<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
COMMISSION FILE NO. 0-21534
CHILDREN'S BROADCASTING CORPORATION
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/X/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it 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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
CHILDREN'S BROADCASTING CORPORATION
724 FIRST STREET NORTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55401
(612) 338-3300
May 26, 1997
Dear Shareholder:
I am pleased to invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Children's Broadcasting Corporation, to be held at the Lutheran Brotherhood, 625
Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July 16, 1997, at 3:30 p.m.
Minneapolis time.
At the Annual Meeting you will be asked to vote for the election of
directors and to ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of BDO
Seidman, LLP as the Company's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1997. The accompanying material contains the Notice of Annual
Meeting, the Proxy Statement which includes information about the matters to be
acted upon at the Annual Meeting, and the related Proxy Card.
I sincerely hope you will be able to attend the Company's Annual Meeting.
Whether or not you are able to attend the Annual Meeting in person, I urge you
to sign and date the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed
envelope. If you do attend the meeting in person, you may withdraw your proxy
and vote personally on any matters brought properly before the meeting.
Very truly yours,
CHILDREN'S BROADCASTING CORPORATION
/s/ Christopher T. Dahl
--------------------------------------
Christopher T. Dahl
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<PAGE>
CHILDREN'S BROADCASTING CORPORATION
724 FIRST STREET NORTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55401
(612) 338-3300
------------------------
NOTICE OF 1997 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JULY 16, 1997
------------------------
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Children's
Broadcasting Corporation (the "Company") will be held at the Lutheran
Brotherhood, 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July 16, 1997,
at 3:30 p.m. Minneapolis time, for the following purposes, as more fully
described in the accompanying Proxy Statement:
1. To elect five directors for the ensuing year and until their successors
shall be elected and duly qualified;
2. To ratify and approve the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the
Company's independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1997; and
3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment
thereof.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on May 19, 1997 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. Whether or not you expect to
attend the meeting in person, please complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy
exactly as your name appears thereon and promptly return it in the envelope
provided, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. Proxies may
be revoked at any time before they are exercised and, if you attend the meeting
in person, you may withdraw your proxy and vote personally on any matter brought
properly before the meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ LANCE W. RILEY
--------------------------------------
Lance W. Riley
SECRETARY AND GENERAL COUNSEL
Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 26, 1997
<PAGE>
CHILDREN'S BROADCASTING CORPORATION
724 FIRST STREET NORTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55401
(612) 338-3300
------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 1997 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JULY 16, 1997
------------------------
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of Children's Broadcasting Corporation (the
"Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the
Lutheran Brotherhood, 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July
16, 1997 at 3:30 p.m. Minneapolis time, and at any adjournment thereof.
Proxies in the accompanying form are solicited on behalf, and at the
direction, of the Board of Directors of the Company (hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the "Board"). All shares of Common Stock represented by properly
executed proxies, unless such proxies have previously been revoked, will be
voted at the meeting and, where the manner of voting is specified on the proxy,
will be voted in accordance with such specifications. Shares represented by
properly executed proxies on which no specification has been made will be voted
FOR the election of the nominees for director named herein and FOR ratification
and approval of the appointment of the independent public accountants for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1997. If any other matters are properly
presented at the meeting for action, including a question of adjourning the
meeting from time to time, the persons named in the proxies and acting
thereunder will have discretion to vote on such matters in accordance with their
best judgment. If a properly executed proxy is returned and the shareholder has
abstained from voting on any matter, the shares represented by the proxy will be
considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and for
purposes of calculating the vote, but will not be considered to have been voted
in favor of such matter.
When stock is held in the name of more than one person, each such person
should sign the proxy. If the shareholder is a corporation, the proxy should be
signed in the name of such corporation by an executive or other authorized
officer. If signed as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or in
any other representative capacity, the signer's full title should be given and,
if not previously furnished, a certificate or other evidence of appointment
should be furnished. If an executed proxy is returned by a broker holding shares
in street name which indicates that the broker does not have discretionary
authority as to certain shares to vote on one or more matters, such shares will
be considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, but
will not be considered to be represented at the meeting for purposes of
calculating the vote with respect to such matter.
Any shareholder who executes and returns a proxy may revoke it at any time
before it is voted. Any shareholder who wishes to revoke a proxy can do so by
executing a later-dated proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to
Lance W. Riley, Children's Broadcasting Corporation, 724 First Street North,
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401, prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting, by
written notice of revocation received by Lance W. Riley, prior to the vote at
the Annual Meeting, or by appearing in person at the Annual Meeting, filing a
written notice of revocation and voting in person the shares to which the proxy
relates.
The Board has fixed the close of business on May 19, 1997, as the Record
Date for determining the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled
to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. On April 15, 1997, there were
6,029,393 shares of Common Stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote. Each
holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote, exercisable in person or by
proxy, for each share of Common Stock held of record on the Record Date. The
Notice of Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy
are first being mailed to shareholders of the Company on or about May 26, 1997.
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
The following table contains certain information as of March 31, 1997,
regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by (i) each
person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Company's
Common Stock, (ii) each director, nominee for director and executive officer of
the Company and (iii) the directors and executive officers as a group, and as to
the percentage of the outstanding shares held by them on such date. Any shares
which are subject to an option or a warrant exercisable within 60 days are
reflected in the following table and are deemed to be outstanding for the
purpose of computing the percentage of Common Stock owned by the option or
warrant holder but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing
the percentage of Common Stock owned by any other person. Unless otherwise
noted, each person identified below possesses sole voting and investment power
with respect to such shares. The business address of Messrs. Dahl, Gilbertson,
Riley, Landis, Paradis, Smith, Manrique and Ms. McMahon is 724 First Street
North, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES OF PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS COMMON STOCK OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
Heartland Advisors, Inc. ................................... 1,104,600(1) 18.3%
790 North Milwaukee Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Perkins Capital Management, Inc. ........................... 689,290(2) 11.3%
730 East Lake Street
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391
Christopher T. Dahl......................................... 554,502(3) 9.1%
Richard W. Perkins ......................................... 487,709(4) 7.7%
730 East Lake Street
Wayzata, Minnesota 55391
Russell Cowles II .......................................... 283,139(5) 4.7%
c/o Sherburne and Coughlin, Ltd.
708 South 3rd Street, Suite 510
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415
John Cowles Family Trust ................................... 214,042(6) 3.5%
Sherburne and Coughlin, Ltd.
708 South 3rd Street, Suite 510
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415
Rodney P. Burwell .......................................... 72,500(7) 1.2%
7901 Xerxes Avenue South, Suite 201
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55431
James G. Gilbertson......................................... 56,917(8) *
Gary W. Landis.............................................. 31,249(9) *
Lance W. Riley.............................................. 32,083(9) *
Mark A. Cohn ............................................... 27,500(10) *
7101 Winnetka Avenue North
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55428
Barbara A. McMahon.......................................... 25,000(9) *
Melvin E. Paradis........................................... 37,915(11) *
Rick E. Smith............................................... 17,375(9) *
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES OF PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS COMMON STOCK OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
Denny J. Manrique........................................... 15,388(9) *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (12
persons).................................................. 1,641,277(12) 24.2%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Less than 1%
(1) As set forth in Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") on February 10, 1997, includes 966,600 shares
over which Heartland Advisors, Inc. claims sole voting power, and 1,104,600
shares over which sole dispositive power is claimed.
(2) Based upon statements filed with the Commission, Perkins Capital
Management, Inc. ("PCM") is a registered investment adviser of which Mr.
Richard W. Perkins, a director of the Company, is President, Chief
Executive Officer, a director and the controlling shareholder. As set forth
in Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 14, 1997, PCM has the
sole right to sell such shares and has sole voting power over 83,536 of
such shares. Mr. Perkins and PCM disclaim any beneficial interest in such
shares. Excludes shares beneficially owned by Mr. Perkins.
(3) Includes (i) 410,486 shares owned directly and (ii) 144,016 shares
purchasable upon exercise of options and warrants.
(4) Includes (i) 189,690 shares owned directly by Mr. Perkins, (ii) 6,769
shares beneficially owned by Mr. Perkins through Perkins Capital
Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan and Trust and Perkins Foundation,
(iii) 285,625 shares purchasable upon exercise of options and warrants by
Mr. Perkins and (iv) 5,625 shares purchasable upon exercise of warrants by
Perkins Capital Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan and Trust and Perkins
Foundation. Mr. Perkin's beneficial ownership excludes shares held for the
accounts of clients of PCM.
(5) Includes (i) 56,597 shares owned directly and (ii) 12,500 shares
purchasable upon exercise of warrants. Mr. Cowles beneficially owns (i)
189,042 shares owned by the John Cowles Family Trust and (ii) 25,000 shares
purchasable by the John Cowles Family Trust upon exercise of warrants. The
shares owned by the John Cowles Family Trust are non-voting shares.
(6) The shares owned by the John Cowles Family Trust are non-voting shares.
(7) Includes (i) 25,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Burwell and (ii) 47,500
shares purchasable upon exercise of options and warrants.
(8) Includes (i) 4,500 shares owned directly by Mr. Gilbertson and (ii) 52,417
shares purchasable upon exercise of options.
(9) Includes options for the purchase of 32,083 shares, 31,249 shares, 17,375
shares, 15,388 shares, and 25,000 shares for Messrs. Riley, Landis, Smith,
Manrique and Ms. McMahon, respectively.
(10) Includes (i) 12,500 shares owned directly by Mr. Cohn and (ii) 15,000
shares purchasable upon exercise of options and warrants.
(11) Includes (i) 2,500 shares owned directly and (ii) 35,415 shares purchasable
upon exercise of warrants.
(12) Includes (i) 897,084 shares and owned directly by all officers, directors
and director nominees and (ii) 744,193 shares purchasable upon exercise of
options and warrants.
3
<PAGE>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Five persons have been nominated for election as directors at the Annual
Meeting, four of whom currently serve as directors of the Company. Directors of
the Company are elected annually to serve until the next Annual Meeting of
Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. There are
no family relationships between any director or officer.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote for each of the
nominees. It is intended that votes will be cast pursuant to the enclosed proxy
for the election of the nominees listed in the table below, except for those
proxies which withhold such authority. Shareholders do not have cumulative
voting rights with respect to the election of directors, and proxies cannot be
voted for a greater number of directors than the number of nominees named below.
In the event that any of the nominees shall be unable or unwilling to serve as a
director, it is intended that the proxy will be voted for the election of such
other person or persons as the management may recommend in the place of such
nominee. The management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will
not be candidates or will be unable to serve.
The following information has been furnished to the Company by the
respective nominees for the Board of Directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR
NAME AGE OCCUPATION SINCE
- --------------------------------------------- --- ---------------------------------------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Christopher T. Dahl 53 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive 1990
Officer of the Company
Richard W. Perkins 66 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of 1990
Perkins Capital Management, Inc.
Rodney P. Burwell 58 Chairman of Xerxes Corporation 1992
Mark A. Cohn 40 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Damark 1994
International, Inc.
Russell Cowles II 60 Trustee of the Cowles Family Voting Trust 1994*
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* The election of Mr. Cowles as a director, as more fully described below,
remains contingent upon either obtaining a waiver from the Federal
Communications Commission ("FCC") of the application of its cross-ownership
rules or the amendment of such rules to remove existing restrictions.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
CHRISTOPHER T. DAHL has been President and a director of the Company since
its inception in February 1990. Mr. Dahl is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Community Airwaves Corporation ("CAC"), a company that owns and operates
radio stations in the Midwest and Hawaii. Prior to founding CAC in 1986, Mr.
Dahl managed his private investments. From 1969 to 1979, he was the founder and
President of a group of companies involved in photofinishing, retail photo
sales, home sewing notions, toy distribution and retail craft stores. He was
employed by Campbell-Mithun and Knox Reeves Advertising from 1965 through 1969.
RICHARD W. PERKINS has been a director of the Company since its inception.
For more than five years, Mr. Perkins has been President and Chief Executive
Officer of PCM, a registered investment advisor. Mr. Perkins is also a director
of CAC as well as the following publicly held companies: Bio-Vascular, Inc., a
medical products manufacturer; CNS, Inc., a consumer products manufacturer;
LifeCore Biomedical, Inc., a medical device manufacturer; Nortech Systems, Inc.,
an electronic sub-systems manufacturer; Eagle Pacific Industries, Inc., a
manufacturer of plastic pipe; and Quantech LTD., a developer of immunological
tests.
4
<PAGE>
RODNEY P. BURWELL has been a director of the Company since June 1992. Since
1979, Mr. Burwell has served as Chairman of Xerxes Corporation, a manufacturer
of fiberglass tanks. Mr. Burwell also owns and operates hotels in Wisconsin and
Colorado. Mr. Burwell is also a director of the Vaughn Company.
MARK A. COHN joined the Company's Board of Directors in July 1994. Mr. Cohn
is a co-founder of and has served as Chief Executive Officer of Damark
International, Inc., a direct marketer of brand name and general merchandise
products, since Damark's inception in 1986. From 1981 to 1984, Mr. Cohn held
various marketing and operations positions, including Director of Marketing
Operations, with C.O.M.B., Co., a retailer of discount, discontinued and
close-out merchandise through stores and direct mail catalogs.
RUSSELL COWLES II was elected in 1994 as a director of the Company subject
to either the obtaining of a waiver from the FCC of the application of its
cross-ownership rules or the amendment of such rules to remove existing
restrictions. Mr. Cowles has thus not yet assumed his role as a director. Mr.
Cowles has served as a Trustee of the Cowles Family Voting Trust since 1984. The
Voting Trust holds a majority share of the voting stock of Cowles Media
Corporation, a newspaper, magazine and book publisher and information service
provider. Mr. Cowles was previously employed in the production, distribution,
financial and planning departments of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE and worked in
the engineering and production departments of radio and television broadcasting
stations. Mr. Cowles is also a director of CAC.
The Company and Mr. Cowles have agreed that Mr. Cowles, if elected, will not
assume his duties as a director until the Company receives a favorable ruling
from the FCC waiving its cross-ownership rules between the Company and Cowles
Media Corporation. The waiver is necessary because Cowles Media Corporation's
ownership of newspaper media is attributed to Mr. Cowles under the FCC's
attribution rules, and will be attributed to the Company as well through Mr.
Cowles as a director. The FCC's cross ownership rules would, without the waiver,
prevent the Company from having interests in two different forms of media (radio
and newspaper) and would thus prevent Mr. Cowles from serving as a director. The
Company anticipates that the FCC will grant the waiver.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors held nine meetings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996. Each of the incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the
meetings of the Board held while he was a member during the last fiscal year.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, consisting of Messrs.
Perkins and Burwell, met twice during the last fiscal year. The Audit Committee
of the Board of Directors, consisting of Messrs. Dahl and Perkins, met twice
during the last fiscal year. The Pricing Committee of the Board of Directors,
consisting of Messrs. Dahl and Perkins, met once during the last fiscal year.
The Related Party Transaction Committee of the Board of Directors, consisting of
Messrs. Burwell and Cohn, met once during the last fiscal year. The Company has
not formalized an Executive Committee.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
The Company has not paid any cash compensation to a director in his capacity
as a director but may pay directors' fees in the future. Certain non-qualified
stock options have been granted to directors, and the Company's 1994 Director
Stock Option Plan provides stock options to its outside directors.
5
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the aggregate cash compensation paid to or
accrued by each of the Company's executive officers receiving in excess of
$100,000, and for all executive officers as a group, for services rendered to
the Company during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
--------------------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
------------------- -----------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION SECURITIES LTIP
---------------------- UNDERLYING OPTIONS PAYOUTS
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) (#) ($)
- ------------------------------------------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Christopher T. Dahl ....................... 1996 210,000 56,500 150,000(1)(2) --
President 1995 210,000 12,500 41,250(3) --
1994 177,500 -- 50,000(4) --
James G. Gilbertson ....................... 1996 123,500 55,875 100,000(2)(5) --
Executive Vice President 1995 97,500 17,500 25,000(6)(7) --
1994 73,125 -- 37,500(8) --
Gary W. Landis ............................ 1996 125,000 12,500 75,000(2)(9) --
Executive Vice President of Programming 1995 125,000 -- 45,000(10) --
1994 90,417 -- 12,504(11) --
Lance W. Riley ............................ 1996 110,833 42,500 75,000(2)(9) --
General Counsel and Secretary 1995 95,000 15,000 40,000(12) --
1994 73,150 -- 25,000(13) --
Denny J. Manrique ......................... 1996 117,023 1,000 43,000(14) --
Executive Vice President of Sales 1995 101,082 -- -- --
Development 1994 -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Option grant of 50,000 shares at $5.88 per share and 75,000 shares at $3.50
per share pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan.
(2) Non-qualified grant of options for 25,000 shares at $5.88 per share.
(3) Non-qualified grant of options for 41,250 shares at $7.70 per share.
(4) Option grant of 50,000 shares at $7.70 per share pursuant to the Company's
1994 Stock Option Plan.
(5) Option grant of 25,000 shares at $5.88 per share and 50,000 shares at $3.50
per share pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan.
(6) Option grant of 12,500 shares at $7.26 per share pursuant to the Company's
1991 Stock Option Plan.
(7) Option grant of 12,500 shares at $7.26 per share pursuant to the Company's
1994 Stock Option Plan.
(8) Option grant of 37,500 shares at $8.00 per share pursuant to the Company's
1994 Stock Option Plan.
(9) Option grant of 25,000 shares at $5.88 per share and 25,000 shares at $3.50
per share pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan.
(10) Option to purchase 17,500 shares at $7.26 per share pursuant to the
Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan and non-qualified grants of options for
27,500 shares at $9.50 per share.
(11) Option grant of 12,504 shares at $8.00 per share pursuant to the Company's
1994 Stock Option Plan.
6
<PAGE>
(12) Option grant of 25,000 shares at $7.25 per share pursuant to the Company's
1991 Stock Option Plan and non-qualified options of 15,000 shares at $9.50
per share.
(13) Option grant of 25,000 shares at $8.00 per share pursuant to the Company's
1994 Stock Option Plan.
(14) Option grant of 25,000 shares at $8.38 per share and 18,000 shares at $3.50
per share pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan.
The following table sets forth the number of securities underlying options
granted in fiscal year 1996, the percent the grant represents of the total
options granted to employees during such fiscal year, the per-share exercise
price of the options granted, and the expiration date of the options for the
executive officers named above.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF TOTAL
SECURITIES OPTIONS GRANTED TO
UNDERLYING OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN FISCAL EXERCISE PRICE
NAME GRANTED(#) YEAR ($/SHARE) EXPIRATION DATE
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Christopher T. Dahl...................... 75,000 9.2% $ 5.87 07-09-01
75,000 9.2% $ 3.50 12-10-01
James G. Gilbertson...................... 50,000 6.1% $ 5.87 07-09-01
50,000 6.1% $ 3.50 12-10-01
Gary W. Landis........................... 50,000 6.1% $ 5.87 07-09-01
25,000 3.1% $ 3.50 12-10-01
Lance W. Riley........................... 50,000 6.1% $ 5.87 07-09-01
25,000 3.1% $ 3.50 12-10-01
Denny J. Manrique........................ 18,000 2.2% $ 3.50 12-10-01
25,000 3.1% $ 8.23 04-22-01
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth the number and value of unexercised
in-the-money options at December 31, 1996, for the executive officers named
above. There were no options exercised in fiscal year 1996 by the named
individuals.
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT FY-END AT FY-END ($)
NAME (#) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Christopher T. Dahl...................................... 119,016/185,000 126,875/240,625
James G. Gilbertson...................................... 52,417/120,833 36,084/160,415
Gary W. Landis........................................... 31,249/108,751 7,291/80,210
Lance W. Riley........................................... 32,083/107,917 7,291/80,210
Denny J. Manrique........................................ 15,988/27,812 5,250/57,750
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
2. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has appointed BDO Seidman, LLP as independent public
accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997. A
proposal to ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP will be presented to the
shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of BDO Seidman, LLP are
expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions from shareholders in attendance.
On June 27, 1996, the Board of Directors engaged BDO Seidman, LLP as the
Company's new independent accountant for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1996. During the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, and through June 27,
1996, the Company did not consult with BDO Seidman, LLP on items which (1)
involved the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction,
either completed or proposed, or involved the type of audit opinion that might
be rendered on the Company's financial statements, or (2) concerned the subject
matter of a disagreement or reportable event with the former auditor (as defined
in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(2)).
On June 27, 1996, the Company dismissed Ernst & Young LLP as its independent
accountant. Except for an explanatory paragraph with respect to substantial
doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and
management's plans described in Note 2 to the Company's consolidated financial
statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, the reports
of Ernst & Young LLP on the financial statements for the years ended December
31, 1994 and 1995, contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and
were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles. The Company's Audit Committee and Board of Directors participated in
and approved the decision to change independent accountants. In connection with
its audits for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, and through June 27,
1996, there were no disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of
Ernst & Young LLP would have caused them to make reference thereto in their
report on the financial statements for such years. During the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1995, and through June 27, 1996, there were no reportable
events (as defined in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(1)(v)). Representatives of
Ernst & Young LLP are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
LEASES
The studios and tower site of WWTC-AM and KYCR-AM are located in St. Louis
Park, Minnesota. The studio facility consists of approximately 12,000 square
feet. The tower site includes four 200-foot towers, a transmitter building and a
storage garage on approximately 16 acres. The tower site is leased from Mr. Dahl
at a total annual rent of approximately $114,000, and the studio site is leased
from a partnership consisting of Messrs. Dahl and Perkins at an annual rent of
approximately $132,000.
In January 1996, the Company entered into a five-year lease with 724
Associates, a partnership consisting of Messrs. Dahl, Perkins and Stephen L.
Wallack, a shareholder of the Company, for 3,000 square feet of office space at
724 First Street North, Minneapolis, Minnesota. These facilities are leased at
annual rental of $54,000 and house the Company's executive offices. The
executive offices are adjacent to the offices of CAC and Radio Management
Corporation ("RMC"). CAC is owned and controlled by Messrs. Dahl, Perkins and
Cowles, either directly or through trusts. RMC is owned by Messrs. Dahl,
8
<PAGE>
Perkins and Cowles. Mr. Cowles is a beneficiary and trustee of the John Cowles
Family Trust, and such Trust is a principal shareholder of the Company. Under
the terms of each of the leases, the Company is obligated to pay its
proportionate share of repairs and maintenance. These arrangements were approved
by the Related Party Transaction Committee of the Company's Board of Directors,
which is comprised of disinterested directors, and the Company believes such
arrangements were on terms at least as favorable as could have been obtained
from unaffiliated third parties.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES FROM AN AFFILIATE
Since July 1993, the Company has received administrative, legal and
accounting services from RMC. RMC is a company owned by the Company's President,
another director and a shareholder. RMC provides corporate, legal, accounting
and financial services to the Company and CAC. CAC is a separate private company
also owned by the individuals listed above. The Company pays a set monthly fee
of $75,000 for the services listed above. All outside services directly
attributable to the Company are billed directly to the Company. The Company paid
RMC an aggregate of $600,000 for such services during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995 and an aggregate of $750,000 for such services during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. The salaries of two officers of the
Company, Lance W. Riley and James G. Gilbertson, are paid by RMC. These
arrangements were approved by the Related Party Transaction Committee of the
Company and Board of Directors, which is comprised of disinterested directors,
and the Company believes such arrangements were on terms at least as favorable
as could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
LOANS AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS
Between April 1994 and November 1995, the Company borrowed from Messrs.
Dahl, Perkins, Cowles and Cohn in the form of bridge financings. The Company
borrowed $100,000 from Mr. Dahl at an interest rate of 10% per annum. The
Company subsequently repaid the loan balance in full. The Company also borrowed
a total of $1,950,000 from Mr. Perkins, at annual interest rates ranging from 8%
to 10%. In connection with these borrowings, warrants were granted to Mr.
Perkins to purchase 171,875 shares of Common Stock at prices ranging from $8.00
to $10.00 per share. Mr. Cowles participated in the bridge financings as well by
lending to the Company a total of $200,000 at an annual interest rate of 10%.
Mr. Cowles also received warrants from the Company to purchase 27,500 shares of
Common Stock at $8.00 per share. Finally, the Company borrowed $100,000 from Mr.
Cohn at an annual rate of 10%. Mr. Cohn received warrants from the Company to
purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock at $8.00 per share.
The Company completed the conversion of an aggregate of $2,875,000 of
outstanding bridge financing Promissory Notes into Common Stock of the Company
effective September 30, 1995. $2,400,000 of the $2,875,000 of Promissory Notes
converted was from the Company's 1994 bridge financings. Holders of the
Promissory Notes from the Company's 1994 bridge financings agreed to surrender
the Notes in satisfaction of the exercise price of warrants which were issued as
part of such bridge financings. Most of the Note holders who chose to convert
also chose to convert interest accrued through September 30, 1995 at the same
$8.00 per share conversion price applicable to the exercised warrants. In
addition to receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercised warrants,
and as an incentive to convert their indebtedness into equity, the holders of
the surrendered 1994 bridge Promissory Notes also received new warrants to
purchase 1,250 shares of Common Stock for each $25,000 of debt converted, which
new warrants are exercisable for five years at $10.00 per share. The remaining
$525,000 of indebtedness converted was from the Company's previous 1995 bridge
financing. Messrs. Perkins, Cohn and Cowles participated in the conversion with
respect to $300,000, $100,000 and $200,000, respectively. As a result of such
conversions, they received shares of Common Stock and additional warrants for
the purchase of 15,000, 5,000 and 10,000 shares, respectively.
9
<PAGE>
POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH COMMUNITY AIRWAVES CORPORATION
CAC may acquire additional radio stations in the future. Under current FCC
regulations, radio stations owned by CAC are attributed to the Company and radio
stations owned by the Company are attributed to CAC for the purpose of
determining whether a station may be acquired in a particular market under the
FCC's duopoly rules. The Company does not believe that any such purchases will
conflict with its present acquisition strategy, which is to have affiliates or
acquire properties in the top 100 U.S. metropolitan markets. CAC has advised the
Company that its strategy is to acquire and operate stations in smaller markets.
An acquisition by CAC in any market would, however, be attributed to the Company
and could further limit the stations which the Company can acquire under
existing FCC regulations. The Company is a party to an Attribution Agreement
with CAC under which the Company is required to obtain the consent of CAC for
the acquisition of any FM radio station or any AM radio station located outside
the top 125 U.S. markets.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of
the Company's equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the Commission. Such officers, directors and shareholders are
required by the Commission to furnish the Company with copies of all such
reports.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of copies of reports
filed with the Commission during 1996, all applicable Section 16(a) filing
requirements were complied with, except that one report on Form 3 setting forth
the event of Barbara A. McMahon becoming an executive officer was not filed on a
timely basis.
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
The following table provides information with respect to the Company's
executive officers. Each executive officer has been appointed to serve until his
successor is duly appointed by the Board of Directors or his earlier removal or
resignation from office.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ---------------------------------------- --- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Christopher T. Dahl 53 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
James G. Gilbertson 35 Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Lance W. Riley 46 Secretary and General Counsel
Gary W. Landis 43 Executive Vice President of Programming
Melvin E. Paradis 58 Executive Vice President of Operations
Barbara A. McMahon 41 Executive Vice President of Affiliate Relations
Rick E. Smith 35 Executive Vice President of National Sales
Denny J. Manrique 47 Executive Vice President of Sales Development
</TABLE>
CHRISTOPHER T. DAHL--See "Election of Directors."
JAMES G. GILBERTSON has served as the Company's Chief Operating Officer
since April 1996, and its Chief Financial Officer since July 1992 and became an
Executive Vice President in March 1994. From June 1988 to July 1992, he was the
Chief Financial Officer of Parker Communications, which operated a group of
radio stations. From 1985 to June 1988, he was Controller of the radio division
of Palmer Communications located in Des Moines, Iowa. Prior to joining Palmer
Communications, Mr. Gilbertson was a practicing certified public accountant with
the firm of Ernst & Young LLP.
10
<PAGE>
LANCE W. RILEY became the General Counsel and Secretary of the Company in
March 1994. Mr. Riley has been practicing law since 1977. His primary area of
practice is radio broadcasting and he held the position of Chairman of the
Communications Law Section of the Minnesota Bar Association from 1990 to 1994.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Riley was a partner in the firm of Courey,
Albers, Gilbert and Riley, P.A.
GARY W. LANDIS served as the Company's Executive Vice President of
Programming since December 1992 and became an Executive Vice President in July
1994. From 1985 to 1992, Mr. Landis served as Vice President of Programming for
Westwood One, the second largest radio network company in the U.S. Between 1982
and 1985, Mr. Landis served as Director of Programming for RKO Radio Networks.
MELVIN E. PARADIS became the Company's Executive Vice President of
Operations in January 1996. He has been the President of CAC since 1992 and the
Chief Operating Officer of that company since 1987. Mr. Paradis has also owned
and managed other radio stations for several years.
BARBARA A. MCMAHON joined the Company in June 1993 to oversee the growth of
the network through affiliates and was promoted to Executive Vice President of
Affiliate Relations in June 1996. During the years 1980 through 1989, Ms.
McMahon served as Director for NBC Radio Networks, Mutual Broadcasting and RKO
Radio Networks.
RICK E. SMITH became the Company's Executive Vice President of National
Sales in October 1996. From September 1994 to April 1995 he served as Affiliate
Relations Manager and then assumed the position of Marketing Manager. Mr. Smith
served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Uncle B's Bakery, a national
food manufacturer, from 1989 to 1994.
DENNY J. MANRIQUE served as Vice President of Children's Radio Network from
1989 until it was acquired by the Company in 1990. From 1990 through 1994, Mr.
Manrique operated an independent marketing firm which provided sales
representation services to the Company. Mr. Manrique was employed as Vice
President of Sales in January 1995 and was promoted to Executive Vice President
of Sales Development in October 1996.
OTHER MATTERS
The management of the Company is unaware of any other matters that are to be
presented for action at the Annual Meeting. Should any other matter properly
come before the Annual Meeting, however, the persons named in the enclosed proxy
will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect to such
matter in accordance with their judgment.
In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by personal
interview, telephone and telegram by the directors, officers and regular
employees of the Company. Such persons will receive no additional compensation
for such services. Arrangements will also be made with certain brokerage firms
and certain other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of
solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of Common Stock held of record
by such persons, and such brokers, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will be
reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in
connection therewith. All expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation
will be borne by the Company.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals intended to be presented at the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders must be received by the Company by January 27, 1998 to be
considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials relating to that
meeting. Due to the complexity of the respective rights of the shareholders and
the Company in this area, any shareholder desiring to propose such an action is
advised to consult with his or her legal counsel with respect to such rights. It
is suggested that any such proposals be submitted by certified mail, return
receipt requested.
11
<PAGE>
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
A copy of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, accompanies this Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy
Statement and related Proxy Card. No part of the Annual Report to Shareholders
is incorporated herein and no part thereof is to be considered proxy soliciting
material.
FORM 10-KSB
THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON WHOSE PROXY IS BEING
SOLICITED, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AS
FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES THERETO. THE COMPANY WILL
FURNISH TO ANY SUCH PERSON ANY EXHIBIT DESCRIBED IN THE LIST ACCOMPANYING THE
FORM 10-KSB, UPON THE PAYMENT, IN ADVANCE, OF FEES BASED ON THE COMPANY'S
REASONABLE EXPENSES IN FURNISHING SUCH EXHIBIT(S). REQUESTS FOR COPIES OF SUCH
REPORT AND/OR EXHIBIT(S) SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO LANCE W. RILEY, SECRETARY AND
GENERAL COUNSEL, AT THE COMPANY'S PRINCIPAL ADDRESS.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ CHRISTOPHER T. DAHL
--------------------------------------
Christopher T. Dahl
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 26, 1997
12
<PAGE>
CHILDREN'S BROADCASTING CORPORATION
724 FIRST STREET NORTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55401
(612) 338-3300
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned, having duly received the Notice of Annual Meeting and the
Proxy Statement, dated May 26, 1997, hereby appoints James G. Gilbertson and
Lance W. Riley as proxies (each with the power to act alone and with the power
of substitution and revocation), to represent the undersigned and to vote, as
designated below, all common shares of Children's Broadcasting Corporation held
of record by the undersigned on May 19, 1997, at the 1997 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on July 16, 1997, at 3:30 p.m. Minneapolis time, at the
Lutheran Brotherhood, 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota and at any
adjournments thereof.
1. To elect directors for the ensuing year and until their successors shall be
elected and duly qualified.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/ / FOR all nominees listed below / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
(except as marked to the contrary below) to vote for all nominees listed below
</TABLE>
CHRISTOPHER T. DAHL, RICHARD W. PERKINS, RODNEY P. BURWELL, MARK A. COHN,
RUSSELL COWLES II
INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL, WRITE THAT
NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. To ratify and approve the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company's
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE OTHER SIDE)
<PAGE>
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED ON
THE PROXY BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2. ABSTENTIONS WILL BE COUNTED TOWARDS THE
EXISTENCE OF A QUORUM.
Please sign exactly as name appears on this proxy. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign. If signing as 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 an authorized person.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Dated , 1997
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
