CYRK INC
PRES14A, 1999-09-22
APPAREL & OTHER FINISHD PRODS OF FABRICS & SIMILAR MATL
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<PAGE>   1

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
                  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.       )

FILED BY THE REGISTRANT [X]       FILED BY A PARTY OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT [X]

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))

                                   Cyrk, Inc.
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

                                   Cyrk, Inc.
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)

PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

   1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

   2) Aggregate number of securities to which 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 was 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:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   2

                               [CYRK, INC. LOGO]

                                                                October   , 1999

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

     We are pleased to enclose proxy materials for our Special Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on November   , 1999. This meeting will take the place
of our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, usually held in May of each year. This
year's Annual Meeting was delayed due to a proposed investment in Cyrk, which is
explained in more detail below and in the accompanying proxy materials.

     At the meeting, stockholders will be asked to vote upon the proposed $25
million investment by an affiliate of The Yucaipa Companies in exchange for
shares of a new series of our convertible preferred stock and a warrant to
acquire additional shares of our convertible preferred stock. In connection with
the investment, the Board of Directors will be reconstituted to consist of seven
directors, three of whom are Yucaipa designees.

     The Yucaipa investment provides Cyrk with new capital that should enable us
to grow more quickly both internally and through strategic acquisitions, and
aligns us with a company with a strong history of increasing profitability and
shareholder value.

     We believe that our association with Yucaipa and its general partner,
Ronald W. Burkle, should also provide other significant benefits for Cyrk and
our shareholders. For example, Yucaipa is the majority owner of Golden State
Foods, one of the largest integrated manufacturers and suppliers to McDonald's.
This affiliation should strengthen and broaden the existing relationship between
our Simon Marketing subsidiary and the global McDonald's system. Similarly,
Yucaipa's affiliations with major companies in the supermarket industry and its
extensive knowledge and experience with consumer products and packaged goods
companies should provide numerous opportunities for us in the promotions arena.
Yucaipa's expanding presence in Web-based businesses also complements our
efforts to rapidly expand our Internet-based capabilities.

     After consideration of these and other factors, including the opinion by
our financial advisor, Bear Stearns, that the price to be paid by Yucaipa for
the securities is fair to Cyrk from a financial point of view, the Board of
Directors has unanimously approved the proposed investment and unanimously
recommends that you vote FOR the investment.

     At the meeting, you will also be asked to consider and vote upon the
increase of the amount of shares purchasable under our 1993 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan and the ratification of our selection of PriceWaterhouse Coopers,
LLP as our independent auditor. In addition, stockholders will be asked to elect
one director to serve a three year term, in case the equity investment does not
close.

     I urge you to read the enclosed materials carefully and to vote FOR the
proposed investment by Yucaipa (proposals 1 and 2) and FOR the other proposals
contained in these materials. Thank you for your continued support.

                                            Sincerely,

                                            PATRICK D. BRADY
                                            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>   3

                               [CYRK, INC. LOGO]
                                  3 POND ROAD
                        GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01930
                                 (978) 283-5800

                         ------------------------------

                      NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING IN LIEU OF
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                         ------------------------------

To the Stockholders of Cyrk, Inc.

     Notice is hereby given that our 1999 Special Meeting in lieu of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders will be held at the offices of Choate, Hall & Stewart,
Exchange Place, 53 State Street -- 36th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts on November
  , 1999, at 10:00 am (local time), to consider and act on the following
matters:

     1.  To approve the issuance of (a) 25,000 shares of a new series of
         convertible preferred stock which are initially convertible into
         3,030,303 shares of our common stock and (b) a warrant to purchase
         15,000 shares of convertible preferred stock which are initially
         convertible into 1,666,666 shares of our common stock.

     2.  To elect six directors to serve for terms of either one, two or three
         years and until their successors are elected and qualified upon the
         closing of the issuance contemplated by proposal 1.

     3.  To elect one director to serve for a term of three years and until his
         successor is elected and qualified, in case the issuance contemplated
         by proposal 1 does not close;

     4.  To approve and ratify an amendment to the 1993 Employee Stock Purchase
         Plan to increase the number of shares of our common stock available
         under the plan from 300,000 to 600,000.

     5.  To ratify the Board of Directors' appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers
         LLP as our independent auditors for the 1999 fiscal year; and

     6.  To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
         or any adjournment thereof.

     The issuance of the convertible preferred stock and the warrant
contemplated by proposal 1 is conditioned upon the election of three directors
designated by Yucaipa in accordance with proposal 2. Thus, unless the Yucaipa
designees are elected in accordance with proposal 2, the equity investment will
not be consummated.

     Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 1999
are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment
thereof.

October   , 1999

                                            By Order of the Board of Directors

                                            PATRICIA J. LANDGREN
                                            Secretary

     WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN, DATE
AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. THE EXECUTION OF YOUR
PROXY WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ARE PRESENT AT THE
MEETING.
<PAGE>   4

                               [CYRK, INC. LOGO]
                                  3 POND ROAD
                        GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS 01930
                                 (978) 283-5800

                 PROXY STATEMENT FOR SPECIAL MEETING IN LIEU OF
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                              GENERAL INFORMATION

     This Proxy Statement is furnished to our stockholders in connection with
the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors for use at our Special
Meeting in Lieu of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November   ,
1999 at the offices of Choate, Hall & Stewart, Exchange Place, 53 State
Street--36th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts and at any adjournment of the meeting.
Proxies in the form enclosed will be voted at the meeting if they are properly
executed, dated and returned to us prior to the meeting and are not revoked
prior to the voting.

     A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted by giving our
Secretary written notice of revocation executed by the stockholder of record, by
delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by the stockholder
attending the meeting and voting his or her shares in person.

     In this proxy statement, Overseas Toys, L.P., the affiliate of The Yucaipa
Companies which is a party to the Securities Purchase Agreement and is to make
the investment in Cyrk contemplated by proposal 1, is usually referred to as
Yucaipa.

     This Proxy Statement is being mailed to our Stockholders with this Notice
of Special Meeting in lieu of Annual Meeting on or about October   , 1999.
<PAGE>   5

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

Record Date and Voting......................................    1
Quorum, Abstentions, Non-Votes and Vote Required............    1
Proxy Solicitation and Expenses.............................    2
THE EQUITY INVESTMENT PROPOSAL..............................    2
Securities Purchase Agreement...............................    4
Governance..................................................    5
Other Covenants.............................................    5
Conditions..................................................    6
Termination.................................................    6
Fees and Expenses...........................................    6
Voting Agreement and Termination Agreement..................    7
Registration Rights Agreement...............................    7
Management Agreement........................................    8
Employment Agreements.......................................    8
Information Regarding Yucaipa...............................    9
Opinion of Financial Advisor................................    9
Terms of Preferred Stock....................................   10
Terms of the Warrant........................................   12
Interest of Certain Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon.....   12
Anti-Takeover Implications of Existing Charter Documents....   12
No Appraisal Rights.........................................   13
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.......................................   13
Board of Directors if the Yucaipa Equity Investment is
  Approved and Closes.......................................   14
Board of Directors if the Yucaipa Equity Investment is Not
  Approved or Otherwise Does Not Close......................   14
Business History of Directors and the Nominees..............   14
Meetings of the Board and its Committees....................   16
The Audit Committee.........................................   16
The Compensation Committee..................................   16
Directors' Compensation.....................................   16
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
  AND MANAGEMENT............................................   17
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.............   17
Security Ownership of Management............................   19
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION......................................   21
Summary Compensation Table..................................   21
Option Grants in the Last Fiscal Year.......................   22
Aggregated Option Exercises in the Last Fiscal Year and
  Fiscal Year-End Option Values.............................   23
Insurance Arrangements......................................   23
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..............   24
Indebtedness of Management..................................   25
Severance, Change of Control and Employment Agreements......   25
Stock Performance Graph.....................................   27
Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive
  Compensation..............................................   27

                                        i
<PAGE>   6
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
  Participation.............................................   29
AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S 1993 EMPLOYEE
  STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.......................................   29
Description of Our Employee Stock Purchase Plan.............   29
Employee Stock Purchase Plan -- Federal Income Tax
  Information...............................................   30
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS.................   30
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER.......................   31
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...................   31
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.............   32
SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE
  2000 ANNUAL MEETING.......................................   32

EXHIBITS

A.  Securities Purchase Agreement, dated September 1, 1999, between Cyrk and
    Yucaipa.

B.  Form of Certificate of Designation for the Convertible Preferred Stock.

C.  Form of Warrant.

D.  Opinion of Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc., dated September 1, 1999.

E.  Our Annual Report for the 1998 year ended December 31, 1998.

F.  Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999.

G.  Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.

                                       ii
<PAGE>   7

RECORD DATE AND VOTING

     Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 1999,
the record date, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any
adjournment thereof. At the close of business on the record date, there were
                shares of our common stock so held. The shares represented by
duly executed proxies in the form solicited by the Board of Directors will be
voted at the meeting in accordance with the choices specified thereon. If a
proxy is executed, but no choice is specified, the shares will be voted as
follows:

          1.  FOR the issuance of our convertible preferred stock and the
     warrant to acquire shares of our convertible preferred stock;

          2.  FOR the election of the nominees named herein in connection with
     the closing of the issuance contemplated by proposal 1;

          3.  FOR the election of the nominee named herein in case the issuance
     contemplated by proposal 1 does not close;

          4.  FOR the approval and the ratification of an amendment to the 1993
     Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares of our common
     stock available for issuance under the plan from 300,000 to 600,00;

          5.  FOR the ratification of the Board of Directors' appointment of
     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent auditors for the 1999 fiscal
     year; and

          6.  In the discretion of the proxy holders as to the transaction of
     any other business that may properly come before the meeting. The directors
     do not currently know of any such other matter or business to be brought
     before the meeting.

     The issuance of the convertible preferred stock and the warrant
contemplated by proposal 1 is conditioned upon the election of three directors
designated by Yucaipa in accordance with proposal 2. Thus, unless the Yucaipa
designees are elected in accordance with proposal 2, the equity investment will
not be consummated.

QUORUM, ABSTENTIONS, NON-VOTES AND VOTE REQUIRED

     The presence in person or representation by proxy of the holders of a
majority of our common stock entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a
quorum for the matters to be voted upon. In the absence of a quorum, the
stockholders present may nevertheless adjourn the meeting.

     A holder of record of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each
share so held on the record date. Abstentions and broker non-votes (i.e. the
lack of a vote on a matter as to which the holder has no voting authority) are
counted for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for
the transaction of business at the meeting, but will not be treated as negative
votes and consequently will have no effect on the voting.

     The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the votes cast either
in person or by proxy is required to elect directors. Approval of each other
matter before the meeting requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the aggregate number of shares of our common stock voted "for" and
"against" such matter.

                                        1
<PAGE>   8

PROXY SOLICITATION AND EXPENSES

     The accompanying proxy is being solicited on behalf of our Board of
Directors, and all expenses for such solicitation will be borne by us. In
addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by our directors,
officers and employees and, if deemed necessary, through a third party
solicitation agent by means of personal interview, telephone, facsimile or
telegram. We will request banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries to solicit their customers who are beneficial owners of our
common stock and to forward solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. We
will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in such
solicitation.

                              PROPOSAL NUMBER ONE

                         THE EQUITY INVESTMENT PROPOSAL

     This section of the Proxy Statement summarizes the proposed issue of
convertible preferred stock and a warrant to Yucaipa. The following description
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Securities Purchase Agreement and the form of Certificate of Designation of
convertible preferred stock and form of Warrant attached hereto as Exhibits A,
B, and C, respectively, and the Employment Agreements, the Termination Agreement
and form of Management Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement, all of which
are attached as exhibits to our Report on Form 8-K, dated September 1, 1999, as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Where You Can Find More
Information." ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THESE AGREEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS
IN THEIR ENTIRETY.

     At the closing of the equity investment:

     - Cyrk will issue to Yucaipa $25 million face amount of a new series of
       convertible preferred stock and a five year warrant to purchase $15
       million of convertible preferred stock. Yucaipa will pay $25 million for
       the convertible preferred stock and the warrant. The convertible
       preferred stock initially issued will be convertible into common stock at
       $8.25 per share and the convertible preferred stock to be issued pursuant
       to the warrant will be convertible into common stock at $9.00 per share.
       The terms of the convertible preferred stock and the warrant are
       summarized under "Terms of Preferred Stock" and "Terms of Warrant."

     - The Board of Directors of Cyrk will be reconstituted to consist of seven
       members, three whom will be Yucaipa designees. Cyrk will be obligated to
       nominate and recommend for election Yucaipa designees so long as Yucaipa
       holds a specified number of shares. See "Governance." Shareholders
       presently holding approximately 31% of the outstanding common shares have
       agreed to vote for these designees and to approve the equity investment
       by Yucaipa. See "Voting Agreement."

     - Yucaipa will agree to "standstill" provisions limiting its ability to
       purchase additional shares and participate in a proxy fight. See
       "Governance."

     - Cyrk and Yucaipa will enter into a management agreement with a rolling
       five-year term under which Yucaipa would provide general business
       consultation and advice and management services for $500,000 per year.
       See "Management Agreement."

                                        2
<PAGE>   9

     - Cyrk and Yucaipa will enter into a registration rights agreement
       obligating Cyrk to register the securities to be issued to Yucaipa, as
       set forth under "Registration Rights Agreement."

     - Employment agreements with Messrs. Brady and Brown under which they will
       serve as Co-Chief Executive Officers will take effect. See "Employment
       Agreements."

     In considering the proposal to approve the issuance of the convertible
preferred stock and warrant, stockholders should consider, among other things,
the following factors:

     USE OF PROCEEDS.  The proceeds from the investment will be used for general
corporate purposes and to fund Cyrk's growth and acquisition efforts. General
corporate purposes may include the repurchase of Cyrk common stock if the Board
of Directors so determines. The proceeds available for these purposes will be
reduced by the costs associated with the transaction, summarized below.

     YUCAIPA.  The Yucaipa investment provides Cyrk with new capital that should
enable Cyrk to grow more quickly both internally and through strategic
acquisitions and aligns us with a company with a strong history of increasing
profitability and shareholder value.

     In addition, we believe that Yucaipa's contacts and expertise should
provide significant benefits to Cyrk including the following:

     - Yucaipa is a majority owner of Golden State Foods, one of the largest
       integrated manufacturers and suppliers to McDonald's. Our affiliation
       with Yucaipa should strengthen and broaden the existing relationship
       between our Simon Marketing subsidiary and McDonald's, and should provide
       opportunities for collaboration to better serve McDonald's globally.

     - Yucaipa's affiliations with major companies in the supermarket industry
       and its extensive knowledge and experience with consumer products and
       packaged goods companies should provide numerous opportunities for Cyrk
       in the promotions arena.

     - As a strategic partner, Yucaipa should help us integrate operations and
       acquisitions and help reduce operating costs--all areas in which Yucaipa
       has substantial experience.

     - Yucaipa's expanding presence in Web-based businesses complements our
       efforts to rapidly expand our Internet-based capabilities.

     There can be no assurances that any of the potential benefits of the
transaction will be realized. See "Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer."

     OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR.  Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., financial advisor
to Cyrk, has delivered an opinion to the effect that, based upon and subject to
the considerations set forth in such opinion, as of September 1, 1999, the $25
million purchase price to be received by Cyrk for the convertible preferred
stock and warrant is fair, from a financial point of view, to Cyrk. September 1,
1999 is the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement. A copy of the opinion is
attached as Exhibit D. See "Opinion of Financial Advisor."

     CONTROL IMPLICATIONS.  The terms of the equity investment, including the
Board seats to which Yucaipa will be entitled and the voting rights of the
securities to be issued to Yucaipa, will give Yucaipa a substantial degree of
influence over the management and policies of Cyrk and may reduce the chances of
a change in control of Cyrk.

                                        3
<PAGE>   10

     The terms of the convertible preferred stock, including Yucaipa's right to
cause Cyrk to redeem the stock at 101% of face amount in the event of a change
of control of Cyrk, could make a change in control more expensive and therefore
less likely to occur. Similarly, the Management Agreement, which could entitle
Yucaipa to a payment of up to $2.5 million upon termination of the agreement
following a change of control, could make a change in control more expensive and
therefore less likely to occur. See "Terms of the Preferred Stock" and
"Management Agreement."

     Under the terms of the voting agreement executed by holders of
approximately 31% of the currently outstanding shares, these holders are
obligated to vote their shares to elect Yucaipa's nominees. See "Voting
Agreement."

     The preferred shares to be issued to Yucaipa will represent approximately
16% of the voting power immediately following the closing. If Yucaipa were to
exercise the warrant, it would possess approximately 23% of the voting power.

     The shares subject to the Voting Agreement, plus the convertible preferred
stock and the warrant, if exercised, would total approximately 47% of
shareholder voting power.

     EFFECT ON FUTURE STOCK ISSUANCES.  The terms of the convertible preferred
stock restrict our ability to issue additional shares of preferred stock. See
"Terms of Preferred Stock."

     COSTS.  There are a number of significant costs associated with the closing
of the equity investment, including:

     - Cyrk will be obligated to reimburse Yucaipa for up to $2.2 million of
       expenses. If the transaction does not close, Cyrk could be obligated to
       reimburse Yucaipa for up to $1.7 million of expenses, depending on the
       circumstances.

     - Cyrk will be obligated to pay Bear Stearns a fee of $1.5 million.
       $116,619 of this fee has already been paid or accrued. $600,000 of this
       fee was payable upon delivery of the Bear Stearns opinion. All amounts
       paid prior to the closing of the equity investment shall be credited
       against the fee due at closing.

     - Employment agreements with Messrs. Brady and Brown will take effect. See
       "Employment Agreements."

     - Cyrk may be obligated to pay severance benefits totaling $2.4 million to
       two of our executive officers. See "Interests of Certain Persons."

     - The Management Agreement will take effect, obligating Cyrk to pay Yucaipa
       $500,000 per year for at least five years. See "Management Agreement."

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     The Securities Purchase Agreement provides that Yucaipa will pay Cyrk $25
million for $25 million face amount of convertible preferred stock and a warrant
to purchase additional preferred stock for $15 million. Upon the closing,
assuming conversion of all of the convertible preferred stock, Yucaipa would own
approximately 3 million common shares, representing approximately 16% of the
then outstanding common shares. Assuming the exercise of the warrant and the
conversion of the preferred stock issuable upon exercise, Yucaipa would own
approximately 4.7 million common shares, representing approximately 23% of the
then outstanding common shares.

                                        4
<PAGE>   11

GOVERNANCE

  Right To Nominate Members of the Board of Directors

     We have agreed to nominate for election at this meeting three designees of
Yucaipa to be directors on our Board. Thereafter, Yucaipa shall be entitled to
(1) three designees for nomination for director so long as it owns securities
representing at least 3,131,313 shares of our common stock, (2) two designees
for nomination for director so long as it owns securities representing at least
1,565,656 shares of our common stock and (3) one designee for director so long
as it owns securities representing at least 782,828 shares of our common stock.
We have agreed to nominate and recommend for election such designees.

     In addition, so long as Yucaipa is entitled to nominate such designees,
Yucaipa will be entitled to name one designee as Chairman of the Board. Yucaipa
has initially designated Ronald W. Burkle, Richard Wolpert and George Golleher
as its three nominees to our Board and Mr. Burkle as Chairman.

     Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, stockholders representing 31% of our
outstanding shares of common stock have agreed to vote to elect Yucaipa's
nominees for director. See "Voting Agreement and Termination Agreement."

  Standstill

     So long as Yucaipa beneficially owns securities representing at least
782,828 shares of common stock and we comply with our covenants under the
Securities Purchase Agreement, Yucaipa has agreed that it will not acquire or
propose to acquire additional shares of our common stock or solicit proxies in
opposition to the Board. However, if without the support of the Board of
Directors any third party acquires more than 20% of our outstanding common
stock, solicits proxies or makes any announcement of its intent to do the
foregoing, then Yucaipa may make a proposal to the disinterested members of our
Board to acquire additional shares of our common stock or solicit proxies. In
addition, Yucaipa may acquire shares of our common stock to preserve its voting
power and the voting power of the parties of the Voting Agreement; provided that
any shares in excess of 23% of the outstanding shares must be voted in
proportion to the votes of all other shareholders on all matters other than the
election of Yucaipa's nominees to our Board. The securities acquired by Yucaipa
will not be subject to any transfer restrictions other than those imposed by
applicable securities laws. Transferees will not be bound by the standstill.

OTHER COVENANTS

     The Securities Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and
warranties and covenants of Cyrk and Yucaipa. For example, we agreed to operate
our business in the ordinary course pending closing.

     We have also agreed to a "no-shop" provision under which we agreed not to
solicit, encourage or negotiate any takeover proposal pending closing or the
termination of the Securities Purchase Agreement. A takeover proposal is
generally defined as a proposal for the acquisition of assets or securities
representing at least 10% of our market capitalization. However, if the Board
determines that failure to negotiate in response to an unsolicited takeover
proposal would be reasonably likely to constitute a breach of its fiduciary
duties, Cyrk may furnish information to and negotiate with the third party
making such a proposal. Cyrk may terminate the Securities Purchase Agreement to
implement a superior proposal by a third party, but we must then pay

                                        5
<PAGE>   12

Yucaipa a fee of $3.5 million and reimburse its expenses up to $1.2 million. A
superior proposal is generally defined as a takeover proposal representing at
least 25% of our market capitalization. See "Fees and Expenses" for additional
information regarding fees and expenses which may be payable to Yucaipa.

     So long as the Securities Purchase Agreement is in effect, the Board of
Directors is obligated to recommend that stockholders approve the issuance of
securities to Yucaipa.

CONDITIONS

     The obligations of the parties to consummate the transactions contemplated
by the Securities Purchase Agreement are subject to the following conditions:

     - approval by our stockholders of the issuance of convertible preferred
       stock and the warrant to Yucaipa and the election of Yucaipa's nominees
       to our Board

     - receipt of all necessary governmental, regulatory and third party
       approvals and the absence of an injunction prohibiting consummation of
       the equity investment

     - the absence of notice from Nasdaq to the effect that the common shares
       would not be eligible for listing on Nasdaq as a result of the Yucaipa
       equity investment

     - the continuing accuracy of the other's representations and warranties and
       the performance by the other of its obligations under the Securities
       Purchase Agreement.

     In addition, Yucaipa's obligations are conditioned on the absence of a
material adverse change in Cyrk.

TERMINATION

     The Securities Purchase Agreement is terminable by either Cyrk or Yucaipa

     - by mutual consent

     - if the closing has not occurred by February 15, 2000

     - if approval by our stockholders of (1) the issuance of the convertible
       preferred stock and warrant and (2) the election of Yucaipa's three
       designees to our Board has not occurred by February 15, 2000

     - upon a material breach by the other party, and

     - upon a permanent injunction prohibiting the transaction.

FEES AND EXPENSES

     If Yucaipa is not in material breach of the Securities Purchase Agreement
and:

     - we breach our obligation to call a stockholders meeting to approve the
       issuance of the convertible preferred stock and the warrant, and within
       12 months we sign an agreement to sell our assets or securities that
       would represent at least 23% of our market capitalization;

     - a third party makes a takeover proposal to acquire assets or securities
       representing at least 10% of our market capitalization, our stockholders
       fail to approve the issuance of the convertible preferred stock and the
       warrant to Yucaipa and within 12 months we sign an

                                        6
<PAGE>   13

       agreement to sell our assets or securities that would represent at least
       23% of our market capitalization;

     - we breach our "no-shop" covenant (described under "Other Covenants") and
       a third party makes a takeover proposal; or

     - we terminate the Securities Purchase Agreement to accept, as determined
       in good faith by the Board or a special committee of outside directors of
       the Board, a superior proposal that represents at least 25% of our market
       capitalization.

then, we are obligated to pay Yucaipa a fee of $3.5 million and reimburse its
expenses up to $1.2 million.

     If the Securities Purchase Agreement is terminated for any other reason,
other than for a material breach by Yucaipa, we shall reimburse Yucaipa for its
expenses up to $1.7 million.

     In the event the equity investment closing occurs, we have agreed to pay
the customary costs and expenses incurred by Yucaipa in connection with the
equity investment, including reasonable fees and expenses of financial
consultants, accountants and counsel up to $2.2 million.

VOTING AGREEMENT AND TERMINATION AGREEMENT

     In order to induce Yucaipa to enter into the Securities Purchase Agreement
with us, Patrick Brady, Allan Brown, Greg Shlopak and Eric Stanton entered into
a Voting Agreement with Yucaipa. Together, these stockholders beneficially own
an estimated 31% of our outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at
the Special Meeting.

     Under the Voting Agreement, Messrs. Brady, Brown, Shlopak and Stanton have
agreed to vote all of their shares of common stock to (1) approve the issuance
of the convertible preferred shares and the warrant to Yucaipa and (2) elect
three nominees of Yucaipa as directors to our Board. In addition, subject to
certain exceptions, Messrs. Brady, Brown and Stanton have agreed not to sell any
of their shares of common stock until our 2001 Annual Meeting and Mr. Shlopak
has agreed not to sell more than 30% of his shares of common stock prior to the
Special Meeting.

     In addition, in order to induce Yucaipa to enter into the Securities
Purchase Agreement, we entered into a Termination Agreement with Messrs. Brady,
Brown, Shlopak and Stanton. Under the Termination Agreement, we agreed with
Messrs. Brady, Brown, Shlopak and Stanton to terminate a Shareholders Agreement
among us and them, dated June 9, 1997, as amended. The termination of this
Shareholders Agreement will take effect as of the equity investment closing. The
Shareholders Agreement provides that if any party to the agreement is nominated
to our Board at a meeting to elect directors, then all of the other parties to
the agreement will vote their shares at such meeting to elect that person to the
Board. In addition, the agreement provides Mr. Stanton with a right to be named
to our Board which he has agreed not to exercise unless the Securities Purchase
Agreement terminates.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

     Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, we will enter into a
Registration Rights Agreement with Yucaipa whereby Yucaipa will have certain
registration rights with respect to the resale of (1) their shares of common
stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible preferred stock issued at the
equity investment closing or exercisable under the warrant and (2) the warrant.
Yucaipa will be granted an unlimited number of these so-called demand

                                        7
<PAGE>   14

registration rights to require us to use our best efforts to register the resale
of these securities, however, Yucaipa must sell in each demand registration at
least the greater of 1,000,000 shares of common stock or the remaining number of
shares of our common stock then held by Yucaipa. If Yucaipa requests that we
register the warrant, we have the right to redeem the warrant at the market
value of the underlying shares of common stock.

     In addition, if we register the resale of shares of common stock for our
own account or for the account of other stockholders, we may also have to
include in the registration shares held by Yucaipa. Yucaipa has an unlimited
amount of these so-called piggyback rights.

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

     Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, we will enter into a
Management Agreement with The Yucaipa Companies whereby Yucaipa will provide us
with management and financial consultation services in exchange for an annual
fee of $500,000 per year. In addition, under the agreement, we will pay Yucaipa
a consulting fee equal to one percent of the total purchase price for any
acquisition or disposition transactions by us in which Yucaipa provides
consultation to us. We will also reimburse Yucaipa up to $500,000 per year for
all of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the
performance of its duties under the Management Agreement. The term of the
Management Agreement is for five years, with automatic renewals for successive
five year terms at the end of each year unless either we or Yucaipa elect not to
renew. Upon a change of control of Cyrk, or a termination of the Management
Agreement by Cyrk other than for cause, Yucaipa shall be entitled to receive a
lump sum payment equal to amounts payable under the Management Agreement for the
remainder of the term, discounted to present value.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

     In order to induce Yucaipa to enter into the Securities Purchase Agreement,
we entered into employment agreements with Allan Brown and Patrick Brady. These
agreements are effective as of the equity investment closing and provide that
Messrs. Brady and Brown shall serve as our Co-Chief Executive Officers and
Co-Presidents. The term of Mr. Brady's agreement is for three years and the term
of Mr. Brown's agreement is also for three years with a two year extension
option at the election of Mr. Brown.

     Under Mr. Brady's employment agreement, he shall receive a base salary of
$600,000 per annum plus an annual bonus equal to $26,666.66 for each percentage
point by which our actual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization, or EBITDA, for a given fiscal year exceeds 85% of our targeted or
projected EBITDA for such fiscal year. The maximum annual bonus Mr. Brady may
earn under the agreement is $480,000. Mr. Brady shall also be entitled to
receive from us all fringe benefits eligible to our executive officers,
reimbursement of reasonable business-related and certain other expenses and a $2
million line of credit to be secured by his shares of common stock. In addition,
we agree to maintain his split dollar insurance policies as currently in effect,
but shall not be obligated to pay annual premiums under these insurance policies
of more than $80,000 per year. See "Insurance Arrangements." So long as Mr.
Brady's employment with us is not terminated for cause, we also agree to forgive
a loan to him with an outstanding balance of $78,525.

     Under Mr. Brown's employment agreement, he shall receive a base salary of
$750,000 per annum plus an annual bonus equal to 2.133% of his annual salary for
each percentage point by which our actual EBITDA for a given fiscal year exceeds
85% of our targeted or projected

                                        8
<PAGE>   15

EBITDA for such year. The maximum annual bonus Mr. Brown may earn under the
agreement is equal to 32% of his base salary. Mr. Brown shall also receive a
signing bonus equal to $2.25 million which shall be proportionately reimbursed
to us if his employment terminates prior to the fifth anniversary of the equity
investment closing for any reason other than termination by us without cause or
by Mr. Brown for good reason. Mr. Brown shall also be entitled to receive from
us all fringe benefits eligible to our executive officers, reimbursement of
reasonable business-related and certain other expenses and a $2 million line of
credit to be secured by his shares of common stock. In addition, we agree to
maintain his split dollar insurance policies as currently in effect and, so long
as his employment with us is not terminated for cause, forgive a loan to him
with an outstanding principal balance of $575,000.

     Pursuant to the agreements, upon a change of control of Cyrk, Messrs. Brady
and Brown will be entitled to severance benefits and termination rights at least
as favorable as those that we have provided any of our executive officers during
the term of their employment agreements. In addition, if the employment of
Messrs. Brady or Brown is terminated by us without cause or by one of them for
good reason, then Messrs. Brady or Brown, as the case may be, is entitled to
receive an amount equal to the present value of his base salary and bonus
(assuming an average of his bonus for the previous two years) for, in the case
of Mr. Brady, the remainder of the employment term plus two years, or in the
case of Mr. Brown, the greater of the remainder of his employment term or one
year.

     Both agreements contain customary non-competition and non-solicitation
provisions.

INFORMATION REGARDING YUCAIPA

     Yucaipa is a private investment firm that has historically specialized in
investing in and operating companies in food, distribution and
technology-related businesses. Based in Los Angeles, Yucaipa was founded in 1986
by Ronald W. Burkle.

     Since its inception, Yucaipa has organized and completed 16 mergers and
acquisitions with an aggregate transaction value of approximately $30 billion.

     Recently, Yucaipa has made a commitment to devote substantial capital and
effort to the Internet and technology fields and has made numerous investments
in Internet related companies including CheckOut.com, an Internet venture
specializing in E-commerce.

     Yucaipa has established a successful track record of acquiring, integrating
and increasing the cash flow of the companies it controls or manages, and has
produced substantial investment returns on each of its realized investments.

OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR

     Bear Stearns has acted as our financial advisor in connection with
Yucaipa's proposed investment. As part of its engagement, Bear Stearns rendered
an opinion to the Board of Directors of Cyrk and a special committee of outside
directors to the effect that the $25 million purchase price to be received by
Cyrk for the convertible preferred stock and the warrant is fair, from a
financial point of view, to Cyrk.

     The full text of the Bear Stearns opinion, dated September 1, 1999, which
sets forth, among other things, assumptions made, matters considered and
limitations on the review undertaken, is attached as Exhibit D and is
incorporated herein by reference. The stockholders are urged to read the Bear
Stearns opinion in its entirety.

                                        9
<PAGE>   16

     The fees paid to date to Bear Stearns have been a retainer fee of $50,000
and an aggregate of $66,620 in monthly fees and expenses. In addition, a fee of
$600,000 is payable to Bear Stearns for the delivery of its opinion. A fee of
$1.5 million less all of the fees previously paid to Bear Stearns in connection
with this matter will be payable to it upon consummation of the equity
investment. We also have agreed to reimburse Bear Stearns for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with rendering financial advisory
services, including fees and disbursements of its legal counsel. Additionally,
we have agreed to indemnify Bear Stearns and its directors, officers, agents,
employees and controlling persons, for certain costs, expenses, losses, claims,
damages and liabilities related to or arising out of its rendering of services
under its engagement as financial advisor.

     Bear Stearns is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and,
as part of its investment banking business, is engaged in the valuation of
businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions,
negotiated underwritings, private placements and valuations for estate,
corporate and other purposes.

TERMS OF PREFERRED STOCK

     The terms of the Series A Senior Cumulative Participating Convertible
Preferred Stock to be issued to Yucaipa are summarized below. The following
description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Certificate of Designation for the convertible preferred stock,
a copy of which is attached as Exhibit B.

DIVIDENDS

     The holders of the issued and outstanding convertible preferred stock shall
be entitled to receive, at our election, a cash or payment-in-kind dividend on
each issued and outstanding share of convertible preferred stock equal to 4% of
the base liquidation preference for each share, or $1,000, payable quarterly.
These dividends shall be prior and in preference to the payment of any dividend
on our common stock. No fractional shares of the convertible preferred stock
will be issued. In addition, the holders of the convertible preferred stock
shall be entitled to participate, on an as converted basis, with any cash
dividends declared upon shares of our common stock.

     We are currently limited by our existing credit facilities as to the amount
of dividends we may declare, and do not plan to pay any dividends in the
foreseeable future other than the dividends required to be paid by us pursuant
to the terms of the convertible preferred stock.

LIQUIDATION RIGHTS

     In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Cyrk, whether
voluntary or involuntary, each share of convertible preferred stock will be
entitled to receive, out of funds and assets that may be legally distributed to
our stockholders, prior and in preference to any payment or distribution of any
legally available funds or assets on any shares of our common stock or any other
class or series of our capital stock, an amount per share equal to $1,000 plus
all accrued but unpaid dividends on such share of convertible preferred stock
plus (1) (a) 7.5% of the amount of our retained earnings that exceeds $75
million less (b) the aggregate amount of any cash dividends paid on the common
stock which are not in excess of the amount of dividends paid on the convertible
preferred stock, divided by (2) the total number of convertible preferred shares
outstanding as of such date (the "adjusted liquidation preference"). If the
legally available funds and assets are insufficient to permit payment to the
holders of the convertible

                                       10
<PAGE>   17

preferred stock of their full adjusted liquidation preference, they shall be
distributed pro rata according to the number of convertible preferred shares
held by each holder.

VOTING RIGHTS

     Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Certificate of Designation,
the holders of the convertible preferred stock shall vote as a single class with
the holders of our common stock with each share of convertible preferred stock
entitled to one vote for each share of common stock issuable upon conversion of
the convertible preferred stock on the relevant record date.

     We will not, without the written consent of the holders of at least 50% of
the outstanding shares of the convertible preferred stock:

     - issue any securities senior to, or in parity with, the convertible
       preferred stock;

     - issue any securities junior to the convertible preferred stock, unless
       such securities vote as a single class with the common stock and the
       convertible preferred stock;

     - amend the Certificate of Designation in any manner that adversely affects
       the specified rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of the
       holders of the convertible preferred stock; and

     - authorize the issuance of any additional convertible preferred shares
       other than as contemplated by the warrant or the Certificate of
       Designation.

REDEMPTION RIGHTS

     Under the circumstances described below, all or a portion of the
convertible preferred stock may be redeemed by us at a price equal to the
adjusted liquidation preference of each share, subject to the prior right of the
holder to convert the shares to common stock.

     At our option, if the average closing prices of our common stock have
exceeded $12.00 for sixty consecutive trading days on or after the third
anniversary of the equity investment closing, all or a portion of the
convertible preferred stock may be redeemed.

     At our option, all or a portion of the convertible preferred stock may be
redeemed on or after the fifth anniversary of the equity investment closing.

     At the option of the holder, all of such holder's convertible preferred
stock may be redeemed at a price per share equal to 101% of the adjusted
liquidation preference for each share at any time on or after (1) the
acquisition of a third party of more than 20% of the combined voting power of
our equity securities and either a representative of such person is elected to
the Board without the support of at least 5/7 of the members of the Board or a
nominee of Yucaipa is not elected to the Board or (2) the acquisition of a third
party of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our equity securities.

CONVERSION RIGHTS

     Each share of convertible preferred stock issued at the equity investment
closing is convertible, at the option of the holder, into the amount of our
common stock equal to the sum of $1,000 plus all accrued and unpaid dividends,
divided by $8.25. The 25,000 convertible preferred shares to be issued at the
equity investment closing shall be initially convertible into 3,030,303 shares
of our common stock.

     The convertible preferred shares are subject to customary anti-dilution
protection.

                                       11
<PAGE>   18

TERMS OF THE WARRANT

     The terms of the warrant to be issued to Yucaipa are summarized below. The
following description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the warrant, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit C.

     The warrant is exercisable for 15,000 convertible preferred shares for an
aggregate purchase price of $15 million. Each share of convertible preferred
stock issued upon exercise of the warrant is convertible, at the option of the
holder, into the amount of our common stock equal
to the sum of $1,000 plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, divided by $9.00.
The shares purchasable under the warrant are initially convertible into
1,666,666 shares of our common stock. The warrant will expire upon the earlier
to occur of (1) the time when it has been exercised for all of the 15,000
convertible preferred shares and (2) five years from the date of the equity
investment closing.

     The convertible preferred shares purchasable under the warrant are subject
to customary anti-dilution protection.

INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

     In order to induce Yucaipa to enter into the Securities Purchase Agreement,
we agreed to enter into employment agreements with each of Patrick Brady and
Allan Brown, pursuant to which Messrs. Brady and Brown will be our Co-Chief
Executive Officers and Co-Presidents as
of the equity investment closing. The agreements become effective only upon the
closing of the equity investment by Yucaipa. See "Employment Agreements."

     In addition, in order to apprise the Board of Directors of a potential
conflict of interest arising from the transactions contemplated by the
Securities Purchase Agreement, Ted L. Axelrod and Dominic F. Mammola have
informed us that they believe that the transactions contemplated by the
Securities Purchase Agreement constitute "good reason" under their respective
Severance Agreements with us, thereby entitling them to terminate their
employment and receive severance benefits from us. See "Severance, Change of
Control and Employment Agreements."

ANTI-TAKEOVER IMPLICATIONS OF EXISTING CHARTER DOCUMENTS

     Our certificate of incorporation provides for the Board to be divided into
three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered terms.
Approximately one-third of the Board will be elected each year. A classified
board could prevent a party who acquires control of a majority of our
outstanding voting stock from obtaining control of the Board until the second
annual stockholders meeting following the date the acquiror obtains the
controlling stock interest. It could also have the effect of discouraging a
potential acquiror from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain
control of us, and could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will
retain their positions.

     Our certificate of incorporation provides that stockholder action can be
taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and cannot be taken
by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Additionally, our certificate of
incorporation and bylaws provide that, except as otherwise required by law,
special meetings of the stockholders can only be called pursuant to a resolution
adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors, or by our Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer or President. Our certificate of incorporation also provides
that directors may be removed at any annual meeting or special meeting of
stockholders only for cause and only by the

                                       12
<PAGE>   19

affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of our capital stock
entitled to vote at such meeting. These provisions could also have the effect of
discouraging a potential acquiror from attempting to obtain control of us.

     Our certificate of incorporation provides that the affirmative vote of
holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total votes eligible to be cast in the
election of directors is required to amend, alter, change or repeal certain of
its provisions. This requirement of a super-majority vote to approve amendments
to the certificate of incorporation could enable a minority of our stockholders
to exercise veto power over any such amendments.

NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS

     Under Delaware law, our stockholders are not entitled to any rights of
appraisal in connection with the approval or the consummation of the Yucaipa
equity investment.

                        PROPOSALS NUMBER TWO AND THREE:

                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     Our certificate of incorporation provides that the number of directors
shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors (but shall be no
less than three and no more than fifteen) and that the Board shall be divided
into three classes. On November 20, 1998, the Board of Directors increased its
size from five to seven members, and named Ted L. Axelrod, one of our Executive
Vice Presidents, a Class III director and Dominic F. Mammola, one of our
Executive Vice Presidents and our Chief Financial Officer, a Class I director.
Effective December 31, 1998, Louis Marx, Jr. resigned as a director. Contingent
upon the closing of the Yucaipa equity investment, Patrick D. Brady, Joseph
Anthony Kouba and Dominic F. Mammola will resign from their classes on the
Board, and Joseph W. Bartlett, Patrick D. Brady, Allan I. Brown, Ronald W.
Burkle, Joseph Anthony Kouba, Richard Wolpert and George Golleher will be the
directors of Cyrk in the classes shown on the table below. If we do not receive
stockholder approval for the Yucaipa equity investment or the Yucaipa investment
does not otherwise close, then the Board has resolved to decrease its size to
five members, and Ted L. Axelrod shall be the only nominee up for election.

     The newly-elected directors will hold office for terms expiring in the
years shown in the table (either one, two or three year terms) and until their
successors are elected and qualified. The nominees have expressed their
intention to serve if re-elected or elected, as the case may be. Should any
nominee become unavailable to serve when elected, the proxy holders may vote
each proxy (unless authority to vote has been withheld for such nominee) for the
election of any other person the Board of Directors may recommend. The proxy
solicited by this Proxy Statement cannot be voted for a greater number of
persons than the nominees named in this Proxy Statement.

                                       13
<PAGE>   20

BOARD OF DIRECTORS IF THE YUCAIPA EQUITY INVESTMENT IS APPROVED AND CLOSES

     If the Yucaipa equity investment is approved and closes, our nominees and
continuing directors are the following individuals, and this table sets forth
their ages, the year in which each individual was first elected a director and
the year his term expires:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 NAME                   AGE   CLASS   YEAR TERM EXPIRES   DIRECTOR SINCE
                 ----                   ---   -----   -----------------   --------------
<S>                                     <C>   <C>     <C>                 <C>
Joseph W. Bartlett....................  65       I          2000               1993
Patrick D. Brady (nominee)............  43     III          2002               1990
Allan I. Brown (nominee)..............  58       I          2000                 --
Ronald W. Burkle (nominee)............  46      II          2001                 --
Joseph Anthony Kouba (nominee)........  51     III          2002               1997
George Golleher (nominee).............  51      II          2001                 --
Richard Wolpert (nominee).............  37      II          2001                 --
</TABLE>

BOARD OF DIRECTORS IF THE YUCAIPA EQUITY INVESTMENT IS NOT APPROVED OR OTHERWISE
DOES NOT CLOSE

     If the Yucaipa equity investment is not approved or does not otherwise
close, our nominees and continuing directors are the following individuals, and
this table sets forth their ages, the year in which each individual was first
elected a director and the year his term expires:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             YEAR TERM
                    NAME                       AGE   CLASS    EXPIRES    DIRECTOR SINCE
                    ----                       ---   -----   ---------   --------------
<S>                                            <C>   <C>     <C>         <C>
Ted L. Axelrod (nominee).....................  43     III      2002           1998
Joseph W. Bartlett...........................  65       I      2000           1993
Patrick D. Brady.............................  43      II      2001           1990
Joseph Anthony Kouba.........................  51      II      2001           1997
Dominic F. Mammola...........................  42       I      2000           1998
</TABLE>

BUSINESS HISTORY OF DIRECTORS AND THE NOMINEES

     MR. AXELROD joined us in 1995 to direct our corporate strategy and
development efforts. He was elected Executive Vice President in September 1997
and to the Board of Directors in November 1998. From August 1987 to July 1995,
Mr. Axelrod held various positions including Managing Director and Head of
Mergers and Acquisitions at BNY Associates, Incorporated, an investment banking
subsidiary of The Bank of New York Company, Inc. (formerly BNE Associates, Inc.,
a subsidiary of The Bank of New England, N.A.).

     MR. BARTLETT has been a partner in the law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP
since March 1996. He was a partner in the law firm of Mayer, Brown & Platt from
July 1991 until March 1996. From 1969 until November 1990, Mr. Bartlett was a
partner of, and from November 1990 until June 1991 he was of counsel to, the law
firm of Gaston & Snow. Mr. Bartlett served as under secretary of the United
States Department of Commerce from 1967 to 1968 and as law clerk to the Chief
Justice of the United States in 1960.

     MR. BRADY is one of our founders and has served as one of our directors
since our incorporation in 1990. Mr. Brady was our Chief Operating Officer and
Treasurer from May 1990 until May 1993, and served as our Chief Financial
Officer from May 1993 to September 1994. Mr. Brady was elected our President and
Chief Operating Officer in May 1993. He was elected our Chief Executive Officer
in December 1998. Mr. Brady is a party to a Shareholders Agreement, dated June
9, 1997, as amended, with us, Gregory Shlopak, Allan Brown and Eric Stanton.
Pursuant to the agreement, each of Messrs. Shlopak, Brown and Stanton agree that
if

                                       14

<PAGE>   21

Mr. Brady has been nominated to be a director at a meeting to elect our
directors, Messrs. Shlopak, Brown and Stanton shall vote all of their shares to
elect Mr. Brady
as a director. In addition, Mr. Brady is party to a Voting Agreement with
Yucaipa and Messrs. Brown, Stanton and Shlopak, pursuant to which Mr. Brady has
agreed to vote all of his shares to approve the Yucaipa equity investment and to
elect Yucaipa's nominees to our Board.

     MR. BROWN has been the Chief Executive Officer of Simon Marketing, Inc.,
our subsidiary, since November of 1975. Mr. Brown is also a member of the Board
of Directors of the Special Olympics. Mr. Brown is a party to a Shareholders
Agreement, dated June 9, 1997, as amended, with us, Gregory Shlopak, Patrick
Brady and Eric Stanton. Pursuant to the agreement, each of Messrs. Shlopak,
Brady and Stanton agree that if Mr. Brown has been nominated to be a director at
a meeting to elect our directors, Messrs. Shlopak, Brady and Stanton shall vote
all of their shares to elect Mr. Brown as a director. In addition, Mr. Brown is
party to a Voting Agreement with Yucaipa and Messrs. Brady, Stanton and Shlopak,
pursuant to which Mr. Brown has agreed to vote all of his shares to approve the
Yucaipa equity investment and to elect Yucaipa's nominees to our Board.

     MR. BURKLE is the founder of Yucaipa.  He is a member of the Board and
Chairman of the Executive Committee of The Kroger Company and a member of the
Boards of Kaufman & Broad and Occidental Petroleum Corporation. He also serves
as Chairman of the Board of D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) America;
member of the Executive Board for the Medical Sciences at UCLA; Co-Chairman of
the Center of International Relations at UCLA; trustee of the National Urban
League; and founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ralphs/Food 4
Less Foundation.

     MR. GOLLEHER served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Fred Meyer,
Inc. from March 1998 to June 1999, and also served as a member of its Board of
Directors. Mr. Golleher has served as Chief Executive Officer of Ralphs Grocery
Company since January 1996 and
was Vice Chairman from June 1995 to January 1996. He was a director of Food 4
Less Supermarkets since its inception in 1989 and was the President and Chief
Operating Officer of Food 4 Less Supermarkets from January 1990 until its merger
with Ralphs Grocery Company in June 1995. Mr. Golleher also serves as a director
of American Restaurant Group and Prandium, Inc.

     MR. KOUBA was elected to the Board of Directors on April 4, 1997. Since
1980, Mr. Kouba has served as the President and a director of Highwood
Properties, Inc. (formerly known as Cloverleaf Group, Inc.), a company which is
engaged in the real estate investment business. Additionally, since 1998, Mr.
Kouba has been a principal of Summit Media LLC, a provider of outdoor
advertising services.

     MR. MAMMOLA has served as our Chief Financial Officer since 1994. He was
elected an Executive Vice President in September 1997 and to the Board of
Directors in November 1998. From April 1987 to June 1994, Mr. Mammola was the
Chief Financial Officer of Papa Gino's, Inc., a restaurant chain.

     MR. WOLPERT is a partner at Yucaipa in charge of Internet and technology
ventures. Before joining Yucaipa, Mr. Wolpert served as president of Disney
Online from 1996-1998. From 1984-1997 Mr. Wolpert founded and developed several
technology companies including After Hours Software, Chance Technologies, Bit
Jugglers and Mind Over Technology. Mr. Wolpert serves as a member of the board
of directors of Andromedia Inc., CheckOut.com, Game Spy Industries and Scour.net

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.

                                       15
<PAGE>   22

MEETINGS OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES

     During 1998, the Board of Directors held meetings in February, May, June,
October and November of 1998, all of which were attended by each director. The
only standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee and the
Compensation Committee.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

     The Audit Committee (comprised of Mr. Bartlett and through February 5,
1998, Mr. Marx; and effective February 6, 1998, Mr. Kouba) reviews our system of
internal controls, recommends the appointment of the our independent auditors,
and periodically reviews their services. There was one meeting held by the Audit
Committee during 1998.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

     The Compensation Committee (comprised of Mr. Bartlett and Mr. Kouba)
reviews and determines compensation payable to our officers and administers our
stock plans. There were two meetings held by the Compensation Committee during
1998. In addition, the Committee transacted certain business through written
consents.

DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION

     Directors who are also employees receive no compensation for their services
on the Board. Directors who are not employees receive $1,000 for each Board
meeting they attend in person and are also reimbursed for reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending such meetings. In addition, on
March 31 of each year, non-employee directors are granted a stock option
covering 5,000 shares of our common stock that vests in two equal installments
on each of the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant. Grants to
non-employee directors are made out of our 1993 Omnibus Stock Option Plan. We
may also provide additional compensation to our non-employee directors for
special assignments performed from time to time. In February 1999, we granted
stock options for 30,000 and 20,000 shares, respectively, to Joseph W. Bartlett
and Joseph Anthony Kouba for special assignments performed by them in 1998. The
options vest in two equal installments on each of the first and second
anniversaries of the date of grant. Additionally, in consideration for their
services as members of the special committee of outside directors, we have
agreed to pay each of Messrs. Bartlett and Kouba $400 per hour for their time
spent working in such capacity. To date, the payments have totaled $26,900 and
$27,500 to Mr. Bartlett and Mr. Kouba, respectively.

                                       16
<PAGE>   23

         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     The following tables set forth certain information regarding beneficial
ownership of our common stock at September 30, 1999. Except as otherwise
indicated in the footnotes, we believe that the beneficial owners of our common
stock listed below, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole
investment and voting power with respect to the shares of our common stock shown
as beneficially owned by them.

                SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

     The following table sets forth each person known by us (other than
directors, nominees and executive officers) to own beneficially 5% or more of
the outstanding common stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  NAME AND ADDRESS                     NUMBER OF SHARES   PERCENTAGE
               OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1)                  OF COMMON STOCK     OF CLASS
               ----------------------                  ----------------   ----------
<S>                                                    <C>                <C>
Franklin Resources, Inc.(2)..........................     1,187,400          7.5%
  777 Mariners Island Boulevard,
  6th Floor
  San Mateo, CA 94404
The Equitable Companies Incorporated(3)..............     1,158,700          7.4%
  1290 Avenue of the Americas
  New York, NY 10104
Eric Stanton(4)......................................     1,148,023          7.3%
  c/o Simon Marketing, Inc.
  Evergo House
  38 Gloucester Road
  Wanchai
  Hong Kong
H. Ty Warner(5)......................................     1,075,610          6.8%
  P.O. Box 5377
  Oak Brook, IL 60522
Heartland Advisors, Inc.(6)..........................     1,050,700          6.7%
  790 North Milwaukee Street
  Milwaukee, WI 53202
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.(7)....................       845,500          5.4%
  1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
  Santa Monica, CA 90401
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(1) The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined in
    accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is
    not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose.
    Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes those shares of common
    stock that the stockholder has sole or shared voting or investment power and
    any shares of common stock that the stockholder has a right to acquire
    within sixty (60) days after September 30, 1999 through the exercise of any
    option, warrant or other right. The percentage ownership of the outstanding
    common stock, however, is based on the assumption, expressly required by the
    rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, that only the person or
    entity whose ownership is being reported has converted options or warrants
    into shares of common stock.

                                       17

<PAGE>   24

(2) The information concerning this holder is based solely on information
    contained in filings it has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission
    pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
    The shares are beneficially owned by one or more investment companies or
    other managed accounts which are advised by investment advisor subsidiaries
    of Franklin Resources, Inc. and grant the Franklin Resources subsidiaries
    sole voting power and sole dispositive power as to all of the shares.
    Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. each own in excess of 10% of
    the outstanding common stock of Franklin Resources and are the principal
    stockholders of Franklin Resources.

(3) The information concerning this holder is based solely on information
    contained in filings it has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission
    pursuant to Sections 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
    The Equitable Companies Incorporated is the parent holding company of
    Alliance Capital Management L.P., a registered investment advisor which is
    deemed to have sole voting power as to 812,700 of these shares and sole
    dispositive power as to 1,157,700 of these shares. Alliance indicates that
    it acquired the shares solely for investment purposes on behalf of client
    discretionary investment advisory accounts. A majority interest in the
    Equitable Companies is owned beneficially by AXA (9 Place Vendome, 75001,
    Paris, France), and a group of four French mutual funds located in Paris,
    France beneficially owns a majority interest in AXA.

(4) Eric Stanton, as trustee of the Eric Stanton Self-Declaration of Revocable
    Trust, has the sole power to vote, or to direct the vote of, and the sole
    power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, 1,148,023 shares. Mr.
    Stanton, as trustee of the Eric Stanton Self-Declaration of Revocable Trust,
    is a party to a Shareholders Agreement dated June 9, 1997, as amended, with
    us, Allan Brown, Gregory Shlopak and Patrick Brady, pursuant to which he may
    be deemed to have shared voting power over 5,012,380 shares for the purpose
    of electing certain directors and may be deemed to be a member of a "group"
    for the purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
    as amended. In addition, Mr. Stanton is a party to a Voting Agreement, dated
    September 1, 1999, with Yucaipa and Messrs. Brown, Brady and Shlopak,
    pursuant to which he may be deemed to have shared voting power over
    5,012,380 shares for the purpose of approving the Yucaipa equity investment
    in us and the election of certain directors, and may be deemed to be a
    member of a "group" for the purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
    Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Mr. Stanton expressly disclaims beneficial
    ownership of any shares except for the 1,148,023 shares as to which he
    possesses sole voting and dispositive power.

(5) Includes 100,000 shares issuable pursuant to a warrant which is currently
    exercisable.

(6) The information concerning this holder is based solely on information
    contained in filings it has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission
    pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
    as amended. Heartland Advisors, Inc. is a registered investment advisor, and
    has indicated that it has the sole power to dispose, or to direct the
    disposition of, all of the shares.

(7) The information concerning this holder is based solely on information
    contained in filings it has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission
    pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
    as amended. Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. is a registered investment
    advisor for four investment companies and also serves as investment manager
    to certain other investment vehicles. In its roles as investment advisor and
    investment manager, Dimensional has the sole power to vote, or to direct the
    vote of, and the sole power to dispose, or direct the disposition of, all of
    the shares. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the shares.

                                       18
<PAGE>   25

                        SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

     The following table sets forth information at September 30, 1999 regarding
the beneficial ownership of our common stock (including common stock issuable
upon the exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of September 30,
1999) by each director and nominee, each executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table, and by all of our directors, nominees and executive officers
as a group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS                                             NUMBER OF SHARES   PERCENTAGE OF
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1)                                       OF COMMON STOCK        CLASS
- ----------------------                                       ----------------   -------------
<S>                                                         <C>                <C>
Patrick D. Brady(2).......................................     1,448,933            9.2%
Gregory P. Shlopak(3).....................................     1,277,400            8.1%
Allan I. Brown(4).........................................     1,148,023            7.3%
Terry B. Angstadt(5)......................................        61,270              *
Ted L. Axelrod(6).........................................        40,620              *
Dominic F. Mammola(7).....................................        34,732              *
Joseph W. Bartlett(8).....................................        27,500              *
Joseph Anthony Kouba(9)...................................         2,500              *
Ronald W. Burkle..........................................            --              *
George Golleher...........................................            --              *
Richard Wolpert...........................................            --              *
All directors, nominees and executive officers as a group
  (eleven persons)(10)....................................     4,040,978           25.2%
</TABLE>

- ---------------
 *   Represents less than 1%.

 (1) The address of each of the directors and executive officers is c/o Cyrk,
     Inc., 21 Pond Road, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930. The number of shares
     beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined in accordance with the
     rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not necessarily
     indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under these
     rules, beneficial ownership includes those shares of common stock that the
     stockholder has sole or shared voting or investment power and any shares of
     common stock that the stockholder has a right to acquire within sixty (60)
     days after September 30, 1999 through the exercise of any option, warrant
     or other right. The percentage ownership of the outstanding common stock,
     however, is based on the assumption, expressly required by the rules of the
     Securities and Exchange Commission, that only the person or entity whose
     ownership is being reported has converted options or warrants into shares
     of common stock.

 (2) Includes (1) 90,408 shares held by a private charitable foundation as to
     which Mr. Brady, as trustee, has sole voting and dispositive power and (2)
     153,333 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60
     days of September 30, 1999. Mr. Brady is a party to Shareholders Agreement,
     dated June 9, 1997, as amended, with us, Allan Brown, Eric Stanton, as
     trustee of the Eric Stanton Self Declaration of Revocable Trust, and
     Gregory Shlopak, pursuant to which he may be deemed to have shared voting
     power over 5,012,380 shares for the purpose of electing certain directors
     and may be deemed to be a member of a "group" for the purposes of Section
     13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition,
     Mr. Brady is party to a Voting Agreement, dated September 1, 1999, with
     Yucaipa Toys, L.P., Eric Stanton, Allan Brown and Gregory Shlopak, pursuant
     to which he may be deemed to have shared voting power over 5,012,380 shares
     for the purpose of approving the Yucaipa equity investment into us and the
     election of certain directors, and may be deemed to be a member of a
     "group" for the purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934, as amended. Mr. Brady

                                       19

<PAGE>   26

expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares except for the 1,448,934
shares as to which he possesses sole dispositive and voting power.

 (3) Includes 84,401 shares held by a private charitable foundation as to which
     Mr. Shlopak, as trustee, has sole voting and dispositive power. Mr. Shlopak
     is a party to Shareholders Agreement dated June 9, 1997, as amended, with
     us, Allan Brown, Eric Stanton, as trustee of the Eric Stanton Self
     Declaration of Revocable Trust, and Patrick Brady pursuant to which he may
     be deemed to have shared voted power over 5,012,380 shares for the purpose
     of electing certain directors and may be deemed to be a member of a "group"
     for the purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934, as amended. Mr. Shlopak is a party to a Voting Agreement, dated
     September 1, 1999, with Yucaipa and Patrick Brady, Allan Brown and Eric
     Stanton, pursuant to which he may be deemed to have share voting power over
     5,012,380 shares for the purpose of approving the Yucaipa equity investment
     in us and the election of certain directors, and he may be deemed to be a
     member of a "group" for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Mr. Shlopak expressly disclaims
     beneficial ownership of any shares except for the 1,267,400 shares as to
     which he possesses sole dispositive and voting power.

 (4) Allan Brown has the sole power to vote, or to direct the vote of, and the
     sole power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, 1,148,023 shares.
     Mr. Brown is party to a Shareholders Agreement, dated June 9, 1997, as
     amended, with us, Eric Stanton, as trustee of the Eric Stanton Self
     Declaration of Revocable Trust, Gregory Shlopak and Patrick Brady, pursuant
     to which he may be deemed to have shared voting power over 5,012,380 shares
     for the purpose of electing certain directors and may be deemed to be a
     member of a "group" for the purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, Mr. Brown is party to a
     Voting Agreement, dated September 1, 1999, with Yucaipa Eric Stanton,
     Patrick Brady and Gregory Shlopak, pursuant to which he may be deemed to
     have shared voting power over 5,012,380 shares for the purpose of approving
     the Yucaipa equity investment into us and the election of certain
     directors, and may be deemed to be a member of a "group" for the purposes
     of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Mr.
     Brown expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares except for the
     1,148,023 shares as to which he possesses sole voting and dispositive
     power.

 (5) Includes 56,882 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable
     within 60 days of September 30, 1999.

 (6) The 40,620 shares are issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within
     60 days of September 30, 1999.

 (7) Includes 33,979 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable
     within 60 days of September 30, 1999.

 (8) The 27,500 shares are issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within
     60 days of September 30, 1999.

 (9) The 2,500 shares are issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within
     60 days of September 30, 1999.

(10) Includes (1) 74,401 shares held by a private charitable foundation as to
     which Mr. Shlopak, as trustee, has sole voting and dispositive power, (2)
     90,408 shares held by a private charitable foundation as to which Mr.
     Brady, as trustee, has sole voting and dispositive power and (3) a total of
     314,814 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60
     days of September 30, 1999.

                                       20
<PAGE>   27

                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following table sets forth the compensation we paid or accrued for
services rendered in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, by our Chief Executive
Officer and our other four executive officers.

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       LONG TERM
                                                ANNUAL COMPENSATION                COMPENSATION AWARD
                                        ------------------------------------    ------------------------
                                                                   OTHER        RESTRICTED    SECURITIES
           NAME AND                                                ANNUAL         STOCK       UNDERLYING    ALL OTHER
      PRINCIPAL POSITION        YEAR     SALARY      BONUS      COMPENSATION      AWARDS       OPTIONS     COMPENSATION
      ------------------        ----    --------    --------    ------------    ----------    ----------   ------------
<S>                             <C>     <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>
Gregory P. Shlopak............  1998    $300,000          --        --             --               --      $2,751,072(2)
  Former Chief                  1997    $300,000          --        --             --          230,000      $  413,962
  Executive Officer(1)          1996    $300,000          --        --             --               --      $  415,407

Patrick D. Brady..............  1998    $300,000    $250,000        --             --               --      $  252,153(3)
  Chief Executive Officer,      1997    $300,000          --        --             --          230,000      $  253,647
  Chief Operating Officer       1996    $300,000          --        --             --               --      $  257,989
  and President

Terry B. Angstadt.............  1998    $189,999    $ 48,450        --             --           15,000      $   23,124(4)
  Executive Vice President      1997    $185,096    $ 50,000        --             --           55,000      $   27,129
                                1996    $175,000          --        --             --           42,500      $   26,156

Dominic F. Mammola............  1998    $206,346    $125,000        --             --           15,000      $   22,308(5)
  Executive Vice President and  1997    $185,096    $ 50,000        --             --           70,000      $   25,750
  Chief Financial Officer       1996    $166,635    $ 25,000        --             --           10,000      $   22,828

Ted L. Axelrod(6).............  1998    $200,000    $125,000        --             --           15,000      $   15,095(7)
  Executive Vice President      1997    $200,000    $155,000        --             --           27,500      $   17,652
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(1) Effective December 31, 1998 and pursuant to a Severance Agreement with us,
    Mr. Shlopak resigned as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman.

(2) Represents (1) $4,800 contributed by us to our 401(k) plan on behalf of Mr.
    Shlopak, (2) $42,792 in premiums paid by us with respect to the cash
    surrender value benefit payable to Mr. Shlopak's estate under certain
    reverse split-dollar life insurance policies, (3) $370,990, such amount
    representing the benefit to Mr. Shlopak of the payment by us in 1998 of
    premiums with respect to certain split-dollar life insurance policies,
    calculated as the present value of an interest-free loan of the premiums to
    Mr. Shlopak over his present actuarial life expectancy or, in the case of
    two of the policies which are survivorship policies, the actuarial life
    expectancy of the later to die of Mr. Shlopak and his wife (See "Insurance
    Arrangements") and (4) $2,332,490, such amount representing the aggregate
    value of cash and benefits paid and payable to Mr. Shlopak pursuant to a
    Severance Agreement between Mr. Shlopak and us, dated December 31, 1998,
    pursuant to which Mr. Shlopak resigned as our Chief Executive Officer and
    Chairman.

(3) Represents (1) $4,800 contributed by us to our 401(k) plan on behalf of Mr.
    Brady, (2) $25,049 in premiums paid by us with respect to the cash surrender
    value benefit payable to Mr. Brady's estate under certain reverse
    split-dollar life insurance policies and (3) $222,304, such amount
    representing the benefit to Mr. Brady of the payment by us in 1998 of
    premiums with respect to certain split-dollar life insurance policies,
    calculated as the present value of an interest-free loan of the premiums to
    Mr. Brady over his present actuarial life expectancy. See "Insurance
    Arrangements."

(4) Represents (1) $4,800 contributed by us to our 401(k) plan on behalf of Mr.
    Angstadt and (2) $18,324, the benefit to Mr. Angstadt of the payment by us
    in 1998 with respect to a split-dollar life insurance policy, calculated as
    the present value of an interest-free loan of

                                       21

<PAGE>   28

    the premiums to Mr. Angstadt over his present actuarial life expectancy. See
    "Insurance Arrangements."

(5) Represents (1) $4,800 contributed by us to our 401(k) plan on behalf of Mr.
    Mammola and (2) $17,508, the benefit to Mr. Mammola of the payment by us in
    1998 of premiums with respect to a split-dollar life insurance policy,
    calculated as the present value of an interest-free loan of the premium to
    Mr. Mammola over his present actuarial life expectancy. See "Insurance
    Arrangements."

(6) Mr. Axelrod joined us in July 1995 and became an executive officer on
    September 24, 1997.

(7) Represents (1) $4,800 contributed by us to our 401(k) plan on behalf of Mr.
    Axelrod and (2) $10,295, the benefit to Mr. Axelrod of the payment by us in
    1998 of premiums with respect to a split-dollar life insurance policy,
    calculated as the present value of an interest-free loan of the premium to
    Mr. Axelrod over his present actuarial life expectancy. See "Insurance
    Arrangements."

                     OPTION GRANTS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR

     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to stock
options granted to each of our executive officers during 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        POTENTIAL REALIZED
                                                                                                         VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                                                                                         ANNUAL RATES OF
                                                                                                           STOCK PRICE
                                                                                                         APPRECIATION FOR
                                                     INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                                    OPTION TERM(4)
                       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------------
                           NUMBER OF         PERCENT OF TOTAL
                           SECURITIES       OPTIONS GRANTED TO
                           UNDERLYING       EMPLOYEES IN FISCAL
        NAME           OPTIONS GRANTED(1)         YEAR(2)         EXERCISE PRICE(3)   EXPIRATION DATE     5%        10%
        ----           ------------------   -------------------   -----------------   ---------------   -------   --------

<S>                          <C>                  <C>                 <C>                <C>           <C>       <C>
Gregory P. Shlopak.              --                 --                     --                --             --         --
Patrick D. Brady.....            --                 --                     --                --             --         --
Terry B. Angstadt....        15,000                4.7%               $10.438            6/5/08        $98,430   $249,480
Dominic F.
  Mammola............        15,000                4.7%               $10.438            6/5/08        $98,430   $249,480
Ted L. Axelrod.......        15,000                4.7%               $10.438            6/5/08        $98,430   $249,480
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(1) These options become exercisable in three equal installments on the first,
    second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.

(2) Based on an aggregate of 317,750 shares subject to options granted to our
    employees in 1998.

(3) The exercise price per share of each option was equal to the fair market
    value of our common stock on the date of grant.

(4) The potential realizable value is calculated based on the term of the option
    (ten years) at its date of grant. It is calculated by assuming that the
    stock price on the date of grant appreciates at the indicated annual rate
    compounded annually for the entire term of the option and that the option is
    exercised and sold on the last day of its term for the appreciated stock
    price. However, the optionee will not actually realize any benefit from the
    option unless the market value of our stock price in fact increases over the
    the option price.

                                       22
<PAGE>   29

AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION
VALUES

     The following table sets forth for each of our executive officers certain
information regarding exercises of stock options during 1998 and stock options
held at the end of 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          NUMBER OF SECURITIES        VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                 SHARES                        UNDERLYING                 IN-THE-MONEY
                                ACQUIRED                   UNEXERCISED OPTIONS             OPTIONS AT
                                   ON        VALUE         AT FISCAL YEAR-END          FISCAL YEAR-END(1)
NAME                            EXERCISE    Realized    Exercisable/Unexercisable   Exercisable/Unexercisable
- ----                            --------    --------    -------------------------   -------------------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>              <C>                               <C>
Gregory P. Shlopak(2).........       --           --                     --                    --
Patrick D. Brady..............       --           --         76,667/153,333                    --
Terry B. Angstadt(3)..........   27,285     $200,000         33,549/ 51,666                    --
Dominic F. Mammola(4).........   27,688     $199,998          5,646/ 61,666                    --
Ted L. Axelrod(5).............   30,214     $199,999         18,953/ 40,833                    --
</TABLE>

- ---------------
(1) This "value" is the difference between the market price of our common stock
    subject to the options on December 31, 1998 ($7.50 per share) and the option
    exercise (purchase) price, assuming the options were exercised and the
    shares sold on that date.

(2) Pursuant to a Severance Agreement between Mr. Shlopak and us dated December
    31, 1998, Mr. Shlopak resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and
    all of his options were cancelled.

(3) On May 6, 1998, we purchased from Mr. Angstadt at fair market value stock
    options held by him exercisable for 27,285 shares.

(4) On May 6, 1998, we purchased from Mr. Axelrod at fair market value stock
    options held by him exercisable for 30,214 shares.

(5) On May 6, 1998, we purchased from Mr. Mammola at fair market value stock
    options held by him exercisable for 27,688 shares.

INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS

     We provide split-dollar life insurance benefits to Messrs. Shlopak and
Brady. We have agreed to pay the premiums for (1) two whole life policies on the
lives of each of Messrs. Shlopak and Brady and (2) two survivorship policies on
the lives of Mr. Shlopak and his wife. We are obligated to pay these premiums
whether or not either executive remains employed by us. We have certain rights
to borrow against these policies and the right to receive an amount equal to all
premiums paid by us not later than upon the death of the insured executive (or,
in the case of the survivorship policies, upon the death of the later to die of
Mr. Shlopak or his wife). The irrevocable trusts established by Messrs. Shlopak
and Brady which own the foregoing policies are entitled to borrow against the
policies, subject to certain limitations, while we have an interest in the
policies. Such trusts are also entitled to receive the death benefits under the
policies net of the cumulative premiums paid by us. The aggregate annual premium
amount payable by us in respect of the split-dollar policies insuring the lives
of Messrs. Shlopak and Brady is $435,261 and $257,462, respectively. Pursuant to
an Employment Agreement with Mr. Brady which will take effect upon the equity
investment closing, Cyrk will be obligated to pay no more than $80,000 per year
in annual premiums under his split-dollar insurance policies.

     We also provide split-dollar life insurance benefits to our three other
executive officers, Messrs. Angstadt, Axelrod and Mammola. We have agreed to pay
the premiums for a whole life policy on the lives of each of Messrs. Angstadt,
Axelrod and Mammola. However, we can terminate our obligations in accordance
with the severance or change of control agreements

                                       23
<PAGE>   30

between us and Messrs. Angstadt, Axelrod and Mammola, respectively. See
"Severance, Change of Control and Employment Agreements." We have certain rights
to borrow against these policies and the right to receive upon the death of the
insured executive an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the cash surrender value
of the policy and (2) the aggregate amount of premiums paid by us at such date.
The aggregate annual premium amount payable by us for the split-dollar policies
insuring the lives of Messrs. Angstadt, Axelrod and Mammola is $27,937, $14,954
and $25,442, respectively.

     In addition, we provide Messrs. Shlopak and Brady with reverse split-dollar
life insurance pursuant to which we pay the premiums on universal life insurance
policies on the lives of Messrs. Shlopak and Brady. Upon the death of either,
assuming the policies are still in force, we are entitled to receive the death
benefit ($4,250,000 on the life of each) and the deceased executive's estate is
entitled to receive the cash surrender value of the policy.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The following sets forth certain transactions, or series of similar
transactions, between us and any director, nominee for director, executive
officer or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares.

REAL ESTATE MATTERS

     Pursuant to a lease entered into in 1989, we lease our principal executive
offices located in Gloucester, Massachusetts from PG Realty Trust, of which Mr.
Shlopak is a trustee and beneficiary. The aggregate annual rent under the lease
is $354,000. Additionally, pursuant to a lease entered into in January 1997, we
also lease other executive office and warehouse space in Gloucester,
Massachusetts from PG Realty Trust. The aggregate annual rent under the lease is
$171,000. Each lease is a triple net lease. We amended each lease to extend its
term until April 30, 2000. We do not currently intend to renew either lease at
the expiration of their respective terms.

     We lease a warehouse and distribution facility in Danvers, Massachusetts
under the terms of a fifteen-year operating lease agreement which expires
December 2011 from a limited liability company which is owned by Messrs. Shlopak
and Brady. The lease is triple net and the aggregate annual rent under the lease
is $462,000.

TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS

     Louis Marx, Jr. resigned as a director of our Board effective December 31,
1998. Mr. Marx is a director of Swiss Army Brands, Inc. which is a supplier of
promotional products to us. We purchased $9,027,000 in product from this
affiliate of Mr. Marx in 1998. We own a 2.3% interest in Hudson River Capital
LLC, a venture capital company founded and controlled by Swiss Army Brands, and
a .26% equity interest in Victory Ventures, a venture capital company affiliated
with Mr. Marx. Messrs. Marx and Shlopak are directors of Hudson River Capital
LLC.

TRANSACTIONS WITH CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS

     In December 1997, we entered into a License Agreement with Ty Inc., the
world's largest manufacturer and marketer of plush toys (sold under the name
Beanie Babies(R)), which granted us the exclusive right to develop and market to
retailers certain licensed Beanie Babies products. Ty Warner is the sole
shareholder of Ty Inc. and beneficially owns more than 5% of our shares. In
1998, net sales of Beanie Babies related products by us were approximately
$54,897,000.

                                       24
<PAGE>   31

INDEBTEDNESS OF MANAGEMENT

     During fiscal 1998, Dominic F. Mammola, our Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer, was indebted to us in the amount of $75,000. Mr.
Mammola incurred this sum of indebtedness because of an advance made to him by
us. His largest aggregate amount of indebtedness outstanding at any time during
fiscal 1998 was $75,000. Mr. Mammola repaid the indebtedness in full in June
1998.

     During fiscal 1998, Ted L. Axelrod, an Executive Vice President, was
indebted to us in the amount of $100,000. Mr. Axelrod incurred this sum of
indebtedness because of an advance made to him by us. His largest aggregate
amount of indebtedness outstanding at any time during fiscal 1998 was $100,000.
The amount of indebtedness outstanding as of September 30, 1999 was $100,000.
The rate of interest charged on the indebtedness is the federal statutory rate.

     During fiscal 1998, Gregory P. Shlopak, our former Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman, was indebted to us in the amount of $256,947. Mr. Shlopak incurred
this sum of indebtedness because of advances made to him by us. Pursuant to a
Severance Agreement dated December 31, 1998 between us and Mr. Shlopak, we
forgave this indebtedness.

     During fiscal 1998, Patrick D. Brady, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Operating Officer and President, was indebted to us in the amount of $75,715.
Mr. Brady incurred this sum of indebtedness because of advances made to him by
us. His largest indebtedness at any time during fiscal 1998 was $75,715. The
amount of indebtedness as of August 30, 1999 was $79,050. The rate of interest
charged on the indebtedness is the federal statutory rate. Pursuant to an
Employment Agreement with Mr. Brady that will take effect only at the Yucaipa
equity investment closing, the indebtedness will be forgiven unless Mr. Brady's
employment with us is terminated for cause. See "Employment Agreements."

     During fiscal 1998, Allan Brown, a nominee to the Board and the Chief
Executive Officer of Simon Marketing, Inc., was indebted to us under a
promissory note and pledge agreement for the principal amount of $575,000. Mr.
Brown incurred this sum of indebtedness because of an advance made to him by us.
The indebtedness is secured by 52,904 shares of our common stock held by Mr.
Brown and accrues interest at a rate of 7% per annum. Pursuant to an Employment
Agreement with Mr. Brown that will take effect only at the Yucaipa equity
investment closing, the indebtedness will be forgiven unless Mr. Brown's
employment with us is terminated for cause. See "Employment Agreements."

SEVERANCE, CHANGE OF CONTROL AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

     We have entered into severance agreements with Messrs. Axelrod and Mammola.
Pursuant to these agreements, upon termination of their employment with us
(other than for cause or disability or by them without "good reason"), Messrs.
Axelrod and Mammola will each be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to
three times their annual compensation (including without limitation, salary,
bonus, and 401(k) matching contributions), certain insurance coverages would
continue to be maintained for them by us until the second anniversary of
termination of employment, and all of their stock options would become
immediately exercisable. To apprise the Board of Directors of a potential
conflict of interest arising from the transactions contemplated by the
Securities Purchase Agreement with Yucaipa, Messrs. Axelrod and Mammola have
informed us that they believe that the transactions contemplated by the
Securities Purchase Agreement constitute "good reason" under their respective
severance agreements which would entitle them to terminate their employment and
receive their severance benefits.

                                       25
<PAGE>   32

     Mr. Angstadt has entered into a change of control agreement with us that
has substantially the same terms and conditions as Messrs. Axelrod's and
Mammola's severance agreements, except that the termination of Mr. Angstadt's
employment with us must occur within two years of a change of control of Cyrk
(as defined therein).

     Pursuant to Employment Agreements with each of Patrick D. Brady and Allan
I. Brown which will take effect upon the closing of the Yucaipa equity
investment, upon a change of control of Cyrk, Mr. Brady and Mr. Brown will be
entitled to severance benefits and termination rights at least as favorable as
those that we provide for any of our executive officers during the respective
terms of their agreements. In addition, under their agreements, if the
employment of Messrs. Brady or Brown, as the case may be, is terminated by us
without cause or by one of them for good reason, then they would be entitled to
receive severance benefits from us. See "Employment Agreements."

                                       26
<PAGE>   33

     The Performance Graph and the Report of the Compensation Committee on
Executive Compensation in this Proxy Statement are not and shall not be deemed
incorporated by reference into any of our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission by implication or by any reference in any such filings to
this Proxy Statement.

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     The following graph assumes an investment of $100 on December 31, 1993 and
compares changes thereafter (through December 31, 1998) in the market price of
our common stock with (1) the Nasdaq Market Index (a broad market index) and (2)
The Advertising Agency Group (a published industry index).

     The Nasdaq Market Index includes both U.S. and foreign companies listed on
The Nasdaq Stock Market and The Nasdaq SmallCap Market. The Advertising Agency
Group (MG Industry Group 091) consists of all companies listed on the New York
and American stock exchanges, and The Nasdaq Stock and SmallCap Markets that
derive a majority of their revenues (as shown in their annual reports) from
advertising. UPON THE REQUEST OF ANY STOCKHOLDER, WE WILL FURNISH A LIST OF THE
COMPANIES COMPRISING THE ADVERTISING AGENCY GROUP.

     The performance of the indices is shown on a total return (dividend
reinvestment) basis; however, we paid no dividends during the period shown. The
graph lines merely connect the beginning and end of the measuring periods and do
not reflect fluctuations between those dates.

                     COMPARISON OF ANNUAL CUMULATIVE RETURN
       CYRK, INC., THE ADVERTISING AGENCY GROUP & THE NASDAQ MARKET INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             THE ADVERTISING AGENCY
                                                        CYRK, INC                     GROUP                NASDAQ MARKET INDEX
                                                        ---------            ----------------------        -------------------
<S>                                             <C>                         <C>                         <C>
'1993'                                                      100                         100                         100
'1994'                                                   179.89                      104.75                      104.99
'1995'                                                    42.39                       126.8                      136.18
'1996'                                                    56.52                      159.75                      169.23
'1997'                                                    42.12                       187.8                         207
'1998'                                                    32.61                      197.79                      291.96
</TABLE>

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     This report has been prepared by our Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors and addresses our compensation policies with respect to our Chief
Executive Officer and executive officers in general. Each member of the
Committee is a non-employee director.

                                       27
<PAGE>   34

     Our overall policy for compensating executive officers is to establish
aggregate compensation levels sufficient to retain and attract executive
officers capable of leading us to achieve our business objectives. The principal
components of executive compensation are salary, bonus and stock option grants.
We also provide supplemental life insurance benefits to our executive officers.
In addition, executives are eligible to participate, on a nondiscriminatory
basis, in benefit programs provided to employees generally, including group
medical and life insurance programs and our 401(k) plan. From time to time, we
retain independent consultants to benchmark our compensation practices for our
executives and key employees.

     Our compensation policy with respect to our Chief Executive Officer is the
same as our policy for executives generally. While the Committee considers
various factors in determining the amount of each component of compensation,
such determinations are ultimately based on the Committee's subjective judgment
as to what is reasonable and appropriate and not on established criteria or
formulas.

SALARY

     The 1993 salaries of Messrs. Shlopak and Brady were established by
agreement among our stockholders. Immediately prior to the initial public
offering, these salaries were increased to $300,000 per year to reflect the
anticipated increase in their responsibilities as executive officers of a
publicly traded company and because of our anticipated discontinuance of the
payment of cash dividends after the offering. These salaries were subsequently
ratified by the Compensation Committee each year and have not changed materially
since 1993. The salaries of our other three executive officers were based on the
compensation paid to them during the prior year and the Committee's qualitative
assessment of their contributions to us.

BONUS

     For 1998, we paid a $250,000 bonus to Mr. Brady. In addition, we paid a
$125,000 bonus to each of Mr. Mammola and Mr. Axelrod, and we paid a $48,450
bonus to Mr. Angstadt. The decision to pay these bonuses was made by the
Committee in its discretion based on its qualitative assessment of their
contributions to us in 1998.

STOCK OPTIONS

     The Committee believes that stock ownership by executive officers is
important in aligning management's and stockholders' interests in the
enhancement of stockholder value over the long term. The exercise price of stock
options is equal to the market price of our common stock on the date of grant.
The stock options granted to the executive officers in 1998 were based on the
Committee's qualitative assessment of their contributions to us.

INSURANCE

     The split-dollar life insurance program for Messrs. Shlopak and Brady was
implemented by the Committee in 1994 in recognition of the substantial
contributions made by these two key officers in 1994 and in prior years. In
1995, the Committee implemented split-dollar life insurance programs for its
other executive officers. Messrs. Angstadt, Mammola and Axelrod participate in
this program. The Committee's decision to make this insurance available was
based on the Committee's evaluation of competitive compensation programs
required to attract and retain executive officers in its industry.

                                       28
<PAGE>   35

COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 162(M)

     Section 162 (m) of the Internal Revenue Code, enacted in 1993, generally
disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation over $1 million
paid to its chief executive officer and its four other most highly compensated
executives. Qualifying, performance-based compensation will not be subject to
the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. The Committee currently
intends to structure stock option grants to executive officers in a manner that
complies with the performance-based requirements of the statute. However, the
Committee otherwise anticipates that the statute will not alter our policy of
establishing executive compensation at levels sufficient to retain and attract
executive officers, regardless of deductibility.

The Compensation Committee:        Joseph W. Bartlett       Joseph Anthony Kouba

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     Decisions concerning executive compensation are made by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors, which during 1998 consisted of Mr. Bartlett
and Mr. Kouba, neither of whom is or was an officer or employee of us or any of
our subsidiaries. In 1998, none of our executive officers served as an executive
officer or on the board of directors of any entity of which Mr. Bartlett or Mr.
Kouba also served as an executive officer or as a member of the board of
directors.

                             PROPOSAL NUMBER FOUR:

          AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S 1993 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

     On September   , 1999, the Board adopted an amendment to the 1993 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available
for issuance thereunder from 300,000 to 600,000 shares. The purpose of the
increase is to provide our employees with the continued opportunity to
participate in our growth through the purchase of common stock at a discount
from market value. Our executive officers, other than those who own 5% or more
of our stock, are eligible to participate in this plan and, accordingly, could
benefit from such approval.

DESCRIPTION OF OUR EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

GENERAL

     Our Employee Stock Purchase Plan was adopted by our Board of Directors and
approved by our stockholders on May 10, 1993. It is intended to provide our
employees and employees of our subsidiaries with an opportunity to participate
in our growth through the purchase of common stock at a discount from market
value. Currently, an aggregate of 300,000 shares of common stock has been
reserved for issuance pursuant to this plan. The plan is administered by the
Compensation Committee.

     All of our employees whose customary employment is in excess of 20 hours
per week and more than five months per year, other than those employees who own
5% or more of our stock, are eligible to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan.
The Stock Purchase Plan is implemented by offerings of such duration as the
Compensation Committee determines, provided that no offering period may be
longer than 27 months. An eligible employee participating in an offering is able
to purchase common stock at a price equal to the lesser of (1) 85% of its fair
market value on the date the right was granted or (2) 85% of its fair market
value on the date the right

                                       29
<PAGE>   36

was exercised. Payment for common stock purchased under the plan is through
regular payroll deduction or lump sum cash payment, or both, as determined by
the Compensation Committee. The maximum value of common stock an employee may
purchase during an offering period is 10% of the employee's base compensation
during such period, calculated on the basis of the employee's compensation rate
on the date the employee elects to participate in the offering. At September 13,
1999, 1,008 employees were eligible to participate in the plan and an aggregate
of 271,103 shares had been purchased under the plan and 28,897 shares remained
available for future issuance. Since the adoption of the plan, an aggregate of
4,509 shares have been purchased by two of our executive officers at prices
ranging from $5.05 to $20.93.

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN -- FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION

     The plan is intended to qualify as an "employee stock purchase plan" within
the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. Section 423 provides that no federal
income tax is paid by the employee, and we are not entitled to a deduction, at
either the beginning or end of an offering period. The federal income tax
consequences upon disposition of the shares acquired pursuant to an offering
under the plan depend on when such disposition occurs. If the disposition occurs
after the expiration of both (1) two years from the offering commencement date
and (2) one year from the purchase date, and the fair market value of the stock
on the date of disposition is higher than the price paid for the stock, the
employee will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income equal to the
lesser of (a) the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the offering
commencement date over the option price; and (b) the excess of the fair market
value of the stock at the time of disposition over the price paid for it. If the
disposition occurs before the expiration of either of the above two dates, the
employee will recognize the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the
date of the purchase over the option price as compensation taxable as ordinary
income even though there may have been no gain on the disposition of the stock.
To the extent of reported ordinary income in such case, we will be allowed a tax
deduction in an equal amount. Any gain recognized in excess of the amount
reported as ordinary income will be reported as long or short term capital gain,
depending on how long after the purchase date the disposition occurs.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYEE
STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                             PROPOSAL NUMBER FIVE:

                  RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

     The firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, certified public accountants,
served as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
and, subject to stockholder approval, has been appointed by the Board of
Directors as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1999.

     Although there is no legal requirement that this matter be submitted to a
vote of the stockholders, the Board of Directors believes that the selection of
independent auditors is of sufficient importance to seek stockholder
ratification. In the event that the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is
not ratified by stockholders, the Board will reconsider its appointment.

     A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is expected to be present at
the Special Meeting to make a statement if he wishes to do so and to respond to
appropriate questions.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT

                                       30
<PAGE>   37

                     FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER

     This document contains forward-looking statements about Cyrk which Cyrk
believes are within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Statements in this document that are not historical facts are hereby
identified as "forward-looking statements" for the purpose of the safe harbor
provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. When used in this
document, the words "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," and similar
expressions as they relate to Cyrk are intended to identify these
forward-looking statements. Any of these statements may be influenced by factors
that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from
those projected. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks
and uncertainties. There are numerous important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements,
including, but not limited to:

          (A) those discussed or identified from time to time in Cyrk's public
     filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.1
     to Cyrk's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended March 31,
     1999, which has been filed with the SEC;

          (B) specific risks or uncertainties associated with Cyrk's
     expectations with respect to Yucaipa's proposed investment, including the
     benefits or costs associated with the investment; and

          (C) general economic conditions.

     The actual results, performance or achievement by Cyrk (including following
the investment) could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by,
these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given
that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will
transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the
results of operations and financial condition of Cyrk.

                   WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the
SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago,
Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the
public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from
commercial document retrieval services and at the web site maintained by the SEC
at http://www.sec.gov. Please note that the Employment Agreements, Termination
Agreement, Management Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement were filed as
exhibits to our Report on Form 8-K dated September 1, 1999 and filed on
September 3, 1999 and that the Voting Agreement was filed as an exhibit to a
Schedule 13D filed with respect to Cyrk on September 14, 1999. Each of these
agreements is incorporated by reference.

     Any document incorporated herein is available from Cyrk, without charge,
excluding all exhibits, unless the exhibit has been specifically incorporated by
reference in this proxy statement. Stockholders may obtain documents
incorporated by reference by requesting them in writing or by telephone as
follows:

           Patricia J. Landgren, Esq.
           Cyrk, Inc.
           3 Pond Road
           Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
           (978) 283-5800

                                       31
<PAGE>   38

     If you would like to request documents from Cyrk, please do so by November
  , 1999 to receive them before the Special Meeting. Cyrk will send requested
documents by first-class mail within one business day of receiving the request.

     You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this document to vote on the proposals at the Special Meeting. We
have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different
from what is contained in this document. This document is dated October   ,
1999. You should not assume that the information contained in this document is
accurate as of any other date, and neither the mailing of this document to
stockholders nor the taking of a vote at the Special Meeting shall create any
implication to the contrary.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference, which means that we can
disclose important information to you by referring to those documents we have
filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered a
part of this Proxy Statement. The following documents previously filed by us
with the SEC are hereby incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement:

     - Our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998

     - Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999.

     - Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999.

     - Our Report on Form 8-K describing the Yucaipa equity investment, dated
       September 8, 1999.

     Our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999 are included
with this Proxy Statement as Exhibits E, F and G, respectively. Any documents
subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of this Proxy
Statement and prior to the date of our Special Meeting shall also be deemed to
be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part hereof from the date of
filing such documents. See "Where You Can Find Additional Information."

        SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2000 ANNUAL MEETING

     Any stockholder who wishes to present a proposal for action at the 2000
Annual Meeting of Stockholders and who wishes to have it set forth in the proxy
statement and identified in the form of proxy prepared by us, must deliver such
proposal to us at our principal executive offices no later than December 15,
1999 and must meet the other requirements for inclusion set forth in Rule 14a-8
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

October   , 1999
                                            By Order of the Board of Directors

                                            PATRICIA J. LANDGREN
                                            Secretary

                                       32
<PAGE>   39

                                                                      Appendix A

                                   CYRK, INC.

                        1993 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                          Effective as of May 10, 1993


 l.      PURPOSE. The purpose of this Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan")
         is to provide employees of Cyrk, Inc., a Delaware corporation
         (formerly, Cyrk International, Inc., and, hereinafter, the "Company"),
         and its subsidiaries, who wish to become stockholders of the Company an
         opportunity to purchase Common Stock of the Company (the "Shares"). The
         Plan is intended to qualify as an "employee stock purchase plan" within
         the meaning of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
         amended (the "Code").

 2.      ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. Subject to provisions of Sections 7, 8 and 9 below,
         any individual who is in the full-time employment (as defined below) of
         the Company, or any of its subsidiaries (as defined in Section 424(f)
         of the Code) the employees of which are designated by the Board of
         Directors as eligible to participate in the Plan, is eligible to
         participate in any Offering of Shares (as defined in Section 3 below)
         made by the Company hereunder. Full-time employment shall include all
         employees whose customary employment is:

         (a)    in excess of 20 hours per week; and

         (b)    more than five months in the relevant calendar year.

 3.      OFFERING DATES. From time to time the Company, by action of the Board
         of Directors, will grant rights to purchase Shares to employees
         eligible to participate in the Plan pursuant to one or more offerings
         (each of which is an "Offering") on a date or series of dates (each of
         which is an "Offering Date") designated for this purpose by the Board
         of Directors.

 4.      PRICES. The Price per share for each grant of rights hereunder shall be
         the lesser of:

         (a)    eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair market value of a Share on
                the Offering Date on which such right was granted; or

         (b)    eighty-five percent (85%) of the fair market value of a Share on
                the date such right is exercised. At its discretion, the Board
                of Directors may determine a higher price for a grant of rights.

         For purposes of this Plan, the term "fair market value" on any date
         means (i) the average (on that date) of the high and low prices of the
         Company's Common Stock on the principal national securities exchange on
         which the Common Stock is traded, if the Common Stock is


<PAGE>   40



         then traded on a national securities exchange; or (ii) the last
         reported sale price (on that date) of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ
         National Market List, if the Common Stock is not then traded on a
         national securities exchange; or (iii) the average of the closing bid
         and asked prices last quoted (on that date) by an established quotation
         service for over-the-counter securities, if the Common Sock is not
         reported on the NASDAQ National Market List. If the Company's Common
         Stock is not publicly traded at the time right is granted under this
         Plan, "fair market value" shall mean the fair market value of the
         Common Stock as determined by the Administrator after taking into
         consideration all factors which it deems appropriate, including,
         without limitation, recent sale and offer prices of the Common Stock in
         private transactions negotiated at arm's length.

 5.      EXERCISE OF RIGHTS AND METHOD OF PAYMENT.

         (a)    Rights granted under the Plan will be exercisable periodically
                on specified dates as determined by the Board of Directors.

         (b)    The method of payment for Shares purchased upon exercise or
                rights granted hereunder shall be through regular payroll
                deductions or by lump sum cash payment, or both, as determined
                by the Board of Directors. No interest shall be paid upon
                payroll deductions unless specifically provided for by the Board
                of Directors.

         (c)    Any payments received by the Company from a participating
                employee and not utilized for the purchase of Shares upon
                exercise of a right granted hereunder shall be promptly returned
                to such employee by the Company after termination of the right
                to which the payment relates.

 6.      TERM OF RIGHTS. Rights granted on any Offering Date shall be
         exercisable upon the expiration of such period ("Offering Period") as
         shall be determined by the Board of Directors when it authorizes the
         Offering, provided that such Offering Period shall in no event be
         longer than twenty-seven (27) months.

 7.      SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. No more than 300,000 Shares may be sold
         pursuant to rights granted under the Plan; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
         appropriate adjustment shall be made in such number, in the number of
         Shares covered by outstanding rights granted hereunder, in the exercise
         price of the rights and in the maximum number of Shares which an
         employee may purchase (pursuant to Section 9 below) to give effect to
         any mergers, consolidations, reorganizations, recapitalizations, stock
         splits, stock dividends or other relevant changes in the capitalization
         of the Company occurring after the effective date of the Plan, provided
         that no fractional Shares shall be subject to a right and each right
         shall be adjusted downward to the nearest full Share. Any agreement of
         merger or consolidation will include provisions for protection of the
         then existing rights of participating employees under the Plan. Either
         authorized and unissued Shares or issued Shares heretofore or hereafter
         reacquired by the Company may be made subject to rights under the Plan.
         If for any reason any right under the

                                        2

<PAGE>   41



         Plan terminates in whole or in part, Shares subject to such terminated
         right may again be subjected to a right under the Plan.

 8.      LIMITATIONS ON GRANTS.

         (a)    No employee shall be granted a right hereunder if such employee,
                immediately after the right is granted, would own stock or
                rights to purchase stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of
                the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock
                of the Company, or of any subsidiary, computed in accordance
                with Sections 423(b)(3) and 424(d) of the Code.

         (b)    No employee shall be granted a right which permits his right to
                purchase shares under all employee stock purchase plans of the
                Company and its subsidiaries to accrue at a rate which exceeds
                twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) (or such other maximum as
                may be prescribed from time to time by the Code) of the fair
                market value of such Shares (determined at the time such right
                is granted) for each calendar year in which such right is
                outstanding at any time in accordance with the provisions of
                Section 423(b)(8) of the Code.

         (c)    No right granted to any participating employee under a single
                Offering shall cover more shares than may be purchased at an
                exercise price equal to 10% of the compensation payable to the
                employee during the Offering not taking into consideration any
                changes in the employee's rate of compensation after the date
                the employee elects to participate in the Offering, or such
                other percentage as determined by the Board of Directors from
                time to time.

 9.      LIMIT ON PARTICIPATION. Participation in an Offering shall be limited
         to eligible employees who elect to participate in such Offering in the
         manner, and within the time limitation, established by the Board of
         Directors when it authorizes the offering.

10.      CANCELLATION OF ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE. An employee who has elected to
         participate in an Offering may, unless the employee has waived this
         cancellation right at the time of such election in a manner established
         by the Board of Directors, cancel such election as to all (but not
         part) of the rights granted under such Offering by giving written
         notice of such cancellation to the Company before the expiration of the
         Offering Period. Any amounts paid by the employee for the Shares or
         withheld for the purchase of Shares from the employee's compensation
         through payroll deductions shall be paid to the employee, without
         interest, upon such cancellation.

11.      TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Upon termination of employment for any
         reason, including the death of the employee, before the date on which
         any rights granted under the Plan are exercisable, all such rights
         shall immediately terminate and amounts paid by the employee for the
         Shares or withheld for the purchase of Shares from the employee's

                                        3

<PAGE>   42



         compensation through payroll deductions shall be paid to the employee
         or to the employee's estate, without interest.

12.      EMPLOYEE'S RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. No participating employee shall have
         any rights as a stockholder in the Shares covered by a right granted
         hereunder until such rights has been exercised, full payment has been
         made for the corresponding Shares and the Share certificate is actually
         issued.

13.      RIGHTS NOT TRANSFERABLE. Rights under the Plan are not assignable or
         transferable by a participating employee and are exercisable only by
         the employee.

14.      LIMITS ON SALE OF STOCK PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN. The Plan is intended
         to provide shares of Common Stock for investment and not for resale.
         The Company does not, however, intend to restrict or influence any
         employee in the conduct of his/her own affairs. An employee may,
         therefore, sell stock purchased under the Plan at any time the employee
         chooses, subject to compliance with any applicable Federal or state
         securities laws; provided, however, that because of certain Federal tax
         requirements, each employee agrees by entering the Plan, promptly to
         give the Company notice of any such stock disposed of within two years
         after the date of grant of the applicable right showing the number of
         such shares disposed of. THE EMPLOYEE ASSUMES THE RISK OF ANY MARKET
         FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PRICE OF THE STOCK.

15.      AMENDMENTS TO OR DISCONTINUANCE OF THE PLAN.  The Board of Directors
         may at any time terminate or amend this Plan without notice and without
         further action on the part of stockholders of the Company, provided:

         (a)    that no such termination or amendment shall adversely affect the
                then existing rights of any participating employee;

         (b)    that any such amendment which:

                (i)   increases the number of Shares subject to the Plan
                      (subject to the provisions of Section 7);

                (ii)  changes the class of persons eligible to participate under
                      the Plan; or

                (iii) materially increases the benefits accruing to participants
                      under the Plan

         shall be subject to approval of the stockholders of the Company.

16.      EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPROVALS. The Plan is being adopted by the Board of
         Directors on May 10, 1993 to become effective as of said date. The
         Company's obligation to offer, sell and deliver its Shares under the
         Plan is subject to the approval of its stockholders not later than May
         10, 1994 and of any governmental authority required in connection with

                                        4

<PAGE>   43


         the authorized issuance or sale of such Shares and is further subject
         to the Company receiving the opinion of its counsel that all applicable
         securities laws have been complied with.

17.      TERM OF PLAN. No rights shall be granted under the Plan after May 10,
         2003.

18.      ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors or any committee or
         persons to whom it delegates its authority (the "Administrator") shall
         administer, interpret and apply all provisions of the Plan. The
         Administrator may waive such provisions of the Plan as it deems
         necessary to meet special circumstances not anticipated or covered
         expressly by the Plan. Nothing contained in this Section shall be
         deemed to authorize the Administrator to alter or administer the
         provisions of the Plan in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of
         Section 423 of the Code. No member of the Administrator shall be liable
         for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the
         Plan or any right granted under it.

         Date approved by the Board
         of Directors of the Company:                May 10, 1993

         Date approved by the
         Stockholders of the Company:                May 10, 1993






                                        5



<PAGE>   44

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------









                         SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                         DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 1999

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                              OVERSEAS TOYS, L.P.

                                      AND

                                   CYRK, INC.









- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       A-1
<PAGE>   45

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         PAGE
                                                                                         ----
<S>                  <C>                                                                 <C>
RECITALS             ..................................................................   A-1
ARTICLE 1            DEFINITIONS.......................................................   A-2
ARTICLE 1.1          Certain Defined Terms.............................................   A-2
ARTICLE 2            SALE AND TRANSFER OF SECURITIES; CLOSING..........................   A-3
ARTICLE 2.1          Sale and Purchase of Securities...................................   A-3
ARTICLE 2.2          Purchase Price; Payment...........................................   A-3
ARTICLE 2.3          Closing...........................................................   A-3
ARTICLE 3            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................................   A-3
ARTICLE 3.1          Disclosure Schedule...............................................   A-3
ARTICLE 3.2          Representations and Warranties of the Company.....................   A-4
                     (a)   Organization, Standing and Corporate Power..................   A-4
                     (b)   Subsidiaries................................................   A-4
                     (c)   Capitalization; Valid Issuance of Shares....................   A-5
                     (d)   Authority; Noncontravention.................................   A-5
                     (e)   SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities......................   A-5
                     (f)   Information Supplied........................................   A-6
                     (g)   Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................   A-6
                     (h)   Litigation; Labor Matters; Compliance with Laws.............   A-7
                     (i)   Employee Matters............................................   A-7
                     (j)   Tax Returns and Tax Payments................................   A-8
                           State Antitakeover Laws Not Applicable; No Other
                     (k)   Restrictions................................................   A-8
                     (l)   Environmental Matters.......................................   A-9
                     (m)   Properties..................................................   A-9
                     (n)   Intellectual Property.......................................   A-9
                     (o)   Brokers.....................................................   A-9
                     (p)   Opinion of Financial Advisor................................  A-10
                     (q)   Board and Special Committee Recommendations.................  A-10
                     (r)   Common Shares Listing.......................................  A-10
                     (s)   Required Vote...............................................  A-10
                     (t)   Termination of Shareholders Agreement.......................  A-10
                     (u)   Year 2000 Compliance........................................  A-10
ARTICLE 3.3          Representations and Warranties of the Investor....................  A-10
                     (a)   Organization, Standing and Power............................  A-10
                     (b)   Authority; Noncontravention.................................  A-11
                     (c)   Information Supplied........................................  A-11
                     (d)   Litigation..................................................  A-11
                     (e)   Brokers.....................................................  A-11
                     (f)   Investor Status.............................................  A-11
                     (g)   Accredited Investor.........................................  A-12
                     (h)   Financial Ability...........................................  A-12
                     (i)   No Other Agreements.........................................  A-12
ARTICLE 4            COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY..........................................  A-12
ARTICLE 4.1          Affirmative Covenants.............................................  A-12
ARTICLE 4.2          Restrictions......................................................  A-12
ARTICLE 4.3          No Solicitation...................................................  A-13
ARTICLE 4.4          Certain Agreements................................................  A-14
ARTICLE 4.5          Continuing Covenants..............................................  A-14
ARTICLE 5            ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.............................................  A-16
ARTICLE 5.1          Preparation of the Proxy Statement; Stockholder Meeting...........  A-16
ARTICLE 5.2          Best Efforts......................................................  A-16
ARTICLE 5.3          Public Announcements..............................................  A-16
ARTICLE 5.4          Takeover Statutes.................................................  A-17
ARTICLE 5.5          Restriction on Investor...........................................  A-17
</TABLE>

                                       A-2
<PAGE>   46

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         PAGE
                                                                                         ----
<S>                  <C>                                                                 <C>
ARTICLE 5.6          Restrictive Legend................................................  A-17
ARTICLE 5.7          Standstill........................................................  A-17
ARTICLE 5.8          Resignation of Investor Directors.................................  A-18
ARTICLE 6            CONDITIONS PRECEDENT..............................................  A-18
ARTICLE 6.1          Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To Effect the Closing.......  A-18
                     (a)   HSR Act.....................................................  A-18
                     (b)   No Injunctions or Restraints................................  A-19
                     (c)   Company Stockholder Approval................................  A-19
ARTICLE 6.2          Conditions to Obligation of the Investor..........................  A-19
                     (a)   Representations and Warranties..............................  A-19
                     (b)   Performance of Obligations of the Company...................  A-19
                     (c)   Consents, etc...............................................  A-19
                     (d)   No Material Adverse Change..................................  A-19
                     (e)   Delivery of Certain Documents...............................  A-19
ARTICLE 6.3          Conditions to Obligation of the Company...........................  A-20
                     (a)   Representations and Warranties..............................  A-20
                     (b)   Performance of Obligations of the Investor..................  A-20
                     (c)   Delivery of Certain Documents...............................  A-20
ARTICLE 7            TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.................................  A-20
ARTICLE 7.1          Termination.......................................................  A-20
ARTICLE 7.2          Effect of Termination.............................................  A-21
ARTICLE 7.3          Amendment.........................................................  A-22
ARTICLE 7.4          Extension; Waiver.................................................  A-22
ARTICLE 8            INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES.........................................  A-22
ARTICLE 8.1          Survival; Right To Indemnification Not Affected By Knowledge......  A-22
ARTICLE 8.2          Indemnification and Payment of Damages By the Company.............  A-22
ARTICLE 8.3          Indemnification and Payment of Damages By the Investor............  A-22
ARTICLE 8.4          Limitation on Amount..............................................  A-23
ARTICLE 8.5          Procedure for Indemnification  -- Third Party Claims..............  A-23
ARTICLE 8.6          Procedure for Indemnification -- Other Claims.....................  A-24
ARTICLE 8.7          Remedies Exclusive................................................  A-24
ARTICLE 9            GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................  A-24
ARTICLE 9.1          Notices...........................................................  A-24
ARTICLE 9.2          Interpretation....................................................  A-25
ARTICLE 9.3          Counterparts......................................................  A-25
ARTICLE 9.4          Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries....................  A-25
ARTICLE 9.5          Costs and Expenses................................................  A-25
ARTICLE 9.6          Governing Law.....................................................  A-26
ARTICLE 9.7          Assignment........................................................  A-26
ARTICLE 9.8          Enforcement.......................................................  A-26
ARTICLE 9.9          Severability......................................................  A-26
ARTICLE 9.10         Further Assurances................................................  A-26
ARTICLE 9.11         Construction......................................................  A-26

EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A            Definitions.......................................................   A-1
EXHIBIT B            Certificate of Designation........................................   B-1
EXHIBIT C            Form of Warrant...................................................   C-1
EXHIBIT D            Registration Rights Agreement.....................................   D-1
EXHIBIT E            Management Agreement..............................................   E-1
EXHIBIT F            Form of Opinion of Company Counsel................................   F-1
</TABLE>

                                       A-3

<PAGE>   47

                         SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     THIS SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into as of
September 1, 1999 by and between OVERSEAS TOYS, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (the "Investor"), and CYRK, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company").

                                    RECITALS

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to sell to the Investor, and the Investor
desires to purchase from the Company, (i) a total of 25,000 shares of Series A
Senior Cumulative Participating Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, the
Certificate of Designation of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Series
A Preferred Stock"), and (ii) a warrant, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
C, to purchase an additional 15,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the
"Warrant"), pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has approved, and deemed it
advisable, that the Company (i) execute and deliver this Agreement and
consummate the Contemplated Transactions, and (ii) issue and sell to the
Investor such shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrant on the terms
and conditions set forth herein;

     WHEREAS, concurrently with the closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, the Company will enter into a registration rights agreement with
the Investor with respect to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the
Warrant being acquired by the Investor herein (the "Registration Rights
Agreement"), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D;

     WHEREAS, concurrently with the closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, the Company will enter into a management agreement with The
Yucaipa Companies, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E (the "Management
Agreement"), to provide management and consulting services to the Company;

     WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, certain
shareholders of the Company are entering into a voting agreement with the
Investor (the "Voting Agreement") whereby such shareholders have agreed to vote
their shares in favor (a) of the Company Stockholder Approval (as defined in
Section 3.2(s)) and any other vote, consent or action as required of the
stockholders of the Company to approve the Contemplated Transactions and (b) the
election of certain nominees selected by Investor to the Board of Directors of
the Company; and

     WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and in order to
induce the Investor to agree to the transactions contemplated hereby, the
Company has entered into Employment Agreements with each of Patrick Brady and
Allan Brown to serve as Co-Chief Executive Officers and Co-Presidents of the
Company (collectively, the "Employment Agreements"), such Employment Agreements
to be effective only as of the Closing.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties,
covenants, restrictions and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties
agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1

                                  DEFINITIONS

     1.1  Certain Defined Terms.  Capitalized words and phrases used in this
Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in
Exhibit A hereto.

                                       A-4
<PAGE>   48

                                   ARTICLE 2

                    SALE AND TRANSFER OF SECURITIES; CLOSING

     2.1  Sale and Purchase of Securities.  At the Closing provided for in
Section 2.3, and on the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth,
the Company shall sell, transfer, assign, convey, and deliver to the Investor,
and the Investor shall purchase, accept, and acquire from the Company, a total
of 25,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred Shares")
and the Warrant (together with the Series A Preferred Shares, the "Purchased
Securities").

     2.2  Purchase Price; Payment.  In consideration of the sale, transfer,
assignment, conveyance and delivery to the Investor of the Purchased Securities,
the Investor agrees to pay to the Company on the Closing Date, by wire transfer
of immediately available funds to an account specified by the Company, an
aggregate purchase price of Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000) (the
"Purchase Price").

     2.3  Closing

     (a) The closing of the transactions contemplated by Sections 2.1 and 2.2
shall take place at the offices of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, 355 South Grand
Avenue, Suite 3500, Los Angeles, California at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time, or at
such other time and place as the Company and the Investor may mutually agree in
writing, as soon as practicable and in any event within two (2) Business Days
following, and subject to, the prior fulfillment or waiver of all conditions
(other than conditions to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to those
conditions) set forth in Article 6 hereof (such event being called the "Closing"
and such date, the "Closing Date"). All transactions required to occur at the
Closing shall be deemed to have occurred simultaneously, and no such transaction
shall be deemed to have occurred until all have occurred.

     (b) At the Closing, the Company will deliver the following to the Investor:

          (i) A duly executed stock certificate evidencing the Series A
     Preferred Shares registered in the name of the Investor;

          (ii) The duly executed Warrant registered in the name of the Investor;

          (iii) The Registration Rights Agreement and the Management Agreement,
     each duly executed and delivered by the Company; and

          (iv) The documents, instruments and writings contemplated or required
     to be delivered by the Company at the Closing pursuant to Section 6.2 or
     otherwise contemplated or required under this Agreement.

     (c) At the Closing, the Investor will deliver to the Company:

          (i) The Purchase Price;

          (ii) The Registration Rights Agreement duly executed and delivered by
     the Investor, and the Management Agreement duly executed and delivered by
     The Yucaipa Companies; and

          (iii) The documents, instruments and writings contemplated or required
     to be delivered by the Investor at the Closing pursuant to Section 6.3 or
     otherwise contemplated or required under this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE 3

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     3.1  Disclosure Schedule.  On the date hereof, the Company has delivered to
the Investor a schedule (the "Disclosure Schedule") setting forth, among other
things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in
response to an express disclosure requirement contained in a provision hereof or
as an exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in
Section 3.2, or to one or more of its covenants contained herein.

                                       A-5
<PAGE>   49

     3.2  Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company represents
and warrants to the Investor, except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, as
follows:

     (a)  Organization, Standing and Corporate Power.  The Company and each of
its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated and has the requisite
corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted.
The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its
business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification
or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be
so qualified or licensed (individually or in the aggregate) would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. Section 3.2(a) of the Disclosure Schedule contains
complete and correct copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
the Company and the comparable Organizational Documents of each of its
Subsidiaries.

     (b)  Subsidiaries.  The only direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Company
and other ownership interests held by the Company in any other Person are those
listed in Section 3.2(b) of the Disclosure Schedule or in Exhibit 21.1 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, and other than such listed Subsidiaries and Persons, the Company does not
own (directly or indirectly) any stock, securities or equity interests in any
Person. All the outstanding shares of capital stock or other ownership interests
of each such listed Subsidiary and Person have been validly issued and are fully
paid and nonassessable and are owned (of record and beneficially) by the
Company, by another Subsidiary (wholly owned) of the Company or by the Company
and another such Subsidiary (wholly owned), free and clear of all pledges,
claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and security interests of any kind or
nature whatsoever (collectively, "Liens").

     (c)  Capitalization; Valid Issuance of Shares.  The authorized capital
stock of the Company consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par
value per share (the "Common Shares"), and 1,000,000 shares of "blank-check"
preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Preferred Shares"). As of the
date of this Agreement, there are (i) 15,740,857 Common Shares issued and
outstanding, (ii) no Common Shares held in the treasury of the Company or held
by any Subsidiary of the Company; (iii) 1,319,276 Common Shares reserved for
issuance upon exercise of authorized but unissued Company Stock Options pursuant
to the Option Plans; (iv) 2,313,155 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding Company Stock Options; (v) 300,000 Common Shares issuable upon
exercise of the warrants listed in Section 3.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule,
and (vi) no Preferred Shares issued or outstanding. Section 3.2(c) of the
Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all Company Stock
Options outstanding pursuant to the Option Plans including the date of grant,
name of option holder, exercise price and expiration date. Except as set forth
in this Section 3.2(c), no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of
the Company are issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Company are, and all shares which may be issued
pursuant to the Stock Plans will be when issued, duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights. The
Series A Preferred Shares and the Warrant, when issued, paid for and delivered
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and the Series A Preferred
Shares to be issued pursuant to the Warrant, will be duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights.
Except as set forth in Section 3.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no
outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness or other securities
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries having the right to vote (or
convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on
any matters on which stockholders of the Company or such Subsidiary may vote.
Except as set forth in Section 3.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no
outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments,
agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be
issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or other equity or
voting securities of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries or obligating the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, grant, extend or enter into any
such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement
or undertaking. Other than the Company Stock Options or the warrants set forth
in Section 3.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule or as otherwise set forth in
Section 3.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, (x) there are no outstanding
contractual obligations, commitments, understandings

                                       A-6
<PAGE>   50

or arrangements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire or make any payment in respect of or measured or determined
based on the value or market price of any shares of capital stock of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries and (y) to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no
irrevocable proxies with respect to shares of capital stock of the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company. Except as set forth in Section 3.2(c) of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no agreements or arrangements pursuant to which
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or would be required to register
Common Shares, Preferred Shares or other securities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.

     (d)  Authority; Noncontravention.  The Company has the requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
Contemplated Transactions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
Management Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by the Company and
the consummation by the Company of the Contemplated Transactions have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, subject
to the approval of the Company's stockholders of the issuance and sale of the
Purchased Securities to the Investor and the election to the Board of Directors
of the Company of the Investor's nominees pursuant to Section 5.1(b). This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms. When duly executed and delivered by the Company at
Closing, each of the Management Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and
the Warrant shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. Except as
disclosed in Section 3.2(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, the execution and
delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions and compliance with the provisions hereof will not, conflict with,
or result in any breach or violation of, or default (with or without notice or
lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination,
cancellation, payment or acceleration of or "put" right with respect to any
obligation or to loss of a material benefit under, or result in the creation of
any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries under, (i) the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the
Company or the comparable Organizational Documents of any of its Subsidiaries,
(ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease,
contract or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or
license applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective
properties or assets which is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole ("Material Contracts") or (iii) subject to the governmental filings
and other matters referred to in the following sentence, any judgment, order,
decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation or arbitration award
applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective
properties or assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any
such conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults, rights, losses or Liens that
individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect or
would not prevent or materially hinder or delay the ability of the Company to
consummate the Contemplated Transactions. No consent, approval, order or
authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any
federal, state or local government or any court, administrative agency or
commission or other governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, (each
a "Governmental Entity" and collectively, "Governmental Entities") or any other
Person, is required by or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company
or the consummation by the Company of the Contemplated Transactions, except for
(i) the filing of a premerger notification and report form by the Company under
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR
Act"), (ii) the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
of (x) the Proxy Statement, and (y) such reports or schedules under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as may be
required in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions,
(iii) the Company Stockholder Approval, and (iv) such other consents, approvals,
orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations, filings or notices for
which the absence of such would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect or as are set forth in Section 3.2(d) of the Disclosure
Schedule.

     (e)  SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities.  The Company has filed all
required reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents with the SEC
since January 1, 1996 (collectively, and in each case including all exhibits and
schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, the "Company

                                       A-7
<PAGE>   51

SEC Documents"). As of their respective dates (or, if amended, at the time of
such amended filing or, in the case of Securities Act registration statements,
on their respective effective dates), the Company SEC Documents complied in all
material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated
thereunder applicable to such Company SEC Documents, and none of the Company SEC
Documents (including any and all financial statements included therein) as of
such dates and as of the date hereof (except as set forth in subsequent filings
with the SEC prior to the date hereof and, only with respect to Company SEC
Documents filed after the date hereof, except as set forth in subsequent filings
with the SEC prior to the Closing Date) contained or contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The consolidated
financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents (the
"Company SEC Financial Statements") comply as to form in all material respects
with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited
consolidated quarterly statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied
on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
the notes thereto) and fairly present the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then
ended (subject, in the case of unaudited quarterly statements, to normal
year-end audit adjustments). Since December 31, 1998, neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or obligations required to
be reflected in its balance sheet (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or
otherwise) except (i) as and to the extent set forth on the audited balance
sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 (including the
notes thereto), (ii) as incurred in connection with the Contemplated
Transactions, (iii) as set forth in Section 3.2(e) of the Disclosure Schedule,
(iv) as described in the Company SEC Documents filed since December 31, 1998,
but prior to the date of this Agreement (the "Recent Company SEC Documents") or
(v) as incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
in amounts that are not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole. Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or has received any
notice or has any Knowledge that any other party is, in default or breach under
or is unable to perform in any material respect under any Material Contracts,
nor has there occurred any event that with the lapse of time or the giving of
notice or both would constitute such a default or breach, except for those
defaults, breaches or inability to perform which would not reasonably be
expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

     (f)  Information Supplied.  None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy
Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company's stockholders or
at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement
will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, except that
no representation is made by the Company with respect to statements made or
incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied in writing by
the Investor for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.

     (g)  Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as disclosed in the
Recent Company SEC Documents or in Section 3.2(g) of the Disclosure Schedule,
since December 31, 1998, the Company has conducted its business only in the
ordinary course consistent with past practice, and there is not and has not
been: (i) any Material Adverse Change; (ii) any condition, event or occurrence
which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect or give rise to a Material Adverse Change; (iii) any
event which, if it had taken place following the execution of this Agreement,
would not have been permitted by Sections 4.2 or 4.4 without the prior written
consent of the Investor; or (iv) any condition, event or occurrence which would
prevent or materially hinder or delay the ability of the Company to consummate
the Contemplated Transactions.

                                       A-8
<PAGE>   52

     (h) Litigation; Labor Matters; Compliance with Laws

          (i) Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents, there is no
     suit, action, proceeding, investigation or inquiry pending or, to the
     Knowledge of the Company, Threatened against or affecting the Company or
     any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any basis for
     any such suit, action, proceeding, investigation or inquiry that,
     individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a
     Material Adverse Effect or prevent or materially hinder or delay the
     ability of the Company or the Investor to consummate the Contemplated
     Transactions, nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order
     of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding against the Company or
     any of its Subsidiaries having, or which, in the future would reasonably be
     expected to have, any such effect.

          (ii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or
     bound by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract or other agreement
     or understanding with a labor union or labor organization, nor is it or any
     of its Subsidiaries the subject of any proceeding asserting that it or any
     Subsidiary has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel it
     to bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions of
     employment nor is there any strike, work stoppage or other labor dispute
     involving it or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to its Knowledge,
     Threatened, any of which would reasonably be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect.

          (iii) The conduct of the business of each of the Company and each of
     its Subsidiaries complies with all statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances,
     rules, judgments, orders, decrees or arbitration awards applicable thereto,
     except for violations or failures so to comply, if any, that, individually
     or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect.

     (i)  Employee Matters.  Section 3.2(i) of the Disclosure Schedule contains
a complete and accurate list of all employment, severance, bonus, profit
sharing, compensation, termination, stock option, stock appreciation right,
restricted stock, phantom stock, performance unit, pension, retirement, deferred
compensation, welfare or employee benefit plan, agreement, trust fund or other
arrangement and any union, guild or collective bargaining agreement maintained
or contributed to or required to be contributed to by the Company or any of its
ERISA Affiliates, for the benefit or welfare of any current or former director,
officer, employee, consultant of the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates
(such plans, agreements, trust funds and arrangements being collectively the
"Employee Agreements and Plans"), other than employment agreements which provide
for compensation to an individual that is not in excess of $60,000 per year
(including any payments available upon acceleration, termination, or change of
control). Each of the Employee Agreements and Plans is in compliance with all
applicable laws including ERISA and the Code except where noncompliance would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The IRS has issued
a determination letter stating that each Employee Agreement and Plan that is
intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified
and the Company is aware of no event occurring after the date of such
determination that would adversely affect such determination. The liabilities
accrued under each such Employee Agreement and Plan are reflected on the latest
balance sheet of the Company included in the Recent SEC Reports to the extent
required in accordance with GAAP. No condition exists that is reasonably likely
to subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any direct or indirect
liability under Title IV of ERISA or to a civil penalty under Section 502(j) of
ERISA or liability under Section 4069 of ERISA or 4975, 4976, or 4980B of the
Code or the loss of a federal tax deduction under Section 280G of the Code or
other liability with respect to the Employee Agreements and Plan that would have
a Material Adverse Effect and that is not reflected on such balance sheet. No
Employee Agreement and Plan (other than any one that is a "multiemployer plan"
as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, all of which are
indicated in Section 3.2(i) of the Disclosure Schedule) is subject to Title IV
of ERISA. There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, anticipated
or Threatened claims (other than routine claims for benefits or immaterial
claims) by, on behalf of or against any of the Employee Agreements and Plans or
any trusts related thereto. "ERISA Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person,
any trade or business, whether or not incorporated, that together with such
Person would be deemed a "single employer" within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(15) of ERISA.

                                       A-9
<PAGE>   53

     (j)  Tax Returns and Tax Payments.

          (i)  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has filed or caused to
     be filed, on a timely basis, all Tax Returns that are or were required to
     be filed by or with respect to any of them, either separately or as a
     member of a group, pursuant to applicable law. Each of the Company and its
     Subsidiaries has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all Taxes that
     have or may have become due pursuant to those Tax Returns or otherwise, or
     pursuant to any assessment received by the Company or its Subsidiaries,
     except such Taxes, if any, as are listed in Section 3.2(j)(i)(B) of the
     Disclosure Schedule and are being contested in good faith and as to which
     adequate reserves (determined in accordance with GAAP) have been provided
     in the Company SEC Financial Statements;

          (ii)  The Company and its Subsidiaries have not granted the IRS or
     relevant state tax authorities any extension or waiver of or the applicable
     statute of limitations for their respective United States federal and state
     income Tax Returns for any period. All deficiencies proposed as a result of
     any audits of any Tax Returns have been paid, reserved against, settled,
     or, as listed on Section 3.2(j)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, are being
     contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings. No issues have been
     raised (and are currently pending) by any taxing authority in connection
     with any Tax Return of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and neither
     the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has given or been requested to give
     waivers or extensions (or is or would be subject to a waiver or extension
     given by any other Person) of any statute of limitations relating to the
     payment of Taxes of the Company or its Subsidiaries for which any of them
     may be liable;

          (iii)  The charges, accruals, and reserves with respect to Taxes on
     the respective books of each of the Company and its Subsidiaries are
     adequate (determined in accordance with GAAP) and are at least equal to
     that company's liability for Taxes. All Taxes that the Company or any of
     its Subsidiaries is or was required by applicable law to withhold or
     collect have been duly withheld or collected and, to the extent required,
     have been paid to the proper governmental entity or other Person;

          (iv)  All Tax Returns filed by (or that include on a consolidated
     basis) the Company and/or its Subsidiaries are true, correct, and complete.
     There is no tax sharing agreement that will require any payment by the
     Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement. Except
     as set forth in Section 3.2(j)(iv) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the
     Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has been a member of any
     consolidated, combined, unitary or aggregate group for Tax purposes except
     such a group consisting only of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and

          (v) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has filed a
     consent pursuant to the collapsible corporation provisions of Section
     341(f) of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or
     foreign income tax law).

     (k)  State Antitakeover Laws Not Applicable; No Other Restrictions.  The
Board of Directors of the Company has approved this Agreement and the
Contemplated Transactions and such approval constitutes approval of the
Investor's acquisition of the Series A Preferred Shares and the Warrant and the
other Contemplated Transactions by the Board of Directors of the Company under
the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL and Chapter 110C of the Massachusetts
General Laws such that such provisions do not apply to this Agreement or the
Contemplated Transactions. No other state takeover statute or similar statute or
regulation of the State of Delaware or The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (or, to
the Knowledge of the Company, of any other state or jurisdiction) applies to
this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions. No provision of the Certificate
of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing instruments of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or the terms of any plan or agreement of the Company would,
directly or indirectly, restrict or impair (i) the ability of the Investor to
vote, or otherwise to exercise the rights of a stockholder with respect to,
securities of the Company and its Subsidiaries that may be acquired or
controlled by the Investor by virtue of this Agreement or the Contemplated
Transactions or (ii) the rights granted hereunder, or permit any stockholder to
acquire securities of the Company or the Investor, or any of their respective
Subsidiaries, on a basis not available to the Investor in the event that the
Investor were to acquire securities of the Company.

                                      A-10
<PAGE>   54

     (l)  Environmental Matters.  There are no legal, administrative, arbitral
or other proceedings, claims, actions, causes of action or, to the Knowledge of
the Company, private environmental investigations or remediation activities or
governmental investigations of any nature seeking to impose, or that would
reasonably be expected to result in the imposition, on the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries of any liability or obligations arising under common law standards
relating to environmental protection, human health or safety, or under any
local, state, federal, national or supernational environmental statute,
regulation or ordinance, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (collectively, 'Environmental
Laws"), pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, Threatened, against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which liability or obligation would have or
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, there is no reasonable basis for any
such proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation that would impose
any liability or obligation that would have or would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, during or prior
to the period of (i) its or any of its Subsidiaries' ownership or operation of
any of their respective current properties, or (ii) its or any of its
Subsidiaries' holding of a security interest or other interest in any property,
there was no release or Threatened release of hazardous, toxic, radioactive or
dangerous materials or other materials regulated under Environmental Laws in,
on, under or affecting any such property which would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
is subject to any agreement, order, judgment, decree, letter or memorandum by or
with any court, regulatory agency, other Governmental Entity or third party
imposing any material liability or obligations pursuant to or under any
Environmental Law that would have or would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     (m)  Properties.  Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents, each of
the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) has good and marketable title to all the
properties and assets reflected in the latest audited balance sheet included in
such Recent Company SEC Documents as being owned by the Company or one of its
Subsidiaries or acquired after the date thereof which are, individually or in
the aggregate, material to the Company's business on a consolidated basis
(except properties and assets sold or otherwise disposed of since the date
thereof in the ordinary course of business), free and clear of all Liens except
Permitted Liens and (ii) is the lessee of all leasehold estates reflected in the
latest audited financial statements included in such Recent Company SEC
Documents or acquired after the date thereof which are material to its business
on a consolidated basis and is in possession of the properties purported to be
leased thereunder, and each such lease is valid without material default
thereunder by the lessee or, to the Company's Knowledge, the lessor.

     (n)  Intellectual Property.  Section 3.2(n) of the Disclosure Schedule
contains a list of all copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks and
tradenames (including applications, continuations, reissues and similar rights)
("Intellectual Property") and software (other than standard, off-the-shelf
software subject to "shrink wrap" licenses) ("Software") owned by or licensed to
the Company and its Subsidiaries which are material to the conduct of business
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company or the Subsidiary using
such Intellectual Property or Software either (i) owns the entire right, title
and interest in and to the Intellectual Property and Software free and clear of
any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) or (ii) has the right and license to use
the same in its business, except where the failure to so own or have such right
or license would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect. No proceedings are pending or, to the
Knowledge of the Company, Threatened, which challenge the validity, use or
ownership of any of the Intellectual Property or Software listed in Section
3.2(n) of the Disclosure Schedule. To the Knowledge of the Company, no
infringement by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Intellectual
Property of any other Person has occurred and the Company and its Subsidiaries
have not received notice of a claim that the Company or its Subsidiaries are
infringing any Intellectual Property of any other Person. To the Knowledge of
the Company, no Person is engaged in any unauthorized use of the Intellectual
Property of the Company.

     (o)  Brokers.  No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
Person, other than Bear, Stearns & Co., the fees and expenses of which will be
paid by the Company, is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's
or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Contemplated
Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company. The
Company has provided to

                                      A-11
<PAGE>   55

the Investor a true and correct copy of any agreement with Bear, Stearns & Co.
providing for payment of any such fee or commission.

     (p)  Opinion of Financial Advisor.  The Company has received, prior to the
execution of this Agreement, the oral opinion of Bear, Stearns & Co. to the
effect that the purchase price to be received by the Company for the Purchased
Securities is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company, a signed
written copy of which opinion, dated as of the date of this Agreement (the "Bear
Stearns Opinion"), will be delivered to the Investor within five (5) Business
Days of the date hereof.

     (q)  Board and Special Committee Recommendations.  The Board of Directors
of the Company, at a meeting duly called and held, has by unanimous vote of
those directors present (who constituted 100% of the directors then in office)
(i) determined that this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions are fair to
and in the best interests of the stockholders of the Company, (ii) approved the
Certificate of Designation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and resolved
that it be filed in accordance with applicable law as soon as practicable
following the Company Stockholder Approval and prior to the Closing Date, and
(iii) resolved to recommend that the holders of the Common Shares approve this
Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions. The special committee of
independent directors of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Special
Committee") has, by unanimous vote, recommended that the Board of Directors
approve this Agreement, the Certificate of Designation and the Contemplated
Transactions.

     (r)  Common Shares Listing.  The Common Shares are registered pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and are listed on the Nasdaq National Market
("Nasdaq"). The Company has taken no action designed to cause, or likely to
result in, the termination of the registration of the Common Shares under the
Exchange Act or the delisting of the Common Shares from Nasdaq, nor has the
Company received any notification that the SEC or the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") is contemplating the termination of such
registration or listing.

     (s)  Required Vote.  The Company Stockholder Approval, required pursuant to
NASD Rule 4310(c)(25)(H)(i)d.2. prior to the purchase by the Investor of the
Purchased Securities and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions in
order to avoid the possible delisting of the Common Shares from Nasdaq, is the
only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Company's securities
necessary to approve any of the Contemplated Transactions or this Agreement.

     (t)  Termination of Shareholders Agreement.  The Shareholders Agreement,
dated as of June 9, 1997, and as amended as of July 21, 1997, by and among the
Company, Allan Brown, The Eric Stanton Self-Declaration of Revocable Trust,
Gregory Shlopak, and Patrick Brady, will be terminated as of the Closing by way
of a termination agreement duly executed by all of the parties to such
Shareholders Agreement, an executed copy of which termination agreement has been
delivered by the Company to the Investor. Pursuant to such termination
agreement, Eric Stanton has relinquished any right he may have had to be
nominated to and/or to serve on the Board of Directors of the Company, including
pursuant to such Shareholders Agreement, his Consulting Agreement, dated as of
May 7, 1997, by and among Eric Stanton, the Company and SMI Merger, Inc., or
otherwise.

     (u)  Year 2000 Compliance.  The Company's disclosure in the Recent Company
SEC Documents concerning the "Year 2000" Issue is true and correct in all
material respects.

     3.3  Representations and Warranties of the Investor.  The Investor
represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

     (a)  Organization, Standing and Power.  The Investor is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
and has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now being
conducted. The Investor is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in
good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification or licensing
necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified
or licensed (individually or in the aggregate) would not have a material adverse
effect on the Investor.

                                      A-12
<PAGE>   56

     (b)  Authority; Noncontravention.  The Investor has all requisite
partnership power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate
the Contemplated Transactions. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
the Investor and the consummation by the Investor of the Contemplated
Transactions have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of
the Investor. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by, and
constitutes the valid and binding obligation of, the Investor, enforceable
against the Investor in accordance with its terms. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement does not, and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions
and compliance with the provisions hereof will not, conflict with, or result in
any breach or violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time,
or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration of or "put" right with respect to any obligation or to loss of a
benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon its or its
Subsidiaries' properties or assets under, (i) the Investor's Certificate of
Limited Partnership or the comparable Organizational Documents of any of its
Subsidiaries, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, lease, contract or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession,
franchise or license applicable to the Investor or any of its Subsidiaries,
properties or assets which is material to the Investor or (iii) subject to the
governmental filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence,
any judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation or
arbitration award applicable to the Investor or its Subsidiaries, properties or
assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such conflicts,
breaches, violations, defaults, rights, losses or Liens that individually or in
the aggregate would not have a material adverse effect with respect to the
Investor or would not prevent or materially hinder or delay the ability of the
Investor to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. No consent, approval,
order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, or
notice to, any Governmental Entity or any other Person is required by or with
respect to the Investor or any Subsidiary of Investor in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by the Investor of
any of the Contemplated Transactions, except for (i) the filing of a premerger
notification and report form under the HSR Act, (ii) the filing with the SEC of
such reports or schedules under the Exchange Act as may be required in
connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, and (iii) such
other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations,
filings or notices as may be required under the "takeover" or "blue sky" laws of
various states.

     (c)  Information Supplied.  None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by the Investor for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Proxy Statement will, at the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the
Company's stockholders or at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading.

     (d)  Litigation.  There is no suit, action, proceeding, investigation or
inquiry pending or, to the Knowledge of the Investor, Threatened against or
affecting the Investor or any of its Subsidiaries or any basis for any such
suit, action, proceeding, investigation or inquiry that, individually or in the
aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect with
respect to the Investor or prevent or materially hinder or delay the ability of
the Company or the Investor to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, nor is
there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity
or arbitrator outstanding against the Investor or any of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates having, or which, in the future would have, any such effect.

     (e)  Brokers.  No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
Person, other than Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, the fees
and expenses of which will be paid by the Company, is entitled to any broker's,
finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection
with the Contemplated Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf
of the Investor. The Investor has provided to the Company a true and correct
copy of any agreement with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
providing for payment of any such fee or commission.

     (f)  Investor Status.  The Investor has such knowledge and experience in
financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and
risks of its investment in the Series A Preferred Shares and the Warrant and is
able to bear the economic risks of such investment.

                                      A-13
<PAGE>   57

     (g)  Accredited Investor.  The Investor is an "accredited investor" as
defined in Rule 501(a) under the 1933 Act. The Investor is acquiring the Series
A Preferred Shares and the Warrant for its own account and not with a view to
any resale, distribution or other disposition of the Series A Preferred Shares
or the Warrant in violation of the United States securities laws.

     (h)  Financial Ability.  The Investor has the financial capability to
consummate the Contemplated Transactions, and the Investor understands that
under the terms of this Agreement the Investor's obligations hereunder are not
in any way contingent or otherwise subject to (i) the Investor's consummation of
any financing arrangements or the Investor's obtaining any financing or (ii) the
availability of any financing to the Investor.

     (i)  No Other Agreements.  Except for the Employment Agreements and the
Voting Agreement, the Investor has made no other agreements, arrangements or
understandings concerning the Contemplated Transactions or the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries with (a) any director, officer, employee or consultant of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (b) any stockholder beneficially owning
at least 5% of the outstanding Common Shares.

                                   ARTICLE 4

                            COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

     4.1  Affirmative Covenants.  The Company covenants and agrees with the
Investor that it will do or cause to be done the following, until the earlier of
the Closing or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1:

          (a) use its Best Efforts to obtain all consents, approvals and
     authorizations set forth and marked with an asterisk in Section 3.2(d) of
     the Disclosure Schedule, or otherwise required to consummate the
     Contemplated Transactions, and to consult with the Investor and keep the
     Investor appraised of the progress with respect to such consents, approvals
     and authorizations;

          (b) permit a Representative of the Investor to attend all meetings of
     the Board of Directors, provided, that the Representative of the Investor
     shall excuse himself or herself from the meeting if so requested by the
     Board of Directors;

          (c) promptly provide the Investor with written notification of any
     event, occurrence or other information of any kind whatsoever which in any
     way would cause any representation or warranty made by the Company in this
     Agreement to be untrue, incorrect or incomplete or would cause any of the
     conditions to any party's obligations to consummate the Contemplated
     Transactions not to be fulfilled ("Updates"). All such written
     notifications shall specifically identify any and all of the
     representations or warranties affected by the event, occurrence or
     information that necessitated the giving of such notice. Notwithstanding
     the foregoing, the Updates shall not be given effect for the purposes of
     (i) determining the accuracy of the representations and warranties
     contained in this Agreement, (ii) determining the satisfaction of the
     conditions precedent to the obligations of the Investor contained in
     Section 6.2 of this Agreement, or (iii) limiting the Investor's ability to
     seek indemnification from the Company pursuant to the terms of this
     Agreement; and

          (d) subject to the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement, will,
     and will cause its Subsidiaries and each of their Representatives to, give
     the Investor and its respective Representatives reasonable access, upon
     reasonable notice and during normal business hours, to the offices and
     other facilities and to the books and records of the Company and its
     Subsidiaries and will cause the Representatives of the Company and the
     Company's Subsidiaries to furnish the Investor and Representatives of the
     Investor with such financial and operating data and such other information
     with respect to the business and operations of the Company and its
     Subsidiaries as the Investor may from time to time reasonably request.

     4.2  Restrictions.  Except as contemplated by this Agreement or with the
prior written consent of Investor (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), during the period from the date of

                                      A-14
<PAGE>   58

this Agreement to the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1 and the Closing, the Company will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, conduct its operations according to its ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice and use its and their respective
reasonable Best Efforts to preserve intact their current business organizations,
keep available the services of their current officers and employees and preserve
their relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees,
advertisers, distributors and others having business dealings with them and to
preserve goodwill. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except
as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or required by law prior to
the Closing Date, the Company will not, and will cause its Subsidiaries not to,
without the prior written consent of the Investor (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed):

          (a) (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other
     distributions in respect of, any of its capital stock (except for any
     dividend payable by a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company to the Company
     or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company), (ii) split, combine or
     reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of
     any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for
     shares of its capital stock or (iii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire
     any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
     any other securities thereof or any rights, warrants or options to acquire
     any such shares or other securities;

          (b) authorize for issuance, issue, deliver, sell or agree or commit to
     issue, sell or deliver (whether through the issuance or granting of
     options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase or
     otherwise), pledge or otherwise encumber any shares of its capital stock or
     the capital stock of any of its Subsidiaries, any other voting securities
     or any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to
     acquire, any such shares, voting securities or convertible securities or
     any other securities or equity equivalents (including without limitation
     stock appreciation rights), other than the issuance of Common Shares upon
     the exercise of the Company Stock Options or the warrants set forth in
     Section 3.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule outstanding on the date of this
     Agreement and in accordance with their present terms, or pursuant to the
     1993 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

          (c) propose, authorize or effect any change or amendment to its
     articles, by-laws or equivalent Organizational Documents or alter through
     merger, liquidation. reorganization, restructuring or in any other fashion
     the corporate structure or ownership of any material Subsidiary of the
     Company;

          (d) take any action that would, or is reasonably likely to, result in
     any of its representations and warranties in this Agreement becoming
     untrue, or in any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Section 6.1
     or 6.2 not being satisfied; or

          (e) authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of, the foregoing
     actions.

     4.3  No Solicitation.  From and after the date hereof until the earlier of
the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1:

          (a) The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries
     to, nor shall it authorize (and shall use Best Efforts to prevent) any of
     its or its Subsidiaries' Representatives to, directly or indirectly through
     another Person, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage (including by way of
     furnishing non-public information), or take any other action designed to
     facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal which constitutes a
     Company Takeover Proposal or (ii) participate in any negotiations regarding
     any Company Takeover Proposal; provided, however, that if the Board of
     Directors of the Company or the Special Committee determines in good faith,
     following consultation with outside counsel, that failure to do so would be
     reasonably likely to constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties to the
     Company's stockholders under applicable law, the Company may, in response
     to any Company Takeover Proposal made prior to the Company Stockholder
     Approval, which proposal was not solicited by it or any of its Subsidiaries
     and which did not otherwise result from a breach of this Section 4.3(a),
     and subject to providing prior written notice of its decision to take such
     action to the Investor and compliance with Section 4.3(c), (x) furnish
     information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries to any person
     making a Company Takeover Proposal pursuant to a customary confidentiality
     agreement (as determined

                                      A-15
<PAGE>   59

     by the Company or the Special Committee following consultation with its
     outside counsel) and (y) participate in negotiations regarding such Company
     Takeover Proposal.

          (b) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 4.3(b), neither the
     Board of Directors of the Company, the Special Committee, nor any other
     committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or modify, or propose publicly to
     withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to the Investor, the approval or
     recommendation by such Board of Directors, the Special Committee, or such
     other committee of the Contemplated Transactions, (ii) approve or
     recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, any Company Takeover
     Proposal, or (iii) cause the Company to enter into any Company Acquisition
     Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the
     Company or the Special Committee, to the extent that it determines in good
     faith, following consultation with outside counsel, that in light of a
     Company Superior Proposal failure to do so would be reasonably likely to
     constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders
     under applicable law, may terminate this Agreement solely in order to
     concurrently enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to a
     Company Superior Proposal, but only following notice to the Investor and
     payment to the Investor of a fee of $3.5 million.

          (c) In addition to the obligations of the Company set forth in
     paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 4.3, the Company shall immediately
     (but in any event within one day) advise the Investor orally and in writing
     of any request for information or any Company Takeover Proposal, the
     material terms and conditions of such initial request or Company Takeover
     Proposal and the identity of the person making such request or Company
     Takeover Proposal.

          (d) Nothing contained in this Section 4.3 shall prohibit the Company
     from taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by
     Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act if, in the good faith
     judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company or the Special Committee,
     following consultation with outside counsel, failure so to disclose would
     be a violation of its obligations under applicable law; provided, however,
     that, neither the Company nor its Board of Directors, the Special
     Committee, nor any other committee thereof shall withdraw or modify, or
     propose publicly to withdraw or modify, its position with respect to this
     Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions or approve or recommend, or
     propose publicly to approve or recommend, a Company Takeover Proposal
     unless this Agreement is first terminated in accordance with Section
     4.3(b).

     4.4  Certain Agreements.  The Company will immediately cease and cause its
Representatives to cease any and all existing activities, discussions or
negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any Company
Takeover Proposal, and shall use its Best Efforts to cause such parties in
possession of confidential information about the Company or its Subsidiaries
that was furnished by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries to return
or destroy all such information in the possession of any such party or in the
possession of any attorney, agent, advisor or representative of such party.
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company will waive or fail to
enforce any provision of any confidentiality agreement entered into in
connection with a potential Company Takeover Proposal or standstill or similar
agreement to which it is a party without the prior written consent of the
Investor.

     4.5  Continuing Covenants.  The Company covenants that from and after the
date of this Agreement and through the Closing and thereafter so long as the
Investor owns Common Shares and/or Series A Preferred Shares (including shares
underlying the Warrant) representing on an as converted basis, in the aggregate,
at least 782,828 Common Shares (or an equivalent adjusted number of shares of
voting securities of the Company into which such Common Shares have been
converted following any reclassification or combination or similar change to the
common stock of the Company):

          (a) The Company shall not issue or authorize for issuance any shares
     of equity securities of the Company in violation of the provisions of the
     Certificate of Designation;

          (b) The Company shall use its Best Efforts to maintain its status as a
     registrant under the Exchange Act that is not in default or contravention
     of any requirement of the Exchange Act, except in the event that, following
     the Closing, there is a merger, sale of all or substantially all of the
     assets of the Company

                                      A-16
<PAGE>   60

     or similar transaction involving the Company and its Subsidiaries and
     requiring approval of the Board of Directors and shareholders of the
     Company;

          (c) The Company shall use its Best Efforts to maintain the listing and
     posting for trading of the Common Shares on Nasdaq, except in the event
     that, following the Closing, there is a merger, sale of all or
     substantially all of the assets of the Company or similar transaction
     involving the Company and its Subsidiaries and requiring approval of the
     Board of Directors and shareholders of the Company;

          (d) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, solely
     for issuance and delivery upon conversion of the Purchased Securities, the
     number of Common Shares from time to time issuable upon conversion of all
     of the Purchased Securities at the time outstanding. All Common Shares
     issuable upon conversion of the Purchased Securities shall be duly
     authorized and, when issued upon such conversion, shall be validly issued,
     fully paid and nonassessable, and admitted for listing and quotation on
     Nasdaq;

          (e) Upon the written request of the Investor from time to time
     following the Closing, (i) nominate and recommend for election to the Board
     of Directors of the Company at each annual meeting of the stockholders of
     the Company (and each special meeting of the stockholders of the Company at
     which Directors are to be elected): (A) so long as the Investor owns Common
     Shares and/or Series A Preferred Shares (including shares underlying the
     Warrant) representing on an as converted basis, in the aggregate, at least
     3,131,313 Common Shares (or an equivalent adjusted number of shares of
     voting securities of the Company into which such Common Shares have been
     converted following any reclassification or combination or similar change
     to the common stock of the Company), three (3) nominees for director
     designated by the Investor (but not its permitted transferees that are not
     affiliates of the Investor) in each such written request, or, if the size
     of the Board of Directors is changed with the consent of the Investor
     pursuant to Section 4.5(g) below, such other number of nominees for
     director designated by the Investor as would constitute one less than a
     majority of the Board of Directors, (B) so long as the Investor owns Common
     Shares and/or Series A Preferred Shares (including shares underlying the
     Warrant) representing on an as converted basis, in the aggregate, at least
     1,565,656 Common Shares but less than 3,131,313 Common Shares (or an
     equivalent adjusted number of shares of voting securities of the Company
     into which such Common Shares have been converted following any
     reclassification or combination or similar change to the common stock of
     the Company), two (2) nominees for director designated by the Investor (but
     not its permitted transferees that are not affiliates of the Investor) in
     each such written request, or, if the size of the Board of Directors is
     changed with the consent of the Investor pursuant to Section 4.5(g) below,
     such other number of nominees for director designated by the Investor as
     would constitute at least two-sevenths of the members of the Board of
     Directors, and (C) so long as the Investor owns Common Shares and/or Series
     A Preferred Shares (including shares underlying the Warrant) representing
     on an as converted basis, in the aggregate, at least 782,828 Common Shares
     but less than 1,565,656 Common Shares (or an equivalent adjusted number of
     shares of voting securities of the Company into which such Common Shares
     have been converted following any reclassification or combination or
     similar change to the common stock of the Company), one (1) nominee for
     director designated by the Investor (but not its permitted transferees that
     are not affiliates of the Investor) in each such written request, or, if
     the size of the Board of Directors is changed with the consent of the
     Investor pursuant to Section 4.5(g) below, such other number of nominees
     for director designated by the Investor as would constitute at least
     one-seventh of the members of the Board of Directors; and (ii) nominate and
     use Best Efforts to cause to be elected as Chairman of the Board of
     Directors, Ron Burkle or such other nominee as is designated by the
     Investor (but not its permitted transferees that are not affiliates of the
     Investor) in such written request;

          (f) In the event that any member of the Board of Directors of the
     Company nominated by the Investor pursuant to the provisions of 4.5(e) or
     5.1(b) vacates his position as a director of the Company as a result of his
     death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause other than
     pursuant to a vote of the stockholders of the Company, the Company agrees
     to appoint to the Board of Directors a replacement member designated by the
     Investor to serve out the remainder of the term of such former member in
     accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
     Company; and

                                      A-17
<PAGE>   61

          (g) Except as set forth in Section 6.2(h), the Company shall not make
     any change in the size of its Board of Directors, change the term of office
     of any member of the Board of Directors, or otherwise reclassify its Board
     of Directors or amend or otherwise modify the effect of any provision of
     Article VII of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
     filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on
     January 27, 1995, without the prior written consent of the Investor.

                                   ARTICLE 5

                             ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

     5.1  Preparation of the Proxy Statement; Stockholder Meeting.

          (a) Promptly following the date of execution of this Agreement, the
     Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a Proxy Statement on Schedule
     14A (the "Proxy Statement"). The Investor shall provide to the Company all
     information required by applicable securities laws to be included in the
     Proxy Statement regarding the Investor and its Affiliates and designees (as
     described below in Section 5.1(b)). The Company will use its reasonable
     Best Efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to its stockholders
     as promptly as practicable after any comments thereto issued by the SEC are
     cleared by the SEC.

          (b) The Company will, as promptly as practicable following the date of
     execution of this Agreement, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a
     meeting of its stockholders (the "Company Stockholders Meeting") for the
     purpose of obtaining the approval of the Company stockholders of: (i) the
     Company's issuance and sale of the Purchased Securities to the Investor, by
     means of the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of
     the outstanding Common Shares as required by Nasdaq, and (ii) the election
     to the Board of Directors of the Company of three (3) nominees designated
     by the Investor to the Company in writing prior to the filing of the Proxy
     Statement, to serve as members of a class of directors to serve for a term
     of two (2) years or until the annual meeting of the stockholders of the
     Company in the year 2001, if later, by means of the affirmative vote of a
     plurality of the votes cast by holders of the outstanding Common Shares as
     required by the Company's by-laws (such approval of the Company
     stockholders of the foregoing matters set forth in clauses (i) and (ii)
     being referred to herein as the "Company Stockholder Approval"). The
     Company will, through its Board of Directors in accordance with the
     provisions of Section 3.2(q), recommend to its stockholders that they vote
     in favor of the Company Stockholders Approval. Such recommendation,
     together with a copy of the Bear Stearns Opinion, shall be included in the
     Proxy Statement. The Company will use Best Efforts to hold such meeting as
     soon as practicable after the date of execution of this Agreement.

     5.2  Best Efforts.  Each of the parties agrees to use its Best 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, in the most expeditious manner practicable,
the Closing and the other Contemplated Transactions. The Investor and the
Company will use their Best Efforts and cooperate with one another (i) in
promptly determining whether any filings are required to be made or consents,
approvals, waivers, permits or authorizations are required to be obtained under
any applicable law or regulation or from any governmental authorities or third
parties in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, and (ii) in promptly
making any such filings, in furnishing information required in connection
therewith and in timely seeking to obtain any such consents, approvals, waivers,
permits or authorizations, including any notification and report forms and
related material that it may be required to file with the Federal Trade
Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice
under the HSR Act. Each of the parties shall use its Best Efforts to obtain an
early termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, and shall
make any further filings or information submissions pursuant thereto that may be
necessary, proper or advisable.

     5.3  Public Announcements.  The Investor and the Company will consult with
each other before issuing, and provide each other the opportunity to review and
comment upon, any press release or other public statements with respect to the
Contemplated Transactions, and shall not issue any such press release or make

                                      A-18
<PAGE>   62

any such public statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required
by applicable law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing
agreement with any national securities exchange or as are agreed upon in
advance. The parties agree that the initial press release or releases to be
issued with respect to the Contemplated Transactions shall be mutually agreed
upon prior to the issuance thereof.

     5.4  Takeover Statutes.  If any "fair price," "moratorium," "control share
acquisition" or other form of antitakeover statute or regulation shall become
applicable to the Contemplated Transactions, the Company and the members of its
Board of Directors, on the one hand, and the Investor and its general partner,
on the other hand, shall grant such approvals and take such actions as are
reasonably necessary so that the Contemplated Transactions may be consummated as
promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise act to
eliminate or minimize the effects of such statute or regulation on the
Contemplated Transactions.

     5.5  Restriction on Investor.  Except as expressly provided in this
Agreement or required by law prior to the Closing Date, the Investor will not,
without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), take any action that would, or is reasonably
likely to, result in any of its representations and warranties in this Agreement
becoming untrue, or in any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Section
6.1 or 6.3 not being satisfied.

     5.6  Restrictive Legend.  The Purchased Securities shall be stamped or
otherwise imprinted with the following legend and the Investor agrees to
transfer such Purchased Securities only in accordance therewith:

          "THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
     1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND
     NEITHER THIS SECURITY, NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN, MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD,
     TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT
     TO (I) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY
     APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR (II) AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
     REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES
     LAWS, SUCH EXEMPTION TO BE EVIDENCED BY SUCH DOCUMENTATION AS THE ISSUER
     MAY REASONABLY REQUEST."

     5.7  Standstill.  Investor agrees that for so long as Investor beneficially
owns Common Shares and/or Series A Preferred Shares (including shares underlying
the Warrant) representing on an as converted basis, in the aggregate, at least
782,828 Common Shares, neither it nor its Affiliates will, directly or
indirectly, without the prior written consent of a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company (other than the nominees or designees or the Investor),
(i) acquire, agree to acquire, make any proposal to acquire or in any way
participate in a "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act) to do any of the foregoing, any equity securities (other than the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrants or any shares of capital stock
issuable upon the conversion or exercise thereof) of the Company, or (ii) make,
or in any way participate in any "solicitation" of "proxies" (as such terms are
used in the proxy rules of the Securities Exchange Commission) to vote any
voting securities of the Company (other than in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company, or as contemplated by the
Voting Agreement); provided, however, that the agreements of Investor set forth
in this Section 5.7 shall not apply (A) following the breach by the Company of
any of the covenants set forth in Section 4.5, upon which breach such agreements
of the Investor shall be of no further force and effect; (B) in the event that
any of the following events occurs and such event has not been endorsed or
supported by the Board of Directors of the Company within ten (10) Business Days
of the earlier of its occurrence or the receipt by the Board of Directors of
notice of its anticipated occurrence: (x) the acquisition by any "group" (within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of 20% of any class of
equity securities of the Company, (y) the solicitation of proxies by any Person
or group (other than Investor or the Board of Directors of the Company) or (z)
the public announcement of any of the foregoing, or of any intent to engage in
the foregoing, in which event the Investor shall be permitted to make a proposal
to the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company with
respect to an acquisition or solicitation described in clause (i) or (ii) above;
(C) (x) to the extent of any sales or transfers of Common Shares by any of the
parties to the Voting Agreement (other than the Investor) or any of their
transferees to any Person not subject to the Voting Agreement, and the Investor
shall be permitted to acquire and/or solicit for the acquisition of Common
Shares up to the aggregate amount of any such sales or transfers, or (y) upon
the material breach of the

                                      A-19
<PAGE>   63

Voting Agreement by any of the parties thereto (other than the Investor), (1)
upon which material breach, if arising from the failure of the breaching party
to vote such party's shares in accordance with the provisions of the Voting
Agreement and the Investor is unable to exercise its proxy with respect to such
shares, the Investor shall be entitled to purchase the number of Common Shares
equal to the percentage of ownership of the outstanding capital stock of the
Company (including the Common Shares underlying the Warrant) owned by such
breaching party or parties immediately following the date of this Agreement (or
as of the date any such breaching party acquired its Common Shares if the
breaching party is a transferee of a party to the Voting Agreement which
transferee agreed to bound by the Voting Agreement), or (2) upon which material
breach, if arising from the sale or other transfer of Common Shares by the
breaching party in violation of the provisions of the Voting Agreement, the
Investor shall be entitled to purchase the number of Common Shares equal to the
aggregate amount of any such sales or transfers; or (D) in the event of any
issuances of voting securities of the Company other than to current or former
officers, employees, directors or consultants of the Company or its wholly owned
Subsidiaries pursuant to the Option Plans or future stock option plans of the
Company approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or pursuant to the
Employment Agreements and Exchange Agreements listed at Section 3.2(c)(iii)(B)
through (G) of the Disclosure Schedule, in which event the Investor shall be
able to acquire and/or solicit for the acquisition of voting securities of the
Company (including Common Shares) such that the Investor's total ownership of
the Company is equal to the sum of (1) the number of Common Shares equal to
twenty-three percent (23%) of the outstanding capital stock of the Company
(including the Common Shares underlying the Warrant) plus (2) the number of
Common Shares equal to the excess of twenty-four percent (24%) over the
percentage of ownership of the outstanding capital stock of the Company
(including the Common Shares underlying the Warrant) owned by the stockholders
of the Company who are parties to the Voting Agreement (or any transferees of
such stockholders who have agreed to the terms of the Voting Agreement)
following the issuance of the voting securities referenced at the beginning of
this clause (D).

     In the event that the Investor acquires shares pursuant to the provisions
of clause (C) or (D)(2) in the preceding paragraph, the Investor agrees that,
with respect to any vote of the shareholders of the Company other than a vote
involving the election, replacement, removal or disqualification of any person
nominated by the Investor pursuant to Section 4.5(e) hereof, it will vote the
excess number of (X) Common Shares beneficially owned by the Investor over (Y)
the number of Common Shares representing the percentage of ownership of the
fully diluted capital stock of the Company represented by the Purchased
Securities as of the date of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the
Common Shares underlying the Warrant), as if the Purchased Securities had been
issued to the Investor as of the date of this Agreement, pro rata in accordance
with the votes of the other holders of Common Shares of the Company.

     5.8  Resignation of Investor Directors.  The Investor agrees that if at any
time as a result of a sale, transfer or otherwise it beneficially owns capital
stock of the Company in an amount that would cause its number of director
nominees to be reduced pursuant to Section 4.5(e), then the Investor shall cause
its current designee or designees to the Board of Directors, as the case may be,
to resign from the Board of Directors effective immediately as of such date in
proportion to the amount of directors the Investor would be entitled to
designate for nomination pursuant to Section 4.5(e). As a condition to the
Company's obligation to nominate and recommend Investor's designees under
Section 4.5(e), each such designee shall agree to resign as set forth in this
Section 5.8 under the circumstances set forth herein.

                                   ARTICLE 6

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     6.1  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Closing.  The
respective obligation of each party to effect the transactions to be effected by
it at the Closing, shall be subject to the satisfaction, or waiver, on or prior
to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

          (a) HSR Act.  The waiting period (and any extension thereof)
     applicable to the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have expired.

                                      A-20
<PAGE>   64

          (b) No Injunctions or Restraints.  No temporary restraining order,
     preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of
     competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing
     the consummation of any of the Contemplated Transactions shall be in
     effect; provided, however, that the parties hereto shall use their Best
     Efforts to have any such injunction, order, restraint or prohibition
     vacated.

          (c) Company Stockholder Approval.  The Company Stockholder Approval
     shall have been obtained.

          (d) Nasdaq Listing.  The Company shall not have received any notice
     (which notice has not subsequently been withdrawn) that the Common Shares
     will not be eligible or approved for listing or quotation on Nasdaq as a
     result of the Contemplated Transactions.

     6.2  Conditions to Obligation of the Investor.  The obligation of the
Investor to effect the transactions to be effected by it at the Closing, shall
be subject to the satisfaction, or waiver, on or prior to the Closing Date of
the following conditions:

     (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties of
the Company set forth in this Agreement, shall be true and correct in all
respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing
Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date; provided that for purposes of
determining the satisfaction of the foregoing, such representations and
warranties shall be deemed true and correct if the failure or failures of such
representations and warranties to be so true and correct (excluding the effect
of any qualification set forth therein relating to "materiality", "Material
Adverse Change" or "Material Adverse Effect") have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect or a material effect on the ability of the Company to consummate
the Contemplated Transactions or to perform its obligations hereunder. The
Investor shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by
the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company,
dated as of the date of the Closing Date, to such effect.

     (b) Performance of Obligations of the Company.  The Company shall have
performed the obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at
or prior to the Closing Date in all material respects, and the Investor shall
have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by the chief
executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company, dated as of
the date of the Closing Date, to such effect.

     (c) Consents, etc.  The Investor has received evidence, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to it, that such licenses, permits, consents,
approvals, authorizations, qualifications and orders of Governmental Entities
and other third parties as are necessary in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby have been obtained.

     (d) No Material Adverse Change.  From the date of this Agreement to the
Closing Date, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change with
respect to the Company.

     (e) Delivery of Certain Documents.  The Company shall have delivered to the
Investor (i) a certificate dated as of the Closing Date, executed by an officer
of the Company, attaching true and correct copies of the Certificate of
Incorporation and bylaws of the Company and the resolutions of its Board of
Directors and stockholders made in connection with this Agreement and the
Contemplated Transactions, and certifying as to the genuineness and authenticity
of the signature, and the accuracy of the title, of each officer of the Company
executing this Agreement or any document delivered at the Closing, and (ii) the
legal opinion of Choate, Hall & Stewart, or such other counsel as is reasonably
acceptable to the Investor, dated as of the Closing Date, as set forth in
Exhibit F hereto.

     (f) Delivery and Performance of Agreements.  The Registration Rights
Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Warrant shall have been duly
executed and delivered by the Company.

     (g) Certificate of Designation.  The Company shall have filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware the Certificate of Designation and
such instrument shall have become effective.

                                      A-21
<PAGE>   65

     (h) Board Election.  The Board of Directors of the Company shall have been
expanded to seven (7) members and the Investor's three (3) nominees to the Board
of Directors shall have been elected, effective following the Closing.

     6.3  Conditions to Obligation of the Company.  The obligation of the
Company to effect the transactions to be effected by it at the Closing, shall be
subject to the satisfaction, or waiver, on or prior to the Closing Date of the
following conditions:

     (a)  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties of
the Investor set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing
Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date; provided that for purposes of
determining the satisfaction of the foregoing, such representations and
warranties shall be deemed true and correct if the failure or failures of such
representations and warranties to be so true and correct (excluding the effect
of any qualification set forth therein relating to "materiality", "material
adverse change" or "material adverse effect") have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material
adverse effect on the ability of the Investor to consummate the Contemplated
Transactions or to perform its obligations hereunder. The Company shall have
received a certificate signed on behalf of the Investor by the chief executive
officer and the chief financial officer of the general partner of the Investor,
dated as of the date of the Closing Date, to such effect.

     (b)  Performance of Obligations of the Investor.  The Investor shall have
performed the obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at
or prior to the Closing Date in all material respects, and the Company shall
have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Investor by the chief
executive officer and the chief financial officer of the general partner of the
Investor, dated as of the date of the Closing Date, to such effect.

     (c)  Delivery of Certain Documents.  The Investor shall have delivered to
the Company a certificate dated as of the Closing Date, executed by a general
partner of the Investor, attaching true and correct copies of the Certificate of
Limited Partnership of the Investor and the resolutions of its partners made in
connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, and certifying
as to the genuineness and authenticity of the signature, and the accuracy of the
title, of the general partner of the Investor executing this Agreement or any
document delivered at the Closing.

     (d)  Delivery and Performance of Agreements.  The Registration Rights
Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Investor, the
Management Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Yucaipa
Companies, and the Purchase Price shall have been delivered to the Company
pursuant to Section 2.3(c)(i).

                                   ARTICLE 7

                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     7.1  Termination.  Prior to the Closing, this Agreement may be terminated
and the Contemplated Transactions may be abandoned:

          (i)  at any time by mutual written consent of the Company and the
     Investor;

          (ii)  by either the Company or the Investor if the Closing shall not
     have occurred prior to the earlier of (A) ten (10) days following notice to
     the non-terminating party of the prior fulfillment or waiver of all
     conditions set forth in Article 6 hereof and (B) February 15, 2000, other
     than due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate this Agreement to
     perform its obligations under this Agreement required to be performed at or
     prior to the Closing;

          (iii)  by either the Company or the Investor if consummation of the
     Contemplated Transactions would violate any nonappealable final order,
     decree or judgment of any Governmental Entity having competent
     jurisdiction; or

                                      A-22
<PAGE>   66

          (iv)  by either party if, after 10 days notice to the other party, any
     condition to the terminating party's obligations to consummate the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement to take place at the Closing is
     incapable of being satisfied prior to February 15, 2000;

          (v)  by either the Company or the Investor if the Company Stockholder
     Approval is not received (or is voted down) prior to February 15, 2000;

          (vi)  by the Company as provided in Section 4.3(b); or

          (vii)  by either the Company or the Investor if a material breach of
     any provision of this Agreement has been committed by the other party, and
     such breach has not been cured or waived within ten (10) days of the
     delivery of written notice to the breaching party thereof;

provided, that, no party may terminate this Agreement pursuant to clauses (ii),
(iii), (iv), (v), (vi) or (vii) above, if such party is, at the time of any such
attempted termination, in material breach of any term hereof.

     7.2  Effect of Termination.

          (a)  If there has been a termination pursuant to Section 7.1, then
     this Agreement shall be deemed void and of no further force and effect, and
     all further obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate, except
     that the obligations set forth in Section 9.5 shall survive. Nothing
     contained in this Section 7.2 (with the exception of the last sentence of
     Section 7.2(b)), however, shall (i) relieve any party for any breach of the
     representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this
     Agreement prior to any such termination or the corresponding liability for
     indemnification arising therefrom pursuant to Article 8, or (ii) limit or
     restrict the availability of specific performance or other injunctive or
     equitable relief to the extent that specific performance or such other
     relief would otherwise be available to a party hereunder.

          (b)  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.2, in
     the event of a termination of this Agreement: (i) by the Investor pursuant
     to Sections 7.1(iv) or (vii) because of the breach or non-performance by
     the Company of any of its covenants or obligations set forth in Section 5.1
     and prior to, simultaneously with or within twelve (12) months after such
     termination the Company enters into a Company Acquisition Agreement
     (substituting 23% for 10% in the definition of the term "Company Takeover
     Proposal" contained in the definition of Company Acquisition Agreement);
     (ii) after (A) a bona fide Company Takeover Proposal has been proposed by a
     third party and such Company Takeover Proposal has not been withdrawn prior
     to the Company Stockholders Meeting and the Company Stockholder Approval is
     not obtained at the Company Stockholders Meeting and (B) prior to,
     simultaneously with or within twelve (12) months after such termination the
     Company enters into a Company Acquisition Agreement (substituting 23% for
     10% in the definition of the term "Company Takeover Proposal" contained in
     the definition of Company Acquisition Agreement); or (iii) after (A) the
     Company fails to comply with Section 4.3 and (B) a Company Takeover
     Proposal has been proposed by a third party; then the Company will
     immediately pay to the Investor a fee of Three Million Five Hundred
     Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000), in addition to the amount due to the
     Investor under Section 9.5, by wire transfer of immediately available funds
     to accounts designated by the Investor; provided, however, that any such
     fee otherwise payable pursuant to this Section 7.2 or Section 4.3(b) and
     the amount otherwise due under Section 9.5 shall not be payable, and any
     attempted termination of this Agreement by the Investor shall not be
     effective, if the Investor is, at the time of such attempted termination,
     in material breach of any term hereof. Upon the Investor's receipt from the
     Company of such $3,500,000 fee pursuant to this Section 7.2 or Section
     4.3(b), plus the amount due under Section 9.5, this Agreement shall be
     deemed void and the Investor shall have no further claims against the
     Company for any breach of any provision of this Agreement, and all further
     obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate.

                                      A-23
<PAGE>   67

     7.3  Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended by mutual agreement of the
parties at any time, but only pursuant to an instrument in writing duly executed
on behalf of each of the Company and the Investor.

     7.4  Extension; Waiver.  At any time prior to the Closing Date, the parties
may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other
acts of the other parties, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to
this Agreement or (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions
contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such
extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing
duly executed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this
Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall
not constitute a waiver of such rights.

                                   ARTICLE 8

                           INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES

     8.1  Survival; Right To Indemnification Not Affected By Knowledge.  All
representations and warranties in this Agreement, the Disclosure Schedule and in
any certificate or document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive
for a period of one (1) year following the Closing Date. This Section 8.1 shall
not limit any covenant, restriction, obligation or other agreement of the
parties set forth or contemplated herein, each of which shall survive for its
respective term set forth in this Agreement. The right to indemnification,
payment of Damages or other remedy based on such representations, warranties,
covenants, restrictions, obligations and agreements will not be affected by any
investigation conducted with respect to, or any Knowledge acquired (or capable
of being acquired) at any time, whether before or after the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or the Closing Date, with respect to the accuracy or
inaccuracy of or compliance with, any such representation, warranty, covenant,
or obligation. The waiver of any condition based on the accuracy of any
representation or warranty, or on the performance of or compliance with any
covenant or obligation, will not affect the right to indemnification, payment of
Damages, or other remedy based on such representations, warranties, covenants,
and obligations.

     8.2  Indemnification and Payment of Damages By the Company.  The Company
will indemnify and hold harmless the Investor and its Representatives, partners,
controlling persons, and Affiliates and each of their respective Representatives
(collectively, the "Company Indemnified Persons") from and against, and will pay
to the Company Indemnified Persons the amount of, any and all losses,
liabilities, claims, damages, or expenses (including costs of investigation,
defense, litigation and reasonable attorneys' fees), whether or not involving a
third-party claim (collectively, "Damages"), arising, directly or indirectly,
from or in connection with:

          (a)  any breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company
     in this Agreement, the Disclosure Schedule or any other certificate or
     document delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, provided that
     notice of such breach is given to the Company pursuant to Section 8.5 or
     8.6, as applicable, on or prior to the first anniversary of the Closing
     Date; or

          (b)  any breach by the Company of any covenant, restriction,
     obligation or agreement of the Company in this Agreement.

     8.3  Indemnification and Payment of Damages By the Investor.  The Investor
will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its respective Representatives,
and Affiliates and each of their respective Representatives (collectively, the
"Investor Indemnified Persons"), and will pay to the Company the amount of any
Damages arising, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with:

          (a)  any breach of any representation or warranty made by the Investor
     in this Agreement or in any certificate or document delivered by the
     Investor pursuant to this Agreement, provided that notice of such breach is
     given to the Investor pursuant to Section 8.5 or 8.6, as applicable, within
     three months of the expiration of the survivability of the representation
     or warranty; or

                                      A-24
<PAGE>   68

          (b)  any breach by the Investor of any covenant, restriction,
     obligation or agreement of the Investor in this Agreement.

     8.4  Limitation on Amount.

          (a)  The Company will have no liability (for indemnification or
     otherwise) with respect to the matters described in clause (a) or clause
     (b) of Section 8.2 until the total of all Damages attributable to the
     Company with respect to such matters taken as a whole exceeds $250,000,
     after which the amount of such Damages in excess of such initial $250,000
     shall be recoverable hereunder up to a maximum recovery equal to the entire
     amount of the Purchase Price paid by the Investor to the Company hereunder.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8.4(a) will not apply to any
     breach of any of the Company's representations and warranties set forth in
     Section 3.2(o), and the Company will be liable for all Damages with respect
     to such breaches.

          (b)  The Investor will have no liability (for indemnification or
     otherwise) with respect to the matters described in clause (a) or clause
     (b) of Section 8.3 until the total of all Damages incurred by the Company
     with respect to such matters taken as a whole exceeds $25,000, after which
     the amount of such Damages in excess of such initial $25,000 shall be
     recoverable hereunder up to a maximum recovery equal to $100,000.

     8.5  Procedure for Indemnification -- Third Party Claims.

          (a)  Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person described in
     Section 8.2 or 8.3 of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding against
     it, including reasonable details as to the basis for such claim (to the
     extent within the Knowledge of the Indemnified Person), such Indemnified
     Person will, if a claim is to be made against an indemnifying party under
     such Section, give notice to the indemnifying party of the commencement of
     such claim, but the failure to notify the indemnifying party will not
     relieve the indemnifying party of any liability that it may have to any
     Indemnified Person, except to the extent that the indemnifying party
     demonstrates that the defense of such action is prejudiced by the
     Indemnified Person's failure to give such notice.

          (b)  If any Proceeding referred to in Section 8.5(a) is brought
     against an Indemnified Person and it gives notice to the indemnifying party
     of the commencement of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party will be
     entitled to participate in such Proceeding and, to the extent that it
     wishes (unless the indemnifying party fails to provide reasonable assurance
     to the Indemnified Person of its financial capacity to defend such
     Proceeding and provide indemnification with respect to such Proceeding), to
     assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel reasonably satisfactory
     to the Indemnified Person and, after notice from the indemnifying party to
     the Indemnified Person of its election to assume the defense of such
     Proceeding, the indemnifying party will not, as long as it diligently
     conducts such defense, be liable to the Indemnified Person under this
     Article 8 for any fees of other counsel or any other expenses with respect
     to the defense of such Proceeding, in each case subsequently incurred by
     the Indemnified Person in connection with the defense of such Proceeding,
     other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided that if the
     indemnifying party is also a party to such Proceeding and, under applicable
     standards of professional conduct, joint representation of the Indemnified
     Person and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate, then the
     Indemnified Person shall be entitled to retain separate counsel whose fees
     and expenses shall be paid by the indemnifying party. If the indemnifying
     party assumes the defense of a Proceeding, (i) no compromise or settlement
     of such claims may be effected by the indemnifying party without the
     Indemnified Person's consent not to be unreasonably withheld unless (A)
     there is no finding or admission of any violation of Legal Requirements or
     any violation of the rights of any Person and no effect on any other claims
     that may be made against the Indemnified Person, and (B) the sole relief
     provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the indemnifying
     party; and (ii) the Indemnified Person will have no liability with respect
     to any compromise or settlement of such claims effected without its
     consent. If notice is given to an indemnifying party of the commencement of
     any Proceeding and the indemnifying party does not, within ten (10) days
     after the Indemnified Person's notice is given, give notice to the
     Indemnified Person of its election to assume the

                                      A-25
<PAGE>   69

     defense of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party will be bound by any
     determination made in such Proceeding or any compromise or settlement
     effected by the Indemnified Person. The Indemnified Person shall provide
     its reasonable cooperation with the indemnifying party in connection with
     the defense of a proceeding assumed by indemnifying party hereunder,
     including the provision of information reasonably requested by the
     indemnifying party.

          (c)  The Company and the Investor hereby consent to the non-exclusive
     jurisdiction of any court in which a Proceeding is brought against any
     Indemnified Person for purposes of any claim that an Indemnified Person may
     have under this Agreement with respect to such Proceeding or the matters
     alleged therein, and agree that process may be served on the Company and
     the Investor with respect to such a claim anywhere in the world.

     8.6  Procedure for Indemnification -- Other Claims.  A claim for
indemnification for any matter not involving a third-party claim may be asserted
by notice to the party from whom indemnification is sought.

     8.7  Remedies Exclusive.  The remedies provided in this Section 8 shall be
exclusive remedies of the parties hereto after the Closing in connection with
any breach of a representation or warranty, non-performance, partial or total,
of any covenant or agreement contained herein, except with respect to any breach
or non-performance of any post-Closing covenant or obligation including, without
limitation, those set forth in Section 4.5 or Section 5.7, or in the case of
fraud, with respect to which the remedies shall not be limited to those set
forth herein.

                                   ARTICLE 9

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     9.1  Notices.  All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
given when received if delivered personally, on the next Business Day if sent by
overnight courier for next Business Day delivery (providing proof of delivery),
when confirmation is received, if sent by facsimile or in 5 Business Days if
sent by U.S. registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (return receipt
requested) to the other parties at the following addresses (or at such other
address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

          (a)  if to Investor, to:

                 The Yucaipa Companies
                 10000 Santa Monica Blvd., 5th Floor
                 Los Angeles, California 90067

                 Attn: Robert Bermingham
                 Facsimile: 310-789-7201

                with a copy to:

                 Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
                 355 South Grand Avenue, 35th Floor
                 Los Angeles, California 90071-1560

                 Attn: Judith Kitano
                 Facsimile: 213-687-3702

          (b)  if to the Company, to:

                 Cyrk, Inc.
                 3 Pond Road
                 Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930

                 Attn: President
                 Facsimile: 978-281-2088

                                      A-26

<PAGE>   70

             with a copy to:

                 Dewey Ballantine LLP
                 1301 Avenue of the Americas
                 New York, New York 10019

                 Attn: Richard D. Pritz
                 Facsimile: 212-259-6333
                                       and

                 Choate, Hall & Stewart
                 Exchange Place
                 53 State Street
                 Boston, Massachusetts 02109

                 Attn: Cameron Read
                 Facsimile: 617-248-4000

     9.2  Interpretation.  A reference made in this Agreement to an Article,
Section, Exhibit or Schedule, shall be to an Article or Section of, or an
Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of
contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Whenever the words "include," "includes" or "including" are used in this
Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."

     9.3  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 counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other parties.

     9.4  Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement, the
Registration Rights Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement together
constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
hereof and thereof, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of such
agreements. Except as explicitly provided in Sections 8.2 and 8.3, this
Agreement is not intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties any
rights or remedies.

     9.5  Costs and Expenses.  All costs and expenses in connection with the
negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the Contemplated Transactions (including, irrespective of whether the
Closing shall have occurred, costs incurred by the Investor and its Affiliates
in connection with an investment in (or acquisition of) the Company, which
include, without limitation, all attorney fees and other consultant and advisor
fees, including all fees and expenses arising from any due diligence
investigation and fees of brokers, investment bankers or financial advisors)
shall be borne by the Company, and the Company shall reimburse the Investor for
all such costs and expenses on the earlier to occur of: (i) the Closing, (ii)
the third Business Day following the Company Stockholders Meeting if the Company
Stockholder Approval is not received, (iii) immediately following the
termination of the Agreement pursuant to Section 4.3(b) or under circumstances
in which a fee is payable pursuant to Section 7.2(b), and (iv) the third
Business Day following the termination of the Agreement for any other reason,
other than for material breach of any term hereof by the Investor, provided, in
the event of (i) above the Company's reimbursement obligation hereunder shall be
limited to Two Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,200,000) in the
aggregate; provided, further, in the event of (ii) or (iv) above the Company's
reimbursement obligation hereunder shall be limited to One Million Seven Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($1,700,000) in the aggregate; and provided, further, in the
event of (iii) above, the Company's reimbursement obligation hereunder shall be
limited to One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,200,000) in the
aggregate.

                                      A-27
<PAGE>   71

     9.6  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware regardless of the laws that
might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

     9.7  Assignment.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests
or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by
operation of law or otherwise, by any of the parties without the prior written
consent of the other parties. Any assignment in violation of the preceding
sentence shall be void. Subject to the preceding two sentences, this Agreement
will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the
parties and their respective successors and assigns.

     9.8  Enforcement.  The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in
the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is
accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the State of Delaware
or of the United States located in the State of Delaware in the event any
dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the Contemplated Transactions,
and each party agrees (a) it will not attempt to deny or defeat personal
jurisdiction or venue in any such court by motion or other request for leave
from any such court and (b) it will not bring any action relating to this
Agreement or any of the Contemplated Transactions in any court other than any
such court.

     9.9  Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any
provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be
effective and valid under applicable law but if any provision or portion of any
provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision
or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been
contained herein, so long as the economic and legal substance of the
Contemplated Transactions are not affected in a manner materially adverse to any
party hereto.

     9.10  Further Assurances.  The parties agree (i) to furnish upon request to
each other such further information, (ii) to execute and deliver to each other
such other documents, and (iii) to do such other acts and things, all as the
other party may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of
this Agreement and the documents referred to in this Agreement.

     9.11  Construction.  In entering into this Agreement, each party represents
and warrants that such party does so freely and voluntarily, after having had
the opportunity to meet and confer with such party's respective attorneys
regarding the contents and legal effect of this Agreement. Each party represents
and warrants that such party has full power and authority to enter into and
execute this Agreement. Every covenant, term, and provision of this Agreement
shall be construed simply according to its fair meaning and not strictly for or
against any party. In the event any claim is made by any party relating to any
conflict, omission, or ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption or burden of
proof or persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement
was prepared by or at the request of a particular party or such party's counsel.

                                      A-28
<PAGE>   72

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor and the Company have caused this Agreement
to be signed by their respective general partner or officer hereunto duly
authorized, all as of the date first written above.

                                            OVERSEAS TOYS, L.P.
                                            By: OA3, L.L.C., its General Partner



                                            By:    /s/ ROBERT BERMINGHAM
                                                --------------------------------

                                            Its:       Secretary
                                                --------------------------------

                                            CYRK, INC.

                                            By:
                                                --------------------------------

                                            Its:
                                                --------------------------------

                                      A-29
<PAGE>   73

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor and the Company have caused this Agreement
to be signed by their respective general partner or officer hereunto duly
authorized, all as of the date first written above.

                                            OVERSEAS TOYS, L.P.



                                            By:
                                                --------------------------------

                                            Its:
                                                --------------------------------

                                            CYRK, INC.

                                            By:      /s/ PATRICK BRADY
                                                --------------------------------

                                            Its: President
                                                --------------------------------

                                      A-29
<PAGE>   74

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                  CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF VOTING POWER,
                           DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES
                   AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL AND
                              OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS
                        AND QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS
                                AND RESTRICTIONS

                                       OF

                    SERIES A SENIOR CUMULATIVE PARTICIPATING
                          CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

                                       OF

                                    C, INC.

                         ------------------------------

                         PURSUANT TO SECTION 151 OF THE
                GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

                         ------------------------------

     C, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), certifies that
pursuant to the authority contained in Article IV of its Certificate of
Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), and in accordance with the
provisions of Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, the Board of Directors of the Corporation at a meeting duly called and
held on             , 1999 duly approved and adopted the following resolution
which resolution remains in full force and effect on the date hereof:

     RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors
by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors does hereby
designate, create, authorize and provide for the issue of a series preferred
stock having a par value of $.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of
$1,000 per share (the "Base Liquidation Preference") which shall be designated
as Series A Senior Cumulative Participating Convertible Preferred Stock (the
"Preferred Stock") consisting of 40,000 shares, of which 25,000 shares shall be
designated Series A1 Senior Cumulative Participating Convertible Preferred Stock
(the "Series A1 Stock") and 15,000 shares shall be designated Series A2 Senior
Cumulative Participating Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A2 Stock"),
plus, in each case, such additional shares of Preferred Stock as may be issued
pursuant to paragraph 2 hereof, having the following voting powers, preferences
and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof as follows:

     1.  Ranking.  The Preferred Stock shall, with respect to dividend
distributions and distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution
of the Corporation, rank (i) senior to all classes of Common Stock of the
Corporation and to each other class of capital stock or series of preferred
stock established after                ,      by the Board of Directors the
terms of which do not expressly provide that it ranks senior to or on a parity
with the Preferred Stock as to dividend distributions and distributions upon the
liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of the Corporation (collectively
referred to with the Common Stock of the Corporation as "Junior Securities");
(ii) on a parity with any additional shares of Preferred Stock issued by the
Corporation in the future and any other class of capital stock or series of
preferred stock issued by the Corporation established after
               ,     , by the Board of Directors, the terms of which expressly

                                       B-1
<PAGE>   75

provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the Preferred Stock
as to dividend distributions and distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up
and dissolution of the Corporation (collectively referred to as "Parity
Securities"); and (iii) junior to each class of capital stock or series of
preferred stock issued by the Corporation established after                ,
     by the Board of Directors the terms of which expressly provide that such
class or series will rank senior to the Preferred Stock as to dividend
distributions and distributions upon liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of
the Corporation (collectively referred to as "Senior Securities").

     2.  Dividends.

     (i) The holders of shares of the Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
receive, when, as and if dividends are declared by the Board of Directors out of
funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, cumulative dividends from
the date of issuance of the Preferred Stock accruing at the rate per annum of 4%
of the Base Liquidation Preference per share, payable quarterly in arrears on
each                ,                ,                and                ,
commencing on                ,      (each a "Dividend Payment Date"), to the
holders of record as of the next preceding                ,                ,
               and                , (each, a "Record Date") whether or not such
Record Date is a Business Day. If any Dividend Payment Date is not a Business
Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day. Dividends
will be payable, at the option of the Corporation, (A) in cash, (B) by delivery
of shares of Preferred Stock of the same designation as the shares on which the
dividend is paid or (C) through any combination of the foregoing. In addition,
if the Corporation declares or pays any cash dividends on the Common Stock, the
Corporation shall also declare and pay to the holders of the Preferred Stock at
the same time that it declares and pays such dividends, the dividends which
would have been declared and paid with respect to the Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Preferred Stock had all of the outstanding Preferred Stock
been converted immediately prior to the record date for such dividend.

     (ii) Dividends on the Preferred Stock shall accrue whether or not the
Corporation has earnings or profits, whether or not there are funds legally
available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not dividends are
declared. Dividends will accumulate to the extent they are not paid on the
Dividend Payment Date for the period to which they relate, compounded quarterly.

     (iii) No dividend whatsoever shall be declared or paid upon, or any sum set
apart for the payment of dividends upon, any outstanding share of the Preferred
Stock with respect to any dividend period unless all dividends for all preceding
dividend periods have been declared and paid, or declared and a sufficient sum
set apart for the payment of such dividend, upon all outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock. Unless full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods shall have been declared and paid,
or declared and a sufficient sum for the payment thereof set apart, then: (a) no
dividend (other than a divided payable solely in shares of any Junior
Securities) shall be declared or paid upon, or any sum set apart for the payment
of dividends upon, any shares of Junior Securities or Parity Securities; (b) no
other distribution shall be declared or made upon, or any sum set apart for the
payment of any distribution upon, any shares of Junior Securities or Parity
Securities, other than a distribution consisting solely of Junior Securities;
(c) no shares of Junior Securities or Parity Securities shall be purchased,
redeemed or otherwise acquired or retired for value (excluding an exchange for
shares of other Junior Securities or Parity Securities) by the Corporation or
any of its subsidiaries; and (d) no monies shall be paid into or set apart or
made available for a sinking or other like fund for the purchase, redemption or
other acquisition or retirement for value of any shares of Junior Securities or
Parity Securities by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. Holders of the
Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash,
property or stock, in excess of the full cumulative dividends as herein
described.

     3.  Conversion Rights.

     (i) A holder of shares of Preferred Stock may convert such shares at any
time, unless previously redeemed, at the option of the holder thereof into
shares Common Stock of the Corporation. For the purposes of conversion, each
share of Preferred Stock shall be valued at the Base Liquidation Preference plus
accrued and unpaid dividends, which shall be divided by the Conversion Price in
effect on the Conversion Date to

                                       B-2
<PAGE>   76

determine the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion, except
that the right to convert shares of Preferred Stock called for redemption shall
terminate at the close of business on the Business Day preceding the Redemption
Date and shall be lost if not exercised prior to that time, unless the
Corporation shall default in payment of the redemption price contemplated by
Section 5(i) or 5(ii). Immediately following such conversion, the rights of the
holders of converted Preferred Stock shall cease and the persons entitled to
receive the Common Stock upon the conversion of Preferred Stock shall be treated
for all purposes as having become the owners of such Common Stock.

     (ii) To convert Preferred Stock, a holder must (A) surrender the
certificate or certificates evidencing the shares of Preferred Stock to be
converted, duly endorsed in a form satisfactory to the Corporation, at the
office of the Corporation or transfer agent for the Preferred Stock, (B) notify
the Corporation at such office that he elects to convert Preferred Stock and the
number of shares he wishes to convert, (C) state in writing the name or names in
which he wishes the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock to be
issued, and (D) pay any transfer or similar tax if required pursuant to
paragraph 3(iv). In the event that a holder fails to notify the Corporation of
the number of shares of Preferred Stock which he wishes to convert, he shall be
deemed to have elected to convert all shares represented by the certificate or
certificates surrendered for conversion. The date on which the holder satisfies
all those requirements is the "Conversion Date." As soon as practical following
the Conversion Date, the Corporation shall deliver to the holder a certificate
for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion, and
a new certificate representing the unconverted portion, if any, of the shares of
Preferred Stock represented by the certificate or certificates surrendered for
conversion. The person in whose name the Common Stock certificate is registered
shall be treated as the stockholder of record on and after the Conversion Date.
The holder of record of a share of Preferred Stock at the close of business on a
Record Date with respect to the payment of dividends on the Preferred Stock will
be entitled to receive such dividends with respect to such share of Preferred
Stock on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, notwithstanding the conversion
of such share after such Record Date and prior to such Dividend Payment Date.
The dividend payment with respect to a share of Preferred Stock called for
redemption on a date during the period from the close of business on any Record
Date for the payment of dividends to the close of business on the Business Day
immediately following the corresponding Dividend Payment Date will be payable on
such Dividend Payment Date to the record holder of such share on such Record
Date, notwithstanding the conversion of such share after such Record Date and
prior to such Dividend Payment Date, and the holder converting such share of
Preferred Stock need not include a payment of such dividend amount upon
surrender of such share of Preferred Stock for conversion. If a holder of
Preferred Stock converts more than one share at a time, the number of full
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be based on the total Base
Liquidation Preferences plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon of all shares
of Preferred Stock converted. If the last day on which Preferred Stock may be
converted is not a Business Day, Preferred Stock may be surrendered for
conversion on the next succeeding Business Day.

     (iii) The Corporation shall not issue any fractional shares of Common Stock
upon conversion of Preferred Stock. Instead the Corporation shall pay a cash
adjustment based upon the Closing Price of the Common Stock on the Business Day
prior to the Conversion Date.

     (iv) If a holder converts shares of Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall
pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of
shares of Common Stock upon the conversion. However, the holder shall pay any
such tax that is due because the shares are issued in a name other than the
holder's name.

     (v) The Corporation has reserved and shall continue to reserve out of its
authorized but unissued Common Stock or its Common Stock held in treasury enough
shares of Common Stock to permit the conversion of the Preferred Stock in full.
All shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of Preferred Stock
shall be fully paid and nonassessable.

     (vi) In case the Corporation shall pay or make a dividend or other
distribution on any class of capital stock of the Corporation (other than the
Preferred Stock) in Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening
of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall be
reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction

                                       B-3
<PAGE>   77

the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the
denominator of which shall be the sum of such number of shares and the total
number of shares constituting such dividend or other distribution, such
reduction to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the
day following the date fixed for such determination of the holders entitled to
such dividends and distributions. For the purposes of this paragraph 3(vi), the
number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include
shares held in the treasury of the Corporation. The Corporation will not pay any
dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury
of the Corporation.

     (vii)  In case the Corporation shall issue rights, options or warrants to
all holders of its Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for, purchase or
acquire shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the current market
price per share (determined as provided in paragraph 3(xi) below) of the Common
Stock on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to
receive such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Price in effect at the
opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination
shall be reduced by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction the
numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at
the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus the number
of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate of the offering price of the total
number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription, purchase or
acquisition would purchase at such current market price and the denominator of
which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of
business on the date fixed for such determination plus the number of shares of
Common Stock so offered for subscription, purchase or acquisition, such
reduction to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the
day following the date fixed for such determination of the holders entitled to
such rights, options or warrants. However, upon the expiration of any right,
option or warrant to purchase Common Stock, the issuance of which resulted in an
adjustment in the Conversion Price pursuant to this paragraph 3(vii), if any
such right, option or warrant shall expire and shall not have been exercised,
the Conversion Price shall be recomputed immediately upon such expiration and
effective immediately upon such expiration shall be increased to the price it
would have been (but reflecting any other adjustments to the Conversion Price
made pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph 3 after the issuance of such
rights, options or warrants) had the adjustment of the Conversion Price made
upon the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of
offering for subscription or purchase only that number of shares of Common Stock
actually purchased upon the exercise of such rights, options or warrants. No
further adjustment shall be made upon exercise of any right, option or warrant
if any adjustment shall be made upon the issuance of such security. For the
purposes of this paragraph 3(vii), the number of shares of Common Stock at any
time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the
Corporation. The Corporation will not issue any rights, options or warrants in
respect of shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Corporation.

     (viii)  In case the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided
into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect
at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such
subdivision becomes effective shall be reduced, and, conversely, in case the
outstanding shares of Common Stock shall each be combined into a smaller number
of shares of Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of
business on the day following the day upon which such combination becomes
effective shall be increased, in each case to equal the product of the
Conversion Price in effect on such date and a fraction the numerator of which
shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
such subdivision or combination, as the case may be, and the denominator of
which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
after such subdivision or combination, as the case may be. Such reduction or
increase, as the case may be, shall become effective immediately after the
opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or
combination becomes effective.

     (ix)  In case the Corporation shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute
to all holders of its Common Stock (A) evidences of its indebtedness or (B)
shares of any class of capital stock, cash or other assets (including
securities, but excluding (x) any rights, options or warrants referred to in
paragraph 3(vii) above, (y) any dividends or distributions referred to in
paragraph 3(vi) or 3(viii) above, and (z) cash dividends),

                                       B-4
<PAGE>   78

then in each case, the Conversion Price in effect at the opening of business on
the day following the date fixed for the determination of holders of Common
Stock entitled to receive such distribution shall be adjusted by multiplying
such Conversion Price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the current
market price per share (determined as provided in paragraph 3(xi) below) of the
Common Stock on such date of determination (or, if earlier, on the date on which
the Common Stock goes "ex-dividend" in respect of such distribution) less the
then fair market value as determined by the Board of Directors (whose
determination shall be conclusive and shall be described in a statement filed
with the Transfer Agent) of the portion of the capital stock, cash or other
assets or evidences of indebtedness so distributed (and for which an adjustment
to the Conversion Price has not previously been made pursuant to the terms of
this paragraph 3) applicable to one share of Common Stock, and the denominator
shall be such current market price per share of the Common Stock, such
adjustment to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the
day following such date of determination of the holders entitled to such
distribution.

     (ixA)  In case a tender or exchange offer made by the Corporation or any
subsidiary of the Corporation for all or any portion of the Common Stock shall
expire and such tender or exchange offer shall involve the payment by the
Corporation or such subsidiary of consideration per share of Common Stock having
a fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors or, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, a duly authorized committee thereof, whose
determination shall be conclusive and described in a resolution of the Board of
Directors or such duly authorized committee thereof, as the case may be) at the
last time (the "Expiration Time") tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to
such tender or exchange offer (as it shall have been amended) that exceeds the
current market price per share (determined as provided in paragraph 3(xi) below)
of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time, the
Conversion Price shall be reduced so that the same shall equal the price
determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to
the Expiration Time by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding (including any tendered or exchanged shares)
on the Expiration Time multiplied by the current market price per share of the
Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time and the
denominator shall be the sum of (x) the fair market value (determined as
aforesaid) of the aggregate consideration payable to stockholders based on the
acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the terms of the tender or exchange
offer) of all shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the
Expiration Time (the shares deemed so accepted, up to any such maximum, being
referred to as the "Purchased Shares") and (y) the product of the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding (less any Purchased Shares) on the Expiration
Time and the current market price per share of the Common Stock on the Trading
Day next succeeding the Expiration Time, such reduction to become effective
immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the Expiration
Time. For the purposes of this paragraph 3(ixA), the number of shares of Common
Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of
the Corporation.

     (x)  The reclassification or change of Common Stock into securities,
including securities other than Common Stock (other than any reclassification
upon a consolidation or merger to which paragraph 3(xviii) below shall apply)
shall be deemed to involve (A) a distribution of such securities other than
Common Stock to all holders of Common Stock (and the effective date of such
reclassification shall be deemed to be "the date fixed for the determination of
holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution" within the
meaning of paragraph 3(ix) above), and (B) a subdivision or combination, as the
case may be, of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
prior to such reclassification into the number of Common Shares outstanding
immediately thereafter (and the effective date of such reclassification shall be
deemed to be "the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective" or "the day
upon which such combination becomes effective," as the case may be, and "the day
upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective" within the meaning
of paragraph 3(viii) above).

     (xi)  For the purpose of any computation under paragraph 3(vii), or 3(ix)
or 3(ixA) above, the current market price per share of Common Stock on any day
shall be deemed to be the average of the Closing Prices of the Common Stock for
the 20 consecutive Trading Days ending on the day before the day in question;
provided, that, in the case of paragraph 3(ix), if the period between the date
of the public announcement of the dividend or distribution and the date for the
determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive

                                       B-5
<PAGE>   79

such dividend or distribution (or, if earlier, the date on which the Common
Stock goes "ex-dividend" in respect of such dividend or distribution) shall be
less than 20 Trading Days, the period shall be such lesser number of Trading
Days but, in any event, not less than five Trading Days.

     (xii)  No adjustment in the Conversion Price need be made until all
cumulative adjustments amount to 1% or more of the Conversion Price as last
adjusted. Any adjustments that are not made shall be carried forward and taken
into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this paragraph
3 shall be made to the nearest 1/10,000th of a cent or to the nearest 1/10,000th
of a share, as the case may be.

     (xiii)  For purposes of this Certificate of Designation, "Common Stock"
includes any stock of any class of the Corporation which has no preference in
respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation and which
is not subject to redemption by the Corporation. However, subject to the
provisions of paragraph 3(xviii) below, shares issuable on conversion of shares
of Preferred Stock shall include only shares of the class designated as Common
Stock of the Corporation on the Preferred Stock Issue Date or shares of any
class or classes resulting from any reclassification thereof and which have no
preferences in respect of dividends or amounts payable in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
Corporation and which are not subject to redemption by the Corporation; provided
that, if at any time there shall be more than one such resulting class, the
shares of each such class then so issuable shall be substantially in the
proportion which the total number of shares of such class resulting from all
such reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of all such classes
resulting from all such reclassifications.

     (xiv)  No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall reduce the Conversion
Price below the then par value of the Common Stock. No adjustment in the
Conversion Price need be made under paragraphs 3(vi), 3(vii) and 3(ix) above if
the Corporation issues or distributes to each holder of Preferred Stock the
shares of Common Stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, rights, options or
warrants referred to in those paragraphs which each holder would have been
entitled to receive had Preferred Stock been converted into Common Stock prior
to the happening of such event or the record date with respect thereto.

     (xv)  Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted, the Corporation shall
promptly mail to holders of Preferred Stock, first class, postage prepaid, a
notice of the adjustment. The Corporation shall file with the transfer agent for
the Preferred Stock, if any, a certificate from the Corporation's independent
public accountants briefly stating the facts requiring the adjustment and the
manner of computing it. Unless holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of Preferred Stock shall notify (a "Dispute Notice") the Corporation, within 30
days of the date the Corporation mails such notice of adjustment, that such
holders (the "Disputing Holders") dispute such adjustment, such adjustment shall
be final and binding. The Dispute Notice shall set forth in reasonable detail
the basis for such dispute and shall name a representative (the
"Representative") for the Disputing Holders. The Corporation and the
Representative shall jointly engage an accounting firm of national reputation
which shall be instructed to resolve such dispute as promptly as practicable.
The decision of such accounting firm shall be final and binding. The Corporation
and the Representative, on behalf of the Disputing Holders, shall each bear
one-half of the fees and expenses (including the responsibility for any
indemnity or similar obligations) of such accounting firm.

     (xvi)  The Corporation from time to time may reduce the Conversion Price if
it considers such reductions to be advisable in order that any event treated for
federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights will not be
taxable to the holders of Common Stock by any amount, but in no event may the
Conversion Price be less than the par value of a share of Common Stock. Whenever
the Conversion Price is reduced, the Corporation shall mail to holders of
Preferred Stock a notice of the reduction. The Corporation shall mail, first
class, postage prepaid, the notice at least 15 days before the date the reduced
Conversion Price takes effect. The notice shall state the reduced Conversion
Price and the period it will be in effect. A reduction of the Conversion Price
pursuant to this paragraph 3(xvi) does not change or adjust the Conversion Price
otherwise in effect for purposes of paragraphs 3(vi), 3(vii), 3(viii), 3(ix),
3(ixA) and 3(x) above.

                                       B-6
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     (xvii)  If:

          (A)  the Corporation takes any action which would require an
     adjustment in the Conversion Price pursuant to paragraph 3(vii), 3(ix) or
     3(x) above;

          (B)  the Corporation consolidates or merges with, or transfers all or
     substantially all of its assets to, another entity, and stockholders of the
     Corporation must approve the transaction; or

          (C)  there is a dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation;

the Corporation shall mail to holders of the Preferred Stock, first class,
postage prepaid, a notice stating the proposed record or effective date, as the
case may be. The Corporation shall mail the notice at least 10 days before such
date. However, failure to mail the notice or any defect in it shall not affect
the validity of any transaction referred to in clause (A), (B) or (C) of this
paragraph 3(xvii).

     (xviii)  In the case of any consolidation of the Corporation or the merger
of the Corporation with or into any other entity or the sale or transfer of all
or substantially all the assets of the Corporation pursuant to which the
Corporation's Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or assets,
upon consummation of such transaction, each share of Preferred Stock shall
automatically become convertible into the kind and amount of securities, cash or
other assets receivable upon the consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by a
holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of
Preferred Stock is convertible immediately prior to such consolidation, merger,
transfer or sale (assuming such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any
rights of election and received per share the kind and amount of consideration
receivable per share by a plurality of non-electing shares). Appropriate
adjustment (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation) shall be
made in the application of the provisions herein set forth with respect to the
rights and interests thereafter of the holders of Preferred Stock, to the end
that the provisions set forth herein (including provisions with respect to
changes in and other adjustment of the Conversion Price) shall thereafter be
applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to any shares of stock
or other securities or property thereafter deliverable upon the conversion of
Preferred Stock. If this paragraph 3(xviii) applies, paragraphs 3(vi), 3(viii)
and 3(x) do not apply.

     (xix)  In any case in which this paragraph 3 shall require that an
adjustment as a result of any event becomes effective from and after a record
date, the Corporation may elect to defer until after the occurrence of such
event the issuance to the holder of any shares of Preferred Stock converted
after such record date and before the occurrence of such event of the additional
shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion over and above the shares
issuable on the basis of the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to
adjustment; provided, however, that if such event shall not have occurred and
authorization of such event shall be rescinded by the Corporation, the
Conversion Price shall be recomputed immediately upon such rescission to the
price that would have been in effect had such event not been authorized,
provided that such rescission is permitted by and effective under applicable
laws.

     4.  Liquidation Preference.  Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or reduction or decrease in its
capital stock resulting in a distribution of assets to the holders of any class
or series of the Corporation's capital stock, each holder of shares of the
Preferred Stock will be entitled to payment out of the assets of the Corporation
available for distribution of an amount equal to the greater of (a) the Adjusted
Liquidation Preference as of the date fixed for liquidation, dissolution,
winding-up or reduction or decrease in capital stock per share of Preferred
Stock held by such holder times the number of shares of Preferred Stock held by
such holder or (b) the amount that would have been paid to such holder of the
Preferred Stock with respect to Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such
holder's Preferred Stock had each share of such holder's outstanding Preferred
Stock been converted to Common Stock immediately prior to the date of the
liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or reduction or decrease in capital stock
(such sum, the "Total Liquidation Payment"), before any distribution is made on
any Junior Securities, including, without limitation, Common Stock of the
Corporation. After payment in full of the Total Liquidation Payment to which
holders of Preferred Stock are entitled, such holders will not be entitled to
any further participation in any distribution of assets of the Corporation. If,
upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
Corporation, the amounts payable with respect to the Preferred Stock and all

                                       B-7
<PAGE>   81

other Parity Securities are not paid in full, the holders of the Preferred Stock
and the Parity Securities will share equally and ratably in any distribution of
assets of the Corporation in proportion to the full liquidation preference and
accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, to which each is entitled. However,
neither the voluntary sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares
of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the
property or assets of the Corporation nor the consolidation or merger of the
Corporation with or into one or more Persons will be deemed to be a voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or
reduction or decrease in capital stock, unless such sale, conveyance, exchange
or transfer shall be in connection with a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of the business of the Corporation or reduction or decrease in capital stock.

     5.  Redemption.

     (i)  Mandatory Offer of Redemption.  Within 15 days following a Change of
Control Event, the Corporation shall give notice to the holder of the Preferred
Stock, describing in reasonable detail the material terms of the transaction and
offering to purchase all of such holder's shares of Preferred Stock at a price
per share in cash equal to 101% of the Adjusted Liquidation Preference as of the
repurchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days, nor later than 60 days
from the date such notice is mailed; provided, however, that if the Change of
Control Event occurs prior to                               , 2002 [third
anniversary of issuance], the Adjusted Liquidation Preference shall be deemed to
equal the Adjusted Liquidation Preference plus the dividends that would have
accrued on the shares of Preferred Stock (and assuming such dividends were paid
by delivery of shares of Preferred Stock of the same designation) had such
Preferred Stock remained outstanding until                            , 2002.
The failure of the holder to accept such offer prior to the repurchase date
shall be deemed a rejection of such offer. A "Change of Control Event" shall
mean (A) the acquisition by any person or group (within the meaning of Section
12(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of beneficial
ownership, direct or indirect, of securities of the Corporation representing 50%
or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding
equity securities, (B) (x) the acquisition by any person or group of beneficial
ownership, direct or indirect, of securities of the Corporation representing 20%
or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding
equity securities and (y) either (1) a representative or nominee of such person
or group shall be elected or appointed to the Board of Directors of the
Corporation without the support of at least 5/7 of the members of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation, provided that, if there is a vote of the
stockholders, the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have voted against such
election or (2) a person designated by the Investor (as defined in the
Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of August   , 1999 between the Investor
and the Corporation) pursuant to Section 4.5(e) of such Securities Purchase
Agreement shall not be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation as
provided in such Section or (C) the consolidation of the Company with, or the
merger of the Company with or into, another Person or the sale, assignment or
transfer of all or substantially all of the Company's assets to any Person, or
the consolidation of any Person with, or the merger of any Person with or into,
the Company, in any such event in a transaction in which the outstanding voting
capital stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities
or other property, provided that following such transaction the holders of
voting stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction do not own
more than 50% of the voting stock of the company surviving such transaction or
to which such assets are transferred. Paragraph 5(i)(B) shall not be applicable
if the Investor is not entitled to make a designation pursuant to Section 4.5(e)
of the Securities Purchase Agreement. This paragraph 5(i) shall not apply to any
Change of Control resulting from actions by the Investor or any affiliate,
transferee or person acting in concert therewith.

     (ii)  Optional Redemption.  The Preferred Stock shall be subject to
redemption, at the option of the Corporation (an "Optional Redemption"), at any
time following                            , 2002 [third anniversary of issuance]
and prior to                            , 2004 [fifth anniversary] at the
"Optional Redemption Price" (as defined below) if the average of the Closing
Prices of the Common Stock has exceeded $12.00 for sixty consecutive Trading
Days following Preferred Stock Issue Date. The Preferred Stock shall be
redeemable at any time following the fifth anniversary of the issuance of
Preferred Stock at the Optional Redemption Price. The "Optional Redemption
Price" per share shall be the Adjusted Liquidation Preference as of the Optional
Redemption Date (as defined below).

                                       B-8
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     (iii)  Notice of Redemption.  The Corporation shall give the holder of
Preferred Stock written notice of any Optional Redemption not less than 30 days
nor more than 45 days prior to the proposed redemption date, specifying such
redemption date (each, an "Optional Redemption Date"), the per share Optional
Redemption Price and the number of such holder's shares to be redeemed on such
date. Upon making an election to redeem shares pursuant to paragraph 5(ii)
hereof, the Corporation shall be obligated to consummate such redemption. Notice
of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the number of shares to be
redeemed as specified in such notice shall be so redeemed on the redemption date
specified. In case of redemption of less than all of the shares of Preferred
Stock at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected pro
rata or by lot as determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion.

     (iv)  Effect of Redemption.  On the date established for redemption
pursuant to this paragraph 5 hereof, all rights in respect of the shares of
Preferred Stock to be redeemed, except the right to receive the applicable
redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any (but only to the
extent such accrued and unpaid dividends have not been included in the
redemption price), to the date of redemption, shall cease and terminate (unless
default shall be made by the Corporation in the payment of the applicable
redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, in which event such
rights shall be exercisable until such default is cured), and such shares shall
no longer be deemed to be outstanding, notwithstanding that any certificates
representing such shares shall not have been surrendered to the Corporation. All
shares of Preferred Stock redeemed pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be retired
and shall be restored to the status of authorized and unissued shares of
preferred stock, without designation as to series or class, and may thereafter
be reissued, subject to compliance with the terms hereof, as shares of any
series of preferred stock other than shares of Preferred Stock. No Preferred
Stock may be redeemed except with funds legally available for such purpose.

     6.  Voting Rights.

     (i) The holder of the Preferred Stock shall vote along with the holders of
the shares of Common Stock as a single class, except as provided in paragraph
6(iii), below, with each share of Common Stock entitled to one vote and each
share of Preferred Stock entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of such Preferred Stock as of the relevant record date.

     (ii) The Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of
the holders of at least 50% of the shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding
(with shares held by the Corporation not being considered to be outstanding for
this purpose) voting or consenting as the case may be, as one class:

          (a) issue any Senior Securities or Parity Securities;

          (b) issue any preferred stock which is not a Senior Security or Parity
     Security and which has voting rights (except as required by law) unless
     such preferred stock votes as a single class with the Common Stock and the
     Preferred Stock;

          (c) amend this Certificate of Designation in any manner that adversely
     affects the specified rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of
     holders of Preferred Stock; or

          (d) authorize the issuance of any additional shares of Preferred
     Stock, other than as contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement,
     dated as of                     , 1999 between                and the
     Corporation, the Warrants contemplated thereby and this Certificate of
     Designation;

     (iii) The Corporation in its sole discretion may without the vote or
consent of any holders of the Preferred Stock amend or supplement this
Certificate of Designation:

          (a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, provided such
     amendment or supplement is not adverse to the rights of the holders of the
     Preferred Stock;

          (b) to provide for uncertificated Preferred Stock in addition to or in
     place of certificated Preferred Stock; or

                                       B-9
<PAGE>   83

          (c) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or
     benefits to the holders of the Preferred Stock or that does not adversely
     affect the legal rights under this Certificate of Designation of any such
     holder.

Except as set forth above, (x) the creation or authorization of any shares of
Junior Securities, Parity Securities or Senior Securities or the issuance of any
shares of Junior Securities or (y) the increase or decrease in the amount of
authorized capital stock of any class, including any preferred stock, shall not
require the consent of the holders of the Preferred Stock and shall not be
deemed to affect adversely the rights, preferences, privileges, special rights
or voting rights of holders of shares of Preferred Stock.

     7.  Exclusion of Other Rights.  Except as may otherwise be required by law,
the shares of Preferred Stock shall not have any voting powers, preferences and
relative, participating, optional or other special rights, other than those
specifically set forth in this resolution (as such resolution may be amended
from time to time) and in the Certificate of Incorporation. The shares of
Preferred Stock shall have no preemptive or subscription rights.

     8.  Headings of Subdivisions.  The headings of the various subdivisions
hereof are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the
interpretation of any of the provisions hereof.

     9.  Severability of Provisions.  If any voting powers, preferences and
relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the Preferred
Stock and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this
resolution (as such resolution may be amended from time to time) is invalid,
unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public
policy, all other voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional and other special rights of Preferred Stock and qualifications,
limitations and restrictions thereof set forth in this resolution (as so
amended) which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or
unenforceable voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional
or other special rights of Preferred Stock and qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof herein set forth.

     10.  Re-issuance of Preferred Stock.  Shares of Preferred Stock that have
been issued and reacquired in any manner, including shares purchased or redeemed
or exchanged or converted, shall (upon compliance with any applicable provisions
of the laws of Delaware) have the status of authorized but unissued shares of
preferred stock of the Corporation undesignated as to series and may be
designated or re-designated and issued or reissued, as the case may be, as part
of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation, provided that any issuance
of such shares as Preferred Stock must be in compliance with the terms hereof.

     11.  Mutilated or Missing Preferred Stock Certificates.  If any of the
Preferred Stock certificates shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the
Corporation shall issue, in exchange and in substitution for and upon
cancellation of the mutilated Preferred Stock certificate, or in lieu of and
substitution for the Preferred Stock certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a
new Preferred Stock certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent
amount of shares of Preferred Stock, but only upon receipt of evidence of such
loss, theft or destruction of such Preferred Stock certificate and indemnity, if
requested, satisfactory to the Corporation and the transfer agent (if other than
the Corporation).

     12.  Certain Definitions.  As used in this Certificate of Designation, the
following terms shall have the following meanings (with terms defined in the
singular having comparable meanings when used in the plural and vice versa),
unless the context otherwise requires:

          "Adjusted Liquidation Preference" means, with respect to each share of
     Preferred Stock, the sum of (a) the Base Liquidation Preference per share
     of Preferred Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon and (b) the
     result of (i) the amount by which (x) 7.5 percent of the Excess Retained
     Earnings exceeds (y) the aggregate amount of cash dividends paid pursuant
     to the final sentence of paragraph 2(i) that are not in excess of the
     dividends paid pursuant to the first sentence of paragraph 2(i), divided by
     (ii) the total number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on the date
     (the "Calculation Date") of the event giving rise to the calculation of the
     Adjusted Liquidation Preference (including, without limitation, the
     redemption of the Preferred Stock or the liquidation of the Corporation).

                                      B-10
<PAGE>   84

          "Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday, or any day
     on which banking institutions in New York, New York are required or
     authorized by law or other governmental action to be closed.

          "Closing Price" means, for each Trading Day, the last reported sale
     price regular way on the Nasdaq National Market or, if the Common Stock is
     not quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, the average of the closing bid
     and asked prices in the over-the-counter market as furnished by any New
     York Stock Exchange member firm selected from time to time by the
     corporation for that purpose.

          "Common Stock" means the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of
     the Corporation.

          "Conversion Price" shall initially mean $8.25 per share of Series A1
     Stock and $9.00 per share of Series A2 Stock and thereafter shall be
     subject to adjustment from time to time pursuant to the terms of paragraph
     3 hereof.

          "Excess Retained Earnings" means the excess, if any, of(i) retained
     earnings as shown on the most recent quarterly or annual consolidated
     balance sheet of the Corporation prior to the Calculation Date, over (ii)
     $75 million. For purposes of this definition, retained earnings shall be
     computed ignoring the effects of any acquisitions after the Preferred Stock
     Issue Date and ignoring the Corporation's investment in ThingWorld.com LLC
     (including any income therefrom or sale thereof).

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

          "Person" means any individual or corporation, partnership, joint
     venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
     organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or
     any other entity.

          "Preferred Stock Issue Date" means the date on which the first shares
     of Preferred Stock are originally issued by the Corporation under this
     Certificate of Designation.

          "Trading Day" means any day on which the Nasdaq National Market or
     other applicable stock exchange or market is open for business.

          "Transfer Agent" shall be Boston Equiserve unless and until a
     successor is selected by the Corporation.

                                      B-11
<PAGE>   85

                                                                       EXHIBIT C

          THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED UPON EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE
     NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES
     ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NEITHER THIS WARRANT NOR ANY
     INTEREST HEREIN NOR THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF NOR ANY
     INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED
     OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO (I) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
     STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS
     OR (II) AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES
     ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, SUCH EXEMPTION TO BE
     EVIDENCED BY SUCH DOCUMENTATION AS THE COMPANY MAY REASONABLY REQUEST.






No. of Shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock:                          Warrant No.
Dated:                , 1999

                                    WARRANT

           TO PURCHASE SHARES OF SERIES A2 PREFERRED STOCK OF C, INC.

     THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT                , (the "Holder"), is entitled, at
any time prior to                     , 2004 (the "Expiration Date"), to
purchase from [C, Inc.] (the "Company"), 15,000 shares of Series A2 Senior
Cumulative Participating Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A2 Preferred
Stock") as described in the attached Certificate of Designation of the Company
(the "Certificate of Designation"), in whole or in part, at a purchase price of
$1,000 per share, all on the terms and conditions and pursuant to the provisions
hereinafter set forth.

1.  Definitions

     As used in this Warrant, the following terms have the respective meanings
set forth below:

          "Business Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or
     a day on which banks are required or permitted to be closed in the State of
     New York.

          "Closing Price" shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of
     Designation.

          "Closing Date" shall mean the date of the Closing as such term is
     defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August   , 1999,
     between the Holder and the Company.

          "Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the Certificate of
     Designation.

          "Trading Price" shall mean the average of the Closing Prices of the
     Common Stock for the 20 consecutive Trading Days ending on the day before
     the day in question.

          "Warrant Price" shall mean an amount equal to (i) the number of shares
     of Series A2 Preferred Stock being purchased upon exercise of this Warrant
     pursuant to Section 2.1, multiplied by (ii) $1,000

          "Warrant Stock" shall mean the shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock
     purchased by the Holder upon the exercise hereof.

2.  Exercise of Warrant

     2.1.  Manner of Exercise.  At any time or from time to time from and after
the Initial Closing Date and until 5:00 P.M., New York time, on the Expiration
Date, Holder may exercise this Warrant, on any Business Day, for all or any part
of the number of shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock purchasable hereunder.

                                       C-1
<PAGE>   86

     In order to exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, Holder shall
deliver to the Company at its principal office at                (i) a written
notice of Holder's election to exercise this Warrant, which notice shall specify
the number of shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock to be purchased, (ii) payment
of the Warrant Price (x) in immediately available funds or (y) by the
withholding from the shares of Warrant Stock to be issued upon exercise that
number of shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock that, if converted as of the date
of exercise, would be convertible into shares of Common Stock with an aggregate
Trading Price as of the date of exercise equal to the Warrant Price and (iii)
this Warrant. Such notice shall be substantially in the form appearing at the
end of this Warrant as Exhibit A, duly executed by Holder. Upon receipt of the
items specified in the second preceding sentence, the Company shall execute or
cause to be executed and deliver or cause to be delivered to Holder a
certificate or certificates representing the aggregate number of full shares of
Series A2 Preferred Stock issuable upon such exercise, together with cash in
lieu of any fraction of a share, as hereinafter provided. The stock certificate
or certificates so delivered shall be in such denomination or denominations as
Holder shall request in the notice and shall be registered in the name of
Holder. This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised and such certificate
or certificates shall be deemed to have been issued, and Holder shall be deemed
to have become a holder of record of such shares for all purposes, as of the
date the notice, together with the Warrant Price and this Warrant, are received
by the Company as described above. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in
part, the Company shall, at the time of delivery of the certificate or
certificates representing Warrant Stock, deliver to Holder a new Warrant
evidencing the right of Holder to purchase the unpurchased shares of Series A2
Preferred Stock called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other
respects be identical with this Warrant, or, at the request of Holder,
appropriate notation may be made on this Warrant and the same returned to
Holder.

     2.2.  Shares to be Validly Issued.  All shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock
issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable. The Company shall be entitled to withhold any amounts
required to be withheld under applicable law from any amounts to be paid to the
Holder hereunder.

     2.3  No Fractional Shares.  The Company shall not be required to issue
fractions of shares upon the exercise of this Warrant. If any fraction of a
share would otherwise be issuable, the Company shall pay to the Holder an amount
in cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the Adjusted Liquidation Preference
(as defined in the Certificate of Designation).

3. Adjustments

     3.1  Merger, Consolidation or Disposition of Assets.  In the case of any
consolidation of the Company or the merger of the Company with or into any other
entity or the sale or transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the
Company pursuant to which the Series A2 Preferred Stock is converted into other
securities, cash or assets, upon consummation of such transaction, this Warrant
shall automatically become exercisable for the kind and amount of securities,
cash or other assets receivable upon the consolidation, merger, sale or transfer
by a holder of the number of shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock into which this
Warrant might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation,
merger, transfer or sale (assuming such holder of Series A2 Preferred Stock
failed to exercise any rights of election and received per share the kind and
amount of consideration receivable per share by a plurality of non-electing
shares). Appropriate adjustment (as determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company) shall be made in the application of the provisions herein set forth
with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the Holder, to the end
that the provisions set forth herein shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly
as reasonably may be, in relation to any shares of stock or other securities or
property thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of this Warrant.

     3.2  Adjustments to Common Stock.  The Common Stock or other consideration
into which the Warrant Stock may be converted shall be subject to the
adjustments set forth in Section 3 of the Certificate of Designation as if such
Warrant Stock had been outstanding since the Preferred Stock Issue Date (as
defined in the Certificate of Designation). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
single event shall give rise to more than one such adjustment or entitle the
Holder to a larger amount of Common Stock than such Holder would have received
had it exercised this Warrant immediately and converted the Warrant Stock
immediately following

                                       C-2
<PAGE>   87

the time of the adjustment set forth in the immediately preceding sentence or
entitle the Holder to any dividends on the Common Stock for any periods prior to
conversion.

4. Rights of Holder

     4.1  No Impairment.  The Company shall not by any action, including,
without limitation, amending its Certificate of Incorporation or comparable
governing instruments or through any reorganization, transfer of assets,
consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other
voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of
the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the
carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be
necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder against impairment.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (a) take all
such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may
validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Series A2
Preferred Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant and (b) obtain all such
authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having
jurisdiction thereof as may be necessary to enable the Company to perform its
obligations under this Warrant.

5. Reservation and Authorization of Series A2 Preferred Stock;

     From and after the Initial Closing Date, the Company shall at all times
reserve and keep available for issue upon the exercise of Warrants such number
of its authorized but unissued shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock as will be
sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants. All
shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock which shall be so issuable, when issued upon
exercise of any Warrant and payment therefor in accordance with the terms of
such Warrant, shall be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable,
and not subject to preemptive rights.

6. Transferability; Form of Warrants

     6.1  No Transfer.  None of the Warrant nor the Shares issuable upon
exercise hereof nor any interest therein may be offered, sold, transferred,
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of, except pursuant to (i) an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable
state securities laws or (ii) an exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, such exemption to
be evidenced by such documentation as the Company may reasonably request,
including an opinion of counsel, in writing and addressed to the Company (which
counsel and opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company), that such
transfer is not in violation of the Securities Act and any applicable state
laws. The Company shall treat the Holder as the holder and owner hereof for all
purposes, unless the Company has been given notice to the contrary.

     6.2.  Warrant Register; Ownership of Warrant.  The Company will keep at its
principal office a register in which the Company will provide for the
registration of Warrants and the registration of transfers of Warrants. The
Company may treat the person in whose name any Warrant is registered on such
register as the owner thereof for all other purposes, and the Company shall not
be affected by any notice to the contrary.

     6.3.  Restrictive Legend.  Each certificate for Warrant Stock shall be
stamped or otherwise imprinted with the following legend:

          THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
     (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NEITHER THIS
     SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED,
     PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO (I) AN
     EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY
     APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR (II) AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
     REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES
     LAWS, SUCH EXEMPTION TO BE EVIDENCE BY SUCH DOCUMENTATION AS THE ISSUER MAY
     REASONABLY REQUEST.

     Any certificate issued at any time in exchange or substitution for any
certificate bearing such legend (except a new certificate issued upon completion
of a public distribution pursuant to a registration statement under the
Securities Act ) shall also bear such legend unless, the holder of such
certificate shall have delivered

                                       C-3
<PAGE>   88

to the Company an opinion of counsel, in writing and addressed to the Company
(which counsel and opinion shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company), that
the securities represented thereby need no longer be subject to restrictions on
resale under the Securities Act or any state securities laws.

     6.3.  Registration Rights.  The holder of Warrants and Warrant Stock shall
have the registration rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of                            , 1999 between the Holder and the
Company.

7.  Loss or Mutilation

     Upon receipt by the Company from any Holder of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of this Warrant and indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, and in
case of mutilation upon surrender and cancellation hereof, the Company will
execute and deliver in lieu hereof a new Warrant of like tenor to such Holder;
provided, in the case of mutilation, no indemnity shall be required if this
Warrant in identifiable form is surrendered to the Company for cancellation.

8.  Miscellaneous

     8.1.  Expiration.  This Warrant shall expire and be of no further force and
effect on the Expiration Date.

     8.2.  Notice Generally.  Any notice, demand, request, consent, approval,
declaration, delivery or other communication hereunder to be made pursuant to
the provisions of this Warrant shall be sufficiently given or made if in writing
and either delivered in person with receipt acknowledged or sent by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or by a nationally
recognized overnight courier or by telecopy and confirmed by telecopy
answerback, addressed as follows:

          (a)  If to the Holder, at its last known address appearing on the
     books of the Company maintained for such purpose.

          (b)  If to the Company at

                [        ]

or at such other address as may be substituted by notice given as herein
provided. The giving of any notice required hereunder may be waived in writing
by the party entitled to receive such notice. Every notice, demand, request,
consent, approval, declaration, delivery or other communication hereunder shall
be deemed to have been duly given or served (i) on the date on which personally
delivered, with receipt acknowledged, (ii) on the date on which telecopied and
confirmed by written or telephonic acknowledgment, (iii) on the date set forth
on the executed return receipt in the case of registered or certified mail or
(iv) on the next business day after the same shall have been deposited for
overnight delivery with a nationally recognized overnight courier, provided that
proof of receipt is received. Failure or delay in delivering copies of any
notice, demand, request, approval, declaration, delivery or other communication
to the Person designated above to receive a copy shall in no way adversely
affect the effectiveness of such notice, demand, request, approval, declaration,
delivery or other communication.

     8.3.  No Rights as Shareholders.  This Warrant shall not entitle the Holder
to any rights as a shareholder of the Company.

     8.4.  Successors and Assigns.  Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1,
this Warrant and the rights evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the successors of the Company.

     8.5.  Amendment.  This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions
hereof waived only with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.

     8.6.  Severability.  Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or
invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent
of such

                                       C-4

<PAGE>   89

prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision
or the remaining provisions of this Warrant, provided that no such severance
shall be effective if it would change the economic costs or benefits of this
Warrant to the Company or the Holder.

     8.7.  Headings.  The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience
of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this
Warrant.

     8.8.  Governing Law.  This Warrant shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware, without regard to the provisions thereof relating to conflict
of laws.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be duly executed
as of the date first above written.

Dated:            , 1999

                                            [C]


                                            By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:
                                                Title:

Acknowledged and Agreed:
[Holder]

By:
    ----------------------------
    Name:
    Title:

                                       C-5
<PAGE>   90

                                   EXHIBIT A

                                 EXERCISE FORM

                 [TO BE EXECUTED ONLY UPON EXERCISE OF WARRANT]

     The undersigned registered owner of this Warrant irrevocably exercises this
Warrant for the purchase of                Shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock
of [C] and herewith makes payment therefor, all at the price and on the terms
and conditions specified in this Warrant and requests that certificates for the
shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock hereby purchased (and any securities or
other property issuable upon such exercise) be issued in the name of the
undersigned, if such shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock shall not include all
of the shares of Series A2 Preferred Stock issuable as provided in this Warrant,
that a new Warrant of like tenor and date for the balance of the shares of
Series A2 Preferred Stock issuable hereunder be delivered to the undersigned.

     Check the following box in the case of a "cashless exercise" pursuant to
Section 2.1(ii)(y) [  ]


                                             -----------------------------------
                                             (Name of Registered Owner)


                                             -----------------------------------
                                             (Signature of Registered Owner)


                                             -----------------------------------
                                             (Street Address)


                                             -----------------------------------
                                             (City)     (State)     (Zip Code)

Notice:  The signature on this subscription must correspond with the name as
         written upon the face of the within Warrant in every particular,
         without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

                                       C-6
<PAGE>   91

                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                              [BEAR STEARNS LOGO]

September 1, 1999

Board of Directors
Special Committee of the Board of Directors
CYRK, INC.
3 Pond Road
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930

Dear Sirs:

     We understand that CYRK, INC. ("CYRK") will enter into a Securities
Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") with Overseas Toys, L.P., an affiliate of
The Yucaipa Companies, to purchase (i) 25,000 shares of Series A Senior
Cumulative Participating Convertible Preferred Stock of CYRK (the "Series A
Preferred Stock") and (ii) a warrant to purchase an additional 15,000 shares of
Series A Preferred Stock (the "Warrant" and collectively the "Securities") for
an investment of $25,000,000 (the "Consideration"). The purchase of the
Securities and the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement is referred
to as the "Transaction." Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall
have the meaning given to them in the Agreement.

     You have asked us to render our opinion as to whether the Consideration to
be received by CYRK for the Securities is fair, from a financial point of view,
to CYRK.

     In the course of our analyses for rendering this opinion, we have:

      1.  reviewed the Agreement and without expressing any views regarding the
          propriety of, reviewed the Management Agreement, the Employment
          Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement;

      2.  reviewed the Certificate of Designation related to the Series A
          Preferred Stock and the Warrant;

      3.  reviewed CYRK's Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual Reports on
          Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 through 1998,
          quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1999
          and June 30, 1999 and other such public information with respect to
          CYRK as we deemed relevant;

      4.  reviewed certain operating and financial information, including
          projections, provided to us by management of CYRK relating to CYRK's
          business and prospects for the period July 1, 1999 through December
          31, 1999;

      5.  met with certain members of CYRK's senior management to discuss its
          operations, historical financial statements and future prospects;

      6.  visited headquarters of CYRK in Gloucester, Massachusetts and
          headquarters of Simon Marketing, Inc., a subsidiary of CYRK, in Los
          Angeles, California;

      7.  reviewed the historical prices, valuation multiples and trading volume
          of the common shares of CYRK;

      8.  reviewed publicly available financial data, stock market performance
          data and valuation multiples of companies which we deemed generally
          comparable to CYRK;

      9.  reviewed the terms of recent investments in companies which we deemed
          generally comparable to the Transaction; and

     10.  conducted such other studies, analyses, inquiries and investigations
          as we deemed appropriate.

                                       D-1
<PAGE>   92

     In the course of our review, we have relied upon and assumed, without
independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of the financial and
other information provided to us by CYRK. With respect to CYRK's projected
financial results, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on
bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
management of CYRK as to the expected future performance of CYRK. In addition,
we assumed, in all respects material to our analysis, that the representations
and warranties of each party contained in the Agreement are true and correct,
each party will perform all of the covenants and agreements required by it under
the Agreement, that all conditions to the consummation of the Transaction will
be satisfied without waiver thereof, and that the Transaction will be
consummated in accordance with the terms and conditions contained therein. We
have not assumed any responsibility for the independent verification of any such
information or of the projections provided to us, and we have further relied
upon the assurances of the management of CYRK that they are unaware of any facts
that would make the information or projections provided to us contain any
misleading information or omit to contain information that would make such
information misleading. In arriving at our opinion, we have not performed or
obtained any independent appraisal of the assets or liabilities of CYRK. Our
opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions, and the
information made available to us, as of the date hereof.

     We have acted as financial advisor to CYRK in connection with the
Transaction and will receive a fee for such services, payment of which is
contingent upon the consummation of the Transaction. CYRK has agreed to
indemnify us in connection with certain claims and liabilities relating to our
engagement.

     In the ordinary course of business, Bear Stearns may actively trade the
equity securities of CYRK for its own account and for the for the account of its
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities.

     It is understood that this letter is intended for the benefit and use of
the Board of Directors of CYRK and the Special Committee of the Board of
Directors of CYRK and does not constitute a recommendation to the Board of
Directors, the Special Committee of the Board of Directors or any holders of
CYRK common stock as to how to vote in connection with the Transaction. This
opinion does not address CYRK's underlying business decision to pursue the
Transaction. This letter is not to be used for any other purpose, or reproduced,
disseminated, quoted or referred to at any time, in whole or in part, in any
manner for any purpose without our prior consent; provided, however, that this
letter may be included in its entirety in any proxy statement to be distributed
to the holders of CYRK common stock in connection with the Transaction.

     Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Consideration to be
received by CYRK for the Securities is fair, from a financial point of view, to
CYRK.

                                            Very truly yours,


                                            BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.




                                            By: /s/ JOHN BRYANT
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Senior Managing Director



                                       D-2
<PAGE>   93

                                   CYRK, INC.

                    PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SPECIAL MEETING IN LIEU OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS -_______________, 1999


        The undersigned stockholder of Cyrk, Inc. hereby acknowledges receipt of
   the Notice of Special Meeting in lieu of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and
   related Proxy Statement, revokes any prior proxies, and appoints Patrick D.
   Brady and Patricia J. Landgren, or either of them, each with full power to
P  act alone, the attorney and proxy for the undersigned with power of
R  substitution in each to act for and to vote, as designated below, with the
O  same force and effect as the undersigned, all shares of Cyrk, Inc. common
X  stock standing in the name of the undersigned at the Special Meeting in lieu
Y  of Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Cyrk, Inc. to be held at the offices of
   Choate, Hall & Stewart, Exchange Place, 53 State Street, 36th Floor, Boston,
   Massachusetts on _______________, 1999 at 10:00 a.m., local time, and any
   adjournments thereof.


        WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
   HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY
   CARD WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND "FOR" THE OTHER
   PROPOSALS. THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HOLDER'S BEST
   JUDGMENT AS TO ANY OTHER MATTERS.




   SEE REVERSE SIDE. IF YOU WISH TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF
   DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATIONS, JUST SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE. YOU NEED NOT MARK
   ANY BOXES.
                                                          -----------------
                                                             SEE REVERSE
                                                                 SIDE
                                                          -----------------





<PAGE>   94

[X] Please mark votes as in example

IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS
AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1 through 6.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1. Approve the issuance of (a) 25,000 shares of a new     For  Against  Abstain
   series of convertible preferred stock which are
   initially convertible into 3,030,303 shares of our     [ ]    [ ]      [ ]
   common stock and (b) a warrant to purchase 15,000
   shares of convertible preferred stock which are
   initially convertible into 1,666,666 shares of our
   common stock;


2. Elect six directors to serve for terms of either one,
   two or three years and until their successors are
   elected and qualified upon the closing of the
   transaction contemplated by proposal 1;
                                                             For     Withhold
NOMINEES:  Patrick D. Brady                                  [ ]       [ ]
           Allan I. Brown                                    [ ]       [ ]
           Ronald W. Burkle                                  [ ]       [ ]
           George Golleher                                   [ ]       [ ]
           Joseph Anthony Kouba                              [ ]       [ ]
           Richard Wolpert                                   [ ]       [ ]

INSTRUCTIONS: IF YOU WISH TO GRANT AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR
ANY NOMINEE(S), MARK THE "FOR" BOX THAT CORRESPONDS TO EACH
PARTICULAR NAME. IF YOU WISH TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY WITH
RESPECT TO CERTAIN NOMINEE(S), MARK THE "WITHHOLD" BOX THAT
CORRESPONDS TO EACH PARTICULAR NAME.


3. Elect one director to serve for a term of three years     For     Withhold
   and until his successor is elected and qualified, in
   case the transaction contemplated by proposal 1 does      [ ]       [ ]
   not close;

NOMINEE:   Ted L. Axelrod

PLEASE SEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ITEM 2.


4. Approve and ratify an amendment to the 1993 Employee   For  Against  Abstain
   Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares
   of our common stock available under the plan from      [ ]    [ ]      [ ]
   300,000 to 600,000;


5. Ratify the Board of Directors' appointment of          For  Against  Abstain
   PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent
   auditors for the 1999 fiscal year; and                 [ ]    [ ]      [ ]


6. Transact such other business as may properly come      For  Against  Abstain
   before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
                                                          [ ]    [ ]      [ ]


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              MARK HERE    [  ]
                                                              FOR ADDRESS
                                                              CHANGE AND
                                                              NOTE AT LEFT

Please sign exactly as your name     Signature:______________________Date_______
appears hereon. Joint owners should
each sign. When signing as an
attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, please give
full title as such. If a corporation,
please sign in full corporate name
by President or other authorized
officer. If a partnership, please
sign in partnership name by
authorized person.                   Signature:______________________Date_______

PLEASE PROMPTLY MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS
PROXY USING ENCLOSED ENVELOPE


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