AGREEMENT WITH MHW LTD.
Since April 1998, we and our predecessor have had an agreement with MHW Ltd., through which MHW acts as importer of record and distributor for our products in the United States, and provides accounting, inventory, payment, transportation and storage services for us. Mr. Beaudette, one of our directors, is the President and a principal stockholder of MHW and MHW has a 10% ownership interest in our Celtic Crossing brand. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, we incurred fees for services rendered by MHW in the amount of $277,303.
AGREEMENT WITH BPW LLC
In April 2004, we contracted with BPW LLC, for business development services including providing introductions for us to agency brands and assisting us in successfully negotiating agency agreements with targeted brands. BPW is controlled by John Beaudette, one of our directors. The contract provided for a monthly retainer to BPW for a period of six months, a bonus payable to BPW in equal quarterly installments upon the finalization of an agency brand agreement based upon estimated annual case sales by us during the first year of operations at the rate of $1.00 per each nine-liter case of volume, less any retainer previously paid, and a commission based upon actual future sales of the agency brand while under our management. This contract is cancelable by either party upon 30 days written notice. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, we paid BPW $63,364.
AGREEMENTS WITH CARBERY GROUP AND ITS AFFILIATES
Mr. Leen, one of our directors, is the Financial Director of the Carbery Group, one of our principal stockholders as of March 31, 2006. Since December 1, 2003, we have had a supply agreement with Carbery Milk Products Limited, which is a member of the Carbery Group, pursuant to which it acts as our sole distiller for Boru vodka in Ireland and the supplier of natural flavors for our products. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, we purchased approximately €438,809, (recorded as $534,601 in our consolidated financial statements) of goods from Carbery Milk Products. As of March 31, 2006, Carbery Milk Products also held €304,400 ($367,593, calculated using the average foreign exchange conversion rate at March 31, 2006) principal amount of our 5% Euro denominated notes, which were issued to it in connection with our December 2003 acquisition of Roaring Water Bay. Upon the closing of the initial public offering in April 2006, the 5% Euro denominated notes held by Carbery Milk Products automatically converted into 58,314 shares of our Common Stock, and all of the interest accrued on these notes in the amount of €4,228 ($5,101, calculated using the conversion rate as of the date of payment) was paid out of the proceeds of the initial public offering.
AGREEMENTS WITH LADENBURG THALMANN & CO. INC.
In November 2004, we entered into a placement agency agreement with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. to act as our placement agent in connection with the offering and sale of our Series C convertible preferred stock. Dr. Frost, one of our directors, is a principal stockholder and director of Ladenburg Thalmann. As placement agent for that offering, we paid Ladenburg Thalmann aggregate placement fees of $421,336 and, on various dates from November 2004 to August 2005, issued warrants to Ladenburg Thalmann and its designees exercisable for the purchase of an aggregate of 63,856 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share. Ladenburg Thalmann also acted as a co-managing underwriter of our initial public offering in April 2006, for which we paid Ladenburg Thalmann $354,130 in underwriting discounts and commissions.
TRANSACTIONS WITH KNAPPOGUE CORP.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, we paid rental fees to Knappogue Corp. for the use of Knappogue Castle, located in Clare County, Ireland, for various corporate purposes including meetings and to entertain customers. Knappogue Corp. is one of our principal stockholders and is controlled and owned by Mr. Andrews, our chairman and chief executive officer, and members of his family. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, we paid Knappogue Corp. $15,018 in rental fees.
TRANSACTION WITH FROST NEVADA INVESTMENTS TRUST
On February 17, 2006, we entered into a credit facility with Frost Nevada Investments Trust, an entity controlled by Dr. Frost, one of our directors, which enabled us to borrow up to $5.0 million. We borrowed $2.0 million under this facility at an interest rate of 9% per annum payable quarterly, plus a facility fee of $100,000 paid at the time of the drawdown. Interest under this facility was payable quarterly. We repaid all outstanding principal and accrued interest under this note in the amount of $2,026,000 in April 2006.
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ISSUANCES OF SERIES C CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
From November 30, 2004 through August 2, 2005, we sold an aggregate of 1,300,000 shares of our Series C convertible preferred stock at $8.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $10.4 million. On August 9, 2005, Keith Bellinger, our President and Chief Operating Officer purchased 14,062 shares of our Series C stock for an aggregate purchase price of $112,496, and Lafferty Limited, one of our principal stockholders, purchased 62,500 shares of our Series C stock for an aggregate purchase price of $500,000.
ISSUANCE OF 6% SUBORDINATED CONVERTIBLE NOTES
On March 1, 2005, we entered into a convertible note purchase agreement with Mellon HBV SPV LLC, one of our principal stockholders, for the sale of up to $10.0 million of convertible notes, with the principal amount convertible, at the option of the holder, at a conversion price of $8.00 per share. The convertible note purchase agreement was amended on August 16, 2005 to (a) increase the amount of loans under such agreement to $15.0 million, (b) provide for 40% of the outstanding principal amount of the notes to convert automatically into Common Stock upon an initial public offering of our Common Stock at a conversion price of $7.00 per share and (c) add Black River Global Credit Fund Ltd., one of our principal stockholders, as a party to the agreement. In accordance with the terms of the convertible note purchase agreement, as amended, upon the closing of our initial public offering, 40% of the principal amounts of the notes were automatically converted into shares of our Common Stock at a rate of one share of Common Stock for every $7.00 of converted principal amount. The remaining principal under these notes is convertible into shares of our Common Stock at a rate of one share of our Common Stock for each $8.00 of converted principal amount.
After giving effect to the conversion of 40% of the outstanding principal amount of the notes as described above, Mellon HBV SPV LLC currently holds two 6% convertible promissory notes in the amount of $3.0 million each that were issued on March 1, 2005 and June 27, 2005, respectively, and Black River Global Credit Fund Ltd. holds one 6% convertible promissory note in the amount of $3.0 million that was issued on August 16, 2005.
LOANS FROM CERTAIN EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS
On June 9, 2004 our wholly owned subsidiary, Castle Brands (USA) Corp., issued, and we guaranteed, approximately $4.6 million principal amount of senior notes secured by the accounts receivable and inventories of Castle Brands (USA) Corp. to 27 investors in a private financing. As issued, these senior notes bore an interest rate of 8% payable semi-annually on November 30 and May 31, and matured on May 31, 2007. Effective August 15, 2005, the terms of these notes were modified, with the consent of the noteholders, to mature on May 31, 2009 in exchange for an interest rate increase to 9%. In addition, each purchaser of senior notes received a warrant to purchase 25 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share for each $1,000 of senior notes purchased. The following of our directors, executive officers and/or principal stockholders participated in this transaction:
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| • | Mr. Andrews, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and one of our principal stockholders, and his wife, Elizabeth Q. Andrews, purchased $250,000 of the senior notes and were issued a warrant to purchase 6,250 shares of our Common Stock. In addition, their children, Mark Andrews IV and Elizabeth Andrews, each purchased $125,000 of the senior notes and each was issued a warrant to purchase 3,125 shares of our Common Stock; |
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| • | CNF Investments LLC, one of our principal stockholders, purchased $500,000 of the senior notes and was issued a warrant to purchase 12,500 shares of our Common Stock. Robert Flanagan, one of our directors, is the manager of CNF Investments LLC. In addition, the Flanagan Family Limited Partnership purchased $100,000 of the senior notes and was issued a warrant to purchase 2,500 shares of our Common Stock. Mr. Flanagan is the general partner of the Flanagan Family Limited Partnership; |
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| • | Dr. Frost, one of our directors, is the trustee of the Frost Nevada Investment Trust, which purchased $1.0 million of the senior notes and was issued a warrant to purchase 25,000 shares of our Common Stock; and |
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| • | Lafferty Limited, one of our principal stockholders, purchased $500,000 of the senior notes and was issued a warrant to purchase 12,500 shares of our Common Stock. |
OPTIONS ISSUED TO DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
From August 8, 2003 to March 31, 2006, pursuant to our stock incentive plan, we granted to our current directors and executive officers options to purchase an aggregate of 425,000 shares of our Common Stock with exercise prices ranging from $6.00 to $8.00 per share and authorized the grant of options to purchase a total of 140,000 shares of our Common Stock to Messrs. Soden and Weinberg, which options were subsequently granted at an exercise price of $9.00 per share.
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
In accordance with the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee has appointed Eisner LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007. The Board of Directors hereby requests that the stockholders ratify such appointment. Representatives of Eisner LLP are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.
FEES PAID TO EISNER LLP
The following table sets forth the fees that we paid or accrued for the audit and other services provided by Eisner LLP in fiscal years 2006 and 2005:
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![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) |
| ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | 2006 | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | 2005 |
Audit Fees | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | $ | 1,155,250 | | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | — | |
Audit-Related Fees | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | — | | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | — | |
Tax Fees | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | — | | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | — | |
All Other Fees | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | — | | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | — | |
Total | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | $ | 1,155,250 | | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | — | |
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Audit Fees
This category includes the audit of our financial statements included in our registration statement in connection with the initial public offering of our Common Stock ($1,045,250), annual financial statements and services that are normally provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the listed fiscal years. This category also includes fees for advice on accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the annual audit or the reviews of interim financial statements.
Audit-Related Fees
This category would consist of assurance and related services provided by Eisner that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under ‘‘Audit Fees.’’
Tax Fees
This category would consist of professional services rendered by Eisner, primarily in connection with strategic planning with respect to possible acquisitions.
All Other Fees
This category would consist of fees for other miscellaneous items.
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Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
In accordance with the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee reviews and approves in advance on a case-by-case basis each engagement (including the fees and terms thereof) by us of accounting firms that will perform permissible non-audit services or audit, review or attest services for the company. The Audit Committee is authorized to establish detailed pre-approval policies and procedures for pre-approval of such engagements without a meeting of the Audit Committee, but the Audit Committee has not established any such pre-approval procedures at this time.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Eisner LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of Castle Brands Inc. for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.
OTHER MATTERS
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The cost of solicitation of proxies in the form enclosed herewith will be paid by Castle Brands Inc. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies personally or by telephone without additional compensation for such activities. We will also request persons, firms and corporations holding shares in their names or in the names of their nominees, which are beneficially owned by others, to send proxy materials to and obtain proxies from such beneficial owners. We will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
For stockholder proposals to be included in our proxy materials relating to our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2007 (the ‘‘2007 Annual Meeting’’), all applicable requirements of Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act (‘‘Rule 14a-8’’) must be satisfied and such proposals must be received by us at our principal executive offices no later than May 23, 2007.
Stockholders who do not wish to submit a proposal for inclusion in our proxy materials relating to our 2007 Annual Meeting in accordance with Rule 14a-8 may submit a proposal for consideration at the 2007 Annual Meeting in accordance with our bylaws. Such stockholders must provide timely notice in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, for our 2007 Annual Meeting, proposals must be received at our principal executive offices not earlier than June 22, 2007 and not later than July 22, 2007. However, in the event that the 2007 Annual Meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the Annual Meeting, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which notice of the date of the 2007 Annual Meeting is mailed to stockholders or made public, whichever first occurs. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before an annual meeting of stockholders.
All notices of proposals by stockholders, whether or not to be included in our proxy materials, should be mailed to: Castle Brands Inc., 570 Lexington Avenue, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attn: Secretary.
EXHIBITS TO OUR 2006 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Included with these proxy materials is a copy of our 2006 Annual Report, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K, without exhibits, as filed with the SEC. We will furnish to each person whose proxy is solicited, on the written request of that person, a copy of the exhibits to that annual report for a charge of ten cents per page. Please direct your request to Seth Weinberg, Secretary, Caste Brands Inc., 570 Lexington Avenue, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10022.
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OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any matters other than those described in this Proxy Statement that will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If other matters are presented, proxies will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holders.
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | By Order of the Board of Directors |
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | SETH WEINBERG |
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0000950136-06-006106/spacer.gif) | Secretary |
Dated: July 28, 2006
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Appendix I
Audit Committee Charter
Purpose
The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in its oversight of Castle Brands Inc.'s (the ‘‘Company’’) accounting and financial reporting processes and systems, including (i) the quality and integrity of the Company's accounting and reporting practices, (ii) the qualifications and independence of the Company's independent auditor, (iii) the performance of the Company's internal audit function and internal auditor, and (iv) the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee serves as a board level monitor of the Company's relationship with the independent auditor, as set forth in this Charter, and provides advice, counsel and general direction, as it deems appropriate, to management and the independent auditor on the basis of the information it receives, discussions with the independent auditor, and the experience of its members in business, financial and accounting matters.
The Company's management is responsible for preparing the Company's financial statements, and the independent auditors are responsible for auditing or reviewing those financial statements. The Audit Committee members are not professional accountants or auditors and their functions are not intended to duplicate or to certify the activities of management or the independent auditor. The Audit Committee is not required to certify that the independent auditor is independent under applicable rules.
Membership and Structure
The Audit Committee shall be comprised of at least three members of the Board of Directors appointed by the Board of Directors. Each member shall satisfy the independence and financial literacy requirements of Section 121B(2) of the American Stock Exchange (‘‘Amex’’) Company Guide, Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Exchange Act’’), the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (the ‘‘SEC’’) and other applicable federal law. At least one member of the Audit Committee shall have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual's financial sophistication as set forth in Section 121B(2) of the Amex Company Guide. Each member will be free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with his or her exercise of independent judgment.
Each member of the Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall serve until such member's successor is duly elected and qualified or until such member's earlier resignation or removal. The Board of Directors may choose to designate one or more members of the Audit Committee as an ‘‘audit committee financial expert’’ as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act. Unless a chair is elected by the full Board of Directors, the members of the Audit Committee shall designate a chair by the majority vote of the members of the Audit Committee. The chair shall be entitled to cast a vote to resolve any ties.
The Audit Committee shall be governed by the same rules regarding meetings (including meetings by conference telephone or similar communications equipment), action without meetings, notice, waiver of notice, and quorum and voting requirements as are applicable to the Board of Directors.
Meetings
The Audit Committee shall meet as often as it determines necessary but not less frequently than quarterly. The Audit Committee shall meet periodically with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditor in separate executive sessions. The chair will lead all regular sessions of the Audit Committee and set the agendas for Audit Committee meetings. The Audit Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company's outside counsel or independent auditor to attend a meeting of the Audit Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Audit Committee.
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Responsibilities
The following shall be the common recurring activities of the Audit Committee in carrying out its duties as set forth in Section I of this Charter. The Audit Committee may carry out additional activities and adopt additional policies and procedures as may be appropriate in light of business, legislative, regulatory, legal or other conditions. The Audit Committee shall also carry out other activities delegated to it by the Board of Directors.
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| • | The Audit Committee shall have the sole authority for the appointment, replacement, compensation, and oversight of the work of the Company's independent auditor, including the resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting. The independent auditor shall report directly to the Audit Committee. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with the independent auditor (i) the scope and plans for their audit, including the adequacy of staffing, compensation and timing of the audit, (ii) the results of the annual audit examination and accompanying management letters, and (iii) the results of the independent auditor's procedures with respect to interim periods. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall ensure its receipt of, and then shall review and discuss, the written statement from the independent auditor concerning any relationship between the independent auditor and the Company or any other relationships that may adversely affect the independence of the auditor, and, based on such review, assesses the independence of the auditor. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall review and discuss reports from the independent auditors on (i) all critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company, (ii) alternative accounting treatments within GAAP related to material items that have been discussed with management, including the ramifications of using the alternative treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor, and (iii) other material written communications between the independent auditor and management. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor (i) the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company's controls (including any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the Company's internal controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal controls), (ii) management's annual assessment of the effectiveness of the internal controls and the independent auditor's attestation and report about management's assessment as required by the SEC, and (iii) the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company's disclosures controls and procedures, and management reports thereon. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall review annually with the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Vice President – Finance the scope of the internal audit program, and review annually the performance of both the internal audit group and the independent auditor in executing their plans and meeting their objectives. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements and ‘‘Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations’’ to be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and registration statements and recommend to the Board of Directors whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year and, if applicable, a registration statement. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall provide the ‘‘Report of the Audit Committee’’ required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the Company's annual proxy statement. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the Company's quarterly financial statements, including the interim financial information and business discussion included therein, prior to the filing of each Form 10-Q. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall discuss with management the Company's earnings press releases, including the use of ‘‘pro forma’’ or ‘‘adjusted’’ non-GAAP financial information, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. Such discussions may be done generally (consisting of discussing the types of information to be disclosed and the types of presentations to be made). |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall review and approve in advance on a case-by-case basis all engagements by the Company of accountants (including the fees and terms thereof) that will perform permissible non-audit services or audit, review or attest services for the Company, with exceptions provided for de minimus amounts under certain circumstances as prescribed by Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee may establish detailed pre-approval policies and procedures pursuant to which such engagements are pre-approved without a meeting of the Audit Committee. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions for potential conflicts of interest on an ongoing basis and shall review and have prior-approval authority for related-party transactions. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall review the use of auditors other than the independent auditor in cases such as management's request for second opinions. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall maintain adequate minutes of its meetings and other activities, and will report its actions at the following meeting of the Board of Directors. |
Authority
The Audit Committee shall have the following additional rights and authority:
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| • | The Audit Committee shall have the authority to engage independent legal, accounting or other advisers, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties. |
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| • | The Company shall provide the Audit Committee with appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, for the payment of (i) compensation to any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services, (ii) compensation to any advisors employed by the Audit Committee, and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the Audit Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties. |
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| • | The Audit Committee shall have the authority to designate one or more of its members to perform certain of its duties on its behalf, subject to such reporting to, or ratification by, the Audit Committee as the Audit Committee shall direct. |
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| • | The activities set forth in this Charter are guidelines, and the Audit Committee may supplement or modify them as appropriate. |
Annual Evaluation
The Audit Committee will engage in an annual self-assessment with the goal of continuing improvement, and will annually review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter, and recommend any changes to the full Board of Directors.
27
CASTLE BRANDS VOTE BY MAIL
ATTN: AMELIA GARY Mark, sign and date your proxy card
570 LEXINGTON AVE 29TH FLOOR and return it in the postage-paid
NEW YORK, NY 10022 envelope we have provided or return
it to Castle Brands Inc. c/o ADP, 51
Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
CASTL1
KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
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CASTLE BRANDS INC.
VOTE ON DIRECTORS
PROPOSAL 1. Election of Directors
NOMINEES: FOR WITHHOLD FOR ALL
01) Mark Andrews ALL ALL EXCEPT
02) John F. Beaudette
03) Robert J. Flanagan [ ] [ ] [ ]
04) Phillip Frost, M.D.
05) Colm Leen
06) Richard C. Morrison
07) Frederick M.R. Smith
08) Kevin Tighe
TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, MARK
"FOR ALL EXCEPT" AND WRITE THE NOMINEE'S NAME ON THE LINE BELOW.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES
LISTED ABOVE.
VOTE ON PROPOSAL FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
PROPOSAL 2. To ratify and approve the appointment
of Eisner LLP as the independent [ ] [ ] [ ]
registered public accounting firm
of the Company for the fiscal
year ending March 31, 2007.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF
PROPOSAL 2.
(This Proxy should be marked, dated, signed by the stockholder(s) exactly as his
or her name appears hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope.
Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate. If shares are held
by joint tenants or as community property, both should sign.)
For address changes, please check this box and write them on
the back where indicated [ ]
Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting [ ] [ ]
YES NO
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] DATE
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- ---------------------------------------------------
Signature (Joint Owners) DATE
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CASTLE BRANDS INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned stockholder of Castle Brands Inc. (the "Company"), hereby
appoints Mark Andrews, Keith Bellinger and Seth Weinberg and each of them, with
power of substitution to each, true and lawful Proxies of the undersigned and
hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as specified herein, all shares of
common stock of the Company held of record by the undersigned as of the close of
business on July 28, 2006 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company
to be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the
American Stock Exchange, located at 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006
(the "Annual Meeting"), and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED. IF NO
DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE EIGHT NOMINEES OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSAL 2. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE
PROXIES ARE EACH AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME
BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and Proxy Statement dated July 28, 2006.
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ADDRESS CHANGES: ___________________________________________________________
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(If you noted any Address Changes above, please
mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN IMMEDIATELY
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