UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☑
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
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j2 GLOBAL, 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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☐ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Total fee paid:
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☐ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
☐ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
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j2 Global, Inc.
6922 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500
Los Angeles, California 90028
Dear Stockholder:
We cordially invite you to attend the j2 Global, Inc. 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. local time at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90028. Details regarding the meeting and the business to be conducted are more fully described in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received in the mail and in the attached proxy statement.
At the meeting, stockholders will vote on important matters. Please take the time to carefully read the proposals described in the attached proxy statement.
Thank you for your support of j2 Global, Inc.
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Sincerely,
 Richard S. Ressler
Chairman of the Board
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This notice of annual meeting and proxy statement are being made available
on or about March 23, 2017.
on or about March 23, 2017.
j2 Global, Inc.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 4, 2017
We will hold the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of j2 Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90028, on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. local time, for the following purposes:
| 1. | To elect six directors to serve for the ensuing year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified; |
| 2. | To ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP to serve as j2 Global's independent auditors for fiscal 2017; |
| 3. | To provide an advisory vote on the compensation of j2 Global's named executive officers; |
| 4. | To provide an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of j2 Global's named executive officers; and |
| 5. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment(s) and postponement(s) thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement which is attached to, and made a part of, this notice. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 10, 2017, as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
We are using the "Notice and Access" method of providing proxy materials to you via the Internet. We are convinced this process provides you with a convenient and quick way to access your proxy materials and vote your shares, while also conserving resources and reducing the costs of printing and mailing the proxy materials. On or about March 23, 2017, we will mail to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials and vote via the Internet. The Notice also contains instructions on how to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. However, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, you are urged to submit your proxy or voting instructions as promptly as possible to ensure your representation and the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. If you submit your proxy and then decide to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares in person, you may still do so. Your proxy is revocable in accordance with the procedures set forth in the proxy statement.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
 R. Scott Turicchi
President and Chief Financial Officer |
March 23, 2017
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
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1
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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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6
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PROPOSAL 2 — RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
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9
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PROPOSAL 3 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
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10
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PROPOSAL 4 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
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11
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
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12
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MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
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13
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
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17
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
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19
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
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20
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SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
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23
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
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24
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
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31
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COMPENSATION RISK
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32
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
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32
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
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40
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INFORMATION ABOUT j2 GLOBAL'S AUDITORS
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41
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REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
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43
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DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
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44
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COST OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY SOLICITATION
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44
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HOUSEHOLDING
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44
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OTHER MATTERS
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j2 Global, Inc.
6922 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90028
March 23, 2017
PROXY STATEMENT
The Board of Directors of j2 Global, Inc. is soliciting your vote at the 2017 Annual Meeting of j2 Global's stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"). In this proxy statement, j2 Global, Inc. is referred to as "j2 Global," the "Company," "we," "us" and "our."
What Will I Be Voting On?
| 1. | A proposal to elect six members to the j2 Global Board of Directors (see page 6); |
| 2. | A proposal to ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP ("BDO") to serve as j2 Global's independent auditors for fiscal 2017 (see page 9); |
| 3. | A proposal to provide an advisory vote on the compensation of j2 Global's named executive officers (see page 10); and |
| 4. | A proposal to provide an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes of the compensation of j2 Global's named executive officers (see page 11). |
How Many Votes Do I Have?
You will have one vote for every share of j2 Global common stock you owned at the close of business on March 10, 2017 (the "record date").
How Many Votes Can Be Cast By All Stockholders?
48,189,642 votes can be cast, which represents the total number of shares of j2 Global common stock that were outstanding and eligible to vote on the record date.
How Many Votes Must Be Present to Hold the Annual Meeting?
A majority of the votes that can be cast must be present to hold the meeting, or 24,094,822 votes. We urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting so that we will know as soon as possible that enough votes will be present for us to hold the Annual Meeting.
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What is the Required Vote to Approve Each Proposal?
For Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – to be elected to the j2 Global Board of Directors, each of the six nominees must receive the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of j2 Global common stock present or represented by proxy and voting at the Annual Meeting (meaning the number of shares voted "for" a nominee must exceed the number of shares voted "against" such nominee). If the votes cast "for" a nominee do not exceed the votes cast "against" a nominee, pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the nominee must promptly tender his resignation for consideration by the Company's Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which will recommend to the Board of Directors the action to be taken.
For Proposal 2 – Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors and Proposal 3 – Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers, approval requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of shares of j2 Global common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
For Proposal 4 – Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers – will be determined by the number of years receiving the highest number of votes, whether or not such number of votes represents a majority of the votes cast.
Why Did I Receive a One-Page Notice in the Mail Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials Instead of a Full Set of Proxy Materials?
Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") to our stockholders of record and beneficial owners. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice. In addition, stockholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis.
How Can I Get Electronic Access to the Proxy Materials?
The Notice provides you with instructions regarding how to:
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View our proxy materials for the Annual Meeting on the Internet; and
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Instruct us to send future proxy materials to you electronically by email.
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Choosing to receive future proxy materials by email will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the impact of our annual meetings on the environment. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain in effect until you terminate it.
The Notice, proxy statement, proxy card and the 2016 Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.
How Can I Obtain Paper or Email Copies of Proxy Materials?
The Notice contains a toll-free telephone number, an email address, and a website where stockholders can request a paper or an email copy of the proxy statement, proxy card and the 2016 Annual Report. These proxy materials are available free of charge.
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Can I Vote My Shares by Filling Out and Returning the Notice?
No. The Notice identifies the items to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, but you cannot vote by marking the Notice and returning it. The Notice provides instructions on how to vote by Internet or how to request a paper proxy card.
How Do I Vote?
If you are a stockholder of record, you can vote either in person at the Annual Meeting, by proxy without attending the Annual Meeting or as otherwise provided in this mailing. You can vote by proxy over the Internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice, or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, you can also vote by mail or telephone pursuant to instructions provided on the proxy card.
If you own your j2 Global stock through a bank or broker, you may also vote by proxy over the Internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice, or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, you can also vote by telephone or mail by following the instructions that the broker or nominee provides to you.
If you want to vote in person at the Annual Meeting and you hold your j2 Global stock through a bank or broker (that is, in street name), you must obtain a proxy from your bank or broker and bring that proxy to the Annual Meeting.
Can I Revoke My Proxy?
Yes. If you are a stockholder of record, just send in a new proxy card with a later date or send a written notice of revocation to j2 Global's Secretary at 6922 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90028. If you own your j2 Global stock through a bank or broker, follow the instructions provided by your bank or broker. In addition, if you are a stockholder of record, attend the Annual Meeting and want to vote in person, you can request that your previously submitted proxy not be used. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not by itself revoke a proxy.
What If I Vote "Abstain"?
Abstentions are counted as votes present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. An abstention has no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1 – Election of Directors or Proposal 4 – Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers. An abstention has the same effect as a vote against Proposal 2 – Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors and Proposal 3 – Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers.
What if I Don't Provide Specific Voting Instructions?
If you are a stockholder of record and return a proxy card without indicating your vote, your shares will be voted FOR the director nominees listed on the card, FOR ratification of the appointment of BDO as j2 Global's independent auditors, FOR approval of an advisory resolution approving the compensation paid to j2 Global's named executive officers, FOR a frequency of ONE YEAR for holding future advisory stockholder votes to approve named executive officer compensation and otherwise in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting the proxy on any other matter properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
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If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not instruct your bank or broker how to vote your shares, your bank or broker will not be able to vote your shares on certain matters scheduled to come before the Annual Meeting. Your broker is not permitted to vote your uninstructed shares on Proposal 1 – Election of Directors, Proposal 3 – Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers or Proposal 4 – Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers. Thus, if you hold your shares in street name and you do not instruct your bank or broker how to vote with respect to the aforementioned proposals, no votes will be cast on your behalf on such proposals. Your broker will, however, continue to have discretion to vote any uninstructed shares on Proposal 2 – Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors.
If your bank or broker does not have discretion to vote your shares held in street name on a particular proposal and you don't give your broker instructions on how to vote your shares, or your broker has such discretion but does not exercise it, the votes will be broker non-votes, which will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present for transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for Proposal 1 – Election of Directors, Proposal 2 – Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors, Proposal 3 – Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers or Proposal 4 – Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers.
If you are the owner of record, and you do not vote your shares held in your name, your shares will not be counted as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists for transaction of business at the Annual Meeting, and no votes will be cast on your behalf on any of the items of business at the Annual Meeting.
What Happens if the Annual Meeting is Postponed or Adjourned?
Your proxy will still be good and may be voted at the postponed or adjourned meeting. You will still be able to change or revoke your proxy until it is voted.
Who Can I Contact if I Have Questions Concerning the Annual Meeting?
If you have any further questions about voting your shares or attending the Annual Meeting, or wish to obtain directions to the Annual Meeting, please call or email j2 Global's Investor Relations Department at (323) 657-5371 or investor@j2global.com.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 4, 2017
The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, the proxy statement and j2 Global's 2016 Annual Report are available on the Investor Relations section of j2 Global's website at http://investor.j2global.com/sec.cfm.
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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
General
A Board of six directors is to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise instructed on the proxy card, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for j2 Global's six nominees named below, each of whom is currently a director of j2 Global. In the event that any nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, neither of which is expected to occur, the proxies will be voted for such nominee as shall be designated by the current j2 Global Board of Directors to fill the vacancy.
Vote Required
Each share of j2 Global common stock may vote for up to six director-nominees. Votes may not be cumulated. If a quorum is present, each of the nominees receiving the affirmative vote of the majority of shares voting at the Annual Meeting will be elected to the j2 Global Board of Directors.
The term of office of each person elected as a director will continue until the next Annual Meeting or until his successor has been duly elected and qualified.
THE j2 GLOBAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW.
Nominees
The names of the nominees, their ages at the record date and certain other information about them are set forth below:
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Name
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Age
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Principal Occupation
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Director Since
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Richard S. Ressler(4)
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58
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President of Orchard Capital Corporation
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1997
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Douglas Y. Bech(2)(3)
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71
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Chairman and CEO of Raintree Resorts International
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2000
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Robert J. Cresci(2)(4)
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73
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Managing Director of Pecks Management Partners Ltd.
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1998
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W. Brian Kretzmer(1)(3)
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63
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Private Investor
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2007
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Jonathan F. Miller(1)(3)
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60
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Partner at Advancit Capital
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2015
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Stephen Ross(1)(2)
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69
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Executive Vice President – Recreational Enterprises of
Warner Bros Entertainment, Inc. |
2007
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| (1) | Member of the Audit Committee |
| (2) | Member of the Compensation Committee |
| (3) | Member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
| (4) | Member of the Executive Committee |
There are no family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers of j2 Global.
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Director Backgrounds and Qualifications
The following paragraphs provide information as of the date of this proxy statement about each director nominee. The information presented includes information each director has given us about his age, all positions he holds, his principal occupation and business experience for the past five years and the names of other publicly-held companies of which he currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years. Also included is a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each nominee that led our Board of Directors to the conclusion that the nominee should serve as a director. In addition to the specifically noted criteria, j2 Global believes that each nominee has a reputation for integrity and honesty and has demonstrated business acumen and an ability to exercise sound judgment.
Richard S. Ressler has been Chairman of the Board of Directors and a director of j2 Global since 1997, and served as j2 Global's Chief Executive Officer from 1997 to 2000, serving in each of these capacities pursuant to a consulting agreement between j2 Global and Orchard Capital Corporation ("Orchard Capital"). Mr. Ressler is the founder and President of Orchard Capital, a firm that provides consulting and advisory services to companies (including j2 Global) in which Orchard Capital or its affiliates invest. He has been President of Orchard Capital since 1994. Through his affiliation with Orchard Capital, Mr. Ressler serves in various senior capacities with, among others, CIM Group, L.P. (together with its controlled affiliates, "CIM"), a real estate and infrastructure investment and management company, Orchard First Source Asset Management (together with its controlled affiliates, "OFSAM"), an investment adviser focusing on middle market debt investments, and OCV Management, LLC ("OCV"), an investment advisor focusing on controlled investments in technology companies. CIM Investment Advisors, LLC, an affiliate of CIM, OFS Capital Management, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OFSAM, and OCV, are all registered with the SEC as registered investment advisers. Mr. Ressler is currently a director of Presbia PLC and the chairman of the board of directors of CIM Commercial Trust Corporation. Mr. Ressler also serves as a board member for various private companies in which Orchard Capital or its affiliates invest. Mr. Ressler's extensive experience with, and knowledge of, business management and finance are invaluable to our Board's discussions.
Douglas Y. Bech has served as a director of j2 Global since November 2000. From August 1988 through November 2000, he served as a director of eFax.com, a company j2 Global acquired in November 2000. Since August 1997, Mr. Bech has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Raintree Resorts International, a company that owns and operates vacation ownership resorts throughout North America. Mr. Bech practiced securities and corporate finance law from 1970 until 1997. Mr. Bech has also served as a director of HollyFrontier Corporation since July 2011 and was a director of Frontier Oil Corporation from May 1993 when it merged with Holly Corporation in July 2011. Mr. Bech is independent presiding director of HollyFrontier. Mr. Bech also serves as an independent director of CIM Commercial Trust Corporation since March 2014. Mr. Bech's previous work as a securities and corporate finance lawyer, as a director of other public companies and his current experience as a chief executive officer of a private enterprise engaged in hospitality, resort management services, and sales and marketing in three different countries, provide expertise on corporate governance and a unique perspective to the Board of Directors.
Robert J. Cresci has been a director of j2 Global since 1998. Mr. Cresci has been a Managing Director of Pecks Management Partners Ltd., an investment management firm, since 1990. He currently serves on the boards of Luminex Corporation, OFS Capital Corporation, CIM Commercial Trust Corporation and Presbia PLC. Mr. Cresci previously served on the board of Continucare Corporation until 2011 and the board of Sepracor, Inc. until 2009. Mr. Cresci's extensive knowledge of investment management and accounting from his experience with Pecks Management Partners and his experience serving on other public company boards of directors have proven invaluable to the discussion of our Board of Directors regarding investment strategies, accounting issues and public company matters.
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W. Brian Kretzmer was elected to j2 Global's Board of Directors in July 2007. He currently operates his own consultancy practice and is an investor in several private firms where he serves in multiple capacities. From 1999 to 2006, Mr. Kretzmer was Chief Executive Officer of MAI Systems Corporation (which operated principally through its subsidiary Hotel Information Systems), a provider of enterprise management solutions for lodging organizations. He also served as Chief Financial Officer of MAI Systems Corporation from 1993 to 1996 and 1999 to 2000. Mr. Kretzmer is a thirty year veteran in technology industries. Mr. Kretzmer's experience provides the Board of Directors a valuable operational and financial perspective and accounting expertise.
Jonathan F. Miller was appointed to j2 Global's Board of Directors in February 2015. Mr. Miller is currently a partner at Advancit Capital and previously has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Media Group at News Corp., and was its Chief Digital Officer from April 2009 to September 2012. Mr. Miller was a founding partner of Velocity Interactive Group, an investment firm focusing on internet and digital media, from its inception in 2007 to 2009. Prior to founding Velocity, Mr. Miller served as the Chief Executive Officer of America Online, Inc. ("AOL") from 2002 to 2006. Prior to joining AOL, Mr. Miller served as Chief Executive Officer and President of USA Information and Services. Mr. Miller currently is a director of Akamai Technologies, Inc., AMC Networks Inc., and Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. Mr. Miller previously served as a director of, among others, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co., LiveNation Entertainment, Inc., RTL Group SA, Shutterstock, Inc., TripAdvisor, Inc., and Ticketmaster prior to its merger with LiveNation. Mr. Miller is a trustee of the American Film Institute and The Paley Center for Media. Mr. Miller holds a B.A. from Harvard College. Mr. Miller's broad general management background in both the media and technology sectors, as well as his experience with growth companies, brings a diverse and valuable perspective to the Board of Directors.
Stephen Ross was elected to j2 Global's Board of Directors in July 2007. From 1989 to the present, he has served in various positions with Warner Bros Entertainment, Inc. He is currently Executive Vice President – Recreational Enterprises. Until 2009, Mr. Ross also served as a director of Grill Concepts, Inc., a restaurant company. Mr. Ross' more than 20 years of broad experience with one of the world's premiere entertainment companies provides the Board of Directors a unique perspective.
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General
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected BDO as independent auditors for j2 Global for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. BDO has served as j2 Global's independent auditors since May 9, 2014. Notwithstanding the ratification of BDO as j2 Global's independent auditors, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct appointment of new independent auditors at any time during the year if the Audit Committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests of j2 Global and its stockholders. In addition, if the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of BDO, the Audit Committee will consider the appointment of other independent auditors, but is not required to do so. Representatives of BDO are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and available to respond to appropriate questions. Those representatives will have the opportunity to make a statement if they wish to do so.
Vote Required
Ratification of BDO as j2 Global's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares of j2 Global common stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
THE j2 GLOBAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 2 – RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF BDO AS j2 GLOBAL'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
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j2 Global is seeking approval of an advisory resolution on the compensation of its named executive officers, as reported in this proxy statement. As described below in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this proxy statement, the Compensation Committee has structured j2 Global's executive compensation program to link compensation to continuous improvements in corporate performance and increase in stockholder value. j2 Global's executive compensation program goals include the following:
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to establish pay levels that attract, retain and motivate highly qualified executive officers, while considering the overall market competitiveness for such executive talent and balancing the relationship between total stockholder return and direct compensation;
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to align executive officer remuneration with the interests of the stockholders;
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to recognize superior individual performance;
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to balance base and incentive compensation to complement j2 Global's annual and longer-term business objectives and strategies and encourage the fulfillment of those objectives and strategies through executive officer performance; and
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to provide compensation opportunities based on j2 Global's performance.
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j2 Global urges stockholders to read the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" beginning on page 24 of this proxy statement, which describes in more detail how j2 Global's executive compensation policies and procedures operate and are designed to achieve its compensation goals, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narrative, appearing on pages 33 through 39, which provide detailed information on the compensation of j2 Global's named executive officers. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that the policies and procedures articulated in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" are effective in achieving j2 Global's goals, and that the compensation of the named executive officers reported in this proxy statement has contributed to the Company's recent and long-term success.
In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), j2 Global is asking stockholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of j2 Global, Inc. (the "Company") approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, notes and narrative in the proxy statement for the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
This advisory resolution, commonly referred to as a "say-on-pay" resolution, is non-binding on the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding the Company's executive compensation program.
THE j2 GLOBAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 3 – APPROVAL OF THE ADVISORY RESOLUTION ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
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ADVISORY VOTES OM COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
As required under Section 14A of the Exchange Act, j2 Global is also asking stockholders to vote on whether future advisory votes on executive compensation of the nature reflected in Proposal 3 above should occur every one, two or three years. We are required to seek an advisory vote on the frequency of future say-on-pay votes at least once every six years. As this is an advisory vote, the result will not be binding; however, we value the opinion of our stockholders and welcome communication regarding our executive compensation structure and policies.
After careful consideration, our Board of Directors has determined that holding an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation every year is the most appropriate policy for j2 Global at this time and is consistent with our current, annual "say-on-pay" voting. An annual advisory vote on executive compensation will allow stockholders to provide timely, direct input on j2 Global's executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the proxy statement each year. The Board of Directors believes that an annual vote is therefore consistent with j2 Global's efforts to engage in an ongoing dialogue with its stockholders on executive compensation and corporate governance matters (including j2 Global's practice of having all directors elected annually and annually providing stockholders the opportunity to ratify the Audit Committee's selection of independent auditors).
This advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation is non-binding on the Board of Directors. Stockholders will be able to specify one of four choices for this proposal on the proxy card: one year, two years, three years or abstain. Stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will carefully review the voting results. Notwithstanding the recommendation of the Board of Directors and the outcome of the stockholder vote, the Board of Directors may in the future recommend conducting advisory votes on a more or less frequent basis and may vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with stockholders and the adoption of material changes to compensation programs.
THE j2 GLOBAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE TO CONDUCT FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS EVERY YEAR.
11
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
j2 Global's Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Principles and a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code"), which are both posted, along with the charters for the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees, in the corporate governance section of j2 Global's website at http://investor.j2global.com/documents.cfm.
Corporate Governance Principles
j2 Global's Corporate Governance Principles provide guidelines that govern the qualifications and conduct of the Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance Principles are consistent with the corporate governance requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("SOX") and the corporate governance listing requirements applicable to companies whose securities are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (the "Nasdaq listing standards"). The Corporate Governance Principles address, among other things:
|
·
|
the independence and other qualifications of members of the j2 Global Board of Directors and its committees. The Corporate Governance Principles provide that a majority of the directors, and all members of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees, shall be independent of j2 Global and its management;
|
|
·
|
the functions of the Board of Directors in relation to oversight of j2 Global;
|
|
·
|
the selection, evaluation and approval of compensation of j2 Global's executive officers;
|
|
·
|
the organization and basic function of committees of the Board of Directors; and
|
|
·
|
the authority of the Board of Directors and committees to engage outside advisors.
|
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
j2 Global's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to all directors, officers and employees of j2 Global, including j2 Global's Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. The Code embodies j2 Global's commitment to conduct its business in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and the highest ethical standards. The Code is posted on the corporate governance page of j2 Global's website, and can be accessed at http://investor.j2global.com/documents.cfm.
Board Leadership
We separate the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board in recognition of the different responsibilities fulfilled by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board at j2 Global. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction for j2 Global and for the day-to-day leadership and performance of j2 Global, while the Chairman of the Board provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer and sets the agenda for, and presides over, meetings of the Board of Directors.
Director Independence
j2 Global's Board of Directors has determined that all of our directors are independent within the meaning of the rules of the SEC and the listing rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
12
Communications with the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee
The Board of Directors welcomes communications from stockholders and has adopted a procedure for receiving and addressing them. Interested parties may also submit complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters to j2 Global's Audit Committee. Stockholders may send written communications to the entire Board of Directors, to the Audit Committee or to individual members, addressing them to j2 Global, Inc., 6922 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90028, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Communications by e-mail should be addressed to investor@j2global.com and marked "Attention: Corporate Secretary" in the "Subject" field.
The Board of Directors has instructed the Secretary to review all communications so received (via e-mail or otherwise), and to exercise his discretion not to forward to members of the Board of Directors correspondence that is inappropriate, such as business solicitations, frivolous communications, advertising, routine business matters (i.e., business inquiries, complaints or suggestions) and personal grievances. However, any director may at any time request the Secretary to forward any and all communications received by the Secretary but not forwarded to the Board of Directors.
Risk Management
The Board of Directors plays an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of j2 Global's risks and strategic direction. The Board of Directors regularly reviews information regarding j2 Global's liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. j2 Global's Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to j2 Global's executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee oversees the process by which j2 Global's senior management and the relevant departments assess and manage j2 Global's exposure to, and management of, financial risks. The Corporate Governance and Nominating 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 of Directors is regularly informed about such risks.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Board Meetings and Attendance at Annual Meeting
The Board of Directors of j2 Global held a total of five meetings during 2016 and also conducted business by written consent. During 2016, each director attended at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the aggregate of all of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees of which he was a member. j2 Global encourages, but does not require, members of the Board of Directors to attend annual stockholder meetings. All of j2 Global's directors attended j2 Global's 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Executive Sessions
In accordance with j2 Global's Corporate Governance Principles, executive sessions of non-management directors are held at least twice a year. The sessions are scheduled and chaired by the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Any non-management director can request that an additional executive session be scheduled.
13
Board Committees
The Board of Directors has established four standing committees: Audit, Compensation, Corporate Governance and Nominating, and Executive. The Board of Directors has determined that the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees are composed solely of independent directors within the meaning of the rules of the SEC and the listing rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The charters of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees are each posted on the corporate governance portion of j2 Global's website at http://investor.j2global.com/documents.cfm.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Miller, Ross and Kretzmer, who is the Chairman of the Committee. The Audit Committee is comprised solely of directors who meet all the independence standards for audit committee members as set forth in SOX, the rules of the SEC adopted pursuant to SOX and the listing rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is defined in the SEC rules adopted pursuant to SOX and that he has accounting or related financial management expertise, in each case in accordance with the rules of the SEC and the listing rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements. The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things, retaining and overseeing j2 Global's independent auditors, approving the services performed by them and reviewing j2 Global's financial reports and reporting process, accounting principles and its system of internal accounting controls. The Audit Committee held five meetings in 2016. See the "Audit Committee Report" below.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Cresci, Ross and Bech, who is the Chairman of the Committee. The Compensation Committee is comprised solely of directors who meet all the independence standards for compensation committee members as set forth in the listing rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other things:
|
·
|
administering j2 Global's compensation programs, including its stock-based compensation plans;
|
|
·
|
reviewing the performance of j2 Global's executives and recommending to the Board of Directors, for approval by a majority of independent directors, goals and objectives, as well as compensation (including, salary, bonus and equity grants) for j2 Global's executives;
|
|
·
|
periodically evaluating compensation paid to non-management members of the Board of Directors, including monitoring the competitiveness and composition of director compensation;
|
|
·
|
recommending to the Board of Directors changes to j2 Global's compensation policies and benefits programs; and
|
|
·
|
otherwise seeking to ensure that j2 Global's compensation philosophy is consistent with j2 Global's best interests and is properly implemented.
|
The Compensation Committee also has the authority to retain and terminate compensation consultants. The Compensation Committee retained Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC ("Pearl Meyer") as its compensation consultant for fiscal 2016, to provide information to the Compensation Committee related to compensation of our Board of Directors.
14
The Compensation Committee's charter does not provide for the delegation of the Compensation Committee's responsibilities. The Compensation Committee held six meetings in 2016. See the "Compensation Committee Report" below.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee currently consists of Messrs. Kretzmer, Miller and Bech, who is the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for, among other things:
|
·
|
identifying, evaluating and nominating qualified individuals to become director nominees at j2 Global's annual meetings of stockholders or to fill vacancies occurring between annual meetings of stockholders;
|
|
·
|
recommending members of the Board of Directors for nomination to, or to fill vacancies on, the standing committees of the Board of Directors;
|
|
·
|
developing and recommending to the Board of Directors standards for addressing conflicts of interest;
|
|
·
|
developing, recommending to the Board of Directors and reviewing j2 Global's Corporate Governance Principles; and
|
|
·
|
evaluating the performance of the Board of Directors and its committees.
|
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has not established specific minimum age, education, experience or skill requirements for potential director nominees. In selecting director nominees, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee takes into consideration various factors to find candidates that will be able to represent the interests of the stockholders, including judgment, skill, diversity, integrity, educational background, experience with businesses and other organizations of a comparable size, the interplay of the candidate's experience with that of the other members of the Board of Directors and the extent to which a candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board of Directors and any committees of the Board of Directors. Although the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity, in accordance with the Company's Corporate Governance Principles, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee endeavors to seek nominees representing diverse experience in policy-making positions in business and technology, and in areas that are relevant to the Company's global activities. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates the diversity in experience of its directors annually in recommending the slate of nominees to the full Board of Directors, and j2 Global believes that the current Board of Directors reflects the diversity of experience it seeks.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee may consider candidates proposed by management or by stockholders, but is not limited to such candidates. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates director candidates recommended by stockholders in the same way that it evaluates candidates recommended by other sources. j2 Global sets forth its policy with regard to the consideration of any director candidates recommended by stockholders in its Bylaws. See "Deadline for Submitting Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations for the Next Annual Meeting" for more information regarding the procedures for the consideration of any director candidates recommended by stockholders.
15
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held three meetings in 2016.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee currently consists of Messrs. Cresci and Ressler, who is the Chairman of the Committee. The Executive Committee may take certain action permitted by law and j2 Global's Bylaws in the intervals between meetings of the full Board of Directors. The Executive Committee held two meetings in 2016.
Lead Independent Director
The Company's Corporate Governance Principles align with investor preferences. The Lead Independent Director position entails significant responsibility for independent Board leadership. The responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director include the following:
|
·
|
presiding at executive sessions of the independent directors;
|
|
·
|
serving as an ex-officio member of each committee and attending meetings of the various committees;
|
|
·
|
calling meetings of the independent directors;
|
|
·
|
approving information sent to the Board, including the quality, quantity and timeliness of such information;
|
|
·
|
facilitating the Board's approval of the number and frequency of Board meetings and approving meeting schedules, to ensure that there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items;
|
|
·
|
authorizing the retention of outside advisors and consultants who report directly to the Board;
|
|
·
|
being regularly apprised of inquiries from stockholders and involved in correspondence responding to these inquiries when appropriate; and
|
|
·
|
if requested by stockholders or other stakeholders, ensuring that he/she is available, when appropriate, for consultation and direct communication.
|
Mr. Cresci has been designated as j2 Global's Lead Independent Director.
16
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
During fiscal 2016, each director received an annual retainer payable in equal monthly installments (the "Annual Retainer"). In addition to the Annual Retainer, the Chairman of each of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees and the Lead Independent Director received an additional fee, payable in equal monthly installments. The Annual Retainer for Mr. Ressler, the Chairman of the Board, is $276,000 and the Annual Retainer for all other directors is $70,000. In addition, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives $25,000, the Chairman of each of the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee receives $15,000 and the Lead Independent Director receives $30,000. Mr. Ressler's Annual Retainer is paid pursuant to a consulting agreement between j2 Global and Orchard Capital, a company controlled by Mr. Ressler. The agreement is terminable by either party by written notice delivered at least 30 days prior to commencement of the next six-month term.
On the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, each director received restricted shares of the Company's common stock with a fair market value of approximately $180,000 on the date of grant which fully vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.
The following table contains information with respect to the compensation of j2 Global's directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
2016 Director Compensation Table
|
Name
|
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)
|
Stock Awards
($)(1)(2)
|
Option
Awards
($)(3)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($)
|
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
|
All Other
Compensation ($)
|
Total
($)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
$
|
276,000
|
(4)
|
$
|
179,968
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
455,968
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Douglas Y. Bech
|
$
|
100,000
|
$
|
179,968
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
279,968
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Robert J. Cresci
|
$
|
98,750
|
(5)
|
$
|
179,968
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
278,718
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
W. Brian Kretzmer
|
$
|
88,750
|
(6)
|
$
|
179,968
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
268,718
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Jonathan Miller
|
$
|
70,000
|
$
|
179,968
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
249,968
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Stephen Ross
|
$
|
70,000
|
$
|
179,968
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
249,968
|
|||||||||||||||||||
________________
|
(2)
|
Messrs. Ressler, Bech, Cresci, Kretzmer and Ross each had unvested restricted stock awards totaling 2,858 shares of j2 Global common stock outstanding at fiscal year end. Mr. Miller had unvested restricted stock awards totaling 24,063 shares of j2 Global common stock outstanding at fiscal year end.
|
17
|
(3)
|
The directors had the following outstanding stock options at fiscal year end: Mr. Ressler: 81,857; Mr. Bech: 50,078; Mr. Cresci: 81,857; Mr. Kretzmer: 29,421; and Mr. Ross: 33,398. Mr. Miller had no outstanding stock options at fiscal year end.
|
|
(4)
|
Payments to Mr. Ressler are made pursuant to a consulting agreement between j2 Global and Orchard Capital, a company controlled by Mr. Ressler.
|
|
(5)
|
Amounts in 2016 reflect payments in respect of Mr. Cresci's appointment as Lead Independent Director and resignation as Chairman of the Audit Committee in May 2016.
|
|
(6)
|
Amounts in 2016 reflect payments in respect of Mr. Kretzmer's appointment as Chairman of the Audit Committee in May 2016.
|
18
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following sets forth certain information regarding j2 Global's executive officers (ages are as of the record date):
Nehemia Zucker, 60, became j2 Global's Chief Executive Officer in May 2008. From August 2005 to May 2008, Mr. Zucker was Co-President and Chief Operating Officer. From April to August 2005, he served as Co-President, and from May 2003 to August 2005, he served as Chief Marketing Officer. From December 2000 to May 2003, Mr. Zucker served as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and from 1996 to December 2000, he served as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining j2 Global in 1996, Mr. Zucker was Chief Operations Manager of Motorola's EMBARC division, which packaged CNBC and ESPN for distribution to paging and wireless networks. From 1980 to 1996, he held various positions in finance, operations and marketing at Motorola in the United States and abroad.
R. Scott Turicchi, 53, became j2 Global's Chief Financial Officer in August 2014 and its President in May 2008. From June 2007 until May 2008, Mr. Turicchi was Co-President. From August 2005 until June 2007, he was Co-President and Chief Financial Officer. From May 2003 to August 2005, Mr. Turicchi served as j2 Global's Chief Financial Officer, and from March 2000 through May 2003, he served as j2 Global's Executive Vice President, Corporate Development. Mr. Turicchi served as a member of j2 Global's Board of Directors from 1998 through 2000. From 1990 to 2000, he was with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation's investment banking department, holding various positions, including Managing Director. Mr. Turicchi is a member of the Board of Directors of Greenhills Software, Inc., a privately held company that develops real-time operating systems. He is also Chairman of the Board of Governors of Thomas Aquinas College, Co-Chairman of the Council for Institutional Advancement for the Pontifical North American College and a Vice Chairman of Legatus International.
Jeremy D. Rossen, 46, was appointed as Vice President, General Counsel of j2 Global effective June 1, 2015 and Secretary in November 2015. From May 2009 until joining the Company in 2015, Mr. Rossen served as a Senior Vice President at The Gores Group, a private equity firm. Prior to that, Mr. Rossen served as General Counsel at Helio LLC, a wireless telecommunications carrier, General Counsel at Somera Communications, Inc., a telecommunications equipment company, and a corporate and securities attorney at Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati. Mr. Rossen holds Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.
Steve P. Dunn, 47, was appointed as Chief Accounting Officer of j2 Global effective May 10, 2012. Mr. Dunn had previously served as j2 Global's Controller since joining j2 Global in March 2008. From May 2007 until joining j2 Global, Mr. Dunn served as Director of Accounting for Countrywide Capital Markets, a subsidiary of Countrywide Financial Corporation that specialized in trading and underwriting securities. Mr. Dunn is a Certified Public Accountant and has over 20 years of accounting experience in various industries.
19
Information Regarding Beneficial Ownership of Principal Stockholders
The following table contains information regarding the beneficial ownership of j2 Global common stock by the stockholders j2 Global knows to beneficially own more than five percent of j2 Global's outstanding shares of common stock. The percentage of ownership is calculated using the number of outstanding shares on March 10, 2017.
|
Name
|
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned(1)
|
Approximate
Percentage
|
||
|
FMR LLC
245 Summer Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
|
5,040,324(2)
|
10.46%
|
||
|
BlackRock, Inc.
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
|
4,599,199(3)
|
9.54%
|
||
|
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
|
3,611,358(4)
|
7.49%
|
||
|
William Blair Investment Management, LLC
222 W. Adams St.
Chicago, IL 60606
|
2,594,027(5)
|
5.38%
|
||
_______________
|
(1)
|
As of March 10, 2017, 48,189,642 shares of j2 Global common stock were outstanding.
|
|
(2)
|
Based solely on information set forth in the stockholder's Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017. FMR LLC ("FMR") made this filing on behalf of itself and various FMR-related entities. According to the Schedule 13G/A, FMR has sole voting power over 541,224 shares and sole dispositive power over 5,040,324 shares. Abigail P. Johnson and others members of the Johnson family, through their voting power at FMR, may be deemed to form a controlling group with respect to FMR.
|
|
(3)
|
Based solely on information set forth in the stockholder's Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 25, 2017. BlackRock, Inc. ("BlackRock") made this filing on behalf of itself and various BlackRock-related entities. According to the Schedule 13G/A, BlackRock has sole voting power over 4,500,654 shares and sole dispositive power over 4,599,199 shares.
|
|
(4)
|
Based solely on information set forth in the stockholder's Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2017. According to the Schedule 13G/A, The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Vanguard") has sole voting power over 93,618 shares, shared voting power over 5,200 shares, sole dispositive power over 3,514,840 shares and shared dispositive power over 96,518 shares. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanguard, is the beneficial owner of 91,318 shares. Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanguard, is the beneficial owner of 7,500 shares.
|
|
(5)
|
Based solely on information set forth in the stockholder's Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017. William Blair Investment Management, LLC has sole voting power over 2,384,088 shares and sole dispositive power over 2,594,027 shares.
|
20
Information Regarding Beneficial Ownership of Management
The table below sets forth certain information that has been provided to j2 Global with respect to beneficial ownership of shares of j2 Global common stock as of March 10, 2017 by: (i) each director and nominee for director of j2 Global, (ii) each of the named executive officers of j2 Global and (iii) all directors and executive officers of j2 Global as a group. Also reported as of that date is the beneficial ownership by such persons of our Series B Preferred Stock. Each of the persons or group of persons in the table below has sole voting power and sole dispositive power as to all of the shares of our common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, except as otherwise indicated.
|
Name(1)
|
Common Stock |
Series B Preferred Stock
|
||||||||||
| Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(2) |
|
Approximate Percentage
|
Number of Shares
Owned(3)
|
Approximate Percentage
|
||||||||
|
Richard S. Ressler
|
1,380,353
|
(4)
|
2.86%
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||
|
Douglas Y. Bech
|
187,070
|
(5)
|
*
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||
|
Robert J. Cresci
|
155,452
|
(6)
|
*
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||
|
W. Brian Kretzmer
|
35,718
|
(7)
|
*
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||
|
Jonathan F. Miller
|
153,914
|
(8)
|
*
|
667
|
21.17%
|
|||||||
|
Stephen Ross
|
45,005
|
(9)
|
*
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||
|
Nehemia Zucker
|
207,436
|
(10)
|
*
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||
|
R. Scott Turicchi
|
291,047
|
(11)
|
*
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||
|
Jeremy D. Rossen
|
24,708
|
(12)
|
*
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||
|
Steve P. Dunn
|
18,909
|
(13)
|
*
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||
|
All directors and executive officers
as a group (10 persons)
|
2,499,612
|
(14)
|
5.15%
|
|||||||||
________________
* Less than 1%
| (1) | The address for all executive officers, directors and director nominees is c/o j2 Global, Inc., 6922 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90028. |
| (2) | As of March 10, 2017, 48,189,642 shares of j2 Global common stock were outstanding. Shares of common stock beneficially owned and the respective percentages of beneficial ownership of common stock assumes the exercise or conversion of all options, warrants and other securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, including shares of Series B Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such person or entity currently exchangeable or exchangeable within 60 days of March 10, 2017. Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options and warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2017 or securities convertible into common stock within 60 days of March 10, 2017 are deemed outstanding and held by the holder of such shares of common stock, options, warrants, or the other securities listed above for purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding common stock beneficially owned by such person, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of outstanding common stock beneficially owned by any other person. |
| (3) | Each outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock is presently exchangeable into 31.8094 shares of common stock. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock beneficially owned and the respective percentages of beneficial ownership of Series B Preferred Stock stated in this column reflect ownership of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and not shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock at this ratio. The percentage of beneficial ownership of Series B Preferred Stock beneficially owned is based on 3,150 shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding as of March 10, 2017. |
21
| (4) | Consists of 1,307,496 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 2,858 shares of unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 72,857 shares of j2 Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date for the Annual Meeting. |
| (5) | Consists of 136,992 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 2,858 shares of unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 50,078 shares of j2 Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date for the Annual Meeting. |
| (6) | Consists of 73,595 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 2,858 shares of unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 81,857 shares of j2 Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date for the Annual Meeting. |
| (7) | Consists of 8,297 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 2,858 shares of unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 27,421 shares of j2 Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date for the Annual Meeting. |
| (8) | Consists of 153,914 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 24,063 shares of unvested restricted stock. |
| (9) | Consists of 11,607 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 2,858 shares of unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 33,398 shares of j2 Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date for the Annual Meeting. |
| (10) | Consists of 191,836 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 131,579 shares of unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 15,600 shares of j2 Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date for the Annual Meeting. |
|
(11)
|
Consists of 251,847 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 94,964 shares of unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 29,200 shares of j2 Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date for the Annual Meeting. Also includes 10,000 shares of j2 Global common stock held by The Turicchi Family Foundation.
|
| (12) | Consists of 24,708 shares of j2 Global common stock, all of which is unvested restricted stock. |
|
(13)
|
Consists of 18,909 shares of j2 Global common stock, all of which is unvested restricted stock.
|
| (14) | Consists of 2,179,201 shares of j2 Global common stock, including 308,513 shares of unvested restricted stock, and options to acquire 310,411 shares of j2 Global common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date for the Annual Meeting. Also includes 10,000 shares of j2 Global common stock held by The Turicchi Family Foundation. |
j2 Global is not aware of any arrangements, including any pledge by any person of j2 Global's securities, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of j2 Global. j2 Global is not aware of any material proceedings to which any director, officer or affiliate of j2 Global, any owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent of j2 Global's common stock or any associate of any such director, officer, affiliate or stockholder is a party adverse to j2 Global or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to j2 Global or any of its subsidiaries.
22
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), requires j2 Global's officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f)), directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of j2 Global's equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish j2 Global with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on j2 Global's review of the copies of such forms received by j2 Global and written representations from certain reporting persons that they have complied with the relevant filing requirements, j2 Global believes that all filing requirements applicable to j2 Global's officers, directors and 10% stockholders were complied with during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, except that Mr. Turicchi filed a Form 4 on September 19, 2016, to report a sale of j2 Global common stock on September 14, 2016.
23
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
General
The Compensation Committee of j2 Global's Board of Directors:
|
·
|
administers j2 Global's compensation programs, including its stock-based compensation plans;
|
|
·
|
recommends to the Board of Directors the compensation to be paid to j2 Global's executives;
|
|
·
|
recommends to the Board of Directors changes to j2 Global's compensation policies and benefit programs; and
|
|
·
|
otherwise seeks to ensure that j2 Global's compensation philosophy is consistent with j2 Global's best interests and is properly implemented.
|
The Compensation Committee currently is comprised of three non-employee directors whom the Board of Directors has determined meet the independence requirements for compensation committee membership set forth in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
j2 Global's executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and motivate j2 Global's executive officers in a manner that is tied directly to achievement of j2 Global's overall operating and financial goals, and thereby increase j2 Global's overall equity value. The Compensation Committee reviews j2 Global's compensation strategy annually. As part of this process, the Compensation Committee considers whether j2 Global's current compensation programs should be modified and whether new programs or elements of compensation should be introduced in order to better meet j2 Global's overall compensation objectives.
At j2 Global's 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 4, 2016, the Company held a stockholder advisory vote on the compensation of the named executive officers, commonly referred to as a "say-on-pay" vote. j2 Global's stockholders overwhelmingly approved the compensation of the named executive officers, with more than 97% of stockholder votes cast in favor of the Company's say-on-pay proposal. The Compensation Committee believes this affirms the stockholders' support of the Company's approach to executive compensation and, as a result, the Compensation Committee decided to retain its general approach to executive compensation. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of the Company's say-on-pay votes when making future compensation decisions for the named executive officers.
Compensation for j2 Global's executives consists of salary, an executive bonus program, a supplemental bonus program for the Chief Executive Officer and President that has been discontinued, stock option grants and restricted stock awards. j2 Global's Compensation Committee has not adopted any formal policy for allocating compensation between long-term and short-term, between cash and non-cash or among different forms of non-cash compensation. Rather, the Compensation Committee assesses past performance and anticipated future contribution of each executive officer and recommends to the Board of Directors the total amount and mix of each element of compensation. In addition, the Committee believes that the most senior executives should have their compensation more heavily weighted toward equity compensation.
24
The Compensation Committee also considers from time to time the market compensation of similarly-situated executives at other companies and periodically purchases third-party compensation surveys or engages third-party compensation consultants to assist in providing comparative compensation data. In fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee engaged Pearl Meyer to prepare a competitive analysis of the Company's current executive compensation programs that addressed j2 Global's Business Cloud Services Segment, j2 Global's Digital Media Segment and the Company on a consolidated basis (the "2016 Compensation Report"). As part of its analysis, Pearl Meyer selected and proposed companies for inclusion in two separate comparison groups. The "Cloud Peer Group" was comprised of the following companies that operated in the cloud services sector and had revenues that were roughly similar to the Company's Business Cloud Services Segment: Box, Inc., Cimpress N.V., Criteo SA, Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc., GoDaddy Inc., Green Dot Corporation, IAC/InterActiveCorp, Match Group, Inc., Neustar, Inc., Nuance Communications, Inc., Open Text Corporation, Pandora Media, Inc., Proofpoint, Inc., Rackspace Hosting, Inc., RingCentral, Inc., Shopify Inc., Shutterfly, Inc., Syntel, Inc., TripAdvisor Inc., WebMD Health Corp. and Zillow Group, Inc. The "Digital Media Peer Group" was comprised of the following companies that operated in the digital media sector that, in the opinion of Pearl Meyer, were similar to the Company's Digital Media Segment: Bankrate, Inc., Demand Media, Inc., QuinStreet, Inc., RetailMeNot, Inc., TechTarget, Inc., The Rubicon Project, Inc., WebMD Health Corp., and Zillow Group, Inc. The 2016 Compensation Report was presented to the Compensation Committee in April 2016. The 2016 Compensation Report helped clarify the relevancy of the companies used in the peer groups, and informed our decisions with respect to executive compensation for fiscal 2016.
The Compensation Committee recognizes that it is essential to receive objective advice from its external advisors. Consequently, the Compensation Committee is solely responsible for retaining and terminating Pearl Meyer, Pearl Meyer reports directly to the Compensation Committee and Pearl Meyer did not provide any other services to j2 Global during fiscal 2016.
In setting compensation for any given year, the Compensation Committee considers the amount of compensation from prior periods or amounts realizable from prior compensation.
j2 Global's compensation objective is to link compensation to improvements in corporate performance and increase in stockholder value. j2 Global's executive compensation program goals include the following:
|
·
|
to establish pay levels that attract, retain and motivate highly qualified executive officers, while considering the overall market competitiveness for such executive talent and balancing the relationship between total stockholder return and direct compensation;
|
|
·
|
to align executive officer remuneration with the interests of the stockholders;
|
|
·
|
to recognize superior individual performance;
|
|
·
|
to balance base and incentive compensation to complement j2 Global's annual and longer-term business objectives and strategies and encourage the fulfillment of those objectives and strategies through executive officer performance; and
|
|
·
|
to provide compensation opportunities based on j2 Global's performance.
|
Compensation Components
Executive compensation consists of the following elements:
Salary. Base salary is the fixed portion of executive pay and is set to reward individuals' current contributions to j2 Global and compensate them for their expected day-to-day performance. Base salaries are evaluated annually for all executive officers. In determining appropriate salary levels for the executive officers generally, the Compensation Committee considers, among other factors, the officer's scope of responsibility, prior experience and past performance, and data on prevailing compensation levels in relevant markets for executive talent.
25
The Compensation Committee generally targets executive salaries near the median percentile for comparable positions at comparable companies based upon third-party compensation survey information, including the 2016 Compensation Report. In determining 2016 base salaries, the Compensation Committee considered a number of factors including the information in the 2016 Compensation Report, together with various other factors such as Company performance and general economic conditions, among others.
Based on the factors described above, in May 2016 the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors approved, the following increases to the base salaries of the named executive officers:
|
Name
|
Previous Base Salary
|
New Base Salary
|
||
|
Nehemia Zucker
|
$752,500
|
$785,000
|
||
|
R. Scott Turicchi
|
$555,500
|
$590,000
|
||
|
Jeremy D. Rossen
|
$350,000
|
$370,000
|
||
|
Steve P. Dunn
|
$245,500
|
$265,000
|
Non-Equity Incentive Compensation. j2 Global has established an executive bonus program (the "Senior Management Bonus Program") for awarding cash bonuses to j2 Global's senior executives, including the named executive officers. Bonus guidelines under the Senior Management Bonus Program are established each year and are designed to encourage and reward senior management for (a) attaining company-wide financial goals, (b) improving the financial and operational health of j2 Global and (c) meeting or exceeding individually defined goals and objectives. The Senior Management Bonus Program provides guidelines only as to payment of bonuses to executive program participants, is non-binding, and does not create any contract right between j2 Global and the participants.
The process for determining bonuses under the Senior Management Bonus Program relies on the development of corporate financial targets. In addition, individual goals and objectives are set for each program participant except the Chief Executive Officer and the President, who bear ultimate responsibility for achievement of the corporate financial targets and the budget. The financial objectives are generally in alignment with j2 Global's budget for the year, which budget is used as a basis for j2 Global's public disclosures regarding its expected annual financial performance. The individual goals and objectives are designed to help j2 Global achieve its financial goals. The corporate financial objectives are recommended by the Compensation Committee for approval by the Board of Directors.
Under the Senior Management Bonus Program established for fiscal 2016 (the "2016 Senior Management Bonus Plan"), j2 Global established a "bonus pool" based upon an aggregate of specified percentages of base salary of all eligible executives, ranging from 25% to 100%. For Mr. Zucker, the "target" bonus percentage was 110% of his base salary. For Mr. Turicchi, the "target" bonus percentage was 90% of his base salary. For Mr. Rossen, the "target" bonus percentage was 50% of his base salary. For Mr. Dunn, the "target" bonus percentage was 50% of his base salary. These percentages were determined based on the named executive officers' relative level of responsibility, size and complexity of the job, past contributions to j2 Global's performance and expected contributions to j2 Global's future success, based on the executive's articulated goals and objectives, as well as the market compensation of similarly-situated executives at other companies, as reflected in third-party compensation surveys, including the 2016 Compensation Report. However, the Compensation Committee retained the discretion to award bonus percentages higher or lower than these targets based on the overall plan funding level and the Committee's subjective assessment of each individual's achievement of his or her individual goals and objectives, as applicable.
26
The 2016 Senior Management Bonus Plan provided that the bonus pool would be "funded" only if j2 Global achieved at least 96% of a target adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income value ("Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income") of $237,959,000. Such amount would be calculated by taking j2 Global's consolidated GAAP net income, adding back any non-cash compensation expense, non-recurring one-time charges, depreciation and amortization, and deducting any non-recurring income or income recorded in the fiscal year of 2016 relating to a previous year, all items net of tax. Such amount would be further reduced by a cost of capital charge at a rate of 8.41% representing acquisitions. If 96% or more of the target Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income was achieved, the bonus pool could be funded at between 50% and 170% of the target pool amount, or between $907,512 and $3,085,541, depending on the actual percentage of the Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income target achieved. The bonus pool was capped at 170% if more than $256,430,000 of Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income was achieved. Notwithstanding the achievement of the 2016 Senior Management Bonus Plan criteria, the Compensation Committee retained discretion to increase or decrease the funding of the bonus pool based on factors it deemed appropriate.
Once the bonus pool was funded, individual bonuses were to be established by evaluating each executive's relative contribution to the success of j2 Global as a whole, as well as his or her success in meeting his or her individual objectives. Individual bonus amounts were to be recommended by the Compensation Committee for approval by the Board of Directors.
On February 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee recommended for approval by the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors approved, funding the pool established under the 2016 Senior Management Bonus Plan (the "2016 Pool") at the 119.5% level based upon the program formula. On February 8, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the Compensation Committee's recommendation to award the following bonuses from the 2016 Pool to the named executive officers: Nehemia Zucker – $990,000; R. Scott Turicchi – $605,000; Jeremy D. Rossen – $210,000; and Steve Dunn – $136,000. The bonus levels for Messrs. Zucker, Turicchi, Rossen and Dunn were based on the overall financial performance of j2 Global for 2016.
In addition to the Senior Management Bonus Program described above, the Chief Executive Officer and President also participated in a Supplemental Deferred Compensation Bonus Program (the "Supplemental Plan") from 2010 and ending with the 2014 Supplemental Plan year which payments were approved in 2015. The Supplemental Plan was designed to further incentivize the most senior executives, who are ultimately responsible for j2 Global's performance, to achieve j2 Global's financial goals and improve its financial and operational health. The Supplemental Plan was adopted in recognition of the increased level of responsibility that the participants have assumed in light of the continued growth of j2 Global, and the increased expectations of these executives to continue to innovate and grow and promote j2 Global's vision. Under the Supplemental Plan, the Chief Executive Officer and President were eligible to receive an additional 37.5% and 25% of their base salary, respectively, in any year in which the Senior Management Bonus Plan was funded in an amount representing achievement of at least 90% of the target value.
Awards under the Supplemental Plan were determined on the date on which the level of funding of the Senior Management Bonus Plan was determined (the "Determination Date"), and were to be paid out in three equal annual installments on or around the first, second and third anniversary of the applicable Determination Date. Payments were to be made only if the recipients were active employees of the Company on the date of distribution. Notwithstanding the achievement of the funding criteria under the Supplemental Plan, the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors reserved the right to increase or decrease the amount payable under the Supplemental Plan as they deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The Supplemental Plan was discontinued in 2015, following the approval of the annual installments in respect of the 2014 Supplemental Plan year by the Board of Directors in February 2015. All amounts approved by the Board prior to the discontinuance, shall be paid on such dates as required by the Supplemental Plan.
27
The following table describes the installments previously paid, and to be paid in the future, to Messrs. Zucker and Turicchi under the Supplemental Plan.
|
Installments paid under Supplemental Plan
|
Supplemental Plan Future Installments
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
Determination Date
|
Total
Bonus
|
February 20, 2012
|
March 5, 2013
|
March 5, 2014
|
March 5, 2015
|
February 26, 2016
|
March 3, 2017
|
2018
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Nehemia
|
1/31/2011
|
$
|
172,125
|
$
|
57,375
|
$
|
57,375
|
$
|
57,375
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Zucker
|
1/30/2012
|
$
|
209,625
|
–
|
$
|
69,875
|
$
|
69,875
|
$
|
69,875
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/11/2013
|
$
|
221,625
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
73,875
|
$
|
73,875
|
$
|
73,875
|
–
|
–
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/11/2014
|
$
|
241,571
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
80,524
|
$
|
80,524
|
$
|
80,523
|
–
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/10/2015
|
$
|
256,072
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
85,358
|
$
|
85,357
|
$
|
85,357
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Scott
|
1/31/2011
|
$
|
93,750
|
$
|
31,250
|
$
|
31,250
|
$
|
31,250
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Turicchi
|
1/30/2012
|
$
|
97,500
|
–
|
$
|
32,500
|
$
|
32,500
|
$
|
32,500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/11/2013
|
$
|
103,250
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
34,417
|
$
|
34,417
|
$
|
34,416
|
–
|
–
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2/11/2014 |
$
|
118,738
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
39,580
|
$
|
39,580
|
$
|
39,578
|
–
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2/10/2015 |
$
|
125,943
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
41,981
|
$
|
41,981
|
$
|
41,981
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
j2 Global does not currently have any policy regarding the adjustment or recovery of awards under the bonus program in the event that the Company's financial statements are later restated or adjusted. In July 2015, in response to Congress' adoption of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the SEC proposed rules requiring that all public companies adopt a policy whereby, in the event of a restatement, the company will recover from current and former executives, for the three years preceding the restatement, any incentive-based compensation that would not have been awarded under the restated financial statements. The SEC has not yet adopted such rules. Upon their adoption, j2 Global will consider and adopt a policy that complies with the new requirements and, as necessary, enter into appropriate agreements with the employees covered by any such policy.
Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation awards, including stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and performance shares, are designed to align the interests of executives and employees with the long-term interests of the stockholders. j2 Global approves stock-based compensation awards subject to vesting periods to retain executives and employees and encourage sustained contributions. To date, j2 Global has only awarded stock-based compensation in the form of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units because it believes that these forms of compensation are most likely to retain and incentivize the employees to improve stockholder value. In fiscal 2012, the Compensation Committee adopted a policy of making annual stock-based compensation awards to better align the Company's compensation practices with members of the peer groups.
In general, the Compensation Committee determines the appropriate size of stock-based compensation awards by evaluating the relative importance of the contributions of each executive and the expected future value of each award over the vesting period. The Compensation Committee also takes into account from time to time information provided by third-party compensation surveys that provide market compensation data of similarly-situated executives at similar companies. This process is designed to achieve the proper balance between incentivizing and retaining the services of our executive officers
28
and other key employees, while continuing to preserve stockholder value. Prior to 2012, the Compensation Committee had used a combination of (a) stock options vesting ratably over five years and having an exercise price equal to the closing market price on the date of grant and (b) restricted stock vesting over five years on the following graduated schedule on each anniversary of the date of award: 10% on the first anniversary, 15% on the second anniversary, 20% on the third anniversary, 25% on the fourth anniversary and 30% on the fifth anniversary. In fiscal 2012, to better align the Company's compensation practices with members of the peer groups, the Compensation Committee adopted a policy of having restricted stock vest ratably over the five-year vesting period, with awards vesting one-fifth on each of the first five anniversaries of the date of the award provided that the recipient is still employed by j2 Global at the applicable vesting date. In fiscal 2015, the Company re-introduced the issuance of stock options, vesting ratably over five years and having an exercise price equal to the closing market price on the date of grant, to the Chief Executive Officer and President and Chief Financial Officer. In fiscal 2016, the Compensation Committee adopted a policy whereby restricted stock issued to senior executive officers, including the named executive officers, vest with respect to (i) 50% of the restricted shares granted, ratably over the five-year vesting period, with awards vesting one-fifth on each of the first five anniversaries of the date of the award provided that the recipient is still employed by j2 Global at the applicable vesting date ("time vesting restricted shares"), and (ii) the remaining 50% of the restricted shares granted, with respect to one-fifth of such shares at each such time as j2 Common Stock remains at or above the following stock prices for at least 20 consecutive trading days: $75, $85, $95, $105, and $115 ("performance vesting restricted shares"); provided that in the case of performance vesting restricted shares (x) no such shares shall vest prior to the first anniversary of the date of grant, whether or not any stock price condition is satisfied prior to such time and (y) the recipient is still employed by j2 Global at the applicable vesting date.
In fiscal 2016, the following stock-based compensation awards were made to the named executive officers (the "2016 Awards"):
|
Nehemia Zucker
|
25,890 time vesting restricted shares
|
25,890 performance vesting restricted shares
|
|
R. Scott Turicchi
|
17,653 time vesting restricted shares
|
17,652 performance vesting restricted shares
|
|
Jeremy D. Rossen
|
4,354 time vesting restricted shares
|
4,354 performance vesting restricted shares
|
|
Steve P. Dunn
|
3,123 time vesting restricted shares
|
3,122 performance vesting restricted shares
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. j2 Global offers all of its employees, including j2 Global's executive officers, the opportunity to purchase j2 Global's common stock through a tax-qualified employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP"). Under the ESPP, eligible employees can withhold up to 15% of their earnings, up to certain maximums, to be used to purchase shares of j2 Global's common stock at certain plan-defined dates. The price of j2 Global common stock purchased under the ESPP for the offering periods is equal to 95% of its fair value at the end of the offering period.
Other Compensation. j2 Global's executive officers are entitled to participate in j2 Global's health, vision, dental, life and disability insurance plans, j2 Global's innovation and patent award program and j2 Global's tax-qualified 401(k) plan, to the same extent as j2 Global's other employees. However, j2 Global bears a greater share of the cost with respect to the health, vision and dental plans offered to executives. j2 Global's innovation and patent award program provides monetary incentives for participants who submit patent ideas to the Company, or file patent applications with, or are granted patents by, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Participants in the 401(k) plan are eligible to receive an annual company match up to $500, which vests over a three-year period. In addition, j2 Global pays a higher portion of employer contributions toward premiums for executives who participate in the health, vision and dental plans.
29
Change in Control and Severance Arrangements. j2 Global has not provided change of control or severance arrangements to any of its executive officers, except Mr. Zucker. Mr. Zucker has an employment agreement which has no specified term and is terminable at will by either party, but provides for continued payment of salary for six months (or if earlier, to the date Mr. Zucker commences new employment) in the event of a termination by j2 Global without cause. Under Mr. Zucker's employment agreement, "cause" means (i) any act or failure to act, done or omitted in bad faith, (ii) persistent unavailability for service, habitual neglect, material misconduct (after notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure) or dishonesty, or (iii) conviction of a felony (other than ordinary traffic violations or similar minor offenses). If Mr. Zucker had been terminated without cause on December 31, 2016, he would have been entitled to receive $392,500.
In addition, in the event of a change of control of j2 Global, each option granted under the Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan or the 2007 Stock Plan will become immediately exercisable in full and all outstanding restrictions on each share of restricted stock and each restricted stock unit awarded under these plans will immediately lapse in full, in each case unless the Board of Directors determines that the holder has been offered substantially identical replacement options, shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units, as the case may be, and a comparable position at the acquiring company. With respect to the 2015 Stock Plan, unless the Compensation Committee or Board of Directors determines otherwise at the time of grant, in the event a participant's employment is involuntarily terminated without cause or a participant resigns for good cause, in each case during the twenty-four month period following a change in control, each option granted under the 2015 Stock Plan will become immediately exercisable in full and all outstanding restrictions on each share of restricted stock, including time and performance based restrictions, and each restricted stock unit awarded under the 2015 Stock Plan will immediately lapse in full. Moreover, the Compensation Committee or Board of Directors may provide for awards under the 2015 Stock Plan to be cancelled in exchange for a cash payment in connection with a change in control.
Prohibition on Hedging Transactions
The Board of Directors has adopted an anti-hedging policy that prohibits officers and directors from engaging in transactions that would allow such officer or director to continue to own the Company's common stock without taking on the full risks and rewards of stock ownership. The Board of Directors believes that when such transactions occur, those directors or officers engaged in any such transactions may no longer have the same objectives as the Company's other stockholders under such circumstances and, therefore, such hedging and monetization transactions are prohibited.
Summary
After its review of all existing programs, consideration of current market and competitive conditions and alignment with j2 Global's overall compensation objectives and philosophy, the Compensation Committee believes that the total compensation program for j2 Global's executive officers is focused on increasing value for stockholders and enhancing j2 Global's performance. The Compensation Committee currently believes that, although it does not target a specific percentage as being incentive compensation, a significant portion of compensation of executive officers is properly tied to stock appreciation or stockholder value through stock-based compensation awards and annual cash incentive bonus measures. j2 Global's Compensation Committee believes that its executive compensation levels are competitive with the compensation programs offered by other corporations with which it competes for executive talent.
30
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of j2 Global's filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act, that might incorporate future filings, including this proxy statement, in whole or in part, the following Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed to be "Soliciting Material," is not deemed "filed" with the SEC and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filings under the Securities Act or Exchange Act whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in such filings.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Management of j2 Global has prepared the Compensation Discussion and Analysis as required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K, and the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed it with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the proxy statement for j2 Global's 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors,
Douglas Y. Bech
Robert J. Cresci
Stephen Ross
Robert J. Cresci
Stephen Ross
31
COMPENSATION RISK
The Compensation Committee has reviewed the Company's compensation policies and practices for all employees, including executive and non-executive officers, and determined that j2 Global's compensation programs do not give rise to risks reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Committee noted several design features of j2 Global's cash and equity incentive programs for all executive officers in particular that reduce the likelihood of excessive risk-taking and instead encourage behaviors that support sustainable value creation:
|
·
|
The program design provides a balanced mix of cash and equity, annual and longer-term incentives, and performance metrics (earnings and total stockholder return).
|
|
·
|
There is a significant weighting towards long-term incentive compensation that discourages short-term risk taking.
|
|
·
|
Goals are appropriately set to avoid targets that, if not achieved, result in a large percentage loss of compensation.
|
|
·
|
The maximum funding level of the Senior Management Bonus Program is capped at 170% of target.
|
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Messrs. Bech, Cresci and Ross served on the Compensation Committee during 2016. j2 Global has no interlocking relationships or other transactions involving any of its Compensation Committee members that are required to be reported pursuant to applicable SEC rules. No member of the Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of j2 Global.
32
2016 Summary Compensation Table
The table below summarizes the total compensation earned by each of the named executive officers in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
|
Name and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Bonus
($)(1)
|
Stock
Awards
($)(2)
|
Option
Awards ($)(3)
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(1)
|
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Nehemia Zucker
Chief Executive Officer
|
2016
|
$
|
774,167
|
–
|
$
|
3,299,939
|
–
|
$
|
990,000
|
–
|
$
|
21,804
|
$
|
5,085,910
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015
|
$
|
729,286
|
–
|
$
|
2,300,067
|
$
|
593,580
|
$
|
1,078,403
|
–
|
$
|
21,919
|
$
|
4,723,255
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
2014
|
$
|
669,548
|
$
|
90,000
|
$
|
1,879,022
|
–
|
$
|
1,069,072
|
–
|
$
|
24,048
|
$
|
3,731,690
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Scott Turicchi(4)
President and Chief Financial Officer
|
2016
|
$
|
578,333
|
–
|
$
|
2,249,988
|
–
|
$
|
605,000
|
–
|
$
|
21,804
|
$
|
3,433,321
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015
|
$
|
537,924
|
–
|
$
|
1,700,061
|
$
|
350,060
|
$
|
638,348
|
–
|
$
|
21,919
|
$
|
3,248,312
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
2014
|
$
|
493,850
|
$
|
75,000
|
$
|
1,398,362
|
–
|
$
|
592,943
|
–
|
$
|
24,048
|
$
|
2,584,203
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Jeremy D. Rossen(5)
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
|
2016
|
$
|
363,333
|
–
|
$
|
554,961
|
–
|
$
|
210,000
|
–
|
$
|
21,804
|
$
|
1,150,098
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015
|
$
|
204,167
|
–
|
$
|
1,396,200
|
–
|
$
|
116,655
|
–
|
$
|
10,756
|
$
|
1,727,777
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Steve P. Dunn
Chief Accounting Officer
|
2016
|
$
|
258,500
|
–
|
$
|
397,994
|
–
|
$
|
136,000
|
–
|
$
|
15,089
|
$
|
807,583
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015
|
$
|
243,075
|
–
|
$
|
369,710
|
–
|
$
|
151,000
|
–
|
$
|
15,251
|
$
|
779,036
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
2014
|
$
|
235,394
|
$
|
40,000
|
$
|
327,761
|
–
|
$
|
107,000
|
–
|
$
|
13,166
|
$
|
723,321
|
||||||||||||||||||||
__________________
|
(1)
|
Amounts reported in this column represent compensation earned in the year in which they were reported and were paid in the following fiscal year.
|
|
(2)
|
These amounts represent the grant date fair value under ASC 718 for restricted stock awards granted in 2016 and assume all performance conditions with respect to the performance vesting restricted shares have been met. The ASC 718 value as of the grant date for stock awards is spread over the number of months of service required for the grant to become non-forfeitable. There can be no assurance that the ASC 718 amount will ever be realized. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts for awards granted in 2016 are included in Note 13, "Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan" to the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, included in j2 Global's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2017.
|
|
(3)
|
These amounts represent the grant date fair value under ASC 718 for stock option awards granted in 2016. The ASC 718 value as of the grant date for stock option awards is spread over the vesting period. There can be no assurance that the ASC 718 amount will ever be realized. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts for stock options granted in 2015 are included in Note 13 "Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan" to the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, included in j2 Global's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2017.
|
|
(4)
|
Mr. Turicchi was appointed Chief Financial Officer in August 2014.
|
|
(5)
|
Mr. Rossen commenced employment as Vice President, General Counsel in June 2015 and was appointed Secretary in November 2015.
|
33
2016 All Other Compensation
The following table and related footnotes describe each component of the column entitled "All Other Compensation" in the Summary Compensation Table.
|
Name
|
Year
|
Perquisites
and Other Personal Benefits ($) |
Tax
Reimbursements ($) |
Insurance
Premiums ($) |
Company
Contributions to Retirement and 401(k) Plans ($)
|
Severance
Payments/ Accruals(8) ($) |
Change
in Control Payments / Accruals ($)
|
Other
|
Total
($)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Nehemia
Zucker |
2016
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
21,303
|
(1)
|
$
|
500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
21,804
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
21,419
|
(2)
|
$
|
500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
21,919
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2014
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
23,548
|
(3)
|
$
|
500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
24,048
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
R. Scott
Turicchi |
2016
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
21,303
|
(1)
|
$
|
500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
21,804
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
21,419
|
(2)
|
$
|
500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
21,919
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2014
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
23,548
|
(3)
|
$
|
500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
24,048
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Jeremy D.
Rossen |
2016
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
21,303
|
(3)
|
$
|
500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
21,804
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
10,318
|
(4)
|
$
|
437
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
10,756
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Steve P.
Dunn
|
2016
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
14,589
|
(5)
|
$
|
500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
15,089
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
14,751
|
(6)
|
$
|
500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
15,251
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2014
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
12,666
|
(7)
|
$
|
500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
$
|
13,166
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
________________
|
(1)
|
Consists of $21,253 in medical, dental and vision insurance premium contributions and $51 in life insurance premium contributions for $25,000 in life insurance benefits.
|
|
(2)
|
Consists of $21,371 in medical, dental and vision insurance premium contributions and $48 in life insurance premium contributions for $15,000 in life insurance benefits.
|
|
(3)
|
Consists of $23,510 in medical, dental and vision insurance premium contributions and $38 in life insurance premium contributions for $15,000 in life insurance benefits.
|
|
(4)
|
Consists of $10,288 in medical, dental and vision insurance premium contributions and $30 in life insurance premium contributions for $15,000 in life insurance benefits.
|
|
(5)
|
Consists of $14,538 in medical, dental and vision insurance premium contributions and $51 in life insurance premium contributions for $25,000 in life insurance benefits.
|
|
(6)
|
Consists of $14,703 in medical, dental and vision insurance premium contributions and $48 in life insurance premium contributions for $15,000 in life insurance benefits.
|
|
(7)
|
Consists of $12,628 in medical, dental and vision insurance premium contributions and $38 in life insurance premium contributions for $15,000 in life insurance benefits.
|
34
2016 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
|
Name
|
Grant Date
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
|
All Other
Stock Awards:
Number of Shares of Stock or Units(#)
|
All Other Option Awards:
Number of
Securities Underlying Options
(#)
|
Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
($ / Sh)
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
($)
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Threshold(1)
($)
|
Target
($)
|
Maximum
($)
|
Threshold
(#)
|
Target
(#)
|
Maximum
(#)
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Nehemia Zucker
|
5/9/2016(2)
|
431,750
|
863,500
|
1,467,950
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||||||
|
5/9/2016
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
51,780(3)
|
–
|
–
|
3,299,939
|
||||||||||||
|
R. Scott Turicchi
|
5/9/2016(2)
|
265,500
|
531,000
|
902,700
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||||||
|
5/9/2016
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
35,305(3)
|
–
|
–
|
2,249,988
|
||||||||||||
|
Jeremy D. Rossen
|
5/9/2016(2)
|
92,500
|
185,000
|
314,500
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||||||
|
5/9/2016
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
8,708(3)
|
–
|
–
|
554,961
|
||||||||||||
|
Steve P. Dunn
|
5/9/2016(2)
|
66,250
|
132,500
|
225,250
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||||||
|
5/9/2016
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
6,245(3)
|
–
|
–
|
397,994
|
||||||||||||
________________
|
(1)
|
The Senior Management Bonus Program is only funded if at least 96% of the Threshold Earnings Targets were achieved in a manner consistent with the Other Corporate Objectives, as more fully described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Bonus" above. If less than 96% of the Operating Income Targets were achieved, the bonus pool would not be funded at all and the named executive officers would not receive any bonus under the Senior Management Bonus Program.
|
|
(2)
|
These amounts were calculated based on each named executive officer's contribution to the bonus pool under the Senior Management Bonus Program. Although these amounts serve as a baseline for individual bonus awards, individual bonuses are granted at the discretion of the Compensation Committee in accordance with the methodology outlined under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Bonus" above.
|
|
(3)
|
50% of this restricted stock award vests in five equal installments on each anniversary of the grant date, with the first installment vesting on May 9, 2017 provided that the recipient is still employed by j2 Global at the applicable vesting date, and 50% of this stock award vests with respect to one-fifth of such shares at each such time as j2 Common Stock remains at or above the following stock prices for at least 20 consecutive trading days: $75, $85, $95, $105, and $115 provided, with respect to this second 50% that (a) no such shares shall vest prior to the first anniversary of the date of grant and (b) the recipient is still employed by j2 Global at the applicable vesting date.
|
35
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2016
The following table provides information on the holdings of stock options and restricted stock by the named executive officers at December 31, 2016.
|
Option Awards
|
Stock Awards
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
|
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
|
Option
Exercise Price ($) |
Option
Expiration Date |
Number of
Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
|
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested(1) ($)
|
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other
Rights That
Have Not Vested (#)
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
|
||||||||||||
|
Exercisable
|
Unexercisable
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Nehemia
|
7,800
|
31,200
|
–
|
$67.35
|
5/6/2025
|
(2)
|
131,579
|
(4)
|
$10,763,162
|
–
|
–
|
||||||||||
|
Zucker
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
R. Scott
|
20,000
|
–
|
–
|
$17.19
|
3/5/2019
|
(3)
|
94,964
|
(5)
|
$7,768,055
|
–
|
–
|
||||||||||
|
Turicchi
|
4,600
|
18,400
|
–
|
$67.35
|
5/6/2025
|
(2)
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Jeremy D.
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
24,708
|
(6)
|
$2,021,114
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||||||
|
Rossen
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Steve P.
Dunn
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
18,909
|
(7)
|
$1,546,756
|
–
|
–
|
|||||||||||
________________
|
(1)
|
The market value is determined by multiplying the number of shares by $81.80, the closing trading price of j2 Global common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 30, 2016, the last trading day of the fiscal year.
|
|
(2)
|
The option was granted on May 6, 2015. The option vests and becomes exercisable in five equal annual installments. The first installment vested on May 6, 2016. The option becomes fully vested on May 6, 2020.
|
|
(3)
|
The option was granted on March 5, 2009. The option vested and became exercisable in five equal annual installments. The first installment vested on March 5, 2010. The option became fully vested on March 5, 2014.
|
|
(4)
|
Consists of the unvested restricted stock with respect to the following restricted stock awards: (a) 53,000 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on August 14, 2012 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on August 14, 2013; (b) 40,908 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 10, 2013 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 10, 2014; (c) 42,435 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 6, 2014 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 6, 2015; (d) 34,217 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 5, 2015 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 5, 2016; (e) 25,890 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 9, 2016 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 9, 2017; and (f) 25,890 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 9, 2016 that have vesting conditions based on specified stock price targets of the Company's common stock.
|
36
|
(5)
|
Consists of the unvested restricted stock with respect to the following restricted stock awards: (a) 42,000 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on August 14, 2012 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on August 14, 2013; (b) 30,194 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 10, 2013 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 10, 2014; (c) 31,580 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 6, 2014 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 6, 2015; (d) 25,291 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 5, 2015 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 5, 2016; (e) 17,653 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 9, 2016 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 9, 2017; and (f) 17,652 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 9, 2016 that have vesting conditions based on specified stock price targets of the Company's common stock.
|
|
(6)
|
Consists of the unvested restricted stock with respect to the following restricted stock awards: (a) 20,000 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on August 3, 2015 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on August 3, 2016; (b) 4,354 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 9, 2016 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 9, 2017; and (c) 4,354 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 9, 2016 that have vesting conditions based on specified stock price targets of the Company's common stock.
|
|
(7)
|
Consists of the unvested restricted stock with respect to the following restricted stock awards: (a) 4,500 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on August 14, 2012 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on August 14, 2013; (b) 7,305 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 10, 2013 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 10, 2014; (c) 7,402 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 6, 2014 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 6, 2015; (d) 5,500 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 5, 2015 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 5, 2016; (e) 3,123 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 9, 2016 that vest in five equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning on May 9, 2017; and (f) 3,122 restricted shares of j2 Global common stock granted on May 9, 2016 that have vesting conditions based on specified stock price targets of the Company's common stock.
|
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2016
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to stock options exercised and vested stock awards by j2 Global's executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
|
Name
|
Option Awards
|
Stock Awards
|
||||||
|
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
|
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
|
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
|
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
|
|||||
|
Nehemia Zucker
|
— |
—
|
34,112
|
$2,240,781
|
||||
|
R. Scott Turicchi
|
— |
—
|
25,813
|
$1,696,955
|
||||
|
Jeremy D. Rossen
|
— |
—
|
4,000
|
$270,600
|
||||
|
Steve P. Dunn
|
1,000
|
$ 45,878
|
6,441
|
$430,879
|
||||
37
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2016, regarding shares outstanding and available for issuance under j2 Global's existing stock option plans:
|
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
|
413,858(1)
|
$31.09
|
5,365,180(2)
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
________________
|
(1)
|
Consists of shares issued upon exercise of stock options under the 2015 Stock Plan, the Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan and the 2007 Stock Plan.
|
|
(2)
|
Of these, as of December 31, 2016, 3,738,654 shares remained available for grant under the 2015 Stock Plan and 1,626,526 shares remained available for grant under the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan terminated on October 24, 2007, and no additional shares were available for grant under that plan after the termination date. Upon the adoption of the 2015 Stock Plan, the Board of Directors adopted a resolution providing that no further stock-based awards shall be granted under the 2007 Stock Plan.
|
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
j2 Global has not provided change of control or severance arrangements to any of its executive officers, except Mr. Zucker. Mr. Zucker has an employment agreement which has no specified term and is terminable at will by either party. The agreement provides for continued payment of salary for six months (or if earlier, to the date Mr. Zucker commences new employment) in the event of a termination by j2 Global without cause. Under Mr. Zucker's employment agreement, "cause" means (i) any act or failure to act, done or omitted in bad faith, (ii) persistent unavailability for service, habitual neglect, material misconduct (after notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure) or dishonesty, or (iii) conviction of a felony (other than ordinary traffic violations or similar minor offenses). If Mr. Zucker had been terminated without cause on December 31, 2016, he would have been entitled to receive $392,500.
In the event of a change of control of j2 Global, each option granted under the Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan or the 2007 Stock Plan will become immediately vested and exercisable in full and all outstanding restrictions on each share of restricted stock and each restricted stock unit shall immediately be canceled in full unless the Board of Directors determines that the holder has been offered substantially identical replacement options, replacement shares of restricted stock or replacement restricted stock units, as the case may be, and a comparable position at the acquiring company. With respect to the 2015 Stock Plan, unless the Compensation Committee or Board of Directors determines otherwise at the time of grant, in the event a participant's employment is involuntarily terminated without cause or a participant resigns for good reason, in each case during the
38
twenty-four month period following a change in control, each option granted under the 2015 Stock Plan will become immediately exercisable in full and all outstanding restrictions on each share of restricted stock, including time and performance based restrictions, and each restricted stock unit awarded under the 2015 Stock Plan will immediately lapse in full. Moreover, the Compensation Committee or Board of Directors may provide for awards under the 2015 Stock Plan to be cancelled in exchange for a cash payment in connection with a change in control.
As of December 31, 2016, the named executive officers would have realized the following gains from the acceleration of unvested stock options, measured by the difference between the closing price of j2 Global common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 30, 2016, or $81.80, and the option grant price, multiplied by the number of options that remain subject to vesting: Nehemia Zucker – $450,840; and R. Scott Turicchi – $265,880.
In addition, the named executive officers would have realized the following gains from the acceleration of unvested restricted stock, measured by multiplying the number of unvested restricted shares by the closing price of j2 Global common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 30, 2016, or $81.80: Nehemia Zucker – $10,763,162; R. Scott Turicchi – $7,768,055; Jeremy D. Rossen – $2,021,114; and Steve P. Dunn – $1,546,756.
39
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of j2 Global's filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act that might incorporate future filings, including this proxy statement, in whole or in part, the following Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be "Soliciting Material," is not deemed "filed" with the SEC and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filings under the Securities Act or Exchange Act whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in such filings.
j2 Global's management has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal financial controls, for preparing the financial statements and for the public reporting process. BDO, j2 Global's independent auditor for 2016, was responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of j2 Global's 2016 audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and on the effectiveness of j2 Global's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. The Audit Committee reviewed j2 Global's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. As part of this review for fiscal 2016, the Audit Committee met privately with BDO and j2 Global's internal auditors to discuss the Company's financial statements and disclosures, accounting policies and their application, internal controls over financial reporting, and other matters of importance to the Audit Committee, BDO or the internal auditors.
In this context, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and BDO the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, j2 Global's internal control over financial reporting and BDO's evaluation of j2 Global's internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee discussed with BDO the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding BDO's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with BDO that firm's independence. The Audit Committee concluded that BDO's provision of audit and non-audit services to j2 Global and its affiliates through December 31, 2016, was compatible with BDO's independence.
Based on the considerations referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to j2 Global's Board of Directors that the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, be included in j2 Global's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2016.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of
j2 Global's Board of Directors,
j2 Global's Board of Directors,
W. Brian Kretzmer, Chairman
Jonathan F. Miller
Stephen Ross
40
The fees billed to j2 Global by BDO for services rendered relating to fiscal 2016 and 2015 are set forth below.
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
||||||
|
Audit Fees(a)
|
$
|
1,811,893
|
$
|
1,368,501
|
||||
|
Audit-Related Fees(b)
|
104,186
|
13,629
|
||||||
|
Tax Fees(c)
|
136,224
|
25,942
|
||||||
|
All Other Fees(d)
|
27,864
|
5,985
|
||||||
|
Total
|
$
|
2,080,166
|
$
|
1,414,057
|
||||
________________
|
(a)
|
Audit fees included amounts billed or to be billed for professional services rendered for the audit of j2 Global's annual financial statements, the review of j2 Global's financial statements included in j2 Global's quarterly reports, and the audits of j2 Global's internal control over financial reporting, statutory and subsidiary audits, the review of documents filed with the SEC and certain accounting consultations in connection with the audits.
|
|
(b)
|
Audit-related fees included amounts billed for audits in respect of our international subsidiaries.
|
|
(c)
|
Tax fees consisted principally of professional services rendered for tax compliance and tax planning and advice including assistance with tax audits and appeals and tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions.
|
|
(d)
|
All Other Fees included amounts billed for compilation services in respect of our international subsidiaries.
|
SingerLewak served as j2 Global's independent auditors through the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The fees billed to j2 Global by SingerLewak for services rendered relating to fiscal 2015 are set forth below.
|
|
2015
|
|||
|
Audit Fees(a)
|
$
|
36,613
|
||
|
Audit-Related Fees(b)
|
14,305
|
|||
|
Tax Fees
|
¾
|
|||
|
All Other Fees
|
¾
|
|||
|
Total
|
$
|
50,918
|
||
________________
| (a) | Audit fees included amounts billed or to be billed for professional services rendered for the audit of j2 Global's annual financial statements, the review of j2 Global's financial statements included in j2 Global's quarterly reports, and the audits of j2 Global's internal control over financial reporting, statutory and subsidiary audits, the review of documents filed with the SEC, and certain accounting consultations in connection with the audits. |
| (b) | Audit-related fees included amounts billed for audits of certain employee benefit plans' financial statements. |
41
Availability of Representatives of Independent Accountant at the Annual Meeting
Representatives of BDO are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, and will have the opportunity to make a statement at the meeting if they desire to do so. In addition, they are expected to be available at the meeting to respond to appropriate questions.
Pre-Approval Procedure for Services
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services. Requests for the independent auditors to provide any services to j2 Global must be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the independent auditors and the Chief Financial Officer and must be pre-approved. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members.
42
j2 Global has adopted a written policy requiring disclosure by certain employees, including all executive officers, of all transactions involving j2 Global, if the employee or a family member, significant other, employer or close associate will receive a benefit or gain. All such transactions are reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer and/or President and/or the Board of Directors, as appropriate. The employee with an interest in the transaction may be asked to recuse himself or herself from any discussion and/or final decision relating to the transaction and/or any oversight of any ongoing relationship associated with such transaction.
Any proposed transactions requiring disclosure as discussed above may only proceed or continue if j2 Global determines that it will realize at least the same business advantage from the transaction as it would from operating at arms-length with any third party or, alternatively, that the transaction does not represent an actual conflict of interest.
In addition, j2 Global's Board of Directors has a policy that all transactions between a Board member or family member of a Board member and j2 Global be approved by a majority of members of the Board of Directors with the interested Board member recusing himself from such vote.
In addition, the j2 Global Board of Directors has adopted a written policy governing the approval of Related-Party Transactions (the "RPT Policy"). "Related-Party Transactions" include any transaction or relationship directly or indirectly involving a director or director nominee, executive officer, a 5% stockholder of the Company or any person known by the Company to be an immediate family member of any of the foregoing individuals that would need to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Such transactions do not include, however, indemnification payments, ordinary course business expenses or reimbursements or compensation paid to directors and executive officers for their services as directors and executive officers.
The RPT Policy prohibits all Related-Party Transactions unless they are approved or ratified by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. If a transaction or relationship constitutes a Related-Party Transaction, the Committee will then review the transaction or relationship to determine whether to approve or ratify the transaction. In making its determination, the Committee considers several factors including, but not limited to:
|
·
|
whether the terms of the Related-Party Transaction are fair to j2 Global and on the same basis as would apply if the transaction did not involve a related party;
|
|
·
|
whether j2 Global has business reasons to enter into the transaction or relationship;
|
|
·
|
whether the transaction or relationship will impair the independence of an outside director;
|
|
·
|
the materiality of the transaction or relationship, taking into account the importance of the interest to the related party, the dollar amount involved and the significance of the transaction to j2 Global and its investors in light of all the circumstances;
|
|
·
|
whether the transaction or relationship raises any disclosure or reputational issues; and
|
|
·
|
whether the transaction or relationship presents an improper conflict of interest for any director or executive officer of j2 Global.
|
Since January 1, 2016, j2 Global has not been a party to any transaction that would require disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
43
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, certain stockholder proposals may be eligible for inclusion in j2 Global's proxy statement and form of proxy. The date by which stockholder proposals must be received by j2 Global so that they may be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy for j2 Global's 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is November 23, 2017 (or if the date of the next j2 Global annual meeting of stockholders is changed by more than 30 days from the date of the Annual Meeting, a reasonable time before j2 Global begins to print and mail its proxy materials). Assuming j2 Global holds the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on the anniversary of the Annual Meeting, stockholder proposals which a stockholder does not seek to include in the proxy statement and form of proxy pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act must be received by j2 Global no earlier than February 3, 2018, and no later than March 5, 2018 (unless there are fewer than 70 days between the date the next annual meeting is announced and the date it is held, in which case such advance notice must be given not more than 10 days after the date of the announcement).
Notice of a stockholder's intent to nominate candidates for election as directors must be submitted within the deadline for submission of stockholder proposals. Stockholder proposals or notices of intent to nominate candidates for election as directors should be submitted to j2 Global, Inc. at its principal executive offices at 6922 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90028.
COST OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY SOLICITATION
j2 Global is paying the expenses of this solicitation. j2 Global also will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in sending proxy material to principals and obtaining their instructions. In addition to solicitation by mail, the directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, fax, email or similar means.
HOUSEHOLDING
As permitted by the Exchange Act, only one copy of this proxy statement or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable, is being delivered to stockholders residing at the same address, unless such stockholders have notified j2 Global of their desire to receive multiple copies of the proxy statement or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable.
j2 Global will promptly deliver, upon oral or written request, a separate copy of the proxy statement or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or annual reports, proxy statements or Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in the future, to any stockholder residing at an address to which only one copy was mailed. Additionally, stockholders sharing an address may request delivery of a single copy of annual reports, proxy statements or Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials if they are receiving multiple copies of such documents. All such requests should be directed to j2 Global's Secretary, 6922 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90028, (323) 860-9200.
44
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in respect thereof as the proxy holders deem advisable.
It is important that the proxies be returned promptly and that your shares be represented. Stockholders are urged to mark, date, sign and promptly return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed envelope or, for stockholders who own j2 Global stock through a bank or broker that provides for voting by telephone or over the Internet, submit voting instructions by telephone or the Internet.
The form of proxy and this proxy statement have been approved by the Board of Directors and are being mailed and delivered to stockholders by its authority.
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Richard S. Ressler
Chairman of the Board
|
Los Angeles, California
Dated: March 23, 2017
Dated: March 23, 2017
45
