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SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, For Use of the
Commission Only
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement (as permitted by
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to
240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12
The Producers Entertainment Group Ltd.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(4) Date Filed:
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THE PRODUCERS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LTD.
-----------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 28, 1998
-----------
TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:
Notice is hereby given that the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
The Producers Entertainment Group Ltd. ("TPEG" or the "Company") will be held
at the Beverly Pavillion Hotel, 9360 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills,
California 90212, on April 28, 1998 at 9:30 a.m., California time. The Annual
Meeting is being held for the following purposes:
1. To elect a Board of seven (7) Directors to hold office until the
next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective
successors have been elected;
2. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Company's
1998 Stock Incentive Plan;
3. To consider and vote upon a proposed amendment to the Company's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock
split of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Stock,
$0.001 par value per share, whereby each three (3) shares of
Common Stock issued as of the effective date of the reverse split
will be converted into one (1) share of Common Stock, $0.001 par
value per share, and in connection therewith to effect a
proportionate reduction in the Company's stated capital;
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Only stockholders of record of the Common Stock of the Company at the
close of business on March 19, 1998 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in
person. However, to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, you are
urged to mark, sign and return the enclosed Proxy as promptly as possible in the
postage prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose. Any stockholder attending
the Annual Meeting may vote in person, even though he or she has returned a
Proxy.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Arthur H. Bernstein
Secretary
Los Angeles, California 90036
April 1, 1998
IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE,
SIGN AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE AS PROMPTLY AS
POSSIBLE. IF YOU DO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY, IF YOU PREFER, REVOKE YOUR
PROXY AND VOTE YOUR SHARES IN PERSON.
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THE PRODUCERS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LTD.
----------------
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 28, 1998
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of The Producers Entertainment
Group Ltd., a Delaware corporation ("TPEG" or the "Company"), for use at the
1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held at the
Beverly Pavillion Hotel, 9360 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California
90212, on April 28, 1998 at 9:30 a.m., California time, and at any adjournments
or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and in the attached
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Accompanying this Proxy Statement is
the Board's Proxy for the Annual Meeting, which you may use to indicate your
vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.
All Proxies which are properly completed, signed and returned to the
Company prior to the Annual Meeting, and which have not been revoked, will
unless otherwise directed by the stockholder be voted in accordance with the
recommendations of the Board set forth in this Proxy Statement. A stockholder
may revoke his or her Proxy at any time before it is voted either by filing with
the Secretary of the Company, at its principal executive offices, a written
notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by
attending the Annual Meeting and expressing a desire to vote his or her shares
in person.
The close of business on March 19, 1998 has been fixed as the record
date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at
the Annual Meeting or at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual
Meeting. At the record date, 19,951,482 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001
per share, were outstanding. The Common Stock is the only outstanding class of
securities of the Company entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
A stockholder is entitled to cast one vote for each share held of record
on the record date on all matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting. The
seven nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting who receive the
highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. The approval of the 1998
Stock Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
of Common Stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. With respect to the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, abstentions will be
counted toward the tabulation of votes cast and will have the same effect as
negative votes. However, broker non-votes, while included in the determination
of shares present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum,
will not be counted as votes cast for or against approval of the 1998 Stock
Incentive Plan. The amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation to effect a
reverse stock split requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of
the Company's outstanding Common Stock. For purposes of the amendment of the
Certificate of Incorporation, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted
as votes cast against approval of the amendment of the Certificate of
Incorporation.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Proxy were mailed to
stockholders on or about April 1, 1998.
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NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
In accordance with the bylaws of TPEG (the "Bylaws"), the Company's
directors are elected at each Annual Meeting of Stockholders and hold office
until the next election of directors and until their successors are duly
elected. The Bylaws provide that the Board shall consist of no fewer than two
and no more than nine directors as determined from time to time by the Board.
The Board currently consists of seven directors.
Unless otherwise instructed, the Proxy holders will vote the Proxies
received by them for the nominees named below. If any nominee is unable or
unwilling to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting or any
postponement or adjournment thereof, the Proxies will be voted for such other
nominee(s) as shall be designated by the current Board to fill any vacancy. The
Company has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable or unwilling to
serve if elected as a director.
The Board proposes the election of the following nominees as directors:
1. Arthur H. Bernstein
2. Michael Collyer
3. Salvatore Grosso
4. Michael Iscove
5. Lawrence S. Jacobson
6. Irwin Meyer
7. Gilbert J. Spiegel
If elected, each nominee is expected to serve until the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. The seven nominees for election as directors at the
Annual Meeting who receive the highest number of affirmative votes will be
elected.
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INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
nominees and executive officers of the Company as of March 1, 1998:
YEAR FIRST
AGE AT ELECTED OR
MARCH 1, APPOINTED
NAME: 1998 DIRECTOR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
---- -------- ----------- --------------------
Nominees:
Salvatore "Sonny" Grosso 61 1997 Mr. Grosso has been a Co-Chairman of the Board of
Directors of TPEG, as well as its Chief Operating Officer
since October 1997. From 1980 when he and Mr.
Jacobson founded The Grosso-Jacobson Entertainment
Corporation ("G-J Entertainment") and Grosso-Jacobson
Productions, Inc. ("G-J Productions"), to October 1997
when G-J Entertainment and G-J Productions were each
acquired by TPEG, Mr. Grosso served as the Vice-
President and Secretary at each of G-J Entertainment and
G-J Productions. During Mr. Grosso's tenure with these
companies, more than 750 hours of television
programming were produced, including "The Big Easy,"
a made-for-television series created for USA Network
based on the motion picture of the same name.
Lawrence S. Jacobson 60 1997 Since October 1997, Mr. Jacobson has served as a Co-
Chairman of the Board of Directors of TPEG and as the
Company's President. From 1980 when he and Mr.
Grosso founded G-J Entertainment and G-J Productions,
to October 1997 when G-J Entertainment and G-J
Productions were each acquired by TPEG, Mr. Jacobson
served as Chief Executive Officer and President at each
of G-J Entertainment and G-J Productions. During Mr.
Jacobson's tenure with these companies, more than 750
hours of television programming was produced, including
"The Big Easy," a made-for-television series created for
USA Network based on the motion picture of the same
name.
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YEAR FIRST
AGE AT ELECTED OR
MARCH 1, APPOINTED
NAME: 1998 DIRECTOR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
---- -------- ----------- --------------------
Irwin Meyer 62 1989 Mr. Meyer has been a director of TPEG since its
inception in 1989 and has served as its Chief Executive
Officer since February 1995. Since October 1997, Mr.
Meyer has been a Co-Chairman of the Board of
Directors. At various times prior to October 1997, Mr.
Meyer has served as TPEG's Chairman of the Board
(April 1996-October 1997; January 1991-June 1992); Co-
Chairman of the Board (February 1990-December 1990)
and President (February 1995-October 1997). From
1988 to July 1994, Mr. Meyer was a director of Ventura
Entertainment Group Ltd., the Company's former parent
("Ventura"), and from May 1988 to December 1990,
Mr. Meyer was President of Ventura. Mr. Meyer was
an executive producer of seven of TPEG's made-for-
television movies. In 1995 he was nominated for
Producer of the Year by the Producers Guild of America.
Mr. Meyer received the Antoinette Perry ("Tony")
Award, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the
Drama Desk Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award and
the Cue Magazine Golden Apple Award, for his 1977
production of the musical "Annie." Mr. Meyer is a
member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences. He holds a B.S. from New York University.
Arthur H. Bernstein 35 1995 Mr. Bernstein has been a director of the Company since
February 1995 and has served as the Executive Vice
President of the Company since October 1997 as well as
the Company's Secretary since March 1995. Between
June 1992 and October 1997, Mr. Bernstein served as a
Senior Vice President of TPEG and was the Company's
Vice President-Business and Legal Affairs from
September 1991 to June 1992. Prior to this, Mr.
Bernstein was the Director of Legal and Business Affairs
for New World Entertainment Ltd. from July 1989 to
August 1991. From 1987 to June 1989, he was Assistant
General Counsel of Four Star International, Inc. Mr.
Bernstein received a B.S. in finance and marketing from
Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences in 1984 and
his law degree from Temple University in 1987.
Michael Collyer 56 1997 Mr. Collyer has been a director of the Company since
October 1997. Since 1972 Mr. Collyer has been a
partner in the law firm Kay Collyer & Boose LLP and its
predecessor firms. Mr. Collyer received a B.A. degree
from Williams College in 1963 and a law degree in 1966
from Columbia University School of Law.
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YEAR FIRST
AGE AT ELECTED OR
MARCH 1, APPOINTED
NAME: 1998 DIRECTOR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
---- -------- ----------- --------------------
Gilbert J. Spiegel 45 1997 Mr. Spiegel has been a director of the Company since
October 1997. Since 1991, Mr. Spiegel has served as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of American
Financial Service, Inc., a real estate loan provider. Prior
to his position with American Financial Service, Mr.
Spiegel has worked in the real estate finance and law
fields. Mr. Spiegel received a B.S. in Pre-Law and
Accounting from Michigan State University in 1964 and
received his law degree from Temple University in 1967.
Michael Iscove 47 1997 Mr. Iscove has been a director of the Company since
October 1997. Since June 1995, Mr. Iscove has served
as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Sirius Corporate Finance Inc. Prior to that, Mr.
Iscove was the President of Creative Fusion from April
1995 to June 1995. In 1978, Mr. Iscove received a
Chartered Accounts Designation in accounting from The
Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. In 1972,
Mr. Iscove received a B.A. degree in English from York
University, Toronto, Canada.
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STOCKHOLDERS VOTING AGREEMENT
In October 1997, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the
outstanding stock of the three entities that comprised the New York-Los
Angeles-Toronto based Grosso-Jacobson Companies. The entities acquired were G-J
Entertainment, G-J Productions and Gross-Jacobson Music Company, Inc. Messrs.
Grosso and Jacobson were the sole shareholders of the three Grosso-Jacobson
entities. In conjunction with this acquisition on October 20, 1997, Messrs.
Grosso, Jacobson, Meyer and Bernstein and Mountaingate Productions, LLC (an
affiliate of Mr. Meyer, "Mountaingate") entered into a Stockholders Voting
Agreement (the "Stockholders Agreement") for a five year term. Pursuant to the
Stockholders Agreement Messrs. Grosso and Jacobson have agreed to vote their
shares of Common Stock for the election of Messrs. Meyer and Bernstein (or their
designees) as directors of the Company. In accordance therewith, Messrs. Grosso
and Jacobson executed a proxy and power of attorney appointing Messrs. Meyer and
Bernstein their attorneys-in-fact. Additionally, pursuant to the Stockholders
Agreement, Messrs. Meyer and Bernstein have agreed to vote their shares of
Common Stock for the election of Messrs. Grosso and Jacobson (or their
designees) as directors of the Company. Messrs. Meyer and Bernstein have also
executed a proxy and power of attorney appointing Messrs. Grosso and Jacobson
their attorneys-in-fact. Mountaingate is a signatory to the Stockholders
Agreement but did not execute any proxy or power of attorney in favor of any
other signatory, nor was a proxy or power of attorney executed by any signatory
in favor of Mountaingate.
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. The Audit
Committee currently consists of Michael Iscove and Michael Collyer.
Responsibilities of the Audit Committee include (i) reviewing financial
statements and consulting with the independent auditors concerning the Company's
financial statements, accounting and financial policies and internal controls,
(ii) reviewing the scope of the independent auditors' activities and the fees of
the independent auditors and (iii) maintaining good communications among the
Audit Committee, the Company's independent auditors and the Company's management
on accounting matters. No meetings of the Audit Committee were held during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1997.
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Michael Iscove and
Gilbert J. Spiegel. The Compensation Committee is responsible for considering
and making recommendations to the Board regarding executive compensation and
will be responsible for administering the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan if
it is approved by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. No meetings of the
Compensation Committee were held during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997.
The Board held seven meetings and acted by written consent on four
occasions during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997. No director attended less
than 75% of all the meetings of the Board and those committees on which he
served in 1997.
The Company does not have a standing Nominating Committee; the full
Board performs the functions of the Nominating Committee.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Employee directors of the Company do not receive any compensation for
attending Board or Committee meetings. Non-employee directors of the Company
each receive, annually, an automatic grant of options to purchase 25,000 shares
of the Common Stock of the Company. When requested by the Company to attend
Board meetings in person, it is the policy of the Company to reimburse directors
for reasonable travel and lodging expenses incurred in attending these Board
meetings.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth, as to the Chief Executive Officer and
each of the other four most highly compensated officers whose compensation
exceeded $100,000 during the last fiscal year (the "Named Executive Officers"),
information concerning all compensation paid for services to the Company in all
capacities for each of the three fiscal years ended June 30 indicated below.
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
NUMBER OF
FISCAL YEAR ANNUAL COMPENSATION SECURITIES
ENDED --------------------- UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION JUNE 30, SALARY BONUS OPTIONS COMPENSATION
- --------------------------- -------- ------ ----- ---------- ------------
Irwin Meyer................ 1997 $ 312,000 $ 0 0 $18,000(3)
Chief Executive Officer(1) 1996 281,000 0 (5) 68,016(2)
18,000(3)
1995 281,000 0 0 13,500(8)
18,000(3)
17,250(4)
Arthur Bernstein........... 1997 $ 160,000 $ 0 $150,000 $12,000(3)
Executive Vice President 1996 109,040 0 0 9,000(3)
and Secretary 1995 96,587 12,000 25,000 6,625(3)
William Melamed, Jr........ 1997 $ 250,000 $307,928 0 $ 0
Senior Vice President, 1996 325,007(6) 0 12,500 12,000(3)
TPEG Management, Inc.(7) 1995 129,878 0 0 0
- -------------
(1) Includes amounts paid to Mountaingate which provided or currently
provides the Company with the service of Mr. Meyer and others. Also
includes amounts paid to Mr. Meyer directly in his capacity as the Chief
Executive Officer and former President of the Company.
(2) Forgiveness of note receivable due from Mountaingate.
(3) Automobile reimbursement.
(4) Advance against future compensation.
(5) The Company has granted options to purchase 75,000 shares of Common
Stock at $2.00 per share to each of Alison and Patricia Meyer who are
sisters and the adult children of Mr. Meyer. Mr. Meyer disclaims
beneficial ownership of the stock options and the underlying shares of
Common Stock held by Alison Meyer and Patricia Meyer.
(6) Includes commissions of $194,902.
(7) Resigned from the Company on June 30, 1997.
(8) Participations in producer fees and net profits on projects produced.
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OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the grant
of stock options made during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 to the Named
Executive Officers.
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES PERCENT OF TOTAL
UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED
OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE OR EXPIRATION
NAME GRANTED(1) FISCAL YEAR(2) BASE PRICE DATE
---- ---------- -------------- ---------- ----------
Irwin Meyer............ 0 0% n/a n/a
Arthur Bernstein ...... 150,000 75% $1.375 10/22/01
William Melamed, Jr.(3) 0 0% n/a n/a
- ----------
(1) On October 22, 1996, Mr. Bernstein was granted options to purchase
150,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of
$1.375 per share. These options expire on October 22, 2001. On October
21, 1997, Mr. Bernstein was also granted options to purchase 250,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per
share. These options expire on October 20, 2002.
(2) Options covering an aggregate of 200,000 shares were granted to eligible
persons during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997.
(3) Mr. Melamed resigned from the Company on June 30, 1997.
STOCK OPTIONS HELD AT FISCAL YEAR END
The following table sets forth, for each of the Named Executive
Officers, certain information regarding the exercise of stock options during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying
stock options held at fiscal year end and the value of options held at fiscal
year end based upon the last reported sales price of the Common Stock on the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market on June 30, 1997 ($15/16 per share).
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
JUNE 30, 1997 JUNE 30, 1997
------------------------- -------------------------
NAME EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Irwin Meyer(1)........ -- -- $ -- $ --
Arthur Bernstein...... 168,750 0 158,203 0
William Melamed, Jr.(2) 12,500 0 11,719 0
- ----------
(1) Does not include 75,000 exercisable options held by each of Alison Meyer
and Patricia Meyer, who are sisters and the adult children of Mr. Meyer.
Mr. Meyer disclaims beneficial ownership of the options and the
underlying shares of Common Stock held by Alison Meyer and Patricia
Meyer.
(2) Mr. Melamed resigned from the Company on June 30, 1997.
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EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
In conjunction with the Company's acquisition of the Grosso-Jacobson
Companies in October 1997, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
each of Mr. Grosso and Mr. Jacobson. Each such agreement contains substantially
the same terms and conditions as the other, including an annual base salary of
$50,000 and an expiration date of October 31, 2002. The Company may terminate
each such executive's employment for cause (as defined in the agreement) and the
executive may terminate his employment after a "Change in Control" or for "Good
Reason" (both phrases as defined in the agreement). Pursuant to their respective
employment agreements, Mr. Grosso serves as the Company's Chief Operating
Officer and Mr. Jacobson serves as the President of the Company.
In addition and also in conjunction with the Company's acquisition of
the Grosso-Jacobson Companies, the Company entered into production agreements
with each of S.A.G. Productions, Inc. and Lawrence Jacobson Associates, Inc. for
the services of Mr. Grosso and Mr. Jacobson, respectively, as producers and/or
executive producers and to perform other duties. S.A.G. Productions, Inc. is a
New York corporation of which Mr. Grosso is the sole shareholder. Lawrence
Jacobson Associates, Inc. is a corporation of which Mr. Jacobson is the sole
shareholder. Each of these production agreements contains substantially the same
terms and conditions as the other, including an annual guaranteed compensation
of $450,000, a monthly housing and automobile reimbursement in the total amount
of $2,000 and an expiration date of October 31, 2002. In addition, each
production agreement provides for bonus payments of: (i) $25,000 on or before
October 20, 1997; (ii) $25,000 on or before December 31, 1997; and (iii) $50,000
on or before July 1, 1998, so long as the agreement has not been breached. The
bonus payment due in October 1997 has been paid; however, the bonus payment for
December 1997 has not yet been made. The Company may terminate each such
production agreement for cause (as defined in the agreement) and the producer
may terminate the agreement after a "Change in Control" or for "Good Reason"
(both phrases as defined in the agreement).
The Company has entered into an employment agreement with Irwin Meyer,
for his services as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and with
Mountaingate for the services of Mr. Meyer and others as producers and/or
executive producers and to perform other duties. Mountaingate is a California
limited liability company of which Alison Meyer and Patricia Meyer, the adult
children of Mr. Meyer are the sole members. See -- "Certain Transactions with
Directors and Executive Officers." The employment agreement with Mr. Meyer
provides for annual compensation of $50,000. Both of these agreements expire on
June 30, 2002. The agreements are terminable by the Company in the event of Mr.
Meyer's death or disability. In such event, the Company shall pay Mountaingate a
guarantee fee of $262,000 for one year. The Company may also terminate these
agreements "for cause" (as defined in these agreements). Mountaingate and Mr.
Meyer may terminate their respective agreements in the event of a material
breach thereof by the Company or for "good reason" (as defined in the
agreements). In such event, the Company shall be obligated to pay all amounts
due thereunder for the balance of their respective terms. In the event that the
Company materially breaches either agreement after a "change in control" (as
defined in these agreements), Mountaingate and Mr. Meyer, respectively, shall be
entitled to a lump sum payment equal to three times their then current total
annual compensation.
Mr. Arthur Bernstein is employed as Executive Vice President of the
Company pursuant to an employment agreement, as amended, which expires on June
30, 2002. Mr. Bernstein's annual compensation is $175,000 plus a $1,000 monthly
automobile allowance. The agreement is terminable by the Company in the event of
Mr. Bernstein's death or disability. In such event, the Company is obligated to
pay to Mr. Bernstein's estate his annual compensation for one additional year.
The Company may also terminate the employment agreement "for cause" (as defined
in this agreement). Mr. Bernstein may terminate this agreement in the event of a
material breach by the Company or for "good reason" (as defined in this
agreement). In such event, the Company will be obligated to pay him all amounts
due thereunder for the balance of its term and all unvested stock options held
by him shall vest. In the event of a "change in control" (as defined in this
agreement) of the Company, all stock options issued to Mr. Bernstein shall vest
and the Company shall, at Mr. Bernstein's option, purchase shares of Common
Stock owned by him at the then market price and shall acquire all of his stock
options for the difference between the exercise price of such options and the
greater of the price at which the new controlling entity acquired its interest
in the Company or the then market price of the Common Stock.
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Mr. William Melamed was employed as Senior Vice President of TPEG
Management, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to an
employment agreement, as amended, that expired on June 30, 1997. In May 1996,
all of the existing options to purchase an aggregate of 6,875 shares of Common
Stock at prices of $9.75 and $13.00 per share held by Mr. Melamed were canceled
and the Company granted to him options to purchase 12,500 shares of Common Stock
at an exercise price of $1.12 per share, these options have since expired. Mr.
Melamed resigned from the Company on June 30, 1997 and in lieu thereof the
Company and Mr. Melamed's newly formed company, M2 Melamed Management LLC
entered into an exclusive agreement in connection with personal management
activities.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Except as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, neither the nominees for
election as Directors of the Company, the Directors or senior officers of the
Company nor any stockholder owning more than 5% of the issued shares of the
Company, or any of their respective associates or affiliates, had any material
interest, direct or indirect, in any material transaction to which the Company
was a party during the calendar year ended December 31, 1997, or which is
presently proposed.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, an agreement to provide the
services of Mr. Meyer was terminated and the outstanding balance of advances,
including accrued interest, in the aggregate amount of $68,016 was forgiven by
the Company. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the Company entered
into an agreement with Mountaingate to provide substantially similar services of
Mr. Meyer. This agreement, as amended, provides for annual base compensation
through June 30, 2002 in the annual amount of $262,000 plus a $1,500 monthly car
allowance.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the Company sold an
aggregate of 525,000 shares of its common stock to related parties in exchange
for an aggregate of $1,050,000 principal amount of promissory notes. Of these
shares, 500,000 were sold to Mountaingate for $1,000,000 principal amount of
promissory notes and 25,000 shares were sold to a then officer and director of
the Company for $50,000 principal amount of promissory notes. Both promissory
notes were canceled and the shares returned as of June 30, 1997. The accrued
interest at June 30, 1997 was written off on the Company's financial statements.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, the Company, the former
President of DSL Productions, Inc. ("DSL") and the former owner of DSL settled
all litigation between them. In pertinent part, this settlement provided for the
payment to the Company of $308,000, elimination of the note receivable from the
former President of DSL, the transfer of a completed project with a carrying
amount of $222,980 and the release of the Company's obligation to pay the former
owner of DSL a portion of future revenues from certain completed projects. In
connection with this settlement, the Company reduced its accounts payable and
accrued expenses by $255,455 representing the amounts previously recorded
related to DSL and this litigation and also sold its investment in DEG for
$209,500 in cash. The effect of this settlement was reflected in the Company's
June 30, 1996 consolidated statement of operations as a separate item.
In January 1997, the Company agreed to compensate Michael I. Levy, a
former outside Board member, for his executive producer services on a television
movie project entitled "Marabunta". The Company has completed the project and
Mr. Levy is entitled to a profit participation (as defined). Mr. Levy was paid
$75,000 during the year ended June 30, 1997.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, the Company paid the legal
firm, Dempsey & Johnson, of which the former Chairman of the Board, Michael
Dempsey, is a partner approximately $273,000 for legal services.
For consulting services performed in connection with the Company's
acquisition of the Gross-Jacobson Companies, Michael Iscove, a member of the
Board of Directors of the Company, received $250,000 in consulting fees from the
Company, comprised of $150,000 in cash and 83,334 shares of common stock, valued
at $1.20 per share.
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For legal services performed in connection with the Company's
acquisition of the Grosso-Jacobson Companies, the law firm of Kay, Collyer &
Boose was paid $150,000 in cash and options to purchase 50,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share. Michael Collyer, a member of the
Company's Board of Directors, is a partner in the law firm of Kay, Collyer &
Boose.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") requires the Company's executive officers, directors, and
persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's
equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Executive officers, directors
and greater-than-ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulations to
furnish the Company with all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its
review of the copies of the forms received by it and written representations
from certain reporting persons that they have complied with the relevant filing
requirements, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1997, all the Company's executive officers, directors and greater-than ten
percent stockholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements, except
that Gilbert J. Spiegel did not make a filing with respect to options acquired
during 1997.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board has nominated Messrs. Salvatore Grosso, Lawrence S. Jacobson,
Irwin Meyer, Arthur H. Bernstein, Michael Collyer, Michael Iscove and Gilbert J.
Spiegel to serve as directors of the Company for a one-year term. Each nominee,
if elected, will hold office until the 1999 annual meeting of stockholders at
which time his term of office expires, and until his successor is elected and
qualified, unless he resigns or his seat on the Board becomes vacant due to his
death, removal or other cause in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company.
Management knows of no reason why any of these nominees would be unable or
unwilling to serve, but if any nominee should be unable or unwilling to serve,
the Proxies will be voted for the election of such other persons for the office
of director as the Board may recommend in the place of such nominee.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS VOTING "FOR" THE SEVEN NOMINEES
NAMED ABOVE, AND YOUR PROXY WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS YOU SPECIFY
OTHERWISE.
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PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF THE 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
GENERAL
The Producers Entertainment Group Ltd. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"1998 Plan") was unanimously adopted by the Board on February 17, 1998, subject
to the approval of the 1998 Plan by the Company's stockholders. The 1998 Plan
provides for the issuance of awards to purchase shares of the Company's Common
Stock to non-employee directors, officers, employees and consultants of the
Company. At March 19, 1998, approximately 25 persons were eligible to receive
awards under the 1998 Plan. Subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock
dividends and other similar events, the total number of shares reserved for
issuance under the 1998 Plan is 2,000,000. As of March 19,1998, no awards had
been granted under the 1998 Plan.
The Company's stockholders are being requested to approve the 1998 Plan
at the Annual Meeting.
Summary of the 1998 Plan
The following is a summary of the principal features of the 1998 Plan, a
copy of which is attached as Exhibit "A" to this Proxy Statement. This summary
of the 1998 Plan is not intended to be complete and reference should be made to
Exhibit "A" to this Proxy Statement for the complete text of the 1998 Plan.
Purpose. The purpose of the 1998 Plan is to advance the interests of the
Company and its stockholders by strengthening the Company's ability to obtain
and retain the services of the types of employees, consultants, officers and
directors who will contribute to the Company's long term success and to provide
incentives which are linked directly to increases in stock value which will
inure to the benefit of all stockholders of the Company.
Administration. The 1998 Plan may be administered by the Board of the
Company, or a committee of the Board whose members shall serve at the pleasure
of the Board. The party administering the 1998 Plan is referred to herein as the
"Administrator." Subject to the provisions of the 1998 Plan, the Administrator
has full and final authority (i) to select from among eligible directors,
officers, employees and consultants, those persons to be granted awards under
the 1998 Plan, (ii) to determine the type, size and terms of individual awards
to be made to each person selected, (iii) to determine the time when awards will
be granted and to establish objectives and conditions (including, without
limitation, vesting and performance conditions), if any, for earning awards,
(iv) to amend the terms or conditions of any outstanding award, subject to
applicable legal restrictions and to the consent of the other party to such
award, (v) to authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any
instrument required to carry out the purposes of the 1998 Plan, and (vii) to
make any and all other determinations which the Administrator determines to be
necessary or advisable in the administration of the 1998 Plan. The Administrator
shall have full power and authority to administer and interpret the Plan and to
adopt, amend and revoke such rules, regulations, agreements, guidelines and
instruments for the administration of the 1998 Plan and for the conduct of its
business as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable.
Eligibility. Any person who is a director, officer, employee or
consultant of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries (a "Participant"), shall
be eligible to be considered for the grant of awards under the 1998 Plan. No
Participant may receive awards representing more than 50% of the number of
shares of Common Stock covered by the 1998 Plan.
Types of Awards. Awards authorized under the 1998 Plan may consist of
any type of arrangement with a Participant that, by its terms, involves or might
involve or be made with reference to the issuance of shares of the Company's
Common Stock, or a derivative security with an exercise or conversion price
related to the Common Stock or with a value derived from the value of the Common
Stock. Awards are not restricted to any specified form or structure and may
include sales, bonuses and other transfers of stock, restricted stock, stock
options, reload stock options, stock purchase warrants, other rights to acquire
stock or securities convertible into or redeemable for stock, stock appreciation
rights, phantom stock, dividend equivalents, performance units or performance
shares, or any other type of award which the Administrator shall determine is
consistent with the objectives and limitations of the 1998 Plan. An award may
consist of one such security or benefit, or two or more of them in tandem or in
the alternative.
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Consideration. The Common Stock or other property underlying an award
may be issued for any lawful consideration as determined by the Administrator,
including, without limitation, a cash payment, services rendered, or the
cancellation of indebtedness. In addition, an award may permit the recipient to
pay the purchase price of the Common Stock or other property or to pay such
recipient's tax withholding obligation with respect to such issuance, in whole
or in part, by delivering previously owned shares of capital stock of the
Company or other property, or by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock
or the amount of other property otherwise issuable pursuant to such award.
Termination of Awards. All awards granted under the 1998 Plan expire ten
years from the date of grant, or such shorter period as is determined by the
Administrator. No option is exercisable by any person after such expiration. If
an award expires, terminates or is canceled, the shares of Common Stock not
purchased thereunder shall again be available for issuance under the 1998 Plan.
Amendment and Termination of the 1998 Plan. The Administrator may amend
the 1998 Plan at any time, may suspend it from time to time or may terminate it
without approval of the stockholders; provided, however, that stockholder
approval is required for any amendment which materially increases the number of
shares for which awards may be granted, materially modifies the requirements of
eligibility, or materially increases the benefits which may accrue to recipients
of awards under the 1998 Plan. However, no such action by the Board or
stockholders may unilaterally alter or impair any award previously granted under
the 1998 Plan without the consent of the recipient of the award. In any event,
the 1998 Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the date the 1998 Plan
is approved by the stockholders unless sooner terminated by action of the Board.
Effect of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. The acquisition and
disposition of Common Stock by officers, directors and greater-than-ten percent
stockholders of the Company ("Insiders") pursuant to awards granted to them
under the 1998 Plan may be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
Pursuant to Section 16(b), a purchase of common stock by an Insider within six
months before or after a sale of common stock by the Insider could result in
recovery by the Company of all or a portion of any amount by which the sale
proceeds exceeds the purchase price. Insiders are required to file reports of
changes in beneficial ownership under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act upon
acquisitions and dispositions of shares. Rule 16b-3 provides an exemption from
Section 16(b) liability for certain transactions pursuant to certain employee
benefit plans. The 1998 Plan is designed to comply with Rule 16b-3.
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Implications for Executive
Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), places a limit of $1,000,000 on the amount of compensation that
may be deducted by the Company in any year with respect to each of the Company's
five most highly paid executive officers. Certain "performance-based"
compensation that has been approved by the Company's stockholders is not subject
to the deduction limit. The 1998 Plan is intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation which is not subject to the $1,000,000 limitation
of Section 162(m) of the Code. In order for the 1998 Plan to qualify as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) and therefore be exempt from
the $1,000,000 limitation, the 1998 Plan must be approved by the Company's
stockholders.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR STOCK OPTIONS
Although there have been no grants of stock options under the 1998 Plan,
upon approval of the 1998 Plan the only type of award the Company expects to
grant in the near term are stock options. The following is a general discussion
of the principal tax considerations for both "incentive stock options" within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Code ("Incentive Stock Options") and
non-statutory stock options ("Non-statutory Stock Options"), and is based upon
the tax laws and regulations of the United States existing as of the date
hereof, all of which are subject to modification at any time. The 1998 Plan does
not constitute a qualified retirement plan under Section 401(a) of the Code
(which generally covers trusts forming part of a stock bonus, pension or
profit-sharing plan funded by the employer and/or employee contributions which
are designed to provide retirement benefits to participants under certain
circumstances) and is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974 (the pension reform law which regulates most types of privately funded
pension, profit sharing and other employee benefit plans).
Consequences to Employees: Incentive Stock Options. No income is
recognized for federal income tax purposes by an optionee at the time an
Incentive Stock Option is granted, and, except as discussed below, no income
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is recognized by an optionee upon his or her exercise of an Incentive Stock
Option. If the optionee makes no disposition of the Common Stock received upon
exercise within two years from the date such option was granted or one year from
the date such option is exercised, the optionee will recognize mid-term or
long-term capital gain or loss when he or she disposes of his or her Common
Stock depending on the length of the holding period. Such gain or loss generally
will be measured by the difference between the exercise price of the option and
the amount received for the Common Stock at the time of disposition.
If the optionee disposes of the Common Stock acquired upon exercise of
an Incentive Stock Option within two years after being granted the option or
within one year after acquiring the Common Stock, any amount realized from such
disqualifying disposition will be taxable as ordinary income in the year of
disposition to the extent that (i) the lesser of (a) the fair market value of
the shares on the date the Incentive Stock Option was exercised or (b) the fair
market value at the time of such disposition exceeds (ii) the Incentive Stock
Option exercise price. Any amount realized upon disposition in excess of the
fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise will be treated as
long-term, mid-term or short-term capital gain, depending upon the length of
time the shares have been held.
The use of stock acquired through exercise of an Incentive Stock Option
to exercise an Incentive Stock Option will constitute a disqualifying
disposition if the applicable holding period requirement has not been satisfied.
For alternative minimum tax purposes, the excess of the fair market
value of the stock as of the date of exercise over the exercise price of the
Incentive Stock Option is included in computing that year's alternative minimum
taxable income. However, if the shares are disposed of in the same year, the
maximum alternative minimum taxable income with respect to those shares is the
gain on disposition. There is no alternative minimum taxable income from a
disqualifying disposition in subsequent years.
Consequences to Employees: Non-statutory Stock Options. No income is
recognized by a holder of Non-statutory Stock Options at the time Non-statutory
Stock Options are granted under the 1998 Plan. In general, at the time shares of
Common Stock are issued to a holder pursuant to exercise of Non-statutory Stock
Options, the holder will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of the
fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price.
A holder will recognize gain or loss on the subsequent sale of Common
Stock acquired upon exercise of Non-statutory Stock Options in an amount equal
to the difference between the selling price and the tax basis of the Common
Stock, which will include the price paid plus the amount included in the
holder's income by reason of the exercise of the Non-statutory Stock Options.
Provided the shares of Common Stock are held as a capital asset, any gain or
loss resulting from a subsequent sale will be short-term, mid-term or long-term
capital gain or loss depending upon the length of time the shares have been
held.
Consequences to the Company: Incentive Stock Options. The Company will
not be allowed a deduction for federal income tax purposes at the time of the
grant or exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. There are also no federal income
tax consequences to the Company as a result of the disposition of Common Stock
acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option if the disposition is not a
disqualifying disposition. At the time of a disqualifying disposition by an
optionee, the Company will be entitled to a deduction for the amount received by
the optionee to the extent that such amount is taxable to the optionee as
ordinary income.
Consequences to the Company: Non-Statutory Stock Options. Generally, the
Company will be entitled to a deduction for federal income tax purposes in the
year and in the same amount as the optionee is considered to have realized
ordinary income in connection with the exercise of Non-statutory Stock Options.
RECOMMENDATION AND REQUIRED VOTE
The Board has unanimously approved the 1998 Plan. Stockholder approval
of the 1998 Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of
the Company's Common Stock present or represented and entitled to vote on this
matter at the Annual Meeting. An abstention will be counted toward the
tabulation of votes cast and will
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have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. A broker non-vote, however,
will not be treated as a vote cast for or against approval of the proposal.
The Board Unanimously Recommends that the Stockholders Vote "FOR"
Approval of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, and Your Proxy Will Be So Voted
Unless You Specify Otherwise.
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PROPOSAL 3
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT
TO THE COMPANY'S
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT A
ONE-FOR-THREE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
The Board of the Company has approved, subject to stockholder approval,
a proposed amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Amendment") which will effect a one-for-three reverse stock split (the "Reverse
Split") of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. The complete text
of the Amendment is set forth as Exhibit "B" to this Proxy Statement.
If the Reverse Split is approved by the requisite vote of the Company's
stockholders, the Reverse Split will be effective upon the close of business on
the date of filing of the Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State and
each certificate representing shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
prior to the Reverse Split (the "Old Shares") will be deemed automatically
without any action on the part of the stockholders to represent one-third the
number of shares of Common Stock after the Reverse Split (the "New Shares").
No fractional New Shares will be issued as a result of the Reverse
Split. In lieu thereof, each stockholder whose Old Shares are not evenly
divisible by three will receive cash based on the average closing price of the
Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market over a period of ten business days
ending on the third business day prior to the effective date of the Reverse
Split. After the Reverse Split becomes effective, stockholders of record will be
requested to surrender certificates representing the Old Shares in accordance
with the procedures set forth in a letter of transmittal to be sent by the
Company. Upon such surrender, a certificate representing the New Shares will be
issued and forwarded to the stockholders. Until surrender, each certificate
representing Old Shares will continue to be valid and represent New Shares equal
to one-third the number of Old Shares.
Persons who hold their shares in brokerage accounts or "street name"
will not be required to take any further actions to effect the exchange of their
certificates.
The Common Stock issued pursuant to the Reverse Split will be fully paid
and nonassessable. The voting and other rights that currently characterize the
Common Stock will not be altered by the Reverse Split.
Purposes of the Proposed Reverse Split. The Board believes that the
Reverse Split is desirable for several reasons. Since 1991, the closing sales
price of the Common Stock has never exceeded $5.50. It is expected that, as a
result of the Reverse Split, the market price of the Common Stock should
increase. The Board believes that this increase in price should enhance the
acceptability of the Common Stock by institutional investors (many of whom will
not invest in securities which trade at a price of under $5 per share), as well
as the financial community and the investing public at large.
A variety of brokerage house policies and practices tend to discourage
individual brokers within those firms from dealing with lower priced stocks.
Some of those policies and practices pertain to the payment of brokers'
commissions and to time-consuming procedures that function to make the handling
of lower priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. In addition, the
structure of trading commissions also tends to have an adverse impact upon
holders of lower priced stock because the brokerage commission on a sale of
lower priced stock generally represents a higher percentage of the sales price
than the commission on a relatively higher priced issue. The proposed Reverse
Split should result in a price level for the Common Stock that will reduce, to
some extent, the effect of these policies and practices of brokerage firms and
diminish the adverse impact of trading commissions on the market for the Common
Stock. The expected increased price level may also encourage interest and
trading in the Common Stock and possibly promote greater liquidity for the
Company's stockholders, although liquidity could be adversely affected by the
reduced number of shares outstanding after the Reverse Split is effected.
Stockholders should note that the Board cannot predict what effect the
Reverse Split will have on the market price of the Common Stock. The Company is
aware that some companies which have effected reverse stock splits
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have experienced a decline in their market value and there can be no assurance
that the market price per New Share after the Reverse Split will approximate
three times the market price per Old Share before the Reverse Split, or that any
of the other effects will occur.
Effect of the Reverse Split. The Reverse Split will be effected by means
of filing the Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State. Assuming approval
of the Reverse Split by the requisite vote of the stockholders at the Annual
Meeting, the Amendment will thereafter be filed with the Delaware Secretary of
State as promptly as practicable and the Reverse Split will become effective as
of 5:00 p.m., Pacific daylight time, on the date of that filing (the "Reverse
Split Effective Date"). After the Reverse Split, without any further action on
the part of the Company or the stockholders, certificates representing Old
Shares will thereafter represent New Shares equal to one-third of the number of
Old Shares.
The Company currently has authorized capital stock of 50,000,000 shares
of Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The Amendment will not
reduce the number of authorized shares of Common Stock or of Preferred Stock.
As of March 19, 1998, the number of issued and outstanding Old Shares
was 19,951,482. The following table illustrates the principal effects of the
proposed Reverse Split and decrease in outstanding Common Stock assuming no
additional shares of Common Stock are issued prior to the Reverse Split
Effective Date as a result of the exercise of any options or warrants:
Shares of Prior to Proposed After Proposed
Common Stock Reverse Split Reverse Split
------------ ----------------- --------------
Authorized 50,000,000 50,000,000
Outstanding 19,951,482 6,650,494
The Common Stock is currently registered under Section 12(g) of the
Exchange Act and, as a result, the Company is subject to the periodic reporting
and other requirements of the Exchange Act. The Common Stock is admitted for
trading on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. The Reverse Split will not effect the
registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or its status as a
Nasdaq SmallCap Market security.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Split. The Company has
not sought and will not seek an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service regarding the federal income tax consequences of the Reverse
Split. However, the Company believes that because the Reverse Split is not part
of a plan to periodically increase a stockholder's proportionate interest in the
assets or earnings and profits of the Company, the Reverse Split will have the
following effects. The receipt of Common Stock in the Reverse Split should not
result in any taxable gain or loss to stockholders for federal income tax
purposes. If the Reverse Split is approved, the tax basis of Common Stock
received as a result of the Reverse Split will be equal, in the aggregate, to
the basis of the shares exchanged for the Common Stock. For tax purposes, the
holding period of the shares immediately prior to the effective date of the
Reverse Split will be included in the holding period of the Common Stock
received as a result of the Reverse Split. Stockholders who receive cash in lieu
of fractional shares of Common Stock will be treated as receiving cash as
payment in exchange for their fractional shares of Common Stock, and they will
recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount
of cash received and the adjusted basis of the fractional shares surrendered for
cash.
Certificates and Fractional Shares. As soon as practicable after the
Reverse Split Effective Date, the Company will send a letter of transmittal to
each holder of record of Old Shares outstanding on the Reverse Split Effective
Date. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions for the surrender of
certificate(s) representing such Old Shares to Oxford Transfer & Registrar, the
Company's transfer agent (the "Exchange Agent"). Upon proper completion and
execution of the letter of transmittal and return thereof to the Exchange Agent,
together with the certificate(s) representing Old Shares, a stockholder will be
entitled to receive a certificate representing the number of New Shares into
which his or her Old Shares have been reclassified and changed as a result of
the Reverse Split.
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Stockholders should not submit any certificates until requested to do
so. No new Certificate will be issued to a stockholder until he or she has
surrendered his or her outstanding certificate(s), together with the properly
completed and executed letter of transmittal, to the Exchange Agent.
No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued and, in lieu
thereof, stockholders holding a number of shares of Common Stock not evenly
divisible by three upon surrender of their certificates representing the Old
Shares, will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock. The
price payable by the Company will be determined by multiplying the fraction of a
New Share by three times the average of the closing prices for one Old Share for
the ten business days ending on the third business day prior to the Reverse
Split Effective Date for which transactions in the Common Stock are reported, as
reported by the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.
Source of Funds. The funds required to purchase the fractional shares
are available and will be paid from the current cash reserves of the Company.
The Company's stockholder list indicates that a portion of the outstanding
Common Stock is registered in the names of clearing agencies and broker
nominees. It is, therefore, not possible to predict with certainty the number of
fractional shares and the total amount that the Company will be required to pay
to redeem such shares. However, it is not anticipated that the funds necessary
to effect the cancellation of fractional shares will be material.
Miscellaneous. The Board may abandon the proposed Reverse Split at any
time before or after the Annual Meeting and prior to the Reverse Split Effective
Date if for any reason the Board deems it advisable to abandon the proposal. The
Board may consider abandoning the proposed Reverse Split if it determines, in
its sole discretion, that the Reverse Split would adversely affect the ability
of the Company to raise capital or the liquidity of the Common Stock, among
other things. In addition, the Board may make any and all changes to the
Amendment that it deems necessary to file the Amendment with the Delaware
Secretary of State to give effect to the Reverse Split.
RECOMMENDATION AND REQUIRED VOTE
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock is required to approve the Amendment. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will be included in the number of shares present at the Annual Meeting for the
purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. However, broker non-votes,
while included in the determination of shares present at the Annual Meeting for
purposes of determining a quorum, will be counted as votes cast against approval
of the amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation. The Board is of the
opinion that the Amendment is advisable and in the best interests of the Company
and recommends a vote FOR the approval of the Amendment. All proxies will be
voted to approve the Amendment unless a contrary vote is indicated on the
enclosed proxy card.
The Board Unanimously Recommends that the Stockholders Vote "FOR"
Approval of the Amendment to Effect a One-for-Three Reverse Stock Split, and
Your Proxy Will Be So Voted Unless You Specify Otherwise.
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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth as of March 19, 1998 certain information
relating to the ownership of the Common Stock by (i) each person known by the
Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the outstanding
shares of the Company's Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company's directors,
(iii) each of the Named Executive Officers, and (iv) all of the Company's
executive officers and directors as a group. Except as may be indicated in the
footnotes to the table and subject to applicable community property laws, each
such person has the sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares
owned. The address of each person listed is in care of the Company, 5757
Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90036, unless otherwise set forth
below such person's name.
Number of Shares of
Common Stock
Name and Address Beneficially Owned (1) Percent (1)
---------------- ---------------------- -----------
Alison Meyer (2)............................... 6,741,666 33.6%
Patricia Meyer (2)............................. 6,741,666 33.6%
Arthur Bernstein (3)........................... 6,897,566 34.2%
Salvatore Grosso (4)........................... 3,752,083 18.8%
Lawrence Jacobson (4).......................... 3,752,083 18.8%
Irwin Meyer (5)................................ 6,666,666 33.4%
Mountaingate LLC (5)........................... 6,666,666 33.4%
Michael Iscove................................. 125,834(6) *
Michael Collyer................................ 75,000(7) *
Gilbert Spiegel................................ 25,000(8) *
Joseph Stevens & Company, Inc.(9).............. 1,208,753 6.0%
Directors and executive officers
as a group (7 persons)......................... 7,123,400 35.0%
- -----------
* Less than one percent.
(1) Under Rule 13d-3, certain shares may be deemed to be beneficially owned
by more than one person (if, for example, persons share the power to
vote or the power to dispose of the shares). In addition, shares are
deemed to be beneficially owned by a person if the person has the right
to acquire the shares (for example, upon exercise of an option) within
60 days of the date as of which the information is provided. In
computing the percentage ownership of any person, the amount of shares
outstanding is deemed to include the amount of shares beneficially owned
by such person (and only such person) by reason of these acquisition
rights. As a result, the percentage of outstanding shares of any person
as shown in this table does not necessarily reflect the person's actual
ownership or voting power with respect to the number of shares of Common
Stock actually outstanding at March 19, 1998.
(2) Includes options to purchase 75,000 shares of Common Stock held by each
of Alison Meyer and Patricia Meyer by virtue of them being sisters. Also
includes 6,666,666 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by
Mountaingate by virtue of Alison Meyer and Patricia Meyer being the sole
members of Mountaingate.
(3) Mr. Bernstein is the beneficial owner of 7,085,416 shares of Common
Stock, of which 418,750 shares are held directly with sole dispositive
and voting power and 6,666,666 are beneficially owned indirectly by
virtue of the Stockholders Agreement. Mr. Bernstein has shared voting
power with respect to those shares but has no power to dispose of or
direct their disposition. Includes options to acquire 418,750 shares
exercisable within the next 60 days.
(4) Each of Mr. Grosso and Mr. Jacobson is the beneficial owner of 3,752,083
shares of Common Stock. Each directly holds and has sole dispositive and
voting power to 3,333,333 shares and each beneficially owns 418,750
shares indirectly by virtue of the Stockholders Agreement. As to these
shares there is shared voting power but no power to dispose of or to
direct their disposition.
(5) Mr. Meyer and Mountaingate are each the beneficial indirect owner of
6,666,666 shares by virtue of the Stockholders Agreement. Each has
shared voting power but no power to dispose of or to direct their
disposition.
(6) Includes options to purchase 75,000 shares of Common Stock and 50,834
shares held through Sirius Corporate Finance, Inc., of which Mr. Iscove
is President.
(7) Represents options to acquire shares of the Common Stock exercisable
within the next 60 days. Options to acquire 50,000 shares of Common
Stock were granted to Kay Collyer & Boose, LLP, of which Michael Collyer
is a partner.
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(8) Represents options to acquire shares of the Common Stock exercisable
within the next 60 days.
(9) According to a Schedule 13G filed by Joseph Stevens & Company, Joseph
Sorbara and Steven Markowitz on January 28, 1998, Joseph Stevens &
Company, Inc. owned as of December 31, 1997, warrants to purchase
200,000 units, each unit consisting of four shares of common stock and
two redeemable common stock purchase warrants. Each redeemable warrant
entitles the holder to purchase an additional share of common stock. All
of the warrants are currently exercisable. Additionally, Joseph Stevens
& Company, Inc. held as of December 31, 1997, 8,753 redeemable warrants
in its market making account, all of which are currently exercisable.
Mr. Sorbara and Mr. Markowitz each was a controlling shareholder,
director and officer of Joseph Stevens & Company, Inc. on December 31,
1997. The address of Joseph Stevens & Company, Inc., and Messrs. Sorbara
and Markowitz is 33 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1999 ANNUAL MEETING
Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal at the next Annual
Meeting of stockholders for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement and Proxy
form relating to such Annual Meeting must submit such proposal to the Company at
its principal executive offices by December 12, 1998.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
It is expected that the solicitation of proxies will be primarily by
mail. The cost of solicitation by management will be borne by the Company. The
Company will reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial
owners of shares for their reasonable disbursements in forwarding solicitation
material to such beneficial owners. Proxies may also be solicited by certain of
the Company's directors and officers, without additional compensation,
personally or by mail, telephone, telegram or otherwise for the purpose of
soliciting such proxies.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, WHICH HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, AND
THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q, WHICH HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, IS
BEING PROVIDED TO STOCKHOLDERS ALONG WITH THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Arthur H. Bernstein
Secretary
Los Angeles, California 90036
April 1, 1998
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EXHIBIT A
THE PRODUCERS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LTD.
1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN.
The purpose of this 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1998 Plan") is to
provide incentives and rewards to selected eligible directors, officers,
employees and consultants of The Producers Entertainment Group Ltd. (the
"Company") or its subsidiaries in order to assist the Company and its
subsidiaries in attracting, retaining and motivating those persons by providing
for or increasing the proprietary interests of those persons in the Company, and
by associating their interests in the Company with those of the Company's
stockholders.
2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE 1998 PLAN.
The 1998 Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board"), or a committee of the Board (the "Committee") whose
members shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. If administration is delegated
to the Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the
administration of the 1998 Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board
(and references in this 1998 Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the
Committee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the
provisions of the 1998 Plan as may be adopted from time to time by the Board.
The Board shall have all the powers vested in it by the terms of the
1998 Plan, including exclusive authority (i) to select from among eligible
directors, officers, employees and consultants, those persons to be granted
"Awards" (as defined below) under the 1998 Plan; (ii) to determine the type,
size and terms of individual Awards (which need not be identical) to be made to
each person selected; (iii) to determine the time when Awards will be granted
and to establish objectives and conditions (including, without limitation,
vesting and performance conditions), if any, for earning Awards; (iv) to amend
the terms or conditions of any outstanding Award, subject to applicable legal
restrictions and to the consent of the other party to such Award; (v) to
determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to
holders of Awards without constituting termination of their employment for
purposes of their Awards; (vi) to authorize any person to execute, on behalf of
the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the 1998 Plan;
and (vii) to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be
necessary or advisable in the administration of the 1998 Plan. The Board shall
have full power and authority to administer and interpret the 1998 Plan and to
adopt, amend and revoke such rules, regulations, agreements, guidelines and
instruments for the administration of the 1998 Plan and for the conduct of its
business as the Board deems necessary or advisable. The Board's interpretation
of the 1998 Plan, and all actions taken and determinations made by the Board
pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder, shall be conclusive and binding
on all parties
25
concerned, including the Company, its stockholders, any participants in the 1998
Plan and any other employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
3. PERSONS ELIGIBLE UNDER THE 1998 PLAN.
Any person who is a director, officer, employee or consultant of the
Company, or any of its subsidiaries (a "Participant"), shall be eligible to be
considered for the grant of Awards under the 1998 Plan.
4. AWARDS.
(a) Common Stock and Derivative Security Awards. Awards authorized
under the 1998 Plan shall consist of any type of arrangement with a Participant
that is not inconsistent with the provisions of the 1998 Plan and that, by its
terms, involves or might involve or be made with reference to the issuance of
(i) shares of the Common Stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Company (the
"Common Stock") or (ii) a "derivative security" (as that term is defined in Rule
16a-1(c) of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as the same may be
amended from time to time) with an exercise or conversion price related to the
Common Stock or with a value derived from the value of the Common Stock.
(b) Types of Awards. Awards are not restricted to any specified form
or structure and may include, but need not be limited to, sales, bonuses and
other transfers of stock, restricted stock, stock options, reload stock options,
stock purchase warrants, other rights to acquire stock or securities convertible
into or redeemable for stock, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, dividend
equivalents, performance units or performance shares, or any other type of Award
which the Board shall determine is consistent with the objectives and
limitations of the 1998 Plan. An Award may consist of one such security or
benefit, or two or more of them in tandem or in the alternative.
(c) Consideration. Common Stock may be issued pursuant to an Award
for any lawful consideration as determined by the Board, including, without
limitation, a cash payment, services rendered, or the cancellation of
indebtedness.
(d) Guidelines. The Board may adopt, amend or revoke from time to
time written policies implementing the 1998 Plan. Such policies may include, but
need not be limited to, the type, size and term of Awards to be made to
participants and the conditions for payment of such Awards.
(e) Terms and Conditions. Subject to the provisions of the 1998 Plan,
the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine all of the terms
and conditions of each Award granted pursuant to the 1998 Plan, which terms and
conditions may include, among other things:
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26
(i) any provision necessary for such Award to qualify as an
incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code") (an "Incentive Stock Option");
(ii) a provision permitting the recipient of such Award to
pay the purchase price of the Common Stock or other property issuable
pursuant to such Award, or to pay such recipient's tax withholding
obligation with respect to such issuance, in whole or in part, by
delivering previously owned shares of capital stock of the Company
(including "pyramiding") or other property, or by reducing the number
of shares of Common Stock or the amount of other property otherwise
issuable pursuant to such Award; or
(iii) a provision conditioning or accelerating the receipt
of benefits pursuant to the Award, or terminating the Award, either
automatically or in the discretion of the Board, upon the occurrence
of specified events, including, without limitation, a change of
control of the Company, an acquisition of a specified percentage of
the voting power of the Company, the dissolution or liquidation of
the Company, a sale of substantially all of the property and assets
of the Company or an event of the type described in Section 7 of the
1998 Plan.
(f) Suspension or Termination of Awards. If the Company believes that
a Participant has committed an act of misconduct as described below, the Company
may suspend the Participant's rights under any then outstanding Award pending a
determination by the Board. If the Board determines that a Participant has
committed an act of embezzlement, fraud, nonpayment of any obligation owed to
the Company or any subsidiary, breach of fiduciary duty or deliberate disregard
of the Company's rules resulting in loss, damage or injury to the Company, or if
a Participant makes an unauthorized disclosure of trade secret or confidential
information of the Company, engages in any conduct constituting unfair
competition, or induces any customer of the Company to breach a contract with
the Company, neither the Participant nor his or her estate shall be entitled to
exercise any rights whatsoever with respect to such Award. In making such
determination, the Board shall act fairly and shall give the Participant a
reasonable opportunity to appear and present evidence on his or her behalf to
the Board.
(g) Maximum Grant of Awards to any Participant. No Participant shall
receive Awards representing more than 25% of the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to all Awards under the 1998 Plan as
set forth in Section 5 hereof.
5. SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE 1998 PLAN.
The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or
issuable pursuant to all Awards under the 1998 Plan (including Awards in the
form of Incentive Stock Options and Non-Statutory Stock Options) shall not
exceed an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment
as provided in Section 7 of the 1998 Plan. Shares of Common Stock subject to the
1998 Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or
treasury shares. Any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award which for any
reason expires or is terminated unexercised as to such shares shall again be
available for issuance under the 1998
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27
Plan. For purposes of this Section 5, the aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock that may be issued at any time pursuant to Awards granted under the 1998
Plan shall be reduced by: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock previously
issued pursuant to Awards granted under the 1998 Plan, other than shares of
Common Stock subsequently reacquired by the Company pursuant to the terms and
conditions of such Awards and with respect to which the holder thereof received
no benefits of ownership, such as dividends; and (ii) the number of shares of
Common Stock which were otherwise issuable pursuant to Awards granted under this
1998 Plan but which were withheld by the Company as payment of the purchase
price of the Common Stock issued pursuant to such Awards or as payment of the
recipient's tax withholding obligation with respect to such issuance.
6. PAYMENT OF AWARDS.
The Board shall determine the extent to which Awards shall be payable
in cash, shares of Common Stock or any combination thereof. The Board may, upon
request of a Participant, determine that all or a portion of a payment to that
Participant under the 1998 Plan, whether it is to be made in cash, shares of
Common Stock or a combination thereof, shall be deferred. Deferrals shall be for
such periods and upon such terms as the Board may determine in its sole
discretion.
7. DILUTION AND OTHER ADJUSTMENT.
In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of the Common
Stock or other securities then subject to the 1998 Plan by reason of any stock
split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate
change, or if the outstanding securities of the class then subject to the 1998
Plan are exchanged for or converted into cash, property or a different kind of
securities, or if cash, property or securities are distributed in respect of
such outstanding securities as a class (other than cash dividends), then the
Board may, but it shall not be required to, make such equitable adjustments to
the 1998 Plan and the Awards thereunder (including, without limitation,
appropriate and proportionate adjustments in (i) the number and type of shares
or other securities or cash or other property that may be acquired pursuant to
Incentive Stock Options and other Awards theretofore granted under the 1998
Plan, (ii) the maximum number and type of shares or other securities that may be
issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options and other Awards thereafter granted
under the 1998 Plan; and (iii) the maximum number of securities with respect to
which Awards may thereafter be granted to any Participant in any fiscal year) as
the Board in its sole discretion determines appropriate, including any
adjustments in the maximum number of shares referred to in Section 5 of the 1998
Plan. Such adjustments shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes of the
1998 Plan.
8. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(a) Definitions. As used herein, "subsidiary" means any current or
future corporation which would be a "subsidiary corporation," as that term is
defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, of the Company; and the term "or" means
"and/or."
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(b) Conditions on Issuance. Securities shall not be issued pursuant
to Awards unless the grant and issuance thereof shall comply with all relevant
provisions of law and the requirements of any securities exchange or quotation
system upon which any securities of the Company are listed, and shall be further
subject to approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having
jurisdiction, which authority is determined by Company counsel to be necessary
to the lawful issuance and sale of any security or Award, shall relieve the
Company of any liability in respect of the non-issuance or sale of such
securities as to which requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
(c) Rights as Stockholder. A participant under the 1998 Plan shall
have no rights as a holder of Common Stock with respect to Awards hereunder,
unless and until certificates for shares of such stock are issued to the
participant.
(d) Assignment or Transfer. Subject to the discretion of the Board,
and except with respect to Incentive Stock Options which are not transferable
except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, Awards under the 1998
Plan or any rights or interests therein shall be assignable or transferable.
(e) Agreements. All Awards granted under the 1998 Plan shall be
evidenced by written agreements in such form and containing such terms and
conditions (not inconsistent with the 1998 Plan) as the Board shall from time to
time adopt.
(f) Withholding Taxes. The Company shall have the right to deduct
from all Awards hereunder paid in cash any federal, state, local or foreign
taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such awards and, with
respect to awards paid in stock, to require the payment (through withholding
from the participant's salary or otherwise) of any such taxes. The obligation of
the Company to make delivery of Awards in cash or Common Stock shall be subject
to the restrictions imposed by any and all governmental authorities.
(g) No Rights to Award. No Participant or other person shall have any
right to be granted an Award under the 1998 Plan. Neither the 1998 Plan nor any
action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to
be retained in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or shall
interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, which are hereby reserved, to discharge a Participant at any time
for any reason whatsoever, with or without good cause.
(h) Costs and Expenses. The costs and expenses of administering the
1998 Plan shall be borne by the Company and not charged to any Award nor to any
Participant receiving an Award.
(i) Funding of 1998 Plan. The 1998 Plan shall be unfunded. The
Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to
make any other segregation of assets to assure the payment of any Award under
the 1998 Plan.
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9. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.
(a) Amendments. The Board may at any time terminate or from time to
time amend the 1998 Plan in whole or in part, but no such action shall adversely
affect any rights or obligations with respect to any Awards theretofore made
under the 1998 Plan. However, with the consent of the Participant affected, the
Board may amend outstanding agreements evidencing Awards under the 1998 Plan in
a manner not inconsistent with the terms of the 1998 Plan.
(b) Stockholder Approval. To the extent that Section 422 of the Code,
other applicable law, or the rules, regulations, procedures or listing agreement
of any national securities exchange or quotation system, requires that any
amendment of the 1998 Plan be approved by the stockholders of the Company, no
such amendment shall be effective unless and until it is approved by the
stockholders in such a manner and to such a degree as is required.
(c) Termination. Unless the 1998 Plan shall theretofore have been
terminated as above provided, the 1998 Plan (but not the awards theretofore
granted under the 1998 Plan) shall terminate on and no awards shall be granted
after April 28, 2008.
10. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The 1998 Plan is effective on [April 28, 1998], the date on which it
was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company and the holders of the
majority of the Common Stock of the Company.
11. GOVERNING LAW.
The 1998 Plan and any agreements entered into thereunder shall be
construed and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
contracts made within, and to be performed wholly within, such state, without
regard to the application of conflict of laws rules thereof.
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EXHIBIT B
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
THE PRODUCERS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LTD.
The undersigned, being the President and Secretary, respectively, of The
Producers Entertainment Group Ltd. (the "Corporation") DO HEREBY CERTIFY as
follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is The Producers Entertainment Group Ltd.
2. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended to
effect a one (1) for three (3) reverse split of all of the Corporation's issued
common stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), whereby,
automatically upon the filing of this Amendment with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware, each three (3) issued shares of Common Stock shall be
changed into one (1) share of Common Stock, and, in that connection, to reduce
the stated capital of the Corporation.
3. In order to effectuate the amendment set forth in Paragraph 2 above:
(a) All of the Corporation's issued Common Stock, having a par value
of $.001 per share, is hereby changed into new Common Stock, having a
par value of $.001 per share, on the basis of one (1) new share of
Common Stock for each three (3) shares of Common Stock issued as of
the date of filing of the Amendment with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware; provided, however, that no fractional shares
of Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to such change. Each
shareholder who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share as
a result of such change shall have only a right to receive, in lieu
thereof, a cash payment equal to the fair market value of such
fractional share;
(b) The Corporation's 50,000,000 authorized shares of Common Stock,
having a par value of $.001 per share, shall not be changed;
(c) The Corporation's 20,000,000 authorized shares of preferred
stock, having a par value of $.001 per share, shall not be changed;
and
(d) The Corporation's stated capital shall be reduced by an amount
equal to the aggregate par value of the shares of Common Stock issued
prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment which, as a result of
the reverse split provided for herein, are no longer issued shares of
Common Stock.
4. The foregoing amendments of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation have been duly adopted by Corporation's Board of Directors and
Stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have subscribed this document on the date
set forth below.
Dated: April __, 1998
Attest:
- --------------------------- -----------------------------
Lawrence S. Jacobson, President Arthur Bernstein, Secretary
31
THE PRODUCERS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LTD.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The undersigned, a shareholder of THE PRODUCERS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LTD., a
Delaware corporation, (the "Company") hereby appoints Irwin Meyer and Arthur
Bernstein, and each of them, the proxy of the undersigned, with full power of
substitution, to attend, vote and act for the undersigned at the Company's
Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"), to be held on April 28,
1998, and at any of its postponements or adjournments, to vote and represent all
of the shares of the Company which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, as
follows:
The Board of Directors recommends a WITH vote on Proposal 1, a FOR vote on
Proposal 2 and a FOR vote on Proposal 3.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, as provided in the Company's Proxy Statement:
[ ] WITH [ ] WITHOUT Authority to vote for the nominees listed below.
(INSTRUCTIONS: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR A NOMINEE, LINE THROUGH OR OTHERWISE
STRIKE OUT THE NAME OF THE NOMINEE BELOW)
Arthur Bernstein Michael Collyer Salvatore Grosso Michael Iscove Lawrence
S. Jacobson Irwin Meyer Gilbert J. Spiegel
2. The approval of The Producers Entertainment Group Ltd. 1998 Stock Incentive
Plan.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
3. The approval of an amendment to The Producers Entertainment Group Ltd.
Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the
issued and outstanding Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, whereby each
three (3) shares of Common Stock issued as of the effective date of the
reverse split will be converted into one (1) share of Common Stock.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
(Continued on other side)
32
The undersigned hereby revokes any other proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting,
and hereby ratifies and confirms all that the proxy holder may lawfully do by
virtue hereof. AS TO ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL
MEETING AND ANY OF ITS POSTPONEMENTS OR ADJOURNMENTS, THE PROXY HOLDER IS
AUTHORIZED TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS BEST JUDGMENT.
This Proxy will be voted in accordance with the instructions set forth above.
THIS PROXY WILL BE TREATED AS A GRANT OF AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF
THE DIRECTORS NAMED, THE APPROVAL OF THE 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN AND THE
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION, AND AS THE PROXY HOLDER SHALL DEEM ADVISABLE ON SUCH OTHER
BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING, UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Notice of Annual
Meeting and accompanying Proxy Statement dated April 1, 1998 relating to the
Annual Meeting.
Date: -------------, 1998
-------------------------
-------------------------
Signature(s) of
Shareholder(s)
(See Instructions Below)
The signature(s) hereon
should correspond exactly
with the name(s) of the
shareholder(s) appearing
on the Stock Certificate.
If stock is jointly held,
all joint owners should
sign. When signing as
attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give
full title as such. If
signer is a corporation,
please sign the full
corporation name, and
give title of signing
officer.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PRODUCERS ENTERTAINMENT
GROUP LTD.