Employment Agreement - MatchNet plc and Jessica Pezzullo
[Letterhead of MatchNet plc]
9 June 2004
Mr Jessica Pezzullo
[address]
Dear Jessica:
Re: OFFER LETTER OF EMPLOYMENT
Matchnet plc (the "Company") is pleased to confirm your employment on the
following terms:
1. POSITION. You will serve in the full time position of Chief Marketing
Officer reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Your
employment shall commence upon 21 June 2004 (the "Commencement Date").
2. CASH COMPENSATION. The Company will pay you a salary at the rate of
$240,000 per year, payable in accordance with the Company's standard
payroll schedule. This salary will be subject to adjustment pursuant to
the Company's employee compensation policies in effect from time to
time. In addition, you will be eligible for an annual bonus pursuant to
parameters as may be determined by the Board and a onetime bonus of up
to $25,000 based upon performance metrics to be agreed upon.
3. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. As a regular employee of the Company, you will be
eligible to participate in a number of Company-sponsored benefits
including paid vacation (at a rate of 20 days per year), all in
accordance with the Company's policies as in effect from time to time.
In addition, you wilt be covered under the Company's health, 401(K) and
group. insurance programs. In accordance with the Company's generally
applicable policies, you will be reimbursed for all .reasonable travel
and business expenses incurred by you in connection with your employment
duties.
4. SHARE OPTIONS. Subject to the approval of the Board, you will be granted
an option to purchase 100,000 of the Company's ordinary shares (the
"Initial Options"). The exercise price per share of the Initial Options
will be equal to the fair market value per share, as quoted on the
Frankfurt Exchange, on the date of the commencement of your employment.
The Options will vest, according to the following schedule: 20% on the
1st anniversary of the Commencement Date, 25% on the 2nd, anniversary,
25% on the 3rd
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anniversary and 30% on the 4`" anniversary. The Options will expire 5
years after .the Commencement Date.
5. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS; NON-SOLICITATION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND
NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT. You agree to execute the Assignment of Rights,
Non-Solicitation of Employees and Vendors, Confidentiality and
Non-Disclosure Agreements as shall be. provided to you by the Company.
6. CHANGE .OF CONTROL. For purposes of this agreement, a "Change of Control
Event" shall be the occurrence of a single shareholder (or beneficial
owner) acquiring more than 75% of the then outstanding ordinary shares
(or securities convertible into 75% of the then outstanding shares) of
the Company. If a "Change of Control Event" occurs and if your
employment with the Company is involuntarily terminated for any reason
within 6 months of such "Change of Control Event", you shall be entitled
to: (i) payment of one year's salary and any accrued bonus (net of any
required withholding); (ii) immediate vesting of any unvested options,
set forth in paragraph 4, above, together with an extension of the
"Final Exercise Date" as defined in the relevant Option Agreement to one
year from the date of such termination), above; and (iii) payment of any
COBRA plan for 1 year.
7. INDEMNIFICATION. To the fullest extent permitted by the Company's
charter documents and applicable law, the Company agrees to defend and
indemnify you and hold you harmless against any liability that you incur
within the scope of your employment with the Company. The Company agrees
to use its best efforts to purchase and maintain adequate Directors' and
Officers' liability insurance.
8. EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP. Your employment with the Company continues to
be for, no specific period of time. Your employment with the Company
will continue to be "at will," meaning that either you or the Company
may terminate your employment at any time and for any reason, with or
without cause. If you are terminated without cause within 1 year of the
Commencement Date, you will be entitled to three months salary, less any
required tax withholdings (and which may be paid according to our normal
payroll schedule). "Cause" for the purposes of this Agreement, shall
mean (i) any act of personal dishonesty taken by you in connection with
your responsibilities as an employee which is intended to result in your
substantial personal enrichment, (ii) your conviction of a felony, (iii)
a wilful act by you which constitutes misconduct and is injurious to the
Company, and (iv) continued wilful violations of your obligations to the
Company after you have been provided with a written demand for
performance from the Company which describes the basis for the Company's
belief that you have not substantially performed your duties. Any
contrary representations that may have been made to you are superseded
by this letter agreement. This is the full and complete agreement
between you and the Company on this term.
9. OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES. While you render services to the Company, you agree
that you will not engage in any other employment, consulting or other
business activity without the prior written consent of the Company;
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. While you render
services to the Company, you also will not assist any person or entity
in competing with the Company, in preparing to compete with the Company
or in hiring any employees or consultants of the Company.
10. WITHHOLDING TAXES. All forms of compensation referred to in this letter
agreement are subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding
.and payroll taxes and other deductions required by law.
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11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Except as set forth herein, this letter agreement
supersedes and replaces any prior agreements, representations or
understandings, whether written, oral or implied, between you and the
Company.
We hope that you will find the above terms acceptable. You may indicate your
agreement with these terms by signing and dating the enclosed duplicate original
of this letter agreement and returning it to me. By signing this letter
agreement, you reconfirm to the Company that you have no contractual commitments
or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from performing your duties
for the Company.
Very truly yours,
MATCHNET PLC
/s/ Todd Tappin
--------------------------------
Todd Tappin
CEO
I have read and accept and agree to the above terms of employment:
/s/ Jessica Pezzullo
--------------------------------
Signature of Jessica Pezzullo
Dated: June 9, 2004