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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 15, 2026

 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 001-38669 83-1269307

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

225 Bush Street, Seventeenth Floor

San Francisco, CA 94104

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(888) 987-6764

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

x Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.10 par value   RAMP   New York Stock Exchange

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ¨ 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨

 

 

 

 


 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On May 16, 2026, LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with MMS USA Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Publicis (defined below), Covey Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and, solely for the purpose of Section 10.14 thereto, Publicis Groupe S.A., a French société anonyme (“Publicis”), pursuant to which, among other things, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

 

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has unanimously (i) determined that the terms of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders, (ii) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and declared it advisable to enter into the Merger Agreement, (iii)  approved the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by the Company, the performance by the Company of its covenants and agreements contained therein and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained therein and (iv) resolved to recommend that the Company’s stockholders approve the transactions, including the Merger, and adopt the Merger Agreement.

 

The Merger Agreement

 

On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, each share of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any (i) Company Common Stock owned by stockholders that have properly perfected their rights of appraisal within the meaning of Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), (ii) Company Common Stock owned by the Company, Parent or Merger Sub and (iii) Company Common Stock owned by any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (other than Merger Sub) or of the Company) will be converted into the right to receive $38.50 in cash, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”).

 

In addition, the Merger Agreement provides for the following treatment of the Company’s equity awards at the Effective Time:

 

· Options: Each outstanding option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock (each, a “Company Option”) will be converted into a restricted cash award in an amount equal to (i) the excess of the Merger Consideration over the applicable exercise price per share of such Company Option multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time. The restricted cash award will otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions as applicable before the Effective Time but will vest in full following certain qualifying terminations of employment that occur prior to the 24-month anniversary of the Effective Time in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

 

· Restricted Stock Awards: Each outstanding award of restricted shares of Company Common Stock (each, a “Company Restricted Stock Award”) will be converted into a restricted cash award in an amount equal to (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Restricted Stock Award immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration. The restricted cash award will otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions as applicable before the Effective Time, but will vest in full following certain qualifying terminations of employment that occur prior to the 24-month anniversary of the Effective Time in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

 

 


 

· Company Restricted Stock Unit Awards and Performance Stock Unit Awards: Each outstanding time-vesting restricted stock unit award (each, a “Company RSU Award”) and each outstanding performance-vesting restricted stock unit award (each, a “Company PSU Award”) will be converted into a restricted cash award in an amount equal to (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company RSU Award or Company PSU Award (determined based on (x) in the case of Company PSU Awards granted on or prior to December 31, 2025, that are subject to “Rule of 40” performance conditions, 128% of the target level of performance (in the case of fiscal year 2025 grants) and 139% of the target level of performance (in the case of fiscal year 2026 grants), (y) in the case of all other Company PSU Awards granted on or prior to December 31, 2025, actual performance for completed performance periods and the greater of the target level and the actual level of performance through the Effective Time for incomplete performance periods and (z) in the case of Company PSU Awards granted after December 31, 2025, target level of performance) immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration. The restricted cash award will otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions as applicable before the Effective Time, except that the performance-based vesting conditions applicable to Company PSU Awards will cease to apply, and the awards will vest in full following certain qualifying terminations of employment that occur prior to the 24 month anniversary of the Effective Time in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

  

The consummation of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including, among others, customary conditions relating to: (i) approval of the Merger and the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Company’s stockholders (the “Company Stockholder Approval”); (ii) the absence of any law or order making unlawful or restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Merger; (iii) (a) expiration or termination of any applicable waiting periods (and any extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (b) the receipt of certain non-U.S. antitrust and foreign direct investment approvals and (c) the receipt of the CFIUS Approval (as defined in the Merger Agreement); (iv) the absence of any material adverse effect with respect to the Company; and (v) other customary conditions relating to the accuracy of representations and warranties and performance of covenants.

 

The Merger Agreement also contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub, including, among others, covenants regarding the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time. Each of the Company and Parent will use its respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary, proper or advisable under applicable law to consummate the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement. In addition, the Company has agreed to customary “no shop” restrictions on the Company’s ability to solicit any Acquisition Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and to enter into any Company Acquisition Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement). Notwithstanding the limitations applicable under the “no-shop” restrictions, if, after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to the date on which the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained, the Company receives a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a breach of the Company’s obligations under the “no-shop” restrictions and the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that such Acquisition Proposal (i) constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and (ii) the failure to take such action would be a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable law, the Company may engage in discussions or negotiations with and may provide nonpublic information relating to the Company to the person making such Acquisition Proposal and change its recommendation that the Company’s stockholders approve the adoption of the Merger Agreement, subject to certain notice rights, execution of confidentiality agreements and match rights in favor of Parent.

 

If the Merger is consummated, the Company Common Stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), provided that such delisting and termination will not be effective until at or after the Effective Time.

 

 


 

The Merger Agreement provides for certain customary termination rights of the Company and Parent, including, among others, (i) the Company’s right to terminate the Merger Agreement prior to the time the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained, in certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations, to accept a Superior Proposal, (ii) Parent’s right to terminate the Merger Agreement if the Company Board changes its recommendation that the Company’s stockholders approve the Merger and adopt the Merger Agreement or the Company is in material breach of the Merger Agreement, (iii) the right of each of the Company and Parent to terminate the Merger Agreement if the (a) the Company Stockholder Approval is not obtained, (b) the Merger has not been completed on or before May 16, 2027 (the “Outside Date”), which will be automatically extended by a period of three (3) months if certain regulatory closing conditions remain the only conditions not satisfied or waived as of the Outside Date (other than conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing) or (c) if the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) notifies Parent and the Company in writing that it intends to send a report to the President recommending he act to suspend or prohibit the Merger or the President issues an order suspending or prohibiting the Merger. The Merger Agreement also provides that (x) the Company will be required to pay Parent a termination fee of $32,350,000 following or in connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement in certain circumstances, including if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement in order to accept a Superior Proposal as set forth in the Merger Agreement and (y) Parent will be required to pay the Company a termination fee of $32,350,000 following or in connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement in certain circumstances, including if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement as a result of regulatory consents not being obtained on or before the Outside Date or the extension thereof and all other applicable conditions to the closing have been satisfied as of the time of such termination.

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

A copy of the Merger Agreement and the above description of the Merger Agreement have been included to provide investors with information regarding the terms of the Merger Agreement. They are not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company, Parent or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for the purposes of the Merger Agreement and as of specific dates, are solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Investors should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the parties thereto or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Company’s or Parent’s public disclosures.

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On May 17, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the results of its financial performance for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. The press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein. Due to the announcement that the Company and Parent have entered into the Merger Agreement, the Company has canceled its conference call to discuss its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter financial results that was scheduled for 1:30 PM PDT on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

 

The information in this Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except in the event that the Company expressly states that such information is to be considered filed under the Exchange Act or incorporates it by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

Concurrently with the Merger Agreement, the Board approved the grant of retention awards to each of Scott Howe, Lauren Dillard, Jerry Jones and Vihan Sharma, in the amounts of $500,000, $500,000, $1,000,000 and $500,000, respectively. The retention awards will be payable in cash on the 30th day following the Effective Time (or such earlier date as is determined by Parent), subject to continued employment through such date with the Company or one of its affiliates.

 

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change to Fiscal Year.

 

On May 15, 2026, the Company Board approved an amendment and restatement to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”, and such amendment and restatement, the “Third Amended and Restated Bylaws”). The Third Amended and Restated Bylaws became effective on May 15, 2026.

 

 


 

The Third Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or, if neither such court has jurisdiction, any other state court located within the State of Delaware) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting for or based upon a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any current or former director, officer or employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time), (iv) any action asserting a claim related to or involving the Company that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine (as defined by or used in case law under the laws of the State of Delaware), or (v) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as the term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL. The Third Amended and Restated Bylaws also provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any claim arising under the Securities Act or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder (in each case, as amended from time to time); provided, however, that if such bylaws are, or the application of such bylaw to any person or any circumstance is, illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive state court forum for any claim arising under the Securities Act or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder (in each case, as amended from time to time).

 

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company is deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of the bylaw amendment.

 

The foregoing description of the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On May 17, 2026, Publicis and the Company published a joint press release announcing the entry into the Merger Agreement. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.2 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except in the event that the Company expressly states that such information is to be considered filed under the Exchange Act or incorporates it by specific reference in such filing.

 

Important Information and Where to Find It

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K and the exhibits hereto may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed transaction between the Company, Parent, Merger Sub and Publicis. In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company will be filing documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including preliminary and definitive proxy statements relating to the proposed transaction (the “proxy statement”). The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to the Company’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENTS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Any vote in respect of resolutions to be proposed at the Company’s shareholder meeting to approve the proposed transaction should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Company’s proxy statement and documents incorporated by reference therein. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other related documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov or on the Company’s website at www.liveramp.com.

 

 


 

NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K and the exhibits hereto do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable European and French regulations.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

Publicis, the Company and their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of the Company in respect of the proposed transactions contemplated by the proxy statement. Information regarding the persons who are, under the rules of the SEC, participants in the solicitation of the shareholders of the Company in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement when it is filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company and their ownership of shares of Company common stock and other securities of the Company can be found in the sections entitled “Nominees and Continuing Directors,” “Stock Ownership,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Tables,” and “Non-Employee Director Compensation” included in the Company’s proxy statement in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on June 27, 2025; in the Form 3 and Form 4 initial statements of beneficial ownership and statements of changes in beneficial ownership filed with the SEC by the Company’s directors and executive officers; and in other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the SEC, including the Company’s proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction when it becomes available. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other related documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on the Company’s website at www.liveramp.com.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concerning Publicis, the Company, the proposed transaction and other matters. Forward-looking statements contained herein could include, among other things, statements regarding the anticipated timing of the consummation of the proposed transaction; statements about management’s confidence in and strategies for performance of the combined businesses; expectations for new and existing products, technologies and opportunities; and expectations regarding growth, sales, cash flows, and earnings. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of such terms as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “likely,” “estimate,” “outlook,” “plan,” “contemplate,” “project,” “target” or other comparable terms. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the parties’ control. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication including, but not limited to: (1) failure of the closing conditions in the merger agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the proposed transaction or the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of one or multiple of the parties to terminate the definitive agreement between Parent and the Company; (2) the possibility that the transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder, or other approvals are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; (3) the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, including those resulting from the announcement, pendency or completion of the transaction; (4) risks that the new businesses will not be integrated successfully or that the combined companies will not realize estimated cost savings, value of certain tax assets, synergies and growth or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected; (5) failure to realize anticipated benefits of the combined operations; (6) risks relating to unanticipated costs of integration; (7) ability to hire and retain key personnel; (8) ability to successfully integrate the companies’ businesses; (9) the potential impact of announcement or consummation of the proposed transactions on relationships with third parties, including clients, employees and competitors, including reputational risk; (10) ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients in the manner anticipated; (11) reliance on and integration of information technology systems; or (12) suffering reduced profits or losses as a result of intense competition; or (13) potential litigation that may be instituted against the Company or its directors or officers related to the proposed transaction or the merger agreement. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the parties’ businesses, including those described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2025, in Part I “Cautionary Statements Relevant to Forward-Looking Information” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” as updated by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are filed with the SEC and those described in documents Publicis has filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (the French securities regulator). The parties do not undertake, nor do they have, any obligation to provide updates or to revise any forward-looking statements.

 

 


 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) The following items are filed as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 


Exhibit No.
  Description of Exhibits
2.1*   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 16, 2026, by and among the Company, Parent and Merger Sub and solely for purposes of Section 10.14 thereto, Publicis.
3.1   Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated May 15, 2026.
99.1   Press Release of the Company, dated May 17, 2026.
99.2   Joint Press Release of Publicis and the Company, dated May 17, 2026.
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

* Schedules and similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or similar attachment to the SEC upon request; provided, however, that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act, for any schedules so furnished.

 

 

 


 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jerry Jones
  Name: Jerry Jones
  Title: EVP, Chief Ethics and Legal Officer and Secretary

 

Date: May 18, 2026

 

 

 

EX-2.1 2 tm2614904d1_ex2-1.htm EXHIBIT 2.1

Exhibit 2.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

by and among

 

MMS USA HOLDINGS, INC.,

 

COVEY MERGER SUB, INC.,

 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC., and

 

solely for the purposes of Section 10.14,

 

PUBLICIS GROUPE S.A.

 

dated as of

 

May 16, 2026

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

Article I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS 2
   
Section 1.1. Definitions 2
Section 1.2. Terms Defined Elsewhere 12
     
Article II THE MERGER 15
   
Section 2.1. The Merger 15
Section 2.2. The Closing 15
Section 2.3. Effective Time 15
Section 2.4. Governing Documents 16
Section 2.5. Officers and Directors of the Surviving Company 16
     
Article III TREATMENT OF SECURITIES 16
   
Section 3.1. Treatment of Capital Stock 16
Section 3.2. Payment for Securities; Surrender of Certificates 18
Section 3.3. Treatment of Company Equity Awards 20
Section 3.4. Withholding 21
     
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY 22
   
Section 4.1. Qualification, Organization, Subsidiaries, etc. 22
Section 4.2. Capitalization 23
Section 4.3. Corporate Authority 25
Section 4.4. Governmental Consents; No Violation 25
Section 4.5. SEC Reports and Financial Statements 26
Section 4.6. Internal Controls and Procedures 27
Section 4.7. No Undisclosed Liabilities 28
Section 4.8. Absence of Certain Changes or Events 28
Section 4.9. Compliance with Law; Permits 28
Section 4.10. No Critical Technologies 30
Section 4.11. Employee Benefit Plans 30
Section 4.12. Labor Matters 32
Section 4.13. Tax Matters 33
Section 4.14. Litigation; Orders 36
Section 4.15. Intellectual Property 36
Section 4.16. Company IT; Privacy and Data Protection 38
Section 4.17. Real Property 39
Section 4.18. Material Contracts 40
Section 4.19. Environmental Matters 43
Section 4.20. Customers and Suppliers 43
Section 4.21. Insurance 44
Section 4.22. Information Supplied 44
Section 4.23. Opinion of Financial Advisor 44
Section 4.24. State Takeover Statutes; Anti-Takeover Laws 45

 

i 


 

Section 4.25. Related Party Transactions 45
Section 4.26. Finders and Brokers 45
Section 4.27. No Other Representations 45
     
Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB 45
   
Section 5.1. Qualification, Organization, etc. 46
Section 5.2. Capitalization of Merger Sub 46
Section 5.3. Corporate Authority 46
Section 5.4. Governmental Consents; No Violation 46
Section 5.5. Litigation; Orders 47
Section 5.6. Information Supplied 47
Section 5.7. Sufficient Funds 47
Section 5.8. Finders and Brokers 48
Section 5.9. Interested Stockholder 48
Section 5.10. No Merger Sub Activity 48
Section 5.11. National Security Matters 48
Section 5.12. No Other Representations 48
     
Article VI COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER 49
   
Section 6.1. Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Closing 49
Section 6.2. Notification of Certain Matters 53
Section 6.3. No Solicitation by the Company 54
     
Article VII ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS 58
   
Section 7.1. Access; Confidentiality; Notice of Certain Events 58
Section 7.2. Regulatory Approvals 59
Section 7.3. Publicity 63
Section 7.4. D&O Insurance and Indemnification 63
Section 7.5. Takeover Statutes 65
Section 7.6. Obligations of Merger Sub 66
Section 7.7. Employee Matters 66
Section 7.8. Rule 16b-3 68
Section 7.9. Stockholder Litigation 68
Section 7.10. Delisting 68
Section 7.11. Director Resignations 69
Section 7.12. Proxy Statement; Company Stockholders’ Meeting 69
Section 7.13. Financing Cooperation 71
     
Article VIII CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER 72
   
Section 8.1. Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations to Effect the Merger 72
Section 8.2. Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub 73
Section 8.3. Conditions to the Obligations of the Company 74

 

ii 


 

Article IX TERMINATION 74
   
Section 9.1. Termination 74
Section 9.2. Effect of Termination 76
     
Article X MISCELLANEOUS 79
   
Section 10.1. Amendment and Modification; Waiver 79
Section 10.2. Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties 79
Section 10.3. Expenses 79
Section 10.4. Transfer Taxes and Non-Resident Capital Gain Taxes 79
Section 10.5. Notices 80
Section 10.6. Interpretation 81
Section 10.7. Counterparts 81
Section 10.8. Entire Agreement; Third-Party Beneficiaries 81
Section 10.9. Severability 82
Section 10.10. Governing Law; Jurisdiction 82
Section 10.11. Waiver of Jury Trial 83
Section 10.12. Assignment 83
Section 10.13. Enforcement; Remedies 83
Section 10.14. Parent Topco Guarantee 84

 

Annex A Surviving Company Certificate of Incorporation
Annex B Surviving Company Bylaws

 

iii 


 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 16, 2026, is by and among MMS USA Holdings, Inc., , a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Covey Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned direct Subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), LiveRamp Holdings, Inc, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and solely for the purposes of Section 10.14 hereof, Publicis Groupe S.A., a French société anonyme (“Parent Topco”). Parent, Merger Sub and the Company are each sometimes referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively, as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, it is proposed that the Parties effect the acquisition of the Company by Parent through the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company being the surviving entity (the “Merger”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, each share of common stock, $0.10 par value per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any Dissenting Shares, Cancelled Shares or Converted Shares) shall be automatically converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration;

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board of Directors”) unanimously (i) determined that the terms of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger (the “Transactions”), are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders (the “Company Stockholders”), (ii) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and the Company Stockholders and declared it advisable to enter into this Agreement, (iii) approved the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the performance by the Company of its covenants and agreements contained herein and the consummation of the Merger and the other Transactions upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein and (iv) resolved to recommend that the Company Stockholders approve the Transactions, including the Merger, and adopt this Agreement (the “Company Board Recommendation”);

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent, the board of directors of Merger Sub, and the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, have unanimously approved this Agreement and determined that this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, Parent and Merger Sub and their respective stockholder(s); and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also prescribe various terms of, and conditions to, the Merger.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

 


 

ARTICLE I

 

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1.            Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the term:

 

“Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement” means a confidentiality agreement entered into after the date hereof that contains terms that (a) are no less favorable in the aggregate to the Company than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement (it being understood that such confidentiality agreement need not contain a “standstill” provision or any other provision that would have a similar effect) and (b) do not in any way restrict the Company or its Representatives from complying with its obligations under this Agreement.

 

“Acquisition Proposal” means any offer, proposal or indication of interest from a Person (as such term is used in Section 6.3) (other than a proposal or offer by Parent or any Parent Subsidiary) at any time relating to any transaction or series of related transactions (other than the Transactions) involving: (a) any acquisition or purchase by any Person, directly or indirectly, of more than fifteen percent (15%) of any class of outstanding voting or equity securities of the Company (whether by voting power or number of shares), or any tender offer (including a self-tender offer) or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in any Person beneficially owning more than fifteen percent (15%) of any class of outstanding voting or equity securities of the Company (whether by voting power or number of shares), (b) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, joint venture, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Company and a Person pursuant to which the Company Stockholders immediately preceding such transaction hold less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the equity interests in the surviving or resulting entity of such transaction immediately following the consummation of such transaction (whether by voting power or number of shares) or (c) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition to a Person of more than fifteen percent (15%) of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (measured by the fair market value thereof).

 

“AI Systems” means a machine- or Software-based system that operates with varying levels of autonomy and that may exhibit adaptiveness after development, that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations or decisions.

 

“Anti-Corruption Law” means any Law related to combating bribery and corruption, including the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, the UN Convention Against Corruption and any implementing legislation promulgated pursuant to such Conventions, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and the UK Bribery Act 2010.

 

“Antitrust Laws” means any applicable supranational, national, federal, state, county, local or foreign antitrust or competition Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions that may have the purpose or effect of creating a monopoly or restraining trade or lessening competition through merger or acquisition or otherwise, including the HSR Act, the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, in each case, as amended, and other similar antitrust or competition Laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States.

 

2


 

“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or another day on which commercial banking institutions in New York, New York or San Francisco, California are authorized or required by Law to be closed.

 

“CFIUS” means the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or (as the context may require) any member agency thereof acting in such capacity.

 

“CFIUS Approval” means (a) the Company and Parent have received written notice from CFIUS that CFIUS has determined that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and notified to CFIUS are not “covered transactions” and are not subject to review under Section 721; (b) the Company and Parent have received written notice from CFIUS that it has concluded all action under Section 721 with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and notified to CFIUS and has determined that there are no unresolved national security concerns; or (c) if CFIUS has sent a report (the “CFIUS Report”) to the President of the United States (the “President”) requesting the President’s decision on the CFIUS Notice, then the President has (i) announced a decision not to take any action to suspend or prohibit the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) not taken any action to suspend or prohibit the transactions contemplated by this Agreement after fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of the CFIUS Report.

 

“CFIUS Notice” means a joint voluntary notice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement submitted to CFIUS by the Company and Parent pursuant to 31 C.F.R. Part 800 Subpart E and, for purposes of Section 5.11 only, shall mean any mandatory declaration submitted to CFIUS pursuant to 31 C.F.R. Section 800.401, any voluntary declaration submitted to CFIUS pursuant to 31 C.F.R. Section 800.402 and any joint notice submitted to CFIUS pursuant to 31 C.F.R. Part 800 Subpart E.

 

“CFIUS Turndown” means either that (a) CFIUS notifies Parent and the Company in writing that it intends to send a report to the President recommending that he act to suspend or prohibit the Merger or (b) the President issues an order suspending or prohibiting the Merger.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

“Company Benefit Plan” means each “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), whether or not subject to ERISA, and each bonus, stock, stock purchase, stock option or other equity or equity-based compensation arrangement or plan, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, retirement or supplemental retirement, severance, termination pay, employment, consulting, change-in-control, retention, collective bargaining, profit sharing, pension, retirement, vacation, cafeteria, dependent care, medical care, death and disability benefit, flexible benefits, supplemental unemployment benefit, employee assistance program, education or tuition assistance program, and each insurance and other fringe or employee benefit plan, program or arrangement, in each case, (a) that is sponsored, maintained, entered into, contributed to or required to be contributed to by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, (b) for the benefit of current or former employees, directors, individual consultants or other individual service providers (or any dependent or beneficiary thereof) of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or (c) with respect to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary has or may have any obligation or liability (whether actual or contingent), other than any plan to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary contributes (or has an obligation to contribute) pursuant to applicable Law and that is sponsored or maintained by a Governmental Entity.

 

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“Company Bylaws” means the bylaws of the Company as in effect on the date hereof.

 

“Company Certificate” means the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof.

 

“Company Equity Awards” means the Company Options, Company PSU Awards, Company RSU Awards and Company Restricted Stock Awards.

 

“Company Equity Plans” means the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Compensation Plan and the Habu, Inc. 2018 Stock Plan.

 

“Company ESPP” means the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

“Company Governing Documents” means the Company Bylaws and the Company Certificate.

 

“Company IP” means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

 

“Company IT” means all technology devices, computer systems (including computers, screens, servers, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, networks, data communication lines and hardware), Software, telecommunications systems and all other information technology assets, infrastructure, and systems owned, used or held for use by the Company or any Company Subsidiaries.

 

4


 

“Company Material Adverse Effect” means any Effect that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (1) the financial condition, business, assets, liabilities or operations of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (2) the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, prior to the Outside Date; provided, however, that, solely for purposes of clause (1), no Effects to the extent resulting or arising from the following shall be deemed to constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect or shall be taken into account when determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect exists or has occurred or is reasonably expected to exist or occur: (a) any changes after the date hereof in general United States or global economic conditions, including any changes affecting financial, credit, foreign exchange or capital market conditions, (b) any changes after the date hereof in general conditions in any industry or industries or markets in which the Company and the Company Subsidiaries operate, (c) any changes after the date hereof in general political or financial conditions or markets (including changes in interest rates, exchange rates, stock, bond and/or debt prices, or newly introduced tariffs or changes to existing tariffs), (d) any changes after the date hereof in GAAP or other applicable national or international accounting standards, or in the accounting rules and regulations of the SEC, or in any official interpretation of the foregoing, (e) any changes after the date hereof in applicable Law or the official interpretation thereof by Governmental Entities, (f) any decrease or decline in the market price or trading volume of the Company Common Stock or any failure by the Company to meet any internal or published projections, estimates or expectations of the Company’s revenue, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations for any period (it being understood that the facts or occurrences giving rise or contributing to such failure that are not otherwise excluded from this definition of a “Company Material Adverse Effect” may be taken into account for the purpose of determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect exists or has occurred or is reasonably expected to exist or occur), (g) changes in the Company’s credit rating (it being understood that the facts or occurrences giving rise or contributing to such changes that are not otherwise excluded from this definition of a “Company Material Adverse Effect” may be taken into account for the purpose of determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect exists or has occurred or is reasonably expected to exist or occur), (h) any changes after the date hereof in geopolitical conditions, acts of terrorism (including cyberterrorism) or sabotage, war (whether or not declared), the commencement, continuation or escalation of a war, acts of armed hostility, weather conditions, natural disasters or epidemics, pandemics or other outbreak of illness or public health event (whether human or animal), or other similar force majeure events, including any material worsening of such conditions threatened or existing as of the date hereof, (i) the execution and public announcement of this Agreement or the Transactions, including the identity of Parent or its affiliates, the pendency or consummation of the Transactions, and the impact thereof on the relationships of the Company with its officers and other employees, customers, suppliers, distributors or other business partners (provided that this clause (i) shall not apply to any representation or warranty to the extent the purpose of such representation or warranty is to address the pendency of or consequences resulting from the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions), (j) any action or inaction which is expressly required by the terms of this Agreement or which is taken or not taken at the express written request of Parent, (k) any proceeding brought or threatened by stockholders of the Company (including on behalf of the Company) asserting allegations of breach of fiduciary duty relating to this Agreement or violations of securities Laws in connection with the Proxy Statement or any other document required to be filed by the Company with the SEC or required to be distributed or otherwise disseminated to the Company Stockholders in connection with the Transactions, and (l) the failure of Parent to consent to any of the actions proscribed in Section 6.1 where such failure to consent was unreasonable; provided that with respect to the exceptions set forth in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (h), if such Effect has had a disproportionate adverse effect on the Company or any Company Subsidiary relative to other companies operating in the industry in which the Company and the Company Subsidiaries operate, then the incremental disproportionate adverse effect of such Effect shall be taken into account for the purpose of determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect exists or has occurred or is reasonably expected to exist or occur.

 

“Company Option” means each option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock granted under the Company Equity Plans.

 

“Company PSU Award” means each performance-vesting restricted stock unit award granted under the Company Equity Plans.

 

“Company Registered IP” means all applications, registrations, issuances and filings for Intellectual Property that are registered, filed or recorded with, pending before, or issued by a Governmental Entity, intellectual property registrar or Internet domain name registrar, in each case, that are owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary, whether wholly or jointly owned.

 

“Company Restricted Stock Award” means each award of restricted shares of Company Common Stock granted under the Company Equity Plans.

 

5


 

“Company RSU Award” means each time-vesting restricted stock unit award granted under the Company Equity Plans.

 

“Company Subsidiaries” means the Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

“Confidentiality Agreement” means the Confidentiality Agreement, dated July 11, 2025, between an affiliate of Parent and the Company, as may be amended.

 

“Contract” means any written or oral agreement, contract, subcontract, settlement agreement, lease, sublease, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, binding understanding, note, option, bond, mortgage, indenture, trust document, loan or credit agreement, license, sublicense, insurance policy or other legally binding commitment or undertaking of any nature.

 

“Controlled Group Liability” means any and all liabilities (a) under Title IV of ERISA, (b) under Section 302 of ERISA, (c) under Sections 412 and 4971 of the Code, (d) as a result of a failure to comply with the continuation coverage requirements of Section 601 et seq. of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code, and (e) under corresponding or similar provisions of applicable foreign Law.

 

“Data Supplier” means the suppliers and vendors of data of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

 

“Effect” means any change, effect, development, circumstance, condition, fact, state of facts, event or occurrence.

 

“Environmental Law” means any and all applicable Laws which (a) regulate or relate to the protection or clean-up of the environment; the use, treatment, storage, transportation, handling, disposal or release of Hazardous Substances, the preservation or protection of waterways, groundwater, drinking water, air, wildlife, plants or other natural resources, or the protection of public or occupational health and safety of Persons or property or (b) impose liability or responsibility with respect to any of the foregoing, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.), or any other Law of similar effect.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

 

“ERISA Affiliates” means, with respect to any entity, trade or business, any other entity, trade or business that is a member of a group described in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA that includes the first entity, trade or business, or that is a member of the same “controlled group” as the first entity, trade or business pursuant to Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.

 

“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Export Controls” means all applicable export and re-export control Laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations maintained by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations maintained by the U.S. Department of State and any applicable anti-boycott compliance regulations.

 

6


 

“FDI Laws” means any applicable supranational, national, federal, state, county or local foreign investment Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate foreign investment in any jurisdiction other than the United States.

 

“Fraud” means Delaware common law fraud. “Fraud” does not include any claim for equitable fraud, promissory fraud, unfair dealings fraud, or any torts based on negligence or recklessness.

 

“Governmental Entity” means (a) any supranational, national, federal, state, county, municipal, local, or foreign government or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, taxing, or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, (b) any public international governmental organization or (c) any agency, division, bureau, board (including zoning), department, or other political subdivision of any government, entity or organization described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b) of this definition (including patent and trademark offices and self-regulatory organizations).

 

“Hazardous Substances” means any pollutant, chemical, substance and any toxic, infectious, carcinogenic, reactive, corrosive, ignitable or flammable chemical, chemical compound, hazardous substance, material or waste, whether solid, liquid or gas, that is subject to regulation, control or remediation due to its hazardous or deleterious characteristics under any Environmental Laws, including any quantity of petroleum product or byproduct, solvent, flammable or explosive material, radioactive material, pesticides, asbestos, lead paint, polychlorinated biphenyls (or PCBs), dioxins, dibenzofurans, heavy metals, radon, mold, mold spores and mycotoxins.

 

“HSR Act” means the United States Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder.

 

“Import Restrictions” means all applicable U.S. and foreign import Laws, including Title 19 of the U.S. Code and Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

 

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, as of the date of determination, (i) all obligations of such Person (A) for borrowed money or (B) evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (ii) all obligations of such Person under finance leases in accordance with GAAP (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, operating leases), (iii) to the extent drawn, reimbursement obligations under letters of credit or similar credit, performance, or surety transactions, (iv) all obligations of such Person under interest rate, currency or commodity derivatives or hedging transactions or similar arrangements that would be payable to terminate such arrangements, calculated, as of the date of determination, as the amount of any payments that would be required to be paid by such Person to the counterparty in the event of an early unwind or early termination of such instruments on such date, (v) all obligations for the deferred purchase price of property, services, equity, or other assets (including all seller notes, “earn-out” or similar contingent payment obligations), (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) of another Person secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such first Person valued, in the case of any such Indebtedness as to which recourse for the payment thereof is expressly limited to the property or assets on which such Lien is granted, at the lesser of (1) the stated or determinable amount of the Indebtedness that is so secured or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) and (2) the fair market value of such property or assets, and (vii) all guarantees or similar arrangements by such Person, as applicable, of obligations of the type referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vi) in respect of any other Person, it being understood that the amount of any of the foregoing Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (vii) shall include any and all accrued interest, prepayment, breakage, and make-whole fees, expenses, premiums or penalties, related thereto, and any other fees and expenses required to be paid by such Person upon repayment thereof, in each case, including as a result of or in connection with the Closing; provided that “Indebtedness” shall not include accounts payable to trade creditors, or accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business, in each case, that are not yet due and payable.

 

7


 

“Intellectual Property” means any and all intellectual property rights, whether statutory, common law or otherwise, including all rights throughout the world in or to, or arising out of: (i) patents, patent applications, statutory invention registrations, registered designs, industrial designs, utility models and similar or equivalent rights in inventions and designs, and all rights therein provided by international treaties and conventions; (ii) trademarks, service marks, logos, trade dress, trade names, corporate names, and other indicia of source or origin, including the goodwill associated with any of the foregoing (“Trademarks”); (iii) copyrights and other equivalent rights in works of authorship and all works of authorship (including rights in any Software, databases or designs as a work of authorship), moral rights and other related rights of authors; (iv) Internet domain names, URLs, internet protocol addresses, social media accounts, and rights in websites and all the content provided on the foregoing; (v) trade secrets, industrial secret rights, and other rights in know-how, data and confidential and proprietary information, including in technologies, processes, techniques, protocols, methodologies, methods, formulae, algorithms, layouts, designs, specifications, confidential information, in each case, that derive independent economic value, whether actual or potential, from not being known to other Persons (together, “Trade Secrets”); and (vi) other similar or equivalent intellectual property rights anywhere in the world.

 

“Knowledge” means (i) with respect to Parent or Merger Sub, the actual knowledge, after reasonable inquiry of their direct reports, of the individuals listed on Section 1.1 of the Parent Disclosure Letter and (ii) with respect to the Company, the actual knowledge, after reasonable inquiry of their direct reports, of the individuals listed on Section 1.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter.

 

“Law” means any law (including common law), statute, requirement, code, rule, regulation, order, ordinance (including zoning), judgment or decree, administrative or judicial doctrine, or other pronouncement of any Governmental Entity.

 

“Lien” means any lien, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, encumbrance, covenant, charge, condition, title defect, claim, option, right of first offer or first refusal, easement, right of way, encroachment, occupancy right, preemptive right, community property interest or other third-party right or restriction of any nature (including any restriction on the voting of any security, any restriction on the transfer of any security or other asset, or any restriction on the possession, exercise or transfer of any other attribute of ownership of any asset), whether voluntarily incurred or arising by operation of Law, but excluding (i) restrictions on transfer arising under applicable securities laws and (ii) licenses, covenants not to assert and similar rights granted with respect to Intellectual Property that are not granted in connection with a security interest or other lien.

 

8


 

“Material Data Supplier” means the ten (10) largest Data Suppliers (based on payments made for the twelve (12) month period ended March 31, 2026).

 

“Non-Resident Capital Gain Tax” means any Tax imposed on non-residents of the Taxing jurisdiction with respect to a direct or indirect transfer by non-residents of shares or other securities of an entity organized or resident in the Taxing jurisdiction (whether imposed by withholding or otherwise and whether calculated by reference to transfer price, net gain or otherwise).

 

“OFAC” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

 

“Open Source License” means any license that is, or is substantially similar to, a license now or in the future approved by the Open Source Initiative and listed at http://www.opensource.org/licenses (which licenses shall include all versions of GNU GPL, GNU LGPL, GNU Affero GPL, Eclipse Public License, Common Public License, CDDL, and Mozilla Public License) and any “copyleft” license or any other license under which such software or other materials are distributed or licensed as “free software,” “open source software” or under similar terms.

 

“Parent Subsidiaries” means the Subsidiaries of Parent.

 

“Permitted Liens” means any (i) Lien for Taxes or governmental assessments, charges or claims of payment (x) not yet delinquent or (y) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and, in the case of clause (y), for which adequate reserves have been established by the Company in accordance with GAAP, (ii) Lien which is a vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other similar Lien arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (iii) Lien securing Indebtedness that is specifically disclosed on Section 1.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter (and identified thereon as being secured by such Liens) so long as the terms of such Indebtedness, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, require the incurrence of such Liens to secure such Indebtedness, (iv) Lien which is a statutory or common law Lien to secure landlords, lessors or renters under leases or rental agreements, (v) any Lien solely related to the fee interest (and which would not impact the leasehold interest) of a Company Lease, (vi) Lien arising from a UCC financing statement that was filed solely as a precautionary measure in connection with leases or consignment of goods, (vii) with respect to real property, any title defects or irregularities, zoning and land use covenants and conditions, easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, and non-monetary encumbrances, in each case, that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially impair the operation of the Company’s business at such real property, as presently conducted, or materially detract from the value of the real property, or (viii) Liens that do not secure Indebtedness and have arisen in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and do not adversely affect the value, ownership use or operation of the property subject thereto in any material respect.

 

9


 

“Person” means a natural person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Entity or other entity or organization.

 

“Personal Data” means any and all information that can reasonably be used to identify an individual natural person, or that relates to an identified person, including name, physical address, telephone number, email address, financial account number, passwords or PINs, device identifier or unique identification number, government-issued identifier (including Social Security number and driver’s license number), medical, health or insurance information, gender, date of birth, educational or employment information, religious or political views or affiliations and marital or other status (to the extent any of these data elements can reasonably be associated with an individual natural person or is linked to any such data element that can reasonably be associated with an individual natural person), together with any other information protected as “personal data,” “personally identifiable information,” “PII,” “individually identifiable health information,” “protected health information,” “PHI,” “personal information,” “PI” or similar term of any applicable Law.

 

“Privacy Requirements” means all applicable Laws, contractual obligations, and Privacy Statements to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is bound or subject, in each case, relating to privacy, data protection, data security, cybersecurity or the Processing of Protected Information, or to sales and marketing with the use of Protected Information.

 

“Privacy Statements” means, collectively, all of the Company’s and the Company Subsidiaries’ publicly posted or otherwise binding privacy policies or statements (including if posted on the Company’s or the Company Subsidiaries’ products and services, or if made as a representation or statement in connection with the collection of Personal Data) regarding any Processing of Protected Information.

 

“Proceedings” means all actions, suits, claims, hearings, arbitrations, litigations, mediations, grievances, audits, investigations, examinations or other proceedings, in each case, by or before any Governmental Entity.

 

“Process” means any operation or set of operations that is performed upon, by or on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary with respect to information, whether or not by automatic means, including access, collection, recording, storage, organization, adaptation, alteration, retrieval, use, transmission, dissemination, making available or other processing.

 

“Protected Information” means any (a) Personal Data, (b) information that is governed, regulated or protected by one or more Privacy Statements or applicable Laws concerning privacy, cybersecurity or data security, (c) information that is covered by industry standards and frameworks (such as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), (d) confidential information of the Company or any Company Subsidiary that it receives, creates, transmits or maintains in electronic form, and (e) sensitive information covered by any confidentiality requirements or use restrictions under any Contract.

 

10


 

“Qualifying Termination” means the termination of employment (i) by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries without Cause (as defined in Section 1.2 of the Company Disclosure Letter), (ii) due to death or Disability (as defined in Section 1.2 of the Company Disclosure Letter) or (iii) solely with respect to individuals entitled to severance upon a termination for Good Reason (as defined in Section 1.2 of the Company Disclosure Letter) under a Company Benefit Plan as in effect on the date hereof, by such individual for Good Reason (as defined in Section 1.2 of the Company Disclosure Letter) in each case, during the twenty-four (24) month period following the Closing Date.

 

“Representatives” means, when used with respect to any Person, the directors, officers, employees, consultants, financial advisors, accountants, legal counsel, investment bankers and other agents, advisors and representatives of such Person and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Rule of 40 Company PSU Award” means each Company PSU Award that is subject to performance goals based on annual revenue growth and EBITDA margin percentages.

 

“Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered, or enforced from time to time by OFAC.

 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Section 721” means Section 721 of title VII of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended and codified at 50 U.S.C. Section 4565, and all implementing regulations thereof (the “DPA”).

 

“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Software” means any and all software, firmware, applications, programs, models (including artificial intelligence models and/or model weights), algorithms, operating systems, middleware, application programming interfaces (APIs), software development kits (SDKs) and any other computer software or code in any form (including source code and object code) or medium.

 

“Subsidiary” means with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which (a) at least a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock, or other equity interests, having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, or (b) with respect to a partnership, such Person or any other Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner of such partnership.

 

“Superior Proposal” means a bona fide, written Acquisition Proposal (with references in the definition thereof to fifteen percent (15%) and eighty-five percent (85%) being deemed to be replaced with references to fifty percent (50%) and fifty percent (50%), respectively) by a third party, which the Company Board of Directors determines in good faith after consultation with the Company’s outside legal and financial advisors to be more favorable to the Company Stockholders from a financial point of view than the Merger, taking into account all relevant factors including all the terms and conditions of such proposal or offer (including the transaction consideration, conditionality, timing, certainty of financing and/or regulatory approvals and likelihood of consummation) and this Agreement (and any changes to the terms of this Agreement proposed by Parent pursuant to Section 6.3).

 

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“Takeover Statute” means any “business combination,” “control share acquisition,” “fair price,” “moratorium” or other takeover or anti-takeover statute or similar Law.

 

“Tax” or “Taxes” means any and all U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. taxes, customs, assessments, levies, duties, tariffs, imposts and other similar charges and fees, in each case, in the nature of a tax, imposed by any Governmental Entity, including any income, franchise, excess, windfall or other profits, inventory, gross receipts, capital gains, net proceeds, property, sales, use, business, net worth, goods and services, value-added, capital stock, wealth, welfare, license, fuel, natural resources, production, payroll, employment, social security, workers’ compensation, unemployment, excise, occupancy, severance, gift, estate, recording, non-resident or other withholding, ad valorem, turnover, lease, user, stamp, transfer, occupation, premium, environmental, disability, registration, alternative or add-on minimum, base erosion minimum, or estimated tax, and any interest, penalty, additions to tax and any additional amounts imposed with respect thereto, whether disputed or not.

 

“Tax Return” means any report, return, certificate, form, claim for refund, election, estimated Tax filing or declaration filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Entity with respect to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and any amendments thereof.

 

“Transfer Taxes” means any documentary, transfer, excise, sales, use, real property, stamp, registration, filing, recording and other similar Taxes (excluding, for the absence of doubt, any Taxes imposed with respect to income or gain).

 

“Treasury Regulations” means the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

Section 1.2.            Terms Defined Elsewhere. The following terms are defined elsewhere in this Agreement:

 

401(k) Termination Date Section 7.7(c)
Agreement Preamble
Base Amount Section 7.4(c)
Book-Entry Shares Section 3.2(b)(ii)
Cancelled Shares Section 3.1(b)
Capitalization Date Section 4.2(a)
Certificate of Merger Section 2.3
Certificates Section 3.2(b)(i)
Change of Recommendation Section 6.3(a)
Closing Section 2.2
Closing Date Section 2.2
Company Preamble
Company 401(k) Plans Section 7.7(c)
Company Acquisition Agreement Section 6.3(a)
Company Board of Directors Recitals
Company Board Recommendation Recitals
Company Business Software Section 4.15(f)

 

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Company Common Stock Recitals
Company Disclosure Letter Article IV
Company Lease Section 4.17(b)
Company Permits Section 4.9(b)
Company Preferred Stock Section 4.2(a)
Company SEC Documents Section 4.5(a)
Company Stockholder Approval Section 4.3(a)
Company Stockholders Recitals
Company Stockholders’ Meeting Section 7.12(b)
Consent Section 4.4(a)
Continuing Employee Section 7.7(a)
Converted Shares Section 3.1(b)
Current ESPP Offering Period Section 3.3(d)
DGCL Recitals
Dissenting Shares Section 3.1(e)
Divestiture Actions Section 7.2(c)
DOJ Section 7.2(d)
Effective Time Section 2.3
Enforceability Limitations Section 4.3(b)
Evercore Section 4.23
FTC Section 7.2(d)
GAAP Section 4.5(b)
Guaranteed Obligations Section 10.14
Indemnified Parties Section 7.4(a)
Integration Committee Section 7.1(c)
Intervening Event Section 6.3(d)
IRS Section 4.13(p)
Leased Real Property Section 4.17(b)
Letter of Transmittal Section 3.2(b)(i)
Material Contracts Section 4.18(a)
Material Customer Section 4.20(a)
Material Supplier Section 4.20(b)
Merger Recitals
Merger Consideration Section 3.1(a)
Merger Sub Preamble
New Plans Section 7.7(b)
Non-U.S. Plan Section 4.11(h)
Old Plans Section 7.7(b)
Outside Date Section 9.1(d)
Parent Preamble
Parent Disclosure Letter Article V
Parent Governing Documents Section 5.1
Parent Topco Preamble
Parties Preamble
Party Preamble
Paying Agent Section 3.2(a)
Payment Fund Section 3.2(a)

 

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Proxy Statement Section 4.22
Regulatory Termination Fee Section 9.2(c)(i)
Relevant Matters Section 10.10(a)
Ruling Request Section 6.1(b)(xx)
Sanctioned Country Section 4.9(g)
Sanctioned Person Section 4.9(g)
Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 4.5(a)
Surviving Company Section 2.1
Surviving Company Bylaws Section 2.4
Surviving Company Certificate of Incorporation Section 2.4
Surviving Company Stock Section 3.1(b)
Termination Fee Section 9.2(b)(i)
Transactions Recitals
WARN Act Section 4.12(b)
Willful Breach Section 9.2(a)

 

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ARTICLE II

 

THE MERGER

 

Section 2.1.            The Merger

 

. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the DGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, whereupon the separate existence of Merger Sub will cease, with the Company surviving the Merger (the Company, as the surviving entity in the Merger, sometimes being referred to herein as the “Surviving Company”), such that following the Merger, the Surviving Company will be a direct wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent. The Merger shall have the effects provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the applicable provisions of the DGCL.

 

Section 2.2.            The Closing

 

. The closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place remotely at 8:00 a.m., New York City time, on the third (3rd) Business Day after the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VIII (other than any such conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver of such conditions at the Closing), unless another date, time or place is agreed to in writing by the Company and Parent. The date on which the Closing takes place is referred to as the “Closing Date.”

 

Section 2.3.            Effective Time

 

. On the Closing Date, the Parties shall cause a certificate of merger with respect to the Merger (the “Certificate of Merger”) to be duly executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as provided under the DGCL and make any other filings, recordings or publications required to be made by the Company or Merger Sub under the DGCL in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall become effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger is duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or on such other date and time as shall be agreed to by the Company and Parent and specified in the Certificate of Merger (such date and time being hereinafter referred to as the “Effective Time”).

 

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Section 2.4.            Governing Documents. Unless otherwise determined by Parent prior to the Effective Time, and by virtue of the Merger and pursuant to the Certificate of Merger, at and as of the Effective Time, subject to Section 7.4, the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Company will be amended to read substantially as set forth on Annex A hereto (the “Surviving Company Certificate of Incorporation”) and the bylaws of the Surviving Company will be amended to read substantially as set forth on Annex B hereto (the “Surviving Company Bylaws”), in each case, until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable Law (and subject to the provisions of Section 7.4); provided that the name of the Surviving Company shall be “LiveRamp Holdings, Inc.”

 

Section 2.5.            Officers and Directors of the Surviving Company. Unless otherwise determined by Parent prior to the Effective Time, the officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time, from and after the Effective Time, shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Company. The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time, from and after the Effective Time, shall be the initial directors of the Surviving Company.

 

ARTICLE III

 

TREATMENT OF SECURITIES

 

Section 3.1.         Treatment of Capital Stock.

 

(a)            Treatment of Company Common Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Parties or holders of any securities of the Company or of Merger Sub, each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any Dissenting Shares, Cancelled Shares or any Converted Shares) shall be converted, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Agreement, into the right to receive $38.50 in cash, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”). From and after the Effective Time, all such shares of Company Common Stock (other than any Dissenting Shares, Cancelled Shares or Converted Shares) shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and each applicable holder of such Company Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration therefor upon the surrender of such shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with Section 3.2.

 

(b)            Certain Company Common Stock. At the Effective Time, each share of Company Common Stock that is, immediately prior to the Effective Time, owned or held in treasury by the Company or is owned by Parent or Merger Sub (collectively, the “Cancelled Shares”) shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in connection with the Merger with respect to such Cancelled Shares. At the Effective Time, any shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time that are owned by any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (other than Merger Sub) or of the Company (the “Converted Shares”) shall be converted into such number of shares of common stock of the Surviving Company (“Surviving Company Stock”) such that the ownership percentage of any such Subsidiary in the Surviving Company shall equal the ownership percentage of such Subsidiary in the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

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(c)            Treatment of Merger Sub Shares. At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of common stock of Merger Sub shall be automatically converted into and become one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Surviving Company Stock.

 

(d)            Adjustment to Merger Consideration. If, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are changed into a different number or class of shares by reason of any stock split, division or subdivision of shares, stock dividend, reverse stock split, consolidation of shares, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar transaction, then the Merger Consideration shall be appropriately adjusted, without duplication, to proportionately reflect any such change. Nothing in this Section 3.1(d) shall be construed to permit the Company to take any action with respect to its securities that is prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(e)            Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and that are owned by stockholders that have properly perfected their rights of appraisal within the meaning of Section 262 of the DGCL (the “Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, unless and until such stockholders shall have failed to perfect any available right of appraisal under applicable Law, but, instead, the holders thereof shall be entitled to payment of the appraised value of such Dissenting Shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any such holder shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost such right of appraisal, the shares of Company Common Stock held by such stockholder shall not be deemed Dissenting Shares for purposes of this Agreement and shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into the Merger Consideration at the Effective Time in accordance with Section 3.1(a). The Company shall give Parent (i) prompt notice of any demands for appraisal filed pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL received by the Company, withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served or delivered in connection with such demands pursuant to the DGCL and received by the Company and (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, the opportunity and right to participate with the Company in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands made pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL. Neither the Company nor Parent shall, except with the prior written consent of the other Party, (A) voluntarily make any payment with respect to any such demand, (B) offer to settle or settle any such demand or (C) waive any failure to timely deliver a written demand for appraisal or timely take any other action to perfect appraisal rights in accordance with the DGCL.

 

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Section 3.2.            Payment for Securities; Surrender of Certificates.

 

(a)            Payment Fund. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall designate a United States bank or trust company or other independent financial institution in the United States that is reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as the paying agent in connection with the Merger (the “Paying Agent”). The Paying Agent shall also act as the agent for the Company Stockholders for the purpose of receiving and holding their Certificates and Book-Entry Shares and shall obtain no rights or interests in the shares represented thereby. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Paying Agent cash in immediately available funds in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration (the “Payment Fund”), in each case, for the sole benefit of the holders of Company Common Stock. In the event that the Payment Fund shall be insufficient (other than as a result of payment of the Merger Consideration in accordance with this Agreement) to pay the Merger Consideration, Parent shall promptly deposit, or cause to be deposited, additional funds with the Paying Agent in an amount that is equal to the shortfall that is required to make such payment. Parent shall cause the Paying Agent to make, and the Paying Agent shall make, delivery of the Merger Consideration out of the Payment Fund in accordance with this Agreement. The Payment Fund shall not be used for any purpose that is not expressly provided for in this Agreement. The Payment Fund shall be invested by the Paying Agent as reasonably directed by Parent; provided, however, that (i) any such investments shall be in short-term obligations of the United States, or otherwise guaranteed by the United States and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case with maturities of no more than thirty (30) days and (ii) no such investment or loss thereon shall affect the amounts payable to holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares pursuant to this Article III. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to Parent.

 

(b)            Procedures for Surrender.

 

(i)             Company Common Stock Certificates. Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Paying Agent to mail to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (the “Certificates”) and whose shares of Company Common Stock were converted pursuant to Section 3.1 into the right to receive the Merger Consideration: (A) a letter of transmittal, which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof and, if required by Parent, an indemnity bond) to the Paying Agent and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as Parent may reasonably agree upon prior to the Effective Time (the “Letter of Transmittal”) and (B) instructions for effecting the surrender of the Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof and, if required by Parent, an indemnity bond) in exchange for payment of the Merger Consideration into which such shares of Company Common Stock have been converted pursuant to Section 3.1. Upon surrender of a Certificate (or an affidavit of loss in lieu thereof and, if required by Parent, an indemnity bond) for cancellation to the Paying Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed by Parent, together with such Letter of Transmittal duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may be required pursuant to such instructions, and subject to the occurrence of the Effective Time, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Merger Consideration pursuant to the provisions of this Article III for each share of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificate, and the Certificate (or affidavit of loss in lieu thereof and, if required by Parent, an indemnity bond) so surrendered shall be forthwith cancelled. The Paying Agent shall accept such Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof and, if required by Parent, an indemnity bond) upon compliance with such reasonable terms and conditions as the Paying Agent may impose to effect an orderly exchange thereof in accordance with normal exchange practices. If payment of the Merger Consideration is to be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the surrendered Certificate is registered, it shall be a condition precedent of payment that (x) the Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or shall be otherwise in proper form for transfer and (y) the Person requesting such payment shall have paid any transfer and other similar Taxes required by reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration to a Person other than the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered or shall have established to the satisfaction of Parent that such Tax either has been paid or is not required to be paid.

 

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(ii)            Book-Entry Shares. Any holder of non-certificated Company Common Stock represented by book-entry (“Book-Entry Shares”) and whose shares of Company Common Stock were converted pursuant to Section 3.1 into the right to receive the Merger Consideration shall not be required to deliver a Certificate or an executed Letter of Transmittal to the Paying Agent to receive the Merger Consideration. In lieu thereof, subject to compliance with customary procedures of the Paying Agent with respect thereto, each registered holder of one (1) or more Book-Entry Shares shall upon the Effective Time be entitled to receive, and Parent shall cause the Paying Agent to pay and deliver as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the Merger Consideration pursuant to the provisions of this Article III for each share of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Book-Entry Share, and the Book-Entry Share so exchanged shall be forthwith cancelled. Payment of the Merger Consideration with respect to Book-Entry Shares shall only be made to the Person in whose name such Book-Entry Shares are registered.

 

(iii)            No Interest. No interest shall be paid or accrue on any portion of the Merger Consideration payable upon surrender of any Certificate (or affidavit of loss in lieu thereof in accordance with Section 3.2(e)) or in respect of any Book-Entry Share.

 

(c)            Transfer Books; No Further Ownership Rights. From and after the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers of Company Common Stock on the records of the Company. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 3.2, each Certificate and Book-Entry Share shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive the Merger Consideration as contemplated by this Article III. If, after the Effective Time, any Certificates or Book-Entry Shares formerly representing shares of Company Common Stock are presented to Parent or the Paying Agent for any reason, such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Article III.

 

(d)            Termination of Payment Fund; No Liability. At any time following the first (1st) anniversary of the Effective Time, Parent shall be entitled to require the Paying Agent to deliver to it any funds (including any interest received with respect thereto) remaining in the Payment Fund that have not been disbursed (other than funds for which disbursement is pending subject only to the Paying Agent’s routine administrative procedures) to holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares, and thereafter such holders shall be entitled to look only to Parent (subject to abandoned property, escheat or other similar Laws) as general creditors thereof with respect to the Merger Consideration payable upon due surrender of their Certificates (or affidavit of loss in lieu thereof in accordance with Section 3.2(e)) or Book-Entry Shares and compliance with the procedures in Section 3.2(b), without any interest thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of Parent, the Company, Merger Sub, the Surviving Company or the Paying Agent shall be liable to any holder of a Certificate or Book-Entry Share for any Merger Consideration or other amounts delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.

 

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(e)            Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event that any Certificates shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Paying Agent shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof and, if required by Parent, an indemnity bond, the Merger Consideration payable in respect thereof pursuant to Section 3.1.

 

Section 3.3.            Treatment of Company Equity Awards.

 

(a)            Company Options. At the Effective Time, each Company Option that is outstanding and unexercised, whether or not vested, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, without any action on the part of Parent, the Company or the holder thereof, be converted into a restricted cash award in an amount equal to (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the excess of the Merger Consideration over the applicable exercise price per share of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option, which restricted cash award shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions as applicable to such Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (for clarity, including vesting terms for unvested Company Options); provided, however, that such restricted cash award will vest in full upon a Qualifying Termination and be settled in cash as soon as practicable, but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days, following such Qualifying Termination, or such later time as required to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)            Company Restricted Stock Awards. At the Effective Time, each Company Restricted Stock Award that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, without any action on the part of Parent, the Company or the holder thereof, be converted into a restricted cash award in an amount equal to (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the Company Restricted Stock Award as of immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration, which restricted cash award shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions as applicable to such Company Restricted Stock Award as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that such restricted cash award will vest in full upon a Qualifying Termination and be settled in cash as soon as practicable, but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days, following such Qualifying Termination, or such later time as required to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

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(c)            Company RSU Award and Company PSU Awards. At the Effective Time, each Company RSU Award and each Company PSU Award that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, without any action on the part of Parent, the Company or the holder thereof, be converted into a restricted cash award in an amount equal to (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the Company RSU Award or Company PSU Award, as applicable, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the Merger Consideration, which restricted cash award shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions as applicable to such Company RSU Award or Company PSU Award, as applicable, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (except that performance goals underlying Company PSU Awards shall cease to apply); provided, however, that such restricted cash award will vest in full upon a Qualifying Termination and be settled in cash as soon as practicable, but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days, following such Qualifying Termination, or such later time as required to comply with Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of determining the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to Company PSU Awards in clause (i), (A) in the case of Rule of 40 Company PSU Awards granted on or prior to December 31, 2025, performance goals will be deemed achieved at one hundred twenty-eight percent (128%) (in the case of fiscal year 2025 grants) or one hundred thirty-nine percent (139%) (in the case of fiscal year 2026 grants) of the target level of performance for both completed and incomplete performance periods; (B) in the case of all other Company PSU Awards granted on or prior to December 31, 2025, performance goals will be deemed achieved based on (I) actual performance for completed performance periods and (II) the greater of the target level and the actual level of performance through the Effective Time for incomplete performance periods (for clarity, performance for Company PSU Awards referred to as “International PSUs” that do not pay out above one hundred percent (100%) of target by award terms will be fixed at one hundred percent (100%)); and (C) in the case of Company PSU Awards granted after December 31, 2025, performance goals will be deemed achieved at the target level of performance.

 

(d)            Company ESPP. As soon as practicable following the date hereof, the Company shall take all actions with respect to the Company ESPP that are necessary or appropriate to provide that: (i) with respect to the offering period in effect as of the date hereof (the “Current ESPP Offering Period”), no employee who is not a participant in the Company ESPP as of the date hereof may become a participant in the Company ESPP and no participant may increase the percentage or dollar amount of his or her payroll deduction election from that in effect on the date hereof for the Current ESPP Offering Period; (ii) subject to the consummation of the Merger, the Company ESPP shall terminate effective immediately prior to the Effective Time; (iii) if the Current ESPP Offering Period terminates prior to the Effective Time, then the Company ESPP shall be suspended and no new offering period shall be commenced under the Company ESPP prior to the termination of this Agreement; and (iv) if the Current ESPP Offering Period is still in effect at the Effective Time, then the last day of such Current ESPP Offering Period shall be accelerated to a date that is no later than five (5) Business Days before the Closing Date (with any outstanding purchase rights fully exercised as of such accelerated date).

 

(e)            Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall pass resolutions and take all other actions as are necessary or appropriate to effectuate the treatment of the Company Equity Awards and the Company ESPP as contemplated by this Section 3.3.

 

Section 3.4.            Withholding. Each of the Company, Parent, Merger Sub, the Surviving Company, the Paying Agent and any other applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement any amounts as are required to be withheld or deducted with respect to such payment under the Code, or any other applicable Tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted or withheld, and remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction or withholding was made.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as disclosed in (x) any Company SEC Documents filed or furnished by the Company with the SEC on or after March 31, 2023 and publicly available prior to the date hereof (including exhibits and other information incorporated by reference therein but excluding any predictive, cautionary or forward looking disclosures contained under the captions “risk factors,” “forward looking statements” or any similar precautionary sections and any other disclosures contained therein that are predictive, cautionary or forward looking in nature) or (y) the applicable section or subsection of the disclosure letter delivered by the Company to Parent immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Letter”) (it being understood that any information set forth in one section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to apply to and qualify the representation and warranty set forth in this Agreement to which it corresponds in number and, whether or not an explicit reference or cross-reference is made, each other representation and warranty set forth in this Article IV for which it is reasonably apparent on its face that such information is relevant to such other representation and warranty), the Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as set forth below.

 

Section 4.1.            Qualification, Organization, Subsidiaries, etc.

 

(a)            The Company is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted. The Company is qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets or properties or conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or, where relevant, in good standing, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company has filed with the SEC, prior to the date hereof, a complete and accurate copy of the Company Governing Documents as amended to the date hereof. The Company Governing Documents are in full force and effect, and the Company is not in violation of the Company Governing Documents in any material respect.

 

(b)            Each Company Subsidiary is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and, where such concept is recognized, in good standing under the Laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing, or, where relevant, in good standing, or to have such power or authority, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company Subsidiaries is qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets or properties or conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or, where relevant, in good standing, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Section 4.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter provides, as of the date of this Agreement, (1) a true and complete list of all Company Subsidiaries and their respective jurisdictions of organization and (2) the names and the type of and percentage of interest held by any Person other than the Company or a Company Subsidiary in each such Company Subsidiary. The Company has made available to Parent prior to the date hereof complete and accurate copies of the certificates of incorporation and bylaws, or equivalent organizational or governing documents, of each of the Company’s “significant subsidiaries” (as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act), each as currently in effect.

 

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(c)            All the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each Company Subsidiary have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens. Section 4.1(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth an accurate and complete list of each Person (other than a Company Subsidiary) in which the Company or any Company Subsidiary owns an equity or other economic interest, together with (1) the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as the case may be, of such other Person and (2) the type and percentage of interest held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or such Company Subsidiary in such other Person.

 

Section 4.2.            Capitalization.

 

(a)            The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 200,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share (“Company Preferred Stock”). As of May 13, 2026 (the “Capitalization Date”): (i) (A)  60,087,725 shares of Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding (including 107 shares of Company Common Stock subject to Company Restricted Stock Awards), (B) 101,743,777 shares of Company Common Stock were held in the Company’s treasury, (C) Company Options covering 87,638 shares of Company Common Stock were outstanding, (D) Company RSU Awards covering 2,838,709 shares of Company Common Stock were outstanding (including 0 shares of Company Common Stock, the issuance of which has been deferred under the Company’s Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan), and (E) Company PSU Awards covering 1,445,075 shares of Company Common Stock (assuming target performance) or 2,756,261 shares of Company Common Stock (assuming maximum performance) were outstanding; (ii) 6,826,236 shares of Company Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company Equity Plans; (iii) 555,239 shares of Company Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company ESPP; and (iv) no shares of Company Preferred Stock were issued or outstanding. No shares of capital stock of the Company are held by any of the Company Subsidiaries. All the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are, and all shares of Company Common Stock reserved for issuance as described above shall be, if issued in accordance with the respective terms thereof (to the extent permitted by this Agreement), duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights.

 

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(b)           Except as set forth in Section 4.2(a) and other than the shares of Company Common Stock that have become outstanding after the Capitalization Date and prior to the date hereof that were reserved for issuance as set forth in Section 4.2(a)(ii) and issued in accordance with the terms of the Company Equity Plans and the applicable Company Equity Award, in each case as of the date hereof: (i) the Company does not have any shares of capital stock or other equity interests issued or outstanding and (ii) there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, puts, calls, exchangeable or convertible securities or other similar rights, agreements or commitments or any other Contract to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or is otherwise bound obligating the Company or any Company Subsidiary to (A) issue, transfer or sell, or make any payment with respect to, any shares of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for, or that correspond to, such shares or equity interests, (B) grant, extend or enter into any such subscription, option, warrant, put, call, exchangeable or convertible securities or other similar right, agreement or commitment, or (C) redeem or otherwise acquire any such shares of capital stock or other equity interests, except, in each case, to another Company Subsidiary. Except as set forth in Section 4.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any Company Subsidiary (1) restricting the transfer of, (2) affecting the voting rights of, (3) requiring the repurchase, redemption or disposition of, or containing any right of first refusal, right of first offer or similar right with respect to, (4) requiring the registration for sale of or (5) granting any preemptive or anti-dilutive rights with respect to, any shares of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

 

(c)            Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other similar Indebtedness, the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the Company Stockholders on any matter.

 

(d)            There are no voting trusts or other agreements, commitments or understandings to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary (or to the Company’s Knowledge, a Company Stockholder) is a party with respect to the voting of the capital stock or other equity interests of the Company. There are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, puts, calls, exchangeable or convertible securities or other similar rights, agreements or commitments or any other Contract to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or is otherwise bound obligating the Company or any Company Subsidiary to provide any amount of funds to, or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any Company Subsidiary that is not wholly owned or in any other Person.

 

(e)            Section 4.2(e) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a schedule of all outstanding Company Equity Awards as of the Capitalization Date, including for each award, as applicable, the employee identification number of the holder, type of award (including, in the case of options, whether or not an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code), the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the award, vesting terms and schedule (including time- or performance-based), per share exercise price and expiration date.

 

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Section 4.3.            Corporate Authority.

 

(a)            The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions have been duly and validly authorized by the Company Board of Directors and no other corporate proceedings (pursuant to the Company Governing Documents or otherwise) on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize the consummation of, and to consummate, the Transactions, except, with respect to the Merger, for (x) the receipt of the affirmative vote (in person or by proxy) of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of issued and outstanding Company Common Stock to approve the Merger and adopt this Agreement at the Company Stockholders’ Meeting (the “Company Stockholder Approval”) and (y) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. On or prior to the date hereof, the Company Board of Directors has unanimously (i) determined that the terms of this Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the Company Stockholders, (ii) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and the Company Stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement, (iii) approved the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the performance by the Company of its covenants and agreements contained herein and the consummation of the Merger and the other Transactions upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, and (iv) resolved to make the Company Board Recommendation. None of the foregoing actions by the Company Board of Directors have been rescinded or modified in any way (unless such rescission or modification has been effected after the date hereof in accordance with the terms of Section 6.3).

 

(b)            This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding agreement of Parent and Merger Sub, constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that (i) such enforcement may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, examinership, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws, now or hereafter in effect, relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) equitable remedies of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought (collectively, the “Enforceability Limitations”).

 

Section 4.4.            Governmental Consents; No Violation.

 

(a)            Other than in connection with or in compliance with (i) the DGCL, (ii) the filing of the Proxy Statement with the SEC and any amendments or supplements thereto, (iii) the Securities Act, (iv) the Exchange Act, (v) Section 721, (vi) the HSR Act and other requisite clearances or approvals under applicable requirements of other Antitrust Laws and FDI Laws and (vii) any applicable requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, no authorization, permit, notification to, consent or approval (each, a “Consent”) of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity is necessary or required, under applicable Law, for the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, except for such Consents or filings that, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b)            The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement do not, and, except as described in Section 4.4(a), the consummation of the Transactions and compliance with the provisions hereof will not (i) conflict with or result in any violation or breach of, or default or change of control (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, modification, cancellation, first offer, first refusal or acceleration of any obligation or to the loss of a benefit or right under any Contract binding upon the Company or any Company Subsidiary or to which any of them are a party or by or to which any of their respective properties, rights or assets are bound or subject or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties, rights or assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, other than Permitted Liens, (ii) conflict with or result in any violation of any provision of the Company Governing Documents or the organizational documents of any Company Subsidiary or (iii) conflict with or violate any Laws or Privacy Requirements applicable to the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective properties, rights or assets, other than in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), any such violation, breach, conflict, default, modification, termination, cancellation, acceleration, right, loss or Lien that has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.5.            SEC Reports and Financial Statements.

 

(a)            Since March 31, 2023, the Company has timely filed or furnished all forms, statements, documents and reports required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC (such forms, statements, documents and reports, the “Company SEC Documents”). As of their respective filing dates, the Company SEC Documents (including amendments) complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and the listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange, and none of the Company SEC Documents contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Since March 31, 2023, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received from the SEC or any other Governmental Entity any written comments or questions with respect to any of the Company SEC Documents (including the financial statements included therein) that are not resolved, or as of the date hereof has received any written notice from the SEC or other Governmental Entity that such Company SEC Documents (including the financial statements included therein) are being reviewed or investigated, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, there is not, as of the date hereof, any investigation or review being conducted by the SEC or any other Governmental Entity of any Company SEC Documents (including the financial statements included therein). No Company Subsidiary is required to file any forms, reports or other documents with the SEC.

 

(b)            The consolidated financial statements (including all related notes and schedules) of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents when filed complied in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and complied in all material respects as to form with the other published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, in each case in effect at the time of such filing and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as at the respective dates thereof, and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for the respective periods then ended (subject, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments, to any other adjustment described therein permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC and to the absence of notes) in conformity with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in all material respects applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (subject, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments, to any other adjustment described therein permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC and to the absence of notes).

 

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(c)            The Company is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Each required form, report and document containing financial statements that has been filed with or submitted to the SEC was accompanied by any certifications required to be filed or submitted by the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and, at the time of filing or submission of each such certification, such certification complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Neither the Company nor any of its executive officers has received since March 31, 2023 notice from any Governmental Entity challenging or questioning the accuracy, completeness, form or manner of filing of such certifications.

 

(d)            Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to, or has any Contract to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar Contract, including any Contract relating to any transaction or relationship between or among the Company or any Company Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or Person, on the other hand, or any off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) where the purpose of such Contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, the Company in the Company’s published financial statements or any Company SEC Documents.

 

Section 4.6.            Internal Controls and Procedures. The Company has established and maintains, and at all times since March 31, 2023 has maintained, disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, of Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act) as required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that all such material information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications required pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Since March 31, 2023, the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer have disclosed to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company Board of Directors (the material circumstances of which (if any) have been made available to Parent prior to the date hereof) (i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. Since March 31, 2023, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any material, unresolved complaint, allegation, assertion or claim regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or their respective internal accounting controls.

 

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Section 4.7.            No Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any liabilities of any nature, whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise, except (a) as and to the extent specifically disclosed, reflected or reserved against in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto) as of December 31, 2025 included in the Company SEC Documents filed or furnished prior to the date hereof, (b) for liabilities incurred or which have been discharged or paid in full, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since December 31, 2025 (including liabilities for the performance of obligations under Contracts, other than any liability for any breaches of Contracts), (c) as expressly required or expressly contemplated by this Agreement, (d) for intragroup liabilities and obligations solely between the Company and wholly owned Company Subsidiaries (including solely between wholly owned Company Subsidiaries), (e) for liabilities disclosed on Section 4.7 of the Company Disclosure Letter, and (f) for liabilities which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.8.             Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

 

(a)            From December 31, 2025 through the date hereof, there has not occurred any Effect that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)            From December 31, 2025 through the date hereof, (i) except for events giving rise to and the discussion and negotiation of this Agreement, the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries has been conducted in all material respects in the ordinary course of business and (ii) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has taken any action that, if taken after the date hereof, would constitute a breach of, or require the consent of Parent under Section 6.1(b) (other than actions described in Section 6.1(iv), Section 6.1(v) and Section 6.1(vi)).

 

Section 4.9.            Compliance with Law; Permits.

 

(a)            The Company and each Company Subsidiary are and have been since March 31, 2023 in compliance with and not in default under or in violation of any Laws (including Environmental Laws, employee benefits and labor Laws) applicable to the Company, such Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except where such non-compliance, default or violation has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)            The Company and the Company Subsidiaries are and have been since March 31, 2023 in possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations, business licenses, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals, registrations, clearances and orders of any Governmental Entity or pursuant to any applicable Law necessary for the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to own, lease and operate their properties and assets or to carry on their businesses as they are now being conducted (the “Company Permits”), except where the failure to have any of the Company Permits has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, all Company Permits are in full force and effect, no default (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) has occurred under any such Company Permit and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written notice from any Governmental Entity threatening to suspend, revoke, withdraw or modify any such Company Permit.

 

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(c)            Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, since the date that is six (6) years prior to the date hereof, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary, in connection with the business of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other third party (including the Company’s or the Company Subsidiaries’ respective Representatives) acting on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, has (i) taken any action in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Law, (ii) offered, authorized, provided or given any payment or thing of value to any Person for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of such Person to unlawfully obtain or retain business or other advantage or (iii) taken any other action that would constitute an offer to pay, a promise to pay or a payment of money or anything else of value, or an authorization of such offer, promise or payment, directly or indirectly, to any Representative of another company or entity in the course of their business dealings with the Company or any Company Subsidiary, in order to unlawfully induce such Person to act against the interest of his or her employer or principal.

 

(d)            Since the date that is six (6) years prior to the date hereof, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has been subject to any actual, pending, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened civil, criminal, or administrative actions, suits, demands, claims, hearings, notices of violation, investigations, proceedings, demand letters, settlements, or enforcement actions, or made any voluntary or mandatory disclosures to any Governmental Entity involving the Company or any Company Subsidiary in any way relating to applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, except, with respect to any such actions, suits, demands, claims, hearings, notices of violation, investigations, proceedings, demand letters, settlements, enforcement actions or voluntary disclosures arising after the date hereof, as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company has established and maintains a compliance program and reasonable internal controls and procedures intended to comply with the requirements of applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(e)            Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, since March 31, 2023, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have at all times conducted their businesses in all respects in accordance with applicable Sanctions and all applicable Import Restrictions and Export Controls in any countries in which any of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries conduct business. Since March 31, 2023, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have maintained in all material respects all records required to be maintained in the Company’s and the Company Subsidiaries’ possession as required under the Import Restrictions and Export Controls and to comply with applicable Sanctions.

 

(f)            Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, since March 31, 2023, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has sold, exported, reexported, transferred, diverted, or otherwise disposed of any products, Software, or technology (including products derived from or based on such technology) to any destination, entity, or Person prohibited by the Laws of the United States or any other country, without obtaining prior authorization from the competent Governmental Entities as required by those Laws.

 

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(g)            Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Company Subsidiary: (x) is a Person that is (i) listed on any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, (ii) located, organized, or resident in a country or territory that is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (including, at the time of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, and so-called Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine) (each, a “Sanctioned Country”), (iii) designated on the Consolidated List of Persons, Groups and Entities Subject to EU Financial Sanctions maintained by the European Commission or the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets maintained by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation within the UK’s HM Treasury, or any other equivalent lists maintained by the competent sanctions authority of any state, or (iv) owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) (each, a “Sanctioned Person”) or (y) has, since March 31, 2023, conducted any business with or engaged in any transaction or arrangement with or involving, directly or indirectly, any Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Country in violation of applicable Sanctions, or has otherwise been in violation of any such Sanctions, except, in the case of clause (x) or (y), as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject to any pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened action by any Governmental Entity that would restrict its ability to engage in export transactions, bar it from exporting or otherwise limit in any material respect its exporting activities or sales to any Governmental Entity, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has, since March 31, 2023, received any written notice of material deficiencies in connection with any Export Controls or Sanctions matter from OFAC or any other Governmental Entity in its compliance efforts nor, since the date that is six (6) years prior to the date hereof, made any voluntary disclosures to OFAC or any other Governmental Entity of facts that would be reasonably likely to result in any material action being taken or any material penalty being imposed by a Governmental Entity against the Company or any Company Subsidiary, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(h)            The Company is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable listing and other rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Section 4.10.          No Critical Technologies. The Company has conducted an assessment and determined that none of the Company, any Company Subsidiary, or any of its affiliates produce, design, test, manufacture, fabricate, or develop “critical technologies” as that term is defined in 31 C.F.R. § 800.215.

 

Section 4.11.          Employee Benefit Plans.

 

(a)            Section 4.11(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and accurate list of each material Company Benefit Plan. With respect to each material Company Benefit Plan, the Company has made available to Parent prior to the date hereof correct and complete copies of, in each case, to the extent applicable, (i) all plan documents, summary plan descriptions, summaries of material modifications, and amendments related to such plans (or, in the case of unwritten material Company Benefit Plans, written descriptions thereof) and any related trust agreement or other funding document, (ii) the most recent Form 5500 Annual Report, (iii) the most recent audited financial statement and actuarial valuation, (iv) all material filings and correspondence with any Governmental Entity within the past three (3) years and (v) the most recent determination letter or opinion letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

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(b)            Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) each of the Company Benefit Plans has been operated and administered in accordance with its terms and in compliance with applicable Law, including ERISA, the Code and, in each case, the regulations thereunder; (ii) all contributions, premiums or other amounts due or payable with respect to each Company Benefit Plan (or insurance policies related thereto) have been timely paid in full or accrued in accordance with GAAP or applicable international accounting standards; and (iii) there are no pending, or to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened or anticipated claims, actions, investigations or audits (other than routine claims for benefits) by, on behalf of, against or involving any of the Company Benefit Plans or any trusts related thereto.

 

(c)            Within the last six (6) years, no Company Benefit Plan has been an employee benefit plan subject to Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412, 430 or 4971 of the Code. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any Controlled Group Liability that has not been satisfied in full.

 

(d)            Neither the Company, its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has, at any time during the preceding six (6) years, contributed to, been obligated to contribute to or had any liability (including any contingent liability) with respect to any (i) “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA, (ii) plan that has two (2) or more contributing sponsors, at least two (2) of whom are not under “common control” (within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA), or (iii) “multiple employer welfare arrangement” within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA.

 

(e)            No Company Benefit Plan provides post-termination or retiree health or life insurance benefits (whether or not insured), with respect to current or former employees, directors or other individual service providers of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries beyond their retirement or other termination of service, other than coverage mandated by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, or comparable U.S. state Law.

 

(f)             Each Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be “qualified” within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter or opinion letter as to its qualification, and there are no existing circumstances or any events that have occurred that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any such plan. Each Company Benefit Plan that is in any part a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” subject to Section 409A of the Code complies and has complied, both in form and operation, in all material respects, with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the final regulations and other applicable guidance thereunder.

 

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(g)            Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Transactions (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) will (i) result in any payment or benefit (including severance and unemployment compensation, forgiveness of indebtedness or otherwise) becoming due to any current or former director, employee or other individual service provider of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, (ii) increase the amount or value of any compensation or benefits otherwise payable to any current or former director, employee or other individual service provider of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, (iii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment, delivery, funding, vesting or exercisability of any such compensation or benefits, (iv) limit the Company’s right to amend, modify, terminate or transfer the assets of, any Company Benefit Plan, (v) cause the Company or any Company Subsidiary to transfer or set aside any assets to fund any compensation or benefits under any Company Benefit Plan, or (vi) result in any payment (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) to any “disqualified individual” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.280G-1) that would, individually or in combination with any other such payment, constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).

 

(h)            No Company Benefit Plan that is maintained primarily for the benefit of employees or other individual service providers of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries located outside the United States (a “Non-U.S. Plan”) is a defined benefit pension plan. Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, each Non-U.S. Plan (i) has been maintained and operated in accordance with all applicable Laws and requirements, (ii) that is intended to qualify for special tax treatment meets all requirements for such treatment, and (iii) that is intended to be funded and/or book-reserved is fully funded and/or book-reserved, as appropriate, based upon reasonable actuarial assumptions.

 

(i)             Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to or has any obligation to compensate or reimburse any Person for excise Taxes payable pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code or for additional Taxes or penalties payable pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

 

Section 4.12.          Labor Matters.

 

(a)            Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a labor union, works council, labor organization, collective bargaining unit, employee committee or other authorized employee representative body. Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is (or has during the past two (2) years been) subject to a labor dispute, strike, grievance, lockout or work stoppage, in each case whether pending or threatened and (ii) there are no organizational efforts with respect to the formation of a labor union, works council, labor organization, collective bargaining unit, employee committee or other authorized employee representative body presently being made or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened involving employees or other individual service providers of the Company or any Company Subsidiary. The Company and the Company Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with respect to any obligations to notify, inform, consult with, or seek the consent of, any works council or other authorized employee representative body in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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(b)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each Company Subsidiary are and have been since March 31, 2023 in compliance with all applicable Laws respecting labor, employment and employment practices, including immigration, fair employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health requirements, family and medical leave, plant closings, mass layoffs, worker classification (including as employees and independent contractors), exempt and non-exempt status, compensation and benefits, wages and hours and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended (the “WARN Act”), or any similar state, local or foreign Law.

 

(c)           To the Knowledge of the Company, during the past five (5) years, no material allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct have been made against any employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiary with annual base compensation of $300,000 or more. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has entered into any settlement agreement related to allegations of the foregoing conduct by individuals described in the immediately preceding sentence.

 

Section 4.13.        Tax Matters.

 

(a)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have timely filed (taking into account any valid extension of time within which to file) all Tax Returns that are required to be filed by or with respect to them, and all such Tax Returns have been prepared in accordance with all applicable Laws and are true, correct and complete.

 

(b)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have timely paid in full to the appropriate Governmental Entity all Taxes required to be paid by them (whether or not shown as due on any Tax Return), and the financial statements of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries reflect adequate reserves established in accordance with GAAP for Taxes of the Company or any Company Subsidiary as of the date thereof.

 

(c)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (i) have duly and timely paid, deducted, withheld and collected all amounts required to be paid, deducted, withheld or collected by any of them with respect to any payment owing to, or received from, their employees, creditors, independent contractors, customers and other third parties (and have timely paid over any amounts so withheld, deducted or collected to the appropriate Governmental Entity), and (ii) have otherwise complied with all applicable Laws relating to the payment, withholding, collection and remittance of Taxes (including information reporting requirements).

 

(d)           There is no (i) claim, litigation, audit, examination, investigation or other proceeding pending or threatened in writing with respect to any Taxes or Tax matters (including Tax Returns) of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or (ii) deficiency for Taxes that has been assessed by any Governmental Entity against the Company or any Company Subsidiary (and that has not been fully satisfied by payment), except, in each case, solely with respect to any such claim, litigation, audit, examination, investigation, other proceeding or deficiency arising after the date hereof, as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(e)           Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is the beneficiary of any material Tax exemption, Tax holiday or other Tax reduction contract or order.

 

(f)            Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary (i) has waived or extended any statute of limitations with respect to the collection or assessment of material Taxes, which waiver or extension has not since expired or (ii) has requested a waiver or extension of any statute of limitations with respect to the collection or assessment of material Taxes, in each case, which waiver or extension has continuing effect after the Closing Date, other than as a result of any automatic or automatically granted extensions or waivers of the statute of limitations in respect of filing Tax Returns.

 

(g)           Within the last two (2) years, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has distributed stock of another Person, or has had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355(a) of the Code.

 

(h)           Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary (i) is or was a member of any affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary, group relief or similar group for purposes of filing Tax Returns or paying Taxes (other than a group the common parent of which is or was the Company or any Company Subsidiary), (ii) is a party to or bound by, or has any obligation under, any material Tax allocation, sharing, indemnity, or reimbursement agreement or arrangement (other than any customary Tax indemnification provisions in commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business not primarily related to Taxes, and other than any agreement or arrangement solely among the Company and the Company Subsidiaries), or (iii) has any material liability for Taxes of any Person (other than the Company or any Company Subsidiary) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar or analogous provision of state, local, or non-U.S. Law) or as transferee or successor or otherwise by operation of Law.

 

(i)            There are no Liens in respect of or on account of material Taxes upon any property or assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, other than Permitted Liens.

 

(j)            No material claim in respect of Taxes has been made in writing by any Tax authority in a jurisdiction where the Company or any Company Subsidiary has not filed Tax Returns that the Company or any Company Subsidiary is or may be subject to Tax by, or required to file Tax Returns with respect to Taxes in, such jurisdiction. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is or has been subject to Tax in any country other than the country of its incorporation by virtue of having a permanent establishment or other place of business or taxable presence in that country.

 

(k)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have at all times complied in all respects with all applicable Laws regarding the preparation and maintenance of all documentation required to substantiate their transfer pricing practices and methodologies.

 

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(l)            Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have at all times complied in all respects with all applicable Laws regarding the registration for, and collection and remittance of, sales, goods and services, value-added, and similar Taxes.

 

(m)          Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is or will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Code (or any similar or analogous provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) with respect to a change in accounting method that occurred at or prior to the Closing, (ii) installment sale or open transaction made or entered into at or prior to the Closing, (iii) deferred revenue or prepaid amount received or accrued at or prior to the Closing, or (iv) closing agreement (within the meaning of Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar or analogous provision of state, local, or non-U.S. Law)) entered into at or prior to the Closing. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has made an election pursuant to Section 965(h) of the Code.

 

(n)            Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to, or in receipt of, any “closing agreement” (within the meaning of Section 7121(a) of the Code (or any similar or analogous provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law)) or other ruling or written agreement with a Tax authority, in each case, with respect to material Taxes.

 

(o)           Other than any ownership change resulting from the Transactions, to the Knowledge of the Company as of the date of this Agreement, no “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code has occurred with respect to the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

 

(p)           Section 4.13(p) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists each Company Subsidiary that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code and, for each such Company Subsidiary, the U.S. federal income Tax classification thereof. All applicable U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Forms 5471 and all other applicable material U.S. federal income Tax Returns in respect of each such Company Subsidiary have been duly and properly filed with the IRS.

 

(q)           Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has participated in any “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) (or any similar or analogous provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law).

 

(r)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.11 to the extent they relate to Taxes, the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 4.13 constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties relating to Taxes, Tax Returns and any other matters relating or attributable to Taxes.

 

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Section 4.14.         Litigation; Orders.

 

(a)           There are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective properties, rights or assets by or before any Governmental Entity that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. There are no orders, judgments or decrees of or settlement agreements with any Governmental Entity that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)           There are no pending Proceedings initiated or asserted by the Company or any Company Subsidiary that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.15.         Intellectual Property.

 

(a)           Section 4.15(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists for each item of Company Registered IP: (i) the application or registration number, title, owner(s), and the jurisdiction of filing, registration or issuance; and (ii) the status (i.e., whether registered or applied-for) of such item. Each material item of Company Registered IP is subsisting, enforceable, and to the Knowledge of the Company, valid, and is not subject to any order, writ, injunction, award, judgment, ruling, stipulation or decree of any Governmental Entity that impairs or limits, in any material respect, the validity, scope or enforceability of, or the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s ownership or right to use or exploit, any such Company Registered IP as used in the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as presently conducted.

 

(b)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) exclusively own and possess all right, title, and interest in and to all Company IP, in each case, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens, and (ii) have the sufficient right to use or practice, as applicable, pursuant to valid and enforceable licenses, all other Intellectual Property used in connection with or necessary for the operation of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

 

(c)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i) no third party is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any Company IP and, since March 31, 2023, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has made any written claims alleging any such infringement, misappropriation or violation; and (ii) the conduct of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries is not infringing, misappropriating or violating, or has infringed, misappropriated, or violated, any Intellectual Property of any third party. Since March 31, 2023, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written notice, and there is no claim or Proceeding pending against, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against, any of them, alleging that the conduct of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries infringes, misappropriates, or violates the Intellectual Property of any third party or challenging the validity, enforceability, scope, or ownership of any Company IP, in each case, in a manner that is or could reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

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(d)           Except as would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the effect of the transactions contemplated herein will not (i) terminate, grant, exercise, or alter (or give rise to any right to terminate, grant, exercise, or alter) any ownership rights in any Company IP, or other rights in any Intellectual Property granted to the Company that is material to the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, or (ii) give rise to or allow any Person to exercise any additional right or impose any additional restriction on the business under any agreement granting rights to any Company IP.

 

(e)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, all Persons (including current and former employees, consultants, and independent contractors) who have developed any Intellectual Property for or on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary that is material to the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (i) have assigned to the Company or a Company Subsidiary, as applicable, all of their right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property, or else ownership of such Intellectual Property has otherwise vested in one or more of the Company or the Subsidiaries as a matter of Law, and (ii) has executed a written Contract with the Company or a Company Subsidiary obligating such Person to maintain the confidentiality of (and not disclose) any Trade Secret included within Company IP, and to the Knowledge of the Company, no such Person is in violation of any such Contract in a manner material to the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries. The Company and the Company Subsidiaries use and have used commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of all Trade Secrets included within Company IP (and other confidential information, including customer data, Processed in connection with the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries) and, except as would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, there have not been any unauthorized uses or disclosures of any such Trade Secrets that are or would reasonably be expected to be material to the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

 

(f)            Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) none of the Software developed by or for the Company or a Company Subsidiary and used in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (collectively, “Company Business Software”) has been distributed in a manner requiring, as a condition of any Open Source License, that any portion of such Company Business Software be licensed, distributed or otherwise made available to third parties (A) in source code format, (B) under terms that permit redistribution, reverse engineering, modification or the creation of derivative works of such Company Business Software, or (C) on a royalty-free or no-fee basis; and (ii) no source code with respect to any Company Business Software has been provided or made available to any Person, except for Persons who are subject to reasonable written confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements restricting such Persons’ rights to disclose and use such Company Business Software and otherwise protecting the Company’s and the Company Subsidiaries’ rights therein.

 

(g)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and each Company Subsidiary complies with all applicable Laws governing the development, training, fine-tuning, validation, testing, improvement, use and deployment of AI Systems by or on behalf of the Company and each Company Subsidiary and there has been no material non-compliance with any such Laws, (ii) for each AI System trained, fine-tuned or otherwise created, developed or improved by or on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, the Company or the applicable Company Subsidiary had sufficient rights to collect, use and process all data in the manner collected or Processed for such training, fine-tuning, creation, development or improvement by or on behalf of the Company or the applicable Company Subsidiary, as applicable, (iii) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is or has been the subject of any Proceeding (or a request for information or testimony from any Governmental Entity) alleging that the Company or any Company Subsidiary violated any applicable Law or other binding contractual obligation regarding any AI System, and (iv) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary develops, uses, deploys or makes available any AI Systems categorized as “prohibited” or “unlawful” or that are similarly categorized under applicable Law.

 

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Section 4.16.         Company IT; Privacy and Data Protection.

 

(a)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries use commercially reasonable efforts to protect the Company IT from any unauthorized use, access, interruption, or modification, (ii) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have valid and sufficient rights to use the Company IT as currently used in their business, (iii) the Company IT (A) is sufficient for the current needs of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, and (B) is in sufficiently good working condition to effectively perform all information technology operations necessary for the operation of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as currently conducted, and (iv) there have been no unauthorized intrusions, failures, breakdowns, continued substandard performance, or other adverse events affecting any such Company IT that have caused any material disruption of or material interruption in or to the operation of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

 

(b)           Except as would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the Company’s and each Company Subsidiary’s Processing of Protected Information and any such Processing by authorized third parties on the Company’s or a Company Subsidiary’s behalf, have complied with all applicable Privacy Requirements. Except as would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the Company and each Company Subsidiary have all rights, authority, consents and authorizations necessary to receive, access, use and disclose the Protected Information in their possession or under their control, or that they otherwise Process or have Processed on their behalf, in connection with the operation of their businesses as presently conducted.

 

(c)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i)  there has been no (A) data security breach, unauthorized access to, or malicious disruption of any Company IT, or (B) other incidents involving the unauthorized access, acquisition, use or disclosure of any Protected Information of, or Processed or controlled by or on behalf of, the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, including any such unauthorized access, acquisition, use or disclosure of Protected Information that would constitute a breach for which notification by the Company or any Company Subsidiary to individuals or Governmental Entities is required under any applicable Privacy Requirements, and (ii) no Company IT contains or makes available any disabling codes or instructions, “time bombs,” “Trojan horses,” “back doors,” “trap doors,” “worms,” viruses, bugs, faults, security vulnerabilities or other similar Software routines.

 

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(d)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, no third party who Processes Protected Information on behalf of, or shared Protected Information with, the Company or the Company Subsidiaries (including customers, vendors, suppliers or subcontractors) has (i) suffered any security breach that resulted in any unauthorized access to or use of any Protected Information, (ii) breached any obligations relating to Protected Information in Contracts with the Company or any Company Subsidiary or (iii) violated any Laws applicable to their Processing of Protected Information.

 

(e)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each third-party service provider that Processes Protected Information for or on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, have implemented and maintain a commercially reasonably written information security program and reasonable and appropriate organizational, physical, administrative and technical safeguards designed in all material respects to (i) comply with applicable Privacy Requirements, (ii) protect the Company IT, together with any Protected Information held or Processed by the Company or a Company Subsidiary, and (iii) maintain notification procedures in compliance in all material respects with applicable Privacy Requirements. The Company and the Company Subsidiaries regularly test their written information security program by conducting security audits, penetration tests, and/or vulnerability scans, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no entity has identified any high or critical vulnerability that has not been fully remediated.

 

(f)            Since March 31, 2023, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, no Person has (i) made or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened any written claim against the Company or a Company Subsidiary or (ii) commenced any Proceeding against the Company or a Company Subsidiary, in each case, with respect to (A) any alleged violation of any Privacy Requirement or (B) any of the Company’s or a Company Subsidiary’s privacy or data security practices with respect to Protected Information, including, in each case, any loss, damage or unauthorized access, acquisition, use, disclosure, modification or other misuse of any Protected Information maintained by or on behalf of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries.

 

(g)           Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have in place commercially reasonable disaster recovery plans and procedures for their material businesses.

 

Section 4.17.         Real Property.

 

(a)           Except as set forth on Section 4.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries do not own any real property.

 

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(b)           Section 4.17(b)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and correct list, as of the date hereof, of each real property that the Company or any Company Subsidiary leases, subleases or occupies (“Leased Real Property”) and the street address of each such Leased Real Property. Section 4.17(b)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and correct list, as of the date hereof, of each Contract (each, a “Company Lease”) pursuant to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary leases, subleases or occupies any Leased Real Property. True and complete copies of each Company Lease in effect as of the date hereof have been made available to Parent prior to the date hereof. Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Company Lease is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company or the Company Subsidiary which is party thereto and, to the Knowledge of the Company, the other party or parties thereto, in accordance with its terms and in full force and effect, subject to the Enforceability Limitations, and no uncured default or event of default (or any event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) on the part of the Company or, if applicable, any Company Subsidiary or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other party thereunder exists with respect to any Company Lease, (ii) the Company or its applicable Subsidiary has not (A) subleased, licensed, or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy any Leased Real Property or (B) collaterally assigned or granted any other security interests in any Company Lease or any interest therein, (iii) there are no Liens on the estate or interests created by any such Company Lease, except Permitted Liens, and (iv) the Company or a Company Subsidiary has a good and valid leasehold interest in the Leased Real Property, free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

 

Section 4.18.         Material Contracts.

 

(a)           Except for this Agreement, Section 4.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a complete and correct list, as of the date hereof, of each Contract described in this Section 4.18(a) under which the Company or any Company Subsidiary has any current or future rights, responsibilities, obligations or liabilities (in each case, whether contingent or otherwise) or to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or to which any of their respective properties or assets is subject, other than any Company Benefit Plans (all Contracts of the type described in this Section 4.18(a), whether or not set forth on Section 4.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, being referred to herein as “Material Contracts”):

 

(i)            each Contract that limits in any material respect the freedom of the Company, any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective affiliates (including Parent and its affiliates after the Effective Time) to compete or engage in any line of business or geographic region or with any Person or sell, supply or distribute any product or service or that otherwise has the effect of restricting in any material respect the Company, the Company Subsidiaries or their respective affiliates (including Parent and its affiliates after the Effective Time) from the development, marketing or distribution of products and services, in each case, in any geographic area;

 

(ii)           any material partnership, strategic alliance, joint venture, collaboration or limited liability company agreement (other than any such agreement solely between or among the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) or similar Contract;

 

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(iii)          each Contract in respect of a business or entity acquisition or divestiture (whether by merger, consolidation, or transfer of equity or assets of such business or entity) that contains any material continuing or unsatisfied covenants, indemnities or other obligations to be performed by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (including “earnout” or other contingent payment obligations);

 

(iv)          each Contract (other than a Contract with any Data Supplier) that provides for the Company or any Company Subsidiary to obtain a service, license, product, product line, operations or line of business from any Person (including any of the Material Suppliers) that involves annual payments or consideration in excess of $3,000,000, or that contains any minimum purchase commitments in excess of $3,000,000 annually;

 

(v)           each Contract that gives any Person the right to acquire any assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary (excluding ordinary course commitments to purchase products or services) after the date hereof with consideration of more than $3,000,000;

 

(vi)          each Company Lease;

 

(vii)         any Contract with a Governmental Entity;

 

(viii)        any settlement or similar Contract restricting in any material respect the operations or conduct of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective affiliates (including Parent and its affiliates after the Effective Time);

 

(ix)           each Contract (other than a Contract with any Data Supplier) not otherwise described in any other subsection of this Section 4.18(a) pursuant to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary has paid or received payments in excess of $5,000,000 in the twelve (12) month period ended March 31, 2026, or is obligated to pay or entitled to receive payments in excess of $5,000,000 in the twelve (12) month period following the date hereof, other than Contracts solely between the Company and a wholly owned Company Subsidiary or solely between wholly owned Company Subsidiaries;

 

(x)            any Contract that obligates the Company or any Company Subsidiary to make any capital investment or capital expenditure outside the ordinary course of business and in excess of $1,000,000 per annum;

 

(xi)           except where the exercise of any such right or imposition of such limitation has not been, and would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, each Contract that grants any right of first refusal, right of first offer or similar right or that limits the ability of the Company, any Company Subsidiary or any of its affiliates (including Parent or any of its affiliates after the Effective Time) to own, operate, sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any businesses or assets;

 

(xii)          each Contract that contains any exclusivity rights or “most favored nations” provisions, in each case, that are material in any respect to the Company or its affiliates (including Parent or its affiliates after the Effective Time);

 

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(xiii)         each Contract governing any collaboration, co-promotion, strategic alliance or design project which, in each case, is material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(xiv)         each Contract evidencing or relating to outstanding Indebtedness (or commitments in respect thereof) of the Company or any Company Subsidiary (whether incurred, assumed, guaranteed or secured by any asset) in an amount in excess of $1,000,000 other than Contracts solely between the Company and a wholly owned Company Subsidiary or between wholly owned Company Subsidiaries;

 

(xv)          each Contract (A) pursuant to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary grants or receives any license, option, waiver, covenant not to assert or similar right with respect to Intellectual Property that is material to the businesses of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, or agrees to limit its use or exploitation of any material Company IP in any material respect, including pursuant to any settlement agreement, coexistence agreement or similar arrangement, (B) governing the development or ownership of any material Company IP, or (C) that otherwise materially restricts the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s (or will, following the Closing, materially restrict Parent’s) use or exploitation of any Company IP (including consent-to-use, coexistence, and concurrent use agreements), in each case, other than any (x) non-exclusive licenses granted with respect to commercially available third party Software pursuant to off-the-shelf terms, (y) employee and third-party developer invention assignment agreements granted on the Company and its Subsidiaries’ standard terms, and (z) non-exclusive licenses granted to customers, in each case, that are entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(xvi)         each Contract between the Company or any Company Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any officer, director or affiliate (other than a wholly owned Company Subsidiary) of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, any beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than five percent (5%) of the shares of Company Common Stock or any of their respective “associates” or “immediate family” members (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 and Rule 16a-1 of the Exchange Act), on the other hand, including any Contract pursuant to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary has an obligation to indemnify such officer, director, affiliate, beneficial owner or family member;

 

(xvii)        each Contract with a Material Customer;

 

(xviii)       each Contract with a Material Supplier; and

 

(xix)         each Contract with a Material Data Supplier.

 

(xx)          any Contract not otherwise described in any other subsection of this Section 4.18(a) that would constitute a “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) with respect to the Company (other than those agreements and arrangements described in Item 601(b)(10)(iii) of Regulation S-K of the SEC).

 

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(b)           True and complete copies of each Material Contract in effect as of the date hereof have been made available to Parent or publicly filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in breach of or default under the terms of any Material Contract, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the Company’s Knowledge, as of the date hereof, no other party to any Material Contract is in breach of or default under the terms of any Material Contract where such breach or default has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, each Material Contract is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company or the Company Subsidiary which is party thereto and, to the Company’s Knowledge, of each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, subject to the Enforceability Limitations and any expiration thereof in accordance with its terms existing as of the date hereof.

 

Section 4.19.         Environmental Matters. Since the date that is three (3) years prior to the date hereof, except for matters that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in violation of any Environmental Law, (b)  none of the properties currently or to the Knowledge of the Company, formerly owned or occupied by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (or which the Company or any Company Subsidiary has a right to occupy) is contaminated with any Hazardous Substance under circumstances that would reasonably be expected to require remediation or other action pursuant to any Environmental Law, (c) except for matters which have been fully resolved with no outstanding potential liability for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any request for information, notice of liability or potential liability or claim or, to the Knowledge of the Company, is otherwise subject to liability relating to any off-site disposal or contamination involving Hazardous Substances affecting any non-owned properties or natural resources and (d)  neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject to any order, decree, injunction or other binding agreement with any Governmental Entity or any indemnity or other contractual agreement with any third party providing for or requiring it to assume or incur any liability or obligations under any Environmental Law.

 

Section 4.20.         Customers and Suppliers.

 

(a)           Section 4.20(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth the twenty (20) largest customers of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (based on payments received) for the twelve (12) month period ended March 31, 2026 (each, a “Material Customer”). Since March 31, 2025, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written (or to the Knowledge of the Company, oral) notice from any Material Customer that such Material Customer shall not continue as a customer to the Company or that such Material Customer intends to terminate or materially adversely modify existing Contracts with the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b)            Section 4.20(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth the fifteen (15) largest suppliers and vendors of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (based on payments made) for the twelve (12) month period ended March 31, 2026 (each, a “Material Supplier”). Since March 31, 2025, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any written (or to the Knowledge of the Company, oral) notice from any Material Supplier that such Material Supplier shall not continue as a supplier to the Company or that such Material Supplier intends to terminate or materially adversely modify existing Contracts with the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.21.         Insurance. Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) all current insurance policies and insurance Contracts of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are in full force and effect and are valid and enforceable and cover against the risks as are customary for companies of similar size in the same or similar lines of business and (b) all premiums due thereunder have been paid. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received notice of cancellation or termination with respect to any current third-party insurance policies or insurance Contracts (other than in connection with normal renewals of any such insurance policies or Contracts) where such cancellation or termination has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.22.         Information Supplied. The information relating to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to be contained in, or incorporated by reference in, the proxy statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with seeking Company Stockholder Approval (including the letter to stockholders, notice of meeting and form of proxy, the “Proxy Statement”) (or any amendment or supplement thereto) will not, on the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company Stockholders or at the time the Proxy Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) is filed with the SEC or on the date of the Company Stockholders’ Meeting, contain any untrue statement of any material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, at the time and in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not false or misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply in all material respects as to form with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.22, no representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to information or statements made or incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement based upon information supplied by or on behalf of Parent or Merger Sub.

 

Section 4.23.         Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company Board of Directors has received the opinion of Evercore Group L.L.C. (“Evercore”) to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications, and conditions described therein, the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Company Common Stock (other than any Dissenting Shares, Cancelled Shares or any Converted Shares or any other shares of Company Common Stock held by the Company, Parent or any of their respective affiliates) in the Merger pursuant to this Agreement, is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.  The Company shall, following execution of this Agreement by all the Parties, furnish a written copy of such written opinion to Parent for informational purposes only.

 

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Section 4.24.         State Takeover Statutes; Anti-Takeover Laws. Assuming the accuracy of Parent’s representations and warranties in Section 5.9, neither Section 203 of the DGCL, nor any similar provisions in the Company Governing Documents, nor any other Takeover Statute would restrict, prohibit or otherwise be applicable with respect to this Agreement and the Transactions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Merger). The Company has no rights plan, “poison-pill” or other comparable agreement designed to have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging any Person from acquiring control of the Company.

 

Section 4.25.         Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth in the Company SEC Documents filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof, or any compensation or other employment arrangements entered into between the Company or any Company Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any director or officer thereof, on the other hand, in the ordinary course of business, there are no transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings between the Company or any Company Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any affiliate (including any officer or director) thereof (but not including any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company) or any beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of five percent (5%) or more of the shares of Company Common Stock, on the other hand.

 

Section 4.26.         Finders and Brokers. Other than Evercore, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has employed or engaged any investment banker, broker or finder in connection with the Transactions who is entitled to any fee or any commission in connection with this Agreement or upon or as a result of the consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transactions. A true and complete copy of the engagement letter with Evercore has been made available to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.27.         No Other Representations. Except for the representations and warranties contained in Article V, the Company acknowledges that none of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives makes, and the Company acknowledges that it has not relied upon or otherwise been induced by, any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Parent or Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries or with respect to any other information provided or made available to the Company in connection with the Transactions, including any information, documents, projections, forecasts or other material made available to the Company or to the Company’s Representatives in expectation of the Transactions or the accuracy or completeness of any of the foregoing, except, in each case for the representations and warranties contained in Article V.

 

ARTICLE V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

 

Except as disclosed in the applicable section or subsection of the disclosure letter delivered by Parent to the Company immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “Parent Disclosure Letter”) (it being understood that any information set forth in one section or subsection of the Parent Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to apply to and qualify the representation and warranty set forth in this Agreement to which it corresponds in number and, whether or not an explicit reference or cross-reference is made, each other representation and warranty set forth in this Article V for which it is reasonably apparent on its face that such information is relevant to such other section), Parent and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company as set forth below.

 

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Section 5.1.           Qualification, Organization, etc. Parent is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted. Merger Sub is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted. Each of Parent and Merger Sub is qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets or properties or conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or, where relevant, in good standing has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger. Parent’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws as amended to the date hereof (the “Parent Governing Documents”) are in full force and effect, and Parent is not in violation of the Parent Governing Documents in any material respect.

 

Section 5.2.           Capitalization of Merger Sub. The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists solely of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, all of which are validly issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Merger Sub is, and as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be, owned by Parent.

 

Section 5.3.           Corporate Authority.

 

(a)           Parent and Merger Sub have all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action of Parent and Merger Sub and no other corporate proceedings (pursuant to the Parent Governing Documents or otherwise) on the part of Parent or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize the consummation of, and to consummate, the Transactions, except, with respect to the Merger, for the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

(b)           This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Company, constitutes the valid and binding agreement of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against Parent and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.

 

Section 5.4.           Governmental Consents; No Violation.

 

(a)           Other than in connection with or in compliance with (i) the DGCL, (ii) the filing of the Proxy Statement with the SEC and any amendments or supplements thereto, (iii) the Securities Act, (iv) the Exchange Act, (v) Section 721, and (vi) the HSR Act and any other requisite clearances or approvals under any applicable requirements of other Antitrust Laws and FDI Laws, no Consent of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity is necessary or required, under applicable Law, for the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the Transactions, except for such Consents or filings that, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger.

 

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(b)           The execution and delivery by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement do not, and, except as described in Section 5.4(a), the consummation of the Transactions and compliance with the provisions hereof will not, (i) conflict with or result in any violation or breach of, or default or change of control (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, modification, cancellation, first offer, first refusal or acceleration of any obligation or to the loss of a benefit under any Contract binding upon Parent or any Parent Subsidiary or to which any of them is a party or by which or to which any of their respective properties, rights or assets are bound or subject, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties, rights or assets of Parent or any Parent Subsidiary, other than Permitted Liens, (ii) conflict with or result in any violation of any provision of the Parent Governing Documents or the organizational documents of any Parent Subsidiary or (iii) conflict with or violate any Laws applicable to Parent or any Parent Subsidiary or any of their respective properties, rights or assets, other than in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), any such violation, breach, conflict, default, modification, termination, cancellation, acceleration, right, loss or Lien that has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger.

 

Section 5.5.           Litigation; Orders. As of the date hereof, there are no Proceedings pending or, to Parent’s Knowledge, threatened against Parent or any Parent Subsidiary or any of their respective properties, rights or assets by or before any Governmental Entity that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger. There are no orders, judgments or decrees of or settlement agreements with any Governmental Entity that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger.

 

Section 5.6.           Information Supplied. The information relating to Parent and Merger Sub to be contained in, or incorporated by reference in, the Proxy Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) will not, on the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company Stockholders or at the time the Proxy Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) is filed with the SEC or on the date of the Company Stockholders’ Meeting, contain any untrue statement of any material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, at the time and in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not false or misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.6, no representation or warranty is made by Parent or Merger Sub with respect to information or statements made or incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement based upon information supplied by or on behalf of the Company.

 

Section 5.7.           Sufficient Funds. Parent’s and Merger Sub’s obligations hereunder are not subject to any condition regarding Parent’s or Merger Sub’s obtaining of any funds (whether debt or equity capital) to consummate the Merger and the other Transactions. Parent has, and will have at the Closing, access to cash sufficient to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration and consummate the Transactions, and to perform all of its other obligations under this Agreement (including in respect of any fees, expenses or Taxes in connection therewith).

 

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Section 5.8.           Finders and Brokers. Neither Parent nor any Parent Subsidiary has employed or engaged any investment banker, broker or finder in connection with the Transactions who is entitled to any fee or any commission from the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement or upon consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transactions based on arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or a Parent Subsidiary, in each case, that would be payable by the Company or a Company Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.9.           Interested Stockholder. Assuming the accuracy of the Company’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.24, Parent is not, nor at any time for the past three (3) years has it been, an “interested stockholder” of the Company as defined in Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

Section 5.10.         No Merger Sub Activity. Since its date of formation, Merger Sub has not engaged in any activities other than in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions and, immediately prior to the Effective Time, it will have no assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than those incident to its formation and pursuant to this Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions.

 

Section 5.11.         National Security Matters. Since the date that is ten years prior to the date hereof, Parent and Merger Sub (a) have never been party to a CFIUS Notice notifying a transaction to CFIUS that was blocked or otherwise barred from proceeding and (b) have never been party to a CFIUS Notice that was withdrawn and the notified transaction abandoned prior to CFIUS completing its review or investigation.

 

Section 5.12.         No Other Representations. Except for the representations and warranties contained in Article IV, Parent acknowledges that it has conducted and relied on its own independent review and analysis of the businesses, assets, condition, operations and prospects of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in entering into this Agreement. In connection with the due diligence investigation of the Company by Parent and Merger Sub, Parent and Merger Sub have received and may continue to receive from the Company certain estimates, projections, forecasts and other forward-looking information, as well as certain business plan and cost-related plan information, regarding the Company, the Company Subsidiaries and their respective business and operations. Accordingly, except for the representations and warranties contained in Article IV, each of Parent and Merger Sub acknowledges that neither the Company nor any Representative of the Company makes or has made, and each of Parent and Merger Sub acknowledges that it has not relied upon or otherwise been induced by, any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company or any Company Subsidiary or their respective businesses, or with respect to any other information provided or made available to Parent or its Representatives in connection with the Transactions, including any information, documents, projections, forecasts or other material made available to Parent or to Parent’s Representatives in certain “data rooms” or management presentations in expectation of the Transactions, or the accuracy or completeness of any of the foregoing, except, in each case for the representations and warranties contained in Article IV.

 

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ARTICLE VI

 

COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER

 

Section 6.1.           Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Closing. The Company agrees that between the date hereof and the earlier of the Effective Time or the date, if any, on which this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, except as set forth in Section 6.1 of the Company Disclosure Letter, as specifically permitted or required by this Agreement, as required by applicable Law or as consented to in writing by Parent (not to be unreasonably withheld), the Company (a) shall, and shall cause each Company Subsidiary to, conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business and use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) preserve intact its and their present business organizations, goodwill and ongoing businesses, (ii) keep available the services of its and their present officers and other key employees (other than where termination of such services is for cause) and (iii) preserve its and their present relationships with customers, suppliers, vendors, licensors, licensees, Governmental Entities, employees and other Persons with whom it and they have material business relations (provided, however, that no action taken by the Company or any Company Subsidiary which is expressly permitted by Section 6.1(b) or for which Parent has given its prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, except with respect to prongs (vii), (xi), (xv), (xviii) and (xix)) shall be deemed a breach of this Section 6.1(a)); and (b) shall not, and shall not permit any Company Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)            amend, modify, waive, rescind or otherwise change the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws or equivalent organizational documents, except (x) for changes to the organizational documents of a Company Subsidiary that are not material and (y) as set forth in Section 6.1(b)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter;

 

(ii)            authorize, declare, set aside, make or pay any dividends on or make any distribution with respect to its outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests (whether in cash, assets, shares or other securities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary), except for dividends and distributions paid or made by a wholly owned Company Subsidiary to the Company or another wholly owned Company Subsidiary;

 

(iii)           enter into any agreement or arrangement with respect to voting or registration, or file any registration statement with the SEC with respect to, any of its capital stock or other equity interests or securities;

 

(iv)          adjust, split, combine, subdivide, reduce or reclassify any of its capital stock or other equity interests, or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its capital stock or other equity interests (other than repurchases of Company Common Stock in satisfaction of applicable Tax withholdings or the exercise price upon the exercise or settlement of any Company Equity Award outstanding as of the date hereof or granted following the date hereof in accordance with this Agreement in accordance with its terms), or issue or authorize the issuance of any of its capital stock or other equity interests or any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for, shares of its capital stock or other equity interests or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares of capital stock or other equity interests, except for any such transaction involving only wholly owned Company Subsidiaries;

 

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(v)            issue, deliver, grant, sell, dispose of or encumber, or authorize the issuance, delivery, grant, sale, disposition or encumbrance of, any shares of the capital stock, voting securities or other equity interest in the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any such shares, voting securities or equity interest, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares, voting securities or equity interest or any “phantom” stock, “phantom” stock rights, stock appreciation rights or stock based performance units or take any action to cause to be exercisable or vested any otherwise unexercisable or unvested Company Equity Award, other than (A) issuances of Company Common Stock in respect of any exercise of Company Options outstanding as of the date hereof or granted following the date hereof in accordance with this Agreement or the settlement of Company Equity Awards outstanding as of the date hereof or granted following the date hereof in accordance with this Agreement, in all cases in accordance with their respective terms, (B) the issuances of Company Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Company ESPP in respect of the Current ESPP Offering Period, or (C) transactions solely between the Company and a wholly owned Company Subsidiary or solely between wholly owned Company Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(vi)          except as required by applicable Law or any Company Benefit Plan as in effect as of the date hereof, (A) increase the compensation or benefits payable or to become payable to any director, employee or other individual service provider; (B) grant to any director, employee or other individual service provider any increase in severance or termination pay; (C) pay or award, or commit to pay or award, any bonuses, retention or incentive compensation to any director, employee or other individual service provider; (D) establish, adopt, enter into, amend, terminate or waive any of its rights under any collective bargaining agreement or Company Benefit Plan; (E) take any action to amend or waive any performance or vesting criteria or accelerate vesting, exercisability or funding under any Company Benefit Plan; (F) terminate the employment or service of any employee or other individual service provider with annual base compensation of $300,000 or more, in each case other than for cause; (G) hire, engage or promote any employee or other individual service provider with annual base compensation of $300,000 or more (including for clarity the promotion of any individual such that, after the promotion, the individual would have annual base compensation at such level or more); (H) provide any funding for any rabbi trust or similar arrangement or take any other action to fund or in any other way secure the payment of compensation or benefits; or (I) waive or release any noncompetition, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure, noninterference, nondisparagement or other restrictive covenant obligation of any current or former employee or other individual service provider;

 

(vii)         acquire (including by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or any other means) or authorize or announce an intention to so acquire, or enter into any agreements providing for any acquisitions of, any equity interests in or all or a material portion of the assets of any Person or any business or division thereof, or otherwise engage in any mergers, consolidations or business combinations, except for, (A) transactions solely between the Company and a wholly owned Company Subsidiary or solely between wholly owned Company Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (B) acquisitions of supplies or equipment in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (C) acquisitions not in excess of $2,500,000 in the aggregate;

 

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(viii)        liquidate, dissolve, restructure, recapitalize or effect any other reorganization (including any reorganization or restructuring between or among any of the Company and/or any Company Subsidiaries), or adopt any plan or resolution providing for any of the foregoing;

 

(ix)           make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person, except for (A) loans solely among the Company and Company Subsidiaries that are wholly owned by the Company or solely among the Company Subsidiaries that are wholly owned by the Company, in each case, in the ordinary course of business and (B) advances for reimbursable employee expenses, not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(x)            sell, lease, license, assign, cancel, abandon, fail to maintain, permit to lapse, transfer, exchange, swap or otherwise dispose of, or subject to any Lien (other than Permitted Liens), any of its properties, rights or assets (including shares in the capital of the Company Subsidiaries) except (A) with regard to any non-renewal of Company Leases in the ordinary course of business, (B) dispositions of used, obsolete, damaged, worn-out or surplus equipment or property no longer necessary in the conduct of the business or other immaterial equipment or property, in each case, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (C) sales of the Company’s products or services to customers of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (D) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (E) the expiration of Company Registered IP at the termination of its final, non-renewable term;

 

(xi)           enter into or become bound by, or amend, modify, terminate or waive any Contract to the extent relating to the acquisition or disposition of, or granting of any license, covenant not to sue or similar right with respect to, Intellectual Property that is material to the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, including any covenant-not-to-sue or covenant-not-to-assert, other than non-exclusive licenses with respect to Intellectual Property or agreements with employees and independent contractors, in each case, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(xii)          make any material reduction to (A) the security of, or any administrative, technical or physical safeguards related to, any Company IT or privacy or data security or (B) any policies or procedures with respect to Protected Information or confidential or other sensitive information (including customer data) or Privacy Requirements, except as required by applicable Law, any Governmental Entity or any Contract in effect as of the date hereof;

 

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(xiii)         (A) enter into any Contract that would, if entered into prior to the date hereof, be a Material Contract or (B) materially modify, materially amend, extend or terminate any Material Contract, or waive, release or assign any rights or claims thereunder;

 

(xiv)         make any capital expenditure, enter into agreements or arrangements providing for capital expenditure or otherwise commit to do so, other than in accordance with the capital expenditure budget set forth in Section 6.1(xiv) of the Company Disclosure Letter;

 

(xv)          waive, release, assign, compromise or settle any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding (for the avoidance of doubt, including with respect to matters in which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a plaintiff, or in which any of their officers or directors in their capacities as such are parties), other than the compromise or settlement of claims, litigations, investigations or proceedings that: (A) are for an amount not to exceed for any such compromise or settlement, $500,000 individually or $2,500,000 in the aggregate, and (B) do not impose any injunctive or other non-monetary relief on the Company or any Company Subsidiary and do not involve the admission of wrongdoing by the Company, any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective officers or directors;

 

(xvi)         make any material change in financial accounting policies, practices, principles or procedures or any of its methods of reporting income, deductions or other material items for financial accounting purposes, in each case, except as required by GAAP, other applicable national or international accounting standards, SEC rules and regulations or applicable Law;

 

(xvii)        amend or modify any Privacy Statement of the Company or any Company Subsidiary in any material respect, other than as required by applicable Law;

 

(xviii)       enter into any collective bargaining agreement or any material agreement with any labor organization, works council, trade union, labor association or other employee representative, except as required by applicable Law;

 

(xix)          implement any closings or employee layoffs that would require notifications with the WARN Act, or any similar state, local or foreign Law;

 

(xx)           (A) make (other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), change or revoke any material Tax election, (B) change any Tax accounting period or material method of Tax accounting, (C) amend any material Tax Return, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (A) through (C), if such action could reasonably be expected to result in any increase in the Tax liability of the Company or any Company Subsidiary for any Tax period, (D) amend any U.S. federal income Tax Return, (E) settle or compromise any material liability for Taxes or any Tax audit, claim or other proceeding relating to a material amount of Taxes, (F) enter into any “closing agreement” within the meaning of Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law), (G) surrender any right to claim a material refund of Taxes, (H) request any ruling, permission or approval from any Governmental Entity with respect to Taxes (a “Ruling Request”), or (I) agree to an extension or waiver of the statute of limitations with respect to a material amount of Taxes (other than any automatic or automatically granted extensions or waivers of the statute of limitations in respect of filing Tax Returns), in the case of this clause (I), if such action could reasonably be expected to result in any increase in the Tax liability of the Company or any Company Subsidiary for any Tax period;

 

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(xxi)         redeem, repurchase, repay, prepay, defease, incur, assume, endorse, guarantee or otherwise become liable for or modify in any material respect the terms of any Indebtedness, or issue or sell any debt securities or calls, options, warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities (directly, contingently or otherwise), except (A) any redemption, repurchase, repayment, prepayment or incurrence of Indebtedness solely among the Company and its wholly owned Company Subsidiaries or solely among wholly owned Company Subsidiaries or (B) guarantees by the Company of Indebtedness of wholly owned Company Subsidiaries or guarantees by wholly owned Company Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or any other wholly owned Company Subsidiary, which Indebtedness is incurred prior to the date of this Agreement and which guarantees are required by the terms of such Indebtedness as in effect as of the date hereof;

 

(xxii)        cancel any of the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s material insurance policies or fail to pay the premiums on the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s material insurance policies such that such failure causes a cancellation of such policy, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain in the ordinary course the Company’s material insurance policies;

 

(xxiii)       terminate, or modify or waive in any material respect, any right under any material Company Permit; or

 

(xxiv)       agree or authorize, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing actions.

 

Section 6.2.           Notification of Certain Matters. The Company shall give prompt written notice to Parent, and Parent shall give prompt written notice to the Company: (a) of any notice or other communication received by such Party or any of its Subsidiaries from any Governmental Entity in connection with this Agreement, the Merger or any other Transaction, or from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the Merger or any other Transaction or (b) of any Proceeding commenced or, to the Knowledge of such Party, threatened against such Party or any Subsidiary or affiliate of such Party in connection with, arising from or otherwise relating to this Agreement, the Merger or any other Transaction. The Company shall give prompt written notice to Parent upon becoming aware of the occurrence or impending occurrence of any event or circumstance relating to the Company or any Company Subsidiary that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this sentence shall not cure any breach of any representation or warranty hereunder or otherwise limit the remedies available hereunder to any Party.

 

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Section 6.3.           No Solicitation by the Company.

 

(a)           From and after the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time or the date, if any, on which this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, the Company agrees that it shall not, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries, its and their respective officers, directors and other Representatives (including the Company Board of Directors and any committee thereof) not to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or facilitate (including by way of providing information or taking any other action) any inquiry, proposal or offer, or the making, submission or announcement of any inquiry, proposal or offer which constitutes or would be reasonably expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (ii) participate in any negotiations regarding, or furnish to any Person any information relating to the Company or any Company Subsidiary in connection with an actual or potential Acquisition Proposal, other than solely to state that the Company and its Representatives are prohibited hereunder from engaging in any such discussions or negotiations, (iii) adopt, approve, endorse or recommend, or propose to adopt, approve, endorse or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal, (iv) withdraw, change, amend, modify or qualify, or otherwise propose to withdraw, change, amend, modify or qualify, in a manner adverse to Parent, the Company Board Recommendation or resolve or agree to take any such action, (v) if an Acquisition Proposal has been publicly disclosed, fail to publicly and without qualification recommend against any such Acquisition Proposal within ten (10) Business Days after the public disclosure of such Acquisition Proposal (or subsequently withdraw, change, amend, modify or qualify (or publicly propose to do so), in a manner adverse to Parent, such rejection of such Acquisition Proposal) and reaffirm the Company Board Recommendation within such ten (10) Business Day period (or, with respect to any Acquisition Proposals or material amendments, revisions or changes to the terms of any such previously publicly disclosed Acquisition Proposal that are publicly disclosed within the last ten (10) Business Days prior to the then-scheduled Company Stockholders’ Meeting, fail to take the actions referred to in this clause (v), with references to the applicable ten (10) Business Day period being replaced with three (3) Business Days), (vi) fail to include the Company Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement, (vii) approve or authorize, or cause or permit the Company or any Company Subsidiary to enter into, any merger agreement, acquisition agreement, reorganization agreement, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or similar agreement or document relating to, or any other agreement or commitment providing for, any Acquisition Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement entered into in accordance with this Section 6.3) (a “Company Acquisition Agreement”), (viii) call or convene a meeting of the Company Stockholders to consider a proposal that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impair or delay the consummation of the Transactions or (ix) resolve, publicly propose or agree to do any of the foregoing (any act described in clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii) and/or (ix) (to the extent related to the foregoing clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii) or (viii)), a “Change of Recommendation”). The Company shall, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries and its and their respective officers, directors and other Representatives (including the Company Board of Directors and any committee thereof) to, immediately following the execution of this Agreement cease any and all solicitation, knowing encouragement, discussions or negotiations with any Persons (or provision of any nonpublic information regarding the Company or the Company Subsidiaries to any Persons) with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal. Promptly after the date hereof (and in any event within one (1) Business Day following the date hereof), the Company shall (A) request in writing that each Person (other than Parent) that has heretofore executed a confidentiality agreement in connection with its consideration of an Acquisition Proposal or potential Acquisition Proposal promptly destroy or return to the Company all nonpublic information heretofore furnished by the Company or any of its Representatives to such Person or any of its Representatives in accordance with the terms of such confidentiality agreement, and (B) terminate access to any physical or electronic data rooms relating to a possible Acquisition Proposal by any such Person and its Representatives. The Company shall not waive, terminate or modify without Parent’s prior written consent, any confidentiality, standstill or similar provision in any confidentiality, standstill or other agreement. For purposes of this Section 6.3, the term “Person” means any Person or “group,” as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than, with respect to the Company, Parent or any Parent Subsidiary or any of their Representatives. For the avoidance of doubt, any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 6.3 by (x) a Company Subsidiary, (y) a director or officer of the Company or any Company Subsidiary (including the Company Board of Directors and any committee thereof) or (z) any other Representative acting on behalf of or at the direction of the Company or any Company Subsidiary shall be a breach of this Section 6.3 by the Company. Notwithstanding the limitations set forth in this Section 6.3(a), if the Company receives, prior to the Company Stockholder Approval being obtained, a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a breach of this Section 6.3, the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives may contact the person who has made such Acquisition Proposal solely to clarify (and not to negotiate or engage in any discussions regarding or relating to) the material terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal so that the Company may determine whether such inquiry or proposal constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal.

 

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(b)           Notwithstanding the limitations set forth in Section 6.3(a), if the Company receives, prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a breach of Section 6.3(a), which the Company Board of Directors determines in good faith (i) after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel and financial advisors constitutes a Superior Proposal or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal or (ii) after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be a breach of the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Law, then the Company may take the following actions: (x) furnish nonpublic information with respect to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to the Person making such Acquisition Proposal (and its Representatives and sources of financing), if, and only if, prior to so furnishing such information, the Company receives from such Person an executed Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement and the Company also provides Parent, prior to or substantially concurrently with (and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours of) the time such information is provided or made available to such Person or its Representatives or sources of financing, any nonpublic information furnished to such other Person or its Representatives or sources of financing that was not previously furnished to Parent, and (y) engage in discussions or negotiations with such Person (and its Representatives and sources of financing) with respect to such Acquisition Proposal.

 

(c)           The Company shall promptly (and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt) notify Parent of the Company’s or any of its affiliates’ or its or their other Representatives’ receipt of any Acquisition Proposal or any proposals or inquiries that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal. Such notice shall indicate the identity of the person making the Acquisition Proposal or inquiry, and the material terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal and the nature of any information requested in connection with such proposal or inquiry, including unredacted copies of all written information requests or proposals, including proposed agreements and proposed financing commitments received by the Company or its Representatives related to any Acquisition Proposal, or, if such Acquisition Proposal is not in writing, a reasonably detailed written description of the material terms and conditions thereof. Without limiting the Company’s other obligations under this Section 6.3, the Company shall keep Parent reasonably informed on a prompt and timely basis of the status and material terms (including any amendments or proposed amendments to such material terms (with any amendments or proposed amendments to economic terms being deemed material for this purpose)) of any such Acquisition Proposal or potential Acquisition Proposal and keep Parent reasonably informed on a prompt and timely basis as to the nature of any information requested of the Company with respect thereto and promptly (and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt) provide to Parent copies of all written proposals, offers and proposed agreements relating to an Acquisition Proposal received by the Company or its Representatives or, if such information or communication is not in writing, a reasonably detailed written description of the material contents thereof. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall promptly (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours after such determination) inform Parent in writing if the Company determines to begin providing information or to engage in discussions or negotiations concerning an Acquisition Proposal pursuant to Section 6.3(b). Unless this Agreement has been validly terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, the Company shall not take any action to exempt any Person other than Parent or Merger Sub from the restrictions on “business combinations” contained in any applicable Takeover Statute or in the Company Governing Documents, or otherwise cause such restrictions not to apply. The Company agrees that it will not, directly or indirectly, enter into any agreement with any Person which directly or indirectly prohibits the Company from providing any information to Parent in accordance with, or otherwise complying with, this Section 6.3(c).

 

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(d)           Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.3 to the contrary, but subject to Section 6.3(e), at any time prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, the Company Board of Directors may (i) make a Change of Recommendation (only of the type contemplated by Section 6.3(a)(iv), Section 6.3(a)(vi) or Section 6.3(a)(ix) (to the extent related to Section 6.3(a)(iv) or Section 6.3(a)(vi))) in response to an Intervening Event if the Company Board of Directors has determined in good faith after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be a breach of the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Law or (ii) make a Change of Recommendation and cause the Company to terminate this Agreement pursuant to and in accordance with Section 9.1(g) in order to enter into a definitive agreement providing for an Acquisition Proposal received after the date of this Agreement (that did not result from a breach of Section 6.3(a)), which the Company Board of Directors determines in good faith after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel and financial advisors constitutes a Superior Proposal, but only if the Company Board of Directors has determined in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be a breach of the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary shall enter into any Company Acquisition Agreement unless this Agreement has been validly terminated in accordance with Section 9.1(g). “Intervening Event” means any event, change or development first occurring or arising after the date hereof that is material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) and was not known by or reasonably foreseeable to the Company Board of Directors as of or prior to the date hereof; provided, however, that in no event shall the following events, changes or developments constitute an Intervening Event: (A) the receipt, existence or terms of an Acquisition Proposal or any matter relating thereto or consequence thereof, (B) changes in the market price or trading volume of the Company Common Stock or any other securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any change in credit rating or the fact that the Company meets or exceeds internal or published estimates, projections, forecasts or predictions for any period (it being understood that the facts or occurrences giving rise or contributing to such changes may be taken into account to the extent not otherwise excluded), (C) changes in general economic, political or financial conditions or markets (including changes in interest rates, exchange rates, stock, bond and/or debt prices) or (D) changes in GAAP, other applicable accounting rules or applicable Law or, in any such case, changes in the interpretation thereof.

 

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(e)           Prior to the Company taking any action permitted (i) under Section 6.3(d)(i), the Company shall provide Parent with four (4) Business Days’ prior written notice advising Parent that the Company Board of Directors intends to effect a Change of Recommendation and specifying, in reasonable detail, the reasons therefor, during such four (4) Business Day period, the Company shall cause its Representatives (including its executive officers) to negotiate in good faith (to the extent Parent desires to negotiate) any proposal by Parent to amend the terms and conditions of this Agreement in a manner that would obviate the need to effect a Change of Recommendation, and at the end of such four (4) Business Day period the Company Board of Directors shall again make all of the required determinations under Section 6.3(d)(i) (after in good faith taking into account any amendments proposed by Parent) or (ii) under Section 6.3(d)(ii), the Company shall provide Parent with four (4) Business Days’ prior written notice advising Parent that the Company Board of Directors intends to take such action and specifying the material terms and conditions of the Acquisition Proposal, including a copy of any proposed definitive documentation, during such four (4) Business Day period, the Company shall cause its Representatives (including its executive officers) to negotiate in good faith (to the extent Parent desires to negotiate) any proposal by Parent to amend the terms and conditions of this Agreement such that such Acquisition Proposal would no longer constitute a Superior Proposal, and at the end of such four (4) Business Day period the Company Board of Directors shall again make all of the required determinations under Section 6.3(d)(ii) (after in good faith taking into account any amendments proposed by Parent). With respect to Section 6.3(e)(ii), if there are any material amendments, revisions or changes to the terms of any such Superior Proposal (including any revision to the amount, form or mix of consideration the Company Stockholders would receive as a result of the Superior Proposal), the Company shall comply again with Section 6.3(e)(ii) with references to the applicable four (4) Business Day period being replaced by two (2) Business Days.

 

(f)            Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company or the Company Board of Directors from (i) disclosing to the Company Stockholders a position contemplated by Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or (ii) making any “stop, look and listen” communication to the Company Stockholders pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, or any similar statement and complying with disclosure obligations under Rule 14e-2(a), Rule 14d-9 or Item 1012(a) of Regulation MA promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to an Acquisition Proposal in response to any publicly disclosed Acquisition Proposal (provided that any “stop, look and listen” statement, or any such similar statement, also includes an express reaffirmation of the Company Board Recommendation). For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6.3(f) shall not permit the Company Board of Directors to make (or otherwise modify the definition of) a Change of Recommendation except to the extent expressly permitted by Section 6.3(d) and Section 6.3(e).

 

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ARTICLE VII

 

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

 

Section 7.1.           Access; Confidentiality; Notice of Certain Events.

 

(a)           From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time or the date, if any, on which this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, the Company shall, and shall cause each Company Subsidiary to, afford to Parent and Parent’s Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice to the Company’s and the Company Subsidiaries’ offices, properties, Contracts, personnel, books and records in a manner not unreasonably disruptive to the operations of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and, during such period, the Company shall, and shall cause each Company Subsidiary to, furnish as promptly as reasonably practicable to Parent all information (financial or otherwise) concerning its business, properties, offices, Contracts and personnel as Parent may reasonably request for reasonable purposes related to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including information for purposes of transition and integration planning, but not for the purpose of conducting further due diligence). Without limiting the foregoing, the Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to provide Parent the information set forth on Schedule 7.1(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to provide any access or make any disclosure pursuant to this Section 7.1(a) to the extent that such access or information is actually pertinent to a pending or threatened litigation where Parent or any of its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Company or any of its affiliates, on the other hand, are adverse parties.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.1, the Company shall not be required by this Section 7.1 to provide Parent or Parent’s Representatives with access to or to disclose information (i) that is prohibited from being disclosed pursuant to the terms of a confidentiality agreement with a third party entered into prior to the date hereof (provided, however, that the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the required consent of such third party to such access or disclosure or, if unable to do so, to make appropriate substitute arrangements, where possible, to permit reasonable access or disclosure not in violation of such consent requirement), (ii) the disclosure of which would violate applicable Law or the provisions of any agreement to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party as of the date of this Agreement (provided, however, that the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make appropriate substitute arrangements, where possible, to permit reasonable disclosure not in violation of such Law or agreement), (iii) the disclosure of which would cause the loss of any attorney-client, attorney work product or other legal privilege (provided, however, that the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to allow for such disclosure to the maximum extent that does not result in a loss of such attorney-client, attorney work product or other legal privilege), or (iv) the disclosure of which would cause significant competitive harm to the Company or the Company Subsidiaries if the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated; provided, however, that such access and information shall be disclosed or granted, as applicable, to counsel for Parent, on an outside-counsel only basis, to the extent reasonably required for the purpose of obtaining required approvals or consents, or making filings or providing notices, subject to prior execution of a common interest or joint defense agreement in customary form. Parent and the Company will cooperate to minimize to the extent reasonably practicable any unnecessary disruption to the businesses of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries that may result from the requests for access, data and information hereunder. Any access to any properties or facilities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary shall be conducted in a manner so as not to adversely interfere in any material respect with the activities on the properties of the Company, any Company Subsidiary, tenants, subtenants, occupants and invitees thereof without the prior written consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and shall be subject to (A) the lease terms relating to any such property, (B) the Company’s reasonable security measures, and (C) customary insurance requirements. Further, in connection with any access to any properties or facilities, neither Parent nor Parent’s Representatives shall undertake any physical testing or sampling (environmental, structural or otherwise) without the prior consent of the Company, which consent shall be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of the Company.

 

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(c)           Promptly following the date hereof, Parent and the Company shall establish a transition and integration planning team (the “Integration Committee”), comprised of senior executives designated by each of Parent and the Company. The chair of the Integration Committee will be designated by Parent. Subject to applicable Law, the Integration Committee shall discuss and plan for a transition and integration planning process concerning the combination of the operations of Parent, the Company and their respective Subsidiaries after the Closing and shall meet from time to time, as reasonably requested by Parent.

 

(d)           Each of the Company and Parent will hold, and will cause its Representatives and affiliates to hold, any nonpublic information, including any information exchanged pursuant to this Section 7.1, in confidence to the extent required by and in accordance with, and will otherwise comply with, the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement. Parent agrees that it will not, and will cause its affiliates not to, use any information obtained pursuant to this Section 7.1 for any purpose unrelated to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement prior to the Effective Time.

 

Section 7.2.           Regulatory Approvals.

 

(a)           Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party will use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, as soon as practicable after the date hereof, including (i) preparing and filing or otherwise providing all documentation to effect all necessary applications, notices, petitions, filings, and other documents and to obtain as promptly as practicable all waiting period expirations or terminations, consents, clearances, waivers, licenses, orders, registrations, approvals, permits, and authorizations necessary or advisable to be obtained from any third party and/or any Governmental Entity in order to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger (and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, cooperating with each other Party in respect thereof), (ii) contesting, defending and, where applicable, appealing any lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, including injunctions and similar orders, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other Governmental Entity vacated or reversed, and (iii) executing and delivering any additional instruments necessary to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, and to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company and Parent shall each use their best efforts to furnish to each other (on an outside counsel basis if appropriate) all information required for any filing, submission, application or request to be made pursuant to the rules and regulations of any applicable Law in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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(b)           In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Party agrees to, and shall cause their respective affiliates to (i) make an appropriate filing of a Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the Transactions as promptly as practicable, and in any event within twenty (20) Business Days after the execution of this Agreement (unless a later date is mutually agreed between the Parties), (ii) supply as promptly as practicable any additional information and documentary materials that may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act and take all other actions necessary to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act as soon as practicable, (iii) make all other necessary filings as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, and in any event, for applicable FDI Laws and foreign Antitrust Laws, submit the relevant form (or in jurisdictions in which a draft form must be submitted prior to the final form, the draft form) within twenty-five (25) Business Days after the execution of this Agreement, and (iv) supply as promptly as practicable and advisable any additional information and documentary materials that may be requested under any FDI Laws or Antitrust Laws.

 

(c)           In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Party will use reasonable best efforts to take or agree to take actions necessary to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 8.1(c) that relate to Antitrust Laws, which actions shall include (i) selling, licensing, assigning, transferring, divesting, holding separate or otherwise disposing of any assets, business or portion of business of the Company, the Surviving Company, Parent, Merger Sub, or any Subsidiary of any of the foregoing, (ii) conducting, restricting, operating, investing or otherwise changing the assets, the business or portion of the business of the Company, the Surviving Company, Parent, Merger Sub or any Subsidiary of any of the foregoing in any manner, (iii) imposing any restriction, requirement or limitation on the operation of the business or portion of the business of the Company, the Surviving Company, Parent, Merger Sub or any Subsidiary of any of the foregoing, and (iv) Parent taking or agreeing to take any action specified in Section 7.2(c) of the Parent Disclosure Letter (clauses (i)-(iv) collectively, the “Divestiture Actions”), unless and except to the extent that taking any of the Divestiture Actions would have, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Company or Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that, for the avoidance of doubt, Parent shall not be required to take or commit to take such Divestiture Actions with respect to Parent or Parent Subsidiaries (excluding the Company and the Company Subsidiaries); provided, further, that if requested by Parent, the Company or Company Subsidiaries shall agree to become subject to, consent to or offer or agree to, or otherwise take any action with respect to, any such requirement, condition, limitation, understanding, agreement or order so long as such requirement, condition, limitation, understanding, agreement or order is only binding on the Company or any Company Subsidiary in the event the Closing occurs.

 

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(d)           Each of Parent and the Company shall, in connection with and without limiting the efforts referenced in this Section 7.2 to obtain all waiting period expirations or terminations, consents, clearances, waivers, licenses, orders, registrations, approvals, permits, and authorizations for the Transactions under the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Law or FDI Law, (i) cooperate in all respects in connection with any filing or submission and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry, including any proceeding initiated by a private party, including by allowing the other Party to have a reasonable opportunity to review in advance and comment on drafts of filings and submissions (and consider in good faith such comments), (ii) promptly inform the other Party of any communication received by such Party from, or given by such Party to, the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”), the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) or any other Governmental Entity, by promptly providing copies to the other Party of any such written communications, and of any communication received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private party, in each case regarding any of the Transactions and (iii) permit the other Party to review in advance and comment on (and consider in good faith such comments on) any communication that it gives to, and consult with each other in advance of any meeting, substantive telephone call or conference with, the DOJ, the FTC or any other Governmental Entity, or, in connection with any proceeding by a private party, with any other Person, and unless prohibited by the DOJ, the FTC or other applicable Governmental Entity or other Person, give the other Party the opportunity to attend or participate in any meetings, telephone calls or conferences with the DOJ, the FTC or other Governmental Entity or other Person; provided, however, that materials required to be provided pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i)-(iii) may be redacted (A) to remove references concerning the valuation of Parent, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries, (B) as necessary to comply with contractual arrangements and (C) as necessary to address reasonable privilege or confidentiality concerns; provided, further, that each of Parent and the Company may, as each deems advisable and necessary, reasonably designate any competitively sensitive material provided to the other under this Section 7.2(d) as “Antitrust Counsel Only Material.” Without limiting Parent’s cooperation obligations described in Section 7.2(a) and this Section 7.2(d), Parent will, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, control the ultimate strategy for securing approvals and expiration of relevant waiting periods under the Antitrust Laws and FDI Laws; provided that Parent shall consult with the Company and consider the Company’s views in good faith. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, the Company shall not (and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to), without the prior written consent of Parent, (A) withdraw its filing under the HSR Act or (B) offer, negotiate or enter into any commitment or agreement, including any timing agreement, with the DOJ, the FTC or other Governmental Entity to delay the consummation of, or not to close before a certain date, the Transactions.

 

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(e)           In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing and subject to the provisions of this Section 7.2(e), Parent and the Company shall, and shall cause their respective affiliates to, take any and all actions necessary to obtain CFIUS Approval and any other consent, authorization or approval required under other applicable FDI Laws for the consummation of the Transactions. Such actions shall include promptly after the date of this Agreement making any draft and final filings required in connection with the CFIUS Approval (in accordance with the DPA) and under any other applicable FDI Laws, which draft filings shall be made within thirty (30) Business Days hereof, unless the parties agree in writing otherwise, and providing any information requested by CFIUS or any other agency or branch of the U.S. government in connection with the CFIUS review or investigation of the Transactions, or which is requested by any other Governmental Entity in connection with filings under other applicable FDI Laws. Each of Parent and the Company shall, in connection with their efforts to obtain CFIUS Approval and any other consent, authorization or approval required under other applicable FDI Laws for the consummation of the Transactions, (i) cooperate in all respects and consult with each other in connection with the CFIUS Notice and other filings under other applicable FDI Laws, including by allowing the other party to have a reasonable opportunity to review in advance and comment on drafts of filings and submissions, (ii) promptly inform the other party of any communication received by such party from, or given by such party to, CFIUS or any other applicable Governmental Entity, by promptly providing copies to the other party of any such written communications, (iii) permit the other party to review in advance any communication that it gives to, and consult with each other in advance of any meeting, substantive telephone call or conference with, CFIUS or such other applicable Governmental Entity, and (iv) to the extent not prohibited by CFIUS or such other applicable Governmental Entity, give the other party the opportunity to attend and participate in any in-person meetings with CFIUS or such other applicable Governmental Entity, in each case subject to any confidentiality requirements that may be imposed or requested by CFIUS or such other applicable Governmental Entity. With respect to Parent and its affiliates, such actions shall also include providing all such assurances and agreeing to all such conditions, limitations and restrictions as may be necessary to address any national security or other concerns identified by CFIUS or such other applicable Governmental Entity (including entering into a mitigation agreement, national security agreement, or other similar arrangement or agreement); provided that neither Parent nor any of its affiliates shall be required to agree to any mitigation measure, condition, restriction, or undertaking that would reasonably be expected to (w) require the Company or any Company Subsidiary to operate as a U.S. direct or indirect subsidiary of Parent that is organized, structured and financed to be capable of operating as a viable business entity independent from Parent for longer than an interim, temporary basis; (x) involve restrictions on material assets or material businesses of Parent or its affiliates (excluding the Company or any Company Subsidiary) that do not relate to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or require the divestiture of any material business, assets or operations of Parent or its affiliates; or (y) (i) materially limit ordinary course and customary sharing or use of data between or among Company, Parent, and Parent’s affiliates’ except to the extent reasonably necessary to address national security concerns with respect to identified categories of sensitive data, or (ii) restrict Parent’s ability to substantially integrate the businesses and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with the businesses and operations of Parent and its affiliates, except to the extent reasonably necessary to address national security concerns with respect to identified categories of sensitive data, if such restriction would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Parent’s ownership of the Company or any material Company Subsidiary (it being recognized that, for purposes of this clause (y), that cumulatively reasonable sensitive data storage location requirements, sensitive data security policy and communication policy requirements, key person sensitive data access limitations, and sensitive data compliance policy and monitoring requirements would not impose a material limitation or material adverse effect). Subject to the foregoing, neither Parent nor the Company shall take or permit any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates to take any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impede the CFIUS Approval or any other consent, authorization or approval required under other applicable FDI Laws for the consummation of the Transactions.

 

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(f)            In connection with and without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall give any notices to third parties required under Material Contracts, and the Company shall use, and cause each of the Company Subsidiaries to use, its best efforts to obtain any third party consents under any such Material Contracts, in each case, that are necessary to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Material Contracts set forth on Section 7.2(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, none of Parent, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall be required to (or in the case of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, be permitted to) pay any consent or other similar fee, payment or consideration, make any other concession or provide any additional security (including a guaranty), to obtain such third party consents (except, in the case of the Company, if requested by Parent and either (i) reimbursed or indemnified for by Parent or (ii) subject to the occurrence of the Effective Time).

 

(g)           During the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, Parent shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, take the actions set forth on Section 7.2(g) of the Parent Disclosure Letter.

 

Section 7.3.           Publicity. So long as this Agreement is in effect, neither the Company nor Parent, nor any of their respective Subsidiaries, shall issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement or disclosure with respect to the Merger, the other Transactions or this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, unless such Party determines, after consultation with outside counsel, that it is required by applicable Law or by any listing agreement with or the listing rules of a national securities exchange or trading market to issue or cause the publication of such press release or other public announcement or disclosure with respect to the Merger, the other Transactions or this Agreement, in which event such Party shall endeavor, on a basis reasonable under the circumstances, to provide a meaningful opportunity to the other Party to review and comment upon such press release or other announcement or disclosure in advance, shall give due consideration to all reasonable additions, deletions or changes suggested thereto, and shall limit the information contained in such release or announcement to that which is required pursuant to such Law or other requirement; provided, however, that neither Party shall be required by this Section 7.3 to provide any such review or comment to the other in connection with the Company’s receipt of (and the existence of) an Acquisition Proposal or a Change of Recommendation and matters directly related thereto; provided, further, that each Party and their respective Subsidiaries and Representatives may make statements that are consistent with (but which do not, if such Person is relying on this proviso, contain any more information than was contained in) previous press releases, public disclosures, public statements or agreed internal communications made by Parent or the Company in compliance with this Section 7.3.

 

Section 7.4.           D&O Insurance and Indemnification.

 

(a)           For six (6) years from and after the Effective Time, Parent and the Surviving Company shall, and Parent shall cause the Surviving Company to, indemnify and hold harmless all past and present directors and officers of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) against any costs and expenses (including advancing costs prior to the final disposition of any actual or threatened claim, action, suit, proceeding, investigation or any other similar matter to each Indemnified Party to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law and the Company Governing Documents; provided that such Indemnified Party agrees in advance to return any such funds to which a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final, nonappealable judgment that such Indemnified Party is not ultimately entitled), judgments, fines, penalties, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement in connection with or relating to any actual or threatened claim, action, suit, proceeding, investigation, or any other similar matter in respect of acts, omissions, facts or events occurring or alleged to have occurred at or prior to the Effective Time (including acts, omissions, facts or events occurring in connection with the approval of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transactions), whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, in connection with or relating to such Indemnified Parties serving or having served as an officer, director, employee or other fiduciary of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or of any other Person if such service was at the request or for the benefit of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law and the Company Governing Documents or the organizational documents of the applicable Company Subsidiary (as applicable) or any indemnification agreements with such Indemnified Parties in existence prior to the execution of this Agreement and provided to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement. The Parties agree that all rights to elimination of liability, indemnification and advancement of expenses for acts, omissions, facts or events occurring or alleged to have occurred at or prior to the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, now existing in favor of the Indemnified Parties as provided in the respective certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or comparable organizational documents) of the Company or any Company Subsidiary which has been provided to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement or which is included in the Company SEC Documents filed on or prior to the date hereof, or in any indemnification agreement in existence prior to the execution of this Agreement and provided to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement, shall survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

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(b)           For six (6) years after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause to be maintained in effect the provisions in (i) the Company Governing Documents and the organizational documents of the Company Subsidiaries and (ii) any indemnification agreement of the Company or a Company Subsidiary with any Indemnified Party in existence prior to the execution of this Agreement and provided to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement, except to the extent that such agreement provides for an earlier termination, in each case, regarding elimination of liability, indemnification of officers, directors and employees and advancement of expenses that are in existence prior to the execution of this Agreement, and no such provision shall be amended, modified or repealed in any manner that would adversely affect the rights or protections thereunder of any such Indemnified Party in respect of acts, omissions, facts or events occurring or alleged to have occurred at or prior to the Effective Time (including acts or omissions occurring in connection with the approval of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transactions).

 

(c)           At or prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall purchase six (6) year prepaid “tail” insurance on terms and conditions providing coverage retentions, limits and other material terms substantially equivalent to the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, employment practice liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance maintained by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries with respect to matters arising at or prior to the Effective Time (including acts, omissions, facts or events occurring in connection with the approval of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger or any of the other Transactions), which shall be from an insurance carrier with the same or better credit rating than the Company’s current insurance carrier of each respective policy; provided, however, that the Company shall not commit or spend on such “tail” insurance, in the aggregate, more than three hundred percent (300%) of the last aggregate annual premium incurred by the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement for the Company’s policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, employment practices liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance (the “Base Amount”), and if such “tail” insurance is not reasonably available for a cost not exceeding the Base Amount, the Company shall be permitted to purchase as much “tail” insurance coverage as reasonably practicable for the Base Amount. The Company shall in good faith cooperate with Parent prior to the Closing with respect to the procurement of such “tail” insurance. Parent and the Surviving Company shall maintain such “tail” insurance in full force and effect for a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time.

 

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(d)           Parent and the Surviving Company shall advance, and cause to be paid, on a current basis (but no later than thirty (30) days after the submission of invoices) all attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses that may be incurred by any Indemnified Party in enforcing his or her rights under this Section 7.4; provided that any Indemnified Party to whom attorneys’ fees, costs or expenses are advanced provides an undertaking (which shall not require any security) to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined by a final nonappealable adjudication that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification. If any Indemnified Party notifies Parent or the Surviving Company on or prior to the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Closing Date of any matter in respect of which such Indemnified Party may seek indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.4, the provisions of this Section 7.4 shall continue in effect with respect to such matter until the final disposition thereof.

 

(e)           In the event Parent or the Surviving Company or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and, in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent or the Surviving Company, as the case may be, shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 7.4. The provisions of this Section 7.4 (i) shall survive consummation of the Merger and shall not be terminated or amended in a manner adverse to any Indemnified Party without the written consent of such Indemnified Party, (ii) are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and his or her heirs, successors, assigns and representatives (each of whom shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Section 7.4) and (iii) are in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses, exculpation or contribution that any Indemnified Party may have by contract or otherwise.

 

Section 7.5.           Takeover Statutes. From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time or the date, if any, on which this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts (a) to take all action necessary so that no Takeover Statute is or becomes applicable to this Agreement or any of the Transactions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Merger), and (b) if any such Takeover Statute is or becomes applicable to any of the foregoing, to take all action necessary so that the Merger and the other Transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to eliminate or minimize the effect of such Takeover Statute on this Agreement and the Transactions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Merger). No Change of Recommendation shall change, or be deemed to change, or permit the Company or the Company Board of Directors to change, in any manner or respect the approval of the Company Board of Directors for purposes of causing any Takeover Statute to be inapplicable to this Agreement or any of the Transactions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Merger).

 

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Section 7.6.           Obligations of Merger Sub. Parent shall take all action necessary to cause Merger Sub to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Section 7.7.           Employee Matters.

 

(a)           Effective as of the Effective Time and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Parent shall provide, or shall cause the Surviving Company to provide, to each employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiary who continues to be employed by Parent or the Surviving Company or any Subsidiary thereof (each, a “Continuing Employee”), for so long during such period as the applicable Continuing Employee remains so employed, (i) base compensation no less favorable than that provided to such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) target short-term cash incentive compensation opportunities no less favorable than that provided to such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time, (iii) employee benefits (excluding equity incentive compensation, defined benefit pension, retiree medical or welfare benefits, change in control or retention arrangements) that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to either (A) those provided to such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time or (B) those provided by Parent or its affiliates to similarly situated employees and (iv) severance benefits that are no less favorable than the greater of the severance benefits provided (A) to such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time and (B) by Parent or its affiliates to similarly-situated employees of Parent and its affiliates.

 

(b)           For purposes of vesting, eligibility to participate, level of benefits and benefit accrual under the employee benefit plans of Parent and its Subsidiaries providing benefits to any Continuing Employees after the Effective Time (the “New Plans”), each Continuing Employee shall, subject to applicable Law and applicable tax qualification requirements, be credited with his or her years of service with the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective predecessors before the Effective Time (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any service credit provided by the Company or its Subsidiaries to such Continuing Employee in connection with acquisitions occurring prior to the Effective Time); provided that the foregoing shall not apply (x) for any purpose with respect to any equity incentive plan, defined benefit pension plan, postretirement welfare plan, any plan under which credit for prior service was not provided to such Continuing Employee under the analogous Company Benefit Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time (or any plan under which similarly situated employees of Parent and its affiliates do not receive credit for prior service), or any plan that is grandfathered or frozen or (y) to the extent that its application would result in a duplication of benefits. Following the Effective Time, Parent or its affiliate shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) ensure that each Continuing Employee shall be immediately eligible to participate, without any waiting time, in any and all New Plans, to the extent that coverage under such New Plan is of the same type as the Company Benefit Plan in which such Continuing Employee participated immediately before the Effective Time (such plans, collectively, the “Old Plans”) and (ii) (A) for purposes of each New Plan providing medical, dental, pharmaceutical or vision benefits to any Continuing Employee, cause all pre-existing condition exclusions and actively-at-work requirements of such New Plan to be waived for such Continuing Employee and his or her covered dependents and (B) cause any eligible expenses incurred by such Continuing Employee and his or her covered dependents during the portion of the plan year of the Old Plan ending on the date such employee’s participation in the corresponding New Plan begins to be taken into account under such New Plan for purposes of satisfying all deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket requirements applicable to such employee and his or her covered dependents for the applicable plan year as if such amounts had been paid in accordance with such New Plan.

 

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(c)           If, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Effective Time, Parent provides written notice to the Company directing the Company to terminate its tax-qualified defined contribution plan(s) established under Section 401(k) of the Code (the “Company 401(k) Plans”), the Company shall terminate the Company 401(k) Plans effective as of the day immediately preceding the day on which the Effective Time occurs (the “401(k) Termination Date”). In the event that Parent requests that the Company 401(k) Plans be terminated, the Company shall provide Parent with evidence reasonably satisfactory to Parent that such 401(k) plan(s) have been terminated pursuant to resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors (or other authorized committee) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the day on which the Effective Time occurs; provided that prior to terminating the Company 401(k) Plans, the Company shall provide Parent with the form and substance of any applicable resolutions for review and approval (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). If the Company 401(k) Plans are terminated pursuant to this Section 7.7(c), then as soon as reasonably practicable following the 401(k) Termination Date, Parent shall permit each Continuing Employee who was eligible to participate in the Company 401(k) Plans immediately prior to the 401(k) Termination Date to participate in 401(k) plans of Parent or its affiliates, and shall permit each such Continuing Employee to elect to make rollover contributions of “eligible rollover distributions” (within the meaning of Section 402(c)(4) of the Code) in cash in an amount equal to the entire eligible rollover distribution distributable to such Continuing Employee from the Company 401(k) Plans to the 401(k) plans of Parent or its affiliates.

 

(d)           Between the date hereof and the Effective Time, any broad-based written communication materials (including website postings) from the Company or its affiliates to their employees with respect to the Transactions or employment, compensation or benefits matters addressed in this Agreement or related, directly or indirectly, to the Transactions or employment thereafter shall be provided to Parent for review and the Company shall consider any comments to such communications in good faith; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply with respect to any such broad-based written communication material that is consistent in all material respects with any material previously reviewed by Parent.

 

(e)           Parent shall, or shall cause its Subsidiaries to, assume, honor and fulfill all of the Company Benefit Plans in accordance with their terms as in effect immediately prior to the date hereof or as subsequently amended if and as permitted pursuant to the terms of such Company Benefit Plans.

 

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(f)            Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon any Continuing Employee any right to continue in the employ or service of Parent or any affiliate of Parent, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of Parent or any affiliate of Parent, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of any Continuing Employee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 7.7 shall be deemed or construed to be an amendment or other modification of any Company Benefit Plan or employee benefit plan of Parent or Merger Sub or their affiliates. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 7.7 shall create any third-party rights in any current or former employee or other service provider of the Company or its affiliates (or any beneficiaries or dependents thereof).

 

Section 7.8.            Rule 16b-3. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall take all such steps as may be reasonably necessary or advisable hereto to cause any dispositions of Company equity securities (including derivative securities) or acquisitions of Parent equity securities (including derivative securities) pursuant to the Transactions by each individual who is a director or officer of the Company subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

Section 7.9.            Stockholder Litigation. From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time or the date, if any, on which this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, the Company shall provide Parent prompt (and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours) notice of any litigation brought by any stockholder of the Company or purported stockholder of the Company against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries and/or any of their respective directors or officers relating to the Merger or any of the other Transactions or this Agreement, and shall keep Parent reasonably informed on a prompt and timely basis with respect to the status thereof. The Company shall give Parent the opportunity to participate (at Parent’s expense, and subject to a customary joint defense agreement) in, but not control, the defense or settlement of any such litigation and reasonably cooperate with Parent in conducting the defense or settlement of such litigation, and no such settlement shall be agreed without Parent’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, except that Parent may, in its sole discretion, withhold such consent to any settlement which does not include a full release of Parent and its affiliates (including the Surviving Company and its Subsidiaries) with respect to all liabilities, causes of action and claims arising out of, or related to, the claims asserted in such litigation or which imposes an injunction or other equitable relief upon Parent or any of its affiliates (including the Surviving Company and its Subsidiaries). In the event of, and to the extent of, any conflict or overlap between the provisions of this Section 7.9 and Section 6.1 or Section 7.2 (but without otherwise limiting any of the Parties’ obligations under Section 7.2), the provisions of this Section 7.9 shall control.

 

Section 7.10.          Delisting. Each of the Parties agrees to cooperate with the other Parties in taking, or causing to be taken, all actions reasonably necessary to delist the Company Common Stock from the New York Stock Exchange and terminate its registration under the Exchange Act; provided that such delisting and termination shall not be effective until at or after the Effective Time. If the Surviving Company may be required to file any quarterly or annual report pursuant to the Exchange Act by a filing deadline that is imposed by the Exchange Act and which falls on a date within the ten (10) days following the Closing Date, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to file such quarterly or annual report prior to the Closing.

 

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Section 7.11.          Director Resignations. Prior to the Closing, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered to Parent resignations executed by each director of the Company in office as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and effective upon the Effective Time, and the Company shall cooperate with Parent in preparing for the replacement, upon the Effective Time, of directors and officers of the Company Subsidiaries with those Persons designated by Parent.

 

Section 7.12.          Proxy Statement; Company Stockholders’ Meeting.

 

(a)            As promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Company shall prepare (and Parent shall reasonably and in good faith cooperate with such preparation) and file with the SEC the preliminary Proxy Statement. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause such filing to occur no later than twenty-five (25) Business Days following the date of this Agreement. Each of the Company and Parent shall furnish all information concerning itself and its affiliates that is reasonably requested or required to be included in the Proxy Statement or that is customarily included in proxy statements prepared in connection with transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement, and each of the Company and Parent covenants that none of the information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or incorporation in the Proxy Statement will, at the date it or any amendment or supplement thereto is filed with the SEC or is mailed to the Company Stockholders, as applicable, or at the time of the Company Stockholders’ Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Parent shall provide the Company such assistance and cooperation which the Company reasonably requests in preparation of the information related to Parent or Merger Sub to be included in the Proxy Statement. Each of the Company and Parent shall use its respective reasonable best efforts to respond as promptly as practicable to any comments of the SEC with respect to the Proxy Statement. The Company shall promptly notify Parent upon the receipt of any comments from the SEC or its staff or any request from the SEC or its staff for amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement and shall supply Parent with copies of all correspondence with the SEC or its staff with respect to the Proxy Statement. The Company shall give Parent and its counsel a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Proxy Statement, including all amendments and supplements thereto, prior to filing such documents with the SEC or disseminating them to holders of shares of Company Common Stock and a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on all responses to requests for additional information, and shall consider any comments proposed by Parent in good faith. The Company will cause the definitive Proxy Statement to be mailed to the Company Stockholders as promptly as practicable after the date on which the Company learns that the Proxy Statement will not be reviewed or that the SEC staff has no further comments thereon. If, at any time prior to the Company Stockholders’ Meeting, any information relating to the Company, Parent or any of their respective affiliates, officers or directors should be discovered by the Company or Parent that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement, so that the Proxy Statement shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Party that discovers such information shall promptly notify the other Parties and correct such information, and the Company shall file an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information with the SEC.

 

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(b)            Unless this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, the Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date hereof and in consultation with Parent, duly hold a meeting of its stockholders for the purpose of obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval (the “Company Stockholders’ Meeting”) with a record date and meeting date to be selected after reasonable consultation with Parent, and, subject to a Change of Recommendation in accordance with Section 6.3(d), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval. Within ten (10) Business Days after the date of this Agreement (and at reasonable times thereafter, upon the request of Parent), the Company shall conduct a “broker search” in accordance with Rule 14a-13 of the Exchange Act for a record date for the Company Stockholders’ Meeting that is twenty (20) Business Days after the date of such “broker search.” The Company shall not postpone or adjourn the Company Stockholders’ Meeting without the prior written consent of Parent; provided that if at any time following the dissemination of the Proxy Statement, either the Company or Parent reasonably determines in good faith that the Company Stockholder Approval is unlikely to be obtained at the Company Stockholders’ Meeting, including due to an absence of quorum, then on no more than two (2) occasions (for each of the Company and Parent) and prior to the vote contemplated having been taken, each of the Company and Parent shall have the right to require an adjournment or postponement of the Company Stockholders’ Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional votes in favor of this Agreement; provided, further, that no such adjournment or postponement shall delay the Company Stockholders’ Meeting (in each case) by more than ten (10) days from the prior-scheduled date or to a date on or after the fifth (5th) Business Day preceding the Outside Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may postpone or adjourn the Company Stockholders’ Meeting if (i) the Company is required to postpone or adjourn the Company Stockholders’ Meeting by applicable Law or the rules or requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, or (ii) the Company Board of Directors or any authorized committee thereof shall have determined in good faith (after consultation with outside legal counsel) that it is necessary or appropriate to postpone or adjourn the Company Stockholders’ Meeting in order to give Company Stockholders sufficient time to evaluate any information or disclosure that the Company has sent or otherwise made available to such holders by issuing a press release, filing materials with the SEC or otherwise (including in connection with any Change of Recommendation) (in each case so long as any such information or disclosure was made in compliance with this Agreement); provided that the Company shall be permitted to postpone or adjourn the Company Stockholders’ Meeting pursuant to this clause (ii) on no more than two (2) occasions and no such adjournments or postponements shall delay the Company Stockholders’ Meeting by more than fifteen (15) days (in the aggregate; provided that such days need not run consecutively) from the prior-scheduled date or to a date on or after the fifth (5th) Business Day preceding the Outside Date. Unless there has been a Change of Recommendation in accordance with Section 6.3(d), the Company shall promptly provide Parent with all voting tabulation reports relating to the Company Stockholders’ Meeting that have been prepared by the Company or the Company’s transfer agent, proxy solicitor or other Representative, and shall otherwise keep Parent reasonably informed regarding the status of the solicitation and any material oral or written communications from or to Company Stockholders with respect thereto.

 

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Section 7.13.          Financing Cooperation.

 

(a)            Prior to the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement, the Company shall, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives to, provide such reasonable cooperation in connection with any financing by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions as may be requested by Parent, Merger Sub or their Representatives. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives to, upon request (i) furnish the report of the Company’s auditor on the most recently available audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent of such auditor to the use of such report in accordance with normal custom and practice and use reasonable best efforts to cause such auditor to provide customary comfort letters to the underwriters, initial purchasers or placement agents, as applicable, in connection with any such financing; (ii) furnish any additional financial statements, schedules or other financial data relating to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as may be reasonably requested by Parent and required in connection with any such financing (including, if applicable, any such statements, schedules or data to be used in the preparation of pro forma financial statements), but in each case, only to the extent that such additional financial statements, schedules or other financial data are prepared by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and readily available; (iii) provide a reasonable amount of direct contact between (A) senior management and advisors, including auditors, of the Company and (B) the proposed lenders, underwriters, initial purchasers or placement agents, as applicable, and/or Parent’s auditors in connection with, any such financing, at reasonable times and upon reasonable advance notice, provided that such access does not unreasonably interfere with the operations of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries; (iv) make available the employees and advisors of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to provide reasonable assistance with Parent’s preparation of business projections, financing documents and offer materials in connection with any such financing, at reasonable times and upon reasonable advance notice, provided that such access does not unreasonably interfere with the operations of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries; (v) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the cooperation and assistance of counsel to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in providing customary legal opinions; (vi) provide information, documents (including information and documents required in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the U.S.A. Patriot Act of 2001), authorization letters, opinions and certificates, enter into agreements (including supplemental indentures) and take other actions that, in each case, are customary in connection with any such financing or reasonably necessary or desirable to permit Parent to fulfill conditions or obligations under the related financing documents, provided that such agreements entered into shall be conditioned upon, and shall not take effect until, the Effective Time; (vii) reasonably assist in the preparation of one or more confidential information memoranda, prospectuses, offering memoranda and other marketing and syndication materials reasonably requested by Parent; (viii) permit Parent’s reasonable use of the Company’s and the Company Subsidiaries’ logos for syndication and underwriting, as applicable, of any such financing; (ix) use commercially reasonable efforts to assist in procuring any necessary rating agency ratings or approvals; and (x) not commence or effect any offering, placement or arrangement of any debt securities or bank financing competing with the proposed Parent financing (and not permit any such offering, placement or arrangements to occur on its behalf).

 

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(b)            Notwithstanding anything in this Section 7.13 to the contrary, in fulfilling its obligations pursuant to this Section 7.13, (i) none of the Company, the Company Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives shall be required to pay any commitment or other fee, provide any security or incur any other liability in connection with any financing prior to the Effective Time and (ii) Parent shall, promptly upon request by the Company, reimburse the Company for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries in connection with such cooperation. Parent shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Company Subsidiaries from and against any and all losses or damages actually suffered or incurred by them directly in connection with the arrangement of any such financing (other than to the extent resulting from (A) the willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or any of their respective Representatives acting on their behalf, (B) the material breach by the Company of its obligations under this Section 7.13 or (C) information provided by the Company, the Company Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives acting on their behalf for use in connection with any such financing).

 

(c)            Prior to the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement, Parent shall, upon request by the Company, keep the Company reasonably informed at reasonable time intervals regarding the progress and status of any financing arrangements in connection with the Transactions.

 

(d)            For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation of Parent and Merger Sub to close the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not conditioned upon the consummation of any financing.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

 

Section 8.1.            Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of each Party to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions, any and all of which may be waived in whole or in part by written agreement of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

 

(a)            Company Stockholder Approval. The Company Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.

 

(b)            No Legal Prohibition. No Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have (i) enacted, issued or promulgated any Law that is in effect or (ii) issued or granted any order or injunction (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect, in each case which has the effect of restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of any of the Transactions.

 

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(c)            Regulatory Approvals. (i) Any waiting period (and extensions thereof) applicable to the Transactions under the HSR Act and any agreements or commitments with a Governmental Entity not to consummate the Transactions, shall have expired or been terminated, (ii) any other required approvals, consents, or clearances under any Antitrust Laws or FDI Laws of the jurisdictions set forth in Section 8.1(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter shall have been obtained and (iii) the CFIUS Approval shall have been obtained.

 

Section 8.2.            Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger are also subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions, any and all of which may be waived in whole or in part by Parent or Merger Sub:

 

(a)            Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4.1(a) (other than the second sentence thereof), Section 4.1(c) (other than the last sentence thereof), Section 4.2(b), Section 4.2(c), Section 4.3 and Section 4.26 shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing as though made on and as of the Closing (except, in each case, representations and warranties that by their terms speak specifically as of another date, in which case as of such date); (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4.2(a) shall be true and correct other than for de minimis inaccuracies as of the date hereof and shall be true and correct other than for de minimis inaccuracies as of the Closing as though made on and as of the Closing (except, in each case, representations and warranties that by their terms speak specifically as of another date, in which case as of such date); (iii) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4.8(a) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof and shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing as though made on and as of the Closing; and (iv) the other representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement (without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect contained therein) shall be true and correct as of the date hereof or shall be true and correct as of the Closing as though made on and as of the Closing (except, in each case, representations and warranties that by their terms speak specifically as of another date, in which case as of such date), except, with respect to this clause (iv), where any failures of any such representations and warranties to be true and correct (without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect contained therein) have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)            Performance of Obligations. The Company shall have performed and complied, in each case, in all material respects with the obligations, covenants and agreements required to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing.

 

(c)            No Material Adverse Effect. No Company Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement that is continuing.

 

(d)            Company Officer’s Certificate. Parent and Merger Sub shall have received from the Company a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, certifying to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a), Section 8.2(b) and Section 8.2(c) have been satisfied.

 

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Section 8.3.            Conditions to the Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the Company to effect the Merger are also subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions, any and all of which may be waived in whole or in part by the Company:

 

(a)            Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in Section 5.1 (other than the third sentence thereof) and Section 5.3 and Section 5.8 shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing as though made on and as of the Closing (except, in each case, representations and warranties that by their terms speak specifically as of another date, in which case as of such date), (ii) the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in Section 5.2 shall be true and correct other than for de minimis inaccuracies as of the date hereof and shall be true and correct other than for de minimis inaccuracies as of the Closing as if made on and as of the Closing (except, in each case, for representations and warranties that speak specifically of another date, in which case as of such date) and (iii) the other representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement (without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality contained therein) shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct as of the Closing as though made on and as of the Closing (except, in each case, representations and warranties that by their terms speak specifically as of another date, in which case as of such date), except where any failures of any such representations and warranties to be so true and correct (without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality contained therein) have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger.

 

(b)            Performance of Obligations. Parent and Merger Sub shall have performed and complied, in each case, in all material respects with the obligations, covenants and agreements required to be performed or complied with by them under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing.

 

(c)            Parent Officers’ Certificate. The Company shall have received from Parent a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of Parent, certifying to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a) and Section 8.3(b) have been satisfied.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

TERMINATION

 

Section 9.1.            Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger and the other Transactions may be abandoned, at any time before the Effective Time, as follows (with any termination by Parent also being an effective termination by Merger Sub):

 

(a)            by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;

 

(b)            by the Company, in the event that (i) the Company is not then in material breach of this Agreement and (ii) (A) Parent and/or Merger Sub shall have breached, failed to perform or violated their respective covenants or agreements under this Agreement, or (B) any of the representations and warranties of Parent or Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement shall have become inaccurate, and in either case of clause (A) or (B) where such breach, failure to perform, violation or inaccuracy (1) would result in the failure of any of the conditions set forth in Section 8.3(a) or Section 8.3(b) to be satisfied, and (2) is not capable of being cured by the Outside Date or, if capable of being cured by the Outside Date, is not cured by Parent or Merger Sub, as applicable, before the earlier of (x) the Business Day immediately prior to the Outside Date and (y) the thirtieth (30th) calendar day following receipt of written notice from the Company of such breach, failure to perform, violation or inaccuracy;

 

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(c)            by Parent, in the event that (i) neither Parent nor Merger Sub is then in material breach of this Agreement and (ii) (A) the Company shall have breached, failed to perform or violated its covenants or agreements under this Agreement or (B) any of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall have become inaccurate, and in either case of clause (A) or (B) where such breach, failure to perform, violation or inaccuracy (1) would result in the failure of any of the conditions set forth in Section 8.2(a) or Section 8.2(b) to be satisfied, and (2) is not capable of being cured by the Outside Date or, if capable of being cured by the Outside Date, is not cured by the Company before the earlier of (x) the Business Day immediately prior to the Outside Date and (y) the thirtieth (30th) calendar day following receipt of written notice from Parent or Merger Sub of such breach, failure to perform, violation or inaccuracy;

 

(d)            by either Parent or the Company, in the event that the Effective Time has not occurred on or before the date that is twelve (12) months after the date hereof (the “Outside Date”); provided that (i) if, on the Outside Date, all of the conditions set forth in Article VIII, other than the conditions set forth in Section 8.1(b) (to the extent any such injunction or order is in respect of, or any such Law is, the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Law or any FDI Law) or Section 8.1(c) and those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied on the Closing Date (if such conditions would be satisfied or validly waived were the Closing Date to occur at such time), shall have been satisfied or waived, then the Outside Date shall automatically be extended for all purposes hereunder by a period of three (3) months (in which case, such date shall become the Outside Date for all purposes of this Agreement); and (ii) the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(d) shall not be available to any Party whose action or failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been a proximate cause of the failure of the Effective Time to occur by the Outside Date and such action or failure to fulfill such obligation constitutes a material breach of this Agreement;

 

(e)            by Parent, if, prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, (i) a Change of Recommendation has occurred or (ii) the Company has materially breached Section 6.3;

 

(f)            by either the Company or Parent if a Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have issued a final, non-appealable order, injunction, decree or ruling in each case permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of any of the Transactions;

 

(g)            by the Company, prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, in order to effect a Change of Recommendation and substantially concurrently enter into a definitive agreement providing for a Superior Proposal; provided that (i) the Company has complied with Section 6.3 and (ii) immediately prior to or substantially concurrently with (and as a condition to) the termination of this Agreement, the Company pays to Parent the Termination Fee;

 

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(h)            by either the Company or Parent, if the Company Stockholders’ Meeting (including any adjournments or postponements thereof) shall have concluded and the Company Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained; or

 

(i)             by either the Company or Parent following a CFIUS Turndown; provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(i) shall not be available to any Party whose action or failure to fulfill its obligations pursuant to Section 7.2(e) has been a proximate cause of the CFIUS Turndown and such action or failure to fulfill such obligations constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.

 

Section 9.2.            Effect of Termination.

 

(a)            In the event of the valid termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 9.1, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other Party or Parties specifying the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made, and this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and there shall be no liability on the part of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company, except that the Confidentiality Agreement, this Section 9.2 and Section 10.3 through Section 10.13 shall survive such termination; provided that nothing herein shall relieve any Party from liability (including damages) for Fraud or Willful Breach of this Agreement prior to such termination (which damages may include loss of the economic benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to holders of Company Common Stock and Company Equity Awards entitled to receive the Merger Consideration, as applicable, pursuant to Section 261(a)(1) of the DGCL and subject to Section 10.8(a)). For purposes of this Agreement, “Willful Breach” shall mean a deliberate action taken or deliberate failure to act that the breaching party intentionally takes (or intentionally fails to take) and actually knows would, or would reasonably be expected to, be or cause a material breach of this Agreement.

 

(b)            Termination Fee.

 

(i)            If (A) Parent terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(h), (B) after the date hereof and prior to the date of the Company Stockholders’ Meeting at which the Company Stockholder Approval was not obtained, an Acquisition Proposal was publicly disclosed (whether by the Company or a third party) and not publicly withdrawn at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date of the applicable Company Stockholders’ Meeting, and (C) within twelve (12) months of such termination, an Acquisition Proposal is consummated or a definitive agreement providing for an Acquisition Proposal is entered into, then on or prior to the date that is two (2) Business Days after the earlier of (x) the date that such Acquisition Proposal is consummated and (y) the date of entry of such definitive agreement, the Company shall pay to Parent a fee of $32,350,000 in cash (the “Termination Fee”).

 

(ii)            If (A) after the date hereof and prior to the termination of this Agreement, an Acquisition Proposal is made to the Company Board of Directors or the Company’s management or becomes publicly disclosed (whether by the Company or a third party) and not withdrawn (publicly, if publicly disclosed) prior to such termination, (B) (1) Parent or the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(d) (provided that, if the Company is the terminating Party under Section 9.1(d), Parent is not at such time prohibited from terminating this Agreement by the terms of Section 9.1(d)(ii)) or (2) Parent terminates this Agreement pursuant to (x) Section 9.1(c)(ii)(A) due to a breach of, or a failure to perform or comply with, one or more covenants or agreements under this Agreement by the Company following the making of such Acquisition Proposal or (y) Section 9.1(e)(ii) (but in the case of this clause (y), only if the Company has Willfully Breached Section 6.3), and (C) within twelve (12) months of such termination, an Acquisition Proposal is consummated or a definitive agreement providing for an Acquisition Proposal is entered into, then on or prior to the date that is two (2) Business Days after the earlier of (x) the date that such Acquisition Proposal is consummated and (y) the date of entry of such definitive agreement, the Company shall pay to Parent the Termination Fee.

 

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(iii)          If Parent terminates this Agreement pursuant to (A) Section 9.1(e)(i) or (B) Section 9.1(e)(ii) (but in the case of this clause (B), only if the Company has Willfully Breached Section 6.3), within five (5) Business Days after such termination, the Company shall pay to Parent the Termination Fee.

 

(iv)         If the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(g), substantially concurrently with or prior to (and as a condition to) such termination, the Company shall pay to Parent the Termination Fee.

 

(v)          In the event any amount is payable by the Company pursuant to the preceding clauses (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv), such amount shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by Parent. Parent shall promptly provide wire transfer instructions in writing to the Company upon request (and in any event with sufficient time to allow the Company to pay or cause to be paid to Parent any Termination Fee payable hereunder within the time periods required by this Section 9.2(b)). For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Company be obligated to pay the Termination Fee on more than one occasion.

 

(vi)         Solely for purposes of Section 9.2(b)(i) and Section 9.2(b)(ii), the term “Acquisition Proposal” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1, except that all references to “fifteen percent (15%)” and “eighty-five percent (85%)” therein shall be deemed to be references to “fifty percent (50%).”

 

(c)            Regulatory Termination Fee.

 

(i)            If the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(d) (or Parent terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(d) and at the time of such termination by Parent, the Company was not prohibited from terminating this Agreement pursuant to the terms of Section 9.1(d)), and at the time of such termination, all conditions set forth in Article VIII are satisfied or validly waived, other than (A) conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied on the Closing Date (if such conditions would be satisfied or validly waived were the Closing Date to occur at such time) and (B) any condition set forth in Section 8.1(b) or Section 8.1(c), within five (5) Business Days after such termination, Parent shall pay to the Company a fee of $32,350,000 in cash (the “Regulatory Termination Fee”).

 

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(ii)           If the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(f) (or Parent terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(f) and at the time of such termination by Parent, the Company was not prohibited from terminating this Agreement pursuant to the terms of Section 9.1(f)), within five (5) Business Days after such termination, Parent shall pay to the Company the Regulatory Termination Fee.

 

(iii)          In the event any amount is payable by Parent pursuant to the preceding clauses (i) or (ii), such amount shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by the Company. The Company shall promptly provide wire transfer instructions in writing to Parent upon request (and in any event with sufficient time to allow Parent to pay or cause to be paid to the Company any Regulatory Termination Fee payable hereunder within the time periods required by this Section 9.2(c)). For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall Parent be obligated to pay the Regulatory Termination Fee on more than one occasion.

 

(d)            Each Party acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 9.2 are an integral part of the Transactions and that, without these agreements, the Parties hereto would not enter into this Agreement. Each Party further acknowledges that each of the Termination Fee and Regulatory Termination Fee is not a penalty, but rather is liquidated damages in a reasonable amount that will compensate Parent and Merger Sub or the Company, as the case may be, in the circumstances in which the Termination Fee or Regulatory Termination Fee (as applicable) is payable, for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the Transactions. In addition, if the Company fails to pay in a timely manner any amount due pursuant to Section 9.2(b), or Parent fails to pay in a timely manner any amount due pursuant to Section 9.2(c), then (i) the applicable Party with the payment obligation shall reimburse the other Party for all reasonable, documented, out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including disbursements and fees of counsel) incurred in the collection of such overdue amounts, including in connection with any related claims, actions or proceedings commenced and (ii) the applicable Party with the payment obligation shall pay to the other Party the interest on the amounts payable pursuant to Section 9.2(b) or Section 9.2(c), as applicable, from and including the date payment of such amounts was due to but excluding the date of actual payment at the prime rate set forth in the Wall Street Journal in effect on the date such payment was required to be made. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (1) upon Parent’s receipt of the full Termination Fee (and any other amounts contemplated by this Section 9.2(d)) pursuant to this Section 9.2 in circumstances in which the Termination Fee is payable, none of the Company, any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective former, current or future officers, directors, partners, stockholders, managers, members, affiliates or agents shall have any further liability or obligation relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the Transactions, except for Fraud or Willful Breach (as defined in Section 9.2(a)) and (2) upon the Company’s receipt of the full Regulatory Termination Fee (and any other amounts contemplated by this Section 9.2(d)) pursuant to this Section 9.2 in circumstances in which the Regulatory Termination Fee is payable, none of Parent, any Parent Subsidiary or any of their respective former, current or future officers, directors, partners, stockholders, managers, members, affiliates or agents shall have any further liability or obligation relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the Transactions, except for Fraud or Willful Breach (as defined in Section 9.2(a)).

 

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ARTICLE X

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 10.1.          Amendment and Modification; Waiver.

 

(a)            Subject to applicable Law and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement may be amended, modified and supplemented by written agreement of each of the Parties.

 

(b)            At any time and from time to time prior to the Effective Time, either the Company, on the one hand, or Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand, may, to the extent legally allowed and except as otherwise set forth herein, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Parties, as applicable, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made by the other Parties contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for their respective benefit contained herein. Any agreement on the part of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of Parent or the Company, as applicable. No failure or delay by the Company, Parent or Merger Sub in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any other right hereunder.

 

Section 10.2.          Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any schedule, instrument or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This Section 10.2 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the Parties which by its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time or termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.3.          Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions shall be paid by the Party incurring such costs and expenses.

 

Section 10.4.          Transfer Taxes and Non-Resident Capital Gain Taxes. Subject to Section 3.2(b)(i), any Transfer Taxes imposed in connection with the Transactions for which the Company or Parent is liable under applicable Tax Law shall be borne by the Company or Parent to the extent provided by applicable Tax Law. The Parties shall not file, or cause to be filed, any Tax Return or Ruling Request, in each case relating to Non-Resident Capital Gain Taxes imposed in connection with the Transactions, unless the Parties mutually agree in writing to make any such filing. If the Parties so consent, the Parties shall cooperate in good faith in preparing and filing any such Tax Return or Ruling Request, and no such Tax Return or Ruling Request shall be filed or submitted without each Party’s prior written consent. Neither Party shall seek guidance, directly or indirectly, from any Governmental Entity as to the Non-Resident Capital Gain Tax treatment of the Transactions without the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

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Section 10.5.          Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally (notice deemed given upon receipt), by electronic mail (notice deemed given upon confirmation of receipt) or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, such as Federal Express (notice deemed given upon receipt of proof of delivery), to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

if to Parent, Merger Sub or Parent Topco, to:

 

  MMS USA Holdings, Inc. 
  133 avenue des Champs Elysées 
  75008 Paris 
  France
  Email: anne-gabrielle.heilbronner@publicisgroupe.com
  Attention: Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner

 

with a copy to:

 

  Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz 
  51 West 52nd Street
  New York, New York 10019
  Email: AOEmmerich@wlrk.com 
    HClark@wlrk.com
  Attention: Adam O. Emmerich
    Hannah Clark

 

if to the Company, to:

 

  LiveRamp Holdings Inc. 
  LiveRamp, Inc. 
  225 Bush Street, 17th Floor 
  San Francisco, CA 94104 
  USA
  Email: lauren.dillard@liveramp.com 
    jerry.jones@liveramp.com 
    david.eisenberg@liveramp.com
  Attention: Lauren Dillard 
    Jerry Jones 
    David Eisenberg

 

with a copy to:

 

  Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
  550 Hamilton Avenue
  Palo Alto, California 94301
  Email: ringler@sullcrom.com 
    jonesp@sullcrom.com
    traversg@sullcrom.com
  Attention: Mike Ringler
    Peter Jones
    Greg Travers

 

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Section 10.6.          Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to Sections, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliates” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. The word “extent” and the phrase “to the extent” when used in this Agreement shall mean the degree to which a subject or other things extends, and such word or phrase shall not merely mean “if.” The term “or” is not exclusive. The phrases “the date of this Agreement,” “the date hereof,” “of even date herewith” and terms of similar import, shall be deemed to refer to the date set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. The table of contents and headings set forth in this Agreement or any schedule delivered pursuant to this Agreement are for convenience of reference purposes only and shall not affect or be deemed to affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or such schedule or any term or provision hereof or thereof. All references herein to the Subsidiaries of a Person shall be deemed to include all direct and indirect Subsidiaries of such Person unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires. The Parties agree that they have been represented by counsel during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any Law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document. If any action under this Agreement is required to be done or taken on a day that is not a Business Day, then such action shall be required to be done or taken on the first succeeding Business Day thereafter. Any Law defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such Law as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor Laws. Words describing the singular number shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa, words denoting any gender shall be deemed to include all genders, and words denoting natural persons shall be deemed to include business entities and vice versa. The words “hereof,” “herein” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The word “dollars” or symbol “$” refers to U.S. dollars.

 

Section 10.7.          Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed manually or by electronic transmission by the Parties, in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when a counterpart hereof shall have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties. The exchange of a fully executed Agreement (in counterparts or otherwise) by electronic transmission in .pdf format shall be sufficient to bind the Parties to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.8.          Entire Agreement; Third-Party Beneficiaries.

 

(a)            This Agreement (including the Company Disclosure Letter and the Parent Disclosure Letter) and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all other prior agreements (except that the Confidentiality Agreement shall be deemed amended hereby so that until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.1, Parent and Merger Sub shall be permitted to take the actions contemplated by this Agreement) and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if the Closing occurs, the holders of Company Common Stock and Company Equity Awards shall be third party beneficiaries of the right to receive the applicable Merger Consideration as set forth in Article II and Article III, in each case after the Effective Time and (ii) if the Closing does not occur, the Company shall have the right, pursuant to Section 261(a)(2) of the DGCL, as representative on behalf of holders of Company Common Stock and Company Equity Awards, to pursue claims for damages for any Fraud or breach of this Agreement by Parent or Merger Sub, as applicable, that gives rise to any such claim (including damages based on loss of the economic benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to holders of Company Common Stock and Company Equity Awards entitled to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to Article II and Article III, as applicable, including loss of premium offered to such holders, in each case, pursuant to Section 261(a)(1) of the DGCL), in each case, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 9.2, it being agreed that in no event shall any holders of Company Common Stock or Company Equity Awards be entitled to enforce any of their rights, or Parent’s or Merger Sub’s obligations, under this Agreement in the event of any such breach, but rather that the Company shall have the sole and exclusive right to do so in its sole and absolute discretion, as agent for the holders of Company Common Stock and Company Equity Awards, and any damages, settlements, or other amounts recovered or received by the Company with respect to such claims may, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, as applicable, be (x) distributed, in whole or in part, by the Company to the holders of Company Common Stock or Company Equity Awards of record as of any date determined by the Company or (y) retained by the Company for the use and benefit of the Company on behalf of the holders of Company Common Stock and Company Equity Awards.

 

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(b)            Except for clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 10.8(a), and as provided in Section 7.4 (which is for the benefit of the Indemnified Parties), nothing in this Agreement (including the Company Disclosure Letter and the Parent Disclosure Letter) or in the Confidentiality Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person other than the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder.

 

Section 10.9.          Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by rule of Law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Merger is not affected in any manner adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the Merger is fulfilled to the extent possible.

 

Section 10.10.        Governing Law; Jurisdiction.

 

(a)            This Agreement, and all claims, causes of action (whether in contract, tort or statute) or other matters that may directly or indirectly result from, arise out of, be in connection with or relating to this Agreement or the other agreements delivered in connection herewith, or the execution or performance of this Agreement or such other agreements, or the Merger or the other Transactions (the “Relevant Matters”) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles that would result in the application of the Law of any other state or other jurisdiction.

 

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(b)            Each of the Parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks jurisdiction, the Federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Relevant Matter or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment relating thereto, and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees not to commence any such action or proceeding except in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks jurisdiction, the Federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and any appellate court from any thereof; (ii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks jurisdiction, the Federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and any appellate court from any thereof; (iii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in such courts; and (iv) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in such courts. Each of the Parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable Law. Each Party to this Agreement irrevocably and unconditionally consents to service of process inside or outside the territorial jurisdiction of the courts referred to in this Section 10.10(b) in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.5. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any Party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable Law.

 

Section 10.11.        Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE RELEVANT MATTERS. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE SUCH WAIVERS, (B) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVERS, (C) IT MAKES SUCH WAIVERS VOLUNTARILY AND (D) IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.11.

 

Section 10.12.        Assignment. Neither this Agreement, nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder, shall be assigned by any of the Parties (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other Parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, but without relieving any Party of any obligation hereunder, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 10.13.        Enforcement; Remedies.

 

(a)            Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a Party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by Law or equity upon such Party, and the exercise by a Party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy.

 

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(b)           The Parties agree that irreparable injury will occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement is not performed in accordance with its specific terms or is otherwise breached. It is agreed that prior to the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article IX, each Party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or remedy any breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement by any other Party, to a decree or order of specific performance specifically enforcing the terms and provisions of this Agreement (including the Parties’ obligations to consummate the Merger and the other Transactions) and to any further equitable relief.

 

(c)            The Parties’ rights in this Section 10.13 are an integral part of the Transactions and each Party hereby waives any objections to any remedy referred to in this Section 10.13 (including any objection on the basis that there is an adequate remedy at Law or that an award of such remedy is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at Law or equity). For the avoidance of doubt, each Party agrees that there is not an adequate remedy at Law for a breach of this Agreement by any Party. In the event any Party seeks any remedy referred to in this Section 10.13, such Party shall not be required to obtain, furnish, post or provide any bond or other security in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any such remedy.

 

(d)           This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or causes of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement may only be made against the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto and no former, current or future holders of any equity, controlling persons, directors, officers, agents and attorneys, affiliates (other than Parent as an affiliate of Merger Sub or Merger Sub as an affiliate of Parent), Representatives, members, managers, general or limited partners, stockholders or assignees of any of the Company, Parent or Merger Sub shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the Parties to this Agreement or for any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby or in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith; provided that this Section 10.13(c) shall not limit claims for Fraud.

 

Section 10.14.        Parent Topco Guarantee. Parent Topco hereby guarantees to the Company the full and timely performance of all of the obligations of Parent under this Agreement, including the payment obligations of Parent pursuant to Section 3.1(a) (collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”). This is a guarantee of performance, and not merely of collection, and Parent Topco acknowledges and agrees that this guarantee is full and unconditional, and no amendment, modification, release or extinguishment of Parent’s obligations or liabilities, whether by decree in any bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise, shall affect the continuing validity and enforceability of this guarantee. Parent Topco hereby waives, for the benefit of the Company, (a) any right to require the Company, as a condition of performance by Parent Topco, to proceed in any action against Parent or pursue any other remedies whatsoever and (b) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by any Law that limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, other than defense of performance in full of the Guaranteed Obligations. If all or any part of any payment to or for the benefit of the Company in respect of a Guaranteed Obligation is invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential or set aside and, in each such case, required for any reason to be repaid or paid to a trustee, receiver or other third party, the Guaranteed Obligations that otherwise would have been satisfied by that payment or partial payment will be revived and will continue in full force and effect as if that payment had not been made. Parent Topco understands and acknowledges that the Company is relying on this guarantee and the representations and warranties set forth in the immediately following sentence in entering into this Agreement. Parent Topco hereby represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement (solely for the purposes of this Section 10.14), to carry out its obligations hereunder and make any payments required to be made hereby, (ii) the execution and delivery by Parent Topco of this Agreement (solely for purposes of this Section 10.14), and the performance by Parent Topco of its obligations hereunder, have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Parent Topco and (iii) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent Topco (solely for purposes of this Section 10.14), and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent Topco, enforceable against Parent Topco in accordance with its terms.

 

(Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

  MMS USA HOLDINGS, INC.
   
  By /s/ Robert W. Vyverberg
    Name: Robert W. Vyverberg
    Title: Secretary
   
  COVEY MERGER SUB, INC.
   
  By /s/ Tom J. Caffrey
    Name: Tom J. Caffrey
    Title: President

 

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 

 


 

  LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC.
   
  By /s/ Scott Howe
    Name: Scott Howe
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 

 


 

  PUBLICIS GROUPE S.A.
  (solely for the purposes of Section 10.14)
   
  By /s/ Arthur Sadoun
    Name: Arthur Sadoun
    Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 

 


 

Annex A

 

Surviving Company Certificate of Incorporation

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

of

 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC.

 

I, the undersigned, for the purpose of incorporating and organizing a corporation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, do hereby execute this Certificate of Incorporation and do hereby certify as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the corporation is LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

The address, including street, number, city, and county, of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19801; and the name of the registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is the Corporation Trust Company.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The purpose of the Corporation shall be to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized and incorporated under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Section 1.            The Corporation shall be authorized to issue 1,000 shares of capital stock, all of which 1,000 shares shall be shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”).

 

Section 2.            Except as otherwise provided by law, the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes. Each share of the Common Stock shall have one vote and the Common Stock shall vote together as a single class.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Any one or more directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to be voted in the election of directors.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of those powers conferred by law, the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is expressly authorized and empowered to make, alter and repeal the by-laws of the Corporation (the “By-Laws”).

 

A-1 


 

ARTICLE VII

 

Meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated by, or in the manner provided in, the By-Laws or, if not so designated, at the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless and to the extent that the By-Laws so provide.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Corporation reserves the right at any time from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and any other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereinafter prescribed by law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

A director or officer of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, as applicable, except to the extent such exemption from liability, or limitation thereof, is not permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. If the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is hereafter amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors or officers, as applicable, then the liability of a director or officer, as applicable, shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as so amended.

 

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article IX by the stockholders shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including any action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified by the corporation, if, as and to the extent authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware, against expenses (including the attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by him, in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, suit, investigation or proceeding. The indemnification expressly provided by statute in a specific case shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person indemnified may be entitled under any lawful agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

A-2 


 

Annex B

 

Surviving Company Bylaws

 

BY-LAWS

 

of

 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC.

 

dated as of [         ]

 

B-1 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I OFFICES 3
   
SECTION 1. REGISTERED OFFICE 3
SECTION 2. OTHER OFFICES 3
     
ARTICLE II MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS 3
     
SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETINGS 3
SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS 3
SECTION 3. VOTING 3
SECTION 4. QUORUM 4
SECTION 5. NOTICE OF MEETINGS 4
SECTION 6. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING 4
     
ARTICLE III DIRECTORS 4
     
SECTION 1. NUMBER AND TERM 4
SECTION 2. RESIGNATIONS 4
SECTION 3. VACANCIES 5
SECTION 4. REMOVAL 5
SECTION 5. COMMITTEES 5
SECTION 6. MEETINGS 5
SECTION 7. QUORUM 5
SECTION 8. COMPENSATION 6
SECTION 9. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING 6
     
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS 6
     
SECTION 1. OFFICERS 6
SECTION 2. MANAGING DIRECTOR 6
SECTION 3. VICE PRESIDENTS 6
SECTION 4. TREASURER 6
SECTION 5. SECRETARY 7
SECTION 6. ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES 7
     
ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS 7
     
SECTION 1. CERTIFICATES OF STOCK 7
SECTION 2. LOST CERTIFICATES 7
SECTION 3. TRANSFER OF SHARES 7
SECTION 4. STOCKHOLDERS RECORD DATE 8
SECTION 5. DIVIDENDS 8
SECTION 6. FISCAL YEAR 8
SECTION 7. CHECKS 8
SECTION 8. NOTICE AND WAIVER OF NOTICE 8
SECTION 9. CORPORATE SEAL 9
     
ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION 9
     
SECTION 1. RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION 9
SECTION 2. INSURANCE 9
SECTION 3. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES 9
SECTION 4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights 10
     
ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS 10

 

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ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

SECTION 1.            REGISTERED OFFICE – The address, including street, number, city, and county, of the registered office of LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware is the Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19801; and the name of the registered agent of the corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporation Trust Company.

 

SECTION 2.            OTHER OFFICES – The Corporation may have other offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, at such place or places as the Board of Directors may from time to time select or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

 

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

SECTION 1.            ANNUAL MEETINGS – Annual meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, and for such other business as may be stated in the notice of the meeting, shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and date as the Board of Directors, by resolution, shall determine and as set forth in the notice of the meeting. If the Board of Directors fails so to determine the time, date and place of meeting, the annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at the registered office of the Corporation on the first Tuesday in May. If the date of the annual meeting shall fall upon a legal holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day. At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote shall elect a Board of Directors and they may transact such other corporate business as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

SECTION 2.            SPECIAL MEETINGS – Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by the Chairman, the Managing Director or the Secretary, or by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 3.            VOTING – Each stockholder entitled to vote in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and these By-Laws may vote in person or by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted after three years from its date unless such proxy provides for a longer period. All elections for directors shall be decided by plurality vote; all other questions shall be decided by majority vote except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

A complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of each, and the number of shares held by each, shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is entitled to be present.

 

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SECTION 4.            QUORUM – Except as otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or by these By-Laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, of stockholders holding shares constituting a majority of the voting power of the Corporation shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders. In case a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until the requisite amount of stock entitled to vote shall be present. At any such adjourned meeting at which the requisite amount of stock entitled to vote shall be represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed; but only those stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting as originally noticed shall be entitled to vote at any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

 

SECTION 5.            NOTICE OF MEETINGS – Written notice, stating the place, date and time of the meeting, and the general nature of the business to be considered, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat, at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. No business other than that stated in the notice shall be transacted at any meeting without the unanimous consent of all the stockholders entitled to vote thereat.

 

SECTION 6.            ACTION WITHOUT MEETING – Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

 

ARTICLE III

 

DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 1.            NUMBER AND TERM – The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of a Board of Directors which shall consist of not less than one person. The exact number of directors shall initially be one and may thereafter be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders and each director shall be elected to serve until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify. A director need not be a stockholder.

 

SECTION 2.            RESIGNATIONS – Any director may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing, and shall take effect at the time specified therein, and if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the Chairman, the Managing Director or the Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

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SECTION 3.            VACANCIES – If the office of any director becomes vacant, the remaining directors in the office, though less than a quorum, by a majority vote, may appoint any qualified person to fill such vacancy, who shall hold office for the unexpired term and until his or her successor shall be duly chosen. If the office of any director becomes vacant and there are no remaining directors, the stockholders, by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares constituting a majority of the voting power of the Corporation, at a special meeting called for such purpose, may appoint any qualified person to fill such vacancy.

 

SECTION 4.            REMOVAL – Except as hereinafter provided, any director or directors may be removed either for or without cause at any time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power entitled to vote for the election of directors, at an annual meeting or a special meeting called for the purpose, and the vacancy thus created may be filled, at such meeting, by the affirmative vote of holders of shares constituting a majority of the voting power of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 5.            COMMITTEES – The Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more directors of the Corporation.

 

Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, or in these By-Laws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 6.            MEETINGS – The newly elected director(s) may hold their first meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of business, if a quorum be present, immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders; or the time and place of such meeting may be fixed by consent of all the Directors.

 

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such places and times as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman or the Managing Director or by the Secretary on the written request of any director, on at least one day’s notice to each director (except that notice to any director may be waived in writing by such director) and shall be held at such place or places as may be determined by the Board of Directors, or as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or these By-Laws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

SECTION 7.            QUORUM – A majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is obtained, and no further notice thereof need be given other than by announcement at the meeting which shall be so adjourned. The vote of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors unless the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or these By-Laws shall require the vote of a greater number.

 

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SECTION 8.            COMPENSATION – Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors or as members of committees, but by resolution of the Board of Directors a fixed fee and expenses of attendance may be allowed for attendance at each meeting. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent or otherwise, and receiving compensation therefor.

 

SECTION 9.            ACTION WITHOUT MEETING – Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or such committee.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS

 

SECTION 1.            OFFICERS – The officers of the Corporation shall be a Managing Director and a Secretary, all of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified. In addition, the Board of Directors may elect a Treasurer and such Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers as it may deem proper. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it may deem advisable, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 2.            MANAGING DIRECTOR – The Managing Director shall be the Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation. He or she shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation.

 

SECTION 3.            VICE PRESIDENTS – Vice Presidents, if any, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them, respectively, by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 4.            TREASURER – The Treasurer, if any, shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. He or she shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation. He or she shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositaries as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He or she shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, the Chairman or the Managing Director, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. He or she shall render to the Chairman, the Managing Director and Board of Directors at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors, or whenever they may request it, an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, he or she shall give the Corporation a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such amount and with such surety as the Board of Directors shall prescribe. If there is no Treasurer appointed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, the duties of Treasurer shall be vested in the Managing Director.

 

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SECTION 5.            SECRETARY – The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and all other notices required by law or by these By-Laws, and in case of his or her absence or refusal or neglect so to do, any such notice may be given by any person thereunto directed by the Chairman or the Managing Director, or by the Board of Directors, upon whose request the meeting is called as provided in these By-Laws. He or she shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Board of Directors, any committees thereof and the stockholders of the Corporation in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman or the Managing Director.

 

SECTION 6.            ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES – Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries, if any, shall be elected and shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them, respectively, by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE V

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 1.            CERTIFICATES OF STOCK – Each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate of stock certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder in the Corporation. Certificates of stock of the Corporation shall be of such form and device as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. If authorized by the Board of Directors, the Corporation may issue some or all of the shares of stock of the Corporation without certificates.

 

SECTION 2.            LOST CERTIFICATES – A new certificate of stock may be issued in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation, alleged to have been lost or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representatives, to give the Corporation a bond, in such sum as they may direct, not exceeding double the value of the stock, to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss of any such certificate, or the issuance of any such new certificate.

 

SECTION 3.            TRANSFER OF SHARES – The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable only upon its books by the holders thereof in person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives, and upon such transfer the old certificates shall be surrendered to the Corporation by the delivery thereof to the person in charge of the stock and transfer books and ledgers, or to such other person as the Board of Directors may designate, by whom they shall be cancelled, and new certificates shall thereupon be issued. A record shall be made of each transfer and whenever a transfer shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer.

 

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SECTION 4.            STOCKHOLDERS RECORD DATE – In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date: (1) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting; (2) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, shall not be more than ten days from the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors; and (3) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (1) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; (2) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be the first day on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, or, if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action; and (3) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

SECTION 5.            DIVIDENDS – Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation shall in the discretion of the Board of Directors from time to time be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor after setting aside of proper reserves.

 

SECTION 6.            FISCAL YEAR – The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 7.            CHECKS – All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, or agent or agents, of the Corporation, and in such manner as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 8.            NOTICE AND WAIVER OF NOTICE – Whenever any notice is required to be given under these By-Laws, personal notice is not required unless expressly so stated, and any notice so required shall be deemed to be sufficient if given by depositing the same in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person entitled thereto at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, and such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the day of such mailing. Stockholders not entitled to vote shall not be entitled to receive notice of any meetings except as otherwise provided by law. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of any law, or under the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or of these By-Laws, a waiver thereof, in writing and signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice.

 

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SECTION 9.            CORPORATE SEAL. – The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.”

 

ARTICLE VI

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 1.            RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. – Every person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest extent legally permissible under and pursuant to any procedures specified in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time, against all expenses, liabilities, and losses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by him or her in connection therewith. Such right of indemnification shall be a contract right that may be enforced in any lawful manner by such person. Such right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other right which such directors or officers may have or hereafter acquire and, without limiting the generality of such statement, they shall be entitled to their respective rights of indemnification under any agreement, vote of shareholders, provision of law, or otherwise, as well as their rights under this paragraph.

 

SECTION 2.            INSURANCE. – The Board of Directors may cause the Corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred in any such capacity or arising out of such status, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person.

 

SECTION 3.            ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. – Expenses incurred by a director or officer of the Corporation in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation (or was serving at the Corporation’s request as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized by relevant sections of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

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SECTION 4.            Non-Exclusivity of Rights. – The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in these By-laws is not exclusive of any other right that any person may have or hereafter acquire under the Certificate of Incorporation, any statute, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

AMENDMENTS

 

These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed at any annual meeting of the stockholders (or at any special meeting thereof if notice of such proposed alteration, amendment or repeal to be considered is contained in the notice of such special meeting) by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares constituting a majority of the voting power of the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, the Board of Directors may by majority vote of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present alter, amend or repeal these By-Laws, or enact such other By-Laws as in their judgment may be advisable for the regulation and conduct of the affairs of the Corporation.

 

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EX-3.1 3 tm2614904d1_ex3-1.htm EXHIBIT 3.1

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

Effective as of May 15, 2026

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

BYLAWS

OF

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC.

 

ARTICLE I. OFFICES

 

The registered office of LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. (referred to herein as the “Corporation”) shall be located in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The principal office of the Corporation shall be located in the City of San Francisco, County of San Francisco, State of California. The Corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the States of Delaware and California, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may require from time to time.

 

ARTICLE II. SHAREHOLDERS

 

SECTION 1.    Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held after the Corporation’s fiscal year end on such date and at such time as determined annually by the Board of Directors for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

 

SECTION 2.    Inspectors of Election. The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of the shareholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and to make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of the shareholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. The inspectors shall: (i) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each; (ii) determine the shares represented at a meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; (iii) count all votes and ballots; (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspector(s); and (v) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and the count of all votes and ballots. The inspector(s) may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspector(s) in the performance of the duties set forth in this Section 2.

 

SECTION 3.    Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Board of Directors, or by a committee of the Board of Directors that has been duly designated by the Board and whose power and authority, as expressly provided in these Bylaws or in a resolution of the Board, include the power to call such meetings, and a special meeting shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or the President at the request of the holders of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at such special meeting, if such holders have signed, dated, and delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation one or more written demands for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.

 

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SECTION 4.    Place of Meeting. Unless otherwise prescribed by statute, the Board of Directors may designate any place, either within or without the States of Delaware or California, as the place of meeting for any annual or special meeting of the shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors may determine that any annual or special meeting of the shareholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held by means of remote communications to the extent permitted by Delaware law. A waiver of notice signed by all shareholders entitled to vote at a meeting may designate any place, whether within or without the States of Delaware or California, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, as the place for the holding of such meeting or that the meeting shall not be held at any place but instead by means of remote communication. If no designation is made, the place of meeting shall be the principal office of the Corporation in the State of California.

 

SECTION 5.    Notice of Meeting. Unless otherwise prescribed by applicable law, written notice stating the place, date and time of the meeting, and in case of a special meeting the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given either by mail, electronically, or in person to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to have been given and delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to the shareholder at the shareholder’s address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 6.    Date for Determination of Shareholders of Record. In order that the Corporation may determine the shareholders (i) entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, (ii) entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, (iii) entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock, or (iv) for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed: (i) the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; (ii) the record date for determining shareholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or the Secretary of the Corporation; and (iii) the record date for determining shareholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the date on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution relating thereto. A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

SECTION 7.    List of Shareholders Entitled to Vote. After fixing the record date for a meeting, the Secretary shall prepare an alphabetical listing of the names of all of the shareholders of the Corporation who are entitled to notice of the shareholders’ meeting, which list must be arranged by voting group and must show the address of and number of shares held by each such shareholder. The shareholders’ list shall be open to the examination of any shareholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal office of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, the shareholders’ list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any shareholder who is present.

 

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SECTION 8.    Quorum; Vote Required For Action. Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter by the shareholders of the Corporation represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum for purposes of such matter at any meeting of shareholders. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. A majority of the votes cast at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at such meeting, unless otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws.

 

SECTION 9.    Proxies. Each shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such shareholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its effective date, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be revocable unless the appointment form conspicuously states that it is irrevocable and is coupled with an interest sufficient at law to support an irrevocable power. An irrevocable proxy is revoked when the interest with which it is coupled is extinguished. A shareholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing with the Secretary of the Corporation an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date. Proxies shall be dated and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.

 

SECTION 10.  Adjournments. Any meeting of shareholders, annual or special, at which a quorum is present may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place or by means of remote communication, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communication, if any, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of shareholders, the shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, may adjourn the meeting from time to time (without notice other than announcement at the meeting) until a quorum is present. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting in the manner provided in these Bylaws.

 

SECTION 11.  Organization. Meetings of shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a presiding officer designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation by a presiding officer chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary the presiding officer of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of any meeting of shareholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules, regulations and procedures as adopted by the Board of Directors, the presiding officer of any meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such presiding officer, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting.

 

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SECTION 12.  Voting of Shares. Subject to the provisions of these Bylaws, and particularly the following section hereof, each outstanding share of common stock of the Corporation entitled to vote with respect to a particular matter shall be entitled to one vote upon such matter when submitted to a vote of shareholders.

 

SECTION 13.  Voting of Shares by Certain Holders.

 

(a)    Shares standing in the name of another corporation may be voted by such officer, agent or proxy as the bylaws of such corporation may prescribe, or, in the absence of such provision, as the board of directors of such corporation may determine.

 

(b)    Shares held by an administrator, executor, guardian or conservator may be voted by such person, either in person or by proxy, without a transfer of such shares into such person’s name. Shares standing in the name of a trustee may be voted by the trustee, either in person or by proxy, but no trustee shall be entitled to vote shares held as trustee without a transfer of such shares into such trustee’s name.

 

(c)    Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver without the transfer thereof into the receiver’s name, if authority so to do is contained in an appropriate order of the court by which such receiver was appointed.

 

(d)    Persons whose stock is pledged shall be entitled to vote the shares so pledged, unless in the transfer by the pledgor on the books of the Corporation such person has expressly empowered the pledgee to vote such shares, in which case only the pledgee, or such pledgee’s proxy, may represent and vote such shares.

 

(e)    Shares of the Corporation’s own stock and held as treasury shares or otherwise belonging to the Corporation shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting, and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

 

SECTION 14.  Action by Shareholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if one or more written consents, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof. All written consents executed by one or more shareholders shall be included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records. If it is required by law that notice of the proposed action be given to non-voting shareholders and the action is to be taken by written consent of the voting shareholders, the Corporation shall give its non-voting shareholders written notice of the proposed action in accordance with the law requiring the giving of such notice.

 

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SECTION 15.  Nominations for Directors.

 

(a)    Nominations for election to the Board of Directors at any annual or special meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors may be made (i) by the Board of Directors, or by a committee of the Board of Directors which has been duly designated by the Board of Directors and whose powers and authority, as expressly provided in these Bylaws or in a resolution of the Board of Directors, include the power to nominate directors; or (ii) by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors who (A) is a shareholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 15 of Article II and on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such annual or special meeting, and (B) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 15 of Article II. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing clause (ii) and Section 16 of Article II shall be the sole and exclusive means for a shareholder to make nominations or propose business (other than business included in the Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (such act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Exchange Act”)), respectively, at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, and such shareholder must fully comply with the notice and other procedures set forth in this Section 15 of Article II to make such nominations or Section 16 of Article II to propose business before an annual or special meeting.

 

(b)    Nominations by a shareholder shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal office of the Corporation (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of shareholders, not less than 60 nor more than 90 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 calendar days prior to or delayed by more than 30 calendar days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th calendar day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such meeting is first made; and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of shareholders, not later than the close of business on the 90th calendar day prior to such special meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such meeting is first made. Each shareholder nomination shall have also complied in all respects with the requirements of Section 14 of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, if applicable, the requirements of Rule 14a-19 (as such rule and regulations may be amended from time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission, including any Securities and Exchange Commission Staff interpretations relating thereto), and the Board of Directors or an executive officer designated thereby shall have determined that the shareholder has satisfied the requirements of this Section 15 of Article II. For purposes of this Section 15 of Article II and Section 16 of Article II, “public disclosure” means disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, or furnished by the Corporation to its shareholders. In no event will a postponement, adjournment or rescheduling of an annual or special meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the making of a shareholder’s nomination as described above.

 

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(c)    To be in proper written form, a shareholder’s notice under this Section 15 of Article II shall set forth:

 

(i) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (A) the name, age, business address, and residence address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (C) (1) the class or series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by such person and any affiliates or associates of such person, (2) the name of each nominee holder of shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such person or any affiliates or associates of such person, and the number of shares of stock of the Corporation held by each such nominee holder, (3) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to any stock of the Corporation, and (4) whether and the extent to which any other transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock of the Corporation) has been made by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk or benefit of stock price changes for, such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation, (D) such other information as the Corporation may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such person to serve as a director of the Corporation and to determine the independence of such director under the Exchange Act and rules and regulations thereunder and applicable stock exchange rules, and (E) any other information regarding each such person as would be required to be disclosed under the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC if proxies were to be solicited for the election of such person so proposed (including, without limitation, such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy materials as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and

 

(ii) as to the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made, (A) the name and record address of the shareholder giving the notice and the name and principal place of business of such beneficial owner, (B) (1) the class or series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by such person and any affiliates or associates of such person, (2) the name of each nominee holder of shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such person or any affiliates or associates of such person, and the number of shares of stock of the Corporation held by each such nominee holder, (3) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation, and (4) whether and the extent to which any other transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock of the Corporation) has been made by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk or benefit of stock price changes for, such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation, (C) a description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings (whether written or oral) between such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, and any proposed nominee or any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are being made by such person, and any material interest of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, in such nomination, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, (D) a representation that the shareholder giving notice intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, (E) a representation as to whether the shareholder giving notice intends or is part of a group which intends (1) to solicit the holders of shares representing at least 67% of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote on the election of directors in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and the name of each participant (as defined in Item 4 of Exchange Act Schedule 14A) in such solicitation, (2) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding stock required to elect such nominees and/or (3) otherwise solicit proxies or votes from shareholders in support of such nominees; and (F) any other information regarding such person as would be required to be disclosed under the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC if proxies were to be solicited for the election of directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a shareholder no longer plans to solicit proxies in accordance with its representation pursuant to Section 15(c)(ii)(E)(1) of Article II, the shareholder shall inform the Corporation of this change by delivering a writing to the Secretary at the principal offices of the Corporation no later than two business days after the occurrence of such change. If a shareholder providing written notice required by this Section 15(c)(ii) of Article II fails to provide any written update in accordance with this Section 15(c) of Article II, the information as to which such written update relates may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with these Bylaws.

 

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(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 15 of Article II, a shareholder must comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to matters set forth in this Section 15 of Article II, for the avoidance of doubt including, but not limited to, Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

(e)    To be eligible to be a shareholder nominee for election as a director of the Corporation, a person must deliver in writing (in accordance with the time periods prescribed above for delivery of notice of a shareholder nomination for director) to the Secretary of the Corporation a representation as to whether the person (i) intends, if elected as a director, to promptly tender to the Board of Directors an irrevocable resignation effective upon (A) his or her failure to receive the required vote for re-election at the next meeting of shareholders of the Corporation at which he or she would face re-election, and (B) acceptance of such resignation by the Board of Directors, in accordance with a publicly disclosed policy adopted by the Board of Directors in this regard; (ii) is or intends to become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any other person or entity regarding the manner in which the person, if elected as a director, will vote on any matter coming before the Board of Directors; and (iii) is or intends to become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any other person or entity (other than the Corporation) regarding any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with his or her service as a director of the Corporation.

 

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(f)    To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under this Section 15 of Article II) to the Secretary at the principal offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf his nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request). No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedure set forth in this Section.

 

(g)    If information submitted pursuant to this Section 15 of Article II by any shareholder proposing a nominee for election as a director shall be inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 15 of Article II. Any such shareholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two business days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the Secretary or the Board of Directors, any such shareholder shall provide, within five business days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (i) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Section 15 of Article II and (ii) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such shareholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination before the meeting) submitted by the shareholder pursuant to this Section 15 of Article II as of an earlier date. If a shareholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 15 of Article II.

 

(h)    Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 15 of Article II shall be eligible for election by shareholders as directors. The number of nominees a shareholder may nominate for election at a meeting of shareholders (or in the case of a shareholder giving the notice on behalf of another proposing person, the number of nominees a shareholder may nominate for election at the meeting on behalf of such proposing person) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with this Section 15 of Article II (including satisfying the information requirements set forth herein with accurate and complete information) and, if any proposed nomination is not in compliance herewith, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded (and any such nominee shall be disqualified), including that if a shareholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) promulgated under the Exchange Act and subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) and Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act, including the provision to the Corporation of notices required thereunder in a timely manner, then the Corporation shall disregard any proxies or votes solicited for such shareholder’s director nominees (and any such nominee shall be disqualified). To the extent Rule 14a-19 applies, then Rule 14a-19 will govern any inconsistency with this Section 15 of Article II, and the applicable inconsistent provisions of this Section 15 of Article II will not apply; provided, however, in order for a shareholder’s notice to be considered timely, this Section 15 of Article II may require notice to be delivered to the Corporation prior to the applicable dates set forth under Rule 14a-19. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 15 of Article II, unless otherwise required by law, if the shareholder (or a Qualified Representative of the shareholder (as defined below)) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation to present a nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. If a shareholder has given timely notice as required herein to make a nomination before any annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation and intends to authorize a Qualified Representative to act for such shareholder as a proxy to present the nomination at such meeting, the shareholder shall give notice of such authorization in writing to the Secretary not less than three business days before the date of such meeting, including the name and contact information for such person. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 15 of Article II, unless otherwise required by law, no shareholder shall solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees unless such shareholder has complied with Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act in connection with the solicitation of such proxies, including the provision to the Corporation of notices required thereunder in a timely manner. For purposes of this Section 15 of Article II and Section 16 of Article II, to be considered a “Qualified Representative” of a shareholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager, trustee or partner of such shareholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such shareholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such shareholder to act for such shareholder as a proxy at the meeting of shareholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction thereof, at the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation, or any other person who shall be appointed to serve as secretary of the meeting, may require, on behalf of the Corporation, reasonable and appropriate documentation to verify the status of a person purporting to be a “Qualified Representative” for purposes of this Section 15 of Article II or Section 16 of Article II.

 

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(i)    Any shareholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other shareholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for exclusive use by the Corporation.

 

SECTION 16.  Notice of Shareholder Business.

 

(a)    At an annual meeting of shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business (other than a nomination of a candidate for election as a director, which is covered in Section 15 of Article II), must be (i) specified in the notice of the meeting given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a shareholder of the Corporation who is a shareholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 16 of Article II and on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such annual meeting. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, a shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal office of the Corporation not less than 60 nor more than 90 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 calendar days prior to or delayed by more than 30 calendar days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered no later than the close of business on the date of the 90th calendar day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall a postponement, adjournment or rescheduling of an annual meeting, or the public disclosure thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as described above.

 

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(b)    To be in proper written form, a shareholder’s notice under this Section 16 of Article II shall set forth (i) as to each matter that such shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and (ii) as to the shareholder giving notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is being made, (A) the name and address of such person, (B) (1) the class or series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by such person and any affiliates or associates of such person, (2) the name of each nominee holder of shares of all stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such person or any affiliates or associates of such person, and the number of such shares of stock of the Corporation held by each such nominee holder, (3) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation, and (4) whether and the extent to which any other transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock of the Corporation) has been made by or on behalf of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk or benefit of stock price changes for, such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, with respect to stock of the Corporation, (C) a description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings (whether written or oral) between or among such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business and any material interest of such person or any affiliates or associates of such person, in such business, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such person, or any affiliates or associates of such person, (D) a representation that the shareholder giving notice intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting, (E) a representation as to whether the shareholder giving notice intends or is part of a group which intends (1) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding stock required to approve or adopt the proposal and/or (2) otherwise solicit proxies or votes from shareholders in support of such proposal, and (E) any other information regarding such person as would be required to be disclosed under the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC if proxies were to be solicited with respect to the proposed business.

 

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(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 16 of Article II, a shareholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to matters set forth in this Section 16 of Article II. Nothing in this Section 16 of Article II will be deemed to affect any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 16 of Article II, unless otherwise required by law, if the shareholder (or a Qualified Representative of the shareholder (as defined above)) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation to present proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. If a shareholder has given timely notice as required herein to bring a proposal of other business before any annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation and intends to authorize a Qualified Representative to act for such shareholder as a proxy to present the proposal at such meeting, the shareholder shall give notice of such authorization in writing to the Secretary not less than three business days before the date of such meeting, including the name and contact information for such person.

 

(d)    Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section. The chairman of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the attendees of the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this section, and in such event such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

 

ARTICLE III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 1.    General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 2.    Number, Election and Terms.

 

(a)    The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of not less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15) individuals, the exact number within such minimum and maximum limits to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

 

(b)    Except as provided below in Section 9 of this Article III (Vacancies) and as may be provided in the terms of any series of preferred stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, each nominee for director in an election in which the number of nominees is equal to the number of open board seats (an “Uncontested Election”) shall be elected by a vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to that nominee’s election at any shareholders’ meeting at which a quorum is present. If, as of the fourteenth (14th) day preceding the date the Corporation first distributes its notice of meeting for such meeting to its shareholders, the number of nominees exceeds the number of open board seats (a “Contested Election”), the directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast, whether or not such election becomes an Uncontested Election after such date. For purposes of this Section 2, a majority of votes cast shall mean that the number of shares voted “for” a nominee’s election exceeds the number of shares voted “against” that nominee’s election. “Abstentions” and “broker non-votes,” if applicable, although counted for quorum purposes, shall not be included in the total number of votes cast or be counted as votes cast “for” or “against” any nominee’s election. At a meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, shareholders shall not be permitted to cast votes “against” any nominee, but rather shall either vote for or withhold their votes with respect to any nominee. With regard to Uncontested Elections, the Board has established procedures pursuant to which any nominee who fails to receive a majority of the votes cast will tender his or her resignation to the Board. The Board will act upon a tendered resignation within ninety (90) days of the date on which the election results were certified and will promptly make public disclosure of the results of its actions. If the Board accepts a director’s resignation, or if a nominee for director is not elected and the nominee is not an incumbent director, then the Board may fill the resulting vacancy in accordance with Section 9 of this Article III.

 

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SECTION 3.    Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.

 

SECTION 4.    Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President upon receipt of a written request therefore from directors constituting at least one-third of the entire Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 5.    Place of Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the place designated in the resolution of the Board of Directors providing for the holding of such meetings. Other meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place as is designated in the notice of the meeting. A waiver of notice signed by all directors entitled to vote at a meeting may designate any place as the place for holding such meeting. If no designation is made, the Board of Directors’ meeting shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation in California.

 

SECTION 6.    Notice. Notice of the date, time and place of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given at least two (2) days prior to the meeting by written notice delivered personally, by mail or electronically to each director at his/her business address. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, provided the same is so mailed at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. If notice be given electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered upon transmission by the sender. Any director may waive notice of any meeting pursuant to Section 4 of Article VIII.

 

SECTION 7.    Quorum; Vote Required for Action. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If less than a quorum of the directors is present at any meeting, then a majority of the directors present may vote to adjourn such meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice other than announcement at the meeting. Except in cases in which the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws provide otherwise, the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.

 

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SECTION 8.    Organization. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, or in the absence of the Chairman, by Chief Executive Officer or the President, if same are members of the Board of Directors, or by the Lead Independent Director, if any. In the absence of all of the foregoing, meetings shall be presided over by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

SECTION 9.    Vacancies. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, unless otherwise provided by applicable law. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

SECTION 10.  Compensation. By resolution of the Board of Directors, each director may be compensated for his or her service on the Board and any committee thereof, and may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses directly incurred in connection with such service.

 

SECTION 11.  Presumption of Assent. A director of the Corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless the director’s dissent or abstention shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting, or unless the director objects at the beginning of the meeting (or promptly upon his or her arrival) to the holding of the meeting or to the transaction of business at the meeting.

 

SECTION 12.  Action by Unanimous Written Consent. Unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise expressly provide, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the consents are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or such committee. Action taken under this Section is effective when the last director signs the consent, unless the consent specifies a different effective date.

 

SECTION 13.  Advisory Directors. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more advisory directors who will not actually serve as members of the Board. Such advisory directors shall only act in an advisory capacity and shall have no power of final decision in any matters concerning the Corporation.

 

SECTION 14.  Telephonic Meetings Permitted. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can simultaneously hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

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ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 1.    Committees. The Board of Directors may designate such standing and special committees as and when it deems necessary and appropriate. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more rotating members of any committee and may appoint one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. The Board of Directors shall designate one member of each committee to serve as chairman. Each committee must have two or more members, each of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and only members of the Board of Directors may serve on a committee. Any such committee, to the extent provided by resolution of the Board of Directors or in its charter, and to the extent not otherwise prohibited by applicable law, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 2.    Committee Rules and Minutes. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board of Directors may make, alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules, each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors conducts its business pursuant to Article III of these Bylaws. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

 

The officers of the Corporation may consist of a chief executive officer, a president, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a chief legal officer, one or more executive vice presidents, one or more senior vice presidents, one or more vice presidents, a secretary and a treasurer, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, as well as such other officers as may from time to time be designated in accordance with this Article V. The Board of Directors shall in every case elect a chief executive officer, president and secretary, and may designate (if applicable) and elect all such other officers as it may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate. The Board of Directors may authorize the chief executive officer or president to designate (if applicable) and elect officers other than the chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief legal officer and secretary. The officers of the Corporation shall have such titles, authority and powers designated by the Board of Directors (in the case of officers elected by the Board of Directors) or the chief executive officer or president (in the case of officers elected by the chief executive officer or president, respectively). The officers of the Corporation shall serve for a term of one year, or until their successors are elected and qualified, or their earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. Any officer may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. In addition, any officer elected by the chief executive officer or president may be removed at any time by the chief executive officer, and any officer elected by the president may be removed at any time by the president. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

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ARTICLE VI. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES

AND THE TRANSFER THEREOF

 

SECTION 1.    Certificates for Shares.

 

(a)     Certificates representing shares of stock in the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Such certificates shall be signed by the Chairman, the Chief Executive officer, or the President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or by such other officers authorized by applicable law and by the Board of Directors and sealed with the corporate seal, if any. Any or all of the signatures on a certificate may be facsimile. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name of the person to whom the shares represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the Corporation. All certificates surrendered to the Corporation or its transfer agent for transfer shall be cancelled and no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled, except that in case of a lost, destroyed or mutilated certificate a new certificate may be issued therefor upon such terms and indemnity to the Corporation as these Bylaws and the Board of Directors may prescribe.

 

(b)     Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, the Corporation may adopt a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares by electronic or other means not involving any issuance of physical certificates, including provisions for notice to purchasers in substitution for any required statements on certificates, and as may be required by applicable corporate securities laws, which system has been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any system so adopted shall not become effective as to issued and outstanding certificated securities until the certificates therefor have been surrendered to the Corporation. Except as may be otherwise provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated shares and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificated shares of the same class and series shall be identical.

 

SECTION 2.    Transfer of Shares. Transfer of shares of stock in the Corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by his or her legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or by the holder’s attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Corporation or its transfer agent, and only upon the surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such shares. The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed by the Corporation to be the owner thereof for all purposes.

 

SECTION 3.    Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it which is alleged to have been lost, destroyed or mutilated upon receipt by the Corporation of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner thereof, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, destruction or mutilation of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

 

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SECTION 4.    Classes of Stock - Designation. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, except as otherwise provided by law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights. In the case of uncertificated shares, the Corporation will make available electronically a description of the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.

 

ARTICLE VII. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

SECTION 1.    Right to Indemnification. Every person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest extent legally permissible under and pursuant to any procedures specified in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time, against all expenses, liabilities, and losses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by him or her in connection therewith. Such right of indemnification shall be a contract right that may be enforced in any lawful manner by such person. Such right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other right which such directors or officers may have or hereafter acquire and, without limiting the generality of such statement, they shall be entitled to their respective rights of indemnification under any agreement, vote of shareholders, provision of law, or otherwise, as well as their rights under this paragraph.

 

SECTION 2.    Insurance. The Board of Directors may cause the Corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred in any such capacity or arising out of such status, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person.

 

SECTION 3.    Advancement of Expenses. Expenses incurred by a director or officer of the Corporation in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation (or was serving at the Corporation’s request as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized by relevant sections of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

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SECTION 4.    Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in these Bylaws is not exclusive of any other right that any person may have or hereafter acquire under the Certificate of Incorporation, any statute, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 1.    Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 2.    Dividends. The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

SECTION 3.    Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may provide a corporate seal which shall be circular in form and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization, the state of incorporation and the words “Corporate Seal.” A corporate seal shall not be mandatory for the validity of any contract, instrument or other document properly executed by an authorized officer or officers of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 4.    Waiver of Notice. Any written waiver of notice, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting, in person or by proxy, shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, unless the person at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting. In addition, a person waives objection to consideration of a particular matter that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice if such person attends the meeting and does not object to consideration of such matter when it is presented. All waivers of notice shall be filed with the minutes of the meeting.

 

SECTION 5.    Inspection of Bylaws. A copy of these Bylaws, with all amendments thereto, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the principal office of the Corporation, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during normal business hours.

 

SECTION 6.    Interested Directors; Quorum. No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because such person’s votes are counted for such purposes, if: (1) the material facts regarding such person’s relationship or interest in the contract or transaction are disclosed or known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the number of disinterested directors constitute less than a quorum; or (2) the material facts as to such person’s relationship or interest in the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the shareholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by a vote of the shareholders; or (3) the contract or transaction is fair to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified. Interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

 

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SECTION 7.    Form of Records. Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including a stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept electronically, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible form and printed within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect the same.

 

SECTION 8.    Amendments of Bylaws. Subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed at any regular meeting of shareholders (or at any special meeting thereof duly called for that purpose) by a vote of the shareholders in accordance with Article II, provided that in the notice of such meeting, notice of such purpose shall be given. Subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may by a majority vote of the entire Board of Directors amend these Bylaws, or waive any provisions hereof, or enact such other Bylaws as in their judgment may be advisable for the regulation of the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 9.    Exclusive Forum.

 

(a)     Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or, if neither such court has jurisdiction, any other state court located within the State of Delaware) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim for or based upon a breach of fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer or employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time), (iv) any action asserting a claim related to or involving the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine (as defined by or used in case law under the laws of the State of Delaware), or (v) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL.

 

(b)     Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any claim arising under the Securities Act or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder (in each case, as amended from time to time); provided, however, that if the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(b) are, or the application of such provisions to any person or any circumstance is, illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive state court forum for any claim arising under the Securities Act or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder (in each case, as amended from time to time).

 

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(c)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws, the foregoing provisions of this Section 9 shall not apply to any claim seeking to enforce any liability, obligation or duty created by the Exchange Act to the extent such application would be contrary to law.

 

(d)     To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 9. This Section 9 shall be enforceable by any party to an action covered by this Section.

 

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EX-99.1 4 tm2614904d1_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

LIVERAMP ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR 2026 RESULTS

 

Q4 Revenue up 9% year-over-year

 

Q4 Annual Recurring Revenue up 8% year-over-year

 

Q4 Subscription Net Retention improved to 107%

 

FY26 record annual Operating Cash Flow of $168 million and Share Repurchases of $194 million

 

LiveRamp Enters into Definitive Agreement to be Acquired by Publicis Groupe in All-Cash Transaction with an Equity Value of $2.5 billion

 

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 17, 2026—LiveRamp® (NYSE: RAMP), a leading data collaboration platform, today announced its financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2026.

 

Q4 Financial Highlights

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all comparisons are to the prior year period.

 

· Total revenue was $206 million, up 9%.

 

· Subscription revenue was $158 million, up 9%.

 

· Marketplace & Other revenue was $49 million, up 11%.

 

· GAAP gross profit was $146 million, up 11%. GAAP gross margin of 71% expanded by 1 percentage point. Non-GAAP gross profit was $149 million, up 10%. Non-GAAP gross margin of 72% expanded by 1 percentage point.

 

· GAAP income from operations was $15 million compared to a loss of $12 million. GAAP operating margin of 7% expanded by 14 percentage points. Non-GAAP operating income was $40 million, up 75%. Non-GAAP operating margin of 20% expanded by 7 percentage points.

 

· GAAP and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.12 and $0.52, respectively. GAAP diluted EPS benefited from the release of deferred tax valuation allowances.

 

· Net cash provided by operating activities was $59 million compared to $63 million.

 

· Share repurchases in the fourth quarter totaled approximately 2.8 million shares for $76 million.

 

Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Highlights

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all comparisons are to the prior year period.

 

· Total revenue was $813 million, up 9%.

 

· Subscription revenue was $614 million, up 8%.

 

· Marketplace & Other revenue was $199 million, up 12%.

 

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· GAAP gross profit was $575 million, up 9%. GAAP gross margin of 71% was flat. Non-GAAP gross profit was $591 million, up 7%, and non-GAAP gross margin of 73% compressed by 1 percentage point.

 

· GAAP Income from operations was $83 million compared to $5 million. GAAP operating margin of 10% expanded by 10 percentage points. Non-GAAP operating income was $182 million, up 34%. Non-GAAP operating margin of 22% expanded by 4 percentage points.

 

· GAAP diluted earnings per share was $2.24, and non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.27. GAAP diluted EPS benefited from the release of deferred tax valuation allowances.

 

· Net cash provided by operating activities was $168 million compared to $154 million.

 

· Share repurchases in fiscal 2026 totaled approximately 7.1 million shares for $194 million. As of March 31, 2026, there was $262 million in remaining capacity under the recently modified share repurchase authorization that expires on December 31, 2027.

 

A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP results is provided in the schedules in this press release.

 

Commenting on the results, CEO Scott Howe said: "We finished FY26 on a strong note, with Q4 revenue and operating income ahead of consensus and ARR growth accelerating sequentially. We also achieved record operating cash flow in FY26, and returned over 100% to shareholders through buybacks. We continue to leverage AI to make our platform faster, more effective and easier to use, including the recent introduction of AI agent accessibility, enabling specialized AI agents to autonomously collaborate with any partner."

 

Howe continued: “In addition, we announced an agreement to be acquired by Publicis Groupe, delivering significant and certain value to LiveRamp shareholders. This transaction reflects the strength of our business, the value of our platform and the strategic role LiveRamp plays in an AI-driven market. Together, we believe we can accelerate data collaboration and the delivery of AI capabilities that help customers and partners advance agentic transformation and derive more value, faster.”

 

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GAAP and Non-GAAP Results

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2026 ($ in millions, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

    GAAP   Non-GAAP
    Q4 FY26   FY26   Q4 FY26   FY26
Subscription revenue   $ 158     $ 614       --       --  
YoY change %     9 %     8 %     --       --  
Marketplace & Other revenue   $ 49     $ 199       --       --  
YoY change %     11 %     12 %     --       --  
Total revenue   $ 206     $ 813       --       --  
YoY change %     9 %     9 %     --       --  
                                 
Gross profit   $ 146     $ 575     $ 149     $ 591  
% Gross margin     71 %     71 %     72 %     73 %
YoY change, pts     1 pt     0 pts     1 pt     (1) pt
                                 
Operating income   $ 15     $ 83     $ 40     $ 182  
% Operating margin     7 %     10 %     20 %     22 %
YoY change, pts     14 pts     10 pts     7 pts     4 pts
                                 
Net earnings   $ 71     $ 146     $ 33     $ 148  
Diluted earnings per share   $ 1.12     $ 2.24     $ 0.52     $ 2.27  
                                 
Shares to calculate diluted EPS     63.4       65.0       63.4       65.0  
YoY change %     (4 )%     (2 )%     (6 )%     (4 )%
                                 
Operating cash flow   $ 59     $ 168                  
Free cash flow                   $ 59     $ 166  

 

Totals and year-over-year changes may not reconcile due to rounding.

 

A detailed discussion of our non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP results is provided in the schedules to this press release.

 

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Additional Business Highlights & Metrics

 

· We announced the launch of new AI capabilities to help transform how marketers plan, execute, measure, and optimize campaigns agentically. We introduced agent-powered access to the LiveRamp platform, enabling specialized AI agents to autonomously collaborate with any partner, moving from manual, fragmented workflows to intelligent, governed execution that delivers better performance (link).

 

· We announced native support for NVIDIA AI infrastructure, upgrading our clean room architecture to handle the world’s most advanced and compute-intensive AI workloads. AI partners and brands can now securely and seamlessly train and deploy sophisticated models using LiveRamp clean rooms or via the LiveRamp Marketplace at up to 15x speed, without exposing data or model weights (link).

 

· We announced an expanded partnership with Unity, a leading game engine, to help marketers more effectively reach mobile users and generate better marketing returns. The partnership will make LiveRamp’s durable, interoperable identifier – RampID – available across Unity Exchange, enabling marketers, agencies, and platforms to apply identity-based buying strategies within Unity’s mobile ecosystem that includes 2.9 billion monthly active mobile devices (link).

 

· In March we hosted our annual customer and partner conference, RampUp, bringing together more than 2,300 leaders from across the digital advertising ecosystem. The event included more than 40 presentations and panels featuring some of our largest customers and partners, such as General Motors, JPMorgan Chase, Netflix, and Meta. Video replays of these sessions are available here. Also, we hosted an investor presentation that can be accessed here.

 

· On February 12, 2026 we announced an increase in our share repurchase authorization by $200 million and extended the expiration by one year to December 31, 2027. As of March 31, 2026, there was $262 million in remaining capacity under the authorization.

 

· On February 11, 2026 we appointed to our Board of Directors Kristi Argyilan, who currently serves as Global Head of Advertising at Uber. Widely recognized as the pioneer of retail media, Argyilan previously led the Albertsons Media Collective and championed the industry-wide move toward measurement standardization (link).

 

· LiveRamp ended the fiscal year with 133 customers whose annualized subscription revenue exceeds $1 million, compared to 128 in the prior year period.

 

· LiveRamp ended the fiscal year with 846 direct subscription customers, compared to 840 in the prior year period.

 

· Subscription net retention was 107% and platform net retention was 108%.

 

· Annualized recurring revenue (ARR), which is the last month of the quarter fixed subscription revenue annualized, was $545 million, up 8% compared to the prior year period.

 

· Current remaining performance obligations (CRPO), which is contracted and committed revenue expected to be recognized over the next 12 months, was $518 million, up 10% compared to the prior year period.

 

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Transaction with Publicis Groupe

 

In a separate press release issued today, LiveRamp announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Publicis Groupe. Under the terms of the agreement, Publicis Groupe will acquire all of the outstanding shares of LiveRamp for $38.50 per share in an all-cash transaction for an equity value of $2.5 billion. This represents a premium of 30% to LiveRamp’s closing stock price on May 15, 2026, the last full trading day prior to the transaction announcement. The transaction is expected to close by the end of calendar 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by LiveRamp shareholders. The transaction press release is available on the LiveRamp investor relations website.

 

Given the announced transaction, LiveRamp will not host its previously scheduled earnings conference call or provide financial guidance in conjunction with this earnings release.

 

About LiveRamp

 

LiveRamp is a leading data collaboration technology company, empowering marketers and media owners to deliver and measure marketing performance everywhere it matters. LiveRamp’s data collaboration network seamlessly unites data across advertisers, ad tech platforms, publishers, data providers, and commerce media networks—unlocking insights that deliver transformational consumer experiences, and drive measurable business outcomes. As consumers embrace AI-powered experiences, the LiveRamp data collaboration network expands the breadth and accuracy of the data on which marketing AI capabilities operate. Our platform is engineered for AI agent accessibility, facilitating autonomous data collaboration between the specialized AI agents utilized by our customers and partners. Built on a foundation of strict neutrality, interoperability, and global scale, LiveRamp enables organizations to maximize the value of their data while accelerating business growth.

 

LiveRamp is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with offices worldwide. Learn more at LiveRamp.com.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concerning LiveRamp, Publicis, the proposed transaction and other matters. Forward-looking statements contained herein could include, among other things, statements regarding the anticipated timing of the consummation of the proposed transaction; statements about management’s confidence in and strategies for performance of the combined businesses; expectations for new and existing products, technologies and opportunities; and expectations regarding growth, sales, cash flows, and earnings. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of such terms as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “likely,” “estimate,” “outlook,” “plan,” “contemplate,” “project,” “target” or other comparable terms. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of LiveRamp or Publicis. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication including, but not limited to: economic uncertainties that could impact LiveRamp or LiveRamp’s suppliers, customers and partners, geopolitical circumstances, including risk related to tariffs and other trade restrictions, the possibility of a recession, general inflationary pressure and high interest rates; the ability and willingness of LiveRamp’s customers to renew their agreements with LiveRamp upon their expiration; LiveRamp’s ability to add new customers and upsell within LiveRamp’s subscription business; LiveRamp’s reliance upon partners, including data suppliers, who may withdraw or withhold data from LiveRamp; increased competition and rapidly changing technology that could impact LiveRamp’s products and services; LiveRamp’s ability to keep up with rapidly changing technology practices in LiveRamp’s products and services or that expected benefits from utilization of technological innovations (including AI) may not be realized as soon as expected or at all; the risk that LiveRamp fails to realize the potential benefits of or have difficulty integrating acquired businesses; and LiveRamp’s inability to attract, motivate and retain talent. Additional risks include maintaining LiveRamp’s culture and LiveRamp’s ability to innovate and evolve while operating in a hybrid work environment, with some employees working remotely at least some of the time within a rapidly changing industry, while also avoiding disruption from reductions in LiveRamp’s current workforce as well as disruptions resulting from acquisition, divestiture and other activities affecting LiveRamp’s workforce. LiveRamp’s global workforce strategy could possibly encounter difficulty and not be as beneficial as planned. LiveRamp’s international operations are also subject to risks, including the performance of third parties as well as impacts from war and civil unrest, that may harm LiveRamp’s business. The risk of a significant breach of the confidentiality of the information or the security of LiveRamp’s or LiveRamp’s customers’, suppliers’, or other partners’ data and/or computer systems, or the risk that LiveRamp’s current insurance coverage may not be adequate for such a breach, that an insurer might deny coverage for a claim or that such insurance will continue to be available to LiveRamp on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, could be detrimental to LiveRamp’s business, reputation and results of operations. Other business risks include unfavorable publicity and negative public perception about LiveRamp’s industry; interruptions or delays in service from data center or cloud hosting vendors LiveRamp relies upon; and LiveRamp’s dependence on the continued availability of third-party data hosting and transmission services. LiveRamp’s clients’ ability to use data on LiveRamp’s platform could be restricted if the industry’s use of third-party cookies and tracking technology declines due to technology platform changes, regulation or increased user controls. Continued changes in the judicial, legislative, regulatory, accounting, cultural and consumer environments affecting LiveRamp’s business, including but not limited to litigation, investigations, legislation, regulations and customs at the state, federal and international levels relating to information collection and use represents a risk, as well as changes in tax laws and regulations that are applied to LiveRamp’s customers which could cause enterprise software budget tightening. In addition, third parties may claim that LiveRamp is infringing their intellectual property or may infringe LiveRamp’s intellectual property which could result in competitive injury and / or the incurrence of significant costs and draining of LiveRamp’s resources. Factors that could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward looking-statements in this communication in regard to the proposed transaction concerning LiveRamp and Publicis include, but are not limited to: (1) failure of the closing conditions in the merger agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the proposed transaction or the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of one or multiple of the parties to terminate the definitive agreement between Publicis and LiveRamp; (2) the possibility that the transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder, or other approvals are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; (3) the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, including those resulting from the announcement, pendency or completion of the transaction; (4) risks that the new businesses will not be integrated successfully or that the combined companies will not realize estimated cost savings, value of certain tax assets, synergies and growth or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected; (5) failure to realize anticipated benefits of the combined operations; (6) risks relating to unanticipated costs of integration; (7) ability to hire and retain key personnel; (8) ability to successfully integrate the companies’ businesses; (9) the potential impact of announcement or consummation of the proposed transactions on relationships with third parties, including clients, employees and competitors, including reputational risk; (10) ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients in the manner anticipated; (11) reliance on and integration of information technology systems; (12) suffering reduced profits or losses as a result of intense competition; or (13) potential litigation that may be instituted against LiveRamp or its directors or officers related to the proposed transaction or the merger agreement. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the parties’ businesses, including those described in LiveRamp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2025, in Part I “Cautionary Statements Relevant to Forward-Looking Information” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” as updated by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and those described in documents Publicis has filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (the French securities regulator). The parties do not undertake, nor do they have, any obligation to provide updates or to revise any forward-looking statements.

 

P 6


 

NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION

 

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable regulations.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

 

In connection with the proposed transaction, LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. will be filing documents with the SEC, including preliminary and definitive proxy statements relating to the proposed transaction (the “proxy statement”). The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to LiveRamp’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENTS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Any vote in respect of resolutions to be proposed at LiveRamp’s shareholder meeting to approve the proposed transaction should be made only on the basis of the information contained in LiveRamp’s proxy statement and documents incorporated by reference therein. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other related documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on LiveRamp’s website at www.liveramp.com.

 

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

 

Publicis, LiveRamp and their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of LiveRamp in respect of the proposed transactions contemplated by the proxy statement. Information regarding the persons who are, under the rules of the SEC, participants in the solicitation of the shareholders of LiveRamp in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement when it is filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of LiveRamp and their ownership of shares of LiveRamp common stock and other securities of LiveRamp can be found in the sections entitled “Nominees and Continuing Directors,” “Stock Ownership,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Tables,” and “Non-Employee Director Compensation” included in LiveRamp’s proxy statement in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on June 27, 2025; in the Form 3 and Form 4 initial statements of beneficial ownership and statements of changes in beneficial ownership filed with the SEC by LiveRamp’s directors and executive officers; and in other documents subsequently filed by LiveRamp with the SEC, including LiveRamp’s proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction when it becomes available. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other related documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on LiveRamp’s website at www.liveramp.com.

 

P 7


 

The financial information set forth in this press release reflects estimates based on information available at this time.

 

LiveRamp assumes no obligation and does not currently intend to update these forward-looking statements.

 

To automatically receive LiveRamp financial news by email, please visit www.LiveRamp.com and subscribe to email alerts.

 

For more information, contact:

 

LiveRamp Investor Relations

Investor.Relations@LiveRamp.com

 

LiveRampⓇ and RampIDTM and all other LiveRamp marks contained herein are trademarks or service marks of LiveRamp, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

 

P 8


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    For the three months ended March 31,  
                $     %  
    2026   2025   Variance     Variance  
Revenues     206,092       188,724       17,368       9.2 %
Cost of revenue     60,548       57,929       2,619       4.5 %
Gross profit     145,544       130,795       14,749       11.3 %
% Gross margin     70.6 %     69.3 %                
                                 
Operating expenses                                
Research and development     37,756       45,926       (8,170 )     (17.8 )%
Sales and marketing     56,192       56,961       (769 )     (1.4 )%
General and administrative     32,988       32,175       813       2.5 %
Gains, losses and other items, net     3,315       7,241       (3,926 )     (54.2 )%
Total operating expenses     130,251       142,303       (12,052 )     (8.5 )%
                                 
Income (loss) from operations     15,293       (11,508 )     26,801       N/A  
% Margin     7.4 %     (6.1 )%                
                                 
Total other income, net     3,967       4,762       (795 )     (16.7 )%
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     19,260       (6,746 )     26,006       N/A  
Income tax benefit     (50,476 )     (479 )     (49,997 )     (10,437.8 )%
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations     69,736       (6,267 )     76,003       N/A  
                                 
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax     1,176             1,176       N/A  
                                 
Net earnings (loss)     70,912       (6,267 )     77,179       1,231.5 %
                                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share:                                
Continuing operations     1.12       (0.10 )     1.21       N/A  
Discontinued operations     0.02             0.02       N/A  
Basic earnings (loss) per share     1.14       (0.10 )     1.23       N/A  
                                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:                                
Continuing operations     1.10       (0.10 )     1.20       N/A  
Discontinued operations     0.02             0.02       N/A  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share     1.12       (0.10 )     1.21       N/A  
                                 
Basic weighted average shares     62,382       65,957                  
Diluted weighted average shares     63,382       65,957                  

 

Some totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

P 9


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    For the twelve months ended March 31,
                $     %  
    2026   2025   Variance   Variance
Revenues     812,940       745,580       67,360       9.0 %
Cost of revenue     238,117       215,910       22,207       10.3 %
Gross profit     574,823       529,670       45,153       8.5 %
% Gross margin     70.7 %     71.0 %                
                                 
Operating expenses                                
Research and development     148,139       176,668       (28,529 )     (16.1 )%
Sales and marketing     205,647       213,106       (7,459 )     (3.5 )%
General and administrative     132,581       126,499       6,082       4.8 %
Gains, losses and other items, net     4,990       7,993       (3,003 )     (37.6 )%
Total operating expenses     491,357       524,266       (32,909 )     (6.3 )%
                                 
Income from operations     83,466       5,404       78,062       1,444.5 %
% Margin     10.3 %     0.7 %                
                                 
Total other income, net     14,598       17,436       (2,838 )     (16.3 )%
Income from continuing operations before income taxes     98,064       22,840       75,224       329.4 %
Income tax expense (benefit)     (46,712 )     25,342       (72,054 )     N/A  
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations     144,776       (2,502 )     147,278       N/A  
                                 
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax     1,176       1,688       (512 )     (30.3 )%
                                 
Net earnings (loss)     145,952       (814 )     146,766       18,030.2 %
                                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share:                                
Continuing operations     2.26       (0.04 )     2.30       N/A  
Discontinued operations     0.02       0.03       (0.01 )     (28.1 )%
Basic earnings (loss) per share     2.28       (0.01 )     2.29       N/A  
                                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:                                
Continuing operations     2.23       (0.04 )     2.26       N/A  
Discontinued operations     0.02       0.03       (0.01 )     (29.2 )%
Diluted earnings (loss) per share     2.24       (0.01 )     2.26       N/A  
                                 
Basic weighted average shares     64,105       66,126                  
Diluted weighted average shares     65,045       66,126                  

 

Some totals may not sum due to rounding.

 

P 10


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EPS (1)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    For the three months ended
March 31,
    For the twelve months ended
March 31,
 
    2026     2025     2026     2025  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes   19,260     (6,746 )   98,064     22,840  
Income tax expense (benefit)     (50,476 )     (479 )     (46,712 )     25,342  
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations     69,736       (6,267 )     144,776       (2,502 )
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax     1,176             1,176       1,688  
Net earnings (loss)     70,912       (6,267 )     145,952       (814 )
                                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share     1.14       (0.10 )     2.28       (0.01 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share     1.12       (0.10 )     2.24       (0.01 )
                                 
Excluded items:                                
Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue)     2,750       3,135       11,000       14,415  
Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses)     18,930       24,166       82,988       107,979  
Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other)     3,315       7,241       4,990       7,993  
Total excluded items from continuing operations     24,995       34,542       98,978       130,387  
                                 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and excluding items     44,255       27,796       197,042       153,227  
Income tax expense (2)     11,064       7,759       49,261       38,296  
Non-GAAP net earnings from continuing operations     33,191       20,037       147,781       114,931  
                                 
Non-GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations                                
Basic     0.53       0.30       2.31       1.74  
Diluted     0.52       0.30       2.27       1.70  
                                 
Basic weighted average shares     62,382       65,957       64,105       66,126  
Diluted weighted average shares     63,382       67,479       65,045       67,499  

 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

(2) Non-GAAP income taxes were calculated by applying the estimated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date pretax income. The differences between our GAAP and non-GAAP effective tax rates were primarily due to the net tax effects of the excluded items, coupled with the valuation allowance and smaller pre-tax income for GAAP purposes.

 

P 11


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (1)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    For the three months ended
March 31,
  For the twelve months
ended March 31,
    2026   2025   2026   2025
Income (loss) from operations     15,293       (11,508 )     83,466       5,404  
Operating income (loss) margin     7.4 %     (6.1 )%     10.3 %     0.7 %
                                 
Excluded items:                                
Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue)     2,750       3,135       11,000       14,415  
Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses)     18,930       24,166       82,988       107,979  
Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other)     3,315       7,241       4,990       7,993  
Total excluded items     24,995       34,542       98,978       130,387  
                                 
Income from operations before excluded items     40,288       23,034       182,444       135,791  
Non-GAAP operating income margin     19.5 %     12.2 %     22.4 %     18.2 %

 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

P 12


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA (1)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    For the three months ended
March 31,
    For the twelve months
ended March 31,
 
    2026     2025     2026     2025  
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations     69,736       (6,267 )     144,776       (2,502 )
Income tax expense (benefit)     (50,476 )     (479 )     (46,712 )     25,342  
Total other income, net     (3,967 )     (4,762 )     (14,598 )     (17,436 )
                                 
Income (loss) from operations     15,293       (11,508 )     83,466       5,404  
Depreciation and amortization     3,320       3,803       13,399       17,207  
                                 
EBITDA     18,613       (7,705 )     96,865       22,611  
                                 
Other adjustments:                                
Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses)     18,930       24,166       82,988       107,979  
Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other)     3,315       7,241       4,990       7,993  
                                 
Other adjustments     22,245       31,407       87,978       115,972  
                                 
Adjusted EBITDA     40,858       23,702       184,843       138,583  

 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures, the usefulness of these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

P 13


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    March 31,     March 31,     $   %
    2026     2025     Variance   Variance
Assets                                
Current assets:                                
Cash and cash equivalents     379,547       413,331       (33,784 )     (8.2 )%
Restricted cash           595       (595 )     (100.0 )%
Short-term investments     7,500       7,500             %
Trade accounts receivable, net     212,977       186,169       26,808       14.4 %
Refundable income taxes, net     10,243       9,708       535       5.5 %
Other current assets     42,874       38,886       3,988       10.3 %
Total current assets     653,141       656,189       (3,048 )     (0.5 )%
                                 
Property and equipment     23,396       23,813       (417 )     (1.8 )%
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization     18,246       17,629       617       3.5 %
Property and equipment, net     5,150       6,184       (1,034 )     (16.7 )%
                                 
Intangible assets, net     9,167       20,167       (11,000 )     (54.5 )%
Goodwill     502,067       501,756       311       0.1 %
Deferred commissions, net     40,727       44,452       (3,725 )     (8.4 )%
Deferred income taxes     57,873       1,982       55,891       2,819.9 %
Other assets, net     26,052       28,641       (2,589 )     (9.0 )%
      1,294,177       1,259,371       34,806       2.8 %
                                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                                
Current liabilities:                                
Trade accounts payable     129,730       112,271       17,459       15.6 %
Accrued payroll and related expenses     55,063       50,776       4,287       8.4 %
Other accrued expenses     40,280       38,586       1,694       4.4 %
Deferred revenue     39,714       45,885       (6,171 )     (13.4 )%
Total current liabilities     264,787       247,518       17,269       7.0 %
                                 
Other liabilities     57,411       62,994       (5,583 )     (8.9 )%
                                 
Stockholders' equity:                                
Preferred stock                       n/a  
Common stock     16,183       15,918       265       1.7 %
Additional paid-in capital     2,129,554       2,045,316       84,238       4.1 %
Retained earnings     1,459,310       1,313,358       145,952       11.1 %
Accumulated other comprehensive income     5,640       4,295       1,345       31.3 %
Treasury stock, at cost     (2,638,708 )     (2,430,028 )     (208,680 )     8.6 %
Total stockholders' equity     971,979       948,859       23,120       2.4 %
      1,294,177       1,259,371       34,806       2.8 %

 

P 14


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    For the three months ended
March 31,
 
    2026     2025  
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net earnings (loss)     70,912       (6,267 )
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax     (1,176 )      
Non-cash operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     3,320       3,803  
Loss on disposal or impairment of assets     8       44  
Lease-related impairment and restructuring charges           (28 )
Gain on sale of strategic investments     (112 )     (515 )
Loss on marketable equity securities     124       206  
Provision for doubtful accounts     696       (453 )
Deferred income taxes     (56,385 )     (496 )
Non-cash stock compensation expense     18,930       24,166  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable, net     4,909       25,187  
Deferred commissions     (492 )     46  
Other assets     4,314       4,703  
Accounts payable and other liabilities     15,915       11,738  
Income taxes     4,142       (523 )
Deferred revenue     (6,203 )     969  
Net cash provided by operating activities     58,902       62,580  
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Capital expenditures     (289 )     (293 )
Proceeds from sale of strategic investment     112       763  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     (177 )     470  
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Proceeds related to the issuance of common stock under stock and employee benefit plans     103       202  
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings upon vesting of stock-based awards     (570 )     (1,026 )
Acquisition of treasury stock     (75,604 )     (25,447 )
Net cash used in financing activities     (76,071 )     (26,271 )
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations     (17,346 )     36,779  
Cash flows from discontinued operations:                
From operating activities     1,176       (798 )
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations     1,176       (798 )
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing and discontinued operations     (16,170 )     35,981  

 

P 15


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    For the three months ended
March 31,
 
    2026     2025  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     (171 )     580  
                 
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (16,341 )     36,561  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period     395,888       377,365  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period     379,547       413,926  
Supplemental cash flow information:                
Cash paid for income taxes, net     1,642       558  
Cash received for income taxes, net from discontinued operations     (1,863 )      
Cash received for tenant improvement allowances           (870 )
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities     2,492       2,426  
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities     426        
Operating lease assets, and related lease liabilities, relinquished in lease terminations           (40 )
Purchases of property, plant and equipment remaining unpaid at period end     44       20  
Marketable equity securities obtained in disposition of strategic investment           652  
Excise tax payable on net stock repurchases     690       64  

 

P 16


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    For the twelve months ended
March 31,
 
    2026     2025  
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net earnings (loss)     145,952       (814 )
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax     (1,176 )     (1,688 )
Non-cash operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     13,399       17,207  
Loss on disposal or impairment of assets     148       85  
Lease-related impairment and restructuring charges     617       14  
Gain on sale of strategic investments     (159 )     (515 )
Loss on marketable equity securities     260       206  
Provision for doubtful accounts     1,991       695  
Deferred income taxes     (56,272 )     (447 )
Non-cash stock compensation expense     82,988       107,979  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable, net     (28,345 )     3,547  
Deferred commissions     3,725       3,691  
Other assets     2,477       2,105  
Accounts payable and other liabilities     3,023       3,573  
Income taxes     5,437       3,430  
Deferred revenue     (6,310 )     14,897  
Net cash provided by operating activities     167,755       153,965  
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Capital expenditures     (1,376 )     (1,042 )
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received     (595 )     (1,951 )
Purchases of investments           (1,967 )
Proceeds from sales of investments           26,989  
Proceeds from sale of strategic investment     359       763  
Purchases of strategic investments     (3,320 )     (1,400 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     (4,932 )     21,392  
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Proceeds related to the issuance of common stock under stock and employee benefit plans     8,207       8,833  
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings upon vesting of stock-based awards     (13,017 )     (10,331 )
Acquisition of treasury stock     (194,534 )     (101,198 )
Net cash used in financing activities     (199,344 )     (102,696 )
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations     (36,521 )     72,661  
Cash flows from discontinued operations:                
From operating activities     1,176       1,688  
Net cash provided by discontinued operations     1,176       1,688  
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing and discontinued operations     (35,345 )     74,349  

 

P 17


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    For the twelve months ended
March 31,
 
    2026     2025  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     966       106  
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (34,379 )     74,455  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period     413,926       339,471  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period     379,547       413,926  
                 
Supplemental cash flow information:                
Cash paid for income taxes, net from continuing operations     3,963       22,548  
Cash received for income taxes, net from discontinued operations     (1,863 )     (2,486 )
Cash received for tenant improvement allowances           (2,628 )
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities     9,963       9,798  
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities     1,173       2,327  
Operating lease assets, and related lease liabilities, relinquished in lease terminations           (595 )
Purchases of property, plant and equipment remaining unpaid at period end     44       20  
Marketable equity securities obtained in disposition of strategic investment           652  
Excise tax payable on net stock repurchases     1,257       128  

 

P 18


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CALCULATION OF FREE CASH FLOW (1)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    6/30/2024     9/30/2024     12/31/2024     3/31/2025     FY2025     6/30/2025     9/30/2025     12/31/2025     3/31/2026     FY2026  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   $ (9,328 )   $ 55,596     $ 45,117     $ 62,580     $ 153,965     $ (15,821 )   $ 57,408     $ 67,266     $ 58,902     $ 167,755  
                                                                                 
Less:                                                                                
Capital expenditures     (226 )     (241 )     (282 )     (293 )     (1,042)     (336 )     (589 )     (162 )     (289 )     (1,376)  
                                                                                 
Free Cash Flow   $ (9,554 )   $ 55,355     $ 44,835     $ 62,287     $ 152,923     $ (16,157 )   $ 56,819     $ 67,104     $ 58,613     $ 166,379  

 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

P 19


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

                                                                Yr-to-Yr  
    FY2025   FY2026   FY2026 to FY2025  
    6/30/2024     9/30/2024     12/31/2024     3/31/2025     FY2025   6/30/2025     9/30/2025     12/31/2025     3/31/2026     FY2026   %     $  
Revenues     175,961       185,483       195,412       188,724       745,580       194,822       199,829       212,197     206,092     812,940     9.0 %   67,360  
Cost of revenue     51,749       51,234       54,998       57,929       215,910       58,319       59,594       59,656     60,548     238,117     10.3 %   22,207  
Gross profit     124,212       134,249       140,414       130,795       529,670       136,503       140,235       152,541     145,544     574,823     8.5 %   45,153  
% Gross margin     70.6 %     72.4 %     71.9 %     69.3 %     71.0 %     70.1 %     70.2 %     71.9 %   70.6 %   70.7 %            
                                                                                         
Operating expenses                                                                                        
Research and development     44,118       43,889       42,735       45,926       176,668       39,608       36,952       33,823     37,756     148,139     (16.1 )%   (28,529 )
Sales and marketing     54,175       51,107       50,863       56,961       213,106       51,906       48,685       48,864     56,192     205,647     (3.5 )%   (7,459 )
General and administrative     30,961       31,369       31,994       32,175       126,499       37,345       33,170       29,078     32,988     132,581     4.8 %   6,082  
Gains, losses and other items, net     206       397       149       7,241       7,993       423             1,252     3,315     4,990     (37.6 )%   (3,003 )
Total operating expenses     129,460       126,762       125,741       142,303       524,266       129,282       118,807       113,017     130,251     491,357     (6.3 )%   (32,909 )
                                                                                         
Income (loss) from operations     (5,248 )     7,487       14,673       (11,508 )     5,404       7,221       21,428       39,524     15,293     83,466     1,444.5 %   78,062  
% Margin     (3.0 )%     4.0 %     7.5 %     (6.1 )%     0.7 %     3.7 %     10.7 %     18.6 %   7.4 %   10.3 %            
                                                                                         
Total other income, net     4,444       4,197       4,033       4,762       17,436       3,709       3,544       3,378     3,967     14,598     (16.3 )%   (2,838 )
                                                                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     (804 )     11,684       18,706       (6,746 )     22,840       10,930       24,972       42,902     19,260     98,064     329.4 %   75,224  
Income tax expense (benefit)     6,685       9,952       9,184       (479 )     25,342       3,183       (2,448 )     3,029     (50,476 )   (46,712 )   N/A     (72,054 )
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations     (7,489 )     1,732       9,522       (6,267 )     (2,502 )     7,747       27,420       39,873     69,736     144,776     N/A     147,278  

  

P 20


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

                                                                Yr-to-Yr  
    FY2025   FY2026   FY2026 to FY2025  
    6/30/2024     9/30/2024     12/31/2024     3/31/2025     FY2025   6/30/2025     9/30/2025     12/31/2025     3/31/2026     FY2026   %     $  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax          

1,688

          1,688                 1,176       1,176     (30.3 )%   (512 )
Net earnings (loss)   $ (7,489 )   $ 1,732     $ 11,210     $ (6,267 )   $ (814 )   $ 7,747     $ 27,420     $ 39,873     $ 70,912     $ 145,952     N/A     146,766  
                                                                                             
Basic earnings (loss) per share:                                                                                            
Continuing Operations     (0.11 )     0.03       0.15       (0.10 )     (0.04 )     0.12       0.42       0.63       1.12       2.26     N/A     2.30  
Discontinued Operations     0.00       0.00       0.03       0.00       0.03       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.02       0.02     (28.1 )%   (0.01 )
Basic earnings (loss) per share     (0.11 )     0.03       0.17       (0.10 )     (0.01 )     0.12       0.42       0.63       1.14       2.28     N/A     2.29  
                                                                                             
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:                                                                                            
Continuing Operations     (0.11 )     0.03       0.14       (0.10 )     (0.04 )     0.12       0.42       0.62       1.10       2.23     N/A     2.26  
Discontinued Operations     0.00       0.00       0.03       0.00       0.03       0.00       0.00       0.00       0.02       0.02     (29.2 )%   (0.01 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share     (0.11 )     0.03       0.17       (0.10 )     (0.01 )     0.12       0.42       0.62       1.12       2.24     N/A     2.26  
                                                                                             
Basic weighted average shares     66,621       66,294       65,631       65,957       66,126       65,448       65,074       63,517       62,382       64,105              
Diluted weighted average shares     66,621       67,309       66,743       65,957       66,126       66,731       65,781       64,285       63,382       65,045              

 

Some earnings (loss) per share amounts may not add due to rounding.

 

P 21


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EXPENSES (1)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    FY2025   FY2026
    6/30/2024     9/30/2024     12/31/2024     3/31/2025     FY2025   6/30/2025     9/30/2025     12/31/2025     3/31/2026     FY2026
Expenses:                                                                                
Cost of revenue   $ 51,749     $ 51,234     $ 54,998     $ 57,929     $ 215,910       58,319       59,594       59,656       60,548       238,117  
Research and development     44,118       43,889       42,735       45,926       176,668       39,608       36,952       33,823       37,756       148,139  
Sales and marketing     54,175       51,107       50,863       56,961       213,106       51,906       48,685       48,864       56,192       205,647  
General and administrative     30,961       31,369       31,994       32,175       126,499       37,345       33,170       29,078       32,988       132,581  
Gains, losses and other items, net     206       397       149       7,241       7,993       423             1,252       3,315       4,990  
                                                                                 
Gross profit, continuing operations:     124,212       134,249       140,414       130,795       529,670       136,503       140,235       152,541       145,544       574,823  
% Gross margin     70.6 %     72.4 %     71.9 %     69.3 %     71.0 %     70.1 %     70.2 %     71.9 %     70.6 %     70.7 %
                                                                                 
Excluded items:                                                                                
Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue)     3,846       3,748       3,686       3,135       14,415       2,750       2,750       2,750       2,750       11,000  
Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue)     1,596       1,499       1,455       1,615       6,165       1,541       1,452       1,033       891       4,917  
Non-cash stock compensation (research and development)     10,205       10,920       10,085       10,494       41,704       8,332       6,503       5,634       5,093       25,562  
Non-cash stock compensation (sales and marketing)     7,093       7,383       7,278       5,716       27,470       6,014       5,469       5,018       6,419       22,920  
Non-cash stock compensation (general and administrative)     9,091       9,266       7,942       6,341       32,640       9,523       7,093       6,446       6,527       29,589  
Restructuring charges (gains, losses, and other)     206       397       149       7,241       7,993       423             1,252       3,315       4,990  
Total excluded items     32,037       33,213       30,595       34,542       130,387       28,583       23,267       22,133       24,995       98,978  

 

P 22


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EXPENSES (1)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    FY2025   FY2026
    6/30/2024     9/30/2024     12/ 31/2024     3/31/2025     FY2025   6/30/2025     9/30/2025     12/31/2025     3/31/2026     FY2026
Expenses, excluding items:                                                                                
Cost of revenue     46,307       45,987       49,857       53,179       195,330       54,028       55,392       55,873       56,907       222,200  
Research and development     33,913       32,969       32,650       35,432       134,964       31,276       30,449       28,189       32,663       122,577  
Sales and marketing     47,082       43,724       43,585       51,245       185,636       45,892       43,216       43,846       49,773       182,727  
General and administrative     21,870       22,103       24,052       25,834       93,859       27,822       26,077       22,632       26,461       102,992  
Gross profit, excluding items:   $ 129,654     $ 139,496     $ 145,555     $ 135,545     $ 550,250       140,794       144,437       156,324       149,185       590,740  
% Gross margin     73.7 %     75.2 %     74.5 %     71.8 %     73.8 %     72.3 %     72.3 %     73.7 %     72.4 %     72.7 %

 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures, the usefulness of these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

P 23


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EPS (1)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    FY2025   FY2026
    6/30/2024     9/30/2024     12/31/2024     3/31/2025     FY2025   6/30/2025     9/30/2025     12/31/2025     3/31/2026     FY2026
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     (804 )     11,684       18,706       (6,746 )     22,840       10,930       24,972       42,902       19,260       98,064  
Income tax expense (benefit)     6,685       9,952       9,184       (479 )     25,342       3,183       (2,448 )     3,029       (50,476 )     (46,712 )
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations     (7,489 )     1,732       9,522       (6,267 )     (2,502 )     7,747       27,420       39,873       69,736       144,776  
                                                                                 
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax                 1,688             1,688                         1,176       1,176  
                                                                                 
Net earnings (loss)     (7,489 )     1,732       11,210       (6,267 )     (814 )     7,747       27,420       39,873       70,912       145,952  
                                                                                 
Earnings (loss) per share:                                                                                
Basic     (0.11 )     0.03       0.17       (0.10 )     (0.01 )     0.12       0.42       0.63       1.14       2.28  
Diluted     (0.11 )     0.03       0.17       (0.10 )     (0.01 )     0.12       0.42       0.62       1.12       2.24  
                                                                                 
Excluded items:                                                                                
Purchased intangible asset amortization (cost of revenue)     3,846       3,748       3,686       3,135       14,415       2,750       2,750       2,750       2,750       11,000  
Non-cash stock compensation (cost of revenue and operating expenses)     27,985       29,068       26,760       24,166       107,979       25,410       20,517       18,131       18,930       82,988  
Restructuring and merger charges (gains, losses, and other)     206       397       149       7,241       7,993       423             1,252       3,315       4,990  
Total excluded items from continuing operations     32,037       33,213       30,595       34,542       130,387       28,583       23,267       22,133       24,995       98,978  
                                                                                 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and excluding items     31,233       44,897       49,301       27,796       153,227       39,513       48,239       65,035       44,255       197,042  
Income tax expense     7,371       10,745       12,421       7,759       38,296       9,878       12,060       16,259       11,064       49,261  
Non-GAAP net earnings from continuing operations     23,862       34,152       36,880       20,037       114,931       29,635       36,179       48,776       33,191       147,781  

 

P 24


 

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EPS (1)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    FY2025   FY2026
    6/30/2024     9/30/2024     12/31/2024     3/31/2025     FY2025   6/30/2025     9/30/2025     12/31/2025     3/31/2026     FY2026
Non-GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations                                                                                
Basic     0.36       0.52       0.56       0.30       1.74       0.45       0.56       0.77       0.53       2.31  
Diluted     0.35       0.51       0.55       0.30       1.70       0.44       0.55       0.76       0.52       2.27  
                                                                                 
Basic weighted average shares     66,621       66,294       65,631       65,957       66,126       65,448       65,074       63,517       62,382       64,105  
Diluted weighted average shares     68,463       67,309       66,743       67,479       67,499       66,731       65,781       64,285       63,382       65,045  

 

Some totals may not add due to rounding

 

(1) This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to comparable GAAP measures, the reasons why management uses these measures and the material limitations on the usefulness of these measures, please see Appendix A.

 

P 25


 

APPENDIX A

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Q4 FISCAL 2026 FINANCIAL RESULTS

EXPLANATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES AND OTHER KEY METRICS

 

To supplement our financial results, we use non-GAAP measures which exclude certain acquisition related expenses, non-cash stock compensation and restructuring charges. We believe these measures are helpful in understanding our past performance and our future results. Our non-GAAP financial measures and schedules are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated GAAP financial statements. Our management regularly uses these non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business and to make operating decisions. These measures are among the primary factors management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods. Compensation of our executives is also based in part on the performance of our business based on these non-GAAP measures.

 

Our non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share, non-GAAP income (loss) from operations, non-GAAP operating income (loss) margin, non-GAAP expenses and adjusted EBITDA reflect adjustments based on the following items, as well as the related income tax effects when applicable:

 

Purchased intangible asset amortization: We incur amortization of purchased intangibles in connection with our acquisitions. Purchased intangibles include (i) developed technology, (ii) customer and publisher relationships, and (iii) trade names. We expect to amortize for accounting purposes the fair value of the purchased intangibles based on the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets will be consumed as revenue is generated. Although the intangible assets generate revenue for us, we exclude this item because this expense is non-cash in nature and because we believe the non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our operational performance.

 

Non-cash stock compensation: Non-cash stock compensation consists of charges for employee restricted stock units, performance shares and stock options in accordance with current GAAP related to stock-based compensation including expense associated with stock-based compensation related to unvested options assumed in connection with our acquisitions. As we apply stock-based compensation standards, we believe that it is useful to investors to understand the impact of the application of these standards to our operational performance. Although stock-based compensation expense is calculated in accordance with current GAAP and constitutes an ongoing and recurring expense, such expense is excluded from non-GAAP results because it is not an expense that typically requires or will require cash settlement by us and because such expense is not used by us to assess the core profitability of our business operations.

 

Restructuring charges: During the past several years, we have initiated certain restructuring activities in order to align our costs in connection with both our operating plans and our business strategies based on then-current economic conditions. As a result, we recognized costs related to termination benefits for employees whose positions were eliminated, lease and other contract termination charges, and asset impairments. These items, as well as third party expenses associated with business acquisitions in the prior years, reported as gains, losses, and other items, net, are excluded from non-GAAP results because such amounts are not used by us to assess the core profitability of our business operations.

 

Transformation costs: In previous years, we incurred significant expenses to separate the financial statements of our operating segments, with particular focus on segment-level balance sheets, and to evaluate portfolio priorities. Our criteria for excluding transformation expenses from our non-GAAP measures is as follows: 1) projects are discrete in nature; 2) excluded expenses consist only of third-party consulting fees that we would not incur otherwise; and 3) we do not exclude employee related expenses or other costs associated with the ongoing operations of our business. We substantially completed those projects during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018. Beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, and through most of fiscal 2019, we incurred transaction support expenses and system separation costs related to the Company's announced evaluation of strategic options for its Marketing Solutions (AMS) business. In the first and second quarters of fiscal 2021 in response to the potential COVID-19 pandemic impact on our business and again during fiscal 2023 in response to macroeconomic conditions, we incurred significant costs associated with the assessment of strategic and operating plans, including our long-term location strategy, and assistance in implementing the restructuring activities as a result of this assessment.  Our criteria for excluding these costs are the same. We believe excluding these items from our non-GAAP financial measures is useful for investors and provides meaningful supplemental information.

 

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APPENDIX A

LIVERAMP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Q4 FISCAL 2026 FINANCIAL RESULTS

EXPLANATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES AND OTHER KEY METRICS

 

Our non-GAAP financial schedules are:

 

Non-GAAP EPS, Non-GAAP Income from Operations, and Non-GAAP expenses: Our Non-GAAP earnings per share, Non-GAAP income from operations, Non-GAAP operating income margin, and Non-GAAP expenses reflect adjustments as described above, as well as the related tax effects where applicable.

 

Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income from continuing operations before income taxes, other income and expenses, depreciation and amortization, and including adjustments as described above. We use Adjusted EBITDA to measure our performance from period to period both at the consolidated level as well as within our operating segments and to compare our results to those of our competitors. We believe that the inclusion of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful supplementary information to and facilitates analysis by investors in evaluating the Company's performance and trends. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net earnings as an indicator of our performance.

 

Free Cash Flow: To supplement our statement of cash flows, we use a non-GAAP measure of cash flow to analyze cash flows generated from operations. Free cash flow is defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures. Management believes that this measure of cash flow is meaningful since it represents the amount of money available from continuing operations for the Company's discretionary spending. The presentation of non-GAAP free cash flow is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity.

 

P 27

 

EX-99.2 5 tm2614904d1_ex99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

Publicis to acquire LiveRamp 

to accelerate data co-creation for smarter agents

 

The Groupe will expand its addressable market

and raise its 2027-2028 financial objectives

 

Publicis Groupe has entered into an agreement to acquire LiveRamp, a global data collaboration platform.

 

Click here to see the announcement by Arthur Sadoun, Publicis Groupe Chairman & CEO Publicis Groupe, and Carla Serrano, Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis Groupe.

 

With LiveRamp, Publicis will become a leader in data co-creation, an important capability in the age of artificial intelligence and an enabler of agentic business transformation.  

With this acquisition, for a total enterprise value of $2.2billion, the Groupe furthers its investment in technology, data, and AI-services to unlock new opportunities for the agentic era. In doing so it will  expand its addressable market, allowing it to raise its 2027-2028 objectives on net revenue and headline EPS growth at constant currency. 

    

LiveRamp: A Data Collaboration Platform

LiveRamp is a global data collaboration platform that enables companies to unify, manage, and activate data across the digital ecosystem. 

 

Interoperable by design, it connects over 25,000 publisher domains and 500+ technology and data partners across 14 markets, and enables thousands of brands, retailers, media platforms, and data providers to collaborate and connect data effectively, efficiently and securely.  

 

LiveRamp transforms fragmented and disconnected data into an enterprise-grade, unified, and actionable data asset built for insight, activation, and measurement. 

 

With 1,300 employees, and a model anchored in a highly recurring revenue base, LiveRamp has delivered a trailing five year CAGR of 13%.

 

 


 

 

Financial details of the transaction: 

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Publicis Groupe will acquire LiveRamp for a total enterprise value of $2.167 billion, based on an acquisition price of $38.50 per share. 

 

The transaction represents a total equity value of $2.546 billion and includes acquired net cash of $379 million.

 

The purchase price represents a 29.8% premium to LiveRamp’s closing share price on May 15th, 2026, the last trading day prior to the announcement of the agreement.

 

The transaction will be financed through cash on hand.  

 

The acquisition is expected to be accretive to Publicis Groupe’s headline EPS from the first year of consolidation, excluding transaction-related costs.

 

The transaction is also expected to enhance Publicis’ growth profile, with the Groupe raising its 2027 and 2028 constant currency growth objectives to +7% to +8% for net revenue and +8% to +10% for headline EPS, versus previous objectives of +6% to +7% and +7% to +9%, respectively.

 

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of both Publicis Groupe and LiveRamp.

 

Accelerating data co-creation to build more intelligent agents:

 

Data co-creation is the process by which companies connect multiple high-value data sources across partners in a secure environment. This generates new data assets that the companies could not build alone. This co-created data is a proprietary asset that drives a competitive edge for clients at a time when 93% of companies lack the right data for AI success1. 

 

Combined with Epsilon’s identity, LiveRamp’s collaborative clean rooms, data connectivity, market place and partner and agent network will build a leader in data co-creation that will enable clients to: 

 

- Collaborate with Greater Speed, Security & Scale: Unifying fragmented internal and partner data to enable secure, seamless collaboration across organizations without exposing sensitive underlying data. 

 

For example, a bank could build a powerful wealth management lifecycle agent in most markets and within a defined governance framework. The agent could use tokenized customer data from its retail banking, credit card, and wealth management and securely unlock insights through partner data from merchants, payment networks, and travel providers - without exposing sensitive customer records. This agent can now cross-sell faster, coordinate efforts across multiple lines of business.  The business impact of the agent is transformed from narrow task completion into a tangible competitive advantage in customer lifetime value, customer experience and retention. 

 

 

1 Harvard Business Review Analytics Services 

 

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- Generate Proprietary Intelligence: Creating new data assets from unique combinations of signals and datasets, unlocking hidden insights that drive smarter strategies and a sustainable competitive AI advantage.

 

For example, a retailer could build a comprehensive retail journey agent. The agent could connect data from CRM, loyalty, to in-store, to retail media network inventory, to partners in order to measure the incrementality of each touchpoint and to build new, proprietary journeys for shoppers. The business result of this agent now becomes faster, more efficient shopper conversion and more value for retail media partners. 

 

- Continuously Train & Fuel AI Models: Powering enterprise-grade AI agents with anonymized, integrated, dynamic, co-created data to accelerate responsiveness and decision-making within a defined governance framework. 

 

For example, a global pharmaceutical company can build a therapeutic area optimization agent.  This agent can use clinical, commercial, and supply chain signals with de-identified patient, prescriber and payer data across their brands and at a therapeutic area level. This agent can now use new dynamic signals to balance distribution by brand and optimize field-force deployment in the context of marketing.  The business impact is incremental growth for each brand, more efficient and higher ROI field-force activities, therapeutic area product lifecycle management, and total enterprise growth. 

 

Enabling end-to-end agentic business transformation:

Building smarter agents through data co-creation opens up a new addressable market and complements Publicis’ proven growth model, boosting its ability to accelerate clients’ agentic business transformation. 

 

Thanks to Publicis Sapient, we can build and modernize technology and system foundations to make clients’ infrastructure AI-ready.

 

Epsilon's market-leading identity connects clients and their agents to real people, behaviors and deterministic transactions as the fundamental source of truth and growth potential. 

 

The addition of LiveRamp enables data collaboration, safely and securely across partners, co-creating new data to fuel smarter agents for clients.

 

Finally, Marcel is the agentic platform that activates this co-created data across clients’ enterprise functions. 

 

  3/8 

 

 

Arthur Sadoun, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe commented: 

 

"LiveRamp joining Publicis Groupe is the latest demonstration of our commitment to investing in new talent and innovation, ahead of market shifts. 

 

After acquiring Epsilon in 2019 in the name of personalization at scale and enabling​ our clients to take back control of their data from the walled gardens, by shifting from cookies to identity, once again we are looking ahead to what’s next. 

 

By building the future of data co-creation, we’re empowering our clients to generate new, exclusive and proprietary data, to build the smartest, most differentiated AI agents on top of the leading LLMs. 

 

It will be valuable for our clients’ business growth, and a new addressable market for Publicis. 

 

Thanks to the Power of One, we expect to be able to quickly unite and deploy LiveRamp’s capabilities globally for clients. Adding it to our ecosystem of Publicis Sapient, Epsilon, and Marcel, means we will go even further, and faster, in delivering agentic transformation to clients, whatever their stage of enterprise readiness, safely, transparently, and in their own environments. 

 

Beyond its technology platform, LiveRamp is a team of outstanding talent, that we have had the opportunity to work closely with through our strategic partnership. We’re looking forward to welcoming them all to the Publicis family." 

 

Scott Howe, CEO of LiveRamp, commented: 

 

“We are thrilled to announce our agreement with Publicis, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for LiveRamp and all our stakeholders.

 

Our customers and partners have always been our North Star, and by joining forces with Publicis, we will have greater resources and flexibility to scale our business, continue innovating our platform, and help them unlock even greater value from their data.

 

This transaction also represents the best path forward for our shareholders, delivering significant and certain cash value at a compelling premium. 

 

Above all, this outcome is a testament to our employees, whose hard work and dedication have made LiveRamp the trusted partner it is today, and who will have new opportunities to grow and thrive as part of a global industry leader.”

 

  4/8 

 

 

LiveRamp Post Acquisition

 

Following the acquisition, LiveRamp will continue to be led by CEO Scott Howe, who will report directly to Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun. 

 

LiveRamp’s numbers will be reported within the Groupe’s Technology segment, like Publicis Sapient. 

 

LiveRamp will continue to operate as a neutral, interoperable platform and provide open access across the ecosystem. No current or prospective customer will be prohibited from accessing, or restricted in using, its services. 

 

Regarding privacy and control, LiveRamp will continue to protect client, partner and publisher data in accordance with existing contractual commitments, and will not use that data beyond what is expressly permitted under their agreements with them. 

 

LiveRamp will continue to apply its standard commercial practices, with no changes to pricing outside the normal course of business and standard business practices. 

 

As part of Publicis, LiveRamp will benefit from additional investment, scale, and expanded innovation capabilities, while maintaining the openness, interoperability, and trusted neutrality that clients, publishers and partners expect.

 

Next Steps

 

The transaction has been signed and is expected to close before year-end 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, approval by LiveRamp's shareholders and other closing conditions.

 

Additional financial considerations and outlook

 

Publicis Groupe expects to fund the purchase price with cash on hand and debt, and maintain a financial profile in line with current BBB+ / Baa1 ratings, with full deleveraging expected two years after completion of the transaction.

 

Following completion, Publicis Groupe’s maximum net financial leverage is expected to remain limited to 1.2x in 2027.

 

  5/8 

 

 

Publicis Groupe confirms its 2026 guidance of a 4% to 5% net revenue organic growth, slight improvement in operating margin rate vs 18.2% in 20252 and record free cashflow before change in WCR of circa €2.1 billion3.

 

The Groupe is raising its 2027 and 2028 constant currency growth objectives to +7% to +8% for net revenue and +8% to +10% for headline EPS, versus previous objectives of +6% to +7% and +7% to +9%, respectively. 

 

Advisors

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor to Publicis Groupe and BofA Securities, Inc. is serving as financial advisor Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is serving as legal advisor to LiveRamp and Evercore is serving as financial advisor.

 

Conference call details

 

Publicis Groupe and LiveRamp will host a conference call / webcast to discuss the transaction on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 8:00 AM CET / 2:00 AM EST.

 

Conference call details: FR: +33 1 7091 8704 / UK: +44 1 212 818 004 / US: +1 718 705 8796 / Passcode : 766927

Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/t8uwdbij

 

Accompanying documents will be available on the investor relations section of Publicis Groupe’s website.

 

About Publicis Groupe - The Power of One

 

Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] is a global leader in communication. The Groupe is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation. Publicis Groupe is a privileged partner in its clients’ transformation to enhance personalization at scale. The Groupe relies on ten expertise concentrated within four main activities: Communication, Media, Data and Technology. Through a unified and fluid organization, its clients have a facilitated access to all its expertise in every market. Present in over 100 countries, Publicis Groupe employs around 114,000 professionals.

 

www.publicisgroupe.com| Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Viva la Difference!

 

 

2 Fiscal year ending March 31st

3 Before one off transaction costs, estimated to be within €30 million

 

  6/8 

 

 

Contact Publicis Groupe

 

Amy Hadfield Global Communications +33 (0)1 44 43 70 75 amy.hadfield@publicisgroupe.com
Michelle McGowan   U.S. Communications +1 312 315 5259 michelle.mcgowan@publicisgroupe.com
Eleanor Conroy EMEA Communications +447736746466 eleanor.conroy@publicisgroupe.com
Jean-Michel Bonamy Deputy CFO, Investor Relations +33 1 44 43 74 88 jean-michel.bonamy@publicisgroupe.com
Carla Foucaud Investor Relations +44 20 7830 3710 carla.foucaud@publicisgroupe.com

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concerning Publicis, LiveRamp, the proposed transaction and other matters. Forward-looking statements contained herein could include, among other things, statements regarding the anticipated timing of the consummation of the proposed transaction; statements about management’s confidence in and strategies for performance of the combined businesses; expectations for new and existing products, technologies and opportunities; and expectations regarding growth, sales, cash flows, and earnings. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of such terms as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “likely,” “estimate,” “outlook,” “plan,” “contemplate,” “project,” “target” or other comparable terms. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the parties’ control. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication including, but not limited to: (1) failure of the closing conditions in the merger agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the proposed transaction or the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of one or multiple of the parties to terminate the definitive agreement between Publicis and LiveRamp; (2) the possibility that the transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder, or other approvals are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; (3) the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, including those resulting from the announcement, pendency or completion of the transaction; (4) risks that the new businesses will not be integrated successfully or that the combined companies will not realize estimated cost savings, value of certain tax assets, synergies and growth or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected; (5) failure to realize anticipated benefits of the combined operations; (6) risks relating to unanticipated costs of integration; (7) ability to hire and retain key personnel; (8) ability to successfully integrate the companies’ businesses; (9) the potential impact of announcement or consummation of the proposed transactions on relationships with third parties, including clients, employees and competitors, including reputational risk; (10) ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients in the manner anticipated; (11) reliance on and integration of information technology systems; (12) suffering reduced profits or losses as a result of intense competition; or (13) potential litigation that may be instituted against LiveRamp or its directors or officers related to the proposed transaction or the merger agreement. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the parties’ businesses, including those described in LiveRamp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2025, in Part I “Cautionary Statements Relevant to Forward-Looking Information” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” as updated by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and those described in documents Publicis has filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (the French securities regulator). The parties do not undertake, nor do they have, any obligation to provide updates or to revise any forward-looking statements.

 

NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION

 

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable European and French regulations.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

 

In connection with the proposed transaction, LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. will be filing documents with the SEC, including preliminary and definitive proxy statements relating to the proposed transaction (the “proxy statement”). The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to LiveRamp’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENTS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Any vote in respect of resolutions to be proposed at LiveRamp’s shareholder meeting to approve the proposed transaction should be made only on the basis of the information contained in LiveRamp’s proxy statement and documents incorporated by reference therein. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other related documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on LiveRamp’s website at www.liveramp.com.

 

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PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

 

Publicis, LiveRamp and their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of LiveRamp in respect of the proposed transactions contemplated by the proxy statement. Information regarding the persons who are, under the rules of the SEC, participants in the solicitation of the shareholders of LiveRamp in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement when it is filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of LiveRamp and their ownership of shares of LiveRamp common stock and other securities of LiveRamp can be found in the sections entitled “Nominees and Continuing Directors,” “Stock Ownership,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Tables,” and “Non-Employee Director Compensation” included in LiveRamp’s proxy statement in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on June 27, 2025; in the Form 3 and Form 4 initial statements of beneficial ownership and statements of changes in beneficial ownership filed with the SEC by LiveRamp’s directors and executive officers; and in other documents subsequently filed by LiveRamp with the SEC, including LiveRamp’s proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction when it becomes available. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other related documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on LiveRamp’s website at www.liveramp.com.

 

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