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CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

Change of Control Agreement

CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT | Document Parties: JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS INC | PAUL M. BONAIUTO You are currently viewing:
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JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS INC | PAUL M. BONAIUTO

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Title: CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
Governing Law: Wisconsin     Date: 1/31/2007
Industry: Printing and Publishing     Sector: Services

CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT, Parties: journal communications inc , paul m. bonaiuto
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Exhibit 10.4

_________________

CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

PAUL M. BONAIUTO

AND

JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

_________________


CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

1. Certain Definitions

 

 

2. Change in Control

 

 

3. Employment Period

 

 

4. Terms of Employment

 

 

      (a) Position and Duties

 

 

      (b) Compensation

 

 

5. Termination of Employment

 

 

      (a) Death or Disability

 

 

      (b) Cause

 

 

      (c) Good Reason

 

 

6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination

 

 

      (a) Termination by Executive for Good Reason; Termination by the

 

            Company Other Than for Cause or Disability

 

 

      (b) Death or Disability

 

 

      (c) Cause; Other than Good Reason

 

 

      (d) Expiration of Employment Period

 

 

7. Non-exclusivity of Rights

 

 

8. Full Settlement; No Mitigation

10 

 

 

9. Costs of Enforcement

10 

 

 

10 . Limitation of Benefits

10 

 

 

11. Restrictions on Conduct of Executive

11 

 

 

12. Arbitration

13 

 

 

13. Successors

16 

 

 

14. Miscellaneous

16 

 

 

      (a) Governing Law

16 

 

 

      (b) Captions

16 

 

 

      (c) Amendments

16 

 

 

      (d) Notices

16 

 

 

      (e) Severability

17 

 

 


      (f) Withholding

17 

 

 

      (g) Waivers

17 

 

 

      (h) Status Before and After Effective Date

17 

 

 

15. Code Section 409A

17 

ii


CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

        AGREEMENT by and between Journal Communications, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (the “Company”) and Paul M. Bonaiuto (“Executive”), dated as of the 29th day of January, 2007.

        The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change in Control and to encourage Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change in Control, and to provide Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change in Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.

        NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

    1.         Certain Definitions .

 

    (a)               The “Effective Date” shall mean the first date during the Change in Control Period (as defined in Section l(b)) on which a Change in Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change in Control occurs and if Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Effective Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.



 

    (b)               The “Change in Control Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the second anniversary of the date hereof; provided, however , that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), unless previously terminated, the Change in Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate two years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to Executive that the Change in Control Period shall not be so extended.




    2.        Change in Control For the purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

    (a)               individuals who, on the date of this Agreement, constitute the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of such Board, provided that any person becoming a director after the date of this Agreement and whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however , that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors (“Election Contest”) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any “Person” (such term for purposes of this definition being as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and as used in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act) other than the Board (“Proxy Contest”), including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest, shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; or



 

    (b)               any Person becomes a “Beneficial Owner” (such term for purposes of this definition being as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of directors (the “Company Voting Securities”); provided, however , that for purposes of this subsection (b), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (v) an acquisition directly from the Company, (w) an acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company (a “Subsidiary”), (x) an acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, (y) an acquisition by a Person who as of December 31, 2006 was a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the Company Voting Securities, or (z) an acquisition pursuant to a Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined in subsection (d) below); or



 

    (c)               any Person who as of December 31, 2006 was a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the Company Voting Securities becomes a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 40% or more of the Company Voting Securities; provided, however , that for purposes of this subsection (c), an acquisition directly from the Company shall not constitute a Change in Control; or



 

    (d)               the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or a Subsidiary (a “Reorganization”), or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (a “Sale”) or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity (an “Acquisition”), unless immediately following such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition: (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) and outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or stock either directly or through one or more subsidiaries, the “Surviving Entity”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition, of the outstanding Company Common Stock and the outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, and (B) no Person (other than (w) any Person who as of December 31, 2006 is a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the Company Voting Securities , (x) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (y) the Surviving Entity or its ultimate parent, or (z) any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by any of the foregoing) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of the total common stock or 20% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Entity, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving Entity were Incumbent Directors at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition (any Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition which satisfies all of the criteria specified in (A), (B) and (C) above shall be deemed to be a “Non-Qualifying Transaction”); or



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    (e)               approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.



    3.        Employment Period . The Company hereby agrees to continue Executive in its employ, and Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of such date (the “Employment Period”).

    4.         Terms of Employment .

 

     (a)         Position and Duties .



 

     (i)        During the Employment Period, (A) Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) Executive’s services shall be performed at the location where Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from such location.



3


 

     (ii)        During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which Executive is entitled, Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time, attention and effort to the business and affairs of the Company and its affiliates and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to Executive under this Agreement, use Executive’s reasonable best efforts to carry out such responsibilities faithfully and efficiently. It shall not be considered a violation of the foregoing for Executive to serve on corporate, industry, civic or charitable boards or committees, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Company and its affiliates in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.



 

     (b)         Compensation .



 

     (i)         Base Salary . During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive an annual base salary (“Annual Base Salary”) at a rate at least equal to the rate of base salary in effect on the date of this Agreement or, if greater, on the Effective Date, paid or payable (including any base salary which has been earned but deferred) to Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies. The Annual Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practice for its senior executives, as in effect from time to time. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed for possible increase no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in the Annual Base Salary shall not limit or reduce any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement. The Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase, and the term “Annual Base Salary” shall thereafter refer to the Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated companies” shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.



 

     (ii)         Annual Bonus . In addition to Annual Base Salary, Executive shall be provided, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an annual bonus opportunity at least equal to Executive’s highest bonus opportunity under the Company’s Annual Management Incentive Plan, or any comparable bonus opportunity under any predecessor or successor plans, for the last full fiscal year prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event that Executive was not employed by the Company for the whole of such fiscal year).



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     (iii)         Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans . Without limiting the foregoing, during the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all applicable incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other senior executives of the Company and its affiliated companies (“Peer Executives”), but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to Peer Executives.



 

     (iv)         Welfare Benefit Plans . During the Employment Period, Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to Peer Executives, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to Peer Executives.



 

     (v)         Expenses . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to Peer Executives.



 

     (vi)         Fringe Benefits and Perquisites . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits and perquisites in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to Peer Executives.



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     (vii)         Vacation . During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to Peer Executives.



    5.         Termination of Employment .

 

    (a)               Death or Disability . Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to Executive written notice of its intention to terminate Executive’s employment. In such event, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such written notice by Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the inability of Executive, as determined by the Board, to perform the essential functions of his regular duties and responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, due to a medically determinable physical or mental illness which has lasted (or can reasonably be expected to last) for a period of six consecutive months. At the request of Executive or his personal representative, the Board’s determination that the Disability of Executive has occurred shall be certified by two physicians mutually agreed upon by Executive, or his personal representative, and the Company. If Executive requests such independent certification of the Board’s determination and either (i) the Company does not seek such independent certification, or (ii) the two physicians do not certify the Board’s determination of Executive’s Disability, then, Executive’s termination shall be deemed a termination by the Company without Cause and not a termination by reason of his Disability.



 

    (b)               Cause . The Company may terminate Executive’s employment during the Employment Period for Cause or without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, a termination shall be considered to be for “Cause” if it occurs in conjunction with a determination by the Board that Executive has committed or engaged in either (i) any act that constitutes, on the part of Executive, fraud, dishonesty, breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation, embezzlement or gross misfeasance of duty; (ii) willful disregard of published Company policies and procedures or codes of ethics; or (iii) conduct by Executive in his office with the Company that is grossly inappropriate and demonstrably likely to lead to material injury to the Company, as determined by the Board acting reasonably and in good faith; provided, that in the case of (ii) or (iii) above, such conduct shall not constitute “Cause” unless the Board sh


 
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