Employment Agreement - Audible Inc. and Tom Baxter
February 3, 2000
Mr. Tom Baxter
219 Ravenscliff Road
St. David's, PA 19087
Dear Tom,
This is an historic day for Audible. I am extremely pleased to offer you the
position of Chief Executive Officer here at Audible, Inc., and to ask you to
join me in this great adventure. Everyone you've met here is deeply impressed
with your good humor, talent, creativity, your estimable credentials, your
record of success, and with your obvious passion for our cultural vision and
business potential. I am exceedingly confidant that you will take Audible to the
next level as we help create a new business ategory and help launch a new
medium.
Here is a summary of our employment offer, with details following:
o You will become Chief Executive Officer, President, and a member of the Board
of Directors -- and report to the Board of Directors.
o You will be paid $250,000/year as a base salary with an annual bonus target
of 50%, paid quarterly against your objectives.
o You will receive 100,000 restricted shares of Audible @ $5 below the market
price.
o Subject to the conditions described below, you will be granted options to
purchase 1,500,000 shares of Audible's common stock at a strike price equal
to the closing price of ADBL on NASDAQ on the day before you commence work at
Audible.
o You will be enrolled in the company's various benefits programs.
o You will agree to commence work part time no later than the week of February
15th and full time by the end of the month.
o This offer is good until 5PM Tuesday, February 8th.
Here are the details:
Stock Options: The common stock options granted to you (subject to approval of
the Board of Directors) will be pegged to an exercise price equal to the closing
price of ADBL on NASDAQ on the day before you commence work at Audible.
Vesting Schedule: A significant number of options will be Incentive Stock
Options (ISO's). This, up to the level at which the number of options exceed the
ISO limitation, in which case the remaining portion of the options will have to
be issued as Non-qualified Options. In any event, 12% of these options will vest
six months after you commence
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employment, and 2% will vest each month thereafter. You will have at least five
years to exercise these options.
Restricted Stock: Your restricted shares, issued at $5 below the closing price
of ADBL on NASDAQ the day before you commence work at Audible, will begin
vesting immediately at rate of 4.16% per month. The purchase price of the shares
is payable in cash, by promissory note, or by a combination of both. Assuming
you remain an employee of the Company until all your restricted shares are fully
vested in two years, the company will provide a one-time bonus equal to the
accrued interest on the note.
Accelerated Vesting: Our option agreement provides for automatic vesting of
50% of unvested options and shares in the event of a sale or merger of the
company prior to full vesting. It also provides that, at the time of the
transaction, additional accelerated vesting can be approved by the Board.
Quarterly Bonus: We believe in a strong, results-oriented company culture and
to emphasize that, we have a performance-based, cash compensation plan for
senior managers. Every quarter you will propose, for approval by the
compensation of the Board of Directors, a set of measurable objectives for the
company. At the end of the quarter, and based on accomplishments against those
objectives and approval by the Board's compensation committee, you will be paid
a bonus.
Benefits: The Company has a standard health plan and will cover 100% of your
premium and 50% of your dependents' premiums. The time-off policy is 15 days of
paid leave per year (sick, mental health, or vacation time) and paid holiday
days. There is also a dental plan. I realize that you will be taking a family
trip in March for a week, and we have also reached an understanding concerning
your time on site in Wayne. You have said that your normal workweek in Wayne
will run from Monday morning to Thursday night, with "virtual" management
persisting by phone and email thereafter. We will discuss payments - or a
payment allowance - for your apartment near our offices, and you can decide the
nature of this payment in light of your own analysis of our overall expenses.
The company will also pay 25% of your annual membership at a health club of your
choice, reasonably approved by Audible. The company also has a 401(k) plan,
which is 100% employee-funded and voluntary.
Non-Disclosure Agreement: All employees are required to execute the attached
non-disclosure agreement, a standard aspect of our hiring process. A copy is
attached.
That's it. I'm sure you know that this is a huge step for Audible - and for me.
Audible has already defined one of my most exhilarating experiences, and I've
been lucky enough to have had a few. As I have pledged verbally, this imminent
association means that I will stand ready to assist and continue to serve the
cause. I want you to know that aside the significant economic value your
leadership will create, I look forward to this association on a personal plane.
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Please countersign this letter and fax a copy back to Audible at our private fax
number -- 973-890-0178 (to my attention). I will then immediately fax back a
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signed executed copy of this agreement. I will be on the road Monday and Tuesday
(command performance with the President of Sanyo in LA). Back on the redeye on
Tuesday night.
ONWARD!
/s/ Donald Katz
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Donald Katz
Chairman, Founder, and Acting CEO
Audible, Inc.
So agreed:
/s/ Thomas G. Baxter
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Thomas G. Baxter