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 (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
(X) Definitive Proxy Statement
( ) Definitive Additional Materials
( ) Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
iENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than 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:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
( ) 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 paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule, or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
iENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, INC.
124 Quade Drive
Cary, North Carolina 27513
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 5, 2001
To the Shareholders of iEntertainment Network, Inc.:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
of iEntertainment Network, Inc., a North Carolina corporation, to be held at the
Company's principal executive offices located at 124 Quade Drive, Cary, North
Carolina 27513 on Tuesday, June 5, 2001, at 4:30 p.m., local time, for the
following matters:
1. To consider and vote upon an amendment to the Company's Articles
of Incorporation reducing the minimum number of directors from (5)
to three (3);
2. To elect the persons listed in the accompanying Proxy Statement
dated May 3, 2001 to the Board of Directors of the Company;
3. To approve an amendment to add an additional 500,000 shares Common
Stock for issuance under the Company's 1998 Stock Plan;
4. To appoint Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent auditors
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2001; and
5. To act upon such other matters as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
These matters are more fully described in the attached Proxy Statement.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 25, 2001 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any and all
adjournments thereof.
IT IS DESIRABLE THAT YOUR SHARES OF STOCK BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING
REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES THAT YOU MAY HOLD. EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY PLAN
TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
IN THE ENVELOPE.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Michael Pearce
Michael Pearce
Chief Executive Officer
Cary, North Carolina
Date: May 3, 2001
iENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, INC.
124 Quade Drive
Cary, North Carolina 27513
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement, accompanying proxy card and Notice of Annual
Meeting of Shareholders are being furnished to shareholders on or about May 3,
2001, by the Board of Directors of iEntertainment Network, Inc., a North
Carolina corporation, in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at our principal executive
offices, located at 124 Quade Drive, Cary, North Carolina 27513 on Tuesday, June
5, 2001 at 4:30 p.m., local time, and at all adjournments thereof. The Company
will bear all costs and expenses in connection with this solicitation. In
addition to this solicitation by mail, certain of our officers, directors and
regular employees, who will receive no additional compensation for their
services, may solicit proxies by telephone, personal communication, or other
means.
ANNUAL MEETING
Purposes of the Annual Meeting
The principal purposes of the annual meeting are:
1. To consider and vote upon an amendment to the Company's Articles
of Incorporation reducing the minimum number of directors
constituting the Board of Directors from (5) to three (3);
2. To elect three (3) nominees to our Board of Directors;
3. To approve an amendment to add an additional 500,000 shares Common
Stock for issuance under the Company's 1998 Stock Plan
4. To appoint Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent auditors
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001; and
5. To act upon such other matters as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Our Board of Directors knows of no other matters other than those
stated above to be brought before the annual meeting or any adjournments
thereof. Nonetheless, the proxyholders named on the enclosed proxy card may vote
in accordance with the instructions of the Board of Directors or in the absence
thereof, in accordance with their discretion, on any other matter properly
presented for action of which the Board of Directors is not now aware.
Proxies
Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the
person giving it at any time before it is exercised. Proxies may be revoked by:
o Filing a written notice of revocation with our corporate
secretary;
o Duly executing a subsequent proxy and filing it with our corporate
secretary before the revoked proxy is exercised; or
o Attending the annual meeting and voting in person.
If the proxy card is signed and returned, but voting directions are not
made, the proxy will be voted in favor of each of the proposals set forth in the
accompanying "Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders."
Record Date
Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 25,
2001 as the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and all adjournments thereof. As of
the close of business on March 23, 2001, we had 15,914,311 shares of common
stock outstanding. A quorum will be present at the meeting if a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock is present at the meeting in person or by
proxy.
Voting Rights
Except as otherwise provided by law, each holder of our Common Stock,
or his, her or its proxy, is entitled to one vote per share upon all matters
voted upon by shareholders. Cumulative voting is not available to our
shareholders.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 23, 2001
regarding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by: (i) each director;
(ii) director nominee; (iii) each executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement; and (iv) all directors and officers
as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons listed below have sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock owned by
them, except to the extent that such power may be shared with a spouse.
Fractional share amounts are rounded off to the nearest whole number.
Name of
-------
Beneficial Owner Shares Owned((1)) Percent of Class((1))
---------------- ----------------- ---------------------
J.W. Stealey ((2)) 3,847,117 24%
Joseph McClelland 86,500 *
Jacob Agam 5,000 *
Marc Goldfarb 35,000 *
Michael Pearce 800,000 ((4)) *
Robert L. Hart ((3)) 265,000 *
All directors and executive officers as a group((5)) 5,038,617 32%
(6 persons)
-----------------
* owns less than 1%
(1) Based upon 15,914,311 shares of common stock outstanding on March 23,
2001. The securities "beneficially owned" by an individual are
determined in accordance with the definition of "beneficial ownership"
set forth in the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Accordingly, they may include securities owned by or for, among others,
the spouse and/or minor children of the individual and any other
relative who resides in the home of such individual, as well as other
securities as to which the individual has or shares voting or
investment power or has the right to acquire under outstanding stock
options within sixty (60) days. Beneficial ownership may be disclaimed
as to certain of the securities.
(2) Includes 243,750 shares subject to options exercisable within sixty
(60) days and 236,389 shares subject to warrants exercisable within
sixty (60) days. Excludes 125,000 shares owned by wife, Denise Stealey.
Excludes 600,000 shares held in trusts for Mr. Stealey's children. Mr.
Stealey has neither voting power nor dispositive power over the shares
held in the trusts. Mr. Stealey disclaims beneficial ownership of the
shares owned by his wife and held in trust for his children.
(3) Mr. Hart resigned as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary on December
15, 2000 but remains a consultant to the Company.
(4) Consists of shares subject to warrants or options exercisable within
sixty (60) days.
(5) Includes the shares discussed in the footnotes above.
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The following table sets forth certain information as of March 23, 2001
regarding the only shareholders known to us to be the beneficial owners of more
than five percent (5%) of our common stock.
Name and Address of Amount and Nature of
------------------- --------------------
Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Percent of Class
---------------- -------------------- ----------------
Elliott Bossen 1,036,480 7.04%
c/o Argent Financial
3100 Tower Blvd.
Durham, NC 27707
Vertical Financial Holdings 3,345,649((1)) 21%
c/o Orida Capital USA, Inc.
70 East 55th Street, 24th Floor
New York, New York 10022
RGC International Investors, LDC 5,965,503((2)) 37.5%
c/o Rose Glen Capital
Management, LP
Three Bala Plaza East, Suite 200
251 St. Asaphs Road
Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004
(1) Includes 1,698,171 shares owned by entities beneficially owned by
Vertical Financial Holdings and 1,220,084 shares owned by other
entities over which Vertical Financial Holdings has voting power
pursuant to a proxy agreement.
(2) Consists of 616,906 shares of the Company's Common Stock held by RCG
and 5,348,597 shares of the Company's Common Stock into which RCG's
shares of the Company's Series D Preferred Stock are convertible. The
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Company's Series D Preferred Stock is adjustable on a daily basis as
set forth in the Company's Articles of Incorporation.
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PROPOSAL 1:
AMENDMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION REDUCING THE NUMBER OF
DIRECTORS CONSTITUTING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
General
The Board of Directors of the Company has approved an amendment to the
Company's Articles of Incorporation reducing the minimum number of directors
constituting the Board of Directors from five (5) directors to three (3)
directors. The Board has also recommended that the proposed amendment be
submitted to the Company's shareholders for approval at the Annual Meeting.
Purpose and Effect of Amendment
The Board is recommending the proposed change due to the general
difficulties associated with locating and inducing qualified individuals to
serve as Board members of technology companies and to provide more flexibility
with respect to determining the number of directors on the Board.
Description of the Amended Articles
To effect the proposed change, the Articles would be amended by
deleting Article I, Section 6.1 in its entirety and inserting the following in
lieu thereof:
Number of Directors. The number of directors
constituting the Board of Directors shall be not less than
three (3) nor more than fifteen (15).
If this proposal is approved, officers of the Company will promptly make
appropriate filings in the State of North Carolina and take any other actions
necessary to implement the change.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the shares of the Company's outstanding common
stock will be required to approve this proposal. In accordance with North
Carolina law, votes withheld on this proposal will be counted for purposes of
determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business.
Furthermore, shares represented by proxies returned by a broker holding such
shares in nominee or "street" name will be counted as present or represented for
purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction
of business. Withheld votes and broker non-votes, if any, will have the same
effect as a negative vote on this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE
"FOR" THE PROPOSED REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS CONSTITUTING THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS.
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PROPOSAL 2:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees
The Company's Articles of Incorporation currently provide that the
number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be no less than
five (5) and no greater than fifteen (15). However, the Board of Directors
expects that Proposal No. 1 reducing the minimum number of directors required to
constitute the Board from five (5) to three (3) directors will be approved by
the Company's shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, the Board is
nominating only three (3) directors for election at this time. In the event that
Proposal No. 1 reducing the minimum number of directors is not approved by the
Company's shareholders, the Board will undertake to locate and qualify
individuals to fill each of the remaining two (2) vacancies as expeditiously as
practicable, consistent with Article IV, Section 6 ("Vacancies") of the
Company's Bylaws.
The three (3) directors elected at Annual Meeting shall serve for one
year, until the election and qualification of their successors, and the proxies,
unless authority is withheld, will be voted FOR all of the management nominees
named below.
The Company is not aware of any nominee who will be unable or will
decline to serve as director. In the event that any such nominee is unable or
declines to serve as a director at the time of the Meeting, the individuals
named in the enclosed proxy may exercise their discretion to vote for any
substitute proposed by the Board of Directors. Under the Company's Bylaws,
shareholders desiring to nominate a person for election at the Annual Meeting
were required to give notice to the Secretary by April 16, 2001. Because no
timely notice has been received, shareholder nominations will not be permitted.
None of the Company's directors or nominees is related by blood,
marriage or adoption to any other nominee or any executive officer of the
Company.
The names of the Company's directors and nominees for director and
certain information about them are set forth below.
Name of Nominee Age Director Since
--------------- --- --------------
Jacob Agam 45 1999
Marc Goldfarb 36 2000
Michael Pearce 39 2000
JACOB AGAM was elected as Chairman of the Board in August 1999. Mr.
Agam also serves as the Chairman of Vertical Financial Holdings, a member of the
Vertical Group. The Vertical Group is a private international merchant banking
firm specializing in providing equity capital to mid-sized growth companies
operating in a variety of industries, including technology. Mr. Agam has also
served since October 1996 as the Chairman of the Board and since April 1998 as
the Chief Executive Officer of IAT Multimedia, Inc., a publicly traded marketer
of personal computers and PC components and peripherals. Mr. Agam has also
served as the Chairman of the Board of Gruppo Spigadoro NV, a privately held
Dutch holding company engaged in the food and animal feed business, since its
inception in August 1998. Mr. Agam received his J.D. from Tel Aviv University in
1984 and his L.L.M. in Securities and Corporate Finance from the University of
Pennsylvania in 1986.
MARC S. GOLDFARB has served as a director since December 1999. Mr.
Goldfarb has served as a director of IAT Multimedia, Inc., a public company,
since September 1999. Since August 1998, Mr.
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Goldfarb has been the President and Managing Director of Orida Capital USA,
Inc., a consulting firm that is the U.S. representative of the Vertical Group.
Prior to joining Orida Capital, Mr. Goldfarb was a corporate and securities
attorney for over 10 years, most recently as a partner at Bachner, Tally &
Polevoy LLP in New York, where he specialized in corporate finance, venture
capital and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Goldfarb holds a B.S. degree in
Management and Industrial Relations from Cornell University and a J.D. degree
from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
MIKE PEARCE has served as a director since December 1999. Mr. Pearce
has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company since November 1999. Prior
to joining iEntertainment Network, Inc., Mr. Pearce held a variety of technology
industry positions, including serving as Senior Vice President of Sales and
Marketing at VocalTec Communications Inc., a public company specializing in
Internet telephony, from 1996-1998. He also provided consulting services to
VocalTec during 1999. Previously, Mr. Pearce served as Senior Vice President of
Sales and Marketing for Ventana Communications, Inc., a publisher of software
and computer reference books, from 1995-1996. During 1990-1993, he was Vice
President, Sales at Librex Computer Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon
Steel, Tokyo, Japan, engaged in the manufacture and marketing of portable
computers. From 1987-1990, Mr. Pearce was employed by Hyundai Electronics
America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hyundai Group, Seoul, Korea, ultimately in
the capacity of National Sales Manager for this manufacturer of personal
computers and peripherals.
Current Directors Not Standing for Re-Election
Name of Nominee Age Director Since
--------------- --- --------------
W. Joseph McClelland 52 1997
J.W. Stealey((1)) 53 1997
----------------
((1)) Resigned effective April 20, 2001.
Vote Required
The three (3) nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative
votes of the shares present or represented and entitled to be voted at the
Annual Meeting shall be elected as directors of the Company. In accordance with
North Carolina law, votes withheld from any director will be counted for
purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction
of business. However, because directors are elected by a plurality vote,
abstentions in the election of directors have no effect once a quorum exists.
Furthermore, shares represented by proxies returned by a broker holding such
shares in nominee or "street" name will be counted as present or represented for
purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction
of business, even if such shares are not voted in matters where discretionary
voting by the broker is not allowed ("broker non-votes"). Withheld votes and
broker non-votes, if any, are not treated as votes cast and therefore, will have
no effect on the proposal to elect directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS APPROVED AND RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS
VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE MANAGEMENT NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
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PROPOSAL 3:
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE 1998 STOCK PLAN
The Company's 1998 Stock Plan (the "1998 Plan") was adopted by the
Board of Directors and approved by the shareholders of the Company in May 1998.
Under the 1998 Plan, 1,800,000 shares were reserved and issued. Subject to
shareholder approval, the Board of Directors approved the reservation of an
additional 500,000 shares, 190,185 of which have already been issued as
incentive stock options. In the event that the Company's shareholders do not
approval this proposal, the 190,185 shares that have already been issued as
incentive stock options will become nonqualified stock options.
The 1998 Plan provides for grants to employees of incentive stock
options. In addition, the 1998 Plan provides for grants of nonqualified stock
options and stock purchase rights to employees, directors and consultants of the
Company. As of April 25, 2001, approximately 30 persons were eligible to receive
grants under the 1998 Plan. The 1998 Plan is administered by the Board of
Directors or by a Committee appointed by the Board. The administrator determines
the terms of options and stock purchase rights granted, including the exercise
price and the number of shares subject to option or stock purchase right. The
exercise price of incentive stock options granted under the 1998 Plan must be at
least equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date
of the grant. The maximum term of options granted under the 1998 Plan in 10
years.
The following table sets forth the officers and directors whom have
been granted stock options pursuant to the 1998 Plan, which stock option grants
are subject to shareholder approval. Issuance of future grants is at the
discretion of the Board of Directors.
IENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, INC. 1998 STOCK PLAN
Name and Position Dollar Value ($) Number of Shares
Robert L. Hart, Chief Financial Officer $90,000 ((1)) 60,000
Officers and Directors as a Group, a total of one $90,000 60,000
------------------
(1) The stock option granted to Mr. Hart for 60,000 shares of Common Stock
was granted with an exercise price of $1.50 per share.
In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another
corporation, all outstanding options will automatically become fully vested and
exercisable.
The Board may amend the 1998 Plan at any time or may terminate it
without the approval of the shareholders, except as otherwise provided by law.
However, no action by the Board or the shareholders can alter any option
previously granted. The Board may accelerate the exercisability of any option or
waive any condition or restriction pertaining to an option. The 1998 Plan will
expire by its terms in May 2008.
Tax Consequences of Options
An optionee who is granted an incentive stock option will generally not
recognize taxable income either at the time the option is granted or upon its
exercise, although the exercise will increase the optionee's alternative minimum
taxable income by an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the fair
market value of the shares at the time of exercise and the option's exercise
price, and therefore may subject the optionee to the alternative minimum tax.
Upon the sale or exchange of the shares more than
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two years after grant of the option and more than one year after exercising the
option, any gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. If
these holding periods are not satisfied, the optionee will recognize ordinary
income at the time of sale or exchange equal to the difference between the
exercise price and the lower of (1) the fair market value of the shares at the
date of the option's exercise or (2) the sale price of the shares. The Company
will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount as the ordinary income
recognized by the optionee. Any gain or loss recognized on such a premature
disposition of the shares in excess of the amount treated as ordinary income
will be characterized as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending
on the optionee's holding period with respect to such shares.
All other options that do not qualify as incentive stock options are
referred to as nonstatutory options. Generally, an optionee will not recognize
any taxable income at the time he or she is granted a nonstatutory option. Upon
its exercise, however, the optionee will generally recognize taxable ordinary
income measured as the excess of the then fair market value of the shares
acquired over the exercise price of the option. Any taxable income recognized in
connection with an option exercise by an optionee who is also an employee of the
Company will be subject to tax withholding by the Company. The Company will be
entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount as the ordinary income recognized
by the optionee with respect to shares acquired upon exercise of a nonstatutory
option. Upon resale of such shares by the optionee, any difference between the
sales price received and the fair market value for the shares on the date of
exercise of the option will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain
or loss, depending on the optionee's holding period with respect to such shares.
The foregoing is only a summary, based on the current Code and Treasury
Regulations hereunder, of the federal income tax consequences to the optionee
and the Company with respect to the grant and exercise of options under the 1998
Plan, does not purport to be complete, and does not discuss the tax consequences
of the optionee's death or the income tax laws of any municipality, state or
foreign country in which an optionee may reside.
Proposed Amendment
The Board of Directors has adopted an amendment to the 1998 Plan to
increased the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder by 500,000
shares, from 1,800,000 to 2,300,000 shares (the "Share Amount Amendment").
Without giving effect to the Share Amount Amendment, as of April 25, 2001, only
531,656 shares remained available for further grant as incentive stock options
under the 1998 Plan, which will not allow the Company to meet its anticipated
needs with respect to the issuance of such additional options to employees and
consultants of the Company. Absent shareholder approval, all future grants from
the 500,000 additional shares subject to this proposal will fail to qualify for
favorable tax treatment as incentive stock options.
At the Meeting, the shareholders are being asked to approve the Share
Amount Amendment.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the
Company's common stock present or represented and voting on this proposal at the
Meeting will be required to approve the Share Amount Amendment. Failure to
obtain shareholder approval of the Share Amount Amendment will prevent the
Company from granting incentive stock options out of the additional 500,000
shares, but will not be necessarily prevent the Company from otherwise granting
other awards under the 1998 Plan.
In accordance with North Carolina law, votes withheld on this proposal
will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum
for the transaction of business.
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Furthermore, shares represented by proxies returned by a broker holding such
shares in nominee or "street" name will be counted as present or represented for
purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction
of business. Withheld votes and broker non-votes, if any, are not treated as
votes cast, and therefore will not affect the approval of this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE
"FOR" THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE 1998 PLAN.
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PROPOSAL 4:
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors of the Company has appointed the firm of Ernst &
Young LLP, Raleigh, North Carolina, to serve as the independent auditors of the
Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2001 and recommends that the
shareholders ratify such action. Ernst & Young has audited the accounts of the
Company since 1995 and has advised the Company that it does not have, and has
not had, any direct or indirect financial interest in the Company or its
subsidiaries in any capacity other than that of serving as independent auditors.
Representatives of Ernst & Young are expected to attend the Meeting.
They will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and
will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the
Company's Common Stock present or represented and voting on this proposal at the
Meeting shall constitute ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young.
Although shareholder approval of our auditors is not required by our Bylaws or
otherwise, the Board of Directors desires to obtain shareholder ratification of
this appointment as a matter of good business practice.
In accordance with North Carolina law, votes withheld on this proposal
will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum
for the transaction of business. Furthermore, shares represented by proxies
returned by a broker holding such shares in nominee or "street" name will be
counted as present or represented for purposes of determining the presence or
absence of a quorum for the transaction of business. Withheld votes and broker
non-votes, if any, are not treated as votes cast, and therefore will not affect
the approval of this proposal.
If the shareholders fail to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young,
the Board of Directors will reconsider its selection.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE
"FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG AS INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2001.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Director Compensation
The Company reimburses each director for out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with the rendering of services as a director.
Additionally, in 2000, the Company granted options to purchase shares
of Common Stock to each non-officer director at an exercise price equal to fair
market value at the date of grant as follows:
Name Option Shares
---- -------------
J. W. Stealey 5,000
Joseph McClelland 7,500
Jacob Agam 5,000
Marc Goldfarb 35,000
Michael Pearce --
Board of Director Meetings
The business of the Company is under the general management of the
Board of Directors as provided by the laws of North Carolina and the Bylaws of
the Company. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, the Board of
Directors held eleven (11) formal meetings, excluding actions by unanimous
written consent. Each Member of the Board attended at least 75% of the fiscal
2000 meetings of Board of Directors and Board committees of which he was a
member.
Board Committees
The Board of Directors has created an Audit Committee and a
Compensation Committee. The Audit Committee has consisted of Messrs. Goldfarb,
McClelland and Robert L. Hart. During 2000, the Audit Committee held eleven (11)
formal meetings, excluding actions by unanimous consent. The Audit Committee
recommends the appointment of independent auditors to the Board of Directors and
reviews the results and scope of the audit and other services provided by the
Company's independent auditors. A copy of the Audit Committee's written charter
is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. The Compensation Committee as
consisted of Messrs. Goldfarb, Pearce and Hart. During 2000, the Compensation
Committee held two (2) formal meetings, excluding actions by unanimous consent.
The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
regarding salaries and incentive compensation for all officers of the Company
except those officers who are also members of the Executive or Compensation and
Benefits Committees.
Audit Committee Report
The members of the audit committee are not professionally engaged in
the practice of auditing or accounting nor are they experts in the fields of
auditing or accounting, including in respect of auditor independence. Management
is responsible for our internal controls and the financial reporting process,
including the presentation and integrity of our financial statements. Our
independent accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of
our consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States of America and to issue a report
thereon. The audit committee's responsibility is to monitor and oversee these
processes. The audit committee also
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recommends to our Board of Directors the selection of our independent
accountants. Members of the audit committee rely without independent
verification on the information provided to them and on representations of
management and our independent accountants.
Accordingly, the audit committee's oversight does not provide an
independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate
accounting and financial reporting principles or appropriate internal control
and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and
applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the audit committee's
considerations and discussions referred to below do not assure that the audit of
our financial statements has been carried out in accordance with auditing
standards generally accepted in the United States of America, that our financial
statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles or that our auditors are in fact "independent."
In this context, the audit committee has met and held discussion with
our management, who represented to the audit committee that our consolidated
financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. The audit committee has
reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with both
management and the independent accountants. The audit committee also discussed
with the independent accountants matters required to be discussed by Statement
on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees). Our
independent accountants also provided to the audit committee the written
disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
(Independence Discussion with Audit Committees), and the audit committee has
considered whether the provision of audit and other non-audit services (set
forth under Audit Firm Fee Summary below) is compatible with maintaining the
accountants independence and has discussed with the independent accountants
their independence.
Based upon the audit committee's discussions with management and the
independent accountants, and the audit committee's review of our consolidated
financial statements, representations of management and the report of the
independent accountants to the audit committee, and subject to the limitations
on the role and responsibility of the audit committee, referred to above and the
audit committee charter attached hereto as Appendix A, the audit committee
recommended that our Board of Directors include the audited consolidated
financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2000 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
audit committee also recommended that Ernst & Young LLP be retained as our
independent accounts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 and the year
ending December 31, 2001.
Audit Committee
Marc S. Goldfarb
Joseph McClelland
Robert L. Hart
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth all compensation paid by the Company for
services rendered to it in all capacities for the last three (3) fiscal years
ended December 31, 1998, December 31, 1999 and December 31, 2000 to the
Company's Chief Executive Officer, the Company's other highest-paid executive
officers who earned at least $100,000 in the respective fiscal year or who
otherwise would have been includable in such table on the basis of their 2000
(year) compensation but for the fact that they were no longer executive officers
of the Company at the end of 2000 (collectively, the "Named Officers").
Summary Compensation Table
Annual Compensation Long Term Compensation
------------------- ----------------------
Awards Payouts
------ -------
Securities
Underlying All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Options/SARs Compensation
--------------------------- ---- ------ ------------ ------------
$ $
Michael Pearce, 2000 $132,000 -- $25,000
Chief Executive Officer (1)
1999 $1 800,000 --
1998 -- -- --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert L. Hart, 2000 $144,607 -- $11,000
Chief Financial Officer
1999 $ 36,143 205,000 --
1998 -- -- --
--------------------------------------- ----------- ----------------------- --------------------- -------------------
(1) Upon joining the Company as CEO in November 1999, Mr. Pearce received an
annual salary of $1.00. The Board of Directors granted Pearce an annual salary
of $144,000, which began in June 2000, as recognition of the company's operating
progress and perceived ongoing prospects.
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No options were exercised by the Named Officers during 2000. The following table
summarizes all option grants during the year ended December 31, 2000 to the
Named Officers:
Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year
(Individual Grants)
Percentage of
Number of Total
Securities Options/SARs
Underlying Granted to
Options/SARs Employees in Exercise or Expiration
Name Granted Fiscal Year Base Price Date
---- ------- ------------------ ---------- ----
(#) (2000) ($/Share)
Michael Pearce, -- -- -- --
Chief Executive Officer
Robert L. Hart, 60,000 6.7108% $1.50 12/15/01
Chief Financial Officer
These amounts represent certain assumed rates of appreciation only.
Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the future
performance of the Common Stock and overall stock market conditions. The amounts
reflected in this table may not be necessarily achieved.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
number and value of exercised and unexercised options held by the Named Officers
as of December 31, 2000:
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and
Fiscal Year End Option/SAR Values
Number of Securities
Shares Underlying Unexercised Value of Unexercised In-The-
Acquired on Value Options/SARs at Fiscal Year Money Options((1))/SARs at Fiscal
Name Exercise Realized End (#) Year End ($)
---- (#) ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- --- --- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Michael Pearce -- -- 266,666 533,334 -- --
Robert Hart -- -- 198,250 -- -- --
-------------------
(1) Options are considered "in-the-money" if the market value of shares
covered thereby is greater than the option exercise price. Value is
calculated based on the difference between the fair market value of the
shares of Common Stock at December 31, 2000 ($0.25), as quoted on The
Nasdaq Stock Market(R), and the exercise price of the options. The
Company made no long-term incentive plan awards during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2000.
-15-
Employment Agreements
The Company entered into an employment agreement with Michael Pearce in
November 1999. The agreement has an initial term of three (3) years that
automatically renews for additional one-year terms absent notice of non-renewal
by either party at least sixty (60) days prior to expiration of the term. In
lieu of receiving the stated annual salary for his position of $180,000,
pursuant to the agreement Mr. Pearce elected instead to receive options to
purchase a total of 800,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of
$1.09 per share. These options are exercisable as follows: 133,333 are
immediately exercisable, 133,333 become exercisable on the first anniversary of
the grant date and 266,667 become exercisable on each of the second and third
anniversaries of the grant date. If Mr. Pearce is terminated because of death,
extended illness, disability or without cause, all of these options that would
have vested at any time during the calendar year of termination become fully
exercisable, provided Mr. Pearce, or his estate, must exercise such options
within six months following termination. Mr. Pearce and his family are entitled
to participate in such employee benefit plans as the Company may offer from time
to time to its senior officers.
Certain Transactions
The Company entered into a marketing agreement, dated January 3, 1995,
with Mr. Stealey, pursuant to which Mr. Stealey makes his T-28 Trojan aircraft
and his services as a pilot available to the Company in consideration for which
the Company pays all of the expenses to store, operate and maintain such
aircraft and to maintain Mr. Stealey's pilot license. This marketing agreement
was terminated in November 1999.
Since the Company's inception, Mr. Stealey has executed several
personal guaranties and pledges of personal collateral in favor of BB&T, one of
the Company's primary bank creditors, in connection with revolving and term
loans extended by BB&T to the Company. On January 24, 1997, the Company issued a
$2,500,000 Promissory Note to BB&T secured by Mr. Stealey's guarantee and pledge
of collateral. The January 24, 1997 note has been paid in full, and Mr.
Stealey's guarantee and pledge in respect thereof have been extinguished. On
August 25, 1997, the Company issued a $2,750,000 Promissory Note to BB&T secured
by Mr. Stealey's guarantee and pledge of collateral in replacement of the
January 24, 1997 note. On November 25, 1997, the Company issued a $250,000
Promissory Note to BB&T secured by Mr. Stealey's guarantee and pledge of
collateral. The November 25, 1997 note has been paid in full, and Mr. Stealey's
guarantee and pledge in respect thereof have been extinguished. On March 27,
1998, the Company issued a $250,000 Promissory Note to BB&T secured by Mr.
Stealey's guarantee and pledge of collateral. In connection with his guaranties
to BB&T, the Company became obligated to pay Mr. Stealey a fee equal to 6% per
annum of the indebtedness borrowed. All of such indebtedness has been repaid and
Mr. Stealey waived all payment rights relating to his guaranties.
In August 1999, the Company and Mr. Stealey (the Company's founder and
then Chairman and CEO), entered into an agreement: (1) providing for the
resignation of Mr. Stealey from his position as Chairman and CEO; (2) appointing
Jacob Agam, a designee of Vertical Financial Holdings (a significant shareholder
of the Company), as Chairman of the Board to fill the vacancy created by the
departure of Avi Suriel; and (3) designating management's slate of nominees for
election to the Board at the annual meeting of shareholders (to include a total
of three designees from Vertical, together with Mr. Stealey and one designee of
Mr. Stealey). Vertical also signed the agreement for the purpose of agreeing to
vote its shares in favor of management's slate of nominees. As part of this
agreement, the Company also agreed to: (1) retain Mr. Stealey as a consultant
through December 31, 2000 at an annual fee of $180,000 and other benefits
identical to those provided his employment agreement, which agreement was
terminated, together with Mr. Stealey's severance rights thereunder (this
consulting arrangement was terminated in November 1999 as described below); (2)
undertake best efforts to have Mr. Stealey removed from
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personal guarantees he made to secure approximately $1 million of Company
indebtedness (Mr. Stealey arranged to have the Company released from this
indebtedness in November 1999 as described below); (3) grant certain
registration rights to Mr. Stealey with respect to his shares; (4) sell to Mr.
Stealey for $1,000 the Company's rights to its old name, logo, and URL
(imagicgames.com) following the Company's transition to its new name; and (5)
limit Mr. Stealey's noncompetition restriction to nonsolicitation of Company
employees for 17 months thereafter.
In November 1999, the Company effected a balance sheet reorganization
involving the following transactions, the following components of which were
consummated with affiliated parties:
1. Vertical Financial Holdings, a significant shareholder of the
Company, purchased 700,000 shares of common stock for
$700,000.
2. Jacob Agam, the Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors,
IS Chairman of Vertical Financial Holdings. J.W. Stealey, the
Company's founder, former CEO and current director, arranged
for the release of the Company from $1,000,000 of
line-of-credit indebtedness to BB&T in exchange for 1,000,000
shares of common stock. In addition, Mr. Stealey's resignation
agreement dated August 16, 1999 was amended such that his
consulting services are no longer being used and the sole
remaining consideration due him was reduced to one lump sum
payment of $200,000 (less the value of 12 months of health
insurance payments and car lease payments totaling
approximately $20,000) and 50,000 shares of the Company's
common stock.
This payment was made on November 12, 1999. The Company also
agreed to convey to Mr. Stealey all trademarks and available
rights to the name Interactive Magic, Inc., pending
shareholder approval of the name change to iEntertainment
Network, Inc. Mr. Stealey agreed to waive the interest due him
from the Company in the amount of $183,000 under the terms of
the line of credit agreement with BB&T that he personally
guaranteed.
3. The Company granted registration rights for the shares of
common stock underlying the Series D Preferred Stock and the
shares of common stock purchased in connection with the
reorganization. In addition, Mr. Stealey and Vertical
Financial Holdings agreed to vote all of their shares at the
next annual meeting in favor of the Series D Preferred Stock
financing and the convertibility of such shares into common
stock.
On June 30, 2000, the Company and Vertical Financial Holdings entered
into a Stock Purchase Agreement. Vertical Financial Holdings purchased 600,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock for a purchase price of $600,000.
-17-
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, directors and executive
officers of the Company are required to file reports with the Securities and
Exchange Commission indicating their holdings of and transactions in the
Company's equity securities and to provide the Company with copies of these
reports. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of
such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other
reports were required, there were no reports required under Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act that were not timely filed during the fiscal year ended December
31, 2000.
SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
During the 2000 fiscal year, Ernst & Young LLP served as independent
auditors to the Company. They have been appointed as the Company's independent
auditors for the 2001 fiscal year by the Board of Directors. Representatives of
Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have
the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. They will be
available to respond to proper questions regarding the independent auditor's
responsibilities.
The fee arrangement between Ernst & Young LLP and the Company is based
on rates and terms customary for their practice.
Audit Firm Fee Summary
For fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, iEntertainment Network, Inc.
retained Ernst & Young LLP to provide services in the following categories and
amounts:
Audit Fees $95,686
Financial Information Systems Design and $0
Implementation Fees
All Other Fees $117,210*
---------------------
* Other fees comprised of $103,805 for audit related fees such as registration
statements, accounting assistance and other audit related services as well as
$13,405 for non-audit related services.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2000, including the financial statements and schedules thereto, as
filed with the SEC is enclosed with this Proxy Statement. Additional copies will
be furnished on written request, without charge to any of our shareholders. Such
requests should be addressed to Corporate Secretary, 124 Quade Drive, Cary,
North Carolina 27513.
PROPOSALS FOR 2002 ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
From time to time, individual shareholders may wish to submit proposals
that they believe should be voted upon by iEntertainment Network, Inc.'s
shareholders. No such proposals were submitted for the 2001 Annual Meeting.
Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2002 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders must be received by the Secretary of iEntertainment Network, Inc.
at its executive office, 124 Quade Drive, Cary, North Carolina 27513, no later
than February 6, 2002 in order to be eligible for inclusion in iEntertainment
Network, Inc.'s Proxy Ballot and Proxy Statement for the 2002 Annual Meeting.
-18-
OTHER BUSINESS
The management of iEntertainment Network, Inc. knows of no other
business to be presented to the meeting. If other matters should properly come
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof, a vote may be cast
pursuant to the accompanying Proxy in accordance with the judgment of the person
or persons voting the same.
All shareholders are urged to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
on Tuesday, June 5, 2001 at 4:30 p.m., at 124 Quade Drive, Cary, North Carolina
27513, and to vote your shares in person. Even if you plan to attend, please
sign and return your Proxy promptly. A Proxy may be revoked at any time before
it is voted, and the giving of a Proxy will not affect the right of a
shareholder to attend the meeting and vote in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors
iENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, INC.
/s/ Michael Pearce
Michael Pearce
Chief Executive Officer
May 3, 2001
Raleigh, North Carolina
-19-
APPENDIX A
iEntertainment Network, Inc.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Organization
This charter governs the operations of the audit committee. The committee shall
review and reassess the charter at least annually and obtain the approval of the
board of directors. The committee shall be appointed by the board of directors
and shall comprise at least two directors, each of whom are independent of
management and the Company. Members of the committee shall be considered
independent if they have no relationship that may interfere with the exercise of
their independence from management and the Company. All committee members shall
be financially literate, (or shall become financially literate within a
reasonable period of time after appointment to the committee,) and at least one
member shall have accounting or related financial management expertise.
Statement of Policy
The audit committee shall provide assistance to the board of directors in
fulfilling their oversight responsibility to the shareholders, potential
shareholders, the investment community, and others relating to the Company's
financial statements and the financial reporting process, the systems of
internal accounting and financial controls, the internal audit function, the
annual independent audit of the Company's financial statements, and the legal
compliance and ethics programs as established by management and the board. In so
doing, it is the responsibility of the committee to maintain free and open
communication between the committee, independent auditors, the internal auditors
and management of the Company. In discharging its oversight role, the committee
is empowered to investigate any matter brought to its attention with full access
to all books, records, facilities, and personnel of the Company and the power to
retain outside counsel, or other experts for this purpose.
Responsibilities and Processes
The primary responsibility of the audit committee is to oversee the Company's
financial reporting process on behalf of the board and report the results of
their activities to the board. Management is responsible for preparing the
Company's financial statements, and the independent auditors are responsible for
auditing those financial statements. The committee in carrying out its
responsibilities believes its policies and procedures should remain flexible, in
order to best react to changing conditions and circumstances. The committee
should take the appropriate actions to set the overall corporate "tone" for
quality financial reporting, sound business risk practices, and ethical
behavior.
The following shall be the principal recurring processes of the audit committee
in carrying out its oversight responsibilities. The processes are set forth as a
guide with the understanding that the committee may supplement them as
appropriate.
o The committee shall have a clear understanding with management and the
independent auditors that the independent auditors are ultimately
accountable to the board and the audit committee, as representatives of
the Company's shareholders. The committee shall have the ultimate
authority and responsibility to evaluate and, where appropriate,
replace the independent auditors. The
A-1
committee shall discuss with the auditors their independence from
management and the Company and the matters included in the written
disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board. Annually, the
committee shall review and recommend to the board the selection of the
Company's independent auditors, subject to shareholders' approval.
o The committee shall discuss with the internal auditors and the
independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective
audits including the adequacy of staffing and compensation. Also, the
committee shall discuss with management, the internal auditors, and the
independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting
and financial controls, including the Company's system to monitor and
manage business risk, and legal and ethical compliance programs.
Further, the committee shall meet separately with the internal auditors
and the independent auditors, with and without management present, to
discuss the results of their examinations.
o The committee shall review the interim financial statements with
management and the independent auditors prior to the filing of the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Also, the committee shall
discuss the results of the quarterly review and any other matters
required to be communicated to the committee by the independent
auditors under generally accepted auditing standards. The chair of the
committee may represent the entire committee for the purpose of this
review.
o The committee shall review with management and the independent auditors
the financial statements to be included in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K (or the annual report to shareholders if distributed prior
to the filing of Report 10-K), including their judgment about the
quality, not just acceptability, or accounting principles, the
reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of the
disclosures in the financial statements. Also, the committee shall
discuss the results of the annual audit and any other matters required
to be communicated to the committee by the independent auditors under
generally accepted auditing standards.
A-2
PROXY PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
iENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, INC.
2001 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The undersigned hereby appoints Jacob Agam and Michael Pearce, and each or
either of them as proxy holders with power to appoint his substitute and hereby
authorizes the proxy holders to represent and vote, as designated on this proxy
card, all the shares of Common Stock of iEntertainment Network, Inc. held of
record by the undersigned on April 25, 2001, at the annual meeting of
shareholders to be held on June 5, 2001, at 4:30 p.m., local time, or at any
adjournment thereof. In order to vote for the proposals, place an "X" in the
appropriate box provided below. The Board recommends a vote "FOR" each of the
proposals listed below.
1. To ratify an amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation reducing the minimum number of directors from 5 to 3:
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
2. In the election of three directors for management's slate, except those
against management's slate marked out below:
Jacob Agam Marc Goldfarb Michael Pearce
[ ]FOR all nominees (except as marked to the contrary below) [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s) write
the name of that/those nominee(s) name(s) on the line provided below.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. To approve an amendment to add an additional 500,000 shares Common Stock for
issuance under the Company's 1998 Stock Plan.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
4. To appoint Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2001.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
5. For such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
PLEASE MARK, SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE, AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
PC1
(Continued from other side)
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE PROXY WILL BE VOTED
"FOR" MANAGEMENT'S SLATE OF DIRECTORS AND PROPOSALS 1-5, AND IN THE DISCRETION
OF THE PROXY HOLDERS ON ANY OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING.
SHARES
Please sign and date this Proxy and return promptly.
Dated: _______________________________, 2001
-----------------------------------------------------
Signature
-----------------------------------------------------
Signature
NOTE: Please sign your name exactly as appears on this card.
When signing for a corporation or partnership, or as agent,
attorney, trustee, executor, dministrator, or guardian,
please indicate the capacity in which you are signing. In the
case of joint tenants, each joint owner must sign.