SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
((Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [ x ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6a-12)
[ x ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12
SYNERGY BRANDS INC.
-------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rule 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:
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3. Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined)
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4. Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5. Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1. Amount Previously Paid:
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2. Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.
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3. Filing Party:
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4. Date Filed:
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SYNERGY BRANDS INC.
40 Underhill Blvd.
Syosset, NY 11791
PROXY STATEMENT
This statement is furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies by
the Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors" or the "Board") of Synergy
Brands Inc. (the "Company") to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
the Company (the "Meeting") to be held on June 30, 2000 at 10:00 A.M. at
Melville Marriott, Melville, New York, 631-423-1600.
VOTING PROCEDURES
Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2000 will be
entitled to vote at the Meeting. On the said record date, there were 14,455,616
shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share ("Common Stock"), outstanding,
each of which being entitled to one vote at the Meeting, and 100,000 shares of
Class A Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share ("Preferred Stock" and,
together with the Common Stock, collectively the "Company Shares"), outstanding,
each of which being entitled to 13 votes at the Meeting (vote is controlled by
Mair Faibish, Executive Vice President of the Company). Holders of the Common
Stock and the Preferred Stock will vote as a single class as to all matters to
come before the Meeting. A Shareholder List disclosing shareholders of record on
June 1, 2000 shall be made available for inspection by shareholders entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting at the location of the Meeting on the date of and in
advance of the date of the Meeting.
The By-Laws of the Company (the "By-Laws") provide that the holders of a
minimum of one third of the Company Shares issued and outstanding and entitled
to vote at the Meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum at the Meeting. The By-Laws further provide that the
directors of the Company shall be elected by a plurality vote and by applicable
statute, the proposition for amendment of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation to increase its authorized stock and establish Class B Preferred
Stock requires the vote of a majority of all votes represented by outstanding
stock, and that, except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certification of
Incorporation of the Company, or the By-Laws, all other matters coming before
the meeting shall be decided by the vote of a majority of the number of Company
Shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to
vote thereat where a quorum is present.
Votes cast at the Meeting will be counted by the person appointed by the
Company to act as inspectors of election for the Meeting. The inspectors of
election will treat Company Shares represented by a properly executed and
returned proxy as present at the Meeting for purpose of determining a quorum.
Abstention and broker non-votes with respect to particular proposals will not
affect the determination of a quorum.
Five directors will be elected by a plurality vote of the Company Shares
present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Meeting.
Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes as to the election of directors
will have no effect thereon. All other matters to come before the Meeting
require either the approval of a majority of the votes represented by all
Company Shares or those present at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon,
therefore abstentions as to particular proposals will have the same effect as
votes against such proposals. Broker non-votes as to particular proposals will
not, however, be deemed to be a part of the voting power present with respect to
such proposals and will not therefore count as votes for or against such
proposals and will not be included in calculating the number of votes necessary
for approval of such proposals.
Proxies in the enclosed form are solicited by the Board of Directors to
provide an opportunity to every stockholder to vote on all matters to come
before the Meeting, whether or not he or she attends in person. If proxies in
the enclosed form are properly executed and returned, the Company Shares
represented thereby will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with stockholder
direction. Proxies in the enclosed form upon presentation unless otherwise
designated thereon will be voted FOR the election of each director, FOR
amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase its
authorized stock and create a Class B Preferred Stock, and FOR the election of
Belew, Averitt LLP as the Company's auditors for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2000. Any stockholder executing a proxy may revoke that proxy or submit a
revised one at any time before it is voted. A stockholder may also attend at the
Meeting in person and vote by ballot, thereby canceling any proxy previously
given. Except for the election of directors, Amendment to the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation and confirmation of the auditors, Company
management expects no other matters to be presented for action at the Meeting.
If, however, any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the persons
named as proxies in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote in accordance with
their judgment on the matters presented unless otherwise specified in the Proxy.
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PROXY SOLICITATION
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to
solicitations by mail, arrangements have been made for brokers and nominees to
send proxy material to their principals, and the Company will reimburse them for
their reasonable expenses in doing so. The Company's transfer agent, American
Stock Transfer and Trust Company will assist it in the solicitation of proxies
from brokers and nominees. The fees for the services of the transfer agent are
included in the monthly fees paid by the Company, however, the Company will
reimburse the transfer agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in connection with providing solicitation services. Certain employees of the
Company, who will receive no compensation for their services other than their
regular remuneration, may also solicit by telephone, telegram, telex, telecopy,
or personal interview.
PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Meeting, five directors are to be elected to a one-year term and to
hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. The Board of
Directors consists of one class, which serves for a one-year term or until their
successor is elected and qualifies. The persons named in the enclosed form of
proxy intend to vote such proxy, unless otherwise directed, FOR the election of
each of the directors nominated to serve on the Board to serve until the fiscal
2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or other dates for proposed election of new
directors. If contrary to present expectation, any of the nominees should become
unavailable for any reason, votes may be cast pursuant to the accompanying form
of proxy for a substitute nominee designated by the Board.
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS AND DIRECTOR NOMINEES.
Set forth is certain information concerning directors and director
nominees.
Year First
Elected A
Name of Nominee Age Position Director
--------------- --- -------- --------
Mair Faibish 40 Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
and Director 1989
Henry J. Platek, Jr. 54 President, Chief Operating
Officer and Director 1989
Mitchell Gerstein 44 Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer, Secretary
and Director 1991
Dominic Marsicovetere 51 Director 1993
Michael Ferrone 48 Director 1995
MAIR FAIBISH. Mr. Faibish has been Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and a Director of the Company since May 1989 and Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer since January 1, 2000. He serves on the Compensation and
Executive committees.
HENRY J. PLATEK, JR. has been President and a Director of the Company since
December 1989 and Chief Operating Officer since January 1, 2000.
MITCHELL GERSTEIN. Mr. Gerstein has been Treasurer since March 1994, Vice
President and a Director of the Company since June 1991. Controller and
Treasurer of the Company since March 1992, Secretary of the Company from June
1991 to March 1994, a position he resumed in January 1995 and Chief Financial
Officer since January 1, 2000. Mr. Gerstein serves on the Audit Committee.
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DOMINIC A. MARSICOVETERE, CPA. Mr. Marsicovetere has been a Director of the
Company since April 1993. Since 1978, Mr. Marsicovetere has been an Accounting
Professor in the school of Business Administration at Hofstra University. Since
1978, Mr. Marsicovetere had been in private practice as a certified public
accountant. Mr. Marsicovetere is the chairman of the Audit Committee and
Independent Compensation Committee.
MICHAEL FERRONE. Mr. Ferrone is an associate with Guardian Insurance
Company where he has been employed for the last year. Prior thereto he had been
an associate at Certified Financial Services for 2 years. Mr. Ferrone has been a
Vice President and has served on the Executive Committee of Alliance Financial
Group for the past eight years. Mr. Ferrone serves on the Audit Committee and
Independent Compensation Committee.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors are elected at the annual meeting of stockholders and hold office
until their successors have been duly elected and qualified, or until their
earlier death, resignation or removal.
The Board of Directors has primary responsibility of directing the
management of the business and affairs of the Company. The Board currently
consist of five members.
The Company has an Audit Committee, an Executive Committee, an Independent
Compensation Committee and an Employee Compensation Committee.
The Audit Committee is comprised of Dominic A. Marsicovetere (chair) and
Mitchell Gerstein and Michael Ferrone and its functions include recommending to
the Board of Directors the engagement of the Company's independent certified
public accountants, reviewing with such accountants the plan and results of
their examination of the consolidated financial statements and determining the
independence of such accountants. The Audit Committee will also have primary
responsibility for reviewing all related party transactions. However, it is the
Company's policy that all related party transactions be approved by a majority
of the disinterested directors of the Company. Such directors will not be
required to make a determination that each related party transaction meets a
fairness test, but will decide whether the transaction is in the best interest
of the Company. The Audit Committee is comprised of a majority of independent
directors as required by NASDAQ.
The Executive Committee is comprised of Henry J. Platek, Jr. and Mair
Faibish and is responsible for establishing policies and procedures relating to
the administration and operation of the Company.
The Independent Compensation Committee, consisting of Dominic Marsicovetere
and Michael Ferrone, the Company's two independent non-employee directors, will
review and make recommendations with respect to compensation of officers and key
employees. They also administer the Company's 1994 Services and Consulting
Compensation Plan, as amended with respect to compensation of directors (except
non-employee directors) and officers and consultants of the Company.
The Employee Compensation Committee, consisting of Mair Faibish and Henry
J. Platek, will review and make recommendations with respect to compensation of
employees who are not officers or directors.
Executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors,
subject to any employment agreement between the executive officer and the
Company.
The Board of Directors and its Committee voted by unanimous or majority (on
notice to others not voting) written consent in lieu of formal meetings with
respect to all actions taken in the year ended December 31, 1997 and December
31, 1998, and thereafter in 1999.
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None of the directors or respective officers of the Company have over the
last two fiscal years been involved in any material transactions with the
Company wherein the amount of money involved exceeded $100,000 although the
Company and its affiliates have purchased insurance instruments through Mr.
Ferrone. No material transactions involving the officers and or directors of the
Company and the Company are proposed. There are also no common affiliations
between the Company and officers and/or directors in any other business or
entity, to the best knowledge of the Company.
No officer, director and/or former member or affiliate thereof is or in the
last two fiscal years has been in debt to the Company in excess of $100,000.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS/ NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR PLAN
Directors and committee members who are part of management serve as such
without compensation but are reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses in attending meetings of the Board and its committees. Pursuant to the
Option Plan, directors who are not employees of the Company are granted an
option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to
fair market value on the date of grant immediately upon their election or
reelection to the Board of Directors.
RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
The Board of Directors recommends the election of the nominees listed above
as directors of the Company to hold office until the next annual meeting or
until their successors are elected and qualified. The affirmative vote of a
plurality of the Company Shares represented at the Meeting where a quorum is
presented is required for such approval. Quorum at the meeting shall require
attendance in person and/or by proxy by at least one-third amount of the
potential votes outstanding.
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<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth as of May 1, 2000 information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Company's voting securities (i) by each person who
is known to the Company to be the owner of more than five percent of the
Company's voting securities, (ii) by each of the Company's directors, and (iii)
by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group:
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership Percent of Class
Name and Address of Common Preferred Common Preferred
Beneficial Owner(1) Stock Stock Stock Stock
- --------------------- ----- ----- ----- -----
Henry J. Platek (2).......... 183,600 -0- 1.3% --
40 Underhill Blvd.
Syosset, NY 11791
Mair Faibish (3)............. 1,741,450 100,000 12.05% 100.0%
40 Underhill Blvd.
Syosset, NY 11791
Mitchell Gerstein(4)......... 50,000 -0- .30% --
40 Underhill Blvd.
Syosset, NY 11791
Dominic A. Marsicovetere..... 10,000 -0- .10% --
40 Underhill Blvd.
Syosset, NY 11791
Michael Ferrone............. 10,000 -0- .10% --
40 Underhill Blvd.
Syosset, NY 11791
Larry Fleischman............ 1,216,815 -0- 8.4% --
350 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy
Ste. 404
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.. 2,200,000 -0- 15.2% --
10706 Beaver Dam Road
Cockeysville, Md. 21030
All Officers and Directors
as Group.................... 1,995,050 100,000 13.8% 100.0%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each person named in the table exercises sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned.
(2) Includes 333 shares owned by Michaleen Platek, wife of Henry J. Platek Jr.,
and 333 shares owned by MNP Corporation d/b/a Twin Cities Wholesale Grocers
Incorporated ("MNP"), a corporation wholly-owned by Mrs. Platek. Henry Platek
disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Michaleen Platek and MNP.
Also includes 155,000 options expiring 10/2003
(3) Mr. Faibish owns the 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. Each
share of Preferred Stock is entitled to 13 votes on all matters on which Common
Stock may vote. Accordingly, the percentage of overall voting power of the
Company's voting securities beneficially owned by Mair Faibish and all officers
and directors as a group is increased accordingly. Also includes 1,135,000
options expiring 10/2003
(4) Includes 50,000 options expiring 10/2004
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PROPOSAL 2. ELECTION OF AUDITORS
Belew, Averitt LLP are expected to be the independent auditors of the
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2000 and have acted as such during the last two years of the
Company. At the meeting, Belew, Averitt LLP are being nominated to serve as the
auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000. It is not
expected however that any representative of the auditors will be available at
the Meeting to respond to questions.
The financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999 were audited by Belew, Averitt LLP
and such did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of an opinion, and
were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles.
RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
The Board of Directors recommends the election of Belew, Averitt LLP to
serve as auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000
and until successors are elected and qualified. The affirmative vote of a
majority of the Company Shares represented at the Meeting where a quorum is
present is required for such approval. Quorum at the Meeting shall require
attendance in person and/or by proxy by at least one-third amount of potential
votes outstanding.
PROPOSAL 3. AMEMDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED STOCK
AND CREATE CLASS B PREFERRED STOCK
The Company proposes to amend its Certificate of Incorporation to increase
the amount of stock it is authorized to issue to 60,000,000 shares divided into
49,900,000 shares of common stock, 100,000 shares of present Class A Preferred
Stock, and creation of a new Class B Preferred Stock consisting of 10,000,000
shares thereof. Such Class B Preferred Stock shall be structured as "blank"
stock pursuant to statutory authorization provided under Section 102(a)(4) of
the Delaware General Corporation Law whereby the terms and provisions of such
Class B Preferred Stock shall be subject to designation at a future time before
issuance, by the Company's Board of Directors, as set forth in the form of
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Synergy Brands Inc.
a copy of which is included herewith as an exhibit for review. The Company
believes that such amendment is advisable to increase the amount of stock
generally available for future investment and in particular to create a class of
stock in the proposed Class B Preferred Stock which would be available for
issuance to a class of potential investors interested in financial returns from
the Company and not the equity market for sale of the Company's stock. The
Company has adopted a strategy of seeking opportunities to realize gains through
the selective purchase and/or sale of investments or having separate
subsidiaries or affiliates buy or sell minority interests to outside investors.
The additional Preferred Stock will be instituted with such plan in mind and is
expected to be utilized to further such corporate purposes. The Company believes
that this strategy provides the ability to increase shareholder value as well as
provide capital to support the growth in the Company's subsidiaries and
investments. The Company expects to continue to develop and refine the products
and services of its business focusing on the Internet as the primary mode of
distribution, with the goal of increasing revenue as new products are
commercially introduced, and to continue to pursue the acquisition of or the
investments in, additional Internet companies. The Company will seek to continue
to attract traditional media investments, partner with advanced value added
technologies that will be synergistic to its Internet platforms as well as
partner with existing Internet companies to achieve its goals of building a
strategic portfolio of Internet assets.
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RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the Amendment. The affirmative
vote of a majority of all votes represented by outstanding stock is required to
approve such Amendment regardless of the presence of a quorum at the Meeting. If
a quorum is present the proposal may not pass if a majority of the votes present
in person and/or by proxy voting for the Amendment does not equal to at least a
majority of all votes outstanding, whether or not attending at the Meeting.
Approval of such amendment, since it creates a new and additional class of
preferred stock, also requires the vote of at least a majority of the votes
represented by all outstanding Class A Preferred Stock, whether or not present
in person and/or by proxy at the Meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Management knows of no other business which is to be presented for action
at the meeting. Should any other matters properly come before the meeting, the
persons named in the accompanying proxy will have discretionary authority to
vote all proxies in accordance with their judgement.
It is important that proxies be returned promptly. Therefore, stockholders
who do not expect to attend in person are urged to execute and return the
enclosed proxy to which no postage need be affixed if mailed in the United
States.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Set forth below are tables showing (i) in summary form, the compensation
paid to Henry J. Platek and Mair Faibish the only executive officers of the
Company who earned in excess of $100,000 during any of the fiscal year
presented: and (ii) the options and stock appreciation rights (SARs) granted to
such executives in 1998.
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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
annual long term compensation
compensation awards
--------------- -----------------------------------
restricted securities underlying
salary stock bonus stock options
NAME
- ----
Henry Platek, CEO
1997 $ 62,927.00 0 0
1998 $ 52,174.00 $3,750 25,000
1999 $ 64,143.00 0 100,000
Mair Faibish, CFO
1997 $ 97,782.00 0 0
1998 $113,745.00 0 735,000
1999 $106,000.00 0 750,000
OPTION GRANTS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
number of securities exercise of base potential realizable at assumed
underlying options percent of total options price expiration annual rates of stock price
granted granted to employees $/share date appreciation for option term
5% 10%
Henry Platek, CEO 100,000 2.22% $1.25 10/31/04 $35,000 $ 76,250
30,000 0.67% $0.65 10/31/04 $ 5,460 $ 11,895
25,000 0.56% $0.40 10/05/03 $ 2,100 $ 6,100
Mair Faibish, CFO 750,000 16.67% $1.25 10/31/04 $262,500 $571,875
735,000 16.33% $0.50 10/05/03 $ 77,175 $224,175
</TABLE>
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
All decisions with respect to the stock compensation of the Company's
executive officers and key employees are made by the Independent Compensation
Committee, which is comprised of Mr. Marsicovetere and Mr. Ferrone under the
1994 Plan. Neither Mr. Marsicovetere nor Mr. Ferrone are officers or employees
of the Company nor were they at any time.
All decisions with respect to the compensation of employees who are not
officers or key employees are made by the Employee Compensation Committee which
is comprised of Mr. Platek and Mr. Faibish. Mr. Faibish is the Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON ANNUAL COMPENSATION
ADMINISTRATION OF COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The Independent Compensation Committee will be responsible for establishing
and administering the stock compensation policies applicable to the Company's
executive officers.
Prior to the establishment of the Committee, decisions with respect to the
compensation of the Company's executive officers have been made by the Board of
Directors.
COMPENSATION POLICY
The goals of the Company's executive compensation policy are to (i) attract
and retain qualified executives and (ii) ensure that an appropriate relationship
exists between executive pay and the creations of shareholder value. To achieve
these goals, the Company's executive compensation policy will reward executives
for long term strategic management and the enhancement of stockholder value by
integrating annual base compensation with other forms of incentive compensation
based upon corporate results and individual performance. Measurement of
corporate performance will be primarily based on the level of achievement of
Company goals and upon Company performance levels compared with industry
performance levels.
The Committee will obtain compensation survey data where available for
similar industries to be used as a guide to establish compensation levels to be
competitive with and comparable to other companies in its industry group.
FISCAL 1999 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The Company's fiscal 1999 executive compensation program was comprised
exclusively of base salary and stock grants pursuant to the Company's
compensation plan. During fiscal 1999 Mr. Faibish and Mr. Platek, the Company's
two executive officers, did not receive salary increases. The decisions not to
grant increases were made by the Board of Directors based on the company
performance and financial condition. The compensation program described below
will be implemented by the Independent Compensation Committee on a going forward
basis.
BASE SALARY. The Independent Compensation Committee will review and approve
all salary changes and stock grants for executive officers. The Committee will
base its approval of such salary changes on: (i) performance of the executive,
(ii) Company performance, (iii) experience, and (iv) external salary surveys.
ANNUAL INCENTIVE. The Company may use annual performance incentives to
focus management on achieving financial and operating results. The Company may
establish a bonus pool for executive officers for particular year or years, from
which bonuses will be paid at the discretion of the President and Executive Vice
President upon approval of the Committee, except that bonuses awarded to the
President and Executive Vice President will be at the discretion of the
Committee based on the financial performance of the Company.
LONG TERM INCENTIVE. The primary purpose of the long-term incentive
compensation plan (the "Plan") is to link management pay with the long term
interests of stockholders. The Independent Compensation Committee will use stock
options to achieve this link. The grant of options at 100 percent for the fair
value assures that the executive officers will receive a benefit only when stock
price increases.
The amount of options granted is based on comparative data on the estimated
value of long term compensation for other industry executives. In determining
annual stock option grants, the Independent Compensation Committee will base its
decision on the individual's performance and potential to improve stockholder
value.
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In March 1994, certain executive officers of the Company were awarded stock
options.
CEO COMPENSATION DURING FISCAL 1999
Mr. Platek's salary is intended to be competitive with salary arrangements
received by other chief executive officers in the industry. The Committee will
base future bonuses or awards to Mr. Platek on Company and Individual
performance as compared to other promotional wholesale distribution companies,
and the criteria set forth above for executive officers generally.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's executive officers do not receive any compensation for their
services as Directors; however, such officers are reimbursed for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in attending any meetings of the Board and/or
its committees. The Company's two non-employee Directors, on the other hand,
each receive compensation for their service in the form of an option to purchase
10,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock immediately upon their election or
re-election to the Board. These options, which are granted pursuant to the
Company's Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Option Plan"), are
issued at their fair market value, are immediately exercisable and have a term
of ten years.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
The Company entered into employment agreements (the "Agreements") with each
of Messrs. Platek and Faibish on November 14, 1994, providing for their
continued employment in their current capacities until October 1997 and such
agreements have been extended until terminated or new employment agreements are
executed subject to termination for cause at an annual base salary, effective
November 14, 1994 with respect to Mr. Platek and effective April 1, 1995 with
respect to Mr. Faibish, of $108,000 (with automatic 5% annual increases). Under
these Agreements, Messrs. Platek and Faibish will each be eligible to receive
bonus payments at the discretion of the Independent Compensation Committee. In
addition, the Agreements provide for each of Messrs. Platek and Faibish to
receive certain stock option grants pursuant to the Company's 1994 Plan. Each
officer has agreed that upon termination of his employment he will not compete
with the Company for a period of one year in any area within a 50 mile radius of
the Company's principal place of business. The Agreements also provide for
certain payments in the event of either officers' disability and for the use of
a Company automobile.
CONCLUSION
The Board of Directors and the Independent Compensation Committee believe
that the quality and motivation of management make a significant difference in
the long term performance of the Company. The Board of Directors and the
Committee also believe that a compensation program which rewards performance
that meets or exceeds high standards also benefits the stockholders, so long as
there is an appropriate downside risk element to compensation when performance
falls short of such standards. The Board of Directors and the Committee are of
the opinion that the Company's management compensation program meets these
requirements, has contributed to the Company's success, and is deserving of
stockholder support.
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COMPANY STOCK PERFORMANCE
(PLEASE SEE SCHEDULE A)
ANNUAL REPORT
The Annual Report to Shareholders of the Company for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998 which includes audited financial statements has been
previously mailed to stockholders and the 1999 Annual Report being mailed to
shareholders herewith. Such reports are incorporated herein by reference and
should be review by the recipient of this Proxy Statement in conjunction with
review of the other information on the company included herewith.
FORM 10-KSB
The Company is furnishing herewith to each person whose Proxy is being
solicited, a copy of the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The 10-KSB report of the Company for 1999 is incorporated herein by
reference and should be reviewed by the recipient of this Proxy Statement in
conjunction with review of the other information on the Company included herein.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
If any stockholder desires to present a proposal for action at the
Company's annual meeting to be held in 2000, such proposal must be in compliance
with applicable laws and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and must
be received by the Company on or prior to February 1, 2000.
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SECTION 16 REQUIREMENTS
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's directors and officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file initial reports of
ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"). Such persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports received by it
with respect to fiscal 1998 and 1999 or written representations from certain
reporting persons, the Company believes that all filing requirements applicable
to its directors, officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered
class of the Company's equity securities have been timely complied with.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Mitchell Gerstein
Secretary
Syosset, NY
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<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
COMPANY STOCK PERFORMANCE
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
SYNERGY BRANDS INC. 100 49.41 4.71 2.64 4.00 4.47
MG GROUP INDEX 100 134.62 99.17 58.79 154.26 448.96
RUSSEL 3000 INDEX 100 136.80 166.65 219.62 271.92 324.58
PEER GROUP INCLUDES:
RUSSEL 3000 INDEX
(GRAPH ALSO INCLUDED) Graph represents the total return of $100 investment in
the Company relative to sample peer group and a national stock index
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
SYNERGY BRANDS INC.
40 UNDERHILL BLVD.
SYOSSET, NY 11791
THE PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Mair Faibish and Mitchell Gerstein, and
each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and
hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as designated herein, all of the
shares of the common stock, par value $.001 per share, of Synergy Brands Inc.
the "Company"), held of record by the undersigned on at the Annual Meeting (the
"Annual Meeting") of Stockholders of the Company to be held on , and any
adjournment(s) thereof.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED AND DATED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1, PROPOSAL 2, AND PROPOSAL 3, AND THE PROXIES
WILL USE THEIR DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTERS PRESENTED FOR SHAREHOLDER
VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
1. PROPOSAL TO ELECT THE FOLLOWING PERSONS TO SERVE AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FORSYNERGY BRNADS INC. FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ANNUAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO WHICH THIS PROXY RELATES OR UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS
ARE ELECTED AND QUALIFIED:
HENRY J. PLATEK, JR.
MAIR FAIBISH
MITCHELL GERSTEIN
DOMINIC MARSICOVETERE
MICHAEL FERRONE
2. PROPOSAL TO ELECT BELEW, AVERITT & COMPANY TO SERVE AS THE COMPANY'S AUDITORS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE
ELECTED AND QUALIFIED.
FOR { } AGAINST { } ABSTAIN { }
3. PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE ITS
AUTHORIZED STOCK TO 60,000,000 SHARES CONSISTING OF 49,900,000 SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK, 100,000 SHARES OF CLASS A PREFERRED STOCK (PRESENTLY EXISTING) AND
10,000,000 SHARES OF CLASS B PREFERRED STOCK (NEW).
FOR { } AGAINST { } ABSTAIN { }
4. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER
BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENT(S)
THEREOF.
FOR { } AGAINST { } ABSTAIN { }
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<PAGE>
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE BELOW { }
PLEASE EXECUTE THIS PROXY AS YOUR NAME APPEARS HEREON. WHEN SHARES ARE HELD BY
JOINT TENANTS, BOTH SHOULD SIGN. WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR,
ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE AS SUCH. IF A
CORPORATION, PLEASE SIGN IN FULL CORPORATE NAME BY THE PRESIDENT OR OTHER
AUTHORIZED OFFICER. IF A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE SIGN IN PARTNERSHIP NAME BY
AUTHORIZED PERSON.
SIGNATURE: DATE:
SIGNATURE: DATE:
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
to
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
of
SYNERGY BRANDS INC.
Synergy Brands Inc. a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Synergy Brands Inc.
resolutions were duly adopted setting forth a proposed amendment of the
Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation, declaring said amendment to be
advisable. The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment is as follows:
RESOLVED: that this corporation shall and is hereby authorized to amend its
Certificate of Incorporation to increase the amount of authorized stock
available to be issued by this corporation from 30,000,000 shares of stock to
60,000,000 shares of stock divided into 49,900,000 shares of Common Stock,
100,000 shares of Class A Preferred Stock and 10,00,000 shares of Class B
Preferred Stock, the intended purpose of such amendment being to allow the
issuance of further securities to facilitate processing of this corporation's
business expansion opportunities and satisfy further diversified investment
interest to raise working capital. The Certificate of Incorporation of this
corporation be so amended by:
1. Changing the first Paragraph of Article FOURTH therein, first sentence
therein to read as follows.
"The total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have
authority to issue eighty million (60,000,000)."
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<PAGE>
2. Changing the paragraph in article numbered FOURTH which now reads.
"The 30,000,000 authorized shares shall be divided into 29,900,000 common
shares, par value $.001 per share and 100,000 Class A Preferred Stock, par value
$.001 per share"
so that, as amended, said paragraph shall be and read as follows:
"The 60,000,000 authorized shares shall be divided into 49,900,000 common
shares, par value $.001 per share, 100,000 Class A Preferred Stock, par value
$.001 per share and 10,000,000 Class B Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per
share."
3. Adding to Article Fourth the Following language:
"10,000,000 shares of the stock authorized to be issued by this corporation
as Class B Preferred Stock shall have the following provisions applicable there
to, unless and until such provisions shall be changed by further resolution of
this corporation's Board of Directors as to any stock of the class remaining
authorized but unissued:
The Class A Preferred Stock shall be issued in one or more series. The
Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to issue the shares of
Preferred Stock in such series and to fix from time to time before issuance the
number of shares to be included in any series and the designation, relative
rights, preferences and limitations of all shares of such series. The authority
of the Board of Directors with respect to each series shall include, without
limitation thereto, the determination of any or all of the following and the
shares of each series may vary from the shares of any other series in the
following respects:
a. The number of shares constituting such series and the designation
thereof to distinguish the shares of such series from the shares of all other
series;
b. The annual dividend rate on the shares of that series and whether such
dividends shall be cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends
shall accumulate;
c. The redemption price or prices for the particular series, if
redeemable, and the terms and conditions of such redemption;
d. The preference, if any, of shares of such series in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation;
e. The voting rights, if any, in addition to the voting rights prescribed
by law and the terms of exercise of such voting rights;
f. The right, if any, of shares of such series to be converted into shares
of any other series or class and the terms and conditions of such conversion;
and
g. Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of that series.
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<PAGE>
RESOLVED: that the consent of shareholders of this corporation be requested
to adopt the above resolutions, where necessary in accord with the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
SECOND: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the
provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation of Law of the State of
Delaware (the "GCL"), by written consent of a majority of the votes represented
by outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon, given in accordance with the
provisions of Section 228 of the GCL, with respect to which action written
notice has been given as provided in section 228 of the GCL.
THIRD: That the capital of said corporation shall not be reduced under or
by reason of said amendment.
IN WITNESS OF, said corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by
Henry Platek, its President, and Mitchell Gerstein, its secretary, this day
of , 2000.
By:________________________
Henry Platek, President
By:_________________________
Mitchell Gerstein, Secretary
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