EXHIBIT 10.8
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1998, is between XOOM, Inc. ("XOOM"),
and Laurent Massa ("Mr. Massa"). XOOM and Mr. Massa agree to the following
terms and conditions of employment.
1. Position and Responsibilities. Mr. Massa is employed by XOOM as President
and CEO and agrees to perform all services appropriate to that position, as well
as such other services as may be assigned by XOOM. Mr. Massa shall devote his
best efforts and full-time attention to the performance of his duties and shall
not accept any other employment or engage in any other business, commercial, or
professional activity that is or may be competitive with XOOM, that might create
a conflict of interest with XOOM, or that otherwise might interfere with the
business of XOOM or any affiliate. Mr. Massa may serve as a director or as a
member of the advisory board of any company provided that he complies with the
restrictions set forth in Section 1 and Section 4.
2. Compensation and Benefits. XOOM shall pay Mr. Massa a base salary at the
rate of Two hundred sixteen thousand dollars ($216,000) per year. Mr. Massa
will be eligible for an annual bonus of up to 33% of his base salary, paid
quarterly based on the following criteria:
# exceeding quarterly revenue goals: 50% of the eligible bonus
# achieving specific management team goals: 25% of the eligible bonus
# achieving personal objectives that improve the organization: 25% of the
eligible bonus.
These goals will be set and reviewed quarterly by the Compensation Committee of
the Board. Mr. Massa will be eligible for an annual review of this agreement no
later than July 20, 1999.
Mr. Massa shall receive benefits from all present and future benefit plans set
forth in XOOM's policies and generally made available to employees (as these
policies may be amended). XOOM may, in its sole discretion, adjust Mr. Massa's
compensation and benefits provided under this Agreement.
3. Termination of Employment.
(a) By Employer Not For Cause. Except as modified in section 3(c), below, at
any time, XOOM may terminate Mr. Massa's employment for any reason, with
or without cause, by providing one hundred eighty (180) days' advance
written notice, and shall have the option, in its discretion, to
terminate Mr. Massa's employment at any time prior to the end of such
notice period, provided XOOM pays Mr. Massa an amount equal to the base
compensation Mr. Massa would have earned through the balance of the above
notice period plus benefits, thereafter all of XOOM's obligations under
this Agreement shall cease. In the event that XOOM exercises its right to
terminate Mr. Massa's employment upon notice under the terms of this
subsection, Mr. Massa shall be immediately entitled to exercise one
hundred percent (100%) of any stock options granted by XOOM that had not
previously vested. If the stock of XOOM or any parent company is publicly
traded, Mr. Massa's exercise of stock options
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subject to vesting under this subsection must be made within four (4)
months of the date upon which Mr. Massa was informed of XOOM's intent to
terminate his employment. In the event XOOM's or a parent company's stock
is not publicly traded, Mr. Massa's exercise of stock options must be
made within twelve (12) months of the date upon which Mr. Massa was
informed of XOOM's intent to terminate his employment. XOOM may dismiss
Mr. Massa with or without cause notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in or arising from any statements, policies, or practices of
XOOM relating to employment, discipline, or termination.
(b) By Employer For Cause. Except as modified in section 3(c), below, at any
time, XOOM may terminate Mr. Massa for Cause (as defined below). XOOM
shall pay Mr. Massa all compensation then due; thereafter, all of XOOM's
obligations under this Agreement shall cease. "Cause" shall include, but
not be limited to:
1. unsatisfactory performance, misconduct, failure to follow policies
or procedures, material breach of this Agreement, and excessive
absenteeism. XOOM shall provide at least one appropriate written
warning of specific deficiencies and provide a reasonable period
not to exceed thirty days for Mr. Massa to cure any such
deficiencies.
2. to the extent permitted by law, unavailability for work due to
disability for more than ninety (90) days in any one (1) year
period.
3. Committing a felony, an act of fraud against or the willful
misappropriation of property belonging to XOOM.
4. Conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction of a felony or
misdemeanor which adversely and materially affects the ability of
the executive to perform his duties, obligations and
responsibilities herein or the good name, goodwill or reputation of
XOOM.
(c) By Employer Following Change in Control or Corporate Transaction.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Mr. Massa's employment
is involuntarily terminated by XOOM, or any successor or assign of XOOM,
for any reason, with or without cause (as defined above), following a
Change in Control or Corporate Transaction or the execution of a letter
of intent that, by its terms, ultimately results in a Change in Control
or Corporate Transaction, as those terms are defined in the XOOM, Inc.
1998 Stock Incentive Plan, which is incorporated by reference herein, Mr.
Massa shall be entitled to payment of an amount equal to one (1) year's
base compensation plus benefits; thereafter, all obligations of XOOM, or
any successor or assign of XOOM, under this Agreement shall cease. In the
event that Mr. Massa's employment is terminated under the terms of this
subsection, Mr. Massa shall be immediately entitled to exercise any and
all stock options granted by XOOM that had not previously vested. In the
event the company effecting the change in control or XOOM is publicly
traded, any exercise of Mr. Massa's stock options subject to vesting
under this subsection must be made within four (4) months of the date
upon which Mr. Massa was informed by XOOM, or any successor or assign of
XOOM, of its intent to terminate his employment, whether such termination
is with or without notice. If the company effecting the change in control
or XOOM is not publicly traded, Mr. Massa may have up to twelve (12)
months from the date upon which Mr. Massa was informed by XOOM, or any
successor or assign of XOOM, of its intent to terminate his employment,
to
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exercise his options subject to vesting under this subsection.
(d) By Employee. At any time, Mr. Massa may terminate his employment for any
reason, with or without cause, by providing XOOM thirty (30) days'
advance written notice. XOOM shall have the option, in its complete
discretion, to make Mr. Massa's termination effective at any time prior
to the end of such notice period, provided XOOM pays Mr. Massa all
compensation due and owing through the last day actually worked, plus an
amount equal to the base salary Mr. Massa would have earned through the
balance of the above notice period, not to exceed thirty (30) days;
thereafter, all of XOOM's obligations under this Agreement shall cease.
(e) Termination Obligations. Mr. Massa agrees that all property, including
tangible Proprietary Information (as defined below), documents, records,
notes, contracts, and computer-generated materials furnished to or
prepared by Mr. Massa related to his employment, belongs to XOOM and
shall be returned promptly to XOOM upon termination. Mr. Massa's
obligations under this subsection shall survive the termination of his
employment and the expiration of this Agreement.
4. Proprietary Information. "Proprietary Information" is all information and
any idea pertaining in any manner to the business of XOOM (or any affiliate),
its employees, clients, consultants, or business associates, which was produced
by any employee of XOOM in the course of his or her employment or otherwise
produced or acquired by or on behalf of XOOM. Proprietary Information shall
include, without limitation, trade secrets, product ideas, inventions,
processes, formulas, data, know-how, software and other computer programs,
copyrightable material, marketing plans, strategies, sales, financial reports,
forecasts, and customer lists. All Proprietary Information not generally known
outside of XOOM's organization, and all Proprietary Information so known only
through improper means, shall be deemed "Confidential Information." During his
employment, Mr. Massa shall use Proprietary Information, and shall disclose
Confidential Information, only for the benefit of XOOM and as is necessary to
perform his job responsibilities under this Agreement. Following termination,
Mr. Massa shall not use any Proprietary Information and shall not disclose any
Confidential Information, except with the express written consent of XOOM. By
way of illustration and not in limitation of the foregoing, following
termination, Mr. Massa shall not use any Confidential Information to compete
against XOOM or employ any of its employees. Mr. Massa further agrees that for
one (1) year following termination, he shall not solicit any customer or
employee of XOOM. Mr. Massa's obligations under this Section shall survive the
termination of his employment and the expiration of this Agreement.
5. Integration and Amendment. This Agreement is intended to be the final,
complete, and exclusive statement of the terms of Mr. Massa's employment. This
Agreement supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and
statements, whether written or oral, express or implied, pertaining in any
manner to the employment of Mr. Massa, and it may not be contradicted by
evidence of any prior or contemporaneous statements or agreements. To the
extent that the practices, policies, or procedures of XOOM, now or in the
future, apply to Mr. Massa and are inconsistent with the terms of this
Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. This Agreement may
not be amended except by a writing signed by each of the parties. Failure to
exercise any right under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such
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right.
6. Interpretation. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the law of the State of California. This Agreement shall be
construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not in favor of or
against any party. By way of example and not in limitation, this Agreement
shall not be construed in favor of the party receiving a benefit nor against the
party responsible for any particular language in this Agreement. If a court or
arbitrator holds any provision of this Agreement to be invalid, unenforceable,
or void, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
Captions are used for reference purposes only and should be ignored in the
interpretation of the Agreement.
7. Acknowledgment. Mr. Massa acknowledges that he has had the opportunity to
consult legal counsel in regard to this Agreement, that he has read and
understands this Agreement, that he is fully aware of its legal effect, and that
he has entered into it freely and voluntarily and based on his own judgment and
not on any representations or promises other than those contained in this
Agreement.
The parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above.
/s/ LAURENT MASSA /s/ CHRIS KITZE
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By: Laurent Massa By: Chris Kitze
Its: President and CEO Its: Chairman
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