UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
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☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
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☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
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Magnite, Inc.
1250 Broadway, 15th Floor
New York, New York 10001
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 14, 2023
The annual meeting of stockholders of Magnite, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, to consider and act upon the matters described below. This year’s annual meeting will be a virtual meeting via live webcast on the Internet. You will be able to attend the annual meeting, view the list of our registered stockholders, vote and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/293659257 and entering the control number included on the Notice of Internet Availability or the proxy card or voting instruction form (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials) that you receive. Beneficial owners should review the proxy materials and their voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability for information about how to vote in advance of and how to participate in the meeting. You will not be able to attend the annual meeting in person.
1.Election of three Class III directors to serve until the Company’s 2026 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
2.Ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year.
3.Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.
4.Approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.
5.Approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
6.Transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 17, 2023 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING ONLINE, IN ORDER TO ENSURE REPRESENTATION OF YOUR SHARES, PLEASE VOTE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. YOU ARE URGED TO SUBMIT YOUR PROXY OR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ELECTRONICALLY OR BY TELEPHONE BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON YOUR NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS OR, IF YOU RECEIVED A PRINTED COPY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS, ON YOUR PROXY CARD OR VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM. IF YOU REQUESTED A PRINTED COPY OF YOUR PROXY MATERIALS, YOU MAY ALSO VOTE BY MAIL BY SIGNING, DATING, AND RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD OR VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM IN THE PRE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. VOTING NOW VIA PROXY WILL NOT LIMIT YOUR RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE OR TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING ONLINE.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Aaron Saltz |
New York, New York
April 28, 2023
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This proxy statement contains forward-looking statements, including statements based upon or relating to our expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “objective,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “design,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements concerning acquisitions by the Company, including the acquisition of SpotX, Inc. (“SpotX,” and such acquisition the “SpotX Acquisition”), the acquisition of SpringServe, LLC (“SpringServe,” and such acquisition the “SpringServe Acquisition”), and the merger with Telaria, Inc. (“Telaria,” and such merger the “Telaria Merger”), or the anticipated benefits thereof; statements concerning potential synergies from the Company’s acquisitions; statements concerning macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, supply chain issues or the occurrence of a recession, or concerns related thereto; our anticipated financial performance; key strategic objectives; industry growth rates for ad-supported connected television (“CTV”) and the shift in video consumption from linear TV to CTV; anticipated benefits of new offerings, including the introduction of our new Magnite Streaming platform; the impact of our traffic shaping technology on our business; the success of the consolidation of our two CTV platforms; the effects of our cost reduction initiatives; scope and duration of client relationships; the fees we may charge in the future; business mix; sales growth; benefits from supply path optimization; the development of identity solutions; client utilization of our offerings; our competitive differentiation; our market share and leadership position in the industry; market conditions, trends, and opportunities; certain statements regarding future operational performance measures; and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are not guarantees of future performance; they reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and estimates and subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from expectations or results projected or implied by forward-looking statements. Any standards of measurement and performance made in reference to our environmental, social and other sustainability plans and goals are developing and based on assumptions, and no assurance can be given that any such plan, initiative, projection, goal, commitment, expectation, or prospect can or will be achieved.
Such risks and additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements include those described throughout our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K and particularly under the heading “Risk Factors.” Unless required by federal securities laws, we assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated, to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the statements are made. Given these uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Website references throughout this document are provided for convenience only, and the content on the referenced websites is not incorporated by reference into this document.
Readers should carefully review this proxy statement and the documents that we have filed or will file with the SEC that disclose risks and uncertainties that may affect our business.
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Magnite, Inc.
1250 Broadway, 15th Floor
New York, New York 10001
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 14, 2023
This proxy statement is provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of directors (the “board of directors” or “board”) of Magnite, Inc. (the “company” or “Magnite”) for use at Magnite’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, and at any postponement or adjournment thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). The Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting via live webcast on the Internet. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting, view the list of our registered stockholders, vote and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting https://web.lumiagm.com/293659257 and entering the control number included in the Notice of Internet Availability or the proxy card or voting instruction form (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials) that you receive. Beneficial owners should review the proxy materials and their voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability for information about how to vote in advance of and how to participate in the Annual Meeting. You will not be able to attend the annual meeting in person.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
This proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 Annual Report”) are available on the Internet at www.proxyvote.com. These materials are also available on our corporate website at http://investor.magnite.com/. The other information on our corporate website does not constitute part of this proxy statement and is not incorporated by reference into this document.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting via live webcast, and we request that you vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement as soon as possible. You can vote your shares without attending the Annual Meeting by appointing a proxy to vote your shares as explained below. Please note that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee (preferably at least several days before the Annual Meeting) and obtain a “legal proxy” in order to be able to attend, participate in, or vote at the Annual Meeting. See “Matters Relating to Virtual Annual Meeting” below for further instructions.
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials, we are furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders on the Internet and mailing printed copies of the proxy materials only to a limited number of our stockholders. If you are a stockholder of record and you have received a printed copy of these proxy materials by mail, you may simply complete, sign and return your proxy card by mail or follow the instructions on your proxy card to submit your proxy via the Internet or telephone. If you hold your shares in street name, which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank, or other nominee, you will receive instructions from your broker, bank, or other nominee on how to vote your shares. Stockholders receiving a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by mail will generally not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless they specifically request a printed copy in accordance with the instructions included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials provides instructions as to how to (i) access and review the information contained in the proxy materials, (ii) submit voting instructions via the Internet or telephone or by mail, and (iii) request a printed copy of the proxy materials. You may also participate in and vote at the Annual Meeting by visiting the following website: https://web.lumiagm.com/293659257. See “Matters Relating to Virtual Annual Meeting” below for further instructions. Even if you plan to participate in the Annual Meeting online, we recommend that you submit your proxy or voting instructions in advance to authorize the voting of your shares at the Annual Meeting so that your vote will be counted if you later are unable to attend the Annual Meeting online.
We intend to begin distributing our proxy materials to stockholders via paper copy mailing and the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials on or about April 28, 2023.
Business to be Conducted at Annual Meeting; Recommendation of Board of Directors
Each properly submitted proxy will be voted in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions contained therein. If no choice is specified, properly executed proxies that have not been revoked will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the board of directors as follows:
•FOR election of three Class III directors to serve until the Company’s 2026 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified (see “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors”);
•FOR ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year (see “Proposal 2 – Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”);
•FOR approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (see “Proposal 3 —Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers”);
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•FOR approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (see “Proposal 4 —Approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan”); and
•FOR approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (see “Proposal 5 —Approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan”).
As to any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons acting as proxies will vote, or otherwise act, in accordance with their judgment on such matter. Our board of directors does not presently know of any other business that may come before the Annual Meeting.
The Company will pay all costs of proxy solicitation. In addition to solicitations by mail, our directors, officers and employees, without additional remuneration, may solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile and personal interviews, and we reserve the right to retain outside agencies for the purpose of soliciting proxies. Brokers, custodians, and fiduciaries will be requested to forward proxy soliciting materials to the owners of stock held in their names and, as required by law, we will reimburse them for their out-of-pocket expenses in this regard.
Matters Relating to Virtual Annual Meeting
Our board of directors believes that hosting a virtual Annual Meeting is in our best interest and the best interest of our stockholders and enables increased stockholder attendance and participation. Our board of directors has determined that hosting a virtual annual meeting of stockholders will provide expanded access, improved communication, and cost savings. Hosting a virtual meeting enables increased stockholder attendance and participation since stockholders can participate from any location around the world. We intend that the virtual meeting format will provide stockholders a similar level of transparency to the traditional in-person meeting format and we take steps to ensure such an experience. Our stockholders will be afforded the same opportunities to participate at the virtual Annual Meeting as they would at an in-person annual meeting of stockholders.
The live audio webcast of the Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. Online access to the audio webcast will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting to allow time for you to login and test your internet-connected device’s audio system. We encourage you to access the meeting in advance of the designated time. We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual meeting or submitting questions. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual meeting log in page.
If you want to participate in and vote at the Annual Meeting, you will need will need the control number included on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card or voting instruction form (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials) or included in the email to you if you received the proxy materials by email in order to be able to vote your shares or submit questions during the Annual Meeting.
In addition, if you hold your shares in “street name” through an intermediary, such as a bank, broker or other nominee, in order to participate in and vote at the Annual Meeting you must first obtain, in advance, from your bank, broker or other nominee, a legal proxy reflecting the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that you held as of the record date, your name and email address, unless you previously obtained a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee. You must then submit a request for registration to AST by email to proxy@astfinancial.com. Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received by AST no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 26, 2023. Obtaining a legal proxy may take several days, or longer, and stockholders are advised to register as far in advance as possible. Proxy holders registered with AST will receive a control number and may access the Annual Meeting as described in the paragraph above for stockholders of record.
Our virtual Annual Meeting allows stockholders to submit questions and comments before and during the Annual Meeting. Stockholders who have accessed the Annual Meeting with a control number may submit questions during the Annual Meeting that are pertinent to the Company and the items being brought before a vote at the Annual Meeting, as time permits and in accordance with our rules of procedure for the Annual Meeting. If you wish to submit a question, you may do so when you are logged into the virtual meeting platform with your control number by typing your question in the designated spot on the dashboard and clicking “Submit.” After the Annual Meeting, we will spend up to 15 minutes answering stockholder questions that comply with the rules of conduct for the Annual Meeting, which will be posted on the virtual meeting web portal. To the extent time doesn’t allow us to answer all of the appropriately submitted questions, we will answer them in writing on our investor relations website at http://investor.magnite.com/ soon after the meeting. If we receive substantially similar questions, we will group such questions together and provide a single response to avoid repetition.
Voting and Quorum Requirements
On April 17, 2023, the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting, there were outstanding and entitled to vote an aggregate of 135,513,598 shares of our common stock, constituting all of our voting stock. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. The holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding on the record date and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, present via live webcast or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments and postponements thereof. Shares of our common stock represented via live webcast or by proxy (including broker non-votes and shares that abstain or do not vote with respect to one or more of the matters presented for stockholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting.
You may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN with respect to each director nominee (Proposal 1), ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year (Proposal 2), approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (Proposal 3), approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (Proposal 4), and approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal 5).
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This is an uncontested election and our bylaws provide that a director nominee will be elected in an uncontested election only if the number of votes cast FOR the nominee’s election exceeds the number of votes cast AGAINST the nominee’s election, assuming a quorum is present. For the election of directors, shares of our common stock voted ABSTAIN and broker non-votes are not counted as votes cast and, therefore, will not be counted in determining the outcome of a director nominee’s election, but will count for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter, assuming a quorum is present, is required to (i) ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year (Proposal 2), (ii) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (Proposal 3), (iii) approve the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (Proposal 4), and (iv) approve the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal 5).
For each of Proposals 2, 3, 4, and 5, abstentions are considered shares present and entitled to vote on such matter. For each of Proposals 2, 3, 4, and 5, abstentions will have the same effect as votes AGAINST the matter.
Votes during the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by a representative of American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, who will serve as the Inspector of Elections. Our intention is to announce the preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and to publish the final results within four business days after the Annual Meeting on a Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC and which we will make available on our website at http://investor.magnite.com/.
Broker Discretionary Voting
If you hold your shares in street name through a bank, broker, or other nominee, you should follow the instructions that you receive from your bank, broker, or other nominee regarding steps to take to instruct your bank, broker, or other nominee how to vote your shares. If you do not provide voting instructions to your bank, broker, or other nominee, under certain securities exchange rules, the organization that holds your shares is not permitted to vote on certain matters, including the election of directors, and may determine not to vote your shares at all. In order to ensure that your shares are voted on all matters presented at the annual meeting, we encourage you to provide voting instructions in advance of the meeting, regardless of whether you intend to attend the annual meeting.
If you do not provide voting instructions and the organization that holds your shares elects to vote your shares on some but not all matters, it will result in a “broker non-vote” for the matters on which the organization does not vote. Abstentions occur when you provide voting instructions but instruct the organization that holds your shares to abstain from voting on a particular matter.
Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast with respect to the election of directors (Proposal 1) and, therefore, will not be counted in determining the outcome of a director nominee’s election. For ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year (Proposal 2), approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (Proposal 3), approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (Proposal 4), and the approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal 5), broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted in determining the outcome of those items.
Deadline for Voting Before the Annual Meeting
If you are a stockholder of record, your proxy must be received by telephone or the Internet by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 13, 2023 in order for your shares to be voted at the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record and you received a printed set of proxy materials, you also have the option of completing, signing, dating and returning the proxy card enclosed with the proxy materials before the Annual Meeting in order for your shares to be voted at the meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock, please comply with the deadlines included in the voting instructions provided by the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares.
Changing or Revoking Your Vote
If you are a stockholder of record you may revoke a previously submitted proxy by (i) delivering a subsequently dated written revocation to our Secretary, (ii) providing subsequent Internet or telephone voting instructions, or (iii) delivering a subsequently dated proxy to our Secretary, in each case, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 13, 2023. You may also revoke your proxy by voting during the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held through a bank or broker (i.e., in street name), you must contact your broker, bank or other nominee to find out how to change or revoke your voting instructions. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not cause your previously executed proxy to be revoked unless you vote during the Annual Meeting or specifically request such revocation. Each stockholder may appoint only one proxy holder or representative to attend the meeting on his or her behalf.
Householding of Proxy Materials
Some banks, brokers, and other nominee record holders may participate in the practice of “householding” proxy materials. This means that only one copy of our proxy materials or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable, may have been sent to multiple stockholders in your household unless such stockholders have notified us of their desire to receive multiple copies of our proxy materials. We will promptly deliver a separate Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and, if applicable, a separate proxy statement and Annual Report, to you if you contact us by mail at Magnite, Inc., 1250 Broadway, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001, Attention: Corporate Secretary or by telephone at (212) 243-2769. If you want to receive separate copies of our proxy materials in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for your household, you should contact your bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or you may contact us at the above address or phone number.
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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors is classified into three classes (designated Class I, Class II and Class III), with members of each class holding office for staggered three-year terms. There are currently four Class III directors, whose terms expire at the Annual Meeting; four Class I directors, whose terms expire at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, and three Class II directors, whose terms expire at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders; and, in all cases subject to the election and qualification of their respective successors and to their earlier death, resignation or removal. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the nominees named.
On March 21, 2022, our board of directors approved the expansion of the board from nine to eleven directors, with one newly created directorship being allocated to Class I and one newly created directorship being allocated to Class III. Diane Yu was appointed to fill the Class I vacancy and David Pearson was appointed to fill the Class III vacancy. On April 21, 2022, Mr. Pearson was appointed as the audit committee chair, replacing Lisa L. Troe, who served as audit committee chair for eight years and continues to serve on the audit committee.
On April 25, 2023, Lisa L. Troe, being the first independent and longest serving director at nine years, informed the board of directors that she does not intend to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting, in the interest of director rotation best practice. She will continue to serve as a director of the Company until the Annual Meeting. The board has determined that at such time, the size of the board will be reduced to ten members.
Our process for nominating director candidates is described below under the caption “Director Candidate Nominating Procedures.” Our board of directors, upon the recommendation of the board’s nominating and governance committee, nominated each of Paul Caine, Doug Knopper, and David Pearson to stand for election as Class III directors at the Annual Meeting. Each nominee has indicated his willingness to serve if elected, but if he is unable or unwilling for good cause to serve, proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee designated by our board of directors or our board of directors may determine to further reduce the size of the board. Each nominee, if elected, will hold office until the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, subject to the election and qualification of his respective successor and to his earlier death, resignation or removal. Mr. Pearson was first recommended to the nominating and governance committee through an external recruiting firm, which was engaged by the Company to assist in identifying potential board candidates.
The table below lists the ten directors expected to continue in service following the Annual Meeting and their committee assignments. A summary of the background for each nominee and continuing director is set forth after the table. These background summaries include the specific experience, qualifications, attributes, and/or skills that, together with the general characteristics and qualifications described below under the caption “Director Candidate Nominating Procedures,” contributed to our board’s conclusion that the person should serve as a director of the Company.
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Committee Assignments |
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Name |
Age(1) |
Position |
Audit |
Compensation |
Nominating and Governance |
Member |
Paul Caine |
58 |
Chairman of the Board |
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April 2020 |
Michael G. Barrett |
61 |
CEO and Director |
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March 2017 |
Robert J. Frankenberg |
75 |
Lead Director |
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X |
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April 2014 |
Sarah P. Harden |
51 |
Director |
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X |
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July 2019 |
Doug Knopper |
62 |
Director |
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Chair |
X |
April 2020 |
Rachel Lam |
55 |
Director |
X |
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X |
April 2020 |
David Pearson |
57 |
Director |
Chair |
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March 2022 |
James Rossman |
57 |
Director |
X |
X |
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April 2020 |
Robert F. Spillane |
72 |
Director |
X |
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Chair |
April 2014 |
Diane Yu |
49 |
Director |
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March 2022 |
(1)As of April 17, 2023
Director Nominees – Class III
Paul Caine has been a member and Chairman of our board of directors since April 2020. He previously served as the non-executive Chairman of Telaria from January 1, 2020 until April 2020 and as a member of Telaria’s board of directors from June 2014 until April 2020. He served as Telaria’s executive Chairman from July 2017 to December 31, 2019 and Telaria’s Interim Chief Executive Officer from February 2017 to July 2017 and as the non-executive Chairman of the Board from July 2016 to February 2017. Mr. Caine has served as President, IMG Events, since August 2022, and On Location at Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. since January 2020. Mr. Caine served as the Chairman and Executive Director of the Board of Engine Group, a global marketing company, from January 2018 to February 2023, and as CEO and Founder of PC Ventures, LLC, an investment and advisory firm, since August 2017. Mr. Caine served as the Chief Global Revenue Officer for Bloomberg Media from June 2014 to July 2016. From April 2013 to January 2014 he served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of WestwoodOne, Inc., the largest independent national audio media company in the U.S. From 1989 to 2013, Mr. Caine served in various capacities at Time Inc., including Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer and Group President Time Inc. from January 2011 until April 2013, Executive Vice President, President and Group Publisher, Style and Entertainment Group from January 2010 to January 2011, and President, Style and Entertainment Group from January 2008 to January 2010. From 2007 to 2011, Mr. Caine served on the board of directors of Nexcen Brands, Inc., a strategic brand management company with a focus on retail franchising, where he served as a member of the audit and governance committees. Mr. Caine and his wife are Co-Founders of the Griffin Cares Foundation. Mr. Caine received a B.A. in Telecommunications with a minor in Business from Indiana University. Mr. Caine brings to the board expertise in branding and multi-media advertising sales and marketing, as well extensive experience serving on the boards of directors of public and private companies.
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Doug Knopper has been a member of our board of directors since April 2020. He previously served as a member of Telaria’s board of directors from October 2018 until April 2020. Mr. Knopper is the Co-Founder of FreeWheel Media, Inc. and served as its Co-Chief Executive Officer from February 2007 to September 2017. FreeWheel, which was acquired by Comcast in 2014, provides a technology platform for the management and monetization of digital television advertising. Prior to founding FreeWheel, Mr. Knopper served as the Chief Executive Officer of BitPass Inc. from 2005 to 2007 and as Senior Vice President/General Manager of DoubleClick Inc. from 2000 to 2005. Mr. Knopper received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A from Georgetown University. Mr. Knopper brings to the board deep expertise and business relationships in digital video advertising and CTV, as well as experience founding, building and leading advertising technology companies.
David Pearson has been a member of our board of directors since March 2022. He has served on the board of directors of Lee Enterprises Inc., a public media company listed on Nasdaq, since February 2020, and is also a member of Lee’s audit committee. He has also served on the board of directors of Potbelly Corporation, a Nasdaq listed company, since April 2022, where he is the chair of the audit committee. Mr. Pearson was Chief Financial Officer of Vonage Holdings Corp., a public cloud technology company, from May 2013 until August 2020. Before Mr. Pearson joined Vonage, he spent over nine years with Deutsche Bank Securities as a Managing Director and Global Media & Telecom Group Head. Prior to joining Deutsche Bank, Mr. Pearson served in various roles at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice for over nine years, including as Managing Director from 2002 to 2003. Mr. Pearson started his career at Coopers & Lybrand and holds a M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and an A.B. in Political Science and Organizational Behavior from Brown University. Mr. Pearson brings to the board an expertise in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and public company accounting, controls and financial reporting, as well as significant operational experience as a public company executive.
Incumbent Directors – Class I
Robert J. Frankenberg joined our board of directors in connection with our initial public offering in April 2014. Mr. Frankenberg has owned NetVentures, a management consulting and investment firm focused on the high-tech industry, since 1996. He served on the board of directors of public company Nuance Communications from March 2000 to June 2018. He previously served as a member of the boards of directors of public companies Polycom from October 2013 to September 2016, Wave Systems from December 2011 to June 2015 and National Semiconductor from 1999 until October 2011. He also serves on the boards of the Sundance Institute and SnowGhost. Prior to its sale in 2004, Mr. Frankenberg chaired Kinzan, a leading provider of Internet services platforms. Mr. Frankenberg was the chairman, president, and CEO of Encanto Networks from June 1997 to July 2000 when the company’s major business was sold to Avaya. Encanto was a leading provider of eBusiness software and services to small businesses. From April 1994 to August 1996, Mr. Frankenberg was the Chairman/CEO of Novell, a networking software company. Prior to Novell, Mr. Frankenberg was the Vice President and Group General Manager of Hewlett-Packard’s Personal Information Products Group, responsible for HP’s personal computer, server, networking, office software, calculator, and consumer product lines. Mr. Frankenberg joined Hewlett-Packard in 1969 as a manufacturing technician, later became a design engineer, software designer, project manager, engineering and marketing executive, and general manager. He became a corporate vice president in 1990 and general manager of the Personal Information Products Group in 1991. He served in the US Air Force from 1965 to 1969. Mr. Frankenberg previously served on various other boards, including for America On Line (AOL), and holds several computer design patents. He brings to the board a deep knowledge of software, computer networks and systems, business operations, the technology industry, and public company governance and board service.
Sarah P. Harden has been a member of our board of directors since July 2019. Ms. Harden brings more than two decades of experience in digital media, entertainment and direct-to-consumer video to the Company’s Board. Since January 2018, Ms. Harden has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Reese Witherspoon’s media company Hello Sunshine, which was acquired by Blackstone in August 2021. Prior to that, Ms. Harden held executive-level positions at Otter Media/The Chernin Group from 2013 to 2018, including President and Executive Vice President. Ms. Harden previously served as board member of privately held ESPN-Star Sports, Star China Media and The Moby Group and as a board director overseeing successful acquisitions and exits of private portfolio companies including Crunchyroll, Fullscreen, Roosterteeth, McBeard, and Stagebloc. Ms. Harden received her MBA from Harvard Business School and graduated with honors with a B.A. in international relations from The University of Melbourne. Ms. Harden brings to the board extensive experience leading and growing digital video, media and entertainment companies.
James Rossman has been a member of our board of directors since April 2020. He previously served as a member of Telaria’s board from January 2011 until April 2020, and served as Chairman of Telaria’s board from August 2012 to May 2013. Mr. Rossman currently serves as an Operating Partner at Silver Lake, a global private equity firm focused on investments in technology, technology-enabled and related industries. From November 2012 to April 2018, he served as Special Advisor to General Atlantic, a global growth equity firm. From April 2009 to June 2012, he served in various roles at AKQA Inc., a digital services company, including President and Chief Operating Officer. From April 2001 to March 2009, Mr. Rossman served in several roles at Digitas, Inc., an integrated advertising agency and a member of the Publicis Groupe, S.A. (as of 2007), including as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Rossman received a B.A. in economics from Trinity College and an M.M.M. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Rossman brings significant experience in operating and managing media agencies and advertising technology companies.
Diane Yu has been a member of our board of directors since March 2022. She is currently the co-founder and CEO of TidalWave Tech Inc., a loan origination platform facilitated by GPT powered chatbot. She served as the Chief Technology Officer of Better Holdco, Inc., which operates Better.com, an online platform for mortgage origination and related services, from January 2021 to April 2022, and she currently serves as an advisor to Better. Ms. Yu is the Co-Founder of FreeWheel Media, Inc., which provides a technology platform for the management and monetization of digital television advertising, and served as its Chief Technology Officer from 2007 to 2014, when FreeWheel was acquired by Comcast. Following the sale, Ms. Yu served as Chief Technology Officer of Comcast’s Advanced Advertising Division. Prior to co-founding FreeWheel, Ms. Yu spent over nine years at DoubleClick, where she served as the Vice President of engineering from 2005 until 2007. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Peking University in 1995 and a Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Ohio in 1998. Ms. Yu brings to the board extensive experience building, leading and scaling engineering teams for large digital advertising technology companies.
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Incumbent Directors – Class II
Michael G. Barrett has been a member of our board of directors and has served as our Chief Executive Officer since March 2017. Mr. Barrett has also served as our President since March 2017, except for the period from April 2020 to June 2020. Mr. Barrett previously served as the President of Ichabod Farm Ventures LLC, an investment company that he founded. From January 2014 to December 2015, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Millennial Media, Inc. From July 2012 to December 2012, Mr. Barrett served as Global Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President at Yahoo! Inc. Prior to Yahoo!, from January 2012 to July 2012, Mr. Barrett served as Director at Google Inc., where he led the integration efforts following Google’s acquisition of AdMeld Inc., a global supply side platform solution for premium publishers. Mr. Barrett previously served as Chief Executive Officer at AdMeld from November 2008 to December 2011. Mr. Barrett also held senior positions at AOL, Fox Interactive Media and Disney Online. Mr. Barrett served on the board of directors of Media Math, a demand-side platform, from January 2013 to April 2020. Mr. Barrett brings to the board extensive experience in digital advertising and advertising technology, as well as significant executive management expertise.
Rachel Lam has been a member of our board of directors since April 2020. She previously served as a member of Telaria’s board since May 2013. Ms. Lam is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Imagination Capital, an early stage venture capital firm founded in 2017. She has served on the board of Porch Group, Inc., a Nasdaq listed company that provides software and services to home service companies, since August 2021, where she is also the chair of the nominating and governance committee, and on the board of Innovid, Inc., a NYSE listed company that operates a leading CTV advertising delivery and measurement platform, since December 2021. From 2003 to 2017, Ms. Lam served as Group Managing Director of the Time Warner Investments Group, the strategic investing arm of Time Warner Inc. She managed Time Warner’s investments in numerous digital media companies, and served on the board of directors of privately held Maker Studios and Bluefin Labs prior to their sales to the Walt Disney Company and Twitter, respectively. Ms. Lam received a B.S. in industrial engineering and operations research from U.C. Berkeley and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Ms. Lam brings to the board extensive experience investing in early and late stage digital media and technology companies, as well experience in banking and mergers and acquisitions.
Robert F. Spillane joined our board of directors in connection with our initial public offering in April 2014. From 1998 to 2017, Mr. Spillane was a Managing Principal at DigaComm, L.L.C., a private investment firm that leads early-stage venture capital transactions, primarily involving companies in technology and digital media. Mr. Spillane was formerly a Principal and President and CEO of the investment group DM Holdings, Inc., which was formed in 1991 to acquire Donnelley Marketing, Inc. from The Dun and Bradstreet Corporation. Donnelley Marketing was a leading direct marketing and information services company. Mr. Spillane served as President and CEO, and on the board of directors of Donnelley Marketing, Inc. Prior to joining DM Holdings, Mr. Spillane was the Executive Vice President of Diamandis Communications, Inc., then a leading consumer magazine publisher, formed in 1987 in a leveraged buyout of CBS Magazines from CBS Inc., and also served as a member of the Diamandis board of directors from 1987 to 1990. Prior to Diamandis, Mr. Spillane held various executive positions with CBS, Inc., including Senior Vice President Group Publisher, Vice President of Circulation, Vice President General Manager of the CBS Special Interest Magazine Group, and Vice President Sales and Marketing of Fawcett Books. His ten-year career at CBS culminated in service from 1985 to 1987 as Senior Vice President, Publishing of CBS Magazines. In that capacity, he was directly responsible for 10 magazines. From 1972 to 1977, Mr. Spillane held various positions with Chesebrough Ponds, Inc. Mr. Spillane also served on the board of directors of TVSM, Inc., a private media company, from 1992-1998. Mr. Spillane brings to the board expertise in the publishing and advertising businesses, as well as significant experience with operations and mergers and acquisitions.
Vote Required for Election of Directors
Our bylaws provide that, in an uncontested election, each director nominee must receive a majority of votes cast in order to be elected to our board of directors. A “majority of votes cast” means the number of shares voted FOR a director nominee exceeds the number of shares voted AGAINST that director nominee. Each of our director nominees currently serves on the board. If a nominee who currently serves as a director is not re-elected, Delaware law provides that the director would continue to serve on the board as a “holdover director.” Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that each incumbent director nominee who is not re-elected is expected to submit to the board his or her resignation from our board of directors and all committees thereof. The nominating and governance committee, composed entirely of independent directors, will evaluate and make a recommendation to the board with respect to any submitted resignation and the board must decide whether to accept or reject the resignation, or to take other action, within 90 days following certification of the stockholder vote. No director may participate in the nominating and governance committee or the board’s consideration of his or her own resignation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF PAUL CAINE, DOUG KNOPPER, AND DAVID PEARSON AS CLASS III DIRECTORS.
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PROPOSAL 2 — RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The audit committee of our board of directors has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023, and has further directed that management submit the selection of Deloitte as our independent registered public accounting firm for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Deloitte has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2018. Although stockholder approval of the selection of Deloitte is not required by law, our board of directors believes it is advisable as a matter of good corporate governance to give stockholders an opportunity to ratify this selection. If this proposal is not ratified at the Annual Meeting, the audit committee may (but will not be required to) reconsider its selection of Deloitte. Even if the selection is ratified, the audit committee may in its discretion select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be appropriate.
Representatives of Deloitte are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will also be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
The aggregate fees billed for audit and other services provided in the last two fiscal years by Deloitte are as follows:
Fee Category |
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
Audit Fees(1) |
|
$3,101,000 |
|
$3,136,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
— |
|
— |
|
Tax Fees |
|
— |
|
— |
|
All Other Fees(2) |
|
3,790 |
|
3,790 |
|
Total |
|
$3,104,790 |
|
$3,139,790 |
|
(1)Audit Fees cover professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2)All Other Fees in 2021 and 2022 related to license fees for accounting research software.
Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures
The audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. The audit committee will not approve non-audit services that the independent registered public accounting firm is not permitted to perform under the rules of the SEC and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
On an annual basis, the independent registered public accounting firm will propose to the audit committee an audit plan and engagement letter describing the services the auditor expects to provide and related fees. The final engagement letter and fees agreed by the Company acting pursuant to the direction of the audit committee, and all of the services covered by the final engagement letter, will be considered pre-approved by the audit committee.
The audit committee or the Chair of the audit committee acting by delegated authority will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees under the engagement letter resulting from changes in the audit scope, company structure or other matters.
The audit committee has delegated to the Chair of the audit committee the authority to approve on a case-by-case basis any audit or non-audit services, in amounts up to $200,000 (1) per engagement, (2) per additional category of services, or (3) in excess of pre-approved amounts for the specified service. The Chair then reports any services so approved to the audit committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
All services rendered for fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 were pre-approved by the audit committee in accordance with the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described above.
Vote Required for Ratification of the Selection of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions will be considered as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF DELOITTE AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
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PROPOSAL 3 — ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and Section 14A of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company’s stockholders are entitled to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules.
This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the Company’s named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. The compensation of the Company’s named executive officers subject to the vote is disclosed in the executive compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure contained in this proxy statement. As discussed in those disclosures, the Company believes that its compensation policies and decisions are focused on motivating employees through performance-based variable compensation while ensuring that executives are strongly aligned with the creation of long-term value for stockholders. Compensation of the Company’s named executive officers is designed to enable the Company to attract and retain talented and experienced executives to successfully lead the Company in a competitive environment.
Accordingly, the board of directors is asking the stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as described in this proxy statement by casting a non-binding advisory vote “FOR” the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”
Because the vote is advisory, it is not binding on the board of directors or the Company. Nevertheless, the views expressed by the stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to management and the board of directors and, accordingly, the board of directors and the compensation committee intend to consider the results of this vote in making determinations in the future regarding executive compensation arrangements. The board of directors has adopted a policy of providing for annual advisory votes to approve executive compensation. Unless the board of directors modifies its policy on the frequency of holding such advisory votes, the next such advisory vote will occur in 2024.
Vote Required for Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers
Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
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PROPOSAL 4 — APPROVAL OF THE MAGNITE, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Executive Summary
In order to continue to provide eligible employees, officers, non-employee directors, and consultants of Magnite, Inc. (the “Company”) and its affiliates with equity-based incentives, on April 20, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved, subject to stockholder approval, the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Board is submitting the Plan to the stockholders for their approval at the Annual Meeting.
The 2014 Equity Incentive Plan originally became effective as of April 1, 2014 (the “Original Plan”). Per the terms of the Original Plan, grants of equity awards may not be made on or after the 10 year anniversary of the board adoption date of the Original Plan, or November 14, 2023. As of April 20, 2023, an aggregate of 14,443,871 shares of common stock remained available for new grants under the Original Plan for the grant of equity-based incentives, including 2,119,368 shares that were added to the Original Plan from the shares remaining available under the Telaria, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, in connection with the Telaria Merger (the “Telaria Shares”). In accordance with applicable Nasdaq listing standards, the Telaria Shares added to the Original Plan are currently only available for grant under the Original Plan to pre-existing Telaria employees or individuals hired following the Telaria Merger (the “Telaria Share Restrictions”). The Company believes a compensation policy that includes a balanced mix of cash and equity is the most effective way to attract and retain talented employees whose interests are aligned with stockholders. If the Plan is approved by our stockholders, the aggregate maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to stock awards will increase by 8,056,129 shares of common stock (the “Additional Shares”). Assuming the Additional Shares were available as of April 21, 2023, the aggregate maximum number of shares of common stock that would be available for issuance as of such date, or the Share Reserve, would be 22,500,000 (which is the sum of (1) the 14,443,871 shares of common stock that remained available for new grants under the Original Plan as of April 20, 2023, inclusive of the 2,119,368 Telaria Shares, plus (2) 8,056,129 additional shares of common stock). The Share Reserve will increase from time to time by the number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Original Plan prior to April 21, 2023 that on or after April 21, 2023 cease for any reason to be subject to such stock awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement of the stock awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested and nonforfeitable shares of common stock). By approving the Plan, stockholders are approving both the Additional Shares plus the Telaria Shares, such that all such shares will be available for grant under the Plan without being subject to the Telaria Share Restrictions. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we strive to provide them with compensation packages that are competitive, that reward personal and Company performance and that help meet our retention needs. Equity awards, whose value depends on our stock performance and which require continued service over time before any value can be realized, help achieve these objectives and are a key element of our compensation program. Equity awards also incentivize our employees to manage our business as owners, aligning their interests with those of our stockholders. We believe we must continue to use equity compensation on a broad basis to help attract, retain and motivate employees to continue to grow our business, develop new products and ultimately increase stockholder value. Without approval of the Plan, the Company will be constrained in its ability to use equity as a component of its compensation philosophy, a result that would put the Company at a considerable competitive disadvantage to its direct and indirect competitors in attracting and retaining the special high level professional employees on which the Company’s success is largely dependent.
We typically grant awards to all new hires, and all employees are eligible for merit-based annual refresh awards. We operate in a highly competitive industry and geography for employee talent and do not expect required rates of compensation to decline. One alternative to using equity awards would be to significantly increase cash compensation. We do not believe this would be practical or advisable. We believe that a combination of equity and cash compensation is better for attracting, retaining and motivating employees. Any significant increase in cash compensation in lieu of equity awards would reduce the cash otherwise available for operations and investment in our business. Furthermore, we do not believe a more cash-oriented program would have the same long-term retention value or serve to align employees’ interests to those of our stockholders as effectively as a program that includes equity.
When approving the Plan, the Board considered, among other things, the following:
•potential dilution to its current stockholders as measured by burn rate and overhang (as described in “Key Data” below);
•the policies and preferences of our stockholders;
•the policies and recommendations of stockholder advisory firms like Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services; and
•the continued importance of motivating, recruiting, and retaining key employees who are highly sought after in a very competitive job market.
Reasons for the Proposal
The Board unanimously recommends that the Company’s stockholders approve the Plan. The Company’s ability to grant an appropriate number of equity-based awards continues to be crucial in helping the Company compete more effectively for key employee talent. It is in the long-term interest of the Company and its stockholders to strengthen the ability to attract, motivate, and retain employees, officers, directors, and consultants, and to provide additional incentive for those persons through stock ownership and other incentives to improve operations, increase profits, and strengthen the mutuality of interest between those persons and the Company’s stockholders.
If the Plan is not approved, the number of shares currently available under the Original Plan is not projected to be sufficient to cover all of our future equity compensation needs, and we will no longer be able to issue any equity awards under the Original Plan once it expires. Thus, if the Plan is not approved, we may not be able to provide persons eligible for awards who are presently providing services to the Company with
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compensation packages that are necessary to retain and motivate these individuals. In addition, if the Plan is not approved, we may not be able to provide potential new hires with compensation packages necessary to attract and motivate them. If approved, the Board believes that the shares available under the Plan will be sufficient to fund the Company’s equity compensation needs for approximately three years.
Key Data
When approving the Plan, the Board considered the burn rate with respect to equity awards granted by the Company, as well as the Company’s overhang. The burn rate is equal to the total number of equity awards the Company granted in a fiscal year divided by the weighted average common stock outstanding during the year. Overhang is equal to the total number of equity awards outstanding plus the total number of shares available for grant under the Company’s equity plans divided by the total common stock outstanding. The Company’s three-year average burn rate for the last three fiscal years was approximately 5.4% and the Company’s overhang as of April 20, 2023 was approximately 25.4%. If the Plan is approved, the Company’s overhang would increase to approximately 31.2%.
As of April 20, 2023, equity awards outstanding under the Company’s equity plans (consisting of the Original Plan, the Company’s 2014 Inducement Grant Equity Incentive Plan, and the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, as well as the following plans assumed in connection with corporate transactions: the nToggle, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, the Telaria, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and the Tremor Media, Inc. 2008 Stock Plan, as amended) were approximately: 4,474,329 stock options, zero unvested restricted shares, 14,313,908 restricted stock units and 966,976 performance-based restricted stock units (at target). As of April 20, 2023, the Company had 14,674,937 shares of common stock available for future grant under our equity plans (not including our employee stock purchase plan) and 135,513,598 shares of common stock outstanding.
As of April 20, 2023, the average weighted per share exercise price of all outstanding stock options (whether granted under Company-originated equity plans or assumed in connection with corporate transactions) was $8.88 and the weighted average remaining contractual term was 5.8 years.
Promotion of Good Corporate Governance Practices
The Plan provides for the following:
•stock options and stock appreciation rights may not have a term in excess of ten years and may not be granted at a discount to the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date;
•no repricing of stock options and stock appreciation rights without the approval of stockholders;
•no annual “evergreen” provision that automatically increases the number of shares available for issuance; instead, stockholders approval is required for any increases in the share reserve;
•no excise tax gross-ups;
•annual limits on equity compensation that may be awarded to non-employee directors;
•one-year minimum vesting periods on all awards to employees;
•in no event will dividends or dividend equivalents be paid with respect to unvested or unexercised awards; and
•the administrator may cancel outstanding awards or, in some cases, “claw back” awards previously granted in the event of a violation of the Company’s clawback policy.
Plan Summary
The following summary of the material terms of the Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete statement of the Plan, which is set forth in Appendix A to this Proxy Statement. Stockholders are encouraged to read the text of the Plan in its entirety.
Purpose
The Plan is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in the value of our common stock.
Administration
The Board has the authority to administer the Plan, including the powers to: (i) determine who will be granted awards and what type of award, when and how each award will be granted, the provisions of each award (which need not be identical), the number of shares or cash value subject to an award and the fair market value applicable to an award; (ii) construe and interpret the Plan and awards granted thereunder and establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and awards, including the ability to correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or any award document; (iii) settle all controversies regarding the Plan and awards granted thereunder; (iv) accelerate or extend, in whole or in part, the time during which an award may be exercised or vested or at which cash or shares may be issued; (v) suspend or
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terminate the Plan; (vi) amend the Plan; (vii) submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval; (viii) approve forms of award documents for use under the Plan and amend the terms of any one or more outstanding awards; (ix) generally exercise such powers and perform such acts as the Board may deem necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or any award documents; and (x) adopt procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate. The Board may delegate some or all administration of the Plan to a committee of one or more directors and/or an officer in accordance with the provisions or and subject to the terms set forth in the Plan. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board (or another authorized committee or officer exercising powers delegated by the Board) in good faith will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
Eligible Participants
Awards may be granted to employees, including officers, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates. As of April 20, 2023, approximately 900 employees and 10 non-employee directors were eligible to participate in the Plan. Options intending to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) may only be granted to employees of the Company or any subsidiary.
Available Shares
Subject to adjustment for certain dilutive or related events, if approved by stockholders, an additional 8,056,129 shares of common stock will be authorized for issuance under the Plan. Assuming the Additional Shares were available as of April 21, 2023, the aggregate maximum number of shares of common stock that would be available for issuance as of such date, or the Share Reserve, would be 22,500,000. None of the Shares in the Share Reserve will be subject to the Telaria Share Restrictions. The Share Reserve will increase from time to time by the number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock awards granted under the Original Plan prior to April 21, 2023 that on or after April 21, 2023 cease for any reason to be subject to such stock awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement of the stock awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested and nonforfeitable shares of common stock). The Share Reserve will not be reduced if an award or any portion thereof (i) expires or terminates without all of the shares covered by such award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash. If any shares of common stock issued under an award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company, such shares will revert to and again be made available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares retained or reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations or as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of an award will also again become available for issuance under the Plan.
The aggregate maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued on the exercise of incentive stock options is 22,500,000.
Shares issued under the Plan may consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired common stock of the Company, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.
Non-Employee Director Awards
In addition to any stock awards that may be granted on a discretionary basis to non-employee directors under the Plan, each director who for the 180 days before the applicable grant date (as described below) has not been either (i) an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) a consultant for the Company or any of its subsidiaries, will be automatically granted, as applicable, an initial stock award upon commencement of service on the Board and an annual stock award in connection with the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, pursuant to the provisions set forth in the Plan.
Termination and Amendment
The Board may amend the Plan as it deems necessary or advisable. If required by applicable law, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that materially (A) increases the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan, (B) expands the class of individuals eligible to receive awards, (C) increases the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan, (D) reduces the price at which shares of common stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (E) extends the term of the Plan, or (F) expands the types of awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or an award document, no amendment of the Plan will materially impair a participant’s rights under an outstanding award without the participant’s written consent. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No awards may be granted under the Plan after April 20, 2033. No awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or terminated.
Awards
The Plan authorizes the administrator to grant awards to eligible participants in the form of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other stock awards, any of which may be performance-based.
Stock Options
A stock option may be granted as an incentive stock option or a nonqualified stock option. The option exercise price may not be less than the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date the option is granted (or, with respect to incentive stock options, may not be less than 110% of the fair market value if the recipient owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any affiliate, or a Ten Percent Stockholder), unless the option was granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 409A and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Options will not be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant (or after five years, in the case of an incentive stock option issued to a Ten Percent Stockholder).
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Each award agreement will set forth the number of shares subject to each option. The purchase price of any shares acquired pursuant to an option may be payable in cash, check, bank draft, money order, net exercise or as otherwise determined by the Board and set forth in the award agreement, including through an irrevocable commitment by a broker to pay over such amount from a sale of the shares issuable under the option and the delivery of previously owned shares. The vesting schedule applicable to any option, including any performance conditions, will be as set forth in the award agreement.
Stock Appreciation Rights
A stock appreciation right, or SAR, is a right that entitles the participant to receive, in cash, shares of stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Board, value equal to or otherwise based on the excess of (i) the fair market value of a specified number of shares at the time of exercise over (ii) the exercise price of the right, as established by the Board on the date of grant. Upon exercising a SAR, the participant is entitled to receive the amount by which the fair market value of the stock at the time of exercise exceeds the exercise price of the SAR. The exercise price of each SAR may not be less than the fair market value of the stock subject to the award on the date the SAR is granted, unless the SAR was granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 409A of the Code. SARs will not be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant. Each award agreement will set forth the number of shares subject to the SAR. The vesting schedule applicable to any SAR, including any performance conditions, will be as set forth in the award agreement.
Provisions Applicable to Both Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
Transferability. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose limitations on the transferability of options and SARs. Unless the Board provides otherwise, an option or SAR will not be transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and will be exercisable during the lifetime of a participant only by such participant. The Board may permit transfer of an option or SAR in a manner not prohibited by applicable law. Subject to approval by the Board, an option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order or similar instrument or pursuant to a beneficiary designation.
Termination of Service. Except as otherwise provided in an applicable award document or other agreement between a participant and the Company, upon a termination for any reason other than for cause or due to death or disability, a participant may exercise his or her option or SAR (to the extent such award was exercisable as of the date of termination) for a period of three months following the termination date or, if earlier, until the expiration of the term of such award. Upon a termination due to a participant’s disability, unless otherwise provided in an applicable award or other agreement, the participant may exercise his or her option or SAR (to the extent that such award was exercisable as of the date of termination) for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination date or, if earlier, until the expiration of the term of such award. Upon a termination due to a participant’s death, unless otherwise provided in an applicable award or other agreement, the participant’s estate may exercise the option or SAR (to the extent such award was exercisable as of the termination date) for a period of eighteen (18) months following the termination date or, if earlier, until the expiration of the term of such award. Unless provided otherwise in an award or other agreement, an option or SAR will terminate on the date that a participant is terminated for cause and the participant will not be permitted to exercise such award.
No Dividends or Dividend Equivalents. No options or SARs may provide for the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents thereon.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Restricted shares are awards of shares, the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or transferability of which is subject during specified periods of time to such conditions (including continued employment and/or the satisfaction of performance conditions) and terms as the Board deems appropriate. Restricted stock units, or RSUs, are an award denominated in units under which the issuance of shares (or cash payment in lieu thereof) is subject to such conditions (including continued employment and/or the satisfaction of performance conditions) and terms as the Board deems appropriate. Each award document evidencing a grant of restricted stock or RSUs will set forth the terms and conditions of each award, including vesting and forfeiture provisions, and transferability. No dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or settled unless and until, and only to the extent that, the underlying award vests.
Other Stock Awards
The Plan permits the grant of other forms of stock awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the common stock of the Company, including the appreciation in value thereof. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board has the sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the times at which such other stock awards may be granted and other provisions related thereto, including any vesting provisions (which may be based on continued employment and/or the satisfaction of performance conditions). No dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or settled unless and until, and only to the extent that, the underlying award vests.
Performance Criteria
The Board may establish performance criteria and level of achievement versus such criteria that will determine the number of shares or units to be granted, retained, vested, issued, or issuable under or in settlement of or the amount payable pursuant to an award, which criteria may be based on “performance criteria” (as described below) or other standards of financial performance and/or personal performance evaluations.
For purposes of the Plan, the term “performance criteria” may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the Board: (1) profit before tax; (2) billings; (3) revenue; (4) net revenue; (5) earnings (which may include earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or some of them, or and net earnings); (6) operating income; (7) operating margin; (8) operating profit; (9) controllable operating profit, or net operating profit; (10) net profit; (11) gross margin; (12) operating expenses or operating expenses as a percentage
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of revenue; (13) net income; (14) earnings per share; (15) total stockholder return, calculated either solely with respect to the Company’s performance or relative to a benchmark; (16) market share; (17) return on assets or net assets; (18) the Company’s stock price; (19) growth in stockholder value relative to a pre-determined index; (20) return on equity; (21) return on invested capital; (22) cash flow (including free cash flow or operating cash flows); (23) cash conversion cycle; (24) economic value added; (25) individual confidential business objectives; (26) contract awards or backlog; (27) overhead or other expense reduction; (28) credit rating; (29) strategic plan development and implementation; (30) succession plan development and implementation; (31) improvement in workforce diversity; (32) customer indicators; (33) new product invention or innovation; (34) attainment of research and development milestones; (35) improvements in productivity; (36) bookings; and (37) any other measure or metric the Board deems appropriate.
Minimum Vesting Requirements
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, stock awards granted under the Plan may not become exercisable, vest or be settled, in whole or in part, prior to the one-year anniversary of the date of grant except (i) with respect to an award that is granted in connection with a merger or other acquisition as a substitute or replacement award for awards held by grantees of the acquired business, (ii) with respect to an award granted to a non-employee director that vests on the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the next annual meeting of stockholders, and (iii) with respect to an initial award granted to a new hire that is approved following such grantee’s commencement of service, and that begins vesting no earlier than the one (1) year anniversary of such grantee’s date of hire; provided, that up to 5% of the aggregate number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan may be issued pursuant to awards subject to any, or no, vesting conditions, as the administrator determines appropriate; and, provided, further, that the foregoing restriction does not apply to the administrator’s discretion to provide for accelerated exercisability or vesting of any award, including in cases of termination of employment, retirement, death, disability or a change in control, in the terms of the award or otherwise.
Adjustments of and Changes in the Stock
In the event of any change in the capitalization of the Company, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan; (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options; and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities or other property and value (including price per share of stock) subject to outstanding stock awards. The Board will make such adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive. Unless provided otherwise in an award or other agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding stock awards (other than stock awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Company common stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of common stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to forfeiture may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such stock award is providing continuous service; provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, provide that some or all stock awards will become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent not already expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent upon its completion.
In the event of Corporate Transaction (as defined in the Plan), the Board will take one or more of the following actions with respect to each outstanding award, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:
(i) arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the award or to substitute a similar stock award for the award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration per share paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction);
(ii) arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of common stock issued pursuant to the award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);
(iii) accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the award (and, if applicable, the time at which the award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as determined by the Board (or, if the Board will not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction), with such award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, and with such exercise reversed if the Corporate Transaction does not become effective;
(iv) arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the award;
(v) cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration, if any, as the Board, in its reasonable determination, may consider appropriate as an approximation of the value of the canceled award; and
(vi) cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for a payment equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value in the Corporate Transaction of the property the participant would have received upon the exercise of the award immediately prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.
The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all awards or portions thereof or with respect to all participants and may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of an award.
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In the absence of any affirmative determination by the Board at the time of a Corporate Transaction, each outstanding award will be assumed or an equivalent award will be substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation, referred to as a Successor Corporation, unless the Successor Corporation does not agree to assume the award or to substitute an equivalent award, in which case the vesting of such award will accelerate in its entirety (along with, if applicable, the time at which the award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board will determine (or, if the Board will not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction), with such award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, and with such exercise reversed if the Corporate Transaction does not become effective.
An award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) as may be provided in the award agreement for such award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any affiliate and the participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion of the federal income tax consequences of the Plan is intended to be a summary of applicable federal law as currently in effect. It should not be taken as tax advice by participants, who are urged to consult their individual tax advisors.
Stock Options
Incentive stock options (“ISOs”) and nonstatutory stock options (“NQSOs”) are treated differently for federal income tax purposes. ISOs are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. NQSOs do not comply with such requirements.
An optionee is not taxed on the grant or exercise of an ISO. The difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date (the “Spread Value”) will, however, be a preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. If an optionee holds the shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO for at least two years following the option grant date and at least one year following exercise, the optionee’s gain, if any, upon a subsequent disposition of such shares is long term capital gain. The measure of the gain is the difference between the proceeds received on disposition and the optionee’s basis in the shares (which generally equals the exercise price). If an optionee disposes of stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO before satisfying these holding periods and there is Spread Value, the optionee will recognize both ordinary income and capital gain on the Spread Value in the year of disposition. The Company is not entitled to an income tax deduction on the grant or exercise of an ISO or on the optionee’s disposition of the shares after satisfying the holding period requirement described above. If the holding periods are not satisfied, the Company will be entitled to a deduction in the year the optionee disposes of the shares in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the optionee.
In order for an option to qualify for ISO tax treatment, the grant of the option must satisfy various other conditions more fully described in the Code. The Company does not guarantee that any option will qualify for ISO tax treatment even if the option is intended to qualify for such treatment. In the event an option intended to be an ISO fails to so qualify, it will be taxed as an NQSO as described below.
An optionee is not taxed on the grant of an NQSO. On exercise, the optionee recognizes ordinary income equal to the Spread Value on the date of exercise. The Company is entitled to an income tax deduction in the year of exercise in the amount recognized by the optionee as ordinary income. The optionee’s gain (or loss) on a subsequent disposition of the shares is long term capital gain (or loss) if the shares are held for more than one year following exercise. The Company does not receive a deduction for any such gain.
Stock Appreciation Rights
An optionee is not taxed on the grant of a stock appreciation right. On exercise, the optionee recognizes ordinary income equal to the Spread Value on the amount of any cash paid or the fair market value of any shares received. The Company is entitled to an income tax deduction in the year of exercise in the amount recognized by the optionee as ordinary income.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Grantees of restricted stock or restricted stock units do not recognize income at the time of the grant. When the award vests, grantees generally recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the stock or stock units at such time, and the Company will receive a corresponding deduction. However, no later than 30 days after a participant receives an award of restricted stock, the participant may elect to recognize taxable ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of receipt. Provided that the election is made in a timely manner, when the restrictions on the shares lapse, the participant will not recognize any additional income. If the participant forfeits the shares to the Company (e.g., upon the participant’s termination prior to vesting), the participant may not claim a deduction with respect to the income recognized as a result of the election.
Company Deduction and Section 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Code generally limits the federal income tax deduction for compensation paid to “covered employees” (in general, the CEO, the CFO, and the three other most highly-compensated executive officers for the year at issue and any person who was part of that group for any other year beginning after December 31, 2016) to $1,000,000. Thus, certain compensation attributable to awards may be nondeductible to the Company due to the application of Section 162(m) of the Code.
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Withholding Taxes
The Company will generally be required to withhold applicable taxes with respect to any ordinary income recognized by a participant who is an employee in connection with awards made under the Plan. Whether or not such withholding is required, the Company will make such information reports to the Internal Revenue Service as may be required with respect to any income (whether or not that of an employee) attributable to transactions involving awards.
Plan Benefits; Market Value of Securities
The benefits that will be awarded or paid in the future under the Plan are not currently determinable. Such awards are within the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee has not determined future awards or who might receive them. However, each non-employee director is expected to receive an annual award of restricted stock units on the date of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders with a target value of approximately $170,000. As of April 20, 2023, the closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock was $9.34. The following table sets forth, with respect to the individuals and groups named below: the aggregate number of shares of common stock subject to options granted under the Original Plan (whether or not outstanding, vested or forfeited, as applicable) as of April 20, 2023.
Name of Individual or Group |
|
Number of |
|
Michael Barrett President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
1,874,172 |
|
David Day Chief Financial Officer |
|
627,588 |
|
Sean Buckley Chief Revenue Officer |
|
129,896 |
|
Katie Evans Chief Operating Officer |
|
290,538 |
|
Adam Soroca Chief Product Officer |
|
347,650 |
|
J. Allen Dove Former Chief Technology Officer |
|
112,674 |
|
All current executive officers as a group |
|
3,480,682 |
|
All current non-employee directors as a group |
|
407,653 |
|
Each nominee for election as a director |
|
— |
|
Each associate of any such directors, executive officers, or nominees |
|
— |
|
Each other person who received or is to receive five percent of such options, warrants or rights |
|
— |
|
All other current employees (including all current officers who are not executive officers) as a group |
|
2,135,242 |
|
Registration With the SEC
We intend to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 covering the shares reserved for issuance under the Plan in the third quarter of calendar year 2023.
Vote Required for approval of the Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Plan
Approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions will be considered as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE MAGNITE, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.
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PROPOSAL 5 — APPROVAL OF THE MAGNITE, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Executive Summary
In order to continue to enable eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock at a discount, on April 20, 2023, the Board approved, subject to stockholder approval, the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The Board is submitting the ESPP to the stockholders for their approval at the Annual Meeting.
The 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan originally became effective as of April 1, 2014 and was subsequently amended and restated on July 26, 2018 (the “Original ESPP”). As of April 20, 2023, an aggregate of 5,169,575 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the Original ESPP. We are not asking stockholders for an increase in shares under the ESPP. The Original ESPP is scheduled to expire in 2024. Therefore, the only changes being made to the Original ESPP are to extend the term for an additional ten years and to remove the evergreen provision.
Reasons for the Proposal and Key Data
The Board unanimously recommends that the Company’s stockholders approve the ESPP. The Company believes that the ESPP is an essential tool that helps us compete for talent in the labor markets in which we operate. We also believe the ESPP is a crucial element in rewarding and encouraging current employees,which promotes stock ownership by employees and therefore aligns their interests with those of our stockholders. Without stockholder approval of this proposal, we believe our ability to attract and retain talent would be hampered, and our recruiting, retention and incentive efforts would become more difficult. If the ESPP is not approved, the ESPP will expire in 2024.
In determining to not request any additional shares under the ESPP, the Board considered the Company’s expectation that the 5,169,575 shares of common stock currently remaining available under the Original ESPP should last for approximately 10 years. In the event that more shares of common stock are required for the ESPP in the future, the prior approval of our stockholders will be required.
Plan Summary
The following summary of the material terms of the ESPP is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete statement of the ESPP, which is set forth in Appendix B to this Proxy Statement. Stockholders are encouraged to read the text of the ESPP in its entirety.
Purpose
The purpose of the ESPP is to provide an opportunity for eligible employees of the Company and its participating subsidiaries to purchase shares of common stock of the Company at a discount, to assist us in retaining the services of our employees, to secure and retain the services of new employees, and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for our success. The ESPP is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 423”). Under an employee stock purchase plan that qualifies under Section 423, no U.S. taxable income will be recognized by a participant, and no deductions will be allowable to the Company, upon either the grant or the exercise of the purchase rights. U.S. taxable income will not be recognized until there is a sale or other disposition of the shares of common stock acquired under the ESPP or in the event the participant should die while still owning the purchased shares of common stock. The ESPP also authorizes the grant of rights to purchase shares of common stock that do not qualify under Section 423 pursuant to rules, procedures or sub-plans adopted by the administrator of the ESPP to achieve tax or other objectives in particular locations outside of the United States or to achieve other business objectives.
Administration
The Board has appointed the Compensation Committee to administer the ESPP, provided that the Board may remove the Compensation Committee as administrator at any time. The Compensation Committee has the authority and responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the ESPP, the authority and responsibility specifically provided in the ESPP and any additional duty, responsibility and authority delegated by the Board, which may include any of the functions assigned to the Board in the ESPP. The Compensation Committee may delegate to a sub-committee or to an officer or officers of the Company the day-to-day administration of the ESPP. The Compensation Committee has full power and authority to adopt, amend and rescind any rules and regulations which it deems desirable and appropriate for the proper administration of the ESPP, to construe and interpret the provisions and supervise the administration of the ESPP, to make factual determinations relevant to ESPP entitlements and to take all action in connection with administration of the ESPP as it deems necessary or advisable, consistent with the delegation from the Board. Decisions of the Compensation Committee are final and binding upon all participants.
Eligible Participants
All of our employees who work 20 or more hours per week or for five or more months per year that are employed at the beginning of an enrollment period are generally eligible to participate in the ESPP. Employees who are 5% stockholders, or would become 5% stockholders as a result of their participation in the ESPP cannot participate in the ESPP. As of April 20, 2023, approximately 900 employees were eligible to participate in the ESPP.
Number of Shares and Market Price of Shares Available under the ESPP
A total of 525,000 shares of common stock were initially authorized and reserved for issuance under the Original ESPP. The Original ESPP provided for an automatic annual increase in the number of shares available under the Original ESPP on January 1 of each year from 2015
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through 2024 equal to the lesser of (i) one percent of the number of shares issued and outstanding on the immediately preceding December 31 or (ii) a lesser number of shares determined by the Board. A total of 6,686,948 shares of common stock became available for issuance under the Original ESPP as a result of the automatic annual provision. If the ESPP is approved pursuant to this proposal 5, the automatic annual increase provision will terminate such that no automatic annual increase will occur on January 1, 2024 or any subsequent anniversary. Because we are not seeking to add any additional shares to the ESPP, if stockholders approve this proposal, the 5,169,575 shares of common stock that remained available for issuance under the Original ESPP as of April 20, 2023 will be the number of shares available under the ESPP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued to any employee in a given offering period is 5,000, provided that the Compensation Committee may change this limitation at any time on a prospective basis to apply to future offering periods. As of April 20, 2023, the closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock was $9.34.
Enrollment and Contributions
Eligible employees voluntarily elect whether or not to enroll in the ESPP by completing, signing and submitting to the Company an enrollment form in a form and manner and by the deadline set by the administrator. Each employee who joins the ESPP (a “participant”) is granted a right to purchase shares of common stock on the first day of each offering period (the “offering date”) while participating in the ESPP and, once enrolled, is automatically re-enrolled in the subsequent offering period. An employee may cancel his or her enrollment in an offering period at any time (subject to ESPP rules).
Participants contribute to the ESPP through payroll deductions or, if permitted by the administrator, through other means specified by the administrator. Participants generally may contribute a minimum of 1% and up to a maximum of 10% of their eligible compensation through after-tax payroll deductions. A participant may not increase but may decrease his or her contribution percentage by following procedures established by the administrator. In addition to the 5,000 share limit for each offering period, no participant will have the right to purchase shares of our common stock in an amount, when aggregated with purchase rights under all our employee stock purchase plans that are also in effect in the same calendar year, that has a fair market value of more than $25,000, determined as of the first day of the applicable offering period, for each calendar year in which that right is outstanding.
Offering Period and Purchase Price
No offering period can run for more than 27 months. The terms of each offering period are established by the Compensation Committee in accordance with the terms of the ESPP. Once established, the Compensation Committee has the authority to change the frequency and/or duration of future offering periods if such change is announced prior to the scheduled occurrence of the enrollment period for the first offering period to be affected thereunder. Currently, the ESPP consists of a series of six-month successive offering periods. The purchase price for shares of our common stock purchased under the ESPP will be not less than 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of our common stock on (i) the first trading day of the applicable offering period and (ii) the last trading day of the applicable offering period.
Termination of Participation
Participation in the ESPP generally terminates when a participating employee’s employment ceases for any reason, the employee withdraws from the ESPP, or the Company terminates or amends the ESPP such that the employee no longer is eligible to participate. An employee may withdraw his or her participation in the ESPP at any time in accordance with procedures, and prior to the deadline, specified by the administrator. Upon withdrawal from the ESPP, generally the employee will receive the return of any remaining amounts not used to purchase shares that have been credited to his or her account, without interest (unless otherwise required by applicable law), and his or her payroll withholdings or contributions under the ESPP will cease.
Non-Transferability
Rights to purchase shares of common stock and any other rights and interests under the ESPP may not be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of.
Adjustments; Certain Transactions
In the event of any change in the capitalization of the Company, the Board will appropriately and proportionally adjust the type and number of securities covered by each option under the ESPP which has not yet been exercised and the type and number of securities which have been authorized and remain available for issuance under the ESPP, as well as the maximum number of securities which may be purchased by a participant in an offering period, and the price per share covered by each option under the ESPP which has not yet been exercised. If we experience a proposed liquidation or dissolution, any offering period will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction unless otherwise provided by the Board in its sole discretion and all outstanding purchase rights will automatically terminate and the amounts of all payroll deductions will be refunded without interest to the participants. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or our merger or consolidation or similar combination of the Company with or into another entity, then in the sole discretion of the Board, (1) each purchase right will be assumed or an equivalent right substituted by the successor corporation or parent or subsidiary of such successor entity, (2) on a date established by the Board on or before the date of consummation of such merger, consolidation, combination or sale, such date will be treated as a purchase date, and all outstanding purchase rights will be exercised on such date, (3) all outstanding purchase rights will terminate and the accumulated payroll deductions will be refunded without interest to the participants, or (4) outstanding purchase rights will continue unchanged.
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Amendment and Termination
The ESPP will continue for a period of ten years from the date of stockholder approval unless sooner terminated by the Board. The Board may, in its sole discretion, terminate or suspend the ESPP, or revise or amend it in any respect, and the Compensation Committee may revise or amend the ESPP consistent with the exercise of its duties and responsibilities as set forth in the ESPP or any delegation thereunder, except that, without approval of the stockholders, no such revision or amendment will increase the number of shares subject to the ESPP, other than in connection with an adjustment as described above, or make other changes for which stockholder approval is required under applicable law. Upon a termination or suspension of the ESPP, the Board may in its discretion (i) return without interest, the payroll deductions credited to participants’ accounts to such participants or (ii) set an earlier purchase date with respect to an offering period then in progress.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion of the federal income tax consequences of the ESPP is intended to be a summary of applicable federal law as currently in effect. It should not be taken as tax advice by participants, who are urged to consult their individual tax advisors.
The ESPP is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan under Section 423. Participants will not recognize income when they enroll in the ESPP or when they purchase shares. All tax consequences are deferred until the participant disposes of the shares. If the participant does not dispose of the shares within one year after the purchase date or two years after the offering date, or if the participant dies while owning the shares, the participant will generally recognize ordinary income when disposing of the shares equal to the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value of the shares on the date of disposition, or 15% (or such lesser discount as the Compensation Committee may establish) of the fair market value of the shares on the offering date, whichever is less. Any additional gain will be taxed as long-term capital gain. If the shares are sold for less than the purchase price, there is no ordinary income, but the participant will have a long-term capital loss for the difference between the purchase price and the sale price. If a participant disposes of the shares within one year after the purchase date or two years after the offering date, the participant will generally have ordinary income equal to the difference between the purchase price and the fair market value on the purchase date. The difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of disposition and the fair market value on the purchase date will be a capital gain or loss. When a participant recognizes ordinary income by disposing of shares before the one-year or two-year holding period ends, the Company will generally be entitled to a tax deduction in the amount of the ordinary income.
Plan Benefits; Market Value of Securities
Participation in the ESPP is voluntary and dependent on each eligible employee’s election to participate and his or her determination as to the level of payroll deductions. Further, the number of shares of common stock that may be purchased under the ESPP is determined, in part, by the price of our common stock on the first and last day of each offering period, as applicable. Accordingly, the actual number of shares of common stock that may be purchased by any eligible individual is not determinable.
For illustrative purposes only, the following table sets forth, with respect to the groups named below, the number of shares of common stock that were purchased through April 20, 2023 under the ESPP.
Name of Individual or Group |
|
Number of |
|
Michael Barrett President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
18,944 |
|
David Day Chief Financial Officer |
|
4,543 |
|
Sean Buckley Chief Revenue Officer |
|
— |
|
Katie Evans Chief Operating Officer |
|
— |
|
Adam Soroca Chief Product Officer |
|
— |
|
J. Allen Dove Former Chief Technology Officer |
|
1,538 |
|
All current executive officers as a group |
|
29,030 |
|
All current non-employee directors as a group |
|
— |
|
Each nominee for election as a director |
|
— |
|
Each associate of any such directors, executive officers, or nominees |
|
— |
|
Each other person who received or is to receive five percent of such options, warrants or rights |
|
— |
|
All other current employees (including all current officers who are not executive officers) as a group |
|
1,175,120 |
|
21
Vote Required for approval of the Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Approval of the Magnite, Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions will be considered as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE MAGNITE, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our board of directors has developed corporate governance practices to help it fulfill its responsibility to stockholders to oversee the work of management in the conduct of our business and to seek to serve the long-term interests of stockholders. The Company’s corporate governance practices are memorialized in our Corporate Governance Guidelines which direct our board’s actions with respect to, among other things, the composition and director qualifications of our board of directors, the composition of the standing committees of our board of directors, director orientation and continuing education, stockholder communications with our board of directors, succession planning and the annual performance evaluation of our board of directors. A current copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines is available on our website at http://investor.magnite.com.
Director Independence
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), which requires that a majority of a listed company’s board of directors be independent. In addition, the rules of Nasdaq require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating/corporate governance committees be independent. Under the rules of Nasdaq, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of the board of directors, that director does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Our board of directors has undertaken a review of the independence of each director and considered whether each director has any material relationships with us. As a result of this review, our board of directors has determined that Mr. Frankenberg, Ms. Harden, Mr. Knopper, Ms. Lam, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Rossman, Mr. Spillane, Ms. Troe and Ms. Yu are independent directors as defined under the listing requirements and rules of Nasdaq for purposes of service on the board of directors. Mr. Barrett is not considered independent because he currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Caine is not considered independent due to his previous service as Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Telaria.
In addition to qualifying as “independent” under the listing requirements and rules of Nasdaq, members of the board’s audit committee and compensation committee members must also satisfy additional, heightened independence standards under applicable SEC rules and regulations and Nasdaq listing requirements. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our audit committee and compensation committee satisfies these heightened independence standards.
Board Leadership Structure
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that our board of directors will determine in its discretion from time to time whether the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be combined or separated. Our board believes that strong, independent board leadership is a critical aspect of effective corporate governance, and to promote open discussion among our non-management directors, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that, when the Chairman is a non-independent director, the independent directors will designate an independent director to act as Lead Director.
In April 2020, upon the completion of the Telaria Merger, Mr. Caine was appointed as Chairman of the board. The responsibilities of the Chairman include: (1) leading and presiding at board meetings; (2) assisting in establishing the agenda for each board meeting, with input from the Lead Director, as appropriate; (3) conferring regularly with CEO; (4) consulting with the CEO regarding board meeting schedules and agendas; (5) presiding at executive sessions of the Board, other than sessions consisting solely of independent directors; (6) consulting with committees of the board on matters within the scope of their responsibilities; (7) facilitating communications between directors and between directors and senior management; (8) providing feedback between the CEO and directors regarding strategic issues, board management, and potential conflicts; (9) working with appropriate committees of the board to ensure adequate CEO and senior management succession plans are in place; and (10) being available for consultation and communication with major stockholders upon request.
Because Mr. Caine is not deemed independent, Robert J. Frankenberg has been appointed and currently serves in the role of Lead Director. The responsibilities of the Lead Director include: (1) presiding at meetings of independent directors; (2) if the Chairman is not present, presiding at board meetings and executive sessions of the board; (3) providing input to the CEO and Chairman with respect to the board agenda and schedule; (4) serving as liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman and/or Chief Executive Officer on sensitive matters; (5) being available for consultation and communication with major stockholders upon request; (6) calling meetings of independent directors; and (7) serving as designated director for reviewing stockholder communications.
Board Size and Composition
Our board of directors consists of eleven members. At our annual meeting, the size of the board will be reduced to ten members, as Ms. Troe has decided to not stand for re-election.
Board and Committee Meetings
In 2022, our board of directors met 10 times (5 of which included executive sessions), the audit committee met 4 times, the compensation committee met 9 times, and the nominating and governance committee met 4 times. During 2022, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of board meetings and meetings held by all committees on which the director then served during the time in which he or she served on our board of directors.
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Directors are expected to attend the annual stockholders’ meeting absent unusual circumstances. All of our then-serving directors attended the 2022 annual meeting.
Board Committees
Our board of directors has established three standing committees – audit, compensation, and nominating and governance – each of which operates under a written charter that has been approved by our board. Committee membership is indicated in the table above. A current copy of each committee’s charter is posted on the “Corporate Governance” section of our Investor Relations website at http://investor.magnite.com. Each committee reviews and evaluates, at least annually, the performance of the committee and its members and the adequacy of its charter.
Audit Committee
The audit committee is responsible for, among other things, providing assistance to the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities regarding the integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, the integrity of our financial reporting processes, including our systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the performance of our internal audit function and our independent registered public accounting firm, our financial policy matters and company practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The audit committee approves the services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm and reviews their reports regarding our accounting practices and systems of internal control over financial reporting, as applicable. The audit committee also oversees the audit efforts and confirms the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our audit committee satisfies the financial literacy requirements of the SEC and Nasdaq, and that each of Mr. Pearson, Ms. Troe, Ms. Lam, Mr. Rossman and Mr. Spillane qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in the SEC rules.
Compensation Committee
The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things, overseeing our overall compensation structure, policies and programs, and assessing whether our compensation structure establishes appropriate incentives for officers and employees. The compensation committee also reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation of our CEO and other executive officers, evaluates the performance of these officers in light of those goals and objectives, sets the compensation of these officers based on such evaluations and reviews, and, except with respect to his own compensation, based on the recommendation of the CEO, determines any employment-related agreements and any proposed severance arrangements or change in control or similar agreements with these officers. The compensation committee also administers the issuance of equity awards under our stock plans and is permitted to delegate such responsibility to our CEO with respect to employees other than executive officers. The compensation committee is also responsible for the preparation of a report on executive compensation, when and as required by the SEC rules, to be included in our Annual Report and annual proxy statement. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our compensation committee qualifies as a “non-employee director,” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
The compensation committee has the authority, in its sole discretion, to retain or obtain the advice of such consultants, outside counsel and other advisers as it determines appropriate to assist it in the full performance of its functions, at the Company’s expense. Since December 2014, the compensation committee has engaged Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC (“Semler Brossy”) annually to act as its independent compensation consultant. During 2022, Semler Brossy’s work with the compensation committee included analysis, advice, and recommendations on total compensation philosophy; peer groups and market assessment and analysis; compensation program design, including program goals, components, and metrics; equity usage and allocation; compensation trends in comparable business sectors and in the general marketplace for senior executives; regulatory factors; severance and change-in-control practices; and the compensation of the chief executive officer and the other named executive officers, including advice on the design of cash-based and equity-based compensation.
Semler Brossy provides analysis and advice regarding our executive compensation practices, including with respect to the amount and form of executive and non-employee director compensation. A representative of Semler Brossy attends meetings at which the compensation committee undertakes significant review of, and/or action with respect to, executive officer or non-employee director compensation. Semler Brossy also consults regularly with the chair of the compensation committee. Semler Brossy reports directly and solely to the compensation committee and performs compensation consulting services for the compensation committee at its request. Semler Brossy is not engaged to perform services directly for our management. The compensation committee has concluded that no conflict of interest exists with respect to its engagement of Semler Brossy nor are there other factors that would adversely impact Semler Brossy’s independence in advising the compensation committee under applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules. The compensation committee reached this conclusion after considering the following six factors, as well as Semler Brossy’s views regarding its independence and other information the compensation committee deemed relevant: (i) the provision of other services to us by Semler Brossy; (ii) the amount of fees received from us by Semler Brossy, as a percentage of the total revenue of Semler Brossy; (iii) the policies and procedures of Semler Brossy that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest; (iv) any business or personal relationship of the Semler Brossy consultants with a member of the compensation committee; (v) any of our stock owned by the Semler Brossy consultants; and (vi) any business or personal relationship of the Semler Brossy consultants or Semler Brossy with any of our executive officers.
Nominating and Governance Committee
The nominating and governance committee is responsible for, among other things, developing and recommending to the board of directors criteria for identifying and evaluating candidates for directorships and making recommendations to the board of directors regarding candidates for election or re-election to the board of directors at each annual stockholders’ meeting. In addition, the nominating and governance committee is responsible for overseeing our Corporate Governance Guidelines and reporting and making recommendations to the board of directors concerning
24
corporate governance matters and sustainability matters relevant to our business, including with respect to company policies, activities, and opportunities. The nominating and governance committee also is responsible for making recommendations to the board of directors concerning the structure, composition and function of the board of directors and its committees. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our nominating and governance committee satisfies the requirements for independence under the rules and regulations of Nasdaq.
Director Candidate Nominating Procedures
The process followed by the nominating and governance committee to identify and evaluate director candidates includes requests for recommendations (which may include through retained third-party search firms, as well as less formal methods such as personal contacts), committee meetings from time to time to evaluate biographical information and material relating to potential candidates, and interviews of candidates by board members. In identifying and evaluating director candidates and determining whether to nominate any particular candidate, the nominating and governance committee considers the director candidates’ specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, together with the following general characteristics and qualifications, which are set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines:
•highest personal and professional ethics, integrity, and values;
•independent, creative, and disciplined thought processes;
•practical wisdom and mature judgment;
•broad training and experience at the policy-making or strategic level;
•a record of achievement and expertise that is useful to the Company and complementary to the background and experience of other board members, so that a useful balance of members on the board can be achieved and maintained;
•willingness to devote the required amount of time to carrying out the duties and responsibilities of board membership;
•commitment to serve on the board over a period of several years to develop knowledge about the Company;
•unless management directors, independence under relevant standards; and
•diversity of occupational and personal backgrounds among the members of the board.
Diversity of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background and professional experience is a factor that the nominating and governance committee takes into account in identifying director nominees. The nominating and governance committee believes that diversity is important because different points of view and varied board member backgrounds and practical experience can contribute to the quality of the board’s operations and decision-making, and assesses board diversity, among other things, in its periodic assessment of the composition, operation, and effectiveness of the board.
The nominating and governance committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria, but does believe that the backgrounds and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will facilitate our board’s fulfillment of its responsibilities.
Stockholders may recommend individuals to the nominating and governance committee for consideration as potential director candidates and inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders by submitting their names, together with appropriate biographical information and background materials. Such information should be sent to the Nominating and Governance Committee, c/o Corporate Secretary, Magnite, Inc., 1250 Broadway, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001. Assuming that appropriate biographical and background material has been provided on a timely basis, the nominating and governance committee will evaluate stockholder-recommended candidates by following the same process, and applying the same criteria, as it follows for other candidates. If our board determines to nominate a stockholder-recommended candidate, then his or her name will be included in our proxy materials, including our proxy card, for the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders.
Board Evaluation Process
Our board of directors and each of our standing committees conducts an annual self-evaluation to assess its performance. Each director participates in these evaluations and our Chief Legal Officer and the Chair of the nominating and governance committee then review and discuss the results with the full board. In addition, as part of the process of considering directors for re-election to the board, individual directors are annually informally evaluated by the nominating and governance committee on the basis of their attendance at meetings and their preparedness, participation, candor and overall contribution to the board, as well as other criteria that the nominating and governance committee deems appropriate.
Communicating with the Independent Directors
Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate on any topic with our board, or with a specific director or directors, including the Chairman or the independent directors as a group, may address such communications to our board of directors c/o Corporate Secretary, Magnite, Inc., 1250 Broadway, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001.
Our board of directors will give appropriate attention to written communications that are submitted by stockholders, and will respond if and as appropriate. The Lead Independent Director, with the assistance of our Chief Legal Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is primarily responsible for reviewing communications from stockholders and for providing copies or summaries to the other directors as considered appropriate. In
25
accordance with the procedures outlined in Magnite’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, communications (or summaries thereof) that relate to corporate governance, long-term corporate strategy, and other important substantive matters should be forwarded to the other directors, unless there is a compelling reason not to forward such communications. In general, the director who reviews such communications may decline to forward communications that relate to ordinary business affairs or personal grievances, or are repetitive or duplicative, unless there is a compelling reason to forward such communications.
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
Our board of directors exercises oversight of risk management consistent with its duty to direct the management of the business and affairs of the Company. The audit committee, pursuant to its charter, is responsible for reviewing company practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The audit committee works directly with members of senior management and the Company’s internal audit staff to fulfill this responsibility and reports as appropriate to our board. Our board’s other committees also participate in risk oversight by considering risk aspects of matters within the scope of their responsibilities.
Oversight of risk is also effected by our board as a whole in various ways.
•The board reviews the structure and operation of various departments and functions of the Company. In those reviews, the board discusses with management risks affecting those departments and functions and management’s approaches to mitigating those risks.
•The board reviews and approves each year’s operating plan and budget, and these reviews cover risks that could affect the plan and measures to cope with those risks.
•In its review and approval of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, the board reviews and discusses with management the Company’s business and related risks, including as described in the “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” sections of the document. The audit committee conducts a similar process quarterly in connection with the preparation of Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
•When the board reviews particular transactions and initiatives that require board approval as a legal matter, or that otherwise merit board involvement, the board generally includes related risk analysis and mitigation plans among the matters addressed with management.
•The board or audit committee meet quarterly with our internal or external cybersecurity resources to review the efficacy of our cybersecurity risk initiatives and related policies and procedures.
The day-to-day identification and management of risk is the responsibility of the Company’s management. As the market environment, industry practices, regulatory requirements, and the Company’s business evolve, it is expected that management and our board will respond with appropriate adaptations to risk management and oversight.
Our board believes that the process it has established to administer the board’s risk oversight function would be effective under a variety of leadership frameworks and, therefore, does not have a material effect on our choice of the board’s leadership structure described above under “Board Leadership Structure.”
Risk Assessment in Compensation Programs
The compensation committee annually assesses our executive and broad-based compensation and benefits programs on an overall basis to determine whether the programs’ provisions and operations create undesired or unintentional material risk. This risk assessment process takes into account numerous compensation terms and practices that we maintain that aid in controlling risk, including the mix of cash, equity, and near- and long-term incentive programs, the use of multi-year vesting periods for equity awards, and a variety of performance criteria for incentive compensation, the claw-back provisions that apply to our annual incentive cash plan and equity plan, and the cap on the maximum cash incentive awards that can be earned in a given year regardless of company performance. This risk assessment process also includes a review of program policies and practices, program analysis to identify risk and risk controls, and determinations as to the sufficiency of risk identification and risk control, the balance of potential risk to potential reward, and the significance of the programs and their risks to company strategy. Although the compensation committee reviews all significant compensation programs, it focuses on those programs with variable payout, in particular assessing the ability of participants to directly affect payouts, and the controls on such situations.
Based on the foregoing, we believe that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company as a whole. We also believe that our incentive compensation programs do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage significant risks; are compatible with effective internal controls and our risk-management practices; and are adequately supported by the compensation committee’s oversight of our executive compensation programs.
Magnite’s Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy
We believe that a sustainable business strategy that integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations is key to creating long-term value for our stockholders and other stakeholders. We have a long history of integrating ESG considerations into our mission, business strategy, and operations, and considering the impact we have on our communities. We are focused on addressing these issues, both risks and opportunities, through our corporate strategy. By operating our advertising platforms in a responsible manner, engaging and developing our diverse workforce, and reducing our environmental impact, we aim to provide more sustainable products and services that deliver long-term value for our clients, employees, communities, investors, and other stakeholders.
26
Our ESG strategy is anchored in three pillars, identified through an ESG materiality assessment in 2021: Talent Engagement, Energy & Environmental Efficiency, and Responsible Advertising & Data Governance. These pillars represent an intersection of our long-term strategic objectives and our stakeholders’ priorities.
Since the Company’s last annual meeting of stockholders, we have taken several important steps to advance our ESG strategy, including:
•Publishing our first disclosure pursuant to the Industry Standards issued by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), an independent standards-setting organization that supports reporting for companies to identify, manage, and communicate financially material sustainability information to their investors;
•Measuring the Company’s Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 carbon emissions footprint for 2020 and 2021;
•Further defining the three key pillars of Magnite’s initial ESG strategy, including beginning the process of identifying key performance metrics for each pillar; and
•Establishing an internal ESG Committee Charter to govern the practices of the Company’s internal committee that will lead the development and implementation of our ESG strategy and program.
We are committed to maturing our ESG strategy and continuing to enhance our relevant disclosure. We will continue to engage with our investors and other stakeholders to understand their ESG priorities and to solicit feedback on our ESG strategy.
ESG Leadership & Oversight
Both our Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team are actively engaged in Magnite’s ESG strategy. Within our Board framework, our nominating and governance committee is directly responsible for providing oversight over the sustainability matters relevant to the Company’s business. The committee has embraced the responsibility for overseeing our ESG programs and has had robust discussions covering a variety of ESG issues throughout the past year.
The day-to-day administration of our ESG program is overseen by our internal ESG Committee. This committee consists of senior leaders across the organization representing key business areas, including people, legal, finance, marketing, product management, data operations, and others. The committee is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of Magnite’s ESG strategy and related programs, and for providing regular updates to the Executive Leadership Team and nominating and governance committee.
We believe that integrating relevant ESG considerations into our long-term business strategy is key to delivering on our commitments to our stakeholders. We will continue to engage with our investors and other stakeholders to understand their ESG priorities, and we welcome stockholder perspectives and feedback on our ESG strategy.
For more information about our ESG strategy and priorities, and to view our recently published SASB table, please visit our ESG website at https://www.magnite.com/esg/.
Human Capital Management
We recognize that our people are our greatest asset in creating a truly healthy business that delivers great results for employees, clients, stakeholders and the communities we touch. We firmly believe in a culture of transparency and trust, and aim to provide ample opportunity for all employees to ask questions, interface with leadership, and express their preferences. We strive to build a culture of excellence that is high-performing and results-oriented while emphasizing collaboration and innovation and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Magnite’s core values of ‘See the big picture’, ‘Raise the bar’, ‘Empower others’, and ‘Own the results’ are guiding principles of the design and implementation of people-centric programs and initiatives across the organization.
As a global employer, we value the diversity of background and experiences that our employees contribute to our company. In recognition of this, in 2022 we further developed our Magnify Council, an employee-led council focused on evolving our talent engagement practices and ensuring we prioritize what matters most to employees. This includes driving opportunities for employee growth and development, enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and investing in our communities based upon employee input.
Examples of how we highlight our cultural values through employee initiatives include:
•We seek individuals who are committed to seeing the big picture and being catalysts of change
•We ask our employees to empower others, make a difference and ensure our company is an exciting place to work, not just a “job”
•We reward team and individual excellence and are committed to creating an exceptional workplace environment
•We solicit feedback from our employees in annual engagement surveys
•We believe in continual feedback on performance. Our employees set goals at a regular cadence throughout the year and managers provide achievement ratings
27
•We have a partnership in place with She Runs It, an organization dedicated to the support and advancement of women in all facets of marketing, media and tech, which includes complimentary memberships for all employees, and access to mentoring programs and ongoing programming
•We have a partnership with Percent Pledge, through which we support community investment and employee donation matching to certified non-profits
•We support community investment by matching employee donations to certified non-profits and track our impact via corporate donations, partnerships, and investments
•We report DE&I and CSR measures via a quarterly Transparency Scorecard
•We analyze voluntary employee turnover to understand and address trends
•We give equity to our employees to promote alignment and ownership
•We have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment
Our employees, and the talent they bring to bear, are our most valuable resource. The global COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for our business and our people. In response, we took a number of measures to protect the health and safety of our employees, including deploying a global employee assistance program and launching a digital platform with access to live wellness classes and discussions.
Board Diversity
We seek to have a board that represents diversity of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background and professional experience, and the nominating and governance committee takes these factors into account in identifying director nominees. The nominating and governance committee believes that diversity is important because different points of view and varied board member backgrounds and practical experience can contribute to the quality of the board’s operations and decision-making, and assesses board diversity, among other things, in its periodic assessment of the composition, operation, and effectiveness of the board.
Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 17, 2023) |
||||
Board Size: |
||||
Total Number of Directors |
11 |
|||
|
Female |
Male |
Non-Binary |
Did not Disclose Gender |
Gender: |
||||
Directors |
4 |
7 |
— |
— |
Number of Directors who Identify in Any of the Categories Below: |
||||
African American or Black |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Alaskan Native or Native American |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Asian |
2 |
— |
— |
— |
Hispanic or Latinx |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
— |
— |
— |
— |
White |
2 |
7 |
— |
— |
Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
— |
— |
— |
— |
LGBTQ+ |
— |
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our board of directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to each of our directors, officers and employees. The full text of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on the “Corporate Governance” section of our Investor Relations website at http://investor.magnite.com. We intend to post any amendment to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and any waivers of the Code for directors and executive officers, on the same website to the extent required by rules adopted by the SEC and Nasdaq.
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Policy Against Hedging and Pledging
We recognize that hedging against losses in company shares may disturb the alignment between stockholders and employees that our equity awards are intended to build. Accordingly, we have incorporated prohibitions on various hedging activities within our Insider Trading Policy, which applies to directors, officers and certain employees who we have designated as insiders, as well as such persons’ family members, life partners, or owned or controlled entities. The policy prohibits all transactions that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of our securities, including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, futures, collars, exchange funds, options, puts and calls. The policy also prohibits pledging shares of our common stock as security as well as short sales and purchases or sales of puts or calls for speculative purposes.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Ms. Harden and Messrs. Knopper, Rossman, and Frankenberg served on the Company’s compensation committee during the last completed fiscal year. None of the members of the compensation committee is or has at any time been an officer or employee of the Company. There are no interlocking relationships (and there were no such interlocking relationships during 2022) between our board of directors, executive officers or the compensation committee, on the one hand, and the board of directors, executive officers or the compensation committee of any other company, on the other hand.
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Each member of our board of directors who is not employed by us or any of our subsidiaries, referred to as a non-employee director, is compensated for service on our board through a combination of annual cash retainers and equity awards. For purposes of our director compensation program, a non-employee director is a member of our board who is not, and has not been within the previous 180 days, either an employee of ours or any of our subsidiaries or a consultant performing material services to us or any of our subsidiaries. In order to align the interests of non-employee directors and stockholders, equity awards constitute a majority of total director compensation.
Directors are reimbursed for travel, food, lodging and other expenses directly related to their activities as directors, such as attendance at board or committee meetings. Directors are also entitled to the protection provided by their indemnification agreements and the indemnification provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and they receive coverage under a director and officer insurance policy that we maintain.
2022 Annual Cash Fees
For 2022, directors received annual cash retainer fees as described in the table below for board and committee service. The fees are paid in four equal quarterly advance installments and prorated for any partial year of board service.
Position |
|
Retainer ($) |
|
Board Member |
|
50,000 |
|
Audit Committee Chair |
|
24,000 |
|
Compensation Committee Chair |
|
15,000 |
|
Nominating and Governance Committee Chair |
|
10,000 |
|
Audit Committee Member |
|
12,000 |
|
Compensation Committee Member |
|
7,500 |
|
Nominating and Governance Committee Member |
|
5,000 |
|
Board Chairman |
|
75,000 |
|
Lead Director |
|
15,000 |
|
Equity Awards
In 2022, equity compensation for non-employee directors consisted of (i) an initial equity award with a calculated value of $375,000 for each newly-elected or appointed non-employee director, and (ii) annual awards with a calculated value of $170,000. Equity awards for directors consisted solely of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) covering a number of shares determined by dividing the calculated value of the award by the 20-day trailing average of the Company’s stock price on the grant date.
The initial equity award is granted on the date of appointment to the board or attainment of non-employee director status, unless the board or compensation committee specified another issuance date. Annual equity awards are issued on the date of each annual meeting or the date of attainment of non-employee director status. If no intervening annual meeting has been held, annual equity awards will be granted on a date specified by the compensation committee that is at least 30 calendar days after the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting. The first annual award for non-employee directors who join the board at any time other than the date of an annual meeting is subject to proration for the partial year of service ending on the date of the next annual meeting.
Initial equity awards vest, subject to continued board service, in three equal annual increments, on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the date of commencement of board service or attainment of non-employee director status or, if earlier, upon (but effective immediately prior to) the occurrence of a change in control of Magnite. Annual equity awards vest, subject to continued board service, on the first anniversary of the date of grant or, if earlier, upon the occurrence of either (1) a change in control of Magnite (effective immediately prior thereto) or (2) the first regular annual meeting occurring in the year immediately following the year in which such annual equity awards were granted. In addition, if a non-employee director ceases board service for any reason other than removal for cause before vesting in full of equity awards, then the director’s awards vest with respect to a pro-rata portion of the underlying shares (up to but not exceeding the number of unvested shares remaining subject to such awards) determined based upon the period of board service. Vesting of equity awards will cease, and unvested equity awards will lapse, upon a recipient’s removal for cause from board service.
Director Equity Retention Guidelines
Under our equity retention guidelines which were amended and restated by the Board of Directors on October 19, 2022, each director is required to accumulate, as of the first March 31 which occurs after the fifth anniversary following the date of commencement of service and each March 31 thereafter (each, an “Annual Compliance Assessment Date”), an amount of equity equal to five times the director’s base board cash compensation (the “Minimum Retained Equity”). Equity that counts toward the ownership requirement includes: (1) shares owned outright by the director or beneficially owned by the director by virtue of being held by a member of the director’s immediate family members residing in the same household or in a trust for the benefit of the director or his or her immediate family residing in the same household; (2) shares held in qualified plans or IRAs; (3) vested shares (or vested restricted stock units) deemed to be held in non-qualified plans; and (4) unvested time-based restricted shares (or restricted stock units). Subject to limited exceptions, if the Minimum Retained Equity is not achieved as of an Annual Compliance Assessment Date, a director will be prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring beneficial ownership, until the next Annual Compliance Assessment Date at which the individual achieves compliance, of more than one-half of the vested after-tax shares of company common stock obtained as a result of the vesting of any restricted stock or restricted stock unit award.
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2022 Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth all compensation provided to our non-employee directors for 2022. The compensation for Mr. Barrett, our Chief Executive Officer, is described in the “Executive Compensation” section below. Mr. Barrett did not receive any compensation for his services as a director in 2022. Note that Mr. Pearson and Ms. Yu were appointed to the Board, effective March 21, 2022.
Name |
Fees Earned |
Stock |
Option |
Total ($) |
|
Paul Caine |
$125,000 |
$184,347 |
— |
$309,347 |
|
Robert Frankenberg |
$72,500 |
$184,347 |
— |
$256,847 |
|
Sarah P. Harden |
$57,500 |
$184,347 |
— |
$241,847 |
|
Doug Knopper |
$70,000 |
$184,347 |
— |
$254,347 |
|
Rachel Lam |
$67,000 |
$184,347 |
— |
$251,347 |
|
David Pearson |
$74,000 |
$611,669 |
— |
$685,669 |
|
James Rossman |
$69,500 |
$184,347 |
— |
$253,847 |
|
Robert F. Spillane |
$72,000 |
$184,347 |
— |
$256,347 |
|
Lisa L. Troe |
$70,000 |
$184,347 |
— |
$254,347 |
|
Diane Yu |
$50,000 |
$611,669 |
— |
$661,669 |
|
(1)Consists of annual board retainer and fees for service as Chairman, a committee chair, committee member, or Lead Independent Director, as the case may be. See the narrative disclosure above for a description of such fees.
(2)In accordance with the rules of the SEC, these amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock awards and option awards granted to the non-employee directors during the fiscal year computed in accordance with ASC 718. Our equity awards valuation approach and related underlying assumptions for awards granted in 2022 are described in Note 2 “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Stock-Based Compensation” and Note 12 “Stock-Based Compensation” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The reported amounts do not necessarily reflect the value that may be realized by the non-employee director with respect to the awards, which will depend on future changes in stock value and may be more or less than the amount shown. The number of shares granted to directors was determined by dividing the approved value of the awards by the 20-day trailing average of the Company’s stock price on the grant date, and accordingly the grant date fair value of the stock awards may differ from the value of the approved award.
(3)Stock awards for 2022 consisted of an annual award of 16,489 restricted stock units granted on June 7, 2022 to each director serving on our board at such time. On March 31, 2022, Mr. Pearson and Ms. Yu were each granted an initial equity award of 30,145 restricted stock units, and a pro-rated annual equity award of 2,277 restricted stock units in connection with their appointments to the board. As of December 31, 2022, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock covered by unvested stock awards held by each of our non-employee directors was as follows:
Paul Caine |
16,489 |
|
Robert J. Frankenberg |
16,489 |
|
Sarah P. Harden(a) |
16,489 |
|
Doug Knopper |
16,489 |
|
Rachel Lam |
16,489 |
|
David Pearson |
46,634 |
|
James Rossman |
16,489 |
|
Robert F. Spillane |
16,489 |
|
Lisa L. Troe |
16,489 |
|
Diane Yu |
46,634 |
|
(a)Ms. Harden holds an additional 18,436 vested but deferred restricted stock units.
(4)As of December 31, 2022, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock covered by stock options held by each of our non-employee directors was as follows:
Paul Caine |
— |
|
Robert J. Frankenberg |
86,500 |
|
Sarah P. Harden |
— |
|
Doug Knopper |
— |
|
Rachel Lam |
— |
|
David Pearson |
— |
|
James Rossman |
— |
|
Robert F. Spillane |
86,500 |
|
Lisa L. Troe |
66,708 |
|
Diane Yu |
— |
|
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The audit committee of Magnite’s board of directors is composed of five members and acts under a written charter that has been approved by Magnite’s board of directors. The members of the audit committee are independent directors, based upon standards set forth in applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management, and has discussed with Magnite’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) the matters required to be discussed by the applicable standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC.
The audit committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Deloitte’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Deloitte its independence.
Management is responsible for the Company’s financial reporting process and the system of internal controls, including internal control over financial reporting, and procedures designed to promote compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Deloitte is responsible for the audit of the consolidated financial statements. The audit committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes and procedures.
The audit committee’s meetings facilitate communication among the members of the audit committee, management, the internal auditors, and Deloitte. The audit committee separately met with each of the internal auditors and Deloitte, with and without management, to discuss the results of their examinations and their observations and recommendations regarding Magnite’s internal controls. The audit committee also met separately with management.
Based on its discussions with management and the independent accounting firm, and its review of the representations and information provided by management and Deloitte, the audit committee recommended to Magnite’s board of directors that Magnite’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 be included in Magnite’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on February 22, 2023.
By order of the audit committee of the board of directors of Magnite,
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
|
David Pearson, Chair Lisa L. Troe Rachel Lam James Rossman |
The preceding Report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this report by reference into a filing under either of such Acts. The report shall not be deemed soliciting material, or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C or the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers as of April 17, 2023.
Name |
Age |
Position |
Michael G. Barrett |
61 |
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Sean Buckley |
35 |
Chief Revenue Officer |
David Buonasera |
38 |
Chief Technology Officer |
David L. Day |
61 |
Chief Financial Officer |
Katie Evans |
37 |
Chief Operating Officer |
Brian Gephart |
44 |
Chief Accounting Officer |
Aaron Saltz |
42 |
Chief Legal Officer |
Adam Soroca |
50 |
Chief Product Officer |
Michael G. Barrett. See “Proposal 1: Election of Directors” for Mr. Barrett’s biography.
Sean Buckley has served as our Chief Revenue Officer since January 2022. Prior to that, Mr. Buckley served as our Chief Revenue Officer, CTV, since May 2021. Previously, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for SpotX, Inc. from January 2020 to June 2021, Chief Revenue Officer from January 2017 to January 2020, SVP, Global Revenue from July 2014 to January 2017, and Vice President, Platform from June 2013 to July 2014. Mr. Buckley holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University.
David Buonasera has served as Chief Technology Officer since March 2023. Prior to that Mr. Buonasera served as our Senior Vice President of Engineering for SpringServe since July 2021 and as head of Magnite CTV Streaming since September 2022. Previously, he helped found SpringServe in 2014 and served as its Chief Technology Officer from July 2014 to July 2021. His career also includes experience as Director of Optimization and Analytics, and Manager of Data Engineering at Appnexus from July 2009 to July 2014. Mr. Buonasera holds a Computer Science and Engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
David L. Day has served as our Chief Financial Officer since May 2016 and served as our Chief Accounting Officer from March 2013 to August 2017. From May 2011 to March 2013, Mr. Day served as the Chief Accounting Officer at ReachLocal, Inc., a public company servicing small and medium-sized businesses as their digital ad agency. Prior to that, Mr. Day provided finance and accounting-related consulting services to technology and telecommunications companies and was co-founder of SignJammer Corporation, a start-up in the out-of-home advertising market, from 2008 to 2011. His career also includes experience as Vice President of Finance for Spot Runner, a technology-based ad agency for small and medium-sized business, Senior Vice President of Finance for Yahoo! Search Marketing, Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller of Overture, and public accounting experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Arthur Andersen. Mr. Day holds a B.S. in Accounting from Brigham Young University.
Katie Evans has served as our Chief Operating Officer since September 2020. From April 1, 2020 through August 2020, Ms. Evans served as the Company’s General Manager, CTV. Previously, she served as Chief Operating Officer of Telaria from March 2017 to April 2020 and as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Operations, from November 2015 to March 2017. Ms. Evans holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Richmond.
Brian Gephart has served as our Chief Accounting Officer since June 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Gephart served as the Chief Financial Officer of Leaf Group, a diversified consumer internet company that operates in digital media and direct-to-consumer ecommerce marketplaces, since May 2020, and as Chief Accounting Officer from June 2019 to May 2020. Prior to joining Leaf Group, Mr. Gephart served as Chief Accounting Officer of JH Capital Group, a diversified consumer finance company, from August 2017 to April 2019. Prior to joining JH Capital Group, Mr. Gephart was a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP specializing in Capital Markets & Accounting Advisory Services, from July 2011 to August 2017, where he advised a variety of private and public companies on capital market transactions, mergers and acquisitions and financial reporting and accounting matters. Mr. Gephart received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Hillsdale College and an M.B.A. from DePaul University. Mr. Gephart is a Certified Public Accountant.
Aaron Saltz has served as our Chief Legal Officer since January 2023, and previously served as our General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since April 1, 2020. Previously, Mr. Saltz served as General Counsel of Telaria from November 2015 to April 2020 and as Vice President, Associate General Counsel from January 2013 to October 2015. Prior to Telaria, Mr. Saltz worked as an attorney in the mergers and acquisitions department of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP from 2005 to 2013. Mr. Saltz holds a B.A. from Cornell University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Adam Soroca has served as our Chief Product Officer since July 2021, where he is responsible for the Company’s strategic product direction, product roadmap and go-to-market initiatives. Previously, Mr. Soroca was the Head of Global Buyer Team since our acquisition of nToggle, Inc. in July 2017. Mr. Soroca co-founded nToggle in September 2014 and served as its Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors until nToggle’s sale to the Company. Prior to founding nToggle, Mr. Soroca was the chief product officer at Millennial Media (via acquisition of Jumptap) from November 2013 to July 2014, where he oversaw the global product and operations teams. Prior to Millennial Media, from June 2005 to November 2013, Mr. Soroca was the chief product officer and a founding leadership team member at Jumptap, the leading mobile programmatic and audience platform. Mr. Soroca serves as an advisor at CoachUp, Inc., viisights and Chalk Digital. He pioneered bringing both audience data (DMP) and programmatic capabilities (DSP) to the mobile industry. He is a digital advertising entrepreneur and inventor, holding over 90 awarded patents spanning mobile advertising and search techniques. Mr. Soroca holds a B.A. in Economics and Computer Literacy from Middlebury College.
Election of Officers
Our executive officers are elected by, and serve at the discretion of, our board of directors. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Introduction
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the compensation arrangements we had for 2022 with the following “named executive officers,” as determined under the rules of the SEC and identified in the summary compensation table below:
Name |
Position |
Michael G. Barrett |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Sean Buckley |
Chief Revenue Officer |
David L. Day |
Chief Financial Officer |
J. Allen Dove(1) |
Chief Technology Officer |
Katie Evans |
Chief Operating Officer |
Adam Soroca |
Chief Product Officer |
(1)Mr. Dove’s employment with the Company terminated on August 31, 2022.
Executive Summary
Financial and Business Highlights. In 2022, we continued to demonstrate strong financial and strategic operational performance, building upon significant work we have done in transforming and accelerating the business over the past several years. Notable results include:
• Achieved record revenue of $577.1 million, an increase of 23%, compared to $468.4 million in 2021;
• Improved profitability with an increase in Adjusted EBITDA to $178.8 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $148.7 million in 2021 (see page 53 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for a reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA);
• Continued to integrate and optimize the core capabilities acquired in the Telaria, SpotX and SpringServe acquisitions. Through these strategic combination of assets, we continued to advance our position as the world’s largest independent omni-channel sell-side advertising platform and programmatic CTV marketplace; and
• Executed new customer agreements with key partners including GroupM, LG Ads Solutions, The Kroger Co., Vizio, Fox Corporation, Horizon Media and many more.
Compensation Highlights. Our compensation programs are designed to support creation of stockholder value while maintaining our ability to recruit and retain critical talent in a highly competitive industry. Our results in 2022 were significantly impacted by macro-economic challenges in the second-half of the year, such as inflation and recessionary concerns, which heavily impacted the overall ad market with many of our clients reducing their marketing campaigns and ad budgets. As a result of the negative impacts to our business, which were generally felt across our industry, our compensation committee undertook a rigorous review of the business environment and Magnite’s relative and absolute performance. Overall, the compensation committee took the following key actions in 2022:
• In response to stockholder feedback received in 2022, enhanced the performance orientation of the compensation program for 2023 and increased ownership guidelines for the CEO and NEOs. For 2023, Mr. Barrett’s annual equity grant will consist of 50% PSUs (increased from 30%) and annual grants for the remaining named executive officers will consist of 30% PSUs (increased from 0%);
• Approved target total pay increases of 7% for Mr. Barrett, and 29% on average for other named executive officers (other than Messrs. Buckley and Dove, who joined the Company on April 30, 2021 in connection with the closing of the SpotX Acquisition), to respond to increased competition in the technology talent market and support leadership stability through continued integration of multiple acquisitions in past two years. The majority of these increases were made through equity compensation, in order to maintain strong alignment with stockholders; and
• Approved outcomes for the Company’s incentive programs ending in 2022, with the annual incentive program paying out at 92.9% of target, and the April 2020 performance-based equity units granted to Mr. Barrett paying out at 94.31% of target. Outcomes for the annual incentive program reflect refined year-end annual performance targets based on revised revenue and adjusted EBITDA less Capex assumptions for the second half of the year, which were made to recognize and reward the executive team’s response to market volatility and macroeconomic challenges that were felt across our industry and which reflected, in the committee’s judgment, more appropriate goals by which to judge our employees and executive officers. Prior to this adjustment, the annual incentive would have otherwise paid out at 69.3% of target.
Consideration of 2022 Say on Pay Vote. Approximately 56% of the votes cast at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders were in support of the advisory resolution to approve our executive compensation program. This was significantly below the 87% support we received in the prior year, and the 97% support we received in 2020. The Company values our stockholder perspectives and feedback and takes the Say-on-Pay outcomes seriously. In response to the lower vote result, we performed a comprehensive review of our executive compensation programs and undertook
34
stockholder engagement efforts both before and after our 2022 annual meeting to solicit shareholder feedback about our executive compensation program. Following last year’s meeting, we reached out to 20 of our largest stockholders, representing approximately 50% of our outstanding shares, and this led to a number of engagements between our leadership team and stockholders. Several stockholders declined the opportunity for engagement and expressed satisfaction regarding the Company’s current compensation philosophy and programs. Based on stockholder feedback, we have taken the following actions for our 2023 program.
We summarize below the key concerns expressed to us and the actions we have taken in response:
Investor Feedback |
Magnite Response |
Consider enhancing the performance-orientation of the long-term incentive program to better align with long-term value creation. |
•Increased percentage of CEO’s annual 2023 equity grant consisting of PSUs from 30% to 50% •Incorporated PSUs into annual 2023 equity grants for our other named executive officers (implemented at 30%) |
Concern expressed regarding special equity retention grants to former SpotX executives subsequent to acquisition. |
•In 2022, no off-cycle one-time awards were granted to named executive officers. •The special equity grants were issued to the new Magnite executives in 2021 as a one-time measure following a strategic acquisition, in an effort to align compensation with existing program structure for other named executive officers. |
Disfavor of the use of a special one-time equity award granted to our CEO. However, the performance weighted structure and long-term vesting period were noted as positive aspects of the grant. |
•No new off-cycle one-time awards were granted to our CEO. •Following the Company’s merger with Telaria and the acquisition of SpotX, the intention of the one-time award was to support the retention of our CEO and provide an additional incentive to drive the next phase of company growth. |
Executive Compensation Governance. Our executive compensation program includes a number of features intended to reflect best practices in the market and help ensure that the program reinforces our stockholders’ interests. These features are described in more detail below in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and include the following:
What We Do: |
What We Don’t Do: |
✓Provide a significant portion of CEO pay that is “at-risk” (90% of 2022 target direct compensation was based on financial or share price performance; target direct compensation includes the CEO’s annual base salary, target cash incentive amount, and the grant date fair value of his equity awards) ✓Utilize a formulaic incentive structure in our annual incentive program, as well as limit the maximum annual incentive payment to 150% of the target amount ✓Maintain both market competitive ownership guidelines and holding requirements to align with stockholder and market expectations (enhanced guidelines in 2022 for CEO and NEOs) ✓Incorporate performance-based equity for our CEO based on outperforming the market (increasing to 50% for CEO in 2023 and implementing at 30% for NEOs in 2023) ✓Employ a clawback policy to allow the Company to recover any performance-based compensation later proven unearned ✓Retain an independent compensation consultant to advise the independent compensation committee ✓Consider feedback from stockholders as part of the compensation committee’s annual program review |
✗No single-trigger change in control benefits ✗No gross-ups for change in control benefits ✗No discounted stock options or option re-pricings ✗No excessive perquisites ✗No hedging or pledging of our equity securities |
Annual CEO Pay Actions. The compensation committee made more moderate changes to compensation in 2022 (+7%) for the purpose of maintaining market competitiveness, particularly when considering the increases to total CEO pay that were made in 2021 (total pay increase of 41%) to reflect Magnite’s increased size, scale, and complexity following the combination with Telaria and acquisition of SpotX. In March 2022, Mr. Barrett’s target pay levels increased to $6.2 million (from $5.8 million in 2021) driven entirely by an increase in his annual equity award (increase to $5.0 million from $4.6 million). Mr. Barrett’s base salary of $600,000 and target cash incentive amount of $600,000 remained unchanged from 2021 levels. Compensation for Mr. Barrett is strongly aligned with company performance, particularly through the use of performance-based annual and long-term incentive compensation, with 50% of Mr. Barrett’s 2023 annual equity award consisting of PSUs (up from 30% in 2022).
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Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The compensation committee conducts an annual review of our executive compensation program to help ensure that: (1) the program is designed to align the interests of our named executive officers with our stockholders’ interests by rewarding performance that is tied to creating stockholder value; and (2) the program provides a total compensation package for each of our named executive officers that we believe is competitive and necessary to attract and retain talent.
We accomplish these objectives by providing a total compensation package that includes three main components: base salary, annual performance-based cash awards and long-term equity-based awards. We believe that in order to attract and retain top executives, we need to provide them with compensation levels that reward their continued service. Some of the elements, such as base salaries and annual cash awards, are paid out on a short-term or current basis. Other elements, such as equity awards that are subject to multi-year vesting schedules and benefits provided upon certain terminations of employment, are paid out on a long-term basis. We believe this mix of short- and long-term elements allows us to achieve our goals of attracting, retaining and motivating our top executives. We also, in certain cases, provide our named executive officers with certain relocation and other benefits in connection with their joining us.
In structuring executive compensation packages, the compensation committee considers how each component promotes retention and motivates performance. Base salaries, severance and other termination benefits are primarily intended to attract and retain highly qualified executives. These elements of our executive compensation program are generally not dependent on performance. Annual cash bonus opportunities provide further incentives to achieve performance goals specified by the compensation committee and long-term equity awards provide incentives to help create value for our stockholders and continue employment with us through specified vesting dates.
Payment of our annual performance-based cash awards is solely contingent upon the achievement of financial performance metrics. The amount of compensation ultimately received for these awards varies with our annual financial performance, thereby providing additional incentives to achieve short-term or annual goals that we believe will maximize stockholder value over the long term.
We believe that by providing a significant portion of our named executive officers’ total compensation package in the form of equity-based awards, we are able to create an incentive to build stockholder value over the long-term and more closely align the interests of our named executive officers to those of our stockholders. Our annual equity awards to named executive officers for 2022 consisted of PSUs (for the CEO only), stock options and restricted stock unit awards, which generally only vest if the executive remains employed with us through the vesting date. For 2023, to further align compensation of our executive officers to performance, we expanded the use of PSUs to all named executive officers.
Compensation Determination Process
The compensation committee considers, determines, reviews, and revises all components of each named executive officer’s compensation. It may not delegate that responsibility. The compensation committee also has oversight of and consults with management regarding executive and non-executive employee compensation plans and programs, including administration of our equity incentive plans.
The compensation committee retains an independent executive compensation consultant, Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC, referred to as Semler Brossy, to provide input, analysis, and consultation about our executive compensation. During 2022, Semler Brossy’s work with the compensation committee included analysis, advice, and recommendations on total compensation philosophy; peer groups and market assessment and analysis; compensation program design, including program goals, components, and metrics; equity usage and allocation; compensation trends in comparable business sectors and in the general marketplace for senior executives; regulatory factors; and the compensation of the chief executive officer and the other named executive officers, including advice on the design of cash-based and equity-based compensation.
Semler Brossy reports directly and solely to the compensation committee and performs compensation consulting services for the compensation committee at its request. Semler Brossy is not engaged to perform services directly for our management. The compensation committee has concluded that no conflict of interest exists with respect to its engagement of Semler Brossy nor are there other factors that would adversely impact Semler Brossy’s independence in advising the compensation committee under applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules. The compensation committee reached this conclusion after considering the following six factors, as well as Semler Brossy’s views regarding its independence and other information the compensation committee deemed relevant: (i) the provision of other services to us by Semler Brossy; (ii) the amount of fees received from us by Semler Brossy, as a percentage of the total revenue of Semler Brossy; (iii) the policies and procedures of Semler Brossy that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest; (iv) any business or personal relationship of the Semler Brossy consultants with a member of the compensation committee; (v) any of our stock owned by the Semler Brossy consultants; and (vi) any business or personal relationship of the Semler Brossy consultants or Semler Brossy with any of our executive officers.
Executive officers do not propose or seek approval for, or have any decision-making authority with respect to, their own compensation. Executive officers are also not present during any deliberations or determinations of their pay or performance. The chief executive officer makes recommendations to the compensation committee on the base salary, annual incentive cash targets, and equity awards for each named executive officer other than himself, based on his assessment of each executive officer’s performance during the year and other factors, including compensation survey data and input from Semler Brossy.
Performance reviews for the chief executive officer and other named executive officers include factors that may vary depending on the role of the individual officer, including strategic capability—how well the executive officer identifies and develops relevant business strategies and plans; execution—how well the executive officer executes strategies and plans; and leadership capability—how well the executive officer leads and develops the organization and its people. The compensation committee conducts an annual performance review of the chief executive officer to evaluate the Company’s performance, his performance and the performance of the management team and considers this review in determining the chief executive officer’s base salary, annual performance-based cash incentive target, and equity awards.
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We have engaged in discussions regarding our compensation philosophy with several of our large stockholders, and we intend to engage in further compensation-related discussions from time to time at such stockholders’ request.
Peer Group Compensation Assessment
The compensation committee works with Semler Brossy periodically to select a peer group of companies in our industry to assist the committee in making its compensation decisions. Although the compensation committee reviews and discusses the peer company compensation data provided by Semler Brossy to help inform its decision-making process, the compensation committee does not set compensation levels at any specific level or percentile against the peer group data. The peer company data is only one point of information taken into account by the compensation committee in making compensation decisions.
In July 2021, following the successful acquisitions of SpotX and SpringServe, the compensation committee, with assistance from Semler Brossy, reviewed Magnite’s current peer group companies. The Committee determined that for 2022, five companies should be added to the peer group to further balance the scope and scale of the group (Zeta Global, fuboTV, DoubleVerify, Integral Ad Science, and PubMatic). The added companies were selected based on several criteria, including being similar in size, favoring companies based in California or New York, and having a reasonably comparable business. Specifically, the criteria the compensation committee used to assess our 2022 peer group are summarized below:
•Size and Scale: Using our 2021 peer group as a starting point, we initially identified a group of companies with (i) a range of annual revenues of approximately $150 million to approximately $600 million, roughly 0.5x to 2x our annualized revenues of approximately $300 million at the time of the analysis and (ii) market capitalizations of approximately $600 million to approximately $6 billion, roughly 0.2x to 2x our market capitalization of approximately $3 billion at the time of the analysis.
•Industry and Business: We identified innovative companies that focused on advertising and video orientation, and were heavily impacted by marketing budgets and customer spend.
•Other Qualitative Factors: We identified companies that were located in California, New York, or other major metropolitan areas, operated online exchanges or marketplaces, or were strong talent competitors.
Fiscal 2022 Peer Group |
||
Cardlytics |
Integral Ad Science |
Quotient Technology |
Digital Turbine |
LivePerson |
SPS Commerce |
DoubleVerify |
LiveRamp |
TechTarget |
EverQuote |
PROS Holdings |
Upland Software |
fuboTV |
PubMatic |
Zeta Global |
|
QuinStreet |
|
Current Executive Compensation Program Elements
The current elements of our executive compensation program are:
•base salaries;
•annual performance-based cash awards;
•equity-based incentive awards; and
•certain additional employee benefits.
We strive to achieve an appropriate mix between the various elements of our compensation program to meet our compensation objectives and philosophy; however, we do not apply any rigid allocation formula in setting our named executive officers’ compensation, and we may make adjustments to this approach for various positions after giving due consideration to prevailing circumstances.
As discussed throughout this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation policies and programs applicable to our named executive officers reflect our emphasis on aligning the interests of our executive officers with our stockholders’ interests in enhancing our value over the long term. Applying this philosophy, a significant portion of overall compensation opportunities offered to our named executive officers is in the form of (i) equity-based compensation with a value directly linked to our stock price and (ii) annual performance-based cash awards contingent upon achievement of measurable financial objectives.
Base Salaries
Base salaries for our named executive officers are designed to be competitive when compared with similarly situated executives within our peer group, and are based on a variety of factors, including level of responsibility, performance, and the recommendations of the chief executive officer for named executive officers other than the chief executive officer. Base salaries are reviewed annually or at the time of promotion or other changes in responsibilities. In determining whether to award base salary increases, the compensation committee considers our overall business outlook, our budget, the executive’s individual performance, historical compensation, market compensation levels for comparable positions, internal pay equity, and other factors, including any retention concerns.
37
After consideration of the data from the peer group described above and the other factors described in the preceding paragraph, the compensation committee increased incumbent named executive officers’ (other than Mr. Barrett) base salaries in February 2022 which are described in the table below. Mr. Buckley, Mr. Day, Mr. Dove, Mr. Soroca and Ms. Evans received increases of 4.8%, 12.4%, 0.9%, 17.6%, and 9.7%, respectively, to reflect the increased size and scope of their roles following the transactions and based on the market data for their respective roles. Mr. Barrett did not receive an increase in base salary.
Name |
2021 Annual |
2022 Annual |
Percent Increase |
Michael Barrett |
$600,000 |
$600,000 |
0% |
Sean Buckley |
$525,000 |
$550,000 |
4.8% |
David Day |
$471,000 |
$529,500 |
12.4% |
J. Allen Dove(1) |
$525,000 |
$529,500 |
0.9% |
Katie Evans |
$429,000 |
$470,500 |
9.7% |
Adam Soroca |
$400,000 |
$470,500 |
17.6% |
(1)Mr. Dove’s employment with the Company terminated on August 31, 2022.
Annual Performance-Based Cash Awards
Our named executive officers are eligible to receive cash incentive payments under our Executive Cash Incentive Plan, referred to as the Executive Bonus Plan, which is administered by our compensation committee. The amount of cash incentive payments under the Executive Bonus Plan is determined based upon the achievement of pre-established corporate financial objectives that the compensation committee believed were challenging yet achievable.
Following the use of a semi-annual structure for the 2021 Executive Bonus Plan, which reflected the goal setting and timing challenges following the SpotX acquisition, for 2022 the compensation committee determined to move back to an annual structure for the 2022 Executive Bonus Plan. The compensation committee did not make any changes to target annual bonus as a percentage of base salary for any of the NEOs in 2022.
2022 target bonuses were as follows:
Name |
2021 Annual Target |
2022 Annual Target |
Michael Barrett |
100% |
100% |
Sean Buckley |
100% |
100% |
David Day |
70% |
70% |
J. Allen Dove(1) |
70% |
70% |
Katie Evans |
70% |
70% |
Adam Soroca |
70% |
70% |
(1)Mr. Dove’s employment with the Company terminated on August 31, 2022.
In 2022, performance was measured against three financial goals: DV+ revenue ex-TAC, CTV revenue ex-TAC, and adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, referred to as capex. The compensation committee chose these financial metrics because they represent objectively determinable financial targets and focused the Company on goals important to Magnite’s success following the Telaria integration and SpotX and SpringServe transactions. For a description of how we calculate revenue ex-TAC and adjusted EBITDA, see the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of the Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Initial Annual Bonus Targets
At the beginning of 2022, the compensation committee established performance goals for the full year 2022 as reflected in the table below:
Performance Goal |
Metric |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
CTV Revenue ex-TAC |
40% |
$209 million |
$262 million |
$301 million |
DV+ Revenue ex-TAC |
40% |
$272 million |
$340 million |
$392 million |
Adjusted EBITDA less Capital Expenditures |
20% |
$124 million |
$177 million |
$213 million |
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Revised Annual Bonus Targets and Payout
In July 2022 , after taking into account the significant macroeconomic challenges and market volatility faced by the Company and its impact on the underlying assumptions for the original revenue and adjusted EBITDA less capex performance targets set at the beginning of the year, the committee decided to also track performance against a revised annual revenue ex-TAC and adjusted EBITDA less capex goals which reflected updated assumptions for the second half of the year based on the business context and expectations at the time. In February 2023, the compensation committee determined that for the full year 2022, the Company achieved CTV revenue ex-TAC of $215 million, DV+ revenue ex-TAC of $300 million and Adjusted EBITDA less capex of $135 million, which would have resulted in a weighted payout percentage of 69.2% of each named executive officers’ target bonuses for 2022.
Following the assessment of full-year performance, in recognition of the Company’s strong performance relative to industry benchmarks and peers, the committee determined that it would be appropriate to measure performance for the entire organization (including named executive officers) against the revised revenue ex-TAC and adjusted EBITDA less capex annual goals to support engagement and retention. This resulted in an adjustment to the annual incentive program, which increased the overall payout from 69.2% of target, to 92.9% of target; each of the individual metric outcomes remained above the original thresholds established at the beginning of the year and below the revised targets.
Performance Goal |
Metric |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
2022 |
CTV Revenue ex-TAC |
40% |
$187 million |
$234 million |
$269 million |
$215 million |
DV+ Revenue ex-TAC |
40% |
$255 million |
$318 million |
$366 million |
$300 million |
Adjusted EBITDA less Capital Expenditures |
20% |
$102 million |
$146 million |
$175 million |
$135 million |
Name |
2022 |
2022 Bonus |
2022 |
Michael Barrett |
$600,000 |
92.9% |
$557,520 |
Sean Buckley |
$550,000 |
92.9% |
$511,060 |
David Day |
$370,500 |
92.9% |
$344,269 |
Katie Evans |
$329,500 |
92.9% |
$306,171 |
Adam Soroca |
$329,500 |
92.9% |
$306,171 |
Mr. Dove’s employment with the Company terminated on August 31, 2022. Pursuant to the terms of his severance agreement, he was paid a total of $170,949 in respect of his 2022 bonus, which represented his pro-rated target bonus for the year of termination.
SpotX Transaction Bonuses
Pursuant to the terms of the SpotX acquisition agreement in 2021, two former SpotX employees, Messrs. Buckley and Dove, received transaction bonuses on behalf of SpotX’s former parent, RTL US Holding, Inc. (“RTL”). The third and final bonus payments of $745,721 and $596,591 to Mr. Buckley and Mr. Dove, respectively, were made in May 2022 and were paid by us but funded by RTL. While these final payments were made in 2022 and therefore appear in the Summary Compensation Table this year, they originate from the 2021 acquisition agreement and do not represent a new or separate payment approved by the committee.
2022 Annual Equity Awards
We grant equity-based compensation to our named executive officers in order to attract, retain and reward our executives and strengthen the mutuality of interests between our named executive officers and stockholders. The compensation committee annually determines the form and amount of equity-based incentives granted to executives. In making its determinations, the compensation committee considers factors such as peer group market data, recommendations from Semler Brossy, the executive’s and our performance in the last year and the results achieved by the executive, the executive’s base salary, target annual incentive opportunity and prior grants of equity awards, and the compensation committee’s view regarding the future potential of long-term contributions of the executive. Recommendations of the chief executive officer are also taken into consideration for our named executive officers other than the chief executive officer.
39
In February 2022, each of our named executive officers received an annual equity grant. The number of stock options, RSUs and PSUs granted to each of our named executive officers for the 2022 annual grant is set forth in the table below:
Name |
Number of Stock |
Number of |
Target Number |
Total Approved |
Michael Barrett |
172,216 |
138,313 |
86,806 |
$5,000,000 |
David Day |
68,886 |
152,144 |
— |
$2,800,000 |
Sean Buckley |
86,108 |
121,024 |
— |
$2,500,000 |
J. Allen Dove(2) |
68,886 |
96,816 |
— |
$2,000,000 |
Katie Evans |
68,886 |
96,819 |
— |
$2,000,000 |
Adam Soroca |
68,886 |
96,819 |
— |
$2,000,000 |
(1)The number of RSUs granted is calculated based on the aggregate dollar value of the approved award divided by the average closing market price of our common stock on Nasdaq for the 20 trading days immediately prior to and including the date of grant. The number of options granted is calculated based on the aggregate dollar value of the approved award divided by an estimated Black-Scholes value, considering historical volatility assumptions. The number of PSUs granted is calculated based on the aggregate dollar value of the approved award divided by the estimated fair value on the grant date using a Monte Carlo model. As a result of these methods, the fair value of the awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (and the values reflected in the compensation tables below), may be lower or higher than the equity compensation value approved by the compensation committee.
(2)Mr. Dove’s employment with the Company terminated on August 31, 2022.
If our stock price were not to increase, the stock options will not deliver any economic value because the options have an exercise price equal to our stock price on the date of grant and our equity incentive plans prohibit stock option repricing. The stock options and RSUs reflected in the table above vest over four years to provide an additional retention incentive, except for 55,325 RSUs granted to Mr. Day, which vest over two years. In determining the size of the 2022 annual awards for all named executive officers, the compensation committee calibrated award values to encourage equity ownership and ensure a stable leadership team through the SpotX and SpringServe integrations; specifically, the compensation committee (i) considered the increased scope of the executives’ roles following the close of the transactions and increased scale of Magnite and (ii) sought to continue to deliver annual equity grant values close to market level for 2022.
For 2022, the compensation committee determined that Mr. Barrrett’s annual PSU award would remain consistent with the award’s design in 2021 and 2022. Mr. Barrett’s annual equity grant is made in the form of PSUs that vest based on our TSR for the three-year period beginning on the grant date of the award relative to the TSRs of the companies in the Russell 2000 index over the same period. The Russell 2000 was chosen as the TSR comparator group because the compensation committee believes this index represents a reasonable investment alternative for stockholders considering investing in our business while requiring stable and robust performance outcomes. This PSU award, which was granted in February 2022 and has a target of 86,806 stock units, represented approximately 30% of the total fair value of Mr. Barrett’s annual equity award for 2022 (as determined as of the grant date in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles). The award is eligible to vest between 0% and 150% of the target number of units subject to the award based on the performance schedule below:
Magnite Relative TSR Ranking vs. Russell 2000 Index |
Vesting % of Target Number of PSUs |
80th Percentile or Higher |
150% |
55th Percentile |
100% |
20th Percentile |
25% |
Below 20th Percentile |
0% |
The vesting percentage will be interpolated on a linear basis between the levels stated in the chart above. Additionally, in the event Magnite’s TSR for the performance period is negative, the vesting percent of shares is capped at 100% of target shares. In approving the award, the compensation committee believed it would enhance the performance-based nature of our executive compensation program and further align Mr. Barrett’s interests with those of our stockholders.
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Vesting of April 2020 PSUs
On April 1, 2020, the Company granted Mr. Barrett PSUs that vest based on our TSR for the three-year period beginning on the grant date of the award relative to the TSRs of the companies in the Russell 2000 index over the same period. In April 2023, the compensation committee certified that the Company’s TSR was 39.61% for the Performance Period, which represented the 52.35th percentile relative to the Index. Accordingly, 94.31% of the target PSUs held by Mr. Barrett vested on April 1, 2023.
Magnite Relative TSR Ranking vs. Russell 2000 Index |
Vesting % of Target Number of PSUs |
80th Percentile or Higher |
150% |
55th Percentile |
100% |
20th Percentile |
25% |
Below 20th Percentile |
0% |
Actual: 52.35th Percentile |
Actual: 94.31% |
Other Employee Benefits and Perquisites
We have generally not offered extensive benefits or other compensation programs to our named executive officers, apart from employee benefits made available generally to our employees such as participation in Magnite’s 401(k) plan and eligibility to receive a company match, and health and welfare benefit programs.
Employment Arrangements
We have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Barrett and offer letters with each of our other named executive officers. Each of the named executive officers serves on an at-will basis and the employment agreement and offer letters do not have a specified term. The employment agreement and offer letters provide for a base salary, eligibility to receive an annual performance bonus, and eligibility to participate in employee benefit or group insurance plans maintained from time to time by us.
Severance Agreements
We are also party to Executive Severance and Vesting Acceleration Agreements, referred to as the severance agreements, with each of our named executive officers that provide for severance and other termination benefits upon certain qualifying terminations of employment. These severance agreements are intended to provide economic protection so that an executive can remain focused on our business without undue personal concern in the event that his position is eliminated or, in some cases, significantly altered by us, which we believe is particularly important in light of the executives’ leadership roles at Magnite. The compensation committee believes that providing severance or similar benefits is common among similarly situated executives in our industry generally and remains important in recruiting and retaining key executives.
The prospect of a change in control of Magnite can also cause significant distraction and uncertainty for executive officers and, accordingly, the compensation committee believes that appropriate change in control protections are important tools for aligning executives’ interests with those of our stockholders by allowing our executive officers to focus on strategic transactions that may be in the best interest of our stockholders without undue concern regarding the effect of such transactions on their continued employment. Accordingly, the severance agreements also provide for enhanced severance payments and accelerated vesting of equity awards if the executives’ employment is terminated in connection with or following a change in control of Magnite.
For more information regarding the potential payments and benefits that would be provided to our named executive officers in connection with certain terminations of their employment (including terminations in connection with a change in control) on the last business day of fiscal year 2022, please see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
We do not provide our executives with tax “gross-up” payments in connection with a termination of their employment and/or a change in control of Magnite.
Tax Considerations
Section 162(m) of the federal tax laws generally prohibits a publicly held company from deducting compensation paid to a current or former named executive officer that exceeds $1 million during the tax year. Certain awards granted before November 2, 2017 that were based upon attaining pre-established performance measures that were set by the Company’s compensation committee under a plan approved by the Company’s stockholders, as well as amounts payable to former executives pursuant to a written binding contract that was in effect on November 2, 2017, may qualify for an exception to the $1 million deductibility limit. As one of the factors in its consideration of compensation matters, the compensation committee notes this deductibility limitation. However, the compensation committee has the flexibility to take any compensation-related actions that it determines are in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders, including awarding compensation that may not be deductible for tax purposes. There can be no assurance that any compensation will in fact be deductible.
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Recoupment Policy
Our board or the compensation committee shall, in circumstances it deems appropriate, require return to us of the excess portion of any payment made to an employee pursuant to an award issued after April 7, 2016 under our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan or 2014 Inducement Grant Equity Incentive Plan, or under our annual cash incentive plan, if: (1) the payment was predicated upon achieving certain financial results that became the subject of a substantial restatement of our financial statements filed with the SEC within the three full fiscal years after the payment; (2) our board or the compensation committee determines that the participant engaged in intentional misconduct that caused or substantially caused the need for the substantial restatement; and (3) a lower payment would have been made to the participant based upon the restated financial results. In each such instance, the “excess portion” of the payment is the amount (in terms of dollars or shares) by which the payment received exceeded the lower payment that would have been made based on the restated financial results. In each case, the return of payment will be net of any taxes paid by the employee in connection with original receipt or subsequent transfer of the payment. Our board or the compensation committee also has the discretion, in circumstances it deems appropriate, to require reimbursement of any or all payments received with respect to any award granted on or after April 7, 2016 to an employee who has engaged in fraud, bribery, or illegal acts similar to fraud or bribery related to employment, or knowingly failed to report such acts of another employee over whom the employee had direct supervisory responsibility. Our board or the compensation committee shall not seek recovery to the extent it determines (a) that to do so would be unreasonable or (b) that it would be better for us not to do so. In making such determination, and without limiting the scope of its discretion, our board or the compensation committee shall take into account such considerations as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, the likelihood of success under governing law versus the cost and effort involved, whether the assertion of a claim may prejudice our interests, including in any related proceeding or investigation, the passage of time since the occurrence of the act in respect of the applicable fraud or intentional illegal conduct, and any pending legal proceeding relating to the applicable fraud or illegal conduct. Our board or the compensation committee also may in its discretion direct us to disclose the circumstances surrounding any recoupment made under this policy where not otherwise required by applicable regulation. The Company intends to timely adopt any changes to its clawback policies as may be necessary to comply with the final Nasdaq listing standards implementing the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 10D-1.
Executive Officer Equity Ownership Guidelines and Retention Holding Requirements
Under our equity retention guidelines which were amended and restated by our board on October 19, 2022, the chief executive officer and each of the other named executive officers are required to accumulate, as of the first March 31 which occurs after the fifth anniversary following the date he or she became a named executive officer and each March 31 thereafter (each, an “Annual Compliance Assessment Date”), a minimum level of company equity. The minimum level of equity for the chief executive officer is equal to six times base salary and the minimum level of equity for the other named executive officers is equal to two times the named executive officer’s base salary (the “Minimum Retained Equity”). Equity that counts toward the ownership requirement includes: (1) shares owned outright by the named executive officer or beneficially owned by the named executive officer by virtue of being held by a member of the named executive officer’s immediate family residing in the same household or in a trust for the benefit of the named executive officer or immediate family members residing in the same household; (2) shares held in qualified plans or IRAs; (3) vested shares (or vested RSUs) deemed to be held in non-qualified plans; and (4) unvested time-based restricted shares (or restricted stock units). Subject to limited exceptions, if the Minimum Retained Equity is not achieved as of an Annual Compliance Assessment Date, a named executive officer will be prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring beneficial ownership, until the next Annual Compliance Assessment Date at which the individual achieves compliance, of more than one-half of the vested after-tax shares of company common stock obtained as a result of the vesting of any restricted stock or restricted stock unit award.
Policy Against Repricing and Cash Buyouts
Our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and 2014 Inducement Grant Equity Incentive Plan prohibit our board from decreasing the exercise price of or otherwise repricing awards of stock options and stock appreciation rights unless such action is first approved by our stockholders. In addition, the plans prohibit us from redeeming or repurchasing stock options or stock appreciation rights unless such redemptions or repurchases are approved by our stockholders.
Policy Against Hedging and Pledging
We recognize that hedging against losses in company shares may disturb the alignment between stockholders and employees that our equity awards are intended to build. Accordingly, we have incorporated prohibitions on various hedging activities within our Insider Trading Policy, which applies to directors, officers and certain employees who we have designated as insiders, as well as such persons’ family members, life partners, or owned or controlled entities. The policy prohibits all transactions that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of our securities, including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, futures, collars, exchange funds, options, puts and calls. The policy also prohibits pledging shares of our common stock as security as well as short sales and purchases or sales of puts or calls for speculative purposes.
Policy Regarding Equity-Based Awards
Our Equity Award Grant Guidelines set forth our policies and procedures with respect to the granting of equity awards to employees and executive officers of the Company. Equity awards for board members are subject to our Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy. All awards are approved by our board of directors or compensation committee. Generally, regular annual equity awards to employees are approved by the compensation committee during the Company’s annual compensation cycle. For new hires, awards are generally granted at the first regularly scheduled quarterly meeting of the compensation committee following the employee’s employment start date. The compensation committee may also approve grants for employees who have not yet commenced employment, in which case the grant will generally occur on the employee’s start date.
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Risk Assessment in Compensation Programs
The compensation committee annually assesses our executive and broad-based compensation and benefits programs on an overall basis to determine whether the programs’ provisions and operations create undesired or unintentional material risk. This risk assessment process takes into account numerous compensation terms and practices that we maintain that aid in controlling risk, including the mix of cash, equity, and near- and long-term incentive programs, the use of multi-year vesting periods for equity awards, and a variety of performance criteria for incentive compensation, the claw-back provisions that apply to our annual incentive cash plan and equity plan, and the cap on the maximum cash incentive awards that can be earned in a given year regardless of company performance. This risk assessment process also included a review of program policies and practices, program analysis to identify risk and risk controls, and determinations as to the sufficiency of risk identification and risk control, the balance of potential risk to potential reward, and the significance of the programs and their risks to company strategy. Although we reviewed all significant compensation programs, we focused on those programs with variable payout, in particular assessing the ability of participants to directly affect payouts, and the controls on such situations.
Based on the foregoing, we believe that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us as a whole. We also believe that our incentive compensation programs do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage significant risks; are compatible with effective internal controls and our risk-management practices; and are adequately supported by the compensation committee’s oversight of our executive compensation programs.
Compensation Committee Report
The compensation committee has reviewed and discussed our Compensation Discussion and Analysis section with management and, based on the review and discussions, recommended to the board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Compensation Committee
Doug Knopper, Chair
Robert J. Frankenberg
Sarah P. Harden
James Rossman
The foregoing report of the compensation committee is not soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not incorporated by reference in any Magnite filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date of this report and irrespective of any general incorporation language in such filing.
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Magnite Named Executive Officer Compensation Tables
Summary Compensation Table - 2022
The following table and narratives that follow describe the 2022, 2021 and 2020 compensation provided to our named executive officers. Messrs Buckley and Dove were not named executive officers of Magnite prior to 2021, thus, pursuant to SEC guidance, we have only included compensation information for 2021 and 2022. Mr. Dove’s employment with the Company terminated on August 31, 2022.
Name and |
Year |
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock |
Option Awards ($)(1) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2) |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
Michael Barrett |
2022 |
600,000 |
142,260(3) |
3,422,559 |
1,538,233 |
415,260(4) |
10,185(5) |
6,128,497 |
President and CEO |
2021 |
587,500 |
— |
15,509,916 |
1,464,475 |
717,263 |
12,435 |
18,291,589 |
|
2020 |
458,750(6) |
— |
1,829,238 |
740,068 |
476,102 |
8,747 |
3,512,905 |
David Day |
2022 |
529,500 |
87,846(3) |
2,114,802 |
615,290 |
256,423(4) |
12,489(7) |
3,616,350 |
Chief Financial Officer |
2021 |
460,750 |
— |
1,359,328 |
636,731 |
393,755 |
12,506 |
2,863,070 |
|
2020 |
422,500 |
— |
813,083 |
370,034 |
258,940 |
12,575 |
1,877,132 |
Sean Buckley |
2022 |
550,000 |
876,126(8) |
1,682,234 |
769,117 |
380,655(4) |
7,223(5) |
4,265,355 |
Chief Revenue Officer |
2021 |
350,000(9) |
7,478,777(8) |
3,380,030 |
855,972 |
577,211 |
5,749 |
12,647,739 |
J. Allen Dove |
2022 |
414,096 |
596,591(8) |
1,345,784 |
615,290 |
148,200(10) |
1,535,747(11) |
4,655,708 |
Chief Technology Officer |
2021 |
339,395(9) |
5,741,175(8) |
3,380,030 |
855,972 |
326,065 |
2,480 |
10,645,117 |
Katie Evans |
2022 |
470,500 |
78,124(3) |
1,345,784 |
615,290 |
228,047(4) |
10,185(5) |
2,747,930 |
Chief Operating Officer |
2021 |
421,750 |
— |
1,019,496 |
477,561 |
366,678 |
12,435 |
2,297,920 |
|
2020 |
271,437(12) |
44,415(13) |
1,029,906 |
222,019 |
216,690 |
15,593 |
1,800,060 |
Adam Sorocca |
2022 |
470,500 |
78,124(3) |
1,345,784 |
615,290 |
228,047(4) |
9,269(5) |
2,747,014 |
Chief Product Officer |
2021 |
393,750 |
— |
1,019,496 |
477,561 |
336,536 |
10,048 |
2,237,391 |
|
2020 |
362,500 |
— |
596,260 |
271,357 |
225,691 |
6,195 |
1,462,003 |
(1)In accordance with the rules of the SEC, these amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock awards and option awards granted to the named executive officer during the applicable fiscal year computed in accordance with ASC 718. Magnite’s equity awards valuation approach and related underlying assumptions for awards are described in Note 2 “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Stock-Based Compensation” and Note 12 “Stock-Based Compensation” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (and the assumptions for awards granted prior to 2022 are set forth in the corresponding notes in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the applicable fiscal year).
(2)Cash incentive amounts earned by the named executive officers for service during the year, including amounts paid subsequent to that year based upon performance during that year.
(3)Includes adjustment to the annual incentive program, which increased the overall payout from 69.2% of target to 92.9% of target.
(4)Includes amount earned under the original annual incentive program at 69.2% payout.
(5)Includes 401(k) plan matching contributions, contributions to life insurance premiums, transportation and gym reimbursement and work-from-home stipend, as applicable.
(6) In 2020, Mr. Barrett’s salary was temporarily reduced from $550,000 to $385,000 in response to business challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
(7)Includes 401(k) plan matching contributions, contributions to life insurance premiums, transportation reimbursement and work-from-home stipend.
(8)Messrs. Dove and Buckley were formerly employed by SpotX prior to its acquisition by the Company. These amounts represent the transaction bonus paid by the Company on behalf of RTL, the former parent and seller of SpotX. The transaction bonuses were funded by RTL pursuant to the SpotX acquisition agreement. For Mr. Buckley in 2022, this amount also includes $130,405 in connection with adjustment to the annual incentive program, which increased the overall payout from 69.2% of target to 92.9% of target.
(9) Messrs. Dove and Buckley commenced employment with the Company on April 30, 2021, with an annual base salary of $325,000 and $525,000, respectively. On May 26, 2021 Mr. Dove was promoted to the role of Chief Technology Officer and his annual base was increased to $525,000.
(10)Includes payout of H1 advance earned under annual incentive program .
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(11)Includes 401(k) plan matching contributions, contributions to life insurance premiums, work-from-home stipend, and severance benefits including base salary ($529,500), target bonus ($370,500), pro-rated target performance bonus ($22,749), continued group health insurance coverage ($22,678), and gains associated with the accelerated vesting of equity awards ($579,020).
(12) Ms. Evans commenced employment with the Company on April 1, 2020 with an annual base salary of $400,000.
(13)For 1H 2020, Ms. Evans did not earn any incentive compensation pursuant to the terms of her legacy Telaria 1H incentive compensation plan. The compensation committee approved a payout of 29.61% of Ms. Evans’ 1H target bonus in order to align with other executives.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards - 2022
The following table provides information regarding the equity and non-equity incentive plan awards that were granted to Magnite’s named executive officers in 2022.
Name |
Grant |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units |
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options |
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(2) |
||||
Threshold ($) |
Target |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
||||||
Michael Barrett |
— |
300,000 |
600,000 |
900,000 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
138,313 |
— |
— |
1,922,551 |
|
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
172,216 |
13.90 |
1,538,233 |
|
2/1/2022(3) |
— |
— |
— |
21,702 |
86,806 |
130,209 |
— |
— |
— |
1,500,008 |
|
David Day |
— |
185,250 |
370,500 |
555,750 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
152,144 |
— |
— |
2,114,802 |
|
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
68,886 |
13.90 |
615,290 |
|
Sean Buckley |
— |
275,000 |
550,000 |
825,000 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
121,024 |
— |
— |
1,682,234 |
|
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
86,108 |
13.90 |
769,117 |
|
J. Allen Dove |
— |
185,250 |
370,500 |
555,750 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
96,819 |
— |
— |
1,345,784 |
|
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
68,886 |
13.90 |
615,290 |
|
Katie Evans |
— |
164,750 |
329,500 |
494,250 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
96,819 |
— |
— |
1,345,784 |
|
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
68,886 |
13.90 |
615,290 |
|
Adam Sorocca |
— |
164,750 |
329,500 |
494,250 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
96,819 |
— |
— |
1,345,784 |
|
2/1/2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
68,886 |
13.90 |
615,290 |
(1) Represents full year bonus opportunity as of December 31, 2022.
(2)In accordance with the rules of the SEC, these amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock awards and option awards granted to the named executive officer during 2022 computed in accordance with ASC 718. Our equity awards valuation approach and related underlying assumptions for awards granted in 2022 are described in Note 2 “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Stock-Based Compensation” and Note 12 “Stock-Based Compensation” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3)Grant of a performance stock unit. The award is eligible to vest as to 0% to 150% of the target number of shares, based on the issuer’s total stockholder return for the three-year period beginning on the grant date of the award relative to the TSRs of the companies in the Russell 2000 index over that period.
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
Employment Agreement/Offer Letters
We have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Barrett and offer letters with each of our other named executive officers. Each of our named executive officers serves on an at-will basis and the employment agreement and offer letters do not have a specified term. The employment agreement and offer letters provide for a base salary, eligibility to receive an annual performance bonus, and eligibility to participate in employee benefit or group insurance plans maintained from time to time by us. We are also party to agreements with the named executive officers providing for the severance benefits described below under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”
45
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
For a description of the material terms of the non-equity incentive plan awards reported in the table above, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Current Executive Compensation Program Elements—Annual Performance-Based Cash Awards” above.
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Each of the equity incentive awards reported in the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards - 2022” table above was granted under, and is subject to, the terms of our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, referred to as the 2014 Plan. The 2014 Plan is administered by the compensation committee. The compensation committee has authority to interpret the plan provisions and make all required determinations under the plan. Awards granted under the plan are generally not transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, except that the plan administrator may authorize certain transfers.
Generally, and subject to limited exceptions set forth in the 2014 Plan, if we undergo certain corporate transactions such as a merger, consolidation or similar transaction, or a sale of all or substantially all of our assets or securities, the plan administrator has the discretion to determine how outstanding equity awards will be treated in connection with such corporate transaction (including discretion to provide for accelerated vesting of such awards in connection with the transaction), and if no affirmative determination is made, all outstanding equity awards will fully vest and options will be fully exercisable, and will terminate or be terminated in connection with such corporate transaction, unless the awards are to be assumed or substituted by the successor corporation. The named executive officers are also party to agreements that provide for acceleration of their equity awards in connection with certain terminations of their employment as described below under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”
The equity awards granted to our named executive officers other than Mr. Barrett in 2022 were in the form of stock options, and restricted stock units, referred to as RSUs. Mr. Barrett received equity awards in 2022 in the form of stock options, RSUs, and performance stock units, referred to as PSUs. The vesting requirements applicable to each equity award granted to the named executive officers are described in the footnotes to the table below and in the section above entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” RSUs are payable on vesting in an equal number of shares of our common stock. Stock options represent the right to receive a share of our common stock upon exercise of the option and payment of the exercise price. The named executive officers do not have the right to vote the shares subject to the awards and do not have any dividend rights with respect to the RSUs, stock options, or PSUs.
46
Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2022
The following table provides information regarding outstanding equity awards made to our named executive officers as of December 31, 2022.
|
|
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
PSU Awards |
|||||
Name |
Grant Date |
Number of |
Number of |
Option |
Option |
Number |
Market |
Equity |
Equity |
Michael Barrett |
2/1/22 |
— |
172,216(2) |
13.90 |
2/1/32 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
4/1/21 |
22,649 |
31,709(3) |
42.80 |
4/1/31 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
4/1/20 |
154,378 |
77,190(4) |
5.28 |
4/1/30 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
2/22/19 |
287,500 |
12,500(5) |
5.14 |
2/22/29 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
3/15/18 |
300,000 |
— |
1.97 |
3/15/28 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
3/17/17 |
686,160 |
— |
5.80 |
3/17/27 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
2/1/22 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
138,313(6) |
1,464,735 |
— |
— |
|
8/26/21 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
136,939(7) |
1,450,184 |
— |
— |
|
4/1/21 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
25,219(8) |
267,069 |
— |
— |
|
4/1/20 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
62,328(9) |
660,054 |
— |
— |
|
2/22/19 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
21,875(10) |
231,656 |
— |
— |
|
2/1/22 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
86,806(11) |
919,276 |
|
8/26/21 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
379,635(12) |
4,020,335 |
|
4/1/21 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
6,573(11) |
69,608 |
|
4/1/20 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
219,512(11) |
2,324,632 |
David Day |
2/1/22 |
— |
68,886(2) |
13.90 |
2/1/32 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
4/1/21 |
9,847 |
13,787(3) |
42.80 |
4/1/31 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
4/1/20 |
77,189 |
38,595(4) |
5.28 |
4/1/30 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
2/20/19 |
70,437 |
6,709(5) |
4.92 |
2/20/29 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
3/15/18 |
9,584 |
— |
1.97 |
3/15/28 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
5/19/15 |
9,300 |
— |
16.75 |
5/19/25 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
2/1/22 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
96,819(13) |
1,025,313 |
— |
— |
|
2/1/22 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
55,325(14) |
585,892 |
— |
— |
|
4/1/21 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
19,188(15) |
203,201 |
— |
— |
|
4/1/20 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
54,537(16) |
577,547 |
— |
— |
|
2/20/19 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
11,750(10) |
124,433 |
— |
— |
Sean Buckley |
2/1/22 |
— |
86,108(2) |
13.90 |
2/1/32 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
6/1/21 |
17,332 |
26,456(17) |
30.93 |
6/1/31 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
2/1/22 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
121,024(18) |
1,281,644 |
— |
— |
|
6/1/21 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
36,776(19) |
389,458 |
— |
— |
|
6/1/21 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
25,218(20) |
267,059 |
— |
— |
J. Allen Dove |
2/1/22 |
25,832 |
— |
13.90 |
8/31/23 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
6/1/21 |
24,630 |
— |
30.93 |
8/31/23 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
47
|
|
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
PSU Awards |
|||||
Name |
Grant Date |
Number of |
Number of |
Option |
Option |
Number |
Market |
Equity |
Equity |
Katie Evans |
2/1/22 |
— |
68,886(2) |
13.90 |
2/1/32 |
— |
— |
— |