
Liability imposed or incurred solely as a result of (i) the Recapitalization and
the Distribution, (ii) sales or other dispositions of Class A Common Stock by
IMS HEALTH or any affiliate of IMS HEALTH after the Distribution, (iii)
repurchases by Gartner pursuant to and in compliance with Section 2.2(b)of this
Agreement or the repurchases that are set forth in the IRS Ruling, or the
request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling or, if granted at such time, the IRS
Supplemental Ruling, (iv) issuances by Gartner after the Distribution, in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, of stock options
and other stock awards under compensatory stock programs to acquire an amount of
Class A Common Stock equal to or less than 4% of the outstanding stock of
Gartner on the Distribution Date, (v) issuances by Gartner of Class A Common
Stock after the Distribution (other than stock issued upon the exercise of
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existing stock options and other rights under compensatory stock programs or
pursuant to options and other awards excluded under clause (iv)) that, in the
aggregate, amount to 1% or less of the outstanding stock of Gartner on the
Distribution Date, (vi) transactions that are described in Exhibit 2.6(a)(viii)
or (vii) any combination of Section 2.7(c)(i) through (vi). For the avoidance of
doubt, Gartner shall be required to indemnify IMS HEALTH and each member of its
group, and the shareholders of IMS HEALTH, for any IMS HEALTH Tax Liability that
results from one or more of the actions described in Section 2.7(c)(i) through
(vii) in combination with any other action by any party regardless of whether
such other action occurs prior or subsequent to the Distribution unless such
action occurs in the course of public trading by shareholders owning less than
5% of Gartner's outstanding stock by value. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Gartner shall not indemnify IMS HEALTH for any IMS HEALTH Tax Liability that
results from any inaccuracy or incompleteness in any representation made by IMS
HEALTH to the IRS in connection with the requests for the IRS Ruling or the IRS
Supplemental Ruling or failure by IMS HEALTH to comply with any representation
by IMS HEALTH to the IRS in connection with the requests for the IRS Ruling or
the IRS Supplemental Ruling.
ARTICLE III. INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION III.1 Indemnification by Gartner. (a) Gartner shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the IMS HEALTH Indemnitees from and against
any and all Gartner Liabilities or third party allegations of Gartner
Liabilities.
(b) Gartner shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the IMS
HEALTH Indemnitees and the shareholders of IMS HEALTH from and against any
liability of any member of the IMS HEALTH Group or any shareholder of IMS HEALTH
arising from any inaccuracy in, or failure by Gartner to comply with, any
representation made by Gartner to the IRS in connection with the requests by IMS
HEALTH for the IRS Ruling and the IRS Supplemental Ruling; provided, however,
that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Gartner shall not indemnify IMS HEALTH, any
IMS HEALTH Indemnitee or any shareholder of IMS HEALTH for any liability that
results from any inaccuracy or incompleteness in any representation made by IMS
HEALTH to the IRS in connection with requests for the IRS Ruling or the IRS
Supplemental Ruling or failure by IMS HEALTH to comply with any representation
made by IMS HEALTH to the IRS in connection with the requests for the IRS Ruling
or the IRS Supplemental Ruling.
SECTION III.2 Indemnification by IMS HEALTH. (a) Except as
otherwise specifically set forth in any provision of this Agreement, IMS HEALTH
shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Gartner Indemnitees from and
against any and all IMS HEALTH Liabilities or third party allegations of IMS
HEALTH Liabilities.
(b) IMS HEALTH shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
Gartner Indemnitees from and against (i) any and all federal, state and local
taxes, including any interest, penalties or additions to tax, that result solely
from the Recapitalization or from the application
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of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or any similar provision of state, local
or other tax law and (ii) any liability of any member of the Gartner Group
arising solely from any inaccuracy in, or failure by IMS Health to comply with,
any representation made by IMS Health to the IRS in connection with the requests
by IMS Health for the IRS Ruling and the IRS Supplemental Ruling; provided,
however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, IMS HEALTH shall not indemnify
Gartner or any Gartner Indemnitee for any liability that results from any
inaccuracy or incompleteness in any representation made by Gartner to the IRS in
connection with requests for the IRS Ruling or the IRS Supplemental Ruling or
failure by Gartner to comply with any representation made by Gartner to the IRS
in connection with the requests for the IRS Ruling or the IRS Supplemental
Ruling.
SECTION III.3 Procedures for Indemnification in Third Party
Claims.
(a) Third Party Claims. If a claim or demand is made against a
Gartner Indemnitee or an IMS HEALTH Indemnitee (each, an "Indemnitee") by any
person who is not a party to this Agreement (a "Third Party Claim") as to which
such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such
Indemnitee shall notify the party which is or may be required pursuant to the
terms hereof to make such indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party") in writing,
and in reasonable detail, of the Third Party Claim promptly (and in any event
within 15 business days) after receipt by such Indemnitee of written notice of
the Third Party Claim; provided, however, that failure to give such notification
shall not affect the indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the
Indemnifying Party shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such
failure (except that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any expenses
incurred during the period in which the Indemnitee failed to give such notice).
Thereafter, the Indemnitee shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, promptly
(and in any event within five business days) after the Indemnitee's receipt
thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received
by the Indemnitee relating to the Third Party Claim.
If a Third Party Claim is made against an Indemnitee with respect
to which a claim for indemnification is made pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section
3.2 hereof, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in the
defense thereof and, if it so chooses and acknowledges in writing its obligation
to indemnify the Indemnitee therefor, to assume the defense thereof with counsel
selected by the Indemnifying Party; provided that such counsel is not reasonably
objected to by the Indemnitee. Should the Indemnifying Party so elect to assume
the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall, within 30 days
(or sooner if the nature of the Third Party Claim so requires), notify the
Indemnitee of its intent to do so, and the Indemnifying Party shall thereafter
not be liable to the Indemnitee for legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof; provided,
that such Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel to represent such
Indemnitee if, in such Indemnitee's reasonable judgment, a conflict of interest
between such Indemnitee and such Indemnifying Party exists in respect of such
claim which would make representation of both such parties by one counsel
inappropriate, and in such event the fees and expenses of such separate
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counsel shall be paid by such Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party
assumes such defense, the Indemnitee shall have the right to participate in the
defense thereof and to employ counsel, subject to the proviso of the preceding
sentence, at its own expense, separate from the counsel employed by the
Indemnifying Party, it being understood that the Indemnifying Party shall
control such defense. The Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the fees and
expenses of counsel employed by the Indemnitee for any period during which the
Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense thereof (other than during
the period prior to the time the Indemnitee shall have given notice of the Third
Party Claim as provided above). If the Indemnifying Party so elects to assume
the defense of any Third Party Claim, all of the Indemnitees shall cooperate
with the Indemnifying Party in the defense or prosecution thereof, including by
providing or causing to be provided, Records and witnesses as soon as reasonably
practicable after receiving any request therefor from or on behalf of the
Indemnifying Party.
In no event will the Indemnitee admit any liability with respect
to, or settle, compromise or discharge, any Third Party Claim without the
Indemnifying Party's prior written consent (which will not be unreasonably
withheld); provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall have the right to
settle, compromise or discharge such Third Party Claim without the consent of
the Indemnifying Party if the Indemnitee releases the Indemnifying Party from
its indemnification obligation hereunder with respect to such Third Party Claim
and such settlement, compromise or discharge would not otherwise adversely
affect the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party acknowledges in writing
liability for a Third Party Claim (as between the Indemnifying Party and the
Indemnitee), the Indemnitee will agree to any settlement, compromise or
discharge of a Third Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party may recommend and
that by its terms obligates the Indemnifying Party to pay the full amount of the
liability in connection with such Third Party Claim and releases the Indemnitee
completely in connection with such Third Party Claim and that would not
otherwise adversely affect the Indemnitee; provided, however, that the
Indemnitee may refuse to agree to any such settlement, compromise or discharge
if the Indemnitee agrees that the Indemnifying Party's indemnification
obligation with respect to such Third Party Claim shall not exceed the amount
that would be required to be paid by or on behalf of the Indemnifying Party in
connection with such settlement, compromise or discharge. If an Indemnifying
Party elects not to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, or fails to
notify an Indemnitee of its election to do so as provided herein, such
Indemnitee may compromise, settle or defend such Third Party Claim.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnifying Party shall not
be entitled to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim (and shall be liable
for the fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Indemnitee in defending
such Third Party Claim) if the Third Party Claim seeks an order, injunction or
other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages against the
Indemnitee which the Indemnitee reasonably determines, after conferring with its
counsel, cannot be separated from any related claim for money damages. If such
equitable relief or other relief portion of the Third Party Claim can be so
separated from that for money damages, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled
to assume the defense of the portion relating to money damages.
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(b) Subrogation. In the event of payment by an Indemnifying Party
to any Indemnitee in connection with any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying
Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as
to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any
right or claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or
plaintiff asserting such Third-Party Claim. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with
such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of
such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right or claim.
(c) Remedies Not Exclusive. The remedies provided in this Article
III shall be cumulative and shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of
any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any
Indemnifying Party.
SECTION III.4 Indemnification Payments. Indemnification required
by this Article III shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof
during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are
received or loss, liability, claim, damage or expense is incurred.
ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS
SECTION IV.1 Access to Information. (a) Other than in
circumstances in which indemnification is sought pursuant to Article III (in
which event the provisions of such Article will govern), from and after the
Distribution Date, each of Gartner and IMS HEALTH shall afford to the other and
its authorized accountants, counsel and other designated representatives
reasonable access during normal business hours, subject to appropriate
restrictions for classified, privileged or confidential information, to the
personnel, properties, books and records of such party and its Subsidiaries
insofar as such access is reasonably required by the other party and relates to
such other party's performance of its obligations under this Agreement or the
Recapitalization Agreement or such party's financial, tax and other reporting
obligations.
(b) A party providing information or access to information to the
other party under this Article VI shall be entitled to receive from the
recipient, upon the presentation of invoices therefor, payments for such
amounts, relating to supplies, disbursements and other out-of-pocket expenses,
as may be reasonably incurred in providing such information or access to
information.
SECTION IV.2 Confidentiality. Each of Gartner and its
Subsidiaries and IMS HEALTH and its Subsidiaries shall keep, and shall cause its
employees, consultants, advisors and agents to keep, confidential all
information concerning the other parties in its possession, its custody or under
its control (except to the extent that (A) such information is then in the
public domain through no fault of such party or (B) such information has been
lawfully acquired from other sources by such party or (C) this Agreement or the
Recapitalization Agreement or any other agreement entered into pursuant hereto
or thereto permits the use or disclosure of such
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information) to the extent such information (i) relates to or was acquired
during the period up to the Effective Time or pursuant to Section 4.1, or (ii)
is based upon or is derived from information described in the preceding clause
(i), and each party shall not (without the prior written consent of the other)
otherwise release or disclose such information to any other person, except such
party's auditors and attorneys, unless compelled to disclose such information by
judicial or administrative process or unless such disclosure is required by law
and such party has used commercially reasonable efforts to consult with the
other affected party or parties prior to such disclosure.
SECTION IV.3 Standstill. (a) Subject to Sections 4.3(b) and
4.3(c), each of IMS HEALTH and Gartner agree not to solicit, initiate or
encourage the commencement of negotiations or continue any current negotiations
regarding any proposal for the acquisition by any third party of any shares of
capital stock of Gartner (other than issuances of common stock by Gartner
pursuant to employee stock plans in the ordinary course of business) or the
acquisition of Gartner through any other means including a merger or purchase of
assets (an "Acquisition Proposal") until the earlier to occur of the termination
of this Agreement or the time at which the Distribution is consummated;
provided, however, that IMS HEALTH may respond to any unsolicited inquiries or
proposals solely to indicate that it is bound by this Section 4.3.
(b) IMS HEALTH shall be relieved of its obligations under Section
4.3(a) if any of the following occur:
(i) Gartner fails to comply with its obligations
with respect to the Financing Commitments set
forth in Section 2.3 hereof in a manner that
would reasonably be expected to permit
consummation of the Distribution (A) on or prior
to [June 30], 1999 or (B) if, without violation
of the foregoing, the Distribution is not
consummated by such date, as promptly as
possible thereafter;
(ii) Gartner fails to comply with Section 2.2(d)
herein;
(iii) Gartner fails to use commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain the approval for listing of
the Class B Common Stock on the NYSE in a manner
that would reasonably be expected to permit
consummation of the Distribution (A) on or prior
to [June 30], 1999 or (B) if, without violation
of the foregoing, the Distribution is not
consummated by such date, as promptly as
possible thereafter;
(iv) Gartner fails to use commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain clearance from the SEC to mail
the Proxy Statement as promptly as practicable
after the date hereof;
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(v) Gartner fails to use commercially reasonable
efforts to call a special meeting of
stockholders to seek approval of the
Recapitalization and the Governance Proposals in
a manner that would reasonably be expected to
permit consummation of the Distribution (A) on
or prior to [June 30], 1999 or (B) if, without
violation of the foregoing, the Distribution is
not consummated by such date, as promptly as
possible thereafter;
(vi) Pursuant to Section 4.3(c)(ii), Gartner takes
any action that would otherwise be prohibited by
Section 4.3(a); provided, however, if Gartner
takes any action permitted under Section
4.3(c)(ii) to evaluate any Acquisition Proposal
and Gartner promptly provides to IMS HEALTH (A)
copies of any correspondence and other documents
received from the person making such Acquisition
Proposal (including the identity of such person,
but excluding confidential business information
of such person provided for due diligence unless
IMS HEALTH executes an appropriate nondisclosure
agreement acceptable to such person making the
Acquisition Proposal), (B) copies of analyses,
advice and other information provided in writing
to the Board of Directors of Gartner in
connection with such Acquisition Proposal, (C)
copies of analyses, advice and other information
provided in writing to management of Gartner by
financial advisors to Gartner in connection with
such Acquisition Proposal, (D) any advice
regarding any revised proposal provided to
Gartner by the person making such Acquisition
Proposal (other than changes in terms or
structure that are not material), and (E) any
determination made by the Board of Directors of
Gartner in response to such proposal, then IMS
HEALTH shall not be relieved of its obligations
under Section 4.3(a) until the earliest of (x)
any public disclosure by the Gartner Board of
Directors' approval or recommendation of any
Acquisition Proposal, (y) any public disclosure
by the Gartner Board of Directors of the
withdrawal of its approval or recommendation of
any of the transactions contemplated hereby or
by the Recapitalization Agreement or (z) ten
business days from receipt by Gartner of the
Acquisition Proposal; provided further that IMS
HEALTH shall not be relieved of its obligations
under Section 4.3(a) if, prior to the expiration
of such 10-business day period, Gartner shall
have ceased to evaluate, discuss or negotiate or
take any other action with respect to such
Acquisition Proposal and delivers to IMS HEALTH
a certificate executed by an executive officer
of Gartner to the foregoing effect;
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(vii) Gartner fails (x) to take any affirmative action
or consummate any affirmative transaction
specified by the terms of the IRS Ruling, the
request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling or, if
granted prior to such time, the IRS Supplemental
Ruling or (y) takes any action or pursues any
transaction (other than any action or
transaction contemplated by this Agreement) or
fails to take any actions or consummate any
transaction which would reasonably be expected
to adversely affect the IRS Ruling, the request
for the IRS Supplemental Ruling or, if granted
prior to such time, the IRS Supplemental Ruling;
(viii) Gartner fails to use commercial reasonable
efforts to obtain the approval of its
stockholders of the Recapitalization or takes
any action or makes any public statement
inconsistent with the foregoing; or
(ix) Gartner breaches or fails to comply with any of
its material obligations set forth in this
Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement and
fails to cure such breach or failure within 15
days following notice from IMS HEALTH.
(c) Gartner shall be relieved of its obligations under Section
4.3(a) if:
(i) IMS HEALTH breaches or fails to comply with any
of its material obligations set forth in this
Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement and
fails to cure such breach or failure within 15
days following notice from Gartner; or
(ii) After receipt of a bona fide written Acquisition
Proposal, the Board of Directors of Gartner in
good faith determines, based upon the advice of
its outside counsel regarding the Board's duties
(which advice may be oral and later confirmed in
writing), that the Board will breach its
fiduciary duties to stockholders of Gartner if
it does not commence discussions or negotiations
with the person making such Acquisition
Proposal.
SECTION IV.4 Public Announcements. Each of IMS HEALTH and Gartner
agrees that no public release or announcement concerning the Recapitalization,
Cash Dividend, or Stock Repurchase shall be issued by either party without the
prior written consent of the other (which shall not be unreasonably withheld),
except as such release or announcement may be required by law or the rules or
regulations of any United States securities exchange, in which case the party
required to make the release or announcement shall use its commercially
29
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reasonable efforts to allow each other party reasonable time to comment on each
release or announcement in advance of such issuance.
SECTION IV.5 Required Consents. Each of IMS HEALTH and Gartner
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all of the consents, waivers
or authorizations required in connection with the completion of the
Recapitalization and the Distribution as are listed on Schedule 4.5 (the
"Required Consents").
SECTION 4.6 Certain Transactions. Between the Declaration Date
and the Distribution Date, neither Gartner nor any member of the Gartner Group
will permit any equity issuances, except for equity issuances in satisfaction of
the exercise of options or similar employee stock plans (including, without
limitation, the Gartner employee stock purchase plan) in the ordinary course.
ARTICLE V. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
SECTION V.1 Negotiation. In the event of a controversy, dispute
or claim arising out of, in connection with, or in relation to the
interpretation, performance, nonperformance, validity or breach of this
Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement or otherwise arising out of, or in
any way related to this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including any claim based on
contract, tort, statute or constitution (but excluding any controversy, dispute
or claim between a party hereto and a third-party beneficiary hereof)
(collectively, "Agreement Disputes"), the general counsels of the parties shall
negotiate in good faith for a reasonable period of time to settle such Agreement
Dispute, provided such reasonable period shall not, unless otherwise agreed by
the parties in writing, exceed 30 days from the time the parties began such
negotiations; provided further that in the event of any arbitration in
accordance with Section 5.2 hereof, the parties shall not assert the defenses of
statute of limitations and laches arising for the period beginning after the
date the parties began negotiations hereunder, and any contractual time period
or deadline under this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement to which such
Agreement Dispute relates shall not be deemed to have passed until such
Agreement Dispute has been resolved.
SECTION V.2 Arbitration. If after such reasonable period such
general counsels are unable to settle such Agreement Dispute (and in any event,
unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties, after 60 days have elapsed
from the time the parties began such negotiations), such Agreement Dispute shall
be determined, at the request of any party, by arbitration conducted in New York
City, before and in accordance with the then-existing International Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration Association (the "Rules"). In any dispute
between the parties hereto, the number of arbitrators shall be one. Any judgment
or award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and nonappealable
(except upon grounds specified in 9 U.S.C. '10(a) as in effect on the date
hereof). If the parties are unable to agree on the arbitrator, the arbitrator
shall be
30
<PAGE> 109
selected in accordance with the Rules; provided that the arbitrator shall be a
U.S. national. Any controversy concerning whether an Agreement Dispute is an
arbitrable Agreement Dispute, whether arbitration has been waived, whether an
assignee of this Agreement is bound to arbitrate, or as to the interpretation of
enforceability of this Article VII shall be determined by the arbitrator. In
resolving any dispute, the parties intend that the arbitrator apply the
substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to the choice of law
principles thereof. The parties intend that the provisions to arbitrate set
forth herein be valid, enforceable and irrevocable. The parties agree to comply
with any award made in any such arbitration proceeding that has become final in
accordance with the Rules and agree to enforcement of or entry of judgment upon
such award, by any court of competent jurisdiction, including (a) the Supreme
Court of the State of New York, New York County, or (b) the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York, in accordance with Section
6.17 hereof. The arbitrator shall be entitled, if appropriate, to award any
remedy in such proceedings, including monetary damages, specific performance and
all other forms of legal and equitable relief; provided, however, the arbitrator
shall not be entitled to award punitive damages. Without limiting the provisions
of the Rules, unless otherwise agreed in writing by or among the parties or
permitted by this Agreement, the parties shall keep confidential all matters
relating to the arbitration or the award, provided such matters may be disclosed
(i) to the extent reasonably necessary in any proceeding brought to enforce the
award or for entry of a judgment upon the award and (ii) to the extent otherwise
required by law. Notwithstanding Article 32 of the Rules, the party other than
the prevailing party in the arbitration shall be responsible for all of the
costs of the arbitration, including legal fees and other costs specified by such
Article 32. Nothing contained herein is intended to or shall be construed to
prevent any party, in accordance with Article 22(3) of the Rules or otherwise,
from applying to any court of competent jurisdiction for interim measures or
other provisional relief in connection with the subject matter of any Agreement
Disputes.
SECTION V.3 Continuity of Service and Performance. Unless
otherwise agreed in writing, the parties will continue to provide service and
honor all other commitments under this Agreement, the Transition Services
Agreement, and the Recapitalization Agreement during the course of dispute
resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article V with respect to all
matters not subject to such dispute, controversy or claim.
ARTICLE VI. INSURANCE
SECTION VI.1 Separation of Insurance Coverages. Gartner shall
take all reasonable steps necessary and appropriate to have in effect, on or
prior to the Distribution Date or as soon thereafter as reasonably practicable,
separate Policies in respect of Gartner Liabilities (including without
limitation Liabilities which exist on the date of this Agreement or which arise
prior to the Effective Time) to replace any insurance coverage provided to
Gartner and its Subsidiaries under the Shared Policies.
31
<PAGE> 110
SECTION VI.2 Policy Rights. Each of IMS HEALTH and Gartner shall
retain any and all rights of an insured party under each of the remaining Shared
Policies, subject to the terms of such Shared Policies and any limitations or
obligations contemplated by this Article VI, specifically including rights of
indemnity and the right to be defended by or at the expense of the insurer, with
respect to all claims, suits, actions, proceedings, injuries, losses,
liabilities, damages and expenses incurred or claimed to have been incurred on
or prior to the Distribution Date, and which claims, suits, actions,
proceedings, injuries, losses, liabilities, damages and expenses may arise out
of an insured or insurable occurrence under one or more of such Shared Policies.
SECTION VI.3 Post-Distribution Date Claims. (a) Administration.
After the Distribution Date, IMS HEALTH shall be responsible for (i) Insurance
Administration of the Shared Policies and (ii) Claims Administration under such
Shared Policies with respect to Gartner Liabilities and IMS HEALTH Liabilities;
provided that the assumption of such responsibilities by IMS HEALTH is in no way
intended to limit, inhibit or preclude any right to insurance coverage for any
Insured Claim of a named insured under such Policies as contemplated by the
terms of this Agreement; provided further that IMS HEALTH's assumption of the
administrative responsibilities for the Shared Policies shall not relieve the
party submitting any Insured Claim of the primary responsibility for reporting
such Insured Claim accurately, completely and in a timely manner or of such
party's authority to settle any such Insured Claim within any period permitted
or required by the relevant Policy; and provided further that all direct or
indirect communication with insurers relating to the Shared Policies shall be
conducted by IMS HEALTH. IMS HEALTH may discharge its administrative
responsibilities under this Section 6.3 by contracting for the provision of
services by independent parties. Each of the parties hereto shall administer and
pay any costs relating to defending its respective Insured Claims under Shared
Policies to the extent such defense costs are not covered under such Policies
and shall be responsible for obtaining or reviewing the appropriateness of
releases upon settlement of its respective Insured Claims under Shared Policies.
The disbursements, out-of-pocket expenses and direct and indirect costs of
employees or agents of IMS HEALTH relating to Claims Administration and
Insurance Administration contemplated by this Section 6.3(a) shall be treated in
accordance with the terms of the Transition Services Agreement, if still in
effect with respect to insurance and risk management, or, if the Transition
Services Agreement shall no longer be in effect with respect to insurance and
risk management, then each of Gartner and IMS HEALTH shall be responsible for
its own Claims Administration and Insurance Administration.
(b Exceeding Policy Limits. Gartner and IMS HEALTH shall not be
liable to one another for claims not reimbursed by insurers for any reason not
within the control of Gartner or IMS HEALTH, as the case may be, including
coinsurance provisions, deductibles, quota share deductibles, self-insured
retentions, bankruptcy or insolvency of an insurance carrier, Shared Policy
limitations or restrictions, any coverage disputes, any failure to timely claim
by Gartner or IMS HEALTH or any defect in such claim or its processing.
(c Allocation of Insurance Proceeds. Insurance Proceeds received
with respect to claims, costs and expenses under the remaining Shared Policies
shall be paid to IMS
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<PAGE> 111
HEALTH, which shall thereafter administer such Policies by paying the Insurance
Proceeds to Gartner with respect to Gartner Liabilities and by retaining the
Insurance Proceeds with respect to IMS HEALTH Liabilities. Payment of the
allocable portions of Insurance Proceeds resulting from such Policies will be
made by IMS HEALTH to Gartner as appropriate upon receipt from the insurance
carrier (except as provided below in subclause (B) of clause (ii) of this
Section 6.3(c)) and following consultation with Gartner. In the event that the
aggregate limits on any Shared Policies are exceeded by the aggregate of
outstanding Insured Claims by both of the parties hereto, the parties agree: (i)
to allocate the first $150 million of Insurance Proceeds received based upon the
respective percentage of the total of their premiums paid for Shared Policies;
and (ii) that all Insurance Proceeds in excess of $150 million shall be payable
to and retained by IMS HEALTH: (A) first, to the full extent of any Insured
Claims of IMS HEALTH not satisfied by the first $150 million of Insurance
Proceeds; and (B) second, to the full extent of any Insured Claims of Gartner,
to be paid to Gartner only when and to the extent that it would be impossible
for IMS HEALTH to have additional Insured Claims covered under the Shared
Policies. Any party who has received Insurance Proceeds in excess of such
party's allocable portion of Insurance Proceeds shall pay to the other party the
appropriate amount so that each party will have received its allocable portion
of Insurance Proceeds pursuant hereto. Each of the parties agrees to use
commercially reasonable efforts to maximize available coverage under those
Shared Policies applicable to it, and to take all commercially reasonable steps
to recover from all other responsible parties in respect of an Insured Claim to
the extent coverage limits under a Shared Policy have been exceeded or would be
exceeded as a result of such Insured Claim.
(d Allocation of Deductibles. In the event that both parties have
bona fide claims under any Shared Policy for which an aggregate deductible is
reached, the parties agree that the aggregate amount of the deductible paid
shall be borne by the parties in the same proportion which the Insurance
Proceeds received by any such party (without giving effect to any deductible)
bears to the total Insurance Proceeds received under the applicable Shared
Policy, and any party who has paid more than such share of the deductible shall
be entitled to receive from the other party an appropriate amount so that each
party has borne its allocable share of the deductible pursuant hereto.
SECTION VI.4 Agreement for Waiver of Conflict and Shared Defense.
In the event that Insured Claims of both of the parties hereto exist relating to
the same occurrence, the parties shall jointly defend and waive any conflict of
interest necessary to the conduct of the joint defense. Nothing in this Article
VI shall be construed to limit or otherwise alter in any way the obligations of
the parties to this Agreement, including those created by this Agreement, by
operation of law or otherwise.
SECTION VI.5 Cooperation. The parties agree to use their
commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with respect to the various
insurance matters contemplated by this Agreement.
33
<PAGE> 112
ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION VII.1 Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement
and the Recapitalization Agreement, including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto
and thereto, shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and shall supersede all
previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject
matter.
SECTION VII.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement, and shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have
been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.
SECTION VII.3 Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise
contemplated by this Agreement, all covenants, representations, warranties and
agreements of the parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the
Distribution Date.
SECTION VII.4 Expenses. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.4 or as
otherwise set forth in this Agreement or in the Recapitalization Agreement, all
costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution,
delivery and implementation of this Agreement and the Recapitalization
Agreement, and the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby shall be charged to and paid by the party incurring such costs and
expenses.
SECTION VII.5 Notices. All notices and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective when received, and shall in
any event be deemed to have been received (i) upon hand delivery, (ii) three (3)
days after deposit in U.S. mail, postage prepaid, for first class delivery,
(iii) one (1) business day following the business day of timely deposit with
Federal Express or similar carrier, freight prepaid, for next business day
delivery, and (iv) one (1) business day after the date of the transmission if
sent by facsimile, provided that confirmation of transmission and receipt is
confirmed and copy is promptly sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, and
shall be sent to each party at the following respective address (or at such
other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
To IMS HEALTH:
IMS Health Incorporated
200 Nyala Farms
Westport, CT 06880
Telecopy: (203) 222-4313
Attn: General Counsel
with a copy to:
34
<PAGE> 113
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Telecopy: (212) 455-2502
Attn: Joel S. Hoffman, Esq.
To Gartner:
Gartner Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 10212
56 Top Gallant Road
Stamford, CT 06904
Telecopy:
Attn: Michael Fleisher
Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Telecopy: (650) 493-6811
Attn: Larry W. Sonsini, Esq.
Howard S. Zeprun, Esq.
SECTION VII.6 Waivers. The failure of any party to require strict
performance by any other party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive
or diminish that party's right to demand strict performance thereafter of that
or any other provision hereof.
SECTION VII.7 Amendments. Subject to the terms of Section 7.10
hereof, this Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in
writing signed by each of the parties hereto.
SECTION VII.8 Assignment. (a) This Agreement shall not be
assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any party hereto
without the prior written consent of the other party hereto, and any attempt to
assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such
consent shall be void.
(b Gartner will not distribute to its stockholders any material
interest in any material Gartner Business Entity, by way of a spin-off
distribution, split-off or exchange of interests in a Gartner Business Entity
for any interest in Gartner held by Gartner stockholders, or any similar
transaction or transactions, unless the distributed Gartner Business Entity
undertakes to IMS HEALTH to be jointly and severally liable for all Gartner
Liabilities hereunder.
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(c IMS HEALTH will not distribute to its stockholders any
material interest in any material IMS HEALTH Business Entity, by way of a
spin-off distribution, split-off or exchange of interests in a IMS HEALTH
Business Entity for any interest in IMS HEALTH held by IMS HEALTH stockholders,
or any similar transaction or transactions, unless the distributed IMS HEALTH
Business Entity undertakes to Gartner to be jointly and severally liable for all
IMS HEALTH Liabilities hereunder.
SECTION VII.9 Successors and Assigns. The provisions to this
Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
SECTION VII.10 Termination. (a) Prior to the filing of the
Certificate of Merger, this Agreement may be terminated
(i) by IMS HEALTH and Gartner by mutual consent;
(ii) by IMS HEALTH or Gartner if the other party is
materially in breach of any of its obligations or
warranties herein or under the Recapitalization
Agreement, and following notice from the other party
fails to substantially correct such breach within 15
days;
(iii) by Gartner if, following receipt of an Acquisition
Proposal, the Board of Directors of Gartner in good
faith determines, based upon the advice of its outside
counsel regarding the Board's duties (which advice may
be oral and later confirmed in writing), that the Board
will breach its fiduciary duties to stockholders of
Gartner if this Agreement is not terminated; provided
that in such event Gartner shall pay the reasonable
out-of-pocket fees and expenses of counsel to IMS HEALTH
incurred in connection with this Agreement, the
Recapitalization Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby;
(iv) by IMS HEALTH if the Board of Directors of Gartner shall
or shall resolve to (i) not recommend, or withdraw its
approval or recommendation of, the Recapitalization, the
Recapitalization Agreement, this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated thereby or hereby, (ii) modify
any such approval or recommendation in a manner adverse
to IMS HEALTH or (iii) approve, recommend or enter into
an agreement for any Acquisition Proposal; provided that
in such event Gartner shall pay the reasonable
out-of-pocket fees and expenses of counsel to IMS HEALTH
incurred in connection with this Agreement, the
Recapitalization Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby;
36
<PAGE> 115
(v) by IMS HEALTH if IMS HEALTH is relieved of its
obligations under Section 4.3(a) pursuant to Section
4.3(b)(vi); or
(vi) by IMS HEALTH if IMS HEALTH in good faith believes that
the IRS Supplemental Ruling in form and content
substantially identical to the rulings requested in the
request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling submitted to the
IRS will not be forthcoming prior to the Declaration
Date.
(b) Except (x) as set forth in paragraphs (a)(iii) or (a)(iv)
above or (y) for any liability in respect of any breach of this Agreement by
either party, no party shall have any liability of any kind to any other party
or any other person as a result of the termination of this Agreement under
paragraphs (a)(i), (a)(iii), (a)(iv), (a)(v) or (a)(vi) above. After the filing
of the Certificate of Merger relating to the Recapitalization, this Agreement
may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by both parties.
SECTION VII.11 Subsidiaries. Each of the parties hereto shall
cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions,
agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary of
such party or by any entity that is contemplated to be a Subsidiary of such
party on or after the Distribution Date, except that, for purposes of this
Section 7.11, Gartner shall not be considered a Subsidiary of IMS HEALTH.
SECTION VII.12 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in
Article III relating to Indemnitees, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of
the parties hereto and their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates and should
not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability,
reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing
without reference to this Agreement.
SECTION VII.13 Title and Headings. Titles and headings to
sections herein are inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not
intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
SECTION VII.14 Exhibits and Schedules. The Exhibits and Schedules
shall be construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same
extent as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.
SECTION VII.15 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION VII.16 Consent to Jurisdiction. Without limiting the
provisions of Article VI hereof, each of the parties irrevocably submits to the
exclusive jurisdiction of (a) the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New
York County, and (b) the United States District Court for the Southern District
of New York, for the purposes of any suit, action or other
37
<PAGE> 116
proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.
Each of the parties agrees to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating
hereto either in the United States District Court for the Southern District of
New York or if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be brought in such
court for jurisdictional reasons, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York,
New York County. Each of the parties further agrees that service of any process,
summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such party's respective
address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any action,
suit or proceeding in New York with respect to any matters to which it has
submitted to jurisdiction in this Section 7.16. Each of the parties irrevocably
and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action,
suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby in (i) the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York
County, or (ii) the United States District Court for the Southern District of
New York, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees
not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding
brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
SECTION VII.17 Severability. In the event any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby; provided, however, that the consummation of the
Recapitalization, Cash Dividend and Stock Purchase are conditioned upon and are
not severable from the Distribution, and that the Distribution is not severable
from the Recapitalization, Cash Dividend and Stock Repurchase. The parties shall
endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or
unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which
comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provisions.
38
<PAGE> 117
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.
IMS HEALTH INCORPORATED
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
GARTNER GROUP, INC.
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 118
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
between
IMS HEALTH INCORPORATED
and
GARTNER GROUP, INC.
Dated as of May __, 1999
<PAGE> 119
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS 2
SECTION I.1 General 2
SECTION I.2 References; Interpretation 9
ARTICLE II. DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS; CERTAIN COVENANTS AND
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 9
SECTION II.1 The Distribution and Other Transactions 10
SECTION II.2 The Cash Dividend and the Stock Repurchase 14
SECTION II.3 Financing 17
SECTION II.4 Certain Limitations on Actions by IMS HEALTH 18
SECTION II.5 Declaration Date; Further Assurances 18
SECTION II.6 Representations and Warranties 19
SECTION II.7 Certain Post-Distribution Transactions 22
ARTICLE III. INDEMNIFICATION 23
SECTION III.1 Indemnification by Gartner 23
SECTION III.2 Indemnification by IMS HEALTH 23
SECTION III.3 Procedures for Indemnification in Third Party Claims 24
SECTION III.4 Indemnification Payments 26
ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS 26
SECTION IV.1 Access to Information 26
SECTION IV.2 Confidentiality 26
SECTION IV.3 Standstill 27
SECTION IV.4 Public Announcements 29
SECTION IV.5 Required Consents 30
ARTICLE V. DISPUTE RESOLUTION 30
SECTION V.1 Negotiation 30
SECTION V.2 Arbitration 30
SECTION V.3 Continuity of Service and Performance 31
ARTICLE VI. INSURANCE 31
SECTION VI.1 Separation of Insurance Coverages 31
SECTION VI.2 Policy Rights 32
SECTION VI.3 Post-Distribution Date Claims 32
SECTION VI.4 Agreement for Waiver of Conflict and Shared Defense 33
SECTION VI.5 Cooperation 33
ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS 34
SECTION VII.1 Complete Agreement; Construction 34
SECTION VII.2 Counterparts 34
SECTION VII.3 Survival of Agreements 34
SECTION VII.4 Expenses 34
SECTION VII.5 Notices 34
SECTION VII.6 Waivers 35
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 120
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
SECTION VII.7 Amendments 35
SECTION VII.8 Assignment 35
SECTION VII.9 Successors and Assigns 36
SECTION VII.10 Termination 36
SECTION VII.11 Subsidiaries 37
SECTION VII.12 Third Party Beneficiaries 37
SECTION VII.13 Title and Headings 37
SECTION VII.14 Exhibits and Schedules 37
SECTION VII.15 GOVERNING LAW 37
SECTION VII.16 Consent to Jurisdiction 37
SECTION VII.17 Severability 38
</TABLE>
Exhibits
Exhibit 2.1(d) Undertaking of Gartner Group, Inc. under 1996
Distribution Agreement.
Exhibit 2.1(d)(ii) Undertaking of Gartner Group, Inc. under 1998
Distribution Agreement.
<PAGE> 121
Exhibit 2.1(d)
Gartner Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 10212
56 Top Gallant Road
Stamford, CT 06904
___________, 1999
R.H. Donnelley Corporation
One Manhattanville Road
Purchase, NY 10577
ACNielsen Corporation
177 Broad Street
Stamford, CT 06901
Dear Sirs:
Reference is made to (i) the Distribution Agreement (the "1996
Distribution Agreement"), dated as of October 28, 1996, among Cognizant
Corporation, which has been renamed Nielsen Media Research, Inc. ("NMR"), The
Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, which has been renamed the R.H. Donnelley
Corporation ("RHD") and ACNielsen Corporation ("ACNielsen") and (ii) the letter
of undertaking dated June 29, 1998 from IMS Health Incorporated ("IMS HEALTH")
to RHD and ACNielsen. In June 1998, NMR distributed to its stockholders all of
the outstanding shares of common stock of IMS HEALTH (the "IMS HEALTH
Distribution"). IMS HEALTH has announced its intention to distribute (the
"Gartner Distribution") to its stockholders all of the shares of the Class B
Common Stock of Gartner Group, Inc. ("Gartner") that IMS HEALTH will hold
following the recapitalization of Gartner contemplated by the Merger Agreement
dated ______, 1999, between Gartner and GRGI, INC. In connection with the IMS
HEALTH Distribution, IMS HEALTH undertook (the "IMS HEALTH Undertaking") to both
RHD and ACNielsen to be jointly and severally liable for all Cognizant
Liabilities (as defined in the 1996 Distribution Agreement). Under Section
8.9(c) of the 1996 Distribution Agreement, as applicable to IMS HEALTH pursuant
to the IMS HEALTH Undertaking, IMS HEALTH may not make a distribution such as
the Gartner Distribution unless it causes the distributed entity to undertake to
both RHD and ACNielsen to be jointly and severally liable for all Cognizant
Liabilities under the 1996 Distribution Agreement. Therefore, in accordance with
Section 8.9(c) of the 1996 Distribution Agreement and intending to be legally
bound hereby, from and after the effective time of the Gartner Distribution,
Gartner undertakes to each of RHD and ACNielsen to be jointly and severally
liable for all Cognizant Liabilities under the 1996 Distribution Agreement.
Very truly yours,
GARTNER GROUP, INC.
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 122
Exhibit 2.1(d)(ii)
Gartner Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 10212
56 Top Gallant Road
Stamford, CT 06904
___________, 1999
Nielsen Media Research, Inc.
299 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10171
Dear Sirs:
Reference is made to the Distribution Agreement (the "1998 Distribution
Agreement"), dated as of June 30, 1998, among Cognizant Corporation, which has
been renamed Nielsen Media Research, Inc. ("NMR"), and IMS Health Incorporation
("IMS HEALTH"). IMS HEALTH has announced its intention to distribute (the
"Gartner Distribution") to its stockholders all of the shares of the Class B
Common Stock of Gartner Group, Inc. ("Gartner"). In Section 8.9(c) of the 1998
Distribution Agreement, IMS HEALTH agreed not to make a distribution such as the
Gartner Distribution unless it caused the distributed entity to undertake to NMR
to be jointly and severally liable for all IMS HEALTH Liabilities under the 1998
Distribution Agreement. Therefore, in accordance with Section 8.9(c) of the 1998
Distribution Agreement and intending to be legally bound hereby, from and after
the effective time of the Gartner Distribution, Gartner undertakes to NMR to be
jointly and severally liable for all IMS HEALTH Liabilities under the 1998
Distribution Agreement.
Very truly yours,
GARTNER GROUP, INC.
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 123
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of May___, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), among GARTNER GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
IMS HEALTH INCORPORATED ("IMS HEALTH"), a Delaware corporation and GRGI, INC.
("Merger Sub"), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of IMS
HEALTH.
WHEREAS, IMS HEALTH owns all of the issued and outstanding shares
of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Merger Sub Common Stock"), of Merger
Sub and 47,599,105 shares (approximately 46% of the total number of issued and
outstanding shares) of Class A Common Stock, par value $.0005 per share ("Class
A Common Stock"), of the Company;
WHEREAS, prior to the effectiveness of the Merger (as defined
below), IMS HEALTH plans to contribute to Merger Sub 40,689,648 shares
(approximately 39% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares) of
Class A Common Stock (the "Contributed Shares") and retain (x) 6,909,457 shares
(approximately 7% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares) of Class
A Common Stock (the "Retained Shares") and (y) warrants to purchase an aggregate
of 599,400 shares of Class A Common Stock;
WHEREAS, the Company and IMS HEALTH desire that Merger Sub merge
with and into the Company (the "Merger") upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement in accordance with the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), pursuant to which all the
issued and outstanding shares of Merger Sub Common Stock shall be converted into
shares of a new Class B Common Stock, par value $.0005 per share ("Class B
Common Stock"), of the Company and all the issued and outstanding shares of
Class A Common Stock (other than the Contributed Shares held by Merger Sub,
which shall be canceled with no securities or other consideration issued in
exchange therefor) shall remain issued and outstanding;
WHEREAS, IMS HEALTH has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to
distribute all the shares of Class B Common Stock, on a pro rata basis, to the
holders of the common stock of IMS HEALTH promptly following consummation of the
Merger (the "Distribution") pursuant to the terms and conditions of a
Distribution Agreement entered into between the Company and IMS HEALTH dated as
of the date hereof (the "Distribution Agreement"), which provides for the
Distribution and certain other matters;
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the Company and Merger Sub by
resolutions duly adopted have approved the terms of this Agreement and of the
Merger, and have declared the advisability of this Agreement and of the Merger;
Merger Sub has obtained the approval of its sole shareholder; and the Company
has directed the submission of this Agreement to its shareholders for approval;
and
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WHEREAS, the Merger is intended to constitute a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code").
NOW, THEREFORE in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
SECTION I.1. The Merger. (a) Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined below), Merger
Sub shall be merged with and into the Company in accordance with the DGCL,
whereupon the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease, and the
Company shall be the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation").
(b) Following satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the
Merger, the Company and Merger Sub shall file a Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and make all other filings or
recordings required by the DGCL in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall
become effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger is duly filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as is
specified in the Certificate of Merger (the "Effective Time").
(c) At and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have the
effects set forth in the DGCL. Without limiting the foregoing and subject
thereto, from and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
possess all the rights, privileges, powers and franchises and be subject to all
of the restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub, all
as provided under the DGCL.
SECTION I.2. Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time:
(a) All of the shares of Merger Sub Common Stock outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted in the aggregate into
and become 40,689,648 fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class B Common
Stock of the Surviving Corporation, and shall have the rights and privileges as
set forth in the Surviving Corporation Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
hereby;
(b) each of the Contributed Shares shall automatically be
canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no stock of the Surviving
Corporation or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor;
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(c) each share of Class A Common Stock (other than shares to be
canceled in accordance with Section 1.2(b)) shall remain issued and outstanding
and not be affected by the Merger, except that all shares of Class A Common
Stock remaining outstanding at the Effective Time shall have the rights and
privileges as set forth in the Surviving Corporation Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended hereby; and
(d) each share of Class A Common Stock that is held in the
treasury of the Company shall remain in the treasury of the Company and not be
affected by the Merger, except that all shares of Class A Common Stock held in
the treasury of the Company at the Effective Time shall have the rights and
privileges as set forth in the Surviving Corporation Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended hereby.
SECTION I.3. Share Certificates. (a) As soon as practicable after
the Effective Time,
(i) the Surviving Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to IMS HEALTH a number of certificates issued in the names of
such persons, in each case, as IMS HEALTH shall direct, representing in
the aggregate 40,689,648 shares of Class B Common Stock which IMS HEALTH
has the right to receive upon conversion of shares of Merger Sub Common
Stock pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.2 (a) hereof;
(ii) the Surviving Corporation shall cancel the share certificate
or certificates representing the shares of Class A Common Stock owned
directly by Merger Sub; and
(iii) the share certificates representing shares of Class A
Common Stock that remain issued and outstanding under Section 1.2(c)
hereof or that remain treasury shares under Section 1.2(d) hereof shall
not be exchanged and shall continue to represent an equal number of
shares of Class A Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation without
physical substitution of share certificates of the Surviving Corporation
for existing share certificates of the Company.
(b) Any dividend or other distribution declared or made with
respect to any shares of capital stock of the Company, whether the record date
for such dividend or distribution is before or after the Effective Time, shall
be paid to the holder of record of such shares of capital stock on such record
date, regardless of whether such holder has surrendered its certificates
representing Class A Common Stock or received certificates representing Class B
Common Stock pursuant to Section 1.3(a)(i).
ARTICLE II
THE SURVIVING CORPORATION
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SECTION II.1. Certificate of Incorporation. (a) In the event the
adoption of the Governance Provisions (as defined below) is approved by the
stockholders of the Company at the Stockholders Meeting (as defined below), at
the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, except that such Certificate of
Incorporation shall be amended as set forth in Exhibit A-1 hereto.
(b) In the event the adoption of the Governance Provisions is not
approved by the stockholders of the Company at the Stockholders Meeting, at the
Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, except that such Certificate of
Incorporation shall be amended as set forth in Exhibit A-2 hereto.
(c) The Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation
that becomes effective pursuant to either Section 2.1(a) or 2.1(b) hereof is
herein referred to as the "Surviving Corporation Certificate of Incorporation."
SECTION II.2. By-laws. (a) In the event the adoption of the
Governance Provisions is approved by the stockholders of the Company at the
Stockholders Meeting, at the Effective Time, the By-laws of the Company as in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the By-laws of the
Surviving Corporation, except that such By-laws shall be amended as set forth in
Exhibit B-1 hereto.
(b) In the event the adoption of the Governance Provisions is not
approved by the stockholders of the Company at the Stockholders Meeting at the
Effective Time, the By-laws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the By-laws of the Surviving Corporation, except that
such By-laws shall be amended as set forth in Exhibit B-2 hereto.
(c) The By-laws of the Surviving Corporation as amended pursuant
to either Section 2.2(a) or 2.2(b) hereof are herein referred to as the
"Surviving Corporation By-laws".
SECTION II.3. Directors and Officers. (a) The Surviving
Corporation's board of directors initially shall consist of ten members. From
and after the Effective Time, until the earlier of their removal or resignation
or until their successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in
accordance with applicable law, the directors of the Surviving Corporation shall
consist of the directors of the Company in office at the Effective Time, except
for Robert E. Weissman, whose resignation shall become effective as of the
Effective Time, plus certain other persons as specified in Exhibit C hereto and
each such director shall be designated to serve as a Class A Director or a Class
B Director (each as defined in the Surviving Corporation By-laws) as specified
in Exhibit C hereto; provided, however, that John P. Imlay may be a director of
the Company following the Merger only if, prior to the Effective Time, IMS
HEALTH receives an opinion of counsel from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati or
such other counsel acceptable to IMS HEALTH to the effect that, following the
consummation of the Merger and the
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Distribution, IMS HEALTH will not be an affiliate of the Company for purposes of
the disposition by IMS HEALTH of shares of Class A Common Stock under the
federal securities laws. The Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the
written resignation of any member of its Board of Directors necessary to give
effect to the foregoing.
(b) In the event the adoption of the Governance Provisions is
approved by the stockholders of the Company at the Stockholders Meeting, then at
the Effective Time the directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be divided
into three classes pursuant to the Surviving Corporation Certificate of
Incorporation as amended pursuant to Section 2.1(a) hereof, and each such
director shall be designated to serve as a Class I Director, Class II Director
or Class III Director (each as defined in the Surviving Corporation By-laws), as
specified in Exhibit C hereto.
(c) From and after the Effective Time, until the earlier of their
removal or resignation or until their successors are duly appointed and
qualified in accordance with applicable law and the Surviving Corporation
By-laws, the officers of the Company shall be the officers of the Surviving
Corporation.
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS AND REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION III.1. Stockholders Meeting. The Company shall, as soon
as practicable following the date of this Agreement, duly call, give notice of,
convene and hold, a meeting of its stockholders (the "Stockholders Meeting") for
the purpose of considering, as three separate proposals, (i) the approval of the
Merger and this Agreement which, subject to the Distribution Agreement, will
commit the Directors of the Company to authorize the Cash Dividend (as defined
in the Distribution Agreement) and Stock Repurchase (as defined in the
Distribution Agreement); (ii) the approval of amendments to the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation providing for the proposed classified board,
director removal and replacement and related provisions in Articles IV and V of
the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as set forth in Exhibit A-1
hereto to become effective solely upon effectiveness of the Merger (the
"Governance Provisions"); and (iii) the approval of amendments to the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation providing for the increase of authorized stock
which the Company may issue as set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 hereto to
become effective solely upon the effectiveness of the Merger (the "Share
Increase"). The Company shall, through its Board of Directors, continue to
recommend to its stockholders approval of the Merger and this Agreement and
shall not withdraw such recommendation; provided, however, that the Company's
Board of Directors may withdraw such recommendation if it determines in good
faith, based upon the advice of outside counsel (which may be oral and later
confirmed in writing), that the Board will violate its fiduciary duties to the
stockholders of the Company if such recommendation is not withdrawn.
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SECTION III.2. Filings; Other Actions. (a) Subject to the
provisions of this Agreement and the Distribution Agreement, the Company shall
prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a proxy
statement for the solicitation of proxies in favor of (i) the approval and
adoption of this Agreement and the Merger, (ii) the approval of the Governance
Provisions as amendments to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to become
effective solely upon the effectiveness of the Merger, and (iii) the approval of
the Share Increase as amendments to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
to become effective solely upon the effectiveness of the Merger (the "Proxy
Statement"). The Company shall not propose to its stockholders the adoption of
the Governance Provisions or the Share Increase as independent amendments to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation, but only as amendments to become
effective solely upon the effectiveness of the Merger. The Company shall use all
reasonable efforts to have the Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC for mailing in
definitive form as promptly as practicable after such filing. The Company and
IMS HEALTH shall cooperate with each other in the preparation of the Proxy
Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto, and the Company shall notify
IMS HEALTH of the receipt of any comments of the SEC with respect to the Proxy
Statement and of any requests by the SEC for any amendment or supplement thereto
or for additional information, and shall provide to IMS HEALTH promptly copies
of all correspondence between the SEC and the Company or any of its advisors
with respect to the Proxy Statement. The Company shall give IMS HEALTH and its
counsel appropriate advance opportunity to review the Proxy Statement and all
responses to requests for additional information by and replies to comments of
the SEC, and shall incorporate therein any reasonable comments IMS HEALTH may
deliver to the Company with respect thereto, before such Proxy Statement,
response or reply is filed with or sent to the SEC. The Company agrees to use
commercially reasonable efforts, after consultation with IMS HEALTH and its
advisors, to respond promptly to all such comments of, and requests by, the SEC
and to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the holders of the Company's
common stock entitled to vote at the Stockholders Meeting as soon as reasonably
possible following the execution hereof. IMS HEALTH shall provide the Company
such information concerning the business and affairs of IMS HEALTH and Merger
Sub as is reasonably required for inclusion in the Proxy Statement.
(b) Each of the Company and IMS HEALTH shall promptly, and in any
event within five business days after the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, make all filings or submissions as are required under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR
Act"), and any other applicable law.
(c) Each of the Company and IMS HEALTH agrees promptly to furnish
to the other all copies of written communications (and summaries of the
substance of all oral communications) received by it, or any of its affiliates
or representatives from, or delivered by any of the foregoing to, any federal,
state or local or international court, commission, governmental body, agency,
authority, tribunal, board or other governmental entity (each a "Governmental
Entity") in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby.
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(d) At the stockholders' meeting, IMS HEALTH agrees to vote, or
cause to be voted, all shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company owned by it
and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in favor of the Merger, the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Governance Provisions and the
Share Increase.
SECTION III.3. Reasonable Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties hereto agrees to
use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions,
and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other
parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and
make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Distribution
Agreement, including, but not limited to (i) the obtaining of all necessary
actions or non-actions, waivers, consents and approvals from all Governmental
Entities and the making of all necessary registrations and filings (including
filings with Governmental Entities) and the taking of all reasonable steps as
may be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or
proceeding by, any Governmental Entity (including those in connection with the
HSR Act), (ii) the obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers
from third parties, (iii) the defending of any lawsuits or other legal
proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including seeking to
have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other
Governmental Entity with respect to the Merger or this Agreement vacated or
reversed, and (iv) the execution and delivery of any additional instruments
necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
Company and IMS HEALTH, upon the other's request, shall provide all such
reasonably necessary information concerning the party's business and affairs to
the other party
SECTION III.4. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The
Company hereby represents and warrants to IMS HEALTH and Merger Sub that:
(a) the Company's Board of Directors has approved and declared
advisable the Merger and this Agreement, has determined that the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement are fair to the
stockholders of the Company, and has recommended that the stockholders of the
Company vote in favor of the approval of the Merger and this Agreement;
(b) the Company has received financial advice from Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation ("CSFB") in connection with the Merger and the
transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement and CSFB has authorized
the inclusion in the Proxy Statement of the information set forth therein
regarding CSFB's role as financial advisor;
(c) the Company's Proxy Statement, the form of proxy and any
other solicitation material used in connection therewith and any oral
solicitations of proxies made by the Company shall not contain any statement
which, at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it is made,
is false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or which omits to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not
false
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or misleading or necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication
with respect to any solicitation of a proxy for any of the matters to be voted
upon at the Stockholders Meeting which has become false or misleading, except
that no representation or warranty as made by the Company with respect to
written information relating to IMS HEALTH or IMS HEALTH Business for inclusion
in the Proxy Statement or any such proxy material or oral solicitation ;
(d) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Company and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Company,
enforceable in accordance with its terms; and
(e) subject to the changes in the Company's capitalization
contemplated by this Agreement, the capitalization of the Company is as follows:
(i) 200,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Common Stock of
which [______] shares are outstanding on the date of this Agreement;
(ii) 1,600,000 authorized shares of Class B Common Stock of which
zero (0) shares are outstanding on the date of this Agreement;
(iii) 2,500,000 authorized shares of preferred stock of which
zero (0) shares are outstanding on the date of this Agreement; and
(iv) no shares of any other class or series of capital stock are
authorized, issued or outstanding.
SECTION III.5. Representations and Warranties of IMS HEALTH and
Merger Sub. Each of IMS HEALTH and Merger Sub jointly and severally represent
and warrant to the Company that:
(a) the Distribution Agreement and this Agreement have been duly
approved by the Board of Directors of each of IMS HEALTH and Merger Sub; IMS
HEALTH, as sole stockholder of Merger Sub, has approved the Merger and this
Agreement; and no stockholder approval or other further corporate action is
required on the part of IMS HEALTH or Merger Sub;
(b) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by IMS
HEALTH and Merger Sub and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of each
such corporation, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(c) IMS HEALTH owns all outstanding equity securities of Merger
Sub free and clear of any claims, liens or encumbrances and no other person
holds any equity securities of Merger Sub nor has any right to acquire any
equity interest in Merger Sub;
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(d) as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, all of the
Contributed Shares shall be owned beneficially and of record by Merger Sub, free
and clear of any claims, liens or encumbrances, and upon consummation of the
Merger the Contributed Shares shall automatically be canceled and retired and
shall cease to exist, and no stock of the surviving corporation or other
consideration shall be delivered or be required to be delivered in exchange
therefor, as provided in Section 1.2(b) hereof; and
(e) Merger Sub was formed by IMS HEALTH solely for the purposes
of effectuating the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement; Merger Sub has no employees, will have no assets other than the
Contributed Shares, has not entered into any contract, agreement or other
commitments with any person except for customary corporate organizational
matters or as specifically set forth in this Agreement, and has no liabilities,
commitments or obligations of any kind (known or unknown, fixed or contingent)
except only for those obligations specifically set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
SECTION IV.1. Conditions to the Obligations of the Company. The
obligations of the Company to consummate the Merger are subject to the
satisfaction (or waiver by the Company, except that the condition set forth in
Section 4.1(a) may not be waived) of the following conditions:
(a) a proposal to adopt this Agreement has been approved by the
holders of (i) a majority of the Class A Common Stock outstanding and entitled
to vote thereon and (ii) a majority of the shares of Class A Common Stock (other
than shares held of record or beneficially owned by IMS HEALTH) present in
person or by proxy at the Stockholders Meeting and voting on such proposal;
(b) the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to
the Merger under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated;
(c) no court, arbitrator or governmental body, agency or official
shall have issued any order, and there shall not be any statute, rule or
regulation, restraining or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger or the
Distribution and no proceeding challenging this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby or seeking to prohibit, alter, prevent or materially delay
the Merger or the Distribution shall have been instituted by any Governmental
Entity before any court, arbitrator or governmental body, agency or official and
be pending;
(d) the private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service,
providing that, among other things, the Recapitalization and the Distribution
will qualify as tax-free transactions for federal income tax purposes under
Sections 354 and 355 of the Code, respectively (the "IRS
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Ruling"), shall continue in effect and IMS HEALTH and Gartner shall have
complied with all provisions set forth in (i) the IRS Ruling, (ii) the request
for a supplemental ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (providing, among
other things, that neither the Recapitalization nor the Distribution will be
taken into account in applying Section 355(e)(2)(A)(ii) of the Code (the "IRS
Supplemental Ruling")) and (iii) if granted prior to such time, the IRS
Supplemental Ruling, that in each case are required to be complied with prior to
the Declaration Date (as defined in the Distribution Agreement);
(e) all actions by or in respect of or filings with any
Governmental Entity required to permit the consummation of the Merger shall have
been obtained, except those that would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse affect on any party's ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;
(f) the Distribution Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect;
(g) all representations and warranties of IMS HEALTH set forth in
the Distribution Agreement and all representations and warranties of IMS HEALTH
and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement shall have been true and correct in
all material respects when made, and shall remain true and correct in all
material respects as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and the Company
shall have received a certificate executed by the chief executive officer of IMS
HEALTH to such effect;
(h) all covenants to have been performed prior to the Effective
Time by IMS HEALTH and Merger Sub pursuant to this Agreement and all covenants
to have been performed prior to the Effective Time by IMS HEALTH pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement shall have been performed by IMS HEALTH and Merger Sub in
all material respects to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company and the
Company shall have received a certificate executed by the chief executive
officer of IMS HEALTH to such effect; and
(i) the Board of Directors of IMS HEALTH shall have declared, or
simultaneously shall be declaring, the Distribution.
SECTION IV.2. Conditions to the Obligations of IMS HEALTH and
Merger Sub. The obligations of IMS HEALTH and Merger Sub to consummate the
Merger are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by IMS HEALTH and Merger Sub,
except that the condition set forth in Section 4.2(a) may not be waived) of the
following conditions:
(a) a proposal to adopt this Agreement has been approved by the
holders of (i) a majority of the Class A Common Stock outstanding and entitled
to vote thereon and (ii) a majority of the shares of Class A Common Stock (other
than shares held of record or beneficially owned by IMS HEALTH) present in
person or by proxy at the Stockholders Meeting and voting on such proposal;
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(b) the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to
the Merger under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated;
(c) the IRS Ruling shall continue in effect and IMS HEALTH and
Gartner shall have complied with all provisions set forth in (i) the IRS Ruling,
(ii) the request for the IRS Supplemental Ruling and (iii) if granted prior to
such time, the IRS Supplemental Ruling, that in each case are required to be
complied with prior to the Declaration Date;
(d) no court, arbitrator or Governmental Entity shall have issued
any order, and there shall not be any statute, rule or regulation, restraining
or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger or the Distribution and no
proceeding challenging this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or
seeking to prohibit, alter, prevent or materially delay the Merger or the
Distribution shall have been instituted by any Governmental Entity before any
court, arbitrator or governmental body, agency or official and be pending;
(e) all actions by or in respect of or filings with any
governmental body, agency, official, or authority required to permit the
consummation of the Merger and the Distribution shall have been obtained, except
those that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse affect on
any party's ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement;
(f) the Distribution Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect;
(g) all representations and warranties of the Company set forth
in the Distribution Agreement and this Agreement shall have been true and
correct in all material respects when made, and shall remain true and correct in
all material respects as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and IMS
HEALTH shall have received a certificate executed by the chief executive officer
of the Company to such effect; and
(h) all covenants to have been performed prior to the Effective
Time by the Company pursuant to this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement
shall have been performed by the Company in all material respects to the
reasonable satisfaction of IMS Health and Merger Sub and IMS HEALTH shall have
received a certificate executed by the chief executive officer of the Company to
such effect.
ARTICLE V
TERMINATION
SECTION V.1. Termination. (a) This Agreement may be terminated
and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time
(notwithstanding any approval of this agreement by the stockholders of the
Company):
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(i) by mutual written consent of the Company and IMS HEALTH;
(ii) by either the Company or IMS HEALTH, if there shall be any
law or regulation that makes consummation of the Merger illegal or
otherwise prohibited or if any judgment, injunction, order or decree
enjoining the Company or Merger Sub from consummating the Merger is
entered and such judgment, injunction, order or decree shall become
final and nonappealable;
(iii) by IMS HEALTH, if there shall be any law or regulation that
makes consummation of the Distribution illegal or otherwise prohibited
or if any judgment, injunction, order or decree enjoining IMS HEALTH
from consummating the Distribution is entered; or
(iv) by IMS HEALTH or the Company in the event the Distribution
Agreement is terminated.
(b) This Agreement shall terminate automatically without any
action on the part of the Company, IMS HEALTH or Merger Sub if:
(i) after a vote on the matter by the Company's stockholders at
the Stockholders Meeting, the condition set forth in Sections 4.1(a) and
4.2(a) is not satisfied; or
(ii) the Merger is not consummated by [June 30], 1999.
SECTION V.2. Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 5.1, this Agreement shall become void and of no
effect with no liability on the part of any party hereto.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION VI.1. Notices. All notices and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective when received and shall in any
event be deemed to have been received (i) upon hand delivery, (ii) three (3)
days after deposit in U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, for first class delivery,
(iii) one (1) business day following the business day of timely deposit with
Federal Express or similar carrier, freight prepaid, for next business day
delivery, and (iv) one (1) business day after the date of transmission if sent
by facsimile, provided that confirmation of transmission and receipt is
confirmed and copy is promptly sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, and
shall be sent to each party at the following address (or at such other address
for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
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To IMS HEALTH:
IMS Health Incorporated
200 Nyala Farms
Westport, CT 06880
Telecopy: (203)222-4313
Attn: General Counsel
with a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Telecopy: (212) 455-2502
Attn: Joel S. Hoffman, Esq.
To Merger Sub:
GRGI, INC.
c/o IMS Health Incorporated
200 Nyala Farms
Westport, CT 06880
Telecopy: (203) 222-4313
Attn: General Counsel
with a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Telecopy: (212) 455-2502
Attn: Joel S. Hoffman, Esq.
To the Company:
Gartner Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 10212
56 Top Gallant Road
Stamford, CT 06904
Telecopy:
Attn: Michael Fleisher
Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
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Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Telecopy: (650) 493-6811
Attn: Larry W. Sonsini, Esq.
Howard S. Zeprun, Esq.
SECTION VI.2. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns; provided that no party may assign,
delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this
Agreement without the consent of the other party hereto.
SECTION VI.3. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, except as to
those matters herein which are controlled by the DGCL, and such matters shall be
construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
SECTION VI.4. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be
signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with
the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same
instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall
have received counterparts hereof signed by the other party hereto.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement
to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and
year first above written.
GARTNER GROUP, INC.
By
---------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
IMS HEALTH, INCORPORATED
By
---------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
GRGI, INC.
By
---------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
15
<PAGE> 138
EXHIBIT A-1
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AMENDMENTS
(WITH GOVERNANCE PROVISIONS)
The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time (the "Existing Certificate of
Incorporation") shall be amended by deleting in its entirety Article IV thereof
and replacing it with the following(1):
"ARTICLE IV
(a) Authorized Stock. The Corporation is authorized to
issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, "common
stock" and "preferred stock." The total number of shares which this
corporation is authorized to issue is two hundred four million, one
hundred thousand (204,100,000) shares [two hundred fifty-five million
(255,000,000) shares]*. Two hundred one million, six hundred thousand
(201,600,000) [Two hundred fifty million (250,000,000)]* shares shall be
designated common stock (the "Common Stock"), of which one hundred
twenty million, nine hundred sixty thousand (120,960,000) [one hundred
sixty-six million (166,000,000)]* shares shall be designated Class A
Common Stock (the "Class A Common Stock") and eighty million, six
hundred forty thousand (80,640,000) [eighty-four million (84,000,000)]*
shares shall be designated Class B Common Stock (the "Class B Common
Stock"). Two million, five hundred thousand (2,500,000) [Five million
(5,000,000)]* shares shall be designated preferred stock (the "Preferred
Stock"), all of which are presently undesignated as to series. Each
share of Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.01 and each share
of Common Stock shall have a par value of $0.0005.
(b) Common Stock. The Class A Common Stock and the Class B
Common Stock shall be identical in all respects, except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, and the relative powers, preferences, rights,
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the shares of Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be as follows:
(1) Cash or Property Dividends. Subject to the rights and
preferences of the Preferred Stock as set forth in any resolution or
resolutions of the Board of Directors
- --------------------
(1) The amount of shares designated by an asterisk ("*") in Section
(a) of Article IV will be in effect in lieu of the number of
shares appearing immediately prior to such bracketed number
bearing an asterisk if the Share Increase is approved in
accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger.
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providing for the issuance of such stock pursuant to this Article IV,
and except as otherwise provided for herein, the holders of Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends
out of assets legally available therefor at such times and in such per
share amounts as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine;
provided that whenever a cash dividend is paid, the same amount shall be
paid in respect of each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock.
(2) Stock Dividends. If at any time a dividend is to be paid in
shares of Class A Common Stock or shares of Class B Common Stock (a
"stock dividend"), such stock dividend may be declared and paid only as
follows: only Class A Common Stock may be paid to holders of Class A
Common Stock and only Class B Common Stock may be paid to holders of
Class B Common Stock, and whenever a stock dividend is paid, the same
rate or ratio of shares shall be paid in respect of each outstanding
share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
(3) Stock Subdivisions and Combinations. The Corporation shall
not subdivide, reclassify or combine stock of either class of Common
Stock without at the same time making a proportionate subdivision or
combination of the other class.
(4) Voting. Voting power shall be divided between the classes and
series of stock as follows:
(A) With respect to the election of directors, holders of
Class A Common Stock and holders of Voting Preferred Stock (as defined
below), voting together, shall be entitled to elect that number of
directors which constitutes 20% of the authorized number of members of
the Board of Directors (or, if such 20% is not a whole number, then the
nearest lower whole number of directors that is closest to 20% of such
membership) (the "Class A Directors"). Each share of Class A Common
Stock shall have one vote in the election of the Class A Directors and
each share of Voting Preferred Stock shall have a number of votes in the
election of the Class A Directors as specified in the resolution of the
Board of Directors authorizing such Voting Preferred Stock. Holders of
Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to elect the remaining directors
(the "Class B Directors"). Each share of Class B Common Stock shall have
one vote in the election of such directors. For purposes of this Section
(b)(4) and Section (b) (5) of this Article IV, references to the
authorized number of members of the Board of Directors (or the remaining
directors) shall not include any directors which the holders of any
shares of Preferred Stock may have the right to elect upon the failure
of the Corporation to pay regular dividends on such Preferred Stock as
and when due for a specified period of time. For purposes of this
Section (b)(4), "Special Voting Rights" means the different voting
rights of the holders of Class A Common Stock, holders of Class B Common
Stock and holders of Voting Preferred Stock with respect to the election
of the applicable percentage of the authorized number of members of the
Board of Directors as described in this Section (b)(4)(A). "Voting
Preferred Stock" means shares of each series of Preferred
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Stock upon which the right to vote for directors has been conferred in
accordance with Section (c) of this Article IV, except for any right to
elect directors which may be provided upon the failure of the
Corporation to pay regular dividends on such Preferred Stock as and when
due for a specified period of time.
(B) Subject to the last sentence of this Section (b)(4)(B),
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section (a)(4)(A)
of this Article IV, for so long as any person or entity or group of
persons or entities acting in concert beneficially own 15% or more of
the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, then in any election of
directors or other exercise of voting rights with respect to the
election or removal of directors, such person, entity or group shall
only be entitled to vote (or otherwise exercise voting rights with
respect to) a number of shares of Class B Common Stock that constitutes
a percentage of the total number of shares of Class B Common Stock then
outstanding which is less than or equal to such person, entity or
group's Entitled Voting Percentage. For the purposes hereof, a person,
entity or group's "Entitled Voting Percentage" at any time shall mean
the percentage of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock
beneficially owned by such person, entity or group at such time. For
purposes of this Section (b)(4)(B), a "beneficial owner" of Common Stock
includes any person or entity or group of persons or entities who,
directly or indirectly, including through any contract, arrangement,
understanding, relationship or otherwise, written or oral, formal or
informal, control the voting power (which includes the power to vote or
to direct the voting) of such Common Stock. The provisions of this
Section (b)(4)(B) shall be effective only following (i) the distribution
by IMS Health Incorporated ("IMS HEALTH") to its stockholders of all of
the Class B Common Stock owned by it, (ii) the receipt of a private
letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") to the
effect that the terms of this Section (b)(4)(B) will not have any
adverse effect on the private letter ruling issued by the IRS to IMS
HEALTH on April 14, 1999 and any other private letter ruling issued by
the IRS to IMS HEALTH or any predecessor or former parent of IMS HEALTH
and (iii) the approval of the terms of this Section (b)(4)(B) by the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national securities exchange or
automated quotation service on which the Common Stock is then listed or
admitted for trading.
(C) Any Class A Director may be removed only for cause, by a
vote of a majority of the votes held by the holders of Class A Common
Stock and holders of Voting Preferred Stock, voting together as a class.
Any Class B Director may be removed only for cause, by a vote of a
majority of the votes held by the holders of Class B Common Stock,
voting separately as a class.
(D) Except as otherwise specified herein, the holders of
Class A Common Stock and holders of Class B Common Stock (i) shall in
all matters not otherwise specified in this Section (b)(4) of this
Article IV vote together (including, without limitation, with respect to
increases or decreases in the authorized number of shares of any class
of Common Stock), with each share of Class A Common Stock and
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Class B Common Stock having one vote, and (ii) shall be entitled to vote
as separate classes only when required by law to do so under mandatory
statutory provisions that may not be excluded or overridden by a
provision in the Certificate of Incorporation or as provided herein.
(E) Except as set forth in this Section (b)(4) of this
Article IV, the holders of Class A Common Stock shall have exclusive
voting power (except for any voting powers of any Preferred Stock) on
all matters at any time when no Class B Common Stock is issued and
outstanding, and the holders of Class B Common Stock shall have
exclusive voting power (except for any voting powers of any Preferred
Stock) on all matters at any time when no Class A Common Stock is issued
and outstanding.
(5) Vacancies; Increase or Decreases in Size of the Board of
Directors. Any vacancy in the office of a director created by the death,
resignation or removal of a director elected by (or appointed on behalf
of) the holders of the Class B Common Stock or the holders of the Class
A Common Stock and Voting Preferred Stock voting together as a class, as
the case may be, may be filled by the vote of the majority of the
directors (or the sole remaining director) elected by (or appointed on
behalf of) such holders of Class B Common Stock or Class A Common Stock
and Voting Preferred Stock (or on behalf of whom that director was
appointed), as the case may be, whose death, resignation or removal
created the vacancy, unless there are no such directors, in which case
such vacancy may be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors
or by the sole remaining director, regardless, in each instance, of any
quorum requirements set out in the By-laws. Any director elected by some
or all of the directors to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the
remainder of the full term of the director whose vacancy is being filled
and until such director's successor shall have been elected and
qualified unless removed and replaced pursuant to Section (b)(4)(C) of
this Article IV and this Section (b)(5). All newly-created directorships
resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors shall
be allocated between Class A Directors and Class B Directors such that
at all times the number of directorships reserved for Class A Directors
shall be 20% of the authorized number of members of the Board of
Directors (or, if such 20% is not a whole number, then the nearest lower
whole number of directors that is closest to 20% of such membership) and
the remaining directorships are reserved for Class B Directors. No
decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors
shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. If the number of
directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned
among the classes of directors established pursuant to Article V so that
the number of directors in each class is as nearly equal as possible.
(6) Merger or Consolidation. In case of any consolidation of the
Corporation with one or more other corporations or a merger of the
Corporation with another corporation, each holder of a share of Class A
Common Stock shall be entitled to receive with respect to such share the
same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and
property (including cash) receivable upon such consolidation or merger
by a holder of a share of Class B Common Stock, and each holder of a
share of Class B
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<PAGE> 142
Common Stock shall be entitled to receive with respect to such share the
same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and
property (including cash) receivable upon such consolidation or merger
by a holder of a share of Class A Common Stock; provided that, in any
such transaction, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and the
holders of shares of Class B Common Stock may receive different kinds of
shares of stock if the only difference in such shares is the inclusion
of voting rights which continue the Special Voting Rights.
(7) Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, the holders of the Class A Common Stock
and Class B Common Stock shall participate equally per share in any
distribution to stockholders, without distinction between classes.
(c) Preferred Stock. Any Preferred Stock not previously
designated as to series may be issued from time to time in one or more
series pursuant to a resolution or resolutions providing for such issue
duly adopted by the Board of Directors (authority to do so being hereby
expressly vested in the Board), and such resolution or resolutions shall
also set forth the voting powers, full or limited or none, of each such
series of Preferred Stock and shall fix the designations, preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions of each such series of
Preferred Stock; provided that, except for any right to elect directors
upon the failure of the Corporation to pay regular dividends on such
Preferred Stock as and when due for a specified period of time, no
series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote generally in the
election of any directors of the Corporation other than Class A
Directors or to vote separately to elect one or more directors of the
Corporation. The Board of Directors is authorized to alter the
designation, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to
or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock and,
within the limits and restrictions stated in any resolution or
resolutions of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number of
shares constituting any series of Preferred Stock, to increase or
decrease (but not below the number of shares of any such series than
outstanding) the number of shares of any such subsequent to the issue of
shares of that series.
Each share of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation,
if reacquired by the Corporation (whether by redemption, repurchase,
conversion to Common Stock or other means), shall upon such
reacquisition resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of
Preferred Stock, undesignated as to series and available for designation
and issuance by the Corporation in accordance with the immediately
preceding paragraph."
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended by
deleting in its entirety Article V thereof and replacing it with the following:
"ARTICLE V
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The directors, other than those who may be elected solely
by the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, if any, shall
be classified, with respect to the time for which they severally hold
office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, as
determined by the Board of Directors, one class ("Class I") to hold
office initially for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of
stockholders to be held after the date this Article V becomes effective
(the "Classified Board Effective Date"), another class ("Class II") to
hold office initially for a term expiring at the second annual meeting
of stockholders to be held after the Classified Board Effective Date,
and another class ("Class III") to hold office initially for a term
expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders to be held after
the Classified Board Effective Date, with the members of each class to
hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. Directors
elected by a class or series of stock, or if applicable, classes or
series of stock voting together, shall be divided as evenly as possible,
and shall be allocated by the Board of Directors, among Class I, Class
II and Class III. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors
of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be
elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of
stockholders held in the third year following the year of their
election."
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EXHIBIT A-2
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AMENDMENTS
(WITHOUT GOVERNANCE PROVISIONS)
The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time (the "Existing Certificate of
Incorporation") shall be amended by deleting in its entirety Article IV thereof
and replacing it with the following1:
"ARTICLE IV
(a) Authorized Stock. The Corporation is authorized to
issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, "common
stock" and "preferred stock." The total number of shares which this
corporation is authorized to issue is two hundred four million, one
hundred thousand (204,100,000) shares [two hundred fifty-five million
(255,000,000) shares]*. Two hundred one million, six hundred thousand
(201,600,000) [Two hundred fifty million (250,000,000)]* shares shall be
designated common stock (the "Common Stock"), of which one hundred
twenty million, nine hundred sixty thousand (120,960,000) [one hundred,
sixty six million (166,000,000)]* shares shall be designated Class A
Common Stock (the "Class A Common Stock") and eighty million, six
hundred forty thousand (80,640,000) [eighty-four million (84,000,000)]*
shares shall be designated Class B Common Stock (the "Class B Common
Stock"). Two million, five hundred thousand (2,500,000) [Five million
(5,000,000)]* shares shall be designated preferred stock (the "Preferred
Stock"), all of which are presently undesignated as to series. Each
share of Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.01 and each share
of Common Stock shall have a par value of $0.0005.
(b) Common Stock. The Class A Common Stock and the Class B
Common Stock shall be identical in all respects, except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, and the relative powers, preferences, rights,
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the shares of Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be as follows:
(1) Cash or Property Dividends. Subject to the rights and
preferences of the Preferred Stock as set forth in any resolution or
resolutions of the Board of Directors
- ---------------------
1 The amount of shares designated by an asterisk ("*") in Section
(a) of Article IV will be in effect in lieu of the number of
shares appearing immediately prior to such bracketed number
bearing an asterisk if the Share Increase is approved in
accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger.
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providing for the issuance of such stock pursuant to this Article IV,
and except as otherwise provided for herein, the holders of Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends
out of assets legally available therefor at such times and in such per
share amounts as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine;
provided that whenever a cash dividend is paid, the same amount shall be
paid in respect of each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock.
(2) Stock Dividends. If at any time a dividend is to be paid in
shares of Class A Common Stock or shares of Class B Common Stock (a
"stock dividend"), such stock dividend may be declared and paid only as
follows: only Class A Common Stock may be paid to holders of Class A
Common Stock and only Class B Common Stock may be paid to holders of
Class B Common Stock, and whenever a stock dividend is paid, the same
rate or ratio of shares shall be paid in respect of each outstanding
share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
(3) Stock Subdivisions and Combinations. The corporation shall
not subdivide, reclassify or combine stock of either class of Common
Stock without at the same time making a proportionate subdivision or
combination of the other class.
(4) Voting. Voting power shall be divided between the classes and
series of stock as follows:
(A) With respect to the election of directors, holders of
Class A Common Stock and holders of Voting Preferred Stock (as defined
below), voting together, shall be entitled to elect that number of
directors which constitutes 20% of the authorized number of members of
the Board of Directors (or, if such 20% is not a whole number, then the
nearest lower whole number of directors that is closest to 20% of such
membership) (the "Class A Directors"). Each share of Class A Common
Stock shall have one vote in the election of the Class A Directors and
each share of Voting Preferred Stock shall have a number of votes in the
election of the Class A Directors as specified in the resolution of the
Board of Directors authorizing such Voting Preferred Stock. Holders of
Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to elect the remaining directors
(the "Class B Directors"). Each share of Class B Common Stock shall have
one vote in the election of such directors. For purposes of this Section
(b)(4) and Section (b) (5) of this Article IV, references to the
authorized number of members of the Board of Directors (or the remaining
directors) shall not include any directors which the holders of any
shares of Preferred Stock may have the right to elect upon the failure
of the Corporation to pay regular dividends on such Preferred Stock as
and when due for a specified period of time. For purposes of this
Section (b)(4), "Special Voting Rights" means the different voting
rights of the holders of Class A Common Stock, holders of Class B Common
Stock and holders of Voting Preferred Stock with respect to the election
of the applicable percentage of the authorized number of members of the
Board of Directors as described in this Section (b)(4)(A). "Voting
Preferred Stock" means shares of each series of Preferred
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<PAGE> 146
Stock upon which the right to vote for directors has been conferred in
accordance with Section (c) of this Article IV, except for any right to
elect directors which may be provided upon the failure of the
Corporation to pay regular dividends on such Preferred Stock as and when
due for a specified period of time.
(B) Subject to the last sentence of this Section (b)(4)(B),
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section (a)(4)(A)
of this Article IV, for so long as any person or entity or group of
persons or entities acting in concert beneficially own 15% or more of
the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, then in any election of
directors or other exercise of voting rights with respect to the
election or removal of directors, such person, entity or group shall
only be entitled to vote (or otherwise exercise voting rights with
respect to) a number of shares of Class B Common Stock that constitutes
a percentage of the total number of shares of Class B Common Stock then
outstanding which is less than or equal to such person, entity or
group's Entitled Voting Percentage. For the purposes hereof, a person,
entity or group's "Entitled Voting Percentage" at any time shall mean
the percentage of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock
beneficially owned by such person, entity or group at such time. For
purposes of this Section (b)(4)(B), a "beneficial owner" of Common Stock
includes any person or entity or group of persons or entities who,
directly or indirectly, including through any contract, arrangement,
understanding, relationship or otherwise, written or oral, formal or
informal, control the voting power (which includes the power to vote or
to direct the voting) of such Common Stock. The provisions of this
Section (b)(4)(B) shall be effective only following (i) the distribution
by IMS Health Incorporated ("IMS HEALTH") to its stockholders of all of
the Class B Common Stock owned by it, (ii) the receipt of a private
letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") to the
effect that the terms of this Section (b)(4)(B) will not have any
adverse effect on the private letter ruling issued by the IRS to IMS
HEALTH on April 14, 1999 and any other private letter ruling issued by
the IRS to IMS HEALTH or any predecessor or former parent of IMS HEALTH
and (iii) the approval of the terms of this Section (b)(4)(B) by the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national securities exchange or
automated quotation service on which the Common Stock is then listed or
admitted for trading.
(C) Any Class A Director may be removed, with or without
cause, by a vote of a majority of the votes held by the holders of Class
A Common Stock and holders of Voting Preferred Stock, voting together as
a class. Any Class B Director may be removed, with or without cause, by
a vote of a majority of the votes held by the holders of Class B Common
Stock, voting separately as a class.
(D) Except as otherwise specified herein, the holders of
Class A Common Stock and holders of Class B Common Stock (i) shall in
all matters not otherwise specified in this Section (b)(4) of this
Article IV vote together (including, without limitation, with respect to
increases or decreases in the authorized number of shares of any class
of Common Stock), with each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock having one vote, and (ii) shall be entitled to vote as
separate
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classes only when required by law to do so under mandatory statutory
provisions that may not be excluded or overridden by a provision in the
Certificate of Incorporation or as provided herein.
(E) Except as set forth in this Section (b)(4) of this
Article IV, the holders of Class A Common Stock shall have exclusive
voting power (except for any voting powers of any Preferred Stock) on
all matters at any time when no Class B Common Stock is issued and
outstanding, and the holders of Class B Common Stock shall have
exclusive voting power (except for any voting powers of any Preferred
Stock) on all matters at any time when no Class A Common Stock is issued
and outstanding.
(5) Increase or Decreases in Size of the Board of Directors. All
newly-created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized
number of directors shall be allocated between Class A Directors and
Class B Directors such that at all times the number of directorships
reserved for Class A Directors shall be 20% of the authorized number of
members of the Board of Directors (or, if such 20% is not a whole
number, then the nearest lower whole number of directors that is closest
to 20% of such membership) and the remaining directorships are reserved
for Class B Directors. No decrease in the number of directors
constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any
incumbent director.
(6) Merger or Consolidation. In case of any consolidation of the
Corporation with one or more other corporations or a merger of the
Corporation with another corporation, each holder of a share of Class A
Common Stock shall be entitled to receive with respect to such share the
same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and
property (including cash) receivable upon such consolidation or merger
by a holder of a share of Class B Common Stock, and each holder of a
share of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive with respect
to such share the same kind and amount of shares of stock and other
securities and property (including cash) receivable upon such
consolidation or merger by a holder of a share of Class A Common Stock;
provided that, in any such transaction, the holders of shares of Class A
Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock may
receive different kinds of shares of stock if the only difference in
such shares is the inclusion of voting rights which continue the Special
Voting Rights.
(7) Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, the holders of the Class A Common Stock
and Class B Common Stock shall participate equally per share in any
distribution to stockholders, without distinction between classes.
(c) Preferred Stock. Any Preferred Stock not previously
designated as to series may be issued from time to time in one or more
series pursuant to a resolution or resolutions providing for such issue
duly adopted by the Board of Directors (authority to do so being hereby
expressly vested in the Board), and such resolution or resolutions
4
<PAGE> 148
shall also set forth the voting powers, full or limited or none, of each
such series of Preferred Stock and shall fix the designations,
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of each such
series of Preferred Stock; provided that, except for any right to elect
directors upon the failure of the Corporation to pay regular dividends
on such Preferred Stock as and when due for a specified period of time,
no series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote generally in the
election of any directors of the Corporation other than Class A
Directors or to vote separately to elect one or more directors of the
Corporation. The Board of Directors is authorized to alter the
designation, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to
or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock and,
within the limits and restrictions stated in any resolution or
resolutions of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number of
shares constituting any series of Preferred Stock, to increase or
decrease (but not below the number of shares of any such series than
outstanding) the number of shares of any such subsequent to the issue of
shares of that series.
Each share of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation,
if reacquired by the Corporation (whether by redemption, repurchase,
conversion to Common Stock or other means), shall upon such
reacquisition resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of
Preferred Stock, undesignated as to series and available for designation
and issuance by the Corporation in accordance with the immediately
preceding paragraph."
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended by
deleting in its entirety Article V thereof and renumbering Articles VI, VII,
VIII and IX thereof as Articles V, VI, VII and VIII, respectively.
The Existing Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended by
deleting the reference to Article VIII in Article VIII thereof and replacing it
with "Article VII".
5
<PAGE> 149
EXHIBIT B-1
BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
(WITH GOVERNANCE PROVISIONS)
The By-laws of the Corporation in effect at the Effective Time (the
"Existing By-laws") shall be amended by adding the phrase "class and"
immediately preceding the phrase "number of shares" in the first sentence of
Section 5 of Article II thereof.
The Existing By-laws shall be amended by deleting in its entirety
Section 2 of Article III thereof and replacing it with the following:
"The number of directors which shall constitute the board of
directors shall be ten (10). The number of directors may be
changed from time to time by resolution of the board of directors
or the stockholders, although in no event shall the number of
directors be less than five (5) for so long as the Special Voting
Rights (as defined in Article IV, Section (b)(4)(A) of the
Certificate of Incorporation) shall be in effect. Each director
shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares of one
or more class or classes or series of stock (as provided in the
Certificate of Incorporation), as the case may be, entitled to
vote for such director that are present in person or represented
by proxy at the annual meeting of stockholders. At each annual
meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders shall elect the
successors of the class of directors whose terms expire at such
meeting, to hold office until their successors are duly elected
and qualified at the third annual meeting of stockholders
following the year of their election or until their earlier
death, resignation or removal as herein or in the Certificate of
Incorporation provided. The directors shall be elected in this
manner, except as provided in Section 4 of this Article III and
the Certificate of Incorporation."
The Existing By-laws shall be amended by deleting the first sentence of
Section 4 of Article III thereof and replacing it with the following:
"Vacancies resulting from newly created directorships resulting
from an increase in the authorized number of directors and
vacancies resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a
director elected by (or appointed on behalf of) the holders of
one or more class or classes or series of stock (as provided in
the Certificate of Incorporation), voting together as a class, as
the case may be, shall be filled by the vote of the majority of
the directors (or the sole remaining director) elected by (or
appointed on behalf of) such holders of one or more class or
classes or series of stock (as provided in the Certificate of
Incorporation) (or on whose
1
<PAGE> 150
behalf the director was appointed), as the case may be, whose
death, resignation or removal created the vacancy, or to which
the newly-created directorship has been allocated."
The Existing By-laws shall be amended by deleting the phrase
"each newly-elected board of directors" in Section 5 of Article III thereof and
replacing it with the phrase "the board of directors."
2
<PAGE> 151
EXHIBIT B-2
BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
(WITHOUT GOVERNANCE PROVISIONS)
The By-laws of the Corporation in effect at the Effective Time (the
"Existing By-laws") shall be amended by adding the phrase "class and"
immediately preceding the phrase "number of shares" in the first sentence of
Section 5 of Article II thereof.
The Existing By-laws shall be amended by deleting in its entirety
Section 2 of Article III thereof and replacing it with the following:
"The number of directors which shall constitute the board of
directors shall be ten (10). The number of directors may be
changed from time to time by resolution of the board of directors
or the stockholders, although in no event shall the number of
directors be less than five (5) for so long as the Special Voting
Rights (as defined in Article IV, Section (b)(4)(A) of the
Certificate of Incorporation) shall be in effect. Each director
shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares of one
or more class or classes or series of stock (as provided in the
Certificate of Incorporation), as the case may be, entitled to
vote for such director that are present in person or represented
by proxy at the annual meeting of stockholders. Each director
elected shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and
qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal as
herein and in the Certificate of Incorporation provided. The
directors shall be elected in this manner, except as provided in
Section 4 of this Article III and the Certificate of
Incorporation."
The Existing By-laws shall be amended by deleting the first sentence of
Section 4 of Article III thereof and replacing it with the following:
"Vacancies resulting from newly created directorships resulting
from an increase in the authorized number of directors and
vacancies resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a
director elected by (or appointed on behalf of) the holders of
one or more class or classes or series of stock (as provided in
the Certificate of Incorporation), voting together as a class, as
the case may be, shall be filled by the vote of the majority of
the directors (or the sole remaining director) elected by (or
appointed on behalf of) such holders of one or more class or
classes or series of stock (as provided in the Certificate of
Incorporation) (or on whose behalf the director was appointed),
as the case may be, whose
1
<PAGE> 152
death, resignation or removal created the vacancy, or to which
the newly-created directorship has been allocated." The Existing
By-laws shall be amended by deleting the phrase "each
newly-elected board of directors" in Section 5 of Article III thereof and
replacing it with the phrase "the board of directors."
2
<PAGE> 153
EXHIBIT C
DIRECTORS AT THE EFFECTIVE TIME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(if Governance
Directors Designated as Provisions Approved)
Name of Director Class A or Class B Director Class
---------------- ------------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Class B Term Expiring 2000
Class B Term Expiring 2000
Class B Term Expiring 2000
Class A Term Expiring 2001
Class B Term Expiring 2001
Class B Term Expiring 2001
Class A Term Expiring 2002
Class B Term Expiring 2002
Class B Term Expiring 2002
Class B Term Expiring 2002
</TABLE>
1
<PAGE> 154
Appendix B - Proposed Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
<PAGE> 155
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
GARTNER GROUP, INC.
A DELAWARE CORPORATION
The following represents a restatement of the current Certificate of
Incorporation of Gartner Group, Inc. (the "Corporation"), comprised of a
Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on August 12, 1994 and Certificates of Amendment filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 19, 1995 and March 18,
1996, together with proposed changes as indicated by underlined text:
ARTICLE I
The name of the corporation is Gartner Group, Inc. (the "Corporation").
ARTICLE II
The address of the Corporation's registered office in the State of
Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle
County, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The
Corporation Trust Company.
ARTICLE III
The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is to
engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized
under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
ARTICLE IV
1. Authorized Stock. This corporation is authorized to issue two classes
of stock to be designated, respectively, "common stock" and "preferred stock."
The total number of shares which this corporation is authorized to issue is [two
hundred four million, one hundred thousand (204,100,000)](1) [two hundred
fifty-five million (255,000,000)](2) shares. [Two hundred one million,
- --------
(1) There are currently a total of 204,100,000 shares authorized. If the
Recapitalization Proposal is approved but the Share Increase Proposal is not
approved, the total number of authorized shares will remain unchanged.
(2) If the Recapitalization Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal are both
approved, the total authorized shares will be increased from 204,100,000 to
255,000,000.
<PAGE> 156
six hundred thousand (201,600,000)](3) [two hundred fifty million
(250,000,000)](4) shares shall be designated common stock (the "Common Stock"),
[all of which are designated Common Stock, Class A](5) [of which one hundred
twenty million nine hundred sixty thousand (120,960,000) shares shall be
designated Common Stock, Class A](6) [of which one hundred sixty-six million
(166,000,000) shares shall be designated Common Stock, Class A](7) (the "Class A
Common")] [and eighty million six hundred forty thousand (80,640,000) shares
shall be designated Common Stock, Class B (the "Class B Common")](8) [and
eighty-four million (84,000,000) shares shall be designated Common Stock, Class
B (the "Class B Common")].(9) [Two million, five hundred thousand
(2,500,000)](10) [five million (5,000,000)](11) shares shall be designated
preferred stock (the "Preferred Stock"), all of which are presently undesignated
as to series. Each share of Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.01 and
each share of Common Stock shall have a par value of $0.0005.
[2. Common Stock.(12) The Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common
Stock shall be identical in all respects, except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, and the relative powers, preferences, rights, qualifications,
limitations and restrictions of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock shall be as follows:
(a) Cash or Property Dividends. Subject to the rights and
preferences of the Preferred Stock as set forth in any resolution or resolutions
of the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such stock pursuant to
this Article IV, and except as otherwise provided for herein,
- ----------
(3) There are currently a total of 201,600,000 shares of Common
Stock authorized. If the Recapitalization Proposal is approved but the
Share Increase Proposal is not approved, the total number of shares of
authorized Common Stock will remain unchanged but will be divided between
120,960,000 shares of Class A Common and 80,640,000 shares of Class B
Common.
(4) If the Recapitalization Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal are both
approved, the total authorized Common Stock will be increased from
201,600,000 to 250,000,000, consisting of 166,000,000 shares of Class A
Common and 84,000,000 shares of Class B Common.
(5) The Certificate of Incorporation currently on file with the Delaware
Secretary of State authorizes both Class A Common and a previously
outstanding Class B Common. However, this previously outstanding Class B
Common has converted into Class A Common and, in accordance with the
Certificate of Incorporation, such prior Class B Common may not be
reissued.
(6) See note 3.
(7) See note 4.
(8) See note 3.
(9) See note 4.
(10) There are currently 2,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock authorized. If the
Recapitalization Proposal is approved but the Share Increase Proposal is
not approved, the total authorized Preferred Stock will remain unchanged.
(11) If the Recapitalization Proposal and the Share Increase Proposal are both
approved, the total number of shares of Preferred Stock currently
authorized shall be increased from 2,500,000 to 5,000,000.
(12) This new Section 2 of Article IV will be added to the Certificate of
Incorporation if the Recapitalization Proposal is approved. This new
Section 2 specifies the relative rights of the Class A Common and the Class
B Common.
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<PAGE> 157
the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are entitled to
receive dividends out of assets legally available therefor at such times and in
such per share amounts as the Board of Directors may from time to time
determine; provided that whenever a cash dividend is paid, the same amount shall
be paid in respect of each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock.
(b) Stock Dividends. If at any time a dividend is to be paid in
shares of Class A Common Stock or shares of Class B Common Stock (a "stock
dividend"), such stock dividend may be declared and paid only as follows: only
Class A Common Stock may be paid to holders of Class A Common Stock and only
Class B Common Stock may be paid to holders of Class B Common Stock, and
whenever a stock dividend is paid, the same rate or ratio of shares shall be
paid in respect of each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock.
(c) Stock Subdivisions and Combinations. The Corporation shall
not subdivide, reclassify or combine stock of either class of Common Stock
without at the same time making a proportionate subdivision or combination of
the other class.
(d) Voting. Voting power shall be divided between the classes
and series of stock as follows:
(i) With respect to the election of directors, holders
of Class A Common Stock and holders of Voting Preferred Stock (as defined
below), voting together, shall be entitled to elect that number of directors
which constitutes 20% of the authorized number of members of the Board of
Directors (or, if such 20% is not a whole number, then the nearest lower whole
number of directors that is closest to 20% of such membership) (the "Class A
Directors"). Each share of Class A Common Stock shall have one vote in the
election of the Class A Directors and each share of Voting Preferred Stock shall
have a number of votes in the election of the Class A Directors as specified in
the resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing such Voting Preferred
Stock. Holders of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to elect the remaining
directors (the "Class B Directors"). Each share of Class B Common Stock shall
have one vote in the election of such directors. For purposes of this Section
(2)(d) and Section (2) (e) of this Article IV, references to the authorized
number of members of the Board of Directors (or the remaining directors) shall
not include any directors which the holders of any shares of Preferred Stock may
have the right to elect upon the failure of the Corporation to pay regular
dividends on such Preferred Stock as and when due for a specified period of
time. For purposes of this Section (2)(d), "Special Voting Rights"means the
different voting rights of the holders of Class A Common Stock, holders of Class
B Common Stock and holders of Voting Preferred Stock with respect to the
election of the applicable percentage of the authorized number of members of the
Board of Directors as described in this Section (2)(d)(i). "Voting Preferred
Stock"means shares of each series of Preferred Stock upon which the right to
vote for directors has been conferred in accordance with Section (3) of this
Article IV, except for any right to elect directors which may be provided upon
the failure of the Corporation to pay regular dividends on such Preferred Stock
as and when due for a specified period of time.
(ii) Subject to the last sentence of this Section (2)(d)(ii),
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 2(d)(i) of this
Article IV, for so long as any person or entity or group of persons or entities
acting in concert beneficially own 15% or more of the
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<PAGE> 158
outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, then in any election of directors or
other exercise of voting rights with respect to the election or removal of
directors, such person, entity or group shall only be entitled to vote (or
otherwise exercise voting rights with respect to) a number of shares of Class B
Common Stock that constitutes a percentage of the total number of shares of
Class B Common Stock then outstanding which is less than or equal to such
person, entity or group's Entitled Voting Percentage. For the purposes hereof, a
person, entity or group's "Entitled Voting Percentage"at any time shall mean the
percentage at such time of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock
beneficially owned by such person, entity or group. For purposes of this Section
(2)(d)(ii), a "beneficial owner" of Common Stock includes any person or entity
or group of persons or entities who, directly or indirectly, including through
any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, written or
oral, formal or informal, control the voting power (which includes the power to
vote or to direct the voting) of such Common Stock. The provisions of this
Section (2)(d)(ii) shall be effective only following (A) the distribution by IMS
Health Incorporated ("IMS HEALTH") to its stockholders of all of the Class B
Common Stock owned by it, (B) the receipt of a private letter ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") to the effect that the terms of this
Section (2)(d)(ii) will not have any adverse effect on the private letter ruling
issued by the IRS to IMS Health on April 14, 1999 and any other private letter
ruling issued by the IRS to IMS Health or any predecessor or former parent of
IMS Health and (C) the approval of the terms of this Section (2)(d)(ii) by the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national securities exchange or
automated quotation service on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted
for trading.
(iii) [Any Class A Director may be removed, with or
without cause, by a vote of a majority of the votes held by the holders of Class
A Common Stock and holders of voting Preferred Stock, voting together as a
class. Any Class B Director may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of
a majority of the votes held by the holders of Class B Common Stock, voting
separately as a class.](13) [Any Class A Director may be removed only for cause,
by a vote of a majority of the votes held by the holders of Class A Common Stock
and holders of Voting Preferred Stock, voting together as a class. Any Class B
Director may be removed only for cause, by a vote of a majority of the votes
held by the holders of Class B Common Stock, voting separately as a class.](14)
(iv) Except as otherwise specified herein, the holders
of Class A Common Stock and holders of Class B Common Stock (A) shall in all
matters not otherwise specified in this Section (2)(d) of this Article IV vote
together (including, without limitation, with respect to increases or decreases
in the authorized number of shares of any class of Common Stock), with each
share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock having one vote, and (B)
shall be entitled to vote as separate classes only when required by law to do so
under mandatory statutory provisions that may not be excluded or overridden by a
provision in the Certificate of Incorporation or as provided herein.
- ----------
(13) This provision shall apply in the event the Recapitalization Proposal is
approved but the Corporate Governance Proposal is not approved.
(14) This provision shall apply in the event the Recapitalization Proposal and
the Corporate Governance Proposal are both approved
-4-
<PAGE> 159
(v) Except as set forth in this Section (2)(d) of this
Article IV, the holders of Class A Common Stock shall have exclusive voting
power (except for any voting powers of any Preferred Stock) on all matters at
any time when no Class B Common Stock is issued and outstanding, and the holders
of Class B Common Stock shall have exclusive voting power (except for any voting
powers of any Preferred Stock) on all matters at any time when no Class A Common
Stock is issued and outstanding.
(e) [Increase or Decrease in Size of the Board of Directors. All
newly-created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number
of directors shall be allocated between Class A Directors and Class B Directors
such that at all times the number of directorships reserved for Class A
Directors shall be 20% of the authorized number of members of the Board of
Directors (or, if such 20% is not a whole number, then the nearest lower whole
number of directors that is closest to 20% of such membership) and the remaining
directorships are reserved for Class B Directors. No decrease in the number of
directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any
incumbent director.](15) [Vacancies; Increase or Decreases in Size of the Board
of Directors. Any vacancy in the office of a director created by the death,
resignation or removal of a director elected by (or appointed on behalf of) the
holders of the Class B Common Stock or the holders of the Class A Common Stock
and Voting Preferred Stock voting together as a class, as the case may be, may
be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors (or the sole remaining
director) elected by (or appointed on behalf of) such holders of Class B Common
Stock or Class A Common Stock and Voting Preferred Stock (or on behalf of whom
that director was appointed), as the case may be, whose death, resignation or
removal created the vacancy, unless there are no such directors, in which case
such vacancy may be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors or by
the sole remaining director, regardless, in each instance, of any quorum
requirements set out in the By-laws. Any director elected by some or all of the
directors to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the full term
of the director whose vacancy is being filled and until such director's
successor shall have been elected and qualified unless removed and replaced
pursuant to Section (2)(d)(iii) of this Article IV and this Section (2)(e). All
newly-created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number
of directors shall be allocated between Class A Directors and Class B Directors
such that at all times the number of directorships reserved for Class A
Directors shall be 20% of the authorized number of members of the Board of
Directors (or, if such 20% is not a whole number, then the nearest lower whole
number of directors that is closest to 20% of such membership) and the remaining
directorships are reserved for Class B Directors. No decrease in the number of
directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any
incumbent director. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or
decrease shall be apportioned among the classes of directors established
pursuant to Article V so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as
nearly equal as possible.](16)
(f) Merger or Consolidation. In case of any consolidation of the
Corporation with one or more other corporations or a merger of the Corporation
with another corporation, each holder
- ----------
(15) See note 13.
(16) See note 14.
-5-
<PAGE> 160
of a share of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive with respect to
such share the same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and
property (including cash) receivable upon such consolidation or merger by a
holder of a share of Class B Common Stock, and each holder of a share of Class B
Common Stock shall be entitled to receive with respect to such share the same
kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property (including
cash) receivable upon such consolidation or merger by a holder of a share of
Class A Common Stock; provided that, in any such transaction, the holders of
shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock
may receive different kinds of shares of stock if the only difference in such
shares is the inclusion of voting rights which continue the Special Voting
Rights.
(g) Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class
B Common Stock shall participate equally per share in any distribution to
stockholders, without distinction between classes.]
3. Preferred Stock. Any Preferred Stock not previously designated as to
series may be issued from time to time in one or more series pursuant to a
resolution or resolutions providing for such issue duly adopted by the Board of
Directors (authority to do so being hereby expressly vested in the Board), and
such resolution or resolutions shall also set forth the voting powers, full or
limited or none, of each such series of Preferred Stock and shall fix the
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of each such series of
Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized to alter the designation,
rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any
wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock and, within the limits and
restrictions stated in any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors
originally fixing the number of shares constituting any series of Preferred
Stock, to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of any such
series then outstanding) the number of shares of any such series subsequent to
the issue of shares of that series.
Each share of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation, if reacquired
by the Corporation (whether by redemption, repurchase, conversion to Common
Stock or other means), shall upon such reacquisition resume the status of
authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock, undesignated as to series and
available for designation and issuance by the Corporation in accordance with the
immediately preceding paragraph.
ARTICLE V(17)
[The directors, other than those who may be elected solely by the
holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, if any, shall be classified,
with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three
classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, as determined by the Board of
Directors, one class ("Class I") to hold office initially for a term expiring at
the first annual meeting of stockholders to be held after the date this Article
V becomes effective (the "Classified Board Effective Date"), another class
("Class II") to hold office initially for a term expiring at the second
- ----------
(17) This new Article V will be added to the Certificate of Incorporation to
create a classified board of directors if the Recapitalization Proposal and
the Corporate Governance Proposal are both approved.
-6-
<PAGE> 161
annual meeting of stockholders to be held after the Classified Board Effective
Date, and another class ("Class III") to hold office initially for a term
expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders to be held after the
Classified Board Effective Date, with the members of each class to hold office
until their successors are elected and qualified. Directors elected by a class
or series of stock, or if applicable, classes or series of stock voting
together, shall be divided as evenly as possible, and shall be allocated by the
Board of Directors, among Class I, Class II and Class III. At each annual
meeting of stockholders, the successors of the class of directors whose term
expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at
the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of
their election.]
ARTICLE [VI] [V](18)
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute,
the Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter
or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation.
ARTICLE [VII] [VI](18)
Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of
Delaware, as the by-laws of the Corporation may provide. The books of the
Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as
may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the by-laws
of the Corporation. Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless
the by-laws of the Corporation so provide.
ARTICLE [VIII] [VII](18)
To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a director of
the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any repeal or
modification of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or
protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal
or modification.
ARTICLE [IX] [VIII](18)
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any
provision contained in this Restated Certificate in the manner now or hereafter
prescribed herein and by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights
conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
- ----------
(18) The remaining Articles in the Certificate of Incorporation will be
appropriately numbered depending upon whether the new Article V is added as
described in note 17.
-7-
<PAGE> 162
GARTNER GROUP, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By:_________________________________
William J. Clifford, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Attest:
__________________________________
Cathy S. Satz, Secretary
-8-
<PAGE> 163
FORM OF PROXY
<PAGE> 164
GARTNER GROUP, INC.
P PROXY FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ______ __, 1999
R
O THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
X
Y
The undersigned stockholder of Gartner Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting of
Stockholders and Proxy Statement, each dated ______ __, 1999, and hereby
appoints William T. Clifford and Michael D. Fleisher, and each of them, proxies
and attorneys-in-fact, with full power to each of substitution, on behalf of and
in the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the Special
Meeting of Stockholders of GARTNER GROUP, INC. to be held at ________ on _______
__, 1999 at ___ _.m. local time, and to vote all shares of Common Stock that the
undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there personally present, on
the matters set forth on the reverse side.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE SPECIFICATIONS MADE. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS INDICATED, THE SHARES
REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSALS ON THE REVERSE
SIDE HEREOF AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AS
THE PROXYHOLDERS DEEM ADVISABLE.
-----------------------
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.) SEE REVERSE SIDE
-----------------------
<PAGE> 165
[X] Please mark votes as in this example.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
<S> <C> <C> <C>
[ ] [ ] [ ] 1. To approve recapitalization pursuant to
Agreement and Plan of Merger.
[ ] [ ] [ ] 2. To approve amendments to Certificate of
Incorporation to provide for classified
Board of Directors.
[ ] [ ] [ ] 3. To approve amendments to Certificate of
Incorporation to increase authorized common
stock and preferred stock.
</TABLE>
[Stockholder name and
address label] Dated ______________________________________
____________________________________________
Signature
____________________________________________
(Signatures if held jointly)
____________________________________________
(Title)
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name
appears on your stock certificate. If shares
are held jointly, each holder should sign.
Executors, administrators, trustees,
guardians, attorneys and agents should sign
their full title. If stockholder is a
corporation, sign in full corporate name by
the authorized officer.
New Address (if applicable)
