EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement is entered
into effective January 1, 2007, between CATHY HETZEL
("Executive") and RENTRAK CORPORATION , an Oregon
corporation ("Corporation").
1.1
Employment Position . Corporation agrees to employ Executive
as Senior Vice President of Corporation's VOD Essentials Division
("VOD"), and Executive accepts such employment, under the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. Executive also agrees to serve, if
elected, without separate compensation, as an officer and/or
director of any subsidiary or affiliate of Corporation. Corporation
represents to Executive that it currently has and will maintain
directors and officers liability insurance.
1.2.1
General . The term of this Agreement (the "Term") will
commence on March 1, 2007, and, subject to the other provisions of
this Section 1.2, will expire December 31, 2007.
1.2.2
Renewal Term or Terms . The term of this Agreement will
automatically extend into one or more "Renewal Terms" of an
additional one-year period that will expire on December 31, 2008
(or December 31 of any such subsequent Renewal Term), unless
Corporation, not later than October 31, 2007 (or October
31 of any subsequent Renewal Term), gives written notice (a "Notice
of Non-Renewal") to Executive that the Term will not extend into a
Renewal Term. Corporation may give a Notice of Non-Renewal for any
reason or for no reason. Failure to extend the Term into a Renewal
Term will not constitute a termination of Executive's employment
effective as of the end of the Term or any applicable Renewal Term
for purposes of this Agreement. References to the "Term" of this
Agreement include the initial Term and, if the Agreement extends
into one or more Renewal Terms pursuant to this Section, the
Renewal Term or Terms.
1.2.3
Extension of Term Upon Change in Control . Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event of a Change in Control of Corporation,
as defined in Section 8.1 of this Agreement, during the Term
(or any Renewal Term) of this Agreement, the Term will
automatically be extended to December 31 of the second
calendar year following the calendar year in which the Change in
Control occurs.
1.2.4
At-Will Employment . The parties acknowledge that Executive
is and will be an at-will employee of Corporation and nothing in
this Agreement will limit the right of Corporation or Executive to
terminate this Agreement at any time for any reason or for no
reason, subject to the provisions of this Agreement describing the
compensation payable, if any, in connection with such a termination
of employment.
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1.2.5
Compensation Upon Termination Following Term Of Agreement .
Notwithstanding termination of this Agreement, the provisions of
Section 7 will continue to apply.
1.3
Duties . During the Term, Executive will serve in an
executive capacity as Senior Vice President, VOD Essentials.
Executive will report to Kenneth Papagan, Corporation's Executive
Vice President, or his successor. Executive will be responsible for
managing Corporation's VOD Essentials product line and such other
or different duties on behalf of Corporation as may be assigned
from time to time by Corporation's President, Chief Executive
Officer, Executive Vice President, or Board of Directors (the
"Board").
1.4
Outside Activities . During her employment under this
Agreement, Executive will devote her full business time, energies,
and attention to the business and affairs of Corporation, and to
the promotion and advancement of its interests. Executive will
perform her services faithfully, competently, and to the best of
her abilities and will not engage in professional or personal
business activities that may require an appreciable portion of
Executive's time or effort to the detriment of Corporation's
business.
1.5
Application of Corporate Policies . Executive will, except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, be subject to
Corporation's rules, practices, and policies applicable generally
to Corporation's senior executive employees, as such rules,
practices, and policies may be revised from time to time by the
Board.
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2.
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COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES
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2.1
Base Salary . As compensation for services under this
Agreement, Corporation will pay to Executive an annual base salary
of $255,000 per year, payable in a manner consistent with
Corporation's payroll practices for management employees, as such
practices may be revised from time to time. Executive's annual base
salary will be reviewed by Corporation's Chief Executive Officer
and Compensation Committee (the "Committee") on or before
April 1 of each year during the Term (commencing in 2007),
unless Executive's employment has been terminated earlier pursuant
to this Agreement, to determine if such annual base salary should
be increased (but not decreased) for the following fiscal year in
recognition of services to Corporation.
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2.2
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Division Performance Improvement Incentive
Plan .
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2.2.1
Definitions . For purposes of this Section 2.2, the
following terms have this meanings set forth below:
"Bonus Income"
means, for any Fiscal Year, the
excess of the Net Income for the VOD Division for the Fiscal Year
over the Threshold Income for the Fiscal Year.
"Fiscal 2007"
means the fiscal year that began
April 1, 2006, and ends March 31, 2007.
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"Fiscal 2008"
means the fiscal year beginning
April 1, 2007, and ending March 31, 2008.
"Net Income"
means, for each Fiscal Year, the net
income before income taxes for the VOD Division as determined for
financial accounting purposes in accordance with Corporation's
standard accounting policies and principles, consistently
applied.
"Parameters"
mean, for each Fiscal Year, the VOD
business unit "Report Card" parameters and the "Personal
Expectation" performance parameters established by Corporation's
CEO, with the approval of the Compensation Committee for Executive
for a Fiscal Year. Executive's VOD business unit Report Card
parameters and Personal Expectation performance parameters for
Fiscal 2007 were previously designated by Corporation's CEO, with
the approval of the Compensation Committee, and communicated to
Executive. For Fiscal 2008 and any subsequent Fiscal Year beginning
in a Renewal Term, Corporation's CEO, with the approval of the
Compensation Committee will designate Executive's VOD business unit
Report Card parameters and Personal Expectation performance
parameters no later than May 31, 2007 (or May 31 of that Fiscal
Year).
"Parameter Achievement
Factors" mean, for each
Fiscal Year, the factors, expressed as percentages, determined by
Corporation's CEO, with the approval of the Compensation Committee
after the end of the Fiscal Year to reflect the extent to which the
VOD Division Report Card Parameters and Executive's Personal
Expectation Parameters for the Fiscal Year have been
accomplished.
"Participation
Percentage" means, for a
Fiscal Year, a percentage specified by Corporation's CEO, with the
approval of the Compensation Committee to determine Executive's
Division Performance Improvement Incentive Plan bonus. For Fiscal
2007, Executive's Participation Percentage is _______ %. For
Fiscal 2008 and any subsequent Fiscal Year beginning in a Renewal
Term, Corporation's CEO, with the approval of the Compensation
Committee will specify Executive's Participation Percentage no
later than May 31, 2007 (or May 31 of that Fiscal Year).
"Performance Achievement
Factor" means a factor,
expressed as a percentage, rounded to the nearest whole percent,
based on the arithmetic average of the Parameter Achievement
Factors for a Fiscal Year; provided however that (a) if the average
of the Parameter Achievement Factors is less than 75%, the
Performance Achievement Factor will be zero, and (b) the
Performance Achievement Factor may not exceed 100% unless expressly
approved by Corporation's CEO, with the approval of the
Compensation Committee.
"Threshold Income"
means the level of Net Income for
the VOD Division for a Fiscal Year as designated by Corporation's
CEO, with the approval
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of the Compensation Committee. For
Fiscal 2007, the Threshold Income is the amount approved by the
Compensation Committee concurrently with approval of this
Agreement. For Fiscal 2008 and any subsequent Fiscal Year beginning
in a Renewal Term, the Compensation Committee will designate the
Threshold Income no later than May 31, 2007 (or May 31 of that
Fiscal Year).
2.2.2
Determination of Parameter Achievement Factors . As soon as
practicable after March 31, 2007 (or March 31 of any Fiscal Year
beginning in a Renewal Term), Corporation's CEO, with the approval
of the Compensation Committee will evaluate the extent to which the
VOD Division and Executive have met the Report Card and Personal
Expectation parameters and determine the Parameter Achievement
Factors for Fiscal 2007 (or such Fiscal Year).
(a)
Fiscal 2007 . Provided Executive remains an employee of
Corporation through at least March 31, 2007, Corporation will pay
Executive a bonus under the VOD Division Performance Improvement
Incentive Plan equal to the product of (a) the Bonus Income for
Fiscal 2007, (b) Executive's Performance Achievement Factor for
Fiscal 2007, and (c) Executive's Participation Percentage for
Fiscal 2007. Such bonus, if any, will be paid to Executive by
June 1, 2007.
(b)
Fiscal 2008 and Subsequent Fiscal Years Beginning in a Renewal
Term . Provided Executive remains an employee of Corporation
through at least March 31, 2008 (or March 31 of any subsequent
Fiscal Year that begins during a Renewal Year), Corporation will
pay Executive a bonus under the VOD Division Performance
Improvement Incentive Plan equal to the product of (a) the Bonus
Income for Fiscal 2008 (or such subsequent Fiscal Year), (b)
Executive's Performance Achievement Factor for Fiscal 2007 (or such
subsequent Fiscal Year), and (c) Executive's Participation
Percentage for Fiscal 2007 (or such subsequent Fiscal Year). Such
bonus, if any, will be paid to Executive by June 1, 2008
(or June 1 of such subsequent Fiscal Year).
2.3
Equity-Based or Other Long-Term Incentive Compensation .
Executive will participate, together with Corporation's other
senior executives, in Corporation's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Plan"). Executive will be granted options to purchase shares of
Corporation's common stock and/or other equity-based awards under
the Plan, or under another long-term incentive compensation plan
that may be developed by Corporation for its senior executives, at
the times and in the amounts determined by the Committee. All
awards will be subject to the provisions of the Plan or such other
long-term plan.
2.4
Additional Employee Benefits . Executive will receive an
annual grant of 208 hours of credit (or such higher number of hours
as are credited to Corporation's other senior executives) under
Corporation's Personal Time Off (PTO) program. Personal time off
and vacation may be taken in accordance with Corporation's rules,
practices, and policies applicable to Corporation's senior
executive employees, as such rules, practices, and policies may be
revised from time to time by the Board or the Committee. During the
Term, Executive will be entitled to any other employee benefits
approved by the Board or the Committee, or available to
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officers and other management
employees generally, including any life and medical insurance
plans, 401(k) and other similar plans, and health and welfare
plans, each whether now existing or hereafter approved by the Board
or the Committee ("Benefit Plans"). The foregoing will not be
construed to require Corporation to establish any such plans or to
prevent Corporation from modifying or terminating any such Benefit
Plans.
2.5
Expenses . Subject to review and approval by the chairman of
Corporation's audit committee, Corporation will reimburse Executive
for reasonable expenses actually incurred by Executive in
connection with the business of Corporation. Executive will submit
to Corporation such substantiation for such expenses as may be
reasonably required by Corporation.
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3.
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CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
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3.1
Definition . "Confidential Information" is all nonpublic
information relating to Corporation or its business that is
disclosed to Executive, that Executive produces, or that Executive
otherwise obtains during employment. Confidential Information also
includes information received from third parties that Corporation
has agreed to treat as confidential. Examples of Confidential
Information include, without limitation, marketing plans, customer
lists or other customer information, product design and
manufacturing information, and financial information. Confidential
Information does not include any information that (i) is
within the public domain other than as a result of disclosure by
Executive in violation of this Agreement, (ii) was, on or
before the date of disclosure to Executive, already known by
Executive, or (iii) Executive is required to disclose in any
governmental, administrative, judicial, or quasi-judicial
proceeding, but only to the extent that Executive is so required to
disclose and provided that Executive takes reasonable steps to
request confidential treatment of such information in such
proceeding.
3.2
Access to Information . Executive acknowledges that in the
course of her employment she has had and will have access to
Confidential Information, that such information is a valuable asset
of Corporation, and that its disclosure or unauthorized use will
cause Corporation substantial harm.
3.3
Ownership . Executive acknowledges that all Confidential
Information will continue to be the exclusive property of
Corporation (or the third party that disclosed it to Corporation),
whether or not prepared in whole or in part by Executive and
whether or not disclosed to Executive or entrusted to her custody
in connection with her employment by Corporation.
3.4
Nondisclosure and Nonuse . Unless authorized or instructed
in advance in writing by Corporation, or required by law (as
determined by licensed legal counsel), Executive will not, except
as required in the course of Corporation's business, during or
after her employment, disclose to others or use any Confidential
Information, unless and until, and then only to the extent that,
such items become available to the public through no fault of
Executive.
3.5
Return of Confidential Information . Upon request by
Corporation during or after her employment, and without request
upon termination of employment pursuant to this Agreement,
Executive will deliver immediately to Corporation all written,
stored, saved, or
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otherwise tangible materials
containing Confidential Information without retaining any excerpts
or copies.
3.6
Duration . The obligations set forth in this Section 3
will continue beyond the term of employment of Executive by
Corporation and for so long as Executive possesses Confidential
Information.
4.1
Competitive Entity . For purposes of this Agreement, a
Competitive Entity is any firm, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, business trust, or other entity that is engaged
in all or any of the following business activities:
(a) The
wholesale and/or revenue sharing physical or electronic
distribution of home entertainment software in any media, including
without limitation video cassettes, DVDs, video games, and PC
software ("Entertainment Software");
(b) The
fulfillment, warehouse, or distributing business in connection with
the Entertainment Software industry;
(c) The
collection, aggregation, tracking, and dissemination of market
information and data (such as sales, marketing, inventory,
occurrence, expenditure, and advertising data) related to consumer
activity in the entertainment industry; or
(d) The
delivery of technological intelligence, industry analysis, and
strategic and tactical guidance with respect to consumer activity
in the entertainment industry.
4.2
Covenant . During the Term of and for a period ending on the
last day of the applicable Noncompete Period described in
Section 5.7, Executive will not, within any geographical area
where Corporation engages in business:
(a) Directly
or indirectly, alone or with any individual, partnership, limited
liability company, corporation, or other entity, become associated
with, render services to, invest in, represent, advise, or
otherwise participate in any Competitive Entity; provided, however,
that nothing contained in this Section 4.2 will prevent
Executive from owning less than 5 percent of any class of
equity or debt securities listed on a national securities exchange
or market, provided such involvement is solely as a passive
investor;
(b) Solicit
any business on behalf of a Competitive Entity from any individual,
firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity that is a customer
of Corporation during the 12 months immediately preceding the date
Executive's employment with Corporation is terminated;
or
(c) Employ
or otherwise engage, or offer to employ for Executive or any other
person, entity, or corporation, the services or employment of any
person who has been an employee, sales representative, or agent of
Corporation during the 12 months preceding the date Executive's
employment with Corporation is terminated.
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For purposes of this Section 4,
"Corporation" means Corporation and its subsidiaries (whether now
existing or subsequently created) and their successors and
assigns.
4.3
Severability; Reform of Covenant . If, in any judicial
proceeding, a court refuses to enforce this covenant not to compete
because it covers too extensive a geographic area or is too long in
its duration, the parties intend that it be reformed and enforced
to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law.
Executive's employment under this
Agreement may terminate as follows:
5.1
Death . Executive's employment will terminate automatically
upon the date of Executive's death.
5.2
Disability . Corporation may, at its option, terminate
Executive's employment under this Agreement upon written notice to
Executive if Executive, because of physical or mental incapacity or
disability, fails to perform the essential functions of her
position, with reasonable accommodation, required of her under this
Agreement for a continuous period of 120 days or any 180 days
within any 12-month period.
5.3
Termination by Corporation for Cause . Corporation may
terminate Executive's employment under this Agreement for Cause at
any time. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" means:
(a) E