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): November 3, 2014
Unwired Planet, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-16073 | 94-3219054 | ||
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
170 South Virginia Street, Suite 201
Reno, Nevada 89501
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(775) 980-2345
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | 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)) |
Item 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On November 3, 2014, David Lockwood, director of Unwired Planet (the Company) retired from the Companys Board of Directors effective as of the Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting).
In connection with Mr. Lockwoods retirement, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the following:
| all unvested stock options and restricted stock units of the Company held by Mr. Lockwood as of his retirement date were accelerated and became fully vested and exercisable on the retirement date; and |
| the post-termination exercise periods for all stock options of the Company held by Mr. Lockwood as of his retirement date were extended for an additional fifteen (15) months beyond the retirement date (but in no event beyond the expiration date of the stock option). |
On November 3, 2014, the Board of Directors appointed Mark Thompson, age 53, as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of the Company effective as of November 6, 2014. Mr. Thompson currently provides financial consulting services to the Company and will provide services as CFO pursuant to a consulting agreement with The Brenner Group, Inc. (the Brenner Group) which was entered into as of October 31, 2014 (the Consulting Agreement).
Mr. Thompson is Vice President of The Brenner Group, a financial consultancy firm, a position he has held since April 2011. He currently also serves as Chief Financial Officer of Affymax, Inc. on a contract basis. Prior to the Brenner Group, from 2008 to 2010 he was Chief Financial Officer of Venrock, a venture capital firm. From 2003 to 2007 he was Chief Financial Officer of Spark Networks (NYSE LOV). He previously held financial positions at Solidus Networks, Vectiv, PeopleSoft, Chiron and Chevron. Mr. Thompson holds a B.S. from Texas A&M University and an M.B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley.
Other than as set out in the Consulting Agreement, there are (a) no understandings or arrangements between Mr. Thompson and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as CFO of the Company and (b) Mr. Thompson has no material interest in any transaction or proposed transaction in which the Company is or is to be a party. Mr. Thompson has no family relationship with any director or executive officer of the Company.
Under the Consulting Agreement, the Company agreed to pay the Brenner Group for Mr. Thompsons services a fee of $275.00 per hour and reimburse Mr. Thompson for all travel and out of pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith. The Consulting Agreement has a one-year term until October 31, 2015, will be automatically extended for three (3) month periods, and may be terminated by either party upon one (1) months written notice.
As previously reported on that certain Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2014, Mr. Eric Vetter, the Companys President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, will resign from the Company effective November 18, 2014. Mr. Vetter will step down as Chief Financial Officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer as of November 6, 2014.
The foregoing description of the Consulting Agreement is not purported to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such Consulting Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.
Item 5.07. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
At the Companys Annual Meeting, the Companys stockholders voted upon three matters, which are described in detail in the Companys definitive proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2014. The final voting results are set forth below.
Proposal 1: The Companys stockholders elected each of the directors named below for a one-year term that expires at the Companys annual meeting of stockholders in 2015 or until his respective successor has been elected and qualified, subject to his earlier resignation or removal. The tabulation of votes on this matter was as follows:
Nominee |
For | Withheld | Broker Non- Votes |
|||||||||
Philip A. Vachon |
62,169,021 | 1,411,660 | 29,412,458 | |||||||||
Richard Chernicoff |
62,187,257 | 1,393,424 | 29,412,458 | |||||||||
Dallas Clement |
62,187,724 | 1,392,957 | 29,412,458 | |||||||||
Mark Jensen |
45,004,065 | 18,576,616 | 29,412,458 | |||||||||
William Marino |
50,786,505 | 12,794,176 | 29,412,458 | |||||||||
Andrew Dodge |
62,202,748 | 1,377,933 | 29,412,458 |
Proposal 2: The Companys stockholders ratified the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. The tabulation of the votes on this matter was as follows:
For |
Against |
Abstained |
Broker Non- Votes | |||
91,507,788 | 1,309,070 | 176,281 | 0 |
Proposal 3. The Companys stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Companys named executive officers as disclosed in the definitive proxy statement. The tabulation of the votes on this matter was as follows:
For |
Against |
Abstained |
Broker Non- Votes | |||
43,556,849 | 19,965,677 | 58,155 | 29,412,458 |
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits. |
10.1 | Consulting Engagement Agreement between Unwired Planet, Inc. and The Brenner Group, Inc., dated as of October 31, 2014. |
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.
Unwired Planet, Inc. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Eric Vetter | |||||
Dated: November 5, 2014 | Name: | Eric Vetter | ||||
Title: | President, Chief Administrative Officer & Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
10.1 | Consulting Engagement Agreement between Unwired Planet, Inc. and The Brenner Group, Inc., dated as of October 31, 2014. |
Exhibit 10.1
THE BRENNER GROUP, INC.
Consulting Engagement Agreement
This Consulting Engagement Agreement (the Agreement) is made effective as of October 31, 2014 (the Commencement Date) between The Brenner Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business located at 19200 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 200, Cupertino, CA 95014-2530 (Consultant) and Unwired Planet, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business located at 170 South Virginia Street, Suite 201, Reno, NV 89501 (Client).
RECITALS
A. | Consultant is in the business of providing management services to client companies in all areas of business operations. |
B. | Client is in need of assistance in the form provided by Consultant. |
C. | Consultant and Client desire to enter into a consulting arrangement upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. |
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | ENGAGEMENT: Client agrees to engage Consultant under the terms of this Agreement, and Consultant agrees to accept such engagement. Consultant, or its representative shall be available to Client according to the time or the projects specified in Exhibit A, attached hereto and made a part of this Agreement by reference herein. |
2. | TERM AND TERMINATION: Consultants engagement pursuant to this Agreement shall commence on October 31, 2014 and continue until October 31, 2015, unless terminated earlier, as provided herein (the Term). At the end of the Term, this Agreement shall automatically be extended for periods of three (3) months each, unless one party gives the other party one (1) months notice of their intent to not extend the Agreement. Other than for the reasons described in Section 4, below, either party may terminate this Agreement during the Term, or any extensions thereof, by giving the other party one (1) months written notice of their intent to so terminate. |
3. | COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES: As compensation for services rendered by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement, Client shall pay Consultant the sum(s) as shown on Exhibit A, plus reimbursement for any expenses incurred on Clients behalf, including reasonable living expenses while working on this Assignment, when such living expenses are incurred more than fifty miles from Consultants headquarters. If Consultant uses an automobile on Clients behalf, Client shall reimburse Consultant for actual miles traveled at the rate of $0.58 per mile. Consultant shall invoice Client for travel time to and from Clients premises at fifty (50) percent of the rates shown on Exhibit A(or other designated meeting site as defined by Client). Client and Consultant agree that Exhibit A may be modified from time to time, and such modifications shall be made a part of this Agreement when executed by both parties. |
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THE BRENNER GROUP, INC.
4. | PERSONNEL: Client and Consultant agree that Consultant is not in the business of providing a recruiting or placement service for permanent positions. However, if Client wishes to offer employment to any of Consultants representatives, and if the representative wishes to accept such employment, Consultant has the right to invoice Client, and Client will promptly pay, a fee as shown in the following table: |
Period after the Effective Date of the Agreement |
% of estimated | |
Within the first six (6) months |
100% | |
Between seven (7) months and nine (9) months |
85% | |
After the commencement of the tenth (10th) month |
70% |
** For purposes of this Agreement, estimated first years compensation shall be defined to include first years annualized salary, first years estimated annualized bonus, and number of shares of Clients stock to be vested to Consultants representative by the first anniversary of representatives employment by Client. In the case of equity, a warrant shall be issued to Consultant for the percentage of representatives shares, at the same price as those as the representative. Equity considered vested shall be determined as a function of the passage of time (i.e. disregarding cliffs and other vesting deferral mechanisms built into the representatives option plan). |
Client and Consultant also agree that the Client shall not offer any of Consultants Representative (including all Exhibits, and whether or not Consultants Representative remains an employee of Consultant) a consulting or other non-permanent form of employment or engagement within twenty- four (24) months of termination of Clients engagement with Consultant, without obtaining the express and written consent of Consultant. In the absence of this approval, Consultant has the right to invoice Client, and Client will promptly pay, a fee equal to 100% of the total amount paid by Client to the Consultants former Representative for the greater of the duration of the project or until the time which is twenty-four (24) months after the termination of the Agreement. |
5. | INVOICING AND PAYMENT: Consultant shall invoice Client as of the fifteenth and last day of each month for services performed pursuant to this Agreement. Client shall pay Consultants invoice, in full, within five (5) business days of the date of Consultants invoice. If Client does not pay Consultant pursuant to these terms, Consultant shall have the right to receive a retainer, as described in Paragraph 6, below. |
6. | RETAINER: If Consultant has the right, pursuant to Paragraph 5, above, to receive a retainer from Client, and further, if Consultant requests such retainer, Client shall pay Consultant a retainer (the Retainer) upon written demand from Consultant. Such retainer shall approximate Consultants best estimate of one half months worth of Consultants charges working on Clients matters. Client agrees that such retainer shall be replenished to an amount equal to the following one half months projected amount due for projected services during such period. Any retainer remaining shall be applied against the final invoice pursuant to this Agreement. |
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THE BRENNER GROUP, INC.
7. | STATUS: Consultant is engaged by Client as an independent contractor, and not as an employee. As such, Consultant is solely responsible for and will make proper and timely payment of any and all taxes on amounts paid by Client, including, if applicable, estimated state and federal income taxes, self-employment taxes, state disability insurance taxes and the like. Neither Consultant nor Consultants Representative will receive or participate in any of Clients employee health insurance or any other employee fringe benefit programs, and Consultant will not be covered by Clients workers compensation and other insurance policies. |
8. | PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTIONS: Consultant understands that certain proprietary information of Clients may be disclosed to Consultant during the term of this Agreement. Unless such information was known to Consultant prior to such disclosure, or becomes part of the public domain, or disclosure is required by government-compelled process, Consultant agrees not to disclose such information to third parties for a period of twenty four months, without prior written consent of the Client. Consultant acknowledges that, if requested by Client, Consultant will sign an additional and separate Non-Disclosure Agreement with Client. |
9. | NO AUTHORITY: Consultant does not have, and is not granted by this Agreement, any express or implied right or authority to assume or create any obligations on behalf of, or in the name of, Client; or to bind Client to, or enter into, directly or indirectly, any contract, agreement or undertaking with any third party. If Client wishes to grant such authority to Consultant, Client shall issue such authority to Consultant in writing prior to Consultant taking any such action. |
10. | INDEMNITY: Client shall offer the same level of indemnification to Consultant as Client would normally provide to its officers and directors, including such resolutions by its Board of Directors as are customary regarding officer and director indemnification. Client shall cause its agent for its insurance (including, but not limited to Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, Employment Practices Liability Insurance, and Errors and Omissions Insurance) policies to issue an endorsement indicating that Consultant and its Representative are included as named insureds under said policy. |
11. | MISCELLANEOUS: |
A. | ASSIGNMENT: This Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other. |
B. | ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL: Consultant may use additional personnel to support the requirements of Client under this Agreement. The additional personnel will only be used after Client has agreed in writing to: (a) such addition; (b) the compensation for such addition; (c) the term of such addition, and (d) such addition is made a part of this Agreement by an amendment to Exhibit A, or added as an additional Exhibit, and executed by both parties. |
C. | GOVERNING LAW: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. |
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THE BRENNER GROUP, INC.
D. | NOTICES: All notices hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be deemed given upon personal delivery or upon placing in the United States postal service First Class delivery system, to the addresses set forth below: |
If to Consultant: | If to Client: | |
Richard M. Brenner |
Philip A. Vachon | |
Chief Executive Officer |
Chairman of the Board | |
The Brenner Group, Inc. |
Unwired Planet, Inc. | |
19200 Stevens Creek Blvd., St. 200 |
170 South Virginia Street, Suite 201 | |
Cupertino, CA 95014-2530 |
Reno, NV 89501 |
Either party may change its notice address by written notice to the other in accordance herewith. |
E. | AMENDMENT; ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This Agreement may be amended only in writing, and signed by both parties. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and expressly terminates and supersedes any and all oral and or written understandings and agreements with regard to such subject matter. |
F. | ATTORNEYS FEES: If any action is brought hereunder, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys fees to be fixed by the court in such action. |
G. | PARTIAL INVALIDITY: If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid by any court or other authority, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement this 24th day of October, 2014, to be effective as of thirty-first day of October, 2014.
Consultant: | Client: | |||
The Brenner Group, Inc. | Unwired Planet, Inc. | |||
/s/ Richard M. Brenner |
/s/ Philip A. Vachon | |||
SIGNATURE | SIGNATURE | |||
Richard M. Brenner |
Philip A. Vachon | |||
NAME | NAME | |||
President & Chief Executive Officer |
Chairman of the Board | |||
TITLE | TITLE |
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THE BRENNER GROUP, INC.
Exhibit A
The Assignment shall be defined as:
| When elected by Clients Board of Directors after Client has filed its SEC form 10Q for its most current fiscal quarter, Consultants Representative #1 shall assist Client by serving as Clients Chief Financial Officer, including all duties and authorities normally associated with such position. |
| Until elected by Clients Board of Directors to such position, Consultants Representative #1 shall assist Client by working with Clients current Chief Financial Officer to effect a smooth transfer of knowledge and duties from the existing Chief Financial Officer to Consults Representative #1. |
| Consultant shall assist Client in such other matters as Client may reasonably request. |
Consultants rates for such services:
Consultants Representative | Rate | |||||
1. | Mark Thompson, or equivalent |
$ | 275 per hour |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement this 24th day of October, 2014, to be effective as of thirty-first day of October, 2014.
Consultant: | Client: | |||
The Brenner Group, Inc. | Unwired Planet, Inc. | |||
/s/ Richard M. Brenner |
/s/ Philip A. Vachon | |||
SIGNATURE | SIGNATURE | |||
Richard M. Brenner |
Philip A. Vachon | |||
NAME | NAME | |||
President & Chief Executive Officer |
Chairman of the Board | |||
TITLE | TITLE |
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