UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
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Discovery Communications, Inc.
(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(Name of person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the registrant)
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March 30, 2016
Dear Stockholders,
You are cordially invited to attend our annual meeting of stockholders at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at our corporate headquarters at One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
If you hold shares of Series A or Series B common stock or Series A convertible preferred stock, you will be asked to vote on a number of important matters, which are listed in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Notice). The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR proposals 1 and 2, and AGAINST proposals 3 and 4 in this notice.
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote as soon as possible to make sure that your shares are represented.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in our company, and I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Miron
Chairman of the Board
Discovery Communications, Inc.
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
a Delaware company
One Discovery Place
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
(240) 662-2000
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Discovery Communications Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend, and notice is hereby given of, the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Discovery Communications, Inc. to be held at our offices at One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, Maryland, on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect five directors, two Class II directors to be voted on by the holders of our Series A common stock and Series B common stock, voting together as a single class, and three preferred stock directors to be voted on by the holders of our Series A convertible preferred stock, voting separately as a class.
2. To vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.
3. To vote upon a stockholder proposal requesting the Board of Directors to prepare a report on steps Discovery Communications is taking to foster greater diversity on the Board over time.
4. To vote upon a stockholder proposal requesting the Board of Directors Compensation Committee to prepare a report on the feasibility of integrating sustainability metrics into performance measures of senior executives under Discovery Communications compensation incentive plans.
The stockholders will also act on any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or adjournments thereof.
The close of business on March 24, 2016 was the record date for determining the holders of shares of our Series A and Series B common stock and Series A convertible preferred stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof. For a period of at least ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be open to the examination of any stockholder during ordinary business hours at our corporate headquarters located at One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, Maryland.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Stephanie D. Marks
Corporate Secretary
March 30, 2016
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2016 PROXY STATEMENT
THE 2016 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Q: Who is soliciting my vote?
A: The Discovery Communications, Inc. Board of Directors is soliciting your vote on proposals being submitted for consideration at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 19, 2016.
Q: What is the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?
A: In accordance with the SECs proxy delivery rules, we intend to commence distribution on or about March 30, 2016 of a notice (the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials) indicating that this Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, our Annual Report to Stockholders and our Annual Report on Form 10-K will be made available at www.proxyvote.com. This website will also provide holders of our Series A and Series B common stock and Series A convertible preferred stock (Series A preferred stock) with instructions on how to vote their shares. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials also indicates how to request printed copies of these materials, including, for holders of Series A and Series B common stock and Series A preferred stock, the proxy card or voting instruction card.
Q: What matters will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
A: The principal business of the meeting will be the following matters:
| the election of two Class II directors by the holders of our Series A common stock and Series B common stock, voting together as a single class, and the election of three preferred stock directors by the holders of our Series A preferred stock, voting separately as a class; |
| the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016; |
| the consideration of a stockholder proposal requesting the Board of Directors to prepare a report on steps Discovery Communications is taking to foster greater diversity on the Board over time, if properly presented; and |
| the consideration of a stockholder proposal requesting the Board of Directors Compensation Committee to prepare a report on the feasibility of integrating sustainability metrics into the performance measures of senior executives under Discovery Communications compensation incentive plans, if properly presented. |
We will also transact such other business as may properly be presented at the Annual Meeting or at any postponements or adjournments thereof. However, we are not aware of any other matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.
Q: Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
A: The close of business on March 24, 2016 was the record date for determining the holders of our Series A and Series B common stock and Series A preferred stock entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials received by the holders of
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our Series A and Series B common stock and Series A preferred stock will explain how they may vote their shares. Holders of our non-voting Series C common stock and Series C convertible preferred stock (Series C preferred stock) may access and receive this proxy statement and related materials but are not entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Q: How many shares can vote at the Annual Meeting and how many votes does each share have?
A: As of March 24, 2016, we had outstanding 150,429,411 shares of Series A common stock, with each of those shares being entitled to one vote, 6,514,584 shares of Series B common stock, with each of those shares being entitled to ten votes, and 253,992,180 shares of Series C common stock, which are not entitled to vote. We also had outstanding 71,107,312 shares of Series A preferred stock, with each of those shares being entitled to one vote, and 34,855,083 shares of Series C preferred stock, which are not entitled to vote.
Q: How many shares must be present or represented at the Annual Meeting to conduct business at the meeting?
A: With respect to Proposal 1, the presence, in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of (a) the Series A common stock and Series B common stock, voting together as a single class, entitled to a separate vote on the election of two Class II directors at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for purposes of this class vote and (b) the Series A preferred stock entitled to a separate class vote on three preferred stock directors at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for purposes of this class vote. The presence, in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of a majority in voting power of the Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series A preferred stock, with the preferred stock considered on an as-converted to common stock basis, voting together as a single class, will constitute a quorum for the combined class votes on Proposals 2, 3 and 4.
If a quorum is not present, the meeting will be adjourned until a quorum is obtained. Abstentions and broker non-votes (where a broker or nominee does not exercise discretionary authority to vote on a proposal) will be treated as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Q: What vote is required to elect directors?
A: With respect to Proposal 1, two directors are to be elected by the holders of our Series A common stock and Series B common stock, voting together as a single class, and three directors are to be elected by the holders of our Series A preferred stock, voting separately as a class. The Class II directors will be elected if they receive a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of Series A common stock and Series B common stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, voting together as single class. The Series A preferred stock directors will be elected if they receive a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the outstanding shares of the Series A preferred stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, voting as a separate class.
| If you submit a proxy card on which you indicated that you withhold your vote, it will have no effect on the election of directors; and |
| Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the election of directors. |
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Q: What vote is required to ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm?
A: The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the outstanding Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series A preferred stock, voting as a single class, present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, is required to ratify Proposal 2.
| If you submit a proxy card on which you indicate that you abstain from voting, your abstention will not count as a vote FOR or AGAINST this proposal and will have no effect on the outcome of the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm; and |
| Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the ratification proposal. |
Q: What vote is required to approve the stockholder proposals?
A: If properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the outstanding Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series A preferred stock, voting as a single class, present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, is required to approve Proposals 3 and 4.
| If you submit a proxy card on which you indicate that you abstain from voting, your abstention will not count as a vote FOR or AGAINST these proposal and will have no effect on the outcome of the approval of the stockholder proposals; and |
| Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the stockholder proposals. |
Q: How can I vote my shares at the Annual Meeting?
A: If you are a holder of Series A or Series B common stock or Series A preferred stock as of the record date, telephone and Internet voting is available 24 hours a day through 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 18, 2016. If you are located in the United States or Canada and are a stockholder of record, you can vote your shares by calling toll-free 1-800-690-6903. Whether you are a stockholder of record or a beneficial owner, you can also vote your shares on the Internet at www.proxyvote.com.
Both the telephone and Internet voting systems have easy to follow instructions on how you may vote your shares and allow you to confirm that the system has properly recorded your vote. If you are voting your shares by telephone or Internet, you should have on hand when you call or access the website, as applicable, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, the proxy card or voting instruction card (for those holders who have received, by request, a hard copy of the proxy card or voting instruction card). If you vote by telephone or Internet, you do not need to return your proxy card to us.
If you have received, by request, a hard copy of the proxy card or voting instruction card and wish to submit your proxy by mail, you must complete, sign and date the proxy card or voting instruction card and return it in the envelope provided so that it is received prior to the Annual Meeting.
Properly completed proxies will be voted as you direct. Properly executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions will be voted FOR Proposals 1 and 2, and AGAINST Proposals 3 and 4.
While we encourage holders of Series A and Series B common stock and Series A preferred stock to vote by proxy, you also have the option of voting your shares of Series A and Series B common stock and Series A preferred stock in person at the Annual Meeting. If your shares of Series A or Series B common stock or Series A preferred stock are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, you are considered the stockholder of
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record with respect to such shares of stock and you have the right to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, subject to compliance with the procedures described below. If your shares of Series A or Series B common stock or Series A preferred stock are held in a brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are the beneficial owner of such shares. As such, in order to vote in person, you must obtain and present at the time of admission a properly executed proxy from the stockholder of record (i.e., your broker, bank or other nominee) giving you the right to vote the shares of Series A or Series B common stock or Series A preferred stock.
Q: If my Discovery shares are held in street name by a broker, bank or other nominee, will the broker, bank or other nominee vote my shares on each of the annual business proposals?
A: If you hold your shares in street name and do not give instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, the broker, bank or other nominee will be able to vote your shares with respect to discretionary items but will not be able to vote your shares with respect to non-discretionary items and your shares will be treated as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes are shares that are held in street name by a bank, broker or other nominee that indicates on its proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter. The auditor ratification proposal is a discretionary item, whereas the election of directors proposal and the stockholder proposals are non-discretionary items. Accordingly, if you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, your shares may, in the discretion of the broker, bank or other nominee, be voted on the ratification proposal. If you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, your shares will NOT be voted on the election of directors proposal or the stockholder proposals.
Q: May I change or revoke my vote after returning a proxy card or voting by telephone or over the Internet?
A: Yes. Before your proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting, you may change or revoke your vote on the proposals by telephone or over the Internet (if you originally voted by telephone or over the Internet), by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or by delivering a signed proxy revocation or a new signed proxy with a later date to: Discovery Communications, Inc., c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
Any signed proxy revocation or new signed proxy must be received before the start of the Annual Meeting. Your attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
If your shares are held in an account by a broker, bank or other nominee whom you previously contacted with voting instructions, you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee to change your vote.
Q: How do I obtain admission to the Annual Meeting?
A: Stockholders of record on the record date will be admitted to the Annual Meeting with photo identification and proof of stock ownership, such as the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. If you hold Discovery stock in street name, you must bring a copy of an account statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date. If you plan to attend as the proxy of a stockholder, you must present valid proof of proxy. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices are not permitted at the Annual Meeting.
Q: Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the Annual Meeting?
A: We will pay the cost of solicitation of proxies, including the preparation, website posting, printing and delivery of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy statement and related materials. We will furnish copies of these materials to banks, brokers, fiduciaries, custodians and other nominees that hold shares on behalf of beneficial owners so that they may forward the materials to beneficial owners.
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The corporate governance practices of Discovery Communications, Inc. (us, we, the Company or Discovery) are established and monitored by our Board of Directors. The Board regularly assesses Discoverys governance policies in light of legal requirements and governance best practices.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Discoverys corporate governance practices are embodied in a formal document that has been approved by our Board of Directors. These corporate governance guidelines (the Guidelines) are posted on our website at www.discoverycommunications.com. These guidelines, which provide a framework for the conduct of the Boards business, provide that:
| the Boards responsibility is to oversee the management of Discovery and to help ensure that the interests of the stockholders are served; |
| a majority of the members of the Board shall be independent directors; |
| the independent directors meet at least twice a year in executive session; |
| directors have unimpeded access to senior management and, as necessary and appropriate, independent advisors; |
| all directors are encouraged to participate in continuing director education on an ongoing basis; and |
| the Board and its committees will conduct self-evaluations to determine whether they are functioning effectively. |
The Board periodically reviews the Guidelines and most recently updated them in March 2012. Printed copies of our Guidelines are available to any stockholder upon request to the Corporate Secretary, at the address specified below under Stockholder Communication with Directors.
It is our policy that a majority of the members of our Board of Directors be independent. For a director to be deemed independent, a director must be independent as determined under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules and, in the Board of Directors judgment, the director must not have a relationship with Discovery that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Nasdaq Marketplace Rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, (i) each member of a listed companys audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees be independent, (ii) audit committee members also satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and (iii) compensation committee members also satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 5605(d)(2)(A) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Discoverys Board of Directors has determined that S. Decker Anstrom, Robert R. Beck, Robert R. Bennett, Paul A. Gould, John C. Malone, Robert J. Miron, Steven A. Miron, M. LaVoy Robison and J. David Wargo are independent directors. The Committee considered the relationships and affiliations, as set forth in their biographies below, to determine the directors independence.
In order to be considered to be independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the Board of Directors, or any other board committee: (1) accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the listed company, other than for board service; or (2) be an affiliated person of the listed company. Discoverys
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Board of Directors has determined that S. Decker Anstrom, M. LaVoy Robison and J. David Wargo are independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3.
In order to be considered to be independent for purposes of Rule 5605(d)(2)(A), a member of a compensation committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the compensation committee, the Board of Directors or any other board committee: (1) accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the listed company, other than for board service; or (2) be an affiliated person of the listed company. Discoverys Board of Directors has determined that Robert R. Beck, Paul A. Gould and Robert J. Miron are independent for purposes of Rule 5605(d)(2)(A).
Discovery historically has separated the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board in recognition of the differences between the two roles. The CEO is responsible for setting Discoverys strategic direction, providing leadership and driving the performance of the Company, while the Chairman of the Board provides guidance to the CEO, sets the agenda for Board meetings and presides over meetings of the full Board. In light of the industry experience and management expertise of Robert Miron, our Chairman, and the dynamic leadership of David Zaslav, our CEO, the Board feels that this structure continues to be appropriate for Discovery.
We have a Code of Ethics (the Code) that is applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees. The Board approved the original Code in September 2008 and adopted a revised Code on April 25, 2012. The Code is available, and any amendments or waivers that would be required to be disclosed are posted, on our website at www.discoverycommunications.com. Printed copies of the Code are also available without charge upon request to the Corporate Secretary at the address specified below, under Stockholder Communication with Directors.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Audit Committee
The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, whose members are Messrs. Robison (Chair), Anstrom and Wargo. The Board of Directors has determined that M. LaVoy Robison is an Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined under SEC rules. The Audit Committee reviews and monitors the corporate financial reporting and the internal and external audits of Discovery. The committees functions include, among other things:
| appointing or replacing our independent registered public accounting firm; |
| reviewing and approving in advance the scope of, and fees for, our annual audit and reviewing the results of our audits with our independent registered public accounting firm; |
| reviewing and approving in advance the scope of, and the fees for, non-audit services of our independent registered public accounting firm; |
| reviewing our audited financial statements with our management and independent registered public accounting firm and making recommendations regarding inclusion of such audited financial statements in certain of our public filings; |
| overseeing the performance of services by our independent registered public accounting firm, including holding quarterly meetings to review the quarterly written communications of our independent registered public accounting firm; discussing with our independent registered public accounting firm issues regarding the ability of our independent registered public accounting firm to perform such |
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services; obtaining, annually, a written report from our independent registered public accounting firm addressing internal controls; reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm any audit-related problems or difficulties and the response of our management; and addressing other general oversight issues; |
| reviewing compliance with, and the adequacy of, our existing major accounting and financial reporting policies; |
| overseeing the implementation and maintenance of an internal audit function; periodically reviewing the results and findings of the internal audit function; and coordinating with management to ensure that the issues associated with such results and findings are addressed; |
| reviewing and overseeing compliance with, and establishing procedures for, the treatment of alleged violations of the Code; and |
| preparing the Audit Committee report required by SEC rules, which is included on page 22 of this proxy statement. |
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which is available on our website at www.discoverycommunications.com.
Compensation Committee
The Board of Directors has established a Compensation Committee, whose members are Messrs. R. Miron (Chair), Beck and Gould. The committees functions include, among other things:
| reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to our CEOs compensation; |
| evaluating our CEO; |
| determining our CEOs compensation; |
| reviewing and approving the compensation of our other executive officers and certain other executives; |
| reviewing and making recommendations on stock compensation arrangements for all employees; |
| reviewing and making recommendations to the Board for compensation of non-employee directors for their service on the Board and its committees; |
| overseeing the structure of employee benefit programs and other compensation programs; |
| reviewing and discussing annually with management our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which is included beginning on page 24 of this proxy statement; and |
| preparing the Compensation Committee report required by SEC rules, which is included on page 23 of this proxy statement. |
The Compensation Committee reviews all forms of compensation provided to our executive officers and has approved the same, with the exception of some equity awards and awards under the Discovery Communications, Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan (the 2005 Stock Plan), which prior to 2012 were approved by the Equity Compensation Subcommittee, consisting of Messrs. Beck and Gould.
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee, which is available on Discoverys website at www.discoverycommunications.com.
The processes and procedures followed by our Compensation Committee in considering and determining executive compensation, including the use of consultants and other outside advisors, are described below in Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No member of Discoverys Compensation Committee is a current or former officer or, during 2015 was an employee, of Discovery or any of its subsidiaries. None of Discoverys executive officers has served as a director or member of the compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity whose executive officers served as one of our directors or a member of the Compensation Committee.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Board of Directors has established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, whose members are Messrs. Wargo (Chair), Gould, S. Miron and Robison. In considering whether to recommend any candidate for inclusion in the Boards slate of recommended director nominees, including candidates recommended by stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee applies the criteria set forth in our Guidelines. These criteria include the candidates integrity, business acumen, experience, commitment, diligence, conflicts of interest, diversity of background and the ability to act in the interests of all stockholders. Our Guidelines specify that the backgrounds and qualifications of the directors considered as a group should provide a significant breadth of experience, knowledge and abilities that will assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria, and no particular criterion is necessarily applicable to all prospective nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity; however, the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believe that it is essential that the Board members represent diverse viewpoints.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees primary functions are:
| to oversee corporate governance matters generally, including reviewing and recommending changes to our Guidelines, and the independence standards and qualifications for Board membership set forth in the Guidelines; |
| to oversee the annual evaluation of the performance of the Board and each of its committees; |
| to identify individuals qualified to be members of the Board and to recommend Board nominees; |
| to review and make recommendations concerning the independence of Board members; |
| to review and approve related person transactions; |
| to review the membership qualifications of Board members under the Guidelines; and |
| to review and make recommendations concerning membership on Board committees and on committee structure and responsibilities. |
Discoverys Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which is available on Discoverys website at www.discoverycommunications.com.
Finance Committee
The Board of Directors has established a Finance Committee, whose members are Messrs. Bennett (Chair), Gould, S. Miron and Wargo. The committees authority and responsibilities include, among other things:
| to review or oversee significant treasury matters such as capital structure and allocation, derivative policies, global liquidity, fixed income investments, borrowings, currency exposure and hedging, dividend policy, share issuances and repurchases, and capital spending; |
| to evaluate all projects requiring capital, including share repurchases, investments and acquisitions using their internal rate of return or other metrics that the Committee determines to be appropriate; |
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| to evaluate and revise the Companys approval policies for investment, acquisition, joint venture and divestiture transactions; |
| to review the scope, direction, quality, investment levels and execution of the Companys investment, acquisition, joint venture and divestiture transactions; |
| to evaluate the execution, financial results and integration of the Companys completed investment, acquisition, joint venture and divestiture transactions; |
| to oversee the Companys loans and guarantees of third-party debt and obligations; |
| to review the activities of Investor Relations; |
| to review and approve, at least annually, the Companys decision to enter into swaps and other derivative transactions that are exempt from exchange-execution and clearing under end-user exception regulations established by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and review and discuss with management applicable Company policies governing the Companys use of swaps subject to the end-user exception; and |
| to consider other finance and investment matters regarding the Company. |
Executive Committee
The primary function of the Executive Committee is to exercise powers of the Board on matters of an urgent nature that arise between regularly scheduled Board meetings, subject to certain limitations. For example, the Executive Committee may not exercise the Boards powers to approve matters that must be submitted to the stockholders for their approval, appoint directors or officers, amend our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or approve offerings of our capital stock. The members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. R. Miron (Chair), Bennett, Malone and Zaslav.
Other Committees
The Board, by resolution, may from time to time establish certain other committees of the Board, consisting of one or more of the directors of Discovery. Any committee so established will have the powers delegated to it by resolution of the Board, subject to applicable law.
The Board has an active role, as a whole and at the committee level, in overseeing management of Discoverys risks. The Board regularly reviews information regarding our credit, liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our incentive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee oversees management of financial reporting risks. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee manages risks associated with the independence of the Board of Directors and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board is regularly informed through committee reports and management presentations to the full Board about such risks.
During 2015, there were 15 meetings of Discoverys Board of Directors, 16 meetings of Discoverys Compensation Committee, four meetings of Discoverys Audit Committee, two meetings of Discoverys Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, five meetings of Discoverys Finance Committee and no meetings of Discoverys Executive Committee.
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Director Attendance at Board and Annual Meetings
In 2015, each director of Discovery attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the number of Board meetings and the number of meetings held by all committees on which he served, except S. Decker Anstrom, who attended 47% of the aggregate Board and Audit Committee meetings. Mr. Anstroms attendance in 2015 was limited due to personal matters as well as his responsibilities as the Ambassador/Head of the U.S. Delegation to the 2015 World Radiocommunications Conference, which concluded in November 2015. Discoverys Board of Directors encourages all members of the Board to attend each annual meeting of the Companys stockholders. All directors attended Discoverys last annual meeting in May 2015 in person.
Under its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board the slate of nominees to be proposed for election by the Series A and Series B common stockholders at our annual meeting and for reviewing proposals for nominations from stockholders that are submitted in accordance with the procedures summarized below.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the authority to employ a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating potential Board nominees. Candidates for vacancies on the Board may come to the attention of the committee through several different means, including recommendations from Board members, senior management, professional search firms, stockholder nominations and other sources.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers all nominations submitted by stockholders that meet the eligibility requirements outlined in our Bylaws. As required by our Bylaws, stockholder nominations of candidates for election as directors must be submitted in writing to the Corporate Secretary, Discovery Communications, Inc., One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, no later than the close of business on the 60th day nor earlier than the 90th day prior to the anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting. The deadline for stockholder nominations of candidates for election as directors was March 21, 2016. We did not receive any stockholder nominations of candidates for election as directors for the Annual Meeting. For information on what must be included in the written notice to nominate a candidate for election at the next annual meeting of stockholders, see Stockholder Proposals below.
In considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion in the Boards slate of director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee applies the criteria set forth in our Guidelines. Under these criteria, a candidate:
| should have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards; |
| should have demonstrated business acumen, experience and ability to exercise sound judgment in matters that relate to the current and long-term objectives of the Company and should be willing and able to contribute positively to the decision-making process of the Company; |
| should have a commitment to understand the Company and its industry and to regularly attend and participate in meetings of the Board and its committees; |
| should have an understanding of the sometimes conflicting interests of the various constituencies of the Company, which include stockholders, employees, customers, governmental units, creditors and the general public, and should act in the interests of all stockholders; and |
| shall not have, nor appear to have, a conflict of interest that would impair the nominees ability to represent the interests of all the Companys stockholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of a director. |
The Guidelines also provide that directors shall be selected on the basis of talent and experience and that diversity of background, including diversity of gender, race, ethnic or geographic origin, age, and experience in
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business, government and education and in media, entertainment and other areas relevant to the Companys activities are factors in the selection process.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria and no particular criterion is a prerequisite for each prospective nominee. In selecting candidates for election to the Board, the Board also considers a directors independence. These independence standards incorporate the independence standards set forth in the Corporate Governance Rules of Nasdaq. Stockholder nominees for election to the Board will be evaluated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee based on the criteria specified above and using the same process as a nominee recommended by the Board or management.
Stockholder Communication with Directors
Discoverys stockholders may send communications to Discoverys Board of Directors or to individual directors by mail addressed to the Board of Directors or to an individual director c/o Discovery Communications, Inc., One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Communications from stockholders will be forwarded to Discoverys directors on a timely basis.
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The Compensation Committee reviews compensation for our non-employee directors. The components of our non-employee director compensation are cash fees and equity awards. The Board believes that appropriate compensation levels help attract and retain superior candidates for Board service and that director compensation should be weighted toward equity-based compensation to enhance alignment with the interests of our stockholders.
We do not have any pension or retirement plans for our non-employee directors. Employee directors do not receive any compensation for their Board service.
On December 10, 2014, the Board approved the following changes to our non-employee director compensation arrangements: the introduction of an annual retainer for the new non-employee Chairman of the Board position; increasing the annual retainer for directors to $90,000; increasing the annual retainers for Board committee Chairs; and the elimination of option awards, with annual and sign-on grants made only in restricted stock units. The annual retainer for the non-employee Chairman of the Board was made effective on January 1, 2015, in light of Mr. R. Miron having commenced in that position in May 2014. The remainder of the changes became effective on May 20, 2015, the date of the Annual Meeting.
The following tables show the cash and equity compensation levels that were in effect in 2015.
2015 Discovery Non-Employee Director Compensation Levels, January 1 to May 19, 2015
Board Service |
||||
Cash Compensation |
||||
Annual Retainer |
$ | 80,000 | ||
Non-Employee Board Chair Retainer |
$ | 202,500 | ||
Initial and Annual Equity Compensation |
||||
Restricted Stock Units |
$ | 57,500 | ||
Stock Options |
$ | 57,500 | ||
Committee Service Annual Retainers (cash) |
||||
Audit Committee |
$ | 20,000 | ||
Compensation Committee |
$ | 27,500 | ||
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
$ | 10,000 | ||
Audit Committee Chair |
$ | 30,000 | ||
Compensation Committee Chair |
$ | 37,500 | ||
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair |
$ | 15,000 |
2015 Discovery Non-Employee Director Compensation Levels, May 20, 2015 to Present
Board Service |
||||
Cash Compensation |
||||
Annual Retainer |
$ | 90,000 | ||
Non-Employee Board Chair Retainer |
$ | 202,500 | ||
Initial and Annual Equity Compensation |
||||
Restricted Stock Units |
$ | 140,000 | ||
Committee Service Annual Retainers (cash) |
||||
Audit Committee |
$ | 20,000 | ||
Compensation Committee |
$ | 27,500 | ||
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
$ | 10,000 | ||
Audit Committee Chair |
$ | 33,000 | ||
Compensation Committee Chair |
$ | 42,000 | ||
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair |
$ | 17,500 |
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In October 2015, the Board approved an annual retainer for the members of the Finance Committee of $15,000 and an annual retainer for the Finance Committee Chair of $25,000, that became effective as of July 16, 2015, the date the Finance Committee charter was approved.
Cash Compensation. Cash compensation for non-employee directors consists solely of the annual retainers described above. Annual retainers are paid in quarterly installments. For the purpose of calculating these retainers and fees, the annual period commences with the election of directors at the annual meeting. The retainer paid to non-employee directors who are elected or appointed after the most recent annual stockholders meeting is prorated based on the quarter in which they join the Board.
Equity Compensation. Prior to May 14, 2013, non-employee directors received stock-based compensation under our 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan. Effective May 14, 2013, non-employee directors receive stock-based compensation under our 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan, as amended. The Board determined for 2015 that the equity awards to directors should consist solely of restricted stock units (RSUs) of Series A common stock. Annual equity grants are made on the date of the annual stockholders meeting. Equity awards for directors who are elected or appointed after the most recent annual stockholders meeting are prorated based on when they join the Board. The number of RSUs is calculated by dividing the dollar amount of the award by the closing price of our Series A common stock on the last business day prior to the grant date. RSUs will vest 100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date assuming continued service to such date. The RSUs granted to our directors do not include the right to receive cash dividends. On May 16, 2014, Discoverys Board of Directors approved a share dividend (the 2014 Share Dividend) of one share of the Companys Series C common stock on each issued and outstanding share of Series A, Series B and Series C common stock. The 2014 Share Dividend took effect on August 6, 2014 for stockholders of record on July 28, 2014. As a result, the non-employee directors awards were retroactively adjusted to reflect the dividend.
Board of Directors Stock Ownership Policy. In January 2013, the Board adopted a director stock ownership policy that requires each director to hold a specified amount of our stock, calculated as a multiple of three times the then-current annual retainer for Board service, exclusive of any additional retainer with respect to committee or other service. Each director is expected to reach the stock holding target within five years from May 15, 2013, the effective date the guidelines were adopted. The Board determined that any shares of our stock beneficially owned by the director, as well as unvested awards of RSUs, but not shares underlying stock options, would be counted for purposes of meeting the stock holding target. Once a director meets the target, the director is expected to maintain holdings at the target for as long as he or she remains a Board member. The Board may take any appropriate action to support the intent of the guidelines, including requiring a director to retain a percentage of shares pursuant to stock option exercises or vesting events in future years. As of the date of this proxy statement, all directors have reached and maintained the stock holding target.
Deferred Compensation. Discovery has a deferred compensation program that allows non-employee directors to defer the settlement of their RSU grants until their departure from our Board. If a director elects to defer settlement of his RSU grant, he must make his irrevocable election before the end of the year prior to the year in which the grant is made, and must do so for the entire amount of his grant. For example, for the grants made in May 2015, directors made their deferral elections before the end of 2014. Directors do not receive cash dividends on deferred RSUs. Messrs. Anstrom, Beck, R. Miron, Robison and Wargo elected to defer the settlement of their RSU grants made in 2015.
Expense Reimbursement. Non-employee directors are reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs for attending each meeting of the Board or any Board committee of which they are a member, including airfare, whether by commercial aircraft or private plane.
Director Education. Under the Guidelines, Discovery encourages the participation of all directors in continuing education programs, at Discoverys expense, that are relevant to the business and affairs of Discovery and the fulfillment of the directors responsibilities as members of the Board and any of its committees.
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Charitable Contribution Matching Program. Discovery provides a charitable contribution matching program through which we match contributions made by our non-employee directors to eligible charitable organizations up to a maximum of $20,000 for each director within a given fiscal year. The program is designed to match contributions to educational, arts and cultural institutions that have been approved by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt institutions to which contributions are deductible for federal income tax purposes. Certain types of contributions and institutions would not be eligible for matching, such as tuition payments, contributions made to family foundations or other charitable foundations or organizations that are affiliated with a non-employee director, or membership or alumni association dues. In order to be matched, the contribution must be tax-deductible by Discovery Communications, Inc. Matching contributions under this program are included in the following 2015 Non-Employee Director Summary Compensation Table under the All Other Compensation column.
The following table summarizes the 2015 compensation provided to all persons who served as non-employee directors during 2015.
2015 Non-Employee Director Summary Compensation Table
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($)(1) | All
Other Compensation ($)(2) |
Total ($) | ||||||||||||
S. D. Anstrom |
107,500 | 141,028 | 0 | 248,528 | ||||||||||||
R. Beck |
115,000 | 141,028 | 15,000 | 271,028 | ||||||||||||
R. Bennett |
96,875 | 141,028 | 0 | 237,903 | ||||||||||||
P. Gould |
130,625 | 141,028 | 0 | 271,653 | ||||||||||||
J. Malone |
87,500 | 141,028 | 0 | 228,528 | ||||||||||||
R. Miron |
243,375 | 141,028 | 0 | 384,403 | ||||||||||||
S. Miron |
103,125 | 141,028 | 10,000 | 254,153 | ||||||||||||
M. L. Robison |
129,750 | 141,028 | 0 | 270,778 | ||||||||||||
J. D. Wargo |
130,000 | 141,028 | 0 | 271,028 |
(1) | The aggregate grant date fair value of the RSU awards made to all non-employee directors in 2015 was $1,269,248, as calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. At December 31, 2015, the following directors held stock options and RSUs, which include options granted for service as an officer or director of Discovery Holding Company, our predecessor entity: |
Name |
Series A Common Stock Options |
Series C Common Stock Options |
Series A Common Unvested or Deferred RSUs |
Series C Common Unvested or Deferred RSUs |
||||||||||||
S. D. Anstrom |
9,123 | 9,123 | 5,734 | 1,533 | ||||||||||||
R. Beck |
23,068 | 23,068 | 10,178 | 5,977 | ||||||||||||
R. Bennett |
28,650 | 39,814 | 4,201 | 0 | ||||||||||||
P. Gould |
35,094 | 59,146 | 8,178 | 3,977 | ||||||||||||
J. Malone |
23,068 | 23,068 | 6,201 | 2,000 | ||||||||||||
R. Miron |
23,068 | 23,068 | 11,243 | 7,042 | ||||||||||||
S. Miron |
23,068 | 23,068 | 6,201 | 2,000 | ||||||||||||
M. L. Robison |
35,094 | 59,146 | 11,243 | 7,042 | ||||||||||||
J. D. Wargo |
35,094 | 59,146 | 9,243 | 5,042 |
(2) | The amounts for Messrs. Beck and S. Miron reflect matching charitable contributions made by Discovery on behalf of each of these directors. |
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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees for Election
Our Board of Directors consists of seven common stock directors, divided among three classes, and three preferred stock directors. Our Class II directors, who are being nominated for reelection at this annual meeting for a term that will expire in 2019, are Paul A. Gould and M. LaVoy Robison. Our Class III directors, who were reelected at the 2014 annual meeting for a term that will expire in 2017, are Robert R. Bennett, John C. Malone and David M. Zaslav. Our Class I directors, who were reelected at the 2015 annual meeting for a term that will expire in 2018, are Robert R. Beck and J. David Wargo. At each annual meeting, the successors of that class of directors whose terms expire at that meeting are elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of Discovery stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election. The directors of each class will hold office until their respective death, resignation or removal and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
Our Board of Directors also includes three preferred stock directors, S. Decker Anstrom, Robert J. Miron and Steven A. Miron, whose terms will expire at the Annual Meeting. Holders of our Series A preferred stock vote on the election of each of the preferred stock directors, but do not vote on the election of any common stock director. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the preferred stock directors are elected to hold office for a term expiring at the following annual meeting of stockholders. The preferred stock directors will hold office until their respective death, resignation or removal and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
Five director nominees will be voted on at the meeting. The two Class II director nominees will be voted upon and elected by the holders of shares of our Series A common stock and Series B common stock, voting together as a class. The three preferred stock director nominees will be voted upon and elected by the holders of shares of our Series A preferred stock voting separately as a class.
Unless otherwise instructed on the proxy card, the persons named as proxies will vote the shares represented by each properly executed proxy FOR the election as directors of the persons named in this proxy statement as nominees. Each of the nominees has consented to serve if elected. However, if any of the persons nominated by the Board of Directors fails to stand for election, or declines to accept election, proxies will be voted by the proxy holders for the election of such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may recommend.
The following tables present information, including age, term of office and business experience, for each person nominated for election as a Discovery director and for those directors whose terms of office will continue after the Annual Meeting. Each member of our Board of Directors and each director nominee possesses skills and experience which make them an important component of the Board as a whole. While consideration of the information presented below regarding each director and director nominees specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills led our Board to the conclusion that he should serve as a director, we also believe that all of our directors and director nominees have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards. They each have demonstrated business acumen and an ability to exercise sound judgment, as well as a commitment of service to Discovery and our Board.
The Discovery Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the nominated directors.
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Director Nominees for Election by Holders of Shares of Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock as Class II Directors with Terms Expiring in 2019
Paul A. Gould Born September 27, 1945 |
A common stock director of Discovery since September 2008. Mr. Gould served as a director of Discovery Holding Company (DHC) from May 2005 to September 2008, when it merged with Discovery Communications, Inc., creating a new public company. Mr. Gould has served at Allen & Company Incorporated, an investment banking services company, since 1972, including as a Managing Director and Executive Vice President for more than the last five years. Mr. Gould has served as a financial advisor to many Fortune 500 corporations and advised on a number of large media company acquisitions. Mr. Gould is a director and serves on the Audit Committees of Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation and Liberty Global, plc (Liberty Global).
Mr. Gould brings to our Board a wealth of experience in matters relating to public company finance. Mr. Goulds knowledge of our Company and our industry, combined with his expertise in finance, makes him an important part of our Board. | |
M. LaVoy Robison Born September 6, 1935 |
A common stock director of Discovery since September 2008. Mr. Robison served as a director of DHC from May 2005 to September 2008, when it merged with Discovery. Mr. Robison has been on the board of The Anschutz Foundation, a private foundation, since January 1998, and was their executive director from 1998 to November 2010. Mr. Robison is currently a director and also serves on the Audit Committee of Liberty Interactive Corporation (Liberty Interactive).
Mr. Robison has extensive knowledge of corporate accounting and audit procedure gained through over 35 years of service with the firm of Peat Marwick Mitchell (now KPMG), including over 25 years as a partner and several years as one of the firms SEC reviewing partners. Mr. Robisons wealth of experience in corporate finance and financial accounting is an important resource for our Board. |
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Director Nominees for Election by Holders of Series A Preferred Stock
S. Decker Anstrom Born August 2, 1950 |
A preferred stock director of Discovery since December 2012. Mr. Anstrom served as President of Landmark Communications and Chairman of The Weather Channel from 2002 until his retirement in 2008. From 2001 to September 2011, he served as a member of the Board of Directors and also as chair of the Governance Committee of Comcast Corporation.
Through his experience as a cable television executive, Mr. Anstrom has developed a deep understanding of our industry. Mr. Anstroms expertise in the cable television industry makes him a valued presence on our Board. | |
Robert J. Miron Born July 7, 1937 |
A preferred stock director of Discovery since September 2008. Mr. Miron has served as Chairman of Discovery since May 2014. Mr. Miron served as Chairman of Advance/Newhouse Communications (Advance/Newhouse) and Bright House Networks, LLC (Bright House), both communications companies, from July 2002, retiring in December 2010. From July 2002 to May 2008, Mr. Miron served as Chief Executive Officer of Advance/Newhouse and Bright House.
Mr. Miron has extensive knowledge of the cable television industry, as evidenced by his professional background. Our Board benefits from Mr. Mirons long experience in management roles within our industry. | |
Steven A. Miron Born April 24, 1966 |
A preferred stock director of Discovery since September 2008. Mr. Miron has served as Chief Executive Officer of Advance/Newhouse and Bright House since May 2008. He also served as President of Advance/Newhouse and Bright House from July 2002 to May 2008.
Through his experience as a cable television executive, Mr. Miron has developed a deep understanding of our industry. Mr. Mirons expertise in the cable television industry makes him a valued presence on our Board. |
17
Common Stock Directors:
Class I Directors with Terms Expiring in 2018
Robert R. Beck Born July 2, 1940 |
A common stock director of Discovery since September 2008. Since 2001, Mr. Beck has served as an independent consultant, advising on complex financial and business matters. Prior to 2001, Mr. Beck served as a Managing Director of Putnam Investments.
Mr. Beck applies his expertise in the financial markets to the Boards deliberations. Mr. Becks deep experience in corporate finance is of great value to our Board. | |
J. David Wargo Born October 1, 1953 |
A common stock director of Discovery since September 2008. Mr. Wargo served as a director of DHC from May 2005 to September 2008 when it merged with Discovery. Mr. Wargo has served as President of Wargo & Company, Inc., a private investment company specializing in the communications industry, since January 1993. Mr. Wargo is a director of Liberty Global, Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. (Liberty TripAdvisor), Liberty Broadband Corporation (Liberty Broadband), Strayer Education, Inc. and Vobile, Inc. Mr. Wargo also serves on the Audit Committees of Liberty Global, Liberty TripAdvisor and Liberty Broadband.
Having an extensive career in public company finance, Mr. Wargo brings to the Board significant business development and financial experience related to the business and financial issues facing large corporations. Mr. Wargos expertise in public company finance is the result of over 35 years as a securities analyst. |
Class III Directors with Terms Expiring in 2017
Robert R. Bennett Born April 19, 1958 |
A common stock director of Discovery since September 2008. Mr. Bennett served as President of DHC from March 2005 until September 2008 when it merged with Discovery. Mr. Bennett is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Media Corporation (Liberty Media). He served in those positions from April 1997 until August 2005. He was one of the founding executives of Liberty Media and served as its Principal Financial Officer from its inception in 1991 until 1997. He currently is Managing Director of Hilltop Investments, LLC, a family investment company. Prior to his tenure at Liberty Media, Mr. Bennett worked with Tele-Communications, Inc. in a variety of financial positions and with The Bank of New York. Mr. Bennett was a director of Demand Media, Inc. from 2011 until February 2014. He currently serves on the boards of Liberty Media, Sprint Corporation and HP, Inc. Mr. Bennett also serves on the Audit Committees of HP, Inc. and Sprint Corporation.
Mr. Bennett brings both industry knowledge and financial acumen to his role as a member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Bennett has served on the board of directors of multiple public and private companies over the past decade, which, combined with his considerable involvement with media companies, contributes to the knowledge base and oversight of our Board. |
18
John C. Malone Born March 7, 1941 |
A common stock director of Discovery since September 2008. Mr. Malone served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of DHC from March 2005 to September 2008 and a director of DHC from May 2005 to September 2008. Mr. Malone has served as the Chairman of the Board and a director of Liberty Interactive (including its predecessors) since 1994, as Chairman of the Board of Liberty Media (including its predecessor) since August 2011 and as a director since December 2010, and as Chairman of the Board of Liberty Broadband since November 2014. Mr. Malone has served as the Chairman of the Board of Liberty Global since June 2013, having previously served as Chairman of the Board of Liberty Globals predecessor, Liberty Global, Inc. from June 2005 to June 2013. He has also served as a director of Expedia, Inc. since December 2012, having previously served as director from August 2005 to November 2012. Mr. Malone is a director of Charter Communications, Inc. and Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Mr. Malone previously served as: (i) a director of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. from January 2010 to September 2012, (ii) a director of Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. from January 2010 to February 2011, (iii) a director of Sirius XM Radio Inc. from April 2009 to May 2013, and (iv) Chairman of the Board of Liberty TripAdvisor from August 2014 to June 2015.
Mr. Malone has played a pivotal role in the cable television industry since its inception and is considered one of the preeminent figures in the media and telecommunications industry. Mr. Malone is well known for his sophisticated problem solving and risk assessment skills. His breadth of industry knowledge and unique perspective on our business make him an invaluable member of our Board. | |
David M. Zaslav Born January 15, 1960 |
President, Chief Executive Officer and a common stock director. Mr. Zaslav has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2007. Mr. Zaslav served as President, Cable & Domestic Television and New Media Distribution of NBC Universal, Inc. (NBC), a media and entertainment company, from May 2006 to December 2006. Mr. Zaslav served as Executive Vice President of NBC, and President of NBC Cable, a division of NBC, from October 1999 to May 2006. Mr. Zaslav is a member of the board of Sirius XM Radio Inc., Grupo Televisa S.A.B and Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. | |
As CEO, Mr. Zaslav sets our goals and strategies. His ability as director to add his views to the Boards deliberations is of significant benefit to the Board. |
Except for Steven A. Miron being the son of Robert J. Miron, there is no family relationship among any of Discoverys executive officers or directors, by blood, marriage or adoption.
19
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
As provided in its charter, the Audit Committee appoints our independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the scope of the annual audit and pre-approves all audit and non-audit services permitted under applicable law to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has evaluated the performance of PwC and has appointed them as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2016. You are requested to ratify the Audit Committees appointment of PwC. Representatives of PwC will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders present at the meeting. Unless stockholders specify otherwise in their proxy, proxies solicited by the Board will be voted by the proxy holders at the Annual Meeting to ratify the appointment of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2016. A majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting on this proposal is required for ratification.
Even if the selection of PwC is ratified, the Audit Committee of Discoverys Board in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any time during the year if Discoverys Audit Committee determines that a change would be in the best interests of Discovery and its stockholders. In the event Discovery stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of PwC, the Audit Committee will take this into consideration regarding the selection of another independent registered public accounting firm.
The Discovery Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of PwC as Discoverys independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2016.
2015 | 2014 | |||||||
Audit fees(1) |
$ | 6,264,300 | $ | 6,206,900 | ||||
Audit-Related fees(2) |
538,927 | 970,960 | ||||||
Tax fees(3) |
1,604,038 | 1,172,543 | ||||||
Other fees(4) |
2,400 | 13,800 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total fees |
$ | 8,409,665 | $ | 8,364,203 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | Audit fees include fees for the audit of the consolidated financial statements of Discovery and statutory audits for certain of Discoverys foreign subsidiaries, as well as fees for services provided in connection with securities offerings. |
(2) | Audit-related fees include due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions, attest services not required by statute or regulation, and consultations regarding financial accounting standards. |
(3) | Tax fees consist of tax compliance and consultations regarding the tax implications of certain transactions. Tax compliance services relate to preparation of tax returns and claims for refunds. Tax consultation services relate to tax planning, as well as assistance with tax audits and tax advice related to acquisitions and structure. |
(4) | Other fees consist of advisory support provided in connection with certain regulatory requirements in foreign jurisdictions and, in 2014, include fees associated with access for 2014 and 2015 to Comperio, PwCs online accounting and research library. |
Discoverys Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of services by PwC to Discovery other than auditing is compatible with PwC maintaining its independence and believes that the provision of such other services is compatible with PwC maintaining its independence.
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Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Discoverys Audit Committee has adopted a policy regarding the pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by Discoverys independent registered public accounting firm. Pursuant to this policy, Discoverys Audit Committee has approved the engagement of Discoverys independent registered public accounting firm to provide the following services (all of which are collectively referred to as pre-approved services):
| audit services as specified in the policy, including (i) financial audits of Discovery and its subsidiaries and (ii) services associated with Discoverys periodic reports, registration statements and other documents filed or issued in connection with a securities offering (including comfort letters and consents); |
| audit-related services as specified in the policy, including (i) due diligence services, (ii) financial audits of employee benefit plans, (iii) attestation services not required by statute or regulation, (iv) certain audits incremental to the audit of Discoverys consolidated financial statements; (v) closing balance sheet audits related to dispositions; and (vi) consultations with management as to accounting or reporting of transactions; and |
| tax services as specified in the policy, including federal, state, local and international tax planning, compliance and review services and tax due diligence and advice regarding mergers and acquisitions. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing general pre-approval, any individual project involving the provision of pre-approved services that is expected to result in fees in excess of $50,000 requires the specific pre-approval of Discoverys Audit Committee. In addition, any engagement of Discoverys independent registered public accounting firm for services other than the pre-approved services requires the specific approval of Discoverys Audit Committee. Discoverys Audit Committee has delegated the authority for the foregoing approvals to the chairman of the Audit Committee, subject to his subsequent disclosure to the entire Audit Committee of the granting of any such approval. All audit and non-audit services provided by PwC in 2015 were approved by the Audit Committee.
Discoverys pre-approval policy prohibits the engagement of Discoverys independent registered public accounting firm to provide any services that are subject to the prohibition imposed by Section 201 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
21
Each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director as determined by the Board of Directors of Discovery Communications, Inc., based on the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the criteria of director independence adopted by the Board. Each member of the Audit Committee also satisfies the SECs independence requirements for members of audit committees.
The Audit Committee reviews Discoverys financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. A description of the responsibilities of the Audit Committee is set forth above under the caption Corporate GovernanceAudit Committee. PwC, Discoverys registered public accounting firm for 2015, is responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of Discoverys audited consolidated financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and PwC Discoverys most recent audited consolidated financial statements. The Audit Committee has also discussed with PwC various communications that the Companys registered public accounting firm is required to provide to the Audit Committee, including matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 16 (Communications with Audit Committees).
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by PCAOB Rule 3526 (Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), and has discussed with PwC their independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors of Discovery that the audited financial statements be included in Discoverys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 18, 2016 with the SEC.
This report is respectfully submitted by the members of the Audit Committee of the Board.
M. LaVoy Robison, Chairman
S. Decker Anstrom
J. David Wargo
22
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on such review and discussion, has recommended that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
This report is respectfully submitted by the members of the Compensation Committee of the Board.
Robert J. Miron, Chairman
Robert R. Beck
Paul A. Gould
23
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This section analyzes and discusses our compensation programs and provides information about the compensation paid by Discovery to our Named Executive Officers, or NEOs:
| David M. Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO); |
| Andrew Warren, Chief Financial Officer (CFO); |
| Bruce L. Campbell, Chief Development, Distribution & Legal Officer; |
| Jean-Briac Perrette, President, Discovery Networks International; and |
| Adria Alpert Romm, Chief Human Resources and Global Diversity Officer. |
On February 22, 2016, Mr. Warren notified us that he was resigning from employment and agreed to remain with the Company until the end of 2016. We entered into a transition agreement with Mr. Warren, described in Executive CompensationExecutive Compensation Arrangements, below.
Highlights
Discovery had strong performance in 2015, despite challenging conditions.
Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company, with operations that support our mission to empower people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity. We had a strong year in 2015, reporting increases in revenue and adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA):
| Revenues increased 2% to $6.394 billion (increased 10% excluding currency effects); and |
| Adjusted OIBDA decreased 4% to $2.398 billion (increased 4% excluding currency effects). |
As illustrated above, our reported results were adversely impacted by the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Our U.S. networks delivered outstanding performance. Revenue and Adjusted AOIBDA at our U.S. networks were each up 6%. The international networks also had a very strong year, but results were negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
We repurchased 23.7 million shares of stock for an aggregate purchase price of $951 million, surpassed 3 billion cumulative viewers, launched new networks and expanded audience and market share.
We continue to pay for performance through our executive compensation program design.
We believe that our executive compensation program plays a key role in our operating and financial success. We place great importance on our ability to attract, retain, motivate and reward talented executives who can continue to grow our business and engage audiences around the world. Each of our NEOs received significant long-term awards in 2015, based on the Companys financial and operational performance and their individual achievements during the prior year.
Each of our NEOs also received an annual cash bonus based on Company and individual performance in 2015. These awards reflect the direct link between financial and operational success and compensation under our executive compensation programs. Our short- and long-term incentive compensation programs are structured to:
| pay for performance by aligning and measurably varying the size of performance-based awards directly with key operational outcomes, as well as the executives individual performance; |
| align the interests of management with those of our stockholders through equity and equity-type incentive awards and stock ownership guidelines; and |
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| inspire dynamic leadership while not encouraging excessive risk taking. |
In general, we seek to design compensation packages for individual executives based on the scope of the executives responsibilities, the executives proven performance, and a determination of what is competitive compensation in the market for similar roles, if such data is available. We continue to refine our compensation programs to strengthen the link between executive and stockholder interests.
We value long-term contracts with our senior executives and use our executive compensation programs to support extended contract terms.
We believe that entering into fixed term employment contracts with our senior executives provides management stability and helps ensure that we can access their services to drive our strategic objectives. When permitted by local law, these agreements also include customary restrictive covenants that protect our business from unfair competition after an executive separates from employment. Each of our NEOs is subject to a fixed term employment contract entered into prior to 2015. Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement, entered into in 2014, secures his services through the end of 2019 and includes a number of provisions related to components of his total compensation during the term, as further detailed in Executive CompensationExecutive Compensation Arrangements, below. The employment agreement for Mr. Zaslav is structured around performance-based long-term equity, ties the vast majority of his compensation to increases in shareholder value, requires him to hold the majority of the equity distributed to him beyond the term of his contract (absent an intervening change in control or termination of employment), and, through ownership of a significant number of shares, further aligns his interests with those of our stockholders.
Role of the Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee (referred to in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis as the Committee) operates pursuant to a written charter, a copy of which is posted on the Investor Relations section of our website, www.discoverycommunications.com. The Committee is responsible for developing, implementing and regularly reviewing adherence to our compensation philosophy. In the course of fulfilling these responsibilities, the Committee:
| regularly reviews best practices and market trends in executive compensation and modifies our programs to support Discoverys business goals and strategies; |
| conducts annual risk assessments of our compensation programs; |
| aligns compensation decisions with our corporate objectives and strategies; |
| reviews and approves the amounts and elements of compensation and the terms of new employment agreements or extensions to existing employment agreements for our NEOs, other executive officers and certain other key employees; and |
| approves the annual quantitative and qualitative goals relevant to the compensation of our NEOs and other executive officers. |
The Committee regularly consults with the Board regarding compensation decisions for the CEO, and with the CEO regarding compensation decisions for other NEOs.
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Role of the CEO in Compensation Decisions
The CEO plays a significant role in the compensation decisions for the NEOs other than himself. The CEO makes annual recommendations to the Committee regarding base salary, annual cash bonus, and long-term incentive awards for each of his direct reports, including the other NEOs. The CEO also recommends to the Committee proposed terms of new employment agreements or extensions of existing employment agreements for the other NEOs, working closely with Ms. Alpert Romm, our Chief Human Resources and Global Diversity Officer, to develop these recommendations. The CEOs recommendations are based on:
| his assessment of qualitative and quantitative factors, generally including the executives annual and long-term performance; |
| the performance of Discovery, as well as the department or group that the executive leads; |
| the executives compensation relative to that of our other executives (internal equity); |
| the executives compensation relative to that of executives in similar roles in the companies in our peer group (external competitiveness); |
| our overall approach to compensation for employees for the year; |
| achievement of applicable annual performance goals; and |
| contractual obligations under any applicable employment agreement. |
The CEO also provides the Committee with proposed goals for himself, and recommends annual goals for the CFO. The Committees assessment of achievement of these goals is used in determining, in part, the annual bonus of the CEO and of the CFO. The Committee consults with the Board in setting these annual goals for the CEO. The CEO does not participate in the Committees deliberations or decisions relating to his performance against annual goals and resulting compensation.
Relationship with and Role of the Compensation Consultant
The Committee has retained an independent compensation consultant, The Croner Company (Croner), to advise it on compensation matters generally and specifically on compensation decisions for our executive officers. Croner is retained directly by, and reports to, the Committee. Croner attended all of the 16 Committee meetings held in 2015. Croner assisted the Committee by, among other services:
| assisting in peer group selection and competitive benchmarking for executive officers and other senior executives used in the annual salary review, bonus and long-term incentive decisions; |
| advising the Committee on competitive practices, including executive compensation trends, performance measures, and annual cash bonus and long-term incentive plan designs; |
| advising on employee equity grants, executive employment agreements and other executive compensation matters; |
| assisting the Committee with the periodic review of its charter; |
| providing an evaluation and assessment of risk in compensation program design, policies, and procedures; |
| reviewing the Compensation Discussion and Analysis; and |
| benchmarking compensation for members of the Board. |
Prior to being engaged by the Committee, Croner historically had provided compensation survey data to the Company and performed custom surveys on industry compensation practices. In 2011, the Committee adopted a Compensation Consultant Independence Policy to address the ongoing need for this survey work and to
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determine the process under which work by Croner for the Company would be permitted. The Committee authorized Croner to provide survey services to management of up to $60,000 per year. Non-survey work, or survey work that exceeds $60,000 in the aggregate in a single year, requires pre-approval by the Committee. In 2015, the only services provided by Croner to management were the pre-authorized survey services. Total fees paid to Croner by Discovery in 2015 (other than fees for Croners services to the Committee) were less than $12,000.
The Committee annually reviews its relationship with Croner as an independent compensation consultant to determine if Croner has any conflict of interest in its services to the Committee. In the 2015 review, after considering the factors set forth in the applicable securities regulations and stock exchange rules, the Committee concluded that Croner did not have a conflict of interest in its services to the Committee. The Committees conclusion was based on the following:
| Croner reports solely to the Committee. Discoverys management is not involved in the negotiation of fees charged by Croner or in the determination of the scope of work performed by Croner. The Committee has the sole authority to hire and terminate the independent compensation consultant; |
| there are no business or personal relationships between Croner and any member of the Committee or any executive officer of the Company; |
| the Committee has a Compensation Consultant Independence Policy to address limited survey work performed by Croner for the Company, and any other non-survey services that are proposed to be performed by Croner for the Company; |
| the survey work performed by Croner was very limited, and no non-survey work was performed (other than Croners services for the Committee); |
| according to data provided by Croner, revenue from Discovery (other than fees for Croners services to the Committee) represented less than 1% of Croners total revenue for each of fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015; |
| Croner disclosed its conflicts of interest policy to the Committee. The Committee believes that this policy provides reasonable assurance that conflicts of interest with Croner will not arise; and |
| Croner has represented to the Committee that, per its conflicts of interest policy, neither Croner nor any Croner employee is a stockholder of Discovery. |
Compensation Philosophy
Discoverys compensation philosophy is to pay for performance, to encourage excellence and to reward executives who deliver. Our programs are designed to deliver above-median total direct compensation when our executives deliver above-median performance, as evaluated against both internally set objectives and the peer group companies. We value fixed-term employment agreements when appropriate, and, in 2015, each of our NEOs was subject to a fixed-term employment agreement, as further described in Executive CompensationExecutive Compensation Arrangements, below.
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Elements of Compensation
Total direct compensation for each NEO consists of three basic components:
Element of Compensation |
Key Features |
Purpose | ||
Base Salary | Fixed annual cash amount, generally reviewed annually. | Provide base salaries that are competitive to attract and retain high-performing executive talent. A competitive base salary is an important component of compensation providing a degree of financial stability for executives. Base salaries also form the basis for calculating other compensation opportunities, including, for example, calculating the target amount of each NEOs annual cash bonus as a percentage of base salary. | ||
Annual Cash Bonus | Each NEO has a target bonus opportunity, set as a percentage of base salary (or in Mr. Zaslavs case, as a specified dollar value). Actual amount paid/awarded for each year varies based on Company and individual performance. | Deliver a substantial portion of total direct compensation in annual cash bonus awards that are aligned with Company and individual performance to focus our executives on our financial and operational goals. Ensure that our compensation mix remains competitive with our labor market. We generally set bonus targets as a percentage of base salary so that this performance-based element remains a similar proportion to the fixed base salary and the value of the bonus target automatically adjusts as salary adjustments are made. | ||
Long-Term Incentive Awards |
Annual equity and equity-type awards, in the form of non-qualified stock options, performance-based restricted stock units (PRSUs), and stock appreciation rights (SARs). Each type of award instrument generally vests in tranches over multiple years. |
Deliver a substantial portion of an executives total direct compensation in equity or equity-type awards to align our executives interests with those of our stockholders. Use long-term incentive awards as a tool to encourage an executive to enter into a new employment agreement or extend an existing agreement.
_____________
Awards of SARs to our CEO align his interests to those of our shareholders by tying the amount paid out (if any) directly to the increase in our stock price (if any) during the measurement period.
_____________
PRSUs incent our NEOs to achieve longer-term financial goals that are expected to lead to increased stockholder value. The multi-year service requirements also serve as a retention tool. Both the financial metrics and the longer-term vesting schedules are designed to discourage excessive risk-taking.
_____________
Restricted stock units (RSUs) also are used in certain contract renewals, and the multi-year service requirements serve as a retention tool.
_____________
The Committee has adopted executive stock ownership guidelines (discussed below) and implemented more extensive holding and share purchase requirements for the CEO under his 2014 agreement. These provisions are designed to further align the interests of our NEOs with our stockholders. |
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Performance-Based Pay
The Committee seeks to deliver the majority of target total direct compensation for each NEO in performance-based pay, with the balance between the annual cash bonus and long-term incentive awards determined by the Committee as appropriate for each role. A significant majority of total direct compensation for each NEO for 2015 was performance-based:
Executive |
Percentage of Performance-Based Total Direct Compensation in 2015 (Target)* |
|||
Mr. Zaslav |
91 | % | ||
Mr. Warren |
75 | % | ||
Mr. Campbell |
73 | % | ||
Mr. Perrette |
76 | % | ||
Ms. Alpert Romm |
63 | % |
* | Calculated as of March 2015, classifying annual bonus opportunity and the grant date fair value of long-term incentive compensation as performance-based. |
We believe the mix of compensation for our NEOs is both competitive with the compensation practices specific to our industry and appropriately balanced to benefit the Company in both the short- and long-term without taking undue risks. Annual cash bonus awards are more fully described in 2015 Compensation DecisionsAnnual Cash Bonus Awards, below, and our long-term incentive compensation programs are more fully described in 2015 Compensation DecisionsLong-Term Incentive Compensation, below.
Compensation Decisions Framework
The Committee generally makes decisions in the first 90 days of the calendar year regarding annual adjustments to base salary (Annual Base Salary Review), the payout amount for annual cash bonus awards with respect to the immediately preceding year (Annual Bonus Review), and annual long-term incentive (LTI) awards (Annual LTI Review) for our executive officers. This annual process includes a review of the following factors, designed to align the compensation actions with our compensation principles and objectives:
| executive compensation market data from the Companys peer group (discussed below); |
| relevant employment contract requirements; |
| self-evaluation of each NEOs annual performance; |
| the CEOs evaluation of each NEOs annual performance (other than the CEO himself); |
| achievement of annual quantitative goals for the Incentive Compensation Plan (ICP), the annual cash bonus program that applies to Messrs. Perrette and Campbell and Ms. Alpert Romm; |
| achievement of quantitative and qualitative goals that are set by the Committee each year for the annual bonuses for Messrs. Zaslav and Warren; and |
| Discoverys Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and other comparative financial measures relative to the peer companies, as discussed below. |
These factors are considered as a whole, with no specific weight given to a particular factor or factors.
Additional detail about the factors considered in our compensation decisions is below.
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Peer Group Analysis and Comparative Financial Review
The Committee annually reviews data from a group of publicly-traded peer companies to support compensation decisions for the NEOs. The peer companies are chosen to best match our Companys scope of business in terms of revenues, free cash flow, market capitalization and enterprise value, complexity of operations and global scope, and proximity to the sectors of the media and entertainment industry in which we operate. The peer group also represents meaningful competition for us in the executive labor market. The Committee reassesses this list annually and considers the inclusion of new, relevant peers, and the elimination of companies from the peer group that no longer provide a strong basis for comparison. The Committee used the following peer group for 2015 after concluding that the group provided a good mix of companies with a strong focus on content and international reach.
The peer group used in 2015 consisted of:
AMC Networks Inc.
Cablevision Systems Corporation
CBS Corporation
Charter Communications, Inc.
DIRECTV
Netflix, Inc.
Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.
Viacom Inc.
Yahoo! Inc.
Market data for the peer group was used in determining base salary adjustments for each of the NEOs other than Mr. Zaslav in the March 2015 salary review cycle (Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement provides for a flat salary across the term, without annual increases). With respect to Ms. Alpert Romm, the Committee also considered market data from the Towers Watson Entertainment Survey.
In December 2014, the Committee reviewed comparative TSR and other financial measures for the peer group and determined that the Company had performed well as compared to its peers in the industry.
Comparative Financial Measures, FY 2011 FY 2013
Affiliate Revenues |
Advertising Revenues |
Total Revenues |
OIBDA | Free Cash Flow |
Enterprise Value |
TSR | ||||||||||||||||||||||
CAGR(1) | CAGR(1) | CAGR(1) | CAGR(1) | CAGR(1) | CAGR(1) | 3 Year |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Median (excluding Discovery) |
10 | % | 4 | % | 8 | % | 5 | % | 10 | % | 17 | % | 105 | % | ||||||||||||||
Discovery Communications, Inc. |
10 | % | 18 | % | 14 | % | 7 | % | 3 | % | 19 | % | 91 | % | ||||||||||||||
Discovery Percentile Rank Among Peers |
29 | % | 98 | % | 82 | % | 84 | % | 75 | % | 76 | % | 21 | % |
(1) | CAGR = Compound Annual Growth Rate. Utilizes December 31, 2011 data for starting data point and the Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) (October 1, 2013 September 30, 2014) for the ending data point. TTM was utilized because year end 2014 data was not yet available. |
The Committee used this review as a reference point in determining that it was appropriate to make equity awards in the 2015 Annual LTI Review and in determining whether to adjust downward, in accordance with their terms, the payout amount of PRSU awards made to Messrs. Campbell and Perrette and Ms. Alpert Romm in 2012 that vested in 2015. At the time of the review, full-year data for 2014 was not available.
In late December 2014, as part of the process to prepare and review market data for use in the Annual Bonus Review, Annual LTI Review, and Annual Base Salary Review, the Committee determined that it would continue
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to be appropriate to review a broader set of measures to compare Company performance to the peer group, and reviewed revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, free cash flow, and enterprise value for the Company (the Comparative Financial Measures) as compared to the peer group. Adjusted OIBDA is defined as revenues less costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses excluding: (i) mark-to-market equity-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) amortization of deferred launch incentives, (iv) restructuring and other charges, (v) certain impairment charges, and (vi) gains and losses on business and asset dispositions. See Note 21 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our Adjusted OIBDA.
Comparative Financial Measures, September 2012 September 2015(1)(2)(3)
Revenue Change |
OIBDA Change |
Free Cash Flow |
Enterprise Value Change |
TSR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 Year |
3 Year CAGR |
1 Year |
3 Year CAGR |
1 Year |
3 Year CAGR |
1 Year |
3 Year CAGR |
1 Year |
3 Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Median (excluding Discovery) |
6% | 7% | 4% | 4% | 11% | 0% | -2% | 16% | 14% | 105% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discovery Communications, Inc. |
18% | 14% | 12% | 7% | 32% | 3% | -16% | 19% | -7% | 91% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discovery Rank Among Peers |
80% | 82% | 88% | 84% | 65% | 75% | Min | 76% | 6% | 21% |
(1) | 1 Year change based on change from 2013 TTM (October 1 2012 September 30, 2013) and 2014 TTM (October 1 2013 September 30, 2014). TTM was utilized because year end 2014 data was not yet available. |
(2) | TSR = (Stock Price End Date Stock Price Start Date + (Dividends / Share)) / (Stock Price Start Date). One year TSR for 2014. Three year TSR for 2011 2014. Sources Yahoo! Finance and SEC filings. Stock price was adjusted to reflect the 2014 Share Dividend, where relevant. |
(3) | Enterprise Value (Discovery definition) = Market capitalization + long-term debt cash + marketable securities. |
In this review, the Committee noted that the Company was lagging peers with respect to TSR, but based on an overall review of the Comparative Financial Measures, concluded that the Company had performed well as compared to its peers. The CEOs recommendations to the Committee, and the Committees approvals, generally made the compensation actions more conservative for our NEOs with respect to 2015 in consideration of the Companys performance against some of the Comparative Financial Measures.
Target Pay Positioning
The Committee generally targets executive compensation to be between the median and 75th percentile of the compensation paid by our peer group companies, which are identified above under Peer Group Analysis. The Committee uses the peer group benchmark and survey data as a reference rather than as a strict guide for compensation decisions and retains flexibility in setting individual target total direct compensation.
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In December 2014 and again in February 2015, the Committee reviewed market data for each NEO as compared to our peer group with respect to 2014 total direct compensation, both at target and actual, spreading the value of any one-time contractual equity award over the term of the applicable contract. The Committee undertook the review in setting total direct compensation for 2015, and at that time, the comparison to our peer group was as follows:
NEO |
Target Pay Against Peer Group (Before 2015 Compensation Actions) |
Actual Pay Against Peer Group (Before 2015 Compensation Actions) | ||
Mr. Zaslav |
Above 75th percentile | Above 75th percentile | ||
Mr. Warren |
Above 75th percentile | Above 75th percentile | ||
Mr. Campbell |
Between median and 75th | At 75th percentile | ||
Mr. Perrette |
Below median | Below median | ||
Ms. Alpert Romm |
Above 75th percentile | Above 75th percentile |
The Committee used the peer group data as a reference point in determining base salary and long-term incentive awards for Messrs. Warren, Campbell, and Perrette, and Ms. Alpert Romm, in February 2015.
After the Committee increased the base salaries of and made annual long-term incentive awards to Messrs. Warren, Campbell, and Perrette, and Ms. Alpert Romm, in the first quarter of 2015, their compensation as compared to the peer group was as follows:
NEO |
Actual Pay Against Peer Group (After Annual Salary Increase and 2015 Long-Term Incentive Award) | |
Mr. Warren |
Above the 75th percentile | |
Mr. Campbell |
Between the median and the 75th percentile | |
Mr. Perrette |
Below median | |
Ms. Alpert Romm |
Above the 75th percentile |
With respect to the CEO, CFO, Chief Development, Distribution & Legal Officer, and Chief Human Resources and Global Diversity Officer, the Committee compared each executives compensation to that of the corresponding position in the peer group, with an adjustment to the General Counsel analysis initially to reflect Mr. Campbells expanded role as Chief Development Officer and Chief Digital Officer. (Mr. Campbells portfolio of responsibilities was changed in October 2015 to add responsibility for our U.S. distribution group and to realign digital media responsibilities to another executive; the benchmarking for the 2015 compensation decisions, however, was based on his legal, development, and digital media responsibilities.) The Committee compared Ms. Alpert Romms compensation to that of peer group executives classified as most senior Human Resources officer. The Committee compared Mr. Perrettes compensation to that of peer group executives classified as Division Presidents, although the Committee determined this was not an exact match because of the broad scope of Mr. Perrettes international responsibilities.
Tally Sheets
The Committee regularly reviews tally sheets prepared for each of the NEOs to allow consideration of both current and historical compensation. The tally sheets allow the Committee to review an integrated snapshot of the individual and aggregated elements of each NEOs compensation.
Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
We consider the tax deductibility of compensation to be paid to the NEOs. Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) (Section 162(m)) generally limits the tax deductibility of compensation paid by a public company to its CEO and certain other highly compensated executive officers to $1 million in the year the
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compensation becomes taxable to the executive. There is an exception to this limit on deductibility for qualifying performance-based compensation.
Although we do not require all compensation paid to executives to be deductible, the Committee considers the impact of deductibility under Section 162(m) when making decisions about the amount and forms of executive compensation. These considerations were a factor in determining the general long-term incentive program for our senior executives and the use of PRSU and SAR awards for our senior executives.
NEO Responsibilities and Accomplishments
Company performance and/or individual achievements play a strong role in many of the compensation decisions for our NEOs, as further described below. The Committee considered Discoverys overall strong results as well as each of the NEOs responsibilities and 2015 accomplishments in making compensation decisions. We have summarized each NEOs overall performance and accomplishments below.
Mr. Zaslav: Mr. Zaslav serves as CEO and reports directly to the Board. In 2015, Mr. Zaslav led the Company in achieving our overall strong performance. In addition to operating performance, other significant accomplishments included driving significant growth on our U.S. networks and investing in brand-defining content that led to viewership and ratings growth on our flagship Discovery Channel as well as the Investigation Discovery, Velocity, and OWN networks, securing affiliate sales growth, driving international growth, including through effective management of the Eurosport acquisition and acquiring the exclusive European television and multiplatform broadcast right to the Olympic Games from 2018 to 2024. In 2015, Mr. Zaslav also implemented a new senior executive structure for our U.S. networks and commercial functions, geared toward attracting and retaining top executive and creative talent across our platforms.
Mr. Warren: Mr. Warren is our CFO, and reports to our CEO. Mr. Warren made solid contributions in 2015, including leadership of our first-ever Investor Day, execution of several debt offerings, extensive engagement with investors in Europe, sponsorship of several initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness, and successful integration of two major acquisitions into our Sarbanes-Oxley controls procedures.
Mr. Campbell: Mr. Campbell is our Chief Development, Distribution & Legal Officer, and reports to our CEO. In October 2015, Mr. Campbell expanded his role to include oversight of our U.S. distribution activities and realigned responsibility for digital media to another executive. Mr. Campbells performance in 2015 was outstanding. He successfully led a number of significant acquisitions and other transactions and investments in 2015, including the acquisition of a free to air channel in Turkey and a restructuring of our Russia business in the wake of changes in foreign ownership restrictions. Under Mr. Campbells leadership, our digital media team dramatically increased our TV Everywhere penetration, launched the DiscoveryGo application, and achieved strong operational and revenue results for the Discovery Digital Networks. Mr. Campbell also provided outstanding legal support for the Company, including the execution of the legal strategy on key distribution agreement renewals, as well as leadership of business affairs, production management, and our internal studios.
Mr. Perrette: Mr. Perrette serves as President of Discovery Networks International, and reports to our CEO. Mr. Perrette drove outstanding financial and organizational results in 2015, including revenue growth, expansion of international viewership, and increases in subscribers for our international over the top/TV Everywhere offerings. Mr. Perrette realigned our international regions, recruited and hired a strong new leader for Asia Pacific, and successfully integrated our Eurosport acquisition. In addition, Mr. Perrette was a key leader in the negotiation of the acquisition of rights to the Olympic Games and other strategic sports rights acquisitions in international markets. Mr. Perrette created a highly motivated and cohesive leadership team focused on delivering strategic growth and outstanding operational effectiveness.
Ms. Alpert Romm: Ms. Alpert Romm is our Chief Human Resources and Global Diversity Officer. Ms. Alpert Romm made significant contributions in 2015, including leading an assessment of our senior
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executive structure that led to the creation of the Chief Commercial Officer role. Ms. Alpert Romm then successfully recruited and hired an outstanding candidate for the new role, designed the new organization to accommodate the realignment, and implemented a smooth realignment of the U.S. advertising sales, digital media, and global enterprises groups under a new leader. Ms. Alpert Romm also led the implementation of changes to our U.S. networks portfolios, bringing Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and Science Channel together under a new portfolio president. Ms. Alpert Romm personally led a robust and well-managed organizational talent review process, including direct engagement of our Board on senior executive succession planning. Ms. Alpert Romm also oversaw the continuing integration of significant acquisitions in our international division, completing the harmonization of compensation and benefits across the organization.
2015 Compensation Decisions
The following chart summarizes the compensation decisions for 2015 with respect to each NEOs base salary, annual cash bonus and long-term incentive awards. Detailed discussion of the decisions made with respect to each element is contained in the discussions immediately below the chart.
Element of Compensation |
2015 Compensation Decisions | |
Base Salary | Maintained base salary for Mr. Zaslav, consistent with the provision of his employment agreement, which keeps his base salary for its six-year term.
Maintained base salary for Messrs. Warren and Campbell, in recognition of salary increases implemented in mid-2014 in conjunction with entering into new employment agreements with each.
Increased base salary for Mr. Perrette and Ms. Alpert Romm, in the Annual Base Salary Review described above. | |
Annual Cash Bonus | Paid annual bonuses to each of the NEOs, under a program intended to exempt the bonus from the deduction limits of Section 162(m), in the Annual Bonus Review. The bonus payouts reflected strong Company performance in 2015, as well as the assessment of each NEOs individual performance. | |
Long-Term Incentive Awards | Made equity awards to Mr. Zaslav, in amounts as agreed in his employment agreement.
Awarded stock options and PRSUs to Messrs. Warren, Perrette, and Campbell, and Ms. Alpert Romm, in the Annual LTI Review described above. |
Base Salary
Mr. Zaslav: Under the terms of Mr. Zaslavs agreement, Mr. Zaslavs base salary was set at $3 million for 2014 and remains flat for the remainder of the six-year term of the agreement. The employment agreement is further described in Executive CompensationExecutive Compensation Arrangements, below.
Mr. Warren: The Committee did not increase Mr. Warrens base salary in the 2015 Annual Base Salary Review, in recognition of the base salary increase implemented as part of entering into a new employment agreement with Mr. Warren in September 2014. For more information about Mr. Warrens employment agreement, please see Executive CompensationExecutive Compensation Arrangements, below.
Mr. Campbell: The Committee did not increase Mr. Campbells base salary in the 2015 Annual Base Salary Review, in recognition of the base salary increase implemented as part of entering into a new employment agreement with Mr. Campbell in August 2014. For more information about Mr. Campbells employment agreements, please see Executive CompensationExecutive Compensation Arrangements, below.
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Mr. Perrette: The Committee increased Mr. Perrettes base salary from $1,000,000 to $1,065,000, in March 2015 as part of the Annual Base Salary Review. The Committee considered the CEOs recommendation, market data, and Mr. Perrettes strong performance, as well as its desire to compensate Mr. Perrette, in part, for the loss of eligibility to participate in our U.S. nonqualified deferred compensation plan that resulted from his international assignment.
Ms. Alpert Romm: The Committee increased Ms. Alpert Romms base salary from $750,000 to $776,250 in March 2015 as part of the Annual Base Salary Review. The Committee considered the CEOs recommendation, market data, and Ms. Alpert Romms strong performance in determining the amount of the increase.
Annual Cash Bonus Awards
We made annual cash bonus awards to each of the NEOs with respect to 2015 in the Annual Bonus Review in February 2016. The annual bonus target amount for each NEO other than Mr. Zaslav is set as a percentage of base salary. This percentage generally is set in the negotiation of each executives employment agreement and is determined by the Committee based on external market data, internal equity, and, if the executive is leaving other employment to join our Company, an assessment of what level of compensation is needed to encourage the individual to accept our offer of employment.
Messrs. Perrette and Campbell and Ms. Alpert Romm participate in the ICP, our annual bonus plan that applies broadly to employees around the world. As discussed below, the determination of the actual cash bonus under the ICP is based on achievement of annual financial targets and individual performance, as applied to the target value.
The bonus structure for Messrs. Zaslav and Warren was designed by the Committee to meet specific objectives and is unique to them. As discussed below, the annual bonus for the CEO and CFO is based 50% on achievement of financial targets and 50% on qualitative goals. Unlike the ICP design, which is calculated first based on performance against financial measures and then finalized based on assessment of individual performance, the bonus for Messrs. Zaslav and Warren is based 50% on qualitative goals determined without reference to the Companys performance against financial targets. Given the CEOs and CFOs roles in setting the annual financial targets used for the ICP, the Committee concluded that it would be appropriate to have a substantial part of their bonus based on separate qualitative measures. This design allows the Committee to incentivize and reward appropriate setting of financial targets by executives in these key roles; the Committee adopted this design as a result of its ongoing risk assessment of our executive compensation programs.
The annual bonus target may be changed in the course of an executives employment or in the negotiation of a new or extended employment agreement. The following chart summarizes the 2015 bonus target amount and actual payout for each NEO:
NEO |
2015 Target Amount |
2015 Metrics |
2015 Bonus Award | |||
David M. Zaslav, CEO |
$7.2 million
(equivalent of 240% of base salary) |
50% qualitative goals
50% quantitative goals |
$6,906,878, based on achievement of 99.9% of the quantitative goals and 92% of the qualitative goals. The aggregate payout amount was 96% of target after application of the Committees downward discretion. | |||
Andrew Warren, CFO |
$1,410,000
(equivalent of 120% of base salary) |
50% qualitative goals
50% quantitative goals |
$1,257,720, based on achievement of 99.9% of quantitative goals and 78.5% of the qualitative goals. The aggregate payout amount was 89.2% of target after application of the Committees downward discretion. |
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NEO |
2015 Target Amount |
2015 Metrics |
2015 Bonus Award | |||
Bruce L. Campbell, Chief Development, Distribution & Legal Officer |
$1,950,000
130% of base salary |
100% ICP calculation
75% of ICP assigned to achievement of Company-wide financial metrics and 25% to achievement of the digital media division (over which Mr. Campbell had responsibility for the majority of 2015)
Individual performance factored into ICP calculation with individual multiplier and allocation of performance pool |
$2,767,765, based on calculation of the ICP payout. ICP calculation based on Company and digital media division performance, individual multiplier, and allocation of the performance pool. The aggregate payout amount was 142% of target, reflecting Mr. Campbells strong individual performance and contributions in 2015. | |||
Jean-Briac Perrette, President, Discovery Networks International |
$1,171,500
110% of base salary |
100% ICP calculation
80% of ICP assigned to achievement of international division financial metrics and 20% to Company-wide financial metrics
Individual performance factored into ICP calculation with individual multiplier and allocation of performance pool |
$2,012,522, based on calculation of the ICP payout. ICP calculation based on Company and international division performance, individual multiplier, and allocation of the performance pool. The aggregate payout amount was 172% of target, reflecting the outstanding performance of Mr. Perrette and the international division in 2015. | |||
Adria Alpert Romm, Chief Human Resources and Global Diversity Officer |
$621,000
80% of base salary
|
100% ICP calculation
100% of ICP assigned to achievement of Company-wide financial metrics
Individual performance factored into ICP calculation with individual multiplier and allocation of performance pool |
$830,633, based on calculation of the ICP payout. ICP calculation based on Company performance and an individual multiplier at target. The aggregate payout amount was 134% of target, reflecting Ms. Alpert Romms strong individual performance in 2015. |
Annual bonus compensation for the NEOs is paid under the Discovery Communications, Inc. 2013 Incentive Plan (the 2013 Stock Plan) and is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under
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Section 162(m). At the beginning of 2015, the Committee set a Company performance criterion and a maximum annual bonus amount for each NEO and certain other senior executives as the initial step in structuring the bonus awards as performance-based under Section 162(m). If the performance criterion for the year is met, the actual bonus award for each NEO is subject to the Committees negative discretion (downward discretion). Mr. Zaslavs annual bonus opportunity was capped at a maximum of 300% of base salary, and each of the remaining NEOs annual bonus opportunity was capped at a maximum of 250% of base salary (using base salary determined as of the first day of the year).
The Committee exercises its downward discretion based on each executives individual performance and Company performance, calculated against target bonus amounts for each executive that are expressed as a percentage of salary. With respect to Messrs. Zaslav and Warren, the Committee considered each executives achievement of quantitative and qualitative goals set by the Committee. For Messrs. Perrette and Campbell and Ms. Alpert Romm, the Committee considered the achievement of the applicable financial metrics of the ICP.
For 2015, the Committee set the performance threshold at $1,233 million of Adjusted OIBDA for purposes of determining eligibility to receive payouts of the annual cash bonus opportunity for all NEOs.
In the Annual Bonus Review, the Committee determined that this performance threshold was met for 2015 and exercised its downward discretion to determine each NEOs specific bonus payment amount as discussed below.
Annual Cash Bonus Awards for Messrs. Zaslav and Warren
The annual cash bonus for Messrs. Zaslav and Warren is based on achievement of Company financial and individual qualitative goals. The Committee approved goals for each of them in March 2015, with goals based 50% on quantitative financial achievement and 50% on qualitative goals related to individual accomplishments.
The quantitative goals for both were the same and were based on:
| Net Revenue; |
| Adjusted Free Cash Flow (as defined in the next table); and |
| Further Adjusted OIBDA (as defined in the next table). |
The Committee determined that including all three measures was appropriate for the roles of CEO and CFO given the scope of their responsibilities and direct impact on resource allocation decisions.
The Committee annually reviews potential adjustments to performance against these measures. The principle applied in deriving the adjustments is to ensure that the calculation reflects the impact of operational decisions taken by management, excludes the impact of events over which management has little or no influence, and excludes the impact of items that were not considered at the time the targets were set. Adjustments for currency fluctuations are made to ensure that the results are currency-neutral. The Committee groups adjustments into three categories:
| unplanned acquisitions (and related expenses); |
| unplanned programming or new business investments; and |
| corporate transactions and legal expenses (including corporate debt transactions, accounting or legal changes that resulted in unforeseen changes, and significant legal and consulting fees for unbudgeted matters). |
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The table below provides the definition of each of the three financial metrics and describes at a high level the 2015 adjustments:
Financial Metric |
Definition |
2015 Adjustments | ||
Net Revenue | Revenue from ordinary business operations. | Adjustments in the following two areas: acquisitions (and related expenses), based on international and domestic acquisitions and divestitures in 2015, and unplanned new programming or new business investments (including adjustments for unplanned investment and localization expenses for our Eurosport business). | ||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow | Cash provided by operations less acquisitions of property and equipment, adjusted for long-term incentive payments. |
Adjustments on the same bases described above, as well as adjustments for cash flows associated with the acquisition of certain Olympics rights and legal fees incurred in several litigation and compliance matters. | ||
Further Adjusted OIBDA | Revenues less costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses excluding: (i) mark-to-market share-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) amortization of deferred launch incentives, (iv) exit and restructuring charges, (v) impairment charges and (vi) gains (losses) on business and asset dispositions. |
Adjustments on the same bases described above for Adjusted Free Cash Flow. |
The quantitative goals were weighted to reflect equal emphasis on the three measures. The Committee approved the targets in early 2015. For 2015, the quantitative targets, weighting and results were:
Weighting | Threshold | Target | Actual Achievement |
|||||||||||||
Net Revenue ($ in millions) |
33.3 | % | $ | 5,277 | $ | 6,596 | $ | 6,590 | ||||||||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow ($ in millions) |
33.3 | % | $ | 990 | $ | 1,237 | $ | 1,282 | ||||||||
Further Adjusted OIBDA ($ in millions) |
33.3 | % | $ | 1,973 | $ | 2,466 | $ | 2,488 |
The Committee set the individual qualitative goals for Messrs. Zaslav and Warren related to areas of strategic priority for the Company. The Committee sets new goals each year based on the changing priorities of the Company, and there is significant variation from year to year in annual goals and weighting. For 2015, Mr. Zaslavs goals, with weighting, were:
| outperform peers in growth across domestic and international networks through brand defining content investment with worldwide application (20%); |
| continue to drive revenue through strong affiliate sales on cable, free-to-air, and digital platforms to outperform peers in domestic and international markets (20%); |
| further drive international expansion (20%); |
| develop strong management succession plans for key operational roles, and continue to attract, retain, differentiate and reward exceptional talent (20%); and |
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| develop and refine present and emerging technologies for content distribution (20%). |
The weighting was based on the Committees determination of the relative priority of each of these goals and reflects areas of focus for the year. The Committee historically has set Mr. Zaslavs goals with a significant degree of stretch and has evaluated his achievement against the goals by requiring a significant degree of over-performance to meet the goal.
Mr. Warrens goals, with weighting, were to:
| enhance capital structure (50%); |
| improve operational effectiveness (30%); and |
| drive effective deal integrations (20%). |
The weighting was based on the Committees determination of the relative priority of each of these goals, and was consistent with the CEOs recommendation. As with Mr. Zaslavs goals, the Committee evaluated achievement by requiring a significant degree of over-performance to meet the goal.
In early 2016, the Committee reviewed the achievement of the goals, considering each executives assessment and, with respect to Mr. Zaslav, the input of the Board. The Committee determined that the Company achieved 99.9% of the Net Revenue metric, 103.6% of the Adjusted Free Cash Flow metric, and 100.9% of the Further Adjusted OIBDA metric. The metrics were designed to provide 100% performance only upon 100% performance for each of the three goals. The threshold for a payout was achievement of more than 80% of the metric (performance at 80% or less would result in no pay out based on the scale), and for prorated payout for performance between 80% and 100% of the metrics. Based on the performance against the three metrics, the overall calculation of the payout amount was 99.9% of the target amount.
With respect to the qualitative goals, the Committee, in consultation with the Board, determined that Mr. Zaslav had achieved his qualitative goals at the 92% level, and determined that Mr. Warren had achieved his qualitative goals at the 78.5% level. This level of achievement reflected the stretch quality of the goals and the Committees desire to incentivize outstanding performance with goals that require significant over-achievement.
Based on these assessments, the Committee certified achievement of the performance criteria and exercised its downward discretion from the maximum bonus to determine that bonus payments of $6,906,878 to Mr. Zaslav (96% of the overall target amount, based on achievement of 99.9% of the quantitative and 92% of the qualitative goals), and $1,257,720 to Mr. Warren (89.2% of the overall target amount, based on achievement of 99.9% of the quantitative and 78.5% of the qualitative goals) were appropriate.
Annual Cash Bonus Payments for Messrs. Perrette and Campbell and Ms. Alpert Romm
The 2015 annual cash bonus for Messrs. Perrette and Campbell and Ms. Alpert Romm was based on the terms of the ICP. The ICP specifies various financial metrics depending on an employees role and business alignment. The financial metrics that applied to Mr. Perrettes bonus were based 80% on the results of the Discovery Networks International line of business and 20% on overall Company results. The financial metrics for Mr. Campbells bonus were based 75% on the Companys overall results and 25% on the results of the Digital Media line of business. The financial metrics that applied to Ms. Alpert Romms bonus were based 100% on the results of overall Company results. The Committee did not adjust Mr. Campbells metrics when his responsibilities were changed to include the Companys Distribution division and remove Digital Media in October 2015; the Committee determined to update the line of business assignment for the 2016 bonus year.
The aggregate amount payable to an individual under the ICP is calculated by:
| first, determining the target bonus of each employee (the pre-established percentage of the employees base salary); |
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| second, establishing the amount payable due to the achievement of Discovery as a whole and any applicable line of business performance measures, as applied to the target bonus amount; |
| third, multiplying that amount by an individual multiplier (ranging from 0 to 1.5) that reflects individual performance; and |
| fourth, adding to the total payout amount a specific dollar amount that is an allocation of the performance pool. The performance pool is a total amount of money that is available to allocate to high performers if the applicable financial metrics are achieved at a level higher than 100% of target. |
The calculation of the amount of the ICP award for each of the participating NEOs was as follows:
(Base salary) X (Target bonus percentage) X (percentage based on achievement of applicable financial metrics) X (individual performance multiplier) + (allocation of any available performance pool funds based on individual performance)
2015 ICP, Paid in March 2016
In the first quarter of 2015, the Committee established threshold (20% payout), target (100% payout) and maximum (125% payout) amounts for each of the ICP financial metrics, a ceiling beyond which higher payments would only be made relating to such metric at the Companys discretion and a scale that determined the amount payable for achievement of results in between the minimum and the over-achievement amounts.
The 2015 ICP performance targets for the Company as a whole are set forth in the following table:
Discovery Communications |
Weighting | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Actual Achievement |
|||||||||||||||
Net Revenue ($ in millions) |
40 | % | $ | 5,936 | $ | 6,596 | $ | 7,256 | $ | 6,590 | ||||||||||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow ($ in millions) |
60 | % | $ | 822 | $ | 1,237 | $ | 1,653 | $ | 1,282 |
The 2015 ICP performance targets for Discovery Networks International (the metric used for 80% of Mr. Perrettes 2015 bonus) are set forth in the following table:
Discovery Networks International |
Weighting | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Actual Achievement |
|||||||||||||||
Net Revenue ($ in millions) |
40 | % | $ | 2,990 | $ | 3,323 | $ | 3,655 | $ | 3,321 | ||||||||||
Further Adjusted OIBDA ($ in millions) |
60 | % | $ | 744 | $ | 1,043 | $ | 1,342 | $ | 1,046 |
The 2015 ICP performance targets for Digital Media (the metric used for 25% of Mr. Campbells 2015 bonus) are set forth in the following table:
Digital Media |
Weighting | Threshold | Target | Maximum | Actual Achievement |
|||||||||||||||
Net Revenue ($ in millions) |
40 | % | $ | 97 | $ | 122 | $ | 146 | $ | 115 | ||||||||||
Further Adjusted OIBDA ($ in millions) |
60 | % | $ | -17 | $ | 2.9 | $ | 22 | $ | 5.7 |
The Net Revenue and Adjusted Free Cash Flow measures for the Company-wide metrics are the same measures used with respect to the annual cash bonus for Messrs. Zaslav and Warren, and were subject to the same adjustments discussed above. The Committee also adjusted the performance against the metrics specifically with respect to Digital Media, within the same categories used for the adjustments to the annual cash bonus for Messrs. Zaslav and Warren, and specifically addressing the divestiture of a radio business in Europe, a royalty payment that should have been captured in 2014, and movement of a part of the U.S. Digital Media organization into our U.S. networks division, with accompanying movement of cost and revenue.
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The determination as to whether the 2015 financial performance measures were met was made in the Annual Bonus Review during the first quarter of 2016, following review of the full-year 2015 financial statements. Based on the Adjusted Free Cash Flow performance, a performance pool was available for allocation for the NEOs covered by the ICP. In the cases of Messrs. Perrette and Campbell and Ms. Alpert Romm, Mr. Zaslav recommended an individual performance multiplier to be applied to the ICP calculation and allocation of the performance pool. The Committee reviewed this recommendation, each of the NEOs self-assessment of individual performance for 2015, and Mr. Zaslavs review of each executives 2015 performance. The Committee certified achievement of the Section 162(m) performance criterion and exercised its downward discretion from the maximum bonus to determine a bonus payment of $2,767,765 for Mr. Campbell (142% of the target amount), $2,012,522 for Mr. Perrette (172% of the target amount and $830,633 for Ms. Alpert Romm (134% of target amount).
Please refer to the Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards column of the Grants of Plan Based Awards Table for more information regarding the range of 2015 payouts available to these NEOs and the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table for the actual amounts paid to them with respect to their 2015 awards.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
We believe that delivering a substantial portion of an executives total direct compensation in equity or equity-type awards helps to align our executives interests with those of our stockholders. In 2015, we made long-term equity or equity-type awards to each of the NEOs, which we believe serve to focus their attention on increasing the Companys value over time.
Annual LTI Review. The Committee considers annual LTI awards for executive-level employees early each year in the Annual LTI Review. Each of the NEOs other than Mr. Zaslav is eligible for consideration in this annual review. (Mr. Zaslavs LTI awards for each year are specified in his employment agreement, although the Committee determines financial metrics for each performance-based award at the time the award is made.) As an initial matter, the Committee reviews market data for similar roles in the peer group and determines a target amount for the LTI awards that is expressed as a dollar value. With respect to each NEO other than the CEO, the CEO then reviews the target value approved by the Committee and recommends a dollar value for the award based on each NEOs individual performance. The Committee approves the overall award value, which is then converted into a number of units, as further described below.
For 2015, as in prior years, the awards to the NEOs other than Mr. Zaslav in the Annual LTI Review were in the form of stock options and PRSUs (50% of the target value in stock options with respect to the Companys Series A common stock, 50% in PRSUs with respect to the Companys Series A common stock (as described under Stock Plan, below)). The approved value is converted into a number of stock options based on the Black-Scholes value of the stock option and PRSUs using the closing price of Discovery Series A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. In 2015, the Committee continued the practice of using the Black-Scholes valuation of the stock options as of the last trading day of the month prior to the date of grant and the closing price of the PRSUs as of the trading day before the date of grant with respect to these calculations. This administrative practice allows more efficient processing of equity grants and, with respect to stock options, the ability of the Committee to review the actual number of units at the time the grant is made.
Timing of Awards. The Committees intent is to make equity awards annually in late February or early March of each year, with new hire, promotion, and contract grants made throughout the year in the Committees regular meetings, generally on or about the 15th of each month. In 2015, this resulted in the practice of holding regularly-scheduled Committee meetings on or about the 15th day of each month and making awards at each meeting, with the exercise price based on the closing price per share of the Companys Series A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date the awards were granted. On occasion for administrative convenience, we may make a grant with a future effective date, with the grant price set on the future effective date.
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Our practice of setting fixed equity award grant dates is designed to avoid the possibility that the Company could grant stock awards prior to the release of material, non-public information which is likely to result in an increase in its stock price, or to delay the grant of stock awards until after the release of material, non-public information that is likely to result in a decrease in the Companys stock price.
Stock Plan. The Committee makes LTI awards under the 2013 Stock Plan, an equity-based long-term incentive plan that was approved by our shareholders in 2013. The prior plan, the 2005 Stock Plan, was the primary vehicle for long-term incentive compensation for Company employees after we became a public company and until the 2013 Stock Plan was approved. The terms of the 2005 and 2013 Stock Plans are generally consistent and equity awards under the two plans have the same vesting schedules and similar terms.
2015 LTI Awards
The following chart summarizes the equity awards made in 2015 to each NEO. Because the awards for Mr. Zaslav were specified in his employment agreement as a number of units rather than an overall target value, we have included the fair market value as of the date of grant for that award in the column that specifies the 2014 target amount for the other NEOs. In addition, because the number of units was specified in Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement, which predated our 2014 Share Dividend, the PRSU award for Mr. Zaslav was made in Series A and Series C, to preserve the intrinsic value of the award as contemplated by the agreement. Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement is further described in Executive CompensationExecutive Compensation Arrangements, below.
NEO |
2015 Target |
2015 LTI Awards | ||
David M. Zaslav, CEO |
$22 million (fair market value at time of grant) | 179,876 Series A PRSUs 179,876 Series C PRSUs 925,665 SARs Series A 925,665 SARs Series C | ||
Andrew Warren, CFO |
$2.3 million | 148,280 stock options 37,181 PRSUs | ||
Bruce L. Campbell, Chief Development, Distribution & Legal Officer |
$2.3 million | 148,280 stock options 37,181 PRSUs | ||
Jean-Briac Perrette, President, Discovery Networks International |
$2.7 million | 174,068 stock options 43,647 PRSUs | ||
Adria Alpert Romm, Chief Human Resources and Global Diversity Officer |
$750,000 | 48,353 stock options 12,125 PRSUs |
LTI Awards to NEOs other than the CEO
Stock Options. The stock option awards have a four-year vesting schedule, become exercisable (while the holder remains employed) in equal tranches of 25% on the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, expire on the seventh anniversary of the date of grant, assuming continued employment, and are otherwise consistent with the terms of the applicable plan and award agreement.
PRSUs. The PRSU awards made to the NEOs other than Mr. Zaslav also have a four-year vesting schedule, but vest in two equal tranches, the first 50% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining 50%
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on the fourth anniversary, assuming continued employment, and are otherwise consistent with the terms of the applicable plan and award agreement. Vesting of the PRSU awards is contingent on meeting Company financial performance metrics for Net Revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow, for a three-year performance period.
The Committee adopted the long-term incentive design for NEOs after reviewing market trends and best practices and concluding that the awards would:
| provide appropriate incentives; |
| link the interests of our senior executives to our stockholders, focusing our senior executives on longer-term Company financial goals; |
| serve as a retention tool; and |
| allow for tax deductibility of the equity awards as performance-based. |
The PRSU awards are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) and follow a similar structure to that of the annual bonus design. At the beginning of each year, the Committee sets a Company performance criterion and a maximum number of PRSUs for each NEO and certain other senior executives as the initial step in structuring the awards as performance-based under Section 162(m). If the performance criterion for the three-year performance period is met, the actual number of PRSUs distributed to each NEO is subject to the Committees downward discretion. The maximum amount of the PRSU award is the target amount. There is no upside for over-performance, which the Committee determined was appropriate to discourage excessive risk-taking by our senior executives.
Once the Committee determines the performance criterion is met, the Committee exercises its downward discretion based on Company performance against the Net Revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow targets. As part of the Committees downward discretion, the awards also provided that the Committee may determine, for awards to NEOs other than Mr. Zaslav, and based on the Companys performance relative to peers, to (i) reduce the number of vesting shares by up to 25% or (ii) increase the number of vesting shares by up to 25% (but not beyond 100% of the target amount for each PRSU award).
The performance metrics to be used by the Committee in its exercise of downward discretion are based on Net Revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow. Over-performance on the Adjusted OIBDA or Adjusted Free Cash Flow measures may offset under-performance by any of the other two metrics, but over-performance on the Net Revenue metric cannot offset under-performance on the other two metrics. The metrics and weighting for the awards of PRSUs made in 2015 are as follows:
Performance Against Target ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 120% | 110% | 100% | 95% | 90% | 85% | 81% | 80% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
20 | % | 22,540 | 20,661 | 18,783 | 17,844 | 16,905 | 15,966 | 15,120 | 15,026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA |
40 | % | 8,260 | 7,571 | 6,883 | 6,539 | 6,195 | 5,851 | 5,541 | 5,506 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow |
40 | % | 4,487 | 4,113 | 3,739 | 3,552 | 3,365 | 3,178 | 3,010 | 2,991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Maximum Vesting |
100% | 100% | 100% | 95% | 90% | 75% | 50% | 0% |
Zaslav PRSUs and Special SARs.
The Committee made special awards of PRSUs and stock appreciation rights (Special SARs) to Mr. Zaslav as provided by his employment agreement. The agreement provided for the following awards in 2015, each of which was made early in the year:
| an award of 179,876 PRSUs in Series A common stock and 179,876 in Series C common stock, which vest after two years, assuming achievement of two-year performance metrics; and |
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| a grant of 925,665 Special SARs in Series A common stock and 925,665 in Series C common stock. |
The awards were made in Series A and Series C common stock because the awards were specified as a number of units in Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement and the Committee adjusted the awards and units to preserve the intrinsic value of the awards contemplated by the employment agreement following the 2014 Share Dividend.
One-half of the PRSUs will be distributed in the year after the end of the performance period, and the remaining one-half will be distributed in two equal parts in the second and third years after the end of the performance period, unless Mr. Zaslav has validly elected to further defer distribution of the shares.
The Special SARs mature and pay out in four equal tranches, 25% each year, as of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. The Special SARs are 25% stock-settled and 75% cash-settled. The amount of the payout for the Special SARs, if any, is based on the appreciation in our stock price from the grant date to the applicable anniversary. Both the base price and the exercise price are calculated based on a 20-day average closing price, for the ten trading days preceding and including the date for which valuation is occurring and the ten trading days following the date for which valuation is occurring. These Special SARs are designed to auto-exercise; Mr. Zaslav does not choose the timing of exercise and each tranche exercises automatically on the relevant anniversary grant date. All of the units are exercised by the fourth anniversary of the date of grant.
The design of Mr. Zaslavs compensation in the new employment agreement emphasizes shareholder alignment through requiring substantial stock holdings. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Zaslav is required to hold at least 60% of the net shares delivered to him under the PRSU awards and the stock-settled portion of the Special SAR award until the end of the term of the agreement. In addition, Mr. Zaslav is required to purchase shares in the Company with 35% of the net cash proceeds of the cash-settled Special SAR award, and similarly to hold the shares purchased until the end of the term of the agreement.
The Committee determined that these awards were appropriate as part of the overall agreement to secure Mr. Zaslavs services in a long-term agreement, to structure an agreement under which the vast majority of compensation is performance-based compensation, primarily in the form of LTI awards, tie his compensation to increases in shareholder value, and require Mr. Zaslav to hold the majority of the equity distributed to him to the end of the term of the agreement.
Payouts under PRSU Awards for Measurement Period 2013-2015
In February 2016, the Committee reviewed achievement of the performance thresholds for the measurement period that ran from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015, with respect to the awards made in 2013 to Messrs. Warren, Perrette and Campbell, and Ms. Alpert Romm. For the 2013 PRSU awards, the performance threshold was set at $4.184 billion in Adjusted OIBDA over the three-year performance period. The Committee determined that the Company had met or exceeded the performance threshold for these awards.
As an initial matter, as discussed above, the Committee reviewed the Companys performance relative to the peer group during the three-year performance and determined that the Companys performance had been strong relative to its peers. Accordingly, the Committee decided not to exercise discretion to reduce the number of shares payable upon settlement of these awards.
The Committee then reviewed the Companys performance against the three financial metrics and concluded that the Company had met or exceeded the Net Revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow during the performance period when measured on a currency-neutral basis. The three-year performance metrics are set based on foreign exchange rates prevailing at the time the metrics are established. In 2016, the Committee determined to measure the results using the same constant foreign exchange rates, so that the comparison would not be influenced by fluctuations in the foreign exchange environment. The Committee
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concluded that it was appropriate to measure performance without the effect of currency fluctuation as management has little or no control over the impact of foreign exchange. The adjustment increased the performance calculation by less than 1%.
For each of the PRSU awards, 50% of the shares vested and were distributed, and 50% will be distributed in 2017 based on each executives continued employment and the other terms and conditions of the award. The performance against each of the three metrics was as follows:
Target | Performance | Payout Schedule |
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Target Weighting |
Cumulative PRSU Target |
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Cumulative | Perfor- mance against Target |
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Revenue ($ in millions) |
20% | 17,876 | 5,601 | 6,440 | 7,113 | 19,154 | 107.1% | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA ($ in millions) |
40% | 7,428 | 2,456 | 2,600 | 2,757 | 7,813 | 105.2% | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow ($ in millions) |
40% | 3,779 | 1,253 | 1,355 | 1,447 | 4,055 | 107.3% | 100% |
Retirement Benefits
The NEOs generally participate in the same benefit plans and on the same terms as are offered to other U.S.-based full-time employees. We offer a 401(k) defined contribution plan as well as a non-qualified Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan (the SRP) that is available to U.S.-based senior employees, including all of the NEOs other than Mr. Perrette. The eligible NEOs participate in these plans on the same terms and conditions as other eligible employees.
To encourage participation in the 401(k) plan, the Company makes a matching contribution of (i) 100% of the employees first 3% of salary contributions to the defined contribution plans and (ii) 50% of the employees next 3% of salary contributions, up to a maximum amount of 4.5% of eligible base salary in the form of Company matching contributions, subject to certain limits under applicable tax regulations. We also make a supplemental contribution into the SRP for those employees whose base salary exceeds the IRS compensation limit under the 401(k) regulations. This Company contribution uses the same formula applied for the 401(k) match (4.5%) and that is applied to the base salary in excess of the IRS limit (for 2015, this was $265,000), up to a maximum of $1 million in base salary. In addition to base salary deferrals, participants in the SRP are also permitted to defer portions of ICP awards into their SRP accounts. These amounts are not included in the calculation of the supplemental Company contribution into the SRP. The 401(k) and SRP accounts offer the same investment options, with the amounts actually invested for the 401(k) plan and with earnings measured hypothetically for the SRP.
We believe the SRP is necessary to allow employees who would otherwise be limited by IRS restrictions on the amount of compensation that may be considered in participation in the Companys 401(k) plan to:
| save a proportionate amount for retirement; |
| provide the same Company contribution amount to these employees that they would have received absent the Internal Revenue Code compensation limits in the 401(k) plan; and |
| support the goals of providing competitive compensation packages to our employees. |
U.S.-based employees on international assignment, including Mr. Perrette, are not eligible to make new elections to participate in the SRP, or to receive Company contributions, after the commencement of the international assignment.
For more information about the SRP, please refer to the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table below.
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Health, Welfare and Other Personal Benefits
The NEOs are eligible to participate in the health, welfare and fringe benefits generally made available by the Company to its U.S.-based regular full-time employees, such as basic and supplemental life insurance, short and long-term disability, commuter reimbursement, fitness reimbursement and access to legal resources. Mr. Perrette remains eligible to participate in the U.S. plans during his international assignment, other than SRP (as discussed above). The medical plan options for Mr. Perrette are based on his physical location in the United Kingdom. Employees at the level of vice president and above, including the NEOs, are also eligible to participate in executive-level long-term disability and long-term care plans.
In addition, we provide the following perquisites and other personal benefits to our NEOs:
Relocation Expenses and International Assignment Benefits; Related Gross-Up. Consistent with our objective to attract and retain a high-performing executive management team for senior roles in our global business, we place top-notch executives on international assignments to fill key roles in the places where we do business. We provide relocation and international assignment benefits consistent with our international long-term assignment policies, including reimbursing relocation costs, offering education and other allowances, providing tax equalization benefits, which are intended to maintain the executives out of pocket tax liabilities at the same level they would have been had the executive not been assigned to foreign jurisdiction and, for some benefits, paying the executive an amount equal to the tax resulting from the reimbursement or allowance (a gross-up). Mr. Perrette agreed to become the President of Discovery Networks International in early 2014 and relocated to our London office in May 2014. He is employed pursuant to a U.S. fixed term employment agreement and paid via U.S. payroll, with certain assignment and other benefits and allowances provided locally. We provided Mr. Perrettes assignment-related benefits and allowances in accordance with and subject to the limitations of our international long-term assignment policy. The relocation and assignment expenses, and related gross-ups, incurred with respect to 2015 are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table.
Aircraft Usage; Related Gross-Up. We lease a dedicated corporate aircraft and also have an agreement with NetJets Inc. pursuant to which we lease the right to a specified amount of travel each calendar year on NetJets aircraft. We allow Mr. Zaslav to use a portion of our allotted travel time on our corporate aircraft, or NetJets aircraft, for personal use.
Mr. Zaslav is permitted to use up to 200 hours of flight time for personal use. The first 100 hours are provided to him by the Company; with respect to the second 100 hours, Mr. Zaslav is required to reimburse the Company at a rate of two times fuel cost, under a time sharing agreement entered into simultaneously with Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement. For details regarding Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement, please see Executive Compensation ArrangementsZaslav Employment Agreement.
Family members may accompany Mr. Zaslav on authorized business flights on corporate aircraft or NetJets flights at no aggregate incremental cost to the Company. For 2015, we provided a gross-up to Mr. Zaslav to cover taxes for imputed income arising when a family member accompanied him on business travel at the request of the Company (e.g., when Mr. Zaslavs spouse accompanied him to a business event in which attendance by a spouse is customary and serves our business interests).
Mobile Access. We reimburse Mr. Zaslav for limited home office expenses, including Internet access.
Car Allowance. We provide Mr. Zaslav with a monthly car allowance as provided in his employment agreement.
For more information regarding the perquisites provided in 2015 to each NEO, please refer to the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.
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Executive Stock Ownership Policy
In 2012, the Committee adopted an executive stock ownership policy that applies to the NEOs and certain other senior executives. The policy requires each covered executive to hold a specified amount of our stock, calculated as a multiple of the executives base salary, as described in the table below. In 2015, the Committee increased the stock ownership requirement for Mr. Zaslav from five times base salary to six times base salary.
Position |
Requirement (multiple of base salary) |
Timeframe to reach (from later of effective date or becoming covered by policy) |
||||||
CEO and Chairman |
6X | 5 years | ||||||
Covered executive with LTI target grant value > 1X of base salary |
2X | 5 years | ||||||
Covered executive with LTI target grant value <1X of base salary |
1X | 6 years |
The Committee determined that any shares of our stock beneficially owned by the covered executive, as well as unvested awards of PRSUs and RSUs, but not shares underlying unvested stock options, would be counted for purposes of meeting the stock holding target. Once an executive meets the target, the executive is expected to maintain holdings at the target for as long as he or she remains in a role that is identified as a covered executive under the policy.
The Committee may consider failure to meet the requirements of the policy in making compensation decisions for a covered executive and may take any other action appropriate to support the intent of the policy, including requiring an executive to retain a percentage of shares pursuant to stock option exercises or vesting events in future years.
In mid-2015, the Committee reviewed the NEOs progress toward meeting the executive stock ownership policy as adopted in 2012. Each of the NEOs had already met the stock holding requirement.
Clawback Policy
All employees are subject to a clawback policy, adopted by the Committee in 2010. Under this policy, in addition to any other remedies available to the Company (but subject to applicable law), if the Board, or the Committee, determines that any employee has engaged in fraud or misconduct that resulted in a financial restatement, the Company may recover, in whole or in part, any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation, received by the employee from the Company in the 12 months after the filing of the financial statement that was found to be non-compliant. The Committee determined that it was appropriate to adopt the policy to provide a further deterrent to fraudulent activity.
Hedging
Hedging of Company stock is permitted with the prior approval of our General Counsel. However, our Insider Trading policy prohibits short sales and transactions in puts, calls, or other derivative securities on an exchange or in any other organized market. In 2015, none of our NEOs had engaged in any hedging transactions.
CFO Transition
On February 22, 2016, Mr. Warren notified us that he was resigning from employment and agreed to remain with the Company until the end of 2016. We entered into a transition agreement with Mr. Warren, described in Executive CompensationExecutive Compensation Arrangements, below. As a result of Mr. Warrens resignation, the Committee did not make an equity award to him in the 2016 Annual LTI Review. The Committee also decided not to establish qualitative goals for the 2016 bonus for Mr. Warren and will use the Company-wide performance metrics under the ICP for Mr. Warrens 2016 bonus.
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The following tables set forth compensation information for our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers (computed in accordance with the SECs rules) who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2015.
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($)(1) |
Stock Awards ($)(2) |
Option Awards ($)(3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(4) |
All Other Compensation ($)(5) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
David M. Zaslav |
2015 | 3,115,385 | 11,274,628 | 10,487,784 | 6,906,878 | 592,671 | (6) | 32,377,346 | ||||||||||||||||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
2014 | 3,000,000 | 94,555,285 | 50,504,282 | 6,082,359 | 1,935,986 | 156,077,912 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 3,000,000 | | 22,538,835 | 5,799,000 | 2,011,963 | 33,349,798 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Andrew Warren |
2015 | 1,220,192 | 1,202,434 | 1,269,277 | 1,257,720 | 53,090 | (7) | 5,002,713 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
2014 | 1,011,876 | 3,303,636 | 1,250,910 | 1,346,425 | 50,474 | 6,963,321 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 925,442 | 816,866 | 851,312 | 1,317,903 | 483,003 | 4,394,526 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Bruce L. Campbell |
2015 | 1,557,692 | 1,202,434 | 1,269,277 | 2,767,765 | 50,123 | 6,847,291 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Development, Distribution and Legal Officer |
2014 | 1,241,511 | 3,151,111 | 1,154,947 | 1,957,370 | 112,241 | 7,617,180 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 1,066,766 | 1,174,193 | 1,223,755 | 1,563,131 | 50,228 | 5,078,073 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Jean-Briac Perrette |
2015 | 1,093,365 | 1,411,544 | 1,490,022 | 2,012,522 | 1,417,663 | (8) | 7,425,116 | ||||||||||||||||||||
President, Discovery Networks International |
2014 | 992,096 | 1,420,356 | 251,078 | 1,808,500 | 432,839 | 4,904,869 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Adria Alpert Romm |
2015 | 801,058 | 392,123 | 413,902 | 830,633 | 43,809 | 2,481,524 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Human Resources and Global Diversity Officer |
2014 | 730,529 | 355,110 | 251,078 | 755,132 | 40,409 | 2,132,258 |
(1) | The dollar amounts in this column represent the actual salary amount that each NEO received in 2015, which differs from the salary amounts stated in their employment agreements. This is due to an additional pay period in our regular 2015 payroll cycle. |
(2) | The dollar amounts in this column represent the grant date fair value, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of PRSU awards for each of the applicable fiscal years. For each of the PRSU awards, the grant date fair value is calculated using the closing price of our Series A or Series C common stock on the grant date as if these awards were fully vested and issued on the grant date. See Note 13 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding the value determination of the PRSU awards. There can be no assurance that these grant date fair values will ever be realized by any NEO. See the Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2015 table below for information on PRSU awards made in 2015. |
(3) | The dollar amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 with respect to the cash- and stock-settled stock appreciation rights and option awards granted to our NEOs for each of the applicable fiscal years. For stock options, we calculate the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes model, using the assumptions described in Note 13 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K. For the cash- and stock-settled stock appreciation rights, we also calculate the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes model, using the assumptions described in Note 13 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K. These amounts do not reflect actual payments made to our NEOs. There can be no assurance that the full grant date fair value will ever be realized by any NEO. |
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(4) | These amounts reflect the cash performance awards earned by the applicable NEO under Discoverys 2013 Stock Plan for 2015, 2014 and 2013, which are more fully described under Compensation Discussion and AnalysisCompensation Decisions-2015 ICP, Paid Out in March 2016 above. The 2015 award amounts were determined and paid out during the first quarter of 2016, the 2014 award amounts were determined and paid out during the first quarter of 2015 and the 2013 awards were determined and paid out during the first quarter of 2014. |
(5) | We offer executives basic life insurance as well as executive level disability and long-term care coverage. We also offer matching contributions to an executives 401(k) plan and contributions to the SRP, subject to certain limitations. Below are the payments made on behalf of the NEOs to the foregoing plans in 2015: |
Basic Life ($) | Disability/Long Term Care ($) |
Matching Contributions |
||||||||||||||
401(k) ($) | SRP ($) | |||||||||||||||
Mr. Zaslav |
780 | 5,920 | 11,925 | 33,075 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Warren |
780 | 4,557 | 12,114 | 33,075 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Campbell |
780 | 4,448 | 11,821 | 33,075 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Perrette |
780 | 4,095 | 11,842 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Ms. Alpert Romm |
606 | 7,044 | 12,036 | 24,123 |
For more information regarding these benefits, please see Compensation Discussion and AnalysisRetirement Benefits and Health, Welfare and Other Personal Benefits above.
(6) | This amount includes $446,037 for personal use of aircraft (including family travel for which Mr. Zaslav is not provided a tax gross-up) and $62,205 for tax gross-ups for business associate/spouse travel at the request of the Company that is not considered business use. See Compensation Discussion and AnalysisHealth, Welfare and Other Personal BenefitsAircraft Usage; Related Gross-Up above for more information regarding our policies for Mr. Zaslavs use of our allotted travel on our corporate aircraft. The table also includes $16,800 for a car allowance, $1,631 in respect of home office expenses and $14,298 for personal security services. |
(7) | This amount includes imputed income related to travel by Mr. Warrens spouse, as a personal guest on a business flight, as well as the amounts referenced in footnote 5. |
(8) | This amount includes $20,771 in relocation expenses, $37,205 in cost of living allowance, $231,822 for housing, $38,732 for school fees for Mr. Perrettes children, $14,059 for home leave benefits, $2,872 in immigration expenses and $17,415 for tax services, pursuant to the Companys relocation policy. Discovery also provided tax equalization payments for Mr. Perrette (see Compensation Discussion and AnalysisHealth, Welfare and Other Personal BenefitsRelocation Expenses and International Assignment Benefits; Related Gross-Up), which resulted in Company expenses of $1,038,070. See Executive Compensation ArrangementsPerrette Employment Agreement below for more information on the relocation benefits provided to Mr. Perrette. In converting the amounts from British pounds to United States dollars, we used the average of the monthly Bloomberg spot rate as of the second business day prior to each month end. The average rate for 2015 is 1.53 British pounds per United States dollar. |
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2015
Name |
Grant Date |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
All
Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) |
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards($) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (#) |
Target (#) |
Maximum (#) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
David M. Zaslav |
(1) | 7,200,000 | 10,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
01/02/2015 | 925,665 | (2) | 33.17 | 5,461,424 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02/23/2015 | 143,901 | (3) | 179,876 | (3) | | 5,817,190 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
01/02/2015 | 925,665 | (2) | 32.28 | 5,026,361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02/23/2015 | 143,901 | (3) | 179,876 | (3) | | 5,457,438 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andrew Warren |
(1) | 1,410,000 | 2,937,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
02/23/2015 | 148,280 | (5) | 32.34 | 1,269,277 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02/23/2015 | 18,591 | (4) | 37,181 | (4) | | 1,202,434 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bruce L. Campbell |
(1) | 1,950,000 | 3,750,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
02/23/2015 | 148,280 | (5) | 32.34 | 1,269,277 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02/23/2015 | 18,591 | (4) | 37,181 | (4) | | 1,202,434 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jean-Briac Perrette |
(1) | 1,171,500 | 2,662,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
02/23/2015 | 174,068 | (5) | 32.34 | 1,490,022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02/23/2015 | 21,824 | (4) | 43,647 | (4) | | 1,411,544 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adria Alpert Romm |
(1) | 621,000 | 1,940,625 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
02/23/2015 | 48,353 | (5) | 32.34 | 413,902 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
02/23/2015 | 6,063 | (4) | 12,125 | (4) | | 393,123 |
(1) | These amounts reflect the possible payouts with respect to awards of annual cash bonus under the 2013 Stock Plan for performance in 2015. Each NEO is assigned a target bonus amount and is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus award of up to 300% of base salary for Mr. Zaslav and 250% of base salary for all other NEOs, subject in each case to the Committees authority to exercise downward discretion and the 2013 Stock Plans $10 million limit. The amounts of annual cash bonus awards actually paid for performance in 2015 are disclosed in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table above. For more information regarding the terms of these annual cash bonus awards and the factors used by the Committee in exercising its downward discretion, please see Compensation Discussion and Analysis2015 Compensation DecisionsAnnual Cash Bonus Awards. |
(2) | These amounts reflect the number of Special SARs granted. The awards automatically vest and payout 25% on each anniversary of the grant date and are payable in 75% cash and 25% stock in connection with the vesting. |
(3) | These amounts represent PRSU awards. The PRSUs vest if we achieve certain two-year performance targets. Of the grant, 50% will be distributed in the year after the end of the performance period, assuming achievement of the two-year performance targets. The remaining 50% will be distributed in two equal parts in the second and third years after the end of the performance period. For more information regarding these awards, please see Compensation Discussion and AnalysisLong-Term Incentive Compensation. |
(4) | These amounts represent PRSU awards. The PRSUs vest if we achieve certain three-year performance targets. Of the grant, 50% will be distributed on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of grant, assuming the achievement of the three-year performance targets. For more information regarding these awards, including the performance targets, please see Compensation Discussion and AnalysisLong-Term Incentive Compensation. |
(5) | These amounts represent stock options that will vest 25% per year for four years beginning on the anniversary of the grant date and expire on February 23, 2022. |
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(1) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Grant Date Market Value or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) |
||||||||||||||||||
David M. Zaslav |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
| 429,589 | 20.97 | (2 | ) | 910,000 | (4)(5) | 38,488,934 | ||||||||||||||||
| 924,481 | 33.07 | (2 | ) | 179,876 | (4)(6) | 5,816,290 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2,776,995 | 43.92 | (3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 925,665 | 33.17 | (3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
| 429,589 | 20.33 | (2 | ) | 910,000 | (4)(5) | 37,332,267 | ||||||||||||||||
| 924,481 | 32.08 | (2 | ) | 179,876 | (4)(6) | 5,457,438 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2,776,995 | 42.60 | (3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 925,665 | 32.28 | (3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Andrew Warren |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
43,331 | 14,444 | 26.04 | 04/12/2019 | (7) | 6,705 | (11) | 174,573 | ||||||||||||||||
17,254 | 17,254 | 38.01 | 03/01/2020 | (8) | 10,909 | (12) | 414,664 | |||||||||||||||||
14,363 | 43,092 | 42.30 | 02/28/2021 | (9) | 12,176 | (5)(13) | 514,990 | |||||||||||||||||
| 148,280 | 32.34 | 02/23/2022 | (10) | 3,044 | (13)(14) | 128,748 | |||||||||||||||||
55,142 | (13)(15) | 2,040,254 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
37,181 | (6)(13) | 1,202,248 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
43,331 | 14,444 | 25.25 | 04/12/2019 | (7) | 6,705 | (11) | 169,237 | ||||||||||||||||
17,254 | 17,254 | 36.87 | 03/01/2020 | (8) | 10,909 | (12) | 402,202 | |||||||||||||||||
14,363 | 43,092 | 41.02 | 02/28/2021 | (9) | 12,176 | (5)(13) | 499,514 | |||||||||||||||||
3,044 | (13)(14) | 124,878 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Bruce L. Campbell |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
7,988 | | 19.68 | 03/16/2018 | (16) | 5,219 | (18) | 126,822 | ||||||||||||||||
23,596 | 7,866 | 24.30 | 03/15/2019 | (17) | 15,681 | (12) | 596,053 | |||||||||||||||||
24,802 | 24,803 | 38.01 | 03/01/2020 | (8) | 14,003 | (5)(13) | 592,264 | |||||||||||||||||
13,214 | 39,644 | 42.30 | 02/28/2021 | (9) | 50,429 | (13)(19) | 1,984,381 | |||||||||||||||||
| 148,280 | 32.34 | 02/23/2022 | (10) | 37,181 | (6)(13) | 1,202,248 | |||||||||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
7,988 | | 19.08 | 03/16/2018 | (16) | 5,219 | (18) | 123,011 | ||||||||||||||||
23,596 | 7,866 | 23.57 | 03/15/2019 | (17) | 15,681 | (12) | 578,140 | |||||||||||||||||
24,802 | 24,803 | 36.87 | 03/01/2020 | (8) | 14,003 | (5)(13) | 574,466 | |||||||||||||||||
13,214 | 39,644 | 41.02 | 02/28/2021 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jean-Briac Perrette |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
25,976 | | 21.33 | 11/15/2018 | (20) | 2,088 | (18) | 50,739 | ||||||||||||||||
9,438 | 3,147 | 24.30 | 03/15/2019 | (17) | 3,068 | (12) | 116,618 | |||||||||||||||||
4,853 | 4,853 | 38.01 | 03/01/2020 | (8) | 14,003 | (5)(13) | 592,264 | |||||||||||||||||
2,872 | 8,619 | 42.30 | 02/28/2021 | (9) | 3,044 | (5)(13) | 128,748 | |||||||||||||||||
| 174,068 | 32.34 | 02/23/2022 | (10) | 43,647 | (6)(13) | 1,411,326 | |||||||||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
25,976 | | 20.68 | 11/15/2018 | (20) | 2,088 | (18) | 49,214 | ||||||||||||||||
9,438 | 3,147 | 23.57 | 03/15/2019 | (17) | 3,068 | (12) | 113,114 | |||||||||||||||||
4,853 | 4,853 | 36.87 | 03/01/2020 | (8) | 14,003 | (5)(13) | 574,466 | |||||||||||||||||
2,872 | 8,619 | 41.02 | 02/28/2021 | (9) | 3,044 | (5)(13) | 124,878 |
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Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(1) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Grant Date Market Value or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) |
||||||||||||||||||
Adria Alpert Romm |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
8,119 | | 19.68 | 03/16/2018 | (16) | 2,088 | (18) | 50,739 | ||||||||||||||||
9,438 | 3,147 | 24.30 | 03/15/2019 | (17) | 3,137 | (12) | 119,241 | |||||||||||||||||
4,960 | 4,961 | 38.01 | 03/01/2020 | (8) | 3,044 | (5)(13) | 128,748 | |||||||||||||||||
2,872 | 8,619 | 42.30 | 02/28/2021 | (9) | 1,218 | (21) | 51,516 | |||||||||||||||||
| 48,353 | 32.34 | 02/23/2022 | (10) | 12,125 | (6)(13) | 392,062 | |||||||||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
8,119 | | 19.08 | 03/16/2018 | (16) | 2,088 | (18) | 49,214 | ||||||||||||||||
9,438 | 3,147 | 23.57 | 03/15/2019 | (17) | 3,137 | (12) | 115,658 | |||||||||||||||||
4,960 | 4,961 | 36.87 | 03/01/2020 | (8) | 3,044 | (5)(13) | 124,878 | |||||||||||||||||
2,872 | 8,619 | 41.02 | 02/28/2021 | (9) | 1,218 | (21) | 49,968 |
(1) | For RSUs and PRSUs, the value is calculated based on the grant amount, assuming target performance for PRSUs. |
(2) | These awards represent SARs that vest 25% on each anniversary of the grant date and are automatically payable in cash in connection with the vesting. |
(3) | These awards represent Special SARs that vest 25% on each anniversary of the grant date and are automatically payable in 75% cash and 25% stock in connection with the vesting. |
(4) | These amounts represent PRSUs granted pursuant to the terms of Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement. The vesting of the PRSUs is subject to the achievement of certain performance metrics. For details regarding vesting and performance criteria for these PRSUs, please see Executive Compensation ArrangementsZaslav Employment Agreement. |
(5) | These PRSU amounts relate to the February 28, 2014 PRSU grant, with a performance period that expires December 31, 2016. |
(6) | These PRSU amounts relate to the February 23, 2015 PRSU grant, with a performance period that expires December 31, 2017. |
(7) | These stock options vest in four equal annual installments beginning April 12, 2013. |
(8) | These stock options vest in four equal annual installments beginning March 1, 2014. |
(9) | These stock options vest in four equal annual installments beginning February 28, 2015. |
(10) | These stock options vest in four equal annual installments beginning February 23, 2016. |
(11) | These RSU amounts relate to the unvested portion of the April 12, 2012 RSU grant. These RSUs vested 33% on the second and third anniversary and will vest 34% on the fourth anniversary of the April 12, 2012 grant date. |
(12) | These PRSU amounts relate to the unvested portion of the March 1, 2013 PRSU grant, with a performance period that expired December 31, 2015. In February 2016, the Compensation Committee certified that the performance metrics had been met. |
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(13) | The PRSU vesting is dependent on the achievement of three-year performance metrics. If performance targets are met, the award vests 50% after the third year and 50% after the fourth year. For more information regarding these awards, please see Compensation Discussion and AnalysisLong-Term Incentive Compensation. |
(14) | These PRSU amounts relate to the March 27, 2014 PRSU grant, with a performance period that expires December 31, 2016. |
(15) | These PRSU amounts relate to the October 3, 2014 PRSU grant, with a performance period that expires December 31, 2016. |
(16) | These stock options vest in four equal annual installments beginning March 16, 2012. |
(17) | These stock options vest in four equal annual installments beginning March 15, 2013. |
(18) | These PRSU amounts relate to the unvested portion of the March 15, 2012 PRSU grant, with a performance period that expired December 31, 2014. In February 2015, the Compensation Committee certified that the performance metrics had been met. |
(19) | These PRSU amounts relate to the September 15, 2014 PRSU grant, with a performance period that expires December 31, 2016. |
(20) | These stock options vest in four equal annual installments beginning November 15, 2012. |
(21) | These RSU amounts relate to the unvested portion of the February 28, 2014 RSU grant. These RSUs vest 33% on the second and third anniversary and 34% on the fourth anniversary of the February 28, 2014 grant date. |
Discovery Appreciation Plan
Generally. The Discovery Appreciation Plan, or DAP, is a long-term incentive plan that was, before we became a public company, designed to permit our employees to participate in increases in the market value of the Series A common stock of Discoverys predecessor, DHC. These awards consisted of a number of units which represented an equivalent number of shares of DHC Series A common stock and a base price which was determined based on 110% of the average of the closing stock prices of the DHC Series A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market over the ten trading days immediately preceding and including the grant date and the ten trading days immediately following the grant date. Each award vested as to 25% of the units on each of the four anniversaries of the date of grant.
The 110% premium was designed to reflect the assessment of the negative impact on the DHC trading price as a result of the corporate structure that DHCs results did not reflect 100% of Discoverys performance. The DAP was amended to eliminate the 110% premium for DAP awards after we became a public company and the DAP began to track the value of our Series A common stock. After we became a public company, we began making awards under the 2013 Stock Plan and no new DAP awards were made to NEOs, except that we continued to make DAP awards to Mr. Zaslav pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement through January 2011. We entered into an amendment to Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement in December 2011 under which Mr. Zaslav received grants of cash-settled stock appreciation rights awards (CS-SARs) under the 2005 Stock Plan and no longer received DAP awards. Accordingly, since January 2011, we have not made any new awards under the DAP. Messrs. Campbell and Zaslav and Ms. Alpert Romm previously received DAP awards, which have fully vested and been paid out. Messrs. Perrette and Warren never received DAP awards. Mr. Zaslavs last DAP award payout was in January 2015.
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Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2015
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2) |
||||||||||||
David M. Zaslav |
||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
1,473,539 | (3) | 12,426,642 | 552,770 | (5) | 17,342,421 | ||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
1,473,539 | (4) | 12,210,522 | 552,770 | (5) | 16,846,450 | ||||||||||
Andrew Warren |
||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
| | 6,508 | (6) | 215,024 | |||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
| | 6,508 | (6) | 207,084 | |||||||||||
Bruce L. Campbell |
||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
| | 11,511 | (7) | 372,315 | |||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
| | 11,511 | (7) | 359,138 | |||||||||||
Jean-Briac Perrette |
||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
| | 2,087 | (8) | 66,846 | |||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
| | 2,087 | (8) | 64,634 | |||||||||||
Adria Alpert Romm |
||||||||||||||||
Series A Common Stock |
| | 5,419 | (9) | 172,132 | |||||||||||
Series C Common Stock |
| | 5,419 | (9) | 165,411 |
(1) | Represents cash actually received with respect to DAP and CS-SAR units and the spread from stock option exercises listed in the corresponding column of the table. |
(2) | Represents the value realized upon RSU and PRSU vestings listed in the corresponding column of the table, using the closing market value of the shares on the vesting date. |
(3) | Represents the vesting and automatic exercise of (i) 581,711 units of Mr. Zaslavs January 2, 2011 DAP grant for $7,138,175, (ii) 429,588 units of the January 2, 2012 CS-SAR grant for $5,243,121, and (iii) 462,240 units of the January 2, 2013 CS-SAR grant for $45,345. |
(4) | Represents the vesting and automatic exercise of (i) 581,711 units of Mr. Zaslavs January 2, 2011 DAP grant for $6,985,767, (ii) 429,588 units of the January 2, 2012 CS-SAR grant for $5,131,428, and (iii) 462,240 units of the January 2, 2013 CS-SAR grant for $93,326. |
(5) | Represents the aggregate vesting of Mr. Zaslavs March 15, 2010, March 16, 2011, March 15, 2012, and February 28, 2014 PRSUs. |
(6) | Represents the aggregate vesting of Mr. Warrens April 12, 2012 RSU. |
(7) | Represents the aggregate vesting of Mr. Campbells March 16, 2011 and March 15, 2012 PRSUs. |
(8) | Represents the aggregate vesting of Mr. Perrettes March 15, 2012 PRSU. |
(9) | Represents the aggregate vesting of Ms. Alpert Romms March 16, 2011 and March 15, 2012 PRSUs and October 17, 2011 RSU. |
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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation(1)
Name |
Executive Contributions in last fiscal year ($) |
Registrant Contributions in last fiscal year ($)(2) |
Aggregate Earnings in last fiscal year ($) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
Aggregate Balance at 12/31/15 ($) |
|||||||||||||||
David M. Zaslav |
| 33,075 | 159,468 | | 52,484,072 | |||||||||||||||
Andrew Warren |
305,048 | (3) | 33,075 | 3,799 | | 880,225 | ||||||||||||||
Bruce L. Campbell |
683,029 | (4) | 33,075 | (15,142 | ) | | 2,766,665 | |||||||||||||
Jean-Briac Perrette |
904,250 | (5) | | 128,054 | | 2,272,115 | ||||||||||||||
Adria Alpert Romm |
377,567 | (5) | 24,123 | 12,443 | | 3,053,836 |
(1) | This table provides information with respect to the SRP for senior employees. For more information regarding the SRP, please see Compensation Discussion and AnalysisRetirement Benefits above. |
(2) | These amounts are reported under All Other Compensation for 2015 in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(3) | This amount is reported under Salary for 2015 in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(4) | This amount includes $389,423, which relates to Salary that is reported under Salary for 2015 in the Summary Compensation Table and $293,606, which relates to deferral of a portion of his ICP paid in 2015 for 2014 performance that was reported under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation in 2014. |
(5) | These amounts relate to deferral of a portion of the executives ICP paid in 2015 for 2014 performance that was reported under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation in 2014. |
Executive Compensation Arrangements
Zaslav Employment Agreement
We have an employment agreement with David Zaslav, our President and Chief Executive Officer. We entered into the original agreement for a term of five years when Mr. Zaslav commenced employment with us in 2007. We amended the original employment agreement in 2009 and 2011, including extending the term of the employment agreement through February 1, 2015. On January 2, 2014, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Zaslav, which replaced his prior employment agreement, as amended, with a term commencing January 2, 2014 and continuing through December 31, 2019 (the 2014 Zaslav Agreement).
Under the terms of the 2014 Zaslav Agreement, Mr. Zaslav was entitled to and did receive a salary of $3,000,000 in 2015. Mr. Zaslavs base salary remains $3,000,000 per annum for the duration of the agreement. Mr. Zaslavs target annual bonus under the agreement for 2015 was $7,200,000. The target annual bonus increases by $600,000 each year until 2018. For 2018 and 2019, Mr. Zaslavs target annual bonus will be $9,000,000. There is no guaranteed bonus amount and the actual amount paid to Mr. Zaslav will depend on the achievement of qualitative and quantitative performance objectives, which will be determined each year by the Compensation Committee in consultation with Mr. Zaslav.
Pursuant to the 2014 Zaslav Agreement, Mr. Zaslav was granted 224,845 Sign-On PRSUs with a one-year performance period, and 910,000 PRSUs with a three-year performance period (the 2014 PRSUs). These awards were required to be, and were, granted within the first 90 days of 2014.
The Sign-On PRSUs were designed to be earned if (and to the extent) Mr. Zaslav met the performance metrics for 2014, as determined by the Compensation Committee, provided that as of December 31, 2014 Mr. Zaslav was still employed by the Company or had been terminated other than for Cause or had resigned for Good Reason (as defined in the agreement). In February 2015, the Compensation Committee determined that the performance metrics had been achieved in full and the Sign-On PRSUs vested at 100%. Mr. Zaslav
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elected to defer receipt of 90% of the shares. The Sign-On PRSUs were paid out in shares 5% in 2015 and 2.5% in 2016. The balance will be paid out 2.5% in 2017 and 90% in 2018 (as soon as practicable after the beginning of each such year).
The 2014 PRSUs will be earned if (and to the extent) Mr. Zaslav meets the cumulative performance metrics for 2014, 2015, and 2016, as determined by the Compensation Committee, provided that as of December 31, 2016 Mr. Zaslav is still employed by the Company or has been terminated other than for Cause or has resigned for Good Reason (each as defined in the agreement). The 2014 PRSUs will be earned at 100% if the performance metrics have been achieved in full and, for performance between 80% and 100%, the amount of the Sign-On PRSUs earned will be prorated from 0% to 100%, consistent with the proration applied to PRSUs of the Companys other senior executives. The 2014 PRSUs, to the extent earned, will be paid out in shares 50% in 2017 and 25% in each of 2018 and 2019 (as soon as practicable after the beginning of each such year), unless Mr. Zaslav has elected to defer the receipt of the shares.
Under the terms of the 2014 Zaslav Agreement, Mr. Zaslav also is entitled to PRSU awards every year from 2015 to 2018, conditioned on his employment on the grant date of each award of PRSUs. In 2015, he received 179,876 PRSUs of the Companys Series A common stock and, because of the adjustments approved by the Compensation Committee as a result of the 2014 Share Dividend, he also received 179,876 PRSUs of the Companys Series C common stock. The PRSUs in each grant from 2016 to 2018 will be determined by dividing $15 million by the closing price of the Companys Series A common stock on the trading date prior to grant. The PRSUs granted in 2016 and 2017 will be earned based on the achievement of performance metrics measured over a three-year performance period and the PRSUs granted in 2015 and 2018 will be earned based on the achievement of performance metrics measured over a two-year performance period. The Compensation Committee will set the performance metrics for each two- or three-year performance period at the time of grant in consultation with Mr. Zaslav. The PRSUs will be paid as follows: 50% shall be paid in the calendar year immediately following the last calendar year of the applicable two- or three-year performance period, as soon as practicable following the Compensation Committees determination of performance for such performance period, and the remaining 50% shall be paid one-half as soon as practicable after the beginning of the second calendar year following the last calendar year of the applicable performance period and one-half as soon as practicable after the beginning of the third calendar year following the last calendar year of the applicable performance period.
Mr. Zaslav may elect to defer receipt of the shares issuable pursuant to his PRSUs (including his Sign-On PRSUs and the 2014 PRSUs), consistent with the deferral terms authorized by the Company. Mr. Zaslav has agreed to defer and/or hold at least 60% of the shares issued in settlement of the PRSUs awarded under the 2014 Zaslav Agreement until 2020 or beyond, unless there is an earlier Separation From Service (as defined in the agreement) or Change in Control (as defined in the agreement).
Under the 2014 Zaslav Agreement, Mr. Zaslav will no longer receive replenishment grants of CS-SARs upon the maturity of any DAP or CS-SAR awards made to Mr. Zaslav prior to the execution of the 2014 Zaslav Agreement. Mr. Zaslav will receive grants of Special SARs under the 2013 Stock Plan, as described below. The Special SARs will vest in four equal annual installments. Under the 2014 Zaslav Agreement, the Special SARs were designed to be paid out 25% in Series A common stock and 75% in cash, automatically after vesting. Based on the adjustments approved by the Compensation Committee as a result of the 2014 Share Dividend approved by the Board in 2014, the Special SARs will be paid out 25% in Series A and Series C common stock, and the remaining 75% in cash, automatically after vesting. The base price of the Special SARs will be based on the average closing stock price of our Series A (for the Series A Special SARs) and Series C (for the Series C Special SARs) common stock over the ten trading days before and including the grant date and the ten trading days after the grant date; the payout on maturity will be determined using a similar average of the closing stock prices around the applicable vesting date. Mr. Zaslav received his first grant of 3,702,660 Special SARs on January 2, 2014 (as subsequently adjusted by the Compensation Committee to address the 2014 Share Dividend), and will receive subsequent Special SAR replenishment grants upon the payment of Special SARs in connection with
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scheduled payment dates until the final replenishment grant in 2018, provided Mr. Zaslav remains a full-time employee of the Company. Mr. Zaslav will, within 18 months of the date the cash-settled portion of a Special SAR is paid, use 35% of the net after-tax proceeds therefrom to invest in the Companys stock. Mr. Zaslav will also use reasonable efforts to hold the shares so acquired plus the net shares he receives from the stock-settled portion of the Special SARs for the term of his employment, provided that he may liquidate his holdings to finance a transaction that would result in a net increase in his exposure to the Companys equity. If Mr. Zaslavs employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason, all of the Special SARs, as well as CS-SARs granted prior to the 2014 Zaslav Agreement, will become fully vested and payable in accordance with the terms of the agreement and the applicable awards.
Consistent with the 2014 Zaslav Agreement, the Company made a discretionary contribution to its SRP in the amount of $1.5 million in January 2014, which was made without regard to whether Mr. Zaslav was employed on the contribution date. Mr. Zaslav had the right to elect the distribution timing and method of payment of such amounts in accordance with the terms of the plan and applicable law.
Mr. Zaslav is eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans and arrangements sponsored by the Company for the benefit of its senior executive group, including insurance plans. Mr. Zaslav is entitled to four weeks of vacation each year. Mr. Zaslav receives a car allowance of $1,400 per month and is entitled to use the Companys aircraft for up to 200 hours of personal use per year. The Company shall pay for the first 100 hours of personal use and Mr. Zaslav shall reimburse the Company for personal use in excess of 100 hours, in accordance with the Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement between Mr. Zaslav and Discovery Communications, LLC entered into in connection with the 2014 Zaslav Agreement (the Time Sharing Agreement). Under the Time Sharing Agreement, the reimbursement rate is two times the actual fuel cost for the airplane, in accordance with FAA-permitted reimbursement methods. Under the Agreement, if the Company requests that a family member or guest accompany Mr. Zaslav on a business trip, such use shall not be considered personal use, and to the extent the Company imputes income to Mr. Zaslav for such family member or guest travel, the Company may, consistent with company policy, pay Mr. Zaslav a lump sum gross-up payment sufficient to make Mr. Zaslav whole for the amount of federal, state and local income and payroll taxes due on such imputed income as well as the federal, state and local income and payroll taxes with respect to such gross-up payment.
Under the 2014 Zaslav Agreement, if Mr. Zaslavs employment is terminated as a result of his death or disability (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Zaslav or his heirs, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive: (i) Mr. Zaslavs accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination; plus (ii) any annual bonus for a completed year that was earned but not paid as of the date of termination; plus (iii) any accrued but unused vacation leave pay as of the date of termination; plus (iv) any accrued vested benefits under the Companys employee welfare and tax-qualified retirement plans, in accordance with the terms of those plans; plus (v) reimbursement of any business expenses (Accrued Benefits). In addition, (x) the Company shall pay Mr. Zaslav or his heirs, as applicable, an amount equal to a fraction of the annual bonus Mr. Zaslav would have received for the calendar year of his death, where the numerator of the fraction is the number of calendar days Mr. Zaslav was actively employed during the calendar year and the denominator of the fraction is 365, which amount shall be payable at the time the Company normally pays the annual bonus; and (y) Mr. Zaslavs family may elect to (1) continue to receive coverage under the Companys group health benefits plan to the extent permitted by, and under the terms of, such plan and to the extent such benefits continue to be provided to the survivors of Company executives at Mr. Zaslavs level in the Company generally, or (2) receive COBRA continuation of the group health benefits. Mr. Zaslav would be deemed to have a disability if he became unable to perform substantially all of his duties under the agreement in the normal and regular manner due to physical or mental illness or injury and remains unable to do so for 150 days or more during the 12 consecutive months then ending.
In the event of termination due to death or disability, the outstanding CS-SARs and Special SARs shall vest and be paid out pursuant to the terms of their award agreements, valued as of the date of death or termination. If Mr. Zaslav dies or separates due to disability during the term of the agreement and prior to the last day of the
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performance period for any tranche of PRSUs, then Mr. Zaslav shall be entitled to a pro rata portion of such tranche of PRSUs, based upon actual performance through the date of termination, provided that the maximum number of PRSUs in each tranche which may be earned is limited to (A) one divided by the number of years in the tranches performance period, multiplied by (B) the number of full or partial years completed for the performance period. If Mr. Zaslav dies prior to the grant date (within the first 90 days of the applicable performance period before the performance metrics for such performance period have been established) then there will be no grant of such tranche (and no prorated vesting for such tranche).
If Mr. Zaslav is terminated for Cause or resigns (other than for Good Reason or within the 30 days following the first anniversary of a Change in Control), he shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Benefits and all other benefits or payments due or owing Mr. Zaslav shall be forfeited. Cause means (i) willful malfeasance by Mr. Zaslav in connection with his employment, including embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, property or corporate opportunity or material breach of the agreement, as determined by the Board after investigation, notice to Mr. Zaslav of the charge and provision to Mr. Zaslav of an opportunity to respond; (ii) if Mr. Zaslav commits any act or becomes involved in any situation or occurrence involving moral turpitude, which is materially damaging to the business or reputation of the Company; (iii) if Mr. Zaslav is convicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, fails to defend against, or is indicted for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; or (iv) if Mr. Zaslav repeatedly or continuously refuses to perform his duties under the agreement or to follow the lawful directions of the Board (provided such directions do not include meeting any specific financial performance metrics).
If Mr. Zaslavs employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, or if Mr. Zaslav terminates his employment for Good Reason, Mr. Zaslav shall be entitled to receive: (i) the Accrued Benefits; plus (ii) an amount equal to a fraction of the annual bonus Mr. Zaslav would have received for the calendar year of the termination (subject to the applicable performance metrics); (iii) an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of the average annual base salary Mr. Zaslav was earning in the calendar year of the termination and the immediately preceding calendar year, multiplied by the applicable number of months in the Severance Period (as defined below), which amount shall be paid in substantially equal payments over the course of the Severance Period in accordance with the Companys normal payroll practices during such period; plus (iv) an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of the average annual bonus paid to Mr. Zaslav for the immediately preceding two years, multiplied by the number of months in the Severance Period, which amount shall be paid in substantially equal payments over the course of the Severance Period in accordance with the Companys normal payroll practices during such period; plus (v) accelerated vesting and payment of Mr. Zaslavs granted but unvested CS-SARs and Special SARs, with one-half valued as of the date of termination or resignation and the remaining half valued as of the remaining applicable scheduled payment dates; plus (vi) Mr. Zaslav and his dependents may elect to (1) continue to receive coverage under the Companys group health benefits plan to the extent permitted by, and under the terms of, such plan and to the extent such benefits continue to be provided to the former executives of the Company generally, or (2) receive COBRA continuation of the group health benefits previously provided to Mr. Zaslav and his family. The Severance Period shall be a period of 24 months commencing on the termination of Mr. Zaslavs employment.
If Mr. Zaslavs employment is terminated by Mr. Zaslav for Good Reason or by the Company other than for Cause, Mr. Zaslav shall continue to earn each of the outstanding PRSUs, if and to the extent the performance metrics are satisfied during the applicable performance period, based upon actual performance through the end of the applicable performance period, as certified by the Compensation Committee, as if Mr. Zaslavs employment had not terminated. If such termination is prior to the grant date for a tranche, then there will be no grant of such tranche (and no PRSUs for such tranche may be earned), provided further that if such termination is prior to the grant date for: (i) the 2016 tranche of PRSUs, which were required to be made within the first 90 days of 2016, then the Company shall pay Mr. Zaslav as additional severance benefits $45,000,000, to be paid to Mr. Zaslav in three equal installments, with each installment paid during the first 90 days of 2016, 2017 and 2018, or (ii) the 2017 tranche of PRSUs (but after the grant date for the 2016 tranche of PRSUs), then the Company shall pay Mr. Zaslav as additional severance benefits $30,000,000, to be paid to Mr. Zaslav in two equal installments, with
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each installment paid during the first 90 days of 2017 and 2018, or (iii) the 2018 tranche of PRSUs (but after the grant date for the 2017 tranche of New PRSUs), then the Company shall pay Mr. Zaslav as additional severance benefits $15,000,000, to be paid to Mr. Zaslav during the first 90 days of 2018 (any such payments subject to the applicable withholding).
If Mr. Zaslavs employment is terminated by Mr. Zaslav for Good Reason or by the Company other than for Cause prior to Mr. Zaslav receiving all of the replenishment awards associated with the 2014 Special SAR award (such awards to be received in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018), such future Special SAR awards will not be issued (Ungranted SARs); however, on each date in the future when Mr. Zaslav would have received a payment in settlement of such Ungranted SAR (had such Ungranted SARs in fact been granted), the Company shall pay to Mr. Zaslav a cash payment equal in amount to the payment Mr. Zaslav would have received had he continued to receive such Ungranted SARs, with such amount payable at the same time as Mr. Zaslav would have received payments under such Ungranted SARs, as if Mr. Zaslavs employment had not terminated (Phantom Equity). In the event the Company does not have any publicly traded stock, or as a result of a Change in Control the publicly traded stock price does not (in the reasonable determination of the Board) accurately reflect the value of the business managed by Mr. Zaslav, then the strike price and appreciated value on exercise of such Phantom Equity shall be determined assuming a 7% annual rate of growth (compounded annually), commencing from the date ten days prior the last business day the Company had publicly traded stock, or the date ten days prior to such Change in Control (as a result of which the Board determined the publicly traded stock price does not accurately reflect the value of the business managed by Mr. Zaslav), as applicable, in each case with such value determined using the average closing price on the ten days preceding and including such date and the ten days following such date.
In the event of the termination of Mr. Zaslavs employment upon the expiration of the 2014 Zaslav Agreement on December 31, 2019, (i) the Company shall pay to Mr. Zaslav the Accrued Benefits defined above; plus (ii) Mr. Zaslav and his dependents may elect to (1) continue to receive coverage under the Companys group health benefits plan to the extent permitted by, and under the terms of, such plan and to the extent such benefits continue to be provided to the former executives of the Company generally, or (2) receive COBRA continuation of the group health benefits previously provided to Mr. Zaslav and his family; plus (iii) the Special SARs pursuant to the terms of their award agreements, valued and paid as of the remaining applicable scheduled payment dates; plus (iv) the Company shall pay to Mr. Zaslav an amount equal to two times the sum of (1) the average annualized base salary Mr. Zaslav was earning in the calendar year of the termination and the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (2) the average of the annual bonus paid to Mr. Zaslav for the immediately preceding two years, which amount shall be paid in substantially equal payments over the course of the 24 months immediately following his separation from service after the expiration of the agreement, in accordance with the Companys normal payroll practices during such period. Mr. Zaslav shall continue to earn each of the outstanding PRSUs, if and to the extent the performance metrics are satisfied during the applicable performance period, based upon actual performance through the end of the applicable performance period, as certified by the Compensation Committee, as if Mr. Zaslavs employment had not terminated. If he remains employed after December 31, 2019 but his employment ends thereafter for a reason other than Cause, death, or disability, he will be treated as continuing in employment for purposes of the payment of the Special SARs.
If Mr. Zaslav remains employed by the Company (or its successor) for 12 months following a Change in Control or is terminated other than for Cause or for Good Reason, then the outstanding PRSUs (for which the performance period has not expired) and the unvested CS-SARs and Special SARs will become fully vested as of the first anniversary of the Change in Control (or earlier date of termination or resignation). In the event Mr. Zaslavs employment is terminated (i) other than for Cause or for Good Reason within 13 months following a Change in Control, or (ii) voluntarily by Mr. Zaslav within the 30 calendar days commencing on the first anniversary of a Change in Control, then Mr. Zaslav shall be treated as if his employment was terminated without Cause or for Good Reason except that the Severance Period shall be the lesser of: (1) 36 months; or (2) the number of full calendar months remaining until the expiration of the term of the agreement; provided that in no event shall the Severance Period be less than 24 months. A Change in Control shall mean (A) the merger,
59
consolidation or reorganization of the Company with any other company (or the issuance by the Company of its voting securities as consideration in a merger, consolidation or reorganization of a subsidiary with any other company) other than such a merger, consolidation or reorganization which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the other entity) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such other entity outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization, provided that either (i) Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (individually and with its affiliates) continues to be entitled to exercise its special class voting rights described in Article IV, Section C 5(c) of the Companys Certificate of Incorporation (as in effect on the date hereof) or the equivalent thereof (the Preferred A Blocking Rights) and Robert Miron or Steven Miron is a member of the surviving companys board (or Steven Newhouse has board observation rights), or (ii) John C. Malone (individually and with his respective affiliates) or his heirs shall beneficially own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 20% of the voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Companys Certificate of Incorporation) of the Company (such that Mr. Malone or his heirs effectively may block any action requiring a supermajority vote under Article VII of Companys Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the date hereof) or the equivalent thereof (the Common B Blocking Rights); (B) the consummation by the Company of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Companys assets, other than any such sale or disposition to an entity for which either (i) Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (individually and with its affiliates) continues to be entitled to exercise its Preferred A Blocking Rights and Robert Miron or Steven Miron is a member of the surviving companys board (or Steven Newhouse has board observation rights) or (ii) Mr. Malone (individually and with his affiliates) or his heirs continues to be entitled to exercise his Common B Blocking Rights; or (C) any sale, transfer or issuance of voting securities of the Company (including any series of related transactions) as a result of which neither Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (individually and with its affiliates) continues to be entitled to exercise its Preferred A Blocking Rights nor Mr. Malone (individually and with his affiliates) or his heirs continues to be entitled to exercise his Common B Blocking Rights. For more information regarding these payments, please see Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control below.
Pursuant to the 2014 Zaslav Agreement, Mr. Zaslav is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including those relating to non-solicitation, non-interference, non-competition and confidentiality, during the term of the agreement and, depending on the circumstances of termination, for a period of up to two years thereafter.
Warren Employment Agreement
We initially employed Andrew Warren, our Chief Financial Officer, under an employment agreement with a term of three years commencing on March 26, 2012 (the Warren 2012 Employment Agreement). The Warren 2012 Employment Agreement provided that it could be renewed by the parties for an additional term. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Warrens initial base salary was $900,000 per annum, with future salary increases reviewed and decided in accordance with our standard practices and procedures. Mr. Warren was eligible to receive an annual performance bonus under the ICP, with his target bonus equal to 100% of his base salary, and to be considered for annual long-term incentive equity awards, again reviewed and decided in accordance with our standard practices and procedures. On September 18, 2014, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Warren, which replaced his prior employment agreement, with a term commencing September 1, 2014 through March 26, 2018 (the Warren 2014 Employment Agreement). The Warren 2014 Employment Agreement increased Mr. Warrens base salary to $1,175,000 and his bonus target to 120% of base salary, both effective September 1, 2014. For 2015, under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Warren was entitled to and did receive total base salary of $1,175,000 and received an annual performance bonus of $1,257,720. Mr. Warren was considered in the normal course for an equity award in the 2015 Annual LTI Review and the Committee approved an award, as discussed in Compensation Discussion and AnalysisLong-Term Incentive Compensation, above.
On February 22, 2016, Mr. Warren notified us that he was resigning from employment and agreed to remain with the Company until December 31, 2016. We amended his employment agreement (the Amendment), to
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reflect the separation from employment with Company as of December 31, 2016. Under the terms of the Amendment, the Company may change the Executives duties and assign him to transition responsibilities as it deems necessary. Pursuant to the terms of the Amendment, Mr. Warrens termination will be classified as a termination without Cause and Mr. Warren will be eligible for severance pay as provided in the Warren 2014 Employment Agreement. For more information regarding these payments, please see Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control below.
Pursuant to the Warren 2014 Employment Agreement, he is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including those relating to non-solicitation, non-interference, non-competition and confidentiality, during the term of his employment and, depending on the circumstances of termination, for a period thereafter.
Campbell Employment Agreement
We initially employed Bruce Campbell, our Chief Development, Distribution and Legal Officer, under an employment agreement commencing on March 13, 2007. We subsequently amended the agreement, and entered into an amended and restated agreement effective August 2, 2010, with a term of four years ending on August 1, 2014 (the Campbell 2010 Employment Agreement). Under the Campbell 2010 Employment Agreement, Mr. Campbell was our Chief Development Officer and General Counsel. On August 8, 2014, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Campbell, which replaced his prior employment agreement, with a term commencing August 1, 2014 through August 1, 2018 (the Campbell 2014 Employment Agreement). Under the Campbell 2014 Employment Agreement, Mr. Campbell added responsibility for our Digital Media division and his title was changed from Chief Development Officer and General Counsel to Chief Development and Digital Officer and General Counsel. The Campbell 2014 Employment Agreement increased Mr. Campbells base salary to $1,500,000 and his bonus target to 130% of base salary, both effective August 1, 2014. On September 24, 2015, we amended the agreement to remove Digital Media and add Domestic Distribution to his portfolio, changing his title from Chief Development and Digital Officer and General Counsel to Chief Development, Distribution and Legal Officer, effective October 5, 2015. For 2015, under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Campbell was entitled to and did receive total base salary of $1,500,000 and received an annual performance bonus of $2,767,765. Mr. Campbell was considered in the normal course for an equity award in the 2015 Annual LTI Review and the Committee approved an award, as discussed in Compensation Discussion and AnalysisLong-Term Incentive Compensation, above.
Under the Campbell 2014 Employment Agreement, he is entitled to severance if we terminate his employment other than for cause or if he resigns for good reason (in each case, as defined in the agreement). The payment of Mr. Campbells severance is conditioned on his execution of a release in our favor. In the event we provide notice to Mr. Campbell that we will not extend his employment for any applicable period, Mr. Campbell is entitled to certain payments. For more information regarding these payments, please see Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control below.
Pursuant to the Campbell 2014 Employment Agreement, he is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including those relating to non-solicitation, non-interference, non-competition and confidentiality, during the term of his employment and, depending on the circumstances of termination, for a period thereafter.
Perrette Employment Agreement
We entered into an employment agreement with Jean-Briac Perrette, President of our Discovery Networks International division, on January 14, 2014, with a term commencing on January 1, 2014 and continuing through December 31, 2016. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Perrette is entitled to receive a base salary of $1 million per annum, with future salary increases to be reviewed and decided in accordance with our standard practices and procedures, and to be considered for annual long-term incentive equity awards, again reviewed and decided in accordance with our standard practices and procedures. Mr. Perrette is eligible to receive an annual performance bonus under the ICP, with his target bonus equal to 110% of his base salary. For 2015, Mr. Perrette was entitled
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to and did receive an annual salary of $1,052,404 and received an annual performance bonus of $2,012,522. Mr. Perrette was considered in the normal course for an equity award in the 2015 Annual LTI Review and the Committee approved an award, as discussed in Compensation Discussion and AnalysisLong-Term Incentive Compensation, above.
Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Perrettes primary work location was changed to our offices in London, United Kingdom. He also was seconded from the Company to Discovery Corporate Services, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary in the United Kingdom. Mr. Perrette continues to be an employee of the Company during the period of secondment. The term of secondment shall end on the earlier of (1) the end of Mr. Perrettes term of employment or (2) his repatriation to the United States. Mr. Perrette is eligible for relocation benefits under our Long-Term International Assignment policy. These benefits are provided in accordance with and subject to the limitations of the policy.
Under Mr. Perrettes employment agreement, he is entitled to severance if we terminate his employment other than for cause or if he resigns for good reason (in each case, as defined in the agreement). The payment of Mr. Perrettes severance is conditioned on his execution of a release in our favor. In the event we provide notice to Mr. Perrette that we will not extend his employment for any applicable period, Mr. Perrette is entitled to certain payments. For more information regarding these payments, please see Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control below.
Pursuant to Mr. Perrettes employment agreement, he is subject to customary restrictive covenants, including those relating to non-solicitation, non-interference, non-competition and confidentiality, during the term of his employment and, depending on the circumstances of termination, for a period thereafter.
Alpert Romm Employment Agreement
We initially employed Adria Alpert Romm, our Chief Human Resources and Global Diversity Officer, under an employment agreement with a term commencing on March 12, 2007. We subsequently amended the agreement, and entered into an amended and restated agreement effective September 30, 2011, with a term ending on June 30, 2015 (the Alpert Romm 2011 Employment Agreement). The Alpert Romm 2011 Employment Agreement provided that it could be renewed by the parties for an additional term, and required that the Company notify Ms. Alpert Romm that we intended to negotiate a renewal on or before January 1, 2014. On February 24, 2014, we entered into a new employment agreement with Ms. Alpert Romm, which replaced her prior employment agreement, with a term commencing March 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017 (the Alpert Romm 2014 Employment Agreement). The Alpert Romm 2014 Employment Agreement increased Ms. Alpert Romms base salary to $750,000 and her bonus target to 80% of base salary, both effective March 1, 2014. For 2015, under the terms of the agreement, Ms. Alpert Romm was entitled to and did receive total base salary of $771,202 and received an annual performance bonus of $830,633. Ms. Alpert Romm was considered in the normal course for an equity award in the 2015 Annual LTI Review and the Committee approved an award, as discussed in Compensation Discussion and AnalysisLong-Term Incentive Compensation, above.
Under Ms. Alpert Romms employment agreement, she is entitled to severance if we terminate her employment other than for cause or if she resigns for good reason (in each case, as defined in the agreement). The payment of Ms. Alpert Romms severance is conditioned on her execution of a release in our favor. In the event we provide notice to Ms. Alpert Romm that we will not extend her employment for any applicable period, Ms. Alpert Romm is entitled to certain payments. For more information regarding these payments, please see Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control below.
Under the terms of the Alpert Romm 2014 Employment Agreement, Ms. Alpert Romm is also entitled to all benefits generally available to our senior executives and is subject to customary covenants as to confidentiality and non-competition.
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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
The following summarizes the potential payments and other benefits required to be made available to the NEOs in connection with a termination of their employment or a change in control. Payments or other benefits under benefit plans and policies that apply equally to all salaried employees participating in such plans, including our life insurance plan, are not included below. Amounts that could be recognized under equity awards that were vested as of December 31, 2015 also are not included below, as the treatment of the vested awards for our NEOs is identical for all employees under the termination scenarios described in this section. Defined terms such as cause, good reason, and change of control used in this section are described under Definitions below. The quantitative examples provided below are premised on:
| the applicable NEO ceasing to be employed by Discovery as of December 31, 2015; |
| for stock option awards, the value shown in the table is calculated on a grant-by-grant basis by multiplying the number of unvested options granted by the difference between the exercise price for such option and the closing price of our respective series of common stock on December 31, 2015, the last trading day of the year; |
| The closing price of our Series A common stock on December 31, 2015 was $26.68; |
| The closing price of our Series C common stock on December 31, 2015 was $25.22; |
| for SAR awards, the value shown in the table is calculated on a grant-by-grant basis by multiplying the number of unvested SAR units granted by the difference between the measurement price and the average price of the respective series of common stock on the ten days preceding and including December 31, 2015, and the ten trading days thereafter; |
| The average price of our Series A common stock on the ten days preceding and including December 31, 2015, and the ten trading days thereafter was $26.38; |
| The average price of our Series C common stock on the ten days preceding and including December 31, 2015, and the ten trading days thereafter was $25.17; |
| for Phantom Equity for Ungranted SARs, we applied an assumed 7% stock price growth rate to: |
| The average price of our Series A common stock on the ten days preceding and including December 31, 2015, and the ten trading days thereafter was $26.38; |
| The average price of our Series C common stock on the ten days preceding and including December 31, 2015, and the ten trading days thereafter was $25.17; |
| each NEO not meeting the definition of retirement in the applicable agreements and plans as of December 31, 2015; |
| all accrued salary at that assumed termination date having previously been paid; and |
| all accrued vacation for 2015 having been used. |
David M. Zaslav
By Discovery Other than for Death, Disability or Cause; By Mr. Zaslav for Good Reason. If Mr. Zaslavs employment is terminated by Discovery other than for death, disability or cause as defined in his employment agreement or by Mr. Zaslav for good reason, Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement entitles him to receive payments for the following:
(1) all accrued and unpaid salary, accrued and unpaid annual bonus for any completed year and accrued and unused vacation, in each case in a lump sum, and other vested benefits under our welfare and benefit plans;
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(2) a prorated portion of Mr. Zaslavs annual bonus, based on the portion of the calendar year during which Mr. Zaslav was employed, payable during the first quarter of the following year, in the ordinary course of our bonus payments and subject to achievement of the applicable performance metric;
(3) an amount equal to one-twelfth the average of Mr. Zaslavs annualized base salary that Mr. Zaslav was earning in the calendar year of the termination and the immediately preceding calendar year, multiplied by the applicable number of months in the severance period, plus one-twelfth of the average of the annual bonus paid to Mr. Zaslav for the immediately preceding two years, multiplied by the number of months in the severance period, as defined below, payable over the course of the severance period consistent with our normal payroll practices;
(4) accelerated vesting and payment for all of his granted but unvested SARs;
(5) accelerated vesting for all of his outstanding PRSU awards, with the amount earned based on achievement of the performance metrics during the applicable performance period and the awards distributed on the normal timing as if Mr. Zaslav remained employed;
(6) if the separation occurs before the grant date to the 2018 award of PRSUs contemplated by the agreement, an additional cash severance benefit. If Mr. Zaslav had separated from the Company on December 31, 2015, the additional cash severance benefit would have been $45 million;
(7) if the separation occurs before all of the replenishment awards of SARs contemplated by the agreement have been made, a cash payment equivalent to the amount Mr. Zaslav would have received had he continued to receive the ungranted SARs contemplated by the agreement, payable at the same time that he would have received the payments under the SARs had Mr. Zaslav not separated employment; and
(8) the payment of COBRA premiums for the continuation of health insurance benefits under our group health plan to Mr. Zaslav and his family until the expiration of the severance period (or the earlier eligibility of such persons for coverage by a subsequent employer of Mr. Zaslav or when COBRA rights otherwise expire).
The severance period applicable to a December 31, 2015 termination was 24 months. Under Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement, the severance period for a termination without cause or termination by Mr. Zaslav for good reason within 12 months following a change in control of Discovery would be the lesser of 36 months or the number of full calendar months remaining in the term of the agreement (which currently extends to December 31, 2019). In addition, Mr. Zaslav has the right to reduce his severance period to 12 months in all events in exchange for a reduction in the period of his non-competition covenant to one year from termination.
By Reason of Death or Disability. Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement provides for the payment of the following amounts upon termination of his employment by reason of his death or disability:
(1) all accrued and unpaid salary, accrued and unpaid annual bonus for any completed year and accrued and unused vacation, in each case in a lump sum, and other vested benefits under our welfare and benefit plans;
(2) a prorated portion of Mr. Zaslavs then-current annual bonus, based on the portion of the calendar year during which Mr. Zaslav was employed by us, payable during the first quarter of the following year, in the ordinary course of our bonus payments;
(3) payment for his SAR awards, in a lump sum, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans (which provide for acceleration of vesting in such event);
(4) accelerated vesting of his PRSU awards, prorated based on the number of full or partial years completed for the applicable performance period; and
(5) the payment of COBRA premiums for the continuation of health insurance benefits under our group health plan to Mr. Zaslav, if applicable, and his family for so long as they remain eligible to receive COBRA benefits.
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As a condition of receiving the severance benefits described above (other than in the event of his death), Mr. Zaslav would be required to sign a general release in our favor.
By Discovery for Cause; By Mr. Zaslav Other than for Good Reason. If Mr. Zaslavs employment is terminated by us for cause or by Mr. Zaslav other than for good reason (in each case, as defined in his employment agreement), his employment agreement entitles him to receive all accrued and unpaid salary, accrued and unpaid annual bonus for any completed year and accrued and unused vacation, in each case in a lump sum, and other vested benefits under our welfare and benefit plans. If such termination was effected by us for cause, or by Mr. Zaslav other than for good reason, Mr. Zaslav forfeits all rights under his SAR, and PRSU awards (regardless of whether all or any portion of the award is then vested or unvested).
The following table summarizes the potential benefits that would be paid to Mr. Zaslav had termination of his employment occurred under any of the circumstances described above as of December 31, 2015:
Benefits and Payments |
Voluntary Termination or Involuntary Termination for Cause ($) |
Death ($) |
Disability ($) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause ($) |
Voluntary for Good Reason ($) |
Voluntary Within 30 Days after First Anniversary of Change in Control ($) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause or Voluntary Termination for Good Reason Following a Change in Control ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Base Salary |
0 | 0 | 0 | 6,000,000 | 6,000,000 | 9,000,000 | 9,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Bonus |
7,200,000 | 7,200,000 | 7,200,000 | 19,081,359 | 19,081,359 | 25,022,039 | 25,022,039 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CS-SARs |
0 | 4,402,428 | 4,402,428 | 4,402,428 | 4,402,428 | 0 | 4,402,428 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Special SARs |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Phantom Equity for Ungranted SARS |
0 | 0 | 0 | 21,094,305 | 21,094,305 | 21,094,305 | 21,094,305 | |||||||||||||||||||||
PRSU |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sign-On PRSU |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2014 PRSU |
0 | 31,486,000 | 31,486,000 | 47,229,000 | 47,229,000 | 47,229,000 | 47,229,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2015 PRSU |
0 | 4,667,782 | 4,667,782 | 9,335,564 | 9,335,564 | 9,335,564 | 9,335,564 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Payment for Ungranted PRSUs |
0 | 0 | 0 | 45,000,000 | 45,000,000 | 45,000,000 | 45,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Benefits: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COBRA premiums |
0 | 36,528 | 73,056 | 36,528 | 36,528 | 36,528 | 36,528 |
Andrew Warren
By Discovery Other than for Death, Disability or Cause; By Mr. Warren for Good Reason. If Mr. Warrens employment is terminated by us other than for death, disability or cause as defined in his employment agreement, including termination by reason of our non-renewal of his employment agreement, or by Mr. Warren for good reason, Mr. Warrens employment agreement entitles him to receive payments for the following:
(1) current salary for the longest of the balance of the term of the employment agreement, one year, or the length of time for which Mr. Warren would otherwise be eligible to receive severance payments under the Companys severance plan then in effect; and
(2) the prorated portion of Mr. Warrens bonus under the Companys bonus or incentive plan for the year in which the termination occurs (subject to achievement of the applicable performance metrics), and an additional bonus amount equal to his unprorated annual bonus, at target.
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Mr. Warrens employment term under the Warren 2014 Employment Agreement originally was scheduled to end on March 26, 2018. As noted above in Executive Compensation ArrangementsWarren Employment Agreement, we amended Mr. Warrens employment agreement to reflect his separation from employment effective December 31, 2016. Under the terms of the agreement as amended, Mr. Warren is entitled to severance benefits as if his employment were terminated without Cause.
As a condition to receiving the severance payments described above, Mr. Warren is required to sign a general release and comply with the restrictive covenants in his employment agreement.
By Discovery for Cause; By Mr. Warren Other than for Good Reason. If Mr. Warrens employment is terminated by us for cause or by Mr. Warren other than for good reason (including retirement) (in each case, as defined in his employment agreement), his employment agreement entitles him to receive only those amounts or benefits that have been earned or vested at the time of the termination in accordance with our applicable plans and programs. This generally would include accrued and unpaid salary and accrued and unused vacation, in each case in a lump sum, and any other vested benefits under our welfare and benefit plans.
By Reason of Death or Disability. Mr. Warrens employment agreement provides for the payment of the following amounts upon termination of his employment by reason of his death or disability:
(1) any amounts payable in accordance with the Companys applicable benefits program, which generally would include accrued and unpaid salary, any accrued and unused vacation, unreimbursed expenses and other vested benefits under the Companys welfare and benefit plans; and
(2) in the event of termination for disability, continued coverage under our medical or disability plans to the extent permitted by the plans and to the extent such benefits continue to be provided to the Companys executives generally, until Mr. Warren is no longer disabled or reaches age 65, whichever occurs first.
The following table summarizes the potential benefits that would be paid to Mr. Warren had termination of his employment occurred under any of the circumstances described above as of December 31, 2015:
Benefits and Payments Upon Termination |
Voluntary Termination ($) |
Death ($) |
Disability ($) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause ($) |
Voluntary Termination for Good Reason ($) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause or Voluntary Termination for Good Reason Following a Change in Control ($) |
Involuntary Termination for Cause ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Base Salary |
(587,500 | ) | 0 | 0 | 2,643,750 | 2,643,750 | 2,643,750 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bonus |
1,410,000 | 1,410,000 | 1,410,000 | 2,820,000 | 2,820,000 | 2,820,000 | 1,410,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Options |
0 | 9,299 | 9,299 | 9,299 | 0 | 9,299 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RSU |
0 | 347,990 | 347,990 | 0 | 0 | 347,990 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
PRSU |
0 | 283,063 | 283,063 | 283,063 | 0 | 3,819,273 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Benefits: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COBRA premiums |
0 | 0 | 35,083 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Bruce L. Campbell
By Discovery Other than for Death, Disability or Cause; By Mr. Campbell for Good Reason. If Mr. Campbells employment is terminated by us other than for death, disability or cause as defined in his employment agreement, including termination by reason of our non-renewal of his employment agreement, or by Mr. Campbell for good reason, Mr. Campbells employment agreement entitles him to receive payments for the following:
(1) all accrued and unpaid salary, accrued and unused vacation, and other vested benefits under our welfare and benefit plans;
(2) current salary for the longest of the balance of the term of the employment agreement, one year, or the length of time for which Mr. Campbell would otherwise be eligible to receive severance payments under the Companys severance plan then in effect;
(3) payment of Mr. Campbells full, unprorated bonus under the Companys bonus or incentive plan for the year in which the termination occurs, payable the following year, in the ordinary course of our bonus payments; and
(4) reimbursement for up to 18 months of continued health coverage under COBRA should he be eligible for and elect COBRA benefits, provided that if the severance period is longer than 18 months, Mr. Campbell would be eligible to receive at the end of the 18 month period an amount equal to the then-current COBRA premium for the number of months remaining in the severance period.
The term of his employment agreement ends August 1, 2018, and may be renewed by the parties for an additional term. If the Company does not elect to negotiate to renew the agreement, Mr. Campbell would be entitled to the severance benefits described above at the end of his original employment term. Further, if the Company offers to renew the agreement, but the parties are unable to agree on final terms, and Mr. Campbell terminates his employment at the end of his employment terms, Mr. Campbell will be eligible for a noncompetition payment consisting of an amount equal to 50% of his annual base salary for one year following the conclusion of his employment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Mr. Campbells employment is terminated by us not for cause, if we have a standard severance policy at the time of termination which would provide Mr. Campbell with a higher sum than these arrangements, Mr. Campbell will be entitled to such higher sum.
As a condition to receiving the severance payments described above, Mr. Campbell would be required to sign a general release and, if such termination occurs during the original employment term, comply with the restrictive covenants in his employment agreement.
By Discovery for Cause; By Mr. Campbell Other than for Good Reason. If Mr. Campbells employment is terminated by us for cause or by Mr. Campbell other than for good reason (including retirement) (in each case, as defined in his employment agreement), his employment agreement entitles him to receive only those amounts or benefits that have been earned or vested at the time of the termination in accordance with our applicable plans and programs. This generally would include accrued and unpaid salary and accrued and unused vacation, in each case in a lump sum, and any other vested benefits under our welfare and benefit plans.
By Reason of Death or Disability. Mr. Campbells employment agreement provides for the payment of the following amounts upon termination of his employment by reason of his death or disability:
(1) any amounts payable in accordance with the Companys applicable benefits program, including accrued and unpaid salary, accrued and unused vacation, a prorated portion of Mr. Campbells then-current annual bonus target for the calendar year in which the death or disability occurred, and other vested benefits under the Companys welfare and benefit plans; and
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(2) in the event of termination for disability, continued coverage under our medical or disability plans to the extent permitted by the plans and to the extent such benefits continue to be provided to the Companys executives generally, until Mr. Campbell is no longer disabled or reaches age 65, whichever occurs first, and payment, in a lump sum, of an amount equivalent to the monthly premium for COBRA coverage for the remaining balance of the employment term, should Mr. Campbell be eligible for and elect COBRA benefits.
Upon Discoverys Election Not to Extend Term. If we exercise our option not to extend Mr. Campbells employment beyond the then-current term, Mr. Campbells employment agreement entitles him to receive the severance payments reflected above.
The following table summarizes the potential benefits that would be paid to Mr. Campbell had termination of his employment occurred under any of the circumstances described above as of December 31, 2015:
Benefits and Payments |
Voluntary Termination ($) |
Death ($) |
Disability ($) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause ($) |
Voluntary Termination for Good Reason ($) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause or Voluntary Termination for Good Reason Following a Change in Control ($) |
Involuntary Termination for Cause ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Base Salary |
(750,000 | ) | 0 | 0 | 5,375,000 | 5,375,000 | 5,375,000 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bonus |
1,950,000 | 1,950,000 | 1,950,000 | 1,950,000 | 1,950,000 | 1,950,000 | 1,950,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Options |
0 | 31,700 | 31,700 | 31,700 | 0 | 31,700 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
PRSU |
0 | 677,762 | 677,762 | 677,762 | 0 | 4,148,901 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Benefits: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COBRA premiums |
0 | 0 | 64,938 | 36,528 | 36,528 | 36,528 | 0 |
Jean-Briac Perrette
By Discovery Other than for Death, Disability or Cause; By Mr. Perrette for Good Reason. If Mr. Perrettes employment is terminated by us other than for death, disability or cause as defined in his employment agreement, including termination by reason of our non-renewal of his employment agreement, or by Mr. Perrette for good reason, Mr. Perrettes employment agreement entitles him to receive payments for the following:
(1) current salary for the longest of the balance of the term of the employment agreement, one year, or the length of time for which Mr. Perrette would otherwise be eligible to receive severance payments under the Companys severance plan then in effect;
(2) the prorated portion of Mr. Perrettes bonus under the Companys bonus or incentive plan for the year in which the termination occurs (subject to achievement of the applicable performance metrics); and
(3) reimbursement for up to 18 months of continued health coverage under COBRA should he be eligible for and elect COBRA benefits, provided that if the severance period is longer than 18 months, Mr. Perrette would be eligible to receive at the end of the 18 month period an amount equal to the then-current COBRA premium for the number of months remaining in the severance period.
His employment term ends December 31, 2016, and may be renewed by the parties for an additional term. If the Company does not elect to negotiate to renew the agreement, Mr. Perrette would be entitled to the severance benefits described above at the end of the original employment term. Further, if the Company offers to renew the agreement, but the parties are unable to agree on final terms, and Mr. Perrette terminates his employment at the
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end of his employment terms, Mr. Perrette will be eligible for a noncompetition payment consisting of an amount equal to 50% of his annual base salary for one year following the conclusion of his employment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Mr. Perrettes employment is terminated by us not for cause, if we have a standard severance policy at the time of termination which would provide Mr. Perrette with a higher sum than these arrangements, Mr. Perrette will be entitled to such higher sum.
As a condition to receiving the severance payments described above, Mr. Perrette would be required to sign a general release and, if such termination occurs during the original employment term, comply with the restrictive covenants in his employment agreement.
By Discovery for Cause; By Mr. Perrette Other than for Good Reason. If Mr. Perrettes employment is terminated by us for cause or by Mr. Perrette other than for good reason (including retirement) (in each case, as defined in his employment agreement), his employment agreement entitles him to receive only those amounts or benefits that have been earned or vested at the time of the termination in accordance with our applicable plans and programs. This generally would include accrued and unpaid salary and accrued and unused vacation, in each case in a lump sum, and any other vested benefits under our welfare and benefit plans.
By Reason of Death or Disability. Mr. Perrettes employment agreement provides for the payment of the following amounts upon termination of his employment by reason of his death or disability:
(1) any amounts payable in accordance with the Companys applicable benefits program, including accrued and unpaid salary, accrued and unused vacation, and other vested benefits under the Companys welfare and benefit plans; and
(2) in the event of termination for disability, continued coverage under our medical or disability plans to the extent permitted by the plans and to the extent such benefits continue to be provided to the Companys executives generally, until Mr. Perrette is no longer disabled or reaches age 65, whichever occurs first, and payment, in a lump sum, of an amount equivalent to the monthly premium for COBRA coverage for the remaining balance of the employment term, should Mr. Perrette be eligible for and elect COBRA benefits.
Upon Discoverys Election Not to Extend Term. If we exercise our option not to extend Mr. Perrettes employment beyond the then-current term, Mr. Perrettes employment agreement entitles him to receive the severance payments reflected above.
The following table summarizes the potential benefits that would be paid to Mr. Perrette had termination of his employment occurred under any of the circumstances described above as of December 31, 2015:
Benefits and Payments |
Voluntary Termination ($) |
Death ($) |
Disability ($) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause ($) |
Voluntary Termination for Good Reason ($) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause or Voluntary Termination for Good Reason Following a Change in Control ($) |
Involuntary Termination for Cause ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Base Salary |
(532,500 | ) | 0 | 0 | 1,065,000 | 1,065,000 | 1,065,000 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bonus |
1,171,500 | 1,171,500 | 1,171,500 | 1,171,500 | 1,171,500 | 1,171,500 | 1,171,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Options |
0 | 12,682 | 12,682 | 12,682 | 0 | 12,682 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
PRSU |
0 | 187,982 | 187,982 | 187,982 | 0 | 2,316,838 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Benefits: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COBRA premiums |
0 | 0 | 34,357 | 34,357 | 34,357 | 34,357 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Repatriation |
0 | 69,293 | 69,293 | 69,293 | 69,293 | 69,293 | 0 |
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Adria Alpert Romm
By Discovery Other than for Death, Disability or Cause; By Ms. Alpert Romm for Good Reason. If Ms. Alpert Romms employment is terminated by us other than for death, disability or cause as defined in her employment agreement, including termination by reason of our non-renewal of her employment agreement, or by Ms. Alpert Romm for good reason, Ms. Alpert Romms employment agreement entitles her to receive payments for the following:
(1) current salary for the longest of the balance of the term of the employment agreement, one year, or the length of time for which Ms. Alpert Romm would otherwise be eligible to receive severance payments under the Companys severance plan then in effect; and
(2) payment of Ms. Alpert Romms full, unprorated bonus under the Companys bonus or incentive plan for the year in which the termination occurs, payable the following year, in the ordinary course of our bonus payments; and
(3) reimbursement for continued health coverage under COBRA for the balance of the term of employment should she be eligible for and elect COBRA benefits, provided that if the severance period is greater than the maximum period of COBRA coverage, Ms. Alpert Romm would be eligible to receive at the end of the COBRA continuation period an amount equal to the premium for comparable private coverage for the number of additional months remaining in the term of employment.
Ms. Alpert Romms employment agreement ends December 31, 2017, and may be renewed by the parties for an additional term. If the Company does not elect to negotiate to renew the agreement, Ms. Alpert Romm would be entitled to the severance benefits described above at the end of the original employment term.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Ms. Alpert Romms employment is terminated by us not for cause, if we have a standard severance policy at the time of termination which would provide Ms. Alpert Romm with a higher sum than these arrangements, Ms. Alpert Romm will be entitled to such higher sum.
As a condition to receiving the severance payments described above, Ms. Alpert Romm would be required to sign a general release and, if such termination occurs during the original employment term, comply with the restrictive covenants in her employment agreement.
By Discovery for Cause; By Ms. Alpert Romm Other than for Good Reason. If Ms. Alpert Romms employment is terminated by us for cause or by Ms. Alpert Romm other than for good reason (including retirement) (in each case, as defined in her employment agreement), her employment agreement entitles her to receive only those amounts or benefits that have been earned or vested at the time of the termination in accordance with our applicable plans and programs. This generally would include accrued and unpaid salary and accrued and unused vacation, in each case in a lump sum, and any other vested benefits under our welfare and benefit plans.
By Reason of Death or Disability. Ms. Alpert Romms employment agreement provides for the payment of the following amounts upon termination of her employment by reason of her death or disability:
(1) any amounts payable in accordance with the Companys applicable benefits program, which generally would include accrued and unpaid salary, any accrued and unused vacation, unreimbursed expenses and other vested benefits under the Companys welfare and benefit plans; and
(2) in the event of termination for disability, continued coverage under our medical or disability plans to the extent permitted by the plans and to the extent such benefits continue to be provided to the Companys executives generally, until Ms. Alpert Romm is no longer disabled or reaches age 65, whichever occurs first.
Upon Discoverys Election Not to Extend Term. If we exercise our option not to extend Ms. Alpert Romms employment beyond the then-current term, Ms. Alpert Romms employment agreement entitles her to receive the severance payments reflected above at the end of the employment term.
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The following table summarizes the potential benefits that would be paid to Ms. Alpert Romm had termination of her employment occurred under any of the circumstances described above as of December 31, 2015:
Benefits and Payments Upon Termination |
Voluntary Termination ($) |
Death ($) |
Disability ($) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause ($) |
Voluntary Termination for Good Reason ($) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause or Voluntary Termination for Good Reason Following a Change in Control ($) |
Involuntary Termination for Cause ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Base Salary |
(388,125 | ) | 0 | 0 | 1,552,500 | 1,552,500 | 1,552,500 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bonus |
621,000 | 621,000 | 621,000 | 621,000 | 621,000 | 621,000 | 621,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Options |
0 | 12,682 | 12,682 | 12,682 | 0 | 12,682 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
RSU |
0 | 63,214 | 63,214 | 0 | 0 | 63,214 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
PRSU |
0 | 189,746 | 189,746 | 189,746 | 0 | 752,656 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Benefits: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COBRA premiums |
0 | 0 | 25,158 | 33,544 | 33,544 | 33,544 | 0 |
Defined Terms
The 2005 Stock Plan, the 2013 Stock Plan and the employment agreements with the NEOs include definitions of various terms relevant to determining whether amounts will be paid. Set forth below is a summary of the defined terms referred to in this section.
2005 Stock Plan. All stock option awards to the NEOs made prior to 2013 were made under the 2005 Stock Plan and implementing award agreements. Under each NEOs respective award agreement and our standard form of award agreement, a Change of Control means an Approved Transaction, Control Purchase, or Board Change, each as defined in the 2005 Stock Plan, provided that the transaction actually closes and the qualifying separation from employment occurs within 12 months after the closing date.
Under the 2005 Stock Plan, Approved Transaction means any transaction in which the Board (or, if approval of the Board is not required as a matter of law, the stockholders of the Company) shall approve (i) any consolidation or merger of the Company, or binding share exchange, pursuant to which shares of common stock of the Company would be changed or converted into or exchanged for cash, securities, or other property, other than any such transaction in which the common stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction have the same proportionate ownership of the common stock of, and voting power with respect to, the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction, (ii) any merger, consolidation or binding share exchange to which the Company is a party as a result of which the persons who are common stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto have less than a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company ordinarily (and apart from the rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors immediately following such merger, consolidation or binding share exchange, (iii) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (iv) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company.
Under the 2005 Stock Plan, Board Change means, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board cease for any reason to constitute a majority
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thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.
Under the 2005 Stock Plan, Control Purchase means any transaction (or series of related transactions) in which (i) any person (as such term is defined in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), corporation or other entity (other than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company) shall purchase any common stock of the Company (or securities convertible into common stock of the Company) for cash, securities or any other consideration pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer, without the prior consent of the Board, or (ii) any person (as such term is so defined), corporation or other entity (other than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any exempt person (as defined in the 2005 Stock Plan)) shall become the beneficial owner (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily (and apart from the rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors (calculated as provided in Rule 13d-3(d) under the Exchange Act in the case of rights to acquire the Companys securities), other than in a transaction (or series of related transactions) approved by the Board.
2013 Stock Plan. Under each NEOs respective award agreement for awards made after 2013 and our standard form of award agreement, a Change of Control means an Approved Transaction, Control Purchase, or Board Change, each as defined in the 2013 Stock Plan, provided that the transaction actually closes and the qualifying separation from employment occurs within 12 months after the closing date.
Under the 2013 Stock Plan, Approved Transaction means any transaction in which the Board (or, if approval of the Board is not required as a matter of law, the stockholders of the Company) shall approve (i) any consolidation or merger of the Company, or binding share exchange, pursuant to which shares of Common Stock of the Company would be changed or converted into or exchanged for cash, securities, or other property, other than any such transaction in which the common stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction have the same proportionate ownership of the Common Stock of, and voting power with respect to, the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction, (ii) any merger, consolidation or binding share exchange to which the Company is a party as a result of which the Persons who are common stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto have less than a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company ordinarily (and apart from the rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors immediately following such merger, consolidation or binding share exchange, (iii) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (iv) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company, provided that, with respect to clauses (i) through (iv), the Approved Transaction will not occur until the closing of the event described in such clause.
Under the 2013 Stock Plan, Board Change means, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.
Under the 2013 Stock Plan, Control Purchase means any transaction (or series of related transactions) in which (i) any person (as such term is defined in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), corporation or other entity (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Exempt Person (as defined below)) shall become the beneficial owner (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily (and apart from the rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors (calculated as provided in Rule 13d-3(d) under the Exchange Act in the
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case of rights to acquire the Companys securities), other than in a transaction (or series of related transactions) approved by the Board. For purposes of this definition, Exempt Person means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board, the President and each of the directors of Discovery Holding Company as of the Distribution Date, and (b) the respective family members, estates and heirs of each of the persons referred to in clause (a) above and any trust or other investment vehicle for the primary benefit of any of such persons or their respective family members or heirs. As used with respect to any person, the term family member means the spouse, siblings and lineal descendants of such person.
Incentive Compensation Plan. Under the ICP, cause means any willful or intentional act of misconduct, including, but not limited to, fraud, embezzlement, theft or any other material violation of law that occurs during or in the course of an employees employment, intentional damage to or misuse of Company assets, unauthorized disclosure of confidential information of the Company, or violation of the Code.
Zaslav Employment Agreement. Under the terms of David Zaslavs employment agreement, cause means (i) willful malfeasance by Mr. Zaslav in connection with his employment, including embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, property or corporate opportunity or material breach of his employment agreement, as determined by the Board after investigation, notice to Mr. Zaslav of the charge and provision to him of an opportunity to respond; (ii) if Mr. Zaslav commits any act or becomes involved in any situation or occurrence involving moral turpitude, which is materially damaging to our business or reputation; (iii) if Mr. Zaslav is convicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, fails to defend against, or is indicted for a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; or (iv) if Mr. Zaslav repeatedly or continuously refuses to perform his duties or to follow the direction of the Board.
Under the terms of Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement, good reason means (1) reduction of Mr. Zaslavs base salary; (2) material reduction in the amount of the annual bonus which he is eligible to earn; (3) relocation of his primary office at Discovery to a facility or location that is more than 40 miles away from his primary office location immediately prior to such relocation and is further away from his residence, provided that a relocation to Silver Spring, Maryland shall not constitute good reason; (4) material reduction of his duties; or (5) material breach of his employment agreement. The good reason definition includes a requirement of notice and an opportunity to cure.
Under the terms of Mr. Zaslavs employment agreement, change in control means (A) the merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with any other company (or our issuance by the Company of its voting securities as consideration in a merger, consolidation or reorganization of a subsidiary with any other company) other than such a merger, consolidation or reorganization which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the other entity) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such other entity outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization, provided that either (i) Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (individually and with its affiliates) continues to be entitled to exercise its special class voting rights described in Article IV, Section C 5(c) of the Companys Certificate of Incorporation (as in effect on the date hereof) or the equivalent thereof (the Preferred A Blocking Rights), or (ii) John Malone (individually and with his respective affiliates) or his heirs shall beneficially own more than 20% of the voting power represented by the outstanding Voting Securities (as defined in the Companys Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the date hereof) or the equivalent thereof (the Common B Blocking Rights); (B) the consummation by the Company of a plan of complete liquidation or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Companys assets, other than any such sale or disposition to an entity for which Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (individually and with its affiliates) continues to be entitled to exercise its Preferred A Blocking Rights or Mr. Malone (individually and with his affiliates) or his heirs continues to be entitled to exercise his Common B Blocking Rights; or (C) any sale, transfer or issuance of voting securities of the Company (including any series of related transactions) as a result of which Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (individually and with its affiliates) continues to be entitled to exercise its Preferred A Blocking Rights nor Mr. Malone (individually
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and with his affiliates) or his heirs continues to be entitled to exercise his Common B Blocking Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not accelerate the payment of any deferred compensation (as defined under Section 409A) unless the Change in Control also qualifies as a change in control under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
Warren Employment Agreement. Under the terms of Mr. Warrens employment agreement, cause means: (i) the conviction of, or nolo contendere or guilty plea, to a felony (whether any right to appeal has been or may be exercised); (ii) conduct constituting embezzlement, material misappropriation or fraud, whether or not related to Mr. Warrens employment with the Company; (iii) conduct constituting a financial crime, material act of dishonesty or conduct in violation of Companys Code of Ethics; (iv) improper conduct substantially prejudicial to the Companys business; (v) willful unauthorized disclosure or use of Company confidential information; (vi) material improper destruction of Company property; or (vii) willful misconduct in connection with the performance of Mr. Warrens duties.
Under the terms of Mr. Warrens employment agreement, good reason means the occurrence of any of the following events without Mr. Warrens consent: (a) a material reduction in his duties or responsibilities; or (b) a material change in his work location from the Companys offices in New York City, New York. The good reason definition includes a requirement of notice and an opportunity to cure.
Campbell Employment Agreement. Mr. Campbells employment agreement contains the same definition of cause that is included in Mr. Warrens agreement. Under the terms of Mr. Campbells employment agreement, good reason means the occurrence of any of the following events without Mr. Campbells consent: (a) a material reduction in Mr. Campbells duties or responsibilities; (b) a material change in his work location from the New York, NY metropolitan area; (c) a material breach by us of the agreement; or (d) a change of his reporting relationship to a level below the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, or the Board. The good reason definition includes a requirement of notice and an opportunity to cure.
Perrette Employment Agreement. Mr. Perrettes employment agreement contains the same definition of cause that is included in Mr. Warrens agreement. Under the terms of Mr. Perrettes employment agreement, good reason means the occurrence of any of the following events without Mr. Perrettes consent: (a) a material reduction in Mr. Perrettes duties or responsibilities; (b) a material change in his work location from the London, UK metropolitan area, except that repatriation to the New York, NY metropolitan area at the end of his term of employment; (c) a change of his reporting relationship to a level lower than the Chief Executive Officer of the Company; (d) the Companys failure to appoint Executive as President, Discovery Networks International within 60 days after the effective date; or (e) a material breach of by us of the agreement. The good reason definition includes a requirement of notice and an opportunity to cure.
Alpert Romm Employment Agreement. Ms. Alpert Romms employment agreement contains the same definition of cause that is included in Mr. Warrens agreement. Under the terms of Ms. Alpert Romms employment agreement, good reason means the occurrence of any of the following events without Ms. Alpert Romms consent: (a) a material reduction in Ms. Alpert Romms duties or responsibilities; or (b) a material change in her work location from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area except for relocation New York, New York office. The good reason definition includes a requirement of notice and an opportunity to cure.
Risk Considerations in our Compensation Programs
In view of the current economic and financial environment, the Compensation Committee has reviewed the design and operation of our incentive compensation arrangements. The Compensation Committee has determined that these arrangements do not provide our Companys employees with incentive to engage in business activities or other actions that would threaten the value of our Company or the investment of our stockholders, or that would otherwise be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our Company. The outside consultant to the Compensation Committee, Croner, assisted the Compensation Committee in its risk assessment of our
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executive compensation programs in meetings throughout 2015 and advised the Compensation Committee in reaching this conclusion as to those plans; however, Croner did not participate in the assessment of risk with respect to non-executive compensation arrangements.
Prohibition on Derivative Trading
Our Company prohibits certain derivative transactions in our stock by officers, directors and their families. Specifically, they may not, at any time:
| trade in any public puts, calls, covered calls or other derivative products involving Company securities; or |
| engage in short sales of Company securities. |
Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions
In the ordinary course of business, we were a party during 2015 to certain business transactions with institutions affiliated with members of our Board of Directors. Management believes that the terms and conditions of the transactions were no more and no less favorable to us than the terms of similar transactions with unaffiliated institutions to which we are, or expect to be, a party.
Other than as described above, there were no related party transactions during 2015. The Nominating and Corporate Governance committee has guidelines for evaluating potential related party transactions, which are described the section below.
Policy Governing Related Person Transactions
Our current written policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of related person transactions and other conflict of interest matters are based on our Guidelines and our Code, which applies to all directors, officers and employees of Discovery. Among other things, the Guidelines provide that when a director has an actual or potential conflict of interest, the director should promptly inform the Chief Executive Officer, the General Counsel and the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, or another independent committee of the Board designated by the Board, will resolve any conflict of interest involving a director, the Chief Executive Officer or any other executive officer. No related person transaction may be effected by Discovery without the approval of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or another independent committee designated by the Board.
In evaluating potential related person transactions, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers:
| the nature of the related persons interest in the transaction; |
| the approximate total dollar value of, and extent of the related persons interest in, the transaction; |
| whether the transaction would be undertaken in our ordinary course of business; |
| whether the transaction is proposed to be entered into on terms no less favorable to us than terms that could have been reached with an unrelated third party; and |
| the purpose of, and potential benefits to the Company of, the transaction. |
For purposes of the Guidelines, a related person transaction refers to any transaction which Discovery would be required to disclose pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K.
All transactions that would have required the approval of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee were reviewed and approved by that committee.
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PROPOSAL 3: STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL ON BOARD DIVERSITY
Certain stockholders have advised the Company that they intend to present the proposal set forth below at the 2016 Annual Meeting. The names and addresses of, and the number of shares owned by, each such stockholder will be provided upon written request to the Corporate Secretary.
Resolution
WHEREAS: Discovery Communications does not have any women on its Board of Directors.
Yet, in 2012, Discovery Communications amended its Corporate Governance Guidelines to include a commitment to diversity inclusive of gender, race, and ethnicity in its nomination criteria.
We believe that diversity, inclusive of gender and race, is a critical attribute of a well-functioning board and a measure of sound corporate governance.
Research confirms the strong business case for diversity on corporate boards. For example, the August 2012 Credit-Suisse Research Report Gender Diversity and Corporate Performance links board diversity to better stock market and financial performance (higher return on equity, lower leverage, higher price/book ratios and improved growth prospects). It suggests several explanations for this better performance including a stronger mix of leadership skills, improved understanding of consumer preferences (women control more than two-thirds of U.S. consumer spending), a larger candidate pool from which to pick top talent, and more attention to risk. In 2014, Credit-Suisse updated its research and observed similar results. Additionally, numerous studies suggest a critical mass of at least three women directors strengthens corporate governance.
An October 2014 PwC survey of institutional investors representing more than $11 trillion in assets observed that Nine out of 10 investors believe boards should be revisiting their director diversity policies, and 85% believe doing so will require addressing underlying impediments This is consistent with growing investor engagement with companies on board diversity, as evidenced by state and city pension fundssuch as CalSTRs and pension funds of Connecticut, New York City and New York State.
Investment firms are responding to growing interest from investors by directing capital to higher performing companies. In 2014, U.K. based Barclays launched an exchange-traded note based on an index of companies with female CEOs or directors. In the U.S., Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Pax World Investments offer similar investment vehicles.
Discovery Communications has committed to promoting equal opportunity and diversity within the firm, as evidenced by its comprehensive non-discrimination policy and its corporate inclusion initiatives; and several women hold executive management positions. Yet, the company noticeably lags its peers on board diversity. Scripps Networks Interactive, Yahoo!, and Netflix each have more than two woman directors on their boards. Ninety-two percent of S&P 500 boards include at least one woman; the average is two women directors (2014 ISS Board Practices Study). Furthermore the companys portfolio of brands looks to capture female market share (for example OWN and TLC), however this customer base is not represented at the board level.
RESOLVED: Shareholders request that the Board of Directors prepare a report by September 2016, at reasonable expense and omitting proprietary information, on steps Discovery Communications is taking to foster greater diversity on the Board over time including but not limited to the following:
1. The inclusion of women and minority candidates in every pool from which Board nominees are chosen and our companys plan to advance Board diversity;
2. An assessment of challenges experienced and progress achieved.
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Board of Directors Statement in Opposition
The Board of Directors urges a vote against this shareholder proposal. The Board of Directors and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believe that the Companys current director nomination process allows for identification of the best possible nominees for director, regardless of their gender, racial background, religion or ethnicity. The Board of Directors acknowledges the benefits of diversity throughout the Company. For example, globally, 41% of our executive team is female and 43% of our U.S. executive team is female. Discovery ranks first in percentage of female managers in our industry in the U.S. and second for female executives (Senior Vice President and above) in our industry in the U.S.
We also have strong ethnic minority representation in our employee base, at 37% of our U.S. employee base, as compared to the U.S. industry average of 32%. We are in the 67th percentile for overall percentage of executive-level minorities in the U.S. industry.
The Board of Directors and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seek to obtain qualified director candidates and consider diversity as a factor. The Companys existing nominating process considers the needs of the Company in connection with the current breadth of director skills and attributes, while identifying the most suitable candidates for director based on merit, without regard to gender, race, religion or ethnicity. When evaluating individual nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee would consider a variety of factors, including their range of experience, soundness of judgment, commitment to understand the Company and its industry, and willingness and ability to contribute positively to the decision making process of the Company.
We believe that the reporting obligations expected in this proposal would be distracting and time consuming, without any corresponding benefit to our shareholders.
For the foregoing reasons, the Board of Directors unanimously believes that this proposal is not in the best interests of the Company or our shareholders and recommends that you vote AGAINST Proposal 3.
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PROPOSAL 4: STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL ON LINKING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TO SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE
Certain stockholders have advised the Company that they intend to present the proposal set forth below at the 2016 Annual Meeting. The names and addresses of, and the number of shares owned by, each such stockholder will be provided upon written request to the Corporate Secretary.
Resolution
WHEREAS: A large and diverse group of companies has integrated sustainability metrics into executive pay incentive plans, among them Walt Disney, Unilever, Pepsi, Walmart, Group Danone and Mead Johnson.
Numerous studies suggest companies that integrate environmental, social and governance factors into their business strategy reduce reputational, legal and regulatory risks and improve long-term performance.
According to the largest study of CEOs on sustainability to date (CEO Study on Sustainability 2013, UN Global Compact and Accenture):
| 76 percent believe embedding sustainability into core business will drive revenue growth and new opportunities. |
| 93 percent regard sustainability as key to success. |
| 86 percent believe sustainability should be integrated into compensation discussions, and 67 percent report they already do. |
A 2012 Harvard Business School study concluded that firms that adopted social and environmental policies significantly outperformed counterparts over the long-term, in terms of stock market and accounting performance.
In 2013, the Carbon Disclosure Project and Sustainable Insight Capital Management found companies with industry leading climate change positions exhibited better performance than peers, measured by return on equity, cash flow stability and dividend growth.
The Glass Lewis report Greening the Green 2014: Linking Executive Pay to Sustainability, finds a mounting body of research showing that firms that operate in a more responsible manner may perform better financially . Moreover, these companies were also more likely to tie top executive incentives to sustainability metrics.
A 2012 report by the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and the UN Global Compact found the inclusion of appropriate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues within executive management goals and incentive schemes can be an important factor in the creation and protection of long-term shareholder value.
A 2011 study of 490 global companies found that including sustainability targets in remuneration packages was sufficient to encourage sustainable development.
In 2013, CH2MHill found that firms that set tangible sustainability goals are more likely to tie executive compensation to the achievement of sustainability goals.
Discoverys CEO, David M. Zaslav, received over $156 million in compensation in 2014, higher than any other American CEO that year.
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RESOLVED: Shareholders request the Board Compensation Committee prepare a report assessing the feasibility of integrating sustainability metrics into the performance measures of senior executive under Discovery Communications compensation incentive plans. Sustainability is defined as how environmental and social considerations, and related financial impacts, are integrated into corporate strategy over the long term.
Supporting Statement
Effectively managing for sustainability offers positive opportunities for companies, and we believe should be a key area in which executives should be evaluated.
Linking sustainability metrics to executive compensation could reduce risks related to sustainability underperformance, incent employees to meet sustainability goals and achieve resultant benefits, and increase accountability. Examples of such metrics might include: greenhouse gas emissions measurements and reduction goals, green procurement programs, energy consumption (including renewable energy sources), and progress toward workforce diversity goals.
Board of Directors Statement in Opposition
The Board of Directors urges a vote against this shareholder proposal. The Company recognizes the importance of social and environmental practices. However, the Board believes that adopting the proposal is unnecessary and would not be in the best interests of the Company or our stockholders. As a responsible corporate citizen, we are fully committed to conducting our business operations in an ethical and sustainable manner, and to be a good community partner where we operate. The Company has demonstrated this commitment to sustainability in numerous ways.
| The Companys Global Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland was awarded the Platinum-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) existing building certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Our on-site daycare facility, designed after the building was certified, received Gold Certification for New Construction. |
| Much of our programming focuses on and raises awareness for environmental and social issues. For example, in December 2015 we premiered a documentary, Racing Extinction, which focuses on the issues facing endangered species and mass extinction. In connection with the premiere, Discovery launched #StartWith1Thing, which was a global movement meant to encourage small better-for-the-planet changes in our lives. As part of this initiative, several of our offices around the world have implemented changes including but not limited to: going meatless one day a week, eliminating bottled water, and significantly reducing the use of paper. |
| Our Change the Tide initiative with Oceana sets out to build support for the conservation, preservation and restoration of our planets oceans. |
| On an annual basis, the Company has a company-wide Discover Your Impact day, which is a world-wide/global day dedicated to volunteering and giving back to the community. Globally, our employees choose from a wide variety of volunteer opportunities from animal shelters and zoos, youth and local school systems, community centers and food banks, and environmental stewardship focused on parks, farms, freeways and waterways. |
All of these initiatives are a strong indication of the commitment of our Board and management to sustainable business practices.
While it may be appropriate from time to time to incorporate new performance measures into our executive compensation program, the Board believes that it is most appropriate for the Compensation Committee to determine which specific measures to implement. The committee is in the best position to evaluate changes in our executive compensation program that will promote the Companys goals and create long-term shareholder
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value. The Companys existing executive compensation program, which has a strong pay for performance philosophy, promotes the best interests of our shareholders over time.
Although, the Board agrees that sustainability is important, the Board believes that this shareholder proposal is not in the best interests of our stockholders. Rather, the Board believes that Companys existing executive compensation program promotes the best interest of our stockholders over time.
For the foregoing reasons, the Board of Directors unanimously believes that this proposal is not in the best interests of the Company or our shareholders and recommends that you vote AGAINST Proposal 4.
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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information, as of December 31, 2015, regarding our securities authorized for issuance pursuant to equity compensation plans. Pursuant to these plans, we may issue common stock or stock options, restricted stock, RSUs, PRSUs, SARs, or other rights to acquire shares of our common stock from time to time.
Plan Category |
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a) |
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (b) |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c) |
|||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders: |
||||||||||||
Discovery Communications, Inc. 2013 Incentive Plan: |
||||||||||||
Series A common stock |
7,868,797 | (1)(2) | $ | 35.26 | (3) | 64,536,485 | (4)(5) | |||||
Series B common stock |
| | | |||||||||
Series C common stock |
3,353,047 | (1)(6) | $ | 40.32 | (3) | | ||||||
Discovery Communications, Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective September 16, 2008):(7)(8) |
||||||||||||
Series A common stock |
5,672,333 | (1)(2) | $ | 19.22 | (3) | | ||||||
Series B common stock |
| | | |||||||||
Series C common stock |
5,676,758 | (1)(6) | $ | 18.66 | (3) | | ||||||
Discovery Communications, Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated):(7) |
||||||||||||
Series A common stock |
309,126 | (9) | $ | 22.51 | (10) | 9,227,520 | (4) | |||||
Series B common stock |
| | | |||||||||
Series C common stock |
343,473 | (9) | $ | 18.54 | (10) | | ||||||
Discovery Holding Company Transitional Stock Adjustment Plan (As Assumed by Discovery Communications, Inc.):(7)(8) |
||||||||||||
Series A common stock |
5,582 | $ | 9.73 | | ||||||||
Series B common stock |
| | | |||||||||
Series C common stock |
16,746 | $ | 9.45 | | ||||||||
Discovery Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
||||||||||||
Series A common stock |
| | 9,290,566 | |||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders: |
| | | |||||||||
Total |
23,245,863 | $ | 27.58 | 83,054,571 |
(1) | Includes RSUs and PRSUs. |
(2) | Includes shares of common stock related to SARs that will be net settled through the issuance of our Series A common stock. The number of shares of common stock issued to settle such SARs is determined at the time of exercise based on the amount by which the price of our Series A common stock at the time of exercise exceeds the grant price divided by the price of our Series A common stock at the time of exercise. The number of shares of our Series A common stock was estimated using the closing market price of our Series A common stock on December 31, 2015, which was $26.68. |
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(3) | The determination of the weighted average exercise price of outstanding stock options, warrants and rights excludes RSUs and PRSUs. |
(4) | Each plan permits the issuance of stock options, warrants and rights in addition to other forms of equity-based awards to acquire shares of our Series A common stock, Series B common stock, or Series C common stock, subject to a single aggregate limit per plan. |
(5) | Includes securities reserved for outstanding SARs that will be settled through cash payments. Pursuant to the terms of the plan, such securities are not available for future issuance until such time as the SARs are settled through a cash payment, or otherwise forfeited or cancelled. |
(6) | Includes shares of common stock related to SARs that will be net settled through the issuance of our Series C common stock. The number of shares of common stock issued to settle such SARs is determined at the time of exercise based on the amount by which the price of our Series C common stock at the time of exercise exceeds the grant price divided by the price of our Series C common stock at the time of exercise. The number of shares of our Series C common stock was estimated using the closing market price of our Series C common stock on December 31, 2015, which was $25.22. |
(7) | We assumed this equity compensation plan in connection with the transaction in which we became a public company, which was completed in September 2008 (the Transaction). Because the Transaction provided for the exchange of securities between us and DHC, which is the predecessor entity to the Company, this plan effectively has been approved by our security holders. |
(8) | The Discovery Communications, Inc. 2013 Incentive Plan replaced the Discovery Communications, Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan and Discovery no longer has the ability to make further grants under the 2005 Incentive Plan. Additionally, no further grants are permitted under the Discovery Holding Company Transitional Stock Adjustment Plan. |
(9) | Includes unvested RSUs and vested RSUs as to which settlement has been deferred. |
(10) | The determination of the weighted average exercise price of outstanding stock options, warrants and rights excludes RSUs. |
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP INFORMATION OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT OF DISCOVERY
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners of Discovery
The following table sets forth information, to the extent known by Discovery or ascertainable from public filings, concerning the beneficial ownership of each person or entity, other than certain of Discoverys directors and executive officers whose ownership information follows, who owns more than five percent of the outstanding shares of each class of our common stock and preferred stock as of March 1, 2016.
The percentage ownership is based upon 150,218,037 shares of Discovery Series A common stock, 6,514,584 shares of Discovery Series B common stock, 253,807,111 shares of Discovery Series C common stock outstanding as of March 1, 2016, 71,107,312 shares of Series A preferred stock and 34,855,083 shares of Series C preferred stock outstanding on March 1, 2016.
As the holder of Discovery Series A preferred stock, Advance/Newhouse will be entitled to vote, on an as-converted basis, with the holders of Discovery common stock on matters other than the election of common stock directors. With respect to all matters other than the election of common stock directors, the voting percentages represented by the shares included in the table (other than those beneficially owned by Advance/Newhouse) would be significantly lower because Advance/Newhouse, the holder of the Discovery preferred stock, votes with our stock on all other matters. Conversely, the holders of Discovery common stock do not vote in the election of preferred stock directors.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Title of Class | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class |
Voting Power (%) |
||||||||||
Advance/Newhouse |
Series A common stock | 71,107,312 | (1)(2) | 32.1 | 24.8 | |||||||||
Programming Partnership |
Series C common stock | 141,402,478 | (1)(2) | 35.8 | | |||||||||
5823 Widewaters Parkway |
Series A preferred stock | 71,107,312 | (2) | 100 | 100 | |||||||||
E. Syracuse, NY 13057 |
Series C preferred stock | 34,855,083 | (2) | 100 | | |||||||||
BlackRock Inc. |
Series A common stock | 8,305,739 | (3) | 5.5 | 3.9 | |||||||||
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 |
Series C common stock | 14,983,457 | (4) | 5.9 | | |||||||||
Clearbridge Investments, LLC |
Series A common stock | 18,091,331 | (5) | 12.0 | 8.4 | |||||||||
620 8th Avenue New York, NY 10018 |
||||||||||||||
Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC |
Series A common stock | 9,875,281 | (6) | 6.6 | 4.6 | |||||||||
725 S. Figueroa Street, 39th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
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The Bank of New York Mellon Corp |
Series A common stock | 10,209,507 | (7) | 6.8 | 4.7 | |||||||||
225 Liberty Street New York, NY 10286 |
||||||||||||||
The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
Series A common stock | 12,660,326 | (8) | 8.4 | 5.9 | |||||||||
100 Vanguard Boulevard Malvern, PA 19355 |
Series C common stock | 22,082,351 | (9) | 8.7 | | |||||||||
Vulcan Value Partners, LLC. |
Series C common stock | 18,644,920 | (10) | 7.3 | | |||||||||
Three Protective Center 2801 Highway 280 South, Suite 300 Birmingham, AL 35223 |
(1) | Represents shares of Series A common stock and Series C common stock that would be acquired upon conversion of the shares of Series A preferred stock and Series C preferred stock that are currently outstanding. |
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(2) | Includes 495,281 shares of Series A preferred stock and 521,716 shares of Series C preferred stock that have been deposited into escrow. Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (ANPP) has the right to vote the shares held in escrow. ANPP is owned 65% by Newhouse Programming Holdings Corp., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newhouse Broadcasting Corporation (NBCo) and 35% by Advance Programming Holdings, LLC (APH), which is a general partner with NBCo of ANPP. Advance Publications, Inc. (API), through its interest in APH, holds an indirect interest in ANPP and Newhouse Family Holdings, L.P. (NFH) holds 100% of APIs common shares. NFH disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of our preferred stock held by ANPP and the shares of our common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible. Advance Long-Term Trust Management Trust (Advance Long-Term Trust) is the sole general partner of NFH and also disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of preferred stock and the shares of our common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible. The trustees of the Advance Long-Term Trust are S.I. Newhouse, Jr. and Donald E. Newhouse, each of whom disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of preferred stock held by ANPP and the common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible. As trustees, S.I. Newhouse, Jr. and Donald E. Newhouse must act jointly and cannot independently control the trust. |
(3) | The number of shares is based upon Amendment No. 5 to the Schedule 13G filed February 10, 2016 by BlackRock Inc., a parent holding company, on behalf of the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit A of its filing, none of which beneficially owns five percent or greater of our Series A common stock. BlackRock Inc. is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 8,305,739 shares of our Series A common stock as a result of acting as a parent holding company. |
(4) | The number of shares is based upon Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule 13G filed February 10, 2016 by BlackRock Inc., a parent holding company on behalf of the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit A of its filing, none of which beneficially owns five percent or greater of our Series C common stock. BlackRock Inc. is deemed to be beneficial owner of 14,983,457 shares of our Series C common stock as a result of acting as a parent holding company. |
(5) | The number of shares is based upon Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule 13G filed February 16, 2016 by ClearBridge Investments, LLC (ClearBridge), an investment adviser. ClearBridge is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 18,091,331 shares of our Series A common stock as a result of acting as investment adviser. ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund, an investment company owned by ClearBridge, beneficially owns 8,059,816 of these Series A shares. |
(6) | The number of shares is based upon the Schedule 13G filed February 12, 2016 by Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC (Hotchkis), an investment adviser. Hotchkis is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 9,875,281 shares of Series A common stock as a result of acting as investment adviser. |
(7) | The number of shares is based upon Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule 13G filed February 1, 2016 by The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BNY Mellon), a parent holding company, on behalf of the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit I of its filing, none of which beneficially owns five percent or greater of our Series A common stock. BNY Mellon is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 10,209,507 shares of our Series A common stock as a result of acting as a parent holding company. |
(8) | The number of shares is based upon Amendment No. 5 to the Schedule 13G filed February 11, 2016 by The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), an investment adviser. Vanguard is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 12,660,326 shares of our Series A common stock as a result of acting as investment adviser. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company and Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., both wholly owned subsidiaries of Vanguard, share beneficial ownership of 234,887 and 101,269 of these Series A shares, as a result of serving as investment managers of collective trust accounts and Australian investment offerings, respectively. |
(9) | The number of shares is based upon Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule 13G filed February 11, 2016 by Vanguard. Vanguard is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 22,082,351 shares of our Series C common stock as a result of acting as investment adviser. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company and Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., both wholly owned subsidiaries of Vanguard, share beneficial ownership of |
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407,177 and 189,691 of these Series C shares, as a result of serving as investment managers of collective trust accounts and Australian investment offerings, respectively. |
(10) | The number of shares is based upon Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule 13G filed February 16, 2016 by Vulcan Value Partners, LLC (Vulcan), an investment adviser. Vulcan is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 18,644,920 shares of our Series C common stock as a result of acting as investment adviser. |
Security Ownership of Discovery Management
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership by each of our executive officers and directors and all of such persons as a group of shares of Discovery Series A common stock, Discovery Series B common stock and Discovery Series C common stock.
The percentage ownership is based upon 150,218,037 shares of Series A common stock, 6,514,584 shares of Series B common stock and 253,807,111 shares of Series C common stock outstanding as of March 1, 2016.
Shares of common stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of options, warrants and convertible securities that were exercisable or convertible on or within 60 days of March 1, 2016 are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the options, warrants or convertible securities for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. For purposes of the following presentation, beneficial ownership of shares of Discovery Series B common stock, though convertible on a one-for-one basis into shares of Discovery Series A common stock, is reported as beneficial ownership of Discovery Series B common stock only, and not as beneficial ownership of Discovery Series A common stock, but the voting power of the Discovery Series A and Series B common stock have been aggregated.
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The voting power percentages in the table represent the power of the holders to vote on the election of directors. The holders of Discoverys Series A preferred stock are entitled to vote, on an as-converted basis, with the holders of Discovery common stock on matters other than the election of common stock directors. With respect to matters other than the election of directors, the voting percentages represented by the shares included in the table would therefore be significantly lower. Conversely, the holders of Discovery common stock do not vote in the election of preferred stock directors. The persons indicated below have sole voting power with respect to the shares owned by them, except as otherwise stated in the notes to the table. The address of each person listed below is One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Title of Class of Common Stock |
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class (%) |
Voting Power (%) |
||||||||||
David M. Zaslav |
Series A | 507,798 | * | |||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer, |
Series B | | | * | ||||||||||
President and Director |
Series C | 498,157 | * | |||||||||||
Andrew Warren |
Series A | 162,502 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
Series B | | | * | ||||||||||
Series C | 123,402 | (1) | * | |||||||||||
Bruce L. Campbell |
Series A | 169,251 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Chief Development, Distribution and Legal Officer |
Series B | | | * | ||||||||||
Series C | 130,419 | (1) | * | |||||||||||
Jean-Briac Perrette |
Series A | 99,310 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
President, |
Series B | | | * | ||||||||||
Discovery Networks International |
Series C | 54,755 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Adria Alpert Romm |
Series A | 57,239 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Chief Human Resources and Global Diversity Officer |
Series B | | | * | ||||||||||
Series C | 44,580 | (1) | * | |||||||||||
Robert J. Miron |
Series A | 30,053 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Chairman of the Board and |
Series B | 56 | * | * | ||||||||||
Director |
Series C | 30,577 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
John C. Malone |
Series A | 608,537 | (1)(2)(3) | * | ||||||||||
Director |
Series B | 6,093,490 | (2)(4) | 93.5 | 28.6 | |||||||||
Series C | 13,410,723 | (1)(2)(3) | 5.3 | |||||||||||
S. Decker Anstrom |
Series A | 11,521 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Director |
Series B | | | * | ||||||||||
Series C | 11,521 | (1) | * | |||||||||||
Robert R. Bennett |
Series A | 101,368 | (1)(5) | * | ||||||||||
Director |
Series B | 20 | (5) | * | * | |||||||||
Series C | 217,672 | (1)(5) | * | |||||||||||
Paul A. Gould |
Series A | 195,403 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Director |
Series B | 87,317 | 1.3 | * | ||||||||||
Series C | 476,521 | (1) | * | |||||||||||
M. LaVoy Robison |
Series A | 42,632 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Director |
Series B | | | * | ||||||||||
Series C | 70,564 | (1) | * | |||||||||||
J. David Wargo |
Series A | 47,076 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Director |
Series B | | | * | ||||||||||
Series C | 77,292 | (1) | * | |||||||||||
Robert R. Beck |
Series A | 51,724 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Director |
Series B | 11,258 | * | * | ||||||||||
Series C | 126,880 | (1) | * |
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Name of Beneficial Owner |
Title of Class of Common Stock |
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class (%) |
Voting Power (%) |
||||||||||
Steven A. Miron |
Series A | 35,010 | (1) | * | ||||||||||
Director |
Series B | | | * | ||||||||||
Series C | 35,010 | (1) | * | |||||||||||
All directors and executive |
Series A | 2,183,984 | (1) | 1.4 | ||||||||||
officers as a Group |
Series B | 6,192,141 | 95.1 | 29.7 | ||||||||||
(17 persons) |
Series C | 15,359,104 | (1) | 6.0 |
* | Less than one percent |
(1) | Includes beneficial ownership of shares that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options already vested or exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2016, in the amounts below: |
Series A | Series C | |||||||
Andrew Warren |
149,453 | 112,383 | ||||||
Bruce L. Campbell |
140,152 | 103,082 | ||||||
Jean-Briac Perrette |
95,102 | 51,585 | ||||||
Adria Alpert Romm |
45,977 | 33,889 | ||||||
Robert J. Miron |
23,068 | 23,068 | ||||||
John C. Malone |
23,068 | 23,068 | ||||||
S. Decker Anstrom |
9,123 | 9,123 | ||||||
Robert R. Bennett |
28,650 | 39,814 | ||||||
Paul A. Gould |
35,094 | 59,146 | ||||||
M. LaVoy Robison |
35,094 | 59,146 | ||||||
J. David Wargo |
35,094 | 59,146 | ||||||
Robert R. Beck |
23,068 | 23,068 | ||||||
Steven A. Miron |
23,068 | 23,068 | ||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons) |
718,977 | 660,948 |
(2) | Includes 268,337 shares of Series A common stock, 170,471 shares of Series B common stock and 1,316,424 shares of Series C common stock held by Mr. Malones wife, as to which shares Mr. Malone disclaims beneficial ownership. |
(3) | Includes 316,952 shares of Series A common stock and 12,071,231 shares of Series C common stock which have been pledged in support of one or more lines of credit or margin accounts. |
(4) | On February 13, 2014, Mr. Malone entered into an agreement with Mr. Zaslav granting Mr. Zaslav voting and purchase rights with respect to the 5,923,019 shares of Discovery Series B common stock that Mr. Malone owns, which will be in effect for as long as Mr. Zaslav is employed as the principal executive officer of Discovery or serving on its Board of Directors. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Zaslav will have the right to vote the shares of Discovery Series B common stock, any time Mr. Malone is not personally voting or directing the vote of the Discovery Series B shares. Any proposals regarding the transfer of the Discovery Series B shares will require that Mr. Zaslav be first notified and that exclusive negotiation discussions be entered into to seek agreement on mutually acceptable terms for Mr. Zaslav to purchase the shares. If Mr. Zaslav or an entity he controls does not purchase the shares, Mr. Zaslav will not have any further rights under the agreement or any further rights to purchase the Discovery Series B shares. |
(5) | Includes 54,913 shares of Series A common stock, 20 shares of Series B common stock and 164,799 shares of Series C common stock owned by Hilltop Investments, LLC, which is jointly owned by Mr. Bennett and his wife. |
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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires Discovery executive officers and directors and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of Discovery equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16 forms they file.
Based solely on a review of the copies of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments to those forms furnished to Discovery with respect to its most recent fiscal year, or written representations that no Forms 5 were required, Discovery believes that, during the year ended December 31, 2015, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to Discovery officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with, except for the following filing: on October 16, 2015, a Form 4 relating to a October 13, 2015 employee stock option acquisition by Paul Guagliardo Guyardo was filed late.
We filed our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 with the SEC on February 18, 2016. The Annual Report on Form 10-K, including all exhibits, can also be found on our website: www.discoverycommunications.com and can be downloaded free of charge. Paper copies of the Annual Report on Form 10-K may be obtained without charge, and paper copies of exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10-K are available, but a reasonable fee per page will be charged to the requesting stockholder. Stockholders may make requests in writing to the attention of Investor Relations by mail at Discovery Communications, Inc., One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, by telephone at (240) 662-2000 or by email at investor_relations@discovery.com.
In order to be eligible for inclusion in our proxy materials for our 2017 annual meeting, any stockholder proposal must be submitted in writing to the attention of the Corporate Secretary at Discovery Communications, Inc., One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, by November 30, 2016. Our bylaws require that Discovery be given advance written notice of stockholder nominations for election to our Board of Directors and of other matters which stockholders wish to present for action at an annual meeting of stockholders (other than matters included in Discoverys proxy materials in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act). The Corporate Secretary must receive such notice at the address noted above not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting, provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from such anniversary date, the Corporate Secretary must receive such notice not earlier than the 100th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 70th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made. Assuming that the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held between April 19, 2017 and July 18, 2017 (as it is expected to be), in order to comply with the time periods set forth in Discoverys bylaws, appropriate notice would need to be provided to the Corporate Secretary at the address noted above no earlier than February 18, 2017 and no later than March 20, 2017. If a stockholder fails to provide timely notice of a proposal to be presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxies designated by the Board of Directors of Discovery will have discretionary authority to vote on any such proposal which may come before the meeting.
Discoverys bylaws also specify requirements relating to the content of the notice which stockholders must provide to the Corporate Secretary for any matter, including a stockholder nomination for director, to be properly presented at a stockholder meeting.
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All stockholder proposals for inclusion in our proxy materials will be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted under the Exchange Act and, as with any stockholder proposal (regardless of whether it is included in our proxy materials), our restated charter, our bylaws and Delaware law.
To reduce the expense of delivering duplicate proxy materials to stockholders who may have more than one account holding Discovery stock but sharing the same address, we have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called householding. Under this procedure, certain stockholders of record who have the same address and last name, and who do not participate in electronic delivery of proxy materials, will receive only one copy of our Notice and, as applicable, any additional proxy materials that are delivered until such time as one or more of these stockholders notifies us that they want to receive separate copies. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to have access to and utilize separate proxy voting instructions.
If you receive a single set of proxy materials as a result of householding, and you would like to have separate copies of our Notice, annual report or proxy statement mailed to you, please submit a request to our Corporate Secretary at the address noted above or call our Investor Relations department at (240) 662-2000, and we will promptly send you what you have requested. However, please note that if you want to receive a paper proxy or voting instruction form or other proxy materials for purposes of this years annual meeting, follow the instructions included in the Notice that was sent to you. You can also contact our Investor Relations department at the telephone number above if you received multiple copies of the annual meeting materials and would prefer to receive a single copy in the future, or if you would like to opt out of householding for future mailings.
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SOLICITATION BY THE BOARD; EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
Our Board has sent you this proxy statement. We will pay all expenses in connection with the solicitation of the enclosed proxy. In addition to solicitation by mail, our officers and employees, who will receive no extra compensation for their services, may solicit proxies by telephone, in writing or in person. We will reimburse brokers and nominees who hold shares in their names for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses to furnish proxy materials to the beneficial owners of such shares.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Stephanie D. Marks
Corporate Secretary
March 30, 2016
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DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ONE DISCOVERY PLACE SILVER SPRING, MD 20910 |
VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. |
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: E05425-P72259 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS - | ||||
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. | DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
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DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. | For | Withhold | For All | To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark For All Except and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. | ||||||||||||||||||||
All | All | Except | ||||||||||||||||||||||
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2, AGAINST PROPOSALS 3 AND 4. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vote On Directors | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
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1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
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Nominees: |
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01) Paul A. Gould 02) M. LaVoy Robison |
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Vote On Proposals | For | Against | Abstain | |||||||||||||||||||||
2. Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Discovery Communications, Inc.s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. |
¨ | ¨ | ¨ | |||||||||||||||||||||
3. A stockholder proposal requesting the Board of Directors to report on plans to increase diverse representation on the Board. |
¨ | ¨ | ¨ | |||||||||||||||||||||
4. A stockholder proposal requesting the Compensation Committee to report on the feasibility of integrating sustainability metrics into senior executive performance measures. |
¨ | ¨ | ¨ | |||||||||||||||||||||
5. By the proxy holders, in their discretion, upon such other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. |
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The shares represented by this proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned Stockholder(s). If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR proposals 1 AND 2, and AGAINST proposals 3 AND 4. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in this proxy will vote in their discretion. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please add your title as such. When signing as joint tenants, all parties in the joint tenancy must sign. If a signer is a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by duly authorized officer.
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]
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Date |
Signature (Joint Owners)
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Date
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.
E05426-P72259
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 19, 2016
The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Bruce L. Campbell and Stephanie D. Marks, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorize(s) each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Series A Common Stock or Series B Common Stock of Discovery Communications, Inc. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 19, 2016, at Discoverys offices located at One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Directions to the Annual Meeting are available by contacting us at investor_relations@discovery.com or at 240-662-2000.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO SUCH DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND FOR PROPOSAL 2, AND AGAINST PROPOSALS 3 AND 4.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
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DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ONE DISCOVERY PLACE SILVER SPRING, MD 20910 |
VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. |
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: E05427-P72259 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS - | ||||
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
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DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
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DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. | For | Withhold | For All | To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark For All Except and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. | ||||||||||||||||||||
All | All | Except | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2, AGAINST PROPOSALS 3 AND 4. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Vote On Directors | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
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1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
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Nominees: |
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01) S. Decker Anstrom 02) Robert J. Miron |
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03) Steven A. Miron |
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Vote On Proposals | For | Against | Abstain | |||||||||||||||||||||
2. Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Discovery Communications, Inc.s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. |
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3. A stockholder proposal requesting the Board of Directors to report on plans to increase diverse representation on the Board. |
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4. A stockholder proposal requesting the Compensation Committee to report on the feasibility of integrating sustainability metrics into senior executive performance measures. |
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5. By the proxy holders, in their discretion, upon such other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. |
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The shares represented by this proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned Stockholder(s). If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR proposals 1 AND 2, and AGAINST proposals 3 AND 4. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in this proxy will vote in their discretion. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please add your title as such. When signing as joint tenants, all parties in the joint tenancy must sign. If a signer is a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by duly authorized officer.
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]
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Date |
Signature (Joint Owners)
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Date
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.
E05428-P72259
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 19, 2016
The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Bruce L. Campbell and Stephanie D. Marks, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and hereby authorize(s) each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock of Discovery Communications, Inc. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 19, 2016, at Discoverys offices located at One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Directions to the Annual Meeting are available by contacting us at investor_relations@discovery.com or at 240-662-2000.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO SUCH DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND FOR PROPOSAL 2, AND AGAINST PROPOSALS 3 AND 4.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
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DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ONE DISCOVERY PLACE SILVER SPRING, MD 20910 |
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
THE ENCLOSED MATERIALS HAVE BEEN SENT TO YOU FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY |
E05389-P72259
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
THE ENCLOSED MATERIALS HAVE BEEN SENT TO YOU FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
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DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
THE ENCLOSED MATERIALS HAVE BEEN SENT TO YOU FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY |
E05390-Z67054
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
THE ENCLOSED MATERIALS HAVE BEEN SENT TO YOU FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
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