UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule §240.14a-12

Cogint,

Fluent, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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FLUENT, INC.


300 Vesey Street, 9th Floor

LOGONew York, New York 10282

 

COGINT, INC.

2650 North Military Trail, Suite 300

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held on June 13, 20173, 2020

To our Stockholders:

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Cogint,Fluent, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on Tuesday,Wednesday, June 13, 20173, 2020 at 10:11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at 2650 North Military Trail, Suite 300, Boca Raton, Florida 33431The Annual Meeting will be completely virtual. You may attend the meeting, submit questions, and vote your shares electronically during the meeting via live webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FLNT2020. At the meeting you will be asked to consider and to vote on the following proposals:

 

 

(1)

The election of nine (9)

To elect five directors to serve for a one yearone-year term until the 20182021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until a successor is duly elected and qualified;

 

(2)

Anon-binding advisory vote on executive officer compensation (“Say on Pay”); and

To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020;

 

(3)

The transaction of

To hold a non-binding advisory vote to approve our named executive officers’ compensation; and

(4)

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 18, 201724, 2020 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting.

The enclosed proxy statement contains information pertaining to the matters to be voted on at the annual meeting. A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162019 is being mailed with this proxy statement.

By order of the Board of Directors,

Daniel J Barsky,

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

LOGO

Michael Brauser

Executive Chairman

Boca Raton, FloridaNew York, New York

April 28, 201729, 2020

IMPORTANT NOTICE

REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 13, 20173, 2020

The accompanying proxy statement and the 20162019 Annual Report on Form10-K are available on the

Company’s website on the Investor Relations page athttp://www.cogint.comwww.proxyvote.com.

YOU ARE REQUESTED, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES OWNED, TO SIGN AND

DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND TO MAIL IT PROMPTLY, OR TO USE THE INTERNET

VOTING SYSTEM SET FORTH IN THE PROXY.



COGINT,FLUENT, INC.

2650 North Military Trail, Suite 300 Vesey Street, 9th Floor

Boca Raton, Florida 33431New York, New York 10282

PROXY STATEMENT

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To be held on June 13, 20173, 2020

General

We are providing these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Cogint,Fluent, Inc. (the “Board”) of proxies to be voted at our 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) and at any and all postponements or adjournments thereof. The Meeting will be held on Tuesday,Wednesday, June 13, 2017,3, 2020, at 10:11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at 2650 North Military Trail, Suite 300, Boca Raton, Florida 33431. For directions to theTime. The Meeting please contact the Corporate Secretary at (561)757-4000.will be held virtually via live webcast, which you may attend by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FLNT2020. This proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy are first being sent to stockholders on or about April 28, 2017.30, 2020. In this proxy statement, Cogint,Fluent, Inc. is referred to as “cogint,“Fluent,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us.”

The Meeting will be conducted as a virtual meeting of stockholders by means of a live webcast. Given the emerging public health impact of COVID-19, we believe that hosting a virtual meeting will support the health of our stockholders and employees and enable improved communication and greater stockholder attendance and participation from any location. There will not be a physical meeting location and you will not be able to attend in person.

If you are a registered shareholder or beneficial owner of common stock holding shares at the close of business on the record date, you may attend the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FLNT2020 and logging in by entering the 16-digit control number found on your proxy card, voter instruction form, or other materials provided to you, as applicable. If you have lost your 16-digit control number or are not a shareholder, you will be able to attend the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FLNT2020 and registering as a guest. If you enter the meeting as a guest, you will not be able to vote your shares or submit questions during the meeting.

We invite you to virtually attend the Annual Meeting and request that you vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend the virtual meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote by proxy, via the Internet, or by mail by following the instructions provided on the proxy card, and we encourage you to vote before the Annual Meeting.

Purpose of the Annual Meeting

At the Meeting, our stockholders will consider and vote upon the following matters:

 

 

(1)

The election of nine (9)

To elect five directors to serve for a one year term until the 20182021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until a successor is duly elected and qualified;qualified (“Election of Directors Proposal”);

 

(2)

A

To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for year ending December 31, 2020 (“Ratification of Auditor Proposal”);

(3)

To hold a non-binding advisory vote onto approve our named executive officerofficers’ compensation (“Say on Pay”Pay Proposal”); and

 (3)

(4)

The transaction of

To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meetingmeeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting.meeting.

Outstanding Securities and Voting Rights

Only holders of record of the Company’s common stock at the close of business on April 18, 2017,24, 2020, the record date for the Meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. On that date,As of April 24, 2020, we had 54,740,99876,230,968 shares of common stock outstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote at the Meeting. If your shares are registered in your name, you are a stockholder of record. If your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or another holder of record, these shares are held in “street name.”

The holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock present at the Meeting, either in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote, constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Abstentions and brokernon-voteswill be included in determining the presence of a quorum at the Meeting. A

If your shares are held in street name, you must instruct the organization who holds your shares how to vote your shares. If you sign your proxy card but do not provide instructions on how your brokernon-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not should vote on “routine” proposals, your broker will vote your shares as recommended by the Board. If you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted on any “non-routine” proposals. This vote is called a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.“broker non-vote.” Under New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules, a broker does not have the discretion to vote on any of the proposals to benon-routine matter presented at the Meeting.meeting, such as the Election of Directors Proposal or the Say on Pay Proposal. Under the NYSE rules, a broker does have discretion to vote on the Ratification of Auditor Proposal. As a result, any broker who is a member of the New York Stock ExchangeNYSE will not have the discretion to vote on the proposals,Election of Directors Proposal or the Say on Pay Proposal, if such broker has not received instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares represented.

For the Election of Directors areProposal, a nominee for director will be elected by a plurality ofto the Board if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election. The Ratification of Auditor Proposal and the Say on Pay proposal is approvedProposal will be determined by of a majority of votes present in personcast affirmatively or by proxy at the Meetingnegatively. Abstentions and entitled to vote. A brokernon-vote non-votes will have no effect on the proposals. Abstentions will have no effect on Proposal 1 and will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal 2.

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of Fluent, LLC (“Fluent”) in December 2015 (the “Fluent Acquisition”), the Company entered into a Stockholders’ Agreement (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”), with the selling stockholders of Fluent (“Sellers”) and Frost Gamma Investment Trust (“Frost Gamma”), Marlin Capital

 

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Investments, LLC (“Marlin Capital”), and certain other stockholders of the Company, solely in their respective capacities as stockholders, pursuant to which the parties agreed to vote in a certain manner on specified matters, including the agreement to vote in favor of each party’s duly approved nominees for the Company’s Board. In the aggregate, stockholders representing approximately 35,306,430 shares of the Company’s common stock or 64.2% have entered into the Stockholders’ Agreement.

Proxy Voting

Shares for which proxy cards are properly executed and returned will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the directions given or, in the absence of directions, will be voted “FOR” Proposal 1 — electionthe Election of the nine nominees for director named hereinandDirectors Proposal, “FOR”

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Proposal 2 — approvalthe Ratification of Auditor Proposal and “FOR” Proposal 3 — the Say on Pay.Pay Proposal. If other matters are properly presented, the person named in the proxies in the accompanying proxy card will vote in accordance with their discretion with respect to such matters.

Voting by Stockholders of Record.

If you are a stockholder of record (your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent), you may vote by proxy, via the Internet, or by mail by following the instructions provided on the proxy card. Stockholders of record whoalso may attend the Meeting mayvirtual meeting and vote in person by obtaining a ballot from the inspector of elections. Please be prepared to present photo identification for admittance to the Meeting.electronically.

Voting by Beneficial Owners.

If you are a beneficial owner of shares (your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee), you may vote by following the instructions provided in the voting instruction form, or other materials provided to you by the brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee that holds your shares. To vote in person at the Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee that holds your shares, and present such legal proxy from the brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee that holds your shares for admittance to the Meeting. Also, be prepared to present photo identification for admittance to the Meeting.

Changing Your Vote.

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the final vote at the Meeting. You may vote again on a later date via the Internet (only your latest Internet proxy submitted prior to the meetingMeeting will be counted), by signing and returning a new proxy card with a later date, or by attending the Meetingvirtual meeting and voting in person.electronically. Your attendance at the Meetingvirtual meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you vote again at the Meeting or specifically request in writing that your prior proxy be revoked.

All votes will be tabulated by an Inspector of Elections appointed for the Meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and brokernon-votes. Joshua Weingard Daniel Barsky, the Company’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, has been appointed by the Board as Inspector of Elections for the Meeting. A list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be availableaccessible on the virtual meeting website during the meeting for those attending the meeting, and for ten days prior to the meeting, at the Company’s executive office, located at 2650 North Military Trail, Suite 300 Boca Raton, Florida 33431,Vesey Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10282.

Interest of the Company’s Officers and Directors in the Matters to be Acted Upon at the Meeting.

Members of the Board have an interest in the Election of Directors Proposal, as each of the nominees is currently a member of the Board. Members of the Board and executive officers of the Company do not have any interest in the Ratification of Auditor Proposal. Executive officers of the Company do have an interest in the Say on Pay Proposal, to the extent such proposals are on a non-binding advisory basis.

Where to Obtain More Information

If you have any questions about how to cast your vote for a period of ten (10) days before the Meeting or would like copies of any of the documents referred to in this Proxy Statement, you should write to us at 300 Vesey Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10282, Attn: Daniel J. Barsky, General Counsel and will be available for examination by any stockholder.

Corporate Secretary.

 

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ProposalPROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

We are

At the Meeting, we will be electing nine (9) directors at the Meeting.five directors. Each director will hold office until our next annual meetingthe 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until a successor is elected and qualified to serve on the Board. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.

The Board has nominated the ninefive individuals listed below (each a “Nominee”“Nominee,” and together the “Nominees”) based on the recommendation of the Board’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Nominating Committee”). Messrs. Schulke and Mathis have been nominated pursuant toCommittee. All of the Stockholders’ Agreement, which allows Sellers to nominate two nominees to the Board, as further discussed in the section of this proxy statement titled “Nominees for Director and Other Stockholder Proposals.”Nominees are current directors. Each Nominee is a current director who has been nominated forre-election at the Meeting, and each Nominee has consented to bebeing named in this proxy statement and has agreed to serve as a director if elected. If any Nominee should become unavailable for election, the proxy may be voted for a substitute nominee selected by the persons named in the proxy or the Board may determine to reduce the size of the Board may be reduced accordingly. The Board is not aware of any existing circumstances likely to render any Nominee unavailable. Under our Bylaws, Nominees are elected by a plurality of votes cast.

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our directors/Nominees:

 

Name

Position

Director Since

Michael Brauser

Executive Chairman2015

Dr. Phillip Frost

Vice Chairman2015

Derek Dubner

Director, Chief Executive Officer and Interim President2015

Ryan Schulke

Director and CEO of Fluent, LLCChief Executive Officer

2015

Peter BenzMatthew Conlin

Director and President

2018

Andrew Frawley

Director

2018

Barbara Shattuck KohnDirector2015

Robert Fried

Director20092019

Donald Mathis

Director

2015

Steven Rubin

Director2009

Robert Swayman2015

Director2015

Biographical Information About Our Nominees

Mr. Michael Brauser, 61, has served as a director of the Company and our Executive Chairman since June 2015. Since 2003, Mr. Brauser has been the manager of, and an investor with, Marlin Capital Partners, LLC, a private investment company. From 1999 to 2002, he served as president and chief executive officer of Naviant, Inc. (eDirect, Inc.), an internet marketing company. He also was a founder of Seisint, Inc. (eData.com, Inc.). Mr. Brauser served asco-chairman of the board of directors of InterCLICK (now a part of Yahoo Inc.), from August 2007 to December 2011. Mr. Brauser also served asco-chairman of the board of directors of ChromaDex Corp., an innovative natural products company, from October 2011 to February 2015. The Nominating Committee believes that Mr. Brauser’s experience as a director on various public company boards of directors and as a manager of an investment company brings extensive business and management expertise to the Board.

Dr. Phillip Frost, 80, has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company since December 2015. Since March 2007, Dr. Frost has served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of OPKO Health, Inc. (“OPKO”), a multi-national biopharmaceutical and diagnostics company. Dr. Frost has served as chairman of the board of directors of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (“Ladenburg Thalmann”), an investment banking, asset management, and securities brokerage firm, since July 2006. He also served as a member of the board of directors of Ladenburg Thalmann from May 2001 until July 2002 and again from March 2004 until June 2006. Since October 2008, Dr. Frost has served as a director of Castle Brands Inc., a developer and marketer of premium brand spirits. Dr. Frost also serves as a director of Cocrystal Pharma, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company developing new treatments for viral diseases, and Sevion Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage company which discovers and develops next-generation biologics for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases. He also serves as a member of the Florida Council of 100 and as a trustee for each of

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the University of Miami, the Miami Jewish Home for the Aged and the Mount Sinai Medical Center. From 1972 to 1990, Dr. Frost was the chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami, Miami Beach, Florida. Dr. Frost served as a director of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., a pharmaceutical company, from January 2006 until February 2015, and also served as chairman of the board of directors of Teva from March 2010 until December 2014 and served as vice chairman of the board of directors from January 2006 when Teva acquired IVAX Corporation (“IVAX”) until March 2010. Dr. Frost was chairman of the board of directors of Key Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 1972 until its acquisition by Schering Plough Corporation in 1986 and served as chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of IVAX from 1987 to January 2006. Dr. Frost previously served as a director of Northrop Grumman Corp., Continucare Corp. (until its merger with Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc.), PROLOR Biotech, Inc. (until it was acquired by OPKO) and TransEnterix, Inc., and as governor andco-vice-chairman of the American Stock Exchange (now NYSE MKT). The Nominating Committee believes that Dr. Frost’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills include financial literacy and expertise, executive-level managerial experience, and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his service as a director and officer of publicly-traded corporations.

Mr. Derek Dubner, 45, has served as a member of the Board since March 2015, and presently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Interim President, as well as Chief Executive Officer of Interactive Data, a Company subsidiary. Mr. Dubner served as ourCo-Chief Executive Officer from March 2015 until March 2016, when he was appointed our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Dubner has over 17 years of experience in the data fusion industry. Mr. Dubner has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Company subsidiary The Best One, Inc. (“TBO”), and its subsidiary, Interactive Data, since October 2014. Prior to TBO, Mr. Dubner served as General Counsel of TransUnion Risk and Alternative Data Solutions, Inc. from December 2013 to June 2014. Mr. Dubner served as General Counsel and Secretary of TLO, LLC from inception in 2009 through December 2013. The Nominating Committee believes Mr. Dubner’s experience as Chief Executive Officer of the Company provides valuable business, industry, and management advice to the Board.

Mr.Ryan Schulke, 34,37, has served as a director of the Company since December 2015 and has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company subsidiarysince March 26, 2018. Mr. Schulke co-founded Fluent, LLC since the Fluent Acquisition in December 2015. Mr. Schulke was aco-founder of Fluent, Inc. in 2010 and has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fluent, LLC since its inception. Before merging with the Company in 2015, Fluent, LLC was privately held. Fluent, LLC is now a leader in people-based digital marketing and customer acquisition.wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Prior to founding Fluent, LLC, Mr. Schulke served as Media Director of Clash Media, a global digital advertising network. Mr. Schulke earned a Bachelor of Communications Arts from Marymont Manhattan College.

The Nominating CommitteeBoard believes Mr. Schulke’s experience as Chief Executive Officer of Fluent, LLC, the Company’s largestoperating subsidiary, provides valuable business, industry, and management advice to the Board.

Mr. Peter BenzMatthew Conlin, 56,36, has served as a director and President of the Company since March 2015.26, 2018. Together with Mr. Benz is the Chief Executive Officer of Viking Asset Management,Schulke, Mr. Conlin co-founded Fluent, LLC an assetin 2010 and investment management company which he founded in 2001. Since June 2016, Mr. Benz has served as a directorPresident of Lilis Energy Inc., an onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production company. From January 2012 untilFluent, LLC since its merger with Lilis Energy Inc. in June 2016,inception. Before founding Fluent, LLC, Mr. BenzConlin served as Sales Director, U.S. of Clash Media, a directorglobal digital advertising network. Mr. Conlin earned a Bachelor of Brushy Resources, Inc. (formerly known as Starboard Resources, Inc.), an onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production company, and became its Chairman on November 24, 2015. Mr. Benz has also served as a director of Usell.com, a technology based online market place, since October 2014 and as a director and Chairman of theScience in Marketing from St. John’s University.

The Board of Optex Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of optical systems for the defense industry since November 2014. The Nominating Committee believes Mr. Benz’s knowledgeConlin’s experience as President of Fluent, LLC, the Company’s operating subsidiary, provides valuable business, industry, and experience in developing companies and capital markets strengthenmanagement advice to the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.Board.

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Mr. Robert FriedAndrew Frawley, 57, has served as a director of the Company since October 2009. From August 2011 through May 2015,March 26, 2018. Mr. Fried served as Chairman of the Board and wasCo-Chairman of the Board from October 2009 through August 2011. Mr. Fried served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of the Company while it was a “special purpose acquisition company,” Ideation Acquisition Corp.

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(“Ideation”), from November 2007 to October 2009. Mr. Fried is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Feeln, a subscription streaming video service acquired by Hallmark Cards, Inc., in 2012. Mr. Fried also operates several Hallmark Cards’ digital businesses includinge-cards and personalized digital cards. Mr. Fried is an Academy Award winning motion picture producer whose credits include Rudy, Collateral, Boondock Saints, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Godzilla, and numerous others. From December 1994 until June 1996, Mr. Fried was President and Chief Executive Officer of Savoy Pictures, a unit of Savoy Pictures Entertainment, Inc. Savoy Pictures Entertainment was sold to Silver King Communications, which is now a part of InterActive Corp, in 1996. From 1983 to 1990, Mr. Fried held several executive positions including Executive Vice President in charge of Production for Columbia Pictures, Director of Film Finance and Special Projects for Columbia Pictures and Director of Business Development at Twentieth Century Fox. Mr. FriedFrawley has served as a director of Nasdaq listed ChromaDex Corp.Curo Group Holdings Corp since its initial public offering in December 2017. Mr. Frawley has also served as the chief executive officer of AJ Frawley & Associates LLC since 2002 and as Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board of V12 Data since July 20152018. From December 2014 to September 2016, Mr. Frawley served as chief executive officer of Epsilon, a segment of Alliance Data Systems Corporation. Prior to that, he served as Epsilon’s President from January 2012 to December 2014 and Presidentas its president of Marketing Technology from January 2009 to December 2011. Mr. Frawley has also served on the board of directors of the Data & Marketing Association since 2016, and Chief Strategy Officerhas been the chairman of the board of directors of Cybba Inc., a privately held company, since MarchSeptember 2017. Mr. Fried alsoFrawley earned a Master of Business Administration from Babson College and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from The University of Maine.

The Board believes Mr. Frawley’s knowledge and experience in data-driven marketing and business management strengthen the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

Barbara Shattuck Kohn, 69, was a Principal at Hammond Hanlon Camp LLC, a strategic advisory and investment banking firm from 2012 to 2018. She has served as a director of Penn National Gaming, Inc. since 2004, where she serves as a member of the Audit Committee and as Chair of the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance CommitteeCommittee. Ms. Shattuck Kohn also serves as a director of ChromaDexEmblem Health, one of the nation's largest nonprofit health plans. She has previously served as a director of Computer Task Group and a division of Sunlife Financial Corporation. Prior to joining Hammond Hanlon Camp LLC in 2012, Ms. Shattuck Kohn was a Managing Director of Morgan Keegan – Raymond James. Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. was acquired by Raymond James Financial from Regions Financial Corp. from July 2015and was the successor to March 2017. Shattuck Hammond Partners, an investment banking firm Ms. Shattuck Kohn co-founded in 1993. Prior to 1993, she spent 11 years at Cain Brothers, Shattuck & Company, Inc., an investment banking firm she also co-founded. From 1976 to 1982, she was a Vice President of Goldman, Sachs & Co. Ms. Shattuck Kohn began her career as a municipal bond analyst at Standard & Poor's Corporation.

The Nominating CommitteeBoard believes Mr. Fried’sMs. Shattuck Kohn’s significant financial expertise and experience as an executivea director of severalother public companies provides valuable business, leadershipstrengthen the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and management advice to the Board in many critical areas.experience.

Mr.Donald Mathis, 51,54, has served as director of the Company since December 2015. Since July 2017, Mr. Mathis is currentlyhas been the Chairmangeneral manager of Growth at Comcast NBC Universal. Since April 2017, he has been the chief executive officer and Chief Executive Officerco-founder of Echelon AI, (“Echelon”), aNY-based New York-based privately held Artificial Intelligenceartificial intelligence start-up focused on business process automation, predictive data analytics and nextgen digital and cyber security. Mr. Mathis joined Echelon in April 2017. He is also an Operating Partneroperating partner with Periscope Equity, a Chicago-based growth private equity fund, which he joined in January 2017. In addition, Mr. Mathis has served as a Senior Advisersenior adviser and Directordirector since April 2016 of the initiative for Digital Counterterrorism (iDCT), a public-private consortium andnon-governmental organization focused on countering violent extremism and terrorist recruitment in the digital domain. Mr. Mathis has served since 2013 on the Boardboard of Advisersadvisers of Omniangle Technologies, a privately held company involved in business intelligence and information security. Previously, Mr. Mathis served as the Chief Executive Officerchief executive officer of privately held Kinetic Social from October 2011 through April 2016. Mr. Mathis was aco-founder of Kinetic Social, a SaaS and managed service social data and technology company acquired by Blue Chip Venture Company. From 2007 to 2011, Mr. Mathis served as Executive Chairmanexecutive chairman and Directordirector of Online Intelligence, a privately held digital security firm specializing in brand protection and traffic integrity services. Mr. Mathis was on the audit and compensation committees of Online Intelligence until its acquisition by FAS Labs, Inc. in May 2010, and remained Executive Chairmanexecutive chairman until November 2011. Mr. Mathis has an MBAa Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School and is a Commander in the U.S. Navy (currently inactive reserve).

The Nominating CommitteeBoard believes Mr. Mathis’ knowledge and experience as Chairmanchairman and CEOchief executive officer of an artificial intelligence company with a specialty in predictive data analytics, his experience running a social data and technology SaaS and managed services company, as well as his experience in business intelligence, general management, financial management and information security, and his military service, strengthen the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

Mr. Steven Rubin, 56, has served as a director of the Company since October 2009. Mr. Rubin has served as the Executive Vice President of OPKO since May 2007 and a director of OPKO since February 2007. Mr. Rubin currently serves on the board of directors of ChromaDex Corp., an innovator of proprietary health, wellness and nutritional ingredients that creates science-based solutions for dietary supplement, food and beverage, skin care, sports nutrition, and pharmaceutical products, since March 2017, VBI Vaccines, Inc., formerly SciVac Therapeutics, Inc., a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical which develops, produces and markets biological products for human healthcare in Israel, since October 2012, Kidville, Inc., which operates large, upscale facilities, catering to newborns throughfive-year-old children and their families and offers a wide range of developmental classes for newborns to five-year-olds, since August 2008,Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc., a medical device company, since 2008, Cocrystal Pharma, Inc., formerly Biozone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly traded biotechnology company developing new treatments for viral diseases, since January 2014, Sevion Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage company which discovers and develops next-generation biologics for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases, since May 2014, Castle Brands, Inc., a developer and marketer of premium brand spirits, since January 2009, and Neovasc, Inc., a company

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developing and marketing medical specialty vascular devices, since 2008. Mr. Rubin previously served as a director of Dreams, Inc., a vertically integrated sports licensing and products company, from 2006 to 2012, Safestitch Medical, Inc. from September 2007 until its merger with TransEnterix, Inc. in September 2013, Tiger X Medical, Inc. from September 2008 until its merger with BioCardia, Inc. in October 2016, and PROLOR Biotech, Inc., from February 2008 until its acquisition by OPKO in August 2013. Mr. Rubin served as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of IVAX from August 2001 until September 2006. Mr. Rubin served as the Secretary of Ideation from June 2007 to October 2009. The Nominating Committee believes Mr. Rubin’s legal experience, managerial experience, and the knowledge and insight he has attained through his service as a director and officer of several publicly-traded corporations provides valuable business leadership, and management advice to the Board.

Mr. Robert Swayman, 62, has served as a director of the Company since June 2015. From 1998 to 2014, Mr. Swayman served as President and Chief Executive Officer of National Alarm Systems, Inc., a company he founded in 1998, prior to its sale in January 2014. From January 2014 through February 2015, Mr. Swayman served as General Manager of ASG Security, which acquired National Alarm Systems. Mr. Swayman served as a director of Vapor Corp., a U.S.-based distributor and retailer of vaporizers,e-liquids and electronic cigarettes, from March 4, 2015 to April 17, 2015, and as an employee of Vapor Corp. since April 17, 2015 providing financial and business advice. Mr. Swayman is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Buffalo. The Nominating Committee believes Mr. Swayman’s experience as President and Chief Executive Officer of National Alarm Systems, Inc., from 1998 to 2014, as well as his experience as a Certified Public Accountant provides valuable business, leadership, and management advice to the Board.

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

Nominees are

Under our Bylaws, a nominee for director will be elected byto the Board if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election; abstentions and broker non-votes not counted as a pluralityvote cast either “for” or “against” that nominee’s election and therefore have no effect.

The Board approved and adopted a Director Resignation Policy on February 13, 2019 for directors who fail to receive the required number of votes castin an uncontested election in accordance with our Bylaws. The policy requires that the Board will nominate for election or re-election only a candidate who agrees to tender an irrevocable resignation that will be effective upon (i) the failure to receive the required vote at any future annual meeting at which he or she faces re-election; and (ii) Board acceptance of such resignation. The policy further states that upon any candidate failing to be elected in an election at which majority voting applies, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will meet to consider the tendered resignation and make a recommendation to the Board concerning the action, if any, to be taken with respect to the resignation. The policy provides that the Board will then consider and act upon the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation within 90 days of certification of the vote at the Meeting.annual meeting. The Board may accept the resignation, refuse the resignation, or refuse the resignation subject to such conditions designed to cure the underlying cause as the Board may impose. Promptly following the decision regarding the tendered resignation, the policy states that we will file with the SEC a current report on Form 8-K disclosing the decision with respect to the resignation, describing the deliberative process and, if applicable, the specific reasons for rejecting the tendered resignation.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” each Nominee for director.

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Director Compensation

On March 26, 2018, the Company completed the spin-off (the "Spin-off") of its risk management business from its digital marketing business by way of a pro rata distribution of all the shares of common stock of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Red Violet, Inc. ("Red Violet"), to the Company's stockholders of record as of March 19, 2018 and certain warrant holders.

Following the Spin-off, we reconstituted our Board and adopted the following general director compensation practices. When anon-employee director joins the Board, suchthe non-employee director is granted 25,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”), whichRSUs. These RSUs vest in three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. Following her appointment to the Board on December 9, 2019, Ms. Shattuck Kohn was granted 25,000 RSUs. Additionally, each Audit Committee member is granted an additional 5,000 RSUs, all of which vest on the one year anniversary of the grant date, andnon-employee directors are paid quarterly $10,000 plus $2,500 for the Chairman of the Audit Committee is(during 2019, Mr. Benz) and $1,250 to the Chairmen of each of the Compensation Committee (Mr. Mathis) and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (Mr. Frawley).

Additionally, on the date of each annual meeting, non-employee directors will be granted an additional 5,000the number of RSUs whichrepresenting shares of the Company’s common stock with a grant date value equal to $75,000. The RSUs vest in three equal annual installments beginning on theone-year first anniversary of the grant date. Additional equity awards may be granteddate, subject to directors ataccelerated vesting in certain circumstances. The number of RSUs is determined using the directionaverage closing price of our common stock on the five trading days before the annual meeting.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

Name

 

Stock awards (1)(6)

  

Other compensation

  

Total

 

Current Directors

            

Andrew Frawley (2)

 $150,000  $45,000  $195,000 
Barbara Shattuck Kohn (3) $52,750  $2,500  $55,250 

Donald Mathis (4)

 $150,000  $45,000  $195,000 
             

Former Directors

            

Peter Benz (5)

 $150,000  $50,000  $200,000 

(1)

The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of RSU awards granted in 2019 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. In determining the grant date fair value for RSUs, the Company used the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. For a discussion of valuation assumptions used in calculation of these amounts, see Note 13 to our audited financial statements, included within our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2)

Mr. Frawley was granted 26,596 RSUs at a fair value of $2.80 and 15,226 RSUs at a fair value of $4.93 on December 6, 2019 for his services as director. Mr. Frawley also received compensation of $45,000 in 2019 ($40,000 was for his services as a director and $5,000 was for his services as the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee).

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(3)Ms. Shattuck Kohn was granted 25,000 RSUs on December 9, 2019 at a fair value of $2.11 in connection with her appointment to the Board.

(4)

Mr. Mathis was granted 26,596 RSUs at a fair value of $2.80 and 15,226 RSUs at a fair value of $4.93 on December 6, 2019 for his services as director. Mr. Mathis also received compensation of $45,000 in 2019 ($40,000 was for his services as a director and $5,000 was for his services as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee).

(5)Mr. Benz was granted 26,596 RSUs at a fair value of $2.80 and 15,226 RSUs at a fair value of $4.93 on December 6, 2019 for his services as director. Mr. Benz also received compensation of $50,000 in 2019 ($40,000 was for his services as a director and $10,000 was for his services as the Chairman of the Audit Committee). Mr. Benz resigned from the Company's Board of Directors effective April 1, 2020.

(6)

As of December 31, 2019, each director held RSUs as follows: Mr. Frawley – 49,623, Ms. Shattuck Kohn – 25,000, Mr. Mathis – 49,623, Mr. Benz – 49,623.

Compensation Committee based on an individual director’s contributions to the Company. No director received RSUsInterlocks and Insider Participation

The members of our Compensation Committee during 2016. As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate number of shares of common stock subject to stock awards held by each director who was not a named executive officer for the year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows: Dr. Frost — 3,000,000; Mr. Schulke — 550,000; Mr.2019, were Donald Mathis (Chairman), Peter Benz, — 21,666; Mr. Fried — 53,333; Mr. Mathis — 30,000; Mr. Rubin — 150,000;Andrew Frawley and Mr. Swayman — 21,666. AsBarbara Shattuck Kohn. No member of December 31, 2016, the aggregate number of shares of common stock subject to option awards held by each director who was not a named executive officer for the year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows: Dr. Frost — 0; Mr. Schulke — 0; Mr. Benz — 0; Mr. Fried — 32,000; Mr. Mathis — 0; Mr. Rubin — 32,000; and Mr. Swayman — 0.

Additionally, on April 13, 2017, thenon-employee directors received the following RSU grants in connection with their service on the Board: Dr. Frost — 50,000; Mr. Benz — 15,000; Mr. Fried — 15,000; Mr. Mathis — 15,000; Mr. Rubin — 20,000; and Mr. Swayman — 15,000. These RSUs vest in three approximately equal installments on June 1, 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to accelerated vesting under certain conditions.

Also on April 13, 2017, Board committee members received the following RSU grants: Mr. Benz — 5,000 in connection with his service as Audit Committee Chairman and 5,000 in connection with his service as an

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Audit Committee member; Mr. Rubin — 5,000 in connection with his service as Compensation Committee Chairman; Mr. Swayman — 5,000 in connection with his service as an Auditis a current or former officer or employee of ours or any of our subsidiaries. None of the members of our Compensation Committee member;had any relationship required to be disclosed under this caption under the rules of the Securities and Mr. Mathis — 5,000 in connection with his service as an Audit Committee member. These RSUs vest on January 1, 2018, subject to accelerated vesting under certain conditions.Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Board Meetings; Annual Meeting Attendance; Independence

The Board oversees our business and affairs and monitors the performance of management. The Board met regularly during the year ended December 31, 2016 and continues to meetmeets regularly to review matters affecting our Company and to act on matters requiring Board approval. The Board also holds special meetings whenever circumstances require and may act by unanimous written consent. During 2016,2019, the Board held threefive meetings and took action by unanimous written consent on eightfive occasions. AllDuring 2019, all of our incumbent directors attended at least 75% of ourthe meetings held in person or by proxy.of the Board and its committees on which they served during the period of time that each such director was a member of the Board. The Board encourages, but does not require, its directors to attend the Company’s annual meeting. All then-current directors attended the 20162019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

As required by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”), a majority of the members of the Board must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by the Board. Our board of directorsBoard determines director independence based on an analysis of such listing standards and all relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent.”

As a result of the Board’s review of the relationships of each of the Nominees for election todirectors that served on the Board during the year ended December 31, 2019, the Board has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Benz, Frawley, and Mathis, and Ms. Shattuck Kohn were “independent” directors within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards and applicable law.

As a majorityresult of the Board’s review of the relationships of each of its current directors (each a Nominee), the Board affirmatively determined that Messrs. Frawley and Nominees, Messrs. Benz, Fried, Mathis Rubin, and Swayman,Ms. Shattuck Kohn are “independent” directors within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards and applicable law.

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics, which is applicable to the Company’s directors, officers, and employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer. The Code of Ethics is published on the Company’s website atwww.cogint.comwww.fluentco.com on the Investor Relations page.Investors page under the corporate governance link. We will disclose on our website amendments to or waivers from our Code of Ethics on our website in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Board Leadership Structure

The CompanyBoard does not currently have a Chairman. Mr. Schulke is led by Michael Brauser, who has served asour Chief Executive Officer and a directordirector. The Board is considering the possibility of the Company and our Executive Chairman since June 2015. The Executive Chairmanadding one or more additional Board members, one of whom it is the individual selected by the Board to manage our Company on a day to day basis. A number of factors support the leadership structure chosen by the Board, including, among others, that his direct involvement in our business operations makes him best positioned to lead productive Board strategic planning sessions and determine the time allocated to each agenda item in discussions of our Company’s short- and long-term objectives. Although we have no formal policycontemplated will take on the separationrole of our lead executive and chairman of the board, we believe that our current leadership structure is suitable for us. Five of our directors satisfy NASDAQ independence requirements. Our Board also includes two management directors other than Mr. Brauser. The Company does not have a member of our Board who is formally identified as the lead independent director, however Dr. Phillip Frost serves as our Vice Chairman. Also, independentIndependent directors head each of our Board’s three standing committees — the(the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee,Committee), and each of the committees is comprised solely of independent directors.

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Board Oversight of Enterprise Risk

The Board’s role in the risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, cybersecurity and

7


strategic and reputational risks. In connection with its reviews of the operations of the Company’s business and its corporate functions, the Board considers and addresses the primary risks associated with these operations and functions. Our full Board regularly engages in discussions of the most significant risks that the Company is facing and how these risks are being managed.

In addition, each of the Board’s committees, and particularly the Audit Committee, plays a role in overseeing risk management issues that fall within such committee’s areas of responsibility. Senior management reports on at least a quarterly basis to the Audit Committee on the most significant risks facing the Company from a financial reporting perspective and highlights any new risks that may have arisen since the Audit Committee last met. The Audit Committee also meets regularly in executive sessionsessions with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and reports any findings or issues to the full Board. In performing its functions, the Audit Committee and each standing committee of the Board has full access to management, as well as the ability to engage advisors. The Board receives regular reports from each of its standing committees regarding each committee’s particularized areas of focus.

Committees

The standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, the Compensation Committee, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

Audit CommitteeCommittee.

The members of the Audit Committee areduring 2019 were Peter Benz (Chairman), Robert SwaymanAndrew Frawley, Donald Mathis and Donald Mathis,Barbara Shattuck Kohn, all of whom are independent directors as determined by the NASDAQ listing standards. Effective April 1, 2020, Mr. Benz resigned from the Company's Board. The Board has appointed Barbara Shattuck Kohn as the new Chairperson of the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Benz is anand Ms. Shattuck Kohn are audit committee financial expertexperts as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of RegulationS-K. During 2019, the Audit Committee held five meetings and took no action by written consent.

The functions of the Audit Committee include retaining our independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing its independence, reviewing and approving the planned scope of our annual audit, reviewing and approving any fee arrangements with our independent registered public accounting firm, overseeing its audit work, reviewing and pre-approving any non-audit services that may be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing the adequacy of accounting and financial controls, reviewing our critical accounting policies and reviewing and approving any related party transactions. Additional information regarding the Audit Committee is set forth in the Report of the Audit Committee below.

The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee which the Audit Committee reviews and reassesses for adequacy on an annual basis. A copy of the Audit Committee’s charter is located on our website atwww.cogint.comwww.fluentco.com. on the Investors page under the corporate governance link.

The Audit Committee held six meetings during 2016 and took no action by written consent.

Compensation CommitteeCommittee.

The members of the Compensation Committee are Steven Rubinduring 2019 were Donald Mathis (Chairman), Robert Fried, Peter Benz, Andrew Frawley and Donald Mathis,Barbara Shattuck Kohn, all of whom are independent directors as determined by the NASDAQ listing standards. The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving compensation of the Company’s executive officers and for advising the Board with respect to compensation of the members of the Board or any committee thereof. During 2019, the Compensation Committee held five meetings and took five actions by written consent. The Board has affirmatively determined that each of Messers. Rubin, Fried, Benzadopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee and Mathis are independent pursuant to Rule 5605 of the NASDAQ listing standards.reassesses for adequacy on an annual basis. A copy of the Compensation Committee’s charter is located on our website atwww.cogint.comwww.fluentco.com. on the Investors page under the corporate governance link.

The Compensation Committee held six meetings during 2016seeks to ensure that the executive pay program reinforces the Company’s compensation philosophy and took no action by written consent.

aligns with the interests of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee Interlocksalso periodically monitors any potential risks associated with the Company’s compensation program and Insider Participationpolicies.

7

The members of our Compensation Committee duringis responsible for reviewing and approving all compensation of the year ended December 31, 2016 were Steven Rubin (Chairman), Robert Fried, Peter BenzCompany's executive officers and Donald Mathis. From November 2007for advising the Board with respect to October 2009, Mr. Fried servedany proposed changes in the compensation of Board members, including as Presidentto committee service, as well as retirement policies and Chief Executive Officer of Ideation. From June 2007programs and perquisites for directors. The Compensation Committee has the authority to October 2009, Mr. Rubin served as Secretary of Ideation. No member ofretain or terminate any consulting firm or other advisors used to assist the Compensation Committee is a current or former officer or employeein the performance of ours or anyits duties. In 2018, the Company retained the services of our subsidiaries. None ofPay Governance, LLC ("Pay Governance"), an independent compensation consultant. Pay Governance reports directly to the members of our Compensation Committee had any relationship requiredand communicates with our management team when appropriate. In addition, Pay Governance may seek feedback from the committee chairman and other Board members regarding its work before presenting study results or recommendations to the Compensation Committee. The compensation consultant may be disclosed under this caption underinvited to attend Compensation Committee meetings. In 2019, Pay Governance continued to provide advice related to executive compensation and peer group benchmarking and helped develop an equity incentive plan for the rulesCompany's senior management team. Specifically, Pay Governance's services during 2018 and into 2019 included help with several important objectives, including (i) determining competitive pay levels to assess how competitively executives are being paid for their current responsibilities, particularly in the context of the Securitiesa public company and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

setting a framework for paying additional new senior executives and (ii) designing an equity compensation plan to support our high growth strategy.

 

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Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

The members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee during 2019 were Andrew Frawley (Chairman), Peter Benz, Donald Mathis and Barbara Shattuck Kohn, all of whom are Robert Fried, Steven Rubinindependent directors determined by the NASDAQ listing standards. The Corporate Governance and Peter Benz. The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board or any committee thereof; recommending nominees for election as directors at each annual stockholder meeting; recommending candidates to fill any vacancies on the Board or any committee thereof; and overseeing the evaluation of the Board. During 2019, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held three meetings and took one action by written consent. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. A copy of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s charter is located on our website atwww.cogint.comwww.fluentco.com. on the Investors page under the corporate governance link.

In evaluating director candidates, the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and other committee members may conduct interviews with certain candidates and make recommendations to the committee. Other members of our Board may also conduct interviews with director candidates upon request, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may retain, at its discretion, third-party consultants to assess the skills and qualifications of the candidates. Although our Board of Directors does not have a specific policy with respect to diversity, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the extent to which potential candidates possess sufficiently diverse skill sets and diversity characteristics that would contribute to the overall effectiveness of our Board of Directors.

In identifying potential director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks input from other members of our Board and executive officers and may also consider recommendations by employees, community leaders, business contacts, third-party search firms and any other sources deemed appropriate by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider director candidates recommended by other stockholders to stand for election at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders so long as such recommendations are submitted in accordance with the procedures described below. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not had any director candidates put forward by a stockholder or a group of stockholders that beneficially owned more than five percent of our common stock for at least one year.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held no meetings during 2016will evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as all other candidates brought to the attention of the Nominating and took action by written consent one time.Corporate Governance Committee. See “Nominees for Director and Other Stockholder Proposals” below.

Communications with our Board of Directors

Any stockholder who wishes to send a communication to our Board should address the communication either to the Board or to the individual director in care of Joshua Weingard,Daniel Barsky, General Counsel and Corporate CounselSecretary of Cogint,Fluent, Inc. at 2650 North Military Trail, Suite 300 Boca Raton, Florida 33431.Vesey Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10282. Mr. WeingardBarsky will forward the communication either to all of the directors, if the communication is addressed to the Board, or to the individual director, if the communication is addressed to a specific director. Mr. Barsky will forward to the directors all communications that, in his or her judgment, are appropriate for consideration by the directors. Examples of communications that would not be appropriate for consideration by the directors include commercial solicitations and matters not relevant to the stockholders, to the functioning of the Board, or to the affairs of Fluent.

Nominees for Director and Other Stockholder Proposals

Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders must be received by our Corporate Secretary at 300 Vesey Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10282 not later than December 31, 2020, to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

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The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider all qualified director candidates identified by various sources, including members of the Board, management and stockholders. Candidates for directors recommended by stockholders will be given the same consideration as those identified from other sources. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for reviewing each candidate’s biographical information and assessing each candidate’s independence, skills, qualifications, and expertise based on a number of factors. While we do not have a formal policy on diversity, when considering the selection of director nominees, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers individuals with diverse backgrounds,experience, viewpoints, accomplishments, cultural backgrounds, and professional expertise, among other factors.and backgrounds, including both gender and ethnic diversity and diversity in substantive matters pertaining to the Company's business.

Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in our bylawsBylaws will be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board and other proposals presented to our stockholders may be made at a meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Company entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in our bylaws.Bylaws. Such nominations and other proposals presented to our stockholders, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board, shall be made by timely notice in writing to the Corporate Secretary of the Company. To be timely, a stockholder’s nomination for a director or other stockholder proposal must be delivered to the Corporate Secretary at the Company’s principal executive offices notno later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th)(90th) day, nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th )(120th) day, before the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. The stockholder’s notice shall set forth as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director: (i) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or all information that is required in connection with a stockholder proposal, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with the Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected.

Messrs. Schulke Pursuant to our Bylaw requirements and Mathis have been nominated to the Board in accordance with the Stockholders’ Agreement entered into in connection with the Fluent Acquisition, which provides in partassuming that beginning with the firstour 2021 annual meeting of stockholders followingis held on June 2, 2021, any stockholder proposal to be considered at the closing2021 annual meeting, including nominations of the Fluent Acquisition and thereafterpersons for so long as the Fluent stockholders beneficially own, in the aggregate, at least 30%election to our board of the shares issued in the Fluent Acquisition, Sellers are entitleddirectors, must be properly submitted to nominate two individuals to the Board.us not earlier than February 2, 2021, nor later than March 4, 2021.

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PROPOSAL 2

 

9


RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020

Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) currently serves as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Grant Thorntonfirm and has acted in such capacitydone so since its appointment effective July 14, 2015. A representative of Grant Thornton is expected to be present at the Meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement if the representative desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Changes in Independent Registered Public Accounting

Effective July 14, 2015,We are asking our stockholders to ratify the Committee appointedappointment of Grant Thornton as the Company’s principalour independent registered public accountant to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statementsaccounting firm for the fiscal year endedending December 31, 2015. In connection with2020. Although ratification is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise, our Board is submitting the appointment of Grant Thornton to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate governance. If our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton, the Audit Committee dismissed RBSM LLP (“RBSM”) effective July 14, 2015, as the Company’swill consider whether it is appropriate and advisable to appoint a different independent registered public accountants. RBSM had servedaccounting firm. Even if our stockholders ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton, the Audit Committee in its discretion may appoint a different registered public accounting firm at any time if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders.

Vote Required and Board Recommendation:

Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of common stock which are present in person or by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote.

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton as the Company’sour independent registered public accountant since its engagement on May 14, 2015. RBSM did not issue a report on the Company’s financial statementsaccounting firm for the year endedending December 31, 2015.2020.

During the period May 14, 2015 through July 14, 2015, the Company had not had any disagreements with RBSM on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to RBSM’s satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference thereto in their reports on the Company’s financial statements for such periods. During the period May 14, 2015 through July 14, 2015, there were no reportable events, as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of RegulationS-K.

On May 14, 2015, the Committee appointed RBSM as the Company’s principal independent registered public accountant to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. This action effectively dismissed Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP (“MBP”) as of May 14, 2015, as the Company’s principal independent registered public accountants.

The audit report of MBP on the financial statements of the Company, as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no disagreements with MBP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which if not resolved to MBP’s satisfaction would have caused it to make reference thereto in connection with its reports on the financial statements for such years. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and through May 14, 2015, there were no reportable events of the type described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of RegulationS-K.

Previously, the consolidated financial statements of Company subsidiary IDI Holdings, LLC (“IDI Holdings”), formerly The Best One, Inc., for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the “2014 Financials”) were audited by L.L. Bradford & Company, LLP (“LLB”); however, LLB is no longer PCAOB registered and, as a result, the Company can no longer include LLB’s audit opinion with the Company’s filings. As a result, on March 15, 2016, the Committee appointed RBSM for the sole purpose of auditing IDI Holdings’ 2014 Financials.

Auditor Fees Andand Services

The following table sets forth the fees billed to the Company by the Company’s independent registered public accountants, Grant Thornton, for the years ended December 31, 20162019 and December 31, 2015.2018.

 

   2016   2015 

Audit Fees

  $837,096   $595,481 

Audit-Related Fees

   80,763    34,556 

Tax Fees

   —      8,697 

All Other Fees

   —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $917,859   $638,734 

  

2019

 

2018

Audit Fees

 $861,429 $827,864

Audit-Related Fees

    

Tax Fees

    

All Other Fees

    

Total

 $861,429 $827,864

 

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Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our consolidated annual financial statements, and internal control over financial reporting, the review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and the fees for services such as comfort letters, consents and review of documents filed with the SEC that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings for engagements. In 2015, audit fees billed by RBSM of $40,000 were also included.

Audit-related fees are fees billed for assurance and related services rendered by Grant Thornton that are not reported under audit fees, such as accounting consultations and audits in connection with acquisitions.

Tax fees in 2015 relates to tax consulting services performed by Grant Thornton prior to being engaged as the Company’s independent registered public accountant.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures for Audit and PermittedNon-Audit Services

The Audit Committee is responsible forpre-approving all auditing services and permittednon-audit services (including the fees for such services and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee is also responsible for considering whether the independent registered public accounting firm’s performance of permissiblenon-audit services is compatible with its independence. The Audit Committee chairman has authority to grantpre-approvals of audit and permissiblenon-audit services by the independent registered public accounting firm provided that allpre-approvals by the chairman must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Consistent with these policies and procedures, the Audit Committee approved all of the services rendered by the applicable auditors for the years endedending on December 31, 20162019 and December 31, 2015,2018, as described above.

10

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee reviews the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, for preparing the financial statements and for the report process. The Audit Committee members do not serve as professional accountants or auditors, and their functions are not intended to duplicate or to certify the activities of management or the independent registered public accounting firm. We have engaged Grant Thornton as our independent public accountants to report on the conformity of the Company’s financial statements to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In this context, the Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:

 

 

1.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management of the Company.

 

 

2.

The Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton, our independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 1301,Communications with Audit Committees.

 

 

3.

The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from Grant Thornton required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and the Audit Committee has discussed the independence of Grant Thornton with that firm.

 

 

4.

Based on the review and discussion referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board and the Board approved the inclusion of the audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2019, for filing with the SEC.

The foregoing has been furnished by the Audit Committee:

Peter Benz (Chairman)Barbara Shattuck Kohn (Chair)

Robert SwaymanAndrew Frawley

Donald Mathis

 

11


This “Audit Committee Report” is not “Soliciting Material,” and is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

11

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORTMANAGEMENT

Executive Officers

The following statement made bytable sets forth certain information with respect to our Compensation Committee does not constitute soliciting materialcurrent executive officers.

Name

Age

Position

Ryan Schulke

37

Chief Executive Officer

Matthew Conlin

36

President

Alexander Mandel

50

Chief Financial Officer

Donald Patrick

59

Chief Operating Officer

The biographical information for Messrs. Schulke and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities ActConlin is included above in Proposal 1 — Election of 1933,Directors.

Alexander Mandel was appointed as amended, or the Securities Exchange ActChief Financial Officer, effective as of 1934,February 1, 2019, prior to which he had been serving as amended, exceptan independent financial consultant to the extent that we specifically incorporate such statement by reference.

Cogint’s Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of RegulationS-K and, based on such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommendedCompany since July 2018. From February 2016 to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Compensation Committee:

Steven D. Rubin — Chairman

Robert Fried

Peter Benz

Donald Mathis

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overview

This discussion and analysis describes the material elements of compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the named executive officers of the Company during 2016, and provides a brief summary of the compensation to be paid to the executive officers in 2017. Throughout this analysis, the individuals whoJune 2018, Mr. Mandel served as the Chief ExecutiveFinancial Officer andof IAC Applications, a division of IAC/InterActiveCorp. From 2010 to 2015, Mr. Mandel was employed by LendingTree, Inc., including as its Chief Financial Officer during 2016,from 2012 to 2015. He was a Managing Director at Centerview Partners LLC, an investment banking advisory firm in New York City, from 2008 to 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Mandel held various positions at investment banking firm Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. from 1996 to 2008, including Managing Director beginning in 2003. He received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Tufts University and his Masters of Business Administration from Columbia Business School.

Donald Patrick was appointed the Company’s Chief Operating Officer as wellof March 26, 2018. Mr. Patrick joined Fluent, LLC as other individuals includedits Chief Operating Officer in the Summary Compensation Table and other tables below, are referred to as the “named executive officers.”

Background. During 2014 and before the March 21, 2015 merger (“TBO Merger”) between Tiger Media, Inc. (“Tiger Media”) and The Best One, Inc. (“TBO”), Tiger Media was engaged in the outdoor advertising business in China. Before the TBO Merger, Peter W.H. TanJanuary 2018. Mr. Patrick served as Chief Executive Officer of Tiger Media and following the TBO Merger, whereby TBO becameSeneca One Finance, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Derek Dubner joined Peter Tan asCo-Chief Executive Officers of the Company. Jacky Wang joined Tiger Media as Chief Financial Officer on August 1, 2014. Before Mr. Wang, duringspecialty consumer finance company, from 2014 Peter Tanto 2017. From 2011 to 2013, he served as Interim Chief Financial Officer. Tiger Media changed its name to IDI,President of Infogroup Marketing Services, a business unit of InfoGROUP, Inc. in April 2015. Company subsidiary TBO changed its name to IDI Holdings in March 2015. In June 2015, in connection with the continuing shift in the Company’s focus towards the big data and analytics sector via subsidiary Interactive Data, the Company’s Board approved a plan to discontinue the operations of its Chinese- and British Virgin Islands-based subsidiaries. None of the executives serving the Company during 2014 and through completion of the TBO MergerBefore that, Mr. Patrick served as a named executive officer during 2016 and as such neither this discussion nor the tables that follow include 2014 information.

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In June 2015, the Board appointed Michael Brauser as the Company’s Executive Chairman and principal executive officer, Aaron Solomon as interim Chief Financial Officer, James Reilly as President and Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Wang changed positionof Merkle from Chief Financial Officer1997 to Chief Accounting Officer. In March 2016, Daniel MacLachlan, who had been the Chief Financial Officer of TBO until early February 2015, was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Solomon was appointed Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration. In December 2015, the Company provided Peter Tan notice ofnon-renewal of his employment agreement. In March 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors removed Mr. Tan asCo-Chief Executive Officer and appointed Derek Dubner as sole Chief Executive Officer. In July 2016, a temporary injunction was entered against Mr. Reilly, in the matter of TransUnion Risk and Alternative Data Solutions, Inc. vs. James Reilly. On March 23, 2017, the court granted Mr. Reilly’s motion to modify the temporary injunction from a period of two years to one year. Mr. Reilly is scheduled to resume performance of services for the Company on July 1, 2017. During the pendency of the temporary injunction, Mr. Reilly’s responsibilities as President and Chief Operating Officer were assigned to Mr. Dubner. In August 2016, the Board appointed Harry Jordan as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. In September 2016, the Board appointed Jeff Dell as Chief Information Officer. Also, in September 2016, IDI, Inc. changed its name to Cogint, Inc. and transferred its common stock exchange listing to The NASDAQ Stock Market2010. He graduated with an MBA from the NYSE MKT.

Material ElementsUniversity of Our Compensation Policy

The core objective of our compensation programs for 2016 was to secureChicago and retain the services of highly qualified executives, with the goal of conserving cash and usingnon-cash compensation as incentive. We use a combination of salary and long-term equity incentives, principally in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), to compensate our executives.

The Compensation Committee has not engaged the services of outside compensation consultants nor has it used any specific formula, factors, or particular criteria to be met by a named executive officer or assigned any relative weight to any factors or criteria. Rather the Compensation Committee has considered, holistically, the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities of the named executive officers in their respective roles taking into account the strategic direction of the business. Thus, as our business has shifted focusBA from the outdoor advertising business to big data and analytics, we have evolved our compensation strategy to align with our revised strategic focus.

Grants of equity awards are designed to provide a strong incentive for achieving long-term results by aligning the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders, while at the same time encouraging our executives to remain with the Company. The Compensation Committee believes our compensation programs for the named executive officers is appropriately based upon the Company’s performance and the performance and level of responsibility of the executive officer.

Before the TBO Merger, compensation matters were largely determined by the Compensation Committee, with input from Mr. Tan other than with respect to his compensation. The Compensation Committee is responsible for the oversight, implementation, and administration of all of the executive compensation plans and programs. At that time, the Compensation Committee was comprised of Steven D. Rubin, who was the Chairman, and Robert Fried. After the TBO Merger, and the subsequent discontinuation of the outdoor advertising business, Messrs. Brauser and Dubner made recommendations to the Compensation Committee other than with respect to their own respective compensation. In December 2015, Donald Mathis, a Fluent designee to our Board, joined the Compensation Committee. In September2016, Peter Benz joined the Compensation Committee.

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

One of the key elements of our compensation strategy is long-term equity incentives, principally RSUs. A predecessor of the Company adopted the SearchMedia International Limited (“SMIL”) 2008 Amended and

St. Lawrence University.

 

13


Restated Share Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), which established an initial pool of 359,370 equity awards to employees, directors and consultants (SMIL was combined with Ideation Acquisition Corp., a predecessor of the Company in 2009). The 2008 Plan was approved by the combined entities’ stockholders at a Special Meeting of Stockholders held on October 27, 2009 and was later amended to increase the number of eligible equity awards to 600,000 shares, and in September 2011, to 900,000 shares and to 1.2 million shares in December 2013.

In April 2015, the Compensation Committee adopted the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”), which provided a pool of 2.5 million equity awards. The 2015 Plan was approved by the Company stockholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in June 2015. In November 2015, the Board approved an increase of the 2015 Plan from 2.5 million shares to 12.5 million shares. The Compensation Committee determined the increase in the 2015 Plan was warranted as a result of the Company’s acquisition by merger of Fluent and the need to establish a pool of equity awards for the Fluent employees, as well as the anticipated expansion of the Company’s business, including additional personnel. The increase in the 2015 Plan was approved by the Company stockholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in June 2016.

2016 Compensation Policies and 2017 Compensation Matters

We continue our policy to secure and retain the services of highly-qualified executives and to provide compensation to our executives commensurate and aligned with our performance, advancing both our short- and long-term interests and those of our stockholders. We utilize base salary andnon-cash long-term incentives to retain talented executives while conserving cash resources and leveraging a greater portion of overall compensation tonon-cash, long-term equity incentives.

When determining base salary, the Compensation Committee did not use any specific formula, factors, or particular criteria to be met by a named executive officer and did not assign any relative weight to any factors or criteria to be considered. Rather, the Compensation Committee exercised its judgment, discretion, and experience with developing businesses by considering all factors deemed relevant. In determining base salaries for 2016, the Compensation Committee considered the experience, skills, knowledge, and responsibilities of the named executive officers in their respective roles.

As a result of providing certain consulting services, Mr. Brauser was granted 175,000 RSUs in April 2015, which vest over three years. Mr. Brauser was elected to the Company’s Board and was appointed Executive Chairman in June 2015. Mr. Brauser began receiving an annual salary of $1.00 commencing in September 2015.

In recognition of Mr. Brauser’s efforts, including those as the driving force in identifying Fluent as a strategic merger partner and consummating the transaction in December 2015, based on Mr. Brauser’s preference that compensation for his efforts on behalf of the Company be aligned primarily with the interests of the Company and its stockholders, the Compensation Committee entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Brauser on November 16, 2015 to increase his salary to $25,000 per annum and provide for the award of 5.0 million RSUs outside of the 2015 Plan, subject to stockholder approval (the “Brauser RSUs”). The Brauser RSUs were approved at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Brauser RSUs vest over a four-year period, provided that the Company has gross revenue in excess of $100 million and positive EBITDA in any one fiscal year during the vesting period (the “Performance Vesting Conditions”). The Company determined the Performance Vesting Conditions were met, effective March 14, 2017, and as a result, 1.25 million RSUs vested. Mr. Brauser has elected to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until his separation from service from the Company or death or disability. In addition, the Brauser RSUs will vest immediately upon: (i) a change in control, (ii) a termination of Brauser’s employment without cause, (iii) Mr. Brauser’s termination of his employment for good reason, or (iv) his death or disability (as such terms are defined in the amended employment agreement) (the “Additional Vesting Conditions”).

On April 13, 2017, Mr. Brauser received a grant of 125,000 RSUs. The RSUs vest over three years on June 1, 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to accelerated vesting under certain conditions. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Brauser may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.

14


Mr. Dubner served as ourCo-Chief Executive Officer from March 2015 until his appointment as sole Chief Executive Officer on March 2016. Prior to the TBO Merger, Mr. Dubner was employed by TBO pursuant to a September 30, 2014 Employment Agreement that was amended in March 2015. The Company assumed Mr. Dubner’s agreement as part of the TBO Merger, whereby TBO became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Mr. Dubner’s base salary was $200,000 and the agreement provided for atwo-year term. The agreement provides that if his employment is terminated without cause or as a result of any successor refusing to accept assignment, or by Mr. Dubner for good reason, or by the Company due to an adverse ruling, as those terms are defined in the agreement, Mr. Dubner will be paid severance equal to the greater of (x) Mr. Dubner’s base salary for the remainder of the term in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices in effect from time to time and (y) two (2) years of Mr. Dubner’s base salary in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices in effect from time to time, provided, however, Mr. Dubner is not in violation of the Confidentiality, Nondisclosure, Noncompetition, Nonsolicitation and Nondisparagement Agreement attached as Exhibit B to the employment agreement. Mr. Dubner’s agreement provided for an initial grant of 400,000 RSUs, which vest quarterly over the term of the agreement and immediately vest upon a change of control of TBO, however, the March 17, 2015 amendment provided that the TBO Merger would not constitute automatic vesting of the initial TBO RSU grants.

The agreement provided for a cash bonus of $100,000 upon consummation of TBO’s sale, merger, consolidation, share exchange or like transaction with a publicly-traded entity and also provided for a cash bonus of $150,000 upon raising the first $5.0 million in any financing or series of related financings following a transaction that triggers the first bonus. Mr. Dubner was paid the $100,000 bonus on the closing of the TBO Merger and was paid the $150,000 bonus following the July 23, 2015 registered direct placement of Company shares which resulted in approximately $10.0 million in gross proceeds.

On August 22, 2015, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. Dubner’s salary to $264,000 per annum, based on his individual and the Company’s performance. In recognition of his efforts in closing the Fluent Acquisition and related transactions, the Compensation Committee amended Mr. Dubner’s agreement on November 16, 2015 to reflect the previous increase in base salary, to award him 500,000 RSUs under the 2015 Plan, and to extend the term until September 30, 2017. The RSUs vest over three years and are subject to the Performance Vesting Conditions and the Additional Vesting Conditions. The Company determined the Performance Vesting Conditions were met, effective March 14, 2017. On July 7, 2016, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. Dubner’s salary to $325,000 per annum, effective July 1, 2016, based on his individual and the Company’s performance in the preceding year.

On April 11, 2017, the Compensation Committee amended Mr. Dubner’s agreement to extend the term of his employment through April 30, 2020 and to award him 125,000 RSUs under the 2015 Plan effective April 13, 2017. The RSUs vest over three years on June 1, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Such RSUs vest in full upon a Company change in control, termination of Mr. Dubner without cause, termination by Mr. Dubner for good reason, Mr. Dubner’s death or disability, or a termination of Mr. Dubner due to an “adverse ruling” (as each such term is defined in the employment agreement).

Mr. Solomon served as the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer from June 2015 through March 29, 2016 and was appointed the Company’s Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration on March 29, 2016. His salary is $158,000 per annum, and he was awarded 50,000 RSUs on April 29, 2015. The RSUs vest over three years. In recognition of his efforts in closing the Fluent Acquisition, Mr. Solomon was granted 50,000 RSUs that vest over three years and are subject to the Performance Vesting Conditions and the Additional Vesting Conditions. The Company determined the Performance Vesting conditions were met, effective March 14, 2017. On April 13, 2017, Mr. Solomon received a grant of 30,000 RSUs. The RSUs vest over three years on June 1, 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to accelerated vesting under certain conditions. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Solomon may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.

In March 2016, the Board appointed Mr. MacLachlan as Chief Financial Officer and principal financial officer. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with TBO effective on October 2, 2014, as amended,

15


which was assumed by the Company in the TBO Merger whereby TBO became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, the Company pays Mr. MacLachlan an annual salary of $185,000, and under the agreement, Mr. MacLachlan received 50,000 RSUs, which vested in equal quarterly installments during the term of the agreement and were delivered at the end of thetwo-year vesting period. The term of the employment agreement was through September 30, 2016. The Compensation Committee ratified Mr. MacLachlan’s employment agreement in March 2016. In October 2016, the Company entered into a second amendment to employment agreement with Mr. MacLachlan relating to his service as Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the “MacLachlan Amendment”). Pursuant to the MacLachlan Amendment, the Company and Mr. MacLachlan agreed to extend the term of his employment through September 30, 2017. All other terms of Mr. MacLachlan’s employment agreement remain unchanged. On July 7, 2016, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. MacLachlan’s salary to $220,000 per annum, effective July 1, 2016, based on his individual and the Company’s performance in the preceding year. Effective January 1, 2017, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. MacLachlan’s salary to $226,269 per annum.

On April 11, 2017, the Compensation Committee amended Mr. MacLachlan’s agreement to extend the term of his employment through April 30, 2020 and to award him 100,000 RSUs under the 2015 Plan effective April 13, 2017. The RSUs vest over three years on June 1, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Such RSUs vest in full upon a Company change in control, termination of Mr. MacLachlan without cause, termination by Mr. MacLachlan for good reason, Mr. MacLachlan’s death or disability, or a termination of Mr. MacLachlan due to an “adverse ruling” (as each such term is defined in the employment agreement). The agreement provides that if his employment is terminated without cause or as a result of any successor refusing to accept assignment, or by Mr. MacLachlan for good reason, or by the Company due to an adverse ruling, as those terms are defined in the agreement, Mr. MacLachlan will be paid severance equal to the greater of (x) Mr. MacLachlan’s base salary for the remainder of the term in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices in effect from time to time and (y) two (2) years of Mr. MacLachlan’s base salary in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices in effect from time to time, provided, however, Mr. MacLachlan is not in violation of the Confidentiality, Nondisclosure, Noncompetition, Nonsolicitation and Nondisparagement Agreement attached as Exhibit B to the employment agreement.

On August 8, 2016, the Board appointed Harry Jordan as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Jordan receives an annual salary of $225,000. Additionally, on August 8, 2016, Mr. Jordan was awarded 100,000 RSUs, which vest in three equal annual installments beginning August 8, 2017. The RSUs vest in full upon a Company change in control, as defined in the agreement, or Mr. Jordan’s death or disability. On April 13, 2017, Mr. Jordan received a grant of 50,000 RSUs. The RSUs vest over three years on June 1, 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to accelerated vesting under certain conditions. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Jordan may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.

On September 13, 2016, the Board appointed Jeff Dell as Chief Information Officer.Mr. Dell served as our VP Information Security from July 2015 through May 2016 and Interim Chief Information Officer from June 2016 through September 2016, and was appointed Chief Information Officer on September 13, 2016. Mr. Dell’s salary was $150,000 per annum through May 15, 2016 and was increased to $185,000 per annum through December 31, 2016. Mr. Dell’s current salary is $215,000 per annum effective January 1, 2017. On April 13, 2017, Mr. Dell received a grant of 40,000 RSUs. The RSUs vest over three years on June 1, 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to accelerated vesting under certain conditions. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Dell may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.

For additional information relating to Messrs. Brauser, Dubner and MacLachlan’s employment agreements and payments to our named executive officers upon a change in control or termination, see the sections below titled “Executive Employment Agreements” and “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

The Role of Stockholder Say on Pay Votes

The Board, Compensation Committee, and management value the opinions of our stockholders. We provide our stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation,

16


including compensation that may be paid in connection with a change in control or a termination, every year. We refer to this advisory vote as Say on Pay. At our annual meeting of stockholders held in June 2016, approximately 98.6% of the stockholders who voted on the Say on Pay proposal voted in favor of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in our 2016 proxy statement. Although the advisory say on pay vote isnon-binding, our Compensation Committee has considered the outcome of the vote and determined not to make material changes to our executive compensation programs because the Compensation Committee believes this advisory vote indicates considerable stockholder support for our approach to executive compensation. Our Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of our Say on Pay votes when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

17


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table summarizes the compensation for each of the named executive officers for the last threetwo completed fiscal years.

 

Name and Principal

Position

 Year (9)  Salary  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
  Stock
Awards (1)
  Option
Awards
  Total 

Michael Brauser(2)

  2016  $25,000  $—    $—    $—    $25,000 

Executive Chairman

  2015  $2,083(2)  $—    $52,787,500(2)  $—    $52,789,583 

Derek Dubner(3)

  2016  $294,500  $—    $—    $—    $294,500 

Chief Executive Officer

  2015  $180,834(3)  $250,000(8)  $6,302,500(3)  $—    $6,733,334 

Daniel MacLachlan (4)

  2016  $171,667  $—    $—    $—    $171,667 

Chief Financial Officer

      

Jeff Dell(5)

  2016  $171,875  $—    $—    $—    $171,875 

Chief Information Officer

      

Aaron Solomon(6)

  2016  $158,000  $—    $—    $—    $158,000 

Senior VP of Finance and Administration

  2015  $99,104(6)  $—    $841,500(6)  $—    $940,604 

Harry Jordan(7)

  2016  $93,750(7)  $—    $102,000(7)  $—    $195,750 

Chief Operating Officer

      

Name and principal position                     

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Bonus (1)

 

Stock awards (2)

 

Option awards (3) 

Non-equity incentive plan compensation (4)

 

All other compensation (5)

 

Total

Ryan Schulke (6)

 

2019

 

$

300,000

 

 

$

140,300

 

 

$

 

 

$ 

$

 

 

$

7,750

 

 

$

448,050

 

(Chief Executive Officer)

 

2018

 

$

296,667

 

 

$

125,000

 

 

$

1,480,800

 

 

$ 

$

401,857

 

 

$

5,933

 

 

$

2,310,257

 

Matt Conlin (7)

 

2019

 

$

300,000

 

 

$

140,250

 

 

$

 

 

$ 

$

 

 

$

11,200

 

 

$

451,450

 

(President)

 

2018

 

$

296,667

 

 

$

125,000

 

 

$

1,480,800

 

 

$ 

$

401,857

 

 

$

11,000

 

 

$

2,315,324

 

Donald Patrick (8)

 

2019

 

$

300,000

 

 

$

120,100

 

 

$

1,044,000

 

 

$1,122,660 

$

 

 

$

11,200

 

 

$

2,597,960

 

(Chief Operations Officer)

 

2018

 

$

294,318

 

 

$

 

 

$

459,750

 

 

$ 

$

371,757

 

 

$

8,000

 

 

$

1,133,825

 

Alex Mandel (9)

 

2019

 

$

302,000

 

 

$

100,000

 

 

$

1,160,000

 

 

$873,180 

$

 

 

$

3,250

 

 

$

2,438,430

 

(Chief Financial Officer)

 

2018

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$ 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

(1)ThisThese amounts include: (i) anniversary bonuses in 2019 of $300 to Mr. Schulke, $250 to Mr. Conlin and $100 to Mr. Patrick, (ii) discretionary bonuses of $140,000 to each of Mr. Schulke and Mr. Conlin in 2019, (iii) a discretionary bonus of $120,000 to Mr. Patrick in 2019, (iv) a discretionary bonus of $100,000 to Mr. Mandel in 2019, and (v) bonuses of $125,000 to each of Mr. Schulke and Mr. Conlin in 2018 in connection with the Spin-off of Red Violet.

(2)

The amounts in this column reflectsrepresent the aggregate grant date fair value of stockRSU awards granted in 20152018 and 20162019 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. In determining the grant date fair value for restricted stock units, the Company used the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. For a discussion of valuation assumptions used in calculation of these amounts, see Note 13 to our audited financial statements, included within our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2)Mr. Brauser began service as the Company’s Executive Chairman on June 16, 2015. Mr. Brauser’s current annual salary is $25,000. The salary disclosed for 2015 reflects Mr. Brauser’s service from June 16, 2015 through December 31, 2015. Mr. Brauser was granted 175,000 RSUs on April 29, 2015 at a fair value of $6.50 per share, and 5,000,000 RSUs on November 16, 2015 at a fair value of $10.33 per share.
(3)Mr. Dubner began service asThe amounts in this column represent the Company’sCo-Chief Executive Officer and Director on March 21, 2015, upon the consummation of the TBO Merger. Mr. Dubner’s current annual salary is $325,000. The salary disclosed for 2015 reflects Mr. Dubner’s service from March 21, 2015 through December 31, 2015. Mr. Dubner was granted 175,000 RSUs on April 29, 2015 at a fair value of $6.50 per share, and 500,000 RSUs on November 16, 2015 at a fair value of $10.33 per share.
(4)Mr. MacLachlan began service as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer on March 29, 2016. Mr. MacLachlan’s current annual salary is $226,269. The salary disclosed in the table reflects Mr. MacLachlan’s service from March 29, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
(5)Mr. Dell began service as the Company’s Chief Information Officer on September 13, 2016. Mr. Dell previously served as Interim Chief Information Officer and VP Information Security. Mr. Dell’s current annual salary is $215,000. The salary disclosed in the table reflects Mr. Dell’s service from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
(6)Mr. Solomon was appointed Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration on March 29, 2016. Mr. Solomon previously served as the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance & Administration. Mr. Solomon’s current annual salary is $158,000. The salary disclosed for 2015 reflects Mr. Solomon’s service from March 21, 2015 through December 31, 2015, and for 2016 reflects Mr. Solomon’s service from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. Mr. Solomon was granted 50,000 RSUs on April 29, 2015 at a fair value of $6.50 per share, and 50,000 RSUs on November 16, 2015 at a fair value of $10.33 per share.
(7)Mr. Jordan began service as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer on August 8, 2016. Mr. Jordan’s current annual salary is $225,000. The salary disclosed in the table reflects Mr. Jordan’s service from August 8, 2016 through December 31, 2016. Mr. Jordan was granted 100,000 RSUs on August 8, 2016 at a fair value of $5.17 per share.

18


(8)Cash bonus of $100,000 paid to Mr. Dubner on consummation of the TBO Merger and cash bonus of $150,000 paid to Mr. Dubner upon completing a $10.0 million financing after the TBO Merger.
(9)None of the executives serving the Company during 2014 and through completion of the TBO Merger served as a named executive officer during 2016 and as such neither this table nor the tables that follow include 2014 information.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS — 2016

The following table sets forth each grant of an award made to a named executive officer for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 under any Company plan.

Name

Grant DateAll Other Stock
Awards: Number of
Shares of Units (#)
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock Awards (2)

Michael Brauser

—  —  $—  

Derek Dubner

—  —  $—  

Daniel MacLachlan

—  —  $—  

Jeff Dell

—  —  $—  

Aaron Solomon

—  —  $—  

Harry Jordan

8/8/2016100,000(1)$517,000(1)

(1)Represents RSUs granted on August 8, 2016, which vest in three equal annual installments beginning on August 8, 2017. Each RSU unit represents the right to receive one share of common stock upon vesting. Theaggregate grant date fair value of the RSU grant was $5.17 per share.
(2)Represents the aggregate grant date fair valuestock option awards granted in 2019 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. In determiningFor a discussion of valuation assumptions used in calculation of these amounts, see Note 13 to our audited financial statements, included within our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

12

(4)

Represents performance-based bonuses earned by our named executive officers in respect of our performance in fiscal years 2018 and 2019. The material terms of the grant datenon-equity incentive plan compensation paid to our named executive officers in our last completed fiscal year are described below in the section entitled “2019 Bonus Arrangements.”

(5)

The amounts in this column represent the Company's 401(k) plan company-matching contributions for each officer.

(6)

Mr. Schulke has served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer since March 27, 2018. Mr. Schulke was granted 80,000 RSUs on March 20, 2018 at a fair value forof $2.61 per share and 480,000 deferred stock units in connection with the Spin-off on March 27, 2018 at a fair value of $2.65.

(7)

Mr. Conlin has served as the Company's President since March 27, 2018. Mr. Conlin was granted 80,000 RSUs we usedon March 20, 2018 at a fair value of $2.61 per share and 480,000 deferred stock units in connection with the closing priceSpin-off on March 27, 2018 at a fair value of our$2.65.

(8)

Mr. Patrick has served as the Company's Chief Operations Officer since March 27, 2018. Mr. Patrick's salary in 2018 reflects his service from January 8, 2018 through December 31, 2018. Mr. Patrick was granted 100,000 RSUs on March 20, 2018 at a fair value of $2.61 per share, 75,000 deferred stock units in connection with the Spin-off on March 27, 2018 at a fair value of $2.65, and 225,000 RSUs on February 1, 2019 at a fair value of $4.64. Mr. Patrick was also granted 396,000 shares of common stock subject to options on February 1, 2019, in two equal tranches of 198,000 shares with fair values of $2.81 and $2.86, respectively.

(9)

Mr. Mandel has served as the grant date.Company’s Chief Financial Officer since February 1, 2019. Mr. Mandel's salary for 2019 reflects his consulting service fees from January 1, 2019 through January 31, 2019, and his service as Chief Financial Officer of the Company from February 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.  Mr. Mandel was granted 250,000 RSUs on February 1, 2019 at a fair value of $4.64. Mr. Mandel was also granted 308,000 shares of common stock subject to options on February 1, 2019, in two equal tranches of 154,000 shares with fair values of $2.81 and $2.86, respectively.

Employment Agreements and Termination of Employment & Change in Control Arrangements

Below are descriptions of our employment agreements with our named executive officers during 2019, as well as descriptions of the severance pay and other benefits to be provided in connection with a termination of employment and/or a change in control under the arrangements with each of our named executive officers.

Ryan Schulke, Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Schulke is as the Company's Chief Executive Officer pursuant to an amended and restated employment agreement effective September 11, 2018. On March 11, 2020, the Compensation Committee approved an increase in Mr. Schulke's annual base salary from $300,000 to $350,000. Mr. Schulke's employment agreement provides for automatic one-year renewals unless either party elects not to renew by providing the other party with a 120-day non-renewal notice. If Mr. Schulke’s employment is terminated because of his death or disability, he or his estate will be paid an amount equal to one-year of base salary. If Mr. Schulke’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns with good reason, he will be paid the greater of the base salary for the balance of the term or one year of base salary, plus any prior year unpaid bonus and a prorated portion of his current year bonus. Payment of the foregoing is conditioned on Mr. Schulke not being in violation of the agreement’s restrictive covenant provisions. The agreement provides for an annual bonus of no less than 25% of annual salary based on achievement of Company and personal performance goals.

Matt Conlin, President

The terms of Mr. Conlin’s employment mirror those of Mr. Schulke’s except that Mr. Conlin is employed as the Company's President. Mr. Conlin also entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with the Company, effective September 11, 2018. Mr. Conlin's base salary and bonus provisions are identical to Mr. Schulke's, and he has the same arrangements with respect to severance pay and other benefits to be provided in connection with a termination of employment and/or a change in control.

Donald Patrick, Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Patrick is employed as the Company's Chief Operating Officer pursuant to an employment agreement effective January 8, 2018. On March 11, 2020, the Compensation Committee also approved an increase in Mr. Patrick's annual base salary from $300,000 to $350,000. Mr. Patrick’s employment agreement provides for an annual bonus of no less than 40% of his annual salary based on the achievement of Company and personal performance goals. The agreement provides that if Mr. Patrick’s employment is terminated without cause, Mr. Patrick will be paid severance equal to twelve months’ base salary, plus any unpaid bonus for the year prior to termination and a prorated portion of the bonus for the year of termination. Payment of the foregoing is conditioned on Mr. Patrick not being in violation of the agreement’s restrictive covenant provisions at the time the payment becomes payable.

13

Alexander Mandel, Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Mandel is employed as the Company's Chief Financial Officer pursuant to an employment agreement effective February 1, 2019. On March 11, 2020, the Compensation Committee also approved an increase in Mr. Mandel's annual base salary from $300,000 to $350,000. Mr. Mandel’s employment agreement provides for an annual bonus of no less than 40% of his annual salary based on the achievement of Company and personal performance goals. The agreement provides that if Mr. Mandel’s employment is terminated without cause, Mr. Mandel will be paid severance equal to (i) the greater of (A) the his base salary for the remainder of the term of his employment agreement and (B) twelve (12) months’ base salary; (ii) the annual bonus for the year prior to the year in which the termination occurs, to the extent unpaid; (iii) the annual bonus for the year in which the termination occurs, based on actual performance and prorated based on the number of days in such year prior to the date of termination; (iv) base salary accrued through the date of termination; and (v) the additional vesting of any equity awards. Payment of the foregoing is conditioned on Mr. Mandel not being in violation of the agreement’s restrictive covenant provisions at the time the payment becomes payable.

2019 Bonus Arrangements

Each of Messrs. Schulke, Conlin and Partick was eligible to earn an annual cash incentive in 2019. Our practice with respect to annual incentive compensation has historically been to provide an opportunity to earn bonus awards based on the achievement of company performance measures, specifically EBITDA adjusted for certain discrete items (“Adjusted EBITDA”).

For a calculation of and additional information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, please see pages 24 to 26 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

Each of Messrs. Schulke, Conlin and Patrick was eligible to earn a bonus equal to 2.0% of the amount by which the Company's actual of Adjusted EBITDA exceeds its Adjusted EBITDA target for the year. The Adjusted EBITDA target is set each year based on achievement of strategic goals and financial results. The cash incentive plan for 2019 is uncapped. Based on the Company's performance, no bonuses for were paid for 2019.

401(k) Plan

The Company maintains a defined contribution employee retirement plan, or 401(k) plan, for our employees. The 401(k) plan is intended to qualify as a tax-qualified plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code so that contributions to the 401(k) plan, and income earned on such contributions, are not taxable to participants until withdrawn or distributed from the 401(k) plan. The Company will match a participant's contribution up to 3% of their compensation, as well as 50% of a participant's contribution of the next 2% of their compensation, subject to statutory limits.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCALYEAR-END — 2016

The following table sets forth certain information regarding equity-based awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2016.2019.

 

   Option Awards   Stock Awards (1) 

Name

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
   Option
Exercise
Price ($)
   Option
Expiration
Date
   Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested (#)
   Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested ($) (2)
 

Michael Brauser

   —      —     $—      —      6,116,666   $21,102,498 

Derek Dubner

   —      —     $—      —      616,666   $2,127,498 

Daniel MacLachlan

   —      —     $—      —      —     $—   

Jeff Dell

   —      —     $—      —      35,000   $120,750 

Aaron Solomon

   —      —     $—      —      83,333   $287,502 

Harry Jordan

   —      —     $—      —      100,000   $345,000 

 

 Option awards  

Stock awards

 
Name Number of securities underlying unexercised options unexercisable (#)  Option exercise price Option expiration date  

Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#)

  

Market value of shares or units of stock that have not

vested (7)

 

Ryan Schulke

   $    69,999(1)  $174,998 

Matt Conlin

   $    69,999(2)  $174,998 

Donald Patrick

 396,000(3) $4.72 2/1/2029   291,666(4)  $729,165 

Alexander Mandel

 308,000(5) $4.72 2/1/2029   250,000(6)  $625,000 

 

(1)

(1)

Represents (i) 16,666 RSUs granted under the 2015 Plan. Theon April 13, 2017, which vested on February 1, 2020, and (ii) 53,333 RSUs granted on March 20, 2018, which vest in threetwo equal annual installments beginning on the date of grant, except for 5,000,000 RSUs granted outside of the 2015 Plan held by Mr. Brauser that vest in four equal annual installments beginning on the date of grant.March 1, 2020. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of common stock upon vesting. ReceiptAs of 5,000,000December 31, 2019, Mr. Schulke also owned RSUs representing 610,001 shares that have been vested but not delivered.

(2)

Represents (i) 16,666 RSUs granted on April 13, 2017, which vested on February 1, 2020, and (ii) 53,333 RSUs granted on March 20, 2018, which vest in two equal annual installments beginning on March 1, 2020. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of common stock upon vesting. As of December 31, 2019, Mr. Conlin also owned RSUs representing 610,001 shares that have been vested but not delivered.

(3)Represents 396,000 shares of common stock has been deferredsubject to options granted on February 1, 2019, of which 198,000 vested on February 1, 2020, and, subject to continuing service, the remaining 198,000 will vest if the Company's stock price remains above $7.375 per share for 20 consecutive trading days. Any stock options that remain unvested as of February 1, 2024 will vest in connection withfull on such date.

(4)

Represents (i) 50,000 RSUs granted to Mr. Patrick under the vesting2015 Plan on March 20, 2018, which vest in two equal annual installments beginning on February 1, 2020, (ii) 16,666 RSUs granted on March 20, 2018, which vest in two equal annual installments beginning on March 1, 2020, and (iii) 225,000 RSUs granted on February 1, 2019, which vest in four equal annual installments beginning on February 1, 2021.

14

(5)Represents 308,000 shares of common stock subject to options granted on February 1, 2019, of which, 154,000 vested on February 1, 2020, and, subject to continuing service, the remaining 154,000 will vest if the Company's stock price remains above $7.375 per share for 20 consecutive trading days. Any stock options that remain unvested as of February 1, 2024 will vest in full on such date.

(6)

Represents (i) 75,000 RSUs granted to Mr. Brauser’s RSUs.Mandel under the 2018 Plan on February 1, 2019, which vest in three equal annual installments beginning on February 1, 2020, and (ii) 175,000 RSUs granted on February 1, 2019, which vest in four equal annual installments beginning on February 1, 2021.

19


(2)

(7)

Determined by multiplying the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 30, 2016 ($3.45)31, 2019, $2.50, by the number of shares of common stock underlying the RSUs.RSUs or restricted stock.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

Equity Compensation Plan Information

One of the key elements of our compensation strategy is long-term equity incentives, principally RSUs. A predecessor of the Company adopted the SearchMedia International Limited (“SMIL”) 2008 Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), which established an initial pool of 359,370 equity awards to employees, directors and consultants (SMIL was combined with Ideation Acquisition Corp., a predecessor of the Company in 2009). The 2008 Plan was approved by the combined entities’ stockholders at a Special Meeting of Stockholders held on October 27, 2009 and was later amended to increase the number of eligible equity awards to 600,000 shares, and in September 2011, to 900,000 shares and to 1.2 million shares in December 2013. The 2008 Plan expired by its terms on January 1, 2018.

In April 2015, the Compensation Committee adopted the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”), which provided a pool of 2.5 million equity awards. The 2015 Plan was approved by the Company stockholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in June 2015. In November 2015, the Board approved an increase of the 2015 Plan from 2.5 million shares to 12.5 million shares. The Compensation Committee determined the increase in the 2015 Plan was warranted as a result of the Company’s acquisition by merger of Fluent, LLC and the need to establish a pool of equity awards for the Fluent, LLC employees, as well as the anticipated expansion of the Company’s business, including additional personnel. The increase in the 2015 Plan was approved by the Company stockholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in June 2016. Effective September 6, 2017, the Board and the Company’s Compensation Committee approved an increase in the 2015 Plan by one million shares, resulting in an aggregate of 13.5 million shares of common stock issuable under the 2015 Plan. Stockholders representing a majority in voting power of the Company approved the amendment to the 2015 Plan on September 6, 2017 and the amendment was effective on January 8, 2018.

On April 19, 2018, the Board adopted the Fluent 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”), and the Company's stockholders approved the 2018 Plan on June 6, 2018. The primary purpose of the 2018 Plan is to attract, retain, reward, and motivate certain individuals by providing them with an opportunity to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in Fluent and to incentivize them to expend maximum effort for Fluent’s growth and success, so as to strengthen the mutuality of the interests between such individuals and the Fluent stockholders. The Company has in the past and may in the future grant awards to its employees to meet these goals, including RSUs and stock options. The 2018 Plan authorizes the issuance of ten percent of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock from time to time.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth each exercisesummarizes compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance as of stock options, SARs or similar instruments and each vesting of stock, RSUs and similar instruments by the named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.2019.

 

Name

  Stock Awards 
  Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (#) (1)
  Value Realized on
Vesting ($)
 

Michael Brauser

   158,334  $582,587 

Derek Dubner

   458,334(2)  $1,467,587 

Daniel MacLachlan

   100,000(3)  $330,000 

Jeff Dell

   —    $—   

Aaron Solomon

   16,667(4)  $82,168 

Harry Jordan

   —    $—   

Plan category

 

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights

(a)

 

Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options warrants and rights

(b)

 

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))

(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)

  7,913,146  (2) $5.18  (3)  3,623,502  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

            

Total

  7,913,146   $5.18    3,623,502  

 

(1)Amounts shown in these columns reflect RSU awards that vested during 2016. See

(1)

The equity compensation plans approved by security holders include the Compensation Discussion2008 Plan, 2015 Plan and Analysis — 2016 Compensation Policies for details on RSU awards.2018 Plan.

(2)176,488

(2)

Includes 3,394,370 shares of commonRSUs and restricted stock were withheldto be issued upon the vesting of thesuch RSUs and delivery ofrestricted stock.

(3)

The weighted-average exercise price does not reflect the underlying shares that will be issued in connection with the payment of a tax liability.

(3)32,500 shares of common stock were withheld upon vesting of the RSUs and delivery of the underlying shares in connection with the payment of a tax liability.
(4)5,441 shares of common stock were withheld upon vesting of the RSUs and delivery of the underlying shares in connection with the payment of a tax liability.

20


POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

The following table sets forth information with respect to the value of payments or vesting acceleration, as applicable, such named executive officer would be entitled to receive assuming a qualifying termination or change in control, as applicable, as of December 31, 2016.

Name and Principal Position

  Severance
Amount ($)
  Early
Vesting
of Stock
Options
   Early
Vesting
of Restricted
Stock ($) (1)
  Total ($) 

Michael Brauser

  $—    $—     $13,339,998(2)(3)  $13,339,998 

Derek Dubner

  $243,750(4)(5)  $—     $1,552,497(2)(6)  $1,796,247 

Daniel MacLachlan

  $164,500(4)(5)  $—     $—    $164,500 

Jeff Dell

  $—    $—     $97,749(2)(7)  $97,749 

Aaron Solomon

  $—    $—     $229,998(2)(8)  $229,998 

Harry Jordan

  $—    $—     $345,000(2)(9)  $345,000 

(1)Calculated by multiplying early vesting of RSUs by $3.45, which is the closing price per share of our commonand restricted stock, on December 30, 2016.
(2)In the event of a qualifying termination, all unvestedsince RSUs at the time of termination shall expire and be forfeited immediately and returned to the Company. In the event of a change of control, all unvested RSUs shall immediately vest.
(3)Reflects vesting of 5,175,000 RSUs of our common stock.
(4)In accordance with Mr. Dubner’s and Mr. MacLachlan’s employment agreements effective December 31, 2016, upon termination without cause, or as a result of any successor refusing to accept assignment, termination for good reason or termination due to an Adverse Ruling (as defined below), base salary will be paid for the remainder of the respective employment term. The severance amount are $243,750 and $164,500 for Mr. Dubner and Mr. MacLachlan, respectively, assuming a qualifying termination as of December 31, 2016.
(5)On April 11, 2017, employment agreements for Mr. Dubner and Mr. MacLachlan were amended, and in accordance with the employment agreements, as amended, upon termination without cause or if any successor of the Company refuses to accept assignment of the employment agreements, or if Mr. Dubner or Mr. MacLachlan terminates his respective employment agreement and employment with the Company for good reason or due to an Adverse Ruling (as defined below), the Company will pay to Mr. Dubner and Mr. MacLachlan the greater of (i) the applicable employee’s base salary for the remainder of the term in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices in effect from time to time and (ii) two (2) years of the applicable employee’s base salary. The severance amounts are $988,542 and $688,236 for Mr. Dubner and Mr. MacLachlan, respectively, assuming a qualifying termination as of April 18, 2017, the record date.
(6)Reflects vesting of 449,990 RSUs of our common stock.
(7)Reflects vesting of 28,333 RSUs of our common stock.
(8)Reflects vesting of 66,666 RSUs of our common stock.
(9)Reflects vesting of 100,000 RSUs of our common stock.restricted stock have no exercise price.

Executive Employment Agreements

Michael Brauser

Effective November 16, 2015, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Brauser in connection with his service as Executive Chairman. The employment agreement has an initial term of five years and automatically extends for successiveone-year terms unless either party gives the other party six months written notice of termination before the expiration of the applicableone-year term or unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Brauser receives an annual salary of $25,000. Also, pursuant to the employment agreement, on November 16, 2015,

15

 

21PROPOSAL 3


Mr. Brauser was granted 5.0 million RSUs outside of the 2015 Plan, subject to stockholder approval (the “Brauser RSUs”). The Brauser RSUs were approved at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Brauser RSUs vest over a four-year period provided that the Company has gross revenue in excess of $100 million and positive EBITDA, after subtracting all charges for equity compensation paid to executives or other service providers of the Company, in any one fiscal year during the vesting period (the “Performance Vesting Conditions”). The Company determined the Performance Vesting Conditions were met, effective March 14, 2017, and as a result 1.25 million RSUs vested. Mr. Brauser has elected to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until his separation from service from the Company or death or disability. In addition, the Brauser RSUs will vest immediately upon: (i) a change in control (as defined below), (ii) a termination of Mr. Brauser’s employment without cause (as defined below), (iii) Mr. Brauser’s termination of his employment for good reason (as defined below), or (iv) his death or disability (as defined below) (the “Additional Vesting Conditions”). Shares of common stock underlying the vested RSUs will generally be issued upon the earlier of (i) a change in control (as defined below) or (ii) Mr. Brauser’s separation from service as defined under the Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, provided that the delivery of shares will be delayed until the earlier of (a) six months following separation from service or (b) Mr. Brauser’s death, if necessary to comply with the Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. The employment agreement also provides that Mr. Brauser may, at his option and in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, elect to satisfy tax withholdings (including any FICA and related income tax withholding that may apply on the vesting, as opposed to settlement, of the Brauser RSUs) by having the Company withhold a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum amount of such tax withholdings. Also, Mr. Brauser is eligible to participate in the Company’s existing and future benefit plans, policies or arrangements maintained by the Company and made available to employees generally and for the benefit of executives.

The Company may terminate Mr. Brauser’s employment and the employment agreement at any time during the term for cause (as defined below), effective immediately upon written notice to Mr. Brauser. Also, the Company may terminate Mr. Brauser’s employment and the employment agreement without cause (as defined below) upon ninety (90) days prior written notice to Mr. Brauser, and Mr. Brauser may terminate his employment and the employment agreement for good reason (as defined below). Pursuant to the employment agreement, good reason shall not exist unless and until Mr. Brauser provides the Company with written notice of the acts alleged to constitute good reason within thirty (30) days of his knowledge of the occurrence of such event, and the Company fails to cure such acts within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice. Mr. Brauser must terminate his employment within ninety (90) days following the expiration of such cure period for the termination to be on account of good reason.

Additionally, Mr. Brauser’s employment and the employment agreement will automatically terminate upon Mr. Brauser’s death. Also, if Mr. Brauser becomes physically or mentally disabled so as to become unable for a period of more than three consecutive months or for shorter periods aggregating at least six months during any twelve-month period to perform his duties on a substantially full-time basis, his employment will terminate as of the end of such three-month orsix-month period as applicable, and this will be considered a “disability” under the employment agreement. Such termination will not affect Mr. Brauser’s benefits under the Company’s disability insurance program, if any, then in effect.

In the event Mr. Brauser’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause, by Mr. Brauser without good reason or due to the expiration of the term of the employment agreement, Mr. Brauser is entitled to (i) his base salary earned but unpaid through and including the date of the termination of his employment and (ii) any benefits or payments to which Mr. Brauser is entitled under any Company plan, program, agreement or policy (“Accrued Benefits”). In the event Mr. Brauser’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, by Mr. Brauser for good reason or as a result of Mr. Brauser’s death or disability during the term of the employment agreement, Mr. Brauser will be entitled to the Accrued Benefits and all outstanding awards granted to Mr. Brauser will immediately vest. As an additional prerequisite for receipt of benefits upon termination, Mr. Brauser must execute and deliver to the Company, and not revoke a general release within forty-five (45) days of his termination of employment.

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For purposes of Mr. Brauser’s employment agreement, “cause” shall mean a good faith finding by the Board of the following: (i) a willful failure or refusal on executive’s part to perform executive’s duties under the agreement or to carry out the lawful directions of the Board; (ii) gross misconduct, willful dishonesty, theft, embezzlement or fraud on executive’s part against the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates or in connection with executive’s employment having the effect of materially injuring the business of the Company; (iii) conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony involving moral turpitude, fraud, theft, or dishonesty; (iv) breach of anynon-competition, confidentiality ornon-solicitation agreement with the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof; or (v) material breach of any provision of the agreement by executive and failure to cure such breach within thirty (30) days after the receipt of written notice of such breach from the Company. For purposes of Mr. Brauser’s employment agreement, no act, or failure to act, on the part of the executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company (or any act which the executive omits to do because of the executive’s reasonable belief that such act would violate law or the Company’s standards of ethical conduct in its corporate policies) shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The termination of employment shall not be deemed to be for cause unless and until (A) within a reasonable period of time prior to the Board meeting at which the Board will determine whether cause exists, the executive is provided written notice of such meeting and, unless prohibited by law, a reasonable opportunity to review prior to such meeting all information to be presented to the Board with respect to whether cause exists, (B) the executive is afforded the opportunity, together with counsel for the executive, to be heard before the Board, (C) there shall have been delivered to the executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the executive committed the conduct that constitutes cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail, and (D) if the conduct or act alleged to provide grounds for the executive’s termination for cause is curable in the discretion of the Board, the executive has not cured such conduct within thirty (30) days from the date of receiving a copy of the resolution adopted by the Board.

For purposes of Mr. Brauser’s employment agreement, “good reason” means a resignation by executive of executive’s employment following the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) without executive’s written consent, the material reduction of his authorities, duties, or responsibilities; (ii) without executive’s written consent, a reduction by the Company in the base salary as in effect immediately prior to such reduction; (iii) without executive’s written consent, a requirement by the Company that executive relocate his office to a location more than fifty (50) miles from its then-current location; or (iv) without executive’s written consent, any material breach of the agreement by the Company.

For purposes of Mr. Brauser’s employment agreement, a “change in control” shall mean:

(i) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of common stock of the Company that, together with common stock held by such person or group, possesses more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the common stock of the Company; provided, however, that if any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the common stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional common stock by the same person or persons will not be considered a change in control under the employment agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an increase in the percentage of common stock of the Company owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which the Company acquires its common stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of common stock of the Company for purposes of this clause (i);

(ii) during any period of 12 consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board (together with any new or replacement directors whose election by the Board, or whose nomination for

23


election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the directors then in office; or

(iii) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by the person or persons) assets from the Company, outside of the ordinary course of business, that have a gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For purposes of this Section, “gross fair market value” means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the employment agreement, the following shall not be treated as a change in control under this: (a) a transfer of assets from the Company to a stockholder of the Company (determined immediately before the asset transfer); (b) a transfer of assets from the Company to an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company; (c) a transfer of assets from the Company to a person, or more than one person acting as a group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding capital stock of the Company; or (d) a transfer of assets from the Company to an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in clause (iii).

Derek Dubner and Daniel MacLachlan

Below is a summary of Messrs. Dubner’s and MacLachlan’s employment agreements, as amended.

Effective April 11, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), the Company amended the employment agreements with each of Mr. Dubner (the “Dubner Agreement”) and Mr. MacLachlan (the “MacLachlan Agreement,” and together with the Dubner Agreement, the “Employment Agreements”) in connection with their service as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, respectively.

The term of the Employment Agreements commences on the Effective Date and ends on April 30, 2020, and automatically renews for successiveone-year terms unless either party gives the other party 120 days’ written notice of termination before the expiration of the applicableone-year term or unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreements.

Mr. Dubner receives an annual salary of $325,000. Pursuant to the Dubner Agreement, on November 15, 2015, Mr. Dubner was granted 500,000 RSUs under the 2015 Plan, subject to stockholder approval. The RSUs were approved at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, vest over three years from the date of grant and are subject to the Performance Vesting Conditions (as defined above) and the Supplemental Vesting Conditions (as defined below). The Company determined the Performance Vesting Conditions were met, effective March 14, 2017, and as a result 166,667 RSUs vested. Pursuant to the Dubner Agreement, on April 13, 2017, Mr. Dubner was also granted 125,000 RSUs under the 2015 Plan (together with the previously granted RSUs, the “Dubner RSUs”). The Dubner RSUs vest in three approximately equal installments on June 1, 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to the Supplemental Vesting Conditions (as defined below). Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Dubner may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.

Mr. MacLachlan receives an annual salary of $226,269. Pursuant to the MacLachlan Agreement, on April 13, 2017, Mr. MacLachlan was granted 100,000 RSUs under the 2015 Plan (the “MacLachlan RSUs”). The MacLachlan RSUs vest in three approximately equal installments on June 1, 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to the Supplemental Vesting Conditions (as defined below). Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. MacLachlan may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.

In addition, the Dubner RSUs and the MacLachlan RSUs will vest immediately upon: (i) a change in control (as defined below), (ii) a termination of such employee’s employment without cause (as defined below),

24


(iii) such employee’s termination of his employment for good reason (as defined below), (iv) his death or disability (as defined below), or (v) a termination of such employee due to an “Adverse Ruling” (as defined below) (the “Supplemental Vesting Conditions”). Shares of common stock underlying the vested RSUs will generally be issued upon the earlier of (i) a change in control (as defined below) or (ii) such employee’s separation from service as defined under the Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, provided that the delivery of shares will be delayed until the earlier of (a) six months following separation from service or (b) such employee’s death, if necessary to comply with the Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Also, Messrs. Dubner and MacLachlan are eligible to participate in the Company’s existing and future benefit plans, policies or arrangements maintained by the Company and made available to employees generally and for the benefit of executives.

The Company may terminate the Employment Agreements and each of Mr. Dubner’s and Mr. MacLachlan’s employment at any time during the term for cause (as defined below). Also, the Company may terminate the Employment Agreements and each of Mr. Dubner’s and Mr. MacLachlan’s employment without cause (as defined below) or refusal to accept assignment.

The Company may terminate the Dubner Agreement and Mr. Dubner’s employment with the Company at any time if compelled by a final,non-appealable ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction finding Mr. Dubner’s employment by the Company to be a violation of Mr. Dubner’s confidentiality and/or other legal or fiduciary obligations to TLO, LLC (“TLO”) and/or TransUnion Risk and Alternative Data Solutions, Inc., its parent(s), subsidiaries or affiliates (collectively “TransUnion”) (for purposes of the Dubner Agreement, an “Adverse Ruling”).

The Company may also terminate the MacLachlan Agreement and Mr. MacLachlan’s employment with the Company at any time if compelled by a final,non-appealable ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction finding Mr. MacLachlan’s employment by the Company to be a violation of (i) Mr. MacLachlan’s confidentiality and noncompetition agreement with TLO, which was purportedly subsequently assumed by TransUnion as part of TransUnion’s acquisition of substantially all of the assets of TLO, or (ii) Mr. MacLachlan’s noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreement with TransUnion (for purposes of the MacLachlan Agreement, each an “Adverse Ruling”).

Each of Mr. Dubner and Mr. MacLachlan may terminate his employment and the respective Employment Agreement for good reason (as defined below).

Each of Mr. Dubner and Mr. MacLachlan may also terminate his employment and the respective Employment Agreement for any reason or for no reason at all; provided, however, that such employee provides the Company with at least sixty (60) days prior written notice.

Each of Mr. Dubner’s and Mr. MacLachlan’s employment and the Employment Agreements will automatically terminate upon Mr. Dubner’s or Mr. MacLachlan’s death, as applicable. The Company may terminate the Employment Agreements and each of Mr. Dubner’s and Mr. MacLachlan’s employment with the Company immediately upon a determination of Disability (as hereinafter defined). For purposes of the Employment Agreements, the employee has a “Disability” if, for physical or mental reasons, such employee is unable to perform the essential duties required of the employee under the Employment Agreements, as applicable, even with a reasonable accommodation, for a period of six (6) consecutive months or a period of 180 days during any twelve-month period, as determined by an independent medical professional mutually acceptable to the parties. The applicable employee shall submit to a reasonable number of examinations by the independent medical professional making the determination of Disability.

Upon termination of the Employment Agreements due to Mr. Dubner’s or Mr. MacLachlan’s death or Disability, as applicable, the Company shall pay to the applicable employee’s estate such employee’s base salary accrued through the date of the employee’s death or Disability, as applicable. In the event Mr. Dubner’s or

25


Mr. MacLachlan’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause, the Company shall pay to the applicable employee such employee’s base salary and benefits accrued through the date of such employee’s termination.

In the event the Company terminates the Employment Agreements without cause or any successor of the Company refuses to accept assignment of the Employment Agreements, or if Mr. Dubner or Mr. MacLachlan terminates his respective Employment Agreement and employment with the Company for good reason or due to an Adverse Ruling, the Company shall pay to such employee the greater of (x) the applicable employee’s base salary for the remainder of the term in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices in effect from time to time and (y) two (2) years of the applicable employee’s base salary in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices in effect from time to time, provided, however, the applicable employee is not in violation of the Confidentiality, Nondisclosure, Noncompetition, Nonsolicitation and Nondisparagement Agreement attached as Exhibit B to each of the Employment Agreements (the “NDA”).

In the event Mr. Dubner or Mr. MacLachlan terminates his respective Employment Agreement and employment with the Company for any reason during the term of his applicable Employment Agreement, the Company shall pay to Mr. Dubner or Mr. MacLachlan, as applicable, such employee’s base salary through the date of such employee’s termination.

For purposes of the Employment Agreements, “cause” is defined as: (1) employee’s conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony which involves moral turpitude or results in material harm to the Company, (2) employee’s fraud against the Company, theft, misappropriation or embezzlement of the assets or funds of the Company or any customer, or any breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Company, or engagement in misconduct that is materially injurious to the Company, including any violation of any of the restrictions set forth in the NDA, (3) employee’s gross negligence of his duties or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties under the Employment Agreements, as applicable, and (4) employee’s material breach of the Employment Agreements, as applicable.

For purposes of the Employment Agreements, Mr. Dubner or Mr. MacLachlan shall have “good reason” to terminate the respective Employment Agreement and his employment if (a) there is a material diminution in such employee’s (i) duties, responsibilities or title, or (ii) authority to make decisions or implement strategies within the scope of his duties and responsibilities; (b) there is a breach of a material term of the Employment Agreement by the Company and the Company fails to cure such breach within ten (10) days of receipt of written notice from the applicable employee; (c) the Company reduces the applicable employee’s base salary as in effect from time to time, without such employee’s prior written consent; or (d) the Company requests that the applicable employee participate in an unlawful act.

For purposes of the Employment Agreements, a “change in control” shall mean:

(i) any one (1) person, or more than one (1) person acting as a group, acquires ownership of common stock of Company or any material subsidiary that, together with common stock held by such person or group, possesses more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the common stock of Company or such subsidiary; provided, however, that if any one (1) person, or more than one (1) person acting as a group, is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the common stock of Company, the acquisition of additional common stock by the same person or persons will not be considered a change in control under the Employment Agreements;

(ii) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of the Company or any material subsidiary (together with any new or replacement directors whose election by the applicable board, or whose nomination for election by Company’s or any material subsidiary’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the directors then in office; or

26


(iii) any one (1) person, or more than one (1) person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by the person or persons) assets from the Company or any material subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business, that have a gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company or such material subsidiary immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. “Gross fair market value” means the value of the assets of the Company or any material subsidiary, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Employment Agreements, the following shall not be treated as a change in control under the Employment Agreements:

(A) a transfer of assets from the Company or any material subsidiary to a shareholder of the Company (determined immediately before the asset transfer);

(B) a transfer of assets from the Company or any material subsidiary to an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or such material subsidiary;

(C) a transfer of assets from the Company or any material subsidiary to a person, or more than one (1) person acting as a group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding capital stock of the Company or material subsidiary; or

(D) a transfer of assets from the Company or material subsidiary to an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in clause (C) above.

However, to the extent necessary for the Employee to avoid adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, and its implementing regulations and guidance, a change of control shall not be deemed to occur unless it constitutes a “change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation” under Treas. Reg. Section1.409A-3(i)(5), as revised from time to time.

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Proposal 2

NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE

“SAY ON PAY”

The SEC rulesDodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and regulationsConsumer Protection Act, enacted in July 2010, and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, require all public companiesthat we provide our stockholders with the opportunity to hold a nonbinding advisory stockholder vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the executive compensation tables and any related informationthe narrative discussion in each such company’s proxy statementaccordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC (commonly known as a “Say on Pay” proposal). At the Meeting, the Company will present its Say on Pay proposal for approval.

This Say on Pay proposal is set forth in the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Cogint,Fluent, Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of its named executive officer,officers, as disclosed in the Cogint,Fluent, Inc. Proxy Statement for the 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information included in the compensation tables, the potential payments upon termination or change in control table and any related information found in the proxy statement of Cogint,Fluent, Inc.

Because your vote on this proposal is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board, the Compensation Committee, or the Company. However, the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

The Role of Stockholder Say on Pay Votes

The Board, Compensation Committee, and management value the opinions of our stockholders. We provide our stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation, including compensation that may be paid in connection with a change in control or a termination. At our annual meeting of stockholders held in June 2019, approximately 95.5% of the stockholders who voted on the Say on Pay proposal voted in favor of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in our 2019 proxy statement. Although the advisory Say On Pay vote is non-binding, our Compensation Committee has considered the outcome of the vote and determined not to make material changes to our executive compensation programs because the Compensation Committee believes this advisory vote indicates considerable stockholder support for our approach to executive compensation. Our Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of our Say on Pay votes when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

The advisory vote on the Say on Pay proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of votesthe shares of common stock which are present in person or by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the Say on Pay proposal.

 

16

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of common stock of the Company as of April 18, 2017 (the “Record Date”)24, 2020 (or such other date as provided below), by (i) all current directors, (ii) all named executive officers, (ii) all current executive officers (iii) all current directors, (iv) all current executive officers and directors of the Company as a group, and (iv)(v) each person known by the Company to beneficially own in excess of 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Unless noted otherwise, the corporate address of each person listed below is 2650 North Military Trail, Suite 300 Boca Raton, Florida 33431.Vesey Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10282.

For each listed person, the number of shares of common stock and percent of such class listed assumes the conversion or exercise of any equity securities owned by such person that are or will become convertible or exercisable, and the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units, if any, that will vest, within 60 days of April 24, 2020, but does not assume the conversion, exercise or vesting of any such equity securities owned by any other person.

The Company does not know of any other beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock other than as shown below. Unless otherwise indicated below, each stockholder has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned.

 

Named Executive Officers, Directors and Nominees

Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
Percentage of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned (1)

Michael Brauser(2)

3,848,656(3)7.0

Derek Dubner(4)

514,635(5)*

Jeff Dell

33,427(6)*

Aaron Solomon

52,953(7)*

Dr. Phillip Frost

15,721,541(8)28.7

Steven D. Rubin

251,922(9)*

Robert N. Fried

397,672(10)*

Ryan Schulke

8,064,537(11)14.7

Donald Mathis

18,334(12)*

Robert Swayman

94,797(13)*

Peter Benz

33,334(14)*

Daniel MacLachlan

103,833(15)*

Harry Jordan

226,667(16)*

All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)

29,309,355(17)53.3

5% Holders

Frost Gamma Investment Trust

15,721,541(18)28.7

Matthew Conlin

7,475,020(19)13.7

Current Named Executive Officers and Current Directors/Nominees

 

Common Stock

Beneficially Owned

 

Percentage of

Common Stock

Beneficially

Owned (1)

 

Current Named Executive Officers:

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan Schulke

 

9,471,919

 

(2)

12.4

%

 

Matthew Conlin

 

8,225,850

 

(3)

10.8

%

 

Alexander Mandel

 

42,056

 

(4)

*

 

 

Donald Patrick

 

181,667

 

(5)

*

 

 

Current Directors/Nominees:

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara Shattuck Kohn

 

 

(6)

*

 

 

Andrew Frawley

 

25,532

 

(7)

*

 

 

Donald Mathis

 

75,532

 

(8)

*

 

 

All current Directors and Executive Officers as a group (7 persons)

 

16,022,556 

(9)

21.0

%

(9)

5% Holders:

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Phillip Frost

 

18,784,874

 

(10)

24.6

%

 

JB Capital Partners, L.P.

 

5,341,219 

(11)

7.0

%

 

 

*

The person beneficially owns less than 1% of the Company’s outstanding common shares.

(1)

(1)

Based on 54,740,99876,230,968 shares of common stock outstanding at the Record Date.April 24, 2020.

(2)

(2)

Mr. Brauser’s shares do not include (i) 2,000,000 Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) owned by Marlin Capital, of which Mr. Brauser isSchulke also serves a manager, and of which 1,000,000 RSUs are vested asdirector of the Record Date but subject to deferred delivery, (ii) 3,891,665 unvested RSUs in Mr. Brauser’s name, and (iii) 1,250,000 RSUs held in Mr. Brauser’s name which are vested as of the Record Date but subject to deferred delivery.

(3)Mr. Brauser’s shares include (i) 2,144,645 shares held by Grander Holdings, Inc. 401K, of which Mr. Brauser is the trustee, (ii) 1,373,646 shares held by Birchtree Capital, LLC, of which Mr. Brauser is the manager, (iii) 280,568 shares held by Mr. Brauser directly, (iv) 16,259 shares held directly through BSIG, LLC of which Mr. Brauser owns a 50% interest and (v) 41,667 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Brauser may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date. Mr. Brauser disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have.
(4)Mr. Dubner served as ourCo-Chief Executive Officer from March 21, 2015 until March 9, 2016, when he was named Chief Executive Officer.
(5)

Mr. Dubner’s shares do not include 58,332 unvested RSUs that vest on March 21, 2018, 333,333 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on November 16, 2017, and 83,333 RSUs that vest in two annual

29


installments beginning on June 1, 2018. Mr. Dubner’s shares include 41,667 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Dubner may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.
(6)Mr. Dell’s shares do not include 15,000 unvested RSUs that vest in three equal annual installments beginning on August 22, 2017, 13,333 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on November 16, 2017 and 26,667 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on June 1, 2018. Mr. Dell’s shares include 13,333 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Dell may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.
(7)Mr. Solomon’s shares do not include 16,666 unvested RSUs that vest on March 21, 2018, 20,000 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on June 1, 2018 and 33,333 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on November 16, 2017. Mr. Solomon’s shares include 10,000 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Solomon may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.
(8)Dr. Frost’s shares do not include 3,000,000 vested but deferred RSUs owned by Frost Gamma Investment Trust (“Frost Gamma”) and 33,333 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on June 1, 2018. Dr. Frost’s shares include 16,667 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Dr. Frost may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.
(9)Mr. Rubin’s shares include vested options to purchase 32,000 shares of common stock, and do not include 25,000 unvested RSUs that vest on March 21, 2018, 100,000 RSUs that vest in three annual installments beginning on November 16, 2016 but are subject to deferred delivery, 13,333 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on June 1, 2018 and 5,000 RSUs that vest on January 1, 2018. Mr. Rubin’s shares include 6,667 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Rubin may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.
(10)Mr. Fried’s shares do not include 16,666 unvested RSUs that vest on March 21, 2018, 13,333 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on November 16, 2017 and 10,000 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on June 1, 2018. Mr. Fried’s shares include vested options to purchase 32,000 shares of common stock and 5,000 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Fried may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.
(11)Company. Mr. Schulke’s shares include (i) 6,064,5377,406,419 shares held directly, (ii) 2,000,000 shares held by RSMC Partners, LLC, of which Mr. Schulke is a member, and (iii) 65,500 shares held by The Schulke Inn Family Foundation Trust, in which the Mr. Schulke serves as Co-Trustee, and do not include (i) 550,000 RSUs that vest over a three-year periodwere fully vested as of 30% on January 1, 2017, 30% on January 1, 2018 and 40% on January 1, 2019 but are subject to deferred delivery, and (ii) 50,000 RSUs that were fully vested as of February 1, 2020 but are subject to deferred delivery, (iii) 80,000 RSUs that vest in three annual installments beginning on FebruaryMarch 1, 2018.2019 but are subject to deferred delivery, and (iv) 160,000 deferred stock units that vested on March 27, 2018, subject to deferred delivery to occur on March 27, 2021. Mr. Schulke disclaimsmay be deemed to have shared voting control over the shares owned by Dr. Frost and Frost Gamma Investments Trust ("Frost Gamma") by virtue of a Stockholders’ Agreement entered into in connection with the Spin-off, pursuant to which Dr. Frost and Frost Gamma agreed to vote in favor of Mr. Schulke’s nominees for the the Company’s board of directors. This table does not reflect Mr. Schulke's ownership interest in these shares. If Mr. Schulke were deemed to have a beneficial ownership interest in these shares, Mr. Schulke would own 28,256,793 shares, or 37.1% of the Company's outstanding common shares.

(3)

Mr. Conlin also serves as a director of the Company. Mr. Conlin’s shares include (i) 6,180,850 shares held directly, (ii) 2,000,000 shares held by RSMC Partners, LLC, exceptof which Mr. Conlin is a member, and (iii) 45,000 shares held by the Conlin Family Foundation Trust, and do not include (i) 550,000 RSUs that were fully vested as of January 1, 2019 but are subject to the extentdeferred delivery, (ii) 50,000 RSUs that were fully vested as of any pecuniary interest he may have.February 1, 2020 but are subject to deferred delivery, (iii) 80,000 RSUs that vest in three annual installments beginning on March 1, 2019 but are subject to deferred delivery, and (iv) 160,000 deferred stock units that vested on March 27, 2018, subject to deferred delivery to occur on March 27, 2021.

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(12)

(4)

Mr. Mathis’Mandel's shares do not include 16,666(i) 50,000 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on December 9, 2017, 10,000February 1, 2021, (ii) 175,000 RSUs that vest in twofour annual installments, beginning on JuneFebruary 1, 2018,2021, and 5,000(iii) 308,000 shares of common stock subject to options exercisable as early as February 1, 2020.

(5)

Mr. Patrick’s shares do not include (i) 25,000 RSUs that vest on JanuaryFebruary 1, 2018. Mr. Mathis’ shares include 5,0002021, (ii) 8,333 RSUs that are expectedvest in on March 1, 2021, (iii) 25,000 deferred stock units that vested on March 27, 2018, subject to deferred delivery to occur on March 27, 2021, (iv) 225,000 RSUs that vest in four annual installments, beginning on JuneFebruary 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days2021, and (v) 396,000 shares of the effective grant date, Mr. Mathis may electcommon stock subject to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date.options exercisable as early as February 1, 2020.

(13)Mr. Swayman’s shares include 8,333 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 16, 2017, 16,259 shares held directly through BSIG, LLC of which Mr. Swayman owns a 50% interest and 5,000 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Swayman may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date. Mr. Swayman’s

(6)

Ms. Shattuck Kohn’s shares do not include 8,333 unvested RSUs that vest on June 16, 2018, 5,00025,000 RSUs that vest in three annual installments beginning on November 16, 2016 but are subject to deferred delivery, 10,000December 9, 2020.

(7)

Mr. Frawley’s shares do not include (i) 8,333 RSUs that vest on March 27, 2021, (ii) 17,731 RSUs that vest in two equal annual installments, beginning on June 1, 2018, and 5,000 RSUs that vest on January 1, 2018. Mr. Swayman disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by BSIG, LLC except to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have.

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(14)Mr. Benz’s shares include 8,333 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 16, 2017, and 5,000 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Benz may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date. Mr. Benz’s shares do not include 8,333 unvested RSUs that vest on June 16, 2018, 3,333 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on November 16, 2017, 10,000 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on June 1, 2018 and 10,000 RSUs that vest on January 1, 2018.
(15)Mr. MacLachlan’s shares include 3,000 shares held in an IRA and 33,333 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. MacLachlan may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date. Mr. MacLachlan’s shares do not include 66,667 RSUs that vest in two annual installments beginning on June 1, 2018.
(16)Mr. Jordan’s shares include (i) 110,000 shares held in a revocable trust for the benefit of Mr. Jordan, of which Mr. Jordan is the trustee, (ii) 100,000 shares held in a revocable trust for the benefit of Mr. Jordan’s spouse, of which Mr. Jordan’s spouse is the trustee6, 2020 and (iii) 16,667 RSUs that are expected to vest on June 1, 2017, which were granted on April 13, 2017. Within 30 days of the effective grant date, Mr. Jordan may elect to defer delivery of any vested RSUs until a later date. Mr. Jordan’s shares do not include 100,000 unvested15,226 RSUs that vest in three annual installments, beginning August 8, 2017 and 33,333on June 5, 2020.

(8)

Mr. Mathis’ shares do not include (i) 8,333 RSUs that vest on March 27, 2021, (ii) 17,731 RSUs that vest in two equal annual installments, beginning on June 1, 2018.6, 2020 and (iii) 15,226 RSUs that vest in three annual installments, beginning on June 5, 2020.

(17)Includes vested options to purchase 64,000

(9)

The 2,000,000 shares of common stock.held RSMC Partners, LLC, which are deemed beneficially owned by both Mr. Schulke and Mr. Conlin, are counted only once for this calculation.

(18)

(10)

Dr. Frost’s shares include 18,734,874 owned by Frost Gamma beneficially owns 15,721,541 shares.and 50,000 shares held by Dr. Frost directly, based on the Schedule 13D/A filed by Dr. Frost and Frost Gamma on February 14, 2019. Dr. Frost is the trustee of Frost Gamma. Frost Gamma L.P. is the sole and exclusive beneficiary of Frost Gamma. Dr. Frost is one of two limited partners of Frost Gamma L.P. The general partner of Frost Gamma L.P. is Frost Gamma, Inc., and the sole shareholder of Frost Gamma, Inc. is Frost-Nevada Corporation. Dr. Frost is also the sole shareholder of Frost-Nevada Corporation. Frost Gamma’s address is 4400 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1500, Miami, FL 33137. Dr. Frost and Frost Gamma may be deemed to share voting control of these shares with Mr. Schulke by virtue of the Stockholders' Agreement described in Note (2) above.

(19)Mr. Conlin’s shares include (i) 5,455,020 shares held directly, (ii) 20,000 shares held

(11)

Based on the Schedule 13G/A filed by Conlin Family Foundation Trust in which the Mr. Conlin serves asco-trusteeJB Capital Partners, L.P. and (iii) 2,000,000 shares held by RSMC Partners, LLC, of which Mr. Conlin is a member, and do not include (i) 550,000 RSUs that vest over a three-year period of 30% on January 1, 2017, 30% on January 1, 2018 and 40% on January 1, 2019 but are subject deferred delivery, and (ii) 50,000 RSUs that vest in three annual installments beginningAlan W. Weber on February 1, 2018.14, 2020. Mr. Conlin disclaims beneficial ownershipWeber is the general partner of the shares held by RSMCJB Capital Partners, LLC except to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have.L.P. and has shared dispositive power over these shares. The address for Mr. Weber and JB Capital Partners, L.P. is 5 Evans Place, Armonk, NY 10504.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCEREPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires directors and executive officers of the Company and ten percent stockholders of the Company to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company with the SEC. Directors, executive officers, and ten percent stockholders are required to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of copies of such reports furnished to the Company during and/or with respect to the year that ended on December 31, 2016,2019 and during 2020 through the date of this proxy statement, the Company is not aware of any late or delinquent filings required under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company’s equity securities, other than two transactions on a Form 4 which wasMr. Patrick, who filed one late by Ryan Schulke,report with respect to one transaction on a Form 4 which was filed late by Matthew Conlin, one transaction on a Form 4 which was filed late by Michael Brauser and one transaction on a Form 4/A which was filed late by Michael Brauser.transaction.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The Audit Committee reviews and approves transactions in which the Company was or is to be a participant, wherein which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 annuallyor one percent of the average of the Company's total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any of its directors, executive officers or their immediate family members had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. The

31


Company has a written policy stating that the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and, if appropriate, approving or ratifying any related party transactions. The related party transaction will not be approved unless at a minimum it is for the Company’s benefit and is upon terms no less favorable to the Company than if the related party transaction was with an unrelated third party.

Earn-out Shares

On March 11, 2016, the Company issued 900,108 shares of common stock subject to anearn-out to Frost Gamma, and 1,800,220 Series Aearn-out shares to certain investors (which were subsequently converted to 1,800,220 shares of common stock), including 567,069 shares to Grander Holdings, Inc. 401K, an entity owned by Michael Brauser, the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, upon a determination by the Board of Directors that certain financial targets had been achieved as set forth in the TBO Merger Agreement.

Business Consulting Agreement

On

Effective October 13,14, 2014, the Company entered intopursuant to a business consulting services agreement with(the "Business Consulting Agreement"), Marlin Capital forInvestments, LLC ("Marlin Capital"), a termcompany of four years (the “Marlin Consulting Agreement”). Underwhich Michael Brauser, the Marlin Consulting Agreement, Marlin Capital serves inCompany's Executive Chairman prior to the capacitySpin-off, owned 50% of a strategic advisor to TBO and provides services such as recommendations on organizational structure, capital structure, future financing needs, and business strategy. The Marlin Consulting Agreement provided for equity compensation issued to Marlin Capital in the amountwas one of 2,000,000two managers, held RSUs of TBO. The Company assumed these RSUs in the TBO Merger and the RSUs representrepresenting the right to receive 2,000,000 shares of the Company’sCompany's common stock. Thestock, for consulting services provided by Marlin Capital. These RSUs were to vest on four equal annual installmentsannually beginning from October 13, 2015 only if certain performance goals of the Company arewere met. The shares underlying such RSUs willwould not behave been delivered until October 13, 2018, unless there iswas a change of control of the Company.Company, termination of the agreement by the Company without cause, or termination of the agreement by Marlin Capital for good reason. The Company recognizeddetermined the performance goals were met as of December 31, 2015. On March 12, 2018, the Company terminated the Business Consulting Agreement. The unvested 500,000 shares were accelerated, and related share-based compensation expensesexpense of $1,252,000$906,000 was recognized during the first quarter of 2018.

Promissory Notes

On December 8, 2015, the Company entered into and consummated the promissory notes financing (the "Promissory Notes"), with an interest rate of 10% per annum, with certain investors, for aggregate financing of $10.0 million, consisting of $5.0 million from Frost Gamma, $4.0 million from Michael Brauser, and $1.0 million from another investor. On March 26, 2018, as part of the refinancing associated with the Spin-off of Red Violet, the principal amount plus accrued payment-in-kind ("PIK") interest of the Promissory Notes owing to Frost Gamma, Michael Brauser and such other investor, of $5,713,000, $4,570,000 and $1,143,000, respectively, was fully repaid.

Consulting Agreement

On September 6, 2017, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Michael Brauser, effective as of June 23, 2017 (the "Consulting Agreement"), for a term of four years, under which Mr. Brauser served as a strategic adviser to the Company but received no salary for such services. In consideration for Mr. Brauser's services, the Consulting Agreement provided for continued vesting of all outstanding RSUs granted to Mr. Brauser under his employment agreement with the Company effective as of November 16, 2015. Share-based compensation expense of $302,000 and $1,742,000, associated with the Consulting Agreement, was recognized for the yeartwelve months ended December 31, 2016.

Conversion of Series B Preferred

On February 22, 2016, the Company’sNon-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Preferred”), 450,962 shares in total, including 141,430 shares previously issued to Frost Gamma in relation to certain financial arrangements,2018 and 156,544 and 105,704 shares previously issued to Ryan Schulke, Chief Executive Officer of Fluent, and Matthew Conlin, President of Fluent, respectively, in connection with the Fluent Acquisition, automatically converted into the Company’s common stock, by multiplying each such share of Series B Preferred by 50.

Warrant Exchange

On March 11, 2016, 524,750 shares of common stock were issued to Frost Gamma in exchange for the surrender of a warrant to purchase common stock, with one share of common stock issued for each share of common stock available for purchase under the warrant. No additional consideration was paid by Frost Gamma and the warrants were cancelled2017, respectively. In addition, upon the exchange.acceleration, the remaining unvested 2,500,000 shares were accelerated, and related share-based compensation expense of $6,468,000 was recognized during the first quarter of 2018. The Consulting Agreement was terminated upon the Spin-off of Red Violet.

Others

Effective on August 1, 2015, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with DAB Management Group Inc. (“DAB”("DAB"), for DAB to provide consulting services related to business development, future acquisitions and strategic transactions for a term of six months, and shall automatically renew for additional six month periods, unless either party provides written notice to the other of its intent not to renew not fewer than 30 days prior to the expiration of the then current term (the “DAB Agreement”"DAB Agreement"). DAB is owned by Daniel Brauser, a director of the Company at the time the DAB Agreement was entered into and the son of Michael Brauser, Executive Chairman of the Company.Brauser. Under the DAB Agreement, the consulting service fee iswas $20,000 per month. The Company recognized a consulting service feefees of $60,000 and $240,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The DAB Agreement was terminated upon the Spin-off of Red Violet.

HOUSEHOLDING

As permitted by rules adopted by the SEC, we are delivering a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, annual report and proxy statement, as applicable, to any household at which two or more stockholders reside if we believe the stockholders are members of the same family, unless otherwise instructed by one or more of the stockholders. We will promptly deliver separate copies of these documents upon the written or oral request of any stockholders at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents were delivered.

If your household received a single set of any of these documents, but you would prefer to receive your own copy, or if you share an address with another stockholder and together both of you would like to receive only a single set of these documents, please contact Broadridge and inform them of your request by calling them at (866) 540-7095 or writing them at Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. Be sure to include your name, the name of your brokerage firm and your account number with your brokerage firm (if applicable).

OTHER MATTERS

A copy of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

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In October 2015, the Company entered into aNon-Exclusive Aircraft Dry Lease Agreement with Brauser Aviation, LLC, an affiliated entity of our Executive Chairman, to pay a set hourly rate for Company-related usage of the aircraft. The Company recognized aircraft lease fee of $216,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016.

OTHER MATTERS

A copy of our Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, without exhibits, is being mailed with this proxy statement. Stockholders are referred to the Form10-K for financial and other information about the Company.

Additional copies of our Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162019 may be obtained without charge by writing to Joshua Weingard,Daniel Barsky, General Counsel and Corporate Counsel, 2650 North Military Trail, SuiteSecretary, 300 Boca Raton, Florida 33431.Vesey Street, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10282 or by telephone at (646) 669-7272. Exhibits will be furnished upon request. The SEC maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of such site ishttp://www.sec.gov.

We will pay for the cost of soliciting proxies. Proxies may be solicited on our behalf by our directors, officers or employees in person or by telephone, electronic transmission and facsimile transmission, but such persons will not receive any special compensation for such services. We will reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for theirout-of-pocket costs of sending the proxy materials to our beneficial owners.

As of the date of the filing of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any matters to be raised at the Meeting other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement. If other matters are properly presented at the Meeting for consideration, the persons named in the form of proxy will vote the shares they represent in their discretion.

 

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19

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE TODAY.

Vote by Internet – QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE

24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week or by Mail

 

COGINT, INC.As a stockholder of Cogint, Inc., you have the option of voting your shares electronically through the Internet, eliminating the need to return the proxy card. Your electronic vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card. Votes submitted electronically over the Internet must be received by 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on June 12, 2017.

LOGO

INTERNET/MOBILE –

www.cstproxyvote.com

Use the Internet to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card available when you access the above website. Follow the prompts to vote your shares.

LOGOMAIL – Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE PROXY CARD IF YOU    

ARE VOTING ELECTRONICALLY.    

p FOLD HERE • DO NOT SEPARATE • INSERT IN ENVELOPE PROVIDEDp

PROXY

Please mark

your votes

like this

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH DIRECTOR NOMINEE LISTED AND “FOR” PROPOSAL 2.

 

Proposal 1 – To elect the nine (9) directors listed below to Cogint Inc.’s Board of Directors to serve for a one year term until Cogint Inc.’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until a successor is duly elected and qualified.

FOR ALLNominees

WITHHELD asto All Nominees

NOMINEES:

(1) Michael Brauser

(2) Dr. Phillip Frost

(3) Derek Dubner

(4) Ryan Schulke

(5) Peter Benz

(6) Robert N. Fried

(7) Donald Mathis

(8) Steven D. Rubin

(9) Robert Swayman

Proposal 2 – Advisory approval of Cogint Inc.’s 2016 executive compensation.

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

Please check the box if you plan on attending the Annual Meeting.

IN THEIR DISCRETION THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO VOTE UPON OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND ALL CONTINUATIONS, ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF.

 

 


(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark “FOR ALL Nominees” and then strike a line through that nominee’s name in the list above)

COMPANY ID:

PROXY NUMBER:

ACCOUNT NUMBER:

SignatureSignature, if held jointlyDate, 2017.

Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint owners, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or corporate officer, please give title as such


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Materials for the Annual

Meeting of Stockholders to be held June 13, 2017

The Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Proxy Statement

and our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016

are available at http://www.cogint.com

p FOLD HERE DO NOT SEPARATE INSERT IN ENVELOPE PROVIDEDp

PROXY CARD

COGINT, INC.

2650 North Military Trail, Suite 300

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

JUNE 13, 2017 (10:00 A.M. EASTERN TIME)

The undersigned hereby appoints Derek Dubner and Joshua Weingard and each of them severally, as proxies of the undersigned, each with full power to appoint his substitute, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting (the “Meeting”) of Stockholders of Cogint, Inc. (the “Company”) to be held on June 13, 2017 (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time) at 2650 North Military Trail, Suite 300, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, and at any adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of common stock of the Company held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on April 18, 2017 in accordance with the instructions set forth on this proxy card and, in their discretion, to vote such shares on any other business as may properly come before the Meeting and on matters incident to the conduct of the Meeting. Any proxy heretofore given by the undersigned with respect to such shares of common stock is hereby revoked.

PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY ON THE REVERSE SIDE

AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS INSTRUCTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE. IF THIS PROXY IS EXECUTED BUT NO VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.

(Continued and to be marked, dated, and signed on the other side)