stockholder, officer, volunteer, intern or any other similar capacity to a competitor or to an entity engaged in the same or similar business as MG, including those engaged in the business of production, sale or marketing of snack foods (including, but not limited to gum, chocolate, confectionary products, biscuits or any other product or service Gladden had reason to know was under development by MG during his employment with MG), limited solely to those competitors or entities that have a material business in snack foods (where “material” is defined as $50MM or more in annual retail sales), without the written consent of MG’s Executive Vice President of Global Human Resources, or designee, such consent to be provided by MG in its sole and absolute discretion. For the purpose of this Section 7(a), MG’s competitors include entities engaged in the same or similar business as wholly owned subsidiaries of Mondelēz International, Inc. For purposes of thisNon-Competition clause, Listed Competitors include, but are not limited to, the following companies: PepsiCo, Inc., Campbell Soup Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Kellogg Company, Mars, Inc., Nestle S.A., Ferrero Rocher, General Mills, Inc., The Hershey Company, Groupe Danone, Perfetti Van Melle, Arcor, Unilever Group, Lindt & Sprungli AG, and Yildiz Holding A.S., or any subsidiaries, affiliates or subsequent parent or merger partner, if any of these companies are acquired or become part of a merger. For purposes of this Agreement, “affiliate” of a specified person or entity means a person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person or entity specified. For the avoidance of doubt, during the Restricted Period, Gladden shall not advise any client or potential client on any matters or in any manner that would be useful to that client or potential client in competing against MG, or that would cause a client or potential client to become a competitor to MG. Passive ownership of less than two percent (2%) of the outstanding stock of any publicly traded corporation (or private company through an investment in a hedge fund, or similar vehicle) shall not be deemed to be a violation of this Section 7(a) solely by reason thereof. Under no circumstances may Gladden engage in any activity that may require or inevitably require his use or disclosure of MG’s Confidential Information.
(b) Non-Solicitation of Employees: Gladden understands and acknowledges that MG has expended and continues to expend significant time and expense recruiting and training its employees and that the loss of employees would cause significant and irreparable harm to MG. Gladden agrees and covenants not to directly or indirectly solicit, hire, recruit, attempt to hire or recruit, or induce the termination of employment of any employee of MG during the Restricted Period. The foregoing shall not be violated by general advertising not targeted at MG employees or by serving as a reference upon request.
(c) Restrictive Covenant Remedies: If Gladden breaches or violates the provisions of this Section 7, he will be obligated to pay back to MG all payments received pursuant to this Agreement, and MG will not be obligated to make any future payments pursuant to this Agreement that are otherwise owed. This will be in addition to any other remedy that MG may have in respect of such Prohibited Conduct. MG and Gladden acknowledge and agree that MG will or would suffer irreparable injury in the event of a breach or violation or threatened breach or violation of the provisions set forth in this Section 7, and agree that in the event of a breach or violation of such provisions MG will be awarded injunctive relief by a Court of competent jurisdiction to prohibit any such breach or violation, and that such right to injunctive relief will be in addition to any other remedy which may be ordered by the Court or an arbitrator. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or any other available forms of relief.
(d) Judicial Amendment: Gladden and MG acknowledge the reasonableness of the agreements set forth in this Section 7 and the specifically acknowledge the reasonableness of the geographic area, duration of time and subject matter that are part of the covenant not to compete contained in Section 7(a)(i)-(ii). Gladden further acknowledges that Gladden’s skills are such that Gladden can be gainfully employed in noncompetitive employment and that the parties’ agreement not to compete will in no manner prevent Gladden from earning a living. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event it is judicially determined that any of the limitations contained in this Section 7 are unreasonable, illegal or offensive under any applicable law and may not be enforced as agreed herein, the parties agree that the unreasonable, illegal or offensive portions of this Section 7, whether they relate to duration, area or subject matter, shall be and hereby are revised to conform with all applicable laws and that this Agreement, as modified, shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be rendered void or illegal.
8. This Agreement to Be Kept Confidential: Gladden understands that this Agreement is unique to him and he agrees that it is confidential and that he will not disclose this Agreement or its terms to anyone other than (a) his legal or tax advisor, (b) his immediate family, (c) in a legal action to enforce the terms of this Agreement, (d) the EEOC or similar state or local FEPA in connection with the filing or investigation of a charge, or (e) as ordered or required by law. Gladden further agrees that if he discloses the existence of terms of this Agreement to anyone under (a) or (b) above, he will inform them of the confidentiality requirements of this Section and require that they agree to be bound by such requirements. Nothing in this Section 8 shall be construed to prohibit Gladden from reporting conduct to, providing truthful information to or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by any federal, state or local government agency or self-regulatory organization.